sharply layered speculative short story

"Barbara Harrison’s Conservation is a sharp, thought-provoking short story that explores the ethics of conservation, hunting, and power through a sci-fi twist. Initially centred on a conservation conference, the story gradually reveals deeper tensions between ideology and action, particularly through the contrasting characters of Lee and Jo. The final reveal—that humans are not the protectors but the protected—cleverly flips the narrative and challenges readers to reflect on humanity’s role in ecological and moral hierarchies. With subtle irony and restrained prose, Harrison delivers a story that is both unsettling and deeply insightful."