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The Odyssey Of KP2: An Orphan Seal, A Marine Biologist, And The Fight To Save A Species (2012)

by Terrie M. Williams(Favorite Author)

4.05 of 5 Votes: 5

ISBN

1594203393 (ISBN13: 9781594203398)

languge

English

genre

Nonfiction

publisher

Penguin Press HC, The

review 1: What a delightful look into the world of Hawaiian Monk Seals, in particular one tagged as Kauai Pup 2, also known as KP2, but later christened Ho'ailona. Poor little KP2 was not only cruelly ignored and abandoned by his mother when he was born, but he was viciously attacked by a large male, who was likely his father. If not for emergency rescue, KP2 would have died. Instead, he was saved by marine conservationists in Hawaii, who taught him how to swim on a pink boogie board. He was a special monk seal in that he displayed an extraordinary need to be around people, making kids his friends. But it isn't long before controversy threatens KP2. The local fishermen want the seal and his ilk gone because they compete against them for fish in the ocean and are also in danger of ge... moretting tangled in their nets. And KP2 was starting to go blind. He's then whisked away to California to live under the care and be studied by Terrie Williams and her research team. By observing, taking blood samples and training KP2, Terrie had enough data now to form a better understanding of monk seals, how they're different from other seals and developed a passion to do all she can to prevent their extinction. KP2 has retained his puppy playfulness, learned to cope with his poor eyesight and as promised to the people of Hawaii, been returned to them where he currently lives in Waikiki Aquarium, his blindness making it impossible for him to be returned to the wild, and he has his own Facebook page. One note I was really pleased to read at the end, was that his mother returned to the same beach where she birthed KP2 and she gave birth to a brother for him, and this time she nursed her baby instead of abandoning him.
review 2: Dr. Williams is a rock-star marine mammal researcher (check out her lab web page, and her TEDx talk for proof) and her book shares the story of an abandoned Hawaiian monk seal pup, KP2, who comes to live and work in her lab at UC Santa Cruz. It’s an irresistible tale, but for me, the power of this book lies in the way KP2′s life story is woven into the larger human drama of politics, spirituality, species loss, the nature of science, and the wonder of maternal connection. It’s obviously a great choice for any young person considering a career in science, especially women, but truly, friends, this is a story for all of us. less

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