From the same series as Remembering Leopards and Remembering African Wild Dogs. Just like the other two, it’s a collection of stunning photographs that wildlife photographers donated to the cause, and proceeds from the book sales support the featured animals- by protecting habitat, educating locals on why it’s important to save them, funding studies, anti-poaching efforts and more. Like the previous books, the photographs are just beautiful. The text doesn’t have as much on the animals’ physiology and behavior as I had hoped (one page of that), it’s more about their tangled history with mankind (being caught by the thousands in ancient times for use as trained hunting animals) and in particular, how precarious their future is because of ongoing habitat loss and poaching. Nowadays this is mainly because cubs get stolen from the wild for the illegal pet trade, and the photo of emaciated cheetah cubs in a cage (that had been confiscated) made me feel so sad. You really hope that the title run of this series won’t come true- that someday future readers won’t be looking at these books in remembrance because the species no longer exists at all.
The pictures really are amazing. Again I looked through the whole book twice, and then thumbed to my favorite images for another lingering perusal when it was time to turn this one in. I love the photo of a mother cheetah up high in a tree snag, with her cubs interspaced vertically through the tree, and one leaping down to the ground. Other images of mothers with cubs, cheetahs standing in the golden glow of setting sun, one poised so beautifully against a background of running water, and some spectacular shots that captured the action of a hunt- final tackle of the gazelle or antelope prey- just couldn’t stop looking at them. My favorite was of a cub on the sands of Namibia. But I forgot to snapshot the page to show you.
Borrowed from the public library. Completed on 5/6/24.
6 Responses
At first glance, before I read the title, I was excited. I thought this was a new Named book out by Clare Bell! It’s the same cover style as some editions of her books.
Though that might be on my mind, since her “take your money and run” Kickstarter campaign ended ten years ago. I just did a write-up of it for the wiki. Ten years later and I’m still annoyed she stole $6,974 from fans!
Eh, really? Wasn’t she making a graphic novel of the series? I was waiting for that one to appear myself.
Yeah, I have a few pages from it (they sent out to all the backers). But ten+ years after it was supposed to be delivered, still no book.
Looks like it was only a half-page and the cover image.
Half page: https://i.gyazo.com/8caf5a9cb89670f99d0bdf8e62a00065.jpg
Cover image: https://i.gyazo.com/9fc655d7255b2144959e0e4a2622bd43.jpg
What- are those animals on the rocks? I don’t remember anything like them described in the books. The expression on the cat’s face is great, though!
I don’t remember them at all either. Maybe they got a mention in passing? It’s been a while since I last reread the books. (Looks like it was 2015, I should reread it!)
Agreed! The cover art is really nice.