Why Military Bases Might Determine the Future of Whales
Is the resumption of commercial whaling inevitable? What hidden geopolitical forces are shaping international whale conservation efforts? Let's dive (pun not intended) into the complex world of whale conservation with marine scientist Dr Peter Corkeron. In our conversation, Peter uncovers the surprising connections between military bases, national security, and the fate of the world's largest mammals.From the history of industrial whaling to the current state of whale populations, our guest provides a comprehensive overview of the challenges facing whale conservation today. He explains how some whale species are making an impressive comeback while others teeter on the brink of extinction. But the real story goes beyond biology! Learn how US military interests in Japan may be influencing whaling policies, and why anti-whaling efforts that seemed successful for decades may now be faltering.As commercial whaling threatens to resume, we argue for a new approach to whale protection. We discuss the limitations of current conservation strategies, the complex motivations behind pro-whaling interests and why simply allowing whaling to "fizzle out" is no longer a viable option. Finally, Peter offers his perspective on potential solutions, addressing underlying geopolitical factors and advocating for policy changes to protect whale populations more effectively.Further reading:Losing the Whales: How the Anti-Whaling Narrative Has FailedThe Return of WhalingWhat US Militarism Has to Do With Japan's Quest to Slaughter More WhalesSubscribe to Tommy's Outdoors: Conservation and Science NewsletterSupport the Podcast and Buy Me a Coffee.Recommended Books: tommysoutdoors.com/booksMerch: tommysoutdoors.com/shopFollow Tommy's Outdoors on Bluesky, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and FacebookMentioned in this episode:This is the Conservation and Science podcast Replay series, a curated collection of best episodes from last year. If you are new to the show, this is an excellent opportunity to catch up with the most popular episodes from the back catalogue. And if you’re a regular listener, maybe you missed one of those or want to listen to one of them again. Don’t worry! The new episodes are being published on the regular fortnightly schedule, so keep tuning in for the new content every other Tuesday.
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213: Ferret Eradication from Rathlin Island with David Tosh
What are the ethical considerations when eradicating invasive species from an island? How do you develop wireless technology to monitor hundreds of traps across difficult terrain? Why do conservation projects like this cost so much more than people expect? These are some of the questions we explore in our conversation about the LIFE Raft project on Rathlin Island, Northern Ireland's only inhabited offshore island.Our guest is David Tosh, a Lecturer in Terrestrial Ecology at the School of Geography and Environmental Sciences, Ulster University. David led the ambitious effort to eradicate feral ferrets and brown rats from Rathlin to protect internationally important seabird colonies. The ferrets were introduced in the 1980s to control rabbits but instead devastated ground-nesting bird populations. David explains the complexities of targeting two species simultaneously using different methods, the development of wireless platforms to monitor traps remotely, and where the money actually goes in projects like this. Success came faster than expected, with Manx shearwaters breeding on Rathlin for the first time in decades, just months after the eradication was completed.Beyond the technical achievements, our conversation explores the social dimensions that often determine whether conservation projects succeed or fail. David shares why the most important measure of success isn't just the return of seabirds, but whether the organisations involved can maintain trust and partnership with the islanders. We discuss the frustrations of five-year funding cycles for projects that require decades of commitment, and what it takes to ensure Rathlin remains ferret-free and rat-free for generations to come.Subscribe to Tommy's Outdoors: Conservation and Science NewsletterSupport the Podcast and Buy Me a Coffee.Recommended Books: tommysoutdoors.com/booksMerch: tommysoutdoors.com/shopFollow Tommy's Outdoors on Bluesky, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and FacebookMentioned in this episode:DisclaimerThe views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the individual participants and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any organisation. The participants are expressing their personal opinions and perspectives.
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Rewilding Professor Unpacks
Is rewilding truly mainstream now, or does it remain mired in misunderstanding? Can we finally agree on what the term actually means? And is it really an anti-rural movement that seeks to empty the countryside of people? These questions have dominated conservation debates for years, and our conversation today tackles them head-on with refreshing clarity. Our guest is Dr Steve Carver, Director of the Wildland Research Institute at the School of Geography, University of Leeds, and Professor of Rewilding and Wilderness Science.In our conversation we explore how rewilding differs fundamentally from traditional conservation and regenerative farming. We examine the crucial role of scale, the problematic nature of fences in rewilding projects, and why the Oostvaardersplassen experiment in the Netherlands offers important lessons. Steve introduces his concept of 'nature-led versus human-led' approaches and explains why giving nature the space and time to determine its own trajectory remains the core principle. We also discuss the controversial question of whether projects like Knepp Estate truly qualify as rewilding or represent something else entirely.Throughout our discussion, Steve emphasises that rewilding is deeply context-specific and requires genuine local community engagement to succeed. He unpacks the relationship between wilderness and rewilding, explores why species reintroductions aren't mandatory, and shares his measured optimism about lynx returning to the UK (though wolves remain a more distant prospect). We also examine how the European interpretation of rewilding has evolved differently from its North American origins, and what this means for future conservation efforts. This episode offers a balanced, scientifically grounded perspective on where rewilding stands today and where it might be heading.Further reading:Guiding principles for rewildingSubscribe to Tommy's Outdoors: Conservation and Science NewsletterSupport the Podcast and Buy Me a Coffee.Recommended Books: tommysoutdoors.com/booksMerch: tommysoutdoors.com/shopFollow Tommy's Outdoors on Bluesky, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and FacebookMentioned in this episode:This is the Conservation and Science podcast Replay series, a curated collection of best episodes from last year. If you are new to the show, this is an excellent opportunity to catch up with the most popular episodes from the back catalogue. And if you’re a regular listener, maybe you missed one of those or want to listen to one of them again. Don’t worry! The new episodes are being published on the regular fortnightly schedule, so keep tuning in for the new content every other Tuesday.
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212: Snow Leopard Trail with Jonny Hanson
Can communities in Ireland and Britain learn to share landscapes with apex predators again after centuries of their absence? What does coexistence actually look like when people, livestock, and large carnivores occupy the same territory? How might wisdom from Himalayan communities inform debates about lynx reintroduction closer to home?Our conversation takes us from the remote mountains of Nepal to potential lynx habitats in Scotland and Ireland. Jonny Hanson travelled to the Annapurna Conservation Area to document how local communities live alongside snow leopards, creating a short film ‘Snow Leopard Trail’ that inverts the traditional conservation narrative. Rather than Western experts advising the Global South, Jonny learns from Nepali colleagues who have never experienced the extinction of experience that defines our relationship with large carnivores. His Nepali colleagues, award-winning conservation biologist Rinzin Lama and pioneering snow leopard tourism guide Tashi R. Ghale are the true guardians of these landscapes, managing coexistence in a region where 100,000 people and 100,000 tourists share space with one of the world's most elusive predators.The film and our discussion challenge romanticised notions of conservation whilst grappling with practical realities. We explore the tensions inherent in protected area management, the limitations of wildlife tourism as an economic solution, the importance of long-term funding for coexistence, and the need to bridge scientific rigour with the full spectrum of human experience, including spiritual and cultural values. The film premieres at festivals across Ireland and the UK in late 2025, offering a rare glimpse into what genuine coexistence requires.Where to watch:Queen's Film Theatre screening: ESRC Festival of Social Science in NI 2025Selected for Clones Film FestivalSubscribe to Tommy's Outdoors: Conservation and Science NewsletterSupport the Podcast and Buy Me a Coffee.Recommended Books: tommysoutdoors.com/booksMerch: tommysoutdoors.com/shopFollow Tommy's Outdoors on Bluesky, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Facebook
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Rewilding Myths and Misconceptions with Ian Parsons
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 and misconceptions about rewilding.In our discussion, we address aspects of rewilding that are often misunderstood or misinterpreted, sometimes innocently and at other times deliberately or even maliciously. We explore three topics commonly associated with rewilding that often spark heated debate: species reintroductions, community engagement, and the choice between tree planting and natural regeneration. This discussion draws on the collective wisdom of renowned authors who contributed distinct chapters to the book.In the end, Ian emphasises that rewilding shouldn't remain just another niche concept but needs to be integrated into how we live our lives, from urban planning to politics or even business practices. He challenges the notion that rewilding is anti-rural, arguing instead that it can revitalise rural economies and provide new opportunities for communities. The episode provides valuable insights for anyone interested in conservation, land management and the future of our relationship with nature.Buy Great Misconceptions: Rewilding Myths and MisunderstandingsSubscribe to Tommy's Outdoors: Conservation and Science NewsletterSupport the Podcast and Buy Me a Coffee.Recommended Books: tommysoutdoors.com/booksMerch: tommysoutdoors.com/shopFollow Tommy's Outdoors on Bluesky, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and FacebookTommy’s Outdoors is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.co.uk Mentioned in this episode:This is the Conservation and Science podcast Replay series, a curated collection of best episodes from last year. If you are new to the show, this is an excellent opportunity to catch up with the most popular episodes from the back catalogue. And if you’re a regular listener, maybe you missed one of those or want to listen to one of them again. Don’t worry! The new episodes are being published on the regular fortnightly schedule, so keep tuning in for the new content every other Tuesday.
Are you tired of one-sided narratives about nature and conservation? Simplified takes that ignore the nuance and complexity of matters? This show brings you diverse perspectives on environmental stories, examining their ecological, social and political dimensions. Listen and become a well-rounded voice, empowered to foster dialogue and create change.
I'm Tommy Serafinski and this is the Conservation and Science podcast, where we take a deep dive into topics of ecology, conservation and human-wildlife interactions (which, in most cases, means human-wildlife conflict). I talk with world-class scientists, members of environmental organisations, practical conservationists, farmers, nature writers, and last but not least, hunters and anglers. My conversations cover biodiversity, conservation, hunting and fishing, rewilding and more.
Start with the acclaimed episode 163, “The EU Review of Wolf Protection Status.” It’s the perfect introduction to what this podcast has to offer.
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