Books
Discover Karl's books — featuring his writing and photography work.
Karl Ammann (Contributing Photographer)
A critically acclaimed book featuring stunning images and stories from 32 leading wildlife photographers and photojournalists, united in the fight to end illegal wildlife trade. Thought‑provoking and hauntingly beautiful, it raises awareness, challenges consumer demand, and celebrates the true heroes protecting our wildlife and wild spaces.
Dale Peterson (Author), Karl Ammann (Photographer), 2016
In this new memoir, nature historian Dale Peterson (author of Jane Goodall: The Woman Who Redefined Man) describes his travels through Africa with Swiss wildlife photographer Karl Ammann. Dedicated to stopping the slaughter of endangered bush meat, Ammann is in turns brilliant, provocative, and irritating – almost as wild as the animals he seeks to save.
Dale Peterson (Author), Karl Ammann (Photographer) – First published by University of California Press
A stunning and thought‑provoking exploration of giraffes, Giraffe Reflections offers an intimate look at the world’s tallest land animals—graceful, gentle, and increasingly at risk. Blending natural history with cultural insight, Dale Peterson brings giraffes to life while making a compelling case for their protection, along with their elusive forest relatives, the okapis. A must‑read for wildlife lovers and conservationists alike.
Dale Peterson (Author), Karl Ammann (Photographer) – First published by University of California Press, 2009
A breathtaking tribute to one of nature’s greatest masterpieces. Elephant Reflections pairs stunning photography with powerful storytelling to reveal the beauty, intelligence, and fragile future of elephants.
Anthony L. Rose, Russell A. Mittermeier, Olivier Langrand, Okyeame Ampadu-Agyei, (Author), Karl Ammann (Photographer) – First Published by Altisima Press, 2005. Also published in French
Consuming Nature is a testimony to human ignorance and greed, and to awaken humane concern a call for compassion and rapid action. It is honest, forthright, and demands attention. The photos are not always pleasant; some are tragically sad, other downright shocking. But they depict what is really happening something that will only get worse, if we sit back and do nothing.
Dale Peterson (Author), Karl Ammann (Photographer), Janet K. Museveni (Foreword) – First published by University of California Press, 2004
Eating Apes exposes a hidden crisis facing Africa’s great apes. As industrial logging opens once‑remote forests, the bushmeat trade has exploded into a devastating commercial industry—pushing chimpanzees, bonobos, and gorillas toward extinction. Through powerful storytelling and striking photographs, this book reveals how and why our closest relatives are disappearing—and why the time to act is now.
Dr. Birute Mary Galdikas (Author), Karl Ammann (Photographer), Jane Goodall (Foreword) – First published by Harry N. Abrams, Incorporated, 2002
Mythologized since ancient times, great apes have long been misunderstood. In Great Ape Odyssey, famed primatologist Dr. Biruté Mary Galdikas takes readers on a fascinating journey into the lives of gorillas, chimpanzees, bonobos, and orangutans—revealing just how closely their behaviors and biology mirror our own. Blending cutting‑edge science, powerful storytelling, and stunning photography by Karl Ammann, this book challenges old stereotypes and sounds an urgent alarm about the threats these remarkable animals face. A compelling look at what great apes can teach us about ourselves—and why their survival matters now more than ever.
Roger Tefft (Editor), Karl Ammann (Contributing Photographer), Others – North Word Press
Daybreak 2000 features sunrise images from over 100 photographers on New Year's Day 2000.
Katharine & Karl Ammann – First published by University of California Press, 2007
Never before has African wildlife been illustrated with such power and drama. Here, in marvelous sequences, the reader can follow the stalk, the hunt and the kill of the lion, cheetah, wild dog, and many other animals. The text, written in collaboration with Ian Parker, is both lively and authoritative and is based on startling new evidence about the ways in which predators interact-witnessed first-hand and captured in this superb series of color photographs.
Benjamin B. Beck, Michael Hutchins, Terry L. Maple, and Chris Andrews (Editors), Karl Ammann (Contributing photographer) – First published by Smithsonian Institution Press
Our closest relatives aren’t just fascinating—they raise profound ethical questions.
Sharing up to 98% of our DNA with humans, great apes challenge how we think about intelligence, responsibility, and protection. Great Apes and Humans brings together scientists, ethicists, and advocates to explore their lives in the wild and captivity—and what their future should be. A vital read for anyone who cares about conservation, ethics, and what it truly means to be human.
Editors: Biruté M.F. Galdikas, Nancy Erickson Briggs, Lori K. Sheeran, Gary L. Shapiro, and Jane Goodall. Karl Ammann (Author and Contributing Photography)
A prominent academic text co-edited by world-renowned primatologists Biruté M.F. Galdikas, Jane Goodall, and others. Published by Springer, it compiles critical research on anatomy, evolution, and conservation, including a stark look at the bush-meat crisis.
For more than 25 years, primatologist Birute Galdikas has lived among the orangutans of Borneo, studying their habits, defending them against loggers and poachers, and nurturing their orphaned youngsters. This pictorial essay brings to life her work with these endangered red apes.
Ellen Folley James (Author), Karl Ammann (Photography) – First published by Sterling Publishers, Inc.
Collaboration
Karl Ammann (Author), Foreword by Richard E. Leakey
Meet gorillas up close—through rare, stunning images captured over 8 years. From mountain giants to elusive lowland subspecies, this powerful collection reveals the truth behind the myth: not fearsome beasts, but gentle, intelligent beings.
But their story isn’t just beauty—it’s a race against time. Threatened by war, deforestation, and poaching, their future hangs in the balance.
See them. Understand them. Help protect them.
This guide book focuses on all the facts necessary for a rewarding and unforgettable journey to East Africa. It combines essential info on animals and their habitats with interesting features on specific safaris. There is also a country-by-country guide to the game parks of Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Rwanda and Eastern DR Congo.
Color photographs illustrate the activities of the wildlife residing in the African game reserve
Loveliest of the great wild cats, the cheetah is poetry in motion, a blurred streak of graceful ferocity and a sauntering portrait of fluid beauty. They threaten no man and kill only for food. But the world's fastest animal is under threat from fellow predators and ecological change. Kathrine and Karl Ammann devoted two years to the study of cheetah--this account of their life among the wild cats forms a compelling and poignant narrative, brought to life by some of the best color photographs ever taken of any predator, anywhere.
















