About the Author

Leila's commitment to vulnerable creatures stems from her childhood. Born in Papua New Guinea to an Indian mother and a Manx father, Leila grew up communing with wildlife: rescuing an orphaned possum named Albert in Papua New Guinea; living in a small village in India surrounded by monkeys, mongoose and buffaloes; living on a houseboat in Kashmir watching kingfishers diving for their dinner; and taking classes alongside a resident giant spider in the school room. After her family moved to Australia, her father always in tune with the needs of wildlife would often bring home injured birds and nurse them back to health, and she credits her late father for her love of nature. She lives in Sydney, Australia, with her husband and son.