Conservation and Science

Fair warning folks, this might be a controversial one for some of you. I got in touch with today's guest after a listener contacted me following one of the previous episodes. Shout out to Rod and thank you! In the end, the episode isn't about what Rod had suggested, though I think the topic is no less interesting.

While talking to Ryan, I knew we were going to discuss a topic that is highly controversial and one I dealt with back in the day in episode 76. Some people were very upset after I published it, hence the warning at the top of this newsletter. Even if you disagree on one or many points, our discussion should at least give you pause for thought. You will hear that my views are not necessarily aligned on all points with Ryan's, and that is okay. We need to kick the habit of focusing on what we disagree on and looking at people and their other opinions solely through that lens. The issue we talk about today is real and we need practical solutions quickly rather than getting embroiled in emotional battles.

On another note, the Replay series is back. I will be republishing fortnightly some of the best episodes from last year's catalogue. They won't be rebroadcast on YouTube but instead will be on Spotify in video version, something I haven't been doing last year. So you can catch them in full video or audio-only version there. Given that deer hunting season is in full swing, I decided to start the series with an episode where we talk about the health and environmental impacts of lead ammunition. Not only lead shot but also centrefire cartridges. Our guest, Prof. Fredrik Widemo, not only researched this topic but is also a hunter. So arguments about bias and being anti-hunting shouldn't be raised. I know they will be... Folks who hunt: stop using lead ammunition!

The Culling Conundrum

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 Davie spent 30 years working in African conservation, starting as a 16-year-old volunteer in KwaZulu-Natal's remote game reserves. From those early days confronting poachers and negotiating with local communities, he witnessed firsthand how conservation policies play out on the ground. Now, as a wildlife filmmaker who has worked for National Geographic and Discovery, Ryan brings a unique perspective to the elephant culling debate through his upcoming documentary "The Culling Conundrum." His journey from animal rights supporter to someone advocating for population control reflects the complexity many conservationists face when confronted with ecological realities.

Our conversation explores the practical impossibilities of alternative solutions to overpopulation. Ryan walks through a hypothetical game where listeners manage their own 75,000-hectare reserve, facing the stark choice between letting animals starve or making difficult management decisions. We examine the failed elephant translocation in Malawi, where 12 people died and 80 elephants went missing after an international organisation moved 262 elephants into unsuitable habitat. The discussion also covers the influence of well-funded animal rights campaigns on conservation policy, the disconnect between international activism and local realities, and the economic pressures facing private game reserves. Ryan argues for finding common ground between opposing camps, emphasising that sustainable conservation requires honest dialogue about uncomfortable topics rather than ideology-driven positions.

210: The Culling Conundrum with Ryan Davy

The Culling Conundrum | Official Teaser

Lead Ammunition and Health

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 the scale and severity of these effects from the perspective of lead used in hunting ammunition. To get a full picture I talk with Prof. Fredrik Widemo, a senior researcher at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences in the Department of Wildlife, Fish and Environmental Studies. Fredrik is also a hunter so he approaches this topic from a personal perspective.

182: Lead Ammunition and Health with Fredrik Widemo

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