DOC Sounds of Science Podcast

#24 Kiwi as

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

#23 Deals with seals

Marine biologist Laura Boren dives into her favourite topic, seals, and shares some on-the-job stories about this mischievous species.
Laura has developed shelters for seals on Campbell Island, advocated for responsible pet ownership, and has a lot of experience being a go-to seal source.
Shownotes and transcript available at www.doc.govt.nz/podcast

#22 Kaitiaki kauri, protecting the mighty kauri

Our mighty and iconic kauri is under threat from a notorious fungus-type pathogen. In our newest episode, ranger Hana Harris shares her passion for kauri and how you can help.
For the full shownotes and transcript go to www.doc.govt.nz/podcast

#21 Banding banter

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 around the world. If you’re a bird nerd, Michelle has the kind of work stories that’ll make you green with envy.
For the shownotes and transcript visit www.doc.govt.nz/podcast

DOC Sounds of Science bonus episode, the trailer

The DOC Sounds of Science podcast is a behind-scenes-look at conservation in Aotearoa New Zealand. Every episode we chat with one of our experts about their greatest achievements and most interesting days on the job.
Watch our trailer animation! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84_QK5NYemU 

#20 Conservation and culture

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.
For the full shownotes and transcript go to www.doc.govt.nz/podcast

#19: Wildlife warrior

Avi has worked with big cats, endangered turtles, and renegade scamps like skunks and racoons. Now he’s here in Aotearoa New Zealand making sure wildlife goods don’t illegally cross the borders.
The most important thing he wants you to know is that before you shop or travel, please check if your item needs a wildlife permit.
Note: We had some sound difficulties with this recording. We’re sorry and have resolved this for future episodes. Avi’s stories are still top notch, and we hope you enjoy them.
For shownotes visit www.doc.govt.nz/podcast

#18 Cryptic critters

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. Shownotes and transcript at www.doc.govt.nz/podcast

#17 Shark talk

Renowned shark expert Clinton Duffy shares niche knowledge and on-the-job stories. Sharks have a little bit of a PR problem. They’re fascinating, intelligent creatures, and most of them mind their own business. But they are predators, and their reputation has become a bit mythical. In this episode, we break it down. 
 
We talk about how we monitor shark species in an area as complex and vast as the ocean, their reproduction methods which are so incredible it could have come from a sci-fi writer’s brain, and a shark species that walks on land. Not once have we told a lie.
 
Clinton Duffy is a Technical Advisor, Marine Species, and he works at the Department of Conservation in Aotearoa New Zealand.
 
Transcript and shownotes: www.doc.govt.nz/podcast

#16 Learning on the Job

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. It’s a very full 39 minutes.
Show notes available at www.doc.govt.nz/podcast