Events
Big Cats and Britain's Ecology
9 September 2006, BANC workshop Big cats and Britain's
ecology The Oak Hall, Keynes Country Park, Cotswold Water Park
Sightings of big cats across Britain now total at least 1200 a year.
Photographs show forensic evidence of big cat effects, CCTV footage
exists, and it is believed that breeding of some species occurs, with
numbers increasing in certain regions, including southern and SW
England. This event will bring big cat researchers together with nature
conservationists to discuss the consequences of these top predators in
Britain. The meeting venue is close to many sites of wildlife interest
and the Lower Mill Estate beaver site. An optional guided walk will
visit these sites in the afternoon.
Programme
The booking form can be downloaded from the link on the right-hand
side.
| 10.15am Arrival, coffee. |
| 10.40 Welcome and introductions - Rick Minter, ECOS |
| 10.45 Big cats in Dorset and Wiltshire: the forensic
evidence, the mapped territories, impacts on deer, and the ecological
implications - Jonathan McGowan, Head of Mammals, Bournemouth Natural
Sciences Society. |
| 11.30 Implications of big cats for wildlife and nature
conservation - Chris Moiser (Scientific Adviser, Big Cats in Britain
Research Group), Frank Tunbridge (ROAR consultancy), Peter Taylor (ECOS). |
| 11.45 Discussion on implications of big cats for
British wildlife and nature conservation, e.g. effects of big cats on
their prey populations; relationships between carnivores; effects of
other big cats on lynx; viable populations; tourism and visitor income;
public access to the countryside and to wildlife sites. These and
other
discussion points may be continued in the afternoon. |
| 12.20pm Implications for UK nature conservation?
Reflections on key issues of the discussion by Professor Jules Pretty,
Department of Biological Sciences, University of Essex. |
| 12.30-1.30 Lunch (and parallel AGM of British
Association of Nature Conservationists) |
| 1.30-3.30 Options: (a) Field visit to Lower
Mill Estate & other wildlife sites to see habitat creation,
habitat connectivity and location of re-introduced beavers; and (b) further
discussion of ecological implications of big cats in Britain. |
Fees
Fee inclusive of coffee and lunch: £12
Location
Location details for Keynes Country Park:
www.waterpark.org
Keynes Country Park has many family and children's activities if you
wish to travel to the event with your family.
For an accommodation list, see
www.waterpark.org
and
www.cotswold.gov.uk/go/tourism.
