The book, TONDA AND TK, FRIENDS, was written as an animal book and true story about the power of friendship between an elderly orangutan at ZooWorld Zoological and Botanical Conservatory and a cat. The authors are Mary M. Byrd, who is on the Board of Directors of ZooWorld, and Stephanie Willard, who is the Education Director at ZooWorld (a 501c3 not for profit educational corporation).
The book highlights odd animal friendships, orangutan endangered status, and the compassion and intelligence of orangutans and cats.
Both Ms. Byrd and Ms. Willard are first time authors. Ms. Byrd's late husband, Harris P. (Jack) Byrd, was a founder of ZooWorld. Ms. Willard appears on local television representing the zoo and gives educational talks to schools about zoo animals.
The authors of this animal book are pleased that profits from the book will be donated to the not for profit zoo to continue to upgrade and enhance habitats for the animals.