Sean's Wild Life

I met up with wonderful wildlife photographer Rob Fleming, better know as @robswildlondon on his stunning Instagram account (check it out!). Rob kindly and bravely agreed to chat about his mental health journey and how picking up a camera and rediscovering nature and wildlife that he enjoyed as a child has helped him switch off, be mindful and ultimately heal.

Male mental health is rarely discussed so openly, and as someone with a similar experience of using my camera and nature as therapy during a period of depression in my life, I found Rob's candid discussion really inspiring.

We get a teeny bit technical about wildlife photography and the species we find along our walk, but mostly we enjoyed sharing our stories and bringing an online friendship into real life for the first time.

Sean's Wild Life podcast is produced by Sean McCormack, co-produced and edited by Thomas Ntinas. Title track 'A Wild Life' kindly composed and donated by Mark Rose.

All costs of production have been self funded. If you've enjoyed this episode and would like to tip me by buying me a coffee you can do so here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/seanswildlife.

If you would like to sponsor a future episode of Sean's Wild Life please email [email protected] and visit www.drseanmccormack.com to learn more about Sean's work.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I sat down to chat about this controversial and often emotive topic with the President of the British Veterinary Association, James Russell and CEO of the Badger Trust, Dominic Dyer. We explored the issues surrounding the eradication of bovine TB, a disease of cattle which also affects wildlife species, most notably the badger. And we tackle the logic, pros and cons of the government's badger cull strategy as part of the plan to eradicate this disease.

It's illuminating and at times a little heated, but Dominic and James do a sterling job of setting out the issues, respectfully debating the finer points and making a very complex topic more clear. As we all agree at the end, it's vital to talk and come together from both sides of the debate. The all too common 'them Vs us' attitude that often crops up where difficult conservation or animal welfare issues arise can do more harm than good.

I'm very grateful to have had them both on as guests, coming together to bring clarity and explore the middle ground in such a divisive topic.

Sean's Wild Life podcast is produced by Sean McCormack, co-produced and edited by Thomas Ntinas. Title track 'A Wild Life' kindly composed and donated by Mark Rose.

All costs of production have been self funded. If you've enjoyed this episode and would like to tip me by buying me a coffee you can do so here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/seanswildlife.

If you would like to sponsor a future episode of Sean's Wild Life please email [email protected] and visit www.drseanmccormack.com to learn more about Sean's work.

Cover photo by Billy Heaney.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On my recent trip to Australia, I travelled the Great Ocean Road and ended my journey in Koroit in Western Victoria at the Mosswood Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre. I talked to the founder Tracey Wilson about why she set up the sanctuary and what challenges they faced with recent bush fires, and more recently again, the bulldozing of large gum plantations.

Much of Mosswood's work is focused on Koalas, which to many are the most endearing and sweet little creatures ever. And I must admit I was won over by just how cute and sweet they were too.

But there are controversies and very real ethical conservation dilemmas surrounding Koala populations, timber plantations and managing Australian biodiversity. Tracey, a pragmatic conservationist, gives a fascinating insight into the competing priorities of government, private timber plantations, conservationists and wildlife enthusiasts alike. Perhaps surprisingly, the cuddly 'Koala bear' divides opinion in this part of the world, and it has led to much conflict.

I'm lucky enough to have had a private tour of the sanctuary as I chat to Tracey, so come join as I meet Koalas, Kookaburras, Penguins and much more!

Sean's Wild Life podcast is produced by Sean McCormack, co-produced and edited by Thomas Ntinas. Title track 'A Wild Life' kindly composed and donated by Mark Rose.

All costs of production have been self funded. If you've enjoyed this episode and would like to tip me by buying me a coffee you can do so here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/seanswildlife.

If you would like to sponsor a future episode of Sean's Wild Life please email [email protected] and visit www.drseanmccormack.com to learn more about Sean's work.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A fascinating, hilarious and inspiring conversation with Derek Gow, an ecologist, reintroduction specialist, farmer and author of 'Bringing Back the Beaver'. Derek is well known for speaking out on the frustrations of our current systems and organisations in place to protect our natural landscapes and biodiversity. Or should that be to regulate our natural landscapes and attempts to restore biodiversity?

In this episode he packs no punches in critiquing the bureaucracy and inertia of our conservation organisations. He suggests that perhaps we need to be bolder and get cracking right now on restoring nature on a larger scale and restore lost species as a matter of urgency.

We discuss the psychology of humankind in historically conquering nature, obliterating species deemed harmful or indeed valuable to us, and reshaping the landscape in ways that have been immensely harmful to the natural world. We also explore Derek's varied career in farming, into global wildlife conservation, back to British wildlife conservation and most recently his pioneering role within the UK rewilding movement. Specifically his work from his Devon farm and collaborating with several other organisations in reintroducing threatened or extinct species, from water voles and harvest mice to beavers and white storks.

If you're offended by crude language and straight talk, be warned. Personally I found Derek's refreshingly honest and bold approach truly inspiring. It's a compelling and humorous chat from a non-traditional nature conservationist not afraid to take risks or rock the boat!

Sean's Wild Life podcast is produced by Sean McCormack, co-produced and edited by Thomas Ntinas. Title track 'A Wild Life' kindly composed and donated by Mark Rose.

All costs of production have been self funded. If you've enjoyed this episode and would like to tip me by buying me a coffee you can do so here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/seanswildlife.

If you would like to sponsor a future episode of Sean's Wild Life please email [email protected] and visit www.drseanmccormack.com to learn more about Sean's work.

Cover photo credit: Magzter.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode I talk about unwanted wildlife, the vilified and unwelcome guests to these shores with Jack Baddams, naturalist, ornithologist and wildlife researcher at the BBC Natural History Unit. We discuss the narratives that dominate talk of non native and invasive species, and the discrepancies and at times hypocrisy of how we view certain species against others.

Jack share his recent thoughts having read a book that challenged all his strongly held beliefs on native Vs non-native debate, and whether we should celebrate all biodiversity in this day and age, no matter where it originated. Can it be that introduced species actually help us build more diverse ecosystems? Although many conservationists and naturalists are strongly opposed to introduced species – some of our most loved species are introduced – rabbits, hares, little owls (which we're now concerned are decreasing!), mandarin ducks, poppies, sweet chestnuts to name a few.

It's a controversial topic, and one which prompts passionate debate. It was certainly a thought provoking chat with Jack and challenged some of my preconceptions too. I hope you too will enjoy it!

Sean's Wild Life podcast is produced by Sean McCormack, co-produced and edited by Thomas Ntinas. Title track 'A Wild Life' kindly composed and donated by Mark Rose.

All costs of production have been self funded. If you've enjoyed this episode and would like to tip me by buying me a coffee you can do so here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/seanswildlife.

If you would like to sponsor a future episode of Sean's Wild Life please email [email protected] and visit www.drseanmccormack.com to learn more about Sean's work.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.