Fat Legs Don't Matter (Paperback or Softback). This item is unavailable.Fat Legs Don't Matter (Paperback or Softback)

It was Dr Marijcke Jongbloed's young nephew who gave her the title of this very personal memoir of her life and times in the Arabian Gulf, but it was the animals she cared for and loved who proved that 'fat legs don't matter'. Over a period of twenty years in the UAE, Marijcke edged away from medicine and into a deep involvement in the preservation of wildlife of the Arabian peninsula. Along the way she fell in love with her mentor only to have her heart broken. She turned to her animals, buried herself in work and carved a niche mainly by championing the cause of the endangered Arabian leopard - work that brought great pleasure and, ultimately, pain. 'FAT LEGS DON'T MATTER: My animals, my life' combines a conventional autobiographical narrative (albeit of an unconventional life) with anecdotes and reflections on Marijcke's work with animals. It is a fascinating, readable, personal record of a time of extraordinary change in Arabia; a literate commentary on our times, which encourages readers to reflect, just a little, on our prejudices and where true value lies.

Dr Marijcke Jongbloed has had a varied career as a medical doctor, writer, amateur biologist and champion of wildlife conservation. Born in a Japanese internment camp in Indonesia, she grew up in Holland, Canada and Indonesia, returning there after graduating in medicine. She moved to Al Ain in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to work as a family doctor and while there, indulged her passion for natural history. Concern about the unprotected status of wild animals in the region triggered an involvement in wildlife conservation. She was founding chairman of the Arabian Leopard Trust in 1993, the first non-government organisation that aimed at raising public awareness, breeding endangered species in captivity and working towards the creation of nature reserves. She has written extensively on the natural history of the UAE. Her work for the environment in the UAE was recognised with civil honours there and in Holland. She now lives in France.