Cats of the Wild

Andy Varvel
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Cats of the Wild Podcast

Lions, tigers and leopards are just some of the 40 species of wild cat around the world that are under threat. Join me, as we travel to every corner of the globe to hear the incredible stories from the people and communities working to study and protect all species of wild cat. Wild cat conservation is more than just cats - by protecting cats, we save other species in their ecosystems, we help local communities in their habitats and we conserve huge swathes of precious land across the planet. Cats of the Wild is an original, not-for-profit podcast by Andy Varvel.

  1. Back to Beijing: Huang Qiaowen, China Felid Conservation Alliance

    10 MAR

    Back to Beijing: Huang Qiaowen, China Felid Conservation Alliance

    Beijing, China - the world's largest capital city was once the traditional habitat of the magnificent North Chinese leopard. Pushed out from Beijing, these leopards today live in the Taihung mountains in the south west of the capital, however an ambitious project from the China Felid Conservation Alliance seeks to bring these leopards back home to Beijing. Across successive generations, these leopards are gradually migrating north towards Beijing. But if they succeed in reaching the city, is it prepared to welcome its new wild neighbours? Guest Huang Qiaowen, China Felid Conservation Alliance

    16 min
  2. Cats of Calakmul: Mariam Weston & Thelma Arenas, Ocelot Working Group

    17 FEB

    Cats of Calakmul: Mariam Weston & Thelma Arenas, Ocelot Working Group

    Dive into the heart of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula where ancient traditions meet modern challenges. 🐝🌳 In our latest episode, we explore the tropical dry forests of Calakmul, a place where Mayan beekeepers have been harvesting honey in harmony with nature for centuries. But now, climate change is bringing an unexpected twist to the tale. With water becoming a precious commodity, a conflict brews between the local beekeepers and the majestic wildcats of the region. 🐆💧 Join us as we follow Mariam, Thelma, and Carlos from the Ocelot Working Group who are on the frontlines, fighting to resolve these conflicts. Their mission? To protect the wildcats and preserve the precious beekeeping practices that support over 25,000 families. 🌍🤝 Tune in to hear their story and discover the innovative solutions they're crafting to ensure that people and nature can thrive together for generations to come. 🌱🐾 Guests Mariam Weston & Thelma Arenas, Ocelot Working Group

    22 min
  3. The Mizoram Model: Amit Kumar Bal

    01/10/2023

    The Mizoram Model: Amit Kumar Bal

    When we think about the illegal wildlife trade, we think of the fur of tigers, the ivory of elephant tusks and the scales of pangolins - but even small wild cats are traded illegally in many countries around the world. In the porous border region between Myanmar and the Indian state of Mizoram, wildlife biologist Amit Kumar Bal stumbled upon a trade of small wild cats from the Murlen National Park in India, across the border to Myanmar - a global hub for the illegal wildlife trade. After three years of living in one of the small villages bordering the park, Amit has completely eliminated the hunting of small wild cats - but that's just one village - and now Amit is trying to replicate this success in every village all throughout Mizoram. Guests: Amit Kumar Bal

    20 min
  4. Father and Daughter: Kumi Togawa, Japan Tiger and Elephant Fund

    29/08/2023

    Father and Daughter: Kumi Togawa, Japan Tiger and Elephant Fund

    In 1965, Yukio Togawa, a Japanese novelist found himself drawn to the whispers of a wild cat unknown to science. He set sail for the untamed wilderness of Iriomote Island and brought this wild cat - the Iriomote Cat to the world's attention. Togawa inadvertently sparked a conversation about the future of Iriomote Island - a delicate balance between the unspoiled wilderness that needed protection and the essential infrastructure that the island's communities required. Now, his legacy lives on through his daughter, Kumi. Inspired by her father's passion and dedication, she continues his work, striving to conserve the Iriomote Cat and its habitat. This is their story, told by his daughter, a tale of conservation conflict and the enduring bond between a father, a daughter, and the wild cat that brought them together. Guest Kumi Togawa, Japan Tiger & Elephant Fund Links Japan Tiger and Elephant Fund

    16 min
  5. Feline Fire Survivors: Carmen Vanbianchi - Home Range Wildlife Research

    23/07/2023

    Feline Fire Survivors: Carmen Vanbianchi - Home Range Wildlife Research

    Wildfires have always been a natural hazard ingrained in the history of the forests across Washington state in the US Pacific Northwest, but in recent years their impact has grown more severe, with longer-lasting and more intense blazes pushing this region's fragile ecosystems right to the very brink. Amongst the wildlife that call these forests home, is a subpopulation of the Canada lynx, a medium-sized species of lynx that ranges across Alaska, Canada and some northern areas of the US. With each devastating wildfire, the Canada Lynx's future here grows more uncertain - their once familiar territory now fragmented, altered and their survival now in a race against time. Guest Carmen Vanbianchi - Home Range Wildlife Research

    30 min
  6. A Big Future: Howard Baskin, Big Cat Rescue

    11/05/2023

    A Big Future: Howard Baskin, Big Cat Rescue

    “Hey all you cool cats and kittens!”   Do you recognise this catch phrase at all? Of course you do, it's Carole Baskin - co-founder of the non-profit sanctuary Big Cat Rescue in Tampa, Florida.   Whilst many people may have only recently heard about Big Cat Rescue through Netflix's 'Tiger King', the organisation has been caring and protecting wild cats for over thirty years. Carole, and her husband Howard have also been tireless advocates for ending private ownership of big cats in the US, resulting in the Big Cat Public Safety Act signed into US law in December 2022.   In March 2023, Big Cat Rescue made a huge announcement - announcing that all the remaining cats at the centre would be relocated to Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge in Arkansas and that they would sell the land where Big Cat Rescue is located.   This is far from the end for Big Cat Rescue - it's the start of a new adventure in investing the expected millions from the property sale into conservation projects for cats in the wild.   Guests: Howard Baskin - Big Cat Rescue   Links Big Cat Rescue

    26 min
  7. Lynx on the Brink: Nathan Huvier, Centre Athénas

    26/04/2023

    Lynx on the Brink: Nathan Huvier, Centre Athénas

    The Carpathian lynx - a subspecies of the Eurasian lynx. These majestic cats are a symbol of the wild and rugged landscapes of east and central Europe, where from country to country, they roam the mountains and forests. silently hunting for their prey. Over in France, the fate of these cats is hanging by just a thread. In fact if we do nothing, it's likely they will become locally extinct in just thirty years. Recent research from Nathan Huvier at Centre Athénas, a wildlife conservation organisation in the Jura mountains, has found that these beautiful cats are facing a rapid loss of genetic diversity with just under 150 adult lynxes remaining in the wild in France. So let's explore the history of the Carpathian lynx in France, dive into the very latest research on their genetic diversity, and discuss how we can all work together to save these cats from disappearing from the French wilderness forever. Guest Nathan Huvier - Centre Athénas Links Centre Athénas

    21 min
  8. When We Become Prey: Professor Adam Hart, University of Gloucestershire

    21/02/2023

    When We Become Prey: Professor Adam Hart, University of Gloucestershire

    Humans may be the world's top predator - but what happens when the tables are turned and we become the hunted. For many people around the world, the feeling of being watched stalked or even eaten by a predator such as a big cat is a terrifying reality. We're working to protect what wild cats we have left and even increase their numbers. But how do we balance this against the complexities of a world where increasingly people and predators live side by side. In this episode, we'll hear from Professor Adam Hart, author of “The Deadly Balance: People & Predators in a Crowded World”, and explore the spine chilling topic of human predation by big cats and what the future holds as we continue to push into wildlife habitats. Guest Professor Adam Hart, University of Gloucestershire Links The Deadly Balance: People & Predators in a Crowded World Adam Hart - Twitter / Instagram

    26 min
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Hosts & Guests

About

Lions, tigers and leopards are just some of the 40 species of wild cat around the world that are under threat. Join me, as we travel to every corner of the globe to hear the incredible stories from the people and communities working to study and protect all species of wild cat. Wild cat conservation is more than just cats - by protecting cats, we save other species in their ecosystems, we help local communities in their habitats and we conserve huge swathes of precious land across the planet. Cats of the Wild is an original, not-for-profit podcast by Andy Varvel.

Information

  • Creator
    Andy Varvel
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2024
  • Episodes
    40
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Andy Varvel
  • Show Website
    Cats of the Wild

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