Click on image for more lion facts
African lion,
noble and vulnerable.
So proud of his pride.
Fewer than 21,000 remain in all of Africa.
Support this species through Wildlife Direct or Born Free.
Click on image for more Bactrian camel facts
Bactrian camel,
survives sun, sand, winter storm,
but not miners’ guns.
The only truly wild camels that still exist are Bactrian camels. These herds survive in the Gobi Desert of Mongolia and China but number less than 1,000 and this species is critically endangered.
Support this species through The Wild Camel Protection Foundation (whose patron is Jane Goodall)
Click on image for more cheetah facts
Cheetah, champion –
faster than some super-cars.
can’t outrun man’s greed.
Today there are just 12,400 cheetahs remaining in the wild, and the biggest African population is currently located in Namibia with about 2,500 individuals.
Support this species through the Cheetah Conservation Fund.
For all you animal lovers, I hope you contain yourselves at the news that I will be posting an interview with Born Free’s star and animal advocate, Virginia McKenna, on June 20th!
© Copyright – Joanna Marple, 2012
In my 20's, with only my guitar and a rucksack, I wandered the continents, immersing myself in the lives of some wonderful people, projects and stories, which changed the way I view my responsibility to others and this earth. Right now I'm a European transplant in the US who writes books for children and young adults. Stories can help us not only navigate our world but can connect us to others, and allow us to inspire and help each other. I believe that equity and empathy should be at the core of our all actions, words, and stories.
I am also a school librarian and I get a kick out of book-matchmaking! And I use the pronouns she/her.
Love this post! Thank you, Joanna.
Thanks, Krista.
Beautiful post Joanna. Love the free verse you wrote with each animal! Such an important post. All the organizatins are wonderful. Really Love Born Free,, enjoyed seeing what Jane Goodall is doing with the Bactrian Camel. My grandson is the cheetah advocate in the family. Such an important post.
Wow, an interview with Virginia McKenna! Loved “Born Free.” Can’t wait unti next week./
So glad you enjoyed the haiku, Pat. Glad you grandson is concerned about the Cheetahs!
HUGE gasp of excitement at your news of an interview with Virginia McKenna! I wonder how many times I read her book Born Free in my younger days? I saw the movie, too, of course, but it’s the book that really made an impression on me.
This is a wonderful post, Joanna. I hope you will be taking us through the entire alphabet as the weeks go on (I don’t ask much, do I?) Great photos, evocative poetry, and excellent links.
(I know what song will be in my head for the balance of the morning! Lovely!)
I am so excited that she agreed to be interviewed, what an amazing lady!!
Thank you, Beth, yes I do plan to do the entire A-Z!
*rubs hands together in glee* Great news, Joanna!
The Haiku’s are wonderful! Will the rest of the alphabet follow?
I CAN”T WAIT for the interview! One of my absolute film fav’s is Ring of Bright Water! Also have to share this: 5 years ago, on a regular library run, the librarian’s at the children’s desk asked my daughter what personal choice she had made for summer reading. Olivia answered, “Born Free”, and all 3 librarians broke into song!
Thank you Julie. Yes I would like to do the full A-z :-).
I saw Ring of Bright Water before Borne Free and so love it and the setting up in Scotland!! I have both films on DVD!
LOVE Olivia’s answer and the librarian chorus!!!
Awesome! Loved your Haikus. I would also like to see the D-Z!
Lovely words, but sad information. I saw a mom cheetah with her cubs while on safari. Our guide wouldn’t leave them until we called in some rangers (?) to shoo away another vehicle, because the guide thought they might be trying to steal the cubs.
I am so glad for your guide’s sensitivity and wisdom.
Virginia McKenna! Ooohh, exciting!
I am so happy this wonderful lady was willing to be interviewed!
Lovely post! Wonderful haikus (or is the plural also haiku?) – either way, terrific 🙂 I’ll look forward to your June 20th post!
I need to check about the plural of haiku, as I am not sure. 🙂