Todd McLeish is a science writer with three published books, all on natural history topics- Narwhals, Basking with Humpbacks, and Golden Wings and Hairy Toes- New England Wildlife. He is a popular public speaker on cruise ships and at museums and environmental centers and has published articles on wildlife topics in Earthwatch Journal, Bird Watcher's Digest, WildBird, and Natural New England, among other publications.
"This hopeful book, written by a science journalist who traveled
North America’s west coast from California to Alaska, details the
sea otter’s remarkable comeback story from the brink of extinction,
the conservation efforts that helped it, and the challenges to
so-called 'sustainable fisheries' that this comeback presents.
Entertaining and yet still scientifically accurate, this inspiring
book will be enjoyed by conservation biologists as well as by
citizen scientists, students of the sciences, and by
nonspecialists."
—Forbes.com
“Todd McLeish does a masterful job of weaving together conservation
politics with intriguing details of the sea otter's irreplaceable
role in the nearshore ecosystem. At once heartbreaking and hopeful,
I was captivated by this story!”
—Leigh Calvez, author of The Hidden Lives of Owls
“Whether you are in the camp that defines sea otters as the epitome
of cute or with the abalone, sea cucumber, or urchin fishermen that
see them as their nemesis, there is no debating that sea otters
play a key role in shaping healthy nearshore ocean ecosystems. From
Alaska to California, these fascinating and complex animals have
survived centuries of harvest and persecution and, in at least one
location, even targeting as prey by killer whales. In his book
Return of the Sea Otter, Todd McLeish tells this story. But he also
tells the other side of the story: the one of multiple
translocation efforts, research, and rehabilitation--the story of
people committed to making the world a better place, once species
at a time. Beautifully written, entertaining, and engaging,
McLeish’s tale of the sea otter will make you love this incredible
animal and the ocean even more, and will leave you with hope that
our efforts to heal our stressed ocean can and will make a
difference.”
—Joseph K. Gaydos, coauthor of The Salish Sea
"Captivating. McLeish does well to provide a full portrait of this
adorable and ecologically important animal."
—Publishers Weekly
"A cautiously hopeful and well-researched tribute."
—Kirkus Reviews
"An excellent introduction to marine biology and to a
charismatic species and...a welcome addition to any natural history
library."
—Foreword Reviews
"Highly entertaining....A healthy sea-otter population is crucial
for a healthy Pacific-coast ecosystem, and the
author’s enthusiasm for the world’s cutest keystone species
makes believers of all of us."
—Booklist, starred review
"Delightful...will have any reader spouting off charming otter
facts for days. Recommended for anyone interested in natural
history, environmental writing, or adorable animals."
—Library Journal
“Todd McLeish has a knack for writing accessible, easy-to-grasp
books about wildlife and nature.”
—The Rhode Island Independent
Ask a Question About this Product More... |