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On February 7th, eight critically endangered mountain bongo were loaded onto a charter aircraft bound for Kenya, the next step in a decades-long international effort to return this species to its native forests.

Then, while taxiing for departure, the flight was aborted.

What followed were 14 tense hours on the tarmac, an emergency response effort by Rare Species Conservatory Foundation staff, and difficult decisions that tested every safeguard built into this program.

In this episode of Conservation Beyond the Cage, we walk through what happened, what went wrong, and what we learned. We discuss accountability, animal welfare, crisis response, and the reality that conservation at this level is complex, expensive, and sometimes messy.

Most importantly, we talk about what comes next.

The mission to return the mountain bongo to Kenya continues — stronger, clearer, and more determined than ever.

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For more information visit us online at www.rarespecies.org and follow us on TikTok (@rarespecies.org), Instagram (@rarespec), YouTube (@rarespec) and Facebook (@rarespec).

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 In this episode of Conservation Beyond the Cage, we explore the realities of the illegal parrot trade: how smugglers use advanced technology, how the COVID-19 pandemic fueled trafficking by weakening enforcement, and the devastating toll on wild populations. We also confront a hard truth—society has grown desensitized to parrots in cages, forgetting they are wildlife meant to thrive in the skies, not behind bars. 

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For more information visit us online at www.rarespecies.org and follow us on TikTok (@rarespecies.org), Instagram (@rarespec), YouTube (@rarespec) and Facebook (@rarespec).

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What happens when those dedicated to saving wildlife are themselves struggling to survive emotionally? From the heart-wrenching grief of losing animals they've cared for over decades to the physical exhaustion of daily animal husbandry, conservation professionals face mental health challenges rarely discussed in public forums.

"How do you cram 24 years of life into an Instagram post about a monkey?" This poignant question captures the profound attachment caregivers develop with their animal charges and the insufficient space given to process loss. Conservation and animal care work demands extraordinary commitment—missed holidays, physical injuries, and the emotional weight of fighting for species whose wild populations continue to decline despite best efforts. Beyond the physical demands, staff face compassion fatigue, the burden of constant caregiving without adequate emotional support.

The podcast explores the political realities of conservation—corruption, funding challenges, and the demoralization that comes from feeling like progress is constantly undermined. Yet amid these difficulties, hope persists. As Jane Goodall reminds us, real hope requires action and engagement, not passive wishing. For those in the field, hope manifests in the individual animals they care for daily, buying precious time until broader conservation solutions take hold.

Mental health resources, supportive leadership, and community building among colleagues emerge as critical factors in sustaining long-term conservation careers. For listeners working in wildlife care, the message is clear: loving your job and struggling with its emotional toll aren't contradictory. Your compassion, while sometimes exhausting, makes you a better caregiver. For those in leadership positions, creating space for staff mental wellness isn't a luxury—it's essential to effective conservation.

Join the conversation about mental health in conservation. Share your experiences or access resources through the links in our show notes. Remember: conservation isn't just about saving species; it's about sustaining the people dedicated to that mission.

Resources: 

Conservation Optimism https://conservationoptimism.org/

ASPCA https://www.aspcapro.org/resource/compassion-fatigue-resilience-resources-animal-shelter-staff-volunteer-wellness

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For more information visit us online at www.rarespecies.org and follow us on TikTok (@rarespecies.org), Instagram (@rarespec), YouTube (@rarespec) and Facebook (@rarespec).

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In honor of National Zookeeper week we wanted to shout-out the true heroes at any animal facility. The animal care staff. Hardworking, dedicated and incredibly talented, these folks don't get enough credit. Well, we want you to know how much we appreciate you!

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For more information visit us online at www.rarespecies.org and follow us on TikTok (@rarespecies.org), Instagram (@rarespec), YouTube (@rarespec) and Facebook (@rarespec).

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Pygmy Marmosets may be the smallest monkeys in the world, but their behavior, communication, and social lives are remarkably complex. We’ll explore what makes them so unique—and why they need our protection now more than ever. 

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For more information visit us online at www.rarespecies.org and follow us on TikTok (@rarespecies.org), Instagram (@rarespec), YouTube (@rarespec) and Facebook (@rarespec).

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 In this episode of Conservation Beyond the Cage, we pull back the curtain on the Rare Species Conservatory Foundation (RSCF)—who we are, what we stand for, and why we’re launching a podcast that dares to say what others won’t. 

www.rarespecies.org 

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For more information visit us online at www.rarespecies.org and follow us on TikTok (@rarespecies.org), Instagram (@rarespec), YouTube (@rarespec) and Facebook (@rarespec).

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Martin Guth, self-described parrot king, pledge to save the critically endangered spixes macaw. Instead he sold it. This is a story about profiting in the name of conservation.

References include: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hdgm8lLLFpM2AcUeymiVongdTo4YREi1/view?pli=1

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1J2whDz-fdSnLOp8kHiRpUuxlZT5q3jf_/view

https://drive.google.com/file/d/18VTeSVMjqFklrPSyuiW6-I1Sjg3wOuLh/view

https://www.audubon.org/magazine/parrot-king

https://news.mongabay.com/2024/07/institutional-conflict-puts-successful-spixs-macaw-reintroduction-at-risk/

Support the show

For more information visit us online at www.rarespecies.org and follow us on TikTok (@rarespecies.org), Instagram (@rarespec), YouTube (@rarespec) and Facebook (@rarespec).