This Wild Life Conservation Podcast

Tune in to hear from Ted Schmitt, Co-Creator of the revolutionary Earth Ranger and Skylight technologies that use real-time data to solve the toughest challenges facing our planet.    Ted describes how Skylight is being used to protect our oceans and showcases the positive impact it is having off the coast of Ghana and Guinea. The episode also gives a glimpse into Ted’s winding career that eventua...

Over the next few episodes, we will be chatting with some of the partners of Earth Ranger, a free online software solution that helps conservationists protect our world's wildlife and habitats with real-time data.   In the second episode, Amy speaks with Dr Marc Stalmans – Director of Scientific Services at Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique. Tune in to hear about Gorongosa’s turbulent histo...

Over the next few episodes, we will be chatting with some of the partners of Earth Ranger, a free online software solution that helps conservationists protect our world's wildlife and habitats with real-time data.  In this first episode, Amy speaks with Stephanie Fennessy, co-founder & co-director of the Giraffe Conservation Foundation. Tune in to hear about the wild process of translocat...

This episode features Ian Redmond OBE, one of the most influential conservationists in the world. For 35 years, Ian has worked to protect Mountain Gorillas and African elephants. His many accolades include Ambassador for the UN Year of the Gorilla in 2009; and conservation consultant and advisor for organisations such as Born Free. Ian also established the Ape Alliance, an international coalition...

This week the podcast takes us around the world in search of penguins. Well not quite, but author and photographer, Prof. Charles Bergman, will tell us about his own adventures to do just that. Charles shares captivating stories of adventure from his quest to see all 18 species of penguin in the world. You'll hear about severe storms at sea, a hairy moment being washed down a river, and comin...

In this week’s episode, we are joined by Jamie Joseph, wildlife activist and founder of Saving the Wild. Jamie provides an insight into Saving the Wild’s work including her involvement in exposing the accused rhino poaching kingpin of Zululand, Dumisani Gwala; and the arrest of Rhino Poaching kingpin, Petros Mabuza, recently deceased. We also gain an insight into a stunning new documentary film, ‘...

This week we talk with Bobbi Brink, founder of the ‘Lions, Tigers and Bears’ Sanctuary in California. Bobbi provides a captivating and powerful insight into the brutality of the Exotic Pet Trade. The episode covers a range of topics including how Bobbi started the sanctuary, the challenges she faced and the process of rescuing an animal from the exotic pet trade. Bobbi also outlines her recent enc...

This week, undercover investigator, Andrea Crosta, takes us behind the scenes of two enthralling films, Sea of Shadows (National Geographic) and The Ivory Game (Netflix). Andrea also discusses his organisation, Earth League International, which operates across three continents relentlessly uncovering the illegal wildlife trade. We will learn of covert operations across the globe, including reveali...

This week we head to the Western States of America and talk to Suzanne Roy about her quest to protect the wild horses and burros. Horses capture the hearts and minds of people across the globe and Suzanne allows us a glimpse into the lives of these spirited creatures. We will hear about the American Wild Horse Campaign organisation, whose mission is to save the herds by engaging with the governmen...

In this episode, I am honoured to talk with James Mwenda! James is a distinguished conservationist, safari guide and caretaker for the last remaining Northern White Rhinos on the planet. We will hear about a baby rhino rescued by the Ol Pejeta team, a ground-breaking project that aims to bring back the now 'functionally extinct' Northern White Rhino, and James' incredible experience...

In this episode, David talked to renowned conservationist Rory Young, co-founder, and president of Chengeta Wildlife. Rory dedicated his life to wildlife protection, operating in some of the most politically unstable environments in the world. We will learn about Rory's mission to save the Mali desert elephants from poaching and hear about his incredible experiences training ranger teams in t...

In this episode,  you will be transported across the globe with environmental journalist, Jeremy Hance. Jeremy delights us with fascinating insights into his adventures in wild places. Including the story of a chatty rhino named Tam, the last Bornean Rhino on the planet, who happened to walk into an oil plant plantation. Jeremy will also tell us about his remarkable book, ‘Baggage: Confessions of...

This week I'm thrilled to be talking to Dr. Tim Wittig (Head of Intelligence, United for Wildlife) and William Brown (CEO, Focused Conservation) about the complexity of tackling the Illegal wildlife trade. We'll learn about how these world-leading organizations are supporting governments, and law agencies, to investigate, arrest and prosecute traffickers. This brutal trade has an estimat...

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Greg Rasmussen, a world leader in Painted Dog conservation. Greg regales us with heartwarming stories, including one involving a dog named Circus, and captivating insights into working with local ranchers to put an end to the killing of painted dogs. Greg also talks passionately about the wonderful social structure of these unique animals, including how no dog...

This week we have a fascinating conversation with Roderick Stien-Rostaing, Founder and Director of Reef Doctor. Reef Doctor is a pioneering organisation that has been conducting conservation and social development in southwest Madagascar for 15 years. A major part of their work is the preservation of the delicate coral reef system. The Reef Doctor team have been instrumental in preserving biodiver...

This week we have the privilege of being joined by Sergeant Nkateko Mzimba, a key member of the Black Mamba Anti-Poaching Unit, South Africa. Not only has the unit reduced poaching by over 60% in the Balule region of the Greater Kruger National Park but also broken tradition as the world's first all-female anti-poaching unit. Nkateko gives us a fascinating insight into what it's like to...

Join us to hear all about the mysterious world of the Amazon River Dolphin with Suzanne Smith, founder of the Amazon River Dolphin Conservation Foundation (ARDCF). Suzanne shares stories of her expeditions into the depths of the Amazon rainforest. From being caught in tropical storms to swimming for hours with these incredible dolphins. ARDCF is firmly intertwined with the local communities and co...

We go behind the scenes of a National Graphic Ocean expedition with renowned explorer Paul Rose. Paul is the expedition leader for the Nat Geo Pristine Seas project that has led to the protection of 23 marine reserves from Costa Rica to the Galapagos. Alongside a team of world-leading scientists, Paul explores areas of the planet that have never been seen before. In this episode Paul talks of chal...

Want to hear why our host, Amy stubbornly locked herself in the Landrover Defender whilst in the bush? Join Amy and David as they discuss the highs and lows of Series One of the podcast! From recording in the back of a sweltering car to realising some episodes were unpublishable - this episode is all about the trials and tribulations of learning the ropes in the world of podcasting! Join us for th...

This week we give a warm welcome to Verena Gill, a specialist on marine mammals, specifically: sea otters, the Beluga whale and North Pacific Right whale. A major aspect of Verena's work at the NOAA Fisheries is aimed at the conservation of a special population of Beluga whale that lives in the Cook Inlet in Alaska. Sadly the population is decreasing due to several human threats, yet Verena i...

This week we are focusing on a big cat that could be described as the ghost of the mountains as we welcome Dr. Rodney Jackson and Ashleigh Lutz-Nelson from the Snow Leopard Conservancy. With over 30 years of experience, Dr. Jackson is a pioneer in snow leopard conservation and his seminal research has been showcased in National Geographic. Ashleigh and Rodney take us into the extraordinary world o...

This week we chat with Vera Castro and Sam Turley from Imire Wildlife and Rhino conservation, Zimbabwe. From baby rhinos that bring hope during this challenging time to a cape clawless otter that nearly stole the show, you won’t be disappointed! In short, Imrie was founded in 1948 by the inspirational Norman and Gilly Travers and is a conservancy dedicated to the conservation of wildlife, most spe...

Would you like to discover why a ban on trophy hunting may not be beneficial to conserving species such as lion? This week we have the privilege of talking to Dr. Amy Dickman, founder of the Ruaha Carnivore Project and a senior research fellow at the University of Oxford. In this episode, Amy provides incredible insight into the innovative methods her team employs to reduce the number of lion kill...

This week we head over to Zambia to talk to Anna Tolan, founder of the Chipembele Wildlife Education Trust. In 1998, Anna and her husband Steve packed their bags and moved from the UK to Zambia and the rest is history! Having found a plot of land on the banks of the Luangwa River, opposite the South Luangwa National Park, they created Chipembele. Their mission is to teach Zambian children and comm...

Want to hear about one of the most dangerous jobs in wildlife conservation? Well, on today’s episode we take to the skies with Mike Ross, Helicopter wildlife capture specialist. Mike has over 22 years of experience in capturing wildlife for conservation purposes and tells us what it's like to be in the cockpit during a capture. In addition to being an exceptional pilot, Mike has a detailed kn...