The Wanderer: An Alaska Wolf's Final Journey
The Wanderer is the first book ever to chart a wolf's movement, almost to the day, for an extended period of time. Informed by unique access to research and field notes, award-winning author, photographer, and naturalist Tom Walker shares the story of Wolf 258, nicknamed "the Wanderer," part of a research project that studied wolves in Alaska's Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve for more than two decades. A GPS collar recorded the animal's coordinates once a day as it moved through the wilderness. To the amazement of all, the Wanderer traveled more than 2,700 miles in less than six months. To tell this story, Walker had unparalleled access to research and field notes, including the cooperation of the biologist who first collared the Wanderer and the wolf researcher now assigned to Yukon-Charley.



The Wanderer recounts the compelling life of one particular wolf, while examining the broader complexity of the species as a whole and its struggle for survival. Walker explores not only the natural history of wolves, but the relationship of people-Indigenous, pioneers and settlers, biologists, politicians-to this predator, shedding light on the long northern traditions of trapping and hunting, the tangled politics of wolf management, and the futility of borders to contain large mammals.
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The Wanderer: An Alaska Wolf's Final Journey
The Wanderer is the first book ever to chart a wolf's movement, almost to the day, for an extended period of time. Informed by unique access to research and field notes, award-winning author, photographer, and naturalist Tom Walker shares the story of Wolf 258, nicknamed "the Wanderer," part of a research project that studied wolves in Alaska's Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve for more than two decades. A GPS collar recorded the animal's coordinates once a day as it moved through the wilderness. To the amazement of all, the Wanderer traveled more than 2,700 miles in less than six months. To tell this story, Walker had unparalleled access to research and field notes, including the cooperation of the biologist who first collared the Wanderer and the wolf researcher now assigned to Yukon-Charley.



The Wanderer recounts the compelling life of one particular wolf, while examining the broader complexity of the species as a whole and its struggle for survival. Walker explores not only the natural history of wolves, but the relationship of people-Indigenous, pioneers and settlers, biologists, politicians-to this predator, shedding light on the long northern traditions of trapping and hunting, the tangled politics of wolf management, and the futility of borders to contain large mammals.
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The Wanderer: An Alaska Wolf's Final Journey

The Wanderer: An Alaska Wolf's Final Journey

by Tom Walker

Narrated by Tom Beyer

Unabridged — 6 hours, 48 minutes

The Wanderer: An Alaska Wolf's Final Journey

The Wanderer: An Alaska Wolf's Final Journey

by Tom Walker

Narrated by Tom Beyer

Unabridged — 6 hours, 48 minutes

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Overview

The Wanderer is the first book ever to chart a wolf's movement, almost to the day, for an extended period of time. Informed by unique access to research and field notes, award-winning author, photographer, and naturalist Tom Walker shares the story of Wolf 258, nicknamed "the Wanderer," part of a research project that studied wolves in Alaska's Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve for more than two decades. A GPS collar recorded the animal's coordinates once a day as it moved through the wilderness. To the amazement of all, the Wanderer traveled more than 2,700 miles in less than six months. To tell this story, Walker had unparalleled access to research and field notes, including the cooperation of the biologist who first collared the Wanderer and the wolf researcher now assigned to Yukon-Charley.



The Wanderer recounts the compelling life of one particular wolf, while examining the broader complexity of the species as a whole and its struggle for survival. Walker explores not only the natural history of wolves, but the relationship of people-Indigenous, pioneers and settlers, biologists, politicians-to this predator, shedding light on the long northern traditions of trapping and hunting, the tangled politics of wolf management, and the futility of borders to contain large mammals.

Editorial Reviews

Peninsula Clarion - Ashlyn O'Hara

'The Wanderer' presents a trove of information relevant to understanding the kinds of circumstances that threaten the survival of Alaska wolves. For that reason, the book reads just as much like an epic survival story as much as a fact file on one of the Last Frontier’s more elusive predators.

Anchorage Daily News - Nancy Lord

Writer and photographer Tom Walker, with his lifetime of close observation of the natural world and the lives of animals, has written a remarkable new book that tracks a single wolf as it wandered through northern Alaska for 3,000 miles, driven by its need to eat, escape danger, and find a mate.

Bryce Andrews

A precise, lyrical account of an exceptional animal’s life. In The Wanderer, Tom Walker takes us on a journey through the harsh, beautiful, and changing landscape of the Far North.

Marc Bekoff

A most remarkable and fascinating book, Walker's landmark story recounting the day-to-day epic journey and survival of Wolf 258 is a must read for anyone who wants to learn about the lives of wild wolves—and how this most amazing peripatetic male was able to survive despite a range of dangers, both wild and human. I hope that The Wanderer will make people deeply reflect on how coexisting with wolves is not only good for wild animals, but also good for our own well-being.

The Northern Light - Kaycee Davis

I was impressed to see that ‘The Wanderer’ has elements of being a braided narrative where Walker continually wove in Alaska history, ecology, human interaction, and the wolf’s journey, with each chapter sharing details to give what feels like a new kind of 3-D feel that conveys time and the surrounding events…. Wolf 258 is the star of the book, but the story is about the wolf in his environment.

Seth Kantner

A fascinating and informative story of a lone wolf’s journey across the Arctic, The Wanderer once again highlights the meticulous photography, writing, research and vast experience of Tom Walker, one of Alaska’s most dedicated and masterful artists.

The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner - David James

Wolves are keen observers of the landscapes they inhabit, and so is Walker. Among the numerous joys of this book are his frequent, lyrical evocations of the world the Wanderer lived in.

Alaska Sporting Journal - Chris Cocoles

Walker’s latest work is the story of an Alaska wolf known by the number 258 but aptly nicknamed the Wanderer for its remarkable journey around Interior Alaska and well into Canada’s Yukon Territory, recorded thanks to pings from its GPS collar. After reading through Walker’s book...he helped me understand that this animal was extraordinary but not necessarily acting out of character.

Grant Spickelmier

Compelling and well written.

The Wolf Connection Podcast - John Calfa

I encourage everybody to read [The Wanderer], if you’re a wolf person, an environmentalist, or somebody who really wants to learn about the ecological effects of what’s happening.... The way that [Walker] traverse[s] everything that’s going on at the time and this trek for the Wanderer, for Wolf 258, it’s fascinating.

Natural Exposures - Daniel J Cox

This book is as much about the wilds of Alaska as it is about this one wolf’s life. The Wanderer takes you through some of the most loved and worshiped wild lands in the United States.

The Cordova Times - Margaret Bauman

Walker’s writing is an invitation to travel along virtually with the peripatetic lone wolf through the heart of Alaska’s wilderness, an adventure not to be missed.

Shelf Awareness - Julia Kastner

This unforgettable portrait and travelogue of an individual Alaska gray wolf gorgeously and thoughtfully illuminates issues for the species and for all Arctic wildlife.

International Wolf - Denise Hughett

Both informative and easy to read.... Despite its inevitable ending, his fascinating story gives us a realistic glimpse into the odyssey of a wild wolf.

Appalachia - Elissa Ely

Reading The Wanderer by Tom Walker is like walking behind a master wildlife photographer (which the author happens to be) and peering through one of his long-range telephoto lenses. It’s like coming upon a captain’s flight log (which the author happens to have been) with dates, mileage, weather conditions, and unique observations. It’s like taking a tour with a wilderness guide (which, by now you can guess, the author was) who tells you the history and meaning of anything and everything he walks past. Follow this man.

The Explorers Journal - Milbry C. Polk

Walker paints an evocative portrait of the wild lands in Alaska the grey wolves call home…. This is a poignant and beautifully written book.

Product Details

BN ID: 2940178403259
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Publication date: 05/01/2023
Edition description: Unabridged
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