Saving the Baghdad Zoo

Description

Stationed in Iraq in 2003, U.S. Army Major and archaeologist William Sumner discovered the decimation of the Baghdad Zoo while assigned to another mission. Only a handful of the original five hundred animals remained. And so began Operation Rescue, with a volunteer team of zoologists, conservationists, and veterinarians. These are the stories of Lumpy the camel, who survived transport through sniper fire; of Uday Hussein's big cats, left wandering the empty palaces; and of many more resilient animal survivors. Acclaimed children's writer Kelly Milner Halls and Major Sumner collaborate to relate the challenges of making the Baghdad Zoo a beacon of hope in a war-torn country. Today the zoo is a place of respite and peace for Iraqi families, and its animals live healthily and happily. An ideal selection for schools and libraries and animal lovers. Features full-color photographs throughout.

Kelly Milner halls is the author of more than twenty acclaimed books for children. She has also written articles for numerous publications, including Teen People, Highlights for Children, the Chicago Tribune, and the Washington Post. Kelly Milner Halls lives in Spokane, Washington.

"Sobering and uplifting photographs--many taken by Sumner--underscore both the direness of the situation and the spirit of hope that drove the project...Eye-opening." -- Publishers Weekly "Loaded with reader appeal, these tales of animal rescue focus on the animals but also provide some insight into what Baghdad was like in the wake of the U.S. invasion." -- Kirkus Reviews "Bolstered with large, beautiful color photos and informative sidebars, this dramatic picture-book-size-photo-essay tells of the U.S. army rescue of zoo animals in the Iraqi war zone." -- ALA Booklist "Moving." -- The Horn Book