Where the Wild Things Were: Life, Death, and Ecological Wreckage in a Land of Vanishing Predators

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“With a lucid and sparkling voice, William Stolzenburg offers a revealing and well-documented account that explains clearly why we need the wolf, tiger, and other predators, large and small, to maintain a healthy environment.”—George B. Schaller, Vice President of Science and Exploration, Wildlife Conservation Society; author of The Serengeti Lion

“Where the Wild Things Were is science writing at its best. The subject is important for biology and sustainable development, the prose is excellent, turning lyrical at just the right times, and the story of the research is woven with clarity into natural history. Big, fierce animals have a noble champion in William Stolzenburg.”—Edward O. Wilson, University Research Professor Emeritus, Harvard University

“As the title implies, this work is an examination of a world without the top predators of an ecological niche. Exploring the history of predation from the first microscopic predator through the age of the dinosaurs to today's modern mammals, science writer Stolzenburg, who has studied predator-control techniques and monitored endangered species, reveals the devastating ecological consequences that result (e.g., marauding deer and raccoons in suburban backyards, huge herds of elk in Yellowstone Park) once a top predator is removed from its position. Throughout, Stolzenburg follows the studies of several ecologists looking at the food chain from the top down and furnishes hard-core evidence that an ecosystem is more diverse with the top predator acting as a checks-and-balances measure to provide multiple-prey species with the chance to survive. A comprehensive bibliography offers both professional and amateur ecologists, naturalists, and biologists further readings to learn more about predator-prey interactions. The easy-to-read and captivating prose will introduce readers to species of animals they've never heard of before, as well as give a greater awareness and appreciation for the complexity of the world in which we live.”—Kyrille Goldbeck, Library Journal

“In this impassioned debut, wildlife journalist Stolzenburg examines predation's crucial role in the preservation of ecological diversity, painting nightmarish pictures of what happens when top carnivores are exterminated from ecosystems. Without sea otters to keep ravenous sea urchins in check, some ocean floors in the North Pacific have been stripped of kelp. In Yellowstone National Park, the eradication of wolves has resulted in a glut of elk that have trampled river banks and chewed down young trees. White-tailed deer have denuded the undergrowth in the forests of the eastern United States, because wolves and cougar have disappeared. Without large meat eaters, mid-size predators-raccoons, blue jays, crows, squirrels, opossums-have proliferated, to the detriment of songbird populations. In dazzling descriptions, Stolzenburg demonstrates how the delicate balance between predator and prey is so essential, and his book, rich in dramatic accounts of life and death in the wild, is powerful and compelling.”—Publishers Weekly (starred)

What Customers Say About Where the Wild Things Were: Life, Death, and Ecological Wreckage in a Land of Vanishing Predators:

I can't recommend this book enough. This book is like a slap upside the head, and I mean that in a good way. Stolzenburg writes beautifully and loves his subject. He has a great deal of respect for the scientists whose work he writes about. His keen appreciation of the beauty and grandeur of nature is evident throughout the book.He loves large predators because of their powerful positive influence on ecosystems, but also simply because he finds them beautiful in and of themselves.His ultimate prognosis is a bit difficult to determine, but I think it is one of guarded and limited optimism. I think he believes that the future of "rewilding" will be very limited in scale.Spoiler alert on the following quote - His parting words: "I can only believe, from somewhere deeper than any logic center of the brain, that a life of incomprehensible loneliness awaits a world where the wild things were, but are never to be again."

Fired with an interest in this question, Stolzenburg dives into the history of predator research, visiting the sites and the scientists that are pivotal to the field. There is a very large constituent of people that firmly believe that all predators are bad predators, that the only good wolves and coyotes are dead, and that any contrary sentiment is so much uninformed liberal heart bleeding. Are top predators really uniquely important in shaping ecological systems. Attending a scientific conference on ecology, William Stolzenburg experienced a revelation familiar to many who pursue scientific endeavors; a chance encounter ignited in him an unexpected and consuming interest in a query about the natural world. Could this book convince him and his brethren that protection of predators is worth minor inconveniences, as a vital step in securing the health of beloved species and ecosystems. The evidence is overwhelming; losing top tier predators can cause ecosystems to deteriorate in profound and unexpected ways.This knowledge is clearly of extreme important to those who want to stem the loss of the ecological diversity of our world.

Starfish not only determine the ecological diversity of tidal pools, but pumas and eagles are essential for monkey social structures and the presence of wolves and coyotes protects native flowers and song birds.

In "Where the Wild Things Were" he reports his findings.Stolzenburg beautifully describes a series of fascinating ecological experiments and observations, and is particularly careful to identify potential bias and to warn against overgeneralization.

I feel I could send this book to a certain Wisconsin deer hunter I know, without offending him; as a sportsman, he naturally views all predators as unwanted competition, reintroduction and protection as at best a waste of government money.

The discipline of his fancy was the study of predator species and their importance, if any, to ecological communities as a whole.

Stolzenburg's book is vital in that it presents the relevant research and conclusions in such an unbiased way that it may, just possibly, convince some members of this group.

Refreshingly, he approaches his question with a genuine interest in really looking at the evidence and thus determining the answer rather than pontificating or rationalizing a conclusion reached in a non-scientific way.

Inescapably, in system after system, Stolzenburg reports that the effects of predator species are surprisingly far-reaching.

But he loves songbirds, the lush diversity of plants and animals that can be found in the more remote spaces.

I reserve judgment, but if the clear explication of this book has no effect, I am not sure what could.

If you are interested in the concept of predators as keystone species, don't miss reading this outstanding introduction and history. In this book, Stolzenburg recounts the history of predatory biology as a series of riveting mystery stories. The first time, I borrowed the book from the local library and only spent a few hours browsing through the text, reading here and there, trying to pick up the sense of the whole. To enjoy this collection of scientific stories, readers have to read it cover to cover--they have to give themselves over to the work and let the author pace their reading. If they do, they will find that these tales will ignite their imagination and pull them along on thrilling journeys of scientific discovery. Eventually, when the facts fell into place, I was filled with the thrill of discovery. As I read each tale, I couldn't help but feel like I was a voyeur tagging onto the coattails of one brilliant scientist after another, each one passionately hell-bent on finding the scientific truth buried in a puzzle of conflicting evidence.

I can't recall many books that have made me feel so intellectually stimulated and delighted. I actually read this book twice. William Stolzenburg's "Where the Wild Things Were" summarized the past sixty years of scientific discoveries concerning the importance of predators as keystone species--remove these vital carnivores from the "Web of Life" and entire ecological systems collapse. A few weeks later, my Advanced Readers Copy arrived and I took the time to settle down and give this book my full attention. I soon discovered that this is not a book to browse. Readers have to allow themselves the time to let each story play itself out from beginning to end. For those who want to pursue the science further, there are fifty pages of notes and bibliography at the end. The book is meticulously researched.

In his capable hands, the stories read like literature; they are thrilling and exciting. This is one of those rare science books that help you understand the humanity behind the science. I had to return the book before I could read it in earnest, but that brief encounter did not impress me. Browsing the book did not unlock the magic in its pages. It is also one of those rare science books that help you feel the joy of scientific discovery.This book is highly recommended for both the professional and nonprofessional reader.

This is an excellent book- well researched and superbly written it is accessible to the general reader as well as those in the field. It will change your perspective of the world. We are on our way to creating our own demise, this book is fair warning of this and some of the things we can do to stop it. Sarah Palin needs to read this book, perhaps then she would reconsider whether aerial hunting of wolves in Alaska should continue.

This is an informative, interesting, and disturbing account of the ecological impact of predator elimination. Our standard for what we consider wild is sinking with potentially devastating consequences. The author points out that some environmental problems commonly blamed on climate change may actually be the result of the loss of major predators in ecosystems. A particular point I found of concern is that what we today perceive to be wilderness is in truth an anemic vestige of once healthy ecosystems. This book provides a perspective on ecological issues not commonly covered in the popular press. I highly recommend you read this book if you care about the future of this planet.