Animal Intersections

In his forthcoming book A Hoot in the Light: Illuminating the Sensory Modes of Animal Communication, Alex Parrish says that by recognizing animal voices, we do not diminish our own – but open the potential to make our particular brand of humanism a little more humane. Parrish talks with us about how communication evolves, and how wildly different species of animals employ similar persuasive tactics in order to solve similar problems. And: In Norfolk’s Calvert Square, preschoolers plant watermelon and okra next to 200,000 live bees. They aren’t alone. Carrie “Honeybee” Brown has planted apiaries in community gardens across the city in an effort to save the ailing honeybee. Now, she’s planning to shave bees and attach transmitters to get neighbourhood kids interested in entomology.

Later in the show: Biologist Kevin Hamed discovered a consistently alarming number of tiny skulls stuck in glass bottles found roadside litter. Tiny shrews are crawling in, but can’t get back out. He and his students are on the case, trying to solve mysteries where humans and the wilderness intersect. Plus: A study in Appalacia is taking very close look at roadkill. James Vance and Gabrielle Smith hope to find ways to help animals avoid crossing a particularly high-traffic area.