Erich Hoyt,
Whale Rescue: Changing the Future for Endangered Wildlife (Firefly Animal Rescue Series)
Firefly Books, 2005.

Rating: E

Supported by stunning photographs of various talented photographers, Whale Rescue tells of the work of the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society. The goal of both the society and this book is to "change the future of endangered wildlife". The book begins with a description of the whale, its habits, habitat and niche. Portrayed as a beautiful, intelligent giant of the sea with highly developed social skills, the whale is painted in both words and photos as a tragic figure whose existence is threatened by whaling industry. A timeline indicates that by 1904 many whale species including the blue whale were facing extinction. By 2004 over 700 conservation projects had been set up in an attempt to save the whales.

In addition to a well-organized and extensive table of contents and index, Whale Rescue contains a brief list of addresses of organizations which assist endangered wildlife and the suggestion that readers contact these associations to volunteer their assistance.

Whale Rescue is an optimistic story of contributions people can make to saving endangered species. It would be of particular interest to environmental science classes and anyone interested in saving endangered animals. It is a valuable addition to nature library sections.

Thematic Links: Whales; Sea Mammals; Conservation; Endangered Species

Gail Lennon
Vol. 12, number 2
December 2006

*Rating System:
E - Excellent, enduring, everyone should see it!
G - Good, even great at times, generally useful!
A - Average, all right, has its applications.
P - Problematic, puzzling, poorly presented.