216: EU Wolves and the Conservation Success Conundrum with Hanna Pettersson

Winter landscape showing a snow-covered alpine valley with traditional wooden chalets scattered across rolling hills. Dramatic snow-capped mountain peaks rise in the background beneath a cloudy sky with soft golden light. Bare trees dot the foreground of the pristine white valley.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/4oeCe6ki4rstiNJjSAveCH?si=6ZBMYXCvQByzGbOMvo-oNg Can we find a middle ground between those who see the EU's wolf downlisting as a catastrophe and those who celebrate it as good news? The debate around wolf conservation in the EU has become frustratingly polarised, with both sides 'crying wolf' about the consequences of changing protection status. It's time to step back … Continue reading 216: EU Wolves and the Conservation Success Conundrum with Hanna Pettersson →

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 →

The Myth of Historic Range in Wolf Conservation

Cover art featuring a stylised, sepia-toned map of a mountainous region with rivers and islands. In the foreground, a detailed illustration of a grey wolf stands prominently. The image is framed by ornate borders with decorative elements in the corners. A parchment-like scroll with indecipherable text is positioned in the upper right corner. The overall aesthetic evokes an old-world, fantasy cartographic style.

As you might know, the European Commission is moving forward with the proposal to lower the protection status of wolves in the EU. This reliably sparks fierce discussions online. Here, I want to focus on a specific element of these discussions: the historic range. The term is used in various contexts, but the underlying argument … Continue reading The Myth of Historic Range in Wolf Conservation →