The Most Trafficked Mammal!
from The Wild Bits Show
This week on The Wild Bits Show, we journey deep into the heart of conservation challenges and triumphs. From the urgent plight of pangolins, the world’s most trafficked mammal, to the complex dance of coexistence between humans and elephants, we explore the critical issues facing our planet’s wildlife. Discover how technology and community-driven solutions are protecting endangered species in Zambia and India, and delve into the controversial world of trophy hunting. We also celebrate the incredible resilience of nature with stories of Persian leopards and the cognitive marvels of beluga whales. Join us as we uncover innovative conservation efforts, the impact of human encroachment, and the vital role of citizen science in safeguarding our natural world for future generations.
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- 0:00 Chapters
- 0:08 Intro
- 2:38 Dramatic rescues of pangolins and other rare wildlife can start with a single message - https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/pangolin-rescue-wildl…
- 14:27 In India’s Nagaland, communities turn to Indigenous law to protect pangolins - https://news.mongabay.com/short-article/2026/05/in-indias-nagaland-communities-tu…
- 20:42 Trump called trophy hunting a “horror show,” but permitted 300-plus elephant trophy imports in 2025 - https://news.mongabay.com/2026/05/trump-called-trophy-hunt…
- 33:44 Radio and satellite alerts help Zambian farmers live with dangerous wildlife - https://news.mongabay.com/2026/05/radio-and-satellite-alerts-help-zambian-farmers…
- 39:20 Belugas join a rare animal kingdom club—they can recognize themselves in a mirror - https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/beluga-whales-mirror-reco…
- 47:53 Tracking Lucero: Scientists follow a rare Eastern Pacific leatherback sea turtle - https://news.mongabay.com/short-article/2026/05/tracking-lucero-scientists-fo…
- 56:29 Endangered Persian leopards persist across borders, despite hunters and landmines - https://news.mongabay.com/2026/05/endangered-persian-leopards-persist-across…
- 1:06:13 Record number of dams dismantled in Europe in effort to help wildlife thrive - https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/may/21/record-number-of-dams-dismant…
- 1:13:34 San Francisco turns to AI to save whales from ship strikes as deaths soar - https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/may/20/san-francisco-bay-ai-whales/
- 1:21:47 ‘Should we leave them to die?’ The battle over how to save orangutans from the curse of palm oil - https://www.theguardian.com/news/2026/may/19/should-we-leave-…
- 1:31:36 Supreme Court considers bigger public participation in defining Aravalli - https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/supreme-court-considers-bigg…
- 1:37:34 Thai island community rallies to protect beloved dugongs, revive declining seagrass - https://news.mongabay.com/2026/05/thai-island-community-rallies-to-protect…
- 1:42:04 Kenyan agency responds to protests rejecting proposed nuclear power plant near Lake Victoria - https://news.mongabay.com/short-article/2026/05/kenyan-agency-res…
- 1:48:23 Outro
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