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Predators in Britain mean different things to different people. For some, they are a spectacle of the natural world and key to the ecological integrity of our countryside. For others, they are nothing more than an inconvenience, a financial drain on rural businesses. Love them or loathe them, few of us remain indifferent--from those who live and work in the countryside to those who escape there from the noise and pollution of our cities. So how do we really feel about Britain's predators and how are those feelings influenced by culture, myth and economics?
These are the questions that are explored by the authors; they have spoken with those who influence predator management - farmers, landowners, conservationists, researchers, field sports enthusiasts, tourism operators--in fact anyone with an interest in the countryside.
"Tooth & Claw" is a ground-breaking photo-documentary project providing a meeting place between anecdotal evidence and scientific fact, thus nurturing a better understanding of natural predator-prey mechanisms and encouraging empathy with different points of view. Discussions over fox hunting, bird of prey poisoning and even the return of wolves are brought to life. We learn how entrenched opinion has turned some predators into political symbols, pawns in battles between different socio-economic or special interest groups. Such divisive debate often ignores biological fact and the animal itself becomes lost in the political melee. Managing predators in Britain today is really about managing people's perceptions - what they believe, what they value and how they interact with nature. "Tooth & Claw" ultimately asks questions of ourselves: it exposes our fears, our prejudices, our inconsistencies. We are reminded of our place in nature--as the most powerful predator of all.
Mark Hamblin has worked as a nature photographer since 1995, travelling extensively in the UK and overseas. As well as supplying a number of international photographic libraries with stock images, Mark runs his own image library. He is the author of Wild Peak. Both authors regularly write and photograph for a wide range of photography, wildlife, conservation and country interest magazines.
This lavish book... embellished by thought-provoking interviews, examples and anecdotes. ...The prose is accompanied by the standard of image you would expect from two of the country's most natural wildlife photographers. ... the authors deserve immense praise for bringing numerous parties together and informing the debate.
- Scottish Wildlife
"This is a timely publication on the subject of Britain's magnificent wild predators and the quest to re-introduce species we have lost ...Striking photographs of high quality appear on almost every page ... this is a book to appeal to all ... a book that I believe could play a defining role in changing perceptions of predators - I do hope it will. It will also look very attractive on your coffee table!"
- John Muir Trust Journal
"... The photographs throughout the book are outstanding, ... ...I found this book to be a throughly interesting and engaging read that has challenged my own philosophy of wildlife management and my own relationship with predators."
- IBIS
