ITHACA, N.Y. -- Do humans help create risks of deer-car collisions, encounters with black bears and attacks from mountain lions? Following the record number of such hazardous interactions in recent years, wildlife managers, extension educators and community leaders across North America are struggling to meet the challenge of humans and wild animals living together in harmony.

Now, for the first time, the many aspects of this relationship have been folded into a new textbook: Human Dimensions of Wildlife Management in North America , by Daniel J. Decker, Cornell professor of natural resources; Tommy L. Brown, leader of Cornell's Human Dimensions Research Unit in natural resources; and William F. Siemer, researcher in natural resources.

The book addresses social and community values, providing a history of wildlife management and defining what the term "human dimensions" means. It discusses citizen participation in issues such as species restoration, agricultural and forest-land use, and urban and suburban environments. Published by The Wildlife Society in Bethesda, Md., the book is organized as a resource for professionals, as a stand-alone textbook for a wildlife management course and as a supplement to traditional biological. The book can be purchased through the Wildlife Society, 5410 Grosvenor Lane, Bethesda Md. 20814, (301) 897-9770. Non-member price, $40; member price, $35.

Related World Wide Web sites: The following site provides additional information on this news release.

o The Wildlife Society: http://www.wildlife.org

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