DOC Sounds of Science Podcast
A behind the scenes look at how the Department of Conservation cares for New Zealand’s unique native species and natural environment.
Episodes
Monday Jul 29, 2024
33: Pen(guin) pals with Cassie Mealey
Monday Jul 29, 2024
Monday Jul 29, 2024
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 sound
The music used is Let’s Get Down to Business by Cast of Characters
Shownotes and transcript at www.doc.govt.nz/podcast
Wednesday May 29, 2024
32: Parrot patter
Wednesday May 29, 2024
Wednesday May 29, 2024
Terry is an expert in all kinds of parrots, specifically kākā, kākāriki karaka/NZ parakeet and kākāpō.
He’s spent a lot of time catching and monitoring birds, studying them, and advising on the impacts of predator control on non-target species. Plus, he has some field stories that are so incredible, you’ll think he’s lying. At first, we thought he was lying.
The audio at the beginning of the episode is the call of the North Island kākā
The music used is Let’s Get Down to Business by Cast of Characters
Transcript and shownotes available at www.doc.govt.nz/podcast
Thursday Apr 04, 2024
31: All things kākāpō part 2
Thursday Apr 04, 2024
Thursday Apr 04, 2024
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
Wednesday Mar 06, 2024
30: All things kākāpō part 1
Wednesday Mar 06, 2024
Wednesday Mar 06, 2024
Dr. Andrew Digby does a deep dive on the science of kākāpō management, recalls weird behaviour he’s observed from them in the field, and explains some of the big challenges the population are facing, including disease outbreak and low fertility.
Transcript and full shownotes at www.doc.govt.nz/pocast
Thursday Dec 21, 2023
29: Summer supercut
Thursday Dec 21, 2023
Thursday Dec 21, 2023
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
Wednesday Dec 20, 2023
28: Volcanology
Wednesday Dec 20, 2023
Wednesday Dec 20, 2023
Volcanologist Hollei Gabrielsen (Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Whitikaupeka) on providing advice about volcanoes, particularly in Tongariro National Park; and how her whakapapa, heritage, informs her work.
Hollei discusses what you need to know to head out on an adventure in Tongariro, and answer listeners’ questions about lava, caldera, phreatic (steam) explosions, and more.
Full shownotes and transcript at www.doc.govt.nz/podcast
Tuesday Nov 14, 2023
27: In a galaxiid far, far away
Tuesday Nov 14, 2023
Tuesday Nov 14, 2023
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.
Shownotes and transcript: www.doc.govt.nz/podcast
Thursday Oct 05, 2023
#26 Field yarns with Tim part 2
Thursday Oct 05, 2023
Thursday Oct 05, 2023
Kiwi expert Tim Raemaekers on the struggle that kiwi in Fiordland are facing and what impact 1080 has had in this area. Content warning: mention of gross stoat reproduction (not detailed) at 00:11:34
Wednesday Sep 13, 2023
#25 Field yarns with Tim part 1
Wednesday Sep 13, 2023
Wednesday Sep 13, 2023
Kiwi expert and star of the Fiordland Kiwi Diaries, Tim Raemaekers, shares his incredible work stories about kākāpō, kiwi, and one very vampiric robin/toutouwai. Heads up, there's mention of blood (it's lowkey) at 9mins 44s.
Show notes and transcript at www.doc.govt.nz/podcast
Wednesday May 31, 2023
#24 Kiwi as
Wednesday May 31, 2023
Wednesday May 31, 2023
Ranger Chris Dodd (Doddy) on what it’s like to track and monitor rare kiwi birds in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Doddy is a passionate kiwi conservationist who started his career working with seabirds on the Shetland Islands
Shownotes and transcript available at www.doc.govt.nz/podcast
Every episode is a new adventure
The Department of Conservation is charged with caring for Aotearoa New Zealand's natural and historic heritage. This means species, places and ecosystems: all things nature. Every episode, a new expert sits down with our host Erica Wilkinson and we go behind-the-scenes on their work. We've been regaled with so many good work stories. Catching mohua in socks, getting chased by sharks, building a helmet to capture kākāpō sperm (yes, really) our experts have done it all and have the yarns to prove it. This show is produced and directed by Jayne Ramage, edited by Lucy Holyoake, with graphics by Belle Gwilliam.