Episode 20: wildlife champions, ninja leopards, "frogging", Rosebank and time-wizard beavers

Welcome to the twentieth episode of The Zoology Ramblings Podcast! In this episode, Robi talks about his MSc work in Namibia/South Africa, on a project comparing different methods for surveying for leopard density, and Emma speaks about her work supporting local communities taking action for nature in Avon! The hosts take a moment to reflect on key moments in nature and encourage you all to notice nature in your day to day lives. The dynamic duo then discuss the most recent State of Nature report and the decision of the UK government to approve the largest undeveloped oil field in the UK. They round off the evidence with positive updates for beaver rewilding in Britain and elephant conservation! Robi Watkinson is a Conservation Biologist and wildlife filmmaker specialising in the spatial and movement ecology of large carnivores, camera trapping survey methods, rewilding, metapopulation dynamics and conservation planning. He has an MSc in Conservation Biology from the FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, and the Institute of Communities and Wildlife in Africa, University of Cape Town. He is based between Cape Town and London, and has strong interests in equitable and inclusive conservation, palaeontology and wildlife taxonomy and evolution! Emma Hodson is a Zoologist and wildlife content creator, currently working in the community and engagement team at Avon Wildlife Trust. Emma’s role as a Wildlife Champions Coordinator involves supporting and upskilling people to take action for nature in their local communities. Emma has experience in remote wildlife fieldwork, and has been part of Arctic fox, macaw and cetacean research teams in Iceland, Peru and Wales respectively. She has also been involved in animal care and rehabilitation work in Costa Rica and South Africa. Emma is particularly passionate about the interface between community engagement and wildlife monitoring, and enjoys running workshops and giving talks on topics including camera trapping, beaver ecology and rewilding.  You can follow more of our weird and wonderful wildlife adventures on instagram: @thezoologyramblingspodcast & @robi_watkinson_wildlife & @emma_hodson_wildlife To get exclusive access to podcast notes, background research and references, consider supporting our Patreon (link to come), where you can get all sorts of extra goodies and Zoology Ramblings merch!