In this week's podcast we welcome professor and author Dr. Charles Bergman. Imagine being able to travel to some of the most remote regions on the planet to see some of your favorite animals. Well, Dr. Bergman has done that and more. He is a fascinating story teller and articulates his many travels to see every species of penguin on Earth. Dr. Bergman is a long time professor at Pacific Lutheran University in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. He has authored many other books on conservation and has traveled extensively. It was a real treat to have Dr. Bergman on and we are sure you will enjoy this one. 

You can access Dr. Bergman's website HERE

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A recent report was released by WWF in collaboration of multiple agencies on our freshwater ecosystem biodiversity crisis. The report highlighted how our freshwater fishes are in steep decline. In fact, one in three freshwater fish species are threatened with extinction. In this week's podcast episode we welcome a founder and the Executive Director of Shoal, Mike Baltzer, to discuss this report and what his organization is doing to help our freshwater ecosystems. Mike is a conservation superhero who worked with WWF for 18 years before he helped found Shoal. This is an area of conservation that deserves all our attention and please share what you learn with all your friends and family. 

You can view the wonderful Shoal website HERE

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First, big news for us is Angie gave birth to a healthy baby boy on March 1! He came in at a whopping 8 lbs. 11 ounces. Both Angie and baby are doing well!! 

With that, a couple weeks ago before Angie gave birth, we sat down with Jungle Jordan and had a fascinating chat about the role of zookeepers in education and conservation. We also had Jon (Angie's husband and now new Dad) also join in the chat. Jon is the Director of the Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo program. We spent well over an hour talking about how zookeepers are now major faces in conservation. They all serve critical roles in helping to educate the public on today's biodiversity crisis. 

We first had Jungle Jordan on in Episode 131 and it was a pleasure to have him back. Jordan Veasley, also known as "Jungle Jordan," is a wildlife enthusiast and educator. He began his zoo keeping career when he was young and now has worked his way up to a number of roles for the Cougar Mountain Zoo in Washington State. In Episode 131 we spent a fascinating hour talking about his career, the challenges he has personally faced, and how he is reaching out to the masses through his YouTube channel and other social media channels. 

Jungle Jordan YouTube

Jungle Jordan Facebook

Jungle Jordan Instagram

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We return to the ocean to one of the most beloved marine mammals, the Sea Otter. Sea otters were almost hunted to extinction for their lustrous fur coats. By the early 20th century they numbered just a few thousand . Through international cooperation, Sea Otters were protected and now number over 100,000 animals in the wild. However, Sea Otters are still endangered and under incredible pressure. This species is also critical to a healthy coastal ecosystem around the northern Pacific rim. We hope you enjoy learning more in this week's podcast about Sea Otters and all their mustelid hijinks. 

For one cup of "good" coffee a month you can support your favorite podcast on Patreon and give back to conservation. With your support we were able to donate to the Coral Reef Foundation, Red Panda Network, helped provide chum ($$) for OCEARCH, funding to train rangers in Africa with Global Conservation Force and so much more. We also offer bonus episodes and supporter only content.  Please considering supporting us at Patreon HERE.

Thank you so much for your support!

Show notes

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This week we welcome Dr. Shermin de Silva, the founder and President of Trunks and Leaves. Dr. de Silva is an expert in Asian elephant conservation. We discuss many of the issues facing elephants in Asia. It is a fascinating look at how Asian elephant conservation differs from African elephant conservation. We also discuss many differences between African and Asian elephants and how that can influence their futures. 

You can visit the Trunks and Leaves website HERE

Dr. de Silva also asked us to share this as she said:

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The Shoebill, or also known as Shoebill Stork, Death Pelican, Whalehead, and others, is one unique bird.  What draws most to this bird is its enormous beak. It quite simply earned its name because it's beak looks like an old Dutch wooden shoe. Its massive. Native to central Africa, the Shoebill has carved out its ecological niche as a predator and plays a key role in maintaining freshwater ecosystems. It is a large bird that preys on anything from tilapia, lungfish to lizards and small crocodiles. The Shoebill is a prized sighting by many bird watchers and now we know why. In this week's podcast we cover everything Shoebill. From their natural history, ecological impacts, their physiology, reproduction and behavior. This is an incredible bird that will bring a smile to your face. 

For one cup of "good" coffee a month you can support your favorite podcast on Patreon and give back to conservation. With your support we were able to donate to the Coral Reef Foundation, Red Panda Network, helped provide chum ($$) for OCEARCH, funding to train rangers in Africa with Global Conservation Force and so much more. We also offer bonus episodes and supporter only content.  Please considering supporting us at Patreon HERE.

Thank you so much for your support!

Show notes HERE

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We bring you a special interview with Sierra Club's Bonnie Rice and the Executive Director of the Global Indigenous Council Rain Bear Stands Last. We spend a fascinating hour not only addressing grey wolves in the Americas, but also how conservation intertwines with the rights of indigenous peoples. This is a new take for us on conservation and a critical one. As we all work together around the globe to save our environment and all the species that inhabit it, we also need to respect and engage those living in these areas. We are so grateful to the Sierra Club and Global Indigenous Council for their keen insight. 

Please visit the Sierra Club's website HERE

Please visit the Global Indigenous Council website HERE 

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One of the more iconic species of the Americas, the Black Bear, is an animal that inhabits many people's backyards. This often timid bear, has adapted due to its incredible intelligence to living side by side people. So much so that they are an actual conservation success story. Once decimated in the late 1800s, the American Black Bear has bounced back, despite losing much of its historical range. In this week's podcast we learn about another amazing bear species. We talk everything Black Bear, with even some comparisons with its cousins the brown (grizzly) bear, polar bear, and many others. 

For one cup of "good" coffee a month you can support your favorite podcast on Patreon and give back to conservation. With your support we were able to donate to the Coral Reef Foundation, Red Panda Network, helped provide chum ($$) for OCEARCH, funding to train rangers in Africa with Global Conservation Force and so much more. We also offer bonus episodes and supporter only content.  Please considering supporting us at Patreon HERE.

Thank you so much for your support!

Show notes HERE

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We have covered some strange and exotic animals and this one is near the top of the list. This cute little creature, the Pink Fairy Armadillo is from South America. Weighing less than 120 grams and at less than 5 inches in length, this armadillo has carved its niche in central Argentina. While their physiology may seem bizarre, for millions of years the Pink Fairy Armadillo has survived for thousands and thousands of years. We had another fun week covering an obscure species in dire need. While we do not have hard data on this little animal, data indicates they may be endangered and heading towards extinction. They deserve our attention and love. Plus, come on, Pink Fairy, Armadillo. Fantastic!

For one cup of "good" coffee a month you can support your favorite podcast on Patreon and give back to conservation. With your support we were able to donate to the Coral Reef Foundation, Red Panda Network, helped provide chum ($$) for OCEARCH, funding to train rangers in Africa with Global Conservation Force and so much more. We also offer bonus episodes and supporter only content.  Please considering supporting us at Patreon HERE.

Thank you so much for your support!

Show notes HERE

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In this week's episode we jump to one of our favorite families, the mustelids, and tackle the Wolverine. These circumpolar predators are mysterious and incredibly unique. They are actually the largest mustelid on the planet and exhibit many common traits found in these animals. The Wolverine is tenacious, rugged and a survivor. We also have a major announcement to make that should make everyone smile. Thank you so much for your support and for sharing these episodes with your friends and family. This is the defining decade for our planet and we all need to band together to protect our wildlife. 

For one cup of "good" coffee a month you can support your favorite podcast on Patreon and give back to conservation. With your support we were able to donate to the Coral Reef Foundation, Red Panda Network, helped provide chum ($$) for OCEARCH, funding to train rangers in Africa with Global Conservation Force and so much more. We also offer bonus episodes and supporter only content.  Please considering supporting us at Patreon HERE.

Thank you so much for your support!

Show notes HERE

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