Large predators are among the most threatened species on the planet and ways of conserving them in the face of increasing human populations and associated resource requirements are becoming critical. This book draws upon the experiences of some of the world's foremost large carnivore specialists to discuss the numerous issues associated reintroducing large predators back into their natural habitats. Reviews of internationally renowned reintroduction programs for wolves, European lynx and African wild dog reveal the successes and failures of these actions. Experts on tigers, snow leopards and jaguars contend that there are other conservation options of higher priority that will ensure their security in the long-term. Other experts discuss more theoretical aspects such as whether we know enough about these species to be able to predict their behavioural or ecological response to the reintroduction process. Social, economic, political and genetic considerations are also addressed.

About the Author
Matt Hayward conducted a PhD on the conservation ecology of the Australian marsupial quokka, then studied bushmeat hunting in the Transkei region of South Africa and the reintroduction of large predators to Addo Elephant National Park. He is currently researching Holarctic predator dietary ecology, forest regeneration and European bison conservation in Bialowieza Primeval Forest, Poland.

Michael Somers is a lecturer at the Centre for Wildlife Management and a core team member of the NRF-DST Centre of Excellence for Invasion Biology at the University of Pretoria. His research interests are broad but mostly include reintroduction biology and invasion ecology.

Reviews
"This is an informative and important book that will prove to be of great interest to Australian ecologists as the need for top-order predator reintroductions becomes more urgent in this country. It is highly recommended reading for all state and national conservation administrators and wild-life scientists." (Austral Ecology and Ecological Management & Restoration, 2011)

"This book, which is very easy to read, is based on the experiences of some large carnivore specialists in the world to discuss the numerous issues associated with reintroduction of large predators in their natural habitats." (Mammalia, 2010)

Book Information
ISBN 9781405176804
Author Matt W. Hayward
Format Paperback
Page Count 480
Imprint Wiley-Blackwell
Publisher John Wiley and Sons Ltd
Weight(grams) 898g
Dimensions(mm) 234mm * 158mm * 27mm