WILD LIFE

A wildlife ecologist takes us on a journey of ambition, discovery, and inner acceptance.

From a study-abroad trip in Kenya as an undergraduate, to discovering endangered lemurs in a hidden Madagascar rainforest, to studying carnivores like the mountain lion and black bears in the U.S., Wynn-Grant, author of Tracking the American Black Bear, reveals her academic and personal journey as a Black woman in a field dominated by white men. The author is candid about her hesitation to dive completely into such a field in the early 2000s, when representation was scarce. Thankfully, encouraging mentors throughout her impressive academic career (she has degrees from Emory, Yale, and Columbia) changed this uncertainty and supported the ambitions that would lead to her first up-close experiences with some of the world’s most dangerous carnivores. During her incredible ventures into the wilderness, Wynn-Grant always pays close attention to the impact of human-animal conflict, which has been a focus of her research throughout her career. While this intersection frequently results in the death or displacement of animals, the author also describes the ways in which human involvement is positive. “Humans are a part of the en­vironment. Human life, human dignity, and human livelihoods play a necessary, inseparable role in the health and functioning of ecosystems,” she writes. “While this may seem obvious, it’s a difficult con­cept to keep at the top of your mind when your whole career is oriented toward saving nonhuman animals.” While breathtaking moments with dangerous wildlife abound, Wynn-Grant also examines fraught relationships, mental hardships, and even instances of imposter syndrome that no amount of qualifications can quell. Throughout, we see a dedicated scientist fighting for the life she wants—and achieving it.

This isn’t simply a nature book or memoir, but a memorable marriage of the two that will leave readers inspired.