What is Wildlife Conservation?
WILDLIFE 911: ON PATROL by Wildlife Conservation Officer John Borkovich – a Book Review
When we think of Wildlife Officers bravely battling poachers, trophy hunters and greedy lowlifes to protect our endangered wildlife, we think of the war. And it IS a dangerous, fighting WAR. We think of the brave and dedicated men and women of Africa.
But the war is now being fought much closer to home.
And has been for years! Just think of the North-West Mounted Police who, shortly after arriving in the North-West Territories in 1874, had to fight foreign buffalo hunters to protect the quickly disappearing bison herds. If not for the “few shaggy bunches” of bison that the Mounties were able to save, the herds later re-established in American and Canadian western sanctuaries would never have happened. The plains buffalo, in fact, would have been extinct.
In the past few decades in North America, the ante has been upped!
And the personal unknown histories of our modern heroes are just beginning to be told. What’s quickly becoming plain is that conservation officer jobs ain’t easy!
Wildlife Conservation Officer John Borkovich tells us of his adventures experienced over 27 years in the State of Michigan.
“I continued yelling, ‘Drop your gun’ as I began pulling my trigger back to shoot the poacher. Not dropping his gun forced me several times during the standoff to pull the trigger on my .40 caliber Sig Sauer…”
WILDLIFE 911: ON PATROL
WILDLIFE 911: ON PATROL, “Through the Eyes of Conservation Officer John Borkovich,” from Arbutus Press, is a “collection of short stories about a DNR Conservation Officer’s encounters and investigations in the field.
“The stories range from funny encounters to serious and potentially deadly use of force while protecting our natural resources. Poachers, gunmen shooting salmon, litterers dumping construction waste, lost hunters, found hunters, thieves, and even terrorists planning an attack on ‘American Boys’ engage the readers throughout the pages.”
Encounters with bizarre religious cults, devious burglars, illegal immigrants and much more are told in Michigan Conservation Officer John Borkovich’s new book, WILDLIFE 911: ON PATROL.
It’s available on Amazon.
Ride along on “armchair” patrol with Officer Borkovich as he outsmarts deer poachers, thwarts fish thieves, and foils outlaws and felons. All while putting his life in danger as he protects Michigan’s natural resources. John’s collection of true stories is action-packed, suspenseful, and often humorous.
The love and admiration of nature are what drew Officer Borkovich into the profession. As John became more and more interested in the natural resources around him, he realized that he wanted and needed to dedicate himself to enjoying and respecting our wildlife. Also to protecting our fish, game, and natural resources.
My Mission: Protect & Preserve
The Michigan conservation officer says, “My mission is to be part of the Conservationist Movement to protect and preserve natural resources for future generations. So that they can experience and love nature like I do.”
His love of nature has led him to a long and successful career against poaching, land abuse, litter and pollution. He has even experienced dangerous (and often amusing) encounters featuring gun and knife fights.
In an article posted on the NRA website titled “Why I Served as a Conservation Officer,” John wrote, “This conservation movement seems to be fueled by our love for animals. Loving and respecting our wildlife and its habitat is what this conservation movement represents.” [1]
The Borkovich Brothers
John Borkovich isn’t the only family member who has served as a conservation police officer in Michigan. His brother Mike is now sheriff in Leelanau County. And his brother Bruce is now police chief at Ferris State University in Big Rapids. “Most of the reasons came from the fact our father taught us to protect the resources and respect fish and game,” John explained in an interview with the Times-Herald.
John was part of the DNR Firearms Transition Team and was also a firearms instructor. He was a Field Training Officer for recruit conservation officers and was an instructor at the Conservation Officer Police Academy held at the Michigan State Police headquarters in Lansing. John received many safe driving awards and received recognition for his “Fit for Duty” performances.
John was an adjunct professor at St. Clair County Community College in the criminal justice department. He developed the curriculum for two separate courses at the college and taught the Conservation Law Enforcement and Environmental Law Enforcement classes.
He has received many awards and accommodations:
- The Shikar-Safari International Wildlife Officer of the Year Award.
- The National Wild Turkey Federation Michigan Officer of the Year.
- John received lifesaving awards and has been recognized many times by the Michigan State Police and St. Clair County Sheriff Department.
You can learn more about Officer Borkovich’s book WILDLIFE 911: ON PATROL here: Wildlife911Officer.com. John has published a sequel, NATURE 911:THE PATH.
As of this update, WILDLIFE 911 is “Currently Unavailable” on Amazon as a paper book, but has been released as a Kindle eBook. A GREAT READ!
“Live Free, Mon Ami!” – Brian Alan Burhoe
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[1] “Why I Served as a Conservation Officer” https://www.nrahlf.org/articles/2017/6/27/why-i-served-as-a-conservation-officer/
UPDATED August 8, 2024.
WILDLIFE 911: ON PATROL by Wildlife Conservation Officer John Borkovich – a Book Review
Keywords: Environmental Conservation Officer, Nature Conservation Officer, NRA website.
Source: Civilized Bears, John Borkovich and PRNewswire
