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A Naturalist and Other Beasts: Tales from a Life in the Field
Since the 1950s, eminent field biologist George Schaller has roamed through many lands observing wild animals and conducting landmark long-term studies that have deepened our understanding of these creatures. He has reported and reflected on his work in classic, much-acclaimed books, including The Last Panda and National Book Award winner The Serengeti Lion, but much of his best writing has been ephemeral, published in magazines, only to drop out of sight. This collection features 19 short pieces brought together in book form to offer a unique overview of his life in the field.
Chapters describe stalking tigers in India and jaguars in Brazil’s Pantanal swamps, studying mountain gorillas in Central Africa and predator-prey relations in the Serengeti, tracking newfound species on the wild border of Vietnam and Laos, searching for snow leopards in the Hindu Kush, and Schaller’s groundbreaking work with giant pandas in Sichuan. Later accounts broaden the focus from individual creatures to whole ecosystems. “The careless rapture of my early studies has been replaced more and more by efforts to protect animals and their habitats,” he writes.
New to this book are Schaller’s introductions for each chapter, which add and update information, and an overall introduction that looks back on his remarkable career.
Chapters describe stalking tigers in India and jaguars in Brazil’s Pantanal swamps, studying mountain gorillas in Central Africa and predator-prey relations in the Serengeti, tracking newfound species on the wild border of Vietnam and Laos, searching for snow leopards in the Hindu Kush, and Schaller’s groundbreaking work with giant pandas in Sichuan. Later accounts broaden the focus from individual creatures to whole ecosystems. “The careless rapture of my early studies has been replaced more and more by efforts to protect animals and their habitats,” he writes.
New to this book are Schaller’s introductions for each chapter, which add and update information, and an overall introduction that looks back on his remarkable career.
272 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2007
3 people are currently reading
168 people want to read
About the author
George B. Schaller
47 books59 followersGeorge Beals Schaller (born 1933) is an American mammalogist, biologist, conservationist and author. Schaller is recognized by many as the world's preeminent field biologist, studying wildlife throughout Africa, Asia and South America. Born in Berlin, Schaller grew up in Germany, but moved to Missouri as a teen. He is vice president of Panthera Corporation and serves as chairman of their Cat Advisory Council along with renowned conservationist and Panthera CEO Alan Rabinowitz. Schaller is also a senior conservationist at the Bronx Zoo-based Wildlife Conservation Society.
Schaller's work in conservation has resulted in the protection of large stretches of area in the Amazon, Brazil, the Hindu Kush in Pakistan, and forests in Southeast Asia. Due in part to Schaller's work, over 20 parks or preserves worldwide have been established, including Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR), the Shey-Phoksundo National Park in Nepal, and the Changtang Nature Reserve in Tibet, one of the world's most significant wildlife refuges. At over 200,000 miles (320,000 km), the Chang Tang Nature Reserve was called "One of the most ambitious attempts to arrest the shrinkage of natural ecosystems," by The New York Times.
Schaller's work in conservation has resulted in the protection of large stretches of area in the Amazon, Brazil, the Hindu Kush in Pakistan, and forests in Southeast Asia. Due in part to Schaller's work, over 20 parks or preserves worldwide have been established, including Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR), the Shey-Phoksundo National Park in Nepal, and the Changtang Nature Reserve in Tibet, one of the world's most significant wildlife refuges. At over 200,000 miles (320,000 km), the Chang Tang Nature Reserve was called "One of the most ambitious attempts to arrest the shrinkage of natural ecosystems," by The New York Times.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
December 14, 2007
This wasn't quite what I expected. I'd hoped for more biography, less general comments on conservation - more field notes, less waxing poetic. Still some good tidbits, but overall not as good as I'd hoped it would be.
October 18, 2017
A Naturalist and Other Beasts! – Finally done reading this long cherished anthology. The book, in first and foremost, will take you to a roundabout trip traversing the five continents seen through a naturalist’s scope. Have a period here. This makes a major difference. Rather than writing in pure science, blending it with the vivid and down-to-the-earth language, Dr. George Schaller will give the reader the best VR experience in the wilderness of Asia, Africa and the Americas. Furthermore, all these notations were drawn within the mid-20th century. Leafing through the book will make you awestruck about nature’s wonder. Again, it will leave you in eerie sigh that the bewildering wilderness might be no more wild and free in this 2017.
This book, as the name implies, is a selected assortment of articles describing Schaller’s efforts around the world. Where did he work? Say where not; the world is his office! Dr. Schaller’s working places are all pervasive and intricate bearing the flag of freedom, upright and prideful. The rainforests of the Amazon and Congo, the Annamite mountain range of Indochina, the American prairie, the Serengeti of Africa, the Tibetan plateau, the Pantanal of Brazil, the bamboo forest of Qionglai Mountains of China, the Terai of Northern India – he has been all there – relentlessly, persistently and passionately; as a venerated commitment of mankind to the Mother Nature. In cases, his strives for conservation are the first of men.
Indeed as the author stressed, there is no true victory in conservation but there is absolutely no reason stopping of loving and caring the wilderness; it is what should be acted selflessly, just for the sake as they need to be loved and cared for. Having the mantra in mind, Dr. Schaller pioneered structured research and science-based conservation efforts in his study areas. Starting with the Alaskan wild, he was a pioneer of the effort that resulted in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. He was then to the Pantanal; being the first to radio-collar a jaguar, collect valuable data on jaguar ecology, and study its interaction with primary prey capybara and cattle ranchers, thus drawing global attention to the Jaguar conservation. In the dense tropics of Congo, he surfaced pivotal research on gorilla. The Serengeti was another arena where Dr. Schaller worked. His work there reflected the intricate life of wildebeest, lion and cheetah. In India, he was the first who tried to understand tiger rather putting it on gun-sight. From the Annamite mountain range, with a joy an explorer, he did some groundbreaking discoveries, the most notable of which was undoubtedly saola. His work in the Qionglai Mountains sealed a secured fate of panda creating a global ethos to save this graceful species. His keen attitude surfaced takin and golden monkey to spotlight of research interest and conservation. On the Himalayan mammals, he made notable remarks on the biology and ecology of snow leopard, chiru, bharal, the Tibetan gazelle and yak. Just to let you wonder, the Tibetan Plateau ecosystem runs in an all-alike manner of the Serengeti of Africa. Imagine, a plethora of high-altitude ungulates weaves through a snow-covered interminable plain. Can you feel the freedom? Many of us might not keep a grip, but Dr. Schaller made it possible with sheer and vivid writing.
Dr. Schaller was after the King Solomon’s ring. The mystical artefact that helped the mighty ruler to contact with animals and birds, to have a talk with nature. The writer did likewise, tried heart and soul for his inner quest – comprehending the wilderness. Measuring and managing human life on same par with a wild one is always been a life-long enigma of many who work for nature – conservationist or biologist – you name it. Yet, the author has grasped the maze well. The first dent of his success can be felt going through his relationship with Siegfried – the Great Blue Heron he raised. This is what I liked most about the book; his description of the beauty of wilderness with an impersonal tone of a veteran.
Let me give an instance of how he sketched two heartbroken incidents of strayed Wildebeests –a type of African antelope. In the vastness of the Serengeti, the instinct of newborn Wildebeest calves is to follow anything that moves. Such is the nature that once a calf detached from its herd started following a lion pride! In another, Dr. Schaller’s safari vehicle was being pursued as a putative mother! The harshness of nature touched Dr. Schaller’s wife Kay Schaller, as it would do to the most, to the level that she promised never to visit the Serengeti in calving season. But, surprisingly, he portrayed the happenings with an unflinching passion of an artist. He even named this chapter A Moveable Feast referring wildebeests’ irreplaceable significance to its prime predator – lion and hyena. Ultimately, he unraveled the tell-tale of how the Serengeti works, how the world around us spins.
There was no redundant compassion nor commercial narration, neither there was any blind anger; he just described what is true – like the universe – the nature is nonpareil and in downright peril. The way the book is written can be only possible for a true lover, a dedicated worshipper, for the one who is the closest to have an insight into the rules of nature.
So, of unfettered marvels and one-of-a-kind memories, nothing is exaggerated in A Naturalist and Other Beasts. Indeed, the works of Dr. Schaller will soon be (or it already is?) revered as gospels of the vanishing wilderness. You will see that the amplitude of his works is simply what a man could do best in single life – fighting for the beauties that are hardly understood and the purities that are ever sensed. Dr. Schaller’s quests have already resulted in region-wide conservation collaboration and several protected reserves, some of which are the world’s largest. The fight for a natural earth is on, it will ever be; and, it is all legit to crown the author as the crusader of wildlife conservation.
Pick the book as soon as you can. Try to plunge into the world of wilderness. Try to understand why they are worth saving. Getting to know what you wish to love is the first step and love, since bygone times, always leads to the greatest prodigies. Happy reading!
This book, as the name implies, is a selected assortment of articles describing Schaller’s efforts around the world. Where did he work? Say where not; the world is his office! Dr. Schaller’s working places are all pervasive and intricate bearing the flag of freedom, upright and prideful. The rainforests of the Amazon and Congo, the Annamite mountain range of Indochina, the American prairie, the Serengeti of Africa, the Tibetan plateau, the Pantanal of Brazil, the bamboo forest of Qionglai Mountains of China, the Terai of Northern India – he has been all there – relentlessly, persistently and passionately; as a venerated commitment of mankind to the Mother Nature. In cases, his strives for conservation are the first of men.
Indeed as the author stressed, there is no true victory in conservation but there is absolutely no reason stopping of loving and caring the wilderness; it is what should be acted selflessly, just for the sake as they need to be loved and cared for. Having the mantra in mind, Dr. Schaller pioneered structured research and science-based conservation efforts in his study areas. Starting with the Alaskan wild, he was a pioneer of the effort that resulted in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. He was then to the Pantanal; being the first to radio-collar a jaguar, collect valuable data on jaguar ecology, and study its interaction with primary prey capybara and cattle ranchers, thus drawing global attention to the Jaguar conservation. In the dense tropics of Congo, he surfaced pivotal research on gorilla. The Serengeti was another arena where Dr. Schaller worked. His work there reflected the intricate life of wildebeest, lion and cheetah. In India, he was the first who tried to understand tiger rather putting it on gun-sight. From the Annamite mountain range, with a joy an explorer, he did some groundbreaking discoveries, the most notable of which was undoubtedly saola. His work in the Qionglai Mountains sealed a secured fate of panda creating a global ethos to save this graceful species. His keen attitude surfaced takin and golden monkey to spotlight of research interest and conservation. On the Himalayan mammals, he made notable remarks on the biology and ecology of snow leopard, chiru, bharal, the Tibetan gazelle and yak. Just to let you wonder, the Tibetan Plateau ecosystem runs in an all-alike manner of the Serengeti of Africa. Imagine, a plethora of high-altitude ungulates weaves through a snow-covered interminable plain. Can you feel the freedom? Many of us might not keep a grip, but Dr. Schaller made it possible with sheer and vivid writing.
Dr. Schaller was after the King Solomon’s ring. The mystical artefact that helped the mighty ruler to contact with animals and birds, to have a talk with nature. The writer did likewise, tried heart and soul for his inner quest – comprehending the wilderness. Measuring and managing human life on same par with a wild one is always been a life-long enigma of many who work for nature – conservationist or biologist – you name it. Yet, the author has grasped the maze well. The first dent of his success can be felt going through his relationship with Siegfried – the Great Blue Heron he raised. This is what I liked most about the book; his description of the beauty of wilderness with an impersonal tone of a veteran.
Let me give an instance of how he sketched two heartbroken incidents of strayed Wildebeests –a type of African antelope. In the vastness of the Serengeti, the instinct of newborn Wildebeest calves is to follow anything that moves. Such is the nature that once a calf detached from its herd started following a lion pride! In another, Dr. Schaller’s safari vehicle was being pursued as a putative mother! The harshness of nature touched Dr. Schaller’s wife Kay Schaller, as it would do to the most, to the level that she promised never to visit the Serengeti in calving season. But, surprisingly, he portrayed the happenings with an unflinching passion of an artist. He even named this chapter A Moveable Feast referring wildebeests’ irreplaceable significance to its prime predator – lion and hyena. Ultimately, he unraveled the tell-tale of how the Serengeti works, how the world around us spins.
There was no redundant compassion nor commercial narration, neither there was any blind anger; he just described what is true – like the universe – the nature is nonpareil and in downright peril. The way the book is written can be only possible for a true lover, a dedicated worshipper, for the one who is the closest to have an insight into the rules of nature.
So, of unfettered marvels and one-of-a-kind memories, nothing is exaggerated in A Naturalist and Other Beasts. Indeed, the works of Dr. Schaller will soon be (or it already is?) revered as gospels of the vanishing wilderness. You will see that the amplitude of his works is simply what a man could do best in single life – fighting for the beauties that are hardly understood and the purities that are ever sensed. Dr. Schaller’s quests have already resulted in region-wide conservation collaboration and several protected reserves, some of which are the world’s largest. The fight for a natural earth is on, it will ever be; and, it is all legit to crown the author as the crusader of wildlife conservation.
Pick the book as soon as you can. Try to plunge into the world of wilderness. Try to understand why they are worth saving. Getting to know what you wish to love is the first step and love, since bygone times, always leads to the greatest prodigies. Happy reading!
July 25, 2011
hodgepodge of his experiences around the world, lacks unifying theme and tends to be backward looking and reminescence. no bright message for conservation found here.
February 23, 2024
These snippets from a remarkable life tell stories from Schaller’s groundbreaking field work studying lions, tigers, snow leopards, Giant Pandas, Mountain Gorillas and a host of other creatures.
Written with a humble, thoughtful but passionate voice Schaller endures untold cold, hunger and deprivation to study and then help convince authorities the world over to set aside critical habitat. His legacy is unmatched and his writings will continue to inspire far into the future.
Written with a humble, thoughtful but passionate voice Schaller endures untold cold, hunger and deprivation to study and then help convince authorities the world over to set aside critical habitat. His legacy is unmatched and his writings will continue to inspire far into the future.
December 8, 2020
A delight to read. This is really a collection of Schaller's short essays, some written decades earlier, with just a few notes to update any necessary information. The pieces were breeze to get through, like concise short stories. Schaller's experiences and observations of remote species were insightful adn fascinating.
June 15, 2022
Estudiar, observar y conocer animales que pocos han visto. Llegar a lugares donde muy pocos han llegado. Y sentir un mundo a su alrededor de una sorprendente belleza.
January 2, 2013
Good book about a variety of animals, never focusing too long on any one or bogging down in too much detail. Somewhat depressing however, as a constant reminder of the great extinction event we are currently in and that is human caused.
Oh plus the author liberally and casually sprinkled in the word "decimate", which really means to reduce by one-tenth, so every instance of that words misusage irritated me. I know, I'm picky,
Oh plus the author liberally and casually sprinkled in the word "decimate", which really means to reduce by one-tenth, so every instance of that words misusage irritated me. I know, I'm picky,
Want to read
June 16, 2008As heard on "Science Talk", the Scientific American podcast.
January 28, 2016
A "walk in the woods" science but quite entertaining because of it.
April 2, 2017
If you want to learn about Schaller and his wildlife studies around the world, I'd read this book rather than the individual books he wrote. This book is a condensed version of those books and is more readable to me because I find his writing a bit bland, so this is easier to digest.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews