Decade of the Wolf, Revised and Updated: Returning The Wild To Yellowstone

I have read over 40 books about wolves over 35 years and this one stands out as one of the very best.The book has two main themes -- the life histories of individual wolves brought to Yellowstone and their packs, and what wildlife biologists actually do to accomplish a successful introduction and gather the histories of these wolves. Both these themes are covered very well in exceptionally graceful writing.Missing intentionally is a blow by blow history of the political controversy surrounding the introduction, and I am glad for that -- the focus remains on the wolves and how they deal with the challenges they face. The political history has been covered in other books and is a fairly depressing story of people shouting at each other.The authors ability to describe in remarkable detail on the histories of individual wolves and their packs was aided enormously by the radio collars the placed on select individuals and the high visibility of the wolves in Yellowstone. The picture that emerges is of an enormously rich, complex, dynamic and tough world. Surviving is a constant challenge for a wolf, even in this prey-rich environment, and few wolves make it past 4-5 years old, much younger than the lives of wolves in captivity.Their is so much information about their behavior that the wolves emerge as distinct individuals with dramatically different personalities and styles. Packs develop unique cultures (e.g. hunting bison). The static alpha male - alpha female hierarchy so often described in other books turns out to be far more variable with much greater roles in some packs for the alpha female and non-alpha wolves.The authors note how frequently the wolves' behavior continues to them, particularly social behavior. There are far more ways to organize and "run" a wolf pack then previously thought, and the complexity of the dynamics described resembles human social interactions to a remarkable degree.There is a lot that can be learned even by well-read wolf enthusiasts from reading this book. Yet, for those who are just beginning to read about wolves, this book is a superb introduction to these animals that get more fascinating the more we know about them.Those who enjoyed the insight into the life of a wildlife biologist in this book would no doubt also enjoy Craig Packer's  Into Africa , an account of his work with the social histories of African lion prides.

Having been bitten by the wolf bug, I first enjoyed Rick McIntyre's accounts of individual lives of wolves famous among Yellowstone watchers. What Douglas Smith's book gave me was both an overview of all the various packs in the park over its first decade or more, with informative summaries of strategic issues intrinsic to the reintroduction project into Yellowstone, as well as further stories of some of his favorite wolf characters. It helped to put it all together for me. The book is extremely well written, flows easily, and is hard to put down. It is a must read, and a cautionary tale for those who have not, or no longer can get out into the wild themselves. Thank you for the inspired experience!

It’s fascinating to follow Doug Smith’s experience introducing wolves back to Yellowstone National Park and tracking their movement, behavior, successes, travesties, pairings and pack growth. Each pack certainly has a distinguishing skill or behavior as does each individual wolf. Having seen several packs in action through January and February of 2019, it’s easy to understand the awe these animals instill, in Doug Smith and millions of YNP visitors.But to understand what it took to return these predators to this landscape after years of human inhalation, and to lean how Park boundaries are artificial lines drawn through an ecosystem that mean sudden death, oftentimes, when crossed, we need to do all we can to protect these animals and the natural order they bring to the flora, elk, coyote, beavers moose, and birds.

I have a passion and love for Wolves and try to stay close to any books and information out there on them..the book was very well written though I do have one concern..Renee Askins, ,an Author and the one who was inspired to develop the Wolf Fund...along with being one of the ones who helped restore wolves in Yellow Stone National Park was never mentioned nor acknowledged in this book..and what i found interesting was that in her book, Shadow Mountain, she acknowledged both of you as participants and helpers in this very important work ....the respect for her is even greater, a hero in my heart, and if you ever want to read a personal narrative of the restoration of Wolves into Yellowstone and elsewhere, I recommend not only this book but her's also..thank you!!

I really enjoyed this book, and it is an easy read. I purchased it initially after visiting Yellowstone and learning more about the results of the wolf re-entry project. What I liked about this book was the mixture of stories about the original wolves released (and some offspring), as well as the research (academic) chapters on wolf behavior/communities, the discussion of pros and cons for land owners in the area, and the environmental/ecological impact of the wolf project on the Park. I felt a kinship with the wolves as the writers speak of them with such respect and warmth. They do not paint a pretty picture of the brutal life of wolves. As biologists and researchers they attempt to keep the human contact with wolves to a minimum to maintain the integrity of the project. As a reader I respected their ecological approach to the re-entry project -- and continued support of the wolves that remain in Yellowstone. I later purchased the book from Amazon to give to a friend who also loves wolves.

Excellent book on the factual wolf. Wolf reintroduction was probably the greatest ecological achievement of my lifetime. Smith has proven to be be wrong on delisting though. It’s such a shame they were delisted far too early before they occupied significant portions of their range, as the ESA is written. Now they are being slaughtered in Idaho year round, just like WY. Appeasing a few crazies was no reason to abandon the law. That didn’t work well either in downtown Seattle.

An excellent read if you are in the least interested in the Wolves of Yellowstone, their history and the entire background to the entire setting up of the project.

Great service! Loved the book of wild tundra wolves.

Great read