Wildlife Adventures in the Canadian West

Monika Rohlmann is an environmental consultant in Victoria, B.C.

The author emigrated from Holland to Alberta in 1959, arriving with an
enormous passion for adventure and a keen interest in understanding
wilderness. This book of observations about predator–prey relations in
the wilds of Alberta is the result of self-funded holiday excursions and
weekend trips that Dekker took over a period of more than 40 years.

Wolf stories dominate the observations, from the author’s early days
exploring wild rivers in the Yukon to his regular visits to Jasper
National Park. As he chased the elusive wolf, Dekker made detailed notes
about other animals: bears, cougars, elk, deer, fox, coyote, and otter.
A 14-page insert of color photographs provides a firsthand look at some
of Dekker’s camping techniques and wildlife observations. Having
realized early on that his focus would be on producing field notes, he
chose to keep to a minimum the distraction of a camera lens.

Dekker’s everyday observations and personal camping stories reveal a
landscape that is neither teaming with wildlife nor filled with vicious
predators. His book will encourage budding naturalists to spend time in
the outdoors just to see what is really there.