The Think Wildlife Podcast

The Western Ghats of India are one of the world’s most important biodiversity hotspots, home to thousands of endemic species and remarkable ecological diversity. In this episode of the Think Wildlife Podcast, we speak with Abinesh Anbazhagan, a PhD scholar at Pondicherry University whose research explores herpetology, biodiversity discovery, and the growing role of technology in wildlife conservation.Abinesh’s work focuses on documenting biodiversity in the Nilgiris landscape, a region that forms a crucial part of the Western Ghats ecosystem. Over more than a decade of research, his work has contributed to large-scale biodiversity indexing projects that have documented thousands of terrestrial species in the region. These efforts are critical for understanding the distribution of species and identifying areas that require urgent conservation attention.One of the most exciting aspects of Abinesh’s research is the discovery and description of new species. Recent work has resulted in the identification of previously unknown species of arthropods and fireflies, as well as the rediscovery of species believed to be lost or extremely rare. Discoveries like these highlight how much remains unknown about biodiversity in even well-known landscapes such as the Western Ghats.The episode also explores Abinesh’s research on reptile ecology, including geckos, snakes, and tarantulas, and his current PhD research focusing on pit viper ecology in island ecosystems. Understanding the ecology and distribution of these species is vital for conservation, particularly because many reptiles and amphibians are highly sensitive to environmental change and habitat disturbance.A major theme of the conversation is the increasing role of technology in modern wildlife research. From camera trapping and telemetry to GIS modeling, machine learning, and molecular genetics, technological tools are transforming the way scientists monitor species and ecosystems. Abinesh explains how tools such as DNA barcoding, phylogenetic analysis, and satellite-based spatial data are helping researchers identify species, map habitats, and detect emerging conservation threats.The discussion also highlights the importance of traditional ecological knowledge and community participation in conservation. Indigenous communities and local forest watchers often possess deep knowledge of species behavior, habitats, and seasonal patterns. Integrating this knowledge with scientific research can significantly improve conservation outcomes and strengthen long-term ecosystem stewardship.Abinesh also discusses the key threats facing biodiversity in the Nilgiris region, including deforestation, invasive species, habitat encroachment, pesticide pollution, and artificial light at night. These pressures can have serious consequences for endemic species, particularly reptiles and amphibians that rely on specific temperature ranges and microhabitats for survival.Climate change presents another major challenge for wildlife in mountainous ecosystems like the Western Ghats. Many species are adapted to narrow climatic conditions and may be forced to shift their ranges to higher elevations as temperatures rise. For species already restricted to mountain peaks or isolated habitats, this could lead to local extinctions.This episode provides a fascinating look at the intersection of taxonomy, technology, and conservation science in one of the most biologically rich regions of the world. From rediscovering species thought to be extinct to exploring how artificial intelligence can transform wildlife monitoring, the conversation highlights the importance of continued research and collaboration in protecting biodiversity.Subscribe to the Think Wildlife Podcast for more conversations with scientists, conservationists, and wildlife researchers working to protect biodiversity around the world.#WesternGhats #Herpetology #SpeciesDiscovery #BiodiversityResearch #WildlifeScience #SnakeEcology #ReptileResearch #ConservationScience #WildlifePodcast #ThinkWildlife Get full access to The Think Wildlife Podcast at anishbanerjee.substack.com/subscribe

Southeast Asia’s rainforests are among the most biologically rich ecosystems on Earth, yet they are disappearing at an alarming rate. In this episode of the Think Wildlife Podcast, we speak with Leif Cocks, founder of The Orangutan Project, about the urgent challenge of protecting the last remaining rainforests of Indonesia and Malaysia and the wildlife that depends on them.Orangutans are one of the most intelligent and self-aware species on the planet, but their survival is tightly linked to the fate of Southeast Asia’s forests. In this conversation, Leif explains why orangutans struggle to survive in captivity and why protecting wild rainforest ecosystems is the only long-term solution for their conservation. Research has shown that orangutans often live shorter lives in captivity than they do in the wild, highlighting the importance of protecting their natural habitats and supporting rehabilitation and reintroduction programs.The episode explores how The Orangutan Project works to rescue, rehabilitate, and release displaced orangutans while simultaneously focusing on the bigger picture: safeguarding large, intact rainforest ecosystems. Every individual orangutan rescued represents not only an animal in need but also a crucial genetic resource for a critically endangered species whose survival depends on protecting remaining populations.Beyond orangutans, the conversation expands to the wider conservation landscape of Southeast Asia. Leif discusses the plight of Sumatran tigers, Asian elephants, and other threatened species that share the same rainforest ecosystems. With fewer than 300 Sumatran tigers remaining, fragmented populations and habitat loss have made long-term survival increasingly difficult. Conservation efforts now require innovative strategies such as metapopulation management, where individuals are carefully moved between isolated populations to maintain genetic diversity.The discussion also examines the major threats facing wildlife across Indonesia and Malaysia. These include deforestation for agriculture, illegal wildlife trade, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict. In many cases, the destruction of rainforest habitats forces animals into farmland and villages, creating conflict with local communities and leading to further wildlife losses.Leif also highlights the importance of protecting large rainforest landscapes, particularly lowland riverine forests, which support some of the highest biodiversity in Southeast Asia. Conservation programs supported by The Orangutan Project focus on securing these ecosystems through habitat protection, ranger patrols, wildlife monitoring, community engagement, and reforestation initiatives.A key theme of the episode is that successful conservation must include people. Initiatives such as the Forests for People program work with local communities to support education, sustainable livelihoods, and improved food security while ensuring forests remain intact for wildlife and future generations.This episode provides a deep dive into the realities of conservation in Southeast Asia—from orangutan rescue and rehabilitation to the protection of entire rainforest ecosystems that support elephants, tigers, and countless other species. It is a powerful reminder that saving wildlife ultimately depends on protecting the landscapes they call home. Leif is also the founder of The International Tiger Project and The International Elephant Project.Subscribe to the Think Wildlife Podcast for more conversations with leading conservationists, scientists, and wildlife practitioners working to protect biodiversity around the world.#Orangutans #RainforestConservation #OrangutanProject #SumatranTiger #AsianElephants #WildlifeConservation #Biodiversity #Deforestation #ConservationPodcast #ThinkWildlife Get full access to The Think Wildlife Podcast at anishbanerjee.substack.com/subscribe

Asian elephants are among the most endangered large mammals on Earth, with only 35,000–40,000 individuals remaining across their entire range. In this episode of the Think Wildlife Podcast, we speak with Nikki Sharp, Executive Director of Wildlife SOS USA, about the urgent challenges facing Asian elephants across South and Southeast Asia and the conservation efforts working to secure their future. Wildlife SOS is one of the leading organizations working on elephant rescue and rehabilitation in India, having helped rescue more than 50 elephants from circuses, captivity, and conflict situations. In this conversation, Nikki shares powerful stories from these rescues, including the remarkable recovery of elephants like Suzy, a blind circus elephant who found a second life in sanctuary, and Bani, a young elephant injured by a train who regained mobility through intensive veterinary care and rehabilitation. The episode also explores the broader conservation status of Asian elephants, a species that has lost nearly 97% of its historical population and whose remaining numbers are heavily concentrated in India and Sri Lanka. Nikki explains why Asian elephants often receive less global attention than African elephants despite their precarious conservation status and discusses how conservation awareness and advocacy can help change this imbalance. A major focus of the discussion is the recent DNA-based elephant census conducted in India, one of the most ambitious wildlife population studies ever undertaken. Researchers walked hundreds of thousands of kilometers across elephant habitats and collected thousands of dung samples to extract DNA and identify individual elephants. This genetic method allows scientists to estimate population sizes more accurately than traditional head-count surveys and represents a major advancement in wildlife monitoring and conservation science. Beyond population monitoring, the conversation also examines the biggest threats facing Asian elephants today, including habitat loss, fragmentation of migration routes, and escalating human-elephant conflict. As landscapes change due to agriculture, mining, and infrastructure development, elephants are increasingly forced into contact with people, leading to crop loss, property damage, and sometimes tragic outcomes for both humans and elephants.Nikki highlights how community-based conservation initiatives are helping reduce these conflicts. Programs such as early warning systems, community engagement, and conflict mitigation teams are helping villages coexist with elephants while protecting both livelihoods and wildlife. These approaches demonstrate how conservation solutions must integrate ecological science, local knowledge, and community participation.This episode provides a deep dive into the science, policy, and human stories behind elephant conservation—from cutting-edge genetic census techniques to on-the-ground rescue work and community conservation strategies. Whether you are interested in wildlife conservation, Asian elephants, biodiversity policy, or human-wildlife conflict, this conversation offers valuable insights into one of the most important conservation challenges of our time.Subscribe to the Think Wildlife Podcast for more conversations with leading conservationists, scientists, and wildlife practitioners working to protect biodiversity around the world.#AsianElephants #ElephantConservation #WildlifeSOS #HumanElephantConflict #WildlifeRescue #ElephantCensus #DNAWildlifeResearch #BiodiversityConservation #WildlifePodcast #ThinkWildlife Get full access to The Think Wildlife Podcast at anishbanerjee.substack.com/subscribe

In this wide-ranging episode of The Think Wildlife Podcast, host Anish Banerjee is joined by David Will from Island Conservation to explore why islands sit at the heart of the global biodiversity crisis—and why they also represent one of conservation’s greatest sources of hope.Islands occupy a unique place in Earth’s ecological history. Despite covering a tiny fraction of the planet’s land area, they support a disproportionate share of global biodiversity, harbouring countless endemic species found nowhere else. David explains why island biodiversity hotspots are so extraordinary, but also why island wildlife is exceptionally vulnerable. Small land area, isolation, and simplified food webs mean that disturbances—especially invasive species and climate change—can trigger rapid ecological collapse. As a result, islands have experienced some of the highest extinction rates on Earth, making island biodiversity conservation one of the most urgent challenges in modern conservation.The conversation delves into the science and practice of island conservation, with a focus on restoring vulnerable ecosystems by removing invasive species such as rats, cats, and pigs. These introduced animals have driven widespread extinctions of seabirds, reptiles, and plants, fundamentally altering island ecology. David describes how removing invasive species can unlock extraordinary recovery, allowing native species to rebound within years and restoring ecological processes that had been suppressed for centuries.A central theme of the episode is the powerful connection between land and sea. David explains how island ecology cannot be understood in isolation from surrounding marine systems. Seabirds, once restored, transport nutrients from ocean to land, enriching forests and coastal soils, while also boosting coral reef health and fish biomass offshore. These cascading benefits highlight how island biodiversity conservation supports both terrestrial and marine ecosystems, strengthening climate resilience and food security for island communities.Climate change looms large throughout the discussion. Rising sea levels, marine heatwaves, stronger storms, and shifting temperature regimes disproportionately affect islands, making them frontline indicators of global environmental change. David reflects on why climate change amplifies existing threats, and how biodiversity management on islands must integrate adaptation, biosecurity, and long-term monitoring to remain effective in an uncertain future.The episode also explores innovation in conservation, from drones and environmental DNA to cutting-edge genetic tools aimed at controlling invasive species more humanely and safely. These technologies are expanding what is possible for island conservation at scale, offering new pathways to protect some of the world’s most fragile biodiversity hotspots.This conversation offers a compelling vision for the future of island conservation—one grounded in science, community leadership, and optimism. It is essential listening for anyone interested in island biodiversity, island wildlife, vulnerable ecosystems, climate change, and the role islands play in the global biodiversity conservation agenda.#Islandbiodiversity #islandconservation #islandbiodiversityconservation #islandwildlife #islandecology #biodiversity #biodiversityconservation #biodiversityhotspot #biodiversitymanagement #islandbiodiversityhotspot #vulnerableecosystems #climatechange Get full access to The Think Wildlife Podcast at anishbanerjee.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of The Think Wildlife Podcast, host Anish Banerjee is joined by Nishan Limbu, Tujin Rai, and Nischal Kunwar from the Nature Conservation and Study Centre for a wide-ranging conversation on youth-led wildlife conservation and biodiversity research in Nepal’s Himalayan landscapes.Rather than focusing on a single species, this episode explores how grassroots conservation initiatives in Nepal are addressing the needs of multiple threatened taxa, including the Asiatic Black Bear, pangolins, small carnivores, pollinators, turtles, and forest-dependent mammals. Together, these species represent the ecological complexity of Nepal’s biodiversity hotspot, where conservation challenges are deeply intertwined with community livelihoods, land-use change, and human–wildlife interactions.A major part of the discussion centres on the Asiatic Black Bear, a wide-ranging species increasingly coming into conflict with people in Nepal’s mid-hills and forested regions. The guests describe how bear conservation efforts combine camera trapping, rapid biodiversity assessments, and community interviews to identify key habitats and conflict zones. These methods are part of a broader conservation research framework that prioritizes coexistence and evidence-based wildlife conservation rather than enforcement-only approaches.The conversation then expands to other species under threat. Pangolins emerge as one of the most elusive and heavily trafficked mammals in the region, requiring both biodiversity research and strong community engagement to improve detection and protection. Small carnivores and lesser-known mammals are discussed as overlooked components of biodiversity conservation, despite their critical ecological roles. The episode also highlights pollinator conservation through citizen-science initiatives, demonstrating how biodiversity research can be democratized and scaled through local participation.Across all these projects, the Nature Conservation and Study Centre’s approach emphasizes capacity building, youth leadership, and community ownership. By training community forest user groups to deploy camera traps, monitor wildlife, and interpret results, the organization is helping shift conservation from externally driven projects to locally sustained action. This model strengthens biodiversity conservation outcomes while fostering long-term stewardship in Nepal’s rural landscapes.The guests also reflect candidly on the challenges faced by early-career conservationists, including limited funding, lack of training opportunities, and resistance from communities affected by human–wildlife conflict. Yet the episode remains hopeful, showing how collaboration, persistence, and grounded conservation research can generate meaningful change.This episode is essential listening for anyone interested in bear conservation, Asiatic Black Bears, pangolins, wildlife conservation, biodiversity research, and the future of youth-led conservation in Nepal and the Himalayas. It offers a holistic view of how protecting biodiversity requires working across species, ecosystems, and communities simultaneously.#bear #bearconservation #AsiaticBlackBear #conservation #wildlifeconservation #biodiversityhotspot #conservationresearch #biodiversityresearch #biodiversityconservation #biodiversity #communitybasedconservation #communityconservation Get full access to The Think Wildlife Podcast at anishbanerjee.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of The Think Wildlife Podcast, host Anish Banerjee is joined by Divya Banerjee, founder of Uttarayan Wildlife, for a deeply grounded conversation on elephants, people, and landscapes in eastern India. Drawing on years of frontline conservation experience, Divya shares how elephant conservation in human-dominated regions is inseparable from social justice, livelihoods, and long-term ecosystem recovery.The episode focuses on Asiatic elephants and the rapidly disappearing elephant corridors of southern West Bengal. These corridors once enabled seasonal movement between forests across Jharkhand, Odisha, and Bengal, but today they are heavily fragmented by deforestation, monocropping, and infrastructure expansion. As these wildlife corridors collapse, conflict escalates, placing immense pressure on both elephants and marginal farming communities. Divya explains why elephant corridor conservation is not simply about protecting space, but about restoring ecological functionality across entire landscapes.A major theme of the conversation is ecosystem degradation and its cascading effects. Loss of forest cover, depletion of topsoil, water scarcity, and chemical-intensive agriculture have transformed once-diverse habitats into arid, unproductive land. Divya outlines how ecosystem restoration begins from the ground up, starting with soil regeneration, water retention, and the reintroduction of native plant species. These efforts are critical not only for Asiatic Elephant conservation but also for rebuilding biodiversity and ecological resilience.The episode offers a rare, practical look at community-based conservation in action. Divya describes how local farmers are central to every stage of the work, from nursery management and plantation maintenance to alternative livelihoods such as vermicomposting and beekeeping. These initiatives strengthen local economies while supporting biodiversity conservation and biodiversity management, demonstrating that wildlife conservation is most effective when communities are genuine partners rather than passive stakeholders.This conversation highlights the realities of conserving elephants outside protected areas, the challenges of restoring wildlife corridors in working landscapes, and the long-term commitment required to reverse ecosystem degradation. It is essential listening for anyone interested in elephant conservation, biodiversity conservation, ecosystem restoration, and people-centred approaches to conservation in India.#elephants #elephantcorridor #elephantcorridorconservation #elephantconservation #Asiaticelephants #asiaticelephantconservation #wildlifecorridor #wildlifeconservation #biodiversityconservation #biodiversitymanagement #biodiversity #ecosystemdegradation #ecosystemrestoration #communitybasedconservation Get full access to The Think Wildlife Podcast at anishbanerjee.substack.com/subscribe

In this compelling episode of The Think Wildlife Podcast, host Anish Banerjee speaks with Indrajit Ghorpade, founder of the Deccan Conservation Foundation, about wolf conservation in the Koppal District of Karnataka and the overlooked biodiversity of the Deccan Plateau. The conversation offers a rare, ground-level perspective on the Indian wolf and the urgent need to rethink how India approaches grassland conservation and biodiversity management outside forested landscapes.Koppal District, located in the Deccan Plateau, represents one of the last strongholds of the Indian wolf, a subspecies of the gray wolf uniquely adapted to India’s arid and semi-arid grasslands. Often misunderstood and neglected, the Indian wolf has survived for centuries in human-dominated landscapes shaped by pastoralism and dryland agriculture. Indrajit explains how wolf conservation in this region is inseparable from protecting grassland ecosystems that are routinely misclassified as wastelands, despite supporting exceptional grassland biodiversity.The episode explores the ecological importance of open grasslands for species such as wolves, blackbucks, foxes, hyenas, and ground-nesting birds, and why the loss of these habitats has driven widespread declines across Indian biodiversity. Indrajit reflects on how tiger-centric conservation narratives have overshadowed species like the Indian wolf, leading to gaps in policy, funding, and public awareness. Through years of fieldwork, research, and advocacy, his work has helped establish India’s second wolf sanctuary at Bankapur, demonstrating that targeted protection can make a measurable difference even in fragmented landscapes.A key theme of the discussion is coexistence. Wolves in Koppal largely survive outside protected areas, navigating livestock grazing, agriculture, roads, and renewable energy infrastructure. Indrajit unpacks the realities of human–wolf interactions, the role of free-ranging dogs, hybridization concerns, and the importance of education in reducing conflict. Rather than portraying wolves as threats, the episode reframes them as keystone predators essential for regulating ecosystems and sustaining long-term biodiversity conservation.Listeners will gain insight into why grassland conservation is central to the future of Karnataka biodiversity and the biodiversity of India more broadly. From blackbucks roaming open plains to wolves using rocky outcrops as breeding refuges, the episode highlights how wild Karnataka extends far beyond forests and protected reserves. This conversation is essential listening for anyone interested in wolf conservation, Indian wolf conservation, gray wolf conservation, grassland biodiversity, and the future of biodiversity management in India’s most neglected ecosystems.#wolf #wolfconservation #IndianWolf #Indianwolfconservation #graywolf #graywolfconservation #grassland #grasslandconservation #biodiversityconservation #biodiversitymanagement #Indianbiodiversity #grasslandbiodiversity #blackbucks #wildKarnataka #Karnatakabiodiversity #biodiversityofKarnataka #biodiversityofIndia Get full access to The Think Wildlife Podcast at anishbanerjee.substack.com/subscribe

Nepal is home to some of the world’s most iconic wildlife — from tigers, rhinos, and elephants to lesser-known species like pangolins and medicinal orchids. Yet behind its breathtaking biodiversity lies a complex struggle against wildlife poaching, illegal wildlife trade, and habitat loss. In this episode of the Think Wildlife Podcast, we speak with Kumar Paudel, founder and director of Greenhood Nepal, one of the nation’s leading conservation organizations working to combat wildlife crime and promote community conservation across the Himalayas.Kumar shares his inspiring journey from a childhood in the mountains of Nepal to leading national efforts in biodiversity conservation. Through his work with Greenhood Nepal, he has helped transform the country’s conservation landscape — from early advocacy against poaching and corruption to the establishment of community-based monitoring networks and policy reform. The conversation delves into the evolution of Nepal’s conservation success. Kumar discusses how community intelligence and local anti-poaching networks have become vital in protecting wildlife across national parks and buffer zones. Yet, he warns that while attention often centers on charismatic megafauna like tigers and rhinos, smaller and lesser-known species such as pangolins, tortoises, and orchids face rising threats from illegal wildlife trade and unsustainable harvesting.Greenhood Nepal’s work along the China–Nepal border provides critical insights into cross-border wildlife trade networks, revealing the motivations behind trafficking and empowering enforcement agencies through training, data sharing, and behavioral change campaigns. Kumar also highlights their pioneering research on orchid conservation, mapping over 500 native species — including more than 100 medicinally important orchids — and developing sustainable management plans that align with CITES compliance.The discussion also explores pangolin conservation, where Greenhood has led community outreach, identified priority habitats, and hosted Nepal’s first Pangolin Conservation Roundtable, catalyzing national policy action. Kumar explains how the team’s on-ground efforts — from habitat restoration to education and enforcement — have shaped the future of biodiversity management in Nepal.Beyond enforcement, Kumar reflects on the importance of compassion and understanding. His most memorable conservation experience came from visiting prisons and speaking with wildlife offenders, gaining firsthand insights into the socio-economic pressures that drive poaching and wildlife trade. His reflections underscore that sustainable conservation depends on addressing poverty, awareness, and opportunity — not just punishment.We also revisit Nepal’s remarkable success in tiger conservation, where populations have nearly tripled between 2010 and 2022, and discuss emerging challenges such as human–wildlife conflict. As Nepal continues to balance conservation and development, Kumar calls for stronger investment in coexistence strategies, habitat restoration, and community-led solutions.This episode offers an in-depth look at the intertwined issues of wildlife crime, community conservation, and biodiversity preservation in one of the world’s richest ecological regions. Tune in to learn how Nepal’s story of resilience, innovation, and collaboration continues to inspire the global conservation movement.About the HostAnish Banerjee is an early career ecologist, with a MSc in Ecology, Evolution and Conservation from Imperial College London. He is the founder of Think Wildlife Foundation and a biodiversity policy analyst at Legal Atlas. He is also the author of the following field guides:Field Guide to the Common Wildlife of India: https://amzn.in/d/2TnNvSEField Guide to the Mammals of Singapore: https://amzn.in/d/gcbq8VG#Nepal #tigers #elephants #rhino #wildlife #wildlifeconservation #wildlifecrime #poaching #wildlifepoaching #hunting #wildlifetrade #illegalwildlifetrade #conservation #biodiversity #biodiversityofNepal #biodiversityconservation #biodiversitymanagement #orchids #orchidconservation #pangolins #communityconservation #communityengagement5 Get full access to The Think Wildlife Podcast at anishbanerjee.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of the Think Wildlife Podcast, we travel to the frozen frontiers of the Arctic to uncover one of conservation’s most inspiring success stories — the revival of the Arctic fox in Svalbard and Fennoscandia. Host Anish Banerjee is joined by Nina Elisabeth Eide from the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA), who shares her remarkable two-decade journey studying and protecting wild canids in one of the world’s harshest environments.Once reduced to barely 40–60 individuals, the Arctic fox population in Scandinavia teetered on the edge of extinction due to overhunting, climate change, and competition with red foxes. Through dedicated efforts in wild canid conservation, the population has rebounded more than tenfold to nearly 600 foxes — a triumph made possible by scientific research, adaptive management, and international cooperation.Nina describes how her PhD work in Svalbard explored the ecology and spatial behaviour of Arctic foxes, revealing how these resilient predators adapt to shifting prey availability across coastal and inland tundra. She explains their extraordinary biological adaptations — from thick fur and fat reserves to metabolic slowdown — that allow them to endure months of Arctic winter without freezing even at –40°C.The discussion delves deep into the innovative conservation measures behind the Arctic fox’s recovery:Supplemental feeding stations strategically placed near den sites to enhance pup survival and reproduction.Red fox control programmes that limit competition in critical Arctic habitats.A successful captive-breeding and reintroduction programme, which has released over 460 foxes into the wild, boosting eight distinct sub-populations across Norway, Sweden, and Finland.Long-term genetic monitoring, collecting nearly 800 DNA samples annually to track individuals, maintain genetic diversity, and assess the success of reintroduced foxes.Beyond the science, Nina reflects on the emotional highs of conservation — from the joy of releasing foxes into the wild to the collective sense of achievement when a once-critically endangered species begins to recover. Yet, she warns that ongoing threats like climate change, habitat fragmentation, and red fox expansion still pose challenges to the long-term survival of Arctic biodiversity.This episode offers a rare glimpse into the perseverance and ingenuity that define modern wildlife conservation. It highlights how collaboration between scientists, governments, and local communities can restore fragile ecosystems and preserve the delicate balance of Arctic biodiversity.Join us to learn about the ecology, behaviour, and conservation of one of the Arctic’s most charismatic species — and what its recovery means for the broader effort to safeguard biodiversity hotspots under a changing climate.Whether you are a wildlife enthusiast, conservation biologist, or simply someone inspired by stories of nature’s resilience, this conversation captures the essence of why protecting wild canids like the Arctic fox is vital for the future of our planet’s biodiversity and nature.About the HostAnish Banerjee is an early career ecologist, with a MSc in Ecology, Evolution and Conservation from Imperial College London. He is the founder of Think Wildlife Foundation and a biodiversity policy analyst at Legal Atlas. He is also the author of the following field guides:Field Guide to the Common Wildlife of India: https://amzn.in/d/2TnNvSEField Guide to the Mammals of Singapore: https://amzn.in/d/gcbq8VG#ThinkWildlifePodcast #ArcticFoxes #WildCanids #FoxConservation #WildCanidConservation #SvalbardBiodiversity #ArcticBiodiversity #ArcticBiodiversityConservation #Biodiversity #BiodiversityConservation #BiodiversityHotspot #Ecology #Wildlife #Nature Get full access to The Think Wildlife Podcast at anishbanerjee.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of the Think Wildlife Podcast, we explore one of India’s most unique and little-known primates — the slender loris, a small nocturnal primate that thrives in the tree canopies of southern India and Sri Lanka. Joining us is Professor Kaberi Kar Gupta, visiting scientist at the Indian Institute of Science and founder of the Urban Slender Loris Project, who shares her decades-long journey from studying forest ecology to pioneering urban ecology and urban wildlife conservation in Bengaluru.Professor Gupta recounts her early fascination with nature, from growing up in the green outskirts of Kolkata to working in the forests of Tamil Nadu. Her research on primate ecology began in the forests of Kalakad–Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, where she studied slender loris behavior, home ranges, and mating systems, uncovering intricate details about their ecology and survival strategies. Over time, she turned her attention to how these primates adapt to city environments — leading to the creation of the Urban Slender Loris Project in Bengaluru, a groundbreaking citizen science initiative that brings together researchers, local communities, and volunteers to monitor and conserve these elusive nocturnal primates.The discussion dives into the urgent need for urban biodiversity conservation and biodiversity management in rapidly growing cities. Professor Gupta highlights how urban green spaces — once thriving with life — are vanishing under expanding infrastructure. Through the project, community members were trained to conduct night surveys, map loris habitats, and identify key trees and corridors that sustain these animals. Their collective effort revealed both the resilience of urban biodiversity and the fragility of these ecosystems under urban expansion.We also discuss the results of a recent study on public attitudes towards slender lorises in Bengaluru. The findings show that while urban residents often appreciate local wildlife, awareness about species like the slender loris remains limited. Cultural myths, once linked to black magic, are fading, but habitat destruction and lack of awareness continue to pose serious threats.Professor Gupta’s reflections go beyond the science — touching on her personal experiences in wild Karnataka, encounters with wildlife traders during early conservation work, and moments of awe witnessing tigers and lorises in their natural habitats. Her message is clear: connecting people to nature within cities is essential for the future of conservation. As more people become urban dwellers, initiatives like the Urban Slender Loris Project show how science, community participation, and empathy for wildlife can coexist in even the most crowded environments.Whether you’re a student of urban biology, a wildlife enthusiast, or a conservationist, this conversation offers a profound look into how small nocturnal primates like the slender loris can inspire a new model of biodiversity preservation in the heart of India’s tech capital.Tune in to discover the story of the slender loris — the hidden primate of Bengaluru — and how local communities are shaping the future of urban wildlife conservation.About the HostAnish Banerjee is an early career ecologist, with a MSc in Ecology, Evolution and Conservation from Imperial College London. He is the founder of Think Wildlife Foundation and a biodiversity policy analyst at Legal Atlas. He is also the author of the following field guides:Field Guide to the Common Wildlife of India: https://amzn.in/d/2TnNvSEField Guide to the Mammals of Singapore: https://amzn.in/d/gcbq8VG#urbanecology #urbanbiology #urbanbiodiversity #urbanwildlife #urbanwildlifeconservation #urbanbiodiversityconservation #biodiversity #biodiversityconservation #biodiversitymanagement #biodiversitypreservation #slenderloris #loris #slenderlorisconservation #slenderlorisecology #primateecology #primates #primateconservation #wildkarnataka #conservation Get full access to The Think Wildlife Podcast at anishbanerjee.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of the Think Wildlife Podcast, we speak with Ishan Shanavas — a nature photographer, author, and founder of EcoInspire, an environmental education initiative that has already reached over 20,000 students across 70 schools in five Indian states. Through engaging storytelling, dynamic school sessions, and vivid wildlife photography, Ishan is helping shape how young people understand and appreciate biodiversity and the natural world.Growing up on road trips through the Bandipur Tiger Reserve and studying at a school nestled in the forests of Andhra Pradesh, Ishan’s early experiences surrounded by wildlife sparked his lifelong passion for conservation. His bestselling book The Lighter Wilder Things became the foundation for Mission EcoInspire, a project dedicated to promoting biodiversity conservation and environmental awareness among students. Realizing that online conservation messages often remain confined to a small, like-minded audience, Ishan set out to bring these conversations directly into classrooms. His approach emphasizes the need for early biodiversity education and environmental education as essential tools to nurture empathy, understanding, and curiosity about wildlife and ecosystems.In the episode, Ishan discusses the origins of his conservation journey and the goals of EcoInspire. He reflects on the power of face-to-face interaction in conservation outreach and conservation education, sharing how simple, accessible communication can inspire students to take interest in biodiversity management and wildlife conservation. He explains how schools across cities like Bangalore, Mysore, Trivandrum, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Gulbarga have welcomed his sessions, with both teachers and students showing overwhelming enthusiasm. The program’s success demonstrates that hands-on environmental engagement remains one of the most effective ways to build lasting connections with nature.Ishan also explores the role of social media in spreading environmental awareness. He highlights how platforms can amplify meaningful conservation stories when used responsibly, but also cautions against misinformation and sensationalism. He shares valuable advice for conservationists aiming to improve their communication — simplifying complex topics, avoiding technical jargon, and using creativity, humor, and visual storytelling to reach wider audiences. He mentions innovative communicators like Rohan Chakravarti (Green Humor) and the Dhole Project in Kerala, both of whom effectively use art and media to connect people with Indian biodiversity.The discussion underscores that conservation is not just about protecting species but about building emotional and cultural bridges between people and nature. Ishan’s message is clear: the success of wildlife conservation and biodiversity management depends on reaching beyond scientific circles and inspiring collective action. Through EcoInspire, he is demonstrating how passionate individuals can make conservation accessible, engaging, and relevant to younger generations.By sharing his journey, Ishan shows that the heart of biodiversity conservation lies in empathy, education, and communication. Whether through a classroom presentation, a book, or a digital post, his work reminds us that protecting India’s natural heritage requires inspiring the minds and hearts of those who will shape its future.Tune in to learn how one individual’s commitment to conservation outreach and environmental education is inspiring thousands of young Indians to rediscover their connection with wildlife and work toward a sustainable future.About the HostAnish Banerjee is an early career ecologist, with a MSc in Ecology, Evolution and Conservation from Imperial College London. He is the founder of Think Wildlife Foundation and a biodiversity policy analyst at Legal Atlas. He is also the author of the following field guides:Field Guide to the Common Wildlife of India: https://amzn.in/d/2TnNvSEField Guide to the Mammals of Singapore: https://amzn.in/d/gcbq8VG Get full access to The Think Wildlife Podcast at anishbanerjee.substack.com/subscribe

Across Asia, nearly one in three elephants lives in captivity—used in temples, tourism, logging, and religious festivals. In this powerful episode of the Think Wildlife Podcast, Canadian photographer and elephant conservation advocate Larry Laverty joins host Anish Banerjee to shed light on the suffering of captive elephants and the urgent need for elephant conservation across both Asia and Africa.Larry Laverty’s remarkable journey began with his first book Power and Majesty, which documented the African elephant and exposed the brutal realities of the ivory trade and wildlife crime driving their decline. Traveling across ten African countries, he captured the spirit of wild elephants and the people striving to protect them. His second book, The Majestic Humanity and the Asian Elephant, turns the lens toward Asian elephants, revealing how centuries of human use—from temple elephants to those exploited in logging and tourism—have shaped their tragic fate.In this conversation, Larry explains how his camera became a tool of empathy and activism. Through conservation photography, he documents not just the beauty but the suffering of elephants—images that demand global attention to animal welfare, animal rights, and the moral questions surrounding captive elephants. He recalls heartbreaking encounters, including a baby elephant orphaned during illegal logging, and discusses the cruel realities behind elephant rides and festival processions.The discussion also highlights promising alternatives like robotic elephants being introduced in India’s temples, offering a humane replacement for live elephants used in ceremonies. Larry shares how he personally contributed funds for one such robotic elephant, symbolizing a new era of compassionate conservation that honors culture without perpetuating animal abuses.The episode explores deeper cultural, ecological, and ethical contrasts between African and Asian elephant conservation. While African elephants remain largely wild, human-elephant relationships in Asia stretch back nearly 5,000 years, complicating efforts to end captivity. Larry emphasizes that saving elephants means reimagining this bond—through education, empathy, and stronger laws against illegal wildlife trade, ivory trafficking, and elephant poaching.He also discusses the potential for rewilding captive elephants, citing encouraging examples from Laos where rescued elephants are gradually returned to the wild. Yet, he warns that without stronger land protection and political will, true freedom for these elephants remains a distant dream.This episode is a tribute to elephants—creatures of immense intelligence and empathy—and to those fighting to protect them. It’s also a call to listeners to act: avoid elephant rides, support ethical sanctuaries, advocate for animal welfare laws, and amplify the voices working to end exploitation.Larry Laverty’s words remind us that elephant conservation is more than protecting a species—it’s about redefining humanity’s relationship with nature. By choosing empathy over entertainment and awareness over ignorance, we can help ensure that elephants, whether African or Asian, live the lives they were meant to—wild and free.Watch now to explore the untold stories behind captive elephants, the courage of photographers on the frontlines of conservation, and the hope that drives global efforts to protect these majestic beings.About the HostAnish Banerjee is an early career ecologist, with a MSc in Ecology, Evolution and Conservation from Imperial College London. He is the founder of Think Wildlife Foundation and a biodiversity policy analyst at Legal Atlas. He is also the author of the following field guides:Field Guide to the Common Wildlife of India: https://amzn.in/d/2TnNvSEField Guide to the Mammals of Singapore: https://amzn.in/d/gcbq8VG#elephant #elephants #elephantconservation #africanelephant #africanelephantconservation #asianelephants #asianelephantconservation #captiveelephants #templeelephants #animalabuses #animalrights #animalwelfare #ivorytrade #illegalwildlifetrade #wildlifecrime #elephantpoaching #wildlifeconservation #conservation #biodiversity Get full access to The Think Wildlife Podcast at anishbanerjee.substack.com/subscribe