3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An outstanding compendium of color photographs, June 13, 2010
This review is from: In Search of the African Wild Dog (Hardcover)
Once a common feature of the African landscape, the African wild dog, a species that is more than three million years old, is now in very real danger of extinction. Because of its unique genetic make-up, the African wild dog is unable to crossbreed with any other canine species. The collaborative project of South African photographers Roger and pat De La Harpe, "In Search of the African Wild Dog" is a superbly illustrated, 160-page, coffee table book showcasing the African wild dog in its native habitat. This outstanding compendium of color photographs reveals the environment of this unique animal in five informative geographically based sections: South Africa; North West Bushveld; Zululand; Limpopo Valley; and the Greater Kruger national Park. There overall numbers having dwindled down from millions to an estimated three to four thousand (with only five hundred of that number in South Africa), "In Search of the African Wild Dog" is a very highly recommended addition to personal, academic, and community library Endangered Wildlife reference collections and supplemental reading lists.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
So Interesting, May 8, 2010
This review is from: In Search of the African Wild Dog (Hardcover)
In Search of the African Wild Dog by Roger and Pat de la Harpe
Roger and Pat de la Harpe's excellent book of one of the little known species in the world, which is on the brink of extinction, is not only a very informative and provocative read but also a book with exceptional insight into preservation and conservation on this planet. In Search of the African Wild Dog is a combination of wonderful photography coupled with well researched and well thought out text. The species of the African Wild Dog is hanging on to existence in the Northeastern area of South Africa, most prominently in the area of Kruger National Park. The animal has a bit of a hyena look to it because of the ears and some of the head features, but is clearly very different when the total body is viewed. My feeling from seeing the de la Harpe's pictures was that it was a large jackal with hyena ears. Their strange yellow, black, and white blotching of color is very unique. I had never known of the existence of these animals, which are known to be possibly the most successful hunters in Africa by those that have studied them and attempted to help preserve them. From the accounts given in the book, the reader finds this species to be one of the more interesting African animals. The methods of hunting as well as such things as their use of an old aardvark hole as a den to raise the pups and returning year after year to the same place are among the many features brought out by the authors. The book details the history of human encounters with the African Wild Dog from the early 1800s. It also goes into great detail about the present efforts to preserve the species as well as the efforts to reintroduce the animals back into areas where they once roamed by the group called The Wild Dog Advisory Group, which was formed with the purpose of establishing several small populations of wild dogs in different locations. The de la Harpe's give the reader in depth accounts of this with description combined with unbelievable photographs. First seeing the cover of this book might lead one to think it to be only a coffee table photo book, but it is what I believe to be a captivating read in understanding life on this planet and the need for preservation of any of the species that are in danger of extinction. (reviewed by bill neely for [...])
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5.0 out of 5 stars
Absolutely fantastic book on AWD, June 19, 2011
This review is from: In Search of the African Wild Dog (Hardcover)
African Wild Dogs are a highly endangered species of social carnivores. They are perhaps the most social large carnivores, being very cooperative. This allows them to be the most successful large mammalian carnivores (perhaps the most successful period). Unfortunately, this success and their grim method of killing has led them to be stereotyped and despised. This, along with habitat loss, competition with hyenas, and predation from lions, has led them to be critically endangered.
This book is a tour of the various wildlife parks and reserves (private and public) that shelter AWD in the country of South Africa. Conservationists there have taken up the idea of preserving multiple small populations rather than holding out for large populations. The idea is that you can still preserve genetic diversity by manually swapping dogs between the parks to simulate natural dispersal. Given that wild dogs can have enormous home ranges (20,000km per pack), this is perhaps the best solution.
The authors write about their adventures in each park as they try to find the dogs. What's really nice is that at the end of each park section, they include contact information for all the tourist operations that bring people to see the dogs. This is a vital recognition of the important economic help that eco-tourism can provide to conservation efforts.
Finally, of course, there are many pictures of AWD in this book. Simply put, they are some of the most beautiful images of AWD I've ever seen. From photos of the hunt to pups playing, the authors capture a wide range of different actions, expressions, ages, and individuals. The front cover is a good example of the quality of these images.
Overall, I can point out no flaws to this book other than I wish it had another hundred pages of beautiful pictures! If you like African Wild Dogs, if you like nature in general, or if you just want to support a critically endangered species, this book is a great purchase.
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