All Creatures Podcast

The Cape Seahorse, also called the Knysna Seahorse, is located off the southern African coast. Sadly, the Cape Seahorse is one of the most endangered species of seahorse found in the world. Off the coast of South Africa, they are located in three small estuaries and due to human activity are heading towards extinction. Fortunately, many organizations, with help from the South African government, a...

This week we travel back to Australia to cover one of their most beloved species and highly endangered Wombat. First, the Northern Hairy-Nosed Wombat is actually one of the most endangered mammals in the world. With only around 300 animals left, they are close to extinction. Wombats are marsupials and play such a critical role to the Australian environment as important herbivores. They also have s...

Skunks invoke fear in many animals, to include many people. This is not due to their obviously adorable looks, but all because of their deadly stink. Skunks have evolved a biological weapon that scares even the most ferocious predator. Their obnoxious stink comes from a highly accurate spray emitted from their anal glands. They are quite accurate with their aim, with a reach of nearly 10 feet (3 m...

Dr. John Vucetich is a professor and scientist at Michigan Tech University. For the past few decades Dr. Vucetich has studied wolf and moose interactions on one of the world's most unique biomes, Isle Royale in the United States. Isle Royale is a very unique biome as it is mainly isolated from the mainland of North America. It also offers many unique scientific perspectives on wolf/moose interacti...

One of the many incredible and unique birds of New Guinea is the Dracula Parrot. This unique psittacine (sit-a-scene) or  "parrot" is the only one left alive in its family. In fact, the Dracula Parrot is heading towards extinction as it is sought for its feathers and is losing its pristine habitat. The Dracula Parrot does not have a fearsome reputation as it name might suggest. Rather, it is a fru...

The Aye Aye is one of the world's most misunderstood and endangered primates. Native to Madagascar, Aye Ayes have been targeted and killed by locals due to superstitions. Coupled with massive loss of habitat and other pressures, this species is on a beeline towards extinction.  The Aye Aye is also one of the world's most unique primates and has radical physiology compared to other primates. Sadly,...

When you think of your typical songbird, you probably imagine a cute small bird fluttering about. Singing their songs and maybe catching a few insects here and there. Well, the Loggerhead Shrike has something to teach you. Not all songbirds are innocent. The Loggerhead Shrike is often called a "butcher bird" for its unique diet and behaviors. See the Loggerhead Shrike hunts all sorts of prey, smal...

Born Free USA was founded in 2002.  In 1966, Virginia McKenna and Bill Travers starred in the classic wildlife film Born Free. The film told the true story of conservationists Joy and George Adamson who rescued a lioness cub named Elsa and successfully returned her to the wild. The mission of Born Free USA states that their vision is a co-existent future where humans no longer exploit wild animals...

We kick off our "Spooky October" with a unique creature of the deep, the Goblin Shark. While grotesque looking to some, this predator serves a critical role in helping our ocean ecosystem stay healthy. Not only is this shark freaky looking, it has some incredible physiology unseen in other species of sharks. In fact, the Goblin Shark is one of the oldest known species of sharks in our oceans. It h...

With less than 80 animals left in the world, the Sumatran Rhino is one of the world's most endangered rhino species. Only the Javan Rhino with estimates of maybe 60 animals is as close to extinction. Both Angie and Chris were very fortunate to meet up close one the these highly endangered mammals back in 2011. Harapan, one of 3 Sumatran Rhinos born at the Cincinnati Zoo, was held at a conservation...

We all are aware of the ecological crisis we find ourselves in. This week we interview Dr. Amanda Romo, who is a professor and Director of the Learning Center at East Los Angeles College. Realizing the need to inform and educate the next generation on our world, she turned to the All Creatures Podcast as a learning tool for her students. In our interview, Dr. Romo talks about how she has integrate...

Raccoons are a beloved species native to the Americas. These smaller carnivores are known for their high intelligence and incredible dexterity. You also might be surprised to learn Raccoons have been introduced to Europe and also Japan. They are now well established in these regions of the world. Additionally, while Raccoons as a whole are doing quite well living next to  humans, some subspecies a...

We once again head down under to Australia to cover one of its most iconic birds, the Laughing Kookaburra. With its extremely unique call, the Kookaburra is a favorite the world over. From the Family of kingfishers, Kookaburra's are an important species to the Australian continent and are also found in Papa New Guinea. The Laughing Kookaburra is the more famous of these birds and are a complete jo...

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....

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...

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 oran...

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....

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 terrestr...

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 th...

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 pres...

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 sha...

We continue to cover species from the ocean during this Plastic Free July with the Great Hammerhead Shark. There are 9 species of hammerhead sharks, all are on a trajectory to extinction. Alarmingly, the largest of the family, the Great Hammerhead, is critically endangered. Due to the pressures of overfishing, shark finning, by catch, and others, the Great Hammerhead is in deep peril. These incred...

Pedro Fruet was recently awarded the prestigious Whitley Award from the Whitley Fund for Nature. The endangered Lahille's Bottlenose Dolphin is only one of two subspecies of the Common Bottlenose dolphin.  They have an estimated population of only around 600 individuals left in world off the coast of Argentina and southern Brazil and Uruguay. Pedro is leading the effort to save these special anima...

As we observe 'Plastic Free July," we return to the ocean to learn about the much loved Bottlenose Dolphin. We are always blown away by these special aquatic mammals. Dolphins are recognized as incredibly intelligent mammals and in this week's podcast we especially focus on their incredible behaviors. You will not want to miss it. Also, most are now aware that our oceans are continually polluted w...

Dr. Paula Kahumbu is one of the most recognized woman working in conservation in Africa. She was recently awarded the incredibly prestigious Whitley Gold Award for all her hard work in preserving wildlife in Africa. Dr. Kahumbu was instrumental in helping to curb the ivory trade in Kenya. She hosts a television show, Wildlife Warriors, that is one of the most popular shows in Kenya. She is leading...