Wildlife Heroes: 40 Leading Conservationists and the Animals They Are Committed to Saving

From http://www.wildlifeheroes.org/


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People around the world are fascinated by wildlife and wildlife conservationists - they are captivated by the animals, and those people working in the remote corners of the Earth to save them. Wildlife Heroes provides a visual and written window into the world of these admired individuals, the fascinating species and the issues that must be resolved to save them.


With one-third of known species being threatened with extinction, wildlife conservationists are some of the most important heroes on the planet, and Wildlife Heroes profiles the work of 40 of the leading conservationists and the animals and causes they are committed to saving, such as Belinda Low (zebras), Iain Douglas-Hamilton (elephants), Karen Eckert (sea turtles), S.T. Wong (sun bear), Steve Galster (wildlife trade), and Wangari Maathai (habitat loss). Since we all should have an interest in conservation, there is a chapter providing information on ways people can get involved and make a difference. Chapter introductions are by author Kuki Gallmann, actor Ted Danson, actress Stefanie Powers, Congressman Jay Inslee, and TV personality Jack Hanna.


The book's stunning photos capture the beauty of the animals and the magnetism of the heroes as they work in the often grueling conditions where the animals live. Each chapter is introduced with a personal essay by celebrities who themselves are committed wildlife champions, including actor Ted Danson (Cheers, CSI), actress Stephanie Powers (Heart to Heart, Herbie Rides Again), US Representative Jay Inslee, TV Host Jack Hanna (Jack Hanna's Animal Adventures, Into The Wild), and author Kuki Gallman (I Dreamed of Africa).


Wildlife Heroes will appeal to both avid animal enthusiasts and casual readers wishing to learn more about our planet and the people working to protect it.
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Julie Scardina

Julie Scardina is Animal Ambassador and Corporate Curator responsible for Animal Training and Animal Ambassador programs for SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment. Scardina serves on the board of the SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund, is an active mentor and board member with the Emerging Wildlife Conservation Leaders and participates on the World Wildlife Fund National Council. She regularly travels into the field to learn about and document the projects and conservation issues so important today. Scardina shares her passion for animals and the parks education, conservation and rescue efforts as a monthly guest on the "Today" show and as a long time guest on "The Tonight Show" with Jay Leno. Scardina graduated with honors from San Diego State University.

Jeff Flocken

Jeff Flocken is DC Office Director for the International Fund for Animal Welfare where he leads the organization's policy experts advocating for animals. In this capacity he works on campaigns combating the wildlife trade and conserving polar bears, lions, whales, tigers, and elephants, among other species. Before this, Flocken worked for the US government doing international species conservation. Flocken has been a consultant on movies, books and television shows addressing wildlife issues, and serves on advisory boards for several wildlife organizations. Flocken is also the cofounder of the Emerging Wildlife Conservation Leaders initiative which mentors and provides training for up-and-coming wildlife leaders. He has a law degree from Wayne State Law School, and graduated with honors from the University of Michigan.


The Heroes:


Marc Ancrenaz

HUTAN, Kinabatangan Orang-utan Conservation Project

Claudine Andre

Friends of Bonobos

George Archibald

The International Crane Foundation

Felicity Arengo

The Center for Biodiversity and Conservation at the American Museum of Natural History

May Berenbaum

Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation 
Conservation through Poverty Alleviation International
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Shivani Bhalla

The Ewaso Lions Project

Elena Bykova

Saiga Conservation Alliance

Rogerio Cunha de Paula

Instituto Pro-Carnivoros

Ted Danson

Oceana

Vera da Silva

Projecto Boto

Luke Dollar

Earthwatch
Institute

Iain Douglas-Hamilton

Save the Elephants

Raoul du Toit

International Rhino Foundation

Sylvia Earle

National Geographic Society
Deep Search Foundation

Karen Eckert

Wider Caribbean Sea Turtle Network

Claudia Feh

TAKH: The Association for the Przewalski's Horse

Grace Ge Gabriel

International Fund for Animal Welfare

Steve Galster

FREELAND

Kuki Gallmann

The Gallmann Africa Conservancy

Jane Goodall

Jane Goodall Institute

Edgardo Griffith

Houston Zoo El Valle Amphibian Conservation Center

Rosamira Guillen

Proyecto Titi

Jack Hanna

Columbus Zoo Partners in Conservation
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Alison Jolly

Lemur Conservation Foundation 
Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust

Gerald Kooyman

Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego

Belinda Low

Grevy's Zebra Trust

John Lukas

Okapi Conservation Project of Gilman International Conservation
Wildlife Conservation Network

Wangari Maathai

Green Belt Movement

Laurie Marker

Cheetah Conservation Fund

Diane McTurk

Karanambu Trust

Patricia Medici

IUCN Tapir Specialist Group

Stefanie Powers

William Holden Wildlife Foundation

Gregory Rasmussen

Painted Dog Conservation
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Eugene Rutagarama

International Gorilla Conservation Programme

Kassie Siegel

Center for Biological Diversity

Claudio Sillero

Ethiopian Wolf Conservation Programme

Leandro Silveira

Jaguar Conservation Fund

Judy St. Leger

SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund

Brent Stewart

Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute

Deborah Tabart

Australia Koala Foundation

Nguyen Van Thai

Carnivore and Pangolin Conservation Program
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Merlin Tuttle

Bat Conservation International

Amanda Vincent
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Project Seahorse

Siew Te Wong

Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Center

Reviews:


The wildlife and wild places of our planet are threatened as never before by human population growth and our constant destruction of the natural environment. We desperately need wildlife heroes, and this timely book celebrates 40 of those who are struggling to save various species around the world. These men and women are shining inspirations, and hopefully, after reading this book, you will be inspired to do something yourself to help animals in need."
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Jane Goodall Ph.D., DBE, Founder - The Jane Goodall Institute, UN Messenger of Peace

Publishers Weekly

"Environmental advocates Scardina and Flocken profile the grassroots organizations, tenacious scientists, and willful philanthropists that shape today’s conservation policy and practice. Each portrait centers on a threatened or endangered species and describes the life and work of the person who has dedicated his career to protecting the species from extinction. Organized into sections corresponding to the four elements—Earth, Water, Air, and Fire—with introductory essays by celebrities like Ted Danson, the subjects are grouped according to their habitat, with “Fire” focusing on the broader threats to the world’s ecosystems. The pithy summaries of the activists’ struggles are accompanied by informative tidbits about the biology, behavior, natural history, and cultural context of the target species, along with delightful photographs of both human and beast. From the grassland-dwelling maned wolf of Central South America to the iceberg-hopping emperor penguin of Antarctica, the book shows how negative human interference imperils the welfare of all living things, and suggests that by taking an active role in conservation, education, and community building, we can help prevent the tragic loss of the world’s biological diversity."


Booklist
"Conservationists Scardina (a regular on Today and The Tonight Show) and Flocken have created an alluring book of dazzling photographs and stirring stories of adventure and breakthroughs that introduces intriguing "wildlife heroes" and portrays the imperiled animals they have dedicated, even risked, their lives to save… this keenly charismatic, solidly informative call for the preservation of life affirms that it is still possible, with concerted effort, to save animals from extinction."
 
Read more about this book at:


http://www.wildlifeheroes.org/