"These cats are like emissaries from the raw landscapes out West, probing the rest of the nation, showing us where patches of wildness remain, and bring a fuller dimension of wildness to them. It's as if they're testing to find out just what folks have in mind when they say they want to preserve natural settings. How natural? How toothy?" -- From the Foreword
During a time when most wild animals are experiencing decline in the face of development and climate change, the intrepid mountain lion -- also known as a puma, a cougar, and by many other names - has experienced reinvigoration as well as expansion of territory. What makes this cat, the fourth carnivore in the food chain -- just ahead of humans - so resilient and resourceful? And what can conservationists and wild life managers learn from them about the web of biodiversity that is in desperate need of protection? Their story is fascinating for the lessons it can afford the protection of all species in times of dire challenge and decline.
With hands-on experience in both the Rocky Mountains and the wilds of Patagonia in South America, wildlife manager Jim Williams tracks the path of the puma, and in doing so, challenges readers to consider humans' role in this journey as well as what commitment to nature and conservation means in this day and age.
I've always been fascinated with big cats - it's part of the reason why I have one tattooed on my leg ;) So when I was on a recent trip to California, and spotted this book in an Vroman's Bookstore, I grabbed it. And I'm so glad I did.
Jim Williams is a biologist that has been studying Puma in Montana for years. He's also been assisting with them in South America - so he knows whereof he speaks. It was fascinating, reading about the big cats, their prey, the studies done and still being worked on. And from the standpoint of a conservationist, who also grew up in a hunting family, it was eye-opening what he had to say about the state-sponsored hunting of these amazing creatures. I tend to be fairly open to reasoned arguments, and what he had to say about these hunts as *tools* was...hard to read? But also made sense. There has to be a middle line somewhere, between LET ALL NATURE BE FOREVER AND EVER and KILL THEM ALL BECAUSE THEY'RE EVIL/NUISANCE/IN THE WAY. And Montana, as much as it may pain me to point it out, seems to have found a way that works. I don't know how many others will agree, but...it's a process. And one that can only be helped by books such as this one.
As for the book itself - it's BEAUTIFUL. The photos are full-color, the paper is thick, the endpapers are awesome...all the way to the pawprint on the cover under the dust jacket (which, on its own, is also beautiful). There were a few errors that were missed by the editor, but...not enough that it caused any difficulty.
Overall, this is a book that will have a proud place on my shelf. It was an impulse purchase, but one that I'm glad I made.
