Saved: Endangered Species Success Stories : ISBN 978-1-6782-1352-7 / eBook: 978-1-6782-1353-4
Kirkus Reviews, August 1, 2026

A succinct survey of the importance, process, complexity, and costs of saving threatened animal populations (as well as some plants).
The survival of the nearly extinct gray wolf, thanks to the wolves’ natural migration patterns, human reintroduction, and habitat protection, serves as a model for saving other endangered species, although experts admit that the gray wolf’s prospects are still uncertain. Mooney cites the work of government and nonprofit conservation organizations like the Center for Biological Diversity, the World Wildlife Fund, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. She details the aims of the International Union for Conservation of Nature and explains its Red List. Chapters cover habitat conservation, restoration, and expansion along with global efforts to prevent poaching and overharvesting. Among the affecting examples Mooney proffers are the Bornean elephant (a keystone rainforest ecosystem species), grizzly bear, panda, Galápagos giant tortoise, Florida panther, bald eagle, and other (qualified) successes. Black-footed ferrets are the stars of a chapter on captive breeding and reintroduction programs. The text boxes and color photos, alternately endearing and poignant, help make the case. Despite Mooney’s positive outlook, the final chapter, on mitigating noise, chemical, and plastic pollution, is sobering. Overall, however, the resolute tone and positive examples offer encouragement for continued efforts, and readers will find this work engaging and inspiring.
An optimistic but still concerned take on ongoing wildlife conservation efforts. (source notes, for further research, index, picture credits) (Nonfiction. 12-18)

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