Rescuing Namibia’s Seals with Naude Dreyer

04/28/25 • 38 min

In this episode, we are joined by Naude Dreyer, co-founder of Ocean Conservation Namibia, whose high-stakes seal rescues have captured global attention. From Namibia’s Walvis Bay, Naude and his small team are fighting the rising tide of ocean plastic and ghost fishing gear—threats that silently strangle thousands of marine animals each year.

But there’s a new twist to the challenge: rabies is emerging in Southern Africa’s seal population, raising concerns for both animal and human health. Naude shares how they navigate this strange and little-understood development out in the field.

We also explore the extreme physical fitness and mental toughness required to carry out these rescues - sprinting across difficult terrain, handling panicked 300-pound animals, and staying calm in unpredictable, often dangerous conditions.

To learn more about Ocean Conservation Namibia, visit ocnamibia.org and follow their rescue work on Instagram @oceannamibia.

To learn more about Ocean Conservation Namibia, visit ocnamibia.org and follow their rescue work on Instagram @oceannamibia.

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Operation CK: Saving Zimbabwe's Chizarira National Park with Dr Niall McCann

In this episode, we’re diving into the world of National Park Rescue with Executive Director of Conservation, Dr. Niall McCann — a National Geographic Explorer, Conservation Biologist and Wildlife TV presenter (BBC, Nat Geo Wild and Discovery Channel).

Now, at the helm of National Park Rescue, Niall is tackling the urgent task of saving Africa’s neglected national parks from the brink of collapse. In this episode, we spotlight one of their most ambitious missions: Operation CK in Chizarira National Park, Zimbabwe. Once on the verge of becoming an empty wilderness, ravaged by poaching and neglect, Chizarira is now seeing signs of hope. Elephant poaching indicators are reportedly down by more than 90%, and momentum is building toward long-term recovery.

Niall offers an unfiltered look into the challenges of conservation in politically and logistically complex landscapes — from corruption and human-wildlife conflict to the powerful impact of restoring law enforcement and trust on the ground.

Tune in for a powerful conversation about what it really takes to turn around a dying park, the importance of protecting iconic species like elephants, rhinos, and lions, and the gritty, hopeful reality of conservation in action.

To learn more about National Park Rescue, visit www.nationalparkrescue.org and follow their work on Instagram at @nationalparkrescue.