A dire wolf has been brought back through modern genetic science — and I sat down with Matt James of Colossal Bioscience to learn more.

In this in-depth interview, we discuss dire wolf cloning, de-extinction science, CRISPR gene editing, ancient DNA recovery, conservation biotechnology, and what this breakthrough could mean for endangered species, ecosystem restoration, and the future of wildlife management. Is this true de-extinction?

And how does this tie in to the "ghost wolves" of Galveston Island, Texas?

Could extinct animals like the woolly mammoth or saber-toothed cat be next? What are the ethical concerns around cloning predators? And how does this impact ongoing wolf conservation efforts in North America?

In this episode we profile Dana Dkyema, most of the Women Hunt podcast of the Wild Sheep Foundation.

She talks about the program, her entry into the hunter-conservationist movement and the scientific management of wildlife resources to attain sustainable use.

Catch the Ignite podcast here.

Connect with Women Hunt.

Dana Dykema's Instagram.

Jessica Harvey of the Guy Harvey Foundation joins us for a powerful conversation about ocean conservation, sustainability, and the role art plays in inspiring environmental awareness. She shares the foundation’s mission to protect marine ecosystems, why storytelling and creativity are essential tools for change, and how individuals and communities can help preserve the beauty of our oceans for future generations.

In this episode, we explore the connection between art and advocacy, the growing urgency around ocean protection, and the emotional impact the sea has on people around the world. Whether you're passionate about marine life, conservation, sustainability, or creative activism, this conversation offers insight, inspiration, and hope.

Connect with the Foundation's free educational resources here.

#OceanConservation #Sustainability #MarineLife #ArtAndActivism #EnvironmentalAwareness #HarveyOceanFoundation

Ben Novak of Revive & Restore joins the program for a fascinating conversation about cloning, conservation biotechnology, and the future of de-extinction. As lead scientist at the Revive & Restore, Ben discusses how cutting-edge genetic science is being used to protect endangered species, restore lost biodiversity, and potentially bring extinct animals back from the brink.

Could we really see the return of the thylacine — better known as the Tasmanian tiger — within our lifetime? Ben explains the science behind de-extinction, the ethical debates surrounding cloning, and why many conservationists believe these technologies could become essential tools in fighting biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse.

The conversation also explores Revive & Restore’s groundbreaking work with cloning endangered animals, genetic rescue programs, and how advances in biotechnology are reshaping the future of wildlife conservation. From mammoths to passenger pigeons to the thylacine, this episode dives into one of the most controversial and exciting frontiers in modern science.

#BenNovak #ReviveAndRestore #Thylacine #TasmanianTiger #DeExtinction #Cloning #Conservation #WildlifeConservation #Biotechnology #GeneticRescue #Extinction #SciencePodcast #Biodiversity #FutureScience #ConservationTechnology

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Pete Coppolillo of Working Dogs for Conservation joins the program to discuss how highly trained detection dogs are becoming one of the most effective tools in modern wildlife conservation. From tracking endangered species to detecting invasive plants and helping stop wildlife trafficking, these remarkable dogs are transforming the fight to protect ecosystems around the world.

In this episode, Pete explains how conservation dogs are trained to locate everything from animal scat and invasive species to illegal wildlife products and environmental contaminants. The conversation explores the growing role dogs play in combating wildlife crime, supporting scientific research, and helping conservation teams gather critical ecological data in places humans alone could never effectively search.

We also dive into the broader mission of Working Dogs for Conservation and how the bond between humans and dogs is being used in innovative ways to preserve biodiversity and protect vulnerable species. Whether it's anti-poaching operations, endangered species monitoring, or invasive exotic detection, these canine conservation teams are proving to be invaluable allies for wildlife and the environment.

Learn more about Working Dogs for Conservation and their global conservation efforts here:

Wildlife journalist and investigator Chester Moore dives into the remarkable story of a black bear discovered in one of the most unexpected regions of Texas — a bear with no tag, no tracking collar, and no known history. Years after first uncovering the mystery, Chester revisits the investigation into how this animal could have appeared so far outside the areas where black bears are typically documented.

In this episode, we explore the possible route the bear may have traveled across Texas, mapping out the enormous distances and habitat corridors it would have needed to survive the journey. But another fascinating question emerged during the investigation: was this bear truly a lone wanderer, or could there have been a hidden population of black bears quietly existing in the region all along?

The conversation examines wildlife migration, habitat recovery, cryptic animal populations, and the growing return of black bears to parts of Texas where they were once believed to be absent. Through field investigation, conservation insight, and firsthand reporting, this episode uncovers one of the most intriguing wildlife mysteries in the state.

#BlackBear #TexasWildlife #ChesterMoore #WildlifeMystery #BearConservation #TexasBears #WildlifeInvestigation #Conservation #WildlifePodcast #NatureStory #HabitatCorridors #AnimalMigration #HiddenWildlife #OutdoorPodcast #WildlifeResearch

Dr. Cynthia Wigren, co-founder of the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy, joins the program to discuss her journey into shark conservation and the groundbreaking work the organization is doing on Cape Cod and beyond. From public education and scientific research to white shark tracking and ocean ecosystem awareness, Dr. Wigren shares how the Conservancy has become one of the leading voices in shark conservation.

In this episode, we explore the growing understanding of great white sharks along the Atlantic coast, the importance of protecting apex predators in marine ecosystems, and how science and public outreach are helping reshape perceptions of sharks worldwide. Dr. Wigren also discusses the organization’s partnership with researchers, advancements in shark tracking technology, and the role Cape Cod has played in one of the most significant marine wildlife stories in North America.

The conversation dives into the balance between conservation, public safety, and education while highlighting why healthy shark populations are critical to the future of our oceans. Whether you’re fascinated by marine biology, ocean conservation, or the mysteries of great white sharks, this episode offers an insightful look into one of the ocean’s most misunderstood animals.

Learn more about the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy and their research, education, and conservation efforts here:

#AtlanticWhiteSharkConservancy #CynthiaWigren #SharkConservation #GreatWhiteShark #CapeCod #MarineBiology #OceanConservation #SharkResearch #WhiteShark #MarineScience #WildlifeConservation #OceanEcosystems #SharkEducation #MarineWildlife #ConservationPodcast

Dr. Kesley Banks of the Harte Research Institute joins the program to discuss one of the ocean’s most remarkable predators — the mako shark, widely considered the fastest shark in the sea. Through cutting-edge tagging technology and marine research, Dr. Banks shares new insights into the movements, behavior, and hidden lives of these powerful apex predators.

In this episode, we explore how shark tagging is helping scientists unlock long-standing mysteries surrounding mako migration, feeding habits, habitat use, and interactions within the marine ecosystem. Dr. Banks explains how researchers track sharks across vast stretches of ocean and why understanding these movements is critical for conservation and fisheries management.

The conversation also dives into the importance of protecting highly migratory shark species, the challenges facing shark populations worldwide, and how advances in marine science are reshaping what we know about life beneath the surface. From incredible burst speeds to mysterious deep-water behavior, this episode offers a fascinating look at one of the ocean’s most iconic and elusive sharks.

#KesleyBanks #MakoShark #SharkResearch #HarteResearchInstitute #MarineBiology #OceanConservation #SharkTagging #MarineScience #SharkConservation #WildlifeResearch #OceanPredators #MarineWildlife #FisheriesScience #ApexPredators #SciencePodcast

Wild turkeys have long fascinated outdoorsman and wildlife journalist Chester Moore, whose passion for the species began in childhood. In this episode, he sits down with Dr. Brett Collier of Louisiana State University to discuss groundbreaking research into wild turkey behavior, habitat use, and conservation challenges facing the species today.

Dr. Collier shares how cutting-edge tracking technology and field research are helping scientists better understand turkey movement, nesting success, survival rates, and the environmental factors impacting populations across the South and beyond. The conversation explores the complex relationship between habitat quality, land management practices, predators, and the long-term health of wild turkey populations.

Chester and Dr. Collier also dive into why wild turkeys remain one of North America’s most fascinating game birds and what hunters, conservationists, and landowners can do to help ensure the species thrives for future generations. From habitat restoration to emerging research discoveries, this episode offers a detailed look at one of America’s greatest conservation success stories — and the work still needed to protect it.

#WildTurkey #TurkeyConservation #BrettCollier #LSU #WildlifeResearch #HabitatManagement #TurkeyHabitat #Conservation #WildlifeBiology #GameBirds #OutdoorPodcast #TurkeyResearch #WildlifeScience #HabitatConservation #ChesterMoore

Early in his career, wildlife journalist Chester Moore wrote about the possibility that hybridization between different trout species could one day create a kind of “super seatrout” — a powerful gamefish combining unique traits from multiple species. What began as speculation eventually turned into a surprising investigation that uncovered evidence the phenomenon may have already happened — and that almost no one outside a small circle of researchers and anglers even knew about it.

In this episode, Chester dives into the fascinating story behind hybrid seatrout, exploring how environmental conditions, overlapping habitats, and natural breeding behavior may have produced unusual fish with unexpected characteristics. The conversation examines the science of hybridization, what these fish could mean for fisheries and conservation, and why the topic has remained largely under the radar despite its implications for marine ecosystems and sportfishing.

The episode also explores broader questions about evolving fish populations, changing coastal environments, and how modern science continues to reveal mysteries hidden beneath the surface of America’s bays and estuaries. Part investigative wildlife story and part scientific mystery, this is a fascinating look into a little-known chapter of marine biology and coastal conservation.

#Seatrout #HybridFish #MarineBiology #FishingPodcast #Conservation #SpeckledTrout #WildlifeInvestigation #FishHybridization #CoastalConservation #SaltwaterFishing #MarineScience #Sportfishing #EstuaryResearch #ChesterMoore #FishingMystery