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The Last Wild Wolves: Ghosts of the Rain Forest
"As if appearing in a dream, a stream of wolves emerged from the forest edge." So begins this exhilarating journey to one of the planet's most spectacular regions―Canada's North Pacific coast, our largest intact temperate Rain Forest and one of the last places where wolves live wild and undisturbed. Award-winning writer and wildlife photographer Ian McAllister draws from his intimate observations of more than forty wolf packs along this rugged coastline over a seventeen-year period in this first-ever documentation of their fascinating, complex way of life. In a compelling narrative and more than 100 stunning photographs, McAllister captures these majestic animals fishing for salmon, stalking seals hauled out on rocks, playing on the beach, and raising their families. The Last Wild Wolves also describes the work of scientists whose recent findings have corroborated McAllister's own observations and the traditional knowledge gleaned by First Nations people over centuries―that these wolves are genetically distinct; unlike other wolves, they subsist on coastal prey and swim from island to island in their archipelago home. The Last Wild Wolves is a remarkable portrait of the unique lives of island wolves and an eloquent expression of just how much is at stake in their preservation.
Greystone Books
Greystone Books
192 pages, Hardcover
First published September 19, 2007
8 people are currently reading
526 people want to read
About the author
Ian McAllister
69 books25 followersBorn in Vancouver, Ian McAllister has become a leading Canadian advocate for coastal rainforest and marine wildlife protection. An award-winning author and photographer he is the founder of the wildlife conservation group Pacific Wild. He has spent the last twenty years documenting large carnivores that inhabit the rugged north coast of British Columbia. His research has been featured in many international television documentaries, films, magazines and other publications.
He is the author of four books on the carnivores of the BC coast and has been the recipient of a number of awards including the (NANPA) North American Nature Photographers Vision Award, along with his wife, Karen McAllister, he was named one of the "leaders for the 21st Century" by Time magazine. He is a member of the International League of Conservation Photographers (iLCP) and lives with his family on the central coast of British Columbia in Heiltsuk First Nation territory. His current work focuses on the predator prey relationships, inspired by salmon, along the north Pacific.
He is the author of four books on the carnivores of the BC coast and has been the recipient of a number of awards including the (NANPA) North American Nature Photographers Vision Award, along with his wife, Karen McAllister, he was named one of the "leaders for the 21st Century" by Time magazine. He is a member of the International League of Conservation Photographers (iLCP) and lives with his family on the central coast of British Columbia in Heiltsuk First Nation territory. His current work focuses on the predator prey relationships, inspired by salmon, along the north Pacific.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
June 29, 2008
This book is a treasure. The author has spent seventeen years photographing and observing several unique wolf packs on the northern coast of British Columbia. These wolves are genetically different from inland wolves because they have been isolated by the enormous coastal mountain range.
The photos are stunningly beautiful and the text accompanying them is inspiring and informative. I learned a lot about wolf behavior and their interactions with other coastal species such as bears, ravens, salmon, and orca whales. Wolves are the true apex predators in this environment, and have been known to dine on bears. The Surf Pack even eats barnacles!
The author shows a tremendous love and respect for these magnificent animals and their habitat. It really comes through in his writing.
It's shameful that greed and willful destruction are killing them and fouling their home.
There's also a DVD that comes with this book. I've only watched the first few minutes of it so far, but the scenery is spectacular!
And did I happen to mention yet that I LOVE this book? :)
The photos are stunningly beautiful and the text accompanying them is inspiring and informative. I learned a lot about wolf behavior and their interactions with other coastal species such as bears, ravens, salmon, and orca whales. Wolves are the true apex predators in this environment, and have been known to dine on bears. The Surf Pack even eats barnacles!
The author shows a tremendous love and respect for these magnificent animals and their habitat. It really comes through in his writing.
It's shameful that greed and willful destruction are killing them and fouling their home.
There's also a DVD that comes with this book. I've only watched the first few minutes of it so far, but the scenery is spectacular!
And did I happen to mention yet that I LOVE this book? :)
May 29, 2022
4.5 stars
The author is a photographer and lives on the northern coast of British Columbia. He has taken many wildlife photos and helped with studies of the local wolf populations where he is. This is a coffee-table-style book with plenty of large photographs, alongside information about the wolves, and an epilogue that includes information about the destruction and conservation of the area.
Oh, they are beautiful. And sadly, so vilified. I hate people. I hate hunters – there are stories in the epilogue of some awful hunters. I hate the humans behind the companies that only want to make money and don’t care what they destroy to do it, as they destroy the habitats for most animals. These wolves are in an area that is less disturbed by humans, but it’s hard to say if that will last.
Getting beyond that, the wolves and the photos are beautiful. The area itself is beautiful, and there are a few photos that are not of the wolves, though of course, the bulk of the photos are. The information about the wolves was interesting – I didn’t know that wolves and ravens have a symbiotic relationship; wolves will hunt and eat many birds, but there has never been remains of ravens found in their scat. There is also a 20-ish minute DVD included with the book, a short documentary that says some of the same as what the book says, but of course the “photos” are now a video. And have I mentioned how beautiful they are!?
The author is a photographer and lives on the northern coast of British Columbia. He has taken many wildlife photos and helped with studies of the local wolf populations where he is. This is a coffee-table-style book with plenty of large photographs, alongside information about the wolves, and an epilogue that includes information about the destruction and conservation of the area.
Oh, they are beautiful. And sadly, so vilified. I hate people. I hate hunters – there are stories in the epilogue of some awful hunters. I hate the humans behind the companies that only want to make money and don’t care what they destroy to do it, as they destroy the habitats for most animals. These wolves are in an area that is less disturbed by humans, but it’s hard to say if that will last.
Getting beyond that, the wolves and the photos are beautiful. The area itself is beautiful, and there are a few photos that are not of the wolves, though of course, the bulk of the photos are. The information about the wolves was interesting – I didn’t know that wolves and ravens have a symbiotic relationship; wolves will hunt and eat many birds, but there has never been remains of ravens found in their scat. There is also a 20-ish minute DVD included with the book, a short documentary that says some of the same as what the book says, but of course the “photos” are now a video. And have I mentioned how beautiful they are!?
November 28, 2015
Any coffee table book has good photographs, and this is no exception. What sets this book apart is in the telling: Ian McAlister studies the packs that live on the Canadian coast and shares his observations on the behavior of these packs.
Great to thumb through, but also great to read.
Update, Nov 2015: there's a National Geographic article ("Sea Wolves," Oct 2015) which cites McAllister's work & sounds like there may be a move to give these coastal wolves their own species. Not sure how that works, but interesting to follow.
Great to thumb through, but also great to read.
Update, Nov 2015: there's a National Geographic article ("Sea Wolves," Oct 2015) which cites McAllister's work & sounds like there may be a move to give these coastal wolves their own species. Not sure how that works, but interesting to follow.
September 8, 2008
I borrowed this book from the library and 5 pages in, I knew I had to have a copy of my own. This is the first research ever conducted on this unique population. The photos are spectacular, but better, the author's passion for his subject shines through on every page. He goes beyond educating the reader about wolf culture and introducing wolf personalities -- he gives you every reason to love them.
The book includes a DVD with footage one would never expect to be so privileged to see -- the wolf pups playing tug-of-war with sea kelp, fishing for salmon, the nearby orcas. As the DVD says, "Humanity has a habit of burning down the library before reading the books." It's incredible that such a place still exists, and the book documenting it is a treasure.
The book includes a DVD with footage one would never expect to be so privileged to see -- the wolf pups playing tug-of-war with sea kelp, fishing for salmon, the nearby orcas. As the DVD says, "Humanity has a habit of burning down the library before reading the books." It's incredible that such a place still exists, and the book documenting it is a treasure.
November 30, 2021
With the lies about wolves our media is telling and the current massacre in the US and Canada, this beautiful book becomes a necessity. This is the best telling and reflection of these wonderful creatures I've read. The photography is stunning.
July 4, 2008
The rainforest coast of northern BC is one of the few wild places left in the natural world where wolves and white bears stalk the forest as they have for thousands of years. It's a compelling narrative documenting the wolves' complex life. There's over 100 stunning photos & a DVD included
March 31, 2008
A beautiful book -- I learned much about wolves and their habitat.
January 5, 2024
Wonderful photography and great writing paint a poignant picture of the last truly wild wolves in the world. Unfortunately, many o the wolves pictured and described in the book are not protected and may of them were later killed by hunters. Clearcutting has also since destroyed the habitats of several of the packs. It saddens me to consider the plight of the wolves.
September 29, 2021
A great book about a very special subspecies of the wolf.
I've never heard of coast wolves before and it was a joy to read about these wonderful animals.
Highly recommendable!
I've never heard of coast wolves before and it was a joy to read about these wonderful animals.
Highly recommendable!
January 9, 2022
Ich habe vergessen wie gerne ich solche Bücher lese.
September 26, 2019
Absolutely breathtaking
December 18, 2009
I loved this book! I settled into bed with it last night, thinking I would read a few chapters before bed but then I didn't end up putting it down until I had devoured every single page! The photographs are stunning and so beautiful. I laughed to myself numerous times over the antics of the wolves Ian was observing, especially the pups and my favourite wolves Ernest and Sorrow. The encounters between Ian and the wolves were so amazing to read about! I even cried my way through most of the epilogue. It's heartbreaking to read and see the images detailing the destruction of some of the areas where these wolves are located due to logging and clear cutting and of course, the indifference of the government to protect these beautiful animals.
Comes with DVD footage!
Comes with DVD footage!
April 21, 2012
If you check out this book for the pictures alone, it is worth it. However, the text shows a great respect and understanding for these creatures. The author appreciates the wisdom and traditions of the local native peoples and respects the culture and hierarchy of the wolves themselves.
I particularly liked how they gave each wolf a "name". With wolves like, Sorrow, I was curious as to the story behind the name. Also the alpha of one of the larger packs featured is named Bob...priceless.
I particularly liked how they gave each wolf a "name". With wolves like, Sorrow, I was curious as to the story behind the name. Also the alpha of one of the larger packs featured is named Bob...priceless.
January 24, 2016
Stunning photography and surprising insights into the lives of this apex predator make this a great read. Wolf society is more complex and their role in the ecosystems where they dwell is far more crucial than has been previously thought. Wolves are not the big bad monsters from European fairy tales but intelligent social beings that are a key to the health of the planet. They need to be restored and protected!
March 26, 2008
This is book is an incredible journey into the lives of two wolf packs living in the Great Bear Rainforest of British Columbia. The culmination of seventeen years of non-invasive (no radio collars) study by the author, Ian McAllister and his team of researchers. It is a jaw-dropping pictorial and prose combination not to be missed.
March 19, 2016
A fantastic book. The author observes 2 packs of wild wolves in B.C. It is so well written that I became truly attached to the individual members of these packs. As well as being full of biological details, this book engenders a love for these animals. In the last chapter, i cried at the eventual plight of these fine spirits
November 20, 2011
This is a coffee table book of the wolves of the northern BC coast, but if you take the time to actually read the story with the picture, you will find it facinating. Great information about a seldom seen wolf in what might seem like an unusual enviroment. Highly recommened read!
December 27, 2014
This is one of the best books on the nature of wolves I have ever read. His research was totally hands on, in the field, observation type of research with no harm to the wolves. Well worth the read! The photography is stunning.
October 4, 2016
It ranks up there with London's Call of the Wild. As non-fiction, it offers jaw-dropping insights (both written and pictorial) into a majestic and magical species--the wolf.
July 31, 2012
A BEAUTIFUL book about the lives and habits of wild wolves-written by a man who studied and lived among them for years. Includes some of the most AWESOME pictures you'll ever see.
November 8, 2012
Beautiful photography. I wish there was a stronger narrative to the text.
March 20, 2017
For anyone who isn't outraged about the hunting of wolves in Idaho and Montana (or anywhere else), this would be a good read.
August 3, 2014
Absolutely beautiful.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews