Asia's Wildlife - (Tuttle Specials) by Lai & Bjorn Olesen (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

"Close-up views of endangered fauna in their natural habitats are difficult enough to obtain, but the breathtaking artistic quality of the photography in this valuable documentation of Asia's disappearing forest habitats makes this book highly recommended for both scientists and nature lovers alike." --Robert Stuebing, The Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago. Author of A Field Guide to the Snakes of Borneo

Asia's Wildlife provides rare insights into Asia's breathtaking tropical forests and the rare species that inhabit them--many of which are now endangered. Proceeds from this book will go to support the conservation activities of BirdLife International.

Produced to raise funds and awareness of nature conservation through their Forest of Hope program, Asia's Wildlife is a mesmerizing year-long photographic journey of the expedition taken by Fanny Lai and photographer Bjorn Olesen. Readers can become part of their journey as they observe, photograph, and describe Asia's most distinctive animal species. The trip brings you to the most remote and biodiverse forests in eight different countries in Asia, and gives you the opportunity to learn about rarely seen--let alone photographed--endangered animal species.

Over 190 images and illustrations feature 129 different animal species, of which 72 are national endemics, including:

• The Giant Cloud Rat
• The majestic Philippine Eagle
• The critically endangered Helmeted Hornbill
• And many other fascinating creatures!

Discover the ongoing conservation efforts to protect these precious forests, as well as very real threats to the future of the animals and habitats.

Review Quotes

"A beautifully presented compendium of memorable full color wildlife photography published in a hardcover coffee-table style format (9.6 x 1 x 10.7 inches), Asia's Wildlife: A Journey to the Forests of Hope is an especially and unreservedly recommended for community, college, and university library Wildlife & Endangered Species collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. Proceeds from the sale of Asia's Wildlife: A Journey to the Forests of Hope will go to support the conservation activities of Bird Life International." --Midwest Book Review

"Close-up views of Endangered fauna in their natural habitats are difficult enough to obtain, but the breathtaking artistic quality of the photography in this valuable documentation of Asia's disappearing forest habitats makes this book highly recommended for both scientists and nature lovers alike." --Robert Stuebing, The Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago. Author of A Field Guide to the Snakes of Borneo

"Fanny Lai and Bjorn Olesen take us on a spectacular photographic odyssey around eight of Asia's key biodiversity areas. BirdLife International describe these as 'Forests of Hope' and the authors capture this spirit marvelously with images showing the not only wildlife of these sites -- especially species assessed as Threatened on the IUCN Red List -- but also documenting the threats to these sites and the actions of many dedicated conservationists of safeguarding them." --Dr. Thomas Brooks, Head, Science and Knowledge, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

"Spectacular photos of threatened, charismatic and rarely seen creatures show there is still hope for wildlife in many of Asia's remaining forests, described here in an engaging and informative way." --Dr. Geoffrey W.H. Davison, author of Wild Malaysia, Wild Singapore, and Belum, A Rainforest in Malaysia

"The book features some of the world's least known species like Vietnam's Saola, Cambodia's Giant Ibis and the Sumatran Tiger in their natural environment. In addition, the book tells inspiring conservation stories from forest sites across tropical Asia, most famously, the work of local people and governments in saving the Amur Falcons of Nagaland. The book weaves these stories and high-quality photography of some of Asia's most imperiled species together through the lenses of lead photographer, Bjorn Olesen. I recommend it highly to anyone interested in saving Earth's biodiversity." --Prof. Paul R. Ehrlich, President, Center for Conservation Biology, Stanford University.

"The latest photo journey from Fanny Lai and Bjorn Olesen is more than a coffee table centrepiece. Asia's Wildlife is a story of human impact and change, laced with a breathtaking array of endangered species' portraits, and it deserves your time." --Conjour

"The struggle to save the forests that still remain on this glorious planet is, simply, the noblest of causes. These arresting portraits of living creatures from eight Asian forests remind us all that forests have value beyond our capacity to measure. Without forests, we cannot dream. Without forests, we cannot breathe. Without forests, we cannot hope. Forests are forever, and their conservation is the human endeavor that represents the best hope of our own survival as a species. Forests of hope indeed!" --Dr. Nigel Collar, Leventis Fellow in Conservation Biology, BirdLife International

"The surprising range and breathtaking beauty of the animals so miraculously photographed in this excellent book are a powerful reminder of the need to protect these treasures of the natural world before they are lost forever." --Dr. John van Wyhe, historian of science and author of Dispelling the Darkness: Voyage in the Malay Archipelago and the Discovery of Evolution by Wallace and Darwin

About the Author

Fanny Lai is passionate about wildlife. She is a cartoonist, author, travel writer and former Group CEO of Wildlife Reserves Singapore, which comprises Singapore Zoo, Night Safari, Jurong Bird Park and River Safari. She is equally known for her entrepreneurial business development skills following a career that has spanned more than 30 years in branding, marketing and corporate management. She holds an Executive MBA from the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business.

Bjorn Olesen is a retired corporate executive, award-winning wildlife photographer, author and committed conservationist. A Singapore permanent resident, he has lived more than 30 years in Asia traveling to many of the most exciting wildlife sites on the continent. His articles and images have appeared in numerous local and overseas publications. All his photos are available free of charge to non-profit conservation NGOs.

Foreword by HIH Princess Takamado of Japan. Honorary President of BirdLife International.

About the Editor:
Yong Ding Li carried out his Ph.D. research in conservation and ecology at the Australian National University. He currently works on forest and wetland conservation policy at BirdLife International's Asia Division. Passionate about wildlife since his childhood, Ding Li has traveled widely across some of the remotest parts of Asia. Ding Li has written over 40 papers and four books on the wildlife and ecology of the region, most recently the best-selling Best 100 Birdwatching Sites in Southeast Asia.