"When we started photographing the great apes, we had no intention of making a book. However, as we indulged in our photography of the apes, we got increasingly drawn to them and got enticed by their distinctive personalities. At some stage we wondered if we should share our fascination with the wild apes as individuals and our experience of being with them with the wider world.

The book idea thus evolved and we were compelled to follow it through. It took us a long time though, since we wanted to impart the authenticity of our encounters and that meant doing it the hard way – spending lots and lots of time with the apes, on their terms, of course. The funny thing is this: the more time we spent with them the better we got to know them as characters and the better our book became."

- Anup Shah und Fiona Rogers

A tribute to species conservation

The coffee-table book "Face to Face" shows 60 fascinating photo portraits of chimpanzees, gorillas, orangutans and bonobos in close-up. The two renowned and multi-award-winning wildlife photographers Anup Shah and Fiona Rogers photographed the animals in their natural environment. For their intimate shots, the photographers not only went into the depths of the jungle, but also lived side by side with the apes. Thanks to the intimate relationship of trust, a touching photo book was created that depicts the different characters of the animals photographed.

Anup Shah and Fiona Roger's illustrated book is a tribute to species conservation, as great apes are increasingly under threat worldwide. The book is therefore an urgent appeal to everyone to better protect our closest relatives in the animal kingdom.

In the teNeues magazine, the two nature photographers want to introduce organizations that focus on the protection of endangered great apes:

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Help for endangered great apes

The Orangutan Foundation has been working for thirty years to save the endangered orangutans and their habitat in the tropical forest. In cooperation with local communities and through the promotion of research and education, more than 120 orangutans have been resettled from potential conflict areas into the wild. The organization's team is on call in Indonesia to support the BKSDA (Central Kalimantan Natural Resources Conservation Authority) in rescuing orangutans. As 80% of orangutans live outside protected areas, they are at high risk of conflict with humans. Through years of work, the Orangutan Foundation has already cared for and released 24 orphaned orangutans back into the wild, protected more than 500,000 hectares of tropical rainforest and planted 188,800 seedlings to regenerate degraded rainforest areas. The organization actively protects the monkeys by co-protecting and conserving their habitat. To support the Foundation, you can donate, become a member, volunteer as an active guardian or adopt an orangutan. 

Another charity is the Ape Alliance, an international coalition of organizations and individuals dedicated to the protection and welfare of great apes. More than 80 member organizations and a network of hundreds of experts are committed to the protection of great apes. The Alliance collectively lobbies for the enactment and enforcement of legislation to improve the welfare and protection of great apes. The organization also produces campaigns to increase awareness and respect for great apes and facilitates the exchange of information between member groups. Participation in Ape Alliance meetings is open by invitation to all organizations and individuals who share the goals of the Ape Alliance. Whether it's involvement in the various aid programs, study opportunities, workshops or donation opportunities, there are no limits to how you can help the Ape Alliance. 

Orang-Utans in Not is a German aid organization that is committed to the welfare of great apes. The aim of the organization is to protect the endangered orangutans and save their habitat, the tropical rainforest on the islands of Borneo and Sumatra, from deforestation. The association pursues a holistic approach. In addition to a sanctuary in Borneo that nurses orangutan children, Orang-Utans in Not also promotes a reforestation project and supports a reintroduction station. In Indonesia and Germany, the members of the association carry out educational work on orangutan and rainforest conservation. In addition to membership and the option of making a donation, you can also become a sponsor.