All Creatures Podcast

Tapirs are one of the world’s most unusual mammals, often described as a mix between a pig, elephant, and hippo. Yet, they’re actually related to horses and rhinos.

The Malayan tapir stands out with its striking black-and-white coloring, flexible mini-trunk snout, and surprising ability to swim and dive. Shy and mostly nocturnal, tapirs are rarely seen, which only adds to their mystery.

Beyond their odd looks, tapirs play a vital ecological role. They’re known as “gardeners of the forest,” dispersing large seeds across vast areas as they move through rainforests and rivers.

Tapirs are also ancient survivors. Their lineage stretches back more than 50 million years, making them true living fossils. Despite outlasting ice ages and mass extinctions, the Malayan tapir is now Endangered, with habitat loss, road collisions, and fragmentation pushing populations into decline.

This episode was originally released in 2021.

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Chris and Angie delve into the intricate world of the critically endangered forest elephant, exploring their unique behaviors, slow reproduction rates, and the devastating impact of poaching and habitat loss on their populations.

With only approximately 80,000 left, the episode highlights the elephant’s critical role in rainforest ecosystems, emphasizing their impact on seed dispersion and carbon sequestration. The discussion also touches on conservation efforts, such as those by the Zoological Society of London in Cameroon, and the importance of global awareness and action in protecting these remarkable creatures. Efforts to educate listeners about the differences between forest and savannah elephants, including size, behavior, and ecological contributions, are thoroughly explored, underscoring the urgent need for protection and conservation.

00:00 Introduction to All Creatures Podcast
02:28 The Forest Elephant: A Unique Species
03:03 Population Decline and Conservation Efforts
03:27 Personal Encounters and Wildlife Cinematography
05:11 Physical Characteristics of Forest Elephants
19:47 Ecological Importance of Forest Elephants
31:44 Conservation Challenges and Success Stories
37:13 Evolutionary History of Elephants
40:33 Exploring Africa's Diverse Wildlife
41:48 Fascinating Facts About Forest Elephants
43:24 The Elusive Nature of Forest Elephants
44:33 Unique Physical Traits of Elephants
47:35 Elephants' Social and Behavioral Patterns
54:30 Forest Elephants' Seasonal Movements
59:06 Communication Among Forest Elephants
01:10:45 Reproductive Challenges of Forest Elephants
01:16:02 Conservation Efforts and Global Impact

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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 [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

We released this episode originally in 2022 but is worth a relisten!

Capuchin monkeys have long captured human imagination and for good reason. With complex social lives, remarkable problem-solving abilities, and some of the most sophisticated tool use seen outside of apes, capuchins challenge what we think intelligence in animals really means.

In this episode, we dive deep into the world of capuchin monkeys, with a special focus on white-faced capuchins. We explore their behaviours, communication, culture, and cognition examining why many scientists consider them among the most intelligent monkeys on Earth.

Out of the 22 recognised capuchin species, the majority are now facing population decline, habitat loss, and mounting extinction pressure. Understanding their intelligence makes their conservation all the more urgent.

This episode is a reminder that intelligence isn’t uniquely human—and that some of our closest evolutionary mirrors are disappearing quietly in the forests of the Americas.

If you’re fascinated by animal minds, behaviour, and what other species can teach us about ourselves, this is one not to miss.

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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 [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 dive deep into the world of horses, marking 2026 as the Year of the Horse.

They explore the monumental impact horses have had on human history, from their domestication over 5,000 years ago to their roles in warfare, transportation, and agriculture. Chris and Angie discuss the unique physiological and behavioral traits of horses that make them exceptional athletes and companions, their evolutionary history, and how they have influenced technology and human civilization. The episode also highlights therapeutic benefits provided by horses and their solid social dynamics, emphasizing their intricate communication skills and strong human bonds. The hosts share personal anecdotes and scientific insights, celebrating the profound connection between humans and horses.

00:00 Introduction and Hosts
00:40 The Significance of Horses in Human History
01:21 Personal Stories and Connections with Horses
03:40 Horses as a Technology and Their Global Impact
05:32 Domestication and Evolution of Horses
10:04 Feral Horses and Their Ecological Impact
11:25 Why Horses Matter Today
18:14 Comparing Horses to Other Domesticated Animals
33:36 The Unique Evolution of Odd-Toed Ungulates
38:24 The Evolutionary History of Horses
39:00 Understanding Equine Physiology
39:25 The Athleticism of Horses
41:28 The Role of Horses in Human History
43:41 Equine Anatomy and Physiology
54:20 The Unique Senses of Horses
01:02:43 Equine Behavior and Social Dynamics
01:08:47 The Horse-Human Bond
01:13:36 Equine Reproduction
01:17:54 The Lifespan and Impact of Horses
01:22:22 Celebrating the Year of the Horse

===========================================================

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

This episode dates back to 2020, but the Galápagos tortoise is one of the most iconic animals on Earth. Not only for its immense size and extraordinary lifespan, but for what it reveals about time, resilience, and the deep interconnectedness of life.

These tortoises are true ecosystem engineers. As they move across the islands, they shape landscapes, create pathways, disperse seeds, and help maintain the balance between grasslands and forests. Many native plants rely on tortoises for survival.

With lifespans exceeding 100 years, they are masters of survival, adapted to endure harsh conditions and long periods without food or water—embodying a slower, more efficient way of living.

Today, Galápagos tortoises range from Vulnerable to Critically Endangered, depending on the population. While they were once pushed to the brink by overharvesting, habitat loss, and invasive species, long-term conservation efforts have helped several populations recover—one of conservation’s most hopeful success stories.

===========================================================

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