To appreciate the plight of endangered species, readers are asked to consider the history of the American bison. From dominating the plains to a swift decline to the brink of extinction, the stately American bison epitomizes the crisis of habitat loss for wildlife. Delving into the shameful policies that nearly led to this creature�s extermination, this book illuminates the history of the species with a helpful timeline, informative sidebars, and captivating photographs. The book reveals the efforts that have restored the bison to sustainable numbers and educates readers about the value of conservation and the critical role this magnificent animal plays in its ecosystem.

Once vilified as a savage beast and systematically exterminated, the gray wolf has only been restored to sustainable numbers over the past few decades. In this book, readers will discover the tragic history and the prejudice surrounding the gray wolf and learn how wolves were saved by the determined efforts of conservationists. Examining the misconceptions that caused wolves to be targeted in the past, this informative and thought-provoking text examines how the growing understanding of ecology helped save the wolf from extinction. With photographs, sidebars, and a helpful timeline, this book is sure to inspire young conservationists.

Weighing up to 1,300 pounds, the gentle manatee looks far more daunting than it truly is. How can we protect this peaceful "sea cow," which has been endangered by habitat loss and watercraft collisions? Thankfully, legal action has ensured that manatee populations are beginning to revive. In this text, readers will learn what manatees need to survive, how they contribute to their ecosystems, and what activities threaten their survival. Equipped with a greater awareness of the animal, young conservation advocates will be called to action to defend the manatee and its habitats. A useful timeline of events, educational sidebars, and powerful photographs enrich the reading experience.

Growing up to four feet in length and weighing over 300 pounds, the green sea turtle is truly a majestic creature. Sadly, shrinking habitats and exploitation have jeopardized their very existence. In this book, readers will learn what human activities have threatened the sea turtle and what must be done to save them from extinction. The text is enhanced by eye-catching images of sea turtles in their natural habitats, a timeline of the animal�s history, and sidebars with supplemental information.

The bald eagle is the national emblem of the United States. Unfortunately, the very people who made this bird into an icon also put it at risk of extinction. The bald eagle has been the victim of pesticide use, poaching, and habitat destruction. Thankfully, conservation efforts and the banning of DDT have helped eagle populations recuperate. Breaking down the history of the bald eagle�s progress with a helpful timeline, this book educates readers about the issues facing our national symbol. They�ll learn about the animal�s unique ecological role in text accompanied by colorful photographs.

He was complex, quirky, pugnacious, and difficult. He seemed to create enemies wherever he went, even among his friends. A fireplug of a man who stood only five feet eight inches in his stocking feet, he had an outsized ambition to make his mark on the world. And he did. William Temple Hornaday (1854-1937) was probably the most famous conservationist of the nineteenth century, second only to his great friend and ally Theodore Roosevelt. Hornaday's great passion was protecting wild things and wild places, and he spent most of his adult life in a state of war on their behalf, as a taxidermist and museum collector; as the founder and first director of the National Zoo in Washington, DC; as director of the Bronx Zoo for thirty years; and as the author of nearly two dozen books on conservation and wildlife. But in Mr. Hornaday's War, the long-overdue biography of Hornaday by journalist Stefan Bechtel, the grinding contradictions of Hornaday's life also become clear. Though he is credited with saving the American bison from extinction, he began his career as a rifleman and trophy hunter who led "the last buffalo hunt" into the Montana Territory. And what happened in 1906 at the Bronx Zoo, when Hornaday displayed an African man in a cage, shows a side of him that is as baffling as it is repellent. This gripping new book takes an honest look at a fascinating and enigmatic man.

Discusses the life cycle of the bison, its role in the settlement of the American West, and its near extinction.