This is Ian Wood's first book. Ian Wood is a writer and photographer who specializes in wildlife, travel and nature. For 18 years he toured the world as half of a comedy act performing in over 40 countries. His spare time was spent in search of wildlife, indulging a passion for rainforests and oceans. His articles and photographs have been published in a variety of newspapers and magazines including National GeographicTravel and The Daily Telegraph. In partnership with The Orangutan Foundation he runs photographic tours to Borneo that raise money for conservation efforts.

Contents Foreword 3 Wildlife calendar 5 Encounter highlights 6 Author/Acknowledgements 8 Introduction 9 FOREST Encounters with tigers 10 Tracking mountain & lowland gorillas 16 Tracking chimpanzees 22 Up close with orang-utans 28 Primate communications 34 Inquisitive lemurs 36 Proboscis monkeys from the river 40 Walking in the Costa Rican rainforest 44 Watching grizzly bears catch salmon 46 Eurasian brown bears from a hide 50 Trekking in search of komodo dragons 54 Macaws at a salt lick 58 Getting close to minibeasts 62 SAVANNA Lion encounters on a walking safari 64 Cheetah safari 68 African horseriding safari 72 Tracking leopard by 4x4 74 Elephants on a walking safari 78 The wildebeest migration 84 Tracking African rhino on foot 88 MOUNTAIN Expedition in snow leopard territory 92 Tracking wolves on foot 96 Seeking out the giant panda 100 Climbing & hiking in search of condors & vultures 106 POLAR Polar bear encounters 110 Penguins: kayaking, walking & camping 116 RIVERINE Watching hippos 122 Kayaking with alligators in the Everglades 126 The Pantanal: jaguars & more 130 In search of the elusive shoebill 132 MARINE Swimming with wild dolphins 136 Swimming & snorkelling with whales 142 Diving with seals & sea lions 148 Close encounters in the Galapagos 152 Snorkelling on a coral reef 156 Snorkelling & diving with turtles 158 Diving with sharks 162 Snorkelling & diving with whale sharks 166 Diving with manta rays 170 The world of the puffin 174 Picture credits 180 Glossary of scientific names 181 Index 182