An account of the American Museum of Natural History expedition to the Dzanga Sangha Rain Forest in the Central African Republic to collect specimens for an exhibit.

With more than 600 tree species and 10,000 animal species, the world's second largest rainforest, the Congo rainforest in Central Africa, is truly a lively place to be. In this thoughtful text, various settlements, villages, and indigenous peoples are introduced to readers as well as fascinating, and sometimes dangerous, forest creatures. In fact, hippos cause the most human deaths of any large animal in Africa! The narrator of this Congo adventure explores not just this wild landscape but also safety tips, natural history, and conservation concerns about this important part of the world.

Extending from west Africa to Madagascar, from the vast lowland Congo Basin to the archipelago of forest islands on its eastern rim, the African rain forest is surpassed in size only by the Amazon. This book sheds light on the current efforts to understand and conserve the African rain forest, an area in need of urgent action to save its biological wealth, cultural heritage, and economic potential. Written by conservation scientists and practitioners based in the African rain forest, the book offers a multidisciplinary perspective that integrates many biological and social sciences. Early chapters trace the forces--from paleoecological factors to recent human actions--that have shaped the African forest environment. The next chapters discuss the dominant biological patterns of species ranging from the distinctive elephants, gorillas, and okapi to the less well known birds, butterflies, and amphibians. Other chapters focus on how such different groups as hunter-gatherers, forest farmers, bushmeat hunters, recent immigrants, and commercial foresters have used the forests. Several authors stress the need for tighter links between research and conservation action. The final section draws lessons from the collective experience of those working in an Africa wracked by political strife and economic hardship.

Colorful macaws fly gracefully between trees while monkeys howl or chatter from high branches overhead. Many plants and animals display vibrant colors, while others like the sloth hide in plain sight. The tropical rain forest biome is chock full of life, and there are still many questions to be answered about this mysterious region. This informative book invites you to learn about the inner workings of this unique biome where every living thing plays a part in this biome community. Come see how the web of life thrives in the tropical rainforest biome.

Even in our hyper-connected world, there are tribes scattered across the far reaches of the globe who still live much the same way that their ancestors did thousands of years ago. Having had minimal contact with the outside world, these peoples currently live in harmony and unison with the environment around them. But as technology grows and the human population expands, the way of life of these tribes becomes increasingly threatened with every passing day. In The Rainforest Survivors, veteran overseas reporter Paul Raffaele recounts his time spent with three unique jungle tribes—the peace-loving Congo Pygmies, New Guinea’s tree-dwelling Korowai cannibals, and the Amazon’s ferocious Korubo. Over months spent living in these three communities, Raffaele experienced firsthand wisdom and mysterious rites forged over many millennia. Resonating with high adventure and remarkable characters, The Rainforest Survivors details the daily lives of these relatively unknown peoples and provides key political and environmental context, showing how outside forces are closing in on them and threatening to change forever their ways of life. Enthralling and unforgettable, this compelling book is the important portrait of indigenous peoples living the way they have for centuries.