De-Extinction: A Scientist’s Perspective from Inside a Cloning Lab

Chris draws on his PhD-era experience at Texas A&M—including meeting Dewey, the world’s first cloned deer—to unpack de-extinction and why cloning is far harder and less efficient than headlines suggest. He revisits Dolly’s breakthrough, explains somatic cell nuclear transfer, and highlights low success rates and frequent abnormalities. Chris explores the only true de-extinction attempt, the Pyrenean ibex, which survived only minutes, and explains why mammoths and “dire wolves” cannot be truly cloned due to fragmented DNA, with current efforts relying instead on genetic engineering. Chris also outlines major challenges around elephant egg sourcing, embryo transfer, and gestation, questions claims that mammoths could meaningfully impact climate change, and argues conservation resources are better directed toward protecting existing species, while acknowledging potential scientific benefits from the research. Timeline 00:00 Podcast Intro and De-Extinction 00:38 Meeting Dewey the Clone 03:31 Cloning Hype vs Reality 05:06 Elephant Repro Research Shift 07:02 Dolly and Cell Reset 10:22 How Cloning Works 15:46 Lab Data on Efficiency 20:50 De-Extinction Case Study Ibex 22:32 Why Mammoths Aren't Clones 26:40 Elephant Surrogates and Obstacles 30:36 Elephant Egg Retrieval 31:43 Lab Grown Gametes 32:33 Embryo Transfer Challenges 33:01 Welfare and Ethics 34:26 Climate Claims Debunked 36:28 Funding Priorities Debate 38:50 Real Conservation Wins 40:07 False Tech Fix Narrative 42:58 Forest Elephants Solution 47:01 Moonshot Case for Science 49:57 What De Extinction Delivers 52:02 Choose Protection Today =========================================================== Another thank you to all our Patreon supporters. You too can join for one cup of "good" coffee a month. With your pledge you can support your favorite podcast on Patreon and give back to conservation. With the funds we receive each month, we are have been sending money to conservation organizations monthly. We now send a check to every organization we cover, as we feel they all are deserving of our support. Thank you so much for your support and for supporting animal conservation.  Please considering supporting us at Patreon HERE. We also want to thank you to all our listeners. We are giving back to every conservation organization we cover and you make that possible. We are committed to donating large portions of our revenue (at minimum 25%) to every organization we cover each week. Thank you for helping us to grow, and for helping to conserve our wildlife. Please contact us at [email protected] if you would like to advertise on our podcast You can also visit our website HERE.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chris and Angie venture into the darkest depths of the ocean to meet one of the most bizarre and misunderstood creatures on Earth—the anglerfish. In this episode, we explore how these deep-sea predators survive in a world without light, using bioluminescent lures to hunt in the abyss. But it’s their reproduction that truly defies belief, featuring one of the most extreme mating strategies in the animal kingdom. We also unpack what anglerfish reveal about life in extreme environments and why the deep ocean, still largely unexplored, matters more than ever. =========================================================== Another thank you to all our Patreon supporters. You too can join for one cup of "good" coffee a month. With your pledge you can support your favorite podcast on Patreon and give back to conservation. With the funds we receive each month, we are have been sending money to conservation organizations monthly. We now send a check to every organization we cover, as we feel they all are deserving of our support. Thank you so much for your support and for supporting animal conservation.  Please considering supporting us at Patreon HERE. We also want to thank you to all our listeners. We are giving back to every conservation organization we cover and you make that possible. We are committed to donating large portions of our revenue (at minimum 25%) to every organization we cover each week. Thank you for helping us to grow, and for helping to conserve our wildlife. Please contact us at [email protected] if you would like to advertise on our podcast You can also visit our website HERE.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chris welcomes Dr. Sammy Ramsey (“Dr. Bugs”), entomologist at the University of Colorado Boulder, to discuss Secrets of the Bees (National Geographic, Disney+/Hulu). They explore surprising bee intelligence—from navigation using the sun to puzzle-solving, teaching, and even play—alongside fascinating behaviours like the waggle dance and swarm decision-making. Ramsey debunks common myths about honeybees and explains why they’re less aggressive than wasps. The episode also tackles colony collapse, ongoing hive losses, and the impact of varroa mites. He shares simple, practical ways people can help protect pollinators at home. Tune in on Nat Gro March 31, 2026 Disney+/HULU April 1, 2026 Dr. Ramey's website and socials can be found HERE Timeline 00:00 Welcome and Introductions 01:12 Why Bees Amaze Us 01:46 Tiny Brains Big Intelligence 02:52 Secrets of the Bees Visuals 04:03 Bees vs Wasps Misconceptions 07:24 Colony Collapse Explained 09:58 Annual Losses and Data Confusion 14:09 Bumblebee Lab Play and Puzzles 18:42 Insect Culture and Conservation 20:25 Inspiring Future Scientists 21:46 Why Bees Deserve Spotlight 22:01 Secrets Series Perspective Shift 23:39 Waggle Dance Explained 25:21 Honeybee Democracy Swarms 28:04 Varroa Mites Threat 31:41 Fighting Mites With Genetics 32:24 Help Pollinators At Home 35:51 Hope And Final Plug 37:19 Where To Follow Dr Sammy =========================================================== Another thank you to all our Patreon supporters. You too can join for one cup of "good" coffee a month. With your pledge you can support your favorite podcast on Patreon and give back to conservation. With the funds we receive each month, we are have been sending money to conservation organizations monthly. We now send a check to every organization we cover, as we feel they all are deserving of our support. Thank you so much for your support and for supporting animal conservation.  Please considering supporting us at Patreon HERE. We also want to thank you to all our listeners. We are giving back to every conservation organization we cover and you make that possible. We are committed to donating large portions of our revenue (at minimum 25%) to every organization we cover each week. Thank you for helping us to grow, and for helping to conserve our wildlife. Please contact us at [email protected] if you would like to advertise on our podcast You can also visit our website HERE.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bringing back an older episode, but a classic! This week, great news as Monarch Butterfly winter populations have regained 60% of their population numbers vs previous years! Once again, conservation is proving to work and thus, we are releasing this older episode. Chris and Angie delve into their life cycle, migration patterns and unique 'super generation'. They also discuss the butterflies' ecological importance and the role they play in pollination and ecosystems. The hosts share their experiences of visiting a university's natural history museum and butterfly breeding program. With a focus on the alarming decline in the Monarch butterfly population, threats like climate change, pesticide use and habitat loss are highlighted. They also bring attention to active conservation organizations like Monarch Watch and the ESS Society, and promote involvement in citizen-science projects. They encourage listeners to contribute to butterfly conservation by planting pollinator gardens, with a forthcoming resource on suitable plants for different U.S regions. Podcast Timeline 00:50 Introduction and Welcome 00:59 Exploring the World of Insects 01:40The Significance of Monarch Butterflies 02:20 The Research and Preparation Process 02:37 The Passion for Learning about Creatures 03:06 The Fascinating Journey of Monarch Butterflies 04:28 The Importance of Insect Conservation 04:05 The Incredible Migration of Monarch Butterflies 04:42 The Monarch Butterfly in New Zealand 05:39 The Beauty and Importance of Monarch Butterflies 06:43 The Life Cycle of Monarch Butterflies 10:19 The Impact of Climate Change on Monarch Butterflies 15:27 The Role of Citizen Scientists in Monarch Conservation 32:13 The Evolution and Migration of Monarch Butterflies 42:24 The Mystery of Monarch Migration 43:10 Theories on Monarch Migration 44:26 Adaptation and Migration Patterns 44:48 Monarch Butterflies in New Zealand 45:20 The Fascinating Multi-Generational Relay Race 46:07 The Incredible Journey of Monarch Butterflies 53:32 The Monarch Butterfly Life Cycle 54:56 The Super Generation of Monarch Butterflies 57:02 The Intriguing Physiology of Monarch Butterflies 01:03:13 The Importance of Conservation Efforts 01:23:48 The Role of Citizen Science in Monarch Conservation 01:26:00 The Impact of Planting Pollinator Gardens ------------------------------------------------------ Another thank you to all our Patreon supporters. You too can join for one cup of "good" coffee a month. With your pledge you can support your favorite podcast on Patreon and give back to conservation. With the funds we receive each month, we are have been sending money to conservation organizations monthly. We now send a check to every organization we cover, as we feel they all are deserving of our support. Thank you so much for your support and for supporting animal conservation.  Please considering supporting us at Patreon ⁠HERE⁠. We also want to thank you to all our listeners. We are giving back to every conservation organization we cover and you make that possible. We are committed to donating large portions of our revenue (at minimum 25%) to every organization we cover each week. Thank you for helping us to grow, and for helping to conserve our wildlife. Please contact us at ⁠[email protected]⁠ if you would like to advertise on our podcast You can also visit our website ⁠HERE.⁠  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This was our 50th episode we did back in 2018. How far we have come over the years. Sea dragons are among the most extraordinary fish on Earth, found only in the temperate coastal waters of southern Australia. Close relatives of seahorses, species like the leafy, weedy, and ruby sea dragon drift through kelp forests and seagrass meadows disguised as floating seaweed. Their intricate, leaf-like appendages aren’t used for swimming but for camouflage, allowing them to vanish into their surroundings. And like seahorses, it’s the males who carry the eggs, brooding them externally until they hatch. Although they look mythical, sea dragons are very real — and increasingly vulnerable. They rely on healthy kelp forests and stable coastal ecosystems, which are under pressure from warming oceans, marine heatwaves, pollution, and habitat degradation. Because they are poor swimmers and highly specialized to their environments, they cannot easily relocate when conditions change. Protecting sea dragons means protecting entire underwater ecosystems that support rich marine biodiversity. =========================================================== Another thank you to all our Patreon supporters. You too can join for one cup of "good" coffee a month. With your pledge you can support your favorite podcast on Patreon and give back to conservation. With the funds we receive each month, we are have been sending money to conservation organizations monthly. We now send a check to every organization we cover, as we feel they all are deserving of our support. Thank you so much for your support and for supporting animal conservation.  Please considering supporting us at Patreon HERE. We also want to thank you to all our listeners. We are giving back to every conservation organization we cover and you make that possible. We are committed to donating large portions of our revenue (at minimum 25%) to every organization we cover each week. Thank you for helping us to grow, and for helping to conserve our wildlife. Please contact us at [email protected] if you would like to advertise on our podcast You can also visit our website HERE.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chris reflects on the state of nature in 2026, where conservation is defined by both loss and recovery. While habitat fragmentation, climate warming, coral bleaching, and Arctic instability continue, meaningful protection efforts are delivering results. He highlights conservation wins, including pandas downlisted to vulnerable, green sea turtles to least concern, tiger recovery in India through reserves and anti-poaching, Gabon’s protection of forest elephants for rainforest integrity and carbon storage, and community-led snow leopard conservation in Nepal. The episode also addresses ongoing losses, key drivers of biodiversity decline, global efforts like 30x30 and the High Seas Treaty, and practical ways listeners can help — from reducing consumption to supporting frontline conservation initiatives like Snow Leopard Sisters. 00:00 Welcome and Reality Check 00:46 Conservation Is Tension 02:40 Climate and Biodiversity Link 03:17 Resilience and Hope in Action 04:40 2026 Roadmap for Today 05:42 Big Wins Pandas and Turtles 07:55 India’s Wildlife Comeback 11:00 Gabon Forest Elephants 14:45 Snow Leopard Sisters Spotlight 19:44 Losses and Extinctions 24:25 Why Extinction Is Accelerating 27:45 Five Biggest Threats 29:46 Mainstream Momentum and 30x30 35:48 People Giving Hope 38:21 What You Can Do Now 42:43 Support Snow Leopard Conservancy 44:38 Final Call to Action Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this re-release, we revisit one of Africa’s most iconic species ,the Ostrich, the largest living bird on Earth. Native to sub-Saharan Africa, ostriches dominate open savannas and semi-arid landscapes with their towering height, powerful legs, and unmistakable presence. Though flightless, they are built for speed, capable of reaching up to 70 km/h (43 mph), making them the fastest birds on land. Ostriches are evolutionary marvels. They have only two toes per foot, a rare adaptation that increases stride efficiency and speed, and they lay the largest eggs of any living bird. Social and highly alert, they often live in loose groups and rely on keen eyesight to detect predators across vast plains. While some populations remain stable, wild ostriches face pressures from habitat loss and historical overhunting, reminding us that even the most formidable species depend on healthy ecosystems to endure. =========================================================== Another thank you to all our Patreon supporters. You too can join for one cup of "good" coffee a month. With your pledge you can support your favorite podcast on Patreon and give back to conservation. With the funds we receive each month, we are have been sending money to conservation organizations monthly. We now send a check to every organization we cover, as we feel they all are deserving of our support. Thank you so much for your support and for supporting animal conservation.  Please considering supporting us at Patreon HERE. We also want to thank you to all our listeners. We are giving back to every conservation organization we cover and you make that possible. We are committed to donating large portions of our revenue (at minimum 25%) to every organization we cover each week. Thank you for helping us to grow, and for helping to conserve our wildlife. Please contact us at [email protected] if you would like to advertise on our podcast You can also visit our website HERE.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chris sits down with Nikki Sharp, Executive Director of Wildlife SOS (US), to explore the organization’s frontline conservation and rescue work in India, with a special focus on Asian elephants. With only 35,000–40,000 Asian elephants remaining worldwide — and India home to roughly 60% of them — the species has declined significantly due to habitat loss, expanding infrastructure, and human-elephant conflict. Nikki shares how Wildlife SOS moved from ending India’s dancing bear practice to rescuing captive and wild elephants, supporting anti-poaching efforts, and protecting species from sloth bears to star tortoises. The episode highlights innovative solutions such as community WhatsApp alert systems and emerging AI tools to reduce train collisions, while also addressing the emotional realities of trauma in rescued elephants. The mission is clear: end elephant exploitation, reduce preventable deaths, and empower people everywhere to protect wildlife — starting with refusing elephant rides and supporting ethical conservation. Timeline 00:00 Meet Nikki Sharp 01:05 From Dinner to Mission 04:21 Why Asian Elephants Matter 05:11 Population Crash Explained 09:32 Why So Overlooked 11:03 Asian vs African Differences 14:54 Coexistence Solutions 17:50 Tech to Prevent Collisions 20:45 India Conservation Momentum 24:06 Elephant Rescue Realities 28:24 Manu Rescue Timeline 30:02 High Stakes Transport 32:55 Life at the Sanctuary 33:55 Trauma and Recovery Stories 38:00 Threats to Wild Elephants 40:35 Beyond Elephants Conservation Work 43:38 Welfare Meets Conservation 45:25 Next Decade Goals 47:52 How You Can Help 50:08 Where to Follow Wildlife SOS 50:33 Closing Thanks and Wrap =========================================================== Another thank you to all our Patreon supporters. You too can join for one cup of "good" coffee a month. With your pledge you can support your favorite podcast on Patreon and give back to conservation. With the funds we receive each month, we are have been sending money to conservation organizations monthly. We now send a check to every organization we cover, as we feel they all are deserving of our support. Thank you so much for your support and for supporting animal conservation.  Please considering supporting us at Patreon HERE. We also want to thank you to all our listeners. We are giving back to every conservation organization we cover and you make that possible. We are committed to donating large portions of our revenue (at minimum 25%) to every organization we cover each week. Thank you for helping us to grow, and for helping to conserve our wildlife. Please contact us at [email protected] if you would like to advertise on our podcast You can also visit our website HERE.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Punch has taken the world by storm! As a Snow Monkey, Punch comes from a long line of survivors!! Snow monkeys, formally known as Japanese macaques, are the northernmost-living wild primates on Earth. Found across Japan’s mountainous forests, they endure freezing winters and deep snow — conditions no other non-human primate tolerates. Famous for bathing in hot springs, this behavior is learned socially within troops, highlighting their intelligence and cultural complexity. Although globally stable, snow monkeys face increasing pressures from habitat fragmentation, tourism management challenges, and climate shifts affecting snowfall and forest ecosystems. Their story is one of resilience and adaptation — but also a reminder that even the toughest species depend on stable environments to thrive. =========================================================== Another thank you to all our Patreon supporters. You too can join for one cup of "good" coffee a month. With your pledge you can support your favorite podcast on Patreon and give back to conservation. With the funds we receive each month, we are have been sending money to conservation organizations monthly. We now send a check to every organization we cover, as we feel they all are deserving of our support. Thank you so much for your support and for supporting animal conservation.  Please considering supporting us at Patreon HERE. We also want to thank you to all our listeners. We are giving back to every conservation organization we cover and you make that possible. We are committed to donating large portions of our revenue (at minimum 25%) to every organization we cover each week. Thank you for helping us to grow, and for helping to conserve our wildlife. Please contact us at [email protected] if you would like to advertise on our podcast You can also visit our website HERE.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chris and Angie explore the remarkable aardvark—requested by John, a naturalist in Kentucky—highlighting this truly unique African mammal with no close living relatives. Built for an ant-and-termite diet, aardvarks use a 30 cm sticky tongue, enamel-free continuously growing teeth, and powerful claws to dig extensive burrows that shelter many other species, making them vital ecosystem engineers across sub-Saharan Africa. They cover fascinating adaptations (nostrils that seal shut while digging, an extraordinary sense of smell, bursts of speed up to 40 km/h), along with behavior, reproduction, and lifespan. Although listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, aardvarks face emerging pressure from climate-driven drought, which reduces insect prey and may be causing regional declines. The episode closes with conservation insights and ways listeners can support habitat protection efforts. Timline 00:00 Aardvark Teaser Intro 01:11 Why Aardvarks Matter 03:50 What Aardvarks Look Like 09:34 Size Range Habitat 11:32 Burrows Ecosystem Engineers 15:01 Climate Threats Energetics 24:18 Evolutionary Origins 28:17 Tube Teeth Convergence 31:40 Lifespan Zoo Care 32:48 Geriatric Animal Care 33:26 Aardvark Speed Secrets 34:54 Digging Like a Machine 37:28 Nose Physiology Deep Dive 40:26 Super Sniffer Rankings 43:51 Tongue Saliva and Gizzard 46:13 Ant Termite Defense Armor 49:47 Nocturnal Life and Social Cues 53:02 Breeding and Baby Aardvarks 58:54 Conservation and How to Help 01:02:37 Wrap Up and Call to Action =========================================================== Another thank you to all our Patreon supporters. You too can join for one cup of "good" coffee a month. With your pledge you can support your favorite podcast on Patreon and give back to conservation. With the funds we receive each month, we are have been sending money to conservation organizations monthly. We now send a check to every organization we cover, as we feel they all are deserving of our support. Thank you so much for your support and for supporting animal conservation.  Please considering supporting us at Patreon HERE. We also want to thank you to all our listeners. We are giving back to every conservation organization we cover and you make that possible. We are committed to donating large portions of our revenue (at minimum 25%) to every organization we cover each week. Thank you for helping us to grow, and for helping to conserve our wildlife. Please contact us at [email protected] if you would like to advertise on our podcast You can also visit our website HERE.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices