Birds, beasts and bedlam Turning my farm into an ark for lost species

Author Gow (Bringing Back the Beaver, 2020) is a keenly observant, irreverent, and always interesting champion of animals that once roamed the British Isles but have now disappeared or are facing extinction. Gow shares how he transformed his family farm into a rewilding refuge and breeding colony for critters ranging from geese and mice to lynx and wildcats. Providing ample background information about various species and their current conservation status, Gow calls out modernization efforts that have wiped out native fauna and decries the prevailing attitudes and red tape that hinder his ecological salvation efforts. He's a wonderful storyteller, wisely allowing his animals (and considerable bedlam) to take center stage. His stories can be bawdy, laugh-out-loud funny, poignant, or even depressing, but they're never dull. Despite overwhelming odds, skewed balances between predators and prey, and ever-encroaching civilization, Gow has persevered. He ends on a hopeful note with an appeal for similarly minded individuals to support Britain's Keep It Wild Trust. Whether it's tree frogs, storks, or wolves, Gow creates empathy and overdue appreciation for these struggling populations.

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. VERDICT Recommended for public libraries and endangered species enthusiasts.--Steve Dixon