Apr 15, 2014

The Tapir Scientist

Saving South America's Largest Mammal
by Sy Montgomery

Great book about a very interesting animal. I've been wanting to read more books by Sy Montgomery, and so far she never disappoints. In this case, she travelled to the Pantanal (a large wetland area in Brazil) to join a team of field biologists led by Pati Medici. Studying tapirs. The book is all about what their work involves on a day-to-day basis. Tracking the animals. Trying to dart or trap them, taking measurements and samples, discovering where they go and who they hang out with. Things they've learned about tapirs and things they still hope to figure out. Difficulties and problem-solving in the field. Long hours of effort for the reward of a brief moment with an elusive wild animal.

Excellent photographs and descriptions of what the field work is like. It's not all about tapirs, either. There's quite a bit of information on the environment, local people, other wildlife, background on members of the research team and so on. Makes for a very well-rounded book that I found very engaging and thorough.

Rating: 4/5        80 pages, 2013

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4 comments:

  1. We always loved Sy Montgomery's books when Amber was younger.

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  2. See, I don't know nearly enough about tapirs. This would be a great book for me! I know what they look like (anteater hippopotamus) but nothing about their habits and lives.

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  3. I know absolutely nothing about tapirs so I bet I'd find this interesting.

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  4. There's a whole series of these Scientists in the Field books. I think the last one I read was about tree kangaroos- also by Sy Montgomery- also very good. Must see if my library has more of them!

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