Ep 55: Nick Smith – RHINO MAN’s DP on filmmaking, photography and a life of travel.


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Our guest in this episode is my friend, Nick Smith. Nick is an experienced DP and photographer based in Atlanta, Georgia. He’s shot all over the world for amazing brands and nonprofits. Nick is also the Director of Photography of RHINO MAN, and he lead the project with his work for 3 years before my involvement.

In this conversation, we talk about Nick’s journey in the world of RHINO MAN, along with his love of photography and travel. Nick is a humble guy, and one of the most inspiring people I know.

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Instagram: @nickjsmiths
Facebook: @smithijedi
Website: nicksmithphotos.com
LinkedIn: @Nick Smith

Ep 54: Fedrick Ndlovu – Life lessons from a ranger at the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve.


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Our guest today is my friend, Fedrick Ndlovu. Fedrick is a long-time ranger at the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve.

In this episode, we dive into Fedrick’s path into becoming a ranger, and how it almost didn’t happen because of a government mixup. We talk about his early days on the reserve facing the new threat of rhino poaching, and his rise up through the ranger ranks. We cover the effects of COVID on the team in 2020, leadership advice, what it was like working with the RHINO MAN team, and the loss of Anton Mzimba.

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Instagram: @ndlovufedrick | @timbavati_pnr
Facebook: @Fedrick Ndlovu | @Timbavati Private Nature Reserve
Twitter: @timbavati
LinkedIn: @Timbavati Private Nature Reserve

Ep 53: Don Scott – Tanda Tula, education, ownership, and hyper-local supply chains.


Sponsored by Wildlife & Co. Wildlife & Co. is on a mission to protect Earth’s ecosystems and wildlife. Buy amazing apparel and support conservation. Visit wildlifeandco.com


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Our guest in this episode is Don Scott. Don along with his wife, Nina, are owners and operators of Tanda Tula, a beautiful Safari Camp in the heart of the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve in South Africa.

In this conversation, we dive into Don’s early career in aerospace engineering, and how he and Nina found their way into conservation. We talk about the risks and challenges of owning and operating a business in the bush. We go into the positive impact they seek to have through education and literacy efforts, creating pathways for growth and ownership within their company, and developing the local wildlife economy to grow and connect with more locally owned businesses in the Kruger area. We also talk about the importance of rangers, and what you should look for in the companies and lodges you’re supporting when you’re traveling to wildlife areas.

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Instagram: @don.m.scott | @tanda.tula
Facebook: @TandaTula
Twitter: @TandaTula
TikTok: @tandatula
LinkedIn: @Don Scott | @Tanda Tula

Special Episode – What’s Next for Rhino Man? Updates on the Podcast and Film.

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In this special episode of The Rhino Man Podcast, host John Jurko II talks about what’s to come for Rhino Man in 2024. To start, he’s planning a new and improved version of the podcast, which will include in-person interviews of rangers and conservationists. These will be video episodes with studio quality audio. A first in the conservation space. John hopes to highlight the heroes working to protect our planet’s wildlife in the build up to the release of the film.

And as for RHINO MAN the movie, 2024 is the year of its release. Watch out, over the next 6 months, for screening dates at festivals across the United States, Canada, and the UK. These will lead into a theatrical release of the film in June and culminate with an online release come July of 2024. We’re so excited to share the film with you and could use your support in getting the word out.

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Instagram: @rhinomanthemovie
Facebook: @rhinomanthemovie
Twitter/X: @rhinomanmovie
LinkedIn: @The Rhino Man Podcast

Ep 52: Timothy Santel – Focused Conservation and Criminal Investigations with the USFWS.

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In this episode, I’m talking with Timothy Santel. Tim is currently the Senior Advisor on International Wildlife Trafficking programs for Focused Conservation, which is a nonprofit changing the game in the battle against wildlife crime through investigations, government support, and information sharing. Tim spent over 33 years working for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and retired as a Special Agent in Charge of their Special Investigations Unit. Tim developed and oversaw a team of elite covert federal agents tasked with investigating transnational criminal organizations that were illegally trafficking wildlife. In recognition of his efforts, Tim received numerous awards throughout his career including the prestigious Guy Bradley Award, Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medal, and North American Wildlife Officer of the Year.

In this conversation, we go deep into the work being done at Focused Conservation, why what they are doing is important to the cause, and how you can support. We dive into Tim’s progression from growing up in a rural Midwestern town in the US, to becoming a law enforcement agent with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. We go into many of his experiences on the job and investigations including Operation Crash, which resulted in nearly 50 prosecutions globally for trafficking in rhino horns and elephant ivory. Tim is generous with his stories and his wisdom.

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Instagram: @focused.conservation
Facebook: @FocusedConservation
Twitter: @FocusedConserve
LinkedIn: @Timothy Santel | @Focused Conservation

Ep 51: Chris Galliers – The future of rangers and the International Ranger Federation.

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In this episode I’m talking with Chris Galliers. Chris is the current President of the International Ranger Federation and we go deep on everything rangers, on this World Ranger Day. He is also the manager of Conservation Outcomes, which was created to provide support to land that is being developed and managed for biodiversity conservation outside of traditional state protected areas. Chris has been on the executive committee for the Game Rangers Association of Africa, and was the Senior Manager of Wildlife and Conservation Initiatives at WESSA.

In this conversation, we dive into Chris’s youth growing up on a dairy farm in rural KwaZulu-Natal and the curiosity that led him into the conservation field. We talk about the importance of rangers, the balance of conserving spaces while supporting growth, staying optimistic in work that can feel like a constant battle, and we go deep on the International Ranger Federation. Chris talks about the next World Ranger Congress, the Chitwan Declaration and the Universal Ranger Support Alliance, and the International Ranger Awards. Chris is deeply passionate about rangers, conservation, and his work. You won’t want to miss this wide ranging conversation.

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Instagram: @chrisgalliers | @int_ranger_fed
Facebook: @chris.galliers.5 | @InternationalRangerFederation
Twitter: @ursa4rangers
LinkedIn: @Chris Galliers | @Universal Ranger Support Alliance

Ep 50: John Jurko II – Directing RHINO MAN the movie and living the better story.

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In this episode, we turn the microphone on our host, John Jurko II. John is the lead director and producer who has overseen the completion of our documentary film, RHINO MAN, since 2018. After receiving a BA in Film Production and Philosophy at Bowling Green State University, he lived in Los Angeles, where he worked in the camera department of many indie films. He then moved to Atlanta, Georgia, where he was drawn to RHINO MAN for its story and potential as a social impact project. He created and hosts The Rhino Man Podcast to further build awareness of the importance of rangers, the rhino poaching crisis, and community engagement. John has presented to audiences such as His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, government, international financial crime delegates, law enforcement, and conservation NGOs.

In this conversation, we dive into the ups and downs along John’s winding journey into filmmaking. We go deep into his philosophy on life, how he came to RHINO MAN, and the endless obstacles he had to overcome to complete the film. We also talk about the devastating loss of his good friend and ranger, Anton Mzimba.

Matt Lindenberg, the Executive Director of the Global Conservation Corps takes the reins and hosts an intimate conversation with John. This episode shows how we can all contribute to the greater cause in our own way.

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Instagram: @johnjurko
Facebook: @johnjurko
Twitter: @johnjurko
LinkedIn: @John Jurko II

Ep 49: Orlat Ndlovu – Head of Ranger Services at the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve.

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In this episode, I’m talking with my good friend, Orlat Ndlovu. Orlat is the Head of Ranger Services at the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, which borders the Kruger National Park in South Africa. He’s been a dedicated ranger for over 14 years, and he was a close friend and colleague of the late Anton Mzimba.

In this conversation, we talk about Orlat’s early love of birds and how that passion for nature led to a career as a field ranger. We dive into the challenges he faced during ranger selection and training, the day-to-day work of a ranger in the Timbavati, and the many dangers of the job. We spend time unpacking the rhino poaching crisis, and how it changed the nature of his work. We go deep into what makes a good ranger, the nature of corruption within the ranger corps and how his team works to eliminate it, and the importance of educating and inspiring the youth. We even have a heartfelt discussion about the loss of Anton Mzimba, and the difficult task Orlat had in stepping up and taking leadership of his team during such a devastating time. Orlat is full of sage advice and love for the work he does.

LEARN MORE
Website: timbavati.co.za
Instagram: @ort_027_@timbavati_pnr
Facebook: @orlat.ndlovu | @timbavatiprivatenaturereserve
Twitter: @timbavati

Ep 48: Marianne De Kock – A life dedicated to training the next generation of rangers.

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In this episode, I’m talking with Marianne De Kock. Marianne along with her husband, Ruben, and their close friend, Martin Mthembu, founded and ran African Field Ranger Training Services, or AFRTS. Together they developed the coursework and trained tens of thousands of rangers across Africa and beyond. AFRTS continues to operate as a program of the Southern African Wildlife College’s Protected Area Integrity Department. Marianne served in the South African Military Defence Force, where she became a sharp shooter and participated in National Key Point shooting competitions. In 2018, Marianne was recognized as a Rhino Conservation Supporter at the Rhino Conservation Awards. She also plays a major role in our documentary film, RHINO MAN.

In this conversation, we talk about Marianne’s path into the military and how the training she received prepared her for her future work as a ranger trainer. We go into how she and Ruben met, and the leap of faith they took in starting AFRTS. She tells many stories of the early days, of the bonds she had with Martin Mthembu and Anton Mzimba, and the passion she has for the frontline of conservation, our rangers. This was such a lovely episode, and Marianne’s life of dedication to a bigger purpose shines through.

Ep 47: Andrew Lemieux, Ph.D. – Problem-Oriented Wildlife Protection with LEAD Ranger.

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In this episode, I’m talking with Dr. Andrew Lemieux. Andrew grew up in the mountains of Arizona in the United States, before spending more than a decade researching wildlife crime at the Netherlands Institute for the Study of Crime and Law Enforcement in Amsterdam. Andrew now manages LEAD Ranger’s Problem-Oriented Wildlife Protection program, the humble beginnings of a scalable approach to teaching problem-analysis and crime prevention to the global conservation community. Andrew is also the editor-in-chief of the Center for Problem-Oriented Policing’s Wilderness Problems Resource Portal, and is a member of the scientific advisory committee for the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime’s World Wildlife Crime report.

In this conversation, we dive into Andrew’s youth and path to studying criminology and wildlife crime. We go deep into the benefits of implementing problem-oriented policing in conservation, the importance of having a well trained analyst on your team, and the obstacles to convincing organizations to hire analysts and how to overcome them. We take a brief journey through LEAD Ranger ‘s development and explore their vision for the future, and we go into the broader advantages of looking at the world through the lens of problem solving, even outside of protected area management. This episode is jam packed with years of research and knowledge, and Andrew’s passion for the work shines though.

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Website: LEAD Ranger | Wilderness Problems Resource Portal | 55 Steps
Instagram: @lead_ranger
LinkedIn: @LEAD Ranger