Tracking tortoises The mission to save a Galápagos giant

This appealing science book transports readers to the Galápagos Islands and introduces the giant tortoises living there as well as a research team that's working to answer questions about them, such as why they migrate and what infectious diseases they face. Within the Galápagos ecosystem, the giant tortoises are a keystone species, enabling many others to thrive. Yet, through the centuries, their own survival has been threatened by sailors, farmers, tourists, and invasive species, from goats to rats to fire ants. In 1965, scientists intervened, increasing the tortoises' dwindling population through a captive breeding program. The book delves into issues currently affecting these animals, including viral pathogens, antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and the increasing effects of global warming. On almost every page, clearly reproduced color photos show the researchers at work as well as the large, distinctive-looking tortoises. In the appended author's note, Messner describes her family's visit to the Galápagos Islands, where she interviewed many of the researchers profiled here and her "photographer son" took many of the book's photos. An informative presentation on these notable reptiles.

Gr 4--9--Messner delves into the work of the Galápagos Tortoise Movement Ecology Programme by painting a vivid picture of not only the giant tortoises of these unique islands but also of the scientists who study animals that will outlive them. Beginning with theories on how the tortoises arrived on the volcanic islands and progressing to the challenges posed by increased farming, tourism, and climate change, the author explains the uniqueness of these amazing creatures and the enthusiasm of the people who work every day to ensure their survival. Male and female scientists and assistants from a variety of countries (the United States, United Kingdom, Spain, and Ecuador) are represented. Messner never talks down to her audience, describing historical horrors and modern realities in unflinching but age-appropriate ways, and seamlessly defining unfamiliar terms in the same sentence in which they are introduced. QR codes that take readers to videos of the scientists in action supplement engaging sidebars, full-color photographs, and helpful maps and illustrations. Readers are encouraged to head to movebank.org to track the migration of individual tortoises as well as to "join the tortoise team" by raising money for further GPS tracking or for supporting the crucial hatchling work that boosts tortoise survival. A "Tortoise Timeline," glossary, comprehensive source notes, further reading, and an index round out the additional features that make this work accessible. VERDICT Highly recommended for libraries and science classrooms with budding naturalists.--Courtney Lewis, St. Catherine's Sch., Richmond, VA

Science researchers work to understand and save the endangered Galápagos tortoises. The heart of this title by the author of Tracking Pythons (2020) is a vivid account of what she and her photographer son learned on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the Galápagos Islands in 2019. They accompanied researchers on the island of Santa Cruz who track tortoises using tags, radio trackers, and a lot of challenging hiking. On this island, tortoises migrate from the lowlands to the highlands; scientists investigate why. The Messners visited the Charles Darwin Research Station, where baby tortoises from many different islands are raised to support the dwindling population and where lab scientists compare the DNA of tortoises from both Santa Cruz and Isla Isabela, looking at viruses and antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Research, repopulation, education, and conservation efforts all can help restore and save a dwindling population threatened by both humans and climate change. While describing these efforts, author Messner smoothly introduces her readers to the formation and population of this famous archipelago, the way natural selection has played out in those long-isolated islands, the concept of a keystone species, a local field researcher, and the work of scientists both in the lab and in the field. Sidebars and plentiful pictures of the scenery, wildlife, scientists at work, and even, occasionally, the visiting writer break up the text and help readers share their experience. Science at work in a unique setting. (timeline, glossary, source notes, bibliography, further reading, index) (Nonfiction. 9-14) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.