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Blogs & Podcasts
All Creatures Podcast
All Creatures covers a species a week, describing the animals natural history, physiology, behavior, mating strategies and more. We also interview conservation experts from around the globe sharing their incredible stories and how they fight for conservation of the planets most endangered animals.
The Bird Emergency
Birds are rapidly disappearing from all around us. Habitat reduction, climate change, pesticides, invasive pests and many more factors are causing the reduction in the numbers of all species, and more species face the increased threat of extinction. The species and the people fighting to understand the reasons for the reductions in bird populations will be highlighted, along with research and practical efforts to arrest the decline. Meet the people at the coalface and learn about their projects, and about them.
Projects for Wildlife Podcast
Do you have a wildlife conservation idea but feel unsure of how to turn it into a reality? Projects for Wildlife may provide the guidance you seek. Hosted by Alicia Amerson, a marine biologist, entrepreneur, and animal aficionado, the podcast takes listeners "around the world to talk with conservation project leaders," inviting audiences to learn about these projects and the processes that brought such projects into existence. With approximately 75 episodes released as of this write-up, the show has featured a variety of guests, including animal sanctuary executives and wildlife photographers. The show also includes some "solo episodes," where Amerson provides "seeds of advice to shape your experiences and values into a vision ... [to] help you realize your biggest environmental goals." Want a more immersive experience? The In the Field page features upcoming events and opportunities that may be of interest. Or, perhaps you have a "wildlife project story," of your own to share. Click on the Pitch a Story tab to make your case! Projects for Wildlife is available to stream at the link above and on most popular streaming platforms (Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Play, to name a few).
Wild for Life
Wild For Life is the Toronto Zoo podcast that brings you behind the scenes and unveils the "hidden zoo." Each episode brings you information on the critical conservation work that protects endangered species and works to preserve biodiversity. You will hear from nutritionists, ecologists, veterinarians, social scientists, wildlife biologists, and more that are working hard to help protect wildlife from all over the world.
Websites
Biodiversity Heritage Library
The Biodiversity Heritage Library improves research methodology by collaboratively making biodiversity literature openly available to the world as part of a global biodiversity community.
Species in Pieces
Equal parts hopeful and heartbreaking, Species in Pieces is an interactive exhibition that showcases some of the world's "most interesting but unfortunately endangered species." Launched with the goal of informing and inspiring action on genetic diversity, the resource uses creative CSS formatting to display 30 fragmented pieces that represent and come together to visually form 30 species, symbolic of a "common struggle for survival." Clicking the "All Pieces" button in the top left corner of the site leads visitors to a rotating ring of all 30 animals included in the exhibit. Visitors may self-select a species to investigate or click the "Select a piece randomly" button, which surprises users with an automated pick. For each creature exhibited, ranging from red pandas (number 21) to knysna seahorses (number 9), visitors will find background information on that animal's statistics, video footage, information on the unique threats it faces, and additional resources by clicking the "What's the Threat?" button on the right side of the site. Visitors can also choose to "cycle through" the complete list of 30 species using the middle button on the left side. Designer and coder Bryan James created the site in 2015. To learn more about James's inspiration and research, click the "Causes and Sources" link at the bottom of the webpage.
World Wildlife Fund: Teaching Resources
Welcome to the World Wildlife Fund's Wild Classroom, where you will find a Lesson Library of toolkits and resources that bring conservation ideology and the natural world to your learning space (even if it is remote). Toolkits are curated by theme, such as a specific animal (e.g. elephant or dolphin) or more general topic (e.g. biodiversity or food waste). Kits include teaching guides and comprehensive activities that span multiple subject areas, from STEM to art. Readers should note they will need to create a free account to access many of the materials. Additionally, in response to school closures, the site launched a "day-by-day activity plan to help keep kids learning, thinking, and having fun," (and to provide a respite for caregivers, too). These Wild Classroom Daily Activity Plans (accessible by clicking the link in the Weekly Activities Plans to Do at Home box near the top of the page) include articles, activities, games, and videos designed for "higher elementary to middle school grade levels." The Conservation in the Classroom section of the Educational Resources page also highlights livestream events and related tools of interest to educators. Looking for more information about the World Wildlife Fund? The site in its entirety has a wealth of resources related to their mission to "develop and deliver innovative solutions that protect communities [and] wildlife." [EMB]
Streaming Video
Biodiversity Under Threat: The Sundarbans and the Bengal Tiger
Conservationists have called the tiger “the guardian of biodiversity,” but degradation of tiger habitats has led residents of Bangladesh’s Sundarbans mangrove region to regard the animal more as dangerous predator than treasured endangered species. This program examines environmental threats to the Sundarbans and studies ways in which its human residents are learning to live with the tigers and even protect their habitats. The video also explains the functioning of this ecosystem—the largest of its kind in the world—and how a tiger conservation project, ecotourism, and government initiates are aiding in its preservation. A viewable/printable instructor’s guide is available online. (Portions with English subtitles, 41 minutes)
Don't Bring Extinct Creatures Back to Life: A Debate
De-extinction describes the process of creating an organism that belongs to or closely resembles an extinct species. While this process was once a science-fiction fantasy explored in films like Jurassic Park, recent biological and technological breakthroughs suggest that reviving extinct creatures, like the passenger pigeon and the woolly mammoth, could soon become a reality. The benefits of de-extinction, supporters argue, include correcting mistakes of the past by bringing back extinct organisms and ecosystems that could help curb climate change. Many scientific breakthroughs are initially met with skepticism and worry, they note, but eventually become accepted and celebrated. Opponents of de-extinction, however, question whether it is ethical, let alone feasible, to bring back extinct creatures. They contend that reviving extinct species could cause serious and unforeseeable problems and reverse the course of nature. It would be better, they advise, to focus on preventing current species—thousands of which are endangered—from going extinct. Should scientists bring extinct species back to life?
Endangered Species (from Nature: Yosemite)
Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon national parks are the Sierra Nevada’s greatest sanctuaries, protecting critical habitat and restoring species once thought lost. The bighorn sheep is making a comeback thanks to the efforts of the Sierra Bighorn Sheep Recovery Program. Distributed by PBS Distribution.
Hunters Conserve Wildlife: A Debate
Whether in the African bush or in America’s game lands, hunting has bred enormous controversy in recent years. The killing of Cecil the lion in Zimbabwe in 2015 triggered a firestorm of international criticism over trophy hunting, and the regulated hunting of the white-tailed deer in the United States has sparked opposition over conservation and other issues. Defenders argue that hunting can conserve wildlife populations and raise money to protect animals. Opponents argue that hunting is an inhumane way to conserve wildlife and that the funds raised seldom benefit threatened animal populations or local communities. Is hunting appropriate? Do hunters conserve wildlife?
Kenya Conservation
Poaching threatens African wildlife like never before. To save these animals, Kenyan conservationists are using a different point of view to see and catch poachers, even in the dark.
Namibia Wildlife Conservation
See how the southern African nation of Namibia overcame huge odds to become a modern-day success story in wildlife conservation.
On the Brink
As the title suggests, On the Brink (a series of short films) invites its audience to "get to know some of Earth's most incredible and threatened species - before it's too late." Each episode highlights a different creature, and though most episodes are just over a minute in length, they are packed with information (including each animal's unique attributes and threats). Video footage may make you smile (check out the clouded leopard cubs featured in "These Playful Leopard Cubs Are A Rare Sight In The Wild") and squirm (arachnophobes should avoid the red-kneed tarantula in "A Hairy Situation: This Tarantula Is No Pet"). Quick and quick-witted, the full 71 episodes take under two hours to binge. Along the way, you will discover snakes, sloths, seahorses, and superior strength. Which bird is strong enough to break a human arm with its talon? Watch and find out! On the Brink is one of many series produced by Great Big Story, an award-winning cinematic platform dedicated to telling global stories surrounding "travel, food, culture, and more," since it was founded in 2015.
