I got to Africa. I got the opportunity to go and learn, not about any animal, but chimpanzees. I was living in my dream world, the forest in Gombe National Park in Tanzania. It was Tanganyika when I began.

We seem to have lost the wisdom of the indigenous people, which dictated that in any major decision, the first consideration was 'How will this decision we're making today affect our people in the future? These days, decisions are made based on the bottom line.

Let us develop respect for all living things. Let us try to replace violence and intolerance with understanding and compassion. And love.

I am obstinate and I will not give in.

And always I have this feeling--which may not be true at all--that I am being used as a messenger.

I never wanted to give up. I thought I might have to. Especially at the beginning when chimpanzees had never seen a white person before.They gave one look at me and ran away! They were scared, but eventually I got their trust.

I urge you to read Eternal Treblinka and think deeply about its important message.