An introduction to various animal species that are threatened with extinction, including polar bears, sea turtles, river dolphins, jaguars, gibbons, and others; and discusses ways to help them survive. Describes the physical characteristics, behavior, and habitats of gibbons.

Includes index.

Wildlife under threat -- What is a species? -- Adapting and survival -- The variety of life -- Links in the chain -- Measuring risk -- Watching animals in action -- Going, going, gone -- Lost and found -- Boom and bust -- The rise of humans -- The impact of farming -- A world without bees? -- Crowded out -- Damaged landscapes -- Climate change -- Global amphibian decline -- Rivers in crisis -- Polluted world -- Wildlife for sale -- Sharks in peril -- Alien invaders -- Fighting back -- Saving habitats -- Captive breeding -- California condor -- Grassroots conservation -- Living with the relatives -- The future -- Species at risk -- Timeline.