Wildlife CSI: Dr. Greg Simpson on Fighting Wildlife Crime with Forensics

Kenyan filmmaker, producer, and director Faith Musembi joins us to discuss Nat Geo’s four-part docuseries Lion, following the remarkable journey of Keo, a male lion filmed from cub to king across four years. Faith shares the power of character-driven wildlife storytelling, the challenges and ethical decisions behind filming in the field, and why African voices must be central to stories about African wildlife, climate, and conservation. She also discusses community-inclusive conservation and her work founding the Nuru Film Institute, helping create opportunities for the next generation of African wildlife filmmakers. Lion airs August 19 on National Geographic and begins streaming August 20 on Disney+ and Hulu. Timeline 00:00 Meet Faith Musembi 01:23 Breaking Into Wildlife Film 03:33 Why African Voices Matter 06:02 Elephants and Magic Moments 08:31 Keo Story Overview 10:07 Filming Four Year Journey 12:30 Brotherhood and Tenderness 14:23 Field Logistics and Notes 18:23 When Not to Intervene 21:12 Cameras Drones and Tech 24:23 Impact and Conservation Hope 29:11 Nuru Film Institute Mission 32:30 Advice for New Filmmakers 35:21 Where to Follow and Watch 37:06 Final 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this classic episode, Chris and Angie revisit the remarkable Hawaiian monk seal, one of the world’s rarest seal species and the only seal found exclusively in the Hawaiian Islands. With a population of only around 1,600 animals, Hawaiian monk seals have faced a long history of pressure from hunting, entanglement in marine debris and fishing gear, reduced food availability, disease risk, disturbance, and the challenges of living in a rapidly changing ocean. They are listed as Endangered under U.S. law, but there is real reason for hope: intensive conservation work has helped parts of the population begin a slow recovery. The episode explores why protected areas, especially the vast Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, are so important. These remote islands, reefs, and surrounding waters provide critical pupping, resting, and foraging habitat for monk seals, while also protecting one of the planet’s most ecologically significant marine ecosystems. Join us to learn why this deeply local species matters far beyond Hawaiʻi, what makes monk seals so special, and how protecting healthy oceans can give endangered wildlife a genuine chance to recover. == 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chris and Angie explore the red fox, the world’s most widespread and adaptable true fox. They cover how its flexible diet, remarkable senses, seasonal coat and signature mouse-pounce allow it to thrive from Arctic tundra to city streets. The episode also examines its role as both predator and prey, its competition with Arctic foxes, its damaging impact in Australia, family life, conservation and how humans can coexist responsibly with this resourceful canid. Timeline 00:00 Meet the Red Fox 00:45 Why Foxes Thrive Everywhere 04:01 Iconic Looks and Color Morphs 06:34 Size Differences and Bergmann Rule 09:08 Global Range and Australia Invasion 13:37 Ecosystem Role and Urban Adaptation 18:10 Mesopredator Release and Climate Pressure 22:25 Evolution and Fox Family Tree 28:03 Physiology Basics Lifespan Speed Tail 30:58 Scent Glands and Those Unique Eyes 32:00 Cat Eyes Dog Family 32:58 Night Vision Upgrades 34:55 Ears Color Scent 37:01 Whiskers And Coats 40:19 Omnivore Diet Teeth 44:01 Sly Hunting Tricks 46:33 Urban Life And Dens 49:31 Calls Caches Smarts 57:26 Breeding And Kits 01:02:03 Conservation Wins 01:04:27 Coexisting With Foxes 01:05:57 Wrap Up And Support == 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

An episode from 2021. Few animals embody prehistoric power quite like the American alligator. In this episode, Chris and Angie share and explore the remarkable biology, behavior, and surprising family life of one of North America’s most iconic reptiles. Once threatened by unregulated hunting and habitat loss, the American alligator became one of conservation’s great recovery stories. These ecosystem engineers create “alligator holes” that provide vital water and refuge for fish, birds, and other wildlife during dry periods. Their future remains closely tied to healthy wetlands and our ability to coexist safely with large predators. Why should we care about alligators? Because protecting them also protects the extraordinary wetland communities they help sustain. Tune in and discover why the swamp would not be the same without them. == 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chris explores one of biology's biggest questions through emperor penguins, coral reefs, monarch butterflies and amphibians. As the planet changes faster than species can adapt, he asks whether evolution has failed...or whether we've taken away the one thing it has always relied upon: time. Along the way, he shares stories of hope, highlighting the scientists, conservationists and communities working to give nature a chance to recover. Timeline 00:00 Broken Evolution Question 01:47 Penguin Parenting Epic 03:36 Sea Ice Collapse 05:23 Why Evolution Needs Time 09:23 Humans Speed Up Change 11:01 Coral Reefs Under Heat 16:07 Monarchs And Amphibians 21:29 Responsibility And Choice 28:11 Hope Through Conservation 32:40 Give Time Back == 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A classic episode from 5 years ago, the Wildebeest!! Chris and Angie talk about how every year, more than 1.5 million wildebeest follow the rains across the Serengeti–Mara ecosystem, navigating predators, drought and dangerous river crossings in search of fresh grass and water. It is one of the most extraordinary wildlife spectacles on Earth and a journey that helps sustain an entire ecosystem. In this classic episode, we explore the remarkable biology and behavior of wildebeest, the importance of their migration and the essential role they play in nourishing grasslands, predators and scavengers. Although both blue and black wildebeest are currently classified as Least Concern, fences, habitat fragmentation, disrupted migration corridors and increasing pressure on water resources threaten some populations. Listen to discover why wildebeest are far more than animals in a vast her, they are powerful ecosystem engineers whose ancient journey connects life across the African plains. == 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chris interviews Dr. Greg Simpson, veterinarian and co-founder of South Africa’s Wildlife Forensic Academy. Born from the rhino poaching crisis, the academy trains rangers, veterinarians, law enforcement, and conservationists in wildlife crime scene investigation, evidence collection, forensic science, and courtroom procedures. They discuss the growing threat of wildlife crime, the role of forensic science in securing convictions, innovative training tools including a wildlife “body farm,” and why protecting biodiversity requires stronger collaboration between conservation and law enforcement. Dr. Simpson also shares what gives him hope for the future of wildlife conservation. Learn more about the Wildlife Forensics Academy HERE Timeline 00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 01:04 Origins of Wildlife Forensics Academy 02:00 Why Wildlife Crime Matters Now 04:29 First Response Crime Scene Basics 06:50 Inside the Training Experience Lab 09:21 Beyond Big Animals 10:27 Entomology and Body Farm Research 14:21 Students and Global Reach 16:34 Trends After COVID 21:23 Megafauna and Marine Threats 25:49 From Field to Courtroom 27:57 Legal Complexities and Taxonomy 31:11 Public Misconceptions and Consumer Choices 36:29 Future of Wildlife Forensics 39:55 What Gives Hope 45:07 How to Get Involved 46:55 Final Thanks and Wrap Up == 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A classic episode! Chris and Angie discuss everything Pelicans. With their enormous bills, expandable throat pouches and almost prehistoric appearance, pelicans are among the most instantly recognizable birds on Earth. But there is much more to them than their famous fishing equipment. In this classic episode, we explore the world’s eight pelican species, from plunge-diving brown pelicans to enormous Dalmatian pelicans—among the heaviest flying birds alive. We uncover how their remarkable pouches really work, why some pelicans hunt cooperatively and how these seemingly awkward birds transform into graceful aerial giants once they take flight. Most pelican species are currently classified as Least Concern, but the Dalmatian and spot-billed pelicans are listed as Near Threatened. Across their ranges, pelicans remain vulnerable to wetland loss, disturbance at breeding colonies, pollution, entanglement in fishing gear and declining fish populations. Rediscover why pelicans are far more intelligent, adaptable and impressive than their comical appearance might suggest—and why protecting wetlands, coastlines and healthy fisheries is essential to their future. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For centuries, we believed culture was uniquely human. But what if elephants, whales, chimpanzees, birds (even bees) also pass knowledge, traditions, and behaviors from one generation to the next? In this episode, Chris explores one of the most fascinating discoveries in modern biology, from orca hunting traditions and elephant matriarchs to humpback whale songs, chimpanzee tool use, regional birdsong dialects, and crow intelligence. Along the way, he reveals how animal culture is reshaping our understanding of evolution—and why conservation is about protecting not just species, but the knowledge they carry. If culture is knowledge that outlives the individual, perhaps we've been too busy looking in the mirror to notice it all around us. If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to Our Substack, where we share essays exploring the science, philosophy, and wonder of the natural world, from animal behavior and evolution to conservation and the ideas that don't always make it into the podcast. https://substack.com/@cmortensen Timeline 00:00 Orcas And Traditions 03:04 Defining Culture Simply 13:10 Elephants And Memory 18:25 Whale Songs And Dialects 25:50 Jane Goodall And Chimps 30:58 Birdsong Accents And Crows 36:06 Conservation Of Knowledge 42:30 Final Reflections And Call == 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brining back this class episode. Chris and Angie discuss the all too cute, hedgehog. Hedgehogs may be famous for their adorable faces and protective spines, but these remarkable nocturnal mammals are facing growing conservation pressures. The West European hedgehog is now classified as Near Threatened following significant declines driven by habitat loss, fragmented landscapes, pesticides and road deaths. Hedgehogs help shape their native ecosystems by feeding on insects and other invertebrates and can curl into an almost impenetrable ball when threatened. Join us as we rediscover what makes hedgehogs so fascinating and why protecting connected, wildlife-friendly habitats matters. == 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices