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Philip Baker

Portrait of Philip Baker

Programme Director for BSc Zoology

Areas of interest

Vertebrate Conservation

Teaching

  • Part 1: Mammal diversity, behaviour and conservation
  • Part 1: Introduction to Zoology
  • Part 2: Field Course to RSPCA Mallydams Field Centre, Sussex
  • Part 3: Urban Ecology
  • MSc: Quantitative Methods 1
  • MSc: Quantitative Methods 2
  • MSc: Vertebrate Survey and Assessment
  • MSc: Mammal Conservation

Research centres and groups

Scientific Advisory Panel, The Mammal Society

National Collaborators:

  • Prof. Mike Bruford, University of Cardiff
  • Dr Dawn Scott, University of Brighton
  • Dr Richard Yarnell, Nottingham Trent University

Research projects

  • Funding from NERC, People's Trust for Endangered Species
  • Behavioural ecology of mammals
  • Urban ecology
  • Human-wildlife conflict with particular reference to foxes (Vulpes vulpes)
  • Conservation biology
  • Population monitoring for management and conservation with particular reference to hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus)

Selected publications

Baker, P.J. & Harris, S. (2008) The fox. In: Mammals of the British Isles: handbook, 4th edition (Eds. S. Harris & D.W. Yalden), pp. 407-423. The Mammal Society, Southampton.

Molony, S.E., Baker, P.J., Garland, L., Cuthill, I.C. & Harris, S. (2007) Factors that can be used to predict release rates for wildlife casualties. Animal Welfare16, 361-367.

Soulsbury, C.D., Iossa, G., Edwards, K.J., Baker, P.J. & Harris, S. (2007) Allelic dropout from a high-quality DNA source. Conservation Genetics8, 733-738.

Baker, P.J. & Harris, S. (2006) Does culling reduce fox (Vulpes vulpes) density in commercial forests in Wales? European Journal of Wildlife Research52, 99-108. doi: 10.1007/s10344-005-0018-y

Baker, P.J., Furlong, M.J., Southern, S. & Harris, S. (2006) The potential impact of red fox predation in agricultural landscapes in lowland Britain. Wildlife Biology12, 39-50.

Baker, P.J.& Harris, S. (2006) Still shooting in the dark. Animal Welfare15, 89-90.

Molony, S.E., Dowding, C.V., Baker, P.J., Cuthill, I.C. & Harris, S. (2006) The effect of translocation and temporary captivity on wildlife rehabilitation success: an experimental study using European hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus). Biological Conservation130, 530-537. doi: 10.1016/j.biocon.2006.01.015

Webbon, C.C., Baker, P.J., Cole, N.C. & Harris, S. (2006) Macroscopic prey remains in the winter diet of foxes Vulpes vulpes in rural Britain. Mammal Review36, 85-97. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2907.2006.00069.x

Baker, P.J., Bentley, A.J., Ansell, R.J. & Harris, S. (2005) Impact of predation by domestic cats Felis catus in an urban area. Mammal Review35, 302-312. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2907.2005.00071.x

Baker, P.J. & Harris, S. (2005) Shooting in the dark. Animal Welfare14, 275-278.

Baker, P.J., Funk, S.M., Harris, S. & Bruford, M.W. (2004) Polygynandry in a red fox population: implications for the evolution of group living in canids? Behavioral Ecology15, 766-778. doi: 10.1093/beheco/arh077

Baker, P., Funk, S., Harris, S., Newman, T., Saunders, G. & White, P. (2004) The impact of human attitudes on the social and spatial organisation of urban foxes (Vulpes vulpes) before and after an outbreak of sarcoptic mange. In: Proceedings of the 4th International Symposium on Urban Wildlife Conservation, May 1-5 1999 (Eds W.W. Shaw, L.K. Harris & L. VanDruff), pp. 153-163. Tucson, Arizona.

Baker, P.J.& Harris, S. (2004) Red foxes. The behavioural ecology of red foxes in urban Bristol. In: Biology and conservation of wild canids (Eds D.W. Macdonald & C. Sillero-Zubiri), pp. 207-216. Oxford University Press, Oxford.

Baker, P.J., Harris, S., Robertson, C.P.J., Saunders, G. & White, P.C.L. (2004) Is it possible to monitor mammal population changes from counts of road traffic casualties? An analysis using Bristol's foxes as an example. Mammal Review34, 115-130. doi: 10.1046/j.0305-1838.2003.00024.x

Moberly, R.L., White, P.C.L., Webbon, C.C., Baker, P.J. & Harris, S. (2004) Modelling the costs of fox predation and preventive measures on sheep farms in Britain. Journal of Environmental Management70, 129-143. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2003.11.005

Sadlier, L.M.J., Webbon, C.C., Baker, P.J. & Harris, S. (2004) Methods of monitoring Foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and Badgers (Meles meles): are field signs the answer? Mammal Review34, 75-98. doi: 10.1046/j.0305-1838.2003.00029.x

Webbon, C.C, Baker, P.J. & Harris, S. (2004) Faecal density counts for monitoring red fox numbers in rural Britain. Journal of Applied Ecology, 41, 768-779. doi: 10.1111/j.0021-8901.2004.00930.x

Baker, P.J., Ansell, R.J., Dodds, P.A.A., Webber, C.E. & Harris, S. (2003) Factors affecting the distribution of small mammals in urban areas. Mammal Review33, 95-100. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2907.2003.00003.x

Baker, P.J. & Harris, S. (2003) A review of the diet of foxes in rural Britain and a preliminary assessment of their impact as a predator. In: Conservation and conflict - mammals and farming in Britain (Eds F. Tattersall & W.M. Manly), pp. 120-140. Linnean Society Occasional Publication No. 4, Westbury Publishing, Otley.

Baker, P.J., Harris, S. & Webbon, C.C. (2003) Hunting and fox numbers in the United Kingdom - a reply. Nature423, 400.

Moberly, R.L., White, P.C.L., Webbon, C.C., Baker, P.J. & Harris, S. (2003) Factors associated with fox Vulpes vulpes predation of lambs in Britain. Wildlife Research30, 1-9.

Newman, T.J., Baker, P.J., Simcock, E., Saunders, G., White, P.C.L. & Harris, S. (2003) Changes in red fox habitat preference and rest site fidelity following a disease-induced population decline. Acta Theriologica48, 79-91.

White, P.C.L., Newton-Cross, G., Moberly, R.L., Smart, J.C.R., Baker, P.J. & Harris, S. (2003) The current and future management of wild mammals hunted with dogs in England and Wales. Journal of Environmental Management67, 187-197. doi:10.1016/S0301-4797(02)00225-6

Baker, P.J., Webbon, C.C. & Harris, S. (2002) Effect of British hunting ban on fox numbers. Nature419, 34.

Moberly, R., White, P., Webbon, C., Baker, P., & Harris, S. (2002) Fox predation on sheep farms in Britain: preliminary results from a questionnaire survey. Proceedings of the Sheep Veterinary Society25, 7-10.

Newman, T.J., Baker, P.J. & Harris, S. (2002) Nutritional condition and survival of red foxes infected with sarcoptic mange. Canadian Journal of Zoology80, 154-161.

Ansell, R.J., Baker, P.J. & Harris, S. (2001) The value of gardens for wildlife - lessons from mammals and herpetofauna. British Wildlife13, 77-84.

Baker, P.J., Harris, S., Robertson, C.P.J., Saunders, G. & White, P.C.L. (2001) Differences in the capture rate of cage-trapped foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and their implications for rabies contingency planning in Britain. Journal of Applied Ecology38, 823-835.

Baker, P.J., Newman, T.J. Harris, S. (2001) Bristol's foxes - forty years of change. British Wildlife12, 411-417.

Harris, S. & Baker, P. (2001) Urban foxes, 2nd edition. Whittet Books, Stowmarket, Suffolk.

Baker, P.J., Funk, S.M., White, P.C.L. & Harris, S. (2000) Flexible spatial organization of foxes (Vulpes vulpes) before and during an outbreak of sarcoptic mange. Animal Behaviour59, 127-146.

Baker, P.J. & Harris, S. (2000) Interaction rates between members of a group of red foxes. Mammal Review30, 239-242.

Robertson, C.P.J., Baker, P.J. & Harris, S. (2000) Ranging behaviour of juvenile red foxes and its implications for management. Acta Theriologica45, 525-535.

Baker, P.J., Robertson, C.P.J., Funk, S.M., White P.C.L. & Harris, S. (1998) Potential fitness benefits of group living in the red fox, Vulpes vulpesAnimal Behaviour56, 1411-1424.

Impact, Enterprise and Outreach

  • Scientific Advisor for Channel 4 documentary series "Foxes Live"
  • Interviews with BBC 1 Countryfile, BBC Autumnwatch, BBC Radio Berkshire, BBC Radio Bristol, BBC South Today

Publications

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