Educational Media Reviews Online

One of the best comprehensive works on the subject, this film tackles the politics of both Eastern and Western attitudes and practices toward use and abuse of animals.

"We've got to realize that there are only two kinds of species: endangered and soon-to-be-endangered, and that's the reality."

One of the final statements in this excellent documentary really says it all. Unless humans drastically alter the value system they currently use for animals, the extinction of thousands of species is virtually assured.

True to the quality of other titles in this series, this film skillfully presents an comprehensive, global view of the reasons behind the imminent extinction of many species -- the perceived human need for animal products such as alleged aphrodisiacs and exotic pets as well as concomitant habitat destruction. Myth, hype, and endangered status itself drives a multi-billion dollar industry in an ever-escalating spiral, encouraging further poaching and unscrupulous capturing and breeding practices. We travel to Asia, the largest illegal animal trade market in the world, where any animal is for sale for the right price. We witness some of the appalling conditions under which animals are captured, transported, and sold -- conditions so bad that an estimated 75% of those captured die from disease and abuse.

Twenty years ago the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) was crafted in an effort to preserve species at risk. However, without proper enforcement, CITES lacks the teeth to be effective. Sometimes closing one door simply opens another as demand shifts to another species (for example, banning importation of parrots increased consumer demand for reptiles). Some governments have even encouraged and increased the slaughter of animals in a short sighted and misguided effort to shore up a flagging economy.

There are no easy answers. However, in addition to beefing up enforcement, intelligence work has begun in an effort to predict the next vulnerable species in hope of stemming the tide. The Wildlife Forensics Lab in Oregon tries to identify which animals are being turned into carvings and coats. Some surprising results have shown that many products purported to be from endangered species are in fact altered parts of more common species prepared by unscrupulous entrepreneurs. Yet the endangered species numbers continue to decline. The challenge for the future will be to devise new methods of deterring consumer attraction for illegal animal trade products, thus destroying the demand.

A highly recommended purchase for all junior high through university libraries. Appropriate for ages 8-adult. The film's sobering images may prove upsetting for some, so audiences should be advised.

Many books and Internet sites on endangered species are so narrow in focus, they do not adequately address the issue. EE-Link Endangered Species does have lists, class activities, and links to policies and legislation. Amazon.com has a number of books on the subject -- see Balancing on the Brink of Extinction : the Endangered Species Act and Lessons for the Future by Kathryn Kohm (Editor), and for more in-depth information on CITES, see International Trade in Endangered Species : A Guide to CITES by David S. Favre.