Controversial?

Mark 16 Comments

Last week I spent an enjoyable Monday evening at the Royal Society listening to four really good speakers at an event organised by the World Land Trust and entitled Controversial Conservation.

Chris Packham was the star turn – and he is a star.  Chris’s talk ranged widely over the state of wildlife and the environment.

Vivek Menon told us about the history of conservation in India and living with dangerous animals – really dangerous animals like elephants and tigers.

George Fenwick from the ABC is not the biggest fan of cats but Celia Haddon is rather more on their side.

You can listen to all their talks, and my own (which is uncontroversially about raptors), and the questions from the audience here .

 

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16 Replies to “Controversial?”

  1. I listened to this on Sunday, very interesting. I thought you all spoke very well, although Chris Packham was particularly good. Probably the first time I have listened to him talk at length, I’d certainly like to hear Vivek speak again too.

    Controversial ? I guess if you have strong views either way on cats then I suppose the contributions of George Fenwick and Celia Haddon would be considered controversial, but didn’t think there was much controversy in the points that Chris and yourself made unless you’ve haven’t previously been aware of the ruthless and systematic policy of raptor eradication that the majority of Grouse moors employ.

    Am I correct in thinking that the gentleman that got a bit uppity about the (very fair) points that you made regarding raptor persecution is the same chap who asked the curlew question at the RSPB AGM ? Nothing you said wasn’t accurate, so not sure quite what he was objecting to…

    1. P.S – all credit to the WLT for organising this event, were they to hold a similar event t’up north then definitely try and attend.

      I intend to look into the work of WLT a bit more, I like the cut of their jib.

    2. Ernest – he was the very same gentleman. He and I are going to have a civilised meal and chat in November, which will be private, and to which I am much looking forward. He did rather look as though the red mist had come down over his eyes on that evening. He wasn’t really reacting to what I said – more to a lifetime of what I have said! His, and your, next opportunity to have a go at me in questions is at the SOC Conference in Troon on Saturday where I will be being equally(un)controversial.

      I enjoyed listening to Chris Packham too. I was shifting in my politically-correct seat once or twice when he spoke about China but i am glad to have heard it.

      1. Yes I can see why some of the PC brigade may have squirmed a bit when he spoke about China, but its hard to argue against the points he made. I didn’t know the Chinese had starting farming lions in preparation for the day that Tigers become extinct, shocking.

        Enjoy your dinner with said gentleman, I hope your discussions will be fruitful. It’s good that those on the opposing sides getting together informally in an attempt to find common ground. Tell me will you be having the Grouse ? I don’t like it much myself.

        1. Ernest – same here, not my favourite, but if it’s good enough for Hen Harriers it’s good enough for me.

  2. Is anyone else having problems listening to these podcasts? In the first one I get about 20 seconds of someone saying “can we make a start – we have a lot to get through this evening” and then nothing. I would be interested to hear Chris’ talk but the technology won’t allow me to.

      1. Trimbush – I had no problems but it may be the number of people now trying to access it? Worth persevering. Bet the second half recording, with me in it, is easier to get to…!

        1. Hi M

          Dropped out at 11 + mins – I was looking to see how meles meles fared in the act

          Cheers

  3. That must’ve been a wonderful evening. Those nice people at Butterfly Conservation posted a link on their Facebook page about Chris’s recent appearance on Desert Island Discs. This had completely passed me by, but suitably informed, I spent a happy 45 minutes listening to the programme. It’s probably fair to say, he is just the correct side of ‘pc’ in his stance. Not uncontroversial, but a delivery marinated in thoughtfulness, with a strong sense of what is right for wildlife.

    1. I also enjoyed Chris Packham’s DID. Not quite sure about his choice of music though! Many callers to Radio4’s Feedback programme rated it the best they had ever listened too. A completely honest and inspiring man, can only be good for the environment lobby. I think he’s the President elect of the BTO.

  4. Sorry this is an aside, but why is Tony Soper not on TV or radio anymore? I grew up with his bird watching programmes and reading about Chris Packham etc it just occurred to me that we never see Tony now (not for years).

    1. He’s getting on now (b.1929) but go Wiki him – he seems to still be active writing ‘Books’

      The Arctic: A Guide to Coastal Wildlife (2012)
      The Northwest Passage (2012)
      Antarctica: A Guide to the Wildlife (2013)

      I’ve still got his Bird Table book from yesteryear

      On this basis it sounds like Mark’s going to be around for a bit! Eh?

  5. Probably too tired to be too coherent but I’ve asked myself the question what has all this talking about nature conservation (whoops dirty words in the eyes of George Monbiot whom I think Peter Marren in Brit Wildlife (new Vol) kinda summed it best – as everyone sucking up to him) actually done for our wildlife? Its important I tell myself to have the debate, discuss the issues, blog away, have a dig (not you per se MA) at useless nature conservationists. Oh hang it, maybe tomorrow I’ll just read all the lovely papers about re-wilding, and because nature conservationist are so useless I’ll read some more and like the clever people I’ll spout away but won’t actually do anything. Maybe I’m just a little peeved and jealous that I’m not a TV star or clever journo. After all they have all the answers. Blimey, I am tired.

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