Conservation Cast

During this episode of the Conservation Cast, Maya spoke with Jaclyn DeSantis of the Ojai Raptor Centre. DeSantis oversees the education and outreach programs, manages the organization's social media accounts, helps train unreleasable ambassador birds which play a role in education/outreach, and coordinates volunteer programs. The duo discussed the important role education and outreach play in the conservation efforts, the effect rodenticides play in the decline of bird populations, and her journey to the Ojai Raptor Centre. Amongst other topics of discussion were the criteria rehabilitated birds must meet to be released back into the wild and some unique programs established to manage pest population numbers without the use of poisons.

Maya’s community raised $641 for the Ojai Raptor Centre, an organization dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of birds of prey and other wildlife. The organization is close to the heart of both Maya and her community, as they helped with the rehabilitation and release of Bean a red-tailed hawk who was a special part of Maya’s community before his release.

During this episode of the Conservation Cast, Maya had the unique opportunity to speak with Mechanical Engineering PhD Candidate, Andrew Schulz. Schulz is a conservation physicist currently researching the physics and engineering properties associated with elephant trunks. Andrew and Maya discussed his unique journey from mechanical engineer to conservation physicist, his earliest elephant encounter on safari with his mother as a child as well as a future research trip to China to work with pandas. Another interesting point of discussion involved a unique course he teaches alongside his supervisor which aims to get people with a STEM background involved with animal conservation.

Maya’s community raised $1380 for the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, an organization renowned for the rehabilitation of orphaned and injured elephants, rhinos, and impalas in East Africa and their subsequent re-release back into the wild.

During this episode of the Conservation Cast, Maya had the opportunity to sit down with Dr.David Shiffman, a marine conservation biologist, conservation ecologist, scientific writer, and a scientific and environmental consultant. Together the duo discussed the important role scientific communication plays in conservation efforts and how media events such as shark week negatively impact the public perception of sharks. Amongst other talking points was Dr. Shiffman's past research and career to date, as well as the major conservation challenges including the effect commercial overfishing of sharks, plays on population numbers.

Shark Advocates International

Maya’s community raised $1117 for Shark Advocates International, a non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of sharks through the use of scientific leadership and knowledge to inform policymakers and aid in conservation efforts.

During this episode of the Conservation Cast, Maya spoke with Dr. David Steen, a Herpetologist, and founder of The Alongside Wildlife Foundation. Steen, a wildlife ecologist, and conservation biologist, discussed the conservation challenges wild snakes populations face and previous research projects on turtles and land management strategies in the longleaf forest landscape. David Steen is also a renowned scientific communicator who uses social media to debunk common snake myths and hoaxes in conjunction with wanting to teach people about the natural world and all its inhabitants. Maya and David also discussed the importance social media plays in scientific communication, the effect negative media portrayal of snakes has on population numbers, and the publishing of his first book entitled "Secrets of Snakes: The Science Beyond the Myths".

The Alongside Wildlife Foundation

Maya’s community raised $556 for The Alongside Wildlife Foundation, a grassroots conservation organization who strive to ensure humans and wildlife are able to live harmoniously with one another.

During this episode of the Conservation Cast, Maya spoke with Emma Pereira from Save The Rhino. Periera serves as the organization's communications manager. Before starting with the organization, Emma was studying marine biology at university before deciding to move into environmental policy. Save The Rhinos funds projects in Africa and Asia designed to both improve the roles of wildlife rangers on the ground and increase habitat availability to ensure rhino population numbers are able to increase. Amongst other talking points discussed were the effect cultural and social beliefs have on rhino conservation efforts, Emma's desire to work for the organization, and what is being done to curb illegal poaching and rhino horn trade.

Save The Rhino

Maya’s community raised $1084 for Save the Rhino, an organization dedicated to protecting the five species of rhinos found in Africa and Asia, and improving the lives and job capabilities of wildlife rangers protecting these incredible animals.

During this special episode of the Conservation Cast, Maya collaborated with her friends from the American Eagle Foundation (AEF) to raise funds for Nepal Vulture Restaurants. Unlike traditional episodes of the podcast, the duo threw a painting and pizza party whilst discussing vultures in Nepal and the roles they play within their ecosystems. In the early 2000's, cattle in Nepal and across Asia were treated with a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication called Diclofenac. As a result of ingesting Diclofenac when feeding on the medicated carcass, vultures will die within 24-48 hours of liver and kidney failure. The administration of Diclofenac is thought to be the reason vulture populations have declined by 99% in Nepal and India. Vulture farms were established to be a safe haven for these endangered vultures to safely feed upon the carrions of cows and other animals. Amongst other topics of discussion was the negative economic and health effects vulture population decline has had in Nepal and across Asia and how a thriving vulture population can reverse these trends.

American Eagle Foundation - Nepal Vulture Restaurants

Maya and her community raised $1400 dollars for the American Eagle Foundation to help fund Nepal Vulture Restaurants, safe havens that allow these incredible birds to eat safely.

During this episode of the Conservation Cast, Maya had the opportunity to speak with Michele Raffin, the CEO, and Chairwoman of the Board of Pandemonium Aviaries. The duo discussed a variety of topics including Michele's journey to bird conservationist, the important role eco-tourism will play in the future of conservation efforts. Another point of discussion was the sudden directional change that the organization underwent from a rescue centre to focusing conservation efforts primarily in New Guinea and the Philippines, through the establishment of a live species bank designed to safeguard the future of these rare and beautiful birds.

Pandemonium Aviaries

Maya’s community raised $578 for Pandemonium Aviaries, a sanctuary, and conservation organization dedicated to breeding rare bird species with the hope of eventually releasing the birds back to their country of origin.

During this episode of the Conservation Cast, Maya spoke with Niko and Alex of the Odsherred Rescue Zoo, based in Denmark. Initially, Oddsherred opened as a "traditional" zoo before transitioning to a rescue facility for 600 exotic animals. Niko and Alex took Maya on a guided tour of the incredible facility and introduced the community to various animals including lemurs, camels, and an array of bird species. Amongst the talking points, the trio discussed was the development of a mobile and PC game designed to raise funds for Odsherred Zoo Rescue, future outreach and education projects, and online streaming content.

Odsherred Zoo Rescue

Maya’s community raised $530 for Odsherred rescue zoo, a rescue centre for abused, abandoned, or surrendered exotic animals.

During this episode of the Conservation Cast, Maya spoke with Samantha Jackson from ZooToYou Conservation Ambassadors. Jackson is the Director of Community Outreach and was Maya's supervisor during her internship in outreach education and exotic animal husbandry in June 2018. The duo discussed the negative changes to the endangered species act (ESA) and how these changes will affect conservation efforts, Samantha's story of growing up at a zoo; whilst introducing us to a baby red kangaroo and one of only two slow loris in captivity in North America. Samantha and Maya also chatted about their mutual love of falconry and Maya credits her time at ZooToYou as the reason she is so passionate about birds of prey and Samantha as the reason she got into falconry.

Maya’s community raised $710 for ZooToYou Conservation Ambassadors, an organization founded as a forever home for abandoned, disabled, or permanently injured local wildlife and exotic animals.

During this episode of the Conservation Cast, Maya spoke with wildlife videographer, photographer and fellow twitch streamer DamianExplores. Damian started his twitch channel a year ago after attending a convention centred around the themes of scientific communication and technology. After being introduced to bird watching by his partner, he decided to begin live streaming outdoor birding activities as a way of positively contributing to conservation efforts. Amongst topics of conversation were Damian's introduction to photography and videography, future streaming aspirations and the dichotomous moments nature allows us to experience.

Maya’s community raised $779 for HawkWatch International an organization dedicated to monitoring and protecting birds of prey through science and education to improve and promote conservation efforts.