Aussie Wildlife Show – Details, episodes & analysis

Dr Natalie Warburton is Associate Professor of Anatomy at Murdoch University and Dr Aaron Camens Lectures in Palaeontology at Flinders University. We discuss marsupial evolution from marsupial moles to extinct tree dwelling kangaroos from the Nullarbor Plains. 

Marsupial Mole. Image credit: Auscape International Pty Ltd/Alamy Stock Photo

We caught up with good friend Michael Smith to chat about some of the awesome Western Australian wildlife he has worked with during his career in conservation and education. 

Jeremy Austin is an evolutionary biologist working in the fields of ancient DNA, molecular ecology, conservation genetics and forensic biology. 

Jeremy’s research uses ancient and modern DNA techniques to “travel through time” to understand the evolutionary history of living and extinct vertebrates; assess the impacts of past environmental change on animal populations; and provide valuable genetic data for conservation and management of threatened species.

Jeremy is the deputy director for the Australian Centre for Ancient DNA at the University of Adelaide. 

In this episode we chat with conservationist Ross Oke about ways we can encourage native wildlife to live sustainably within the urban environment.

Ross Oke is the General Manager at the Goolwa to Wellington Local Action Planning Association.

Peter Mirtschin has published over 70 scientific papers on venom research, snake ecology, conservation and snake behaviour, as well as several books on Australian dangerous snakes. He is also the founder of Venom Supplies, which supplies both Australian and exotic snake venoms for research, antivenom and therapeutic applications.

Emma McKenzie has worked with many species of threatened marsupials such as Tiger Quolls, Eastern Quolls, Brush-tailed Rock Wallabies and Squirrel Gliders and has also been involved in ecotourism, education and habitat restoration. Emma is the wildlife manager at Wildlife Wonders in the beautiful Otway Ranges, just 5 minutes out of Apollo Bay.

Wildlife Wonders offer guided walks through lush tree fern gullies, Eucalypt woodlands and spectacular ocean vistas.

All the profits from Wildlife Wonders go directly to the Conservation Ecology Centre, working to conserve the unique Australian plants and animals across the Otways.

We were joined again by Dr John Read the Pragmatic Ecologist who tells us about one of the biggest threats to Australian biodiversity. Is it cats, rabbits, cane toads or something else? Have a listen to find out. We also asked john about the pushback ecologists receive regarding the culling of native animals.

Make sure you also check out our previous interview with John when he launched his book 'Among the Pigeons: Why Cats Belong Indoors'.

Photo Cathy Zwick

Kristen Messenger, owner of Bugs n Slugs, tells us why mangroves matter and gives a passionate plea for mangrove conservation.

Click here to sign the petition to save the St Kilda mangroves :)

 Image by Bishnu Sarangi from Pixabay 

John Gitsham is the Senior Park Ranger in charge of the Coorong National Park, the former president of Birds SA, and is a skilled and passionate wildlife photographer. We chat with John about one of his favourite groups of birds, the ducks.

The below image is of Australian Shovellers. Photo credit: John Gitsham.

We recently had a visit from Dr Cheryl Wilson to learn about the science behind the benefits of connecting with the natural world. Cheryl specialises in Lifestyle Medicine and has a life-long passion for wildlife and nature.

Follow Dr Wilson's Facebook page, Living Well with Dr. Wilson for more heath tips.