Poop Detectives - Working Dogs in the Field

Reviewed by: Paula - Long Island Community Library, Long Island, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: January 8, 2017

Review

Whether we call them poop detectives or scat detectors, these amazing dogs and their trainers are doing their part to help conservation efforts to protect endangered species. This is a book that highlights the extensive training and hard work by dedicated conservationists to use dogs and their extreme sense of smell to research and ultimately help protect many wild animal species. The title alone may attract some young readers to the book. Once they are inside however they will learn how these new pioneers in the field of ""poop or scat detecting can help gather important information about animals including their diet, health,gender, and even age without putting the animal or the researcher at risk. The individual dogs and their specialty are highlighted and enhanced with large, colorful photos. The book includes chapters on the training of dogs, research in the field and open sea (who knew what whale poop looks like?), dogs used internationally to help protect some of the world's most endangered creatures, and even some chapters on the dogs being used to find other signs of animals besides scat. The book should appeal to dog lovers, environmentalists, and those wanting to learn more about the work of scientists. The background information includes an author's note, information about the real dogs in the book, photo credits, a glossary, and more resources, and a bibliography.

Overall Book Score: excellent