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The Zoo That Never Was
Offers a personal account of R. D. and Joan Lawrence, who become keepers of a wild menagerie that includes two raccoons, a skunk, otters, and a bear cub named Snuffles
308 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 1981
2 people are currently reading
118 people want to read
About the author
R.D. Lawrence
61 books36 followersR.D. Lawrence was a Canadian naturalist and wildlife author. Born aboard ship in the Bay of Biscay off the coast of Spain on September 12, 1921, he moved to Canada in 1954. RD Lawrence died of Alzheimer's on November 27, 2003 in Haliburton County, Ontario, Canada.
RD Lawrence's many books are published in 26 countries and 15 languages and take us to animal habitats far from humans; to the boreal forests of North America alive with puma, beaver, bear, timber wolves and eagles, to the frigid waters of the Pacific Northwest where orcas thrive, and to the sharks of the Red Sea.
RD Lawrence's many books are published in 26 countries and 15 languages and take us to animal habitats far from humans; to the boreal forests of North America alive with puma, beaver, bear, timber wolves and eagles, to the frigid waters of the Pacific Northwest where orcas thrive, and to the sharks of the Red Sea.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
November 24, 2014
The adventures of a Canadian wildlife biologist and his wife as they rescue and rehabilitate various orphan or injured woodland creatures. Probably the best book I've ever read on wildlife rescue, brimming with vivid imagery and warmly recalled stories of the bonds they developed, with many of their charges coming back for visits and supplemental feeding even after regaining independence. Every animal has a name and a personality, with the most memorable of all being Snuffles, the black bear who anchors the story from beginning to end as he grows from starving cub to several hundred pounds of formidable adult boar.
What sets this book apart is how Lawrence seems to truly connect with nature by becoming one with it, not as a detached observer. While his profession allows him to occasionally interject facts about the species, they are not dry textbook readings, but fascinating anecdotes in their own right. Many come from his own experience, such as the way only raccoons raised in captivity are prone to "washing" their food, perhaps as a way to simulate hunting by "losing" and then finding their supper. I had never heard of the author before Goodreads recommended this book to me, but now I can't wait to devour more.
What sets this book apart is how Lawrence seems to truly connect with nature by becoming one with it, not as a detached observer. While his profession allows him to occasionally interject facts about the species, they are not dry textbook readings, but fascinating anecdotes in their own right. Many come from his own experience, such as the way only raccoons raised in captivity are prone to "washing" their food, perhaps as a way to simulate hunting by "losing" and then finding their supper. I had never heard of the author before Goodreads recommended this book to me, but now I can't wait to devour more.
August 30, 2008
Great nature writing.
December 10, 2014
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Can't wait to read another R D Lawrence adventure !
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews