Let’s Talk About Europe’s Wolf Protection Laws

A dramatic digital artwork depicting five snarling wolves with bared teeth, shown in close-up against a dark, moody background. The wolves have detailed fur rendered in golden-brown and white tones. They appear to be confronting each other aggressively, with their paws extended and bodies positioned on what appears to be gnarled tree branches. The lighting creates a theatrical, Renaissance-style atmosphere with golden highlights contrasting against shadowy areas.

As you may have heard, the Standing Committee of the Berne Convention (an international legal instrument for nature conservation) decided to lower the protection status of wolves. This opens the way to lower their protection status across the EU through the Habitats Directive. The move had been on the cards for over a year, and … Continue reading Let’s Talk About Europe’s Wolf Protection Laws →

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 →

Hunters for Conservation, Goals and Ambitions

“Hunters are conservationists” or “hunting is conservation” are phrases that we hear so often that they might sound clichéd. I have discussed whether such generalisations are true or not countless times on my podcast. Regardless of your opinion, it is undeniable that hunters and hunting organisations across the world can and do contribute to great … Continue reading Hunters for Conservation, Goals and Ambitions →

173: The Last Keeper with Tom Opre

https://open.spotify.com/episode/0N8epa2TaWtSa7vTf5h1nB I have been waiting for Tom Opre’s new film “The Last Keeper” since I learned in July 2022 that he and his team are working on it. Well, the wait was over for me at the beginning of February 2023, as I was the only person in Ireland to screen the film. The wait … Continue reading 173: The Last Keeper with Tom Opre →

Episode 76: The True Green Alliance with Ron Thomson

https://open.spotify.com/episode/4rYSKrw18B0qZzV1WvqiiT?si=L3DjEpujQmWrQUFaVpoySA&dl_branch=1 Ron Thomson should be well known to anyone interested in wildlife management on the African continent. He started his career as a game ranger in 1959. Throughout his career, he has worked in Africa's biggest and most prestigious game reserves. He has published fourteen books and we can safely say that he is one … Continue reading Episode 76: The True Green Alliance with Ron Thomson →