All Creatures Podcast

We are re-releasing this episode from 2020.

Amur Falcons are one of the most remarkable migratory birds on Earth. Weighing less than 200 grams, these small raptors undertake an astonishing annual journey of more than 20,000 kilometres, travelling from breeding grounds in eastern Asia to wintering grounds in southern Africa.

In this episode, we explore the incredible biology behind their migration, including a non-stop flight of up to 3,000 kilometres across the Indian Ocean—one of the longest over-water journeys known for any bird of prey. We also discuss how satellite tracking revealed the true scale of their migration and how communities in India helped transform a major conservation crisis into an inspiring success story.

Although currently listed as Amur Falcon by the IUCN as a species of Least Concern, Amur Falcons still face threats from habitat loss, climate change, and changes to insect populations along their migratory route.

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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 advertising@airwavemedia.com

if you would like to advertise on our podcast

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chris and Angie revisit the giant panda, first featured on the podcast in 2018, and explore one of conservation's most celebrated success stories.

They discuss how giant pandas recovered from Endangered to Vulnerable status through habitat protection, wildlife corridors, anti-poaching efforts, and decades of dedicated conservation work in China. Along the way, they uncover the fascinating biology of these bamboo specialists, from their unique "pseudo-thumb" to their challenging breeding habits and surprisingly inefficient digestive system. The episode also examines the role of zoos, captive breeding programs, and what the panda's recovery can teach us about saving other species.

Timeline

00:00 Welcome Back to Pandas
00:41 Conservation Success Story
03:18 Panda Basics and Anatomy
06:24 Zoo Life and Panda Loans
13:31 Breeding Challenges and Bamboo
15:27 Habitat Corridors and Reserves
20:37 China’s Green Economy Shift
27:42 Evolution of a Bamboo Bear
32:07 Fast Facts and Panda Speed
33:45 Bamboo Diet Basics
34:16 Gut Microbes Explained
35:01 Built for Bamboo
36:23 Taste Gene Twist
37:50 Smell and Food Choice
39:32 Seasonal Bamboo Menu
42:50 Carnivore Gut Problem
46:59 Clumsy Charm Behaviors
51:48 Poop and Field Science
53:06 Solitary Social Signals
57:30 Breeding Window Crunch
01:01:43 Cubs and Diapause
01:06:26 Conservation Comeback
01:09:18 Wrap Up and Thanks
==

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 advertising@airwavemedia.com

if you would like to advertise on our podcast

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Leopard seals were first covered in 2022 by Chris and Angie. Today they bring them back for those that have yet to uncover this remarkable species.

Leopard Seals are among Antarctica’s most fascinating and formidable predators. In this episode, we dive into the world of these powerful marine mammals, exploring their unique hunting strategies, remarkable adaptations, and surprising intelligence. Learn how leopard seals help maintain balance in Antarctic ecosystems, why they are considered apex predators, and what scientists are discovering about their behavior in one of the planet’s harshest environments.

==

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 advertising@airwavemedia.com

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 speak about the fascinating world of bull sharks.

Bull sharks are among the most remarkable sharks on Earth. Unlike most shark species, they can thrive in both saltwater and freshwater, traveling hundreds of miles up rivers and even living in lakes. This incredible adaptability has allowed them to occupy habitats ranging from coastal oceans to inland waterways across the globe.

Bull sharks also play a vital role as apex predators, helping maintain healthy aquatic ecosystems by regulating prey populations and supporting ecological balance.

While bull sharks remain relatively widespread, they face growing threats from overfishing, habitat degradation, coastal development, and accidental capture in fisheries. The Bull Shark is currently classified as Near Threatened in many parts of its range, highlighting the importance of continued conservation efforts.

==

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 advertising@airwavemedia.com

if you would like to advertise on our podcast

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chris welcomes author Robert Moore to the All Creatures Podcast to discuss his book "In Trees: An Exploration" and how trees shape ecosystems, human wellbeing, and environmental solutions.

Moore explains “tree thinking” as a non-linear, relational way of understanding life inspired by Darwin’s evolutionary tree, and discusses debates around plant intelligence while cautioning against projecting human consciousness onto trees. They cover evidence that forest exposure (and even images of trees) can reduce stress and boost creativity, and explore humans’ ancient, arboreal connection to climbing and revering trees.

The discussion also dives into some of the most pressing environmental issues facing our planet today, including old-growth logging, forest conservation, climate change, and the importance of preserving ancient ecosystems that have stood for thousands of years.

00:00 Welcome and Why Trees
02:34 Tree Thinking Explained
05:48 Do Trees Have Intelligence
09:16 Empathy and Open Minds
12:40 Collective Intelligence Networks
13:39 Humans as Tree Climbers
17:43 Forest Bathing Science
20:19 Forests as Healing Places
20:56 Old Growth Activism Fairy Creek
24:08 Why Clearcuts Worsen Climate
27:07 Anger Greed and Forest Elephants
30:44 Ancient Trees and Pando
32:05 Oldest Tree Mistake
32:47 Which Forest Stunned You
33:09 Climbing Giant Sequoias
34:00 Sequoias Spark Conservation
36:31 Forests and Climate Tipping
38:10 Beyond Tree Planting
41:28 Denial and Capitalism
44:43 Rootedness as Remedy
48:42 Where Hope Comes From
53:42 Attenborough and Curiosity
54:52 If Trees Could Speak
58:26 Closing and Where to Follow

==

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 advertising@airwavemedia.com

if you would like to advertise on our podcast

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices