Gary L Shapiro – Out of the Cage – My Half Century Journey From Curiosity to Concern for Indonesia’s “Person of the Forest”

Out of the Cage is a powerful memoir by Dr. Gary L. Shapiro, a pioneering primatologist whose groundbreaking work with orangutans has spanned five decades. From the rainforests of Borneo to the halls of international conservation, Dr. Shapiro’s journey reveals a deep and evolving bond with one of our closest living relatives: the orangutan. The book begins with his transformative experience teaching sign language to ex-captive orangutans at Camp Leakey in the late 1970s and follows his path as he champions education, empathy, and science to protect these gentle forest dwellers from extinction.

Blending personal stories, field notes, and philosophical reflections, Out of the Cage explores what it means to truly connect across species boundaries. It challenges readers to consider the inner lives of great apes, the ethics of captivity, and the urgent need to conserve the forests they call home. With contributions to primate research, conservation education, and the empowerment of future Indonesian leaders, Dr. Shapiro’s life story is a tribute to the red apes—and a call to action.

Visit www.garylshapiro.info to learn more about the book, watch interviews, and listen to podcasts about his incredible journey.