Ep 11: Matt Lindenberg – GCC, RHINO MAN, and fighting for the future of conservation.

Ep 11: Matt Lindenberg – GCC, RHINO MAN, and fighting for the future of conservation.

Subscribe, Rate, and Listen to The Rhino Man Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, SoundCloud, YouTube, and Amazon today!

In this episode, I’m talking with one of my best friends in the world, Matthew Lindenberg. Matt is the founder and executive director of the Global Conservation Corps and a co-director and producer of RHINO MAN the movie. Early on, Matt studied at the Southern African Wildlife College, where he subsequently worked for six years. During this time, Matt was mentored by Martin Mthembu, one of the finest ranger trainers in the African continent. Matt went on to attain his Masters in Cheetah Conservation from Grand Valley State University. After Martin passed away in 2014, Matt was compelled to continue Martin’s legacy of conservation and he did so by founding GCC and RHINO MAN the movie.

In this conversation, Matt and I dig deep into his early connection to wildlife, his years of moving around South Africa and the US, his struggle for direction during his youth, how he eventually reconnected with his love of nature, and the path down which following this passion took him. We dive into the inspiration for starting the Global Conservation Corps, how RHINO MAN the movie came about, the trials and tribulations we’ve both had while bringing the film to life, and some of the recent challenges since COVID-19 changed the world. There are a ton of amazing stories of overcoming struggle, finding one’s direction, and committing to something bigger than oneself.

LEARN MORE
GCC Website: globalconservationcorps.org
Instagram: @theglobalconservationcorps @matt.lindenberg
Facebook: @globalconservationcorps. @matt.lindenberg.5

Ep 10: Rohit Singh – WWF, advocating for rangers, and Life on the Frontline.

Ep 10: Rohit Singh – WWF, advocating for rangers, and Life on the Frontline.

Subscribe, Rate, and Listen to The Rhino Man Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, SoundCloud, YouTube, and Amazon today!

In this episode, I’m talking with Rohit Singh. Rohit is the lead for Zero Poaching at World Wildlife Fund (WWF). His current work helps advance WWF’s priority wildlife conservation outcomes and helps reduce illegal and unsustainable wildlife exploitation and trade. Rohit works closely with WWF field offices, regional programs, global initiatives and partners to support conservation law enforcement in protected and conserved areas through developing and implementing best practices and innovations.

In this conversation, Rohit takes us on his journey from an early desire to work with wildlife, up to his current work with rangers. We go deep into the Life on the Frontline survey, which reveals many of the challenges rangers face on the job around the world: Everything from low wages, to lack of mental health support, to poor training, and gender inequalities. We talk about his work through WWF and the Universal Ranger Support Alliance to create better working standards and respect for the ranger position internationally. Rohit tells stories of some amazing rangers and leaves us with a beautiful quote from a fellow ranger. So much to learn about how we can all come together and support these amazing guardians of the planet.

LEARN MORE
WWF Website: www.worldwildlife.org
Life on the Frontline: 2019 Survey
Instagram: @rohitwildlife @wwf
Facebook: @wwf

Ep 9: Petronel Nieuwoudt – Care for Wild and the collective passion for saving the rhinos.

Ep 9: Petronel Nieuwoudt – Care for Wild and the collective passion for saving the rhinos.

Subscribe, Rate, and Listen to The Rhino Man Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, SoundCloud, YouTube, and Amazon today!

In this episode, I’m talking with Petronel Nieuwoudt. After completing her university studies, Petronel joined the Endangered Species Protection Unit of the South African Police Service, where she held the rank of Captain. In 1999, she left the police service and started The Game Capture School, which focused on the best practices for wildlife capture, care, and management. Petronel also started the Sondela and Tamboti wildlife centres. In 2011, she moved to Mpumalanga where her passion for the protection of wildlife resulted in the founding of Care for Wild Africa, a rescue and rehabilitation centre for all wildlife in need.

In this conversation, we talk about Petronel’s youth growing up on a farm surrounded by wildlife. We go into her journey of conservation that led up to the founding of Care for Wild. Petronel tells beautiful stories about all of the sacrifices the many people have made in working to save the rhino species, everything from dangerous helicopter flights, to rangers risking their lives, to the endless long hours the caretakers put into keeping these orphaned survivors alive. This episode is truly a journey of passion and love for the people and animals of this amazing planet.

LEARN MORE
Care for Wild: careforwild.co.za
Instagram: @careforwild
Facebook: @careforwild