Nature Reads: Bibliophile Peter Ong on Photography, Primates & Perlis

For August 2026's episode of Nature Reads, we speak to wildlife photographer, author, conservationist and Head of Outreach at Roots & Shoots Malaysia, Peter Ong. Together with co-host Surin Suksuwan, co-founder of Sunda Shelves, we explore the books and people that shaped Peter's interest in nature and conservation, including the influence of renowned primatologist and conservationist Dr. Jane Goodall, before diving into his own books: Wang Kelian, Perlis – The Forgotten Valley, Primus – The Primates of Peninsular Malaysia and his latest work, Nakawan – The Living Soul of Perlis. We also chat about the relationship between photography and writing, the role of storytelling in conservation, and how books can help us see Malaysia's natural world in new ways.Nature Reads on Earth Matters is a monthly show where we explore the stories behind books that bring us closer to nature and the world around us, done in collaboration with independent bookstore Sunda Shelves.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.