Episode 14: legal status for beavers, hope for tunas, Nile crocodiles, reticulated sirens, futuristic seed coatings and jaguar recovery in the USA

The Zoology Ramblings Podcast

Welcome to the fourteenth episode of The Zoology Ramblings Podcast!

In this episode, Emma talks about the recent decision by the British Government to possibly give beavers native species status and legal protection, and Robi chats about some hope for tuna species despite dwindling populations of other marine species. For the animals of the week, the dynamic duo talk about the fearsome Nile crocodiles, predators half-made of time, and the bizarre reticulated sirens!. In the conservation section, the team explore research to make seeds more drought resistant by using organic materials and explore the possibility of recovering jaguar populations in the USA.

Robi Watkinson is a Conservation Biologist and wildlife filmmaker specialising in the spatial and movement ecology of large carnivores, camera trapping survey methods, rewilding, metapopulation dynamics and conservation planning. He has an MSc in Conservation Biology from the FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, and the Institute of Communities and Wildlife in Africa, University of Cape Town. He is based between Cape Town and London, and has strong interests in equitable and inclusive conservation, palaeontology and wildlife taxonomy and evolution!

Emma Hodson is a Zoologist and wildlife content creator, currently working in the community and engagement team at Avon Wildlife Trust. Emma’s role as a Wildlife Champions Coordinator involves supporting and upskilling people to take action for nature in their local communities. Emma has experience in remote wildlife fieldwork, and has been part of Arctic fox, macaw and cetacean research teams in Iceland, Peru and Wales respectively. She has also been involved in animal care and rehabilitation work in Costa Rica and South Africa. Emma is particularly passionate about the interface between community engagement and wildlife monitoring, and enjoys running workshops and giving talks on topics including camera trapping, beaver ecology and rewilding.

You can follow more of our weird and wonderful wildlife adventures on instagram: @thezoologyramblingspodcast & @robi_watkinson_wildlife & @emma_hodson_wildlife

To get exclusive access to podcast notes, background research and references, consider supporting our Patreon (link to come), where you can get all sorts of extra goodies and Zoology Ramblings merch!