Text and photographs Copyright © 2019 Jim and Jamie Dutcher Compilation Copyright © 2019 National Geographic Partners, LLC Published by National Geographic Partners, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction of the whole or any part of the contents without written permission from the publisher is prohibited. Since 1888, the National Geographic Society has funded more than 12,000 research, exploration, and preservation projects around the world. The Society receives funds from National Geographic Partners, LLC, funded in part by your purchase. A portion of the proceeds from this book supports this vital work. To learn more, visit natgeo.com/info. NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC and Yellow Border Design are trademarks of the National Geographic Society, used under license. For more information, visit nationalgeographic.com, call 1-800-647-5463, or write to the following address: National Geographic Partners 1145 17th Street N.W. Washington, D.C. 20036-4688 U.S.A. Visit us online at nationalgeographic.com/books For librarians and teachers: ngchildrensbooks.org More for kids from National Geographic: natgeokids.com National Geographic Kids magazine inspires children to explore their world with fun yet educational articles on animals, science, nature, and more. Using fresh storytelling and amazing photography, Nat Geo Kids shows kids ages 6 to 14 the fascinating truth about the world—and why they should care. kids.nationalgeographic.com/subscribe For rights or permissions inquiries, please contact National Geographic Books Subsidiary Rights: [email protected] Designed by Sanjida Rashid Map: Evelyn B. Phillips; Map: National Geographic Maps; Illustration: Fernando G. Baptista. The publisher would like to thank everyone who made this book possible: Kate Hale, executive editor; Paige Towler, associate editor; Mike McNey, cartographer; Shannon Hibberd, senior photo editor; Sally Abbey, managing editor; Joan Gossett, editorial production manager; and Anne LeongSon and Gus Tello, production assistants. Hardcover ISBN: 978-1-4263-3358-3 Reinforced library binding ISBN: 978-1-4263-3359-0 Ebook ISBN 9781426333606 v5.4 a Jim and Jamie Dutcher grew up in different places, but they both loved exploring the great outdoors. They had a passion for observing wildlife that continues to this day. Along with that passion comes immense respect for wild animals, and for their wildness. If you see a wild animal, be respectful just like Jim and Jamie. Observe the animal from a safe distance and don’t disturb it. Let it be wild. In this memoir, Jim and Jamie each tell different parts of their adventures with wolves. Jim tells much of the first half because Jamie didn’t join the wolf project until its third year. Yet, she was always very much a part of it. Long before she arrived at wolf camp, Jamie helped keep the project on a steady course through advice and encouragement offered in letters and phone conversations. Many of these communications are recalled in this story. For our grandchildren, Arianna, Sofia, Natalie, Sebastian, and Emiko; our nephew, Sam-Henry; and our niece, Madeline. And for young people everywhere—may you always follow your dreams. Together, we can make a difference for the natural world.
—Jim and Jamie Dutcher
CHAPTER 1 LONGING FOR WILDERNESS
CHAPTER 3 BEGINNINGS OF THE SAWTOOTH PACK
CHAPTER 6 A COMPASSIONATE ALPHA
