conservation podcast

‘Chimpanzees are just incredibly special animals and I think what makes them so unique is their individuality. It’s such a privilege to be able to spend so much time with them.’

The third installation going behind-the-scenes of Chimp Empire in our four-part series celebrating World Chimp Day 2023, featuring immensely talented Director of Photography, Benjamin Sadd. Ben played a crucial role in the creation of the remarkable Netflix docuseries. His passion for wildlife filmmaking and his love for capturing the lives of chimpanzees shines through his work. His dedication to his craft and his genuine affection for these incredible creatures were evident throughout the conversation.

During our discussion, Ben shared his journey of falling in love with filming chimps. His deep connection with these animals goes beyond the technical aspects of cinematography. Ben expressed a personal attachment to the chimpanzees he encountered during the filming of Chimp Empire. His desire to return to Ngogo forest reflects his genuine longing to reconnect with the individuals he has come to know and document.

‘When you’re running through the forest trying to keep up with these chimpanzees, you feel like you’re on their team. You’re rooting for them.’ 

Ben’s commitment to capturing the essence of chimpanzees on film is evident in the stunning visuals of Chimp Empire. His ability to immerse the audience in the world of these intelligent and social creatures is a testament to his skill and artistry as a director of photography. The depth of his connection with the chimpanzees and his desire to share their stories with the world truly sets him apart as a remarkable filmmaker in the wildlife genre.

Click here to visit Ben’s website. 

This podcast contains spoilers and we recommend that listeners watch the series on Netflix before listening. 

Netflix theme, and Chimp Empire intro, narration and music, used by permission and under license from Netflix, for use in GLOBIO's Talking Apes four-part podcast series The Making Of - Chimp Empire - Behind The Scenes.

Talking Apes is an initiative of the nonprofit GLOBIO.
Official website: talkingapes.org
Instagram: @talkingapes_podcast
Twitter: @talking_apes
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Carl Safina is an American ecologist and author. He writes about our relationship with the natural world and the other beings that share it.

‘In my writing I explore our relationship with the living world—and how it could be better. My more recent work also probes how free-living animals experience life. What drives my work is a devotion to free-living things and wild places. And what drives that devotion is my deep love and wonder for the living world. ’  (from Carlsafina.org).

During our conversation, Carl expressed his deep concerns with overpopulation, pollution, climate change, habitat destruction,  and the cruelty we inflict on other species. He attributes these issues to a fundamental failure of the education system:

“What do we learn by the time we’re out of high school? We learn to buy things. We’re equipped to just be consumers, not human beings. We don’t really learn ethics, we don’t learn how to take care of each other, how to take care of the world. We don’t learn any kind of perspective that would give us wisdom, let alone some of the humility that you would see in indigenous cultures who revere the world. 

And what do we all do in the way that we live? We use stuff up. We use things that we don’t understand the consequences of. We don’t understand their origins. We don’t really know anything.”

Carl's books include Becoming Wild: How Animal Cultures Raise Families, Create Beauty, and Achieve Peace; Beyond Words: What Animals Think and Feel; The View From Lazy Point, and others.

He is the founding president of the Safina Center which explores how humans are changing the living world and its ecosystems.

Click here to visit Carl's Website

Click here to visit The Safina Center Website

Click here to read Carl's article on protecting half of Earth

Talking Apes is an initiative of the nonprofit GLOBIO.
Official website: talkingapes.org
Instagram: @talkingapes_podcast
Twitter: @talking_apes
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My second day on the island  involved a lot of driving and lots of time to think. In this episode the author of "Being Salmon, Being Human: Encountering the Wild in Us and Us in the Wild" reads directly from his book. What is Hoquat and what does it have to do with open net farmed salmon? You do not want to miss this one! 

 Episode sponsored by Chelsea Green Publishing.

In this episode we hear from long time marine naturalist and author Barry Swanson. He wrote  The Lost Frequency. That interview dives into what happened to Tahlequah, also known as "J35". She is an orca who lives in the Salish Sea. As soon as I landed I discovered something shocking. At that same time I was headed to Salt Spring Island, BC in the traditional territory of the Saanich, Cowichan, and Chemainus First Nations., to meet with Rama DelaRosa who was doing a  Swim for the Salish Sea. Rachael Merrett from the Georgia Strait Alliance also makes an appearance in explaining what's going on with the orcas living in the Salish Sea.

https://www.salmonfolk.com/

Conservation is often focused on the future: safeguarding a tomorrow for the flora and fauna to secure strong biodiversity and a safe planet for our children down the road.

But what about the past? The origins of conservation as we know it today? Author and science journalist Michelle Nijhuis joins us on Talking Apes to discuss the conservation story and unpack how this history has shaped our approach to protecting the wild world today.  We discuss her recent book Beloved Beasts: Fighting for Life in an Age of Extinction and dive into some of the lessons we can glean from our winding and sometimes problematic conservation history.

Talking Apes is the podcast that gets to the very heart of what is happening with and to apes like us. We explore the world of apes and primates with experts, conservationists, and passionate primate people from around the world. Join us as we unpack their weird and wonderful lives piece by piece.

Talking Apes is made possible through generous support from listeners to nonprofit GLOBIO.org. 

Talking Apes is an initiative of the nonprofit GLOBIO.
Official website: talkingapes.org
Instagram: @talkingapes_podcast
Twitter: @talking_apes
BUY OUR MERCH

We cross the border, whip out our passports for a stamp, and are on our merry way without a second thought. What many of us don’t consider is how chimps and gorillas in the wild can also cross country lines – and what this means for their conservation.  Luckily for the apes, there are experts taking a look at this curious conservation issue to help amplify protection efforts! Take a listen to this episode of Talking Apes with world-renowned conservationist, consultant to the UNEP Convention on Migratory Species,  Ian Redmond, OBE (formally known as "Worm Boy" thanks to Dian Fossey!)

Talking Apes is the podcast that gets to the very heart of what is happening with and to apes like us. We explore the world of apes and primates with experts, conservationists, and passionate primate people from around the world. Join us as we unpack their weird and wonderful lives piece by piece.

Talking Apes is made possible through generous support from listeners to nonprofit GLOBIO.org. 

Talking Apes is an initiative of the nonprofit GLOBIO.
Official website: talkingapes.org
Instagram: @talkingapes_podcast
Twitter: @talking_apes
BUY OUR MERCH