About the Authors
Dennis Pemble
Now retired, Dennis Pemble worked as a wildlife control officer in British Columbia for thirty years. During his career, he had the opportunity to share his experiences with wildlife authors and reporters, bringing them on ride-alongs to witness his work first hand. Pemble has also contributed expertise to Smithsonian magazine, Los Angeles Times magazine, Reader’s Digest, among other publications. He has participated in numerous interviews with media including Reuters, National Geographic TV, and a Japanese TV station.
Dennis Pemble lives in Abbotsford, British Columbia, with his wife, Karen. They spent several months writing this book in their cabin on Shuswap Lake.
Dennis Pemble lives in Abbotsford, British Columbia, with his wife, Karen. They spent several months writing this book in their cabin on Shuswap Lake.
About the Book
The Last Wildlife Control Officer in British Columbia
Thirty Years of Dealing with Problem Predators
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When Dennis Pemble was a kid, he never dreamed of becoming a wildlife control officer. After struggling in school because of a learning disability and being bullied by classmates, Pemble finally found his footing after discovering his aptitude for trapping coyotes and training hound dogs. That short-term job set Pemble on a career path that spanned three decades, taking him on calls everywhere from the remote reaches of the Sunshine Coast to urban parks in Vancouver.
The Last Wildlife Control Officer in British Columbia: Thirty Years of Dealing with Problem Predators is a memoir composed of thirty-six short stories drawn from Dennis Pemble’s diaries, co-authored with his wife, Karen Pemble. Each wildlife encounter is as educational as it is entertaining, with Pemble sharing expertise on why some animals simply can’t be relocated. He tells tales of near misses, punctuated by moments of hilarity and camaraderie with fellow conservation officers, whether stories of tracking stealthy cougars on the loose (often with beloved hounds Molly, Luke, and Tango leading the charge), relocating grizzly bears, catching a coyote hiding in a gas-station store, and finding the safest way to remove an uninvited guest at the Pacific National Exhibition. |
Some photos from the book:
This is a juvenile cougar that had been secured to a tree for safekeeping after being tranquillized. Now wide awake, still secured, but unhappy about it.
The first grizzly I had ever snared and relocated.
This black bear, in North Vancouver, fell asleep where he is laying while running away after being shot with a tranquillizer dart.
Unfortunately, I was forced to shoot this cougar in the massive Labatt Brewery building in downtown New Westminster.
We are securing a tranquillized female grizzly in a cargo net in preparation of relocating her via helicopter.
Me with a tranquillized grizzly prior to relocation. He had charged Neil VanLoon on his ATV in the Pemberton Valley.
We are attempting to secure the partially tranquillized adult male ostrich at Abbotsford International Airport before moving him back to the farm where he had escaped.
Me with an adult female bald eagle that I had rescued from a leg-hold trap.
It took a several tranquillizer darts to put this infamous grizzly from the Pemberton Valley to sleep. He was later relocated and named Winston. He was one very tough and determined grizzly.
Me with Tango, the hound that saved a cougar's life.
Bookstore
Reviews
Goodreads Reviews - 4 community reviews 5/5 stars
Reviewed by Ian W.
If you are any sort of an outdoors person you will enjoy Dennis Pemble's book "The Last Wildlife Control Officer in British Columbia". The book is a delightful account of one man's career of dealing with problem wildlife in BC. The pain Dennis feels when he has to euthanize an animal is evident as is the joy he feels when a healthy animal can be transported to a new area to live out their lives.
The humour that breaks the tension of a of a hairy, scary event with a mature adult grizzly bear brought many chuckles to my reading time.
I laughed out loud when I read Dennis's account of dancing around his truck as a grizzly is his dancing partner on the opposite side of the truck.
"Did you say Ostrich", Chapter 25 with pictures of Dennis as he succeeds in tranquilizing a mature male ostrich that is an escapee from a game farm is just another job in the day of Wildlife Control Officer.
I enjoyed the way Dennis involved his wife Karen on many if the local "rescues" and how he involved his young children by allowing them to see many of the tranquillized or caged animals so they could learn to respect and understand the work their Dad did and to respect the lives wild animals deserve to live in spite of their encounters with humans.
Lastly, in chapter 34 "Fate" I learn a little more about the author and have even more respect for him as he discusses his encounter with an indigenous woman who is trapped by a fallen tree.
The book "The Last Wildlife Control Officer in British Columbia is a delightful read. I was sorry to turn the last page.
Reviewed by John T. on Amazon.ca 5/5 stars
Amazing Read
I highly recommend buying this incredible book!! Full of the most exciting stories of a career spent as a Wildlife Control Officer trapping grizzlies, black bears, cougars and coyotes. The close calls and encounters keeps you wanting more. An amazing career protecting the public and predators. An incredible life for Dennis and the Pemble family. Thank you to Dennis, Karen and the Pemble family for sharing these stories for everyone to enjoy.
Reviewed by Larry T. on Amazon.ca 5/5 stars
Great Book
Is a great read
Reviewed by James E. on Amazon.ca 4/5 stars
Well Written
This is a great read about a wildlife control officer dealing with problem bears and cougars near populated areas. My only complaint is with grayscale photos as much detail is lost. Well written, great read.
Reviewed by John T. on Amazon.ca 5/5 stars
Amazing Read
I highly recommend buying this incredible book!! Full of the most exciting stories of a career spent as a Wildlife Control Officer trapping grizzlies, black bears, cougars and coyotes. The close calls and encounters keeps you wanting more. An amazing career protecting the public and predators. An incredible life for Dennis and the Pemble family. Thank you to Dennis, Karen and the Pemble family for sharing these stories for everyone to enjoy.
Reviewed by Gslimboy on Amazon.ca 5/5 stars
Exhilerating Reading!
A page turner for sure! Kept me reading and wanting more after every chapter. Very well written!!
Reviewed by Keltie S. on Amazon.ca 5/5
Excellent Book
Absolute amazing book. It is very interesting reading all the stories, I couldn’t put the book down. I highly recommend this book.
Reviewed by Amazon Customer on Amazon.ca 5/5 stars
Such a great read!
I loved how descriptive each story was, you could really picture what the author went through in each one of the intense and very sensitive situations, and while some of the stories are a bit scary, they are also extremely exciting to read. Provides such a glimpse into what it was like to be in a job position such as his. Highly recommend!
Reviewed by Becky B on Amazon.ca 5/5 stars
Very gripping
The stories, were wonderful to read.
Reviewed by April C. on Amazon.ca 5/5 stars
I had trouble putting it down
The author had a thrilling career where at times he put his life on the line. Each chapter is a new & exciting journey.
Reviewed by Avid Reader on Amazon.ca 5/5 stars
Knowledgeable Author
I loved that the author was able to explain how and why he relocated problem wildlife. The stories were sometimes sad, but most ended happily. He had some very close calls!
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Thanks for your support!