211: When Reintroductions Cause De-wilding with Alex Lees

A large pelican with distinctive dishevelled, cream-coloured plumage rests on weathered wooden logs. The bird displays its characteristic enormous pale yellow bill and bright orange eyes, with wispy feathers creating an almost comical 'bad hair day' appearance atop its head. The pelican's posture is relaxed as it sits amongst the timber, with its substantial body and wings folded naturally. The wooden logs show signs of age and weathering, creating interesting textures and lines that frame the bird. The background is softly blurred in dark tones, making the pale pelican stand out prominently in the composition.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/6mrrImy0I4FvZqKCVVb5zP Can species reintroductions harm biodiversity rather than help it? Why might bringing back wolves or lynx create more problems than solutions? Are we using reintroductions as a distraction from the real drivers of our nature crisis? In conversation with Alex Lees, Reader at Manchester Metropolitan University, we explore these questions and cut through popular … Continue reading 211: When Reintroductions Cause De-wilding with Alex Lees →

185: Farmers’ Perspective on Carnivore Reintroductions with Jonny Hanson

https://open.spotify.com/episode/4zglYTuVc3e21c943KDYu0 Can large carnivore conservation coexist with livestock farming? In this episode, environmental social scientist Jonny Hanson and I discuss the complex issue of large carnivore reintroductions in Britain and Ireland. What are farmers' perspectives on sharing landscapes with predators like wolves and lynx? How can we balance conservation goals with the realities of modern … Continue reading 185: Farmers’ Perspective on Carnivore Reintroductions with Jonny Hanson →

169: Species Reintroductions

https://open.spotify.com/episode/64pJp4xAbRfKSyrKYbkp2s Species reintroductions, often in the context of rewilding, is a topic that we frequently discuss on this podcast. It is also fiercely debated on social media. I have been asked more than once about my views and opinions on this topic. Do I support species reintroductions? Well, it depends. In this episode, I’m going … Continue reading 169: Species Reintroductions →

Episode 115: Coexisting with Large Carnivores with John Linnell

https://open.spotify.com/episode/2ZDufR9wqjnTW4lxZgCNIk?si=7065e1e340414628 Large terrestrial carnivores, like wolves, bears and lynx, are the poster children for conservation and rewilding efforts. Also, they are usually right in the epicentre of the human-wildlife conflict which always sparks emotions. That makes it easy to use them to politicize conservation. https://youtu.be/uZkolVlvu0k In many previous podcasts, our discussions about rewilding inevitably led … Continue reading Episode 115: Coexisting with Large Carnivores with John Linnell →

Episode 92: Upland Ecology with Cathy Mayne

https://open.spotify.com/episode/6KCZ7BclxG4NjcXbw9J5id?si=EcD570X0Q860K2w36B5aeg&dl_branch=1 In recent episodes, I have presented a whole host of views and opinions regarding rewilding, land management, and the need to change the way we coexist with nature. In this episode, we continue on that path, but with a guest, Dr Cathy Mayne, who has a particularly interesting perspective. That perspective might not be … Continue reading Episode 92: Upland Ecology with Cathy Mayne →

Episode 68: Rewilding, Wolves and Biodiversity with Pádraic Fogarty

https://open.spotify.com/episode/1UVSyEdYMpO5oPtBQ0Cb1f?si=j-Wgn-BETLSoeq7T8ClhYA&dl_branch=1 Pádraic is well known to my podcast listeners. He was our guest in episodes 20 and 35. And in episode 62 I talked with Patrick Cross about his work inspired by Pádraic’s book. There have been many things I have wanted to talk to Pádraic about since our last podcast, which was a year … Continue reading Episode 68: Rewilding, Wolves and Biodiversity with Pádraic Fogarty →