Wildlife Conservation in China: Preserving the Habitat of China's Wild West (East Gate Books) (Hardcover)

by Richard B. Harris (Author), George B. Schaller (Foreword)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Very little is known about the issue of wildlife conservation within China. Even China specialists get a meager ration of stories about pandas giving birth in zoos, or poachers in some remote setting being apprehended. But what does the future hold for China's wildlife? In this thoughtful work the leading U.S. expert on wildlife projects in Western China presents a multi-faceted assessment of the topic. Richard B. Harris draws on twenty years of experience working in China, and incorporates perspectives ranging from biology through Chinese history and tradition, to interpret wildlife conservation issues in a cultural context. In non-technical language, Harris shows that, particularly in its vast western sections where most species of wildlife still have a chance to survive, China has adopted a strongly preservationist, "hands-off" approach to wildlife without confronting the larger and more difficult problem of habitat loss. This policy treats wildlife conservation as a strictly technical problem - and thus prioritizes captive breeding to meet the demand for animal products - while ignoring the manifold cultural, social, and economic dimensions that truly dictate how wild animals will fare in their interaction with the physical and human environments. The author concludes that any successes this policy achieves will be temporary.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 341 pages
• Publisher: M.E. Sharpe (November 30, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 076562057X
• ISBN-13: 978-0765620576
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 7.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #148,187 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #24 in

  Books > Outdoors & Nature > Conservation > Wildlife

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Everything you need to know about wildlife and conservation in Western China, January 29, 2008

By	Daniel J. Miller (New Delhi, India) - See all my reviews

Wildlife Conservation in China: Preserving the Habitat of China's Wild West, should be read by anyone interested in China's environment, biodiversity and development. The author, who has been working in China for over 20 years and who speaks Chinese, has amassed an amazing amount of information and insight on wildlife, natural resources, and wildlife conservation in Western China and the challenges China faces in conserving wildlife and the habitats crucial for their survival. Much of the information in the book is based on the author's work in various parts of the Tibetan Plateau and, therefore, anyone interested in Tibet would find this book extremely informative. This book is written by someone who has been there and understands Chinese culture as well. It is not just a report on wildlife in China's West, rather it is a detailed analysis of the problems, an informed critique of current conservation strategies and efforts, and it provides a roadmap for the future. Both Chinese and foreigners interested in China and Tibet would be wise to listen to what Richard Harris has to say.