About this item
In 2006, vaquita, a diminutive porpoise making its home in the Upper Gulf of California, inherited the dubious title of world's most endangered marine mammal. Nicknamed "panda of the sea" for their small size and beguiling facial markings, vaquitas have been in decline for decades, dying by the hundreds in gillnets intended for commercially valuable fish, as well as for an endangered fish called totoaba. When international crime cartels discovered a lucrative trade in the swim bladders of totoaba, illegal gillnetting went rampant, and now the lives of the few remaining vaquitas hang in the balance. Author Brooke Bessesen takes us on a journey to Mexico's Upper Gulf region to uncover the story. She interviewed townspeople, fishermen, scientists, and activists, teasing apart a complex story filled with villains and heroes, a story whose outcome is unclear.
About the Author
As a naturalist, Brooke Bessesen studies wildlife and supports conservation. She's had many unique animal experiences and enjoys traveling to far-off lands rich in biodiversity. She worked at the Phoenix Zoo, both at the animal hospital and appearing on local and national television with animals as the zoo's on-camera naturalist. She currently serves as a wildlife rescue volunteer for Liberty Wildlife and as a contractor for the Humane Society of the United States Animal Rescue Team. Join some animal adventures on her blog: www.brookebessesen.com/blog.
Brooke brings her tremendous animal experience and knowledge to the writing table. Her newest boos, an "Arizona Highways Wildlife Guide" is the perfect paperback for hikers and campers. And for family libraries. She has also written several children's books, receiving numerous honors for her work, including the Judy Goddard Award, Glyph Award (Best Children's Nonfiction) , Grand Canyon Reader Award nomination, Southwest Books of the Year Top Pick for Kids and Phoenix Public Library Project G.O.A.L. Books.
Her "Zachary Z. Packrat" books were illustrated by Flo & Friend's cartoonist Jenny Campbell, but she illustrated "Look Who Lives in the Ocean!" herself, using vibrantly colored fabrics.
Brooke speaks at schools across the country, and keynotes for diverse audiences from environmental groups to reading associations to educators and families, sharing her passion for books and animals. As the founder of Authors for Earth Day (www.authorsforearthday.org) , she inspires kid-lit authors to mentor young readers and help care for our blue planet.
Take a spin around Brooke's world of words and wildlife at www.brookebessesen.com and follow her on Facebook.
