I am fascinated by animals, both present and past and I recently read David Owen's wonderful book Thylacine: the tragic tale of the tasmanian tiger. These beautiful animals were persecuted needlessly and went extinct early in the 20th Century. Recently there has been much in the local news about possible sightings; in fact many of our friends are convinced the marsupial still exists in the Tasmanian wilderness. But until we receive documentary evidence of their existence or Professor Michael Archer from the University of NSW manages to bring them back, we mourn their loss.
I followed this up with The Gamekeeper by Portia Simpson, Scotland's first female gamekeeper. What a remarkable career for a woman - and what an experience! I was initially horrified when I discovered what a gamekeeper actually does but Portia's story has made me realise that not all animals belong in the habitats in which they are found and that culling is at times necessary - for the environment and animal welfare, both their own and those with whom they share the land.
What will I discover next? Watch this space.
