Communicating Carnivore Coexistence in the UK - Cambridge Conservation Initiative

Communicating Carnivore Coexistence in the UK - Cambridge Conservation Initiative

1pm, 13 May, David Attenborough Building​

Environmental social scientist and Cambridge alumnus Dr Jonny Hanson presents a book and film, and is in discussion with Dr Tom Fry, on potential large carnivore reintroductions to the UK and how they might best be communicated. Following last year’s illegal release of four lynx into the Scottish Highlands, public interest in the topic has surged—alongside tensions. Drawing on his research, Dr Hanson cuts through the hype and headlines to offer story-led yet evidence-based perspectives on this complex issue.

The event features a screening of Snow Leopard Trail, a 20-minute film based on Jonny’s Cambridge PhD research and his ongoing collaborations in the Himalayas. The film explores what UK communities might learn from Nepal, where people already coexist with large carnivores.

In conversation with Dr Tom Fry, Dr Hanson will also discuss his book, Living with Lynx, a compelling science travelogue that brings together insights from over seven countries. Through interviews, field visits, and personal stories, it examines the real-world challenges and possibilities of reintroducing large carnivores to Britain and Ireland.