• Age: 10 to 13
• Grade: 5 to 12

Turtles are facing the greatest challenge in their evolutionary history, and there are too few people out there who are fighting hard to save them.

Turtles evolved about 200 million years ago, even before dinosaurs. Today they are found everywhere, from tropical rainforests to deserts, in freshwater, in saltwater and on land. But turtles are under attack, and populations are in decline. Areas of southeast Asia have lost up to 80 percent of their freshwater turtles in the past 10 years because of the high demand for them as food as well as the pollution from the manufacture of cosmetics and traditional medicines. Habitat destruction, fishing nets and the pet trade threaten turtles even more.

Turtle Rescue covers the conservation efforts of governments, scientists, conservationists and turtle lovers to protect these creatures and ensure their survival. The author covers the major threats to turtle populations and describes what is being done to protect them. Measures include protecting nesting grounds, turtle farming and captive breeding, and persuading people that medicine made from turtles is of questionable worth.

A list of organizations devoted to saving turtle species around the world is included for those who want to help.

About the Firefly Animal Rescue series:

The Firefly Animal Rescue identifies endangered and threatened species and what is being done to protect them. Combining lively, accessible text and stunning color photographs, each book provides a detailed overview of the species, describing its characteristics, behavior, habits, physiology and more.

"These attractive books are a call to action... fascinating readable accounts."
- School Library Journal

"Succinct introductions to the science and practice of wildlife conservation... written in accessible, lively language."
- Booklist

PAMELA HICKMAN is the author of over forty non-fiction books for children, including winners of the Green Prize for Sustainable Literature, the Best Book Award from the Society of School Librarians International and the Canadian Authors Association Lilla Sterling Memorial Award. She co-authored the first book in this series, Righting Canada's Wrongs: Japanese Canadian Internment in the Second World War. She lives in Canning, Nova Scotia.

Pamela Hickman's profile page

[review of series:] Anyone interested in learning more about endangered animals will find these books fascinating... This series will make a strong addition to any school library.

Library Media Connection

Turtle Rescue is a simple book packed full of data, colour photographs and ideas. It is well written and easy to digest. A great book for students completing science-related projects. The book looks like it is for the younger crowd but would be useful as a subject starter for students in the older grades.

PaperTigers.org

Concisely written and easily absorbed text relates the state of the world's efforts to curb the destruction of many different kinds of turtles.

Kliatt

Packed full of data, color photographs and ideas. It is well written and easy to read and digest. A great book for students completing science related projects... fantastic color photographs.

Resource Links

Clear, appealing photography and up-to-the-minute details laid out in an engaging format... highly recommended.

CM Magazine

Outstanding overview of the plight of the world's turtles and tortoises... Other books on this topic cannot match this one for its thorough approach as well as the current information on what is being done in the 21st century to protect the turtle.

School Library Journal

Turtle Rescue is a simple book packed full of data, colour photographs and ideas. It is well written and easy to digest. A great book for students completing science-related projects. The book looks like it is for the younger crowd but would be useful as a subject starter for students in the older grades.

PaperTigers.org

Pamela Hickman attempts to not only explain the reasons that some turtle species are endangered, but includes the efforts of scientists, governments and average citizens to save them. She does an excellent job by combining factual pertinent text with superior photography. Students will experience the plight of turtle eggs that are not only attacked by predators, but the inability of female turtles to find adequate nesting areas. Turtles are creatures of habit and will attempt to lay eggs in the same areas regardless of the condo or super highway now standing in her path. If unable lay the eggs in her nesting area she may do so in an unprotected area if she becomes fatigued. While Hickman explains the human contribution to the declining turtle population she stressing that the cause may be cultural, economical or simple ignorance. She portrays rescuers as trying a solution, such as education and captive breeding to alleviate the problem. This excellent book contains a fast facts section, a list of organization websites to peruse and an index.

INFOLINK

A detailed examination of what is being done to preserve both land and sea turtles around the world with biographical information on people actively engaged in conservation work. Color photos show many species of turtles and tortoises in their habitats. A list of turtle organizations and an index complete the book. Very useful for reports, especially since many books on turtle conservation do not include land species.

INFOLINK

With clear, appealing photography and up-to-the-minute details laid out in an engaging format, Turtle Rescue is a welcome addition to the "Firefly Animal Rescue" series.

Canadian Materials, Vol. 12, No. 9

Award winning... With beautiful photography and inspiring examples of individuals passionately devoted to wildlife conservation, these are excellent resource for the classroom or school library.

Green Teacher

This book enumerates the many efforts taken to save the turtle starting with the 1959 creation of the Caribbean Conservation Corp founded in Florida through the 2005 hatching of eggs of the Ridley sea turtle in Malaysia, the first hatchlings since the early '90's. The major players in the conservation movement are profiled as well. There is much information to be found here, accompanied by a timeline, fast facts, and a list of conservation agencies. The strength of this book is the vivid, crisp, abundant photos.... Useful for reports and for all who are interested in turtles and the environment.

INFOLINK

Turtle Rescue: Changing the Future for Endangered Wildlife (Firefly Animal Rescue)

Meet people around the globe who are fighting to ensure a future for turtles. Here is a fair and balanced presentation of text, photographs, maps, websites and ways to help.