Conservation calls, the podcast

Raising youth awareness on in situ conservation is key for nurturing future environmental stewards. Teaching them about protecting species in their natural habitats empowers them to grasp the link between ecosystems, biodiversity, and human welfare.

This realisation sparked a collaborative journey with Repton school Dubai to create a unique podcast with one aim; to let the youth narrate our conservation stories in their language, filled with passion and emotion aimed at inspiring their peers.

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!

Echoes in the dark: Cave biodiversity battles

March 26, 2025

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! And don’t worry, cave animals are small and not scary at all. ...

Mexican Miracle: The fight to save the Kangaroo rat!

February 26, 2025

The Kangaroo rat 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...

Petrel Power: Wings of hope for the Bermuda cahow!

January 29, 2025

This month, we learn of an incredible tale of a petrel in Bermuda, which was thought to be extinct for over 300 years! Thanks to Nonsuch Expeditions, along with the support of the MBZ Fund and Dolphin Energy, JP Rouja...

Voices of Change: 15 Years of Conservation Impact

December 18, 2024

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...

Whispers in the Shadows: The Omani Owl’s Fight for Survival in Wadi Wurayah

November 11, 2024

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...

Coexisting with Giants: Navigating Wild Cat-Human Conflict in Indonesia

September 26, 2024

This episode of MBZ’s 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...

Toad Warriors: The Fight for South Africa's Amphibian Future!

August 26, 2024

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...

Manatee Mavericks: Safeguarding Senegal's Gentle Giants!

July 24, 2024

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...

Bolivian Bird Guardians: Protecting the Sky's Colorful Treasures!

June 27, 2024

This episode 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...

Hawaiian Drone Defenders: Soaring to Save cool plant Species!

June 3, 2024

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...

Conservation calls, the podcast

April 5, 2024

Raising youth awareness on in situ conservation is key for nurturing future environmental stewards. Teaching them about protecting species in their natural habitats empowers them to grasp the link between ecosystems, biodiversity, and human welfare. This realisation sparked a collaborative...
Meet Darwin’s frog (Rhinoderma darwinii), an endangered amphibian from the forests of Chile and Argentina! Known for their unique parenting style, male Darwin’s frogs carry tadpoles in their vocal sacs until they transform into froglets.
 
Unfortunately, habitat loss and chytridiomycosis, a deadly fungal disease, have led to a rapid decline in their populations—over 90% lost in Tantauco Park in just a year!
 
In response, the Ranita de darwin NGO, with support from the MBZ Fund and other important institutions, launched the Rescate Tantauco project. This international initiative uses a holistic approach, combining in-situ and ex-situ strategies to ensure the long-term survival of the species. 

Thanks to this funding, 53 frogs were rescued and relocated to the Zoological Society of London. With another rescue of 32 individuals planned for January 2025, this project showcases the power of science and global teamwork in conserving this amazing species!
 
 
#MBZFund #conservation #endangeredspecies #wildlifeconservation #biodiversity #sustainability #uae #abudhabi #chile #argentina #animals #frog #wildlife #nature #DarwinsFrog #Conservation #biodiversity

Meet Darwin’s frog (Rhinoderma darwinii), an endangered amphibian from the forests of Chile and Argentina! Known for their unique parenting style, male Darwin’s frogs carry tadpoles in their vocal sacs until they transform into froglets.
 
Unfortunately, habitat loss and chytridiomycosis, a deadly fungal disease, have led to a rapid decline in their populations—over 90% lost in Tantauco Park in just a year!
 
In response, the Ranita de darwin NGO, with support from the MBZ Fund and other important institutions, launched the Rescate Tantauco project. This international initiative uses a holistic approach, combining in-situ and ex-situ strategies to ensure the long-term survival of the species.

Thanks to this funding, 53 frogs were rescued and relocated to the Zoological Society of London. With another rescue of 32 individuals planned for January 2025, this project showcases the power of science and global teamwork in conserving this amazing species!
 
 
#MBZFund #conservation #endangeredspecies #wildlifeconservation #biodiversity #sustainability #uae #abudhabi #chile #argentina #animals #frog #wildlife #nature #DarwinsFrog #Conservation #biodiversity
...

206 6
Fomitiporia nubicola is a fungus found only in a specific native forest ecosystem called cloud forests. The only known reproducing individuals occur between 1,500 and 2,000 meters above sea level in the São Joaquim National Park (SC). The fungus grows exclusively on the tree Drimys angustifolia, known locally as casca-d’anta.
⁠
The species is under threat due to human activities such as burning, cattle grazing, and land-use changes.
 
Researchers from the MIND.Funga research group (UFSC) are conducting field expeditions to monitor the fungus to better understand its life cycle and develop conservation strategies, and to collect spores and cultivate them in vitro to safeguard the species’ genetic diversity.
 
This work is only made possible with support from the MBZ Fund.
 
Follow the project to learn more about the importance of fungal conservation!
 
🔬 Researchers: Dr. Genivaldo Alves-Silva, Elisa Werlang, Rodrigo Almeida, and Kelmer Martins-Cunha
🎥 Video production: Mateus Mendonça
 
#MBZFund #fungi #conservation #FomitiporiaNubicola #MINDfunga #Conservação #Fungos #FlorestaNebular #ParqueNacionaldeSãoJoaquim #fungi  #conservation #speciesconservation #endangeredspecies #wildlifeconservation #biodiversity

Fomitiporia nubicola is a fungus found only in a specific native forest ecosystem called cloud forests. The only known reproducing individuals occur between 1,500 and 2,000 meters above sea level in the São Joaquim National Park (SC). The fungus grows exclusively on the tree Drimys angustifolia, known locally as casca-d’anta.

The species is under threat due to human activities such as burning, cattle grazing, and land-use changes.

Researchers from the MIND.Funga research group (UFSC) are conducting field expeditions to monitor the fungus to better understand its life cycle and develop conservation strategies, and to collect spores and cultivate them in vitro to safeguard the species’ genetic diversity.

This work is only made possible with support from the MBZ Fund.

Follow the project to learn more about the importance of fungal conservation!

🔬 Researchers: Dr. Genivaldo Alves-Silva, Elisa Werlang, Rodrigo Almeida, and Kelmer Martins-Cunha
🎥 Video production: Mateus Mendonça

#MBZFund #fungi #conservation #FomitiporiaNubicola #MINDfunga #Conservação #Fungos #FlorestaNebular #ParqueNacionaldeSãoJoaquim #fungi #conservation #speciesconservation #endangeredspecies #wildlifeconservation #biodiversity
...

264 9
The Togean Islands, a hidden gem in Sulawesi spanning just 3,626 km² is home to Rhinocypha togeanensis.  This endangered damselfly is endemic to Batudaka Island, thriving in the freshwater habitats of the Tanimpo River.
 
After more than two decades without population surveys, researcher Muhammad Amiruddin and his team embarked on an expedition November to February 2025 in search of this elusive species.
 
After navigating a rocky, maze-like path, they finally spotted the species and counted 18 individuals, highlighting the urgent need for conservation efforts to protect this species from human impact. The next phase will involve community awareness and educating young people about the species.
 
Thanks to this support from the MBZ Fund, they aim to create a lasting positive impact on environmental conservation in the Togean Islands!
 
#worldfrogday #MBZFund #conservation, #endangeredspecies #biodiversity #nature #animals #uae #Indonesia #damselfly #nature #support #project

The Togean Islands, a hidden gem in Sulawesi spanning just 3,626 km² is home to Rhinocypha togeanensis. This endangered damselfly is endemic to Batudaka Island, thriving in the freshwater habitats of the Tanimpo River.

After more than two decades without population surveys, researcher Muhammad Amiruddin and his team embarked on an expedition November to February 2025 in search of this elusive species.

After navigating a rocky, maze-like path, they finally spotted the species and counted 18 individuals, highlighting the urgent need for conservation efforts to protect this species from human impact. The next phase will involve community awareness and educating young people about the species.

Thanks to this support from the MBZ Fund, they aim to create a lasting positive impact on environmental conservation in the Togean Islands!

#worldfrogday #MBZFund #conservation, #endangeredspecies #biodiversity #nature #animals #uae #Indonesia #damselfly #nature #support #project
...

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