There would be very little point in my exhausting myself and other conservationists themselves in trying to protect animals and habitats if we weren't at the same time raising young people to be better stewards.

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.

Young people, when informed and empowered, when they realize that what they do truly makes a difference, can indeed change the world.

I still think we are smart enough to not destroy planet Earth, our only home.

I always loved animals. And when I was ten, I decided I had to go to Africa and live with animals and write books about them.

Here we are, the most clever species ever to have lived. So how is it we can destroy the only planet we have?

I shouldn't have named the chimps. It wasn't scientific. I didn't know. I knew nothing. And worse sin of all was that I was ascribing to them emotions like happiness, sadness and so forth.