The Tapir Scientist: Saving South America's Largest Mammal (Scientists in the Field)

A beautiful introduction to the elusive tapir and Brazil's Florida-sized wetland, the Pantanal. Sy Montgomery has written another wonderful book for budding and armchair field scientists, and she and photographer Nic Bishop both wind up having a tapir named for them by the end of the book.This volume in my favorite book series focuses more on the techniques and attendant frustrations of field work in wild places--there is a lot of discomfort and delay, but in the end the team of scientists, vets, scouts, and authors gain a lot of information on the target species, the Lowland Tapir. Keeping with this focus on fieldwork, the whole team is introduced in some detail, and one feels for the guy in charge of shooting a tapir with tranquilizer darts as he grows restless to capture a tapir that way, as opposed to a cage trap.There's even a sidebar on the Giant Armadillo that makes you wish for a book on that amazing species, still here from prehistory! There's mention of a Pink Fairy Armadillo too. But the tapir and the Pantanal (with all its ticks) are the stars of the show here, and the author's usual sure-handed prose touches make this another rewarding book to read as an adult, juvenile, or to share with a young child. Tapirs are unsung and amazing. Leader of the expedition, tapir scientist Pati Medici, also has a TED Talk for those who are interested in more.

Although this book is non-fiction aimed at young people, it is set up by the authors as a mystery thriller complete with fascinating cast of characters, suspense, and the excitement of the chase. The remote and nature-rich Pantanal wetland of South America is explored with beautiful photos and revealing descriptions. The book explains what tapirs are, where they live, a little of their history, and how they are related to other animals. We learn why they are endangered, and why it is so important and challenging to study them.Both traditional and cutting edge scientific methods are used used to study the tapirs and these are also explained in the book. The woman who leads the study, Patricia Medici, is an inspiring role model for any young, aspiring natural scientist.Highly recommended for 5th grade and above. Adults interested in nature and endangered species will also enjoy it. It makes for a wonderful coffee table book/conversation piece as well.

Beautifully done a good coffee table book - and if you have friends who havent a clue about this soon to be extinct animal, you can show off your caring nature ;-)

I thought there would be better pictures of the tapir. Visually not so great, but ok. Everything about tapirs is good anyway

Great to see a book about my favorite animal, the tapir! A great way to raise awareness of the tapir.

Amzing book! Entertaining yet scientific.

Read all about tapirs; what they eat, how they live, and where they live (etc). The most funny looking mammals (they're a little cute too!). Browse through the members of the tapir scientists group and how they got interested in tapirs and saving animals.What I liked about this book:The great photographs and stories.What I disliked about this book:The two men who killed animals when they were kids.

I bought this book as a tapir lover. This book is very informative and an over all great read. While it is for young adults, it is great for older adults as well. If you love tapirs or know someone who does this is a great gift.

Wunderschöner, sehr informativer Bildband in Englisch über meine Lieblingstiere, die Tapire. Reich bebildert und verständlich geschrieben. Die Autorin, Sy Montgomery, hat verschiedene, tolle Bildbände über seltene und teilweise auch bedrohte Tierarten herausgebracht. Einige dieser tollen Bücher besitze ich bereits. Ich kann diesen gelungenen Bildband über diese einzigartigen Tiere nur jedem empfehlen.

COPIOUSLY ILLUSTRATED BOOK. theoretically probably for kids but a delight for anyone with a love or even mild liking for the big nosed ungulates .

Nice but cover had scratches on it so poor storage conditions