Set half a world away, this story of field research and endangered species echoes a familiar truth: native habitats matter.
Book Review
Owls of the Eastern Ice by Jonathan C. Slaght
by Barb Key
Jonathan chronicles his five-year PhD project to understand the life of the endangered Blakiston’s fish owl and develop a conservation plan for the species. These reclusive giants—the largest owls in the world—are found in the far eastern reaches of Russia, near the Sea of Japan.
The project unfolds in the Primorye region, beginning in a small town made up primarily of government-collectivized Udege natives, many of whom are wary of outsiders. In fact, the town of Agzu may stem from the Udege word for “hell.”
Jonathan, uniquely qualified for this daunting task, shares an engaging account filled with determination, innovation, and harrowing encounters as his team perseveres through the wild, harsh, and pristine landscape these owls inhabit. He skillfully weaves together science, species-habitat interactions, and both natural and manmade environmental changes into a narrative that makes the reader feel like a member of the team.
I highly recommend this book, which was named a Best Book of the Year by NPR, The Wall Street Journal, and Smithsonian Magazine.
