Me and My AI, a Conservation Conversation

Primates for Purchase - How Social Media Fuels the Illegal Primate Trade

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2516405/fan_mail/new] A new report from AZA, IFAW, and WWF reveals something alarming hiding in plain sight: thousands of primates, endangered spider monkeys, chimpanzees, marmosets, and more,  are being bought and sold on mainstream social media platforms, openly and with minimal effort to find them. In just six weeks, researchers identified over 1,600 individual primates offered for sale across Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. In this episode, we break down the full scope of the Primates for Purchase report: how sellers evade platform detection using "adoption" language and emoji substitutions, why the US regulatory patchwork creates a legal gray zone that traffickers exploit, and what happens to animals after they're seized, including the staggering lifetime care costs that fall entirely on zoos and sanctuaries, not traffickers. We also get into the demand side of the crisis: how viral "cute monkey" content is directly linked to increased pet trade interest, the public health risks of wild-caught primates entering American homes, and what Florida's invasive primate populations tell us about the long game. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2516405/support] For more information visit us online at www.rarespecies.org and follow us on TikTok (@rarespecies.org), Instagram (@rarespec), YouTube (@rarespec) and Facebook (@rarespec).

Me and My AI, a Conservation Conversation

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2516405/fan_mail/new]  The internet is drowning in fake wildlife images. AI is partly to blame. So why is a conservation biologist using it to tell real stories? In this episode, Karen McGovern sits down with her co-host — an AI — to find out.  Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2516405/support] For more information visit us online at www.rarespecies.org and follow us on TikTok (@rarespecies.org), Instagram (@rarespec), YouTube (@rarespec) and Facebook (@rarespec).

Fourteen Hours on the Tarmac: A Conservation Crisis

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2516405/fan_mail/new] On February 7th, eight critically endangered mountain bongo were loaded onto a charter aircraft bound for Kenya, the next step in a decades-long international effort to return this species to its native forests. Then, while taxiing for departure, the flight was aborted. What followed were 14 tense hours on the tarmac, an emergency response effort by Rare Species Conservatory Foundation staff, and difficult decisions that tested every safeguard built into this program. In this episode of Conservation Beyond the Cage, we walk through what happened, what went wrong, and what we learned. We discuss accountability, animal welfare, crisis response, and the reality that conservation at this level is complex, expensive, and sometimes messy. Most importantly, we talk about what comes next. The mission to return the mountain bongo to Kenya continues — stronger, clearer, and more determined than ever. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2516405/support] For more information visit us online at www.rarespecies.org and follow us on TikTok (@rarespecies.org), Instagram (@rarespec), YouTube (@rarespec) and Facebook (@rarespec).

Illegal Wildlife Trade--Parrots in Peril

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2516405/fan_mail/new]  In this episode of Conservation Beyond the Cage, we explore the realities of the illegal parrot trade: how smugglers use advanced technology, how the COVID-19 pandemic fueled trafficking by weakening enforcement, and the devastating toll on wild populations. We also confront a hard truth—society has grown desensitized to parrots in cages, forgetting they are wildlife meant to thrive in the skies, not behind bars.  Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2516405/support] For more information visit us online at www.rarespecies.org and follow us on TikTok (@rarespecies.org), Instagram (@rarespec), YouTube (@rarespec) and Facebook (@rarespec).

Keepers in Crisis: The Hidden Toll of Wildlife Conservation Work

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2516405/fan_mail/new] What happens when those dedicated to saving wildlife are themselves struggling to survive emotionally? From the heart-wrenching grief of losing animals they've cared for over decades to the physical exhaustion of daily animal husbandry, conservation professionals face mental health challenges rarely discussed in public forums. "How do you cram 24 years of life into an Instagram post about a monkey?" This poignant question captures the profound attachment caregivers develop with their animal charges and the insufficient space given to process loss. Conservation and animal care work demands extraordinary commitment—missed holidays, physical injuries, and the emotional weight of fighting for species whose wild populations continue to decline despite best efforts. Beyond the physical demands, staff face compassion fatigue, the burden of constant caregiving without adequate emotional support. The podcast explores the political realities of conservation—corruption, funding challenges, and the demoralization that comes from feeling like progress is constantly undermined. Yet amid these difficulties, hope persists. As Jane Goodall reminds us, real hope requires action and engagement, not passive wishing. For those in the field, hope manifests in the individual animals they care for daily, buying precious time until broader conservation solutions take hold. Mental health resources, supportive leadership, and community building among colleagues emerge as critical factors in sustaining long-term conservation careers. For listeners working in wildlife care, the message is clear: loving your job and struggling with its emotional toll aren't contradictory. Your compassion, while sometimes exhausting, makes you a better caregiver. For those in leadership positions, creating space for staff mental wellness isn't a luxury—it's essential to effective conservation. Join the conversation about mental health in conservation. Share your experiences or access resources through the links in our show notes. Remember: conservation isn't just about saving species; it's about sustaining the people dedicated to that mission. Resources:  Conservation Optimism https://conservationoptimism.org/ [https://conservationoptimism.org/] ASPCA https://www.aspcapro.org/resource/compassion-fatigue-resilience-resources-animal-shelter-staff-volunteer-wellness [https://www.aspcapro.org/resource/compassion-fatigue-resilience-resources-animal-shelter-staff-volunteer-wellness] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2516405/support] For more information visit us online at www.rarespecies.org and follow us on TikTok (@rarespecies.org), Instagram (@rarespec), YouTube (@rarespec) and Facebook (@rarespec).