It's a scenario that's been replayed throughout history. The numbers of a species approach the edge of extinction. Just as with Loggerhead Sea Turtles, American Bald Eagles, and Peregrine Falcons, the Right Whale has a better chance of survival because individuals not only cared about its well-being, but took action to assist.
Few people may know, until Frank's Whales lands in their lap, that Northeast Florida is a critical birthing ground for the Right Whale, the rarest large whale in the Atlantic Ocean. Frank Gromling's book explores this majestic creature's natural history and the protection programs that hope to safeguard this whale's numbers, beginning with the whalers who, in prior centuries, reduced populations to a critical level, and moving forward to modern times, when ship strikes pose a serious threat.
The author relates his own experiences as part of a volunteer group that records observations and data to assist government agencies in formulating plans for the Right Whale's protection.
This book is perfect for many purposes. For the environmentally conscious, it's a lovely example of those who do more than protest: they give their time to help on behalf of a cause they hold dear.
For any student doing a life sciences report or project, this book will also be an invaluable resource, because it offers original research from first hand accounts, something not readily available for many projects.
The book is also interesting to a casual reader, because Frank Gromling tells a good story in an unpretentious, direct manner that puts the reader on the observation deck with him.
A bonus in this book involves exceptional black and white photographs of these whales and other ocean species, and related charts and maps.
I would highly recommend this book to any reader.
