In this podcast episode, Eric Goode, founder of the Turtle Conservancy and an acclaimed conservationist, opens up about his latest project, Chimp Crazy. Following the success of Tiger King, which helped pass the Big Cat Safety Act, Goode aims to do the same for chimpanzees. The show shines a spotlight on Tonia Haddix, a colorful character whose chaotic attempts to shelter Tonka, a former movie-star chimp, from PETA and the actor Alan Cumming, create the heart of the four-part series.

Beyond the entertainment, Goode dives into the broader mission of wildlife conservation, emphasizing the urgent need for legislation that safeguards these intelligent, endangered creatures.

Shifting focus to Ojai’s rich natural landscape, Goode discusses the wild terrains of the Sespe Wilderness, where mountain lions prowl, bighorn sheep roam, and a grizzly bear reintroduction program stirs hope for restoring native predators. His passion for conservation extends beyond documentaries, as he advocates for the protection of habitats and the creatures within them.

Chimp Crazy is just the beginning, and Goode’s relentless drive for change continues to pave the way for critical reforms in animal welfare. He also talks about his latest project, a deep dive ten years in the making about the exotic reptile trade and the dangerous demimonde in which traffickers live.

We did not talk about the lost technology of affixing rudders to wooden sailing ships, North Korean nuclear aims, or taimen fishing in Mongolia.

Learn more about Goode and the Turtle Conservancy at https://www.turtleconservancy.org/