Jan Latta
Jan Latta - author and wildlife photographer
In 1994 Jan came face-to-face with a mountain gorilla in Rwanda and the experience changed her life. When her guide said there were fewer than 600 mountain gorillas left in the wild, she wanted to do something to help. She decided to publish books for children on endangered animals. But first she became a wildlife photographer so she could tell the animal's stories in pictures as well as words.
She went back to Africa to learn wildlife photography. She followed elephants, dangerous rhinos, prides of lions, gentle giraffes, and had a wonderful experience with two cheetahs. Then to the Wolong mountains in China for pandas, jungles of Borneo with orangutans, Sri Lanka for the elusive leopard and Uganda for Dr Jane Goodalls’ chimps. She has had some amazing adventures, and near-death experiences, following her dream to help the survival of endangered animals.
The ABC asked Jan to write the Diary of a Wildlife Photographer, a 102 page journal of her adventures in the wild with 300 stunning photographs.
Jan has been a guest speaker at schools and festivals for over 10 years. She has been invited to speak at the Literary Festivals in Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka and Ubud and festivals and schools throughout New Zealand and Australia.
Media, radio and TV interviews can be seen on www.truetolifebooks.com.au
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Chimaka the Chimpanzee
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Chipper the Cheetah
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Elle the Elephant
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Gerry the Giraffe
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Kolah the Koala
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Lena the Lion
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Lennie the Leopard
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Mia the Meerkat
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Ollie the Orangutan
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Ping Ping the Panda
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Rufus the Rhinoceros
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Timba the Tiger
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Ziggy the Zebra
https://www.creativekidstales.com.au/authors-illustrators/ckts-emerging-illustrators/1496-jan-latta-illustrator#sigProId634ef242e2
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'Creative Kids Tales is a lovely online meeting space brimming with support and ideas for writers.'
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Creative Kids Tales offers a brilliant platform for established and emerging creators to keep in touch and learn from each other. That is a great thing for this most isolated of all professions (apart from On-site Antarctic Penguin Imitators). - 
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