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Scientists in the Field
The Wildlife Detectives: How Forensic Scientists Fight Crimes Against Nature
"A riveting and thorough account . . ." - Kirkus
"Unfolds almost like a mystery novel . . . A book that will be welcomed by mystery fans and anyone who cares about animals."
- Booklist
Slaughtering elephants for their ivory; shooting bears for their gall bladders; capturing sea turtles for soup. In the name of vanity, fashion, and greed, man stalks and kills wild animals -- and gets away with it, even when it is clearly against the law. But now scientists have a way to catch and convict poachers. In a laboratory in Ashland, Oregon, they analyze clues to link suspects to crimes. In words and pictures, this book tells a poignant story and reveals how science can indeed save the day.
"Unfolds almost like a mystery novel . . . A book that will be welcomed by mystery fans and anyone who cares about animals."
- Booklist
Slaughtering elephants for their ivory; shooting bears for their gall bladders; capturing sea turtles for soup. In the name of vanity, fashion, and greed, man stalks and kills wild animals -- and gets away with it, even when it is clearly against the law. But now scientists have a way to catch and convict poachers. In a laboratory in Ashland, Oregon, they analyze clues to link suspects to crimes. In words and pictures, this book tells a poignant story and reveals how science can indeed save the day.
48 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 2000
4 people are currently reading
101 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
September 16, 2015
This is one of those books designed to drive crazy every person in the room as you read it, because the facts on poaching are so shocking that without meaning to you begin reading out loud the various statistics and stories. I'm fascinated by this book, I'm fascinated to find out how forensic scientists work in the field of wildlife protection and conservation. Another excellent book in this series, well illustrated and never once dull or uninteresting.
February 5, 2016
Great one! Tracks the killer of a well-known Elk at Yellowstone using DNA analysis and other scientific techniques usually reserved for crimes against humans. Nice to see one of that sort go down, instead of getting away with it for a change.
September 30, 2017
Summary: The text provides detailed facts about endangered animals and the forensics involved to help scientists learn about the animals and how to tract and catch poachers. The book displays a wide variety of pictures that help you imagine the scenes that take place. It even explains the amount certain animals would be worth if killed and sold by a poacher.
Evaluation: I did not realize the extent that poachers went too to hunt animals nor did I realize the amount of money they would receive for selling those animals. It is interesting to learn about the forensics that are required for a poacher to be caught and penalized for their actions. Many of these poacher’s hunt in a region we are not familiar with, therefore if we don’t teach our children about it they will likely never learn or hear about these instances.
Teaching Ideas: This text could be used for several topics within he classroom. Students could learn aspects of fiction and informal texts. Students could use this text as a basis to write an informal writing piece. It could also be used within a science lesson to students about mammals, birds, and reptiles. This text also uses a plethora of intricate vocabulary that could not only widen a child’s personal vocabulary but enhance their reading fluency as well.
Evaluation: I did not realize the extent that poachers went too to hunt animals nor did I realize the amount of money they would receive for selling those animals. It is interesting to learn about the forensics that are required for a poacher to be caught and penalized for their actions. Many of these poacher’s hunt in a region we are not familiar with, therefore if we don’t teach our children about it they will likely never learn or hear about these instances.
Teaching Ideas: This text could be used for several topics within he classroom. Students could learn aspects of fiction and informal texts. Students could use this text as a basis to write an informal writing piece. It could also be used within a science lesson to students about mammals, birds, and reptiles. This text also uses a plethora of intricate vocabulary that could not only widen a child’s personal vocabulary but enhance their reading fluency as well.
December 6, 2017
Taking on the mood of suspense and mystery this book documents and details how real Wildlife Detectives hunt down unlawful animal predators. The nonfiction science book supports its hard hitting facts with photographs containing graphic images of mistreated animals, and also suggestions for the reader on how they too can become a wildlife detective. The book is segmented by different dated case files making it possible for the reader to skip around the book if they have an interest in a particular case, or do not want to read in sequential order. A table of contents, glossary and index is also provided for further organization.
December 20, 2017
I believe that this book was very interesting with the investigation of Chargers death.(He's an Elk by the way) But I didn't expect the book to only be about Charger, with a few details about other wildlife topics. But overall I did think this book was very interesting, and a good book for students in 6th grade.
December 19, 2017
I think this book gives lot of information but is sad too. When I read the book it made me feel empathy for many innocent animals who are killed by humans for food, display, money, and more:( I recommend this book for grades 4+.
November 30, 2011
Bull elk, sea turtles, elephants and tigers are starting to find themselves on the endangered species list faster than any scientists could have previously imagined. From the Scientist in the Series genre of junior books, The Wildlife Detectives: How Forensic Scientists Fight Crimes Against Nature written by Donna M. Jackson and featuring photographs by Wendy Shattil and Bob Rozinski describes the incredible increase of America’s endangered species list. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Forensics Laboratory in Ashland, Oregon opened in 1989 in hopes of making this list a lot shorter. In the book, scientists and wildlife specialists are sent on a vigorous search to bring justice to a bull elk found shot dead for his antlers in his very own backyard.
a.) The strongest aspect of Jackson’s book is presented through the abundance of useful information.
b.) Many animals found throughout the United States are being added to the endangered species list. Tigers are hunted and killed for their brains which help keep skin healthy (p.20); sea turtles lose their life so their leather can make attractive-looking boots (p.20); elephants roam their lands in fear because of the high price found in the ivory of their beautiful tusks-“one large elephant tusk can sell for as much as $7,000” (p.29). Jackson’s detail about the scary, cruel and unimaginable crimes committed against the beautiful animals on our land present useful information to all readers. Specific laws protecting harm against animals and charges which are brought against any violators can also be found among the powerful information in The Wildlife Detectives.
c.) More specifically, The Endangered Species Act of 1973 “makes it illegal to import, export, take, posses, harm, sell or transport any threatened or endangered species across state or national boundaries” (p. 16). The African Elephant Conservation Act of 1989 “prohibits the importation of any African elephant ivory of African elephant item into the United States of commercial purposes because the species is threatened” (p. 17). If such laws are broken, and hunters are found guilty of harming an endangered species, many consequences will follow. From the crime committed in the book, the defendant was charged in a bull elk’s death and sentences to eight months in jail. The judge set $20,000 in fines in place, in addition to an order to pay “$10,000 restitution to the Yellowstone National Park” (the location of the elk’s murder) (p. 44). The courts also forced the man to “give up the antlers” and “forfeit his rifle”--such a small price to pay for an innocent animal’s life (p.44).
Too much attention is taken away from the harm hunters, builders and wasted land place on the wild animal’s ability to survive. Guns, expanded neighborhoods and communities, and trashed land and water do not create appropriate places for wildlife to live. The amount of awareness and educational information The Wildlife Detectives provides will allow teachers and students to understand the importance of saving our wild animals. If students can learn to not buy snake-skin shoes, or be brave enough to turn in anyone they know who possess an illegal pet, the world will turn into a better place for endangered animals. Protecting the wildlife and land around us will create amazing projects and interesting assignments to work on collectively with teachers and classmates.
a.) The strongest aspect of Jackson’s book is presented through the abundance of useful information.
b.) Many animals found throughout the United States are being added to the endangered species list. Tigers are hunted and killed for their brains which help keep skin healthy (p.20); sea turtles lose their life so their leather can make attractive-looking boots (p.20); elephants roam their lands in fear because of the high price found in the ivory of their beautiful tusks-“one large elephant tusk can sell for as much as $7,000” (p.29). Jackson’s detail about the scary, cruel and unimaginable crimes committed against the beautiful animals on our land present useful information to all readers. Specific laws protecting harm against animals and charges which are brought against any violators can also be found among the powerful information in The Wildlife Detectives.
c.) More specifically, The Endangered Species Act of 1973 “makes it illegal to import, export, take, posses, harm, sell or transport any threatened or endangered species across state or national boundaries” (p. 16). The African Elephant Conservation Act of 1989 “prohibits the importation of any African elephant ivory of African elephant item into the United States of commercial purposes because the species is threatened” (p. 17). If such laws are broken, and hunters are found guilty of harming an endangered species, many consequences will follow. From the crime committed in the book, the defendant was charged in a bull elk’s death and sentences to eight months in jail. The judge set $20,000 in fines in place, in addition to an order to pay “$10,000 restitution to the Yellowstone National Park” (the location of the elk’s murder) (p. 44). The courts also forced the man to “give up the antlers” and “forfeit his rifle”--such a small price to pay for an innocent animal’s life (p.44).
Too much attention is taken away from the harm hunters, builders and wasted land place on the wild animal’s ability to survive. Guns, expanded neighborhoods and communities, and trashed land and water do not create appropriate places for wildlife to live. The amount of awareness and educational information The Wildlife Detectives provides will allow teachers and students to understand the importance of saving our wild animals. If students can learn to not buy snake-skin shoes, or be brave enough to turn in anyone they know who possess an illegal pet, the world will turn into a better place for endangered animals. Protecting the wildlife and land around us will create amazing projects and interesting assignments to work on collectively with teachers and classmates.
September 2, 2012
Genre: I think that this title fits well in the nonfiction, informational genre because it is filled with a large amount of data about several endangered animals in the wild.
Summary: Charger was a magnificently huge and beautiful male elk that weighed nearly 800 pounds that lived at Yellowstone National Park. During mating season, people from all over would come to take pictures of this wonderful creature until one night when he was killed illegally by poachers.
Critique: (a.) In this title, the author was able to keep my attention with his ability to include detailed thoughts and feelings of other people that were outraged by the killing of Charger. Another important aspect for me was his ability to show the step by step process that was used in the tracking down of the poachers who killed Charger.
(b.) The Rangers asked key questions of people that were in the area that day, “When was the last time you saw the animal?” Was anyone unusual in the area?” Did you hear any gunshots” (pg15)? Good strong questions that needed answering, which they acquired.
(c.) I think the way the story is written, might cause some writers to put the book down before they even get half way through it. The reason I say that is because there are a few pages that cover the tragic killing of Charger and the tracking down of his killers, but then the next page talks about something else like on (p. 17) where there is an insert titles “Wild File.” This concept goes on throughout the story, but it did not discourage me from reading. I was interested to find out how the killer was caught and who was it.
Curriculum Connection: This was my first title from “Scientist in the Field” series and feel that it would capture the attention of many young readers. Not just because the killing of a wild creature, but the ability to learn about endangered species and how a small forensics laboratory in Ashland, Oregon is trying to bring some cold killers to justice.
Summary: Charger was a magnificently huge and beautiful male elk that weighed nearly 800 pounds that lived at Yellowstone National Park. During mating season, people from all over would come to take pictures of this wonderful creature until one night when he was killed illegally by poachers.
Critique: (a.) In this title, the author was able to keep my attention with his ability to include detailed thoughts and feelings of other people that were outraged by the killing of Charger. Another important aspect for me was his ability to show the step by step process that was used in the tracking down of the poachers who killed Charger.
(b.) The Rangers asked key questions of people that were in the area that day, “When was the last time you saw the animal?” Was anyone unusual in the area?” Did you hear any gunshots” (pg15)? Good strong questions that needed answering, which they acquired.
(c.) I think the way the story is written, might cause some writers to put the book down before they even get half way through it. The reason I say that is because there are a few pages that cover the tragic killing of Charger and the tracking down of his killers, but then the next page talks about something else like on (p. 17) where there is an insert titles “Wild File.” This concept goes on throughout the story, but it did not discourage me from reading. I was interested to find out how the killer was caught and who was it.
Curriculum Connection: This was my first title from “Scientist in the Field” series and feel that it would capture the attention of many young readers. Not just because the killing of a wild creature, but the ability to learn about endangered species and how a small forensics laboratory in Ashland, Oregon is trying to bring some cold killers to justice.
May 5, 2016
This was one of the earliest titles in the Scientists in the Field series. In some decisions, the editors were still finding their way, but in other ways they set the tone that has made these books interesting across decades. The best thing about this book is the specific story line about wildlife forensics tracking down a specific Yellowstone elk poacher. It's a clear journalistic story, and it follows a direct line of investigation down to the conviction of the poacher.
It was 2000, so the poacher's name was changed to protect his family. This was the editors' mistake, this information was already widely available on the internet even then. It took me less than ten seconds to learn his actual name.
1. The editors are not identified clearly, and their ongoing work after these early books became indispenible in maintaining the strengths of the series. They might be in the acknowledgments, but are not called out as the editors.
2. There aren't as many photos of the actual scientists at work as I have become used to from more recent books in this series. The photographers did a great job, but this story was already 7 years old by the time the book came out. For some of the more recent titles they get photographers and writers on site as the story is unfolding.
3. The text boxes on wildlife forensics in general felt distracting more than enhancing, maybe because of the graphic design and the quantity. There was too much general information, and not enough to go specifically with the story. Many large full color pictures had little or no connection to this story, and dominated the design of multiple spreads. It made it feel like they were unsure what to do.
It was 2000, so the poacher's name was changed to protect his family. This was the editors' mistake, this information was already widely available on the internet even then. It took me less than ten seconds to learn his actual name.
1. The editors are not identified clearly, and their ongoing work after these early books became indispenible in maintaining the strengths of the series. They might be in the acknowledgments, but are not called out as the editors.
2. There aren't as many photos of the actual scientists at work as I have become used to from more recent books in this series. The photographers did a great job, but this story was already 7 years old by the time the book came out. For some of the more recent titles they get photographers and writers on site as the story is unfolding.
3. The text boxes on wildlife forensics in general felt distracting more than enhancing, maybe because of the graphic design and the quantity. There was too much general information, and not enough to go specifically with the story. Many large full color pictures had little or no connection to this story, and dominated the design of multiple spreads. It made it feel like they were unsure what to do.
September 30, 2023
So simple but very intriguing, this story showcases animal forensic science where detectives solve crimes against animals. The story focuses on one in particular, Charger, an Elk in Yosemite, beloved by all enthusiasts, but is killed and his antlers removed. Then detectives work to solve the crime using all of the technology at their disposal, leading to prosecution.
Interfiled within the story are highlights of the most endangered and sought after animals like bald eagles, tigers, elephants, etc. and what is being done to protect them while demonstrating that attacks against animals is just as serious as those against humans and just as scientific.
Interfiled within the story are highlights of the most endangered and sought after animals like bald eagles, tigers, elephants, etc. and what is being done to protect them while demonstrating that attacks against animals is just as serious as those against humans and just as scientific.
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December 2, 20131. Non-fictional/Informational
2. This Scientists in the Field book is about the unnecessary killing of animals for their goods. We are able to get an inside look at how scientists catch poachers and put a stop to their killing.
3. a. Informational
b. There is good and very useful information in this book.
c. The photographs provided in this book allow us to feel a connection with the animals being poached and touches our emotions for the animals.
4. The curriculum connection for this book is Science. This can tie into endangered species and the effect humans have on nature.
2. This Scientists in the Field book is about the unnecessary killing of animals for their goods. We are able to get an inside look at how scientists catch poachers and put a stop to their killing.
3. a. Informational
b. There is good and very useful information in this book.
c. The photographs provided in this book allow us to feel a connection with the animals being poached and touches our emotions for the animals.
4. The curriculum connection for this book is Science. This can tie into endangered species and the effect humans have on nature.
April 6, 2009
Think of it as CSI: Yellowstone. A fascinating look at how laws against poaching, illegal hunting, and other crimes that deal with wildlife laws are enforced. It's also a sad commentary on why those laws continue to be broken. One of these day's I'm going to become vegan. They're driving me to it.
January 10, 2016
Interesting non fiction read about how wildlife detectives hunt down people who are illegally poaching, killing and trafficking animals. A lot of scientific information and vocabulary, but interesting to read how scientists are working to save animals from poor human behavior.
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May 5, 2010Story of Charger (Elk)who was killed by poachers - how the park rangers find out who was responsible using forensic evidence
June 23, 2011
A smidge graphic in a few pictures-- a slain/bloody animal, and clothing made out of animal skins/heads-- but not bad. For slightly younger readers.
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December 4, 2017This book is a little more advanced and dense, but follows a fascinating non-fiction story of forensic scientists solving a crime against nature. The book introduces the topic of crimes against nature, and then features a specific crime, and tells the non-fiction story with cited quotes and real interviews. In between parts of the story, it also covers general topics related to crimes against nature, such as the process of confiscating illegal animal items. I think a student would benefit reading it with an adult, due to its advanced nature, but the text is very unique, and is a fascinating non-fiction story. The text uses advanced and specific terms, but the majority of them are defined in a glossary in the back matter. One thing I also like about this book is that even though learning about poaching and wildlife crimes can be very depressing, this book was hopeful, and the crime featured in the book was solved, and justice was served for the elk.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews