Animal spirits, talking to whales and rewilding: celebrating nature

Tom Mustill explores our evolving understanding of cetacean intelligence and the revolutionary potential of AI to decode animal communication. Drawing from his own extraordinary encounter with a breaching humpback whale and years of research with marine scientists, he reveals how new technologies might finally allow humans to interpret the complex social lives, cultures and languages of whales – potentially transforming our ethical relationship with non-human species.

Millie Kerr takes readers behind the scenes of global rewilding efforts, from Yellowstone's wolves to Mozambique's recovering national parks. Through her research for her book "Wilder," she discovered that successful conservation extends far beyond reintroducing charismatic megafauna – it requires passionate people, community buy-in and careful scientific consideration of complex ecosystems.

Tim Ecott explores the traditional sheep slaughtering practices of the Faroe Islands, where he learned to kill and butcher animals he would later eat. Based on his immersive experience, he contrasts the Faroese direct relationship with food production – where even children witness slaughter as a normal part of life – with the disconnected Western approach, ultimately developing a deeper respect for the animals he once viewed with indifference.