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9 of the Best Wildlife Books You’ll Ever Read monkeysandmountains.com /wildlife-books

Interested in discovering more about wildlife through engaging stories about wildanimals?

I read at least one wildlife book a month. It’s my genre of choice as I naturally gravitate towards books on animals.Perhaps not all that surprising given that I have a Primatology degree and volunteer with primates.

Check out my top recommendations for wildlife books that I’ve enjoyed reading. I hope thatyou’ll enjoy them as much as I did.

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Being Caribou

Synopsis: For eons, female members of the Porcupinecaribou herd have made the 2,800-mile journey from theirwinter feeding grounds to their summer calving grounds.They once roamed borderless wilderness; now they trekfrom Canada, where they’re protected, to the United States,where they are not. What’s more, beneath the calvinggrounds lay vast reserves of oil. Determined to convey boththe enormity of the caribous’ migration and the delicacy oftheir habitat, Karsten Heuer and his wife spent theirhoneymoon following the herd. For five months, theytraveled an uncharted course on foot over mountains,through snow, and across frozen rivers, with only threesemi-scheduled food drops for support. As with the caribou,Heuer and his wife faced dwindling fat reserves and stalkingby ravenous grizzlies and wolves just awakened fromhibernation. Both a rousing adventure story and a soberecological meditation, Being Caribou vividly conveys thismagnificent animal’s world.

Why I Enjoyed Reading About Being Caribou:

Caribou don’t have the wow factor that some animals likepandas have. They don’t draw you in as some wildlifespecies do. Before reading this book I had a mild interest inthem at most. After reading it, I found caribou and Karsten’sjourney to be fascinating! I had no idea just how sensitive they were. I also recommend the Being Caribou DVD. Ithink it’s even better than the book. After reading this book, not only will you never think of caribou the same again,you might think of them.

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In the Shadow of Man

Synopsis: World-renowned primatologist, conservationist,and humanitarian Dr. Jane Goodall’s account of her lifeamong the wild chimpanzees of Gombe is one of the mostenthralling stories of animal behavior ever written. Heradventure began when the famous anthropologist Dr. LouisLeakey suggested that a long-term study of chimpanzees inthe wild might shed light on the behavior of our closest livingrelatives. Accompanied by only her mother and her Africanassistants, she set up camp in the remote Gombe StreamChimpanzee Reserve in Tanzania. For months the projectseemed hopeless; out in the forest from dawn until dark, shehad but fleeting glimpses of frightened animals. But graduallyshe won their trust and was able to record previouslyunknown behavior, such as the use—and even the making—of tools, until then believed to be an exclusive skill of man. Asshe came to know the chimps as individuals, she began tounderstand their complicated social hierarchy and observedmany extraordinary behaviors, which have forever changedour understanding of the profound connection betweenhumans and chimpanzees.

Why I Loved Reading In the Shadow of Man:

If I could only choose one role model, it would be Dr JaneGoodall. Goodall and her books were what led me to pursuea Primatology degree, work in environmental education at theCalgary Zoo and volunteer with primates. I’ve had thepleasure of hearing her speak twice, and soon for the third time.

Through sharing her experiences with the chimps, you’ll love how connected you feel to each of the chimps. Someof them you will love. Others you will loathe. This book, above any other I’ve read, really dives into the distinctpersonality that each animal has. It also makes you realise just how similar we are. I also highly recommendingreading Next of Kin, or any of Goodall’s books.

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Soul of a Lion

Synopsis: For animal lovers, nature enthusiasts, and thevast readership for gripping true-life stories, this Africansaga is a must-read adventure. It chronicles the uniqueHarnas Wildlife Foundation in Namibia, whereMarieta van der Merwe and her family, former wealthycattle farmers, have sold land to buy and care forembattled wildlife. We meet Sam, the “AIDS” lioninfected by mistake at a vet clinic. Boerjke, a baboonwith epilepsy and Down syndrome. Savanna, the one-eyed lioness. And Marieta van der Merwe herself, theinspiring proprietor of Harnas who shares her home withneedy wild animals. Survivor of an early life fraught withpersonal tragedy in the African Bush, she now devotesherself as care-giver and ambassador for wildlife andwildland. Told with insight, humor, and thrilling immediacyby author and Harnas volunteer Barbara Bennett, thisstory will captivate readers of all ages.

Why I Loved Reading Soul of a Lion:

If I could only read five wildlife books the rest of my life,this would be one of them. The stories of love andconnection are incredibly impactful. One story between ababoon and a goat will have you in heartfelt tears. You’llfind yourself saying awww and wow, multiple timesthroughout this book. It’s incredibly impactful forunderstanding the power of love, and it’s ability to crossspecies.

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The Elephant Whisperer

Synopsis: Lawrence Anthony devoted his life to animalconservation, protecting the world’s endangered species.Then he was asked to accept a herd of “rogue” wildelephants on his Thula Thula game reserve in Zululand.His common sense told him to refuse, but he was theherd’s last chance of survival: they would be killed if hewouldn’t take them.

In order to save their lives, Anthony took them in. In theyears that followed he became a part of their family. Andas he battled to create a bond with the elephants, hecame to realize that they had a great deal to teach himabout life, loyalty, and freedom.

The Elephant Whisperer is a heartwarming, exciting,funny, and sometimes sad memoir of Anthony’sexperiences with these huge yet sympathetic creatures.Set against the background of life on an African gamereserve, with unforgettable characters and exotic wildlife,Anthony’s unrelenting efforts at animal protection and hisremarkable connection with nature will inspire animallovers and adventurous souls everywhere.

Why I Loved ReadingThe Elephant Whisperer:

First of all, I commend Lawrence for taking a herd ofelephants that would have been sentenced to death. Thatin itself is inspiring, but what I loved, even more, was seeing how Lawerence described a herd written off as nothingbut trouble, not only transform, but flourish when given a chance.

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The Wilderness Family

Synopsis: Everyone warned Kobie Krüger that being thewife of a game warden at a remote ranger station in SouthAfrica’s largest national park would be an arduous move.The heat was unbearable, malaria would be a constantdanger, her husband would have to be away for longstretches, there were no schools or nearby doctors for theirthree daughters, and of course the area teemed with wildanimals. Yet for Kobie and her family, the seventeen yearsat South Africa’s Kruger National Park were the mostmagical of their lives. Now, in The Wilderness Family, Kobierecounts the enchanting adventures and extraordinaryencounters they experienced in this vast reserve wherewildlife has right of way.

Why I Enjoyed Reading The Wilderness Family

I’ve read this book at least 5 times and keep coming back toit. How would you deal with a resident cobra at yourdoorstep? Or being isolated for months at a time? Keepingyour family safe from floods? Kobie brings Africa to life in away that few of us will ever know with her brilliantstorytelling. I’ve made all my bookclubs over the years readthis book and even people who aren’t really into wildlife,have really enjoyed it.

Gorillas in the Mist

Synopsis: One of the most important books ever written about our connection to the natural world, GORILLAS INTHE MIST is the riveting account of Dian Fossey’s thirteen years in a remote African rain forest with the greatest ofthe great apes. Fossey’s extraordinary efforts to ensure the future of the rain forest and its remaining mountaingorillas are captured in her own words and in candid photographs of this fascinating endangered species.

Why I Loved Reading Gorillas in the Mist

If I were to sum up this book in one word, it would be Digit, the silverback gorilla who Fossey became close to andwho died a tragic and unnecessary death. You can see glimpses of Fossey’s erratic behaviour. (There were rumoursthat she was schizophrenia.) But more importantly a look into the lives of these gentle giants. Seeing gorillas inRwanda was one of the most incredible experiences of my life.

Sharkwater

Synopsis: For filmmaker Rob Stewart, exploring sharks began as an underwater adventure. What it turned into wasa beautiful and dangerous life journey into the balance of life on earth.

Driven by passion fed from a lifelong fascination with sharks, Stewart debunks historical stereotypes and mediadepictions of sharks as bloodthirsty, man-eating monsters, and reveals the reality of sharks as pillars in the evolutionof the seas.

Why I Loved the Sharkwater Photo Book

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I first saw the Sharkwater film and then bought thisbeautiful coffee table picture book to remind me of thebeauty of sharks. It was this movie and book that inspiredme to try shark diving for myself. It’s incredibly impactfuland debunks the myth of sharks as the man-eating machines that they’ve been depicted as in JAWSand in the media. Sharks are in jeopardy of being driven toextinction because of the cruel practice of shark finning. I’mconvinced that shark tourism can be part of theconservation solution which shows that sharks are worthmore alive than dead.

Never Cry Wolf

Synopsis: Hordes of bloodthirsty wolves are slaughteringthe arctic caribou, and the government’s Wildlife Serviceassigns naturalist Farley Mowat to investigate. Mowat isdropped alone onto the frozen tundra, where he begins hismission to live among the howling wolf packs and studytheir ways. Contact with his quarry comes quickly, andMowat discovers not a den of marauding killers but acourageous family of skillful providers and devotedprotectors of their young. As Mowat comes closer to thewolf world, he comes to fear with them the onslaught ofbounty hunters and government exterminators out to erasethe noble wolf community from the Arctic. Never Cry Wolfis one of the brilliant narratives on the myth and magic ofwild wolves and man’s true place among the creatures ofnature.

Why I Loved Never Cry Wolf

This was the very first wildlife book I ever read, which I read when I was 14. Years later, it’s one of the mostmemorable books, especially one scene with a mouse. That’s saying a lot given how much I read. It’s also one ofthe most impactful for changing our perceptions about wolves. After reading this, it’s hard to justify the senselessculling of wolves that takes place throughout North America. Pacific Wild shares how you can help save wolves andstop the wolf hunt.

Whatever You Do, Don’t Run

A hilarious, highly original collection of essays based on the Botswana truism: “only food runs!” With a newintroduction and new material from the author

In the tradition of Bill Bryson, a new writer brings us the lively adventures and biting wit of an African safari guide.Peter Allison gives us the guide’s-eye view of living in the bush, confronting the world’s fiercest terrain of wildanimals and, most challenging of all, managing herds of gaping tourists. Passionate for the animals of the Kalahari,Allison works as a top safari guide in the wildlife-rich Okavango Delta. As he serves the whims of his wealthy clients,he often has to stop the impulse to run as far away from them as he can, as these tourists are sometimes moredangerous than a pride of lions.

Why I Enjoyed Reading Whatever You Do, Don’t Run7/9

This book has laugh-out-loud moments that will leave youwondering whether we’re really the smartest creatures onthe planet. I recommend this entertaining wildlife readbefore going on safari.

How to Read Wildlife Books

I read most books on my Kindle, which I can’t recommendenough. It’s lightweight and always in my purse. It’s alsoideal when travelling since it can hold multiple books atonce. I also find it extremely convenient when travellingwith my husband and he wants to go bed, while I want toread. I can read with my Kindle Fire’s backlight, whilehe sleeps undisturbed. You can get up to $30 off yourKindle on Amazon as part of Amazon’s Black Friday DealsWeek, but only until Nov. 27th.

I’d love to hear your wildlife bookrecommendations. Let me know in thecomments below.

Note: This post contains affiliate links in which I receive acommission at no extra cost to you. I only recommendbooks that I’ve enjoyed and think you will too.

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