The Human Drama Behind Saving Animals

“Think of a scientist. Any scientist. What are you picturing? A lab coat? Goggles? Bill Nye The Science Guy? I don’t blame you. That’s what we’ve grown accustomed to in America. But think again. This is me, Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant. I’m a Black woman. A mother. And also a large carnivore ecologist, studying big meat-eating mammals. I love hosting this podcast, which we like to brag has everything you want and nothing you’d expect from a science show—drama, mystery, whimsy, heart, humor. And let’s just say the truth is stranger than fiction.” -Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant.

RWG: “Why are coyotes showing up all over the place? Spoiler alert: evolution! Dr. Christopher Schell is finding out more through his research on coyotes’ adaptability and, in the process, learning what it means to be adaptable himself as he raises his resilient, biracial children in the U.S. today.”

RWG: “You might recall the name Christian Cooper. His love of birdwatching led to a viral and infamous Central Park incident back in 2020. But there’s so much more to the headline! Including how his work as a Nat Geo host (and Marvel comics writer!) helped him become an everyday superhero and advocate for wildlife, and how a life spent birdwatching prepared him to thrive as a gay Black man in America today.”

RWG: “Spoiler alert: Not only because it’s racist, but because it’ll save more birds. Even though you have the answer, the opinion piece by Christian Cooper is worth the read.”

RWG: “Take it from me and let some TED Experts inspire you with stories of nature all over the world, from the oldest living thing to the nature in your own backyard. I’m particularly a fan of Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson (former host of the podcast How to Save a Planet, and a guest alum of Going Wild’s podcast) and her thoughts on choosing climate actions that “enliven” us through joyful purpose.”

RWG: “Reserva is a youth-funded (I repeat: youth-funded!) nature reserve in Ecuador, one of the most biodiverse places on the planet. Get to know some of these young people in this episode. Maybe there is hope for the future after all?”

RWG: “The Black Mambas are the all-female unit protecting the animals of Kruger National Park in South Africa. They’re doing it without bullets. They’re doing it without men. And they’re inspiring the next generation of protectors, too.”

RWG: “If you’ve seen a charismatic youngster encouraging you to make ‘acorn bacon’ or ‘mushroom jerky,’ it’s probably Alexis Nikole Nelson who goes by Black Forager on TikTok and other social platforms. She makes learning about plants casual and fun.”

RWG: “Being a Black naturalist is nothing new. In fact, some of the most well known African Americans in history used the calls of the Barred Owl to communicate with refugees and freedom seekers. In the case of Harriet Tubman, she also used the stars and constellations to orient herself and others.”

RWG: “This episode of Overhead at Nat Geo’s special, ‘The Soul of Music,’ offers a deeper look at the intersection of migration, music, and nature. In the fourth and final part of this series, Meklit Hadero (a Nat Geo Explorer and Ethio-jazz musician known for her transmedia storytelling project Movement) and music producer Jahawi Bertolli discus the ancient instruments known as rock gongs, and how their music is inspired by nature.”