In this episode, large carnivore expert and Raincoast Senior Scientist Dr. Paul Paquet recounts some of his most impactful and memorable experiences from over 50 years of studying wolves around the world. From Russia, Ukraine, Poland, and the Carpathian mountains in Europe to Nunavut, Northwest Territories, and the Canadian Rockies, Paul was drawn to wherever wolves roamed. This included his time in northern Alaska with wolf researcher Bob Stevenson and author Barry Lopez, during the period when Lopez was writing Of Wolves and Men.

Paul reflects on the profound impact the women featured in this series have had on both his life and his understanding of wolves. He shares the inspiration behind curating the Of Wolves and Women series, emphasizing how important it was to recognize these women for their remarkable contributions in a truly special way. After speaking with Paul, it became evident just how humble these women are about their achievements, despite the lasting impact they’ve had — and continue to have — on the field of wolf research and conservation.

Finally, we discuss the core principles and values that have guided, and continue to guide, Raincoast’s work — emphasizing the importance of preserving scientific integrity, upholding ethical and moral frameworks in decision-making, and cultivating authentic, enduring relationships with Indigenous governments and communities.

Paul Paquet is a senior scientist with the Raincoast Conservation Foundation and an Adjunct Associate professor at the University of Victoria in the Department of Geography where he works closely with the Raincoast Applied Conservation Science Lab. As a world authority in conservation science, Paul has more than 50 years of scholarly and applied research experience. His research includes terrestrial mammals, marine mammals and birds, wildlife diseases, and genetics. He is recognized internationally as an expert on the ecology, behaviour and management of mammalian carnivores, especially wolves and bears. His studies span North America, Europe, Mid-East, and the Pacific Ocean. 

Paul’s research focuses on the interface between ecological theory and conservation, science and policy, and environmental ethics. He has spent decades covering subjects ranging from the worldwide decline of large carnivores to the philosophical relationship of ethics, animal welfare, and conservation; co-authoring more than 200 scholarly articles and co-editing several books addressing ecology, conservation, and environmental ethics. 

Dr. Paquet holds graduate degrees in philosophy, wildlife management and conservation, biology, and a PhD in zoology from University of Alberta. Academic appointments include Adjunct Professor of Biology and Associate Professor of Environmental Design at the University of Calgary, Adjunct Professor at University of Saskatchewan College of Veterinary Medicine, Adjunct Professor of Zoology at University of Manitoba, and Faculty Associate at Guelph University and University of New Brunswick. 

Paul serves on science advisory committees for Environment Canada, US Fish & Wildlife Service, Caribou Scientific Advisory Committee for Saskatchewan, WWF International, the European Union, and several Species Survival Commissions (SSC) of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). 

Additional resources:

• Books and symphonies mentioned
  • Of Wolves and Men (1978) by Barry Lopez
  • White Fang (1906) by Jack London
  • The Call of the Wild (1903) by Jack London
  • The Jungle Book (1894) by Rudyard Kipling
  • Peter and the Wolf (1936) by Sergei Prokofiev
• Remembering Chester “Lone Wolf” Starr
• Learn more about our Wolf Conservation Program

Raincoast Radio is hosted by Chelsea Greer and produced by Sofia Osborne, with additional audio editing by Oumar Salifou. This podcast is a production of Raincoast Conservation Foundation, a team of conservationists and scientists empowered by research to protect the lands, waters and wildlife of coastal British Columbia. Learn more and support our work at raincoast.org.