Conservation calls, the podcast

The MBZ Fund has supported conservationists from 175 countries in efforts to save more than 2,000 species. But in this story, the conservationist has four legs, a wagging tail and a nose for something very special.Meet Delta, a specially trained scent-detection dog working with the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT). Far from being an ordinary dog, Delta has been putting his incredible nose to work, helping researchers track down species once thought to be extinct.In this episode of Conservation Calls, the Repton School podcast crew meets EWT experts to discover how Delta is helping scientists save a rare succulent and uncover species that haven’t been seen for decades.Delta and the rest of the EWT canine unit show just how powerful a dog’s nose can be in the fight for nature.

Every conservation journey starts with a single opportunity.In this episode of Conservation Calls, we explore how the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund'spartnership with the Global Environment Facility (GEF) is helping develop the next generation of conservation leaders across developing countries.Hear directly from a handful of Fonseca Field Grant recipients as they share their stories, from taking that first step in conservation to leading projects that are making a real difference for nature. Together, they represent the journeys of the 146 conservationists supported through this partnership since it began, proving that investing in people is one of the most powerful ways to protect nature.

In this episode of Conservation Calls, we explore how different role players combine to drive impactful conservation.  How we all have a role to play in making the world a better place, no matter how small the action.  Through the UAE Local Leaders Grants, we support conservationists making a real impact here in the UAE, while the young creatives from our Youth Grant for Nature bring those storiesto life in their own creative and authentic way. However, this would not be possible without corporate donors. Tune in as our Repton podcast crew unpacks how it all comes together and why even the smallest actions can lead to something much bigger.

At Conservation Calls, we’ve always look at some incredible species supported by the Fund, exploring why we focus on certain ones and the vital roles they play in our ecosystems.But this time, with the help of the Repton Podcast crew, we’re shifting the spotlight to the inspiring individuals behind the scenes. Meet Emina Karalic from Albania, a passionate young conservationist recognized and supported by The GEF. Today, we dive into her journey, what sparked her passion, led her to switch careers, and fueled her drive for change.

This month’s episode of Conservation Calls look at the data deficient Double-banded forest damselfly, a rare beauty native to Java Island.  With limited info on its population and distribution, research is essential to figure out its bioecology, mapping where it lives, observing its behaviour, and exploring its potential role as a natural pest controller.Join the Repton Dubai podcast crew and Chanda Miyanda to learn more about the IUCN Red List and hear from the Endemic Indonesia Society team about their plans to save the Double-banded Forest Damselfly.

The MBZ Fund has been so inspired by the UAE’s amazing commitment to global conservation; it was no surprise when the UAE Embassy in Costa Rica stepped up with the same passion and dedication. Led by the incredible H.E. Rawdha Mohamed Jumaa Mohamed Alotaiba, they not only welcomed the MBZ Fund Advisory Board for a review meeting but also hosted a fantastic event for the 12 organizations already supported by the Fund.They also helped kickstart their latest project and subject of the Conservation Calls podcast - the conservation effort to support the Toucan Rescue Ranch to save the stunning Yellow-naped Amazon parrot, an absolute gem of a bird and very vocal too.

The Clanwilliam sandfish in South Africa, also called Onderbek, may be small, but it has an epic story to tell.  Once swimming in abundance, this migratory freshwater fish is now facing some serious survival challenges. In this episode of Conservation Calls, we explore their struggles, especially the impacts of human activities and climate change. You'll hear from amazing heroes like Jeremy, Otto, and the local communities who are stepping up to make a difference.

Fungi aren’t plants or animals but belong to their own amazing kingdom with unique cellular structures and reproduction styles. This makes them super cool and ultra unique.In this special edition of Conservation Calls, we join the team from Fungi Foundation in Chile as they set out to rediscover the Big Puma Fungus, an incredibly fascinating, quirky, and one-of-a-kind species. Their expedition followed in the footsteps of mycologist Norberto Garrido, exactly 40 yearsafter he first stumbled upon this extraordinary fungus.

Meet the incredible Black-and-chestnut Eagle, a stunning bird of prey facing serious challenges like human-eagle conflicts, hunting, and habitat loss. This elusiveneo-tropical raptor is one of the least-studied species, hidden in dense montane forests. But there’s hope!In this episode of Conservation Calls we venture to the beautiful Caquetá region of Colombia, where the Andes meet the Amazon. Join Mark Hall and Jorge Muñoz from the Caquetá Association for Ornithology as they unveil an ambitious plan to save this majestic bird.

We often hear about the amazing world of animals on our Conservation Calls podcast, but let’s not forget that plants have some pretty cool stories too… Take the critically endangered wildflower, Gasteranthus extinctus, for example, which is only found in the Centinela cloud forest and the Padre Julio Marrero Botanic Garden in Western Ecuador.In this episode, project lead Dawson White from the Harvard University Herbaria and gesneriad expert John L. Clark from Marie Selby Botanical Gardens speak on behalf of their international team of scientists to share their incredible journey of rediscovery of Gasteranthus extinctus and other plants believed to be gone forever. This story is all about human compassion and resilience, bursting with personality.

There’s nothing quite like rediscovering a species thought to be lost forever, especially one that faced a deadly fungus! Enter Atelopus mindoensis, a.k.a. the Mindo Harlequin Toad. Meet Tyrone, the incredible sole survivor (or is he…?) of the Mindo Harlequin Toad family, believed to have beenwiped out by the devastating Chytridiomycosis pandemic that hit amphibian species worldwide during the 80’s.But guess what, more than 30 years on, there is hope. Listen to this incredible story of hope, resilience and true belief.

Want to discover the coolest conservation job out there? If you’re not afraid of narrow openings, falling rocks, tight spaces, and deep, dark crevices - along with some creepy-crawly critters you might not even see - then you’re in for a treat! You guessed it; this episode is all about the amazing world of biospeleology!In this episode, we meet Dr. Iva Njunjic, a cave biologist who has explored over 300 caves across Europe and Asia, where she’s discovered species new to science! Join the Repton Dubai Podcast crew and Chanda Miyanda as they tell her incredible story set in the caves of the stunning Komarnica Canyon in northwest Montenegro.And don’t worry, cave animals are small and not scary at all.  Caves are nutrient-poor habitats, which means they can’t support large animals. Want to learn more, listen now.

The Kangaroo rat (Dipodomys gravipes) has a unique appearance, with its distinctive hind legs significantly longer than its front, giving it a resemblance to a kangaroo. However, its tale of survival is even more remarkable. Once thought to be extinct for 30 years, this charmingspecies is making a comeback, thanks to the incredible dedication of Terra Peninsular, which is giving them a fighting chance.In this episode, the Repton School Dubai podcast crew, alongside Chanda Miyanda, vividly narrate this extraordinarystory of survival and revival.

This month, we visit Bermuda, it is home to several critically endangered and Lazarus species, and is the base of the Bermuda Petrel Translocation Project where one of the rarest seabirds on the Planet, the “Cahow” is now up to 165 pairs, after 300+ years being considered extinct.Thanks to Nonsuch Expeditions, along with the support of the MBZ Fund and Dolphin Energy, JP Rouja and his team received a Chairmans Award that led to remarkable results. This is their story!

This episode of Conservation Calls is especially meaningful! It celebrates 15 years of species conservation, featuring some words of wisdom from our amazing grant recipients. The highlight of the podcast is a powerful poem titled “If the Fund Had a Voice,” which beautifully captures why we should all care about conservation.This celebratory edition is brought to you by our fantastic Repton Dubai podcast crew, in collaboration with four grant recipients who represent the over 2,800 counterparts making a significant difference in the field.  It also features the multi-talented nature narrator and sound designer Chanda Miyanda.

This episode focuses on the important story of owl conservation in the stunning Wadi Wurayah National Park in Fujairah, featuring the elusive and extremely rare Omani Owl as the star.  Join Park Ranger Sami Majeed and our Repton podcast crew for a delightful blend of humour and owl-mazing facts!

This episode of Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Funds Conservation Calls is roaring with excitement as we explore how Panthera and project partner Sintas Indonesia are mitigating human-wild cat conflict in the Leuser Ecosystem.This UNESCO World Heritage site is a vast area where humans and wild cats, including the elusive Sumatran Tiger, share the land. Panthera is working tirelessly to promote a harmonious co-existence.

In this episode, we’re diving into the awesome world of the Western Leopard Toad! Nature Connect in South Africa has come up with a brilliant plan to protect this fascinating and endangered species. Get ready to uncover all the exciting details and discover how they’re working hard to keep these incredible toads safe and sound. Let’s jump in and explore together!

Get ready for an epic podcast adventure filled with intrigue and a hint of enigma! This time, we're diving into the world of the rare and elusive - the African manatees. Join us as we uncover the unique collaboration between the MBZF, African Aquatic Conservation Fund, and the National Aquarium in Abu Dhabi, home to two African manatees. The National Aquarium has created a sanctuary that mimics their natural habitat, allowing them to study their behaviour and ecology and use this knowledge to protect their counterparts in the wild. Our energetic Repton podcast crew embarked on a thrilling expedition to meet the brilliant minds behind this awe-inspiring conservation success story. Buckle up and tune in as the team share their tale in their own unique and captivating style!

Episode 3 features an incredible story of how Asociación Armonía is working to protect the critically endangered Red-fronted Macaws in Bolivia. With only 1,200 individuals left, they are implementing various initiatives like safeguarding breeding cliffs, adding nesting boxes, and restoring habitats to boost the population. Additionally, they've turned the project into a wildlife and bird-watching ecotourism venture, providing financial incentives for the local indigenous community to participate in protecting the macaws.  Want to know how they did it? Tune in to our latest edition of Conservation Calls, brought to you by the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund and Asociación Armonía.

This episode dives into the incredible journey of an MBZF-supported project.  The National Tropical Botanical Garden are using cutting-edge technology, to rediscover plants once thought extinct in the most remote and hard-to-reach places on the Island of Hawaii.It’s a gripping tale brought to life by the MBZF podcast team at Repton School Dubai.Sit back, relax, and enjoy the sensory adventure. If you love it, don’t forget to rate, and share the link with your family and friends!

Species conservation is super cool.  Don’t take our word for it, listen to the Conservation Calls podcast. Created for youth, by youth, join our team as we explore the world, uncover amazing species, and share inspiring discoveries. Tune in for a wild ride with humour, passion, and excitement!Welcome to our podcast journey! Your feedback matters, so tune in, share your thoughts, and let's inspire the next generation of conservation champions together!