Cull of the Wild

WINNER OF THE ZSL CLARIVATE AWARD FOR COMMUNICATING ZOOLOGY. LONGLISTED FOR THE WAINWRIGHT PRIZE FOR WRITING ON CONSERVATION. 'Honest and intelligent.' CHRIS PACKHAM 'Expertly researched, engaging and even-handed.' BBC WILDLIFE 'Fascinating and indispensable.' GEORGE MONBIOT 'Every nature lover should read it.' AMY-JANE BEER Investigating the ethical and practical challenges of one of the greatest threats to biodiversity: invasive species. Globally, the threat to biodiversity of invasive species is on a par with habitat loss, climate change and pollution. Tackling this isn't easy, and nobody knows that better than Hugh Warwick. As a conservationist, he loathes the idea of killing, harming or even eating animals. As an ecologist, he is acutely aware of the need, at times, to kill invasive species whose presence harms the wider environment. How do we protect endangered native species? Which species do we prioritise? And how do we reckon with killing anything in the name of conservation? Taking a balanced approach to this emotive subject, Hugh talks to experts on all sides as he explores the impact of species control. In his signature humorous style, he outlines the issues conservationists face in managing non-native animals and protecting native species, including grey and red squirrels on Anglesey, ravens and tortoises in the Mojave Desert, and unique cases like Pablo Escobar's cocaine hippos and the Burmese python pet trade.

Hugh Warwick is an ecologist, writer and hedgehog expert. He is the author of three non-fiction narratives: A Prickly Affair, The Beauty in the Beast and Linescapes, and two books on hedgehogs and beavers. He has written for BBC Wildlife, New Scientist, The Guardian and The Daily Telegraph, and has spoken about wildlife protection on national television and radio. Hugh is the spokesperson for the Hedgehog Preservation Society and runs courses on hedgehog conservation.

Introduction Chapter 1: Hedgehogs Aside: Cane toads Chapter 2: Residents Aside: Capercaillie and the pine marten Chapter 3: Squirrels Aside: Deer Chapter 4: Lundy Aside: Dormice Chapter 5: Scilly Aside: Galapagos Chapter 6: Orkney Aside: Raccoons Chapter 7: Minkicide Aside: Pythons Chapter 8: Keepers Aside: Cocaine hippos Chapter 9: New Zealand Aside: Scottish wildcat Chapter 10: Compassionate conservation Aside: Fortress conservation Chapter 11: Ethically consistent conservation - a manifesto Acknowledgements Further reading Index