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&i;100 Animals to See Before They Die&o; is inspired by the Zoological Society of London's recently launched conservation project EDGE - Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered. EDGE targets some of the world's most bizarre and unusual creatures, animals which are extremely distinct in the way they look, live and behave. They have few or no close relatives and require immediate action to save them from extinction. If they disappear there will be nothing like them left on the planet.
Amazingly, many of these species are ignored by existing conservation plans. 100 Animals fights this ignorance by highlighting the danger these species are in and will encourage greater involvement in the fight to save them.
Some EDGE species, such as tigers, elephants and pandas are well known, but 100 Animals features dozens of lesser known and extraordinary animals such as the Yangtze River Dolphin (the world's rarest cetacean), the Bumblebee Bat (the smallest mammal on earth) and the egg-laying Long-beaked Echidna.
Organised by world regions (Eurasia, Australasia, Africa, New World, South East Asia, the Oceans) and with a whole section devoted to Madagascar, 100 Animals is inspirational and packed with information about each animal and where to find it.
Each animal is illustrated in colour and accompanied by a distribution map and information about its key characteristics and the specific threats it faces, plus details about any conservation work taking place.
&i;"A terrific book - full of vivid descriptions of some of the most remarkable creatures on the planet, it's also a timely reminder of what we stand to lose. Everyone who cares about wildlife should read it."&o; - Mark Carwardine (zoologist, writer & wildlife photographer)
&i;"A colourful mix of interesting information about the world's most fascinating animals, including strong conservation messages, finished off with practical, up-to-date information about the best places to see them."&o; - Rosamund Kidman Cox (editor of BBC Wildlife magazine for over 20 years)
&i;"Travelling with the hope of having a positive impact is always going to be more rewarding than staying at home for fear of having a negative one. I think we should stop feeling guilty about travel and rejoice in the positive contribution we can make. Simply being there helps."&o; - Hilary Bradt (founder of Bradt Travel Guides).
Contents
Introduction
Eurasia
Africa
Madagascar
Southeast Asia
Australasia
New World
Oceans
Index
Nick Garbutt is an acclaimed wildlife photographer, artist and author, with a particular interest in rainforests and island wildlife. His books include Mammals of Madagascar: A Complete Guide; Wild Borneo; and Bradt's Madagascar Wildlife. He regularly contributes articles and photographs to a wide range of magazines including National Geographic and BBC Wildlife, and his photographs have appeared in numerous books and other publications worldwide. Nick has twice been a winner of the BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year Competition, one of the most prestigious competitions in world photography.
Mike Unwin is an author, editor, photographer and illustrator specialising in natural history. He won the BBC Wildlife/Bradt Travel Guides Travel Writing Competition in 2000, which brought his talents to the attention of Bradt. Mike is now series editor of the Bradt wildlife guides and author of Southern African Wildlife. He is also editor of Travel Zambia magazine and a regular contributor to many other publications, including Travel Africa, Birdwatching and BBC Wildlife. He has lived in both Zimbabwe and Swaziland, and has an extensive first-hand knowledge of the African continent and its wildlife.
'This book is packed with glorious photos, and fascinating facts about some of the world's least known and most endangered species.' Kate Humble(journalist & TV presenter) ' This is far more than a list of 100 endangered species - it provides an overview to our world's vanishing wild places and their beleaguered inhabitants. There is something here for everyone - history, animal behaviour, conservation. Anyone looking for their next (travel) adventure need search no further. Nick Garbutt's latest book is enough to inspire the safari of a lifetime.' Jonathan and Angie Scott(wildlife photographers & authors) 'This excellent guide to the world's most threatened creatures - a few of which I have seen with my own eyes, the rest I am never likely to - is essential reading for anyone who really cares about what is happening to nature.' John Craven OBE 'A terrific book - full of vivid descriptions of some of the most remarkable creatures on the planet, it's also a timely reminder of what we stand to lose. Everyone who cares about wildlife should read it.' Mark Carwardine(zoologist, writer & wildlife photographer) 'This is an important book in the crusade to save the planet's biodiversity, for it draws attention to some of the rarest gems of the animal kingdom.' Lee Durrell, Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust 'A colourful mix of interesting information about the world's most fascinating animals, including strong conservation messages, finished off with practical, up-to-date information about the best places to see them.' Rosamund Kidman Cox (editor of BBC Wildlife magazine for over 20 years) 'What makes 100 Bizarre Animals stand out is the lively, informative text by Mike Unwin.' 'Giant anteaters, cartwheeling spiders and, naturally, the platypus, are all subject to Unwin's keen eye, engaging turn of phrase and well-researched, up-to-date accounts of their behavioural and evolutionary biology.' 'Even if many of these animal oddities are already familiar to regular readers of BBC Wildlife they are well worth another look through Mike Unwin's eyes.' (Stuart Blackman, BBC Wildlife)
