KARACHI: The launch of Endangered Primates, a deceptively slim but remarkable coffee-table book by Prof Dr Arif Herekar, at the Karachi Gymkhana on Thursday was the sharing of a wildlife conservationist’s love of the fauna and flora, which took him and his camera to over 100 countries in three and a half decades.

Dr Herekar has written four enlightening books as a result of his extensive travels, the latest of which is Endangered Primates, published by Ushba Publishing International.

During a presentation of his wildlife excursions to all the continents, he spoke about his encounters with various primates such as the golden monkeys of Rwanda, silver leaf monkeys of Malaysia, red colour monkeys of Zanzibar, howler monkeys of southern Costa Rica, orangutans, indri lemurs of Madagascar, the western lowland gorilla, mountain gorillas, baboons, langurs, tarsiers, birds of paradise, lethal reptiles, chameleons, bears, seals, penguins and so many other primates most of which happen to be endangered.

He said that he wants to inspire others by writing about and photographing and filming primates.

Book by Prof Arif Herekar launched

“All you need is energy, passion and finances,” he said, adding that his latest book is a gift from the heart for fellows, who like him are dreamers and wanderers.

Earlier, while introducing the author and his work, Senator Javed Jabbar said that he is a doctor by profession whose primary task is to heal.

“Doctors heal people,” he said. “And Arif Herekar is doing the additional work of healing Mother Earth.”

“This blue dot in the solar system hosts millions of species, about one-third of which have not even been identified so far. What we are doing to the planet with our greed that we call “development” without realising that every time we put up a building we are actually destroying someone’s habitat, whether it is a caterpillar or a worm or an insect or a bird that place is also a habitat. The rate at which humanity wants to expand urban civilisation is many times so uncivilised,” he pointed out.

“But here we have Dr Herekar, who is not going around with a gun shooting wildlife or looking for or offering permits to hunt. He goes to animal habitats because he profoundly respects the diversity and the sanctity of every species that blesses this earth with its presence,” he said.

He said that Dr Herekar has photographed a fascinating variety of animals, some of which are quite dangerous.

“He has an affinity with them, he interacts with them, which also takes a lot of courage. He respects every species. If there is anyone who is really committed to healing, it is this kind of attitude and practice. Dr Herekar we look forward to your safe and continuous journeys abroad,” he said.

Mohammed Salik Naveed of the Sindh Wildlife Department also spoke on the occasion to give an overview of his department’s work and about all of its divisions in Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Larkana and Mirpurkhas along with the work of their Marine Wildlife Division.

Sharing some valuable data, he also apprised about the Kirthar National Park, which hosts diverse species and 19 wetlands in Pakistan of which 10 are in Sindh.

Commenting on a photograph from Dr Herekar’s book, in which lemurs rest on his shoulders, he said, “Sir is living my childhood dreams.”

Published in Dawn, April 4th, 2025