Dr Philip Baker
Responsibilities
Programme Director for BSc Zoology
Areas of Interest
- 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)
Member of the Ecology Research Group
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
Esteem Factors
- Scientific Advisory Panel, The Mammal Society
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
National Collaborators
- Prof. Mike Bruford, University of Cardiff
- Dr Dawn Scott, University of Brighton
- Dr Richard Yarnell, Nottingham Trent University
Research groups / Centres
Publications
2018
- Williams, B., Mann, N., Neumann, J. L., Yarnell, R. W. and Baker, P. J. (2018) A prickly problem: developing a volunteer-friendly tool for monitoring populations of a terrestrial urban mammal, the West European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus). Urban Ecosystems, 21 (6). pp. 1075-1086. ISSN 1083-8155 doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11252-018-0795-1
- Baker, P., Thompson, R. and Grogan, A. (2018) Survival rates of cat-attacked birds admitted to RSPCA wildlife centres in the UK: implications for cat owners and wildlife rehabilitators. Animal Welfare, 27 (4). pp. 305-318. ISSN 0962-7286 doi: https://doi.org/10.7120/09627286.27.4.305
- Williams, B. M., Baker, P. J., Thomas, E., Wilson, G., Judge, J. and Yarnell, R. W. (2018) Reduced occupancy of hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) in rural England and Wales: the influence of habitat and an asymmetric intra-guild predator. Scientific Reports, 8 (1). 12156. ISSN 2045-2322 doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-30130-4
2014
- Scott, D. M., Berg, M. J., Tolhurst, B. A., Chauvenet, A. L. M., Smith, G. C., Neaves, K., Lochhead, J. and Baker, P. J. (2014) Changes in the distribution of red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in urban areas in Great Britain: findings and limitations of a media-driven nationwide survey. PLoS ONE, 9 (6). e99059. ISSN 1932-6203 doi: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0099059
- Thomas, R. L., Baker, P. J. and Fellowes, M. D. E. (2014) Ranging characteristics of the domestic cat (Felis catus) in an urban environment. Urban Ecosystems, 17 (4). pp. 911-921. ISSN 1083-8155 doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11252-014-0360-5
2012
- Thomas, R. L., Fellowes, M. D. E. and Baker, P. J. (2012) Spatio-temporal variation in predation by urban domestic cats (Felis catus) and the acceptability of possible management actions in the UK. PLoS ONE, 7 (11). e49369. ISSN 1932-6203 doi: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0049369
- Edwards, C.J., Soulsbury, C.D., Statham, M.J., Ho, S.Y.W., Wall, D., Dolf, G., Iossa, G., Baker, P. J., Harris, S., Sacks, B.N. and Bradley, D.G. (2012) Temporal genetic variation of the red fox, Vulpes vulpes, across western Europe and the British Isles. Quaternary Science Reviews, 57. pp. 95-104. ISSN 0277-3791 doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2012.10.010
2011
- Soulsbury, C.D., Iossa, G., Baker, P. J., White, P.C.L. and Harris, S. (2011) Behavioral and spatial analysis of extraterritorial movements in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes). Journal of Mammalogy, 92 (1). pp. 190-199. ISSN 0022-2372 doi: https://doi.org/10.1644/09-MAMM-A-187.1
2010
- Dowding, C. V., Shore, R. F., Worgan, A., Baker, P. J. and Harris, S. (2010) Accumulation of anticoagulant rodenticides in a non-target insectivore, the European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus). Environmental Pollution, 158 (1). pp. 161-166. ISSN 0269-7491 doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2009.07.017
- Baker, P. J., Soulsbury, C. D. , Iossa, G. and Harris, S. (2010) Domestic cat (Felis catus) and domestic dog (Canis familiaris). In: Gehrt, S. D., Riley, S. P. D. and Cypher, B. L. (eds.) Urban carnivores, Ecology, conflict, and conservation. John Hopkins University Press, pp. 157-172. ISBN 9780801893896
- Harris, S., Baker, P. J., Soulsbury, C. D. and Iossa, G. (2010) Eurasian badgers (Meles meles). In: Gehrt, S. D., Riley, S. P. D. and Cypher, B. L. (eds.) Urban carnivores. Ecology, conflict, and conservation. John Hopkins University Press, pp. 109-120. ISBN 9780801893896
- Baker, P. J., Thomas, R.L., Newson, S. E., Thompson, V. and Paling, N. R. D. (2010) Habitat associations and breeding bird community composition within the city of Bristol, UK. Bird Study, 57 (2). pp. 183-196. ISSN 0006-3657 doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/00063650903490270
- Dowding, C. V., Harris, S., Poulton, S. and Baker, P. J. (2010) Nocturnal ranging behaviour of urban hedgehogs, Erinaceus europaeus, in relation to risk and reward. Animal Behaviour, 80 (1). pp. 13-21. ISSN 0003-3472 doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anbehav.2010.04.007
- Soulsbury, C. D., Baker, P. J., Iossa, G. and Harris, S. (2010) Red foxes (Vulpes vulpes). In: Gehrt, S. D., Riley, S. P. D. and Cypher, B. L. (eds.) Urban carnivores. Ecology, conflict, and conservation. John Hopkins University Press, pp. 63-75. ISBN 9780801893896
- Iossa, G., Soulsbury, C. D., Baker, P. J. and Harris, S. (2010) A taxonomic analysis of urban carnivore ecology. In: Gehrt, S. D., Riley, S. P. D. and Cypher, B. L. (eds.) Urban carnivores. Ecology, conflict, and conservation. John Hopkins University Press, pp. 173-184. ISBN 9780801893896
2009
- Iossa, G., Soulsbury, C. D., Baker, P. J., Edwards, K. J. and Harris, S. (2009) Behavioral changes associated with a population density decline in the facultatively social red fox. Behavioral Ecology, 20 (2). pp. 385-395. ISSN 1045-2249 doi: https://doi.org/10.1093/beheco/arn149
2008
- Iossa, G., Soulsbury, C.D., Baker, P.J. and Harris, S. (2008) Body mass, territory size and life history tactics in a socially monogamous canid, the red fox Vulpes vulpes. Journal of Mammalogy, 89 (6). pp. 1481-1490. ISSN 0022-2372 doi: https://doi.org/10.1644/07-MAMM-A-405.1
- Baker, P. J., Molony, S. E., Stone, E., Cuthill, I. C. and Harris, S. (2008) Cats about town: is predation by free-ranging pet cats Felis catus likely to affect urban bird populations? Ibis, 150. pp. 86-99. ISSN 0019-1019 doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1474-919X.2008.00836.x
- Soulsbury, C. D., Iossa, G., Baker, P. J. and Harris, S. (2008) Environmental variation at the onset of independent foraging affects full-grown body mass in the red fox. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London B, 275 (1649). pp. 2411-8. ISSN 0962-8452 doi: https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2008.0705
- Soulsbury, C.D., Baker, P.J., Iossa, G. and Harris, S. (2008) Fitness costs of dispersal in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes). Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, 62 (8). pp. 1289-1298. ISSN 0340-5443 doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00265-008-0557-9
- Iossa, G., Soulsbury, C.D., Baker, P.J. and Harris, S. (2008) Sperm competition and the evolution of testes size in terrestrial mammalian carnivores. Functional Ecology, 22 (4). pp. 655-662. ISSN 0269-8463 doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2435.2008.01409.x
- Baker, P. J., Boitani, L., Harris, S., Saunders, G. and White, P. C. L. (2008) Terrestrial carnivores and human food production: impact and management. Mammal Review, 38 (2-3). pp. 123-166. ISSN 0305-1838 doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2907.2008.00122.x
2007
- Baker, P. J., Dowding, C. V., Molony, S. E., White, P. C. L. and Harris, S. (2007) Activity patterns of urban red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) reduce the risk of traffic-induced mortality. Behavioral Ecology, 18 (4). pp. 716-724. ISSN 1045-2249 doi: https://doi.org/10.1093/beheco/arm035
- Spencer, K.A., Harris, S., Baker, P.J. and Cuthill, I.C. (2007) Song development in birds: the role of early experience and its potential effect on rehabilitation success. Animal Welfare, 16 (1). pp. 1-13. ISSN 0962-7286
- Baker, P. J. and Harris, S. (2007) Urban mammals: what does the future hold? An analysis of the factors affecting patterns of use of residential gardens in Great Britain. Mammal Review, 37 (4). pp. 297-315. ISSN 0305-1838 doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2907.2007.00102.x
- Soulsbury, C.D., Iossa, G., Baker, P.J., Cole, N.C., Funk, S.M. and Harris, S. (2007) The impact of sarcoptic mange Sarcoptes scabiei on the British fox Vulpes vulpes population. Mammal Review, 37 (4). pp. 278-296. ISSN 0305-1838 doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2907.2007.00101.x
Other 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 Welfare, 16, 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 Genetics, 8, 733-738.
Baker, P.J. & Harris, S. (2006) Does culling reduce fox (Vulpes vulpes) density in commercial forests in Wales? European Journal of Wildlife Research, 52, 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 Biology, 12, 39-50.
Baker, P.J.& Harris, S. (2006) Still shooting in the dark. Animal Welfare, 15, 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 Conservation, 130, 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 Review, 36, 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 Review, 35, 302-312. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2907.2005.00071.x
Baker, P.J. & Harris, S. (2005) Shooting in the dark. Animal Welfare, 14, 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 Ecology, 15, 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 Review, 34, 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 Management, 70, 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 Review, 34, 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 Review, 33, 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. Nature, 423, 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 Research, 30, 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 Theriologica, 48, 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 Management, 67, 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. Nature, 419, 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 Society, 25, 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 Zoology, 80, 154-161.
Ansell, R.J., Baker, P.J. & Harris, S. (2001) The value of gardens for wildlife - lessons from mammals and herpetofauna. British Wildlife, 13, 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 Ecology, 38, 823-835.
Baker, P.J., Newman, T.J. Harris, S. (2001) Bristol's foxes - forty years of change. British Wildlife, 12, 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 Behaviour, 59, 127-146.
Baker, P.J. & Harris, S. (2000) Interaction rates between members of a group of red foxes. Mammal Review, 30, 239-242.
Robertson, C.P.J., Baker, P.J. & Harris, S. (2000) Ranging behaviour of juvenile red foxes and its implications for management. Acta Theriologica, 45, 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 vulpes. Animal Behaviour, 56, 1411-1424.
See also...
- Vertebrate Conservation in Environmental Biology
- Centre for Wildlife Assessment and Conservation