Trail of the wolf

The wolf has caught the imagination of people everywhere for centuries. Today, thousands journey to wilderness parks in the hope of seeing this elusive creature or hearing its haunting howl. Yet the mythology surrounding the wolf frequently conjures up the image of a bloodthirsty, marauding beast. In fact, there is no record of a wolf killing a human in North America, and it is thought that those reported in Europe were committed by rabid animals or mastiff-wolf hybrids. Trail of the Wolf seeks to dispel the myths that have often resulted in the persecution of one of the world's most fascinating animals. R. D. Lawrence's love of wolves is communicated throughout the text, as he introduces the reader to every facet of the life of this wild hunter. In a detailed account of the wolf's biology, he explores the differences between the wolf and other canids, its elaborate social structure, the part its senses play in its ability to survive in the wild, its hunting methods and prey, and the formation of a new pack. The author's personal experiences with wolves reveal the animal as it is rarely seen - at play, on the hunt, and rearing its young. The final chapters on the wolf's relationship with humans and its status worldwide contain a plea for the preservation of the wolf and its wilderness habitat. Trail of the Wolf is beautifully illustrated by top wildlife photographers. The outstanding photographs feature wolves from around the world. Images of prey species and the wolf's close relatives, as well as maps and line drawings, add to the visual excitement of this superb volume.

R.D. Lawrence