Conservation and Science

I'm writing this newsletter while waiting to board my flight. This is not a typical setting and the circumstances are also not typical and, here I say it, rather suboptimal. So, this newsletter is short and to the point. Our guest today is once again Jonny Hanson, and as you may imagine, that means we're talking once again about the realities and practicalities of coexistence with large carnivores. This time, however, Jonny is bringing us his first short documentary film titled 'Snow Leopard Trail'. Although the film is arguably about a rather exotic species, it brings the learnings and the discussion back to the home soil of Ireland and Britain.

Also, in the replay series, we're coming back to my discussion with Ian Parsons about his book, a collaborative work of many authors, about rewilding and related myths and misconceptions that are often repeated without any examination or even a short pause for thought. We should stop for a thought more often. 'Bring back a think', as a young creator from the viral video says. I guess that last sentence comes with an 'if you know, you know' qualifier.

Snow Leopard Trail

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​

Selected for Clones Film Festival​

212: Snow Leopard Trail with Jonny Hanson

Snow Leopard Trail Teaser

Rewilding Myths and Misconceptions

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

Listen on Spotify

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