Ep 22: Jamie McCallum – Force for Nature and delivering the support our rangers deserve.

Ep 22: Jamie McCallum – Force for Nature and delivering the support our rangers deserve.

In this episode, I’m talking with Jamie McCallum. Jamie spent ten years in corporate sponsorship (working with Orange, Toyota, Omega, Usain Bolt and Ferrari) before getting a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences and doing research on the US/Mexico border. He then set up and ran the Technology Programme at the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) and since 2015 he has been the UK/EU Director for Peace Parks Foundation (PPF). Jamie is the Founder and CEO of Force for Nature, a forward-thinking social and environmental enterprise committed to preserving nature and the value it brings humanity, by supporting wildlife Rangers.

In this conversation, we talk about Jamie’s youth growing up in the UK with horses, his early professional career working with corporate sponsors for Formula 1 racing, and his eventual journey into conservation. We go into the importance of rangers, and the support they need. We dive into the creation of Force For Nature, the Ranger App, and the Pod app, which is used for amplifying campaigns to help bring awareness and funds to rangers. We also explore new models for NGOs to work with corporate sponsors. This conversation is full of great stories, a love for rangers, and innovative solutions to support their work.

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Websites: forcefornature.org
Instagram: @forcefornature
Facebook: @Forcefornatureorg

Ep 21: Grant Fowlds – Project Rhino, Saving the Last Rhinos, and Rewilding Africa.

Ep 21: Grant Fowlds – Project Rhino, Saving the Last Rhinos, and Rewilding Africa.

In this episode, I’m talking with Grant Fowlds. Grant is a conservationist, consultant, educator and author of two books. He grew up in the Eastern Cape of South Africa where his family and neighbors came together to form the now famous Amakhala Game Reserve. He’s the Director of the (KZN) Project Rhino Alliance NPC and the Ambassador & Manager for Rhino Art. He splits his time between range expansion projects, marketing, fundraising, youth education, and speaking about the work being done in the field. His two books, Saving the Last Rhinos and Rewildling Africa can be found on Amazon.

In this conversation, we talk about Grant’s early days of growing up on the family farm, his entrepreneurial beginnings in goat farming, and the development of the Amakhala Game Reserve. We talk about his involvement in Rhino Art with adventurer Kingsley Holgate, the work at Project Rhino and their efforts in range expansion, ranger support, youth education, and building a conservation economy. We go into the many stories related in his books, and dive into some of his rewilding projects with a focus on the development of the Loziba Wildlife Reserve. Grant’s books and life story is a masterclass in conservation. This episode is full of stories of passionate people coming together to make a difference.

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Websites: grantfowlds.com | projectrhinokzn.org | amakhala.co.za | loziba.com
Instagram: @grant.fowlds | @amakhala_game_reserve | @projectrhinokzn
Facebook: @grant.fowlds | @projectrhinokzn | @amakhalareserve
Twitter: @GrantFowlds1 | @ProjectRhinoKZN | @amakhala

Ep 20: Boris Vos – LEAD Ranger: developing the next generation of ranger trainers.

Ep 20: Boris Vos – LEAD Ranger: developing the next generation of ranger trainers.

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In this episode, I’m talking with Boris Vos. Boris was with the Ministry of Defence in The Netherlands from 1996 – 2014 before moving to project-based conservation training in Asia and Africa. He is the Co-Founder and Director of Operations at Ranger Campus and Lead Operations for the LEAD Ranger program — a collaborative initiative of the International Anti-Poaching Foundation , The Thin Green Line Foundation and Ranger Campus. In this capacity, Boris has trained rangers in Africa to be instructors and leaders in their own protected areas.

In this conversation, we talk about Boris’ decision to go into the military, his path to becoming a trainer, and many of the details of what makes a good trainer. We also dive into his first trip to Africa while protecting the coast from Somali pirates, and how seeing a poached elephant inspired him to change his career and go into conservation. We go in depth into the importance of rangers, how he and his wife Dominique started Ranger Campus, and the evolution and mission of LEAD Ranger. This was a fun chat full of stories, depth, and wisdom.

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Websites: leadranger.org | thingreenline.org.au | iapf.org | rangercampus.org
Instagram: @lead_ranger | @rangercampus | @thingreenlinefoundation | @int.anti.poaching.foundation
Facebook: @thethingreenlinefoundation | @iapf
Twitter: @RangerCampus | @ThinGreenLine_ | @IAPF

Ep 19: Peter Knights – WildAid and reducing the demand for illegal wildlife consumption. 

Ep 19: Peter Knights – WildAid and reducing the demand for illegal wildlife consumption. 

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In this episode, I’m talking with Peter Knights. After graduating from the London School of Economics, Peter first worked on wildlife trafficking as an investigator and campaigner for the Environmental Investigation Agency. He specialized in global on-site investigations and campaigning against the trade in wild birds for pets, as well as consumption of endangered species. In 1996, as a director of the Global Survival Network, he introduced conservation to the concept of demand reduction, that is now widely accepted as an important tool in solving trafficking problems. Peter is currently the Founder and President of WildAid. WildAid’s demand reduction program uses sophisticated advertising techniques, donated airtime, and celebrity spokespeople with the message “When the buying stops, the killing can too.”

In this conversation, we talk about Peter’s early days in conservation, how he came to see demand reduction as a powerful tool in stopping the illegal wildlife trade, the beginnings of WildAid, and Peter’s first campaign with his longtime ambassador, Jackie Chan. We dive into the WildAid’s campaigns to reduce the demand of ivory and rhino horn. We discuss WildAid’s successful partnership with the Chinese government. We talk about the over 100 ambassadors who have appeared in campaigns, including Yao Ming’s contribution to WildAid’s campaigns and documentaries. There are so many legend stories, and so much passion for conservation in this episode.

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Website: wildaid.org
Instagram: @wildaid @peter_knights
Facebook: @wildaid
Twitter: @wildaid

Ep 18: Bibhab Talukdar – Aaranyak, Indian Conservation, and IUCN Asian Rhino Specialist.

Ep 18: Bibhab Talukdar – Aaranyak, Indian Conservation, and IUCN Asian Rhino Specialist.

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In this episode, I’m talking with Bibhab Talukdar. Bibhab has a Masters in Biology from Guwahati University. He is the Secretary General & CEO of Aaranyak (@aaranyak_india), an organization leading a new, integrated conservation movement to address topics like ecosystem goods and services, climate change, deforestation, and loss of biodiversity. He is also a member of the Asian Rhino Specialist Group of the IUCN (@iucnssc) and a member of the National Board of Wildlife under the government of India.

In this conversation, we talk about Bibhab’s early days growing up in the Eastern Himalayas, and his inspiration for starting Aaranyak as a nature club, which then grew into a large conservation organization. We go into the success story of the Greater One-Horned Rhino, we dive into the many conservation problems Bibhab is tackling in India through Aaranyak, and we learn of the importance of connecting with local communities near protected areas. Bibhab has an amazing life story, and has accomplished so many things in the conservation space.

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Website: aaranyak.org
Instagram: @aaranyak_india
Facebook: @aaranyakindia
Twitter: @aaranyak

Ep 17: Andrew Campbell – GRAA, a life of conservation, and supporting Africa’s rangers.

Ep 17: Andrew Campbell – GRAA, a life of conservation, and supporting Africa’s rangers.

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In this episode, I’m talking with Andrew Campbell. Andrew grew up on a farm in the Kwazulu-Natal Midlands in the shadows of the iconic uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park. He spent much of his youth exploring these lands and many of the protected areas of South Africa. Andrew comes from a long lineage of conservationists. He began his career as a guide in places like the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, Sabi Sands, Mala Mala, and Phinda Private Game Reserve. Andrew is Currently the Chief Executive Officer of the Game Rangers’ Association of Africa, and the Executive Director of Conservation Matters.

In this conversation, we dive into Andrew’s early days growing up in and around the bush, we talk about some of his early inspirations and his path into conservation. We learn about his eventual connection to the Game Rangers’ Association of Africa, we dive into what GRAA is doing for rangers, the importance of rangers, the many roles rangers play in conservation, and some of the challenges they face in Africa, along with many of the solutions that are making a difference. This one is full of stories, and passion, and love for the rangers.Subscribe, Like, and Review The Rhino Man Podcast on #Spotify and #ApplePodcasts today!

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Website: gameranger.org
Instagram: @campbell.a @gamerangersassociationofafrica
Facebook: @ameRangersAssociationOfAfrica
Twitter: @The_GRAA

Ep 16: James Mwenda – Losing the Northern White Rhinos, and safari travel with intent.

Ep 16: James Mwenda – Losing the Northern White Rhinos, and safari travel with intent.

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In this episode, I’m talking with James Mwenda. James grew up in the foothills of Mt. Kenya where he was surrounded by wildlife and inspired by the local rangers. At Ol Pejeta Conservancy, he worked his way up from general laborer, to rhino patrolman, to caretaker of the last of the Northern White Rhinos. James is a Kenyan Wildlife Speaker and African Wildlife Educator, and he recently started Jemu Mwenda Expeditions, where he offers Safari Travel with Intent.

In this conversation, we dig into James’ early memories of human wildlife conflict and how that influenced his decision to become a ranger. We talk about his years out in the bush working at Ol Pejeta. We go into his time as one of the caretakers of Sudan, the last male Northern white rhino, his work as an ambassador for conservation, and his new venture, Jemu Mwenda Expeditions. We even talk about his recent visit to see the Mountain Gorillas.

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Website: jemuexpeditions.com
Instagram: @jemu_mwenda @jemuexpeditions
Facebook: @jemuexpeditions
Twitter: @jemumwenda

Ep 15: Krissie Clark – PAMS Foundation, anti-poaching, and human wildlife coexistence.

Ep 15: Krissie Clark – PAMS Foundation, anti-poaching, and human wildlife coexistence.

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In this episode, I’m talking with Krissie Clark. Krissie holds a M.Sc. in Botany from the University of Cape Town, and is the Co – Founder and Director of PAMS Foundation. She has been involved in conservation and wildlife crime prevention in Africa for over 20 years, of which the last 15 years have been in Tanzania. The work in Tanzania focuses on Illegal Wildlife Trafficking, Anti-Poaching, Environmental Education, Human Wildlife Coexistence, Forest Conservation and more recently, sustainable livelihoods.

In this conversation, we dive into Krissie’s early days going on family trips to the bush, we trace her path into conservation, and we explore the beginnings of PAMS foundation. She gives a vivid account of the legendary late ranger trainer Martin Mthembu. She recalls the pushback from crime syndicates in Tanzania as they worked to curb elephant poaching. And together we go deep into the many efforts that PAMS foundation is engaged in to promote conservation and better livelihoods in Tanzania.

LEARN MORE
Website: pamsfoundation.org
Instagram: @pams_foundation
Facebook: @PAMSFoundation
Twitter: @rPAMSFoundation

Ep 14: Barney Long, Ph.D. – Re:wild, lost species, and saving the Sumatran and Javan rhinos.

Ep 14: Barney Long, Ph.D. – Re:wild, lost species, and saving the Sumatran and Javan rhinos.

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In this episode, I’m talking with Dr. Barney Long. Barney received his Bachelors of Science in Zoology at the University of Bristol, and his Ph.D. in Biodiversity Management, at the Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology, University of Kent at Canterbury. For years Barney led the Species Program at WWF, starting his career in Southeast Asia exploring the region during baseline biodiversity inventory surveys and searching for presumed extinct primates. Barney is now the Senior director of Conservation Strategies at Re:wild, where he works on the conservation of endangered mammal species and the thematic approaches required to achieve the recovery of their populations.

In this conversation, we talk about Barney’s childhood dream to work in the rainforest, some of his early days in the field, an unexplainable experience with a local guide, and his passion for the Sumatran and Javan rhinos. We dive deep into the complex and daring attempts being made to bring the Sumatran rhinos back from the brink of extinction. We explore the many lost species and lesser known creatures on the edge, and how Re:wild is partnering with people from around the world, who have a passion for saving their local wildlife.

LEARN MORE
Website: rewild.org
Instagram: @rewild @barney_long_pro
Facebook: @rewild
Twitter: @rewild

Ep 13: Sean Willmore – The Thin Green Line Foundation and telling the rangers’ stories.

Ep 13: Sean Willmore – The Thin Green Line Foundation and telling the rangers’ stories.

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In this episode, I’m talking with my friend Sean Willmore. Sean  was an Australian Park Ranger for 11 years before selling his car, remortgaging his home, and heading off on a 14 month trip around the world to make a film about rangers. His efforts to bring attention to the dangerous work undertaken by these warriors has won him international acclaim. Using profits from the documentary The Thin Green Line, Sean started The Thin Green Line Foundation, where he currently works as the founder and Managing Director. He also served for 8 years as the President of the International Rangers Federation.

In this conversation, we talk about Sean’s early connection to conservation and his work as a ranger in Australia.  We dive deep into the decision to risk it all to follow a passion to tell these rangers stories. We hear about the many challenges that rangers face in diverse settings around the world, and what The Thin Green Line Foundation is doing to address them. There are so many amazing stories from Sean’s life and from the fellow rangers he’s encountered.

LEARN MORE
Website: thingreenline.org.au
Instagram: @thethingreenlinefoundation
Facebook: @thethingreenlinefoundation
Twitter: @ThinGreenLine_