Alexandra Morton Livres

"Alexandra Morton has been called "the Jane Goodall of Canada." Here is her brilliant account of her thirty-year fight to save British Columbia's wild salmon, inspiring in its own right but also a roadmap of resistance. Alexandra Morton came north from California in the early 1980s, following her first love--the northern resident orca. In remote Echo Bay, in the Broughton Archipelago, she found the perfect place to settle into all she had ever dreamed of: a lifetime of observing and learning what these big-brained mammals are saying to each other. She was also lucky enough to get there just in time to witness a place of true natural abundance, and learned how to thrive in the wilderness as a scientist and a single mother. Then, in 1989, industrial aquaculture moved into the region, chasing the whales away. Her First Nations neighbours, whose people had depended on the bounty of wild salmon for 10,000 years, asked her if she would write letters on their behalf to government protesting the damage the farms were doing to the fisheries, and one thing led to another. Soon Alex had shifted her scientific focus to documenting the infectious diseases and parasites that pour from the ocean pens of Atlantic salmon into the migration routes of wild Pacific salmon, and then to proving their disastrous impact on wild salmon and the entire ecosystem of the coast. Alex stood against the farms, first representing her community, then alone, and at last as part of an uprising that built around her as ancient Indigenous governance resisted a province and a country that wouldn't recognize their own laws. She has used her science, many acts of protest and the legal system in her unrelenting efforts to save wild salmon--a story that reveals her own doggedness and bravery but also shines a bright light on the ways other humans doggedly resist the truth. Here, she brilliantly calls those humans to account: for their sake, as much as ours, they need to listen to the wisdom of the wild salmon and of the people who have lived with them for 10,000 years."-- Provided by publisher

In Listening to Whales, Alexandra Morton shares spellbinding stories about her career in whale and dolphin research and what she has learned from and about these magnificent mammals. In the late 1970s, while working at Marineland in California, Alexandra pioneered the recording of orca sounds by dropping a hydrophone into the tank of two killer whales. She recorded the varied language of mating, childbirth, and even grief after the birth of a stillborn calf. At the same time she made the startling observation that the whales were inventing wonderful synchronized movements, a behavior that was soon recognized as a defining characteristic of orca society. In 1984, Alexandra moved to a remote bay in British Columbia to continue her research with wild orcas. Her recordings of the whales have led her to a deeper understanding of the mystery of whale echolocation, the vocal communication that enables the mammals to find their way in the dark sea. A fascinating study of the profound communion between humans and whales, this book will open your eyes anew to the wonders of the natural world.

NATIONAL BESTSELLER Alexandra Morton has been called "the Jane Goodall of Canada" because of her passionate thirty-year fight to save British Columbia's wild salmon. Her account of that fight is both inspiring in its own right and a roadmap of resistance. Alexandra Morton came north from California in the early 1980s, following her first love—the northern resident orca. Then, in 1989, industrial aquaculture moved into the region, chasing the whales away. Soon Alex had shifted her scientific focus to documenting the infectious diseases and parasites that pour from the ocean farm pens of Atlantic salmon into the migration routes of wild Pacific salmon, and then to proving their disastrous impact on wild salmon and the entire ecosystem of the coast. Alex stood against the farms, first representing her community, then alone, and at last as part of an uprising in which ancient Indigenous governance resisted a province and a country that wouldn't obey their own court rulings. She has used her science, many acts of protest and the legal system in her unrelenting efforts to save wild salmon and ultimately the whales—a story that reveals her own perseverance and bravery, but also shines a bright light on the ways other humans doggedly resist the truth. Here, she brilliantly calls those humans to account for the sake of us all.

This award-winning book, recognized with the 2005 Roderick Haig-Brown BC Book Prize, delves into the rich tapestry of British Columbia's natural and cultural history. It intricately weaves personal narratives with environmental themes, highlighting the region's stunning landscapes and the importance of conservation. Through vivid storytelling, the author captures the essence of life in British Columbia, making it a compelling read for nature enthusiasts and those interested in the interplay between humanity and the environment.

Exploring themes of impermanence and stewardship, the book reflects on humanity's transient relationship with the Earth. It emphasizes that ownership is an illusion, as all things existed before us and will continue after we're gone. Through the perspective of Billy Proctor, the narrative invites readers to reconsider their impact on the planet and fosters a deeper appreciation for the natural world.

Sie sind ein Wunder der Natur, ihre Intelligenz herausragend, ihre Gesänge faszinierend und rätselhaft. Wer sind diese Säugetiere, die vor 15 Millionen Jahren ins Meer zurückkehrten? Die amerikanische Biologin Alexandra Morton widmet ihr Leben den Schwertwalen und betreibt vor British Columbia ihre eigene Walforschungsstation. Seit Jahrzehnten beobachtet sie die intelligenten Meeressäugetiere in freier Natur, begleitet sie mit dem Boot, belauscht ihr Familienleben und erforscht ihre Sprache. Ein eindrucksvolles Dokument über das Leben der sanften Meeresriesen. 'Alexandra Morton entführt uns in die magische Welt unter Wasser, wo wir Kreaturen begegnen, die zu den intelligentesten der Erde gehören. Sie ist eine exzellente Wissenschaftlerin, aber am tiefsten beeindruckt hat mich ihre Liebe zu den Walen.' Jane Goodall