"There are lots of ways to welcome hedgehogs.
Wilder yards and gardens offer places to hide,
a shallow bowl of water provides a welcome
drink, and HEDGEHOG CROSSING! signs
on roads help alert drivers to keep hedgehogs
safe.
Away from the traffic, these popular, prickly
creatures prefer unplowed field boundaries,
pesticide-free farms, and shelter in thick,
shady hedges."
There are 8.7 million species in search of 'food, water, mates and safe places to breed'. Of these, the wild ones need space to move freely. As humans have encroached on their natural habitats, they have been forced to find new and often dangerous routes to find what they need to survive. Today, it is important to find ways to build crossings that will help them live and prosper.
Seven animals at risk (elephants, hedgehogs, birds, gibbons, fish, bears, and cougars) and their new pathways to safety are described here in two double spreads each. The first of the two spreads provides information about the animal itself and the difficulties faced in an ever- changing world. Their habitats are shown in detail-rich, captioned illustrations. Problems are evident. On the second spread, solutions are shown as they are being developed in various world communities; a simple counting game is included to invite participation and further attention.
These animals are found in Europe, Asia, and North America. The safety corridors include animal highways, stopovers, bridges, fish ladders, and crossings. Each is shown as part of the solution to living with these animals who must move for survival. These actions are postive ways for humans to have a role in making certain they will be protected as they do so.
In a final spread, Catherine Barr adds brief descriptions of seven other animals who are finding their way, with human help, along disrupted ancient pathways.
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