“Out of the Cage” by Dr. Gary L. Shapiro is a deeply personal and groundbreaking account of his fifty-year journey working with orangutans in captivity but mainly in the wilds of Borneo. Through pioneering research, including teaching sign language to free-ranging orangutans, Shapiro explores the complex intelligence, emotions, and social structures of these remarkable beings. The book challenges readers to reconsider the ethical treatment of orangutans and advocates for their recognition as persons with rights. Shapiro’s narrative is not just a memoir but a call to action, urging humanity to extend moral and legal considerations to our closest animal relatives.