Wolf Mountains*

Situating the wolf in the history of Canadian national parks, Karen Jones considers changing ideas of nature and wilderness and competing visions of the North American West. Wolf Mountains is essentially a work of environmental history, treating the land as an actor in the historical process. This controversial study examines the tumultuous relationship between humans and wolves in four Rocky Mountain parks. By comparing the distinctive lupine histories of specific national parks with anecdotes and narratives of wolves from Aboriginals and early Europeans from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, important shifts in attitude and policy are clearly shown. This book documents the changing tenets of landscape preservation and species protection in preserves of the United States and Canada through a capacious study of canine history. Drawing on published scholarly research, archived newspapers, records from environmental groups, U.S. and Canadian park records, first-hand accounts from explorers and trappers, and scientific interviews with park staff and biologists, this book contributes enormously to our understanding of the relationship between wolves and humans. "Karen Jones uses the study of wolves to brilliantly expound the theme of how current human society values guide the fate of animals and plants.… a significant and original contribution to the environmental history of the Rocky Mountains." -- Cliff White, wildlife biologist and park warden, Banff National Park of Canada Situating the wolf in the history of Canadian national parks, Karen Jones considers changing ideas of nature and wilderness and competing visions of the North American West. Wolf Mountains is essentially a work of environmental history, treating the land as an actor in the historical process. This controversial study examines the tumultuous relationship between humans and wolves in four Rocky Mountain parks. By comparing the distinctive lupine histories of specific national parks with anecdotes and narratives of wolves from Aboriginals and early Europeans from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, important shifts in attitude and policy are clearly shown. This book documents the changing tenets of landscape preservation and species protection in preserves of the United States and Canada through a capacious study of canine history. Drawing on published scholarly research, archived newspapers, records from environmental groups, U.S. and Canadian park records, first-hand accounts from explorers and trappers, and scientific interviews with park staff and biologists, this book contributes enormously to our understanding of the relationship between wolves and humans. "Karen Jones uses the study of wolves to brilliantly expound the theme of how current human society values guide the fate of animals and plants.… a significant and original contribution to the environmental history of the Rocky Mountains." -- Cliff White, wildlife biologist and park warden, Banff National Park of Canada