Ernest Thompson Seton (1860-1946) first published Wild Animals I Have Known in 1898 and is the first example of wild animal realistic fiction. This was likely published with a children's audience in mind. It is a collection of short stories including "Lobo the King of Currumpaw," about Seton's hunting of wild wolves in southwestern United States.
Following publication, Seton was one of the founding members of the Boy Scouts of America in 1910.
Wild Animals I Have Known was later criticized by naturalist John Burroughs, who cited Seton as writing sentimental animal stories and fabricating events and wild animal behavior.