On the Verge of Extinction

Learn all about the tall, noisy whooping cranesee it dance, follow its flight path, and watch the stages as a chick hatches and grows into a cinnamon-colored juvenile and then into a stunning white bird with black wing tips and a red head. Why is this bird endangered? Devastating loss of habitat and overhunting of eggs and of adults for their skin in the 1800s made their numbers dwindle. By 1942, there were only sixteen whoopers still living in the wild. Now the whooping crane is making a comeback. In 2007, over 300 whooping cranes were migrating between Canada and Texas. Find out what scientists are doingand what you can doto help this endangered animal.

Yangtze River dolphins, also known as Baiji, have splashed in the waters of Chinas Yangtze River for millions of years. The Chinese people have always loved these mammals. They considered the Baiji to be a beautiful part of their river, and they have told many stories about them. Today, the Yangtze is a very different place. Trash floats in the water, and toxic chemicals pollute it. Thousands of boats travel up and down the river every day, and people use dangerous fishing equipment with sharp rolling hooks. The Yangtze River is no longer a safe place for the Baiji to live. Most of them have died out. Scientists worry that it might be too late for these dolphins. Is there any way to save them?

Ancient Egypt has always fascinated people. Pyramids from that civilization still tower hundreds of feet into the air. Museums featuring mummies attract large crowds. Countless numbers of tourists flock to Egypt to view historical sites that date back thousands of years. These historical sites are in danger today. Some of the reasons are natural. For example, sandstorms rip across the desert, acting like sandpaper on the stone monuments. Others, such as air pollution and flooding, are the result of human activity. People have also broken into the ancient sites and stolen the treasures inside. Many people are concerned about losing these ancient treasures. Find out what they are doing to stamp out the dangers that threaten the priceless reminders of Egypt's glorious past.

Before the 1900s, hundreds of thousands of wild tigers roamed Southeast Asia. Their beauty, fierceness, and intelligence inspired fear and awe in their human neighbors. These peoples gave the tiger starring roles in folktales and mythology. Human fascination with tigers continues. Unfortunately, the tiger may not survive in the wild much longer. Researchers estimate that fewer than 2,500 tigers remain in their natural habitat. As the human population explodes in Southeast Asia, the wild tiger population pays the price. Can the wild tiger be saved by its only natural enemy, people?

Explores polar bears in the Hudson Bay discussing their behaviors and threats to their survival such as pollution hunting land development and climate change. Includes resources and glossary

In the ancient forests of North America lives a nocturnal hunterthe spotted owl. With its keen eyesight and hearing, it listens and watches for prey. From western Canada to Mexico, and in the states between these two countries, wildlife biologists are observing and counting spotted owls. Once abundant in number, this flying predators days on earth may be limited if changes arent made. In this book, read about out how this owl lives, what threats it faces, and what scientists and activists are doing to help it. Then find out what you can do to help save this threatened bird.

Presents a brief study of the snows of Mount Kilimanjaro located on the eastern part of Africa and examines why the snow and ice seems to be disappearing.

Frogs are very sensitive to their environment. Changes in their appearanceand their rapid disappearancecan tell us when the environment is unhealthy. When people around the world began noticing that frog species were dying or becoming deformed at an alarming rate, they knew something had to be done. Frogs in Danger gives an overview of some of the frog species that have become endangered and why. Read about a flesh-eating fungus that thrives in warm climate and on the skin of frogs. Find out what scientistsand kids in their own backyardscan do to help these indicators of Earths health.

As humans take up more of the wilderness where the giant panda lives, the number of these wild bears has decreased. Efforts have been in place for years to save the cuddly-looking creatures, but they are still endangered. Read about the habits and lifestyle of these precious animals, and learn what you can do to help save them.

From afar, Haiti seems like any other Caribbean paradise. There are lush jungles, white sand beaches, and turquoise waters. But a closer look at the small country located on the island of Hispaniola reveals a stark glimpse into the developing world. Haiti is the poorest country in the western hemisphere and one of the most forlorn countries in the world. The government is unstable, crime is rampant, education is for the lucky, and hope is hard to come by. Meanwhile, the poor economy has driven the people to clear-cut large parts of the terrain. When heavy storms hit, killer mudslides bring a different kind of threat to the country. Read about the Haitian people, who celebrate a culture rich in French, Spanish, and African history, and find out what the world is doing to help solve the crises they face every day.

Leatherbacks are sometimes called the last of the dinosaurs because their ancient ancestors lived when the dinosaurs did. Their ability to swim long distances may be one of the reasons they survived whatever killed most of the dinosaurs 65 million years ago. In modern times, one leatherback swam from Indonesia to Oregon. It had traveled 12,774 miles in 647 days, the longest distance ever tracked for a marine animalThese sea turtles are also known for returning to the same nesting sites from which they hatched. Hatchling leatherbacks make a mad dash from the sand to the sea to avoid air and land predators. While gains have been made to improve the turtles' chances against commercial fishing techniques, humans have continued building on nesting beaches and polluting the oceans. Find out what other threats the leatherbacks face, and what you can do to help protect these endangered reptiles of the sea.