Wildlife Heroes: 40 Leading Conservationists and the Animals They Are Committed to Saving

by Julie Scardina, Jeff Flocken

Overview

With one-third of known species being threatened with extinction, wildlife conservationists are some of the most important heroes on the planet, and Wildlife Heroes profiles the work of 40 of the leading conservationists and the animals and causes they are committed to saving, such as Belinda Low (zebras), Iain Douglas-Hamilton (elephants), Karen Eckert (sea turtles), S.T. Wong (sun bear), Steve Galster (wildlife trade), and Wangari Maathai (habitat loss). Since we all should have an interest in conservation, there is a chapter providing information on ways people can get involved and make a difference. Chapter introductions are by author Kuki Gallmann, actor Ted Danson, actress Stefanie Powers, Congressman Jay Inslee, and TV personality Jack Hanna.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780762445165
Publisher:	Running Press Book Publishers
Publication date:	03/06/2012
Sold by:	Hachette Digital, Inc.
Format:	eBook
Pages:	264
Sales rank:	747,374
File size:	23 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Julie Scardina is the Sea World, Busch Gardens, and Discovery Cove Animal Ambassador. She serves on the board of the SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund and is actively involved with several other conservation organizations including the World Wildlife Fund. Julie has appeared on Larry King Live and Dr. Oz . She is a monthly guest on the Today Show and a regular guest on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno as she has for the past 14 years.

Jeff Flocken is the DC Office Director for the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW). He also works on campaigns conserving whales, polar bears, elephants, lions, and a variety of other species through this position. Jeff worked for five years as an International Affairs Specialist in the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service's Division of International Conservation. He lives in Arlington, VA.

Editorial Reviews

Environmental advocates Scardina and Flocken profile the grassroots organizations, tenacious scientists, and willful philanthropists that shape today’s conservation policy and practice. Each portrait centers on a threatened or endangered species and describes the life and work of the person who has dedicated his career to protecting the species from extinction. Organized into sections corresponding to the four elements—Earth, Water, Air, and Fire—with introductory essays by celebrities like Ted Danson, the subjects are grouped according to their habitat, with “Fire” focusing on the broader threats to the world’s ecosystems. The pithy summaries of the activists’ struggles are accompanied by informative tidbits about the biology, behavior, natural history, and cultural context of the target species, along with delightful photographs of both human and beast. From the grassland-dwelling maned wolf of Central South America to the iceberg-hopping emperor penguin of Antarctica, the book shows how negative human interference imperils the welfare of all living things, and suggests that by taking an active role in conservation, education, and community building, we can help prevent the tragic loss of the world’s biological diversity. Agent: Sandra Choron, March Tenth Inc. (Mar.)

Publishers Weekly

Publishers Weekly
"Environmental advocates Scardina and Flocken profile the grassroots organizations, tenacious scientists, and willful philanthropists that shape today’s conservation policy and practice. Each portrait centers on a threatened or endangered species and describes the life and work of the person who has dedicated his career to protecting the species from extinction. Organized into sections corresponding to the four elements—Earth, Water, Air, and Fire—with introductory essays by celebrities like Ted Danson, the subjects are grouped according to their habitat, with “Fire” focusing on the broader threats to the world’s ecosystems. The pithy summaries of the activists’ struggles are accompanied by informative tidbits about the biology, behavior, natural history, and cultural context of the target species, along with delightful photographs of both human and beast. From the grassland-dwelling maned wolf of Central South America to the iceberg-hopping emperor penguin of Antarctica, the book shows how negative human interference imperils the welfare of all living things, and suggests that by taking an active role in conservation, education, and community building, we can help prevent the tragic loss of the world’s biological diversity."

From the Publisher

Here, Scardina (animal ambassador, SeaWorld) and Flocken (director, D.C. office, International Fund for Animal Welfare) profile conservationists and the endangered species they work to save. Each short section features a conservationist and animal or issue; a treatment that at times feels somewhat choppy and superficial. Though the featured activists have accomplished amazing work and the authors encourage readers to join them, the book ignores the most effective ways we can mitigate the devastation of animals, opting instead for glib recommendations like "avoid plastics" and "donate." Contributor Ted Danson even concludes his introduction to ocean conservation by recommending that people eat fish, though fishing is the number one cause of harm to aquatic animals and their environments. VERDICT Jane Goodall's Hope for Animals and Their World is a more cohesive and in-depth picture of conservation efforts, though it covers more North American and Asian species than those of Africa and South America. Animal- and nature-loving readers will enjoy the photos and descriptions of conservation efforts but will have to look beyond this title for solid information and effective guidance.—Leslie Patterson, Chicago P.L.

Library Journal