Copyright Date:
2006
Edition Date:
2006
Release Date:
09/12/06
Pages:
64 pages
ISBN:
Publisher: 1-552-97921-0 Perma-Bound: 0-605-09528-0
ISBN 13:
Publisher: 978-1-552-97921-1 Perma-Bound: 978-0-605-09528-1
Dewey:
599.78
LCCN:
2007271467
Dimensions:
23 cm.
Language:
English
Reviews:
School Library Journal
Gr 4-8-Each volume clearly outlines the various threats to survival of one group of animals and introduces readers to organizations and individuals trying to save them. Although the future looks grim in many cases, the books also note successes such as the reestablishment of the American alligator in Louisiana. Numerous photographs document the work of scientists, conservationists, educators, and other people around the world who are committed to wildlife preservation. Two pages of "fast facts" cover topics such as the animals' size, life span, senses, and diet while a double-page world map highlights where various species can be found. The brief coverage allotted to each topic sometimes results in a choppy presentation, but overall, the books are effective overviews rather than in-depth discussions. Readers who want to learn more about research or conservation related to these animals can consult the list of organizations and Web sites at the back of each title.-Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State University, Mankato Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.
The Bear Facts
The sight of a bear standing on its hind legs is simply awesome. It turns the cute and cuddly image of the teddy bear on its head, and instead evokes fear and wonder. It reminds us a little of ourselves, standing on our own two feet. But above all, it embodies the untamed wilderness.
Bears amble through the wild as if it were a playground, safe from virtually all predators except humans. They pad through brush, nibble on tender young plants, swim in lakes and streams, and catch fish with their paws.
These mighty animals evolved from a long-extinct meat-eating mammal the size of a dog. This creature bounded through European forests 20 million years ago, and its descendants roamed far and wide around the world.
Today, the world's bears no longer rule the wild like they once did. Over the last 150 years or so, people have been moving into bear country, taking over vast chunks of wilderness, and forcing bears out. As people build houses, farms and cities, they destroy bear habitat. People also hunt bears for sport, and kill them for their body parts. The result? Populations of bears are seriously shrinking. Scientists now consider all species except brown bears and American black bears endangered or vulnerable.
But nobody's willing to count bears out just yet. Scientists, park rangers, governments, conservationists, and ordinary people around the world are working to save bears. What's more, bears have a nose for survival. What other creature can scare wolves into abandoning their kills so it can help themselves to their dinner?
Excerpted from Bear Rescue: Changing the Future for Endangered Wildlife by Keltie Thomas
All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.
"The sight of a bear standing on its hind legs is simply awesome. It turns the cute and cuddly image of the teddy bear on its head, and instead evokes fear and wonder."
- from the introduction
Bears are respected and admired, yet also feared. These mighty animals have virtually no enemies except for humans. Over the last 150 years, as civilization has expanded into their natural environments, bears are being displaced. Because of habitat loss, hunting for sport, and the black market trade in body parts for medicinal use, all species except brown and American black bears are endangered or vulnerable.
Bear Rescue profiles the major projects and people around the world who are active in the conservation efforts to help these animals:
- Armando Castellanos is the founder of the Spectacled Bear Project, which works to save the habitat of the endangered spectacled bears of South America
- Yoganand Kandasamy radio-collars sloth bears in India and follows them night and day through the forest to study their behavior
- Jill Robinson of China Bear Rescue rescues and rehabilitates Asiatic black bears from bear bile farms in China
- Ian Stirling is a research scientist studying the effects of global warming and toxins on the polar bear population
- A team from Seattle Woodland Park Zoo is working on successfully breeding in captivity the endangered sun bear.
Illustrated with 50 color photographs, Bear Rescue covers the people, the issues and the challenges involved in preserving a future for endangered wildlife.
About the Firefly Animal Rescue series:
The Firefly Animal Rescue identifies endangered and threatened species and what is being done to protect them. Combining lively, accessible text and stunning color photographs, each book provides a detailed overview of the species, describing its characteristics, behavior, habits, physiology and more.
"These attractive books are a call to action... fascinating readable accounts."
- School Library Journal
"Succinct introductions to the science and practice of wildlife conservation... written in accessible, lively language."
- Booklist
The Bear Facts
Where Do Bears Live?
The Story So Far
Where the Bears Roam
Bear Tracking
ON THE FRONTLINES: Spectacled Bear Project, Ecuador
AT WORK: Yoganand
A Hunted Animal
The Bear Trade
ON THE FRONTLINES: China Bear Rescue
AT WORK: Gail Cochrane
There Goes the Neighborhood
AT WORK: Stephen Herrero
ON THE FRONTLINES: Wind River Bear Institute
Seals for Dinner
On Thin Ice
An Arctic Mess
AT WORK: Ian Stirling
Bears in Captivity
ON THE FRONTLINES: Woodland Park Zoo
The Future for Bears
Fast Facts
How You Can Help
Index
Photo Credits
Author's Note