The Wolves of Minnesota

by L. David Mech

The wolves of Minnesota are one of conservations greatest success stories. Of the 48 contiguous United States, only Minnesota--with a wolf population at an estimated 2,600--has managed to protect and sustain a viable wolf population over the past two decades. But while some applaud the wolf’s return, others worry about the human cultural costs of maintaining such a large population, and others wonder if that population is too high for the wolf’s own good. Edited by renowned expert Dr. L. David ("Wolfman") Mech and comprising the work of several researchers who have studied Minnesota wolves, "The Wolves of Minnesota" is an authoritative account of the background of the wolf in Minnesota. It features the fascinating story of the comeback of the wolf in Minnesota and examines the cultural costs, to the point where the question is not "Will we ever hear the howl of the wolf again?" but "How many howls are enough?" This book examines the animal and its packs and populations, the past and present ranges of the species in Minnesota, the rich history of the scientific research about it, the wolfs biology and prey, wolf-human interactions, and the future of the wolf in Minnesota.

Genres: Wolves, Nonfiction, Nature, Animals, Natural History

128 pages, Paperback

First published January 11, 2001

About the author

Lucyan David "Dave" Mech is an internationally recognized wolf expert, a senior research scientist for the U.S. Department of the Interior's U.S. Geological Survey (since 1970), and an adjunct professor at the University of Minnesota in St. Paul. He has researched wolves since 1958 in places such as Minnesota, Canada, Italy, Alaska, Yellowstone National Park, and on Isle Royale.

Mech is the founder of the International Wolf Center and sits on its Board of Directors as Vice Chair. The project to create the facility, which he started in 1985, was a natural outgrowth of his wolf research as well as his ambition to educate people about the nature of wolves that they may come to respect the creature through understanding.

He has published ten books and numerous articles about wolves and other wildlife, the most famous of these being his books The Wolf: The Ecology and Behavior of an Endangered Species and Wolves: Behavior, Ecology, and Conservation.

Reviews

[Jeremy Wortman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Wow wow wow! Lots of Wolves! All from Minnesota! Just delightful!

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great summary of many years of research on wolf populations in Minnesota. If you're into wolf ecology you should probably read this book. I learned a lot. Fun fact - adult moose are often infested with many ticks at the end of winter. In some cases as many as 50,000 per individual. This weakens the moose and makes them more susceptible to wolf predation. It's a tough world out there...so count your blessings!

[Stefanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This informational text is a valuable resource for anyone looking to learn more about the natural history of wolves. It is technical but also comprehensible enough for a layperson. The color glossy pictures are pretty, too.