Defender Radio host Michael Howie is joined by colleagues Dr. Valli Fraser-Celin and Tijana Selak (Wildlife Campaigns and Advocacy Manager at The Fur-Bearers) to talk about The Fur-Bearers' recent time at the Humane Canada Summit for Wildlife, two studies reviewed for our article, and how communication is a key aspect to wildlife coexistence.

SHOW NOTES

Episode artwork by Brittany Crossman / Getty

Learn more about Dr. Valli Fraser-Celin:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelivesofwilddogs/
Articles on TheFurBearers.com: https://thefurbearers.com/tag/drvallifrasercelin/

Articles and Studies referenced:

Humane Canada recap – https://thefurbearers.com/blog/recap-humane-canadas-2026-summit-for-animals/

Study: Helping Landowners Live with Beavers – https://thefurbearers.com/blog/study-helping-landowners-live-with-beavers/

Why Nocturnal Wildlife Gets Less Love – https://thefurbearers.com/blog/why-nocturnal-wildlife-gets-less-love/

Surprising ways skunks help your ecosystem – https://thefurbearers.com/blog/surprising-ways-skunks-help-your-ecosystem/

Raccoons at Noon? Don't Panic. – https://thefurbearers.com/blog/raccoons-at-noon-dont-panic/

Want to suggest topics for Defender Radio? Reach out to us at info@TheFurBearers.com, by visiting DefenderRadio.com or engaging host Michael Howie on social media via Instagram (www.instagram.com/howiemichael) or Facebook (www.Facebook.com/DefenderRadio). 

Defender Radio is produced by The Fur-Bearers (www.TheFurBearers.com), a charitable non-partisan organization whose mandate is to advocate on behalf of fur-bearing animals in the wild and in confinement, promote coexistence solutions in communities and protect the habitats of fur-bearing animals across Canada. You can follow The Fur-Bearers on Instagram (www.instagram.com/furbearers), Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/thefurbearers.bsky.social) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/FurFree). 

We want to look into the future for Defender Radio and The Switch – and that means hearing from you! We've put together a short (really) survey that will take fewer than 5 minutes and can help us know in which direction to go. It includes episode length/frequency, guest mix, accessibility, and more. Click here to open the survey now.

To show our appreciation, we're also offering a $100 Visa Gift Card that will be randomly drawn and awarded to a survey taker (must be 18+, live in Canada excluding Quebec, and provide name/contact information in the survey to participate). 

Click here to get started or visit DefenderRadio.com/survey. Thank you.

SHOW NOTES:

Artwork by Enrico Staine / Getty Images

Take the survey at https://questionnaire.simplesurvey.com/f/s.aspx?s=dd56341d-a112-4f66-a58e-8fad38458f63&ds=zX2P67oC1l

Want to suggest topics for Defender Radio? Reach out to us at info@TheFurBearers.com, by visiting DefenderRadio.com or engaging host Michael Howie on social media via Instagram (www.instagram.com/howiemichael) or Facebook (www.Facebook.com/DefenderRadio). 

Defender Radio is produced by The Fur-Bearers (www.TheFurBearers.com), a charitable non-partisan organization whose mandate is to advocate on behalf of fur-bearing animals in the wild and in confinement, promote coexistence solutions in communities and protect the habitats of fur-bearing animals across Canada. You can follow The Fur-Bearers on Instagram (www.instagram.com/furbearers), Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/thefurbearers.bsky.social) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/FurFree). 

Canada's iconic wildlife include moose, beavers, and wolves. But of the many species of vertebrate, which are the most evolutionarily distinct? And why does that matter?

A team of researchers from Simon Fraser University (emma Kominek, Olivia Cornies, Arne Ø. Mooers, and Wildlife Preservation Canada's Hannah McCurdy-Adams) explored these questions in their paper, Evolutionary isolation of Canadian terrestrial vertebrate species, published in the journal The Canadian Field-Naturalist. The final list included some not so surprising results – like beavers being near the top for mammals, and some unusual species that aren't commonly known, like mudpuppies, an amphibian that can be found in a relatively small range of southern Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec.

To share more about the paper, how the species lists were developed, and why it's important for conservationists to learn about, study coauthor Emma Kominek joins Defender Radio.

SHOW NOTES:

Episode photo by Chuck Miller / Getty Images

Evolutionary isolation of Canadian terrestrial vertebrate species: https://doi.org/10.22621/cfn.v137i4.2673

SFU's coverage of the study: https://www.sfu.ca/science/news/2024-news/move-along-moose--sfu-study-reveals-the--most-canadian--animals.html

Want to suggest topics for Defender Radio? Reach out to us at info@TheFurBearers.com, by visiting DefenderRadio.com or engaging host Michael Howie on social media via Instagram (www.instagram.com/howiemichael) or Facebook (www.Facebook.com/DefenderRadio). 

Defender Radio is produced by The Fur-Bearers (www.TheFurBearers.com), a charitable non-partisan organization whose mandate is to advocate on behalf of fur-bearing animals in the wild and in confinement, promote coexistence solutions in communities and protect the habitats of fur-bearing animals across Canada. You can follow The Fur-Bearers on Instagram (www.instagram.com/furbearers), Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/thefurbearers.bsky.social) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/FurFree). 

Defender Radio is back after a pandemic-related hiatus. New episodes will be launching this month so stay tuned! In this update, hear from host/producer Michael Howie on the hiatus and changes in his personal life, how the show will be changing (only a little), and how you can help find new topics, special features and more.

Follow The Fur-Bearers on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FURfree/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furbearers

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/furbearers/

Sign up for email updates: https://thefurbearers.salsalabs.org/enewssignup/index.html

Getting governments to change isn't easy; often, there are roadblocks in the path to communicating an issue, particularly ones related to non-human animals. There are tools out there, however, that are making it easier and more effective for Canadian parliamentarians to hear from constituents and learn more about issues related to animals in Canada.

Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, Liberal MP for Beaches-East York, sponsored House of Commons Petition e-3096, drafted by The Fur-Bearers calling on the federal government to end fur farming; he's also one of the founding members of the Liberal Party's Animal Welfare Caucus and a new all-party format of the animal welfare caucus. Nathaniel joined Defender Radio to discuss Petition e-3096, the parliamentary process behind petitions and why some aren't as effective, as well as providing background on the animal welfare caucus and how all Canadians can ask their MP to get involved in this important educational initiative.

Sign Petition e3096: https://petitions.ourcommons.ca/en/Petition/Details?Petition=e-3096

Check out Nathaniel Erskine-Smiths' website: https://beynate.ca/

Follow The Fur-Bearers on

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FURfree/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furbearers

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/furbearers/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHxrcRm5jLnpIjvTmN9MV9Q

As we press through these colder months of the winter, I'm seeing more questions about coyotes pop up on social media and traditional media. Of course, this is often in response to bad memes or misinformation designed to frighten people, rather than educate them. Check out TheFurBEarers.com for some the articles we've written to try and respond to these concerns.

But it's also an opportunity to talk about aversion conditioning – commonly referred to as hazing – and the role it can play in mitigating and ending human conflict with coyotes. Lauren Van Patter, a Queen's University PhD candidate and my good friend Lesley Sampson of Coyote Watch Canada worked together to pen a paper that outlines the scientific literature on aversion conditioning, as well as the experiences of the Coyote Watch Canada Canid Response Team. Titled, Advancing Best Practices for Aversion Conditioning to Mitigate Human-Coyote Conflicts in Urban Areas and published openly in the journal Human-Wildlife Interactions, the paper also prompted an outstanding essay on TheConversation.com.

Lauren and Lesley joined Defender Radio to talk about the importance of this paper, why we need to understand what is and isn't proper aversion conditioning and how we can coexist with our essential wild neighbours.

The Paper: https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/hwi/vol14/iss2/7/

TheConversation.com article: https://theconversation.com/how-coyotes-and-humans-can-learn-to-coexist-in-cities-147738

Lauren Van Patter's Queen's University page: https://www.uoguelph.ca/ccsaw/people/lauren-van-patter-0

Coyote Watch Canada: www.coyotewatchcanada.com

The coronavirus pandemic has forced a lot of change in the world in the last 13 months. One of the most notable, unfortunately, is an increase in plastic waste entering our oceans. Personal Protective Equipment, or PPE, which is frequently made with plastics more than doubled in size as a global industry in response to the pandemic.

Oceans Asia, a non-profit focused on marine conservation, released a dire report indicating 1.56 billion facemasks entered the marine environment in 2020. But PPE is just the tip of the pollution iceberg.

To dive into where this waste comes from, how it impacts the planet, and what we can all do to make a difference today and into the future, Dr. Teale Phelps Bondaroff joined the Defender Radio podcast.

Read the OceansAsia report: https://oceansasia.org/covid-19-facemasks/

Follow The Fur-Bearers on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/FURfree/), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/furbearers/), Twitter ( https://twitter.com/furbearers) and LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-fur-bearers/)!

Luci Cudman, the executive director of the North Shore Black Bear Society and Ellie Lamb, bear behaviour expert and bear viewing guide and instructor joined me for a call the late days of fall 2020 to talk about how our actions – and inactions – impact the behaviour of bears, why some strategies to coexist aren't as successful as others, and how we as individuals can truly make a difference for bears and other animals in our communities.

I've got good news, better news and bad news, folks. The good news is that yesterday a book launched that will change minds, hearts and lives around the world. The better news is that Jo-Anne McArthur, co-editor of this book, took time out of an incredibly busy schedule this morning to chat with me about it. The bad news is that, because it's 2020, the recording software I use didn't record my side of our conversation. Which, for many, may be the best news of all.

Let's start at the beginning. Hidden: Animals in the Anthropocene by Jo-Anne McArthur and Keith Wilson, with a Foreword by Joaquin Phoenix, is now available.

A short synopsis from the book's media kit:

HIDDEN: Animals in the Anthropocene is an unflinching book of photography documenting our relationship with non-human animals in the 21st Century. It focuses on the invisible animals in our lives: those with whom we have a close relationship and yet fail to see. They are the animals we eat and the animals we wear. They are the animals used in research and for entertainment, as well as the animals we sacrifice in the name of tradition and religion.

HIDDEN includes the work of a global community of photographers, 40 of the world's best animal photojournalists who work globally to investigate, document, and expose animal use. 

I spent a few hours flipping through my review copy, experiencing the images and reading the accompanying essays, facts and contextual copy. My review can be broken down to two sentences: Hidden is the heart-wrenching documentation of the unnatural things we've done to this planet and its inhabitants. We can only hope that this clear story – one that shows truth without apology or hyperbole – is enough to help us change our ways.

Jo-Anne, founder of We Animals, joined me for a conversation about the new book; but as I noted, an error in my recording software kept only Jo-Anne's part of that conversation.

I spent about an hour and a half trying to reverse engineer my questions (I keep notes, not fully written questions) before realizing that there's ethical implications behind that I'm not comfortable with and it would likely just sound weird. As such, I'm presenting Jo-Anne's answers, again the important part, with simple subject prompts from me.

I apologize to listeners and Jo-Anne for this issue, though I think Jo-Anne's own interview skills really shine as a result.

This episode is brought to you by AnimalStone.com. Use promocode DEFENDERRADIO to get 10% off your order at AnimalStone.com!

Get Hidden at WeAnimalsMedia.org's shop: https://weanimalsmedia.org/our-work/buy-books-and-prints/

Get Hidden on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Hidden-Animals-Anthropocene-Jo-Anne-McArthur/dp/1590566386/

Sign up for email alerts with The Fur-Bearers: https://thefurbearers.salsalabs.org/enewssignup/index.html

Follow The Fur-Bearers on

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FURfree/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furbearers

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/furbearers/

A lot of animals are tested upon and killed in the name of science, particularly biomedical research. In conversation, many people adopt a utilitarian attitude – the lives and deaths of these non-human animals is to benefit human health, an acceptable trade off.

But what if it wasn't benefiting human health – and what if, before the experiments even began, there was a solid chance the research would never, ever have human applications?

Those are some of the questions being posed by the Center for Contemporary Sciences, a new organization that is, quote, "pioneering a paradigm shift towards innovative, evidence-based research methods that are based on human biology. Through collaboration, we champion technologies that are better for humans and that replace animal testing."

Dr. Jarrod Bailey, Director of Science and Technology at the Center for Contemporary Sciences, joined Defender Radio to discuss the current state of animal testing and why it continues to fail, the results of a just published paper following up on so-called breakthroughs using animal testing in decades past, and we even get into the use of squalene in COVID vaccinations and animals being tested on during a pandemic.

Some of the content of this episode may be upsetting to listeners as we discuss animal testing; if you'd like to learn more about the work of the CCS without listening, please visit contemporarysciences.org.

Center for Contemporary Sciences: https://contemporarysciences.org/

Clinical impact of high-profile animal-based research reported in the UK national press (study):  https://openscience.bmj.com/content/4/1/e100039

Coronavirus Vaccine Makers Are Not Mass-Slaughtering Sharks (NY Times article): https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/13/science/sharks-vaccines-covid-squalene.html

Anthrozoology is a fascinating field of study – simply put, it examines the interactions between humans and other animals. This is a broad concept, which is why so many fields overlap with it: anthropology, biology, philosophy, psychology and more.

To me, the concept of combining these fields is daunting and intimidating; but thanks to many dedicated and passionate anthrozoologists, I've found the journals and discussions more approachable than many other, more specific disciplines. Among the dedicated and passionate are three University of Exeter students who love the field of study so much and see such potential for it that they started a podcast!

The Anthrozoology Podcast is hosted by University of Exeter PhD students Sarah Oxley Heaney and Kris Hill, along with PhD candidate Michelle Szydlowski. The trio of anthrozoologists have arrived at Exeter's program from different places (both literally and figuratively, as we scheduled this group call across three different time zones) and with different specific interests. But it takes only the briefest moment of conversation to understand what drew them together – shared passion, dedication and excitement for doing more for humanity, non-human animals and the planet.

Their new podcast, The Anthrozoology Podcast, can be found on YouTube, Spotify and other places podcasts can be heard; to get to know this new show and the people behind it, Michelle, Kris and Sarah joined Defender Radio.

The Anthrozoology Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSQVZSokl8e2RVW4JamCkmg

The Anthrozoology Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5ExQnaOKCVFnyecPbnFZSn

This episode supported by AnimalStone.com! Use promocode DEFENDERRADIO at checkout for 10% off at www.AnimalStone.com!

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Become a Defender with The Fur-Bearers as a monthly donor: www.TheFurBearers.com/monthly.

Remember to click 'Subscribe' wherever you listen!

In a world with a 24-hour news cycle, robot trolls on the internet and unprecedented political changes, knowing where we stand on some core issues can be a bit… difficult. Fortunately, there are tools that can cut through the noise and help us find answers to understand where Canadians and Americans stand on animal-related matters.

Mario Canseco, president of Research Co., polled Canadians and Americans on their views regarding eating animals, hunting for meat, trophy hunting, keeping animals in zoos and aquariums and rodeos. Of significance, the survey also found that 81% of Canadians and 75% of Americans oppose killing animals for their fur.

Mario joined Defender Radio to discuss these findings, how surveys can be misused or misinterpreted during elections, and why animal advocates can feel hopeful.

Read the survey, press release and full data set: https://researchco.ca/2020/09/22/canada-us-animals/

This episode was sponsored by www.AnimalStone.com. Use promocode DefenderRadio to get 10% off at www.AnimalStone.com! 

Sign up for email updates about Defender Radio and The Fur-Bearers: https://thefurbearers.com/sign-save-animals

It's season eight! We've got a lot to catch up on – the pandemic, the outstanding contest, what's going on with The Fur-Bearers and more – and we will catch up on all of that with a special episode soon. This week I want to dive right into our interview because of the timeliness and need for action on this issue.

Southern Mountain caribou in British Columbia are on the brink of collapse – and despite promises to create endangered species legislation, the last government continued to auction off sections of caribou habitat to logging companies. A cutblock auction is taking place in the Argonaut Creek drainage, which is home to the endangered North Columbia caribou herd.

This news came as a result of an investigation by Wilderness Committee, Echo Conservation Society and Wildsight.

To give us a quick overview of this long-standing issue and what the latest is, as well as how you can take action, Charlotte Dawe from Wilderness Committee joined Defender Radio.

TAKE ACTION: https://www.wildernesscommittee.org/take-action/cancel-caribou-habitat-destruction-argonaut-creek

Defender Radio on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DefenderRadio/

Defender Radio on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/howiemichael/

Defender Radio on Twitter: https://twitter.com/defenderradio

Defender Radio Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/DefenderRadio

This episode sponsored by AnimalStone.com! Get 10% off by using promocode DEFENDERADIO at AnimalStone.com.

Whether you're heading south to escape the cold, across the provinces for an adventure, or just a town over for a quick getaway, there are a lot of choices we can make while travelling for March Break that reduce our impact on the environment – and can even improve it.

SHOW NOTES

Episode art photo by Petmal / Getty Images

Want to suggest topics for Defender Radio and The Switch? Reach out to us at info@TheFurBearers.com, by visiting DefenderRadio.com or engaging host Michael Howie on social media via Instagram (www.instagram.com/howiemichael), Facebook (www.Facebook.com/DefenderRadio), or Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/defenderradio.bsky.social). 

Defender Radio and The Switch is produced by The Fur-Bearers (www.TheFurBearers.com), a charitable non-partisan organization whose mandate is to advocate on behalf of fur-bearing animals in the wild and in confinement, promote coexistence solutions in communities and protect the habitats of fur-bearing animals across Canada. You can follow The Fur-Bearers on Instagram (www.instagram.com/furbearers), Twitter (www.twitter.com/furbearers) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/FurFree). 

Shark Week has come and gone for the year, but your chance to learn and celebrate sharks can go thanks to a new book that brings together academic study and the thrill of learning about the ocean's great predators.

Shark Biology and Conservation: Essentials for Educators, Students and Enthusiasts is set to publish September 1, 2020 by John Hopkins Press. The title may be dry, but the authors, Drs. Daniel Abel and Dean Grubbs, bring a clear passion and naturalist view of shark biology that encourages curiosity and excitement for readers.

Dr. Grubbs joined Defender Radio and discussed how he and Dr. Abel developed the book to be accessible for most readers, why including scientific information with context was important and the incredible human impact on the hundreds of shark species that inhabit our planet. We also talked about our favourite monster shark movies, which shark is the Labrador retriever of the sea, and the oceanic adventure stories that captured our imaginations. Dr. Grubbs even took the time to give a scientific opinion of my irrational fear (and firm belief) that sharks inhabit Lake Ontario.

This episode is sponsored by AnimalStone.com! Use promocode DEFENDERRADIO for 10% off.

Shark Biology and Conservation: https://jhupbooks.press.jhu.edu/title/shark-biology-and-conservation

Dr. Dean Grubbs' Florida State University Lab page: https://marinelab.fsu.edu/people/faculty/grubbs/

CONTEST:

1. SHARE a post about or from Defender Radio on any social media platform and let people know WHY you love the episode!

2. SEND a screenshot of the post to me (info@thefurbearers.com)!

3. WIN you may win a free gaiter or facemask from The Fur-Bearers! We'll be in touch with winners the first week of Sepetember.

Wildlife corridors are a great idea: they connect habitats and ecosystems, allowing animals of all types to safely get across roads. As over 20,000 animals are killed, 570 motorists injured and $700,000 spent for clean up of animal-vehicle collisions in BC according to WildlifeCollisions.ca, corridors are also a wise investment.

They come in many shapes and sizes, but generally are under or above ground passages that allow for safe passage where humans travelling at high-speeds represent a risk.

Questions about the efficacy of these corridors are being answered with ongoing research; but one that jumped out at me was the question of how a wildlife corridor impacts predator-prey relationships. There's a logic to the concern: if a predator figures out that their prey are routinely using a narrow, easy-to-ambush tunnel, they may be able to outwit and negatively impact prey populations.

Of course, the best way to find an answer is to ask a question: and that's what April Martinig did.

Martinig, a PhD candidate at University of Alberta, was the lead author on a study published in the journal Scientific Reports, titled 'Temporal clustering of prey in wildlife passages provides no evidence of a prey-trap.' This study adds to the growing list of benefits of wildlife corridors around the world. To explain why wildlife corridors are great, the lengthy process of reviewing tens of thousands of images from trail cameras, and what insights about predators, prey and their relationships she learned, April Martinig joined Defender Radio.

Want to show the world your love for wildlife? Check out AnimalStone.com, a family-owned business that hand makes animal-inspired jewellery! Available in multiple, ethically-sourced metals, the charms, necklaces, bracelets and cufflinks showcase the personality of each animal. The best part is that through their Wildlife Communities and Ambassador programs, contributions are made to organizations making a real difference in the lives of animals. I really can't say enough the people behind this company and their mission. To find out more and pick out a gift for a loved one (or yourself, because #selfcare) visit AnimalStone.com – and use promocode DEFENDER RADIO to get 10% off your order! That's AnimalStone.com and promocode Defender Radio.

The Study: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-67340-8

Jefferson Salamanders close Burlington Road: https://www.inhalton.com/its-that-time-king-rd-closed-for-salamander-mating-season

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Defender Radio Patreon: www.Patreon.com/DefenderRadio

Share your FAVOURITE episode of Defender Radio anywhere on social media; send us a screen grab of the share along with your contact info; one listener will be selected to win a gaiter face mask from The Fur-Bearers! Email your screen grab and info to info@TheFurBearers.com or to any of our social networking channels!

Animal advocacy is a huge community. There's folks like us at The Fur-Bearers, who focus on wildlife coexistence, habitat issues and a specific commercial issue; there's groups like Coyote Watch Canada or North Shore Black Bear Society who focus on specific wildlife; then there's groups who focus on farmed animals, domesticated animals, vegan principles, international policy, local policy and more. In short: it's a huge community.

As such, when we ask the question, "How ya doing, animal advocates," the response is a collective blurring of various voices. That is, until, you bring in the researchers.

Faunalytics is a non-profit that does research, maintains a research library and directly supports advocates and organizations. In one of their latest projects, they took on the rather large task of figuring out the experiences of animal advocates in Canada and the United States. This is important work: it creates a reference point for future inquiries, shows advocacy organizations where we must improve, and highlights the absolute need for amplifying the voices of and reach to marginalized groups within the animal advocacy community.

Dr. Jo Anderson, Faunalytics' research director, joined Defender Radio to explore the study, the need for asking these questions, how to interpret the data and what solutions we can seek to improve the animal advocacy community not just to be successful for the animals, but to be good to each other.

Faunalytics is hosting a Q&A about their study! Get the details and submit questions on their Facebook event here: https://www.facebook.com/events/297775314823761/

CONTEST:

Share your FAVOURITE episode of Defender Radio anywhere on social media; send us a screen grab of the share along with your contact info; one listener will be selected to win a gaiter face mask from The Fur-Bearers! Email your screen grab and info to info@TheFurBearers.com or to any of our social networking channels!

LINKS:

The State Of Animal Advocacy In The U.S. & Canada: Experiences & Turnover -- https://faunalytics.org/advocate-retention/

Defender Radio Patreon -- www.patreon.com/DefenderRadio

EMail Updates: https://thefurbearers.com/sign-save-animals

This episode sponsored by AnimalStone.com. Use promocode DEFENDERRADIO to get 10% off!

British Columbia has ordered the killing of hundreds of wolves as part of their caribou recovery plan in recent years. You can hear more about this plan, the maternal penning and ongoing habitat destruction in episodes past. A 2019 study gave scientific support to killing wolves to protect the caribou – despite widespread opposition, it largely became government policy.

But this summer, a new paper was published that not only challenges the first study, but points to multiple flaws that may have contributed to government sanctioned killing of 463 wolves in the last year alone. The new paper, titled No statistical support for wolf control and maternal penning as conservation measures for endangered mountain caribou was published in the journal Biodiversity and Conservation. In it, the authors describe the lack of a 'null model' in the original paper as a major flaw – as well as a few other issues.

This is a highly politicized issue with many factors; but truly understanding what the missing null model means and how it impacts the rest of the science – and ultimately the government policy – was difficult for me. That's why I reached out to Amelia Porter.

Amelia is one of The Fur-Bearers science advisors; as a registered professional biologist, Amelia works as an environmental scientist and has the skills – and patience – to break down the complex science of these cull-related studies. She joined Defender Radio to review the two primary studies involved in this latest conversation and why we should be pushing for government to follow the latest science to protect caribou and wolves.

We've got one extra bit that didn't make it into our interview, too, so hang on after the full interview to hear it!

Links:

The Atlantic Article https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2020/07/how-simple-statistical-error-killed-463-wolves/614134/

Study: The long road to protecting critical habitat for species at risk: The case of southern mountain woodland caribou 

https://conbio.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/csp2.219

Study: Saving endangered species using adaptive management

https://www.pnas.org/content/116/13/6181

Study: No statistical support for wolf control and maternal penning as conservation measures for endangered mountain caribou

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10531-020-02008-3

Article: 500 dead wolves vs. 500 lost jobs: Town balks at potential cost of saving caribou in northeastern B.C.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/caribou-jobs-wolves-chetwynd-northeastern-british-columbia-1.5087317

AnimalStone.com!

Media outlets paint wildlife as the perpetrators of actions against people. But in their own recounting of events, they show how humans often started the conflicts. Former journalist and host of Defender Radio Michael Howie explores this issue and asks the questions that went unanswered by media outlets when humans and wildlife come into conflict.

This audio essay was first published at https://thefurbearers.com/blog/essay-media-blames-wildlife-people-source-conflict.

All associated links can be found there.

This bonus episode is brought to you by AnimalStone.com. Use promocode DEFENDERRADIO to get 10% off your ethically made, animal-inspired jewellery today!

Nearly five years ago to the day, then-Conservation Officer Bryce Casavant famously refused an order to unnecessarily kill two healthy bear cubs; he was suspended, effectively fired and eventually left government service entirely. But just a few weeks ago, justices in BC's appellant court ruled that the province did not play by their own rules, meaning Bryce has been, in a word, vindicated. Today, Bryce shared the story of how doing the right thing left him in a legal battle with the province that lasted over four and a half years.

Additionally, Bryce recently successfully defended his doctoral thesis – which happens to look, in part, at the history of the Conservation Officer Service and how they went from game wardens to an armed law enforcement agency.

In this in-depth conversation, Bryce and I discuss the background and decision of his court case, the need to have hard conversations about less visible law enforcement agencies, legislative hide and seek, mission creep, and how it feels to be vindicated.

This episode is sponsored by AnimalStone! A family-owned and operated business based in Toronto, AnimalStone handmakes gorgeous charms of animals – and gives back a portion of proceeds to non-profits working to protect those animals! Even better, the metals used are ethically sourced in Canada and often come from recycled materials. Listeners of Defender Radio can get 10% off their order by using promo code DEFENDERRADIO at AnimalStone.com. Learn more about this great company and their beautiful jewellery at AnimalStone.com.

Conservation officer suspended for refusing to kill bear cubs:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/bryce-casavant-conservation-officer-suspended-for-refusing-to-kill-bear-cubs-1.3141652

No charges against Coquitlam residents accused of obstructing conservation officers:
https://bc.ctvnews.ca/no-charges-against-coquitlam-residents-accused-of-obstructing-conservation-officers-1.4792991

Casavant v. British Columbia Labour Relations Board), 2020 BCCA 159:
https://www.bccourts.ca/jdb-txt/ca/20/01/2020BCCA0159.htm

Black bears are common throughout much of Canada and, despite their gentleness and general lack of interest in people, end up the accused source of conflict with people regularly. Unfortunately, that also means that law enforcement agencies are the ones responding to, and frequently killing bears. These agencies can lack training, funding and/or third-party oversight of officer discretion in the field.

Bears pay for the mistakes made by people. And that's why organizations like The Fur-Bearers and North Shore Black Bear Society work so hard to educate residents on how we can prevent conflict.

At North Shore Black Bear Society, education coordinator Luci Cadman speaks regularly about residential and commercial attractants, advocates for the bears who are victims of human behaviour, and, in a recent online presentation, how to be safe while recreating in BC's bear country.

Luci joined the Defender Radio podcast in the first week of June for this interview.

North Shore Black Bear Society: www.NorthShoreBears.com

Defender Radio Facebook: www.Facebook.com/DefenderRadio

Defender Radio Twitter: www.Twitter.com/DefenderRadio

Defender Radio Instagram: www.Instagram.com/HowieMichael

Defender Radio Patreon: www.Patreon.com/DefenderRadio

Email updates: https://thefurbearers.com/sign-save-animals

Stash Your Trash Music Video: https://youtu.be/rsD982wJ7_0

I have no words this week.

There is nothing I can say that will soften the hurt facing people in North America, and particularly Indigenous peoples and people of colour. This is not the time for my voice.

Now is the time for the voice of those who must be heard. This week, instead of Defender Radio, which will return next week with two new interviews, I hope you will join me in listening to podcasts created by Indigenous peoples and people of colour. A few that I've enjoyed include:

MediaIndigena, an Indigenous hosted podcast about Indigenous current affairs

Yo, Is This Racist, a Q&A show, hosted by Andrew Ti and Tawny Newsome

and

Code Switch by NPR, featuring journalists of colour Demby and co-host Shereen Marisol Meraji

This is by no means a complete list, or even the ones you should listen to. By searching "podcasts by people of colour" or "podcasts by indigenous people" you'll start seeing lists pop up. In this week's show notes I'm also including a list of POC-created audio fiction podcasts.

Defender Radio will return. For now please stay safe.

MediaIndigena: https://mediaindigena.com/

Short, curated list of POC-created podcasts by Christian Burro, arts reporter for WBUR in Boston: https://www.wbur.org/artery/2020/06/05/podcasts-to-listen-to-about-race-america

List of fiction podcasts (audio fiction): https://www.podchaser.com/lists/fiction-podcasts-created-by-poc-107a4WZHfN

How can you tell the difference between a wolf and a coyote? What's a coywolf? Do they live alone or in packs? Are their packs like wolves, or different?

We asked for questions and we got 'em! A few weeks back, I asked on social media what your questions would be for Lesley Sampson, Founder and Executive Director at Coyote Watch Canada. You answered. And then you kept on answering! Between Defender Radio and Coyote Watch Canada's social media, we had two packed pages of questions to go over in our recent interview.

We didn't get to all the questions – this episode is already a pretty long one. But we may be able to use some to create blogs for our websites, so stay tuned on that. And because this is such a long episode, you'll be able to find some time codes for specific topics in the shownotes in the coming days.

Coyote Watch Canada: www.CoyoteWatchCanada.com

Article regarding the coyote mating meme: https://thefurbearers.com/blog/breaking-down-coyote-mating-meme

Defender Radio Facebook: www.FaceBook.com/DefenderRadio

Defender Radio Twitter: www.Twitter.com/DefenderRadio

Defender Radio Instagram: www.Instagram.com/HowieMichael

Show notes to be updated soon!

It's been a while, hasn't it? The last time I posted an episode it was February and a global health emergency was landing hard in Canada and the United States. Since then, we've learned a lot about the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19 but a lot of questions remain. You're probably not going to get answers to those questions on this podcast.

But what you're going to hear is a solid summary of what we know about coronavirus and its link to animals, a conversation about the difficulty in media rapidly disseminating scientific information, and how ready some North Americans are to make big lifestyle changes as a result of the virus. Tom Beggs, a research scientist with Faunalytics, joined Defender Radio last week to discuss general information about coronavirus and animal advocacy in the time of coronavirus, as well as the results and analysis of a fascinating US poll regarding public knowledge on coronavirus and its animal links.

Before we dive in I want to remind everyone that this information should not replace that given by health professionals and neither participants in this interview are health professionals; for up to date information on COVID-19 in your community please seek your municipal, provincial or the Health Canada coronavirus websites.

Read The Faunalytics Report: https://faunalytics.org/covid-19-poll/

Sign Up To Get Faunalytics Email blasts: https://faunalytics.org/alerts/signup/

Health Canada COVID-19 Page: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19.html

CDC COVID-19 Page: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

Defender Radio Patreon: www.Patreon.com/DefenderRadio

Defender Radio Facebook: www.Facebook.com/DefenderRadio

Defender Radio Twitter: www.Twitter.com/DefenderRadio

Defender Radio Instagram: www.Instagram.com/HowieMichael

The journey of Takaya the Lone wolf on Vancouver Island was one of hope, inspiration, and ultimately tragedy. Cheryl Alexander, acclaimed conservation photographer and Founding Executive Director of Takaya's Legacy has shared her story countless times – but this past year the story took a new twist.

An iconic photo of Takaya, taken by Cheryl, was used by a wolf hunting guide's website without permission. This not only created a social media outrage, but put the spotlight back on the pressures facing wolves in British Columbia and the need to connect public belief with policy. To share these updates and explore the impact the misuse of Takaya's image had both personally and publicly, Cheryl Alexander joins Defender Radio.

SHOW NOTES:

Photo of Takaya by Cheryl Alexander

Takaya's Legacy website: https://takayaslegacy.com/

Takaya's Legacy on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/takayalonewolf

Takaya's Legacy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/takayalonewolf

Want to suggest topics for Defender Radio? Reach out to us at info@TheFurBearers.com, by visiting DefenderRadio.com or engaging host Michael Howie on social media via Instagram (www.instagram.com/howiemichael) or Facebook (www.Facebook.com/DefenderRadio). 

Defender Radio is produced by The Fur-Bearers (www.TheFurBearers.com), a charitable non-partisan organization whose mandate is to advocate on behalf of fur-bearing animals in the wild and in confinement, promote coexistence solutions in communities and protect the habitats of fur-bearing animals across Canada. You can follow The Fur-Bearers on Instagram (www.instagram.com/furbearers), Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/thefurbearers.bsky.social) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/FurFree). 

Eighty-one per cent of BC's southern mountain caribou local populations have lost more habitat than what's needed for survival. That's the lede from the Wilderness Committee news item announcing the release of the NGO's report, State of Southern Mountain Caribou Habitat in BC: Exceeding Disturbance Limits.

The fate of the mountain caribou in this region has been spotlighted in part due to their status under the Species at Risk Act and the controversial methods the government has utilized. Wolf culls and maternity pens are in use but aren't considered a long-term solution by advocates – and doesn't address the clear and indisputable cause of the caribous' perilous position: habitat destruction.

The report released by Wilderness Committee measures "all destructive activities within caribou critical habitat over the past 80 years." The results, according to the report, show that "critical habitat disturbance levels are far beyond the threshold for caribou recovery in 17 out of 21 local population units."

What that means and what Canadians can do to protect caribou – as well as wolves and other wildlife being killed in recovery efforts – is discussed with Defender Radio by report author Charlotte Dawe of Wilderness Committee.

Episode cover photo by John E. Marriott: www.WildernessPrints.com

Wilderness Committee Report: https://www.wildernesscommittee.org/news/bc-allows-destruction-caribou-habitat-point-extinction-new-report

Defender Radio on Facebook: www.Facebook.com/DefenderRadio

Defender Radio on Twitter: www.Twitter.com/DefenderRadio

Defender Radio on Instagram: www.Instagram.com/HowieMichael

Defender Radio Patreon: www.Patreon.com/DefenderRadio

Let's talk about the economy. An exciting start to any conversation, right? Here's the thing: events like Ontario's spring bear hunt are pushed by governments because they look at the financial impact of them. But here's the thing: hunting and trapping aren't the only activities that bring in dollars to the province. In fact, ecotourism as a whole is a multi-billion dollar industry in Ontario and British Columbia – and hunting is a tiny fraction of the cash flow created.

In the last episode of the show we spoke about the spring bear hunt in Ontario – and if you haven't heard that episode along with advocacy options please do go back and listen to it. In this episode we're talking about the wild world of ecotourism in general terms through the experiences of an ethical and successful operator, Eric Boyum.

The owner/operator of Ocean Adventures on the coast of beautiful British Columbia, Eric and his partner and photographer extraordinaire Trish take both local residents and international visitors to explore the coastline, see the beauty of the natural environment and get a chance to witness and photograph stunning wildlife. Eric joined Defender Radio recently to discuss his business and experience, the opportunities that exist for people with outdoor experience in the ecotourism sector and the ethics and considerations he takes into account on a daily basis.

Ocean Adventures: www.OceanAdventures.bc.ca

Referenced article about polar bear killing a dog: https://thefurbearers.com/blog/frightening-truth-behind-viral-video-polar-bear-petting-dog

Defender Radio social media

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DefenderRadio/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/defenderradio

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/howiemichael/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/FurBearerDefenders

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/DefenderRadio

Let's talk about the economy. An exciting start to any conversation, right? Here's the thing: events like Ontario's spring bear hunt are pushed by governments because they look at the financial impact of them. But here's the thing: hunting and trapping aren't the only activities that bring in dollars to the province. In fact, ecotourism as a whole is a multi-billion dollar industry in Ontario and British Columbia – and hunting is a tiny fraction of the cash flow created.

In the last episode of the show we spoke about the spring bear hunt in Ontario – and if you haven't heard that episode along with advocacy options please do go back and listen to it. In this episode we're talking about the wild world of ecotourism in general terms through the experiences of an ethical and successful operator, Eric Boyum.

The owner/operator of Ocean Adventures on the coast of beautiful British Columbia, Eric and his partner and photographer extraordinaire Trish take both local residents and international visitors to explore the coastline, see the beauty of the natural environment and get a chance to witness and photograph stunning wildlife. Eric joined Defender Radio recently to discuss his business and experience, the opportunities that exist for people with outdoor experience in the ecotourism sector and the ethics and considerations he takes into account on a daily basis.

Ocean Adventures: www.OceanAdventures.bc.ca

Referenced article about polar bear killing a dog: https://thefurbearers.com/blog/frightening-truth-behind-viral-video-polar-bear-petting-dog

Defender Radio social media

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DefenderRadio/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/defenderradio

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/howiemichael/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/FurBearerDefenders

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/DefenderRadio

Well, there's no nice way to put it: the Ontario government wants to make permanent the spring season for killing black bears.

There's a whole lot of reasons the Ontario spring bear hunt shouldn't exist at all, let alone be made a permanent fixture. To explore the myriad of reasons it's a bad idea and more completely outline the harm this hunt can and does cause, I was joined by bear expert Mike McIntosh of Bear With Us Sanctuary and Rehabilitation Centre here in Ontario.

TAKE ACTION: https://thefurbearers.com/blog/action-alert-spring-bear-hunt-ontario-could-become-permanent

Fact Check TVO article: https://www.tvo.org/article/are-ontarios-hunting-rules-about-managing-wildlife-or-making-money

Bear With Us Sanctuary & Rehab Centre: https://bearwithus.org/

Defender Radio Patreon: www.Patreon.com/DefenderRadio

Defender Radio Facebook: www.Facebook.com/DefenderRadio

Defender Radio Instagram: www.Instagram.com/HowieMichael

Defender Radio Twitter: www.Twitter.com/DefenderRadio

Bill 156 is dangerous for animals.

This legislation, introduced in late 2019, targets those who find their ways onto animal agricultural facilities and document disregard for animal welfare or individuals who are working on farms and become whistleblowers in the face of blatant animal cruelty. It even targets those who protest or bear witness for animals on their way to slaughter. It is billed as a way to protect the security of farmers and food production, but if that was the intent it would focus on the farms – not those who find problems with them.

Animal agriculture isn't an area I spend a lot of time researching outside of its relationship to wildlife conflict; some of the dear people in my life are passionate about this subject, however, and I witnessed their distress in the face of this legislation. That's why I wanted to talk to Camille Labchuk, Executive Director at Animal Justice. We get into what this legislation will actually mean and how animal lovers and activists can take action against it. We also discuss the PAWS act – Ontario's new animal welfare legislation that replaces the enforcement actions of the Ontario SPCA.

Animal Justice: www.AnimalJustice.ca

Cover art: www.WeAnimalsMedia.org

Defender Radio Patreon: www.Patreon.com/DefenderRadio

Defender Radio Facebook: www.Facebook.com/DefenderRadio

Defender Radio Twitter: www.Twitter.com/DefenderRadio

Defender Radio Instagram: www.Instagram.com/HowieMichael

There's no interview this week but I do want to share with you a brief version of the 20-year history behind The Fur-Bearers' quest to regain charitable status and what that could mean for the animals and for you!

Here are some relevant links:

Donate Now: http://thefurbearers.com/charity

Intuit Tax Article: https://thefurbearers.com/blog/what-charitable-status-would-mean-you

Defender Radio Facebook: www.Facebook.com/DefenderRadio

Defender Radio Twitter: www.Twitter.com/DefenderRadio

Defender Radio Instagram: www.Instagram.com/HowieMichael

We've all been angry at a situation and let it out on social media. It makes sense: that's a place our friends and community can gather from afar and acknowledge our feelings and join in the process of venting. The trouble these days, however, seems to be when that's all we do when we have legitimate concerns about policies or the actions of others, particularly those in a position of authority.

When it comes to complaining, there's not necessarily a right way, but there certainly are effective ways, especially when we want to see change as a result of our concerns. Whether it's someone trespassing on property, a community member feeding wildlife inappropriately or a complaint about how a public official conducted themselves, it's important to understand that without proper communication, little may change.

That's why I connected with Bryce Casavant, the former Conservation Officer who faced disciplinary action for refusing to kill two innocent bear cubs. With his mixed background of military and law enforcement, as well as his PhD studies at Royal Rhodes and new role with Pacific Wild, Bryce was the ideal candidate for this interview. We discussed government complaints processes, how and when the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act can be utilized, and the reality that many people in our communities may face very real fears or wade through the tides of others' privilege to exercise their rights. 

Pacific Wild: www.PacificWild.org

Defender Radio Facebook: www.Facebook.com/DefenderRadio/

Defender Radio Twitter: www.Twitter.com/DefenderRadio

Defender Radio Instagram: www.Instagram.com/HowieMichael

Defender Radio Patreon: www.Patreon.com/DefenderRadio

Tim Gordon is an Exeter University PhD student working on some fascinating solutions to help fish on coral reefs in Australia using sound. As cool as this research is, that's not what brought Tim's work to my attention: it was a short letter published in the journal Science. Titled, Grieving environmental scientists need support, Gordon co-wrote the letter with colleagues Andrew Radford and Stephen Simpson. It is a call for cultural change in the scientific community. Researchers are witnessing the loss of ecosystems and species, something that can cause anyone to experience grief. But traditionally, scientists are considered impartial and dispassionate observers. This dissonance can be outright harmful, and Gordon and his colleagues believe the scientific community must begin discussing and addressing these problems – or as he puts it, allowing scientists to cry.

Tim joined me all the way from the northeastern coast of Australia to share his views on the subject, his personal efforts to live with the heavy emotions he feels working on the great barrier reef as its existence hangs in the balance and, because I was curious, how he's helping Nemo find his way home.

Read 'Grieving environmental scientists need support': https://science.sciencemag.org/content/366/6462/193.1

Tim Gordon's Exeter University page: http://biosciences.exeter.ac.uk/staff/profile/index.php?web_id=Tim_Gordon

"Helping Nemo Find Home" three-minute thesis video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eixMvMdF_cg

Crisis Services Canada: https://www.crisisservicescanada.ca/en/

Suicide Prevention (USA): https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

Defender Radio Patreon: www.Patreon.com/DefenderRadio

Bears are hungry. Like super duper hungry. This time of year they're getting ready for hibernation and are spending most of their time getting all the calories they can – and that means it's extra important to manage attractants and do what we can to keep them from hanging out in our neighbourhoods. Even if we individually like having the bears in our yards, other neighbours may not – and having them grow comfortable around people can and will lead to other conflict. And despite available solutions, in BC it often means they are killed by conservation officers.

The North Shore Black Bear Society is working tirelessly within their community and others in BC to get municipal by-laws in place and push for greater education and enforcement from governments. Their own work on education is also impressive, including traditional and social media, classroom visits and more. To help us understand what bears are up to, the importance of changing our behaviours to protect them, and what attractants we may not be thinking about this time of year, Luci Cadman of the North Shore Black Bear Society joined Defender Radio.

Learn more about North Shore Black Bear Society: https://northshorebears.com

Defender Radio Patreon: www.patreon.com/DefenderRadio

Defender Radio Facebook: www.Facebook.com/DefenderRadio

Defender Radio Twitter: www.Twitter.com/DefenderRadio

Defender Radio Instagram: www.Instagram.com/HowieMichael

We need change in how we view wildlife and the management of species and their homes. Outdated science and traditions need to be updated with current data and effective traditional ecological knowledge. But how do we start?

With a paradigm shift – and that's what the Cochrane Research Institute and Cochrane Ecological Institute are hoping to create with their Wilderness Wildlife and Human Interaction Symposium. Taking place Saturday, November 2 at the Cochrane RancheHouse, this one day event features speakers including Dr. Gilbert Proulx, Bryce Casavant, Joe Englehart, Lesley Fox (my boss) and others. There will also be a documentary viewing, an artisan market, silent auction, book signings and more. It's going to be a great day – and to help share more about why the symposium is needed, what visitors can expect to take away and what inspiring change really means Defender Radio was joined by Cochrane Ecological Institute spokesperson Lisa Dahlseide.

GET TICKETS: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wilderness-wildlife-and-human-interaction-elements-of-ethical-co-existence-tickets-68316341015

Support Defender Radio with Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/defenderradio

Winter salt keeps sidewalks safe but harms Ottawa's waterways. A five-year study shows toxic chloride levels in local streams year-round. Learn how to reduce salt use, protect aquatic life, and keep winter walkways safe. 

SHOW NOTES:

Episode art photo by EyeEm Mobile GmbH / Getty Images

Check out Ottawa Riverkeeper's work on salt monitoring and reduction: https://ottawariverkeeper.ca/sign-the-road-salt-reduction-pledge/

Want to suggest topics for Defender Radio and The Switch? Reach out to us at info@TheFurBearers.com, by visiting DefenderRadio.com or engaging host Michael Howie on social media via Instagram (www.instagram.com/howiemichael), Facebook (www.Facebook.com/DefenderRadio), or Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/defenderradio.bsky.social). 

Defender Radio and The Switch is produced by The Fur-Bearers (www.TheFurBearers.com), a charitable non-partisan organization whose mandate is to advocate on behalf of fur-bearing animals in the wild and in confinement, promote coexistence solutions in communities and protect the habitats of fur-bearing animals across Canada. You can follow The Fur-Bearers on Instagram (www.instagram.com/furbearers), Twitter (www.twitter.com/furbearers) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/FurFree). 

This episode is later than originally anticipated – between human and canine health issues and some technical whoopsies, things got delayed. And before we get into it, I want to let you know that JoAnne and I get into some heavy conversation about compassion fatigue and the emotional weight of advocacy work. If that isn't something you're up for – no problem! Please know that there are many available resources to help manage self-care, compassion fatigue, and other emotional or mental-health related topics. Start by talking to your doctor, caregiver, or Googling what local resources exist in your municipality or county.

Now let's get started with this week's episode.

Photographs tell stories. Some of them are funny, some sad, some tragic, some a mixture of many emotions. Regardless of what story is being told, photography has a way of getting to people when words have failed. And that's why We Animals Media matters.

Through a variety of storytelling methods – including founder Jo-Anne McArthur's incredible photography and photojournalism – We Animals Media is a home for a catalogue accessible to traditional media, advocates, and everyone in between. It's also the site of exciting new projects – like a We Animals masterclass, book sales, mentorships, and really, more than I can say in a short introduction.

I was thrilled to chat with Jo-Anne about the history of We Animals, the current projects she's developing with a growing team, and what the future holds for the world's premiere animal advocacy storytellers.

We Animals Media: https://weanimalsmedia.org

Defender Radio Patreon: www.Patreon.com/DefenderRadio

The Ontario government is considering liberalizing wolf and coyote hunting in Northern Ontario in a bid to increase moose hunting opportunities. But their own science and facts indicate that killing more wolves and coyotes won't have the impact they want – making this an entirely political policy.

This issue isn't just about wolves and coyotes and moose; it's about understanding what is being said by those affected in Northern Ontario by the climate crisis and a rapidly changing ecosystem. It's about learning to bring science to story and story to science to ensure that we're doing what's best for people in Ontario, as well as the individual animals and infinitely complex ecosystem that we all share.

To dive into the policy, the history, the science, and the difficult ethical conversations, Defender Radio was joined by Hannah Barron, Director of Wildlife Conservation Campaigns for Earthroots.

TAKE ACTION: https://earthroots.good.do/wolf/huntingcomment/

Earthroots website: www.earthroots.org

Defender Radio Patreon: www.Patreon.com/DefenderRadio

What is compassionate conservation? How can teaching today's students the tenets of this movement affect government decisions tomorrow? And why does it matter in the end? All these questions and more are discussed with UBC professor and researcher Dr. Kristen Walker on the first episode of Defender Radio's seventh season!

Join the Defender Radio Patreon: www.patreon.com/defenderradio

Sign up to get email alerts from The Fur-Bearers: www.thefurbearers.com/updates

Dr. Walker's reading list:

Bekoff, M. 2013. Ignoring Nature No More – The Case for Compassionate Conservation. The University of Chicago Press, Chicago, USA.

Wallach et al. 2018 Summoning compassion to address the challenges of conservation. Conservation Biology DOI: 10.1111/cobi.13126

Fraser, D. 2010. Towards a synthesis of conservation and animal welfare science. Animal Welfare 19: 121-124. 

How do you grow empathy and protect the future non-human animals in a part of the world most people will never visit? One company has the answer – and the science to back it up.

Krikey, a mobile gaming company founded by Jhvani and Ketaki Shriram, recently partnered with The Ellen Fund to launch Gorillas!, a 3D, augmented reality game that allows people to learn about the lives of critically endangered mountain gorillas in Rwanda. What makes this fascinating is not just the adorable graphics and enjoyable gaming aspect, but that it's backed by scientific evidence that indicates the augmented reality experience actually grows empathy in adults.

Despite my best efforts, I am unable to succinctly explain the various aspects of what Jhvani and Ketaki have created with Krikey, so let's dive into the interview with these two incredible people and hear why I'm telling people that they may have developed one of the tools that could actually change the hearts and minds of humankind.

As many of you know, I'm a dog guy. I share my home with JJ the Hamilton Hound, who you'll often hear clicking around and bringing me toys while I'm interviewing folks. And as you may also know, I'm a huge fan of Dr. Marc Bekoff. He's a prolific author, professor emeritus of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Colorado, and as an ethologist has incredible experience, wisdom, and insight into the animals around us. Along with his friend and regular writing partner Dr. Jessica Pierce, Marc co-authored Unleashing Your Dog: A field guide to giving your canine companion the best life possible.

I'm describing this book as the book anyone should read before they read a dog training book – because this isn't a dog training book. Unleashing Your Dog examines our relationships with dogs and challenges us to give our dogs what they need to truly be who they are while living in a human world. Marc joined Defender Radio to discuss the motivations for the book, how we can all use the tools of ethology to learn more about the non-human animals in our lives, and what exactly unleashing your dog means.

Get your copy of Unleashing Your Dog: https://www.amazon.ca/Unleashing-Your-Dog-Companion-Possible/dp/160868542X

Learn more about Marc: www.marcbekoff.com

Read Marc's Psychology Today blog: https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/animal-emotions

Support Defender Radio via Patreon: www.Patreon.com/DefenderRadio

Bears are dying in British Columbia as spring turns to summer. I'd like to have a cute, chipper way of introducing this interview, but that's the sad fact. Largely due to poor attractant management, bears wander into communities in search of easy meals, an inconsistent response from various residents results in their ongoing presence in the community, and, eventually, it often leads to conservation officers killing the bear for alleged habituation.

It doesn't need to be this way. Luci Cadman of the North Shore Black Bear Society in British Columbia works tirelessly to educate communities and push for enforcement of existing by-laws regarding attractants and human behaviour that leads to these conflicts.  She joined Defender Radio to discuss the reality of living near bears, the things individuals and whole communities can do to stop the killing, and why this isn't a bear issue, but a human one.

North Shore Black Bear Society: www.northshorebears.com

Defender Radio Patreon: www.patreon.com/DefenderRadio

Sign Up For Emails from Defender Radio & The Fur-Bearers: www.thefurbearers.com/updates

Defender Radio on Instagram: www.Instagram.com/HowieMichael

Defender Radio on Twitter: www.Twitter.com/DefenderRadio

Defender Radio on Facebook: www.Facebook.com/DefenderRadio

Cats love to climb, jump, pounce, and play. Unfortunately, they often want to do this outside, where those skills help them kill wildlife and birds in large numbers and are exposed to innumerous risks to their well-being. It's not fair to tell cats they can't be who they are, and it isn't exactly fair to let them be at risk of causing damage or being injured.

There is, however, a middle ground: catios.

The BC SPCA recently hosted a tour of catios in the Vancouver region with great success and are strong proponents of people giving cats a safe way to live their lives and engage their behaviours fully. Marieke van der Velden , an outreach specialist for the BC SPCA joined Defender Radio to share the secrets of catios and how easily cat lovers can build or buy them for their furry friends.

Learn more about catios: https://spca.bc.ca/catio

Join the Defender Radio Patreon: www.patreon.com/DefenderRadio

Check out The Young Defenders: www.youngdefenders.ca

Mountain caribou are endangered in British Columbia. It's a big deal: the federal government has threatened to intervene if plans aren't put in place to protect them. One plan, worked on heavily by First Nations leaders, is receiving praise. But the plan for at least one other region has huge holes and fails to address some key issues.

While protecting caribou habitat may seem like a straight-forward task, the previous BC provincial government run in a majority by the Liberals and the current government run by an NDP-Green partnership is showing that it's anything but.

From literally selling the rights to cut down trees in the habitat of the endangered caribou during negotiations to killing wolves despite widespread scientific and ethical opposition to a disturbing rise in racist comments and economic disinformation, it's been a bit of a confusing journey.

As the consultation period winds down – and links to actions on that are included in this week's show notes – I wanted to take some time to break out the points, challenge the myths, and hear opposing opinions to what industry and politicians have spouted. That's why we connected with Charlotte Dawe, Conservation and Campaign Manager for Wilderness Committee, who patiently listened to my tangents and walked me through the last year of work on this campaign and how you can be part of the solution.

Take action: https://www.wildernesscommittee.org/SouthernMountainCaribou

Defender Radio Patreon: www.Patreon.com/DefenderRadio

Articles mentioned:

Agreements mark 'turning point' for six B.C. caribou herds, but leave most herds hanging
https://thenarwhal.ca/agreements-mark-turning-point-six-b-c-caribou-herds-leave-most-herds-hanging/

500 dead wolves vs. 500 lost jobs: Town balks at potential cost of saving caribou in northeastern B.C.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/caribou-jobs-wolves-chetwynd-northeastern-british-columbia-1.5087317

Northern B.C. leaders pressure province to halt caribou plans
https://www.princegeorgematters.com/local-news/northern-bc-leaders-pressure-province-to-halt-caribou-plans-1368244

Caribou protection plan spawns racist backlash in northeast B.C.
http://thenarwhal.ca/caribou-protection-plan-spawns-racist-backlash-in-northeast-b-c/

West Moberly First Nations chief denounces 'fear mongering' over caribou protection plan
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/caribou-draft-plan-west-moberly-chief-racism-jobs-1.5102961

The 0.1% that trappers contribute to nature-based economics
https://thefurbearers.com/blog/the-01-that-trappers-contribute-to-nature-based-economics

The Fur-Bearers and Defender Radio are proud to announce the launch of a new project: The Young Defenders, a site and podcast to help youth Defend The Future Of Wildlife And The Environment Through Education, Communication and Kindness.

Visit www.YoungDefenders.ca!

Young Defenders Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theyoungdefenders

Young Defenders Twitter: https://twitter.com/youngdefenders

Young Defenders Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theyoungdefenders/

Defender Radio & Young Defenders Patreon: www.patreon.com/DefenderRadio

PJ is the Director of Fashion Policy at the Humane Society of the United States and has played a major role in getting big brands like Armani to drop fur and institute fur-free policies. We had a wonderful conversation about fur, policy, the historic context of the current fight to #MakeFurHistory, and how his method has proven successful. We even got into self-care and what solutions exist for every advocate who wants to see an end to the use of fur in fashion.

Find out more about PJ's work with HSUS at: www.HumaneSociety.org. 

Become a Defender Radio Patron at: www.Patreon.com/DefenderRadio. 

Defender Radio Facebook page:

www.Facebook.com/DefenderRadio 

www.YoungDefenders.ca

North Atlantic Right Whales are at extreme risk of extinction, with only around 370 individuals and around 70 reproductive females. According to RightWhales.org, over 142 individuals have been injured or died since 2017 – a shocking 35% of the current population.

Fortunately, individuals like Sheryl Fink of the International Fund for Animal Welfare or IFAW are working hard to collaborate and find solutions to protect this endangered whale species, who can be found off the coast of Canada. To share more about how North Atlantic Right Whales reached such critically low levels, what the largest impacts on their populations are, and how scientific collaboration can lead to solutions, Sheryl joins Defender Radio.

SHOW NOTES:

Episode art credit: Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission. Image taken under NOAA Research Permit 665-1652 (link to original use).

Find more about Sheryl and IFAW's work to save North Atlantic Right Whales at: https://www.RightWhales.org. 

Find IFAW on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ifawglobal/

Find IFAW on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:ay3hmpazay7ndzmbxcyfasb7

Want to suggest topics for Defender Radio? Reach out to us at info@TheFurBearers.com, by visiting DefenderRadio.com or engaging host Michael Howie on social media via Instagram (www.instagram.com/howiemichael) or Facebook (www.Facebook.com/DefenderRadio). 

Defender Radio is produced by The Fur-Bearers (www.TheFurBearers.com), a charitable non-partisan organization whose mandate is to advocate on behalf of fur-bearing animals in the wild and in confinement, promote coexistence solutions in communities and protect the habitats of fur-bearing animals across Canada. You can follow The Fur-Bearers on Instagram (www.instagram.com/furbearers), Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/thefurbearers.bsky.social) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/FurFree). 

Defender Radio host Michael Howie spent four days in Belleville, Ontario, where a nearly year-long process to protect beavers after one was found in a trapped reached its conclusion. The interviews included in this episode were recorded in the field with local residents, political leaders, and the inventor of the Beaver Deceiver himself, Skip Lisle.

To donate to The Fur-Bearers' beaver campaign go to: www.TheFurBearers.com/SaveBeavers.

To Read more about The Fur-Bearers' involvement and see more photos from the field, go to: https://thefurbearers.com/blog/victory-protecting-beavers-belleville

To become a support of Defender Radio for as little as $0.25 per episode, go to: www.Patreon.com/DefenderRadio. 

Host Michael Howie shares the news that Defender Radio has reached 100,000 downloads, and gets a surprise midway through recording!

Support Defender Radio on Patreon: www.Patreon.com/DefenderRadio

Sign up for The Fur-Bearers email updates: www.TheFurBearers.com/updates. 

Follow Defender Radio on: Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

It's the Easter long weekend and you know what that means – bunnies, chicks and other little critters are being discussed, if not bought, as presents. But as many of you know, little animals aren't just gifts, they're sentient beings who are a lifetime commitment, require love, patience, veterinary care, and many other things.

A while back I spoke with my friend Lisa Winn from the Ladybird Animal Sanctuary about the subject of bunnies – not just why they shouldn't be bought and sold as gifts, but what it means to accept a rabbit into your home and family. It was a great interview, so rather than try and remake something special, it made sense to share the original interview again.

Please enjoy past me talking to past Lisa about the future of having a bunny in your family. 

Featured on this episode's cover art: Marcel the bunny.

Check out Ladybird Animal Sanctuary: www.ladybirdanimalsanctuary.com

Join the Defender Radio Patreon: www.Patreon.com/DefenderRadio

Follow Defender Radio on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.