In The Law of the Wild, Ian Swingland offers a unique window into his life as a world-renowned conservation biologist. Captivating the reader with his adventures, exploits and near-death experiences, as well as sharing insights gained from advising powerful individuals in government and commerce, this is a book for those who are passionate about wildlife, biodiversity and its conservation. It is also a cracking good read as he shares stories from his close relationships with key figures in academia, business, charities and the bush. From modest beginnings to worldwide authority, Ian has been at the centre of conservation for half a century - working with exotic (and humble) plants and animals, such as giant tortoises and komodo dragons - and setting up world-class institutions training future conservationists. The book describes how our relationship with wildlife affects our behaviour and vice versa. This book is an inspiration to conquer the many threats to life on Earth and to take better care of the natural world. An inspiring story about an extraordinary ecologist that has changed the world for wildlife and people. Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, biodiversity scientist, entrepreneur and former President of Mauritius An amazing man whose exploits have blazed the way for others. Tim Coles OBE, Operation Wallacea and Trust founder Ian is a good friend of mine, deeply impressed by his intelligence, thoughtfulness, a first class and wide-ranging mind, happy to throw himself into a course of action if he believes it is of long term importance and underpinned by sound ethical principles. Sir Christopher Wates, construction, development, philanthropist Ian was brilliant to work with in a tricky situation. He had loads of energy, gets stuff done, made decisions, pushed people but does not understand that humans sometime lie to get their way. Chris Mathias, entrepreneur, environmentalist, philanthropist I have always admired Ian's energy and vision. The Institute founded by Ian Swingland, is a first class scientific and conservation organisation. Sir Ghillean Prance FRS, former Director, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Ian is a leading eclectic campaigning scientist in the world with great scientific integrity and personal passion achieving a considerable -eminence in the environmental world. Robin Hanbury-Tenison OBE, explorer, former President of Survival International, and Chief Executive of The Countryside Alliance Some people have exciting and colourful lives, some people are good story tellers. Ian Swingland does both of these. John Craig ONZM, Emeritus Professor of Environmental Management, Auckland, conservation biologist and landscape ecologist Ian Swingland has made a huge difference to conservation and training the leaders of tomorrow, forging essential links between conservation and economics. This is how to do it! Ian Redmond OBE, ape and elephant specialist and Ambassador, UN Convention on Migratory Species The Law of the Wild will interest professional ecologists and amateur enthusiasts; it will appeal to anyone who loves animals and wildlife. It is fascinating, enthralling and worthy of entering the lists of 'can't bear to put it down' titles. Pat Crawford, journalist Professor Ian Swingland was educated at Haberdashers' Aske's School, London, Edinburgh and Oxford Universities, and worked as a mathematician for Shell, as a biologist at Oxford, Edinburgh and with the Royal Society, and holds the Emeritus Chair in Conservation Biology at the University of Kent, where he founded The Durrell Institute for Conservation and Ecology (DICE), in addition to Visiting Chairs at the Universities of Michigan, Florence, Auckland, and Manchester Metropolitan. At London University he read zoology and social anthropology and published his first scientific paper in Nature in 1969 while an undergraduate. After working as a mathematician for Shell Research International for a short time he took a Ph.D. in ecology in the Forestry and Natural Resources Department at Edinburgh University on an FCO/ODA Scholarship. He was then employed as a research and management biologist in the Kafue National Park, Zambia helping to write the management plan. In 1974 he joined Oxford University Zoology Department and the Royal Society to work on the giant tortoises of Aldabra Atoll, Western Indian Ocean. Ian Swingland has worked on climate change for over a decade and with China and ADB since 2002 on China-GEF Country Planning Framework - Land Degradation in Dryland Ecosystems, He published a best-selling book 'Capturing Carbon and Conserving biodiversity; a market approach' and advised the World Bank, the Global Environment Facility, the Asian Development Bank, and Governments on conservation and biodiversity management setting up some of the largest projects in the world. A leading authority on commercialising the sustainable use of biodiversity assets, he was appointed Board Chairman of Iwokrama International Centr