Nature's Last Dance: Tales of Wonder in an Age of Extinction

by Natalie Kyriacou

Longlisted for Best Non Fiction in the Indie Book Awards of 2026 and labelled 'the most important environmental book of our times'.

This is a story of survival and extinction, of life and death, of curiosity and perversion, of unimaginable joy and harrowing sorrow.

Amidst the tragedy of wild species extinction lies a hidden world of survival and wonder.
Conservationists are locked in a high-stakes battle with the ghost of a drug lord and his herd of hippos. Scientists are fighting to save a flightless bird that romances rocks. Unconventional animals are upending 21st-century beauty standards, and financiers are betting on whale poo to make its debut on Wall Street.

Set against the backdrop of a rapidly unfolding mass extinction event, Nature's Last Dance takes readers across hunting grounds, through jungles and oceans, inside communities, through trafficking rings and courtrooms, and into the heart of battles to survive against all odds.

Award-winning environmentalist Natalie Kyriacou confronts the extinction crisis with courage and curiosity, charting a new course for nature and showing us why it is so worth fighting for.

Genres: Nonfiction, Nature, Science, Environment, Sustainability, Animals, Natural History

416 pages, Paperback

Published August 26, 2025

About the author

Natalie Kyriacou OAM is an award-winning environmentalist, writer, and company director with a passion for harnessing curiosity to solve nature crises. She is the author of Nature's Last Dance: Tales of Wonder in an Age of Extinction.

Natalie was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia and the Forbes 30 Under 30 honour for her services to wildlife and environmental conservation in 2018 and was recognised as one of The Australian’s ‘Top Innovators’ in 2022. She was the United Nations Environment Programme’s ‘Young Champion of the Earth’ Finalist for her innovation in wildlife and environmental conservation and is LinkedIn’s Top Green Voice. In 2025, she was named as a Marie Claire “Women of the Year” nominee.

She is a Board Director at the Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife, a Board Director at CARE Australia, the Founder and Chair of My Green World, a UNESCO Green Citizens Pathfinder, a member of the XPrize Brain Trust for Biodiversity and Conservation, and an Australian Delegate and Climate Justice Lead at the W20 (the official engagement group of the G20). She is a National Ambassador for the Australian Conservation Foundation.

Passionate about protecting the environment and ensuring everyone has a voice in the process, Natalie’s work focuses on connecting people with the environment in meaningful, joyful, and impactful ways.

Find Natalie on:
Instagram: @nat_kyriacou
LinkedIn: Natalie Kyriacou OAM
Website: www.nataliekyriacou.com

Reviews

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Humanity is the only species that actively debates whether or not it should maintain the environmental conditions necessary for its own continued existence. Other species do not struggle with this sort of thing.”

As an ethical vegan, my heart has always leaned more toward animals than humans. Their innocence, their vulnerability, their quiet resilience, it’s what drives every choice I make. Reading Nature’s Last Dance was both a privilege and a wound. Natalie Kyriacou doesn’t sugarcoat the truth: extinction is not some distant concept, it’s happening right now, and it’s tangled in both tragedy and absurdity.

This book hit me harder than I expected. It’s rare to find writing that manages to balance heartbreak, outrage, and humor in such a raw and genuine way. I found myself laughing at moments of absurdity, only to be gutted a page later by the cruelty and indifference our species inflicts on the natural world. Because of that weight, I took my time reading it, letting every word sink in, a chapter at a time. It deserved that kind of attention.

Kyriacou’s stories are wild, strange, and sometimes surreal, They are reminders of what’s at stake. They also carry glimmers of hope, not in a naive way, but in the stubborn way nature continues to fight back despite everything.

Nature’s Last Dance is not just a book, it’s an urgent call to see animals and ecosystems as they truly are: worthy of reverence, not exploitation. For me, it reaffirmed why I live the way I do. For others, I hope it sparks that same fire to care, act, and choose differently before it really is the last dance.

My Highest Recommendation

Congratulations Natalie Kyriacou.

Thank you Affirm Press for my early readers copy.

Available Now!

[Malcolm · Rating 5 out of 5]

An extraordinarily interesting, humourous, saddening, uplifting, readable, broad and well researched, tour of the pressures human systems are exerting on the natural world and the resulting risks to its ongoing ability to sustain our existence. As someone with a lifelong interest in the natural world, and an ever growing anxiety about the destruction our consumptive excesses have wrought, I have read widely on these topics for many years. Never have I come across any work that so cohesively connects all the threads that influence the ongoing destruction of the planet and the organisations working tirelessly to bring the systems back into balance. The book concludes with practical and realistic guidance about how we can all become more engaged in directing our local and global communities toward a more sustainable future. This is a truly exceptional book and should find its way onto the schools curriculum.

[Pete Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read a LOT of environmental literature and this one I particularly enjoyed. Great narrative woven together with stories of hope and sadness but most importantly it provided a believable architecture for how we could move the needle and make a difference in a world that needs help.

[Brooks Zonts · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m both ashamed and glad to say this book was a first for me—ashamed because I haven’t read a non-fiction book that actually has something to do with something that I was mildly interested in, and glad because WOW, this was a great way to start. I was introduced to Natalie Kyriacou via a post on social media of a speech she did that incorporated excerpts from this book and to say it moved me is putting it lightly. I must’ve watched that speech a dozen times by now and am not any less enthralled with the entire book as well.

I appreciated Natalie’s ability to both instill hope for our future in environmental sciences while also shedding light to the negatives that currently surround our species actions that has been scientifically proven to be destroying our planet. My eyes were opened to the amount of influence our government has on our environment, and enraged me at the lack of accountability we’re taking as a species for the damage we are doing to the world around us. This book also gave me many ideas for the future, my future, and what I want to do to make an impact in my own daily life and community. I have found a passion for this subject, and this for sure won’t be the last book I read in regard to our environment.

There is so much that we can still learn from the world around us, all it takes is recognizing that things need to change and pushing for those changes necessary for the survival of not just our own species, but the planet as a whole. This book encouraged me to take a step back, realize what impact my every day actions play on the environment and make a substantial effort in changing practices long-term for the betterment of Earth.

This book somehow manages to be devastating, hilarious, fascinating, and hopeful all at once. Kyriacou writes about extinction and environmental destruction without making the subject feel like a textbook lecture. Instead, she makes you fall in love with the weird, wonderful creatures we’re in danger of losing—and then makes you wonder why the hell we’re so determined to destroy the things that make this planet worth living on.

So — pay attention. Fall in love with the world around you. And once you love something, maybe you’ll care enough to fight for it.

“Humanity is the only species that actively debates whether or not it should maintain the environmental conditions necessary for its own continued existence. Other species do not struggle with this sort of thing.”

“Because sometimes it is as simple as opening your eyes, stepping outside and looking upon the world around you.”

[Sebastian Berry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nature's Last Dance is a remarkable book that speaks straight to the heart and holds the power to connect with every person. Natalie Kyriacou delivers an account of our humanity and our natural world that masterfully weaves our worlds together through the universal language of humour - as soberingly painful as it is entertaining. While painting a vivid picture of the silent crises facing our planet, the book doesn't just detail the problems; it lights a beacon of hope and solidarity when it has never been needed more. Nature's Last Dance is a bittersweet masterpiece... it's a must-read that reminds us of the profound connection we have to the natural world, and the urgent responsibility we have to protect it.

[Lily Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone should read this book. It is a harrowing yet incredibly witty and thought provoking read that will make you cry then laugh and then cry-laugh. It is informative but without jargon and filled with wonderful stories of nature that you aren’t likely to have heard before. I feel like I’ve become a different person after reading it and it is now something that I find myself wanting to share with every person I come across. Do yourself and our younger generations a favour by reading this book with care and consideration. Make an effort to share it, especially with any people in your life who have their heads buried in the sand and are quite comfortable there.

[Reto Kofmehl · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book that EVERYONE needs to read!
An important reminder of what we're dealing with currently, when it comes to our impact on nature. Written both with amazing examples of how awesome and fun the natural world is, and very concrete recommendations for EVERYBODY about what we can do to limit our harm and help turning things around for the good.
Highly recommended, informative, fun, inspiring and practical read!

[Rachel Smyth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A witty, humorous and moving masterpiece that will engage any reader about our natural world. The chapters give perspective of the importance of protecting nature through story telling. Loved every chapter of this book. Was very cleverly written!

[Miguel Buddle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve never a read a book about the horrific damage we’re doing to the planet that was this powerful or this hopeful.

[Rozanna Lilley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This heartfelt book on the destruction of the environment and on human cupidity is an incredibly wide-ranging, and often tough, read with an international reach and a welcome Australian focus. It is a call to urgent action but also demands that readers understand that climate change and environmental catastrophe are structural outcomes of late capitalism. There are lots of wonderful, and often sad, stories - the last Tasmania tiger, the "quiet creep of extinction". Then there are the stories of environmental heroism and of political action that worked. Sometimes this is surprising - I'd forgotten about the hole in the ozone layer and the work of Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan to plug this disaster. Indeed, it made me think back to a primary school project I did on pollution in the 1960s. I was distressed then by the state of the world. Now, it is hard not to be overwhelmed by it. Kyriacou places her faith in young people. I hope she is right.

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fascinating and brilliant. A wonderful capture of the beauty, resilience, wonder and weirdness of nature - and how deeply we rely on it for our survival. Enjoyable so easily readable, this book made me laugh, cry and deeply moved me. Chapters touch on science, history, economics, politics, culture. I particularly loved the description of the efforts of conservationists in the face of dire odds. This book is a global tour across time and places. You simply must read it.

[Romaine Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing read. I thought I’d give it a go after reading a review in one of the print rags but I had no particular expectations. Boy, what a cracker! Really took me by surprise for interest, information and engaging content. Faultlessly researched and presented. One of the best books I’ve read in a while. Just read it!

[Mariana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing book, I will tell everyone about it. It made me laugh, it made me mad and it almost made me cry along all the people that fight for the world and for every living being. Thank you for making this book Natalie and for inspiring me to do better everyday ❤️

[Sophie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too much social commentary, not enough science.
3/5

[Frederick Russell-Rivoallan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Masterpiece of Urgency, Rage, and Hope

As Nathalie Kyriacou asks at the end of her book, I am leaving this review on Goodreads to ‘help other curious humans stumble upon it’.

Nature’s Last Dance: Tales of Wonder in an Age of Extinction is the most compelling, page-turning work of non-fiction I have ever read. In fact, I found myself reading passages aloud, as if narrating an audiobook—it is that gripping and immersive.

This book is groundbreaking, on a par with Naomi Klein’s The Shock Doctrine. Kyriacou does not just inform; she takes you on a journey.

Each chapter is brilliantly constructed, presenting overwhelming evidence—from the origins of the climate crisis to the battle among politics, power, and nature—that could push any reader to the brink of despair. Yet, just as you feel the weight of hopelessness, she pulls you back with a positive, actionable conclusion, enticing you to turn the page and begin again. It is a deliberate rhythm of revelation and hope, leaving you angry and hopeful at the same time, or, as Kyriacou herself puts it: ‘oscillating between cautious optimism and existential despair’.

One quote that haunts and motivates in equal measure:
‘The result is a world that is living well beyond its ecological means. Nature provides resources like food, water, and energy, but if we use them faster than they can be replenished, we are effectively overdrafting on nature while also trapping greenhouse gases in the atmosphere to such a degree that the planet becomes virtually uninhabitable for millions of people (and species) around the world.’

Kyriacou does not shy away from naming the villains. She exposes how fossil fuel companies, despite their own scientists’ warnings of ‘catastrophic consequences of pollution’, chose to bury the evidence and launch ‘a multi-decade, multibillion-dollar campaign of disinformation, propaganda, and lobbying’. The real unsustainability, she argues, is unfettered capitalism—greed disguised as progress—where regulatory frameworks are dismantled ‘in the unholy name of profit above all else’.

Yet this is not just a book of doom. It is a call to perceive climate collapse as the existential threat it is, and Kyriacou challenges us with a piercing question:
‘If we do not perceive it as an existential threat, is waiting to see if we were wrong worth the risk?’

The book is divided into five meticulously crafted parts, each building on the last, culminating in solutions that urge us to fight for our lives, fall in love with the planet again, and move forward. Kyriacou’s prose is as poetic as it is urgent. She writes:
‘Sometimes it is as simple as opening your eyes, stepping outside, and looking upon the world around you. Once you see, you cannot unsee: the beauty and the destruction, the joy and the tragedy of life. And once you have fallen in love, there is nothing you would not do to protect this fragile, extraordinary world.’

She even injects sharp, modern satire, such as updating your Tinder or Grindr profile, talking about genitalia of great apes, ejaculating helmets, or even whale poo to a golden toilet as a symbol of social inequality and a critique of consumer excess. It is a provocative invitation to shift from consuming for status to consuming with intention, demanding ‘creativity, courage, and a willingness to question the narratives we have inherited about what it means to live well’.

Kyriacou confronts the extinction crisis with courage and curiosity, charting a new course for nature and showing us why this fight is so worth it. She reminds us that ‘the fierce resilience of nature when given the chance to heal’ is a reason to act, and that, while she confesses that ‘this book does not offer a comprehensive plan to save the world’, she does remind us that ‘our world is shaped by systems’ and that these ‘systems can be changed’ through deliberative, intentional, individual and collective efforts, ‘piece by piece’.

[Valentin Gruener · Rating 5 out of 5]

Treating what is arguably the most important issue of our time - the destruction of the natural world, our own life-support system - with humour is an almost impossible balancing act. Somehow this book pulls it off.
Nature’s Last Dance is thought-provoking, occasionally heartbreaking, surprisingly funny, and incredibly accessible. It introduces difficult conservation issues, uncomfortable truths, and some horrific examples of how we’ve treated wildlife and nature, yet never falls into blame, anger, or judgment. Instead, it leaves you wanting to be part of the solution.
As someone who works in wildlife conservation my entire life, I expected to be familiar with much of what the book covers. Yet I still found myself constantly learning. Scientific concepts and terminology are woven into the storytelling so naturally that you hardly notice you’re being educated.
I also loved the many references to some of conservation’s modern heroes, whose work deserves far more recognition than it often receives.
Natalie also manages another balancing act remarkably well: writing from a feminist perspective without ever feeling anti-men. As a male reader, I never once felt preached at - only invited into the conversation. That’s rarer than it should be.
And as someone who’s slowly become a bit of a bird fanatic after years in the African bush, I thoroughly enjoyed the affectionate humour aimed at birders. I felt both seen… and gently called out.
Above all, the book highlights the astonishing absurdity of many of our interactions with wildlife.
Whether you already work in conservation or have never given biodiversity much thought, this is a book worth reading. It makes a very complex subject approachable without ever oversimplifying it - and somehow leaves you both more informed and more hopeful by the final page. Highly recommended.

[Sharyn Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened to audio version.
Wide ranging and compelling journey through evolution to present day life on earth and how we are destroying diversity of life and driving our precious ecosystem towards chaos and despair.
I found her lighthearted story telling style in the voice of a young woman discordant with the often disturbing and very serious content.
I grew up a Christian and though I no longer believe Jesus is God I recognize him as a significant activist for social change out of love for each other and Natalie’s book is a call to activism for the love of life on earth.. Just as Jesus encouraged people to love each other and to distrust worldly powers so Natalie calls us to engage in the struggle against corporate power and consumerism to save the planet for each other where other includes all creatures great and small.
This is a future focused book which ends with stories of young people leading the charge towards more hopeful possibilities.
I think this is an important book that will inspire many people to engage in planet saving action.

[Ayesha Michael · Rating 2 out of 5]

I went into Nature’s Last Dance expecting a dramatic, story driven book based on the reviews describing it as Shakespearean, romantic, quirky and even risqué. I was surprised to find it’s a nonfiction science book rather than a narrative with characters to follow. I kept waiting for a clear storyline, but instead the book focuses on research and scientific exploration.

That said, the themes are powerful. The examination of dysfunctional relationships in nature is fascinating, sometimes darkly funny and often emotional. It made me laugh and it made me cry. The patterns of competition, survival and connection feel dramatic in their own way, but not enough for me to want to keep reading. It was a forced task to get it done every day. Basically humans suck and we’re destroying the world.

While it wasn’t what I expected, it’s thought-provoking and memorable. Just go in knowing this is science-focused rather than a traditional story.

[H Alexander · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great introduction to non fiction on the environment and wildlife conservation, but if you have read books on this topic before you'll feel a lot of deja vu. Most of the stories covered are very popular, and i have read about most of them before and in greater depth. This is a great starting point but i found the story choices uninspired. This might be a me problem, because im passionate about this topic, so i didn't deduct a star.

I did deduct a star for writing style. Kyriacou writes very robotically and has little voice, to the point i paused my reading to google if she used AI or had a writing background. Apparently, she is not on the AI bandwagon and has a journalism degree, but is more of a CEO/activist than a writer. I'm sure she can find her voice in future books and I'll definitely pick them up at my library if they catch my eye.

[Robbie Danger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall thought it was a good book and good for people to read and learn about climate and environmental crises. I don’t think I am the target audience as most of the content I was already aware of, but it’s well written and easy to read. It only falls short of getting a 5 star from me as there were a few mentions I felt were underresearched. For example the author mentions Second Bite, the food rescue charity that diverts food waste in Australia from a major supermarket, but these charities save as little as 2% of food waste and I feel are largely greenwashing.

Still a very good book that I would recommend to people wanting to get up to speed but some sections were a bit generous toward incremental corporate initiatives.

[Em · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read - well written narrative of nature’s story globally, culturally, socially, scientifically and historically. If I was a book highlighter, I would have highlighted so many quotes, passages and stories that illustrated the the despair and shadows of humans (aka corporates/greed/shortsightedness/colonisation) shaping our perception, systems and value of nature to the hope, strength, regeneration and revelations of nature and the importance of advocates, activists and the youth as changemakers!

[Nick C · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must read. So engagingly written, the author has brought together so many interesting perspectives on the major challenges affecting our society, as they impact on the natural world and our role in maintaining it. At times alarming (though hardly surprising), while also enlightening, witty and hopeful, Nature's Last Dance will appeal to anyone who genuinely cares about people and the environment in which we live, and in which our descendants deserve to survive and thrive. Meticulously researched, this should be on everyone's reading list, young or old.

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the single most remarkable book I've read. This is in a league of its own and I find it hard to express how deeply this book affected me. I was so moved by the extraordinary stories, beautiful prose and the clarity and balance with which it was written. I am thrilled to see a new author come to the fore in this genre, and what a star she is!! This is likely the first of many books for a writer that will no doubt be known as one of the all time greats many years from now. Fearless, empathetic, poignant, funny, and wise. A must read.

[Ethan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good book.. I don't need to harp on about that part because the reviews and praise speak for themselves. What I like is a book where you can tell the writer loves the craft and cares a whole lot about the topic. This is one of those books. Boy, does she love nature all the living things on earth! its infectious. She's got a real fighting spirit and funny bone which I like. Not much manages to change my mind on things but this made me think I should be doing more for the natural world.So this old man is going to have a crack at that. . Good on ya girl.

[Agostina Battistini · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolute must-read in environmental communication that everyone should have on their shelf.
What I appreciate most is the author's approach: far from the usual doom-and-gloom discourse of imminent collapse, it helps you truly understand the importance of ecosystems from a constructive and grounded place. It is a friendly, conscious invitation to realize that we are a part of nature, that we all have a role to play, and that it's time to start taking better care of our planet.
An essential, down-to-earth read. Highly recommended for everyone!

[Elise · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great collection of stories on the environment and conservation, quite a few within Australia. Particular highlights were discussions on specialist vs generalist species, ecosystem services, the true meaning of "survival of the fittest", and the need to switch from consuming for status to consuming with intention. Loved the final chapter; an ode to the birdwatchers of the world! 🙌🏻🐦🦅🦢 Read as an audiobook.

[Maddie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is exquisite. The scope of its topics, and the range and depth of its writing, are unparalleled. It is very funny (often biting) while layered with lyrical, poetic prose, distinctive storytelling that illuminates complex subjects with clarity and insight, and underpinned by rigorous research. Nature's Last Dance draws out the full range of emotions... laughter, tears, discomfort, and wonder.

[Freiya · Rating 5 out of 5]

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟


A good book that brings to light the utter devastation humans do to nature and animals, and how illogical and senseless that behavior is.
But there is also so much else going on in this book.
There is also a urgent appeal and pressing plea to open our eyes and truly see that animals and ecosystems are not only important but also worthy of awe and respect, and to not abuse and exploit or treat either with willful ignorance or cruelty.

[Eryn McIntosh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, it was informative without being too long-winded. It jumped from topic to topic and held my interest really well. 📚

I really liked the Foreword, giving us ways to help and be the change we want to see in the world. Coming from an Australian author helped me grasp the concept a lot more too. It spoke a lot of home (NZ) and brought it back to reality that this is happening here and now, and if I want to see change, I need to be that change. 🌏

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautifully written and deeply moving book, a perfect blend of heart, hope, and reflection. The storytelling is vivid and poetic, giving a real insight into the fragility of our natural world and inspires to live a more connected life with the environment always in the forefront of our minds. A must read that lingers long after the last page