Wolves, Eagles & Beavers: Why Rewilding Divides Britain | Veterinary Ramblings

Rewilding has mostly cracked the technical side. We know how to bring back species, restore forests and re-wet peat bogs. The hard part now is people.In this episode of Veterinary Ramblings, Julian and Mike talk to wildlife photographer, storyteller and podcaster Peter Cairns. Peter went from playing bass guitar to running a haulage business, then walked away from it all to spend 30 years rewilding a small farm in the Cairngorms.They talk about why some species are welcomed and others are seen as intruders: golden eagles vs white-tailed eagles, robins vs sparrowhawks, and the 17 million dogs on our sofas vs the wolf. They also cover a rancher in Montana, social media tribes, aurochs and lynx, the guga hunt, and whether birds really are dinosaurs. Peter also takes on the 60-second CPD challenge: how wild is enough?Chapters0:00 Welcome and introducing Peter Cairns2:52 The icebreaker question5:12 From bass guitar to a haulage business8:26 How trucking led to nature12:33 Thirty years rewilding a farm in the Cairngorms13:55 Wildlife photography and stories of ecological recovery16:48 How rewilding has evolved19:37 The technical side is solved, the challenge is people22:34 White-tailed eagles and the social media storm26:43 Wolves, ranchers and Montana28:06 Tribes, polarisation and agreeing to disagree32:07 Cognitive bias and speciesism36:17 Wolves, dogs and double standards39:14 How media narratives shape our perceptions40:34 Aurochs and the role of wild herbivores44:53 Where do we draw the line on bringing species back?50:20 The case for lynx52:58 60-second CPD: how wild is enough?59:22 Finland, wolves and Peter's podcast At the Edge1:02:06 Reflection question1:07:24 The guga hunt and the gannet debate1:17:12 Robins, sparrowhawks and wilful blindness1:19:13 Are birds dinosaurs?1:21:10 Vermin and imposing human morals on animals1:22:43 Why nature education mattersListen to Peter's podcast, At the Edge, on all podcast platforms.Veterinary Ramblings is supported by our sponsors MAI Animal Health and Thames Medical.🌐 www.veterinaryramblings.com🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts👍 Like, comment, share and subscribe#VeterinaryRamblings #Rewilding #PeterCairns #Wildlife #Conservation #VetPodcast #CPD #Wolves #Scotland ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

In this episode of Veterinary Ramblings, hosts Mike Brampton and Julian Hoad sit down with guest Caroline Allen, a veteran veterinarian with nearly two decades of general practice experience and former Chief Veterinary Officer for the RSPCA.1Together, they dive deep into the evolving landscape of veterinary medicine, exploring topics that range from lighthearted personal anecdotes to crucial issues in modern animal care.Key Discussion Points:Career Journey & RSPCA Legacy: Caroline shares her path from entering general practice to serving as the Chief Veterinary Officer at the RSPCA. She reflects on the history of the world's oldest animal welfare charity and her time managing complex welfare challenges.2The Shift in Veterinary Practice: The group discusses the rise of extreme breed conformations (e.g., French Bulldogs, Pugs) and how the transition from curing illnesses to managing chronic, human-created breeding issues impacted practice.Animal Advocacy & The Five Domains: Caroline delivers a "60-Second CPD" breakdown of the Five Domains Model (Health, Nutrition, Environment, Behavioral Interactions, and Mental State). She emphasizes the importance of giving animals a "voice" and focusing on animal feelings rather than just medical health.Contextualized Care & AI in Practice: A candid look at the challenges modern vets face in 15-minute consultations, including the need for individualised treatment plans, proper communication, trust-building, and the pros and cons of AI in veterinary software.Introducing "Pet Lighthouse": Caroline details her new independent consultancy service, Pet Lighthouse, designed to bridge the trust gap between pet owners and veterinary practices. She explains how she provides extended, holistic consultations to help owners navigate complex end-of-life decisions, chronic conditions, and care paths.Euthanasia & End-of-Life Care: An open conversation on viewing euthanasia as a vital welfare tool, managing caregiver placebo effects, and asking whether advanceTired of boring, clinical veterinary podcasts? Join Veterinarian Dr Julian Hoad & Anaesthetic Expert Mike Brampton, as they interview inspirational guests each week who are related to the veterinary world. Veterinary Ramblings is like going for a drink with your favourite work colleagues after a long day – we’ll make you laugh, inspire you and perhaps teach you something new!#Veterinary #VetMed #VeterinaryPodcast #FunnyPodcast #VeterinaryStories ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

What happens when a veterinary publisher, a vet and a vet nurse/podcaster sit down with a beer? Mike Brampton and Julian Hoad welcome Chris Ritchie – editor, publisher and accidental founder of "the old manosphere" – to Veterinary Ramblings.In Part 1 we cover:- Chris taking over Vet Surgeon and Vet Nurse and the future of veterinary publishing- Print vs digital – are vets still reading journals cover to cover?- The Veterinary Edge and Pet & Vet magazines- Why Tesco's straight croissants are a crime- Poisonous vs venomous – why adders aren't poisonous- Pi, puns and the birth of the old manosphereVeterinary Ramblings is the podcast for vets, vet nurses and veterinary students who want real stories, CPD and a good laugh.🔔 Subscribe for new episodes every week🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and all major platforms#VeterinaryRamblings #VetPodcast #Veterinary #VetNurse #VetStudent #VeterinaryCPD #VetLife #ChrisRitchieodcast #FunnyPodcast #VeterinaryStories ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

This week on Veterinary Ramblings, Mike Brampton and Julian Hoad are joined by feline medicine specialist Dr. Petra Cerna, DVM, PhD, to explore the unique clinical, physiological and legal considerations surrounding feline health.The conversation explores the evolution of FIP treatment, including antiviral therapies and emerging insights into post-FIP complications such as myocarditis.Petra also discuss animal advocacy and law, including the ethics of cosmetic procedures, evolving animal welfare legislation and the responsibilities of veterinary organisations.The episode also takes a closer look at feline-specific diagnostics and why markers such as bilirubin, albumin and ALT can have very different clinical significance in cats compared with dogs.From feline internal medicine to veterinary ethics and animal law, this episode offers an insightful look at the complexities of feline healthcare. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

This week on Veterinary Ramblings, Mike Brampton and Julian Hoad are joined by Dr. Marc Abraham to explore animal welfare, grassroots campaigning, legislation, and the power of education to create meaningful change.The episode dives into Marc’s work as a vet, animal advocate and author, from visiting schools and literary festivals with his children’s book to his work exposing puppy farming through the documentary "Dogspiracy". He shares insights from going undercover in Amish puppy mills in Pennsylvania and how the film helped open new educational conversations with breeders and veterinary professionals.Marc also reflects on the decade-long grassroots campaign behind Lucy’s Law, which brought an end to commercial third-party sales of puppies and kittens in the UK. He explains why legislation is only the beginning, creating the framework needed for enforcement, investigation and prosecution.The conversation also explores what makes political campaigning effective, the role of APDAWG in bringing grassroots voices into Parliament, and why patience, collaboration and giving policymakers practical solutions can be more powerful than confrontation.From animal welfare legislation to veterinary-client relationships, Marc also discusses the difficult conversations vets face when treating animals affected by extreme breeding, and why keeping communication open is essential to protecting the animal in front of them. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

This week on Veterinary Ramblings, Mike Brampton and Julian Hoad are joined by Dr. Marc Abraham to explore animal welfare, grassroots campaigning, legislation, and the power of education to create meaningful change.The episode dives into Marc’s work as a vet, animal advocate and author, from visiting schools and literary festivals with his children’s book to his work exposing puppy farming through the documentary "Dogspiracy". He shares insights from going undercover in Amish puppy mills in Pennsylvania and how the film helped open new educational conversations with breeders and veterinary professionals.Marc also reflects on the decade-long grassroots campaign behind Lucy’s Law, which brought an end to commercial third-party sales of puppies and kittens in the UK. He explains why legislation is only the beginning, creating the framework needed for enforcement, investigation and prosecution.The conversation also explores what makes political campaigning effective, the role of APDAWG in bringing grassroots voices into Parliament, and why patience, collaboration and giving policymakers practical solutions can be more powerful than confrontation.From animal welfare legislation to veterinary-client relationships, Marc also discusses the difficult conversations vets face when treating animals affected by extreme breeding, and why keeping communication open is essential to protecting the animal in front of them. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

This week on Veterinary Ramblings, Mike Brampton and Julian Hoad catch up on recent adventures, veterinary milestones, and a few unexpected stories along the way.The episode begins with Mike reflecting on handing over the BSAVA presidency before the conversation heads north to Finland, where the pair share highlights from a wildlife photography trip filled with brown bears, wolves, wolverines, and fascinating facts about Arctic wildlife.They also swap stories from a recent expedition around Scotland, discuss an unexpected front-row view of a major NATO military exercise, and, with their usual humour, touch on the ever-changing UK political landscape.The episode wraps up back in the veterinary world with a look at the recent BSAVA Vets Cymru conference in Aberystwyth, celebrating the value of regional events and the first graduating cohort of veterinary students from the University of Aberystwyth.As always, it's a relaxed mix of veterinary chat, wildlife stories, travel, and plenty of good conversation. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

This week on Veterinary Ramblings, Mike Brampton and Julian Hoad are joined by Dan O’Neill & Marisa Heath to unpack the controversy surrounding the so-called “67 breeds ban” and the wider conversation around animal welfare legislation.The episode dives into how sensational headlines and “rage bait” media distorted the guests’ work, falsely claiming they wanted to ban dozens of dog breeds. In reality, the discussion focuses on preserving beloved breeds by encouraging healthier physical traits and moving away from extreme conformations that can compromise welfare.Dan and Marissa also introduce the Innate Health Assessment (IHA), a free, voluntary tool designed to help breeders and the public identify healthier breed characteristics. From brachycephalic breathing issues to public perceptions of “healthy-looking” dogs, the conversation explores how education and informed choices can drive meaningful change.The episode also tackles the importance of addressing root causes rather than just treating symptoms, alongside thoughtful discussions on legislation, social change, and what truly defines a good quality of life for our pets. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

This week on Veterinary Ramblings, Mike Brampton and Julian Hoad cover everything from formal dinner etiquette to key issues in the veterinary industry. A humorous start, featuring dining traditions, leads into Mike’s upcoming expedition, where he’ll explore history from Vikings to WWII-era sharking.The episode also tackles the CMA investigation into the profession, discussing concerns around online pharmacies, rising costs, and potential impacts on animal welfare.It wraps up with a quick “60 Second CPD” on public speaking and a lighthearted segment on the hosts’ irrational fears. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★