DOC Sounds of Science Podcast

Anton van Helden is a marine scientist by day moonlighting as a magician by night (although one could make the point that magic never sleeps). In this episode you’ll hear talk of strandings, toxoplasmosis, pub magic and climate; as well as working with Iwi on recovery of bones. Abracadabra, are you listening closely?

CONTENT WARNING: Please be advised that the following episode contains specific discussion of dissection (we kept it reasonably high level) which some listeners may find graphic. This is 8.03 – 11.22. And at 23.25 we talk about taonga and why dissections are important for Iwi.

Ranger Chris Dodd (Doddy) on what it’s like to track and monitor rare kiwi birds in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Doddy is a passionate kiwi conservationist who started his career working with seabirds on the Shetland Islands

Shownotes and transcript available at www.doc.govt.nz/podcast

Kelly Frogley is an expert when it comes to non-vascular plants. In this episode, Kelly explains what exactly they are, and shares some stories about unexpected discoveries and making the most of non-optimum spaces for optimum plant identification. She also talks about green-blindness and the importance of looking down. And up. And around – well, you get it.

www.doc.govt.nz/podcast

Conservation enthusiast and DOC legend Herb talks to Nic about his experience as a science communicator, navigating the bush before sat nav, being trolled by kea, and species protection on offshore islands. Plus he treats us to some of his famous bird calls.

If there were such thing as conservation bingo, (sidebar: should we make that?) Herb would be a square all of his own, given how many times his name is mentioned in conservation conversation. “Ask Herb”, “See what Herb thinks” or “Herb might know” are popular refrains around here. Cheers to this stalwart of species survival.

www.doc.govt.nz/podcast

Terry is an expert in all kinds of parrots, specifically kākā, kākāriki karaka/NZ parakeet and kākāpō.

He’s spent a lot of time catching and monitoring birds, studying them, and advising on the impacts of predator control on non-target species. Plus, he has some field stories that are so incredible, you’ll think he’s lying. At first, we thought he was lying.

• The audio at the beginning of the episode is the call of the North Island kākā
• The music used is Let’s Get Down to Business by Cast of Characters

Transcript and shownotes available at www.doc.govt.nz/podcast