CLEARFIELD – In the final Books-Sandwiched-In program at the Joseph & Elizabeth Shaw Public Library Pam Babick gave an animated presentation on the book Hope for Animals and Their World: How Endangered Species Are Being Rescued from the Brink by Jane Goodall.
Babick shared a brief summary of the life of the author who was born in 1934 and became world renowned for her work with chimpanzees. At 83 years of age, Goodall is still actively involved in creating awareness of man’s impact on the natural world and animals.
Goodall’s book is a collection of conservation success stories. Part 1 of the book relates instances of animals, which were extinct in the wild, being bred in captivity and then reintroduced into their natural habitat. One such species is the Australian wallaby.
The second part of the book focuses on species that are being brought back from near extinction. Stories include rescue efforts for the North American whooping crane and the golden lion tamarin, a small monkey of Brazil.
Babick noted that often the efforts to protect and restore creatures have relied upon the labors of a few dedicated people out in the field. Their work might stretch out over decades, and their determination to try whatever was necessary to save the species makes uplifting reading.
Babick related several stories from the book. One was about the black robin of New Zealand. A small, friendly bird, the black robin population was reduced to five birds of which one was a female. Black robins lay only two eggs per year.
But a conservationist named Don Merton, using a cross fostering technique, managed to get four new black robins each year from that single pair. The population now numbers 300.
In the final part of the book entitled Nature of Hope, Goodall reflects on the successes while acknowledging set-backs and failures. She says we must recognize that we share this earth.
As keepers of the planet, she says it is our responsibility to preserve and protect it for our heirs. This book is about hope – hope for animals and man’s existence with them.
Hope for Animals and Their World by Jane Goodall is available in book and eAudiobook form at Shaw Public Library.
At the conclusion of the program, Babick, a member of AAUW, thanked the audience for their participation in the series. She noted that proceeds from the program benefit the Interrupted Studies grant, which the Clearfield Area Branch of AAUW awards each year.
