Keepers of the Wolves: the Early Years of Wolf Recovery in Wisconsin

Abstract

R. P. Thiel 2001. Keepers of the Wolves: the Early Years of Wolf Recovery in Wisconsin. The University of Wisconsin Press, Madison, Wisconsin, 227 pp. ISBN 0-299-17470, price (cloth), $50.00; ISBN 0-299-17474-3, price (paper), $19.95. I suspect that many would-be professional conservationists are attracted to this profession, in part, because of a television-driven romance associated with working outdoors and potentially “saving” some charismatic species. One generation draws its inspiration from “Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom,” another from the Discovery Channel—and in the popular media few species are as charismatic as the wolf. Richard P. Thiel's new book ( Keepers of the wolves: the early years of wolf recovery in Wisconsin ) is the story of a young enthusiast who followed through and eventually served as the first wolf biologist in the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (perhaps a “dream job”). Thiel's book is autobiographical and documents the early recovery of Wisconsin's wolves as he witnessed it while, as the new wolf biologist, he worked as a limited-term employee (e.g., bottom of the administrative food chain). As the story emerges, reality trumps romance. Nonetheless, Thiel demonstrates that meaningful and rewarding conservation work can …