Hey Nature Nerds! This week, Jen shares a special cause that is near and dear to her heart and then some great science news about Brazilian fishing Jaguars. Then Megan tells us all about Pablo Escobar's famous Hippos!

Organization to support: African Wildlife Foundation

https://www.awf.org/

We’re working to ensure wildlife and wild lands thrive in modern Africa. Our multi-faceted approach ensures conservation strategies work for wildlife and people.

This week, Megan shares some good news for the future of gecko tails. Then Jen tells some stories of when the gentle giants, Giraffes, aren't so gentle anymore. 

Organization to support: Giraffe Conservation Foundation

giraffeconservation.org

GCF is dedicated to a sustainable future for all giraffe populations in the wild.

Jen shares about tusk-less African Elephant selection caused by over hunting. Megan then does a top ten largest Crocodiles before telling the tall tale of Gustave, the man-eating Nile Crocodile.

Organization to support: http://www.iucncsg.org/

The IUCN-SSC Crocodile Specialist Group (CSG) is a worldwide network of biologists, wildlife managers, government officials, independent researchers, non-government (NGO) representatives, farmers, traders, tanners, fashion leaders, and private companies actively involved in the conservation of the world's 23 living species of alligators, crocodiles, caimans and gharial in the wild.

It's our last Halloween episode for the year! This week Megan shares about cultural differences in death and dying. Jen continues that theme and takes us through the Donner Party tragedy.

Organization to Support: Sierra Forest Legacy founded in 1996

https://www.sierraforestlegacy.org

Sierra Forest Legacy’s mission is to engage land managers, scientists, and stakeholders in the management of Sierra Nevada ecosystems to protect and restore the unparalleled beauty and natural values of the region. We apply the best practices of science, advocacy and grassroots engagement through coalition building to safeguard forest lands throughout the Sierra Nevada.

Jen updates us on the current list of newly extinct species. After that downer, Megan takes us on a strange journey through a smattering of information on Familiars in Witchcraft with the help of a book written by the White Witch of LA, Maja D'Aoust.

Organization to Support:

https://www.blackcatholisticrescue.org/

Saving black cats & kittens from high kill shelters and the streets of Los Angeles and surrounding areas

http://blackcatrescue.com/

A No Kill cat rescue organization in Boston, MA.

Welcome to week two of our Halloween Celebratory Series- Megan talks Dragonflies which are not very scary, but Jen takes it to another level with Japanese Ghosts and Hauntings to ensure no one sleeps this week!

Organization to Support: https://www.directrelief.org/

Direct Relief is a humanitarian aid organization, active in all 50 states and more than 80 countries, with a mission to improve the health and lives of people affected by poverty or emergencies – without regard to politics, religion, or ability to pay.

This week Megan shares a science news about Golden Crowned Ground Squirrel personalities and speculates that more social tree squirrels might be in the mob. Then Jen talks Orcas and their plight. A great suggestion by our listener, Kaylene! <3

Organizations to support:

https://savedolphins.eii.org/

https://us.whales.org/

This week Jen shares a couple science related stories, one more frightening than the other. Then, Megan takes us through a couple stories and a lot of info on Moose! That's right! It's the Moose episode! Thanks to listener Sarah Delenn for sharing about her work with Alaskan Moose, keep up the good work! <3

Organization to support:

Minnesota Moose Habitat Collaborative

To help moose recover, a diverse group of federal, state, county, tribal and conservation groups formed the Minnesota Moose Habitat Collaborative banded together to improve their habitat in prime moose territory. Led by the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association.

Minnesota Deer Hunters Association https://www.mndeerhunters.com/

This week Megan shares a fun technology related science news and Jen continues her from a distance respect for large reptiles. She regales us with some harrowing stories about the Komodo National Park and its mysterious inhabitants...

Organization to Support:

Komodo Survival Program

https://komododragon.org/

KOMODO SURVIVAL PROGRAM (KSP) is an Indonesian-based non-profit organization established on 9 March 2007. The organization has the mission to provide sound information on wildlife biology to help devising management and conservation plans for the Komodo dragon and its natural habitat. KSP also helps developing local expertise for improving general knowledge on the biology of this endangered species.

Hey Hey Nature Nerds- apologies for the lateness of this episode! But here it is in all its glory! Megan tries to lighten the mood with some good news about a resilient coral at the Great Barrier Reef. Jen immediately brings us back to reality with a story (continuation, if you will, of the Patreon August Bonus) about Apsley Cherry and the Worst Journey in the World- a documentation of Antarctic Exploration with connections to Climate Change today! Get the kettle on and try to stay warm! 

Organization to support:

Antarctic Science Foundation

https://antarcticsciencefoundation.org/

The Antarctic Science Foundation seeks to understand and protect the planet through Antarctic science.

They support world class scientific research that advances the understanding and protection of the Antarctic, Southern Ocean and subantarctic natural environments and its impact on the planet.

ALSO: 

World Wildlife Foundation where you can adopt a penguin or donate.

https://www.wwf.org.uk/learn/wildlife/emperor-penguins

Jen shares some cool, cutting edge rattlesnake science news this week!

Megan then gives us a ton of information on raccoons which leads into a listener suggestion for this week's horrific story about Charlotte Ponce, a 3 month old baby who survived a pet raccoon attack. 

Organization to Support: https://humaneraccoonremoval.org/index.php

Our Mission- We are dedicated primarily to educating professional pest control companies / nuisance wildlife control operators about humane wildlife removal practices, through direct outreach campaigns and training. We also aim to teach the public through information on this website.

This week's science news is new news- about how birds are kleptotrichy maniacs!

Jen tells us about Rattlesnakes, snake bites, and two crazy survival stories- of Scott Vuncannon and Victoria Williams (of the great podcast Victoria Knits). Put on your snake boots and get your anti-venom ready!

Organization to Support: snakes.ngo

Advocates for Snake Preservation (ASP) – Silver City, New Mexico

Changing How People View and Treat Snakes - We use science, education, and advocacy to promote compassionate conservation and coexistence with snakes.

We have a lot to catch up on! Shoutout to Lost Again with Jim (check him out on YouTube and Instagram), reminding us to review the 7 Principles of Leave No Trace. After some additional news, Jen gives us some more info on that adorable angry avocado frog from our Instagram feed. Then Megan continues with depressing stories and gets into the shit that's happened to "animal actors" over the years in the film and TV industry.

Organization to Support: The National Humane Education Society

https://www.nhes.org/

Our mission is to “foster a sentiment of kindness to animals in children and adults.”

We’re sharing our Ad-free, April Patreon Episode this week! If you choose to become a Patron, this is the kind of amazing content to expect each month!

Megan shares some science news about Elephant Habitats- and after we get thoroughly depressed, Jen gives us all the deets on North Sentinel Island and the most isolated people in the world.

Organization to Support: www.survivalinternational.org

They work in partnership with tribal peoples to campaign, lobby and protest for their land rights. They investigate, expose, and confront atrocities committed by governments and big business. They aim to amplify the tribal voice and make sure it is heard.

Jen starts us off with nature news about the Australian Mouse Plague - yikes. Then Megan follows up with a horrific story of the Sankebetsu Bear Attack of 1915, Hokkaido Japan's most notorious animal attack.

Organization to Support: Animals Asia, www.animalsasia.org 

Animals Asia is devoted to ending bear bile farming and improving the welfare of animals across Asia. We promote compassion and respect for all animals and work to bring about long-term change.

Thank you to our episode sponsor greenUp! To get your zero-waste subscription go to our sponsor page at youregonnadieoutthere.com and click the greenUp. Also use Promo Code YGDOT10 for 10% of your order. Go greenUp and reduce, reuse, and simplify! Get it Nature Nerds!

Get cozy with your favorite fleece throw and listen to Jen tell a multitude of crazy stories about Mountain Lion attacks! For this week's Science News, Megan reads poetry and tells us about a space-suit-bee-dog.

Organization to Support: Mountain Lion Foundation (MLF) https://mountainlion.org/

The mission of the Mountain Lion Foundation is to ensure that America’s lion survives and flourishes in the wild.

Thank you to our episode sponsor Steel My Straws! To get your sweet reusable straws go to our sponsor page at youregonnadieoutthere.com and click the Steel My Straws. Also use Promo Code YGDOT for 10% off your order. You’re on your way to making a difference Nature Nerds and you’ve made us proud!

This episode Jen teaches us about Wombat butts and Megan recounts the horrific story of the largest crocodile attack in recorded history.

Organization to Support: Crocodiles of the World

https://www.crocodilesoftheworld.co.uk/

To inspire in our visitors a respect and understanding for the crocodile. The aim is to stimulate public awareness about crocodiles, alligators, caimans and gharials, and open people’s eyes to the incredible nature of crocodiles, and spark curiosity and awareness for the future.

We encourage people of all ages, nationalities, and walks of life to get involved and learn about these amazing animals. By dispelling the myth that crocodiles are vermin, or a dangerous nuisance, we can make the world a more compassionate place for crocodiles.

Thank you to our episode sponsor Earth Aloha! To get your sustainable products go to our sponsor page at youregonnadieoutthere.com and click the Earth Aloha. Also use Promo Code YGDO20 for a 20% discount on all products. Get your aloha on Nature Nerds!