Dear All,

 

Please find below information on July’s Communicating Science event at ZSL – I hope this will be of interest.

 

6.00pm, Tuesday 13 July 2010 – ‘RE-WILDING’ EUROPE AND THE RETURN OF PREDATORS – ZSL Communicating Science series

 

These talks will begin at 6.00pm on Tuesday, 13 July 2010 in the ZSL Meeting Rooms. The talks and question period after are free and open to everyone; doors will be open from 5.00pm on the evening and seats will be on a first-come, first-served basis – please arrive early to ensure you get a good seat!

 

This event has been organised by Nathalie Pettorelli, Rosie Woodroffe and Sarah Durant, Institute of Zoology, ZSL.

 

 

‘RE-WILDING’ EUROPE AND THE RETURN OF PREDATORS

 

Over the last decade Europe has witnessed the comeback of native large predators, with species such as lynx, wolverines or wolves exhibiting increasing distribution and population numbers across Western Europe.

 

This recent comeback has proven to be extremely beneficial for ecosystems, helping to control over-abundant prey species and maintain plant and habitat diversity. However, the presence of these predators has also meant increased wildlife/human conflicts, such as livestock predation and competition with hunters.

 

What are the ecological, economical and cultural implications of ‘re-wilding’ and should it be supported by reintroductions?

 

 

These talks are free and open to everyone – no need to book in advance but please arrive early as seating is limited

 

Talks and speakers:

 

• Modelling tools to better understand the dynamics of large carnivore reintroductions

Thorsten Wiegand, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ, Germany

 

• Restoring and managing wolves in Sweden

Guillaume Chapron, Grimsö Wildlife Research Station, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

 

• Does the lynx have a cat’s chance in modern Britain?

David Hetherington, Cairngorms National Park Authority

 

• Rewilding the UK: reintroduction for restoration

David W. Macdonald, WildCRU, Zoology Department, Oxford University

 

 

DINNER WITH THE SPEAKERS

A 3-course dinner with the speakers will follow this Communicating Science event. Dinner places should be booked by 5pm on Wednesday 7 July. Please see www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo/whats-on/re-wilding-europe-return-of-predators,364,EV.html for further details and please forward to others who might be interested.

 

Thank you and please feel free to get in touch with me if you have any queries on ZSL’s programme of Science and Conservation Events.

 

Best,

Joy :-)