DOC Sounds of Science Podcast

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.

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

Part 2 of our special with kākāpō scientist, Dr. Andrew Digby. We ask listeners’ questions about kākāpō, talk about some of the biggest wins and disappointments in kākāpō management, and learn new facts about this rare, unusual species.Transcript and shownotes at www.doc.govt.nz/podcast

To celebrate summer in Aotearoa, we’ve put together a supercut, packed to the brim with all the best bits from previous episodes. From cryptic species to sharks to seal production—this supercut has something for everyone. Full shownotes and transcript at www.doc.govt.nz/podcast

Freshwater scientist Nixie Boddy on researching non-migratory galaxiids, native fish, and her adventures in the field—some of which involve costumes.Nixie has a huge amount of knowledge about how non-migratory galaxiids interact with threats and river flows, and the broader ecology of their habitat. In this episode she explains fish passage, electric fishing, and many other mysteries of the deep/shallow. It’s another must-listen.The audio at the beginning is an alpine stream in Fiordland National ParkThe music used is Let’s Get Down to Business by Cast of CharactersShownotes and transcript: www.doc.govt.nz/podcast

Ranger and Biodiversity Project lead Tim Raemaekers on handling rare species, becoming a kiwi ranger, and the incredible things he’s seen robin/toutouwai, kākāpō and kiwi get up to.Tim is an on-the-ground expert, whose knowledge of predator control in Fiordland is second to none. He stars in the Fiordland Kiwi Diaries, a YouTube mini-series following DOC rangers in Fiordland as they work to save the iconic tokoeka kiwi.Tim had so many cool stories, we’ve split his interview into two episodes. Part 2 coming soon. Subscribe so you get it when it lands.The audio at the beginning is a tokoeka kiwiThe music used is Let’s Get Down to Business by Cast of CharactersContent warning: mention of blood (minor) at 09m:44s.

Marine biologist Laura Boren dives into her favourite topic, seals, and shares some on-the-job stories about this mischievous species.Laura grew up in the landlocked state of Nebraska and is now one of the preeminent marine biologists in this island nation, so our first question was why? Second was how?Laura was on the front lines saving marine species in the wake of the Rena oil spill, has recently been working to develop pup shelters, and is extremely passionate about responsible dog ownership in areas with marine wildlife. Plus, she has some top tips for hanging out with kekeno, seals. The audio at the beginning is crashing wavesThe music used is 'Let’s Get Down to Business' by Cast of Characters.

Ecologist Michelle Bradshaw discusses what we can learn from the data we get from banded birds and shares some cautionary tales about on the fly identification.Michelle is in charge of the National Banding Scheme in Aotearoa and brings hands-on banding experience from bird colonies all around the world. If you’re a bird nerd, Michelle has the kind of work stories that’ll make you green with envy.The birdsong in this episode is the black-fronted ternThe music used is 'Let’s Get Down to Business' by Cast of Characters.

In this episode we’re talking about how our conservation past intersects with both our present and our future, and how our treaty commitments need to be at the heart of this.Aroha Gilling is an academic specialising in Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and an experienced Treaty Ranger. She’s passionate about education, and this episode contains a wealth of expertise about nature and being a good Treaty Partner. Aroha is also a superfan of all creatures great and small in the Rangitahi Molesworth Recreation Reserve. It’s her happy place.The birdsong in this episode is a dawn chorus.The music used is 'Let’s Get Down to Business' by Cast of Characters.For further reading, learn about our responsibility to give effect to the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi under section 4 of the Conservation Act.

Stories about velvet worms, tiny frogs, crooning bats and more from ecologist Jess Scrimgeour. Jess knows that the Fab Five—in this case we mean kākāpō, kiwi, whio, takahē, and kererū—are easy to love, but she wants to light your spark for the hard to see, hard to hear, or hard to find critters too: like pekapeka/bats, wētā, pepeketua/frogs, and even the peripatus/velvet worm which fires a sticky substance when it feels threatened. How iconic. The birdsong in this episode is a dawn chorus.The music used is 'Let’s Get Down to Business' by Cast of Characters.Te reo Māori translation:Kia ora! Ko Erica Wilkinson tēnei. He kōnae ipurangi tēnei, e pā ana ki ngā Sounds of Science. (Hi! My name is Erica Wilkinson and this is a podcast about Sounds of Science).

There aren’t many jobs with us that Jack hasn’t turned his hand to. Remote island ranger, species monitor, trapper, hunter, ranger trainer, systems designer, operations manager – you name it, Jack has probably done it. He’s deeply passionate about conservation and has accumulated a lot of great stories. In this episode Jack shares stories about powelliphanta, kōkako, Tūturuatu, Canterbury Mudfish, Mana Island flax weevil, Alseuosmia the mimic plant, akeake the giant daisy, ongaonga the serious stinging nettle; as well as diesel grass, Rockhopper penguins, sea lions, kiwi, and parea/Chatham Island pigeon. And more! It’s a chocka block 39 minutes.The bird sound in this episode is the Parea/Chatham Island pigeonThe music used is Let’s Get Down to Business by Cast of Characters

This is the much awaited second part of Brent Beaven’s Predator Free interview. In this episode, we’re talking about upcoming innovations as well as current predator control tools, and yes that includes 1080. This episode is a big swing and we hope it gives you some important context.The bird sound in this episode is the Northern brown kiwiThe music used is Let’s Get Down to Business by Cast of CharactersBrent’s excellent blog series about Predator Free is available on the Conservation Blog

Anton van Helden is a marine scientist by day moonlighting as a magician by night, although one could make the point that magic never sleeps. Anton has over 30 years of experience working with and studying marine mammals – before he worked for us, he was at Te Papa. Now, Anton works as a science advisor in our Marine Species Team, assigned to looking after Māui and Hector's dolphins. In this episode, you’ll hear talk of strandings, the subants, toxoplasmosis, pub statistics, and climate, as well as working with iwi on recovery of bones.Abracadabra, are you listening closely? CONTENT WARNING: Please be advised that the following episode contains specific discussion of dissection (we kept it reasonably high level) which some listeners may find graphic. This is 8.03 – 11.22. And at 23.25 we talk about taonga and why dissections are important for Iwi.