Follow Those Zebras: Solving a Migration Mystery

by Sandra Markle

Overview

Every year in Namibia, about two thousand zebras suddenly disappear from their grazing area along the Chobe River. Months later, the herd returns. Where do they go? And why? Thanks to satellite-tracking collars, scientists were able to solve the mystery, but several questions remain. Award-winning science author Sandra Markle reveals the process scientists used to study the zebras, and she also delves into the science of migration, exploring how animals know where to go, how to get there, and when to leave.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781541538375
Publisher:	Lerner Publishing Group
Publication date:	04/07/2020
Series:	Sandra Markle's Science Discoveries
Pages:	40
Sales rank:	366,743
Product dimensions:	10.00(w) x 9.90(h) x 0.40(d)
Lexile:	1050L (what's this?)
Age Range:	10 - 11 Years

About the Author

Sandra Markle is the author of numerous award-winning books for children. A former elementary science teacher, she is a nationally-known science education consultant. Markle has received many honors for her series Animal Predators, Animal Scavengers, and Animal Prey. Several titles have been named as National Science Teachers Association (NSTA)/Children’s Book Council (CBC) Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12, and Animal Predators was honored as a Top 10 Youth Nonfiction Series by Booklist.



Markle is also the author of the Insect World series and several single titles. Her book Rescues! was named a Best Book by the Society of School Librarians International and a Recommended Title of Outstanding Nonfiction by the National Council of Teachers of English’s (NCTE) Orbis Pictus Award committee; Animal Heroes was named a 2008 Lasting Connections title by Book Links. Markle lives in Lakewood Ranch, Florida with her husband, photographer Skip Jeffery.

Editorial Reviews

"How can you lose 2,000 plains zebras? In the Chobe River region of Namibia, this is exactly what was happening each dry season. The local zebra herd would leave and return like clockwork, but no one knew where—or why—they were going. The strangeness of this phenomenon struck research scientist Robin Naidoo, who decided to get to the bottom of the mystery. Markle describes Naidoo's efforts to monitor the elusive herd via GPS tracking collars (subduing a wild zebra is no easy feat!) and the resultant discovery of the longest overland large mammal migration: 593 miles, round trip, between Botswana's Nxai Pan National Park and Namibia. Supplementing his work with large photos and maps, all clearly captioned, Markle delivers information on zebra behavior, as well as Naidoo's connection between the migration and zebras' breeding cycle, something that will likely be negatively affected by global warming. The well-organized and interesting subject matter makes this a solid choice, and the realistic glimpse into how scientists problem-solve and conduct field research adds to its value."—Booklist

From the Publisher

03/01/2020

Gr 3–6—Markle's informational picture book describes how scientists worked to solve the mystery of migrating zebras in southern Africa. Every year during the dry season, thousands of zebras disappeared from the savannas, and no one could explain where they went. In 2012 Robin Naidoo, a research scientist with the World Wildlife Fund, assembled a team to uncover the answer. Naidoo and his team decided to track the zebras using GPS tracking collars. Surprisingly, the data showed the longest-known terrestrial wildlife migration in Africa. The researchers learned that the zebras traveled to Nxai Pan National Park in Botswana. Plenty of photographs provide visual context to this mystery, and small sidebars offer interesting tidbits without overwhelming the page. Markle shares an abundance of information about the environment and basic facts on zebras before delving into the mystery of their migration. Text moves quickly and maintains reader interest, although the tone is better suited for younger readers. An extensive glossary, an author's note, an index, and suggested reading are included. VERDICT A solid and readable addition to school library collections.—Savannah Kitchens, Parnell Memorial Library, Montevallo, AL

School Library Journal

2019-12-22
Scientists solve the mystery of a disappearing zebra herd.

A herd of plains zebra regularly vanishes from the Chobe River flood plains in Namibia and Botswana during the dry season, but until Robin Naidoo and other scientists fitted some of these animals with GPS trackers, no one knew where they went or why. Markle (The Great Shark Rescue, 2019, etc.) ably describes the species, its habitat in the Serengeti Plain, the phenomenon of migration, the science research, and its surprising results: a "record-holding zebra migration" to the grasses in Botswana's Nxai Pan National Park, which have extra nutrients for the mares and the foals they bear there. Her clear explanations are accompanied by well-chosen and informatively captioned photographs from a variety of sources. The lively design includes a striking zebra-coat background surrounding boxes with additional information and images. Maps help American readers locate this migration in southern Africa. One that includes the tracked migration routes of eight females demonstrates the astonishing directness of the 155-mile journey undertaken by seven (the meandering route taken by the eighth is unexplained). The author concludes with concerns about the possible effects of the changing climate and how conservation groups are planning to help the zebras so that they can continue to travel unimpeded and find water on their way.

A hopeful and helpful addition to any nature library. (author's note, fast facts, glossary, source notes, further reading, index) (Nonfiction. 8-11)

Kirkus Reviews

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