Join us on this inspiring episode of Nature Talks as we sit down with Bilal Mustafa FLS FRGS — the first Pakistani selected on a full scholarship to join WildCRU at the University of Oxford. A Fellow of the Linnean Society of London and the Royal Geographical Society, Bilal brings a unique blend of historical insight, community engagement, and scientific rigor to the world of wildlife conservation.

🔍 In this episode, we explore:

🦁 The historical distribution of carnivores and what archives reveal about human-wildlife relationships

🕌 How different cultures and religions shaped interactions with large predators

🐊 The bold reintroduction of the critically endangered gharial to Pakistan's Indus River

🌱 The power of optimism in conservation and the role of communities in coexisting with wildlife

🏔 Bilal's upcoming DPhil research on the impacts of tourism on Snow Leopards in Gilgit-Baltistan

Whether you're a conservationist, researcher, or just passionate about biodiversity, this episode offers hope, insight, and a call to action.

🎧 Available on all major platforms | Subscribe & support optimistic conservation!

👉 Support Bilal's DPhil journey:

https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/help-bilal-to-secure-dphil-at-christ-church-oxford-1

📸 Instagram: @itswildbilal

🔗 LinkedIn: Bilal Mustafa's Profile