Hope for Animals and Their World

June 1, 2009
With the resurgence of red wolves and California condors, there is good news on the species front, as chronicled in this collection of success stories by renowned chimp researcher Goodall. Section one recounts the revival of six mammal and bird species, including Mongolian miniature horses and Australian wallabies, that became extinct in the wild but are being reintroduced to their natural habitat through captive breeding. Section two describes efforts to bring species back from near extinction, among them Brazil’s golden lion tamarin and the North American whooping crane. Section three details continuing efforts to preserve 11 species, including the giant pandas of China, whose bamboo diet is disappearing, and the Asian vultures of India, whose “disastrous population drop”—from a reported 87 million birds to 27 breeding pairs in 2006—has led to a dramatic rise in disease incubated by putrefying cattle carcasses once scavenged by the carrion-loving birds. Goodall is no Pollyanna about species reclamation—she acknowledges that there have been more losses than gains—but these accounts of conservation success are inspirational.

June 15, 2009
A heartening collection of conservation success stories from world-renowned primatologist Goodall (Harvest for Hope: A Guide to Mindful Eating, 2005, etc.), with field notes from Cincinnati Zoo director Maynard (Komodo Dragons, 2006, etc.)

At 75, the author of the classic In the Shadow of Man (1971) offers good news about the environment drawn from her worldwide travels with the Jane Goodall Institute. Writing with warmth and good humor, the author presents a cornucopia of stories about people and groups who have worked tirelessly—and often against great odds—to save or help in the recovery of more than two-dozen animal species on the brink of extinction. Based on in-person conversations with biologists and others, her chatty accounts paint a vivid picture of how captive breeding and other initiatives by passionate individuals, governments and NGOs have brought back species nearly decimated by development, hunting, pollution and other human activities. A few stories are familiar, such as the establishment of a new migratory flock of whooping cranes—Goodall flew in an ultra-light aircraft that leads young cranes to winter quarters in Florida—but most have been little-noticed. These include China's Milu deer (aka P're David's Deer), which barely survived food deprivations in two world wars, were saved by several Europeans and reintroduced in China from a British estate in 1986; the dwindling golden lion tamarins of Brazil, which were bred at the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., until they could be released in Brazil with the help of local farmers; and the millions of Asian vultures that once cleaned up cattle carcasses in India and Pakistan are returning after actions to eliminate two recently discovered threats—the drug Diclofenac, which is lethal to the birds, and the harmful powdered-glass coatings on kite strings, often used in Asia's popular kite festivals. Notable sections of the book describe efforts to save birds on isolated island environments threatened by alien species—all but 18 of the remaining Stephen's Island wrens off the coast of New Zealand were killed by a lighthouse keeper's cat in the late 19th century—and the discovery of new species and ecosystems, such as an Israeli cave system sealed off for more than two million years.

An upbeat compendium that will energize both hands-on and armchair conservationists.

(COPYRIGHT (2009) KIRKUS REVIEWS/NIELSEN BUSINESS MEDIA, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.)

July 15, 2009
Renowned primatologist Goodall's latest book is an inspiring compilation of wildlife conservation success stories, collected during her extensive global travels (she is often on the road more than 300 days a year). These vignettes represent scientific adventure at its best, highlighting the amazing diversity of species under threatfrom the familiar California condor and giant panda to the lesser-known Bermuda petrel and ploughshare tortoiseand the extraordinary passion of the people working to save them. Goodall's tone strikes a delicate balance between her alarm over the stark realities currently facing wildlife and her irrepressible optimism for the future. VERDICT Occasionally the writing becomes repetitive and a series of anecdotal "Field Notes" contributed by Maynard, Cincinnati Zoo director and host of NPR's "The 90-Second Naturalist", feel tacked on. But the remarkable enthusiasm of the conservationists profiled in the book easily outshines these minor flaws. Readers interested in wildlife, ecology, and armchair travel will enjoy. [See Prepub Alert, "LJ" 5/15/09.]Kelsy Peterson, Johnson Cty. Community Coll. Lib., Overland Park, KS

Copyright 2009 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

August 1, 2009
This hopeful book is about hope, about the optimism that field scientists and environmentalists feel for the survival of the rare species they work with. Lead author Jane Goodall needs no introduction; as Cincinnati Zoo director and coauthor Thane Maynard points out, most of the conservationists he and Goodall spoke with for this volume mentioned the key role she had in shaping their careers. And what wonderful, difficult, and yet finally heartening careers these researchers have had are revealed in these stories of endangered species that have been rescued from the brink of extinction. Goodall traveled the world to meet with various scientists and discuss with them their successful work with species ranging from the American burying beetle to the Formosan landlocked salmon, the Attwaters prairie chicken, and the ploughshare tortoise. Goodalls intimate writing style and sense of wonder pull the reader into each account, as the scientists explain what they had to do to rescue each species and Goodall marvels at the accomplishment. The mix of personal and scientific makes for a compelling read.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2009, American Library Association.)