176: Invasive Ants Impact Lion Predation on Zebras, with Adam T. Ford

https://open.spotify.com/episode/3mbU23q3H125O4N6d8i51b?si=308ecea0530f4d16 If you are a regular listener to the podcast or you’ve been following me for a while, you know that I read a fair number of scientific papers on subjects of conservation and ecology. Some of them are related to topics I’m investigating for the podcast and some others are just interesting for me. … Continue reading 176: Invasive Ants Impact Lion Predation on Zebras, with Adam T. Ford →

171: Rewilding with Steve Carver

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5jy7XUjBB0uXfATqC63IHa?si=5208c8bad3084769 It has been a considerable time since the last time we spoke about rewilding on the podcast. I feel that the discussion around the practice as well as understanding of the term has moved on in the last three to four years. So, I decided to get an update on the state of rewilding. … Continue reading 171: Rewilding with Steve Carver →

167: Conservation Detection Dogs with Caroline Finlay

https://open.spotify.com/episode/0Kbjj8Kg1xTsEEUkqH9BD5 When we talk about dogs and conservation, it is usually in the context of wildlife disturbances caused by pet dogs and their inconsiderate owners. However, a specially trained dog can be an invaluable asset in conservation projects that require searches or detection. The subjects can vary from searching and finding carcasses to detecting nests … Continue reading 167: Conservation Detection Dogs with Caroline Finlay →

163: The EU Review of Wolf Protection Status

https://open.spotify.com/episode/3TIXgTU3Rd1Lcn2moMsz0l The human-wildlife conflict with wolves has been brewing on the ground in the EU for some time. On the one hand, it has been fueled by a remarkable recovery of wolves across the continent, and on the other, by politicians trying to hijack it for their political gains. In September 2023 the European Commission … Continue reading 163: The EU Review of Wolf Protection Status →

159: Polar Bears in a Warming World with Andrew Derocher

https://open.spotify.com/episode/3rOZNGaXFN6UUkz4sdrvby?si=5fxRZMCzSZCr7Lrn9BJOmQ Last week I published a blog post where I set out to answer the question of whether polar bears are facing impending extinction due to climate change or are they, in fact, doing better than ever. Around the time when I was investigating this question, I got in touch with Professor Andrew Derocher from … Continue reading 159: Polar Bears in a Warming World with Andrew Derocher →

158: Wildlife In The Balance with Simon Mustoe

https://open.spotify.com/episode/3X2PrVWc4H3ZxuNvnVpH9X?si=c5F0sIQ1RtyA0dyOZG1nmQ This is one of the most thought-provoking books I have read. Although I don’t agree with everything in the book, I can overlook my disagreements because of how brilliant some parts that I do agree with are. So I couldn’t wait to sit down with the author, expert ecologist, Simon Mustoe for a chat … Continue reading 158: Wildlife In The Balance with Simon Mustoe →

157: Is The Red Wolf a Real Species? Conversation with Peter Brewitt

https://open.spotify.com/episode/6lsehN0AMB6t8AOIgzhI1X?si=XVCow1myTMCQIustrV8DgA Without exaggeration, red wolves are my favourite canid species. I don’t exactly remember where and when I heard about them for the first time but I really got interested after reading an excellent book by Dan Flores, “Coyote America”. The history of this species and the inept and ultimately futile conservation and recovery programs … Continue reading 157: Is The Red Wolf a Real Species? Conversation with Peter Brewitt →

Shore Angling for Rays Decades Ago and Now

Recently, several people suggested that in the past decades, it was a rare occurrence for anglers to catch a ray off the beach. The implication was that there was an increased abundance of rays nowadays which I found confusing, knowing the deteriorating state of biodiversity in our seas. So I contacted Declan Quigley, an independent … Continue reading Shore Angling for Rays Decades Ago and Now →

155: Sixgill Sharks and Flapper Skates with Patrick Collins

https://open.spotify.com/episode/2UIa2oFpfoziARVPaq54Wb?si=ca5c25e2ef6c42e5 The sixgill shark (Hexanchus griseus) is the largest of the Hexanchiformes order of sharks, the most primitive living sharks, sometimes called “fossil sharks”. The sixgill, sometimes known as the blunt nose sixgill or cow shark, can grow to over 6 metres (20 feet) in length and weigh over a tonne. What’s interesting is that … Continue reading 155: Sixgill Sharks and Flapper Skates with Patrick Collins →

151: Irish Sturgeon with Declan Quigley

https://open.spotify.com/episode/3wptSB46whXZGeku6NBcXC?si=1b7b5c8c7dda408a One of the three pillars of my podcast is to preserve knowledge about how the natural environment was in the past and to record stories and experiences from many decades ago. One such story, that I have a feeling is slipping away, is the story of the Irish sturgeon. Or to be more precise … Continue reading 151: Irish Sturgeon with Declan Quigley →