January 11, 2015

  • Life, Death, and Ecological Wreckage

    I just finished reading William Stolzenburg's Where The Wild Things Were - Life, Death, and the Ecological Wreckage in a Land of Vanishing Predators.

    Where the Wild Things

    Before I expound the the attributes of this book, a disclaimer:  I came from the womb with an empathy for all animals.  Age has not diminished that.

    This book offers a provocative new look at the world's top predators, and the cascades of unforeseen consequences triggered by their disappearance.  I'm normally a reader of novels and classics, reading primarily for entertainment.  So, it took me by surprise to be so riveted by a book on bioecology.  There was no carefully crafted plot, only careful research.  There was suspense only in that throughout his treatise, the author allowed the reader, at least an optimist like me, to hope for a favorable outcome.  But, at the end of the epilogue, I wept.

    I wish this book were compulsory reading in every Middle School classroom, because, as the author points out, wildlife management is always a product of emotion.  If we can't teach children to value the natural world, they will never protect it.  And today's young people spend more time indoors than ever before.  They actually fear being in "wild" places or, if they haven't been taught the potential dangers,  are quickly bored by them.  Neither is a reasonable reaction.

    An acquaintance of mine was killed by a mountain lion a few years ago.  That didn't change my opinion that mountain lions are essential.  It reinforced my opinion that mountain bikers should not go out alone.  One needs to be alert to the dangers of large predators when venturing into their habitat.  The few remaining open spaces left in this area are treated like Disneyland and many people assume they are safe when playing in them.  Mountain biking doesn't lend itself to being aware of one's surroundings so; rather than removing the mountain lion, ride with friends.  It's more fun anyway.

    I don't know how many times I've come across riders wearing earbuds and listening to music at full volume while pedaling in the local hills.  I consider this to be part of the natural selection process.  Even a rabbit understands the importance of hearing what's coming to eat you.  On the other hand, I can't think of a more memorable way to die.  Every single one of my cycling friends remembers how Mark died and probably think of him every time they pass a suitable place for ambush.  One could be remembered for worse things, like being killed driving drunk or blowing yourself up being a suicide bomber.   Where's the glory in that?  But dying at the fangs of one of the very few large predators left in this civilized world, while doing the thing you love...that's not so bad.  I imagine the woman who was mauled and carries the scars to this day might argue the point, but even she would probably agree that it's wrong to annihilate every last one of them to prevent the occasional attack.  Maybe not.

    At any rate, I strongly recommend this book.  It will broaden your perspective even if it doesn't change your mind.  And when you're through with it, pass it along to a young person and hope they will take up the cause of conservation, while there are still breeding populations to conserve.

     

Comments (14)

  • I always felt that it's the animal's world as much it is the human. Somehow we have to find a way to live together. I think the greater number of young people are lacking in interest of wildlife preservation. But, doesn't school help with that in teaching the importance of it? Isn't there greater awareness compared to back in the day among the educated countries?

    • I think the problem lies in the fact that a very few derive a large profit from plundering the natural world. Large mining companies, huge fishing industries, organized hunting interests, all wield more power than the rest of us who suffer the damages. This book, however, points out that hunting interests actually benefit from the reintroduction of predator species. Similarly, fisheries and the people who make a living from them actually benefit from restraint from over fishing/whaling. You have to read this book. It covers such a broad range of ecological impacts of the removal of selected species. It left me feeling saddened on one hand but stirred on the other.

  • I saw the pbs show about the wolves re-introduced to Yellowstone park. The shrubbery returned, also songbirds and beavers. But in Isle Royale the wolves fell to inbreeding diseases, as the gene pool was too small.

    Let's all take Sarah Palin's advice and shoot the wolves dead from a helicopter. There will be a lot more moose for us to kill.

  • I've been following the conservation of wildlife for awhile, from NOAA's fisheries over fishing management conservation acts. Flying up to Hawaii island once a year to photograph the plight of our native Hawaiian birds almost wiped from the planet and much more. Understanding the total balance requires a lot. I'll try and get the book.

    • The devastation to Hawaiian ecology is especially horrific. I don't think we have yet seen the worst of we have done to our oceans. Too few people care about an environment they've never experienced.

  • Predators are vital to the balance! I will have to check the library for this book! One of our researchers was doing a study on population diversity in regard to the presence and absence of predators. Very interesting stuff...

    • My goal is to get as many people as possible to read it. The more we understand, the better our chances are of stopping the destruction. And while I'm on my soap box, might I dare suggest that mankind give the procreation thing a rest for a bit? It's not like I'm asking people to give up sexual relations so don't stone me to death for saying the obvious. Of course, if your God demands that intercourse be purely for procreation, then by all means, practice abstinence. I guess this pretty much guarantees I won't get a job with any number of religious organizations or even Republican ones.

  • I agree with you Judy .
    In America you still have great predators coompletely disappered in France . The only predator is man who ends to destroy nature with his intensive and industrial culture in open fieldS and use of pesticides.
    Love
    Michel

    • I didn't realize that wolves and bears were being reintroduced in Europe. The author of the book mentioned that Germany's forests were badly over-grazed so it's probably a good thing that they are returning. The wolf has a long history of villainy to overcome. Think of all the kids who were raised with the familiar childhood tales of bad wolves: Little Red Riding Hood; The Three Little Pigs. I'm sure you have similar tales to entertain and terrorize your children. The Brothers Grimm probably originated most of them.

  • Hovever I precise some great predators are re -untroduced in France : wolf in the alps and bears in Pyrenees montains . The government gives money to the shepherd when sheeps are killed by predators.

  • We continue to encroach on wildlife. Perhaps housing shouldn't be built until a buyer has signed the dotted line. :-)

    • I was impressed by the way European cities are organized. There are actually vast open areas, albeit under cultivation, between cities. In this country, at least here in the Western states, cities give way to suburbs, suburbs to estates, estates to Outlet Centers and then more of the same. The only places left for wildlife are the rugged canyons and mountains, too difficult to develop. Even the deserts are crisscrossed by roads and fences. "Wild spaces" are surrounded by thousands of people who invade those spaces so predators are carted away for the protection of hikers, cyclists, ATV riders, campers, hunters, etc. It just doesn't seem quite fair to use up the whole world and leave nothing for future generations.

  • I have just read your reply above . Judy, and I can not be able to say better .
    Love
    Michel

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