Conservation and Science

What exactly is rewilding? Does it simply mean bringing back wolves, lynx and bears, or is there more to it? Can we balance food production and rural community needs with land left to natural processes and wildlife conservation? To answer these questions, I talk with Ian Parsons, editor of "Great Misconceptions: Rewilding Myths and Misunderstandings", a new book that explores common assumptions an...

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 assumptions about rewilding. Alex arg...

Sika ( cervus nippon ) is a mid-sized deer that was introduced to Ireland in the 1860s to the Powerscourt Estate. Soon after that, it started spreading across Ireland. Today, the main concentrations of sika are in Kerry, Wicklow, Tyrone and Fermanagh. More recently, it has also been found in Waterford, Galway, Limerick, and Wexford. The National Biodiversity Data Centre in Ireland lists sika as an...

Why are elephants dying slow deaths from starvation in African parks? Can contraceptives really solve wildlife overpopulation in fenced reserves? What happens when international animal rights organisations influence conservation decisions from thousands of miles away? These are the uncomfortable questions at the heart of one of conservation's most contentious debates. Ryan Davy spent 30 years work...

Should we worry about consuming venison from an animal harvested with lead ammunition? Will cutting out and discarding meat around the impact area solve the problem? And what are the best practices to keep us safe? Most of us have heard about the negative effects of lead on health. Not only on our health but also on the health of the ecosystems. In this episode, we are answering questions about th...

Can beavers save Britain's dying rivers? Are these ecosystem engineers the key to reversing the catastrophic decline of Atlantic salmon, or do their dams create impassable barriers for struggling fish populations? With salmon numbers plummeting by 70% in just 20 years and predictions they could vanish entirely within two decades, the stakes couldn't be higher. The reintroduction of beavers to Brit...

Are corvids overabundant pests or are they simply survivors in landscapes we've shaped? Why do these birds seem to look at us as intently as we look at them? What can ravens teach us about intelligence that might humble our sophisticated intelligence tests? This episode explores the world of corvids, from the familiar rooks and jackdaws to the acrobatic choughs and elusive jays that call Ireland h...

Why are no trespassing signs appearing on Irish mountains that hikers have accessed for decades? Can walkers really sue farmers when they injure themselves on private land? What happens when busloads of tourists arrive at remote trailheads with no permission from landowners? Our guest John Smyth, a hiker with 20 years' experience in Connemara and volunteer with Mountain Meitheal Ireland , reveals...

Why is the farming community so opposed to the American Prairie Foundation's rewilding vision? Can ranchers and conservationists find common ground when grizzly bears are eating cattle and wolves are reducing elk herds? What happens when well-meaning conservation efforts clash with rural communities who've worked the land for generations? To explore these contentious questions, I sit down with fil...

Why are people so opposed to the term "rewilding" when it can inspire action for nature restoration? How can we communicate conservation issues without alienating the very people we need to reach? And what happens when a creative professional decides to transform four fields in Wicklow into a biodiversity haven while documenting every step for others to follow? In this outdoor episode, we sit down...

How does a wealthy animal welfare organisation, funded by well-meaning donors from Europe and North America, end up relocating hundreds of elephants to an area where some of the world's poorest people live? What happens when two people are killed within 24 hours of the first four elephants arriving, yet the organisation presses on with moving another 259 elephants in just 30 days? Why are over 12,...

Is TB in deer a growing concern for Irish hunters? What happens when you shoot a deer infected with TB, and what are the realities from a hunter's perspective? In this episode of the Conservation and Science podcast, we dive into the contentious topic of bovine tuberculosis in deer - an issue I've attempted to cover for over a year. While scientists seemed reluctant to discuss it publicly, this ep...

Are we being locked out of the countryside, or is the narrative around land access more complex than it seems? How can we navigate the competing demands of farmers, conservationists, and recreational users? In Patrick's new book "Uncommon Ground: Rethinking Our Relationship with the Countryside", he tackles the contentious topic of land access in Britain - revealing perspectives that challenge bot...

What does it mean to 'rewild' a landscape in Ireland, one of Europe's most nature-poor countries? Can rewilding coexist with traditional farming practices, or must we choose between them? How do we balance the need for biodiversity recovery with the cultural and economic realities of rural communities? These questions are at the heart of this episode as we explore a movement gaining momentum despi...

Is Ireland ready to tackle its growing deer management challenges? How will the new national deer management programme impact hunters, landowners, and conservation efforts? What role do thermal imaging technologies play in modern wildlife management? In this milestone 200th episode of Conservation and Science, we welcome back Ashley Glover, a conservationist, master huntsman, and long-time friend...

Can one person sailing solo around the world contribute to scientific knowledge? What happens when you encounter illegal fishing vessels in the middle of the ocean? How can we address the growing crisis of plastic pollution in our seas? In this episode, we dive into these questions with Bert Terhart, a scientist, explorer and entrepreneur who circumnavigated the globe alone on his sailing yacht, c...

I feel like this episode is the ultimate guide to understanding coexistence with wolves. Once again I talk with ecological anthropologist Thorsten Gieser, this time about his excellent book “Living with Wolves: Affects, Feelings and Sentiments in Human-Wolf Coexistence”. In the episode, Thorsten recounts a tense atmosphere during the visit to a wolf kill site. We also talk about understanding emot...

Irish Whale and Dolphin Group and Irish Wildlife Trust . This episode is part of the global Podcasthon initiative, in which podcasters worldwide dedicate one episode to their chosen charity. To maximise impact, all episodes are published in a single week. I’m showcasing two of the most influential Irish environmental charities: the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group and the Irish Wildlife Trust. The co...

Is it possible for humans and large carnivores to share landscapes without conflict? What happens when predators like wolves, bears, and lynx return to areas where they've been absent for centuries? How do we balance the ecological benefits of apex predators with the real concerns of rural communities and farmers? We’re trying to answer these questions with our returning guest Dr Jonny Hanson, aut...

Are offshore wind farms detrimental to marine mammals? What happens when we industrialise our seas with massive turbines? Can we balance the urgent need for renewable energy with protecting marine life? These questions take centre stage in our conversation with marine ecologist Dr Stephen Comerford, who is the ORE Marine Biodiversity Officer at the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group . Stephen has years...

What makes someone kill an animal and still claim to care deeply about nature? Can the act of hunting foster environmental stewardship? These somewhat provocative questions lie at the heart of my conversation with Thorsten Gieser, an anthropologist studying hunting practices and their deeper meaning in modern society. Our discussion explores the complex emotional landscape of hunting and challenge...

What happens when Pacific salmon invade Atlantic waters? How does a Soviet-era experiment from the 1950s continue to impact Norwegian rivers today? We’re answering these questions in conversation with Jude Isabella , founder and editor-in-chief of Hakai Magazine. This episode was inspired by her three-week journey along Norway's border with Russia, documented in her article ‘ Where the Rivers Run...

Can hunting be an effective way to manage human-wildlife conflict? What happens when well-intentioned wildlife protection measures backfire? I spoke with Jens Ulrik Høgh, a Scandinavian hunting journalist, to find answers to these questions through the lens of Romania's bear management crisis. When hunting was banned in 2016 under pressure from animal rights groups, it led to an unexpected surge i...

The calendar year is coming to an end. Since the episode's scheduled date falls on the last day of the year, I feel it's fitting to publish a 2024 recap episode featuring the most interesting clips from all the episodes published this year - or rather, last year (2024). Subscribe to Tommy's Outdoors: Conservation and Science Newsletter Support the Podcast and Buy Me a Coffee . Follow Tommy's Outdo...

Unlike many podcasters who take a break over Christmas, I'm not taking breaks. Instead, as I do every year, I'm publishing a special episode with seasonal wishes and, most importantly, with a big thank you to all of you for being here with me, subscribing to the podcast whether on a podcast app or YouTube and particularly for signing up to my newsletter. I would also like to welcome new subscriber...