Kishina: The True Story of Gorilla Survival

One of three inaugural titles in the publisher's Peachtree Jr. chapter-book imprint, this volume provides an informative, accessible account of Kishina, the first gorilla born at the Yerkes Regional Primate Research Center in Atlanta. Rejected by her mother soon after her birth in 1972, Kishina was cared for by humans and introduced to other gorillas. In 1992, she moved to the Myombe Reserve, a re-creation of a tropical forest in Florida's Busch Gardens. Ably distilling years of research, Rock describes the work of the many scientists and veterinarians who have vigilantly tracked Kishina's development in hopes of helping other animals ""live comfortably in captivity."" She alternates Kishina's intriguing story with general facts about the species' habits and natural habitat. While she agrees that gorillas should ideally remain in the wild, she emphasizes that conditions are not ideal: because these ""gentle giants"" are endangered, zoos and animal parks must do everything possible to help them survive. Portraying Kishina's intelligence and sophisticated emotional life, the author pleads her case persuasively. Photographs not seen by PW. Ages 10-up. (Apr.)