Rewildology - podcast cover

Rewildology

Brooke Mitchellrewildology.com
Conservation, sustainability, wild travel stories. Host Brooke Mitchell, conservation biologist and adventure traveler, chats with experts from across the globe to discuss nature’s biggest questions: How do we save and rewild our natural spaces? How can we restore wildlife populations? How do we overcome adversity and bring communities together? Where are the best places to experience nature? Pour yourself a glass of something tasty (coffee, tea, wine, whiskey?) and join the conversation. Together we’ll rewild the planet.
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Episodes

#182 | Bushmasters of the Mountain: Conserving the Wolverine Way of Life with Douglas Chadwick

In this episode of Rewildology, we dive into the fascinating world of wolverines with renowned author and wildlife biologist Douglas Chadwick. Drawing from his book "The Wolverine Way" and recent scientific research, we explore the current status of these elusive and hardy creatures across their vast range in North America, Europe, and Asia. Chadwick shares insights into the unique adaptations and behaviors that make wolverines the true "bushmasters of the mountains." We discuss the complex chal...

Aug 15, 20241 hr 11 min

#181 | Tigers Return: Rewilding Satkosia with Aditya Panda

In this episode, host Brooke delves into the ambitious tiger reintroduction efforts at Satkosia Tiger Reserve with conservationist Aditya Panda. The conversation traces the history of tiger conservation in India, focusing on the challenges faced in the East-Central landscape. Panda shares insights from the unsuccessful 2018 tiger translocation attempt and details the comprehensive preparations underway for a new reintroduction. These efforts include voluntary relocation of communities, strengthe...

Aug 01, 20241 hr 13 min

#180 | From Howls to Headphones: Amplifying Wolf Conservation with John Calfa III and Stephen Rivera

In this special crossover episode, Rewildology teams up with the hosts of the Wolf Connection Podcast to explore the intersection of wildlife conservation and digital media. Join Brooke as she speaks with John Calfa and Stephen Rivera about their work at Wolf Connection, a unique sanctuary where rescued wolves become teachers. Discover how their podcast is amplifying wolf conservation efforts, learn about the transformative power of Wolf Therapy®, and delve into the ways storytelling and technol...

Jul 26, 20241 hr 26 min

#179 | Carnivores, Conservation, and Camera Lights: The Inspiring Path of Rae Wynn-Grant, PhD

In this episode, Brooke sits with Rae Wynn-Grant, PhD, a trailblazing ecologist and the newest co-host of Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom. Dr. Wynn-Grant takes us on a journey from her childhood aspirations to her groundbreaking work in carnivore research, offering a candid look at the challenges and triumphs of being a Black woman in wildlife ecology. She shares insights on the changing landscape of diversity in conservation, her shift towards a human-focused approach in her work, and the thrill...

Jul 18, 202454 min

#178 | From Wilderness to Living Rooms: Exploring Wild Kingdom’s Legacy with Peter Gros

Today we are going on an extraordinary journey through the world of wildlife television and conservation with Peter Gros, the legendary host of Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom. In this episode, Peter shares behind-the-scenes stories from his decades-long career, from meeting his hero Jim Fowler to witnessing the evolution of public perception towards misunderstood species. We explore the rich history of Wild Kingdom, discuss significant conservation victories, and get Peter's insights on the grow...

Jul 11, 20241 hr 2 min

#177 | Framing the Future: Photography's Power in Conservation Storytelling with Mark Bernards

In this episode of Rewildology, host Brooke explores the powerful intersection of science, art, and conservation through the lens of wildlife photographer Mark Bernards. Winner of Rewildology's 2024 Earth Day Photo contest, Mark shares his inspiring journey from childhood nature enthusiast to accomplished conservation storyteller. You will gain valuable insights into wildlife photography techniques, the art of visual storytelling for conservation, and how parenthood has reshaped Mark's perspecti...

Jul 04, 202449 min

#176 | Banded for Life: Unexpected Stories from the Frontlines of Armadillo Conservation with Mariella Superina, DVM, PhD

In this exciting installment of Rewildology's "Conservation Chronicles: Stories from the field" series, host Brooke sits down with Mariella Superina, DVM, PhD, a renowned armadillo researcher, to explore her most memorable experiences in wildlife conservation. The episode promises a thrilling journey through Mariella's unexpected adventures, including confrontations with poachers in remote deserts, late-night animal rescues, and heartwarming interactions with local communities. You can expect to...

Jun 27, 202455 min

#175 | Lions, Wild Dogs, Vultures and Communities: Conserving Botswana's Iconic Wildlife with Glyn Maude, PhD

Join Brooke for a captivating journey into Botswana's incredible wilderness! Today’s guest is Glyn Maude, PhD, the Director of Kalahari Research and Conservation, who has spent decades protecting some of Africa's most iconic species. In this episode, Glyn takes us deep into the world of wild dog and lion conservation. We'll explore the intricate predator-prey dynamics, the vital role of local communities, and the latest groundbreaking research conducted by KRC. From tracking elusive painted wolf...

Jun 20, 20241 hr 1 min

#174 | From Hatchlings to High Seas: Chatting Sea Turtle Conservation with Brad Nahill and Christine Figgener, PhD

Join Rewildology host, Brooke, for a special sea turtle episode in celebration of World Sea Turtle Day! We revisit insightful conversations with Brad Nahill from SEE Turtles and Dr. Christine Figgener from COASTS. Brad shares his knowledge about the different sea turtle species, their conservation statuses, and the major threats they face. Christine, known for her viral video of removing a straw from a sea turtle's nose, discusses the ocean plastic crisis and what we can do to help protect these...

Jun 13, 202431 min

#173 | Wildcats and Wildfires: Protecting Lynx in a Changing Cascades Landscape with Carmen Vanbianchi

Today, Brooke is joined by Carmen Vanbianchi, Co-founder and Reserach Director of Home Range, a nonprofit dedicated to conserving the lynx and its habitat in Washington's Cascade Mountains. Carmen shares her inspiring journey from studying this elusive cat as a graduate student to starting her own organization to protect it. They dive deep into the unique ecology of the Cascades, learning about the lynx's amazing adaptations and the threats it faces from habitat loss, climate change, and increas...

Jun 06, 20241 hr 43 min

#172 | Shark Tales: Stories from the Life of a Shark Biologist with Frida Lara, PhD

In this captivating episode, shark biologist Frida Lara, PhD takes us into the depths of her incredible career working with sharks. From awe-inspiring moments to hair-raising encounters, Frida regales with a collection of unforgettable tales etched into her memory. She relives the fear of coming face-to-face with an agitated tiger shark, shares thrilling updates on her research studying silky shark, and describes the amazing experience of being joined by famous film crews documenting her work. B...

May 30, 202436 min

#171 | Rediscovering Lost Species through Expeditions & Tech Innovations with Scott Trageser

In this fascinating episode, host Brooke Mitchell talks to Scott Trageser, the Executive Director of The Biodiversity Group, about his groundbreaking work in conserving and rediscovering lost species around the world. Scott shares his incredible journey leading (Re)Discovery Expeditions to find new or thought-to-be-extinct species and protect vital habitats. He discusses developing revolutionary 3D scanning technology to study live animals without removing them from the wild. Despite facing imme...

May 23, 20241 hr 4 min

#170 | Endangered Species Day Special! Blue Whales of the Galapagos Islands with Daniela Alarcón

Celebrate Endangered Species Day by diving into the fascinating world of blue whales, the largest species to ever exist on Earth. In this special episode, host Brooke is joined by Daniela Alarcón, a cetacean researcher who was part of the first team to successfully tag a blue whale in the Galapagos Islands. Daniela shares her extensive knowledge, covering the challenges of studying these elusive creatures, their incredible size and behavior, migration patterns, and the crucial conservation effor...

May 16, 202441 min

#169 | Conservation Psychology in Action: Insights from South Africa with Stephanie Klarmann, PhD and Karabo Magakane

On this episode of Rewildology, we explore the power of conservation psychology and photography to drive behavior change and protect South Africa's iconic wildlife. Host Brooke Mitchell sits down with Stephanie Klarmann, PhD, a pioneering researcher in the emerging field of conservation psychology, and Karabo Magakane, a Wild Shots Outreach leader using her photography skills to reconnect communities to nature. Stephanie and Karabo provide an unflinching look at the complex cultural and socioeco...

May 09, 20241 hr 8 min

#168 | Koalas 101: Debunking Myths and Revealing Truths with Danielle Clode, PhD

In this special minisode, get ready to dive deep into the world of koalas with host Brooke and renowned koala expert, Danielle Clode, PhD, author of "Koala: A Natural History and an Uncertain Future." Celebrating Wild Koala Day on May 3rd, Brooke and Danielle unpack the mysteries surrounding these iconic marsupials, from their unique dietary habits to the secrets of their microbiome. Together, they debunk common myths and shed light on fascinating truths about koalas, including their enigmatic b...

May 02, 202430 min

#167 | Rewilding at Home: The Garden For Wildlife Story with Shubber Ali

Get your shovels and garden gloves ready for this week’s episode! Today we are going against the grain and flipping our relationship with our backyards. In this episode, Brooke sits down with Shubber Ali, CEO of Garden for Wildlife - an organization that is transforming residential landscapes into thriving habitats for local wildlife species. Read full show notes at: https://rewildology.com/category/show-notes/ Recording gear provided by Focusrite: https://store.focusrite.com/en-gb/categories/fo...

Apr 25, 20241 hr 9 min

#166 | Rediscovering the Short-Tailed Roundleaf Bat in Nigeria with Iroro Tanshi

April 17th is Bat Appreciation Day, and to celebrate, we’re releasing this special minisode to share with you Iroro Tanshi’s incredible story about rediscovering the short-tailed roundleaf bat in her home country of Nigeria. We rarely have the opportunity to find a lost species, and sometimes, magical moments like this one come to us. Listen to the full episode: #36 Show Notes | Rescuing An Endangered Bat From the Edge of Extinction with Iroro Tanshi Submit your photo in our 2024 Earth Day Photo...

Apr 18, 202426 min

#165 | Into the Deep: Unveiling the Risks and Opportunities of Underwater Storytelling with Andrew Budziak

Welcome to the third episode in the super fun mini-series "Conservation Chronicles: Tales from the Field”! The next storyteller in this series is Andrew Budziak, published conservation photographer and filmmaker. In this conversation, Andrew shares scary mishaps while diving and what he learned to avoid dangerous situations in the future. He also gives us a sneak peek into the new and very exciting documentary he’s working on, which also involves diving in some of the most extreme conditions. Jo...

Apr 11, 202447 min

#164 | In Search of Jaguars: A Journey Through the Pantanal Part 4: The Land of Ocelots

Welcome to the final episode of the newest expedition series on Rewildology: "In Search of Jaguars: A Journey Through the Pantanal." In this episode, Brooke shares her adventures through the southern Pantanal at Fazenda San Francisco, introduces you to resident ocelot researcher Henrique Villas Boas Concone, and provides her final thoughts from her explorations in this critically important habitat. This expedition was documented in August 2023 during The Wild Source’s Realm of the Jaguar group t...

Mar 29, 202446 min

#163 | Special Episode! Rewilding Chilean Patagonia with Carolina Morgado

Today is World Rewilding Day and we’re celebrating by releasing this very special episode with Carolina Morgado, the Executive Director of Rewilding Chile! In this conversation, Carolina and Brooke explore so many topics including her serendipitous meeting with Doug Tompkins and her early career with Tompkins Conservation, the evolution of conservation and activism in Chile, the current state of Patagonia, how Rewilding Chile and the Route of the Parks came to be, and the top projects they are w...

Mar 20, 20241 hr 10 min

#162 | In Search of Jaguars: A Journey Through the Pantanal Part 3: Pantanal's Jaguars

Welcome to Part 3 of the newest expedition series on Rewildology: 'In Search of Jaguars: A Journey Through the Pantanal.' In this episode, Brooke sits down with Abbie Martin, the Founder of the Jaguar Identification Project, to delve into everything there is to know about the jaguars of the Pantanal. Brooke also shares clips from her own jaguar sightings in the area. This expedition was documented in August 2023 during The Wild Source’s Realm of the Jaguar group trip. For additional information ...

Mar 14, 202457 min

#161 | In Search of Jaguars: A Journey Through the Pantanal Part 2: Exploring the Paraguay River

Welcome to Part 2 of the newest expedition series on Rewildology: "In Search of Jaguars: A Journey Through the Pantanal." In this episode, accompany Brooke and her group as they navigate for hundreds of kilometers along the Paraguay River Basin, encountering incredible wildlife throughout the journey. Listen to insights from Fred Crema, the Expedition Leader, and engage with local communities that reside in the Pantanal. Gain knowledge about the key challenges endangering the Pantanal. This expe...

Mar 07, 202441 min

#160 | In Search of Jaguars: A Journey Through the Pantanal Part 1: What is the Pantanal?

Welcome to the latest 4-part expedition series on Rewildology: "In Search of Jaguars: A Journey Through the Pantanal.” In the upcoming four episodes, accompany Brooke on her adventure into the heart of the magnificent Pantanal in Brazil. Delve into the region's expansive grasslands, winding waterways, and pockets of lush jungle that form distinct habitats within this biodiversity hotspot. Meet local biologists and conservationists diligently working within the Pantanal, and discover the on-the-g...

Mar 07, 202410 min

#159 | Sharkapalooza! Science, Facts, and Conservation of Central America’s Sharks with Frida Lara, PhD & Camila Arnés

In this 30-minute, information-packed episode, you’ll hear from two badass women shark biologists who have starred on the show: Frida Lara, PhD, shark researcher, tour guide, and Co-Founder of Orgcas in Mexico; and Camila Arnés, hammerhead and thresher shark researcher in the Galapagos Islands. Both discuss the insightful studies they conducted to understand shark behavior and movement patterns in their study region and share lots of facts about sharks, some of which may surprise you. Open Volun...

Feb 15, 202436 min

#158 | Nature Happy Hour #2: The Saga of Jaguars in the US, A New Indigenous Marine Stewardship Area, & Cicada Explosions with Brooke + Charles

Today’s episode is the second conversation in the Nature Happy Hour mini-series where I sit down with my good friend and fellow conservation scientist, Charles van Rees, PhD. In true happy hour fashion, Charles and I begin the conversation by catching up on everything that’s happened since we last sat down in October, including Rewildology’s 3rd birthday, volunteer opportunities with the show, and news from Charles’ work in nature-based solutions. Following, we dive into three conservation headl...

Feb 01, 20241 hr 29 min

#157 | Rewilding Australia on a Continental Scale with John Kanowski, PhD

G’day, mates! Today, we're traveling to Australia to learn about rewilding on a continental scale with John Kanowski, PhD, Chief Science Officer at the Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC). In this episode, John and Brooke explore the top conservation issues plaguing the island, notably invasive predators and inferno fires, how AWC is protecting and reintroducing Australia’s endangered mammals, the methods AWC is using to remove introduced predators, collaborating with indigenous communities an...

Jan 18, 20241 hr 39 min

#156 | Remote Evacs & Close Wildlife Encounters: Adventures in Conservation Travel with Court Whelan, PhD

Today’s conversation is the second episode in the super fun mini-series called "Conservation Chronicles: Tales from the Field” where I sit down with a former guest to explore the most unforgettable tales etched in their memory. The next storyteller in this series is Court Whelan, PhD, Chief Sustainability Officer at Natural Habitat Adventures. Prepare yourself for remote medical evacuations, lost travelers, an intimidating silverback, and so much more. Read full show notes at: https://rewildolog...

Jan 04, 202448 min

#155 | Educating for the Wild: A Quest to Save Painted Dogs with Wilton Nsimango

Today we are traveling to Zimbabwe to meet an inspiring man, Wilton Nsimango, who is changing the future for wild dogs and children. After teaching in the country’s education sector for 17 years, Wilton felt called to work in wildlife conservation and joined Painted Dog Conservation in 2004. He leads PDC's robust education program that includes a Children's Bush Camp, a Visitors Centre at the entrance to Hwange National Park, collaborative art projects, conservation clubs, and community gardens....

Dec 21, 20231 hr 1 min

#154 | Nature Happy Hour #1: Colors in Nature with Brooke and Charles

Welcome to the debut episode of the show’s newest series 'Nature Happy Hour'! Joining Brooke for these conversations is her great friend and brilliant conservation scientist, Dr. Charles van Rees, PhD. In this color-inspired episode, Brooke and Charles go back and forth sharing a few of their favorite sightings - with lots of stories in-between. Charles also goes into the science behind why animals like birds and insects are far more colorful than their mammalian counterparts. Share your favorit...

Dec 07, 20231 hr 37 min

#153 | In Focus: Conservation Storytelling Through Ethical Photography with the Canadian Conservation Photographers Collective

Today’s roundtable episode is a deep dive into the realm of conservation photography and how ethical photographers spotlight pressing issues through impactful visual storytelling. Joining Brooke are four talented photographers from the Canadian Conservation Photographers Collective: Josh DeLeenheer, Chelsie Xavier-Blower, Ray Maichin, and Donna Feledichuk, PhD. Together they discuss ethical photography practices, how to convey complex concepts through images, the power of giving a voice to overl...

Nov 22, 20231 hr 25 min
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