We have many endangered species both in England (hedgehogs, dormice and water voles are a few) along with many others worldwide. The IUCN Red List is the place to find current statistics, and learn how to help. The shocking news is that there are 44,000 threatened species (almost a third of all of them). The list ranges from slightly concerned to extinct.
Readers of National Geographic will remember the heartbreaking photo a few years ago of the carer of the last male white rhino being caressed, just before died. With just two females left, Sudan’s death left the species near extinct (IVF treatment with a southern white rhino is now trying to help).
An Atlas of Endangered Species is a beautifully illustrated guide to the diversity of life on earth, in a world where a species goes extinct every 3 hours. Written by BBC zoologist Megan McCubbin, this book shows how species are adapting: Sharks can navigate using electromagnetic fields, sloths use algae as camouflage, albatross can fly for hours without beating their wings and orca pods have unique cultures and languages.
But our incredible world is at risk. In this book, Megan reveals the stories of scientists, rangers and conservationists who are fighting to save these extraordinary creatures from extinction, and how we all have a part to play.
The book begins with some sobering facts, but also hopeful stories about creatures that had been declared extinct, that are now thriving, thanks to conservation efforts worldwide.
The book features 19 animals from rhinos to elephants, and also one endangered species closer to home. Plus there is a chapter on our orange furry cousins: orangutans:
Orangutans are the victims of years of environmental destruction and illegal human activity. Illegal hunters shoot a mother high up in the tree, and wait for her and her baby to come crashing to the ground. They then prise the youngster from the mother’s warm, bloodied fingers to be shipped across the world to sit in a cage for the remainder of its life (40 years). The other threat is habitat destruction for palm oil (sold in 50% of products in supermarkets).
Megan McCubbin is a regular presenter on BBC Springwatch and many wildlife programs. She was raised to love all wildlife, not least because her stepfather is BBC wildlife presenter Chris Packham, who she regular presents with.
Beautifully written, capturing the wonder and personality of each creature. Megan’s words make you befriend and root each of the animals she describes, and gives you hope for a better future. Dr Amir Khan
This is a lovely book, well-written and beautifully illustrated. And I’m delighted to see that it’s been written by one of the generation of new young naturalists that are helping to change our perception and appreciation of the natural world. Iolo Williams
Much like her presenting style, Megan’s writing has an effortless appeal to a diverse audience, from the curious child to the most seasoned of conservationists. A masterpiece of scientific communication. Dr Ruth Tingay (Wild Justice)
Another Good Children’s Book on Endangered Species
Awesome Endangered Animals is a fun interactive book for children age 6 to 9, packed with awesome facts guaranteed to up their knowledge on some of the most endangered creatures on earth. From rainforest creatures to mountain beasts and ocean giants, this unique book features raised pictures and rankings, to encourage curiosity about each creature’s habitat, and how we can save them. The creatures profiled include:
- Mountain gorillas
- Orangutans
- Snow leopards
- Polar bears
- Rhinos
- Tigers
A Book to Save Endangered British Wildlife
We have many endangered species both in England (hedgehogs, dormice and water voles are a few) along with many others worldwide. The IUCN Red List is the place to find current statistics, and learn how to help. The shocking news is that there are 44,000 threatened species (almost a third of all of them). The list ranges from slightly concerned to extinct.
Save Our Species is unique in that it includes information on British endangered wildlife, then offers tips like how to build a bird box (never use tin or decorated ones, they attract predators and overheat), dig a hedgehog tunnel or implement changes in your community to help red squirrels to skylarks, puffins to barn owls, bottle-nose dolphins to skylarks.
If planting green spaces to help wildlife, learn how to make gardens safe for pets (includes indoor plants to avoid). Avoid facing indoor foliage to gardens, to help stop birds flying into windows.
Britain’s nature is in serious trouble. Thanks for being part of the solution. You care about nature, and that is incredibly important. Our wildlife needs you on board desperately. All manner of wildlife habitats have been lost to development. Chalk downlands, heaths, bogs, freshwater marshes, seacoasts, estuaries, Caledonian pine forests and meadows. We have lost 97% of our flower-rich meadows since the 1930s.
Governments of the day kick environmental concerns into the long grass. Decision makers are in thrall to the lobbyists for big business, and economics seems to be entranced by models like ‘growth’ which mean very little, and pay no attention to the quality of life. Big infrastructure projects make politicians’ eyes light up. We are caught in a cultural insanity that holds tidiness in high esteem in the garden, yet leaves the countryside littered.
Dominic Couzens is a leading nature writer and lecturer. He has written around 45 books, writes three magazine columns and has published over 700 articles. A bird expert, he is passionate about nature, and writing on what we can do to help the planet.
A Book to Save Endangered British Wildlife
We have many endangered species both in England (hedgehogs, dormice and water voles are a few) along with many others worldwide. The IUCN Red List is the place to find current statistics, and learn how to help. The shocking news is that there are 44,000 threatened species (almost a third of all of them). The list ranges from slightly concerned to extinct.
Save Our Species is unique in that it includes information on British endangered wildlife, then offers tips like how to build a bird box (never use tin or decorated ones, they attract predators and overheat), dig a hedgehog tunnel or implement changes in your community to help red squirrels to skylarks, puffins to barn owls, bottle-nose dolphins to skylarks.
If planting green spaces to help wildlife, learn how to make gardens safe for pets (includes indoor plants to avoid). Avoid facing indoor foliage to gardens, to help stop birds flying into windows.
Britain’s nature is in serious trouble. Thanks for being part of the solution. You care about nature, and that is incredibly important. Our wildlife needs you on board desperately. All manner of wildlife habitats have been lost to development. Chalk downlands, heaths, bogs, freshwater marshes, seacoasts, estuaries, Caledonian pine forests and meadows. We have lost 97% of our flower-rich meadows since the 1930s.
Governments of the day kick environmental concerns into the long grass. Decision makers are in thrall to the lobbyists for big business, and economics seems to be entranced by models like ‘growth’ which mean very little, and pay no attention to the quality of life. Big infrastructure projects make politicians’ eyes light up. We are caught in a cultural insanity that holds tidiness in high esteem in the garden, yet leaves the countryside littered.
Dominic Couzens is a leading nature writer and lecturer. He has written around 45 books, writes three magazine columns and has published over 700 articles. A bird expert, he is passionate about nature, and writing on what we can do to help the planet.
