Conservation Canines - (Orca Wild) by Isabelle Groc (Hardcover)

About the Book

This nonfiction book for middle readers examines the lives of dogs who work with humans to find new ways to solve environmental problems. Included are stories and examples of dogs working in the field to conserve wildlife.

Book Synopsis

★"Robust and engaging...Sure to be a hit with both children writing reports and those who enjoy books about animal companions and adventurous work. A must for school and public libraries."--Booklist, starred review

With their precise sense of smell, their hardworking temperament and their ability to bond with humans, dogs increasingly lend their paws and noses to fixing some of the most complex environmental problems on the planet. What kinds of dogs does it take to help wildlife? What kind of training do they go through? Who are the people who work with these special dogs? What do those people do and what difference do they make for wildlife?

In Conservation Canines: How Dogs Work for the Environment, author Isabelle Groc shares stories of dog encounters in the field and examples of canines working to conserve wildlife. Meet brave Anatolian shepherd dogs protecting farmers' livestock against cheetah attacks and Maremma dogs guarding penguins from foxes. Learn how rescue dogs sniff out orca poop in the ocean and how highly focused canines can detect rare frogs hiding in wetland tunnels. The story of these conservation canines celebrates the profound and ancestral human-animal bond and gives hope and inspiration for finding new ways for people to successfully co-exist with wildlife.

The epub edition of this title is fully accessible.

Review Quotes

★ "Nonfiction for this age group frequently highlights working animals, but it doesn't often focus on their conservation assistance, nor is it as comprehensively detailed as this robust and engaging title. Sure to be a hit with both children writing reports and those who enjoy books about animal companions and adventurous work. A must for school and public libraries."

-- "Booklist, starred review"

"Packed with cool facts about canine jobs and scientific research about endangered and vulnerable species. Concluding with attainable ideas for being a citizen scientist, this is a fascinating book about these clever, loveable dogs, and endangered species."

-- "BC Books for Schools"

"Page after page of exceptional research along with interesting anecdotes and true stories...This book is invaluable for any library looking to update and amplify its collection about dogs. The pages feature exceptional photography from the author set alongside information which will inspire and ignite readers' interest in dogs, wildlife, and the environment."-- "School Library Connection"

"A well-researched and balanced presentation on a pertinent, high-interest topic."-- "Kirkus Reviews"

"Will engage and inform. It is filled with interesting facts about the roles dogs play around the world in supporting our efforts to leave the planet a better place for future generations. Highly Recommended."-- "CM: Canadian Review of Materials"

"This book is a charmer, a must for people who love dogs and want to know how they impact our world. From detecting cheetah scat and guarding livestock in southern Africa, to protecting penguins in Australia and locating pods of orcas in the Pacific Northwest, to helping authorities identify shipments of illegally traded wildlife, the stories told in Conservation Canines demonstrate the breadth of intelligence inherent in the species across its many breeds. The beautiful photos stand as proof: these dogs are passionate about their work, and so are the people guiding them. A terrific testament to our amazing animal partners in conservation!"--Dr. Laurie Marker, founder and executive director of Cheetah Conservation Fund

About the Author

Isabelle Groc is a writer, conservation photographer and filmmaker who specializes in wildlife conservation, endangered species and the relationships between people and wildlife in a rapidly changing world. With degrees in journalism from Columbia University and urban planning from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, she brings a unique perspective to documenting the impacts of human activities on threatened species and habitats. She is the author of Gone Is Gone: Wildlife Under Threat and Sea Otters: A Survival Story in the Orca Wild series. Born in the South of France, with family roots in Spain, Isabelle now lives in Vancouver