Helping Hedgehogs and the Ethical Issues with Conservation
Join ecologist Hugh Warwick, and writer Molly Tait-Hyland, for an insightful discussion on how we might help Britain’s favourite mammal, the hedgehog, and Hugh's new book, Cull of the Wild, where he explores the complexities of conservation.
Join ecologist Hugh Warwick, and writer Molly Tait-Hyland, for an insightful discussion on how we might help Britain’s favourite mammal, the hedgehog, and Hugh's new book, Cull of the Wild, where he explores the complexities of conservation.
Join ecologist Hugh Warwick, and writer Molly Tait-Hyland, for an insightful discussion on how we might help Britain’s favourite mammal, the hedgehog, and Hugh's new book, Cull of the Wild, where he explores the complexities of conservation.
Hugh Warwick
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.
Molly Tait-Hyland
Molly is a food writer and editor. For eight years, she worked as contributing editor on the Observer Food Monthly, writing, editing and commissioning. She has also contributed to publications such as Guardian Feast and the Observer Magazine, and is part way through a Master's in Food Policy at City University. Molly is married to Charlie Hibbert, chef Patron of Thyme, and presently spends her days looking after their baby, Florence.
Cull of the Wild: Killing in the Name of Conservation
Across the world, invasive species pose a danger to ecosystems. The UN Convention on Biological Diversity ranks them as a major threat to biodiversity on par with habitat loss, climate change and pollution.
Tackling this isn’t easy, and no one knows this better than Hugh Warwick, a conservationist who loathes the idea of killing, harming or even eating animals. Yet as an ecologist, he is acutely aware of the need, at times, to kill invasive species whose presence harms the wider environment.
Hugh explores the complex history of species control, revealing the global movement of species and the impacts of their presence. Combining scientific theory with gentle humour in his signature style, he explains the issues conservationists face to control non-native animals and protect native species – including grey and red squirrels on Anglesey, ravens and tortoises in the Mojave Desert, cane toads in Australia and the smooth-billed ani on the Galapagos – and describes cases like Pablo Escobar’s cocaine hippos and the Burmese python pet trade.
Taking a balanced and open approach to this emotive subject, Hugh speaks to experts on all sides of the debate. How do we protect endangered native species? Which species do we prioritise? And how do we reckon with the ethics of killing anything in the name of conservation?
PRAISE FOR CULL OF THE WILD
Dubbed "Fascinating, intelligent and indispensable" by George Monbiot.
