BUFFALO WOLF [Hardcover]

Carbyn L (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 2003

A wildlife adventure set amid North America's last uninterrupted wolf-bison predator-prey cycle.

Carbyn's tale is an adventurous first-person narrative of a scientist in one of the most remote places on earth—Wood Buffalo National Park in northwestern Canada—studying the only remaining uninterrupted predator-prey relationship of wolves and bison. As remote as the park is, however, the long reach of human civilization is everywhere to be found. An odd collaboration of ranchers, government officials and conservation groups propose that all the bison be killed because they harbor diseases such as tuberculosis, brucellosis, and anthrax. The threat to cattle is the primary mover, but some conservationists have dreams of a "pure herd" and want to start over. Carbyn sees it differently, always basing his opinions in science, but also realizing that the bison are part of the long cultural heritage of Canada's native peoples. He expertly navigates through these emotional debates, exploring their twists and turns with insight and compassion. 17 b/w photographs, 2 maps.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Lu Carbyn is a research scientist emeritus for the Canadian Wildlife Service, an adjunct professor at the University of Alberta, and the author of Wolves, Bison, and the Dynamics Related to the Peace-Athabasca Delta in Canada's Wood Buffalo National Park. He lives in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Smithsonian (October 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1588341534
• ISBN-13: 978-1588341532
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,369,749 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Buffalo Wolf, April 29, 2004

By 

Nancy K. Holt (Snohomish, WA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: BUFFALO WOLF (Hardcover)

I highly recommend this book to anyone who has ever heard a wolf howl or to anyone who has ever dreamed of hearing a wolf howl! Lu Carbyn is a man of science who writes with a poet's skill. His knowledge paired with his compassion takes us to the mysterious and ever-changing world of the Buffalo Wolf National Park, one of our world's treasures. The predator/prey interactions, the politics of wildlife management, the basic and sometimes cruel ways of nature -- Lu presents these issues and challenges us to ask the question, "How much management is too much?" Truly a spectacular book!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Buffalo Wolf, December 7, 2004

By 

Margaret Harris "Marg" - See all my reviews

This review is from: BUFFALO WOLF (Hardcover)

Powerful real life adventures of a biologist working one on one with bison and wolves in the north. If you're wondering what goes on behind the scenes of those nature documentaries this is the book. Not for the faint of heart though. Makes you feel like rooting for the beleagured bison to once, just once, get revenge on the wolf. In the end however, it turns out that humanity is more of a problem than the wolves. Big interests with agri-agendas want to destroy this particular bison herd. I liked the book's no nonsense approach to the "people problems" and behind the scenes politics.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Sense of Place, September 3, 2004

By 

R. Mullet - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: BUFFALO WOLF (Hardcover)

Lu Carbyn's book presents a totally new perspective on wolves, bison, and wildlife management and research. His recounting of his time in the field, his personal observations, the politics and the bureaucracy interwoven with the science he tries to hold to is honest and revealing. His love for the land he returns to time after time shines through most of all. If you are looking for a "wolf book" that is personal and thought-provoking, Mr. Carbyn's THE BUFFALO WOLF: PREDATORS, PREY, AND THE POLITICS OF NATURE is one you will want to read.