Episode 169: Awesome O-Possum

One of the more iconic mammals of Australia, this week we cover the Dingo. As a member of the Canid family, Dingos are technically not native to Australia. Rather, they were introduced by humans thousands of years ago. However, Dingos have remained relatively untouched from human interference for thousands of years. Today Dingos play a critical role in maintaining balance in Australia's ecosystem. These are amazing animals doing amazing things. It was a real pleasure to bring you this week's podcast covering everything Dingo!! For one cup of "good" coffee a month you can support your favorite podcast on Patreon and give back to conservation. With your support we were recently able to send money to the American Cetacean Society and Project Coyote conservation groups. We recently posted a bonus episode, the Blue Footed Booby, for our Patreon only subscribers and will be offering more bonus content soon! Please considering supporting us at Patreon HERE. You can  also visit our website HERE     Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

9 Sep 20211h 11min

The Rocky Mountain Goat seems to defy gravity. They can scale and leap with ease across some of the most intense terrain on earth. What is especially interesting is the Rocky Mountain Goat is not a true "goat" but rather a "goat antelope." They also are the largest mammal that lives and survives at some of our highest altitudes, as well as in some of the harshest terrain in North America. They are just an absolute wonder to learn about.  While not yet listed as a species threatened with extinction, with climate change and other pressures their populations are in decline. They are a species to keep an eye on. In this week's podcast we explore this species and what makes them one of the most unique mammals on our planet.  For one cup of "good" coffee a month you can support your favorite podcast on Patreon and give back to conservation. With your support we were recently able to send money to the American Cetacean Society and Project Coyote conservation groups. We recently posted a bonus episode, the Blue Footed Booby, for our Patreon only subscribers and will be offering more bonus content soon! Please considering supporting us at Patreon HERE. You can  also visit our website HERE   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

1 Sep 20211h 6min

We are so excited to have one of the world's foremost orangutan experts, Leif Cocks, on to discuss the peril of one of our most beloved primates. Leif is the founder and president of The Orangutan Project. From there website it states, The Orangutan Project was established in 1998 by founder and world-renowned orangutan expert, Leif Cocks, as a result of his almost 30 year career working with orangutans. Leif is a passionate campaigner for orangutans and has been the President of The Orangutan Project since its inception.  Leif’s years in the field have earned him respect within the conservation field. He has been a key player in developing conservation plans for orangutans and influencing positive change for orangutan protection and survival. This includes the first ever successful reintroduction of the zoo-born orangutan. This respect has given The Orangutan Project world standing in conservation. You can learn more about Leif and The Orangutan Project by visiting HERE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

26 Aug 202145min

We are back in Asia to chat about another big cat heading towards extinction, the Clouded Leopard. These magnificent cats are the oldest of the modern big cats and some of the most beautiful. Native to southern and south-eastern Asia, Clouded Leopards are facing extinction. much like big cousins the Tiger. Clouded Leopards are a special animal, with traits superior to almost any other cat species. They have the largest canine teeth to skull ratio of any cat. Their canine teeth, measuring up to 2 inches (5 cm), are the same size as the aforementioned adult Tiger!!  They are specially adapted to climb up and down trees, better than almost any other species of cat on the planet. These are truly amazing cats and are a real pleasure to learn about.  For one cup of "good" coffee a month you can support your favorite podcast on Patreon and give back to conservation. With your support we were recently able to send money to the American Cetacean Society and Project Coyote conservation groups. We recently posted a bonus episode, the Blue Footed Booby, for our Patreon only subscribers and will be offering more bonus content soon! Please considering supporting us at Patreon HERE. You can  also visit our website HERE   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

18 Aug 20211h 7min

Douglas Chadwick has led an incredible career as a wildlife biologist and author. He has written 14 books and more than 200 articles for multiple magazines to include National Geographic. In fact, he was with National Geographic for over 35 years. Doug brings insight into our natural world like none other. He has traveled all over the world and has personally observed multiple aquatic and terrestrial species, and all the deterioration of our natural spaces. In his latest book, Four Fifths a Grizzly, Douglas discusses our place in the natural world. This is an incredible book spanning multiple topics that any wildlife enthusiast needs to read.  You can learn more about Douglas Chadwick HERE You can learn more about Four Fifths a Grizzly HERE   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

11 Aug 20211h 7min

While tuna is a fish many eat around the world, these fish are heading towards extinction. This is especially true of the most prized Bluefin Tuna. In fact, one 600 lb. Bluefin Tuna sold for $3 million USD at a market in Japan making this fish one highly sought after. The result is, Bluefin Tuna now number only 3.3% of their historic population. This is also distressing because tuna are some of the most unique and amazing fish in our world's oceans. They exhibit especially unique physiology and behaviors not observed in other fish. This week we take a deep dive (pun intended) into the world of tuna, with a particular focus on the Bluefin Tuna. The good news is, conservation efforts are being made around the world to not only protect Bluefin Tuna, but the other tuna species. We have so much to learn about our oceans and all the species that inhabit it.  For one cup of "good" coffee a month you can support your favorite podcast on Patreon and give back to conservation. With your support we were recently able to send money to the American Cetacean Society and Project Coyote conservation groups. We also offer bonus episodes and supporter only content.  Please considering supporting us at Patreon HERE. You can  also visit our website HERE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

27 Jul 20211h 13min

Dr. Kini Roelser is another amazing award winner from the prestigious Whitley Fund for Nature. Dr. Roelser is working hard to save the critically endangered Hooded Grebe and other wildlife on the Patagonia Steppe. The Hooded Grebe was only discovered in the 1970s and has suffered a dramatic 80% decline in their population over the last 20 years. Dr. Roelser shares with us his work and all the pressures this bird and other native wildlife in Patagonia are suffering from. He gives us great insight to what is happening in his part of the world in South America.  ** NOTE: If you hear occasional baby noises during the interview you are not going crazy. Angie did an amazing job interviewing Dr. Roelser while keeping her newborn Maddox happy. She is an amazing mother and dedicated educator** You can learn more about Dr. Kini Roelser and the Whitley Nature Fund by going HERE Show notes HERE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

22 Jul 202147min

Dr. David Shiffman is a shark biologist who has dedicated his life to the study and preservation of sharks in our oceans. He is currently in South Florida, where he is working to understand sharks better, particularly off the coast of Miami in Biscayane Bay. He is also heavily involved in public outreach through his multiple social media channels. In our interview Dr. Shiffman talks everything sharks and lays to rest some disinformation out there and also tells us what the future looks like for sharks worldwide.  You can follow him at: Save Our Seas Website HERE Twitter (@whysharksmatter) IG (@whysharksmatter) Facebook HERE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

16 Jul 202154min