Portal:Animal Talk

Welcome to Animal Talk

All About Elephants Show | Reality Checks with Staci-lee | The Rising Lioness

The Wildlife Guardians | Wild For Change

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Roaring Insights & Purring Perspectives!

Welcome to Animal Talk on WikiAnimal which features interviews and blogs from people who are passionate about animals. There are interviews and blogs from people with all sorts of backgrounds and perspectives. You can watch videos, listen to podcasts, or read blogs and transcripts of the interviews. The goal is to share the love and knowledge of animals with you, and to celebrate the diversity and beauty of life on Earth.

Dr. Cheryl Laite, The Maverick Vet

Dr. Cheryl Laite, known as The Maverick Vet, shares a transformative experience on The Wildlife Guardians podcast. She recounts her time with Sudan, the last Northern White Rhino, just before the species became extinct. This encounter changed her perspective on wildlife conservation and life itself.

Cheryl's encounter with Sudan led her to engage in various wildlife rescue and conservation projects, including assisting at the Zululand Rhino Orphanage in Africa and aiding in Australia's bushfire crisis. Her dedication even involves extreme actions like skydiving for conservation fundraising. Hosted by Jeff Harrison and Erica Salvemini, this emotionally charged episode of The Wildlife Guardians delves into Cheryl's inspiring journey.

Full Interview:Dr Cheryl Laite

Blog: Trophy Hunting Kills One Animal Every Three Minutes

In a study posted last year, it was found that trophy hunters killed one animal every THREE minutes over the last decade.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has reported we have a decade left to help turn back the clock on preventing even larger scale climate disasters and rewilding of endangered species like the elephant and wolf can help promote healthier ecosystems which results in a healthier planet for you and me.

Read blog...

Captain Paul Watson

Staci-lee chats with Captain Paul Watson, known for his work with Greenpeace and founding Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. He explains his departure from Greenpeace, which happened because he believed in a more direct action approach rather than just bearing witness to animal abuse.

Captain Paul Watson is one of those people that stands as a symbol of an active activist. While petitions and peaceful protests have their place, Captain Watson has always believed in the power of direct action. Speaking for the voiceless is a trying and never ending lifelong mission and so many burn out, lose hope or end up corrupted by it. For Captain Watson he is still going strong after more than 50 years.

Full Interview:Captain Paul Watson

Interview:Alaska Wildlife Alliance

Nicole chats with Nicole Schmitt, the Executive Director of the Alaska Wildlife Alliance (AWA). Established in 1978, the AWA emerged as a dedicated advocate for Alaska's diverse wildlife, including marine mammals and endangered species. Guided by a profound understanding of the intrinsic value wildlife holds within ecosystems, as well as its significance to the people of Alaska, the AWA's mission is to ensure the preservation of wildlife biodiversity.

In recent times, the AWA has broadened its horizons by forging partnerships with other environmental organizations.

Full Interview:Alaska Wildlife Alliance

Interview: Born Free USA on Recreational Animal Slaughter in the U.S. with Devan Schowe

Devan Schowe, Campaigns Associate for Born Free USA, sheds light on their new report, Thrill Kill: Recreational Animal Slaughter in the U.S., released in May 2023. Born Free USA’s investigative research explores the dark world of animal slaughter in the name of entertainment, where across the U.S., animals are slaughtered for fun in killing contests, canned hunts, fringe youth group activities and other events.

Devin also discusses her journey into animal advocacy, her work in researching and writing reports on wildlife trade, fur trade, and social media's impact on animals.

Full Interview:Devan Schowe

Blog: International Clouded Leopard Day

Clouded Leopard

August 4th is International Clouded Leopard Day - a day to celebrate and raise awareness about one of the most elusive and threatened wild cats in the world. The clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa) is a medium-sized cat that lives in the tropical forests of Southeast Asia and parts of China. It is named for its distinctive coat pattern, which consists of large, irregularly shaped spots that resemble clouds.

Unfortunately, the clouded leopard is also one of the most endangered cats in the world, facing multiple threats from habitat loss, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict.

Read blog...

Interview: Elephants in Japan with Ulara Nakagawa

In the Land of the Rising Sun, a poignant and compassionate organization, Elephants in Japan, has taken up the noble cause of shedding light on the plight of elephants held in captivity and advocating for their welfare. Despite Japan being renowned for its cutting-edge technology and modernity, the conditions under which elephants are kept in its zoos often appear paradoxically outdated and inhumane.

Elephants in Japan seek to challenge the status quo and educate the public about the dire circumstances faced by elephants in captivity across Japan's zoos. Surprisingly, despite being publicly funded, the majority of these institutions struggle to allocate resources towards improving the living conditions of these elephants.

Full Interview:Elephants in Japan

Interview: Mara and Baby with Veronika Jancikova

Veronica is campaigning for the release of two elephants named Mara and Baby who are currently confined in a zoo in Slovakia. The elephants were previously circus performers and have experienced cruel training and poor living conditions. Veronica aims to relocate them to a sanctuary where they can peacefully retire. She has received significant public support through a petition with over 65,000 signatures. The campaign is also seeking financial support to cover expenses related to the elephants' relocation. The zoo has stopped offering elephant rides due to a complaint filed by animal rights organizations.

Full Interview:Mara and Baby

Interview: Co-existing with Coyotes with Sarah Killingsworth

For as long as humans have been around the Coyote has been one of those species vilified and killed for almost no reason. Yes once in a rare blue moon one may kill livestock but the overwhelming majority of livestock, and domestic pets, are not killed by coyotes. Despite the scientific facts that coyotes are a boon to a healthy ecosystem the hype and false narrative making them out to be monsters persists.

Despite the misconception that coyotes are dangerous and a threat, they play a crucial role in maintaining ecosystem balance. Killing them disrupts their social structures and can even lead to increased populations.

Full Interview:Co-existing with Coyotes

Interview: White Bison Association

Cynthia Hartbutton, the founder of the White Bison Association, is a descendant of Sitting Bull and a member of the Lakota tribe. Her deep connection and love for animals were influenced by her father, who cared for sick wildlife and abused circus animals. After her father's passing, she embarked on a mission to care for and protect the white bison. Cynthia and her husband, Charles, run a non-profit, no-kill sanctuary for the white bison. The White Bison Association's mission is to raise awareness about the conservation and protection of the white bison, which holds great significance as a symbol of peace for Native American nations.

Full Interview:White Bison Association

Blog: Celebrating International Tiger Day - Preserving the Majesty of the Wild

Roaming the dense jungles of Asia, the tiger embodies a symbol of power, grace, and untamed beauty. Every year on July 29th, wildlife enthusiasts and conservationists across the globe come together to celebrate International Tiger Day. The day serves as a reminder of the critical importance of protecting these amazing creatures and the ecosystems they inhabit. As we celebrate this occasion, let us delve into the significance of tigers, the threats they face, and the essential measures required to secure their future.

Full Blog:Celebrating International Tiger Day - Preserving the Majesty of the Wild

Interview: Helping Rhinos with Simon Jones

Simon Jones, founder of Helping Rhinos chats about events leading up to his corporate world departure and the inspiring journey that led him to create Helping Rhinos. Simon shares the harrowing and inspiring tale of Thandi and how she goes on to birth 5 calf's and now has 2 grand calf's! This is just one of many important moments in the history of Helping Rhinos, beautifully illustrating how saving Thandi’s life ultimately creates 7 more rhinos on our planet. Simon states of Thandi, “She knows she has a purpose in life.” We think Simon Jones has found his too. Hear Simon educate on the benefits of protecting these powerhouse herbivores who germinate growth of fresh vegetation and how the rhinos presence on our planet is critical for the future of any habitat where they live.

Full Interview:Helping Rhinos with Simon Jones

Interview: The Black Mambas with Craig Spencer and Leitah Mkhabela

Erica Salvemeni chats with Craig Spencer and Leitah Mkhabela, part of the Black Mambas Anti-Poaching Unit in South Africa. Craig Spencer is the executive director of Trans-Frontier Africa and founder of the Black Mambas, while Leitah Mkhabela is a supervisor and ambassador for the all-female anti-poaching unit. The Black Mambas initiative, started in 2013, employs 36 women from local tribal communities to protect wildlife, particularly rhinos, from poaching. Craig Spencer's motivation to create the Black Mambas came after losing rhinos to poaching, realizing the need for a different approach to conservation

Full Interview:The Black Mambas

Interview: Effective Animal Advocacy with Dr Marc Abraham OBE

Marc and Billie chat openly about the realities of animal advocacy, which, for Marc, began with a litter of parvo puppies, leading him into a ten-year project resulting in the enactment of Lucy’s Law - a law that impacted animal welfare in the UK and beyond. They discuss his book, #BeMoreMosquito, in which Marc shares his knowledge and experience to inspire all animal lovers to make an impact, and his new project, Paws2Connect. Did you know Marc received the honor of OBE? Find out why this prestigious honor is so special to Marc.

Full Interview:Effective Animal Advocacy with Dr Marc Abraham OBE