Southern africa spectacular world of wildlife [Hardcover]

Editors of Reader's Digest (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1994

There's nothing quite like it anywhere in the world. It's a visual tour de force - complete with high drama, raw tragedy, sound effects and stunning costumes. Scripted by Nature and choreographed by the weather, hunger and sheer chance, it's the spectacular world of southern African wildlife. The variety of the landscape, the extremes of climate, and the huge diversity of vegetation create ideal conditions for a fraternity of wild animals unequalled anywhere else on Earth. More than 900 species of birds cohabit freely with 338 mammal species, a diverse population of reptiles and amphibians, and an inestimable number of insects. In South Africa alone, nearly six million hectares of land are devoted to conservation. There is a growing awareness of the importance of wildlife heritage, and the necessity for its continued survival, in spite of industrial development and the encroachment of man. Fuelling this awareness is the commitment of a group of dedicated photographers who spend days, months and years in the wild pursuing a dream: to capture on film the extraordinary lives of animals in a way that's never been done before. This collection presents more than 350 outstanding photographs in pursuit of this dream. The photographs uniquely reflect the savage wonder, the beauty and the fascination of the community of animals in their natural state. From bat-eared foxes, which use their ears like metal detectors to scan subterranean passages for signs of life, to chacma baboons that rock their babies in their arms, this book covers a wide and fascinating spectrum of animal behaviour. The savagery of a lion kill; the balletic leaps of a pronking springbok; the tender affection between an elephant and its calf a it's all here, in a wildlife volume you'll never forget.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Normally you don't think of whales and seals when you think of African animals, but they are included here in this remarkable collection of photographs (with many superb closeups) that depict all varieties of wildlife found in southern Africa. Chapters are arranged by habitat-desert, mountain, forest, grassland, sea, and shore. While the text is lean, it is informative, as are the captions for each photograph. Special sections throughout, called portfolios, highlight behaviors such as hunting, eating, and playing. An appendix describes major game reserves, what to see, when to visit, and more. For public libraries and collections on Africa and photography.
Nancy Moeckel, Miami Univ. Libs., Oxford, Ohio
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Readers Digest (October 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 187491205X
• ISBN-13: 978-1874912057
• Product Dimensions: 13.1 x 9.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 pounds
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #296,144 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)