DOC Sounds of Science Podcast

Conservation scientist Graeme Elliott is an ultimate bird nerd. With a career spanning over 50 years, Graeme has studied and worked with a range of native bird species, including moho pererū/banded rail, mātātā/fernbird, mohua/yellowhead, kākāpō, kea, and toroa/wandering albatross. His body of research has significantly expanded New Zealand’s knowledge of endangered birds and the threats facing them.In this episode, Graeme talks about the quirky behaviour of wandering albatross, the incredible birdlife on predator free subantarctic islands, his love for ‘dickie’ birds, and his pivotal research on mohua and beech seed fall patterns in Fiordland.The audio at the beginning is a mohua/yellowhead. The music used is Let’s Get Down to Business by Cast of Characters.

Marine biologist and primatologist Dr Jody Weir has extensive expertise on marine animals, specifically: fur seals, dolphins and turtles – all things finned and beautiful.Jody has also researched lemurs in Madagascar, bears and wolves in Canada, and turtles in Barbados. Learn about her exciting and varied career in our latest episode.The audio at the beginning of the episode is a kekeno New Zealand fur seal. The music used is Let’s Get Down to Business by Cast of Characters.

George knows everything there is to know about hooved creatures that walk on their toes—ungulates, for those in the know—and he’s a keen hunter as well as a technical advisor on the topic of wild animals.Hear about where we’re at with hunting and wild animal control, from one of our foremost experts who is also a hunter. George wears all the hats.The audio at the beginning of the episode is a Western weka.The music used is Let’s Get Down to Business by Cast of CharactersContent warning for (respectful and scientific) discussion of hunting and dead animalsFull shownotes and transcript at www.doc.govt.nz/podcast 

Cassie has the most interesting answer possible to the question ‘what do you do for fun?’ She rehabilitates penguins.As one of our technical advisors specialising in fauna, in addition to running swim practice for penguins in her backyard, Cassie has a lot of wildlife rehabilitation stories and tips.Listen to this unmissable episode now.The audio used at the beginning is a tawaki/Fiordland crested penguin splashing in pool and making honking soundThe music used is Let’s Get Down to Business by Cast of CharactersShownotes and transcript at www.doc.govt.nz/podcast

Terry is an expert in all kinds of parrots, specifically kākā, kākāriki karaka/NZ parakeet and kākāpō.He’s spent a lot of time catching and monitoring birds, studying them, and advising on the impacts of predator control on non-target species. Plus, he has some field stories that are so incredible, you’ll think he’s lying. At first, we thought he was lying.The audio at the beginning of the episode is the call of the North Island kākāThe music used is Let’s Get Down to Business by Cast of CharactersTranscript and shownotes available at www.doc.govt.nz/podcast