It's so gratifying to read that a whopping 90% of people surveyed about reintroducing the Lynx to Britain are supporting the proposed idea. Future rewilding could involve the reinstatement of missing species, including other apex predators even the wolf, both of which play a crucial top-down regulatory role in ecosystems. While the reintroduction of predators is often proposed as a means of reducing excessive numbers of red deer in the Highlands, its main impact would likely be in disturbing deer populations, causing these animals to move more frequently so that their grazing is less concentrated in specific areas.                                 
The lynx – already reintroduced to areas of Europe such as the Alps and Jura mountains – offers little threat to sheep. It is a specialist predator of roe deer, a species which has multiplied in Britain in recent years and which holds back the natural regeneration of trees through intensive browsing.

The stunningly beautiful Iberian Lynx from Andulucia Spain one of the most endangered wild cats on earth.

We can all use a good news story and this one is no exception. The story of an 88 year old lady in a retirement home being threatened with having her beloved cat taken from her and euthanased was heart renching. The callous decision making was beyond understanding so I signed the petition and now the good news is that some 26000 people did too. It did make a difference so a court of law has said the old lady can keep her cat. I love it when compassion backed up with law wins out. 

One of the foremost and active conservationists in Africa has some sobering thoughts on the plight of Africas most endangered animals. Derek Joubert has lived in photographed and filmed African wildlife for about 30 years so you could say he knows what he's talking about. He adds his voice to others concerned by plummeting lion numbers and sites trophy hunters as responsible for at least 25% loss in their numbers. That these magnificent animals continue to be slaughtered for such an appalling pastime as trophy hunting is abominable. These truly iconic African big cats should be protected from this dreadful ugly threat by any means possible.

Great news that Costa Rica has enforced new laws banning the hunting of wildlife. At last, is this this the beginning of change towards a respectful caring world where our wildlife is considered as important as we are ourselves ? I can only hope so. Wildlife everywhere is under immense pressure to survive as human encroachment into their territories drive them to the brink of extinction. Hunting our wildlife demeans us as a race. There is no excuse ever to mindlessly kill any animal for pleasure. A huge thumbs up to Costa Rica for having the courage to do something that the rest of the world needs to think about doing, particularly Africa where the hunting of some of the most iconic animals on earth still goes on relentlessly.

African lions are fast disappearing as they face mounting pressure to survive.  Habitat loss, persecution and the worst threat of all, hunted down and shot by cowardly people with enough money to buy a pass into Africa for the purpose of bringing down a trophy. Symbols of strength dominance and power these majestic and beautiful big cats are symbols of the African continent that must be protected at all costs. Fortunately there are people who care enough to get involved in conservation efforts to save them from extinction but is it enough ? Governments have to get behind the effort to save them too otherwise it's a losing battle. Sadly corruption in a lot of Africa's counties contribute to the relentless exploitation of a lot of the wildlife including lions. It seems so shocking that those who allow this to happen are so short sighted and cannot see they are selling off what can never be replaced once it's gone. That the wildlife itself generates millions of tourist dollars for the country that will stop when there is nothing left to see.

How is it possible elephants are on the menu ? These iconic and intelligent animals are already facing the biggest battle for their survival in the face of unprecedented poaching levels and yet their meat is served up at special celebratory events. How is this completely unacceptable practice allowed to happen I wonder. It must be stopped and if signing a petition helps to change this unnecessary brutality then I'll sign it.

The mighty Bengal tiger is a true force of nature. This fabulous animal, one of the largest of the big cats faces increasing pressure to survive as all tigers do. Poached for body parts and chinese medicine this magnificent cat is protected in several large reserves in it's natural habitat in India. Ranthambhore National Park attracts thousands of tourists, tiger lovers and photographers from all over the world every year. The place inspired me to paint this image of a male and female who only come together to mate. The female has sole responsibility for raising her cubs. Spotted deer depicted in the painting form a large part of the Bengal tigers diet. Highly territorial and formidable hunters, the males can be 1.5 to 1.8m from head to tail tip and weigh in at around 300kgs sometimes more. Females are significantly smaller at around 200kgs.