New On Earth: Baby Animals In the Wild by Suzi Eszterhas

I subscribe to two magazines, Vanity Fair and Nature Magazine. I found this title in the June 2021’s issue of Nature Magazine’s article, “Cuteness: How Babies Get the Attention and Care They Need to Survive.” In this book, New On Earth: Baby Animals In the Wild, the author, Suzi Eszterhas, shares with us photographs taken during her 20 years in the field. Part of the proceeds of this book, 30%, will go to the Wildlife Conservation Network, a good reason to purchase it. The pictures in the book are beautiful and breathtaking, with narratives that are informative, concerning and alarming, as well as delightful.

Suzi Eszterhas describes having an interest since her childhood spending time with animals and photographing them, especially baby animals. She also tells us of the amount of time it takes to gain an animal’s trust before photographing, spending weeks, months, sometimes years on location. Photographing is the easy part.

Most animals were photographed in protected parks, reserves, or sanctuaries, their habitats and ecosystems having been diminished or lost through human activity, like logging, farming, ranching, over-fishing, mining, etc. Through these human actions, many animal species are threatened. For example, the author relates that 60% of primate species are threatened with extinction.

The book is divided by terrain into four parts – jungle and rainforest, mountain and forest, polar and ocean, and savannah and grassland. These sections include really stunning photos, including rescued Orangutans from the island of Sumatra and Sloths from Costa Rica, both strange looking but interesting animals and both loosing their habitats to deforestation.

The author moved to Kenya and lived in a bush camp in Maasai Mara National Reserve for three years and spent weeks tracking a pregnant Cheetah to obtain her photos. The photos of mother and cubs are amazing. Eszterhas shows us three Cheetah families, as well, as other species, while in the reserve for three years.

In Alaska’s Prince William Sound, Orcas are photographed, while on a boat with an Orca researcher. Eszterhas relates that newborn Orca calves can hold their breaths just 30 seconds, while an adult can hold its breath for up to 15 minutes. Orcas don’t completely loose consciousness when they sleep. Half their brain goes to sleep while the other half is awake so the Orca can swim and breath. You know which side of the brain is awake because the eye on the opposite side will remain open – Whoa!

Sea Otters in Monterey Bay, California – photos were too adorable. They are born with a warm fluffy coat that’s buoyant. While mother dives for food, baby just floats on the surface – so cool and amazing! They survived near extinction from the fur trade in the early 10900’s. Humans again – Big surprise.

Wallaby babies photographed in Cradle Mountain National Park in Tasmania, are the size of a grape, pink, hairless and blind when they are born. They live exclusively in mother’s pouch for the first 4 months. For their protection, a mother can flex her sphincter muscle at the top of her pouch to keep her baby inside.

These are just a few interesting facts included in this book, New On Earth: Baby Animals In the Wild , along with many amazing photographs. This is a great buy. I go back to it again and again to look at the photos. It would also be could to share with family and friends, especially children. Again, 30% of the proceeds go to the Wildlife Conservation Network, helping protect wildlife. I hope you pick up a copy.