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Population Crash

Disappearing Horseshoe Crabs
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Gr 7 Up—Horseshoe crabs have been with us for 350 million years, endured ice ages and natural catastrophes, but they may not survive being used as eel bait by East Coast fisherman. Their populations have declined by 75 percent since the 1990s and, without intervention, they may soon be extinct. Along with their demise may come the even more immediate extinction of the little red knot, a small sea bird whose amazing 20,000 mile round trip migration to the Arctic is dependent on the eggs of spawning horseshoe crabs on the Atlantic seaboard. These species, living at a far distance from each other, are a prime example of synchronicity or interdependence—the loss of one is sure to signal the demise of one or more other species. This film clearly elucidates the need to understand species interdependence and to do what is necessary to safeguard Earth's diversity. Mention is made of the controversy surrounding a two-year moratorium on horseshoe crab harvests in Maryland and the blame for the population crash is made obvious without undue condemnation. This well-produced episode from the award-winning public television show Nature has been adapted for classroom use and will be useful in environmental science classes.—Eva Elizabeth VonAncken, formerly Trinity- Pawling School, NY
In this beautiful, heartrending, yet horrifying film, North Koreans tell their stories of imprisonment, sexual slavery, torture, murder, and escape to China or South Korea during the nearly 50-year regime of Kim Il Sung (1912—94). The interviews are illustrated through the interspersion of dance sequences, archival news footage, and drawings. Particularly interesting are the North Korean propaganda films celebrating Kim Il Sung as God and showing in the face of mass starvation happy workers, elaborate military displays, and the creation of a new flower in 1988 in honor of the 46th birthday of Kim's son and successor, Kim Jong Il. A valuable time line traces 20th-century events in Korea. Bonus features include previously unreleased footage of camp refugees. This mesmerizing film displays excellent production values and is highly recommended for Asia collections.—Kitty Chen Dean, formerly with Nassau Community Coll., Garden City, NY
Reviewed by Kitty Chen Dean , May 01, 2011

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