56 episodes

A conservation podcast hosted by filmmaker John Jurko II about rangers, rhinos, and what we can do to stop the poaching crisis. Recorded in support of the Global Conservation Corps' feature-length documentary, RHINO MAN. A film about the courageous field rangers who risk their lives every day to protect South Africa's rhinos from being poached to extinction.

The Rhino Man Podcast John Jurko II

    • Society & Culture
    • 5.0 • 12 Ratings

A conservation podcast hosted by filmmaker John Jurko II about rangers, rhinos, and what we can do to stop the poaching crisis. Recorded in support of the Global Conservation Corps' feature-length documentary, RHINO MAN. A film about the courageous field rangers who risk their lives every day to protect South Africa's rhinos from being poached to extinction.

    Ep 55: Nick Smith - RHINO MAN’s DP on filmmaking, photography and a life of travel.

    Ep 55: Nick Smith - RHINO MAN’s DP on filmmaking, photography and a life of travel.

    Our guest in this episode is my friend, Nick Smith. Nick is an experienced DP and photographer based in Atlanta, Georgia. He's shot all over the world for amazing brands and nonprofits. Nick is also the Director of Photography of RHINO MAN, and he lead the project with his work for 3 years before my involvement.

    In this conversation, we talk about Nick's journey in the world of RHINO MAN, along with his love of photography and travel. Nick is a humble guy, and one of the most inspiring people I know.

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    Subscribe, Like, and Review The Rhino Man Podcast on #YouTube, #Spotify, and #ApplePodcasts today!

    Listen here: https://rhinomanthemovie.org/podcast/

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    Sponsored by Wildlife & Co. They're on a mission to protect Earth's ecosystems and wildlife. Buy amazing apparel and support conservation. Visit: https://wildlifeandco.com/

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    CREDITS
    Produced by @theglobalconservationcorps
    Music by @simon.wilson.music
    Host @johnjurko

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    Thank you for listening to The Rhino Man Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode and you're excited to see the film succeed, please subscribe and review our podcast on #Spotify and #iTunes. Then follow us on Instagram and Facebook @rhinomanthemovie. More details about Rhino Man, the social impact campaign, and future screenings are at https://rhinomanthemovie.org.

    To learn more about the Global Conservation Corps and their work visit globalconservationcorps.org, sign up for the newsletter, and follow GCC on all of the social platforms.

    If you liked this podcast, make sure to subscribe to and catch up on GCC's Voices of Nature Podcast, where Bob Ludke interviews a wide range of people who have dedicated their lives to making a difference in conservation.

    A special thanks goes out to Simón Wilson for the music for this podcast. He is the brilliant composer for Rhino Man the movie. Learn more about his work at https://www.simonwilsonmusic.com/.

    • 1 hr 15 min
    Ep 54: Fedrick Ndlovu - Life lessons from a ranger at the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve.

    Ep 54: Fedrick Ndlovu - Life lessons from a ranger at the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve.

    Our guest today is my friend, Fedrick Ndlovu. Fedrick is a long-time ranger at the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve.

    In this episode, we dive into Fedrick’s path into becoming a ranger, and how it almost didn’t happen because of a government mixup. We talk about his early days on the reserve facing the new threat of rhino poaching, and his rise up through the ranger ranks. We cover the effects of COVID on the team in 2020, leadership advice, what it was like working with the RHINO MAN team, and the loss of Anton Mzimba.

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    Subscribe, Like, and Review The Rhino Man Podcast on #YouTube, #Spotify, and #ApplePodcasts today!

    Listen here: https://rhinomanthemovie.org/podcast/

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    Sponsored by Wildlife & Co. They're on a mission to protect Earth's ecosystems and wildlife. Buy amazing apparel and support conservation. Visit: https://wildlifeandco.com/

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    CREDITS
    Sponsored by @wildlifeandcompany
    Produced by @theglobalconservationcorps
    Music by @simon.wilson.music
    Host @johnjurko

    - - - - - - - -

    Thank you for listening to The Rhino Man Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode and you're excited to see the film succeed, please subscribe and review our podcast on #Spotify and #iTunes. Then follow us on Instagram and Facebook @rhinomanthemovie. More details about Rhino Man, the social impact campaign, and future screenings are at https://rhinomanthemovie.org.

    To learn more about the Global Conservation Corps and their work visit globalconservationcorps.org, sign up for the newsletter, and follow GCC on all of the social platforms.

    If you liked this podcast, make sure to subscribe to and catch up on GCC's Voices of Nature Podcast, where Bob Ludke interviews a wide range of people who have dedicated their lives to making a difference in conservation.

    A special thanks goes out to Simón Wilson for the music for this podcast. He is the brilliant composer for Rhino Man the movie. Learn more about his work at https://www.simonwilsonmusic.com/.

    • 1 hr 27 min
    Ep 53: Don Scott - Tanda Tula: Education, ownership, and hyper-local safari industry supply chains.

    Ep 53: Don Scott - Tanda Tula: Education, ownership, and hyper-local safari industry supply chains.

    Our guest in this episode is Don Scott. Don along with his wife, Nina, are owners and operators of Tanda Tula, a beautiful Safari Camp in the heart of the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve in South Africa.

    In this conversation, we dive into Don's early career in aerospace engineering, and how he and Nina found their way into conservation. We talk about the risks and challenges of owning and operating a business in the bush. We go into the positive impact they seek to have through education and literacy efforts, creating pathways for growth and ownership within their company, and developing the local wildlife economy to grow and connect with more locally owned businesses in the Kruger area. We also talk about the importance of rangers, and what you should look for in the companies and lodges you're supporting when you're traveling to wildlife areas.

    Don was thoughtful, passionate, and generous with his time. I can't wait for you to dive into this conversation.

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    Subscribe, Like, and Review The Rhino Man Podcast on #YouTube, #Spotify, and #ApplePodcasts today!

    Listen here: https://rhinomanthemovie.org/podcast/

    - - - - - - - -

    Sponsored by Wildlife & Co. They're on a mission to protect Earth's ecosystems and wildlife. Buy amazing apparel and support conservation. Visit: https://wildlifeandco.com/

    - - - - - - - -

    CREDITS
    Sponsored by @wildlifeandcompany
    Produced by @theglobalconservationcorps
    Music by @simon.wilson.music
    Host @johnjurko

    - - - - - - - -

    Thank you for listening to The Rhino Man Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode and you're excited to see the film succeed, please subscribe and review our podcast on #Spotify and #iTunes. Then follow us on Instagram and Facebook @rhinomanthemovie. More details about Rhino Man, the social impact campaign, and future screenings are at https://rhinomanthemovie.org.

    To learn more about the Global Conservation Corps and their work visit globalconservationcorps.org, sign up for the newsletter, and follow GCC on all of the social platforms.

    If you liked this podcast, make sure to subscribe to and catch up on GCC's Voices of Nature Podcast, where Bob Ludke interviews a wide range of people who have dedicated their lives to making a difference in conservation.

    A special thanks goes out to Simón Wilson for the music for this podcast. He is the brilliant composer for Rhino Man the movie. Learn more about his work at https://www.simonwilsonmusic.com/.

    • 2 hr 4 min
    Special Episode - What's Next for Rhino Man? Updates on the Podcast and Film.

    Special Episode - What's Next for Rhino Man? Updates on the Podcast and Film.

    In this special episode of The Rhino Man Podcast, host John Jurko II talks about what's to come for Rhino Man in 2024. To start, he's planning a new and improved version of the podcast, which will include in-person interviews of rangers and conservationists. These will be video episodes with studio quality audio. A first in the conservation space. John hopes to highlight the heroes working to protect our planet's wildlife in the build up to the release of the film.

    And as for RHINO MAN the movie, 2024 is the year of its release. Watch out, over the next 6 months, for screening dates at festivals across the United States, Canada, and the UK. These will lead into a theatrical release of the film in June and culminate with an online release come July of 2024. We're so excited to share the film with you and could use your support in getting the word out.

    Subscribe, Like, and Review The Rhino Man Podcast on #Spotify, #ApplePodcasts, and #YouTube today!

    Listen and Watch here: rhinomanthemovie.org/podcast/

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    CREDITS
    Produced by @theglobalconservationcorps
    Host @johnjurko

    Thank you for listening to The Rhino Man Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode and you're excited to see the film succeed, please subscribe and review our podcast on #Spotify and #iTunes. Then follow us on Instagram and Facebook @rhinomanthemovie. More details about Rhino Man, the social impact campaign, and future screenings are at rhinomanthemovie.org.

    To learn more about the Global Conservation Corps and their work visit globalconservationcorps.org, sign up for the newsletter, and follow GCC on all of the social platforms.

    • 8 min
    Ep 52: Timothy Santel - Focused Conservation and Criminal Investigations with the USFWS.

    Ep 52: Timothy Santel - Focused Conservation and Criminal Investigations with the USFWS.

    In this episode, I'm talking with Timothy Santel. Tim is currently the Senior Advisor on International Wildlife Trafficking programs for Focused Conservation, which is a nonprofit changing the game in the battle against wildlife crime through investigations, government support, and information sharing. Tim spent over 33 years working for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and retired as a Special Agent in Charge of their Special Investigations Unit. Tim developed and oversaw a team of elite covert federal agents tasked with investigating transnational criminal organizations that were illegally trafficking wildlife. In recognition of his efforts, Tim received numerous awards throughout his career including the prestigious Guy Bradley Award, Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medal, and North American Wildlife Officer of the Year.

    In this conversation, we go deep into the work being done at Focused Conservation, why what they are doing is important to the cause, and how you can support. We dive into Tim's progression from growing up in a rural Midwestern town in the US, to becoming a law enforcement agent with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. We go into many of his experiences on the job and investigations including Operation Crash, which resulted in nearly 50 prosecutions globally for trafficking in rhino horns and elephant ivory. Tim is generous with his stories and his wisdom.

    Subscribe, Like, and Review The Rhino Man Podcast on #Spotify, #SoundCloud, and #Amazon today!

    Listen here: https://rhinomanthemovie.org/podcast/

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    CREDITS
    Produced by @theglobalconservationcorps
    Music by @simon.wilson.music
    Edited by @karaborej
    Host @johnjurko

    Thank you for listening to The Rhino Man Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode and you're excited to see the film succeed, please subscribe and review our podcast on #Spotify and #iTunes. Then follow us on Instagram and Facebook @rhinomanthemovie. More details about Rhino Man, the social impact campaign, and future screenings are at https://rhinomanthemovie.org.

    To learn more about the Global Conservation Corps and their work visit globalconservationcorps.org, sign up for the newsletter, and follow GCC on all of the social platforms.

    If you liked this podcast, make sure to subscribe to and catch up on GCC's Voices of Nature Podcast, where Bob Ludke interviews a wide range of people who have dedicated their lives to making a difference in conservation.

    A special thanks goes out to Simón Wilson for the music for this podcast. He is the brilliant composer for Rhino Man the movie. Learn more about his work at https://www.simonwilsonmusic.com/.

    • 2 hr 7 min
    Ep 51: Chris Galliers - The future of rangers and the International Ranger Federation.

    Ep 51: Chris Galliers - The future of rangers and the International Ranger Federation.

    In this episode I'm talking with Chris Galliers. Chris is the current President of the International Ranger Federation and we go deep on everything rangers, on this World Ranger Day. He is also the manager of Conservation Outcomes, which was created to provide support to land that is being developed and managed for biodiversity conservation outside of traditional state protected areas. Chris has been on the executive committee for the Game Rangers Association of Africa, and was the Senior Manager of Wildlife and Conservation Initiatives at WESSA.

    In this conversation, we dive into Chris's youth growing up on a dairy farm in rural KwaZulu-Natal and the curiosity that led him into the conservation field. We talk about the importance of rangers, the balance of conserving spaces while supporting growth, staying optimistic in work that can feel like a constant battle, and we go deep on the International Ranger Federation. Chris talks about the next World Ranger Congress, the Chitwan Declaration and the Universal Ranger Support Alliance, and the International Ranger Awards. Chris is deeply passionate about rangers, conservation, and his work. You won't want to miss this wide ranging conversation.

    Subscribe, Like, and Review The Rhino Man Podcast on #Spotify, #ApplePodcasts, and #YouTube today!

    Listen here: rhinomanthemovie.org/podcast/

    - - - - - - - -

    CREDITS
    Produced by @theglobalconservationcorps
    Music by @simon.wilson.music
    Edited by @karaborej
    Host @johnjurko

    Thank you for listening to The Rhino Man Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode and you're excited to see the film succeed, please subscribe and review our podcast on #Spotify and #iTunes. Then follow us on Instagram and Facebook @rhinomanthemovie. More details about Rhino Man, the social impact campaign, and future screenings are at rhinomanthemovie.org.

    To learn more about the Global Conservation Corps and their work visit globalconservationcorps.org, sign up for the newsletter, and follow GCC on all of the social platforms.

    If you liked this podcast, make sure to subscribe to and catch up on GCC's Voices of Nature Podcast, where Bob Ludke interviews a wide range of people who have dedicated their lives to making a difference in conservation.

    A special thanks goes out to Simón Wilson for the music for this podcast. He is the brilliant composer for Rhino Man the movie. Learn more about his work at simonwilsonmusic.com.

    • 1 hr 42 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
12 Ratings

12 Ratings

GMONNYC ,

True Heroes

The Rangers are true heroes minus the cape! Their selfless acts are what legends are made of and persevering a species for lifetimes to come is one of the noblest acts of mankind. John Jurko so eloquently shares his passion for this cause and documentary, this is a must listen to podcast.

ejcunningham ,

Amazing interviews

I am hooked on this podcast. I love the diversity of people and roles featured, John is really pulling back the curtain on conservation and all of the work being done, not just directly but indirectly though art and film. It definitely has given me some ideas for how I can get involved myself. I’m very much looking forward to the film, and I really hope this podcast continues beyond its release!

Conservation NYC ,

Inspiration and Impact

Just listened to the Peter Knight episode. Amazing episode.

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