Back to the Wild [Library Binding]

Dorothy Hinshaw Patent (Author), William Munoz (Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1997 | Age Level: 9 and up

Follows the efforts of a zoologist team as they work to reintroduce four endangered animals back to their natural environments and tells young readers of the successes and importance of such projects.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-6. Patent and Mu?oz once again use their talents and expert knowledge, this time to educate young audiences about the changes in the roles of zoos from "curators" of rare species to saviors, breeding animals for release in their native habitats. Spotlighting four pioneer programs: golden lion tamarins of Brazil, red wolves of the American Southeast, lemurs of Madagascar, and American black-footed ferrets, Patent points out the high rate of failure they share. The author does an excellent job of showing the difficulties in teaching survival skills to species accustomed to "catered meals" they've received in captivity. Patent is also up front with the high cost of such programs; the golden lion tamarin project averages a cost of $22,000 for each surviving monkey. The subjects of the four highlighted projects are highly photogenic. Mu?oz's large, colorful photos bring readers face to face with these rare animals. However, it does seem a bit premature to include the lemur program as scientists have not yet released any in Madagascar. With that quibble noted, this is recommended highly for all libraries. Cristina Kessler's All the King's Animals (Boyds Mills, 1995) focuses on the social difficulties with reeducating human populations when returning endangered species to the wild. Margery Facklam's And Then There Was One (Little, Brown, 1990), with its black-and-white drawings, is an excellent introduction to reasons for extinction, early breeding programs, and changes in legislation to foster conservation.?Marilyn Payne Phillips, University City Public Library, MO
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews

Patent (Biodiversity, 1996, etc.) describes some of the current conservation programs that preserve endangered animals by capturing wild specimens, breeding them in captivity, and reintroducing offspring to the wild. The American red wolf, black-footed ferret, Florida panther, the Madagascar lemur, and the Brazilian golden lion tamarin are some of the animals in captive breeding programs. Noting the difficulties and failures of such programs, Patent introduces-- without going into detail--the concerns conservationists have raised about such programs: scarce resources directed away from environmental and habitat protection; captive and released animals having a high mortality rate; the ethical issues surrounding genetic tinkering; the selection of popular animals (large, cuddly mammals are chosen while thousands of other endangered species are ignored); and the destruction of existing competing species in a range to permit the reintroduction of a particular species. Patent acknowledges that habitat protection is cheaper and more effective, but concludes that captive breeding programs are a ``hopeful tool for conservation of species around the world.'' Full-color photographs of animals in and out of captivity enhance the whole. (index) (Nonfiction. 10-12) -- Copyright ©1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Library Binding: 69 pages
• Publisher: Gulliver Books; 1st edition (April 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0152002804
• ISBN-13: 978-0152002800
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,611,169 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars great for middle grades, March 29, 2003

By 

Melissa Sack (georgia) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Back to the Wild (Library Binding)

My 8 year old son checked this book out from the library. The pictures were great and he enjoyed looking throught the book. However the vocabulary was a little over his head.