Only if we understand, can we care. Only if we care, we will help. Only if we help, we shall be saved.

Chimps taught us we're not separated from the animal kingdom, we're a part of it.

I had never been able to believe that God would give us poor frail humans only one chance at making it -- that we would be assigned to some kind of hell because we failed during one experience of mortal life. ... So the concepts of karma and reincarnation made logical sense to me.

It was because the chimps are so eye-catching, so like us and teach us so much that my work was recognised worldwide.

Some people say, therefore, that violence and war are inevitable. I say rubbish: Our brains are fully capable of controlling instinctive behavior.

If you look into their [chimpanzees] eyes, you know you're looking into a thinking mind. They teach us that we are not the only beings with personalities, minds capable of rational thought, altruism and a sense of humor. That leads to new respect for other animals, respect for the environment and respect for all life.

The least I can do is speak out for those who cannot speak for themselves.