Wee Blue Dot - A Conservation Podcast

A brief overview of the first 3 months of Wee Blue Dot, and a snippet of each episode for you to enjoy.

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Great to have Jo as a guest on Wee Blue Dot to hear all about her experience in the conservation education world. We discuss her position with the Association for the Protection of Rural Scotland, their leading role in the deposit return scheme in Scotland, and why she decided to set up her own conservation education business – Wild Planet Explorers. We chat about the part climate change should be playing in our schools’ curriculum, how the younger generation can play their part, and why engagement in science and conservation is so important for all ages. If you are interested in education in any format, this is the podcast for you!

Support Jo’s work:

The Association for the Protection of Rural Scotland (APRS):

In this episode we chat to Yolande, Sarah and Zanre from The Rhino Orphanage in South Africa – the first specialist, dedicated, non-commercial centre that cares for orphaned and injured baby rhinos with an aim of releasing them back into the wild. All three have a wealth of experience – from game ranger to zoo keeper – and are passionate about protecting the young orphans that come in to their care. We discuss threats facing rhinos today, the reality of life on the “frontline”, and how listeners at home can help their work. 

With rhinos as young as one day old coming to the orphanage, support is needed more than ever. Tune in to learn more about these fantastic animals personalities… and why the staff call them “bummies!”

Support The Rhino Orphanage:

Great to have Jack Baker on as a guest, host of Pangolin: The Conservation Podcast. Jack is our youngest "Wee Blue Dotter" to date....... but has had an interesting variety of conservation education experience so far. We discuss the reality facing wild pangolins today, and why they are the most trafficked mammal on the planet.

Tune in to learn more about Jack’s route into his roles, his love for pangolins, and how COVID has led to his creation of a wonderful podcast.

Having known Jack from his first job in Deep Sea World, it’s great to see how his career is developing.

Follow Pangolin: The Conservation Podcast:

It was eye-opening to chat to Andrew Campbell, CEO of the Game Rangers’ Association of Africa, about the reality of life on the front line of wildlife conservation today. We discuss his background and route into the field, as well as what his job entails. The variety of game ranger roles across Africa is vast – something which we hope you all enjoy learning more about! GRAA are an amazing organisation providing training, support, uniforms, medical evacuation and both physical and mental help to families should the worst happen. Tune in to learn more about the life of a game ranger and what you can do to support thousands of front-line heroes across Africa.

This episode is dedicated to ranger Rory Young, who was sadly killed the day before this recording. The Chengeta Wildlife website described Rory as a pro guide, ranger, anti-poaching strategist/trainer and author. Shortly before his death he said in an interview “My passion is wildlife and, as well as wild areas, the people who live in those areas”.

Support the Game Rangers’ Associations work:

In Episode 10 we chat to Mary-Anne Collis, Conservation Officer with Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels. Mary-Anne tells all about her conservation experience across the globe, and how she ended up working with “Irn-bru” squirrels in Loch Lomond & the Trossachs. Scotland is home to 75% of the UK’s red squirrel population, and SSRS is doing loads of amazing work to protect them. In the last 70 years the UK has seen a huge decrease in numbers, with the surviving red squirrels being pushed further and further north year on year. These beautiful little beasties are struggling due to habitat loss, competition, and disease, with the introduced grey squirrels limiting their populations into small pockets throughout Scotland. Did you know you can log on to SSRS website and check out their squirrel sighting map? You can also notify them of any squirrels you see in your area – grey or red. Both are important!

Support Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels work:

Episode 9 welcomes Julie Vanassche – the manager of the Libassa Wildlife Sanctuary in Liberia. Julie helped set up Libassa, which is the only wildlife rescue center supporting a variety of different species in the country. We discuss the illegal pet trade, poaching, the trafficking of animals, as well as how poverty has a huge impact on wildlife and conservation. Learn more about species native to Liberia including the threats facing the most trafficked animal in the world – the pangolin. Julie’s background as a zookeeper and varied experience results in an engaging conversation about the different opportunities in conservation today, and why it’s so important to jump at opportunities as they arise.

Support Libassa Wildlife Sanctuary:

In Episode 8 we chat to the Head of Education at Five Sisters Zoo, Adam Welsh. Five Sisters is a family run zoo in West Lothian, Scotland. Adam has an interesting background in conservation and an enthusiastic passion for educating people about the natural world. We talk about the role of zoos today in education, conservation and beyond, and discuss endangered species Five Sisters Zoo hosts and supports in the wild. Adam’s passion for his role shines through, and he happily gives some advice on how to get into his line of work. If you’ve ever found yourself wondering how to get a job in a zoo, listen to this podcast!

Support Five Sisters Zoo:

Episode 7 welcomes Leigh Morris, CEO of the Manx Wildlife Trust. We chat about island living, nature-based solutions and the variety of species found on the Isle of Man. Leigh tells us more about his experiences in horticulture, zoo’s, education and travel, and discusses the role the wildlife trusts play in protecting our native flora and fauna. Having spent the two years prior to joining Manx Wildlife Trust living on the remote Atlantic island of St Helena, Leigh understands the importance of island restoration, recovery, and conservation. Also – did you know there are wild wallabies on the Isle of Man? You learn something new every day! Tune in for great conservation conversations.

Support Manx Wildlife Trusts work:

In Episode 6 we delve into Scotland’s west coast waters to learn all about the amazing marine life that call it home. Siobhán – Community Engagement Officer with the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust – tells us about her experiences, why it’s so important to protect our west coast community, and how HWDT involves local residents and tourists in their work. We chat orcas, whales, porpoises and more…. and discuss how listeners can even get the chance to join them on their research vessel, Silurian! A fascinating chat about human impact on the ocean, and the abundance of life in Scotland’s (sometimes chilly) sea.

Support HWDT’s work:

Support RZSS Edinburgh Zoo and the Highland Wildlife Park here:

In Episode 3 we explore our amazing ocean with Catherine Gemmell, Scotland Conservation Officer for the Marine Conservation Society UK. Catherine chats about her journey into conservation, what her job involves, and why we all need to play a part in protecting our seas. From discussing endangered species that are for sale in our supermarkets, to tiny fibres travelling from our washing machines into the food chain, it’s clear that individuals, businesses and governments all have a role in marine conservation. The fun of diving, our favourite marine creatures and the ocean optimism movement all add to a great episode, full of fun facts about our “Wee Blue Dot”.

(Important to note - recording via zoom caused some connection problems during this episode, but the content was too good not share! Thanks for understanding lovely listeners!)

Support Catherine’s work and follow MCS UK:

Episode 2 welcomes Dr Cormac Price, Postdoctoral Researcher at University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. We discuss the ecology of urban snakes in Durban - a city of almost 4 million people - and Cormac's research working alongside Nick Evans (KZN Amphibian & Reptile Conservation). Hear tales of what it's like working with Black Mambas (one of the most venomous snakes in Africa), the Mozambique spitting cobra & a variety of other reptiles. Tune in for discussions on Cormac's early life in Ireland, his love of reptiles, urban adapting wildlife, and how humans & animals can find ways to co-exist.

Support Cormac & Nicks work and follow their adventures:

Cormac:

In the first ever episode of Wee Blue Dot, Dr Vikash Tatayah - Conservation Director at the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation - takes us on a journey exploring the Indian Ocean island of Mauritius. We discuss conservation successes and failures, and what life has thrown at the paradise island over the last year. Learn about giant tortoises, endemic plants, island nature reserves, the infamous Dodo.... and the people at the heart of the "birthplace" of conservation.

Support the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation and follow their work:

Welcome to my new conservation themed podcast, Wee Blue Dot. This short introduction explains my background & why I wanted to start this project. I look forward to sharing episodes with you soon. Happy listening!

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