Dr Ross Barnett reveals the truth about ancient DNA, sabre-toothed cats, Ice Age predators, rewilding, extinction myths, Pleistocene Britain, diurnal hunting, and the real story behind Jurassic Park! Dr Barnett, renowned palaeogeneticist and author of The Missing Lynx, is celebrated for his groundbreaking research on ancient DNA and the lost megafauna of Britain.

Dr Barnett explains:

* How to extract and analyse DNA from creatures dead for thousands of years

* The biggest lie about dinosaur DNA and the real science behind Jurassic Park

* The harsh truth about why so many Ice Age giants vanished from Britain

* The habit that is sabotaging efforts to rewild the UK’s lost predators

* The rule that changed Dr Barnett’s approach to uncovering extinct species forever

Discover the real science, the untold stories, and the future of Britain’s wildest animals—straight from one of the world’s leading experts.

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Chapters

00:00 Childhood Influences and Early Interests

05:12 Methods of Analyzing Ancient DNA

10:38 The Pleistocene Era Explained

15:51 Insights from Genome Analysis

21:18 Utilizing Resources from Extinct Animals

26:11 The Future of De-extinction

29:09 Reintroduction of Megafauna in the UK

31:57 Challenges of Reintroduction

34:11 Potential Species for Reintroduction

37:00 Recent Developments in Lynx Reintroduction

39:24 The Cost of Wildlife Reintroduction

42:35 Cultural Perceptions of Predators

44:07 Ecotourism and Biodiversity Benefits

46:20 De-extinction: What Should We Bring Back?

49:25 The Unique World of Monotremes

55:52 Conservation Approaches: Hands-On vs. Natural

58:08 Optimism for Biodiversity and Conservation

01:01:20 The Return of the Eagle Owl

01:03:28 Romanticizing Large Predators

01:05:26 Historical Context of Lynx and Wolf Extinction

01:06:38 Future of Lynx Reintroduction in the UK

01:07:57 Successful Reintroductions in Europe

01:09:27 Population Dynamics of Lynx and Deer

01:13:22 Reflections on Career Choices and Academia

01:15:15 Advice for Future Scholars

01:16:34 Influential Literature in Conservation

01:19:05 The Extinction of Passenger Pigeons

01:23:04 Human Impact on Animal Behavior

01:26:52 Human Migration and Extinction Events

01:31:21 The Role of Climate in Extinction

01:32:06 Interbreeding Among Hominids

01:36:10 Current Projects and Future Endeavors