Fiona Mathews & Tim Kendall: Wild Mammals are far from 'Boar-ing'
Jun 11, 2024
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Fiona Mathews, a professor of Environmental Biology and chair of Mammal Conservation Europe, teams up with Tim Kendall, a professor of English Literature, to uncover the wild world of British mammals. They share amusing stories about their trained labrador, Charlie Brown, who finds bats affected by wind turbines. Delve into the locals of the elusive Wild Boar, the surprising journey of a Scottish Pine Marten to Georgia, and the impact of culture on wildlife conservation. Their wit shines as they blend science with storytelling!
Fiona Matthews emphasizes the crucial role of specially trained dogs in locating bats near wind turbines, highlighting conservation challenges and innovative solutions.
Tim Kendall stresses the importance of realistic nature narratives in literature to enhance public understanding and engagement with wildlife conservation issues.
Deep dives
Training Dogs for Bat Detection
The episode highlights the innovative use of specially trained dogs to locate bats near wind turbines, emphasizing the challenges humans face in this search. With an account of training seven dogs for this task, it is noted that one dog inadvertently shifted to narcotics detection at an airport, showcasing the unexpected twists in training animals for specific roles. Efforts to locate small and elusive bats in various terrains, like ploughed fields or heather, underscore the practicality and necessity of canine assistance. The hosts reflect on brainstorming practical methods for capturing bats, aware of potential issues with local children interfering with those efforts.
Conservation Efforts and Personal Stories
Fiona Matthews, a professor in conservation biology, shares her lifelong passion for wildlife, primarily focusing on mammals and their habitats. She highlights her involvement in various surveys and conservation projects, showcasing the importance of addressing the human-wildlife conflict. This multifaceted approach is evident as she collaborates on projects addressing issues like light pollution affecting bats and microplastic ingestion in a range of species. The discussion also touches on the significance of engaging a broader audience, beyond just conservationists, to create awareness and interest in wildlife preservation efforts.
The Role of Cultural Narratives in Conservation
Tim Kendall, a professor of English literature, contributes by emphasizing the cultural narratives surrounding nature that influence public perception and engagement. He critiques the romanticized view of nature popularized by writers like Wordsworth, advocating for a more realistic and grounded approach in nature writing. This blend of science and cultural history could facilitate better public understanding of wildlife issues, as seen in the recent focus on otters spurred by popular literature. The conversation posits that storytelling can bridge the gap between scientific facts and people's emotional connections to nature.
Water Voles: A Case Study in Conservation Challenges
The episode illustrates the fascinating case of water voles in Glasgow, highlighting their unexpected resilience in urban environments despite significant habitat loss. The discussion reveals that urban planning historically disrupted their habitats but also notes a thriving colony, showcasing an adaptable nature. The potential for reintroducing water voles into various habitats demonstrates the need for innovative outlooks in conservation even amid urbanization. Ultimately, there is a call to recognize the role of species like water voles in sustaining ecosystems and the importance of public initiatives that prioritize preserving green spaces.
Fiona Mathews is a professor of Environmental Biology at the University of Sussex and the founding Chair of Mammal Conservation Europe; Tim Kendall is a professor of English Literature and Creative Writing at the University of Exeter, and; their dog Charlie Brown is an especially trained labrador with the talent for locating the bodies of bats that have been killed or injured by wind turbines, all in the name of conservation science. Together, they wrote the Wainwright award-nominated book “Black Ops & Beaver Bombing: Adventures with Britain’s Wild Mammals”. In this two part interview, hear how Fiona’s construction of the Red List for British Mammals informs our Government and has lead to cutting edge mammal conservation projects. They discuss the British Coypu population that caused concern in the 1980s, the effectiveness of the mysterious “Beaver Bombers” secretly releasing animals across Europe, and the tale of the lone Scottish Pine Marten that ended up in Georgia, USA (a fate subjectively worse than the Beech Marten who got stuck in the Large Hadron Collider!) The trio of Fiona, Tim and David (alas without Charlie Brown) then head into the Forest of Dean to locate the most contentious of Britain’s mammals – the Wild Boar! Why not become a "Subscription Squirrel" on our Patreon, and help support the production of this podcast?