Wolves in the Land of Salmon

October 22, 2012
This wide-ranging survey about wolves of the Pacific Northwest offers something for both the specialist and the curious layperson. Wildlife tracker Moskowitz uses the tracker mindset in his examination of wolves and their interactions with humans and nature. Like tracking, with its series of educated guesses based on available information, Moskowitz weaves his observations with existing research to understand the present state of wolf populations. In the odd-numbered chapters he describes individual packs of wolves, while more general information is covered in the even-numbered chapters, such as wolf biology or diet and hunting. Moskowitz doesn’t offer advice, but instead seeks to evenhandedly discuss human perceptions of and interactions with wolves. This is particularly well done in the chapter “Shapeshifter: The Changing Relationship between Humans and Wolves,” co-written with Darcy Ottey, which contrasts human reactions to various “symbolic wolves” to the reality of the actual animals. Maps throughout orient the reader to the location of packs while beautiful photographs enliven the tale and line drawings illustrate key points. Residents of the Pacific Northwest will appreciate the specificity of this work, but any fans of wolves or wildlife biology will find this of interest. Photos.

Starred review from April 1, 2013

Using vivid illustrations, maps, scientific research, and field observations, Moskowitz (Wildlife of the Pacific Northwest) describes his experiences tracking wolf populations throughout the Pacific Northwest. He outlines the evolutionary history, cultural significance, geographic dispersal, and hunting habits of wolves, and examines threats to wolf populations and future directions in wolf conservation. The results are a comprehensive overview of wolves and their interactions with humans and broader ecosystems. Unlike Thomas McNamee's The Return of the Wolf to Yellowstone, he documents several case studies, rather than focusing on one. As a result, readers can observe patterns in wolf restoration initiatives. VERDICT Moskowitz's examination of how human behaviors have impacted wolf populations will be of interest to wildlife conservationists, while his exploration of the physiology, habits, migrations, and lore of wolves of all kinds makes this book an important resource for any wolf enthusiast. The in-depth descriptions of national parks and landmarks in the mountainous Pacific Northwest will appeal to nature readers. This is an essential read for anyone wishing to gain a deeper understanding of how ecological, political, and geological trends can lead to the decline or restoration of species and their habitats.--Ryan Nayler, Native Counseling Svcs. of Alberta, Edmonton

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