Cull of the Wild

LONGLISTED FOR THE WAINWRIGHT PRIZE FOR WRITING ON CONSERVATION

'Honest and intelligent.' Chris Packham
'Expertly researched, engaging and even-handed.' BBC Wildlife

Investigating the ethical and practical challenges of one of the greatest threats to biodiversity: invasive species.

Globally, the threat to biodiversity of invasive species lies 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 the ethics of killing anything in the name of conservation? Taking a balanced approach to this emotive subject, Hugh talks to experts on all sides of the debate as he explores the complex history of species control and the impact of the global movement of species.

In his signature humorous style, he explains the scientific theory and outlines the issues conservationists face in controlling non-native animals and protecting native species, including grey and red squirrels on Anglesey, ravens and tortoises in the Mojave Desert, and cane toads in Australia as well as unique case studies like Pablo Escobar’s cocaine hippos and the Burmese python pet trade.