Novel Neighbor of Webster Groves is hosting a book signing from 7-8 p.m., Dec. 6, at its store.
A book event at Webster Groves Public Library at 2 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 11, will feature “American Roadkill,” with sales to benefit Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation (MAAL).
For More information:
Contact Author Don Corrigan at 314-968-2699; 314-827-9989
Corrigan@timesnewspapers.com
Local motorists have had plenty of road encounters with animals ranging from
tiny squirrels to large deer that can weigh up to 250 pounds. The results are not
pretty for man or beast.
Armadillos are the latest species to take it on the chin in a big way in roadkill
accidents in Missouri. The hard-shelled tourists, originally from Texas, litter rural highways and interstates.
In his new book, “American Roadkill,” author Don Corrigan documents the million animals killed daily on American roadways. Among the casualties are man’s best friends, canines and felines, amounting to 5.4 million of the annual roadkill tally.
Is there anybody looking out for the critters that have taken such a beating in the
automobile age which began a century ago?
Corrigan documents many positive developments, among them: (read more about American Roadkill and the upcoming events below.)
• St. Louis Zoo is doing yeoman work enlisting “citizen scientists” to identify high
casualty frog and turtle crossings that can be remedied.
• St. Louis Kinship Circle is raising awareness of road accidents with pets and
how to avoid such heartbreaking meet-ups with cars.
• Sierra Clubs of the Southeast have championed endangered pumas, as their
numbers have dwindled to a few hundred due to highway carnage.
• Possum Pouch Pickers is another organization in the South that rescues baby
possums from their marsupial mothers mashed on roadways.
•In U.S. states bordering Canada, wildlife groups have organized to save bears,
moose, wolves and coyotes from sad roadway endings.
Local Benefit Dec. 11
A book event at Webster Groves Public Library at 2 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 11, willfeature “American Roadkill,” with sales to benefit Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation (MAAL).
“The new book, ‘American Roadkill’ exposes the often-overlooked scandal of
millions of animals being run over on our country’s roads,” said Bob Baker,
executive director of MAAL. “Such carnage, no doubt, desensitizes our children
to the suffering and the deaths of all living things
“Fortunately, our legislators in Congress seem to be listening to Corrigan and
other animal advocates,” added Baker. “The recent infrastructure bill passed
includes provisions to protect wildlife by funding ways for wildlife to be routed
around and under thoroughfares to prevent species loss.”
Baker lauded “American Roadkill” for showing how research scientists, animal
rights activists, roadkill artists, ethicists and lyricists are increasingly sounding an alarm about creatures lost on the nation’s highways
Among the “roadkill musicians” whom Corrigan covers are: Loudon Wainwright III and his famous skunk song; Phish with the band’s tale of an unfortunate possum; and various heavy metal bands that have offered lyrical commentary.
Among the “roadkill artists” whom Corrigan covers are: Jamie Roadkill of New
York City; Kimberly Witham of New England, who calls herself “the roadkill
resurrector;” and cartoonist Mike Peters.
Webster Groves native and Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist Mike Peters
contributes several of his roadkill cartoons for the book from his Mother Goose &
Grimm comic collection.
Ethicists who have spoken out on the savagery of roadkill range from Gary L.
Francione to naturalist Rachel Carson. Even St. Francis of Assisi had some
things to say about animal losses on the roadways of his time in Italy.
“The thing is – you don’t have to be a naturalist or an ethicist to realize we are
killing the very animals we love and are driving many of them to the brink of
extinction,” said Baker of MAAL.
Dec. 6 Critter Event
For those who can’t make the December 11 benefit for animals, Novel Neighbor of Webster Groves is hosting another book signing from 7-8 p.m., Dec. 6, at its store. The event will include the author of “American Roadkill” as well as the creators of “A Friend to All: Charlie Hoessle.”
The book by Dianne Key-Biggs of Shrewsbury and Shelley Dieterichs of
Kirkwood is an ode to former St. Louis Zoo Director Charles Hoessle. The man
with a bronze sculpture at the Zoo’s Herpetarium has been a friend of animals
since he was a wee one.
Artist Dieterichs packs the children’s book with plenty of creature artwork,
animals that will be familiar to anyone who has frequented the St. Louis world-
famous haven for animals from around the world.
Key-Biggs and Dieterichs will bring other works that can serve as holiday gifts for animal lovers. Squirrel advocate Corrigan will bring packets of squirrel
bookmarkers, squirrel journals and squirrel buttons – free to any purchaser of his “Nuts About Squirrels.”
Corrigan is editor emeritus for the Webster-Kirkwood Times, where he has
written on the outdoors and environment for four decades. He is professor
emeritus at Webster University, where he directed student studies for the
school’s Outdoor/Environmental Journalism Certificate.
“Thanks to Don’s generosity, the book signing for ‘American Roadkill’ on
December 11 will benefit the Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation and its
advocacy work on behalf of animals with our elected officials,” Baker said.
“The Alliance has served as the voice for the animals at the state capitol, where it
has helped enact laws to protect animals since 1990,” Baker added.
For More information:
Contact Author Don Corrigan
314-968-2699; 314-827-9989
Corrigan@timesnewspapers.com
Environmental Echo 