Birds, Beasts and Bedlam: Turning My Farm into an Ark for Lost Species

Gow’s (Bringing Back the Beaver) amusing evolution from farmer to animal conservationist began at a young age when he inherited a sizable plot of land in rural England that had previously been used for farming. His interest in animals, however, quickly bent toward saving endangered species and returning them to prominence, He began to use a serious portion of his land for that purpose, laboring for years to save some of Britain’s endangered species. He is an outspoken critic of policies that would limit or endanger their growth. His experiences include working with beavers, water voles, wildcats, deer, piglets, bison, and a recent, mostly unsuccessful, attempt to bring back an extinct cattle species called the aurochs. While many people have been supportive of his goals, some (as is common in matters that become political) were actually obstructionary. Gow wades through many difficulties, and, although using many unconventional methods, has had numerous successes in his quest. Readers will find hope in their own similar ambitions.