Episode 4: primal cows, waterbears, Tasmanian devils and the smallest cetacean in the world

Welcome to the fourth episode of The Zoology Ramblings Podcast!For the species of the week, Emma and Robi chat about the aurochs, Bos primigenius, the primal cow, the ancestor of the cattle we know today, and also the tardigrade (AKA the waterbear), a virtually indestructible tiny critter which could (theoretically) survive a nuclear holocaust! For the conservation section, the dynamic duo discuss the recent reintroduction of the Tasmanian devil to the Australian mainland, and the conservation efforts needed to save the Critically Endangered vaquita, the smallest cetacean in the world.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_wildlifeTo 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!