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Introduction

In our newest episode, marine scientist Laura Boren talks about developing shelters for seals on Campbell Island, responsible pet ownership, and her experience being a go-to seal source.

DOC's Sounds of Science podcast offers a behind-scenes-look at how we care for NZ's native species and natural environment.

Video


Episode 23: Deals with seals with Laura Boren

Marine biologist Laura Boren dives into her favourite topic, seals, and shares some on-the-job stories about this mischievous species.

Laura grew up in the landlocked state of Nebraska and is now one of the preeminent marine biologists in this island nation, so our first question was why? Second was how?

Laura was on the front lines saving marine species in the wake of the Rena oil spill, has recently been working to develop pup shelters, and is extremely passionate about responsible dog ownership in areas with marine wildlife. Plus, she has some top tips for hanging out with kekeno, seals.  

  • The audio at the beginning is crashing waves
  • The music used is 'Let’s Get Down to Business' by Cast of Characters.


Episode 22: Kaitiaki kauri, protecting the mighty kauri with Hana Harris

Ranger Hana Harris explains how we can help protect kauri from the notorious pathogen threatening our forests.

Hana hails from the beautiful Northland region. In this episode she shares kōrero about her connection to native species and ecosystems through both her whakapapa and her role as a ranger. She covers the experience of discovering pekapeka/bat roosts, fighting to keep spaces pest-free, and of course, her work as kaitiaki kauri, teaching people about the magnificent kauri.

  • The birdsong is a dawn chorus featuring tūī
  • The music used is 'Let’s Get Down to Business' by Cast of Characters.


Episode 21: Banding Banter with Michelle Bradshaw

Ecologist Michelle Bradshaw discusses what we can learn from the data we get from banded birds and shares some cautionary tales about on the fly identification.

Michelle is in charge of the National Banding Scheme in Aotearoa and brings hands-on banding experience from bird colonies all around the world. If you’re a bird nerd, Michelle has the kind of work stories that’ll make you green with envy.

  • The birdsong in this episode is the black-fronted tern
  • The music used is 'Let’s Get Down to Business' by Cast of Characters.


Episode 20: Culture and conservation with Aroha Gilling

In this episode we’re talking about how our conservation past intersects with both our present and our future, and how our treaty commitments need to be at the heart of this.

Aroha Gilling is an academic specialising in Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and an experienced Treaty Ranger. She’s passionate about education, and this episode contains a wealth of expertise about nature and being a good Treaty Partner. Aroha is also a superfan of all creatures great and small in the Rangitahi Molesworth Recreation Reserve. It’s her happy place.

  • The birdsong in this episode is a dawn chorus.
  • The music used is 'Let’s Get Down to Business' by Cast of Characters.

For further reading, learn about our responsibility to give effect to the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi under section 4 of the Conservation Act.


Episode 19: Wildlife warrior Avi Narula

CITES is an international agreement regulating the import and export of endangered animals and plants. What’s this? And why is it important? CITES officer Avi Narula is going to tell you.

Avi has worked with big cats, endangered turtles, and renegade scamps like skunks and racoons. Now he’s here in Aotearoa New Zealand making sure wildlife goods don’t illegally cross the borders.

The most important thing he wants you to know is that before you shop or travel, please check if your item needs a wildlife permit. More info on our CITES page.

  • The birdsong in this episode is a dawn chorus.
  • The music used is 'Let’s Get Down to Business' by Cast of Characters.

Te reo Māori translation: Kia ora! Ko Erica Wilkinson tēnei. He kōnae ipurangi tēnei, e pā ana ki ngā Sounds of Science. (Hi! My name is Erica Wilkinson and this is a podcast about Sounds of Science).

We had some sound difficulties with this recording. We’re sorry and have resolved this for future episodes. Avi’s stories are still top notch, and we hope you enjoy the episode.


Episode 18: Cryptic critters with Jess Scrimgeour

Stories about velvet worms, tiny frogs, crooning bats and more from ecologist Jess Scrimgeour. 

Jess knows that the Fab Five—in this case we mean kākāpō, kiwi, whio, takahē, and kererū—are easy to love, but she wants to light your spark for the hard to see, hard to hear, or hard to find critters too: like pekapeka/bats, wētā, pepeketua/frogs, and even the peripatus/velvet worm which fires a sticky substance when it feels threatened. How iconic. 

  • The birdsong in this episode is a dawn chorus.
  • The music used is 'Let’s Get Down to Business' by Cast of Characters.

Te reo Māori translation:

Kia ora! Ko Erica Wilkinson tēnei. He kōnae ipurangi tēnei, e pā ana ki ngā Sounds of Science. (Hi! My name is Erica Wilkinson and this is a podcast about Sounds of Science).


Episode 17: Shark talk with Clinton Duffy

Renowned shark expert Clinton Duffy shares niche knowledge and on-the-job stories.

Sharks have a little bit of a PR problem. They’re fascinating, intelligent creatures, and most of them mind their own business. But they are predators, and the more you know, the better prepared you are.

This episode has it all. Sharks that walk on land (we’re not making this up), a run through of shark reproduction which is so amazing and varied it could have come from a sci-fi writer’s brain, and an update on our work to monitor shark species in an area as complex and vast as the ocean. All this, and Clinton shares some of his shark encounter stories with us. 

  • The sound effect in this episode is waves crashing onshore  
  • The music used is Let’s Get Down to Business by Cast of Characters

Te reo Māori translation:

Kia ora! Ko Erica Wilkinson tēnei. He kōnae ipurangi tēnei, e pā ana ki ngā Sounds of Science. (Hi! My name is Erica Wilkinson and this is a podcast about Sounds of Science). 


Episode 16: Learning on the Job with Jack Mace

There aren’t many jobs with us that Jack hasn’t turned his hand to. Remote island ranger, species monitor, trapper, hunter, ranger trainer, systems designer, operations manager – you name it, Jack has probably done it. He’s deeply passionate about conservation and has accumulated a lot of great stories. 
 
In this episode Jack shares stories about powelliphanta, kōkako, Tūturuatu, Canterbury Mudfish, Mana Island flax weevil, Alseuosmia the mimic plant, akeake the giant daisy, ongaonga the serious stinging nettle; as well as diesel grass, Rockhopper penguins, sea lions, kiwi, and parea/Chatham Island pigeon. And more! It’s a chocka block 39 minutes.

  • The bird sound in this episode is the Parea/Chatham Island pigeon
  • The music used is Let’s Get Down to Business by Cast of Characters

Te reo Māori translation:

Kia ora! Ko Erica Wilkinson tēnei. He kōnae ipurangi tēnei, e pā ana ki ngā Sounds of Science. (Hi! My name is Erica Wilkinson and this is a podcast about Sounds of Science).


Episode 15: The rare kākāriki karaka with Andrew Legault

Did you know that Aotearoa’s rarest parakeet is a small, forest-dwelling bird, and there are only about 360 estimated to be left in the wild? The kākāriki karaka, or orange-fronted parakeet are in serious trouble. Listen and learn about the work to monitor and track this species, control predators in critical areas, and boost numbers with captive breeding.

Plus hear how Andrew got started in this specific field and has become the office ‘cat scat guy’— not a title he ever sought out.

  • The bird sound in this episode is the kākāriki karaka
  • The music used is Let’s Get Down to Business by Cast of Characters
  • Te reo Māori intro translation: Kia ora! Ko Erica Wilkinson tēnei. He kōnae ipurangi tēnei, e pā ana ki ngā Sounds of Science. (Hi! My name is Erica Wilkinson and this is a podcast about Sounds of Science).

We work in partnership with Ngāi Tahu to lead the kākāriki karaka recovery programme, which includes extensive predator control in their mainland habitat through the Tiakina Ngā Manu programme, captive breeding and maintaining a pest-free island population.

The Isaac Conservation and Wildlife Trust, Auckland Zoo, Orana Wildlife Park, Christchurch Helicopters and Canterbury University all provide crucial support for this programme.


Episode 14: Predator Free and me (Part 2) with Brent Beaven

This is the much awaited second part of Brent Beaven’s Predator Free interview. In this episode, we’re talking about upcoming innovations as well as current predator control tools, and yes that includes 1080. This episode is a big swing and we hope it gives you some important context.

  • The bird sound in this episode is the Northern brown kiwi
  • The music used is Let’s Get Down to Business by Cast of Characters
  • Brent’s excellent blog series about Predator Free is available on the Conservation Blog

Te reo Māori translation:

Kia ora! Ko Erica Wilkinson tēnei. He kōnae ipurangi tēnei, e pā ana ki ngā Sounds of Science. (Hi! My name is Erica Wilkinson and this is a podcast about Sounds of Science).


Episode 13: Predator Free and me (Part 1) with Brent Beaven

Brent is on the show to tell us everything we need to know about Predator Free 2050 – in fact, he told us so much, we’ve split his interview into two. This is part one. Brent is an expert on predator control and has decades of hands-on field experience. He's herded sea lions, been hounded by kiwi, and caught mohua in his socks. In the world of threatened species conservation, you name it and Brent has done it. Listen and learn.

  • The bird sound in this episode is the Northern brown kiwi
  • The music used is Let’s Get Down to Business by Cast of Characters
  • Brent’s excellent blog series about Predator Free is available on the Conservation Blog

Te reo Māori translation:

Kia ora! Ko Erica Wilkinson tēnei. He kōnae ipurangi tēnei, e pā ana ki ngā Sounds of Science. (Hi! My name is Erica Wilkinson and this is a podcast about Sounds of Science).

Kia ora, Erica, ko Brent Beaven ahau (Hi Erica, I’m Brent Beaven).


Episode 12: Marine Magic with Anton van Helden

Anton van Helden is a marine scientist by day moonlighting as a magician by night, although one could make the point that magic never sleeps. Anton has over 30 years of experience working with and studying marine mammals – before he worked for us, he was at Te Papa. Now, Anton works as a science advisor in our Marine Species Team, assigned to looking after Māui and Hector's dolphins. In this episode, you’ll hear talk of strandings, the subants, toxoplasmosis, pub statistics, and climate, as well as working with iwi on recovery of bones.

Abracadabra, are you listening closely?

Te reo Māori translation:

  • Kia ora! Ko Erica Wilkinson tēnei. He kōnae ipurangi tēnei, e pā ana ki ngā Sounds of Science.
    Hi! My name is Erica Wilkinson and this is a podcast about Sounds of Science.
  • Kia ora! Ko Anton tōku ingoa.
    Hello! My name is Anton.

The music used in this episode:

  • Let’s Get Down to Business by Cast of Characters.

Content warning

This episode contains specific discussion of dissection which some listeners may find graphic. We kept it reasonably high level. This content warning applies to 8 mins 3 secs to 11 mins 22 secs. 

And we also talk about taonga and why dissections are important for iwi at 23 mins 25 secs.


Episode 11: The best bits so far

In honour of Conservation Week, we’ve put together a supercut of all our favourite moments from the past ten episodes. Lichens, bats, kākāpō sperm helmets (we couldn’t make this up), GPS, poo patches and more – this episode is packed to the brim with stories from all of our previous guests.

The birdsong used in this episode is the pīwakawaka/fantail.

Te reo translation:

  • Kia ora! Ko Erica Wilkinson tēnei. He kōnae ipurangi tēnei, e pā ana ki ngā Sounds of Science.
  • Hi! My name is Erica Wilkinson and this is a podcast about Sounds of Science

The music used in this episode:

  • Let’s Get Down to Business by Cast of Characters
  • Business or Pleasure by Avocado Junkie.

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