Living with Lynx Sharing Landscapes with Big Cats, Wolves and Bears, reviewed

We look at the latest contribution to the rewilding discussion with this book by Jonny Hansen. See more about the book Living with Lynx here.

Living with Lynx Sharing Landscapes with Big Cats, Wolves and Bears, reviewed

This book is an enjoyable read, with a thoughtful, and well researched line of thought and interesting ideas explored. Hanson has strong credentials to write a book on this topic, and anyone who has studied, and tried to even see Snow Leopards also gets a few bonus points too (yes we are fans of Peter Matthiessen’s own classic about the Snow Leopard). Hanson has structured the book well, and aims to look at the debate, and arguments from all perspectives.

With the now, near mythological, tale about how wolves saved, changed Yellowstone, he also does a good job of unpacking this particular case study. Like all good to great stories, there is always more than meets the eye, and while wolves helped, the beaves, and various other factors were also important too. At the same time Hanson does a good, and thought provoking analysis of what it feels like to be fearful of wild animals. While one can intellectually argue for the value of wolves, and other apex predators, would you really want one popping out in your backyard. Hanson, relevantly discusses the impact of foxes killing your own chickens, and wilder, more savage dogs charging towards your loved ones, and the emotions, fear, and even post event trauma it can create.

Hanson also touches on the interesting developments taking place in Scotland, where the discussion around Lynx is at a much further stage than say Ireland or England for example. Similarly, with beavers, there have been, for better or worse, unsanctioned releases too. With all of these points, and other aspects of the book, Hanson presents an informed and informative addition to the rewilding debate. He successfully conveys the complexity of the issues to be grasped, particularly trying to establish provenance or not. Did lynx ever actually previously live in Ireland for example? Possibly, but no one has yet been able to decide definitively either way yet. This then raises the question of whether this would be a reintroduction of a species, or the arrival of something completely new. Clearly these are not just semantics, as the implications could be very different depending on whether they were ever actually here before or not.

All of these issues make for an interesting and thought provoking read. At times we did feel that Hanson was slightly giving both sides of the debate, without actually working out what the best solution was. However this is also clearly because no one really knows yet. Much like the conversation about bringing back the woolly mammoth, and if we even should do so, similarly wilding, rewilding and the whole restoration of nature is a complex and fluid topic. All of which before you even factor in global warming and climate change (hint, yes it is is happening, regardless of what any fossil fuel back lobbyists might be trying to get US leaders to tell us), which of course then change potential habitats and suitability for different animals anyway.

A good book, well worth reading, and yes, the kids loved the cover, so why not do what we can to encourage and support more lynx coming to habitat near us.

Coexisting with carnivores | Jonny Hanson | TEDxQueensUniversityBelfast – YouTube

More about Living with Lynx

This book investigates a vital and controversial question for conservation and rewilding in Britain and Ireland: could and should we learn to live with lynx, wolves and bears again? We travel back in time, around the world and into the future to explore this contested topic. The author delves deep into the human psyche, considering not only his own mixed feelings about large carnivore reintroductions but also why people have such polarised perspectives on top predators. He brings his unique combination of expertise on snow leopards – and their relationship with humans – along with his experience as a farmer to illustrate the discussion.

Along the way, we meet a cast of characters from across society, including farmers, rewilders and everyone in between. It becomes clear that coexisting with large carnivores is as much about sharing landscapes with each other as it is about sharing them with wildlife. The first book to tackle this subject in detail, based on more than 50 interviews from seven countries, Living with Lynx will be of relevance to anyone with an interest in the future of nature, farming and the countryside. Personal, detailed, unflinching and engaging, it adds a great deal to this rapidly evolving debate.

More about the author

Jonny Hanson is an environmental social scientist at Queen’s University Belfast and an award-winning social entrepreneur who set up and managed Northern Ireland’s first community-owned farm. Raised between Malawi, Africa, and Monaghan, Ireland, he has a PhD in snow leopard conservation from the University of Cambridge and is an Affiliate of the Snow Leopard Conservancy. www.jonnyhanson.com @jonnyhhanson

A masterclass in exploring how humans and apex predators could again share the world – and Britain.
—Benedict Macdonald, author of Rebirding

A well thought-through and useful book that examines the contentious topic of large carnivore reintroductions with considerable insight.
—Derek Gow, author of Bringing Back the Beaver

Living with Lynx gets straight to the toothy point with a wide-ranging and incisive exploration of the realities of living with big carnivores. Full of compassion, fairness, and awe of the natural world, this is a book to read regardless of the side of the reintroduction fence you’re on.
—Chantal Lyons, author of Groundbreakers: The Wild Boar’s Return to Britain

Hanson has given us a vitally important book on one of the most urgent ecological questions we face. Expertly written and researched, it doesn’t shy away from the challenges of living with large predators and is a must read for any rewilding fan.
—Pádraic Fogarty, author of Whittled Away: Ireland’s Vanishing Nature

See more book reviews here.