Operation Wild

Gr 8 Up—This three-episode series, produced by the BBC, follows veterinarians embarking on adventurous missions to save the lives of wild animals. Using cutting-edge medical technology, normally used on human patients, the experts treat a panda, manta ray, and giraffe, among others. Procedures include removing a bullet from an elephant's leg, amputating a gorilla's arm due to a gunshot wound caused by a hunter, and performing a skin graft on a rhino whose horn was removed by a poacher. The sound and picture quality are excellent, with crystal clear underwater footage of a manta ray giving birth. In India, a coordinated effort saves the lives of birds injured by kite strings during an annual festival, and in another conservation effort, giant pandas are bred to eventually be released into the wild. The male narrator does a great job of informing the viewer while keeping the tension high. Squeamish viewers, though, should expect to see examples of traumatic injuries and medical procedures. This series will interest animal lovers and those considering a career in the veterinary field.