The Reaktion Animal series is a truly wonderful and valuable one. The [b: Hedgehog|2967752|The Elegance of the Hedgehog|Muriel Barbery|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1347755370s/2967752.jpg|1531887] entry is one of my favorite books upon the subject, and one I lend to many who come to learn about the animal. It has helped me better understand the creatures I care for, and more, the importance of spreading awareness about the plight of the European Hedgehog. [b: Vulture|1723385|The Vulture|Gil Scott-Heron|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1358186992s/1723385.jpg|1720780] is perhaps an even more valuable book.

It is easy to love a strange animal like a hedgehog. They are cute, or at least charming. They are round, dopey, and utterly benign in all their actions. It is harder to spread that sort of love and affection to an animal like a vulture. Nevertheless, for a very long time hedgehogs were similarly maligned and their comeback story (at least in terms of public consciousness) is an inspirational one. Would it be possible for vultures to be seen in a similar light?

The simple fact of the matter is that vultures are honorable, beautiful, and fascinating birds. They are intensely familial and affectionate within their family and social groups. They do no harm, but rather eat the dead and dispose of carcasses before disease can be spread by them. They serve the important role of purifiers in a world that increasingly needs their presence, especially in places like India where the threat of antrax is real and now the vulture species are largely extinct. They are dying due to the chemicals we often treat our own livestock with - a harrowing message if ever there was one.

This book teaches the beauty of the species and the wonderful diversity, the history both natural and cultural and the importance they hold in society - even now that they are nearly gone. We can only hope people will begin to see the importance of vultures and the roles that they hold; that, eventually, perhaps they can make a comeback and be respected once more. It would be an honor if we could, again, live alongside them. ( )