Alana Herro: the call of the wild.

• Author: Herro, Alana
• Position: WORLDWATCH FIRST-PERSON

On a bus traveling north through the Alaskan tundra last summer, my fellow passengers and I were quietly enjoying the blossoming landscape out our windows. Suddenly I straightened up and bellowed, "CARIBOU! 2 O'CLOCK!" Sleepiness and stiff joints were instantly forgotten and everyone on the bus rushed to my side of the vehicle, hoping for a glimpse of the stately animal.

In just the few days we'd been together, my tour group had quickly developed into a well-oiled wildlife-spotting machine. Together we managed to spot two sets of mama grizzlies and cubs, caribou, moose, foxes, and even a wolf. Each time, the resulting scramble for the best view reminded me of a school bus full of seven-year-olds on a...