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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We kick off 2021 with an amazing animal that at times defies logic. The Pronghorn Antelope is native to North America but is an incredibly unique hooved animal. Most of its relatives died out at the end of the last Ice Age, but somehow survived. It also is not only one of the fastest land mammals and has many other jaw-dropping adaptations. This is another cant miss episode about a species many often forget about. 

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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This is our 200th official episode. We want to thank all the listeners from around the world for your support! In this episode we quickly recap some of our favorite episodes and interviews from over the last 100 episodes. We then jump into a trivia battle about some the quirkier facts we uncovered over so many amazing species. We all are making a difference in the world. Thank you for sharing this information with your friends and family. Conservation issues are making headline news day in and day out. You are a major part of that and we thank you. The animals need our love and education is the first step. We can not thank you enough. 

Happy 2021 everyone! 

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This week we welcome chimpanzee expert Dr. Andrew Halloran. He is the Director of chimpanzee care at Save the Chimps. As a primatologist, Andrew has spent the past 20 years working to improve and save the lives of chimpanzees––not only chimps in captivity here in the U.S. but chimps in the wild.

Save the Chimps is the largest privately funded chimpanzee sanctuary in the world whose mission is to provide refuge and exemplary care to chimpanzees in need. Save the Chimps offers life-long care for chimpanzees rescued from research laboratories, the pet trade, and entertainment industry.

You can visit their website HERE

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