Living with Lynx

Sharing Landscapes with Big Cats, Wolves and Bears

Jonny Hanson

Tackles a major question in conservation and rewilding: could and should we learn to live with lynx, wolves and bears again?
The author draws on his unique experience as a snow leopard conservationist and community farmer.
Based on over 50 interviews across seven countries, offering a global view of human–predator relationships.

Subject: mammals rewilding habitat-restoration

Tags:

bears
Coming Soon
conservation
farming
lynx
mammals
predator
reintroduction
restoration
rewilding
wolves

Description

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.

DOI: 10.53061/ALHK5596

Reviews

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
This book is a powerful, thoughtful and very personal reflection on a crucial question. Hanson tells his stories skilfully, with a light but rigorous academic underpinning. He transports us across countries and continents, and into conversation with a host of characters. Through this he reminds us that the idea of coexistence is a journey, not a destination, but that the rewards of taking that voyage for Britain and Ireland are vast. A wonderful and important book.
—Leon McCarron, explorer, author and broadcaster
Hanson has written a book of deep research on the issue of predator species reintroduction. Following a global journey we learn about the issue of coexistence with these animals and how it might play out for us all. A really interesting read and a book to think over at length.
—John Connell, author of Twelve Sheep
Should we or should we not reintroduce apex predators to where they once roamed? To find the answers read Living with Lynx, a book that’s meticulously researched, with accessible science, leavened with humorous, sometimes scary personal experiences! It covers all aspects of a subject everyone with an interest in the natural world is talking about. A compelling and fun read which I can highly recommend!
—Nigel Marven, documentary producer and presenter

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