Synopsis
Behind the happy picture of animals as pets and friends of humankind, there lies a fearsome and often hidden reality of animals as killers. It is this darker side of our contact with animals that Edward R. Ricciuti explores in Killer Animals.
With a wealth of documented reports from hundreds of zoologists and field biologists, Ricciuti examines the human-beast conflict as it pervades modern life. He tells of: animals' revenge as they turn on their hunters; pets gone berserk and attacking small children; terrible, gruesome attacks in zoos and circuses; the formidable array of animal-borne diseases that continues to plague us.
In addition, Ricciuti uncovers much shocking information on the thriving, modern-day animal underworld of cockfighting, poaching, black-market animal dealers, snake cultists, alligator wrestlers, and much more. He focuses on the hypocrisy, sentimentalism, and commercialization that pervade today's animal "industry," and he ultimately suggests that the darker side of animals is something we bring upon ourselves.
Katherine Gillen - KLIATT
In spite of its sensationalistic title, cover photo (a tiger with fangs bared) and jacket ("animals revenge as they turn on their hunters," "terrible, gruesome attacks in zoos and circuses"), this is not a work sponsored by the National Enquirer. Edward Ricciuti was a curator of publications for the Bronx Zoo and continues to write for various magazines. Ricciuti's attitude can perhaps better be expressed by "considered objectively no species is harmful, each contributes to the totality and diversity of life. A killer is not an enemy of nature, only of man." (p.xii) The author does not come down on the side of most animal rights groups, however, calling Cleveland Amory, founder of the Fund for Animals, "an advocate of ecoterrorism." (p.105) At its best, Killer Animals covers the "practical" dangers of man interacting with scorpions, spiders, bees, tigers, dogs, wolves, elephants and other animals. He alternately explains behavior, traces history, offers suggestions for avoiding problems and gives somewhat bloody examples of worst-case scenarios. People on both sides of the hunting issue will find areas of dispute (his own opinion comes close to that of the Audubon Society, which allows for "wildlife management") and almost everyone will find an example of unnecessary and depressing killing. This is an optional purchase, for larger public collections. KLIATT Codes: SA-Recommended for senior high school students, advanced students, and adults. 2003, The Lyons Press, 287p. illus. index., Ages 15 to adult.