ALTHOUGH WE speak about conservation and conservationists, what we mean varies enormously. At one end we might put an efficient upland gamekeeper, managing habitat and controlling generalist predators. At the other extreme are ‘compassionate conservationists’ who consider culling grey squirrels to save reds from extinction, or even killing feral house mice to stop them eating albatross nestlings, unacceptable. In between is a kaleidoscope of opinions, all held by people who expect their right to call themselves conservationists to be respected while, in many instances, being reluctant to extend
