Predators at Risk in the Pacific Northwest

You might infer from this book's title that it is only be interesting to people who live in the Pacific Northwest. That's not the case. Nelson provides a series of lively essays on major predators - - cougars, lynx and bobcats, coyotes, black bears, grizzly bears, and wolves. Most of each essay discusses that particular animal in general terms. The illustrations of particularly issues tend to come from Washington State, but Nelson places them in a general context. For example, he might discuss Washington's program of lethal control of coyotes, comparing the state's numbers to the national numbers. In short, you don't have to live in Washington to enjoy this book. (I don't.) The book is very readable and accessible to a wide audience. Nelson keeps the text lively by telling stories of his own interactions with these animals while hiking through the state. At the same time, it's packed with information about these animals and about their interactions with people. This is a very short book (130 small pages of text), and Nelson could easily have expanded it to encompass other mesocarnivores such as the weasel family (mustelids). Wolverines are extremely rare but reentering the state from Canada, and Washington's Department of Fish and Wildlife is preparing a fisher reintroduction plan for the Olympics. Other mustelids are also found in the state. Maybe a second edition? Anyway, it's a great, brief introduction to these animals in North America.

This little book came to my attention as I was perusing the new books in the university library where I work. I have been reading more and more the books on wild animals in our collection. Most are older but still very interesting. Little by little the myths perpetrated by who knows who are being replaced in my mind with actual research being done on predators and prey. This book brought me up to date on the animals of today and in my area! The Pacific Northwest!The author shows much enthusiasm for his subjects: cougars, lynx, wolves, coyotes, black and grizzly bears. He shows with a methodical logic that everything has a place in the ecosystem. He doesn't excuse the animals - he helps to explain them! He makes me proud once again to be a member of the two legged species known as man!He has a wonderful sense of adventure and great advise on how to coexist with the wildlife that I am more and more giving respect and gratitude for the beauty they give to our world! I probably will buy a copy of this book even though our library has a copy - for all the information that it has inside the 134 pages! Great book! It was a joy to read!