a male gorilla, courtesy of the Wildlife Conservation Society

This magnificent fellow lives in a region of the Congo where a large population of wild chimpanzees was recently discovered. The Wildlife Conservation Society -- the fine organization that runs the New York Aquarium and the Bronx Zoo -- is arranging a deal to protect this area from exploitation. Giving these people money immediately makes you feel you've done something for the world, which is not the easiest feeling to come by.

It's www.wildlifeconservationsociety.org.

Without gorillas to look at, how would you ever find this stance in yourself: big, upright, casually fierce, curious, balanced, entirely alert? Every animal presence makes the human more complete.