The Fur Real Podcast with Mark A Kyle – Details, episodes & analysis

They’re misunderstood, mythologized, and often feared — but bats might just be the unsung heroes of our planet. This week, legendary bat expert Merlin Tuttle joins The Fur Real Podcast to set the record straight.

From pollinating your favorite foods (yes, even tequila starts with bats) to devouring crop-destroying pests by the billions, bats play a vital role in our ecosystems — and yet, they're constantly under threat.

Merlin, founder of Merlin Tuttle’s Bat Conservation and dubbed “the real-life Batman,” shares jaw-dropping facts, wild rescue stories (including a bat in a theater!), and explains why saving bats means saving the planet.

We bust the biggest myths (no, they won’t fly into your hair or suck your blood), and uncover the true brilliance of these night-flying marvels.

If you love nature, animals, or just want to be blown away by some next-level science, this one’s for you.

www.merlintuttle.org www.furrealpodcast.com

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all photos with permission @merlintuttle.0rg

Speical thanks to J Jig Cicero @jjigcicero for our music intro and outro..you rock!!!

Special thanks to Jake Olson jfolson.music@gmail.com for awesome sound editing

 and to our supporters:

www.prepvet.com Stem cells for pets

This week we journey to the lush hills of Costa Rica, where over a million stray dogs roam the streets—but one woman dared to make a difference.

Meet Lya Battle, the remarkable founder of Territorio de Zaguates, also known as Land of the Strays—one of the largest free-range dog sanctuaries in the world. What began with the rescue of a single dog has grown into a 400-acre paradise that now shelters over 1,500 dogs, all free to run, play, and live their best lives.

In this powerful and heartwarming episode, Lya shares how a simple act of compassion turned into a movement. We discuss the challenges of caring for thousands of animals, the joy of seeing dogs regain their trust in humans, and how visitors from around the world can hike alongside hundreds of happy pups while supporting the cause.

Whether you're a dog lover, animal advocate, or simply someone who loves a story of hope and resilience, this episode will leave you inspired—and maybe even ready to plan your own trip to the Land of the Strays.

www.territoriodezaguates.com      www.furrealpodcast.com

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Speical thanks to J Jig Cicero @jjigcicero for our music intro and outro..you rock!!!

Special thanks to Jake Olson  jfolson.music@gmail.com for awesome sound editing

 and to our supporters:

www.prepvet.com  Stem cells for pets

In this episode of The Fur Real Podcast, we head to the Arctic with Dr. Steven Amstrup of Polar Bears International, the world’s leading organization dedicated to the conservation of polar bears and their sea ice habitat.

With climate change melting the Arctic at an alarming rate, polar bears are being pushed to their limits—swimming longer distances, struggling to hunt, and adapting to a rapidly changing environment. Dr. Amstrup shares incredible facts about these powerful animals: their fur is actually translucent, their skin is black, and they’re capable of swimming for days across icy waters.

But beyond the trivia, this episode dives deep into the urgent challenges they face and what scientists and conservationists are doing to help. Whether you're a polar bear superfan or just polar bear-curious, this episode delivers eye-opening science, expert insights, and a powerful message of hope.

www.furrealpodcast.com                        www.polarbearsinternational.org

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Speical thanks to J Jig Cicero @jjigcicero for our music intro and outro..you rock!!!

Special thanks to Jake Olson  jfolson.music@gmail.com for awesome sound editing

 and to our supporters:

www.prepvet.com  Stem cells for pets

When you think of cryotherapy, you probably picture a human stepping into a freezing cold chamber — but did you know cryotherapy is now helping horses without the giant ice-box contraptions? This week on The Fur Real Podcast, we dive into the cold, hard facts with Brady Case of Precision Equine Therapy, a pioneer bringing mobile cryotherapy directly to horses (and even their owners!).

Brady breaks down how targeted cryotherapy triggers a powerful physiological response that reduces pain, inflammation, and promotes faster healing — often slashing recovery times in ways that seem almost unbelievable. We talk about the science behind the chill, why cold therapy works so effectively for injuries and maintenance, and how his mobile system makes it easy for horse owners and trainers to integrate cryotherapy into their regular care routines.

Not only is Brady treating horses, but he's also empowering owners, trainers, and barn staff to learn the techniques themselves — creating a ripple effect of better health and recovery in equine communities everywhere.

If you love learning about cutting-edge animal therapies, want to boost your horse’s performance and recovery, or are just curious how a little cold can create such hot results, you won’t want to miss this episode.

www.furrealpodcast.com   www.pecryo.com

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Speical thanks to J Jig Cicero @jjigcicero for our music intro and outro..you rock!!!

Special thanks to Jake Olson  jfolson.music@gmail.com for awesome sound editing

 and to our supporters:

www.prepvet.com  Stem cells for pets

What comes to mind when you hear the word Penguin?
Not the Batman villain (though he had some flair)… We’re talking about the real-deal, black-and-white waddlers—like Charlie Chaplin in a tux, just with more feathers and fish breath.

In today’s episode  we welcome Professor Richard Reina, a top expert in animal responses to the environment and—get this—a leading authority on the Little Penguin. Also called the Fairy Penguin or the Little Blue Penguin (yep, they’re actually blue), these adorable creatures are the smallest penguins on the planet.

We’re diving beak-first into:

• What a “penguin divorce” looks like (spoiler: it’s not as dramatic as Hollywood, but still juicy)

• What these tiny tuxedoed swimmers snack on

• How they survive in a rapidly changing world

• And why they're more fascinating than you'd ever expect

Whether you're a penguin superfan or just here for the animal oddities, this episode is full of fun facts, expert insight, and a whole lot of penguin charm. So grab your fish snacks and get ready to waddle into the wonderful world of the Little Blue Penguin!

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Speical thanks to J Jig Cicero @jjigcicero for our music intro and outro..you rock!!!

Special thanks to Jake Olson  jfolson.music@gmail.com for awesome sound editing

 and to our supporters:

www.prepvet.com  Stem cells for pets

🎬 Ever wonder how they get a bear to drive a golf cart—or a dog to save the day on cue?

In this wildly entertaining episode of Fur Real, we pull back the curtain on the magic behind Hollywood’s most talented animal stars. From Lassie to Flipper, Gentle Ben to the majestic lion in Secondhand Lions, there’s one name behind the scenes who’s helped bring these iconic animal performances to life: Bobbi Colorado.

Bobbi is one of Hollywood’s top Animal Wranglers—a real-life animal whisperer with decades of experience training everything from house pets to exotic creatures for the big screen. She joins us to share jaw-dropping stories from film sets, the incredible patience and creativity it takes to train animal actors, and what it really means to be a wrangler in the wild world of showbiz.

🐾 How do you train a bear to drive a golf cart?
🐾 What’s it like working on set with lions, tigers, and…well, maybe not bears—but close?
🐾 And why might you never look at an animal scene in a movie the same way again?

This episode is packed with behind-the-scenes secrets, unforgettable stories, and a whole lot of animal love. Don’t miss it—it’s truly Fur Real.

www.furrealpodcast.com        www.bobbicolorado.com

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Speical thanks to J Jig Cicero @jjigcicero for our music intro and outro..you rock!!!

Special thanks to Jake Olson  jfolson.music@gmail.com for awesome sound editing

 and to our supporters:

www.prepvet.com  Stem cells for pets

You’ve definitely seen their photo — big round eyes, a chubby-cheeked smile, and an almost cartoonishly cute face. But did you know the name of this camera-loving marsupial? Meet the quokka, famously dubbed “The Happiest Animal in the World.”

In this wildly fun episode of Fur Real, host Mark Kyle is joined by Dr. Matthew Hayward, a leading quokka expert, author of Saving Biodiversity, and professor at The University of Newcastle. Together, they dive into the fascinating world of these adorable Australian icons.

From their ancient roots and unique behaviors to the viral sensation of the “quokka selfie,” Dr. Hayward shares incredible insights about these creatures — including why they have so little fear of humans, and what myths we’ve all gotten wrong.

Whether you're a wildlife enthusiast or just in it for the cute factor, this episode delivers laughs, learning, and plenty of "aww" moments. You can hear the joy as Mark and Matt geek out over these little legends.

Get ready to fall in love with the quokka — and maybe even start planning your own selfie!

www.furrrealpodcast.com 

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Saving Biodiversity link https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/mono/10.4324/9781003587644/saving-biodiversity-matt-hayward

Special thanks to JaSpeical thanks to J Jig Cicero @jjigcicero for our music intro and outro..you rock!!!
ke Olson  jfolson.music@gmail.com for awesome sound editing

 and to our supporters:

www.prepvet.com  Stem cells for pets

Coyotes are everywhere—from the open deserts to the heart of major cities—but how much do you really know about them? Are they dangerous? Do they hunt in packs? And why do they have such a legendary reputation, from Native American trickster tales to the relentless Wile E. Coyote?

This week on The Fur Real Podcast, we’re joined by Dr. Stanley Gehrt, renowned wildlife ecologist and author of Coyotes Among Us. As the lead researcher of the Cook County Coyote Project, he has spent nearly 25 years studying how these animals thrive in urban environments—including Chicago, where over 6,000 coyotes are quietly living among people… mostly unnoticed.

We bust some of the biggest coyote myths, uncover how these adaptable predators navigate city life, and answer the big question: should we fear them or admire them? Dr. Gehrt brings both science and storytelling to the conversation, making this episode as entertaining as it is eye-opening.

🐾 Hit play and discover the truth about one of North America’s most misunderstood creatures!

www.thefurrealpodcast.com          

https://urbancoyoteresearch.com/

https://ohiocoyote.org/

https://www.amazon.com/Coyotes-Among-Us-Citys-Predator/dp/1959411233

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Speical thanks to J Jig Cicero @jjigcicero for our music intro and outro..you rock!!!

Special thanks to Jake Olson  jfolson.music@gmail.com for awesome sound editing

 and to our supporters:

www.prepvet.com  Stem cells for pets

The Cutting Edge of Exotic Animal Medicine

If you love diving deep into the world of veterinary medicine—or even if you don’t think you do—this episode will absolutely blow your mind! Dr. Stephen Divers, a world-renowned specialist in endosurgery, joins The Fur Real Podcast to reveal the incredible advancements happening in minimally invasive surgery for animals.

Endoscopic surgery is revolutionizing the way we treat everything from common ailments to life-threatening conditions in animals, offering a less invasive, faster-healing approach. But wait until you hear just how many species Dr. Divers has worked on—from reptiles and amphibians to some of the most unexpected exotic creatures. You won’t believe the groundbreaking procedures being performed, the technology behind them, and the jaw-dropping stories Dr. Divers shares from the operating room.

This episode is packed with fascinating insights, wild animal cases, and a glimpse into the future of veterinary medicine. Trust us—you’ll never look at surgery the same way again. And, of course, we couldn’t resist one pun: wait until you hear the full scope of what Dr. Divers is doing!

Tune in now for an unforgettable journey into the cutting-edge world of animal healthcare!

www.furrealpodcast.com  

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Speical thanks to J Jig Cicero @jjigcicero for our music intro and outro..you rock!!!

Special thanks to Jake Olson  jfolson.music@gmail.com for awesome sound editing

 and to our supporters:

www.prepvet.com  Stem cells for pets

You’ve heard of the Big Bad Wolf, Call of the Wild, and countless other wolf tales… but have you ever heard of Sea Wolves? These extraordinary wolves are unlike any others on Earth.

Joining us today is Dr. Chris Darimont—a professor at the University of Victoria, the Director of Science at the Raincoast Conservation Foundation, and one of the world’s leading experts on Sea Wolves. He’s here to share their fascinating story.

These wild canines roam the remote coastline of British Columbia, living in one of the most stunning and untamed environments on the planet. But here’s what makes them truly unique: over 80% of their diet comes from the ocean! They feast on fish, crabs, seals, and even barnacles, adapting to a marine lifestyle in ways no other wolf species has.

And get this—they don’t just wade in the water; they’re incredible long-distance swimmers, sometimes covering up to 7 miles between islands! Imagine spotting a wolf slicing through the waves like an apex predator of both land and sea.

If you haven’t seen the award-winning documentary Takaya: Lone Wolf, put it on your must-watch list. It tells the unbelievable true story of a lone Sea Wolf who captivated the world with his journey.

Scientists, conservationists, and Indigenous Nations are working together to better understand and protect these wolves. The First Nations have long believed Sea Wolves bring good fortune and prosperity—so by the time you finish this episode, maybe a little luck will come your way too!

Let’s dive into the world of Sea Wolves with Chris Darimont.

www.furrealpodcast.com      www.raincoast.org

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Speical thanks to J Jig Cicero @jjigcicero for our music intro and outro..you rock!!!

Special thanks to Jake Olson  jfolson.music@gmail.com for awesome sound editing

 and to our supporters:

www.prepvet.com  Stem cells for pets