Our Wild World

New conservation models and strategies are ripe for out of the box thinking to be responsive to the hierarchy of needs and shifts in both multi-use landscapes and various value systems, with economic benefits based upon productivity through payment for ecosystem services (PES). If wildlife has no value to the local private landowners that depend 100% on living off their land, then wildlife will not be considered as part of the economic equation of payment or solutions, or via utilization- a slippery term in itself. Through 'wildlife user rights', Wildlife Forums, a process was designed to culminate in devolved user rights and conservation responsibility to land owners , bringing landowners needs into the country’s wildlife policy. Whether we like it or not, coexistence comes at a price– how we define ‘price’, how it’s paid for and by whom, is the topic Calvin and I discuss today.

Raabia Hawa is one of the most visible and vocal environmental warriors of our time. From billboards to film to radio she carries the voice for rangers who put their lives on the line to protect elephants. Forming Care For The Wild (Kenya), Walk With Rangers, and this year founding Ulinzi Africa Foundation, Raabia is fully active in working to end poaching and the demand for ivory. Growing up in the wake of the most disastrous levels of elephant poaching in Kenya, her quest was to fully understand how ranger units operate, and she jumped right in to the action. As a well-known media personality presenting on two major local radio stations in Kenya, Raabia went from the urban landscape to roughing it out in the wild, to dangerous field missions chasing armed poachers, to rescuing poached animals, Raabia’s efforts have raised awareness about of the lives led by rangers and the state of poaching – first to Kenyans, and now the world.

Conservation Economics 101: How do we preserve the African pastoralist lifestyle and cultural heritage, while also securing the landscape and the predators who live within it? In 2003, my guest Tom Hill and his colleague Richard Bonham, co-Founder of BigLife Foundation, created the Predator Compensation Fund, an innovation in wildlife conservation strategy that has proven highly successful at saving the great predators of the region– especially lions, reversing their otherwise imminent extinction in the very cradle of their existence. In 2012, Tom helped to conceive, fund, and administer the first-ever Maasai Olympics, a sports alternative to lion hunting for Maasai warriors of the Amboseli-Tsavo ecosystem. Incorporating Western business concepts modified to fit the needs of modern pastoralists is a model for the future. When everyone has a stake in the outcome or consequences, working together is the only way forward.

The news is filled with crises threatening wildlife and our environment- from deforestation to desertification, climate change, human overpopulation and encroachment, poverty and crashing numbers of wildlife populations. We hear a lot of poachers and poaching, criminal cartels and the illegal wildlife trade. But, what we don’t hear about is the Bushmeat trade itself, what drives it, and what effects it leaves in its wake. Today, my guest is long time friend and colleague Evanson Kariuki- who has studied this issue for more than a decade and its relationship to biodiversity, conservation efforts, national and international economies, and global public health. I have seen Evans grow into an expert conservationist with a deep knowledge gained through working alongside and in partnership and collaborative efforts across the spectrum of fellow colleagues from governmental, non-governmental, communal to private and public conservation program consulting.

“East Africa, is just a microcosm, where you can still see open plains shared by so many different people and creatures has a visceral impact on most humans who see it, and fill the most jaded of us with a profound sense of wonder. If we follow our present path of development and rate of destruction, we will see the unique megafauna of Africa disappear. We are living through the antithesis of genesis right now. All those billions of years to reach a place of such wondrous diversity, and then in just a few shockingly short years, an infinitesimal pinprick of time, to annihilate it.” In his newest book, ‘Inherit the Dust’, my guest, Nick Brandt, photographer, conservationist and Cofounder of BigLife Foundation, brings into stunning conversation what visualization and conservation together can accomplish to highlight not only in our minds, but on our earth fundamental and necessary changes and a way forward and to become involved.

Adam Roberts of Born Free joins us again for an in depth look at the state of the world of wildlife and conservation in the 50 years since Elsa the Lion, and the death of a lion named Cecil rocked the world, to the most important conference, CoP17 in S. Africa that decides the fate and future of many species. Both low and high moments that will stand out in our history as the legacy we choose how we humans go about deciding what co-existence policy with wildlife means, where much of our earth’s diversity is severely threatened and treading on thin ground, in a future filled with people and a lot less room for wildlife to thrive and survive. We go through the intricacies and import of CITES Conference of Parties works (CoP), up to one of the biggest events coming this month in Kenya, the burning of 120,000 tons of Ivory and rhino horn, in their third public commitment to the world render ivory valueless and stop the war on wildlife.

Cecil has become a gateway topic for those unfamiliar with the Zimbabwe situation; people in the outside world who previously only had a cursory understanding of Zimbabwe’s politics, are now paying more attention to why the systems in place apparently failed so dismally, and enabled the tragic death of Cecil. Zimbabwe’s immediate fate is directly tied to the country’s political situation. It’s easy for the world at large to show outrage for Cecil the lion, but the people of Zimbabwe have been suffering much worse for over three decades. Through this lens, It is perplexing that CITES endorses any wildlife trade from Zimbabwe – yet it does. By doing so, CITES, is in effect, complicit in aiding and abetting this illegitimate government perpetuate the biggest transnational wildlife crime of the century. This is not an ‘Africa Problem’. This concerns everyone.

Johnny Rodrigues with Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force joins us again in an intense conversation discussing the selling off wildlife to the highest bidders! ZCTF’s purpose is assisting National Parks with anti-poaching patrols and how raising funds will help support researchers and scientists. Zimbabwe and wildlife are on the hot seat and eco-tourism is losing the balance point where whole communities benefit from live wildlife and the consumptive side where only a few benefit from killing or exporting it for profit and entertainment. My guest Johnny Rodrigues, the founder of Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force, Johnny discusses how this can change and it is all possible by NOT firing a bullet. We need to change our mindset, educate our children and find a way for people to make a living doing other means than poaching. To learn more visit: http://www.zctfofficialsite.org

Every year thousands of international, and at least one native, tourists lives are at risk by climbing on the backs of traumatized wild caught elephants in Thailand. Tim Gorski spent years investigating this industry that launders elephants between businesses and countries, desperately trying to educate the public regarding an industry steeped in crime and suffering. We discuss the recent tragic death of a Scottish tourist, and how his death could have been avoided. Also deeply entrenched in creative solutions of demand for ivory in China, we discuss the growing demand for brand ethics and responsibility in China and the increasing number of young Chinese who won’t tolerate animal abuse for entertainment. His new project is a creative approach to the insatiable demand for ivory in China that engages Chinese millennials through social media, broadcast, and online TV entertainment, encouraging them to be active stewards for our wild world. br http://tinyurl.com/How-I-Became-An-Elephant

Global Sanctuary for Elephants mission is protecting, rescuing and providing safe spaces for captive elephants to heal physically and emotionally from the consequences of years of confinement and abuse. Captive elephant health and restoration requires enough space to allow elephants to get lost within their own world of intuitive exploration, the mental and physical stimulation empowering them to think, move and function as they would in the wild. Sanctuary is an emotionally nurturing environment that encourages them to communicate their fears and desires free from human expectation, and the incomparable companionship and support of a herd and knowledge they are not alone. GSE Brazil is the first and only sanctuary for elephants in South America, with guiding principle for elephants in Sanctuary: Respect, space, freedom, and unconditional love. GSE model of Sanctuary is the only true healthy option for elephants in captivity, and ultimately, in the wild.

Joyce Poole and Petter Granli, of ElephantVoices, continue the dialogue of successes and the challenges that yet lay ahead since our previous episode, and since the Jackson Hole Elephant Summit and the continuing collaborations, research and projects from Mozambique to Kenya, to sanctuary in Brazil. With four decades of groundbreaking research ElephantVoices use their knowledge to speak with confidence on behalf and in the interests of wild and captive elephants, wherever they may be. Scientific discoveries indicate that we need to improve the way we care for elephants, and demand acting with caution and collaboratively when the interests of elephants are being considered, and both individual and collective voices are vital in the often contentious and contradictory public debate about the future of elephants.

In a world at war with wildlife, to conserve and protect rhino in critical habitat on the frontlines, the cost of peace often comes at the end of a barrel. Protecting rhino and poaching them is one of the most dangerous jobs on earth- lives literally hang in the balance. Between specially trained teams of rangers who have chosen at all costs to protect rhino, and those who would kill them because of the value we humans have proscribed to a few pounds of keratin. It all comes crashing together at ground zero: critical rhino habitat right up against impoverished communities, where international criminal cartels pull the puppet strings of desperate people. My guest Damien Mander of the International Antipoaching Foundation tells us like it is: the real costs both the financial and emotional toll of protecting one of our planets most enduring species. The IAPF has one mission: Rhino will not go extinct on their watch. iapf.org

Today my guest Kathleen Alexander, Associate Professor of Wildlife in Virginia Tech’s College of Natural Resources and Environment, and I discuss One Health and her work at Virginia Tech and in Botswana. “One Health” is the notion that the complex problems facing our local and global communities can only really be addressed with an approach that encompasses societal, animal, and environmental components in an integrated manner. It is no longer enough to evaluate the health status of an individual in isolation. We must engage the complexity of the systems- land use, disease and other complex changes occurring in our water and air, with consideration as to where the patient lives, interactions with animals and other humans, water and food, and household responses. When combined, science, technology and imagination, we have the tools to collectively and collaboratively create critical and crucial Wholistic solutions: To Invent The Future

I welcome back Philip Tedeschi from the University of Denver, Institute for Human Animal Connection. IHAC has increased its scope, doing more work in Green care: The significance of living systems and animals in human health and wellness, specifically animal welfare and conservation activity and education – bringing forward into that wholistic concept of One Health and collaborative efforts across disciplines and connecting communities. In addition, IHAC has implemented new research activities, and is operating both locally and internationally since our last episode. Philip just returned from Laikipia, Kenya, working with community’s human animal relationships, wellness and reducing wildlife conflicts. We also discuss several major public events coming up over the next couple months for both students and the public.

Dale and I began a conversation on Facebook about the emotional lives of animals. Dale’s critters are both his passion and his work. Dale’s journey toward deeper spirituality and connection to pantheism, his newfound oneness with all things natural has become deeply embedded in his lifestyle, thus he found himself facing a crisis of conscience - In keeping his therapeutic animals caged, he asked himself, “What can I possibly give them that would match their lives in the wild?, And what could he do about it? Today’s conversation began as an intimate one-to-one heartfelt dialogue between us. As we delved deeper, we began to feel that in recording it we could work through it and provide this opportunity to share our thoughts with others who may facing similar conflicts of self, and find themselves asking the same questions- and here, perhaps find some answers, too.

My guests today, Sean Carnell of Tigers for Tigers National Coalition and Spirit Campaign Manager with the partner National Wildlife Refuge Association, Madeleine McMillian, President of Clemson University Tigers for Tigers. and Reata Strickland, co-Founder of Tide For Tusks, is a University of Alabama student-led initiative to raise awareness for poaching of African elephants working with partners in Tanzania, while promoting a deeper understanding of the trafficking of endangered wildlife. The Save our Mascot and Tide For Tusks national campaigns harness school spirit and pride for their and other university mascots, empowering students and sport teams fans alike, to support international tiger and elephant conservation efforts. Learn more on Facebook and www.tigersfortigers.org , http://t4tclemson.org , and http://www.tidefortusks.org/mascot-conservation.html

A tremendous amount has happened around the landscape for lions- wild, captive, canned, and conservation successes and projects, and now we have the USFW ESA lion listing decision adding to the landscape. As much as 2015 seemed to be a 'bad year for lions', perhaps in the end, as we head into a new year, the lions finally have their voices heard. Between dedicated conservationists, documentary films, one captivating lion, and you dear listener, a shift in global consciousness is creating a tidal wave of change, one that many of us have been working toward and awaiting for a long, long time. With incredible diversity across Africa, and an enormous variety of responsive programs keeping conservation at the heart of the matter. As we focus this year on the many faces and places, today we bring you the particulars and challenges of a given place with my guest Chris Mercer, founder of CACH and the Karoo Wildlife Center in S. W. Africa.

To save wildlife, we can start by saving a dog. Thousands of high energy dogs that don’t make good pets, are stuck in shelters. WDC offers a second chance to high-drive shelter dogs, many of whom would have been euthanized had they not saved themselves by getting a job saving wildlife. WD4C trains the world's best conservation detection dogs and put them to work protecting wildlife and wild places. Montana-based non profit WD4C, uses highly trained detection dogs to make conservation more efficient, effective and ethical. With noses for data and a love for dogs, WD4C has forged partnerships with 50 conservation groups across 5 continents. Bad dogs for pets are great champions for wildlife. WD4C put their dogs’ exceptional abilities to work finding and eliminating threats to rare and threatened species. WD4C does it to save the world. The dogs do it for the love of a ball.

Non -human rights. What does this mean? Who does it refer to? What is at stake and at risk? Who and what does this affect? As we learn more about the intricacies of animal rights and welfare, we find layers of minefields and mindsets that come into the spotlight. Many consider pets and other animals as family, but what is Personhood for a non-human animal in the legal sense, in terms of their rights? What about animals in zoos, or those we buy, sell, trade, and use in science, Those we Eat? What about wildlife? Marine life? What, or is it Who, qualifies for ‘personhood’ and rights and how, under the law, and what does this entail? My guest Steven Wise, President of the Non-Human Rights Project navigates us through the history and legal avenues on the path to personhood and Non-Human rights represented by laws, and the enormous paradigm shifts as a result that are happening right now.

Many reserves around the world are too small to sustain viable wildlife populations for long in the future. Wildlife counts in the Masai Mara Reserve in western Kenya have declined by as much as 70% in the past several decades, largely due to habitat loss and habitat degradation. Join us with Dr. Dusti Becker and Dr. Tony Povilitis and the partnerships between LifeNet Nature and the Maasai Moran Conservation and Walking Safaris, a Community Based Organization composed of of young Maasai that are working to create a buffer zone for wildlife on the Siria Plateau next to Masai Mara Reserve in southwestern Kenya. The 15,000-acre area proposed for conservation management includes grasslands, woodlands, riparian areas, forest corridors and a larger forested area used by elephants (for birthing). It also includes portions of the ecologically unique Siria Escarpment, which separates the Masai Mara and the Siria Plateau.