Wildlife, Cake & Cocktails

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Welcome to WCC, the first podcast dedicated to Australian wildlife science and conservation! The best science discussions often happen after dinner, usually over cake, frequently over cocktails, but always in a relaxed atmosphere. Grab some dessert, pour a tasty drink, and come join us at the table…

Wildlife, Cake & Cocktails


    • Sep 3, 2020 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 1h 6m AVG DURATION
    • 62 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Wildlife, Cake & Cocktails

    WCC Ep.59. Quarantinis #3 - BFDV with Johanne Martens

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 3, 2020 57:17


    We sat down with Johanne Martens, PhD candidate studying the ecology and evolution of Beak and Feather Disease Virus (BFDV) in Australian parrots. She is currently at the Centre for Integrative Ecology at Deakin University in Geelong, Victoria. Over some Black Feather cocktails & hazelnut-chocolate slice, we discuss her early research in introduced Amazon parrots in Germany, avian disease ecology and epidemiology, and the impacts of Beak & Feather Disease Virus in Australia. Follow Johanne on Twitter @johanne_martens, and check out @DeakinCIE for more ecological goodness

    WCC Ep.58. Quarantinis #2 - Urban Cats and Wildlife with Prof. Sarah Legge

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 10, 2020 58:29


    We’re joined by Professor Sarah Legge, ecologist and threatened species biologist, professor at #ANU, Principal Research Fellow at #UQ, member of the #NESP Threatened Species Recovery Hub, and co-author of “Cats In Australia - Companion and Killer” from CSIRO Publishing. Along with Black Cat cocktails and cheesecake, we discuss feral cats in Australia and, from her recent work, the impacts of domestic cats on native urban wildlife. For more #TSR updates, follow @TSRHub on Twitter and @nespthreatenedspecies on Facebook.

    WCC Ep.57. Quarantinis #1 - Snake Chat with Scott Eipper

    Play Episode Listen Later May 12, 2020 77:31


    #WCC Quarantinis is now in session with the audio only edit! For our first round we're joined by herpetologist and naturalist Scott Eipper. Along with his partner Tie, Scott runs the wildlife education consulting service Nature4You in Brisbane, Australia. He has authored of numerous books and peer reviewed articles on Australian fauna, often with a particular focus on reptiles including venomous snakes. Over gin martinis and chocolate-coffee cupcakes, we discuss a slew of new snake related research articles. For more from Nature4You, check out @wildlifedemonstrations on IG or wildlifedemonstrations.com Video link to the episode here - https://youtu.be/f-rYhmnl61k

    WCC Ep.56. Black Cockatoos with Daniella Teixeira

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 18, 2020 75:01


    We're joined by Daniella Teixeira to discuss Black Cockatoos! Currently completing her PhD at the #UQ Centre for Biodiversity & Conservation Science, Daniella has over ten years experience as an ecologist and conservation biologist, in roles ranging from threatened species recovery to fisheries & sustainability monitoring. She's a member of the Recovery Team for South-Eastern Red-tailed Black-Cockatoos and the Glossy Black Conservancy, and co-founder of first National Black-Cockatoo Forum in 2018. Her recent work focuses on the conservation, behaviour, and bioacoustic research of threatened birds. We discuss Black Cockatoos, bushfires, bio-acoustics for conservation, and much more, over poppy-seed lemon drizzle cake and Unmanageable Noise cocktails! Check out Daniella's work at daniellateixeira.com or follow the Glossy Black Conservancy at glossyblack.org.au and @GlossyBlackConservancy on social media. New Research: Ewart et al. 2020 Museum specimens provide reliable SNP data for population genomic analysis of a widely distributed but threatened cockatoo species. Mol. Ecol. Res. Vol 16: 6 https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s42408-019-0054-8 Densmore & Clingan 2019 Prescribed burning in a mediterranean climate region mitigates the disturbance bybushfire to a critical food resource for an endangered bird, the Carnaby’s cockatoo. Fire Ecology, Vol 15:36 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/1755-0998.13082

    WCC Ep.55. Butterflies of Australia with Chris Sanderson

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 26, 2020 71:52


    Chris Sanderson is an Ecologist and PhD Candidate at the University of Queensland. He joined us to discuss butterflies, birds, threatened species, and IT, over Mexican Butterfly cocktails. Chris is studying how threatened species listings and legislation processes differ across the country, the impacts of data deficiency, and ways to improve these processes. He also works as a project officer on “Butterflies Australia”, a new citizen-science app for recording butterfly sightings and data, including a free digital field guide, and plenty of interesting features in development to explore butterfly data in map form. Check it out at Butterflies.org.au, or search “Butterflies Australia” on the Apple or Google App store

    WCC Ep.54. Brisbane Python Project with Chantelle Derez (Ft. Scott Eipper)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 31, 2020 32:45


    We’re out in the field with Chantelle “Chilli” Derez, PhD student studying urban snake ecology at the UQ Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science, for the first #BrisbanePythonProjectBlitz! Chantelle is treasurer of the UQ Herpetological Society, a wildlife carer with Reptile Rehab QLD, and member of the SaveTheSnakes Advisory Committee. Her research is currently focussed on radio-tracking Carpet Pythons to understanding movement behaviour in natural and urban habitats. After discussing urban snake ecology, including issues with urban snake translocations and more, we join a group of keen herpetologists at a local wildlife reserve for the first #BrisbanePythonProject blitz, searching for more snakey-subjects for Chilli’s ongoing radio-tracking project. Check out The Brisbane Python Project on Facebook @BrisbanePythonProject Chantelle on Twitter & Facebook @ChantelleDerez SaveTheSnakes @SaveTheSnakes and savethesnakes.org UQ Herp Society on Twitter & Facebook @UQherp Reptile Rehab QLD on Twitter & Facebook@ReptileRehabQld, or reptilerehabilitationqld.org/

    WCC Ep.53. Platypus eDNA with Tamielle Brunt

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 21, 2019 77:51


    We’re joined by Tamielle Brunt, PhD student at UQ studying the distribution and habitat requirements of Platypuses around South-East QLD. Tamielle has a passion for these amazing aquatic monotremes,engaging local communities in WildlifeQLD’s Platypus Watch programs since 2016. We discuss her PhD research, including eDNA monitoring to guide planning for the persistence of platypus populations, urban and naturalized habitat requirements, and much more, over Moon River cocktails and Mudcake! Follow Tamielle on Twitter@tamiellebrunt and IG@platypus_protector. Check out Platypus Watch at Wildlife.org.au/platypuswatch New Research: Richmond et al. 2018 A diverse suite of pharmaceuticals contaminates stream and riparian food webs. Nature Communications. 9.4491. DOI:10.1038/s41467-018-06822-w. Asahara et al. '16. Comparative cranial morphology in living and extinct platypuses: Feeding behavior, electroreception, and loss of teeth. Science Advances. 2, 10. e1601329 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.1601329. Carrick et al. 2019 Limitations on the use of historical and database sources to identify changes in distribution and abundance of the platypus. Response to A silent demise: Historical insights into population changes of the iconic platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus). Global Ecology and Conservation. 20:e00777. DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2019.e00777.

    WCC Ep.52. Spiders of Australia with Robert Whyte

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 1, 2019 123:41


    We’re talking all things spidery with Robert Whyte, arachnologist at Queensland Museum. Rob is a scientist, author, editor, photographer, and science communicator with a passion for Australian spiders. In 2017, along with images from Greg Anderson, he authored “A Field Guide to Spiders of Australia”, the most comprehensive account of Australian spiders ever produced. In 2018 he revived the AustralasianArachnologicalSociety.org website & newsletter. Rob has also been working with the BushBlitz biodiversity exploration programs since 2012 to find new spider species around the country. At last year’s Cooloola BioBlitz, he lead the spider team to discover 37 new species, with even more this year! As an advocate for #SciComm, he is currently producing and presenting the upcoming web-series #JoltScienceTV with Sandra Tuszynska. Rob is also an avid volunteer with habitat restoration projects such as SaveOurWaterwaysNow, and wrote “The Creek In Our Backyard: A practical guide for habitat restoration” now a 2nd expanded edition since 2013. Follow Rob on Twitter @robertwhyte and Queensland Museum @qldmuseum And watch for new episodes of #JoltScienceTV at JoltScience.com.au

    WCC Ep.51. Feeding The Birds At My Table Booklaunch with Prof. Darryl Jones

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 18, 2019 66:12


    With huge thanks to Avid Reader Bookshop in Brisbane’s West End, we were invited to have a discussion with the amazing Darryl Jones, Professor of Ecology at Griffith University, for the launch of his latest book, “Feeding The Birds At My Table – A Guide For Australia” from NewSouth Publishing. Prof. Darryl Jones is the Deputy Director of Griffith’s Environmental Futures Research Institute, working on understanding human-wildlife interactions. He’s the author of over 170 scientific articles and six books, including The Birds At My Table (2018) and now, the follow-up, Feeding The Birds At My Table (2019). The book is a not only an exploration of the challenges to safely and ethically feeding birds in your backyard, it’s also a practical guide for how to improve our bird feeding habits and practices here in Australia. We discuss bird feeding culture and research in Australia, ethical bird feeding problems and solutions, and much more. Join us for this fantastic launch event hosted by Avid Reader Bookshop! Check out the link below to order the book today! newsouthpublishing.com/articles/feeding-birds-your-table/ Follow Prof. Darryl Jones on Twitter @MagpiejonesD Check out the happenings at Avid Reader on Twitter @AvidReader4101

    WCC Ep.50. Acid Frog Conservation with Alannah Filer, Debra Stark & Callum McKercher

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 16, 2019 87:51


    We’re talking all things #Froggy with frog conservation scientists Alannah Filer, Debra Stark, and Callum McKercher! Alannah is a PhD student at the Uni of Queensland studying distribution mapping and bioacoustics in frogs, particularly the low pH specialized acid frogs. Debra, also at UQ, is involved in bioacoustic monitoring of acid frogs, education, and using technologies such as VR to bring students into the field. Callum is currently starting his PhD at Uni of New England, studying alpine wetland ecosystems near Armidale. With some Surfer-On-Acid cocktails and froggy cupcakes, we discuss monitoring the threatened Acid Frogs, bioacoustics, and much more! Check out some of Alannah’s work at Rhodesconservation.com and SpatialEcology.com Follow Debra on Twitter at @debra_93 Follow Callum on Instagram at @calsphotography12

    WCC Ep.49. Student Conference on Conservation Science, Brisbane 2019 - Pt. 1 (Guests and Poster Presentations)

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 23, 2019 62:08


    We’re super exited to share some of the amazing conservation students and researchers from the 2019 Student Conference on Conservation Science in Brisbane, Australia! WCC was lucky to score an invite to attend some of the incredible student talks, plenary speakers, poster presentations, and we even managed a handful of special guest interviews (see below for segment times). In this first part, we share interviews with student poster presenters and special guest speakers. With so many amazing student researchers and conservationists in various fields from across the world congregating at the Uni of Queensland for this conference, we barely scratched the surface and wish we had time for more. Nonetheless, we hope you enjoy these presentations and interviews from numerous conservation students across a broad swath of scientific disciplines, just a small sample of the breadth of knowledge and talent involved in biodiversity conservation around the world. For more on #SCCSAus2019, check out SCCS-aus.org, Facebook@SCCSAus, and Twitter@SCCS_Aus Segments as follows: Prof. Bill Laurence (3:50) James Cook University Prof. Sarah Bekessy (27:23) RMIT Prof. Hugh Possingham (37:19) University of Queensland Dr. April Reside (43:43) University of Queensland

    WCC Ep.48. Sea Snake Conservation with Blanche D'Anastasi

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 14, 2019 71:24


    We’re joined by Blanche D’Anastasi to talk Sea Snakes, along with some insanely decadent Ocean Cake and Negronis to finish #NegroniWeek2019! Blanche is a marine biologist, applied conservation researcher & sea-snake expert, currently completing a PhD on threatened sea snakes at James Cook University. We discuss all things sea-snake related over our very rich drink and dessert pairing J Enjoy, and Happy #NegroniWeek everyone!

    WCC Ep.47. Bats: From Myth to Mystery with Prof. Stuart Parsons

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 13, 2019 74:15


    WCC joins Prof. Stuart Parsons, zoologist and bat specialist from QUT, to chat all things batty before his presentation at the Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland’s Brisbane Branch! Prof. Parsons is the Head of School in Earth, Environment & Biological Sciences at the Queensland University of Technology. With a broad interest in sensory ecology & animal behaviour, his research ranges from auditory anatomy and biological sonar to mating systems, and more.

    WCC Ep.46. Cane Toads, Goannas, and CTA with Dr Georgia Ward-Fear

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 5, 2019 46:13


    We’re talking cane toads, goannas, and traditional ecological knowledge with Dr. Georgia Ward-Fear while enjoying caramel-vanilla slice and a Sweet Poison cocktail! She is a conservation ecologist at the University of Sydney with a broad interest in evolution, ecology, invasive species, and more. We chat about her fascinating PhD research and conservation program. We also discuss the vital role of indigenous ranger collaboration.

    WCC Ep.45. Cooloola BioBlitz 2019

    Play Episode Listen Later May 26, 2019 86:32


    WCC is back out at Rainbow Beach for Cooloola BioBlitz 2019, organised by Cooloola Coast Care Inc. and the Fraser Island Defenders Organisation. Cooloola BioBlitz is a weekend of biological survey to record as many of the living species as possible in the Cooloola Sands region, and this second survey is sure to be a blast! We chat with some of the awesome scientific team leaders and organisers about their weekend full of discoveries and citizen science action.

    WCC Ep.44. Black-throated finch with Dr. April Reside

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 6, 2019 61:28


    We’re back on the WCC couch enjoying Purple Finch cocktails and poppy-seed cake talking Black-throated finches with Dr. April Reside from the Uni of Queensland! Dr. Reside is a keen birder, ecologist, and conservation researcher with a focus on spatial modelling. We discuss Black-throated finch ecology and conservation challenges including habitat loss, land clearing, mining in the Galilee Basin, and much more.

    WCC Ep.43. New Spider Species from Cooloola BioBlitz with Robert Whyte

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 31, 2019 72:04


    We chat with Queensland Museum’s Robert Whyte. Rob is a scientist, journalist, author, editor, photographer, and more, with a passion for Australian spiders. He was co-author of A Field Guide to Spiders of Australia. Rob was the leader of the Spider Team at the 2018 Cooloola Bioblitz who discovered 37 species new species. He was guest speaker at the WPSQ Brisbane branch March 2019 presentation: “Citizens doing it for themselves – 2018 Cooloola BioBlitz – Beauty & mystery in new species”

    WCC Ep.42. The Rakali with Cory Young

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 15, 2019 40:12


    We cross over to Tasmania to discuss the Rakali, AKA the Australian Water Rat with Cory Young! Cory has extensive experience in wildlife rehabilitation with a broad range of species including the Rakali and is the VP of the Tasmanian Wildlife Rehabilitation Council at TasWildlife.org. He has a passion for the Rakali and is strong advocate for these amazing, otter-like aquatic animals. Check out @taswildlife, or follow Corey on IG@cyoung102, and keep an eye out for @RakaliAwarenessDay on February 18th.

    WCC Ep.41. Wildlife Rehab: The Good, Bad & The Ugly with Chantelle Derez

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 28, 2019 66:09


    We're back for another presentation from the Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland with their guest speaker Chantelle Derez! Currently mid-PhD at the UQ Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science, Chantelle is a keen herpetologist, UQ Herpetological Society Treasurer, member of Reptile Rehab QLD and wildlife carer. We discuss some pros and cons of wildlife rehab in Australia before her talk for the WPSQ's February Presentation - “Wildlife Rehabilitation; the Good, the Bad and the Ugly”.

    WCC Ep.40. Bats, Heatwaves, & Climate

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 13, 2019 61:53


    In this bat-centric episode, our summer-heatwave continues, as does our climate-change focus. We're joined by Maree Treadwell Kerr from the Australasian Bat Society to discuss heatwave impacts on fruit-bats, while sipping some Tropical Heat cocktails along with fruity bat-cupcakes. Join us for a detailed look at the heatwaves, heat stress events and mass die-offs, particularly in the Spectacled Flying Fox, before we dive into some batty New Research segments.

    WCC Ep.39. RantCast: Climate, Heatwaves, Bats, And Fish

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 30, 2019 35:28


    In this episode, we discuss the ongoing summer heatwaves we're experiencing this in Australia. Specifically, we cover the impacts and mass die-offs of fruit-bats in around the country. We also discuss the concurrent mass fish deaths in the Menindee Lakes region, the process of eutrophication in Australian rivers, and potential mismanagement of the Murray-Darling River system.

    WCC Ep.38. Bees of Australia with James Dorey and Olivia Davies

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 17, 2018 42:22


    NEW #WCC!! We're back on the couch with James Dorey and Olivia Davies to talk native Australian bees. Over some honey-cake and mead-based cocktails, we discuss Australia's diverse native bee fauna, the importance of pollinators, and of-course, the incredible macro-photgraphy in James' new book. Check out JamesDoreyPhotography.com.au, or JamesDoreyPhotography on social media.

    WCC Ep.37. Powerful Owls, Ziplines, Tourism Development: Conflict at Mt Coot-Tha

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 9, 2018 62:14


    We're back on the #WCC couch for a special episode with @Cesar Puechmarin from @blueshroomstudios and @Jasmine Zelený from @Faunagraphic. We're talking about the new short film “Owls on the Line”, covering Mount Coot-tha's #PowerfulOwls, currently at risk from zip-line development here in Brisbane.

    WCC Ep.36. Brisbane Powerful Owls with Faunagraphic

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 9, 2018 34:51


    We're back out in the forests of Brisbane searching for the Powerful Owl with Faunagraphic! The Faunagraphic crew, namely Matt Wright, wildlife photographer and owl conservationist, and wildlife scientist Jasmine Zelený, take us on a secretive night-time walk through the woods. While searching for a known Powerful Owl breeding pair and their chicks, we also find some other fantastic nocturnal creatures. Along the way we discuss Powerful Owl ecology, conservation, and more

    WCC Ep.35. FrogID Week Field Show with Scott Eipper, Nicholas Wu & Callum McKercher

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 18, 2018 44:59


    Nov 9-18 2018 was FrogID week, so we headed out #frogging in Main Range on the border of Queensland and New South Wales. Specifically, we were searching for the Red and Yellow Mountain Frog, Philora kundagungan. This amazing little frog is endangered and restricted to this isolated, sub-tropical mountain region, so is quite the challenge to locate. In this amazing environment, we were sure to find plenty of other cool creatures along the way.

    WCC Ep.34. A Bat's End: Extinction of the Christmas Island Pipistrelle

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 10, 2018 38:41


    Prof. John Woinarski from Charles Darwin University returns to WCC and discusses modern extinction and his new book A Bat's End: The Christmas Island Pipistrelle and Extinction in Australia, now available from @CSIROPublishing – publish.csiro.au/book/7791/

    WCC Ep.33. Cooloola BioBlitz

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 10, 2018 85:29


    WCC is back out on the road for another field show! We're headed up to take part in Cooloola BioBlitz at Rainbow Beach, organised by Cooloola Coast Care Inc. and the Fraser Island Defenders Organisation. The WCC crew heads north to Rainbow Beach along the Cooloola Coast on the second day of Cooloola BioBlitz, an intense period of biological survey to record the living species in an area.

    WCC Ep.32. Recovering Australian Threatened Species: A Book of Hope #5 Plant Case Studies

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 23, 2018 91:58


    WCC is proud to present the fourth installment in our Book of Hope Conservation Case Studies series. We’ll be exploring some phenomenal plant conservation successes from “Recovering Australian Threatened Species: A Book of Hope” with various chapter authors.

    WCC Ep.31. The Eastern Curlew with Harry Saddler

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 13, 2018 86:06


    We're at Avid Reader Bookshop talking to Harry Saddler for the launch of his new book “The Eastern Curlew - The Extraordinary Life of a Migratory Bird” First up is an interview with Harry, followed by a recording of the sit down with Andrew Stafford (32:15-)

    curlew avid reader bookshop
    WCC Ep.30. Recovering Australian Threatened Species: A Book of Hope #4 Fresh Water Case Studies

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 1, 2018 70:04


    WCC is proud to present the third instalment in our Book of Hope Conservation Case Studies series! In this third series of case studies, we’ll be exploring some of the conservation successes in freshwater species from “Recovering Australian Threatened Species: A Book of Hope” along with chapter authors.

    WCC Ep.29. Owl Conservation with Faunagraphic

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 17, 2018 95:43


    We're back on the WCC couch to talk Owl Conservation over some Sour Owl blackcurrant cocktails, along with muffins and macaroons! We're joined by wildlife photographer, naturalist, and owl conservationist, Matt Wright from Faunagraphic. Also, after some two years, we welcome back our first guest Jasmine Zelený, wildlife scientist, photographer, snake catcher, and owl fanatic. We discuss Matt's background in raptor handling and rescue, how this developed into an interest in photography/wildlife tours, Australia's owl fauna, and eventually, owl conservation. We chat about Matt & Jasmines recent experiences in owling, assisting the Brisbane Powerful Owl Project, and much more. We also cover some fascinating new research in Australian owl fauna, articles below: Bradsworth et al. 2017 Species distribution models derived from citizen science data predict the fine scale movements of owls in an urbanizing landscape. Biological Conservation. 213. Uva et al. 2018 Comprehensive molecular phylogeny of barn owls and relatives (Family: Tytonidae), and their six major Pleistocene radiations. Molecular Phylogeny & Evolution. 125 You can find the Birds of the Night video and follow all the owl-y adventures at Faunagraphic.com.au, or on Facebook @Faunagraphic, and Instagram @_Faunagrpahic Check out Birdlife.org.au or Ebird.org to get involved in Australian bird-based citizen science. More WCC on the way! Cheers folks

    WCC Ep.28. Recovering Australian Threatened Species: A Book of Hope #3 Bird Case Studies

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 13, 2018 82:11


    WCC is proud to present the second installment in our Book of Hope Conservation Case Studies series. In this second set of case studies, we’ll be exploring some of the amazing bird conservation successes from the Book of Hope with various chapter authors

    WCC Ep.27. Status of Conservation & Decline of Amphibians with Dr. Jodi Rowley

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 4, 2018 63:35


    We're joined by our returning guest, the phenomenal Dr. Jodi Rowley for more froggy chats and to discuss her new book, Status of Conservation & Decline of Amphibians: Australia, New Zealand, and Pacific Islands, edited by Harold Heatwole & Jodi Rowley, brought to you by CSIRO Publishing! Dr Jodi Rowley has been the Curator of Amphibian & Reptile Conservation Biology at the Australian Museum since 2016. She's a biologist with a focus on Australasian amphibian biodiversity, ecology and conservation. With a broad integrative approach to her work, she uses morphology, bioacoustics, genetics, and more. She's also involved in FrogID, the free citizen-science smartphone app for recording, identifying, and mapping frog-calls around Australia. We discuss FrogID and conservation developments around Australia before covering some of the incredible material in the new Amphibian publication from CSIRO Publishing. You can check out the book at any good book retailer or just click the link below: https://www.publish.csiro.au/book/7783/ Don't forget to check out FrogID.net.au to get involved in the fantastic, free, FrogID app Cheers folks, more on the way soon! Janne Torkkola, Host/Co-Producer

    WCC Ep.26. Recovering Australian Threatened Species: A Book of Hope #2 Mammal Case Studies

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 29, 2018 103:40


    WCC is proud to present our Book of Hope mammal conservation case-study collection! Recently, a review of successful conservation projects in Australia, coordinated by the Threatened Species Recovery Hub of the National Environmental Science Program, led to a book entitled “Recovering Australian Threatened Species: A Book of Hope”, now available from CSIRO Publishing.

    WCC Ep.25. The Cane Toad Challenge with Prof. Rob Capon

    Play Episode Listen Later May 30, 2018 94:09


    We head up to Brisbane's northside to chat with Professor Rob Capon from the University of Queensland's Institute of Molecular Biosciences and the Cane Toad Challenge. By studying the chemical ecology of these invasive, toxic toads, Prof. Capon and his team have developed a toad-specific bait for luring tadpoles into DIY traps. We take a few minutes before his talk at the QLD Wildlife Preservation Society to discuss this fantastic new tool in the fight against invasive cane toads.

    WWC Ep.24. REPX Brisbane Reptile Expo 2018 #2 Panel Interviews

    Play Episode Listen Later May 18, 2018 81:16


    Part 2 of our RepX Brisbane Reptile Expo 2018 podcast is here! After running around the RepX Brisbane Reptile Expo 2018 all morning, interviewing stallholders and demonstrators for Part 1, we finally get to sit down and have some longer chats with some of these amazing reptile breeders, snake handlers, and various other wildlife experts at the WCC Podcast table. Join us for a rotating interview with heaps of awesome reptile heads, including some pioneers in Australian herpetoculture!

    WCC Ep.24. REPX Brisbane Reptile Expo 2018 #1 Walking Show

    Play Episode Listen Later May 18, 2018 100:18


    It's finally here! WCC podcast is coming at you from RepX Brisbane Reptile Expo 2018. In this first part of the show, we explore some of the amazing reptile collections, demonstrations, and the people behind them. With a massive array of lizards, turtles, pythons, venomous snakes, as well as inverts, birds of prey, and more. PS keep an eye out for Ep. 24. Part #2 Stage Show. Plenty more in-depth chats with some amazing RepX guests, coming soon!

    WCC Ep.23 Reptile Viruses with Dr. Shane Simpson and Dr. Josh Llinas

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 21, 2018 98:50


    We caught up with Dr Shane Simpson aka The Reptile Doctor and Dr Joshua Llinas from HerpVet to talk reptile viruses! In March, Dr. Simpson was in town for a reptile virus talk and stayed with Dr. Llinas, so these bright folk joined us on the couch to discuss a broad range of veterinary issues. In particular, we talk about emerging infectious diseases in captive reptiles and new developments in reptile virology. We also handled some Snake Charmer cocktails and cheese cake. Enjoy!

    WCC Ep.22. Recovering Australian Threatened Species: A Book of Hope #1 with Prof. Stephen Garnett

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2018 41:51


    In this episode we chat with the book's lead editor and Deputy Director of the TSR Hub, Professor Stephen Garnett from Charles Darwin University. We discuss the many successes in conserving Australian wildlife, the national threatened species review and the book it inspired, as well as some of the key lessons learned and factors involved in successful species recovery.

    WCC Ep.21. TSR Hub Early Career Researchers Special

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 13, 2018 66:01


    For this special episode, the WCC team was invited by the Threatened Species Recovery Hub of the National Environmental Science Program for an afternoon at their Early Career Researchers Conference! Held at Thunderbird Park in the pristine Gold Coast Hinterland.

    WWC Ep.20. Mellbloms Spider Orchids with Dr. Noushka Reiter

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 27, 2018 37:00


    Like us on Facebook for pictures and updates: www.facebook.com/WildlifeCakeCocktails/ For our first botanical episode, we cross over to Dr Noushka Reiter in Melbourne, research scientist with the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria and part of the Threatened Species Recovery Hub. We discuss orchid conservation, highly-threatened Mellblom's Spider Orchids, their pollination by tiny Thynnid wasps, and much more. We enjoy some delicious white-orchid cocktails and while chocolate cake. You can check out the amazing Botanic Gardens on Facebook @BotanicGardensVictoria and Twitter @RBG_Victoria. You can also follow the awesome work from the Threatened Species Recovery Hub on Facebook @nespthreatenedspecies and Twitter @TSR_hub

    WWC Ep.19. Christmas Island Reptile Convservation with Hamish Noller & Jason Turl

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 20, 2018 61:09


    Like us on Facebook for pictures and updates: https://www.facebook.com/WildlifeCakeCocktails/ We cross over to Christmas Island to speak with Hamish Noller, reptile enthusiast and recent UQ Wildlife Science graduate. We're also joined bv Jason Turl, ranger at Parks Australia, to chat about the Christmas Island Blue-Tailed skink, now extinct in the wild but maintained in two captive breeding colonies, one where Hamish is volunteering. We also discuss Christmas Island's other reptiles, many other threatened species, general ecology, and throw back some blue-island ice tea with caramel-chocolate slice :) You can check out Hamish's adventures at Instagram.com/hamwildo/ The Swell Lodge at Instagram.com/swelllodge/ And Jason's photos at Instagram.com/wildsideaustralia/

    WCC Ep.18. FrogID with Dr. Jodi Rowley ft. Scott Eipper

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 5, 2018 37:57


    We had an awesome time with Dr Rowley talking frog conservation, the new FrogID citizen-science project, and much more, over some coffee and cupcakes. After checking out Jodi's talk at the Caboolture Region Environmental Education Centre, we head out to have a play around with the #FrogID app around the CREEC reserve and creek system. We're also joined by Scott Eipper from Nature4You and some keen local froggers. What an amazing night with some interesting people! Thanks again to CREEC and FrogID for letting us tag along! Cheers :)

    WCC Ep.17. Blue-tongue Colour Morphs with Joe Ball (Ft. Scott Owen from RepX)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 1, 2018 96:55


    This time we're talking Blue-Tongue Lizard morphs, RepX Brisbane Reptile Expo, and much more with our special guests Joe Ball and Scott Owen. Joe is an incredibly knowledgeable and innovative blue-tongue lizard breeder here in Brisbane, a world leader in producing phenomenal coloured morphs of blue-tongue, and a RepX Ambassador. Scott is one of the organizers of the upcoming RepX Brisbane Reptile Expo and is joining us on the couch to talk about the spectacular event coming this March. We had a fantastic afternoon chat, escaping the heat with Lounge Lizard cocktails and Blue-Velvet Cake. Cheers folks, and see you at RepX 2018 Brisbane Reptile Expo! This March 25th, all the details at RepX.com.au

    WCC Ep.16. Herping Mt. Glorious with the UQ Herpetological Society

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 31, 2018 38:18


    We're herping Mt Glorious, this time with UQ Herpetological Society! WCC is back in the field, looking for nocturnal reptiles with Cameron Baker and other keen herpers. Cameron is a PhD student studying the movement ecology of Australia's apex-predator, the estuarine crocodile. He also leads the occasional herping trip as senior member of the UQ Herp Society board. We had a great time chatting with this awesome crew of reptile-fans, and found some fantastic creatures along the way too!

    WCC Ep.15. Wildlife & USA Forest Fires with Kerry Waldman

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 27, 2018 50:53


    We speak with Kerry Waldman in San Diego, USA, discussing wildlife and fire, particularly the massive fires in southern California and their implications for ecosystems. Kerry is a former navy engineer turned environmental management student, a biking enthusiast working towards a career with US National Parks, and generally passionate about his local parks and wildlife. We had an awesome chat about fire ecology in Australia and USA and much more while enjoying chocolate cake, an India Pale Ale (the beer of San Diego, I'm told), and a San Diego Mule cocktail. Episode 15 - Wildlife & USA Forest Fires, now up! Cheers, plenty more WCC on the way

    WCC Ep.14. Herping Mount Tambourine with Scott Eipper

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 23, 2017 58:24


    Here we go!! Kicking off the summer holidays here in Queensland, we're searching for Leaf-Tailed Geckos with wildlife education consultant Scott Eipper from Nature4You. We're joined by Lisa Owen from UQ, as well as some lovely, festive, homemade rumballs :) This episode, we head down for a night walk through the rain forests of Mount Tambourine, located in the picturesque Scenic Rim region of south-east Queensland. While spot-lighting for the incredibly camouflaged Southern Leaf-Tailed Gecko (Saltuarius swaini), we discus the various recently discovered species of leaf-tails, their fascinating evolution and adaptations, and more. We also find some very cool species of frogs, snakes, spiders, and glow worms. What an amazing night!! You can check out Scott and his wife Tie's awesome menagerie at facebook.com/wildlifedemonstrations or wildlifedemonstartions.com.au Happy Holiday Herping!

    WWC Ep.13. Frogging Karawatha #2 with Callum McKercher & Lisa Owen

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 11, 2017 66:17


    We're back in Karawatha Forest! After some wet and wild weather, we headed out to Karawatha again, hoping the local frogs would be out and about. I'm joined by Callum McKercher, UQ frog biology student and Lisa Owen from Scales Wildlife Services for a nighttime wander and chat. We discuss frog behaviour, conservation, some new great ape discoveries, and much more. Our froggy walk also gave us a chance to try out FrogID, the fantastic new citizen-science app from the Australian Museum! This free smartphone app lets you identify your local area's frog calls by simply recording their froggy songs. Furthermore you can submit frog calls to the FrogID database, adding to the first nation wide frog count to help understand the state of our native frogs. We had an awesome time using this tool to ID some cool native species, even if we couldn't see them all To get involved in this fun, free, ground-breaking citizen science project, check out FrogID at the links below. Cheers, hope you enjoy! https://www.frogid.net.au/ https://australianmuseum.net.au/frogid-project/

    WCC Ep.12. Night Parrot Conservation with Nick Leseberg

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 1, 2017 70:34


    WCC Episode 12 is here for your Friday wildlife science fix! We're very lucky to be joined by Nick Leseberg, Uni of Qld PhD candidate and Night Parrot researcher for Bush Heritage Australia. Nick has worked as a field ecologist on a variety of projects throughout Australia/PNG and is currently studying conservation biology of Night Parrots (Pezoporus occidentalis), the worlds most elusive bird! We discuss the fascinating life of the Night Parrot (as far as we currently know!), working with cryptic species, bioacoustics, and much more. We also sip a few Desert Bird cocktails and peck at some poppy seed cake :)What a pleasure to sit and chat with one of the few people alive who've seen, let alone heard the calls of this rare species. Cheers, and enjoy!

    WCC Ep.11. Feral Cats And Native Birds with John Woinarski

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 28, 2017 48:30


    Another WCC Audio Podcast coming at you! We discuss Feral Cats and Native Bird Conservation with Professor John Woinarski from Charles Darwin University. Prof. Woinarski has spent over 40 years in research and management of native Australian wildlife. He's worked with birds, mammals, reptiles, and more, with much of his work centring on conservation ecology in northern Austrlia. Calling us from Melbourne, we discuss some of John's recent research on the impacts of feral cats on native birds, as well as his recent field work, while sipping on Jungle Birds and eating Finnish Tiger Cake :) More WCC on the way soon! Cheers, Janne Torkkola, Host/Co-Producer

    WCC Ep.10. Mined Land Rehabilitation with Corinne Unger

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 26, 2017 90:26


    Another episode of WCC here for your Sunday night! We had a great time with the amazing Corinne Unger, geomorphologist and mined land rehab expert. Corinne has worked in the mining industry in a wide variety of roles, from soil conservation to mine rehabilitation. She's also spent time in research and implementation of Australia's national policy for abandoned mines, and is currently working on a PhD at the University of Queensland. We discuss circular economies, mining impacts, mined land rehabilitation, and much more over some Jewel Mine cocktails and a vegan Black Forest cake. Cheers!

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