A naturalist and bird expert trained by the great bird man of India Dr Salim Ali, Tara Gandhi has spent a lifetime travelling to places near and far, observing animals, birds, whales, fish, insects and more.
In Gentle Sharks, Glowing Worms, she writes about some of these encounters. A lurching boat takes her to a far-off island in the Andamans, and into a cavernous dark cave, where she sees the remarkable nests made using saliva by edible nest swiftlets. She then goes to the edge of a ‘crater’ on the bare island of Pitti in Lakshadweep, where an astonishing congregation of terns are nesting and breeding. Nearer home, in Chennai, she describes a fascinating night walk tracking marine turtles as they come ashore to lay eggs. She also joins a loris survey group, after discovering that these shy, nocturnal creatures live only in one specific area in her city.
Tara also meets some extraordinary humans—fishermen in Gujarat who willingly cut their nets so the gentle whale sharks can go free. Young volunteers who patiently rescue bats. Scientists and conservationists who spend decades rearing endangered vultures in breeding centres.
Tara’s anecdotes are poignant, thrilling and hilarious. They will inspire every young reader to get an understanding of the beautiful world all around us, and to be its loyal protector.
