Lost Animals, Disappearing Worlds: Stories of Extinction

A moving and motivating collection of portraits of extinct species, revealing the profound implications of their disappearance.

This book presents thirty-one extinct species through personal portraits. The intimate approach not only highlights each particular species but also explores the broader implications of losing a species forever. How do we honor such a loss? Can we grieve for species we never knew? These animals range from the well-known passenger pigeon, thylacine, and great auk, to lesser-known creatures like the Arabian ostrich, Saint Helena earwig, and Bramble Cay melomys. Through her poignant portraits, Barbara Allen not only tugs on the heartstrings but also aims to inspire readers to protect vulnerable and endangered species today, motivating us to play a positive role in conserving our planet’s biodiversity.

Barbara Allen is a minister in the Uniting Church in Australia. Her books include Pigeon, Animals in Religion, and Pelican, all published by Reaktion Books.