The Pllight of the Bonobos

Bonobos are an endangered species of primates. Sophie's mother, Florence, has dedicated her life to trying to preserve them. The bonobos are very cute and affectionate when they are young, which makes them an appealing pet. They later become large and protective, making them less so. One family that had a bonobo as a pet found that an adult bonobo was a liability, which prompted Florence's determination to help save the species.

As the story opens, Sophie arrives in the Congo. She sees a man with a bonobo in poor condition and sets out to rescue the ape, which will later be named Otto. She negotiates a price with the man and buys the little ape. He hangs on to life by a thread for a time and it seems that he might die, but he survives under Sophie's care. Though she...