Technology has come a long way for people to be able to do what they do in this book. Less people will be able to get away with poaching wild animals. One learns about different types of scientist, and what they are able to do in this book. Entertaining and good for teaching science to a middle school class. ( )

It was educational to learn that wildlife has detectives using information and a crime lab similar to humans. There is a crime lab in Ashland Oregon which was created for this cause. This book follows the case which they were able to solve of an Elk named Charger. It gives the details of how it was evolved and concluded. The book also has pictured file folders detailing other illegal activity amongst other wildlife species. I would use this book in my classroom for students. Great information. ( )

Glossy photos are used to give an depth look at forensic science as it is used to investigate crimes against animals. This book discusses how humans are causing animals to become threatened, endangered or extinct. It includes information about poaching, destroying habitats, and introducing foreign species into the environment. The book includes a glossary. ( )

This book is about the mystery of the murder of Charger, a famous bull elk. It describes how different scientists solve the crime and investigate Charger's death. ( )

The Wildlife Detectives, by Donna Jackson, is a story of murder in the heart of America's parks. In 1993, Yellowstone Park rangers were shocked to find the star of their protected elk population dead, robbed of his antlers. This grisly scene begins the book's journey from Yellowstone National Park to the only wildlife forensics lab in the world in Ashland, Oregon.

The author has, rather expertly, blended a crime-genre whodunit with an introduction to the world of poaching. The narrative of collecting evidence and finding the culprit is interspersed with inserts full of information. These inserts help place the killing in the context of a worldwide poaching epidemic, while carefully explaining the differences between hunting for profit and hunting to feed a family. Jackson succinctly describes the crimes that can be committed against animals and how these rob everyone of national and international treasures.

The crime of killing Charger, the bull elk, is an engaging story for any age. There is a suspense woven into this book that makes it a page-turner.

The Wildlife Detectives has a very thorough index, a glossary of forensic and wildlife terms, and a thoughtful "What You Can Do to Help" section. There is no bibliography, but everyone who contributed to the makings of this book are acknowledged and thanked in the beginning.

Due to photographs of slain animals, this book is recommended for ages 10 & Up. ( )