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Wilder: How Rewilding is Transforming Conservation and Changing the World
Wilder takes readers on a global rewilding journey, exploring innovative and eye-opening projects led by a diverse group of conservationists.
Rewilding is a radical new approach to wildlife conservation that offers remarkable potential. If conservation preserves what remains, rewilding goes further, seeking to restore entire ecosystems. The stakes are high with active initiatives quickening the process of recovery by reintroducing keystone species and habitats. Large mammal translocations and wildlife corridors running through densely populated areas are high-risk, high-reward initiatives.
In this timely and exciting read, wildlife journalist Millie Kerr takes readers on a global journey of discovery. She considers the practicalities and possibilities of ecological restoration around the world, while exploring first-hand some of the most ambitious undertakings occurring today. Wilder details the return of jaguars to an Argentinian national park, the first-ever pangolin reintroduction project in South Africa, and the ways giant tortoises are aiding the recovery of ecosystems throughout the Galápagos Islands.
At an urgent moment in the international fight against biodiversity loss, Wilder 's message is one of innovation and optimism. By focusing on conservation success stories and showing that there are bands of determined conservationists fighting for a better future, Wilder inspires us all to become part of the solution.
Rewilding is a radical new approach to wildlife conservation that offers remarkable potential. If conservation preserves what remains, rewilding goes further, seeking to restore entire ecosystems. The stakes are high with active initiatives quickening the process of recovery by reintroducing keystone species and habitats. Large mammal translocations and wildlife corridors running through densely populated areas are high-risk, high-reward initiatives.
In this timely and exciting read, wildlife journalist Millie Kerr takes readers on a global journey of discovery. She considers the practicalities and possibilities of ecological restoration around the world, while exploring first-hand some of the most ambitious undertakings occurring today. Wilder details the return of jaguars to an Argentinian national park, the first-ever pangolin reintroduction project in South Africa, and the ways giant tortoises are aiding the recovery of ecosystems throughout the Galápagos Islands.
At an urgent moment in the international fight against biodiversity loss, Wilder 's message is one of innovation and optimism. By focusing on conservation success stories and showing that there are bands of determined conservationists fighting for a better future, Wilder inspires us all to become part of the solution.
368 pages, Paperback
Published January 30, 2024
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642 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
May 31, 2024
"The point is that on some level, nature wants to call each of us home. We just have to listen."
"What I realised is this: the diversity of approach and perspective that defines the practice of rewilding likewise applies to how we contribute to environmental protection - and how we rewild ourselves... Each of us is capable of making the world a wilder, healthier place. How we do so is up to us."
"What I realised is this: the diversity of approach and perspective that defines the practice of rewilding likewise applies to how we contribute to environmental protection - and how we rewild ourselves... Each of us is capable of making the world a wilder, healthier place. How we do so is up to us."
April 5, 2023
What an incredible book about conservation and the impact that it can make. There is depth on not only animals species that need help, but the environment in general even down to plants and insects. There was so much research put into this and it pays off with everything I learned! What a great and inspiring read if you care about our planet and it's creatures!
September 23, 2022
Conservation journalist Millie Kerr looks at an eclectic mix of current projects considered success stories in rewilding. Kerr examines the possibilities and consequences of rewilding in places such as Mozambique; New Zealand; San Antonio, Texas; Rwanda; Argentina; and China. Limited by Covid restrictions, Kerr depended on her past experiences as well as more recent interviews and deep research. The result is drier and less compelling than I would have liked, but the book does a good job of shedding light on the growth of rewilding and the constantly evolving nature of such conservation efforts. That light-shedding is more important than ever in these times. I would recommend this book to anyone curious about rewilding in any and all its facets.
[Thanks to Bloomsbury USA and NetGalley for an opportunity to read an advanced reader copy and share my opinion of this book.]
[Thanks to Bloomsbury USA and NetGalley for an opportunity to read an advanced reader copy and share my opinion of this book.]
May 27, 2022
Rewilding animals is much tougher business than I realized, and this book sheds light on the hard but important process. I particularly liked the chapter where islands were used to regrow flightless bird populations - I never thought about the fact that you can (theoretically) keep predators off islands. Wilder is an important read for anyone interested in animal conservation.
August 28, 2022
I knew very little about rewilding efforts before reading this book and was excited to dive into the topic. However, despite my interest in the subject matter, I found the book to be a little hard to get through. I think shorter, more focused and organized chapters may have helped me read, learn and retain the wealth of information overviewed by this book.
Overall, I would still recommend this book to anyone interested in conservation and new to the concept of rewilding.
(Thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury for the advanced reader copy.)
Overall, I would still recommend this book to anyone interested in conservation and new to the concept of rewilding.
(Thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury for the advanced reader copy.)
June 4, 2023
Millie Kerr's Wilder is a wonderful book that delves into the enthralling world of rewilding projects. With a perfect blend of personal experiences, scientific research, and captivating storytelling, Kerr sheds light on the crucial work undertaken by both experts and locals to restore nature's delicate balance.
Wilder takes readers on an extraordinary journey, transporting them to breathtaking landscapes and introducing them to a myriad of wildlife species that inhabit these rewilding projects. Kerr's passion for the subject matter is palpable, as she masterfully weaves together her personal anecdotes with meticulous research, creating a deeply immersive narrative.
The book stands out in its comprehensive exploration of rewilding, encompassing projects worldwide and examining the intricate interplay between wildlife, ecology, and human involvement. Kerr's interviews with passionate conservationists unveil their unwavering commitment to protecting habitats, reintroducing endangered species, and fostering coexistence between humans and wildlife.
What sets Wilder apart is Kerr's ability to seamlessly blend scientific knowledge with a deeply personal perspective. Her childhood dreams and experiences infuse the story with genuine awe and nostalgia. This unique approach fosters a deeper connection with the subject matter, evoking readers' own aspirations and emphasizing the transformative power of nature.
Moreover, Wilder highlights the significance of involving local communities in rewilding projects. Kerr underscores the importance of considering their needs and perspectives, advocating for a harmonious coexistence between humans and the natural world.
With its beautiful prose and heartfelt storytelling, Wilder educates and inspires. Kerr's tribute to the wonders of rewilding celebrates the tireless efforts of experts and locals alike, leaving readers with a profound appreciation for the resilience and beauty of our planet.
Wilder takes readers on an extraordinary journey, transporting them to breathtaking landscapes and introducing them to a myriad of wildlife species that inhabit these rewilding projects. Kerr's passion for the subject matter is palpable, as she masterfully weaves together her personal anecdotes with meticulous research, creating a deeply immersive narrative.
The book stands out in its comprehensive exploration of rewilding, encompassing projects worldwide and examining the intricate interplay between wildlife, ecology, and human involvement. Kerr's interviews with passionate conservationists unveil their unwavering commitment to protecting habitats, reintroducing endangered species, and fostering coexistence between humans and wildlife.
What sets Wilder apart is Kerr's ability to seamlessly blend scientific knowledge with a deeply personal perspective. Her childhood dreams and experiences infuse the story with genuine awe and nostalgia. This unique approach fosters a deeper connection with the subject matter, evoking readers' own aspirations and emphasizing the transformative power of nature.
Moreover, Wilder highlights the significance of involving local communities in rewilding projects. Kerr underscores the importance of considering their needs and perspectives, advocating for a harmonious coexistence between humans and the natural world.
With its beautiful prose and heartfelt storytelling, Wilder educates and inspires. Kerr's tribute to the wonders of rewilding celebrates the tireless efforts of experts and locals alike, leaving readers with a profound appreciation for the resilience and beauty of our planet.
January 12, 2025
I think I started reading this book with misleading expectations. I was hoping to learn more about the complexity and approaches of whole-of-ecosystem rewilding. However, this book, for the most part, sticks to the classic examples of well known land based mammals like elephants, jaguars giant tortoises and pangolins. It takes quite a strong (single) species approach and uses many of the better known restoration/rewilding projects as examples (like Iberá in Argentina or the Galapagos islands). That could of course be owed to the fact that the book was written during Covid and the author wasn't really able to travel to rewilding sites.
As the author already uses these rather 'classic' examples I would have suggested to put them as first chapters, e.g. to explain the three 'Cs' (Cores, Carnivores and Corridors) concept of rewilding. This could have worked nicely because these chapters are well written and neatly explain the concept.
Instead the first few chapters confused me a bit and made me think this is rather a book about species conservation.
It also contributed to me missing a frame/continued threat in the book that would have tied the single chapters together a bit more (as an example, Andrew Balmford does that really nicely in his book 'Wild Hope' when he tries to extract the success factors of each project he describes in the respective chapters and compares them).
It didn't really help that the book also had some editorial errors, e.g. repetitions of the same sentence in the Chapter about Rwanda.
As the author already uses these rather 'classic' examples I would have suggested to put them as first chapters, e.g. to explain the three 'Cs' (Cores, Carnivores and Corridors) concept of rewilding. This could have worked nicely because these chapters are well written and neatly explain the concept.
Instead the first few chapters confused me a bit and made me think this is rather a book about species conservation.
It also contributed to me missing a frame/continued threat in the book that would have tied the single chapters together a bit more (as an example, Andrew Balmford does that really nicely in his book 'Wild Hope' when he tries to extract the success factors of each project he describes in the respective chapters and compares them).
It didn't really help that the book also had some editorial errors, e.g. repetitions of the same sentence in the Chapter about Rwanda.
February 4, 2023
Though I had crossed paths with the word 'rewilding' previously, I never truly understood its concepts, nuances and real world applications until I read this book. While the author's background may not be in science, her passion and curiosity for the natural world is clear to see through personal anecdotes which help the reader to invest in the characters and projects shared in each chapter. There is a refreshing cast of animals covered beyond the European stars of many rewilding projects - think Rwandan lions, Argentinian pangolins and New Zealand's kākāpō (flightless bird). The book is not intended as a scientific rewilding manual but instead an overview of rewilding practices and covers some of the hurdles conservationists are facing to save fauna and flora from historical, as well as current, environmental degradation and human activities.
For readers with little knowledge of rewilding, this is an excellent introduction to the topic, aided by the author's storytelling writing style which will really appeal to non-scientific audiences. While scientific concepts may not be covered in intricate depth, there are ample conversations with conservationists and references to scientific literature to benefit the more informed reader.
Overall, Wilder is an enjoyable and compelling read, highlighting the plight of animals from across the world and the hard work conservationists are doing to bring rewilding into the mainstream as a conservation method.
For readers with little knowledge of rewilding, this is an excellent introduction to the topic, aided by the author's storytelling writing style which will really appeal to non-scientific audiences. While scientific concepts may not be covered in intricate depth, there are ample conversations with conservationists and references to scientific literature to benefit the more informed reader.
Overall, Wilder is an enjoyable and compelling read, highlighting the plight of animals from across the world and the hard work conservationists are doing to bring rewilding into the mainstream as a conservation method.
March 25, 2024
As Millie Kerr explained in the last pages of the book, there is no one definition of the word ‘rewilding’. In Wilder by Millie Kerr, we learn many examples of rewilding stories. All of which are vastly different from each other. This book does a fabulous job of educating people about everything they need to know about rewilding. With all these different stories we learn the nuances and behind-the-scenes of rewilding which is incredibly interesting. I am young and this book definitely inspired me to work in the conservation/ ecology field; it showed me what humans are capable of to protect nature and biodiversity.
This book definitely felt like reading a long news article. It’s not the most smooth writing and at times it was hard/ boring to read, but it gets the point across. With that said I definitely feel like it would be much better in audiobook form.
Another thing that didn’t work is Millie sharing a lot of information that didn’t necessarily need to be included in the book. That is what contributed to the fact that it is hard to read. Millie also wrote a lot about ‘when I was writing this chapter’ or ‘when I was a young kid’ etc. It adds emotional value to the book, but IMO it just wasn’t needed and just made the chapters longer and longer. This is with the exception of chapter 11 and 5 where it really contributes to the main idea.
Overall great book but had a tough time getting through it.
This book definitely felt like reading a long news article. It’s not the most smooth writing and at times it was hard/ boring to read, but it gets the point across. With that said I definitely feel like it would be much better in audiobook form.
Another thing that didn’t work is Millie sharing a lot of information that didn’t necessarily need to be included in the book. That is what contributed to the fact that it is hard to read. Millie also wrote a lot about ‘when I was writing this chapter’ or ‘when I was a young kid’ etc. It adds emotional value to the book, but IMO it just wasn’t needed and just made the chapters longer and longer. This is with the exception of chapter 11 and 5 where it really contributes to the main idea.
Overall great book but had a tough time getting through it.
May 8, 2024
Did not enjoy this as much as I thought I would given the subject matter. Perhaps being already quite knowledgeable about this topic, there was nothing really novel despite the detailed accounts of many examples given by the author. On the contrary, many of the case studies came across as information dumping, and seemed repetitive at times. Kerr admitted that she was unable to report on site for many of the examples owing to Covid lockdowns, so much of what's written was from research, which I suppose readers could also have done for themselves. A couple of chapters stood out, being about the more famous cases such as Gorongosa and Ibera, but many were just instances of animals bred in captivity and released, yes species reintroductions are a component, but rewilding encompasses so much more. One thing I agreed with the writer though, is that there is no standard definition of what it is, and it really varies in scale and intensity across a whole spectrum, from backyard wild flowers to repopulating continents with apex predators, and everything in between. Writing about examples without any sort of unifying theme does not make for absorbing reading I suppose.
The author also wrote about her personal journey in parallel, from losing touch with nature as a young working adult, to regaining that aspect through transitioning into nature writing, which I felt was maybe extraneous to the book.
The author also wrote about her personal journey in parallel, from losing touch with nature as a young working adult, to regaining that aspect through transitioning into nature writing, which I felt was maybe extraneous to the book.
October 3, 2022
Rewilding is growing as a practice in the conservation field. This book offers an interesting look at various rewilding projects around the world.
It’s not a textbook on how to do rewilding, but you do learn a lot from the stories about the various projects. You will see what worked and what didn’t. Some projects are new and some are long-term. All have dedicated folks working toward improving the planet for various species.
The book is a bit tough to get into at first. I think the subject is one that demands a lot of focus on specific species and techniques, while this book is mostly to tell the stories of each project. This is perfect as an introduction to the practices of rewilding.
Enjoyable read about a subject that will, hopefully, be getting more popular as we learn how to help our wild neighbors.
It’s not a textbook on how to do rewilding, but you do learn a lot from the stories about the various projects. You will see what worked and what didn’t. Some projects are new and some are long-term. All have dedicated folks working toward improving the planet for various species.
The book is a bit tough to get into at first. I think the subject is one that demands a lot of focus on specific species and techniques, while this book is mostly to tell the stories of each project. This is perfect as an introduction to the practices of rewilding.
Enjoyable read about a subject that will, hopefully, be getting more popular as we learn how to help our wild neighbors.
May 23, 2023
I so wanted to like this book more than I did. Partly that’s because many of the examples the author describes are familiar: Gorongosa in Mozambique; the Doug and Kris Tompkins work in Chile and Argentina etc… Admittedly hampered by Covid much of the book didn’t seem fresh but rather a rehash of well documented projects or indulgent forays into autobiographical musings of the author’s life in Texas.
While much of the book is well trodden ground, there are of course new projects and new facets of established ones. I think I wanted this book to be another Rewilding the World: Dispatches from the Conservation Revolution, by Caroline Fraser, which of course isn’t fair. Perhaps what I most wanted was the story of a tsunami of rewilding beating back the constant drone of bad environmental news and that of course is the the most unfair expectation of all.
While much of the book is well trodden ground, there are of course new projects and new facets of established ones. I think I wanted this book to be another Rewilding the World: Dispatches from the Conservation Revolution, by Caroline Fraser, which of course isn’t fair. Perhaps what I most wanted was the story of a tsunami of rewilding beating back the constant drone of bad environmental news and that of course is the the most unfair expectation of all.
January 26, 2023
This book's a real disappointment. Having read quite a lot of the rewilding literature this is definitely at the bottom. Written by a journalist of the populist Malcolm Gladwell kind it just felt like a publisher was getting on the rewilding bandwagon. There's very little about biological dynamics and I found the case studies frustratingly shallow and in one instance seriously inaccurate. This probably reflects the author's lack of any serious background in ecology. The quality of the writing was also poor and peppered with personal anecdotes. Compare with say Helen McDonald. Abandoned it half way. If you want to read a rewilding book then go to George Monbiot or Dominic Macdonald, authors with a deep knowledge of the subject and inspirational writers.
September 20, 2023
Desperately disappointed not to love this book.
Having studied marine conservation and now working in the field of terrestrial ecological restoration, I anticipated this book would inspire the same sense of motivated passion I felt reading George Monbiot’s Feral or Callum Roberts’ The Unnatural History of the Sea, it fell far short.
I have settled with 3 stars as the stories are generally positive and it is nice to hear of some relative success stories in an otherwise very gloomy field. However, even as someone who is very invested in the subject, I found the chapters long and boring and considered abandoning the book a few times.
Having studied marine conservation and now working in the field of terrestrial ecological restoration, I anticipated this book would inspire the same sense of motivated passion I felt reading George Monbiot’s Feral or Callum Roberts’ The Unnatural History of the Sea, it fell far short.
I have settled with 3 stars as the stories are generally positive and it is nice to hear of some relative success stories in an otherwise very gloomy field. However, even as someone who is very invested in the subject, I found the chapters long and boring and considered abandoning the book a few times.
April 22, 2023
In most ways WILDER is an excellent book. I had two problems with it. First, the author spent far too much time talking about herself. Fine, and I'm happy for her choices and her life, but don't consider them relevant to the topic. Second, she seemed unable to see the very sharp distinctions between sport hunting, legal commercial hunting (both of which are carefully regulated today and pose no real threat to any terrestrial species) and poaching, which is a major problem. That said, WILDER is well worth reading and I strongly recommend it.
August 8, 2023
Rewilding is a subject I am very interested in and I have read several books on the subject previously. Unfortunately, whilst clearly very well researched, I just did not find this book as engaging as others I have read. I found it quite hard to get into. Some of the stories (the pangolin and the tortoises) I quite enjoyed, but the Chapters or Argentina and the Elephants were just a bit dry and boring. It's worth reading, but it's not a page turner.
September 23, 2023
I loved this book. The thorough research introduces us to conservation heroes, interesting history and weaves in some background on the author. Re-wilding is such a hot topic right now and the author gives the reader the scope of this vision to re-introduce species into areas where they had become extinct in the wild. I agree with Jane Goodall’s comment on the front cover - this is a “must-read”.
January 4, 2024
This book took me on an enjoyable and mostly uplifting journey through some interesting ‘rewilding’ stories. There’s a lot of negativity around biodiversity loss; rightly so…but it can be quite draining. So I appreciated having some positivity (mostly) about successes.
The author does well to involve her personal experiences without making it all about them. Would recommend to anyone looking for good introduction to the subject with examples.
The author does well to involve her personal experiences without making it all about them. Would recommend to anyone looking for good introduction to the subject with examples.
June 23, 2025
It is not at all this book's fault that it wasn't the one I was looking for. It is an excellent survey of rewilding and reintroduction efforts ongoing across the globe. In that, it is a wonderful book, well written and entertaining.
I was (and am still!) hoping to find a book that discusses the overall ecological impact of rewilding and reintroduction especially on ecosystems and global climate.
I was (and am still!) hoping to find a book that discusses the overall ecological impact of rewilding and reintroduction especially on ecosystems and global climate.
May 1, 2022
I first heard of rewilding about 10 years ago. I suspect it will be a widely known term in the next 10-20 years, and I hope the world has as much success with it, fall the benefit of all creatures on the planet. I'm a little excited about the idea and practices of it. Recommended.
I really appreciate the free ARC for review!!
I really appreciate the free ARC for review!!
September 1, 2022
This book provides a fascinating insight into variety of bold and ambitious rewilding programs. While rich in details and facts the stories are what really stood out for me; Gorongosa was a particular highlight. For someone with very limited knowledge of rewilding the book provided an accessible and engaging initiation into the subject.
February 7, 2023
Kerr's deep dive into the meaning of "rewilding" means and what that looks like it a variety of contexts was intriguing and left me desperate to know more about some of the projects she highlights. Modern day conservation is not a one-size-fits-all protocol and the projects highlighted in Kerr's book showcase how geographical and social factors play a vital role in conservation design.
January 9, 2024
I couldn't really get into this one. The examples felt too disparate, and the desk-based research (due to the pandemic) gave the book a slightly flat, dry feel. In essence, the book failed to really enthuse and excite about rewilding in the way that others on the subject have - by thorough investigation of the ecological benefits at a much more local scale.
xx-dnf-skim-reference
May 31, 2025Maybe my expectations were too high. Maybe I'm just wondering why the author isn't using her lawyer education & experience to advocate, but is just "asking questions" and "storytelling." But anyway, I did struggle awhile with this and just couldn't. May 2025
June 26, 2022
A good read, both educational and illuminating about how different countries are dealing with strengthening their environmental diversity.
September 27, 2022
Reviewed by Ruthie Jones for Lone Star Literary Life
April 10, 2023
I liked the mix of examples both in scale and location. However, the author could be preachy, and at times it was too memoir-y for me.
June 15, 2023
I recommend this book to everyone, a hundred times.
July 9, 2023
I loved learning about such a variety of projects around the world. Written beautifully and a nice narrative throughout.
March 4, 2024
Good book that was easy to enjoy. The storyline was always moving so the book never got stagnant. Engaging book that was fun to read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews