Nature Conservation

The largest land animal today is the elephant. It can be longer than a car, as high as a house, and weigh more than five cars. They can live for over 70 years in the wild. In a zoo, the oldest elephant lived for 88 years. Elephants are found in some wild areas of Africa and Asia. They are very social and intelligent animals that need to be protected, because there are fewer elephants today than in the past.

Wisdom, the Midway Albatross - the oldest bird in the world - hatched a new chick in 2011, and two months later, the Japanese tsunami struck. Surviving manmade and natural disasters for over 60 years, Wisdom has braved living wild, plastic pollution, longline fishing, lead poisoning, and the Japanese earthquake.

You might know that green sea turtles have incredible shells, but there’s so much more to learn about these underwater marvels! Find out how green sea turtles keep seagrass beds healthy by “mowing” them, and how some species of fish like to hitch a ride on their shells. You’ll also witness the amazing egg hatching frenzy that occurs—when baby turtles have to make a mad dash from the beach to the safety of the sea. Filled with simple science and plenty of animal facts, this book also looks at the conservation challenges these endangered animals face.

In Tracking Weather, the Brite Star Kids learn about the Brite Star Weather Station and how the people who work there do their jobs and keep the community informed about the changes in the weather. They meet the individual who does the weather forecast and are able to see the instruments used.

Whether sailing across the ocean, hiking through the jungle, or climbing the highest volcanic peaks, everywhere Alexander went, he observed the land, animals, and culture. And where others saw differences, Alexander spotted connections.

Can humans save a species from extinction? Yes! With patience, persistence, and a full dose of hope. This is the heartbreaking tale of a Galápagos giant tortoise species that was almost extinct, the herculean task of conservation work by scientists and volunteers, and a heartwarming tale of hope for our planet.

In the 1930s, the last wolves disappeared from Yellowstone National Park. Without them, elk herds overran the plains. Bears starved, rabbit families shrunk and birds flew away to new homes. Then plants and trees started to die off, too—even the flow of rivers was affected. Could the park be saved...by the wolves it had lost? After years of planning, in 1995 a team of experts was ready to find out. They carefully relocated 14 wolves from the Canadian Rockies to Yellowstone. This is the story of their homecoming.

In brave and unforgettable terms, Al Gore, the passionate and lifelong defender of the environment, describes how human actions and decisions can endanger or safeguard the vulnerable ecosystem that sustains us.

You may know that humpback whales use whale song to communicate with each other, but there’s so much more to discover about these giants of the sea! In this book, acclaimed marine biologist Dr. Asha de Vos explains how humpbacks use special bubble nets to catch fish, and why their poo is so important! Filled with simple science and plenty of animal facts, this book also explains how hunting made humpback whales an endangered species—and how conservation efforts have seen their numbers increase again.

You might know that pandas like to snack on bamboo, but there’s so much more to find out about this mysterious black-and-white bear! Listen to discover where pandas like to spend their summers, and how cute they are as newly-born cubs.

You might know that honey bees dance to let each other know where to find the best flowers, but there’s so much more to learn about these important insects! Turn the pages to discover the difference between the queen bee and worker bees, and how honey bees actually make honey.

Water, air, sunlight, plants . . . we need these elements to live in this world. But does the world need us? And what would happen to the world if humans were gone? This is the premise of a thought-provoking book from John Coy. His insightful text explores how nature would reclaim the planet. The book gives further context and discusses what kids (and all of us) can do to truly help our planet.

Did you know that one well-placed giraffe kick is strong enough to kill a lion? How about that an adult giraffe can eat a hundred pounds of leaves in a day? Or that some giraffes hum to each other at night? Perfect for all animal lovers—and giraffe fans in particular—this book is filled with all the facts you need to know to become a giraffe expert! Where are giraffes found? What's it like to be a giraffe? Why are giraffes endangered, and who has been working hard to save them?

The story of the short life and tragic death of Bowland Beth - an English hen harrier. 'The sun was blood red as it broke the horizon and lit the communal roost where the female hen harrier had spent the night. She watched the other harriers as they left to go foraging for food out on the moor. She didn't join them, for she had felt a quickening in her body, an urge to move to Mallowdale Pike, a rocky crag from where she had fledged nine months ago. After preening, she lifted off from the roost and soared up over the fell.'

You've probably heard the story of the garden of Eden - the paradise that God created for humans to live in. There was plenty of room for everyone, there were trees and flowers and plenty of food. When you look out your window today you don't see the paradise God intended for us. This world is crowded, polluted, and headed for trouble.But it's not hopeless.

Follow a hatchling's treacherous journey from nest to sea. Longtime science writer Stephen Swinburne creates an engaging first-person narrative from the sea turtle's perspective.

In the dark, Kristofer Helgen and a group of scientists peered up into the treetops of the Ecuadorian cloud forest. Staring back at them was a furry, four-legged creature. Could it be the mysterious, wild olinguito? Helgen had been studying the olingo, a relative of raccoons, for years. As he examined their pelts and skulls in museums, he noticed differences in a few. Through scientific investigating, he realized the different examples weren't olingos at all - he had discovered a completely new species.

Little brown bats do us a big favor. They eat huge numbers of insects! That helps limit the spread of diseases and the damage that insects do to farm crops. But in recent years, large populations of little brown bats have been dying off each winter. Is a virus killing them? Could climate change or pesticides be the cause? Or is it something else? Follow a team of dedicated scientists working to save the little brown bats in this real-life science mystery.

Golden lion tamarins are found only in Brazilian forests. These small, remarkable monkeys once had plenty of space to roam and claim family territories. But years of deforestation caused their numbers to shrink. They were in serious danger of becoming extinct. To help, scientists studied the animals in zoo settings. But they faced several mysteries. Why weren't golden lion tamarins reproducing in zoos? If scientists reintroduced zoo-raised tamarins to the wild, would those monkeys survive?

Asian elephants and Mexican long-nosed bats are two examples of endangered mammals. Few of them exist in the wild. Other mammals have already gone extinct. What hurts these animals? What can you do to help? Read this book to find out!