I would never say I was an icon, but so many people have said I am, so I suppose I am. I mean, I can't not be what everyone says I am. But I don't feel like an icon.

The best relationship you can have with a chimpanzee is total mutual trust.

Never be arrogant or abrasive. Treat your opponent respectfully if they really and truly believe they are right.

If you educate women, family size tends to go down.

Whales, like elephants, are so social and intelligent. This hurts me to think of them being transported, put in noisy airplanes, and brought to a horrible concrete pen when they're supposed to be out in the sea.

Other people have talked about chimpanzees being a window into the past, which I suppose is true, in a way.

My mission is to create a world where we can live in harmony with nature. And can I do that alone? No. So there is a whole army of youth that can do it. So I suppose my mission is to reach as many of those young people as I can through my own efforts.