PODCAST · science
The Wild Bits Show
by TheWildBits
Every Sunday, YouTuber Upamanyu Das and Wildlife Filmmaker Meghana Sanka meet to discuss current events in the wildlife conservation, climate change, science and the natural world, a subject from which they do not stray. Hardly ever.
Episodes
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Marmots go viral on Onlyf**s ft. Dr. Juilen Martin
This week on The Wild Bits Show, a funding crisis sends a 64-year marmot study to OnlyFans—and an audacious joke becomes a viral lifeline worth roughly half a million dollars. Evolutionary ecologist Dr. Julien Martin reveals how hibernation may slow ageing, why yellow-bellied marmots have evolved...
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2000 rhinos are breaking up
This week on The Wild Bits Show, we journey from the plains of Africa to the depths of the ocean. Witness the monumental effort to relocate 2,000 rhinos, a daring feat of conservation. Then, we confront the grim reality for Tapanuli orangutans facing mining and fires with no recovery plan.…
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Cry of the wolf
This week on The Wild Bits Show, we dive into a world where old perceptions are being rewritten. Discover how AI is unlocking the secrets of wolf vocalizations, potentially changing how we understand these magnificent creatures. Witness an extraordinary partnership bloom between a Florida angler...
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The orphan that lived
This week on The Wild Bits Show, we delve into stories that paint a stark picture of our planet’s challenges and triumphs. Journey with us as we explore the incredible resilience of an orphaned elephant in Africa, a symbol of hope against overwhelming odds. We then confront the sobering reality…
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The Koala boomers ft. Dr. Frédérik Saltré
This week on The Wild Bits Show, we journey into the heart of conservation challenges and triumphs. Discover how indigenous food sovereignty offers a powerful blueprint for biodiversity protection, and question our approach to invasive species like the spotted lanternfly. We explore the…
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Nepal's flash foods - climate breakdown?
This week on The Wild Bits Show, we delve into the escalating impacts of climate breakdown, starting with the devastating floods in Nepal, a stark reminder of nature’s fury. We then explore how indigenous communities in Indonesia are ingeniously adapting ancient rituals to protect endangered...
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What did the fox eat??? ft. Ligia Pizzatto
This week on The Wild Bits Show, a remarkable recovery story unfolds as humpback whales return to Rio, but will tourism help or hinder their resurgence? We dive into the ethical quandaries of octopus farming, questioning whether intelligence should dictate our diets. Then, a stark warning emerges...
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Wild Orangutans’ new hope
This week on The Wild Bits Show, we journey into the heart of conservation challenges and triumphs. Witness a remarkable comeback as rescued orangutans find a new wild home in Sumatra, a beacon of hope against habitat destruction. But hope is tested by the grim reality of illegal wildlife trade…
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Jimothy, the local legend
This week on The Wild Bits Show, we delve into the viral sensation of Jimmoti the raccoon and what his sudden fame reveals about our selective affection for animals. We then confront the sobering reality that over half of the world’s migratory bird species are in decline, exploring the ripple...
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Puma in the city ft. Chinmay Sonawane
This week on The Wild Bits Show, we dive into the surprising ways wildlife interacts with our urbanized world and the challenges it faces. From pumas navigating city streets to the complex ecological dances of trophic cascades, we explore how apex predators shape ecosystems, even in our…
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Conservation in times of war
This week on The Wild Bits Show, we delve into the often-overlooked devastation of war on the natural world. Join us as we hear from incredible experts who bravely work in conflict zones, rescuing and protecting wildlife amidst chaos and danger. From the militarization of conservation efforts to...
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Mountain wildlife’s escalator to extinction
This week on The Wild Bits Show, we confront the escalating “escalator to extinction” for mountain wildlife, a stark warning from a new study about climate change’s relentless pressure. We also dive into the urgent debate around ship speed limits to protect endangered whales, questioning if...
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Jimbu saves Snow Leopards
This week on The Wild Bits Show, a humble herb in Nepal is surprising scientists with its potential to save snow leopards. We explore how this unique plant is not only boosting local economies but also deterring the snow leopards’ prey, reducing human-wildlife conflict. Meanwhile, the Amazon…
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Gluttony at its peak
This week on The Wild Bits Show, we delve into the staggering environmental cost of our consumption habits. A new study reveals how the top 10% of global consumers inflict trillions in damage, primarily through food and energy consumption. We explore the plight of coastal communities as rising…
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Earth's blackbox - is this the end?
This week on The Wild Bits Show, we confront the chilling possibility of our planet’s demise with the unveiling of “Earth’s Black Box,” a monumental device in Tasmania designed to record humanity’s trajectory towards climate catastrophe. But is this a testament to our actions or a final epitaph?…
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Bat-signal - they’re innocent
This week on The Wild Bits Show, we delve into the complex relationship between bats and Ebola, questioning the science behind animal blame. We explore the challenging realities of conservation, where protecting nature can impact local communities, and uncover India’s massive financial hurdle to...
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The 9 lives of small cats ft. Kathan Bandopadhyay
This week on The Wild Bits Show, we dive into a world often overlooked: the fascinating lives of small cats. While the majestic big cats steal the spotlight, we uncover the critical role these elusive felines play in their ecosystems. Join us as we journey from the European wildcat’s precarious...
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The Most Trafficked Mammal!
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...
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Would you pet an ant?
This week on The Wild Bits Show, we plunge into the bizarre world of exotic pet smuggling, uncovering a shocking black market for giant harvester ants. We then journey to eastern Indonesia to witness communities reviving ancient traditions to protect their seas, and travel to Guatemala where AI…
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The inbred lions of Gujarat
This week on The Wild Bits Show, discover the plight of India’s Asiatic lions and human-elephant conflicts in Zambia. We expose illegal wildlife trade on social media , race to save Amazonian frogs , and uncover Mekong River pollution. Plus, celebrate David Attenborough’s 100th birthday and a...
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Pablo Escobar's cocaine hippos
From the bizarre legacy of Pablo Escobar’s invasive hippos facing a cull in Colombia to the resilience of wolves thriving in the radioactive ruins of Chernobyl , we explore the complex lines between humans and nature. We also dive into inspiring tales of communities learning to coexist with…
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Monkeys, mud and junk food
Monkeys eating mud to survive tourist junk food? Sperm whales speaking in alphabets? Nature is wild! This episode explores how animals adapt to us. We uncover why healthy forests prevent human disease , cheer for a half-beaked parrot turning alpha , and discuss the fight for African marine...
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The social world of meerkats ft. Dr. Vlad Demartsev
This week on The Wild Bits Show we speak with a special guest Dr. Vlad Demartsev who shares insights with us about his research on meerkats. Along with that dive with us into the dark reality of the illegal lion trade and how war threatens the last Asiatic cheetahs. Discover a rare mahogany tree...
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Anti-Environment God Squad
This week on The Wild Bits Show, dive into pressing environmental battles and wild discoveries. From a controversial panel waiving laws for Gulf drilling to the Amazon’s risky Bioceanic Railway, we explore our footprint. Plus, marvel at a rare sperm whale birth, ancient carbon venting from the...
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Bouba Kiki and baby chicks ft. Maria Loconsole
This week on The Wild Bits Show we ask the question - Do animals experience the world like us? We uncover how day-old chicks grasp the “Bouba-Kiki effect”, challenging what we know about language. We also explore how composting threatens Costa Rica’s sea turtles , honour orangutan champion Birutė...
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Man's "Smartest" Friend ft. Shany Dror
Please SUBSCRIBE NOW! http://bit.ly/TheWildBits This week on The Wild Bits Show we talk about toucans saving Brazilian trees to Spain’s firefighting donkeys, nature is full of surprises. We explore why ‘rescuing’ baby animals is often kidnapping and how elephant conservation can unintentionally...
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Possum - Public Enemy # 1
Dive into the complex world of conservation where heroes and villains are often just a matter of perspective. We explore why New Zealand wages war on possums , while global efforts race to save endangered Kakapos. Plus, uncover marine plundering by floating factories , the tragedy of whale…
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Big hero 6 - Painted Dogs
Are painted dogs the new stars of African safaris? In this episode of The Wild Bits Show , we explore how travelers are looking past the “Big Five”. We dive into whether canopy bridges can save South America’s tree-dwelling wildlife. Plus, we uncover the dark side of sustainability labels in…
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Cats are being trafficked
While big cats steal the spotlight, a silent crisis is devastating small wildcats poached for the exotic pet trade. This episode dives into the shadows of wildlife trafficking and the indigenous communities fighting to protect their lands from corporate greed. We also uncover how toxic e-waste is...
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Our drunk ancestors? ft. Aleksey Maro's research
Are human drinking habits an evolutionary hangover? In this episode of The Wild Bits Show, we sit down with evolutionary biology researcher Aleksey Maro from UC Berkeley to unpack the fascinating “Drunken Monkey Hypothesis”. Discover how wild chimpanzees consume fermenting fruits and what their...
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Hotter earth, Hotter economies
This week, we dive into the link between economic growth & climate change, a surprising timber surplus in Nepal, & an inspiring conservation story from Bolivia! Plus, oil spill news & amazing species discoveries. Can economies thrive without constant growth? 🤔 Join the discussion!
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Bad Bad Soy Boys
Please SUBSCRIBE NOW! http://bit.ly/TheWildBits This week on The Wild Bits Show, we discuss the Amazon, the world’s greatest carbon sink. When the biggest soy traders walk away from a landmark zero-deforestation agreement, the rainforest faces a projected 30% spike in clearing — driven not just…
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Who let the dingoes out & Ft. Leokadia George
This week on The Wild Bits Show, when a tragedy occurs on the sandy shores of K’gari, the line between human safety and wild animal instinct becomes blurred. We dissect the heartbreaking incident involving a Canadian tourist and the subsequent order to euthanize a pack of dingoes. We explore the...
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Sing Like a Whale
This week on The Wild Bits Show, we explore if a melody can change the fate of a species? We dive deep into the incredible true story of how haunting recordings of humpback whale songs in the 1970s captivated the world and helped pull these giants back from the brink of extinction. We explore the...
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U.S. deports wildlife NOW
This week we talk about Borders. Lines drawn in the sand that nations defend with steel and concrete. But for the jaguar, the black bear, and the ocelot, these lines sever ancient lifelines. This week, we journey to the Madrean Sky Islands to witness how a 250-mile wall is reshaping the genetic...
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AI - The Next Climate Threat?
This week on The Wild Bits Show, we unpack the growing environmental footprint of AI, from energy-hungry data centers to water-intensive cooling systems that rival entire power plants. As large language models become woven into everyday life, we ask the uncomfortable question: is convenience...
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Distorted fish perfect GIB
This week, we begin in Brazil’s Xingu River, where altered water flows from a massive hydroelectric dam are reshaping fish bodies themselves — a visible warning of ecosystem collapse. From there, the story flips to India, where the protection of the critically endangered Great Indian Bustard has...
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Ice recedes, Ice grows
This week, we are looking at a world of stark contradictions. We begin in the Arctic, where a record-breaking year of heat is forcing scientists to ask if “winter” as we know it is disappearing forever. Yet, thousands of miles away in the Pamir Mountains, a mysterious anomaly offers a strange...
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Zootopia 2’s Gary De’Snake in danger
What happens when a fictional character sparks real-world consequences? In this episode of #TheWildBitsShow, the conversation dives into the unexpected ripple effects of Zootopia 2 and the rising obsession with Gary De’Snake. What starts as excitement around a new animated character quickly turns...
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60,000 dead. How many more? & Ft. Jessica C. Hankins
In this episode of #TheWildBitsShow, we uncover heartbreaking wildlife crises and spark hope through science. From the tragic starvation of 60,000 African penguins due to collapsing sardine populations amid overfishing and climate change, to the invasive purple lupins turning Iceland into an...
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The Newest Sugarbabies - Leopards
In this episode of The Wild Bits Show, we dive into one of the most surprising wildlife stories of the year - the rise of “sugarcane leopards,” big cats born and raised entirely within farming landscapes. We explore how these leopards have adapted to tractors, pumps, and people as if they’re part...
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Stone cold killers : Us or cats?
In this episode of The Wild Bits Show, we dive into one of the most controversial wildlife debates of our time: Are cats the real stone-cold killers… or are we? New Zealand plans to eradicate 2.5 million feral cats by 2050, adding them to its Predator Free strategy. But is mass culling the only…
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USA rulebook on species extinction
Discover how the United States writes, interprets, bends, and sometimes breaks the rules that decide whether a species survives or disappears. In this episode of The Wild Bits Show, we dive deep into the Endangered Species Act, the political machinery behind conservation decisions, the science…
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Climate change virus spares none
In this episode we unpack the unsettling ways climate change is rewriting the world; starting with viruses reaching the farthest corners of earth. As warming accelerates, unexpected biological threats emerge, raising questions about preparedness and global vulnerability. The coastline, where...
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Dolphin Hot Tub
This week on The Wild Bits Show, we dive into the strange and unsettling story of the Amazon turning into a “dolphin hot tub.” As pink river dolphins die off in overheated lakes, the episode explores what’s really driving these changes and what they mean for the Amazon’s fragile ecosystem. From...
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Dead humans harm live fish
From the ocean’s deepest mysteries to the surprising ways humans still harm sea life — this episode dives into the bizarre connection between dead humans and live fish. We explore how mercury dental fillings end up poisoning marine ecosystems, celebrate the comeback of green turtles and North...
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A Colourless World + Sp. Guest Hoi
In this episode of The Wild Bits Show, we dive deep into the strange and sobering ways our planet is losing its color. From butterflies fading to beige as deforestation reshapes their world, to mosquitoes now buzzing through Iceland’s warming air, to ancient elephant migration routes in Africa...
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Plastics inside everyone and everything
In this episode of The Wild Bits Show, we explore how plastics have infiltrated every corner of the planet. From the deepest oceans to the stomachs of Amazon tree-dwelling monkeys. What does it mean when microplastics show up in supposedly protected wildlife? We also dive into stories that blur…
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White Whale Killers
This week, we tackle the shocking story of a Canadian marine park threatening to euthanize 30 beluga whales over a funding dispute, a situation that raises serious ethical questions about captivity and conservation. Then, we explore how a devastating heat wave has wiped out clownfish populations…
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The Goodest of All : Jane
In this episode of The Wild Bits Show, we celebrate the extraordinary life of Jane Goodall, the world’s most influential primatologist and a tireless voice for wildlife conservation. We explore her impact on science, empathy, and environmental action — and what her legacy means for the next...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Every Sunday, YouTuber Upamanyu Das and Wildlife Filmmaker Meghana Sanka meet to discuss current events in the wildlife conservation, climate change, science and the natural world, a subject from which they do not stray. Hardly ever.
HOSTED BY
TheWildBits
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Wild Bits Show have?
The Wild Bits Show currently has 61 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Wild Bits Show about?
Every Sunday, YouTuber Upamanyu Das and Wildlife Filmmaker Meghana Sanka meet to discuss current events in the wildlife conservation, climate change, science and the natural world, a subject from which they do not stray. Hardly ever.
How often does The Wild Bits Show release new episodes?
The Wild Bits Show has 61 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to The Wild Bits Show?
You can listen to The Wild Bits Show on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts The Wild Bits Show?
The Wild Bits Show is created and hosted by TheWildBits.
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