Protect Species Podcast
It’s no secret that Earth’s ecosystems and species are under threat, but there are things we can all do to reverse the trends of extinction and climate change.
In each Protect Species episode, co-hosts Dr. Monni Böhm and Justin Birkhoff celebrate biodiversity and converse with conservationists. Twice a month, you’ll hear from global experts who dedicate their lives to protecting species like polar bears, sharks, fungi, mayflies and more!
Protect Species is an entertaining and educational podcast for anyone who is curious about the natural world and has a desire to learn how to help. Each episode tackles the tough realities facing our planet and its inhabitants while still inspiring hope.
This podcast is a production of the Global Center for Species Survival, which is a partnership between the Indianapolis Zoo and the International Union for Conservation of Nature Species Survival Commission (IUCN SSC). We record all episodes at the Indianapolis Zoo in the Bedel Financial Media Studio, made possible by a generous gift from Elaine and Eric Bedel.
This podcast is a production of the Global Center for Species Survival, which is a partnership between the Indianapolis Zoo and the International Union for Conservation of Nature Species Survival Commission (IUCN SSC). We record all episodes at the Indianapolis Zoo in the Bedel Financial Media Studio, made possible by a generous gift from Elaine and Eric Bedel.
Don’t forget to subscribe to the Protect Species Podcast to ensure you’re the first to know when new episodes are available. We’d also appreciate a review if you like what you hear. And please follow us on social media; you can find @ProtectSpecies on Facebook, Instagram, X and Threads.
Episodes
16 episodes
Preserving the Oldest Plants on Earth: How We Can Save Cycads
Can you imagine a plant that predates even the dinosaurs, surviving dramatic shifts in our planet's history for 300 million years? Discover the ancient and extraordinary world of cycad plants in our latest episode featuring Dr. John Donaldson f...
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Season 1
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Episode 15
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39:19
Grasshoppers Great & Small: the Tremendous Impact of Tiny Creatures
This week on the Protect Species Podcast, we're delighted to be joined not only by our guest, Dr. Axel Hochkirch, curator at the Natural History Museum in Luxembourg and grasshopper expert, but also Dr. Sérgio Henriques, the Invertebrate Conser...
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Season 1
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Episode 14
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44:30
Manatees Up Close: Human Connections and Wildlife Care
Ever wondered what makes Florida manatees so fascinating? On this episode of Protect Species, we promise you'll gain incredible insights into these gentle giants and the crucial conservation efforts that keep them safe. Join Monni Böhm and Just...
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Season 1
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Episode 13
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43:05
Plants in Peril: The Unseen Battle Against Succulent Smuggling
Succulents probably aren't the first species to spring to mind when you hear the word "smuggling," but these are plants in peril. Join us as we sit down with Dr. Carly Cowell, a leading expert from the Succulent Plant Illegal Trade Task Force, ...
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Season 1
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Episode 12
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38:09
We Bought a Zoo: How Zoos Contribute to Conservation
Ever thought about what it would be like to grow up surrounded by roaring lions and playful lemurs? Join us for a wild tale as we chat with Aaron Whitnall from Hertfordshire Zoo (previously known as Paradise Wildlife Park) in England! Founded b...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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38:47
Saving the Snot Otters: Humor, Habitat, and Hope for Hellbenders
What makes the hellbender North America's most captivating salamander? Join Monni Böhm and guest host/producer Kelly Griese as they unravel this mystery with humor and keen insights. You'll laugh along as we talk about quirky hellbender names a...
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Season 1
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Episode 10
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39:53
The Secret Lives of Walruses: a Conversation with Dr. Kit Kovacs
Ever wondered how a serendipitous encounter can shape an entire career? Join us on the Protect Species Podcast as we chat with Dr. Kit Kovacs, a distinguished marine mammal researcher, who recounts her enchanting journey from an undergraduate s...
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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45:06
More Than Mushrooms: Dr. Greg Mueller Talks About the Fungus Among Us
Fungi are so much more than JUST mushrooms. Dr. Greg Mueller, former Chief Scientist at the Chicago Botanic Garden and current Chair of the IUCN SSC Fungal Conservation Committee, has a lot to say about the "fungus among us." And, spoiler, he's...
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Season 1
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Episode 8
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56:31
The Weird and Wonderful World of Wildlife Photography with Joel Sartore
Renowned wildlife photographer Joel Sartore takes us on an extraordinary journey from his early days in newspaper photography to his groundbreaking work with National Geographic and the ambitious Photo Ark project. Learn how Joel uses innovativ...
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Season 1
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Episode 7
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45:34
For the Birds: Ornithology as a Gateway into Conservation Biology
Soaring through the skies of conversation, we welcome our colleague Dr. Sam Ivande, the Bird Conservation Coordinator at the Global Center for Species Survival. He's also a cardinal enthusiast with a wealth of knowledge about birds and communit...
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Season 1
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Episode 6
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52:48
Monkey Magic: How Fanny Cornejo is Helping Rewild the Andes
From the moment Fanny Cornejo cradled a rescued baby howler monkey, her path in life became clear. Fanny, a dedicated primatologist and founder of Yunkawasi, shares her transformative journey and the conservation efforts she spearheads in Peru....
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Season 1
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Episode 5
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38:12
From JAWS to Conservation: Dr. Rima Jabado Reveals the Real Threat to Our Oceans
Dive beneath the surface with us as we bring to light the enchanting and perilous world of sharks, alongside the indomitable shark conservationist Dr. Rima Jabado. She's not just making waves; she's here to guide us through the blue abyss, unra...
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Season 1
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Episode 4
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43:09
Polar Bears on Thin Ice: Navigating Climate Change and Conservation with Dr. Steve Amstrup
Venture into the frozen realm of the Arctic with Dr. Steve Amstrup, a leading authority on polar bears, as we explore the profound impact of climate change on these iconic predators. Throughout our conversation, Dr. Amstrup draws from his exten...
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Season 1
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Episode 3
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56:32
Wetland Wonders and Mayfly Missions with Conservationist Dr. Luke Jacobus
Discover the ephemeral beauty of mayflies and the pressing need to conserve our precious wetlands with Dr. Luke Jacobus, whose boundless enthusiasm for Ephemeroptera and Indiana's wetland ecosystems shines brightly in our latest conversation. A...
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Season 1
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Episode 2
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47:50
In the Footsteps of Giants: Charting the Course of Elephant Conservation
Have you ever dreamt of sporting an elephant's trunk for a day, or perhaps fluttering around with butterfly wings? Our playful musings on such animal appendages kick off a journey into the heart of elephant conservation with Vivek Menon. The fo...
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Season 1
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Episode 1
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45:54
Humor Meets Habitat: Blending Science, Silliness, and Serious Conservation Issues
Unlock the secrets of successful conservation efforts and witness the collision of science, humor, and hope as we engage with some of the sharpest minds in the ecological arena. Co-hosts Dr. Monni Böhm and Justin Birkhoff invite you to eavesdro...
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Season 1
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3:26