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For 18 years... a lone chimpanzee lives an isolated life, bringing on fits of insanity, neurosis and self-mutilation. Then one day the cage door opens and in runs another chimpanzee. It's the first ape Reuben has ever seen. Intelligent, strong, gentle and caring - Reuben and Jimmy Joe are soon joined by two other chimps Tyler and Ripley. Before long the foursome form a remarkable friendship. But their joyful bond is short-lived when the townspeople of Savage, Nebraska, mount a brutal tragedy. Based on the author's professional experiences, Sandra Lynch-Bakken chronicles the events leading up to the sad day in September 2005 that forever changed her life and the lives of a captive chimpanzee bachelor group. Plying truth with treachery, joy with sadness, and triumph with defeat Lynch-Bakken weaves an emotional non-fiction tale that advocates for all animals. A story that will touch the hearts of all ages, Reuben: The Savage Prisoner, is sure to have animal lovers and proponents cheering for the good guys, the wrongly accused, and this amazing species that share over 98 per cent of our genetic makeup.
About the author
Animals have been a constant in Sandra Lynch-Bakken's life. For over twenty-five years Sandra has worked with, and studied numerous species of fauna, in both captive and wild settings. She has evolved from a teen-aged birdwatcher to a compassionate zookeeper to an ardent activist for the preservation of wildlife.
After having careers that took them to zoos across North America, Sandra and her husband now live on 240 acres in northern British Columbia where they share the land with grizzlies and wolverines. It's in this natural setting she writes and devotes her spare time to photographing indigenous species through non-intrusive means.
Reuben: The Savage Prisoner is Sandra's second book. Alone Within the Pack chronicles her real-life work with a motley pack of grey wolves. She hopes her fact-based stories will inspire the public to take further action in protecting this planet's diverse wildlife.
