Birds, Beasts and Bedlam: Turning My Farm into an Ark for Lost Species

Derek Gow is a do-er, not a dreamer, and has become one of our most outspoken rewilders. He has written a warm and funny autobiography, Birds, Beasts and Bedlam, which recounts his adventures of raising a wild boar piglet, transporting a bison bull, and restoring the ancient white stork to the Knepp Estate. He is a rewilding maverick with a single-minded mission to save our wildlife.

Format: Hardback
Length: 208 pages
Publication date: 16 June 2022
Publisher: Chelsea Green Publishing Co

Tearing Down Fences: The Adventures of Britain's Most Colorful Rewilder

Derek Gow, a do-er and not a dreamer, has emerged as one of the most outspoken rewilders in Britain. His remarkable journey is recounted in his captivating autobiography, Birds, Beasts, and Bedlam. With a whimsical fluency, Gow writes about the moments of humor and pathos in an extraordinary life.

Countryfile Magazine praises Gow's autobiography, describing it as "warm and funny." Country Life magazine hails him as a "guardian of the countryside," recognizing his pioneering efforts in rewilding. The Guardian aptly describes Gow as "courageous, visionary, and funny."

Isabella Tree, the author of Wilding, praises Gow's work, stating that he "tears down fences literally and metaphorically." Birds, Beasts, and Bedlam, Gow's captivating account, delves into the adventures of Britain's most colorful rewilder. It showcases his remarkable efforts in raising a wild boar piglet, transporting a raging bison bull across the UK, encountering a Scottish wildcat, and collaborating with Charlie Burrell and Isabella Tree to restore the ancient white stork to the Knepp Estate.

Growing up on a Shetland farm, Gow developed a deep passion for ancient breeds. However, his realization of the alarming extinction rates of many species, even on his own land, prompted him to embark on a transformative journey. He abandoned his traditional Devon farm and transformed it into a rewilding haven for a diverse array of wildlife, including beavers, water voles, lynx, wildcats, and harvest mice.

Birds, Beasts, and Bedlam is a testament to Gow's rewilding maverick and his unwavering mission to save our wildlife. Through his courageous actions and unwavering dedication, Gow has made a significant impact in preserving and restoring the natural balance of our ecosystems. His story inspires us to embrace the power of rewilding and to work towards a future where our wildlife thrives and our planet is healthier.

Weight: 324g
Dimension: 143 x 223 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781645021339