Advertise on podcast: DOC Sounds of Science Podcast

Marine biologist and primatologist Dr Jody Weir has extensive expertise on marine animals, specifically: fur seals, dolphins and turtles – all things finned and beautiful. Jody has also researched lemurs in Madagascar, bears and wolves in Canada, and turtles in Barbados. Learn about her exciting and varied career in our latest episode. The audio at the beginning of the episode is a kekeno New Zealand fur seal. The music used is Let’s Get Down to Business by Cast of Characters.

George knows everything there is to know about hooved creatures that walk on their toes—ungulates, for those in the know—and he’s a keen hunter as well as a technical advisor on the topic of wild animals. Hear about where we’re at with hunting and wild animal control, from one of our foremost experts who is also a hunter. George wears all the hats. The audio at the beginning of the episode is a Western weka. The music used is Let’s Get Down to Business by Cast of Characters Content warning for (respectful and scientific) discussion of hunting and dead animals Full shownotes and transcript at www.doc.govt.nz/podcast 

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 soundThe music used is Let’s Get Down to Business by Cast of CharactersShownotes and transcript at www.doc.govt.nz/podcast

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 kākāThe music used is Let’s Get Down to Business by Cast of CharactersTranscript and shownotes available at www.doc.govt.nz/podcast 

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

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

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

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. The audio at the beginning is alpine wind ambience. The music used is Let’s Get Down to Business by Cast of Characters. Full shownotes and transcript at www.doc.govt.nz/podcast

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. The audio at the beginning is an alpine stream in Fiordland National Park The music used is Let’s Get Down to Business by Cast of Characters Shownotes and transcript: www.doc.govt.nz/podcast 

Kiwi ranger Tim Raemaekers on the tokoeka kiwi monitoring programme in Fiordland, the predator control challenges at Shy Lake, and the emotional roller-coaster of starring in a conservation mini-series on YouTube. We also get into the detail of what makes stoats such a massive threat to kiwi and how 1080 can buy kiwi time. Tim led the kiwi monitoring project at Shy Lake from 2017-2022 and is the star of the Fiordland Kiwi Diaries, the YouTube series following DOC rangers in Fiordland as they work to save the iconic tokoeka kiwi. The audio at the beginning is a tokoeka kiwi duetThe music used is Let’s Get Down to Business by Cast of Characters

Ranger and Biodiversity Project lead Tim Raemaekers on handling rare species, becoming a kiwi ranger, and the incredible things he’s seen robin/toutouwai, kākāpō and kiwi get up to. Tim is an on-the-ground expert, whose knowledge of predator control in Fiordland is second to none. He stars in the Fiordland Kiwi Diaries, a YouTube mini-series following DOC rangers in Fiordland as they work to save the iconic tokoeka kiwi. Tim had so many cool stories, we’ve split his interview into two episodes. Part 2 coming soon. Subscribe so you get it when it lands. The audio at the beginning is a tokoeka kiwiThe music used is Let’s Get Down to Business by Cast of CharactersContent warning: mention of blood (minor) at 09m:44s.

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. He has years of expertise working with all kinds of kiwi. He features in the Fiordland Kiwi Diaries, an upcoming YouTube mini-series following DOC rangers in Fiordland as they work to save the iconic tokoeka kiwi. The audio at the beginning is a tokoeka kiwiThe music used is Let’s Get Down to Business by Cast of Characters

Marine biologist Laura Boren dives into her favourite topic, seals, and shares some on-the-job stories about this mischievous species. Laura grew up in the landlocked state of Nebraska and is now one of the preeminent marine biologists in this island nation, so our first question was why? Second was how? Laura was on the front lines saving marine species in the wake of the Rena oil spill, has recently been working to develop pup shelters, and is extremely passionate about responsible dog ownership in areas with marine wildlife. Plus, she has some top tips for hanging out with kekeno, seals.  The audio at the beginning is crashing wavesThe music used is 'Let’s Get Down to Business' by Cast of Characters.

Ranger Hana Harris explains how we can help protect kauri from the notorious pathogen threatening our forests. Hana hails from the beautiful Northland region. In this episode she shares kōrero about her connection to native species and ecosystems through both her whakapapa and her role as a ranger. She covers the experience of discovering pekapeka/bat roosts, fighting to keep spaces pest-free, and of course, her work as kaitiaki kauri, teaching people about the magnificent kauri. The birdsong is a dawn chorus featuring tūīThe music used is 'Let’s Get Down to Business' by Cast of Characters.

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 all around the world. If you’re a bird nerd, Michelle has the kind of work stories that’ll make you green with envy. The birdsong in this episode is the black-fronted ternThe music used is 'Let’s Get Down to Business' by Cast of Characters.