The wolf inspires hatred, affection, myth, fear, and pity; its return polarizes the whole of the West -- igniting the passions of cattle ranchers and environmentalists, wildlife biologists and hunters. One man's vigorous, emotional inquiry into the proper relationship between man and nature, The Ninemile Wolves eloquently advocates wolf reintroduction in the West. In a new preface, Bass discusses the enduring lessons of the Ninemile story. y In 1989, two wolves appeared in a valley in northwestern Montana--the first known pair to den outside Glacier National Park in 60 years.

The rancher let them stay long enough for the pups to mature; a month later, after attacks on dogs and calves (probably by coyotes), the wolves were removed, kept in captivity for several weeks and released. One pup escaped, then was captured; the other two died of starvation. The following year, another pair came to Ninemile and produced six pups. Bass ( Winter: Notes from Montana ), a champion of reintroduction, follows the fortunes and misfortunes of the young wolves caught in a bureaucratic and political crossfire. He has interviewed ranchers, farmers and wildlife biologists, and accompanied federal agents as they tracked the wolves.

For Bass, wolf recovery has become a moral as well as an environmental issue. Here he makes a persuasive case for wolves. This essay by popular writer Bass ( examines the attempt to reintroduce an orphaned wolfpack to the Ninemile valley of northwest Montana. Conducted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the project was continually opposed by state authorities and special interest groups. Bass shows open contempt for the state's interference and stresses the importance of restoring balance to Western ecosystems.

He also describes the history of wolf eradication programs in the United States and attempts to debunk many myths associated with the much-maligned creature. A good companion to Barry Lopez's Of Wolves and Men, , this is recommended for natural history and environmental collections.-

 Clark City Press 0944439470 / 9780944439470
Soft Cover As New Condition Livingston, Mont. 

Price: 23.96 USD