Carnivores Kill 'Em All

The mission at Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust is a simple one – to value nature. The Trust's ambition is to preserve, recreate and reconnect Gloucestershire’s wild places. The Trust wanst everyone in Gloucestershire to value, enjoy and share wildlife in the county and believe strongly that nature matters, not only in its own right, but for the huge benefits it brings to the people of Gloucestershire.

Five percent of Gloucestershire households are members of GWT, one of the highest membership penetration rates of all The Wildlife Trusts in the United Kingdom, and the Trust has over 500 active volunteers who help to conserve wildlife from practical work on one of its 60 nature reserves to helping with admin in the office.

Dr Gareth Parry has said: "I joined the Trust following time in local government and the university sector, working in community engagement, project management, teaching and research.  I am passionate about the nature and the huge benefits it can provide to people. My role is to develop exciting programmes that help people to get outside and enjoy Gloucestershire's beautiful landscapes and wildlife. Through this I want to reach a broad range of people and help communities to thrive.  Wildlife fascinates me, but particularly mammals. I sit on the IUCN Species Survival Commission and Otter Specialist group, actively publishing research on British native species."

Post lecture resume - From the title one might have expected gruesome pictures of sweet little furry mammals being attacked and devoured by larger animals higher up the food chain. Not a bit of it. This was a thought-provoking talk about the impact that carnivores have on the whole environment, and the potential benefit from re-introducing larger carnivores back into certain settings to improve the balance of species.

Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust (GWT) feels that it is crucial to educate children and inform the public about their projects within the county as without their support they are unlikely to succeed.

The information given to us certainly has us on board – although we may never think of carnivores in the same way again!