Australian wildlife is being devastated by this bushfire crisis, with at least 1 billion animals lost so far. But what happens when these fires go out – can our wildlife and their habitats recover? In this special report we chat wildlife experts Professor Christopher Dickman, Tim Faulkner and Chad Staples to find out what happens next for our animals. (Spoiler alert: there IS good news!) Professor Christopher DickmanBy December, 480 million animals had lost their lives in the New South Wales fires alone – Professor Christopher Dickman is the globally acclaimed ecologist who originally calculated that number. He talks us through the possibility of extinction, the specific behaviours of fire-affected animals, how our city critters are coping with the smoke, and most inspiringly, explains how our bush will rebuild itself. He also talks about some pretty cool little animals you’ve probably never even heard of, as well as about what’s happening with our bats/flying foxes, potoroos, and the resilience of our wildlife.Listen: 2:33 to 26.28 Tim FaulknerAussie Ark president Tim Faulkner explains what’s happening with our koalas. Before the fire they were already in real trouble due to habitat loss, with experts predicting they were on the trajectory to be extinct by 2050. We’ll need to think laterally to help them bounce back. Thankfully, Tim and his team have just the thing to help them do that, and to also keep them safe for decades to come – the Koala Ark project.Listen: 26:28 to 39:03 Chad StaplesChad Staples has long been one of Australia’s favourite wildlifers thanks to his epic work at Featherdale. Now working as the Director of Mogo Wildlife Park, Chad and his team rescued Mogo’s 200+ animals  – including everything from giraffes to lemurs to big cats – when the 31,000-hectare Clyde Mountain blaze threatened their home on New Year’s Eve. In this interview, Chad reveals how the rescue unfolded, and he also shares some exciting plans for the park in the wake of this crisis.Listen: 39:03 to 51:55 What You Can DoIn the months to come we may still encounter animals with burns and fire-related illnesses, so our mate Denis Duggan shares WIRES’ practical tips on how you can help them.Listen: 51:55 to 53:18 If you’d like to get involved and/or show your support, here’s where to get started:  Mogo Wildlife Park, Aussie Ark’s koala project, Wildlife Victoria, WIRES (NSW only), Kangaroo Island’s Dunnarts, Kangaroo Island's Koalas & Wildlife. See Faunographic for info.

WILD LIVES

Special report: Australia's bushfires & what's next for our wildlife

There’s no one else on Earth like Dr Jane Goodall. After all, she’s not only won countless awards for her decades-spanning conservation work, but her work with chimpanzees has actually changed the way we see both animals and humans. At 85 years young, Dr Jane is still working hard, travelling 300 days of the year to share her important message of hope, and to support her Roots and Shoots program – an innovative approach to conservation that’s enabling young folks to be the change our planet needs. In this episode, the finale for Season 2 of Wild Lives, Dr Jane introduces us to the chimpanzee that changed her life, David Greybeard; reveals what she’s learnt about the environment, climate change and the importance of education and local action; and reveals exactly how she wants to be remembered.  

Dr Jane Goodall: A Lifetime with Chimps

As poaching decimates wildlife populations across Africa, determined people are stepping up to intervene – including the Black Mambas, the world’s first women’s only anti-poaching unit, who patrol and protect South Africa’s Balule Nature Reserve. Through their surveillance and sophisticated monitoring techniques, the Mambas are the first line of defence in the war against poaching – but unlike the armed units who work alongside them, these incredible women carry no weapons, patrolling 20km on foot each day to ensure the reserve’s wildlife is protected. The Mambas believe the poaching crisis will not be solved through violence, but instead through empowerment and education, and their commitment to the cause is inspiring. This episode of Wild Lives was recorded live in Balule, where we go on both night and morning patrols with Black Mamba rangers Mirren, Q and Goodness. Their strength, humility and determination will give you hope for wildlife – and us. Please note: A large part of this episode was recorded live in the field, so the sound can be patchy in places. The night-patrol audio is a little challenging, because we're driving through the bush in an open 4WD, so you'll hear some distortion due to wind, along with bouncy car suspension, etc, especially around 11:00 to 16:35. BUT I know you'll be able to ignore those iffy bits because what these women have to say is solid gold!

On Patrol with the Black Mambas Anti-Poaching Unit

In this fun episode, National Parks and Wildlife Ranger Mel Tyas introduces us to one of Sydney’s best-kept secrets – the endangered colony of wild Little Penguins of Manly, in the heart of Australia’s biggest city. The smallest of all penguins, these tiny, endearing critters have called Manly home for decades, and theirs is the only breeding colony on the NSW mainland, making them extra unique. Ranger Mel spends her days working alongside and protecting these beloved seabirds in the Sydney Harbour area, and in this episode she reveals their history, behaviours and challenges, and also shares some of her favourite penguin tales (including one about a fella who swam nearly 2000km from Sydney to Adelaide!?!).

Sydney’s secret penguins with Ranger Mel Tyas

Boston’s Stellwagen Bank Marine Sanctuary is home to a stack of sea icons, including the humpback and minke whale, oceanic sunfish (mola mola) and great white shark – and it’s also home to artist and naturalist Rich Dolan, who spends his days at sea documenting the creatures who thrive in this unique part of the world. Through his innovative art and sculpture project, Tails of Stellwagen, Rich records each individual animals’ distinguishing patterns, helping both researchers and enthusiasts alike to identify, track and appreciate these mysterious leviathans. And, as a naturalist with countless hours at sea, Rich has had some pretty amazing encounters with all kinds of critters – so while he was visiting Down Under we got him to tell us his best tales of Stellwagen.

Whales of Boston's Stellwagen Bank with Rich Dolan

Time magazine named Ian McAllister one of the ‘Leaders of the 21st Century’ – which is no surprise when you hear how committed he is to the unique wilderness he calls his office, Canada’s Great Bear Rainforest. As an award-winning photographer, celebrated author, IMAX film-maker and co-founder of Pacific Wild, Ian’s spent decades in the field getting to know everything from spirit bears to sea wolves and grizzlies. Plus, his adventures in the Great Bear Sea have revealed an epic ecosystem filled not only with iconic whales, dolphins, pinnipeds and kelp forests, but also a delicate environment where the balance rests on the future of salmon – the source of life in this truly special part of the world. In this episode of Wild Lives, Ian’s stories of adventure, discovery and life lessons will both inspire and entertain you.

Ian McAllister's Great Bear Rainforest

UK-based naturalist and wildlife photographer James Rogerson’s adventures with Scotland’s otters and England’s badgers make for some fantastic stories in this episode of Wild Lives. Everyone loves an otter, and James’ wild close encounters with them have given him a unique insight into these secretive little guys’ lives – from their innovative hunting tactics to their endearing playtime habits, James has seen and photographed it all. Closer to his home in central England, James has spent years photographing badgers as they live in and alongside urban environments – no easy task considering they’re secretive, very wary of humans and are being culled across England. James’ time with badgers has revealed their playful behaviours and rich social lives, giving him a rare glimpse into their wild world – and some fascinating tales to share.

UK's Otters & Badgers with James Rogerson

Expedition diver, oceans explorer, acclaimed film-maker and photographer Julia Sumerling has spent a couple of decades discovering Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, and her knowledge of this World Heritage environment is eclipsed only by her passion for it. Over the years she’s completed at least 10,000 dives – and at least 9000 of these were solo missions, so she’s had plenty of opportunities to form friendships with the reef’s dwarf minke whales, turtles, potato cods, thresher sharks, stingrays, guitar fish and a stack of other intriguing sea creatures. Her regular expeditions to the ribbon reefs of the Coral Sea and the Yongala Wreck have given her a unique perspective on life, and her hilarious, inspiring stories will have you reaching for your snorkel, asap! Bonus: this legendary photographer also shares her best underwater photography tips (you’re welcome!).

Great Barrier Reef with Julia Sumerling

Naturalist Justin Hawco presents a bird’s eye view of Newfoundland, Canada – an extraordinary wilderness famous for its 10,000-year-old icebergs, rugged coastline and the 35 million seabirds who flock to the Witless Bay area. As Justin’s discovered on his countless adventures, this is a place where seabirds go beak to beak in one of the planet’s most extreme environments; where even the most innocent-looking feathery friends are plotting mayhem. In this episode of the Wild Lives podcast, Justin reveals the secret lives of puffins and the sinister habits of northern gannets, plus he introduces us to blackback gulls, auks, and more. And, if you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to get beaten up by ‘the clown of the sea’, Justin’s your guy!

Puffins & Seabirds of Newfoundland with Justin Hawco

Sperm whales are one of the most mysterious creatures on the planet – sure, they’re the largest toothed animals on Earth, but you’ve got to be pretty lucky to see them (especially because they can hold their breath for up to 2 hours!). Miranda Van Der Linde made her own luck by becoming a marine biologist and scoring a sperm whale research gig in the Azores. In this episode of Wild Lives, Miranda’s stories will give you goosebumps on your goosebumps as she recalls watching all kinds of fascinating behaviours (including seeing them give birth)! She also reveals how they received such an unfortunate name, the secret ways they communicate, and why their vomit is worth a fortune.

Sperm Whales of the Azores with Miranda Van Der Linde

Of the 350 species of shark in the world, few capture the imagination like the Great White Shark – after all, they’re one of the planet’s fiercest predators, measuring up to 6 metres long and clocking speeds of 56 kilometres per hour. But are these big fish simply misunderstood? In this episode of Wild Lives, marine biologist Kelly Baker shares her stories about life with these giants in Gansbaai, near Cape Town in South Africa, revealing their fascinating behaviours and individual personalities, and explaining exactly what happens with their arch nemesis – the killer whale, or orca – rolls into town.

Great White Sharks of South Africa with Kelly Baker

Legendary snapper Jad Davenport has spent 15 years as an expedition leader and photographer in the Canadian sub-Arctic, where he sometimes gets so close to wild polar bears and tundra wolves that his camera can’t even focus! From peeing comps with alpha wolves to playtime invitations from juvenile polar bears, Jad’s interactions with these wildlings is the stuff of legend. Much like the man himself, really – Jad started out as a war photographer before he found his true calling as a National Geographic wildlife photographer, and today he’s known as one of the world’s best in the field. In this Wild Lives episode, Jad shares his favourite moments in the Hudson Bay area and reveals what his adventures have taught him about animals, humans and himself.  

Polar Bears & Tundra Wolves with Jad Davenport

Award-winning wildlife expert Tim Faulkner is leading the charge to save the Tasmanian Devil from extinction. As the president of Aussie Ark, he’s been building an insurance population of these charismatic critters; meanwhile a deadly disease has already taken 90% of Tasmania’s wild population. In this episode of Wild Lives, Tim shares his amazing insights into Devil behaviour, introduces us to a few individual animals and reveals why there’s definitely hope for these incredible Aussies.

Tim Faulkner on saving the Tasmanian Devil

From his game-changing ocean documentaries to his iconic photography, Bob Talbot has shaped how we see and think about the sea – particularly when it comes to its wildlife, like dolphins and whales. No doubt you’ve already seen Bob’s Oscar-nominated IMAX film called Dolphins, and you’ll soon be checking out his latest doco, called Being Dolphin 4D, which gives viewers a dolphin’s eye view of life in the pod. You’ve seen his incredible photography in Time and National Geographic, and you’ve probably even hung his prints in your home – Bob was in his 20s when his posters of whales and dolphins became the world’s best-selling line of marine artwork. Bob’s career kicked off in 1977, when he and some tenacious mates drove from California up to Canada’s West Coast, hoping to find and photograph orcas underwater – and in this episode of Wild Lives by Faunographic Bob takes us along every crazy step of this rollicking journey (spoiler alert: it leads to him teaming up with legendary oceanographer Jacques Cousteau!). He also tells us the stories behind is most iconic photos, introduces us to an overly enthusiastic orca called Sharkie and reflects on the time he barely survived an encounter with an entangled gray whale. And, his observations about what it’s like to be with wild dolphins, and feel part of the pod, will give you all the feels.

Bob Talbot talks dolphins and whales

For wildlife photographer Paul Ojuara, getting the perfect shot in Natal, on Brazil’s northeastern tip, can be an extreme sport. Paul’s hometown can be violent (to get to some areas, wildlife photographers need police escorts), and the animals themselves can be a little tricksy (prowling pumas, anyone?). But for architect-turned-biologist Paul, these challenges just fuel his passion for wildlife, in particular the common marmosets and burrowing owls he’s been photographing locally for years. In this episode of Wild Lives By Faunographic, Paul shares what he’s learnt from his daily encounters with these stunning creatures, reveals the surprising challenges they face and explains the stories behind his most iconic photos.

Paul Ojuara on Brazil's Marmosets & Burrowing Owls

Get up close and personal with the animals you love! Season 2 of your favourite wildlife podcast shares the real-life stories of life in the field with naturalists, rangers, photographers, adventurers and a whole lot more. Powered by Faunographic and hosted by Australian journalist and photographer, Rachelle Mackintosh, each episode reveals deeply personal frontline stories as we get close to tigers, great white sharks, wolves, grizzly bears – and everything with fur, feathers and fins in between. From jaw-dropping close encounters to poignant insights into what makes these creatures tick, WILD LIVES by Faunographic will give you all the feels. Subscribe today!

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WILD LIVES

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