Wolf: The Illustrated Biography Canid News 2026 issue 2
A new book by wolf biologist Douglas W. Smith offers an accessible, richly illustrated introduction to the lives of wolves around the world.
In Wolf: The Illustrated Biography, Smith draws on more than four decades of wolf research to explore the biology, behavior, social lives, and conservation of one of the world’s most iconic carnivores. Written for a broad audience, the book follows wolves through the major stages of their lives, from denning and pup-rearing to dispersal, hunting, communication, territoriality, and pack relationships.
The book also places wolves in a wider ecological and social context, examining their evolutionary history, global diversity, relationships with prey, and often complicated coexistence with people. Alongside profiles of wolves from North America, Europe, and Asia, it considers what their future may hold in a rapidly changing world.
Smith is best known for his long-standing work on wolves in Yellowstone National Park and earlier contributions to the Isle Royale wolf study. Here, he combines that experience with more than 100 colour illustrations to create a science-based portrait of wolves for readers ranging from students and wildlife enthusiasts to conservation practitioners.
Douglas W. Smith is also among the invited speakers at the 2026 International Wolf Symposium, to be held in Minnesota from 22–25 October. Registration remains open.
