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. Follow Wee Blue Dot - we're social animals! Facebook - @WeeBlueDot Twitter - @weebluedot Instagram - @weebluedot WBD LinkedIn Email - [email protected] Music: "Savannah (Sketch)" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

In our final episode of season one we welcome Kedar Gore, Director of The Corbett Foundation, a conservation charity based in India. TCF work across a vast array of landscapes, with numerous animal and human populations, leading amazing projects that really make a difference to the lives of those involved. Their core values include incorporating cohabitation into all of their work, and the reduction of human-wildlife conflict wherever possible. Kedar is an experienced, award-winning conservationist, who is passionate about what he does. It was great to discuss his route in to his current role, as well as what listeners can do to help TCF’s work. Support The Corbett Foundation: Website -  www.corbettfoundation.org Facebook - @thecorbettfoundation Twitter - @TCF_wildlife Instagram - @thecorbettfoundation LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/company/the-corbett-foundation Follow Wee Blue Dot - we're social animals! Facebook - @WeeBlueDot Twitter - @weebluedot Instagram - @weebluedot WBD LinkedIn Email - [email protected] Music: "Savannah (Sketch)" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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): www.aprs.scot/learning Facebook - @APRScotland Twitter - @APRScotland Deposit Return Scheme “Have You Got the Bottle?”: Website - www.haveyougotthebottle.org.uk Facebook – @HaveYouGotTheBottleScotland Twitter – @yougotthebottle Wild Planet Explorers: www.wildplanetexplorers.co.uk Facebook - @wildplanetexplorers Twitter - @WildPlanetExpl Instagram - @wildplanetexplorers Climate change education information: https://www.educcateglobal.org/ Follow Wee Blue Dot - we're social animals! Facebook - @WeeBlueDot Twitter - @weebluedot Instagram - @weebluedot WBD LinkedIn Email - [email protected] Music: "Savannah (Sketch)" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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: Website - www.therhinoorphanage.co.za Facebook - @TheRhinoOrphanage Twitter - @RhinoOrphanage Instagram - @therhinoorphanage Follow Wee Blue Dot - we're social animals! Facebook - @WeeBlueDot Twitter - @weebluedot Instagram - @weebluedot WBD LinkedIn Email - [email protected] Music: "Savannah (Sketch)" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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: Twitter - @PangolinPodcast Instagram - @pangolinpodcast Listen now: Anchor Spotify Apple Podcasts Follow Wee Blue Dot - we're social animals! Facebook - @WeeBlueDot Twitter - @weebluedot Instagram - @weebluedot WBD LinkedIn Email - [email protected] Music: "Savannah (Sketch)" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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: Facebook - @GameRangersAssociationOfAfrica Twitter - @The_GRAA Instagram - @gamerangersassociationofafrica Website - www.gameranger.org Donate here Follow Wee Blue Dot - we're social animals! Facebook - @WeeBlueDot Twitter - @weebluedot Instagram - @weebluedot WBD LinkedIn Email - [email protected] Music: "Savannah (Sketch)" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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: Facebook - @SavingScotlandsRedSquirrels  Twitter - @ScotSquirrels  Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels Youtube  Website -  www.scottishsquirrels.org.uk Report UK wide squirrel sightings - www.squirrelaccord.uk/report_sightings Follow Wee Blue Dot - we're social animals! Facebook - @WeeBlueDot Twitter - @weebluedot Instagram - @weebluedot WBD LinkedIn Email - [email protected] Music: "Savannah (Sketch)" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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: Facebook - @Libass Wildlife Sanctuary – LiWiSa  Instagram - @libassa_wildlife_sanctuary  Website -  www.libassawildlifesanctuary.org Donate here  Follow Wee Blue Dot - we're social animals! Facebook - @WeeBlueDot Twitter - @weebluedot Instagram - @weebluedot WBD LinkedIn Email - [email protected] Music: "Savannah (Sketch)" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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: Facebook - @fivesisterszoo  Twitter - @fivesisterszoo  Instagram -  @fivesisters.zoo  Website -  www.fivesisterszoo.co.uk Contact Adam - [email protected] Follow Wee Blue Dot - we're social animals! Facebook - @WeeBlueDot Twitter - @weebluedot Instagram - @weebluedot WBD LinkedIn Email - [email protected] Music: "Savannah (Sketch)" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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: Website -  www.mwt.im Facebook - @ManxWildlifeTrust Twitter - @manxnature Instagram - @manxwt Follow Wee Blue Dot - we're social animals! Facebook - @WeeBlueDot Twitter - @weebluedot Instagram - @weebluedot WBD LinkedIn Email - [email protected] Music: "Savannah (Sketch)" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/