Wild Again: The Struggle to Save the Black-Footed Ferret

by David S. Jachowski

This engaging personal account of one of America's most contested wildlife conservation campaigns has as its central character the black-footed ferret. Once feared extinct, and still one of North America's rarest mammals, the black-footed ferret exemplifies the ecological, social, and political challenges of conservation in the West, including the risks involved with intensive captive breeding and reintroduction to natural habitat.David Jachowski draws on more than a decade of experience working to save the ferret. His unique perspective and informative anecdotes reveal the scientific and human aspects of conservation as well as the immense dedication required to protect a species on the edge of extinction.By telling one story of conservation biology in practice--its routine work, triumphs, challenges, and inevitable conflicts--this book gives readers a greater understanding of the conservation ethic that emerged on the Great Plains as part of one of the most remarkable recovery efforts in the history of the Endangered Species Act.

Genres: Nonfiction, Wildlife, Science

256 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2014

Reviews

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Follow David as he figures out what he wants from life and tries to save a species once thought to be extinct. He is now a professor at Clemson University (who I have had the fortune to meet), but this is the story from how he fell in love with the prairie and the trials and tribulations that came with that love.

To be honest, I probably enjoyed this book so much, because I am currently working with Randy at UL Bend and doing what David talks about in the book, so it was fun to hear his prospective and I was truly able to relate to the book. If I hadn't been doing this, I probably would have not found the book as interesting. David has an easy-going and rather enjoyable writing style.

[Jesse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great account of the pioneering endeavors to recuperate the Black-footed Ferret with enough of a personal tale to make it relatable to a wide audience. I've lived in several of the places mentioned, and the descriptions of the people and landscape fit my memories very accurately.