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California Condors

Saved by Captive Breeding

From the Series America's Animal Comebacks

Was it too late to save the California condor? For thousands of years, these amazing birds soared above North America. Yet by the mid-1900s, hunting and contaminated food supplies had pushed condors to the brink of extinction. Could scientists and wildlife officials find a way to help the California condor survive? In California Condors: Saved by Captive Breeding, children relive the inspiring and heroic efforts of people who stepped in to save this remarkable creature when all seemed lost. Through this true tale of wildlife survival, kids discover the bold and creative ideas that Americans and their government have used to protect and care for the country’s endangered wildlife.

Interest Level Grade 2 - Grade 7
Reading Level Grade 3
Category Nonfiction
Subject Animals
Copyright 2009
Publisher Bearport Publishing
Imprint Bearport Books
Language English
Publication Date 2009-01-01
Reading Counts! Level 5.6
Reading Counts! Quiz Q45836
Reading Counts! Points 3.0
BISACS JNF003220
Dewey 598.9'2
Graphics Full-color photographs, Historical photographs
Lexile 860
ATOS Reading Level 5.1
Accelerated Reader® Quiz 128436
Accelerated Reader® Points 0.5

Awards

  • 2009 NSTA Selection Winners, 2009

Reviews

CA Condors

Books in the America’s Animal Comebacks series spotlight species teetering on the brink of extinction that have been brought back by determined conservationists. California Condors takes on the titular species, which has lived in North America for 40,000 years. But with the settling of the West, hunters and ranchers targeted the enormous birds, and their numbers dwindled. In 1987, when scientists captured the last California condor in the wild, a careful captive breeding and release program began increasing the species’ population from 27 to 320, with half of those living in the wild. Before European settlement, the animals featured in Red Wolves roamed eastern North America, but in the 1980s, only 17 remained. Biologists began breeding them in captivity and gradually releasing them. Today, more than 100 red wolves live in the wild and 200 more are being raised in American zoos. Despite rigid division into separate topics on the 12 double-page spreads, each volume has a well-organized text that flows logically from one idea to the next. The illustrations, mainly photos with a few helpful range maps, come from many sources. Appended features include a page of fast facts, information about a couple of related species that are endangered, a glossary, brief bibliographies, and a link with more information online via the publisher’s series Web site.

CA Condors

Books in the America’s Animal Comebacks series spotlight species teetering on the brink of extinction that have been brought back by determined conservationists. California Condors takes on the titular species, which has lived in North America for 40,000 years. But with the settling of the West, hunters and ranchers targeted the enormous birds, and their numbers dwindled. In 1987, when scientists captured the last California condor in the wild, a careful captive breeding and release program began increasing the species’ population from 27 to 320, with half of those living in the wild. Before European settlement, the animals featured in Red Wolves roamed eastern North America, but in the 1980s, only 17 remained. Biologists began breeding them in captivity and gradually releasing them. Today, more than 100 red wolves live in the wild and 200 more are being raised in American zoos. Despite rigid division into separate topics on the 12 double-page spreads, each volume has a well-organized text that flows logically from one idea to the next. The illustrations, mainly photos with a few helpful range maps, come from many sources. Appended features include a page of fast facts, information about a couple of related species that are endangered, a glossary, brief bibliographies, and a link with more information online via the publisher’s series Web site.

CA Condors

These titles introduce the work of scientists to restore California condors and red wolves to viable populations in the wild. Each book begins with the day of a captive animal’s release into its natural habitat. Then, the book goes back to trace the decline of the species; the plan for capture, breeding, and release; and a review of the success of the endeavor. The narratives, meant to be read straight through, flow well and paint a clear picture of the trials and triumphs of each project. Crisp photos and maps on every page work well with the text and give faces to the scientists and animals. The back matter includes a facts page, information on related species, and an up-to-date reading list. These useful books will work equally well for curious readers who enjoy narrative nonfiction and those with assignments on either species.

Author: Meish Goldish

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