MEANT TO BE WILD

A thorough but often overly detailed account of the work that's been done in recent years to save several North American species close to extinction. DeBlieu (Hatteras Journal, 1987—not reviewed) has traveled across North America to observe firsthand the efforts being made by scientists and conservationists to save endangered species such as the red wolf, California condor, Puerto Rican parrot, black-footed ferret, and Florida panther. Massive habitat destruction, hunting, and pollution are causing the populations of these animals to decrease radically, and we learn here of the efforts to save them both in the wild—by setting aside protected lands and managing animal populations—and in zoos and preserves, through captive- animal breeding and fertility programs. Work to protect species, DeBlieu reports, is often plagued by understaffing and shortage of funds, lack of concern by communities, and in-fighting among conservationists about what actions to take. In many cases, the outlook for endangerd species is bleak. Comprehensive and topical, but larded with sometimes burdensome philosophizing about the environment and opinionizing about animal husbandry. (Photographs—not seen.)