In the Country of Gazelles - Hardcover

Walther, Fritz R.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 025336325X ISBN 13: 9780253363251

Publisher: Indiana University Press, 1995

Synopsis

"... it is interesting and insightful reading for any naturalist and should be required reading for anyone planning a trip to East Africa." —Zoo Biology

"A leisurely, folksy account of Serengeti days spent communing with horned ungulates.... Wonderfully rich and detailed, filled with vignettes, a lovely blend of science and memoir." —Kirkus Reviews

"Walther’s focus is on animal behavior, and his passion for these animals lends his scientific observations a panache not always found in such strict observational studies.... his accounts of the mating, grazing, territorializing, and fleet-footed departures of Grant’s gazelles, zebras, dik-diks, and his favorite, Tommys (Thompson’s gazelles), are inspired." —Booklist

"... an engaging narrative of the lifestyle of predator and prey on the African plains. Short-tail, Old Roman, and Mzee come to life in the pages of this entertaining yet educational book. Strongly recommended for its warmth and depth of understanding from a seasoned researcher... " —Library Journal

"... a collection of first-person adventure stories that pull the reader right into the Serengeti plains." —Science Books & Films

"If you want to know why wildlife biologists devote lifetimes to their efforts, read this splendid book. It is a wonderful blend of scientific objectivity and child-like wonder with which only the best biologists are blessed. Most highly recommended." —Wildlife Activist

"Read this book. It is an excellent natural history of antelopes written by a thougthful and original man." —New Scientist

"I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the animals that Fritz calls ‘my people.’ If gazelles could choose an advocate for themselves, they surely would select Fritz Walther. He knows those elegant animals better than anyone, and in this affectionate tribute he describes their behavior with charm, spirit, and insight." —George B. Schaller, author of The Last Panda

"Fritz Walther’s  In the Country of Gazelles is a wonderful book. It gives excellent insights into the society of gazelles, along with tantalizing glimpses of the African plains and the life of a field biologist. I enjoyed it and was rewarded." —Bernd Heinrich, author of Ravens in Winter

"His discussion of predator-prey interactions is fascinating, informed by rigorous observation, knowledge of the literature, and frank appreciation for prey species. The numerous photographs and drawings by the author add significantly to the high quality of this book." —AB Bookman’s Weekly, June 23, 1997

This is the memoir of a brilliant and caring naturalist’s experiences—the challenges, problems, and romance of studying animals, especially gazelles, on the Serengeti at a time when it was still one of the great wild areas of the world.

About this title

From the Back Cover:

When Fritz Walther was a young boy growing up in Dresden, his grandfather took him to the zoo, where he immediately fell in love with gazelles and dreamed of going to Africa to study them. He finally realized this dream in the 1960s, when he began a series of research field trips in the Serengeti National Park. His work led to numerous important studies in animal behavior and communication, especially on Thomson's and Grant's gazelles. Now, almost thirty years after his field research, Walther gives us a memoir of his experiences - the challenges, problems, and romance of studying animals on the Serengeti at a time when it was still one of the great wild areas of the world. This is a book for everyone who loves nature, cares about the environment, and wants to learn how a dedicated scientist unlocks the secrets of animal behavior.

About the Author:

FRITZ R. WALTHER is the author of Communication and Expression in Hoofed Mammals and numerous scientific papers. He has made many trips to Africa to study animal behavior, especially that of gazelles.

About this edition

• Publisher: Indiana University Press
• Publication date: 1995
• ISBN 10: 025336325X
• ISBN 13: 9780253363251
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 176