Review: ZURI is a Gem
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 08 3, 2012
Ruth Harris has the unique ability to seamlessly bring together a story filled with compassion and realism mixed with a true sense of empathy and ZURI is no exception. ZURI brings to our consciousness the intelligence and emotions of animals along with the all too real dangers they face in the wild at the hands of poachers.The Kihali Animal Orphanage in Kenya encompasses 23,000 acres of protected Nakuru Reserve. Renny Kudrow is the director of the orphanage and is alerted by the elephants distinctive alarm system that there is an emergency. He calls his team together and they head in the direction of the disturbance along with their new veterinarian Dr. Starlite Higgins. What they find is an orphaned baby rhino protecting her mother who has been killed by poachers for her horn worth $80,000. The team must find a way to secure the baby rhino and get her back to the orphanage to save her life. What follows is the story of love and trust and the efforts of the team as well as a goat named Boozie who are determined to nurse ZURI back to health and teach her to trust again.This story hits you in the face with the true reality of wildlife poaching and the effect it has on the animals and people involved. Africa is especially vulnerable to poachers who are so greedy they use any means possible to achieve their horrific goals. The Rhino population is slowly diminishing in South Africa where tourism is an invaluable source of income and the protection of the animals is vital.The characters of Renny and Starlite while each dealing with emotional upheavals of their own join forces to nurture and protect these magnificent animals and forge a bond that is inevitable. The characters and the scenic descriptions of the African landscape lend to the luscious backdrop of this story.We are also privy to the intelligence of animals and their capacity for forgiveness and love. Also in the forefront is the ability animals have to nurture each other as Boozie the loveable goat makes it her mission to draw ZURI out of her nightmare and teach her to trust again.This is a cautionary tale about human greed yet a loving portrayal of animals and their struggle for survival. I recommend this book to all readers it is a unique blend of human and animal interaction that will teach and enthrall you.