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What’s to be done about a jaywalking moose? A bear caught breaking and entering? A murderous tree? Three hundred years ago, animals that broke the law would be assigned legal representation and put on trial. These days, as New York Times best-selling author Mary Roach discovers, the answers are best found not in jurisprudence but in science: the curious science of human-wildlife conflict, a discipline at the crossroads of human behavior and wildlife biology. Roach tags along with animal-attack forensics investigators, human-elephant conflict specialists, bear managers, and "danger tree" faller blasters. Intrepid as ever, she travels from leopard-terrorized hamlets in the Indian Himalaya to St. Peter’s Square in the early hours before the pope arrives for Easter Mass, when vandal gulls swoop in to destroy the elaborate floral display. She taste-tests rat bait, learns how to install a vulture effigy, and gets mugged by a macaque. Combining little-known forensic science and conservation genetics with a motley cast of laser scarecrows, langur impersonators, and trespassing squirrels, Roach reveals as much about humanity as about nature’s lawbreakers. When it comes to "problem" wildlife, she finds, humans are more often the problem—and the solution. Fascinating, witty, and humane, Fuzz offers hope for compassionate coexistence in our ever-expanding human habitat.
This book investigates the science behind human-wildlife conflict, exploring how societies manage and respond to animals that transgress human-defined boundaries. Mary Roach, a New York Times best-selling author known for her engaging exploration of unusual scientific fields, delves into the discipline at the intersection of human behavior and wildlife biology. She embeds herself with experts such as animal-attack forensics investigators and bear managers, traveling to diverse locations from the Indian Himalaya to St. Peter's Square to observe these interactions firsthand. Through her characteristic blend of wit and scientific curiosity, Roach examines the methods used to deter, manage, and coexist with wildlife, ultimately questioning humanity's role in these conflicts.
Mary Roach's "Fuzz" is lauded for its characteristic blend of scientific inquiry and engaging humor, offering a unique perspective on the complex field of human-wildlife conflict. Reviewers highlight Roach's ability to make often-unsettling topics accessible and fascinating, drawing parallels between animal transgressions and human legal systems. The book is praised for its thorough research, which includes firsthand accounts from experts and immersive fieldwork in various global locations. Ultimately, "Fuzz" is recognized for its humane approach, encouraging thoughtful consideration of coexistence with nature in an increasingly human-dominated world.
Page Count:
336
Publication Date:
2022-08-30
Publisher:
National Geographic Books
ISBN-10:
1324036125
ISBN-13:
9781324036128
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