Going Wild with Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant

In a city that loves celebrities, one mountain lion became the mascot for conservation efforts that eventually led to the creation of California’s first wildlife corridor. But one wildlife corridor, even if it’s the largest in the world, isn’t enough. Some populations of mountain lions in Southern California are struggling to survive — threatened by habitat loss caused by urban developments, lack of genetic diversity, and vehicle collisions. As wildlife conservationists are working to save these endangered mountain lion populations, another debate is ensuing over how to include indigenous perspectives in the conservation efforts. Because mountain lions aren’t the only native beings struggling to survive in a world with an unchecked appetite for sprawl and urbanization. Follow Desireé Reneé Martinez, Tongva Tribal Archaeologist and the President of Cogstone Resource Management on Facebook and LinkedIn and follow Miguel Ordeñana, Natural History Museum wildlife biologist, and environmental educator on Instagram. Photo credit for Miguel's episode art: Noé Montes / High Country News. Thanks for listening to Going Wild. We're really excited to share the rest of this season with you! You can learn more about season three HERE and catch up on seasons one and two HERE.  If you want to support us, you can follow Going Wild on your favorite podcast-listening app. And while you're there, please leave us a review. It really helps. You can also get updates and bonus content by following me, Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant, and PBS Nature on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and Facebook. You can find more information on all of our guests this season in each episode's show notes. And you can catch new episodes of Nature, Wednesdays at 8/7 Central on PBS, pbs.org/nature, and the PBS app. Going Wild is a podcast by PBS Nature. NATURE is an award-winning series created by The WNET Group and made possible by all of you. Views and opinions expressed during the podcast are those of the individuals expressing them and do not necessarily reflect those of THIRTEEN Productions LLC/The WNET Group.

In 2016, Hurricane Earl devastated Belize, causing over $100 million worth of damage and displacing thousands of Belizeans across the country. But humans were not the only victims of the storm. Deep in the mangroves, an infant manatee was separated from her mother and washed onto the mainland. She was so tiny when Jamal Galves found her, with her umbilical cord still attached. He named her Hope. After 7 years in rehabilitation, Hope the Manatee is soon to be released back into the wild. But as development and climate change continue to affect the waterways she calls home, what will her future hold?  Hope's savior, Jamal Galves, also known as The Manatee Man, was just 11 years old when he began his journey in manatee conservation, volunteering with a crew of scientists in the small Belizean fishing village where he grew up. At one time, manatees were such a common sight in the area that the village of Gales Point Manatee itself was named after them. But today there are less than 1,000 Antillean Manatees left in this part of the world. In the 25 years since his first volunteer expedition, Galves has worked with hundreds of these animals, but Hope holds a special place in his (and the nation's) heart.  Follow Jamal on Instagram. Photo credit for this episode art: Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute. Thanks for listening to Going Wild. We're really excited to share the rest of this season with you! You can learn more about season three HERE and catch up on seasons one and two HERE.  If you want to support us, you can follow Going Wild on your favorite podcast-listening app. And while you're there, please leave us a review. It really helps. You can also get updates and bonus content by following me, Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant, and PBS Nature on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and Facebook. You can find more information on all of our guests this season in each episode's show notes. And you can catch new episodes of Nature, Wednesdays at 8/7 Central on PBS, pbs.org/nature, and the PBS app. Going Wild is a podcast by PBS Nature. NATURE is an award-winning series created by The WNET Group and made possible by all of you. Views and opinions expressed during the podcast are those of the individuals expressing them and do not necessarily reflect those of THIRTEEN Productions LLC/The WNET Group.

Long before the infamous Central Park incident went viral (where a white woman called the cops on him during a birdwatching outing), Christian Cooper had been obsessed with birds. It was a love nurtured through his involvement in The Audubon Society, an environmental organization dedicated to bird conservation.  But recently, Christian’s dedication to and love for this organization has been put to the test. We’ll hear how growing up as a closeted queer person in the 80s, a career contributing to Marvel comics, and a life spent paying attention to birds has prepared Christian to navigate controversies and side with what is right. Follow Christian Cooper on Instagram. Thanks for listening to Going Wild. We're really excited to share the rest of this season with you! You can learn more about season three HERE and catch up on seasons one and two HERE.  If you want to support us, you can follow Going Wild on your favorite podcast-listening app. And while you're there, please leave us a review. It really helps. You can also get updates and bonus content by following me, Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant, and PBS Nature on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and Facebook. You can find more information on all of our guests this season in each episode's show notes. And you can catch new episodes of Nature, Wednesdays at 8/7 Central on PBS, pbs.org/nature, and the PBS app. Going Wild is a podcast by PBS Nature. NATURE is an award-winning series created by The WNET Group and made possible by all of you. Views and opinions expressed during the podcast are those of the individuals expressing them and do not necessarily reflect those of THIRTEEN Productions LLC/The WNET Group.

When Samuel Ramsey was a child, he was afraid of bugs. But a trip to the library with his mother changed everything and led him to become a bee entomologist. He grew up gay in a non-affirming religious community, he was the only Black entomologist in his Doctoral program, and today he’s both a Christian AND a scientist in a world that often asks him to choose between his faith and his practice. But Dr. Buggs (his media nickname) recently made a breakthrough discovery in the fight against one of the biggest global pandemics in history: the Varroa Destructor; a mite that is threatening bee colonies all over the world. And with them, our very future on the planet. Follow Dr. Samuel Ramsey aka Dr. Sammy Buggs on his website, Instagram, or YouTube. Thanks for listening to Going Wild. We're really excited to share the rest of this season with you! You can learn more about season three HERE and catch up on seasons one and two HERE.  If you want to support us, you can follow Going Wild on your favorite podcast-listening app. And while you're there, please leave us a review. It really helps. You can also get updates and bonus content by following me, Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant, and PBS Nature on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and Facebook. You can find more information on all of our guests this season in each episode's show notes. And you can catch new episodes of Nature, Wednesdays at 8/7 Central on PBS, pbs.org/nature, and the PBS app. Going Wild is a podcast by PBS Nature. NATURE is an award-winning series created by The WNET Group and made possible by all of you. Views and opinions expressed during the podcast are those of the individuals expressing them and do not necessarily reflect those of THIRTEEN Productions LLC/The WNET Group.

In a remote part of the Amazon rainforest in Peru, there’s a river with water so hot, it actually boils. In fact, it's so extreme and so remote that for a long time people thought the river was a myth. Dr. Rosa Vásquez Espinoza risked life and limb journeying to this boiling river, called Shanay-Timpishka or La Bomba, to explore some of the smallest microorganisms on Earth. Why?? Because the untapped microbes that live in that extreme environment could save our planet! There are more microbes on Earth than stars in the galaxy, and yet only 1% of Earth’s microbe species have been thoroughly studied. Considering that several antibiotics, cancer treatments, and other medicines come from that tiny percentage, Dr. Espinoza is on a mission to unlock the potential of the remaining 99%. Microbes are a universe of microorganisms hiding in plain sight, proving that even the tiniest living things can have a huge impact. In fact, as the first microorganisms released oxygen, microbes literally made our existence on the planet possible. So what else can they do?  Thanks for listening to the first episode of season three of Going Wild. We're really excited to share the rest of this season with you! You can learn more about season three HERE and catch up on seasons one and two HERE.  Follow Dr. Rosa Vásquez Espinoza on Instagram or on her website. Photo credit for this episode's art is by Ana Sotelo. If you want to support us, you can follow Going Wild on your favorite podcast-listening app. And while you're there, please leave us a review. It really helps. You can also get updates and bonus content by following me, Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant, and PBS Nature on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and Facebook. You can find more information on all of our guests this season in each episode's show notes. And you can catch new episodes of Nature, Wednesdays at 8/7 Central on PBS, pbs.org/nature, and the PBS app.  Going Wild is a new podcast by PBS Nature. NATURE is an award-winning series created by The WNET Group and made possible by all of you. Views and opinions expressed during the podcast are those of the individuals expressing them and do not necessarily reflect those of THIRTEEN Productions LLC/The WNET Group.

Welcome back to Going Wild, a podcast about the human drama behind saving animals. This season, on top of stories about animals, we’re going to take a journey through the entire ecological web — from the tiniest of life forms to apex predators. We’ll be guided by one central question: How can we, humans, look at our relationship to nature differently? Rae will speak to scientists, activists, and adventurers as they find all the different ways the natural world is interconnected. Explore the hidden world of extreme microbes thriving in the Boiling River in Peru. Listen to the man behind the infamous Central Park “Black birder” incident on how growing up gay in the 80’s has led to his lifelong love of birds and nature. Hear about how California's mighty predator, the mountain lions, aren't the only native inhabitants of Los Angeles who are struggling to survive.  Each episode will invite us to reconsider our long-held views of: What is conservation? What is nature and what’s our relationship to it? And how can we ensure the survival of all beings on our planet?  Let’s explore our place in the wild with Season 3 of “Going Wild with Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant.” For more, follow us at www.pbs.org/nature

Hi everyone! We’re still a little ways away from the next season of Going Wild, but today we're sharing an episode of a great new podcast called The Class of 1989. In this episode, Len and Vincent talk about the representation of Black women in the films of 1989 — and how Black women directors would help transform the film world throughout the 1990s and into the present.

It's been a challenging couple of years during the pandemic but we are starting to travel again. Host Lale Arikoglu determines that she needs to challenge herself and goes hiking in Chilean Patagonia in a misty, rainy, and isolated landscape. Closer to home she’s trying to stay upright on a surfboard at New York’s Rockaway beach even though she’s skittish in waves and talks to author Dorthe Nors about moving from Copenhagen to live along the wild North Sea coast of Denmark, a place known as ‘Cold Hawaii’ and home to a longstanding community of international surfers. Plus, we hear from listeners who hike pilgrimage trails in the depths of winter and scale the Alps in the 95-degree summer heat. For more from Condé Nast Traveler's Women Who Travel, visit our website or subscribe to our email newsletter. For a transcript of this episode, please follow this link.

This week we're sharing a riveting episode from NHPR's show, Outside/In. Take a listen and let us know what you think! A debate about evolutionary “success.” Who should wear the crown of GSOAT (greatest species of all time), and are humans even in the running? Humans have had an impressive run thus far; we’ve explored most of the planet (the parts that aren’t underwater anyway), landed on the moon, created art and music, and made some pretty entertaining Tik-Toks. But we’ve survived on the planet for just a fraction of the time horseshoe crabs and alligators have. And we’re vastly outnumbered by many species of bacteria and insects. So who is the most successful species on Earth? And how do you measure that, anyway? From longevity to happiness, to sheer numbers, we put a handful of different organisms under the microscope in hopes of better understanding what exactly it means to succeed at life on a collective and individual scale. Featuring: Stephen Giovannoni, Rashidah Farid, and Steward Pickett

This week, we're sharing an episode from our friends at the Wildlife Conservation Society. Take a listen and let us know what you think! Their second season launches in conversation with Mariana Varese, the Peru-based director of WCS’s Amazon Landscapes Program. Mariana describes a new initiative, “Together for Conservation,” that seeks to conserve biodiversity while preventing environmental crime in the Amazon. The project brings Indigenous Peoples and local communities together with journalists, private companies, and civil society groups to develop conservation solutions that can be expanded or replicated across the Amazon.

*Content warning: this episode briefly mentions the topic of suicide.* From the kitchen floor to the remote jungles of the Congo, Rae grapples with divorce and single-motherhood on an international trip to study lowland gorillas. For the last episode of season 2, Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant talks about a career-changing opportunity to track down one of the most elusive creatures in Central Africa — lowland gorillas. But when things don’t go as planned, Rae ends up uncovering something else that changes the trajectory of her life. Since this is the last episode for this season, we want to thank all of our guests for sharing their amazing wild stories. And you, our dedicated listeners, for coming back for season 2. We’re so glad to have you on this journey with us! What would you like to see in the third season? Let us know at naturepod@wnet.org. Thanks for listening! If you want to support us, you can follow “Going Wild” on your favorite podcast-listening app. While you’re there, please leave us a review - it really helps.  You can also get updates and bonus content by following me, Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant, and PBS Nature on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and Facebook. And you can catch new episodes of Nature Wednesdays at 8/7c on PBS, pbs.org/nature and the PBS Video app. This episode of “Going Wild” was hosted by me, Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant. Production by Caroline Hadilaksono, Danielle Broza, Nathan Tobey, and Great Feeling Studios. Editing by Rachel Aronoff and Jakob Lewis. Sound design by Cariad Harmon.  Danielle Broza is the Digital Lead and Fred Kaufman is the Executive Producer for Nature.  Art for this podcast was created by Arianna Bollers and Karen Brazell.  Special thanks to Amanda Schmidt, Blanche Robertson, Jayne Lisi, Chelsey Saatkamp, and Karen Ho.  NATURE is an award-winning series created by The WNET Group and made possible by all of you. Funding for this podcast was provided by grants from the Anderson Family Fund, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and PBS. Views and opinions expressed during the podcast are those of the individuals expressing them and do not necessarily reflect those of THIRTEEN Productions LLC/The WNET Group.

Ornithologist (bird scientist), poet, and author Drew Lanham was recently awarded the Macarthur Genius Grant—$800,000 with no strings attached. But despite his deep love for birds he almost never studied the creatures at all. As a young man, he won a full-ride scholarship to any school he wanted, only this award did have strings attached. Drew would have to give up his dreams of ecology and instead be an engineer. Hear how Drew was saved first from a career he loathed by the lilting song of a prairie warbler and then how a chicken saved Drew from going into the military to be a pilot. Instead, it set him on the true path of his heart, to study the magical flying creatures we call birds.   Thanks for listening! If you want to support us, you can follow “Going Wild” on your favorite podcast listening app. While you’re there, please leave us a review - it really helps.  You can also get updates and bonus content by following me, Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant, and PBS Nature on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and Facebook. And you can catch new episodes of Nature Wednesdays at 8/7c on PBS, pbs.org/nature and the PBS Video app. Follow J. Drew Lanham on Twitter and Instagram and listen to more "Going Wild" HERE. This episode of “Going Wild” was hosted by me, Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant. Production by Caroline Hadilaksono, Danielle Broza, Nathan Tobey, and Great Feeling Studios. Editing by Rachel Aronoff and Jakob Lewis. Sound design by Cariad Harmon.  Danielle Broza is the Digital Lead and Fred Kaufman is the Executive Producer for Nature.  Art for this podcast was created by Arianna Bollers and Karen Brazell.  Special thanks to Amanda Schmidt, Blanche Robertson, Jayne Lisi, Chelsey Saatkamp, and Karen Ho.  NATURE is an award-winning series created by The WNET Group and made possible by all of you. Funding for this podcast was provided by grants from the Anderson Family Fund, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and PBS. Views and opinions expressed during the podcast are those of the individuals expressing them and do not necessarily reflect those of THIRTEEN Productions LLC/The WNET Group.

*Content warning: this episode contains descriptions of violence that might be disturbing to some listeners.* Herpetologists do a lot of unique things while studying lizards—cut their toes, pump their stomachs, and capture them by lassoing their necks. That one small word, “lasso,'' wasn't always the word used in the discipline. Herpetologist Earyn McGee, one of the few Black, female scientists in the field, proposed researchers stop using the word “noose” to describe capturing lizards, and start using a more accurate, less oppressive word, like “lasso.”  Thanks for listening! If you want to support us, you can follow “Going Wild” on your favorite podcast listening app. While you’re there, please leave us a review - it really helps.  You can also get updates and bonus content by following me, Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant, and PBS Nature on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and Facebook. And you can catch new episodes of Nature Wednesdays at 8/7c on PBS, pbs.org/nature and the PBS Video app. Follow Earyn McGee on Twitter and Instagram and listen to more "Going Wild" HERE. This episode of “Going Wild” was hosted by me, Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant. Production by Caroline Hadilaksono, Danielle Broza, Nathan Tobey, and Great Feeling Studios. Editing by Rachel Aronoff and Jakob Lewis. Sound design by Cariad Harmon.  Danielle Broza is the Digital Lead and Fred Kaufman is the Executive Producer for Nature.  Art for this podcast was created by Arianna Bollers and Karen Brazell.  Special thanks to Amanda Schmidt, Blanche Robertson, Jayne Lisi, Chelsey Saatkamp, and Karen Ho.  NATURE is an award-winning series created by The WNET Group and made possible by all of you. Funding for this podcast was provided by grants from the Anderson Family Fund, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and PBS. Views and opinions expressed during the podcast are those of the individuals expressing them and do not necessarily reflect those of THIRTEEN Productions LLC/The WNET Group.

Jasmin Graham loves sharks. I mean, really loves sharks. And she always dreamed of becoming a university professor to encourage other people of color interested in shark science. But then, something happened to Jasmin in grad school that caused her to give up her dream. So what does she do when she realizes she has nothing left to lose?  Listen to more "Going Wild" HERE. Thanks for listening! If you want to support us, you can follow “Going Wild” on your favorite podcast listening app. While you’re there, please leave us a review - it really helps.  You can also get updates and bonus content by following me, Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant, and PBS Nature on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and Facebook. And you can catch new episodes of Nature Wednesdays at 8/7c on PBS, pbs.org/nature and the PBS Video app. Follow Jasmin Graham on Twitter and learn more about MISS here. This episode of “Going Wild” was hosted by me, Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant. Production by Caroline Hadilaksono, Danielle Broza, Nathan Tobey, and Great Feeling Studios. Editing by Rachel Aronoff and Jakob Lewis. Sound design by Cariad Harmon.  Danielle Broza is the Digital Lead and Fred Kaufman is the Executive Producer for Nature.  Art for this podcast was created by Arianna Bollers and Karen Brazell.  Special thanks to Amanda Schmidt, Blanche Robertson, Jayne Lisi, Chelsey Saatkamp, and Karen Ho.  NATURE is an award-winning series created by The WNET Group and made possible by all of you. Funding for this podcast was provided by grants from the Anderson Family Fund, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and PBS. Views and opinions expressed during the podcast are those of the individuals expressing them and do not necessarily reflect those of THIRTEEN Productions LLC/The WNET Group.

*Content warning: this conversation contains mentions of animal injuries, death, and the topic of suicide.*  Veterinarians deal with death so frequently that they have some of the highest suicide rates of any occupation. Dr. Hollis Stewart has worked with many animals – from domesticated pets in New York City and Fez, Morocco, to wild animals in the Middle East and Africa. Because of that, she’s also worked with humans (other vets, clients, and civilians) from all over the world. In this episode, Hollis shares stories of how treating animals in different countries taught her about the concept of “Inshallah” or “God’s Will” and “Whatever will be will be,” which in turn, taught her valuable lessons about living and accepting death. Thanks for listening! If you want to support us, you can follow “Going Wild” on your favorite podcast listening app. While you’re there, please leave us a review - it really helps.  You can also get updates and bonus content by following me, Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant, and PBS Nature on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and Facebook. And you can catch new episodes of Nature Wednesdays at 8/7c on PBS, pbs.org/nature and the PBS Video app. Follow Dr. Hollis Stewart on Instagram and Facebook. This episode of “Going Wild” was hosted by me, Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant. Production by Caroline Hadilaksono, Danielle Broza, Nathan Tobey, and Great Feeling Studios. Editing by Rachel Aronoff and Jakob Lewis. Sound design by Cariad Harmon.  Danielle Broza is the Digital Lead and Fred Kaufman is the Executive Producer for Nature.  Art for this podcast was created by Arianna Bollers and Karen Brazell.  Special thanks to Amanda Schmidt, Blanche Robertson, Jayne Lisi, Chelsey Saatkamp, and Karen Ho.  NATURE is an award-winning series created by The WNET Group and made possible by all of you. Funding for this podcast was provided by grants from the Anderson Family Fund, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and PBS. Views and opinions expressed during the podcast are those of the individuals expressing them and do not necessarily reflect those of THIRTEEN Productions LLC/The WNET Group.

Why are coyotes showing up all over the place? Spoiler alert: evolution can work fast. If you live in the United States, chances are you’ve seen a coyote in the wilderness, or in more unexpected places like on a train, in your backyard, or even in a sandwich shop. But coyotes haven’t always been so bold. Back in the 1900s, coyotes were more like wolves – you mostly found them in forests and other areas far away from humans. Now, coyotes are everywhere, and Dr. Christopher Schell decided to find out why. Through his research, Chris learned a lot about coyotes, and some things really surprised him. But what makes this story even more unique is that by studying coyotes, Chris ended up learning even more about himself. Thanks for listening! If you want to support us, you can follow “Going Wild” on your favorite podcast listening app. While you’re there, please leave us a review - it really helps.  You can also get updates and bonus content by following me, Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant, and PBS Nature on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and Facebook. And you can catch new episodes of Nature Wednesdays at 8/7c on PBS, pbs.org/nature and the PBS Video app. Follow Dr. Christopher Schell on Twitter. This episode of “Going Wild” was hosted by me, Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant. Production by Caroline Hadilaksono, Danielle Broza, Nathan Tobey, and Great Feeling Studios. Editing by Rachel Aronoff and Jakob Lewis. Sound design by Cariad Harmon.  Danielle Broza is the Digital Lead and Fred Kaufman is the Executive Producer for Nature.  Art for this podcast was created by Arianna Bollers and Karen Brazell.  Special thanks to Amanda Schmidt, Blanche Robertson, Jayne Lisi, Chelsey Saatkamp, and Karen Ho.  NATURE is an award-winning series created by The WNET Group and made possible by all of you. Funding for this podcast was provided by grants from the Anderson Family Fund, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and PBS. Views and opinions expressed during the podcast are those of the individuals expressing them and do not necessarily reflect those of THIRTEEN Productions LLC/The WNET Group.

Hyenas might be the most misunderstood animal – Are they dogs? Big cats? Evil, trouble-making sidekicks? (Thanks, Lion King!) Dr. Christine Wilkinson relates to this ambiguous perception as a bi-racial woman, especially one working in the fields of science and conservation. She couldn’t wait to go to Kenya to study hyenas, but once there, she was labeled a “Mzungu,” a term often used to describe white foreigners. Hear about how she fought to save hyenas from being misunderstood (and even started a conservation effort for the animals considered a nuisance), and in doing so, found a community where she was accepted. Thanks for listening! If you want to support us, you can follow “Going Wild” on your favorite podcast listening app. While you’re there, please leave us a review - it really helps.  You can also get updates and bonus content by following me, Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant, and PBS Nature on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and Facebook. And you can catch new episodes of Nature Wednesdays at 8/7c on PBS, pbs.org/nature and the PBS Video app. Follow Dr. Christine Wilkinson, The Scrappy Naturalist, on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok. This episode of “Going Wild” was hosted by me, Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant. Production by Caroline Hadilaksono, Danielle Broza, Nathan Tobey, and Great Feeling Studios. Editing by Rachel Aronoff and Jakob Lewis. Sound design by Cariad Harmon.  Danielle Broza is the Digital Lead and Fred Kaufman is the Executive Producer for Nature.  Art for this podcast was created by Arianna Bollers and Karen Brazell.  Special thanks to Amanda Schmidt, Blanche Robertson, Jayne Lisi, Chelsey Saatkamp, and Karen Ho.  NATURE is an award-winning series created by The WNET Group and made possible by all of you. Funding for this podcast was provided by grants from the Anderson Family Fund, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and PBS. Views and opinions expressed during the podcast are those of the individuals expressing them and do not necessarily reflect those of THIRTEEN Productions LLC/The WNET Group.

What do you do when you get a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to study Jaguars in the Panama rainforest but you can’t find childcare? Bring your kid along! In the first episode of season 2 of Going Wild, Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant tells of an expedition searching for an elusive creature in the rainforest with her toddler in tow, but not everything goes as planned. Thanks for listening! If you want to support us, you can follow “Going Wild” on your favorite podcast listening app. While you’re there, please leave us a review - it really helps.  You can also get updates and bonus content by following me, Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant, and PBS Nature on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and Facebook. And you can catch new episodes of Nature Wednesdays at 8/7c on PBS, pbs.org/nature and the PBS Video app. This episode of “Going Wild” was hosted by me, Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant. Production by Caroline Hadilaksono, Danielle Broza, Nathan Tobey, and Great Feeling Studios. Editing by Rachel Aronoff and Jakob Lewis. Sound design by Cariad Harmon.  Danielle Broza is the Digital Lead and Fred Kaufman is the Executive Producer for Nature.  Art for this podcast was created by Arianna Bollers and Karen Brazell.  Special thanks to Amanda Schmidt, Blanche Robertson, Jayne Lisi, Chelsey Saatkamp, and Karen Ho.  NATURE is an award-winning series created by The WNET Group and made possible by all of you. Funding for this podcast was provided by grants from the Anderson Family Fund, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and PBS. Views and opinions expressed during the podcast are those of the individuals expressing them and do not necessarily reflect those of THIRTEEN Productions LLC/The WNET Group.

This season, you'll hear from wildlife scientists who are doing all kinds of amazing work like studying hyenas in Kenya or working with coyotes in California, and even tracking sharks in Florida. And just like me, they run into all kinds of drama in their work. The animals they study are great, but who they are as people and how that affects their work is just as interesting. We have brand new episodes starting September 27th. Subscribe now to Going Wild, wherever you get your podcasts, and follow along on www.pbs.org/nature. Explore more at https://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/podcasts/going-wild/

Breaking glass ceilings, breaking down barriers, breaking molds: it’s exhilarating. And exhausting. This episode is about what it’s really, truly like to be a Black, female scientist in America. Since this is the last episode of the season. I want to say, thanks to you. Hosting the show and sharing my stories has been an incredible experience and quite a wild ride. And I'm so glad that you're here on this journey with me. Go back and listen to all of the episodes again here: https://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/podcasts/going-wild/

If you’re new to “Going Wild”, welcome. You’ve found us at the perfect time. Right now, we’re rebroadcasting the very first episode of the season. It’s all about how I went from an asthmatic teenager, who had never even been on a hike, to the person I am today: a scientist who studies wild animals and practically lives outdoors. I want to give you a chance to get to know me before we hit you with the season finale, which is intense. So if you’ve already heard this story, be sure to come back next week – on November 30th – to listen to that final episode.

When I was living in Kenya, I learned a lot about animals and conservation, and I also learned about people and culture, sometimes through my own horribly embarrassing mistakes. I told you about one of those moments last week. This week I'm bringing you another story. If you want to go back and listen to part one, it's here:  https://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/podcast/misunderstandings-with-masaai-one/ For more episodes: https://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/podcasts/going-wild/ New episodes of "Going Wild with Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant" are released on Tuesdays. Want a season 2 or a story about a specific animal or location? Contact us at naturepod@wnet.org

In part one of two, I share some embarrassing cross-cultural misunderstandings from my time living in East Africa. Hear about two of the biggest ones– and what they taught me about the country, the people, and myself.

A dead bear shows up in an unlikely place, and the discovery of how it died and how it got there makes me question my life’s work. A warning: This episode contains details of performing a necropsy of the bear in the woods. It contains language that may not be acceptable for young listeners or those with queasy stomachs. Please like and follow us (and give us a review!) if you like the show! For more episodes: https://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/podcasts/going-wild/ New episodes of "Going Wild with Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant" are released on Tuesdays. Want a season 2 or a story about a specific animal or location? Contact us at naturepod@wnet.org

Happy Halloween week! There are major risks that come with being a wildlife ecologist– from sleeping with poisonous snakes to provoking hungry bears. Here are a few of my scariest encounters in the field. Please like and follow us (and give us a review!) if you like the show! For more episodes: https://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/podcasts/going-wild/ New episodes of "Going Wild with Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant" are released on Tuesdays. Want a season 2 or a story about a specific animal or location? Contact us at naturepod@wnet.org

In the last episode, I told you the story about a giraffe - a dead giraffe, actually - in Tarangire National Park, but I didn't get to share any stories about lions. So, let me take you back to my first day in Tanzania, in the middle of the bush, and introduce you to two very unique lions I still think about to this day. This is a special short episode of "Going Wild."

Poachers kill a giraffe in Tanzania. What happens to the poachers isn’t surprising. But what happens to the giraffe....is.

You already heard about my experience tracking lemurs in this mysterious rainforest in Madagascar in episode 2, but what I left out of that story was just how hard camping there for five weeks was on my body -- especially as the only woman in the entire group. And yes, there was some blood involved. This is a special short episode of "Going Wild." Go back and listen to episode 2: Tracking Lemurs in a Lost Rainforest: https://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/podcast/lemurs-rainforest-madagascar/ For more episodes: https://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/podcasts/going-wild/ New episodes of "Going Wild with Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant" are released on Tuesdays. Want a season 2 or a story about a specific animal or location? Contact us at naturepod@wnet.org Watch and Listen to more NATURE: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/ Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pbsnature/​ Twitter: http://twitter.com/pbsnature/​ Instagram: http://instagram.com/pbs_nature/​ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pbsnature   Follow Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant: Twitter: https://twitter.com/RaeWynnGrant Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raewynngrant/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@raewynngrant

Tracking and darting an elusive ringtail lemur might help save a secret rainforest in Madagascar, but it also invites unexpected feelings of homesickness and self-reflection. Immerse yourself in the sounds and story of this magical place while I share one of my favorite tales from the field. New episodes of "Going Wild with Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant" are released on Tuesdays. Want a season 2 or a story about a specific animal or location? Contact us at naturepod@wnet.org Everything "Going Wild" can be found here: https://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/podcast/ Watch and Listen to more NATURE: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/ Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pbsnature/​ Twitter: http://twitter.com/pbsnature/​ Instagram: http://instagram.com/pbs_nature/​ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pbsnature   Follow Rae Wynn-Grant: Twitter: https://twitter.com/RaeWynnGrant Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raewynngrant/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@raewynngrant

Lions, E. coli, and transformation... Being a large carnivore ecologist is no walk in the park. Especially when you have asthma! I share my first experience in the field and you'll quickly learn why our show's tagline is, "Not Your Average Field Trip." New episodes of "Going Wild with Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant" are released on Tuesdays. Want a season 2 or a story about a specific animal or location? Contact us at naturepod@wnet.org Everything "Going Wild" can be found here: https://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/podcast/ Watch and Listen to more NATURE: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/ Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pbsnature/​ Twitter: http://twitter.com/pbsnature/​ Instagram: http://instagram.com/pbs_nature/​ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pbsnature   Follow Rae Wynn-Grant: Twitter: https://twitter.com/RaeWynnGrant Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raewynngrant/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@raewynngrant

Journey deep into the heart of the world’s most remote jungles, savannas, tundras, mountains, and deserts with wildlife biologist Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant as she studies wild animals in their natural habitats. Rae and her teams spend years studying these animals – in order to protect their futures. Going Wild with Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant takes you inside their hidden worlds – and the action-packed, suspense-filled adventures of the wildlife conservationists who track them. Hear what it takes to find and save some of the world’s most intriguing and endangered creatures.  Explore more at www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/podcast/going-wild-trailer/