African Wildlife & Environment Issue 79

GOOD READS

GOOD READS Book reviews by Dr John Ledger

Once regarded as a seemingly insignificant sanctuary for the survivors of an elephant extinction campaign, Addo has been transformed into a successful mega-park, and the most ecologically diverse protected space in South Africa. Beautifully illustrated and with an authoritative and informative text, this book, one of ten produced by Mitch Reardon, is one that every person interested in wildlife and biodiversity will want to have on their library shelves. It is heart-warming and inspiring, and a tribute to the numerous South Africans who played a role in shaping Addo. Highly recommended. Birds McDougall, Rory & Derek Solomon (2021). Pocket

Addo Reardon, Mitch (2021). Shaping Addo. The Story of a South African National Park. Struik Nature, an imprint of Penguin Random House South Africa (Pty) Ltd, Cape Town. Soft cover, 17x23 cm, 208 pp, illustrated in colour throughout with photographs, sketches and maps. ISBN 978-1- 77584 -604-8. R320.

Guide Birds of Zambia. Struik Nature, an imprint of Penguin Random House South Africa (Pty) Ltd, Cape Town. Soft cover, 10x18 cm, 160 pp, illustrated in colour throughout with photographs and maps. ISBN 978-1- 77584 -714-4. R190. Zambia has 20 National Parks and 42 Important

The cover photograph of a family group of Addo elephants is absolutely charming, with some tiny youngsters playfully sprawling over their larger siblings, while the mothers calmly pose for their family portrait. This is especially poignant when we learn that a century ago every effort was made to wipe elephants out of the eastern Cape altogether – they were systemically hunted until only 16 were left! Today there are 650 elephants in the Addo Elephant National Park, and although in earlier years the focus was on elephant protection, the past four decades have seen the emphasis shift from protecting a single species to conserving five biomes and the wild animals that occupy them. Today Addo hosts the 'Big Seven': elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo and rhino, as well as the Great White Shark and the Southern RightWhale This wonderful book delves into the history of the park, detailing the positive impact that changing conservation practices have had on its development. Drawing on decades of ground- breaking research, the author provides fascinating insights into the lives and habits of the numerous animals, the relationships between individual species, and the carefully crafted management strategies that have ensured the survival of all the species that live in Addo.

Bird Areas, with an impressive list of over 700 species of birds recorded. This handy little pocket guide deals with 425 of the birds likely to be seen in the region because they are widespread or abundant, plus a few of the 'specials' that are sought after by birders. The page spreads comprise six birds, three to a page, with a good photograph, short description and a distribution map. The maps are colour- coded to indicate whether a particular species is a resident, a Palaearctic migrant or and intra- African migrant. The introductory pages provide a valuable overview of Zambia in terms of habitats and bird distribution, with eight major vegetation zones that influence the composition of the bird communities found in each. There is a comprehensive index at the back of the book, and it is to be hoped that this publication will find its way into the hands of not only birders and visitors to Zambia, but also local school teachers, farmers and children.

8 | African Wildlife & Environment | Issue 79 (2021)