What does it take to rescue a pangolin from the dark underworld of the illegal wildlife trade, stabilise it, rehabilitate it and then successfully release it back into the wild? A panel of pangolin experts takes us behind the scenes for a rare glimpse of a pangolin’s journey from rescue to release, beginning with the undercover sting operations during which many of these animals are rescued. Discover the painstaking journey of rehabilitation from often life-threatening injuries or neglect and find out about the meticulous monitoring that happens during and after the pangolin’s release into the wild. Hosted by Les Carlisle with Raymond Jansen, Nicci Wright, Leno Sierra, and Charli de Vos.

What is it that has made the shy and secretive pangolin the world’s most trafficked mammal species? With few people around the world having ever seen one, why should we care about the conservation of this oddly charismatic species? Faced with a growing demand for their scales in Asia, as well as the multiple threats of habitat loss, the bushmeat trade, and their traditional use in African tribal dress and medicine, the world’s pangolins are in decline. Our panel of experts takes a look at the threats facing the species and discusses what pangolins mean to our environment. Hosted by Klara Glowczewska, with Les Carisle, Raymond Jansen, Nicci Wright, Lisa Hywood, Bruce Young, and Priyan Perera.  

Andrew Venter, CEO of Wild Impact (previously known as Africa Foundation) talks about the history of conservation in South Africa and the experiences that led him to take up his position at the helm of the community development organisation. Find out how Covid has affected the communities that Africa Foundation serves, and discover the shift in thinking that is taking place as a result of this and other events. Listen as Andrew details his goals and predictions for the future.

From white water rafting in Nepal to helping set up some of India’s first safari lodges, Toby Sinclair from &Beyond Asia talks about his experiences living and working in Asia 40 years ago. Find out about the diverse personalities who guided and inspired him as he set about learning the ropes in India.

Isaac Tembe, Head of Methodology, Monitoring & Evaluation at Wild Impact (previously known as Africa Foundation) speaks about the elements required for a successful community development project and explains how travellers can get involved and make a difference. Find out about how Wild Impact's model had been adapted to run projects throughout Africa and what plans they have for the future. For more about Wild Impact.

Babysitting a pangolin might not have been part of the original job description for Phinda Ecological Monitor Charli de Vos, but it’s a role that she’s taken to with her whole heart. Charli tells us about the threats faced by this remarkable animal, the world’s most threatened wildlife species, including the use of its scales in traditional Asian and African medicine, as well as habitat loss and its role in traditional African culture. She describes the daily challenges, demands and triumphs of a conservation project aimed at bringing them back to South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province.

Charli is an ecological monitor at &Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve. Watch videos about &Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve. Find out how you can visit and get involved in the conservation work at &Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve on the Phinda Impact Journey. Read about the conservation team at &Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve and their work in &Beyond’s online Bateleur Magazine. Book a virtual chat with Charli to find out more about the pangolin conservation project at &Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve. 

An elegant lodge with a rich history and a lush bushveld setting, Regional Manager Brendan Streak talks about the recent refurbishment of &Beyond Kirkman’s Kamp. Discover the fascinating story of the lodge’s namesake, Harry Kirkman, the cattle farmer who became one of South Africa’s foremost conservationists, and hear about how his memory has been preserved in the lodge’s updated design. Find out about the rich wildlife, unique setting and careful wildlife management practices that make Kirkman’s one of the Sabi Sand’s best loved classical safari lodges. For more about &Beyond Kirkman’s Kamp, the lodge is situated in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve.

What is the difference between working with communities and for them? Listen as Isaac Tembe, Head of Methodology, Monitoring & Evaluation for Wild Impact (previously known as Africa Foundation) describes creating a community development model that puts partnership, inclusivity and sustainability at its heart. Wild Impact works hand in hand with Africa’s rural communities, on projects identified by the communities themselves, ensuring that they are brought to a sustainable level before being handed over. Find out how the organisation defined a successful project model that could be applied across Africa and, now, even beyond. 
Links: For more about Wild Impact. The communities mentioned in the podcast are situated near &Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve. 

Having worked in some of the world’s most remote and challenging destinations, from the Namib Desert to the mountains of Bhutan and the plains of the Serengeti, Chris Browne and Debra Fox share their insights into creating modern designs that blend into rather than overwhelm their setting. Listen to tales of how to overcome the challenges of working in the wild, from flooded work sites to hijacked trucks and hyenas with a penchant for leather furniture!

While the link between COVID-19 and conservation may not be immediately obvious to many, the knock-on effects of the pandemic on Africa’s wild places and the communities that surround them is estimated to be immense. With Africa’s game reserves empty of tourists, where is the funding for their upkeep to come from? Our panel of experts brings their insights, learning and experiences to the table to highlight the economics of conservation and to discuss how best to care for the continent’s biodiversity while balancing the urgent needs of its rural populations. Links: Watch a video of the Live Event here; check for &Beyond’s next live event on a topic relating to sustainability and conservation here; book a virtual discussion on marine conservation and Hope Spots with panel member Tessa Hempson here.