Pelorus Jack, the New Zealand Dolphin - (Another Extraordinary Animal) by Darcy Pattison

About the Book

In the late 1800s, a specific marine animal acted as the guardian of steam ships in New Zealand, swimming alongside them, befriending sailors and locals. As his fame grew, collectors and hunters started to target the animal, and people near the French Pass petitioned the government to protect him -- and find out exactly what he was!

Book Synopsis

"A sweet and vivid historical tale." Kirkus Reviews

"An appealing, historical tale of early twentieth-century wildlife conservation." Booklist Online

In the late 1800s, a worldwide conservation movement started to gain momentum. One question people asked was this: How can we save the wild animals?

A mysterious fish, in a remote waterway, swam into history and helped answer this question. Meet Pelorus Jack, the New Zealand dolphin who won the hearts of travelers and inspired a nation to protect him with legislation in 1904.

Pelorus Jack lived near French Pass, a notorious waterway in the South Island of New Zealand. With gorgeous, lifelike illustrations, this story transports readers to New Zealand's rugged shores where Pelorus Jack befriends sailors and locals in his role as guardian of the steam ships.

As his fame grew, though, so did the danger from collectors, hunters, and adventurers. How could people protect this amazing dolphin?

ANOTHER EXTRAORDINARY ANIMAL SERIES

Bird. Mammal. Marine Mammal. Spider. Amphibian. Reptile.

This series includes the story of the oldest bird in the world, a spider in space, an orphaned puma cub, a bullfrog with a world-record leap, the poignant story of saving a species from extinction, and the dolphin who inspired a government to protect him.

The series is much more than just an introduction to the animal kingdom. It chronicles the story of how humans interact with animals in various ways: how we enjoy, challenge, admire, endanger, and save them. It's a fabulous series for kids to learn about the amazing complexity of animals.

- Wisdom, the Midway Albatross: Surviving the Japanese Tsunami and Other Disasters for Over 60 Years, Starred Publisher's Weekly review

- Abayomi, the Brazilian Puma: The True Story of an Orphaned Cub, 2015 NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Book

- Nefertiti, the Spidernaut: The Jumping Spider Who Learned to Hunt in Space, 2017 NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Book

- Rosie the Ribeter: The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County

- Diego, the Giant Galapagos Tortoise: Saving a Species from Extinction, Starred Kirkus Review

- Pelorus Jack, the New Zealand Dolphin: Inspiring a Government to Protect an Individual Animal