Back from the Brink: Saving Animals from Extinction

by Nancy F. Castaldo

Overview

The acclaimed author of Sniffer Dogs details the successful efforts of scientists to bring threatened animals back from the brink of extinction, perfect for animal lovers and reluctant nonfiction readers. With full-color photography.

How could capturing the last wild California condors help save them? Why are some states planning to cull populations of the gray wolf, despite this species only recently making it off the endangered list? How did a decision made during the Civil War to use alligator skin for cheap boots nearly drive the animal to extinction?

Back from the Brink answers these questions and more as it delves into the threats to seven species, and the scientific and political efforts to coax them back from the brink of extinction. This rich, informational look at the problem of extinction has a hopeful tone: all of these animals' numbers are now on the rise.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780544953437
Publisher:	HarperCollins Publishers
Publication date:	04/24/2018
Pages:	176
Sales rank:	1,092,978
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 8.10(h) x 0.70(d)
Age Range:	10 - 12 Years

About the Author

Nancy Castaldo is the author of several nonfiction books for children, including The Wolves and Moose of Isle Royale and Sniffer Dogs: How Dogs (and Their Noses) Save the World. She lives in New York’s Hudson Valley. nancycastaldo.com

Table of Contents

The Path to Preservation 1

Whooping Cranes in the Wetlands 8

Wolves in the Wild 29

Bald Eagles Fly High 50

Giant Galápagos Tortoises Walk the Earth 67

California Condors Soar Again 84

American Alligators Swim in the South 113

American Bison: Give Me a Home Where the Buffalo Roam 126

Call to Action! 143

Learn More 150

Watch 150

Read 151

Organisations 151

Go 152

Explore 154

Notes 155

Bibliography 158

Glossary 162

Acknowledgments 163

Index 164

Editorial Reviews

02/12/2018
Castaldo vividly chronicles efforts to save seven endangered species: whooping cranes, wolves, bald eagles, Galápagos tortoises, California condors, American alligators, and American bison. For each species, she discusses the reasons for their dwindling populations and the strides being made to assist in their recovery. In the case of the Galápagos tortoises, conservationists were forced to wipe out destructive goats introduced to Isabela Island: “If officials didn’t get rid of the goats, the entire ecosystem would continue to collapse.” Castaldo also describes the triumphant reintroduction of wolves into Yellowstone National Park, which led to a rebalancing of that ecosystem. Photographs of the animals in the wild and in protected facilities complement this intimate and optimistic look at humans’ ability to protect the planet’s biodiversity. Ages 10–12. Agent: Jennifer Laughran, Andrea Brown Agency. (Apr.)

Publishers Weekly

"[Castaldo] offers solid, meaningful suggestions for young readers [...] including many, many learning opportunities: things to watch and read, organizations to investigate, websites and parks to explore. Challenging but important reading for the intended audience."—Kirkus, STARRED review "An intimate and optimistic look at humans’ ability to protect the planet’s biodiversity."—Publishers Weekly "Readers will be moved by Castaldo’s appreciation for these animals."—Booklist, STARRED review "Middle school students will find this a topical, timely affirmation that nurturing the planet’s biodiversity is not a lost cause."—School Library Journal —

From the Publisher

04/01/2018
Gr 5–7—Even in the midst of what Castaldo (and many scientists) dub the "sixth great era of mass extinction," there have been successful efforts to salvage endangered species. Here she profiles seven such initiatives—all animals and all North American, except for the Galapagos tortoises—with quick side glances at several other examples. Some of her selected species, such as the whooping crane (at one time 16 were left in the wild) and the California condor (five, including just one female), really did come close to the titular "brink" and still aren't that far away from it. Others have recovered in great numbers. For instance, the Yellowstone bison herd needed to be reduced in 2017, an event the author refers to as a "Mass Bison Slaughter." Along with brief introductions to condor "nest technicians" and other wildlife workers, the author points out ongoing dangers to animal populations of all sizes, from lead poisoning to "microtrash," and offers shout-outs to such "Eco-Heroes" of the past as Rachel Carson and Richard Nixon. She closes with generalized action notes for young eco-activists and extensive lists of organizations, sites, and information sources. VERDICT Though the "success stories" here are told elsewhere in greater detail, middle school students will find this a topical, timely affirmation that nurturing the planet's biodiversity is not a lost cause. Consider for robust collections.—John Peters, Children's Literature Consultant, New York

School Library Journal

★ 2018-02-03
The stories of seven Western Hemisphere species—headed toward extinction for different reasons and saved in different ways—introduce and explain issues involved in the preservation of endangered animals.After a short introduction to the concept of extinction and the importance of the Endangered Species Act, Castaldo describes her visits to restoration centers for whooping cranes in Wisconsin; gray wolves, bald eagles, and American bison in New York; giant Galápagos tortoises in Ecuador; condors in California; and alligators in Florida. Her admiration and appreciation for these wild creatures and their human helpers permeate the gracefully written text. Chapter by chapter she explains why each species was in trouble, the often controversial restoration methods, and the results. The well-organized and convincingly presented narrative is supplemented with sidebars and enlivened with plentiful photographs, most taken by the author herself. She uses her examples as springboards to introduce and explain larger questions as well as to introduce important concepts such as the need for apex predators. She uses fresh, less-familiar quotations (Herman Melville on the giant tortoise!) and cites scientists both male and female, naturalists, and volunteers, including young people. A "Call to Action" offers solid, meaningful suggestions for young readers, and she concludes with 18 pages of backmatter including many, many learning opportunities: things to watch and read, organizations to investigate, websites and parks to explore.Challenging but important reading for the intended audience. (notes, bibliography, glossary, index) (Nonfiction. 10-14)

Kirkus Reviews