Tapestry Press

The Ten Trusts
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The Ten Trusts, What We Must Do to Care for the Animals We Love. 2002.  Jane Goodall & Marc Bekoff. Harper Collins. 200p. 

Jane Goodall has grown from pioneering chimpanzee researcher to an eloquent advocate and spokeswoman for animals. She was the first to view primates, not as automatons controlled by instincts, but as thinking individuals with personalities and emotions. Marc Bekoff has grown from typical student of animal behavior to a field scientist at the University of Colorado, sensitive to human cruelty to animals.  Here they describe the responsibilities that we large-brained animals must shoulder to save ourselves and the earth. 

We are entrusted with 10 tasks:

1. Rejoice that we are part of the animal kingdom. 
2. Respect all life. 
3. Open our minds, in humility to animals and learn from them. 
4. Teach our children to respect and love nature. 
5. Be wise stewards of life on earth. 
6. Value and help preserve the sounds of nature. 
7. Refrain from harming life in order to learn about it. 
8. Have the courage of our convictions. 
9. Praise and help those who work for animals and the natural world. 
10. Act knowing we are not alone and live with hope. 

Jane's writing appears in standard type; Marc's portions are interspersed in italics. Seamless transitions connect their sections. The results of scientific studies enrich the text. Amazingly, sick chimpanzees select the bark of mjonso trees to treat their digestive  disorders. Local native people, the WaTongwe chew the same bark for the same sickness!  

The book mixes stories of abusive treatment of animals, where animals are things, not living creatures, with stories of solutions and hope, where animals thrive and flourish.  As an example of factory farming, egg-producing hens are maintained in metal cages so small they cannot expand their wings. They cannot perch, nest or dust-bathe as normal chickens. Often half their beak is removed  by a hot cauterizing trimmer to prevent feather pecking and cannibalism. Such confined birds often develop osteoporosis due in part to a lack of  exercise. When they are removed from their cages for the first time to be carried to be slaughtered, about 1/4 break bones. 

The Elephant Sanctuary in Hohenwald, TN cares for aging, abused elephants 'retired' from circus shows. When 52 year old Shirley as a newcomer was put in a stall next to resident 30 year old Jenny, both were jubilant. They roared, caressed each other with their trunks and refused to part. A search of records revealed that they performed in the same circus 22 years before this reunion!  In 2002 they remain attached, rarely moving apart.  

While sharing hideous accounts of brutality to animals, remarkably, the book conveys a hopeful view of future prospects. By praising leaders that protect animals, by encouraging everyone to adopt the ten trusts, and by providing beautiful examples themselves, the authors contribute solutions. 

Review written 7 January 2004

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