Episode 19: sexually-deceptive orchids, ejaculating beetles, bridges for howler monkeys, leopards in Nepal and the elephant in the room

Welcome to the nineteenth episode of The Zoology Ramblings Podcast!

In this episode, the dynamic duo touch base as Robi embarks on an exciting new journey in Cape Town and Emma joins The Avon Wildlife Trust! For our species of the week, the pair chat about howler monkeys in Costa Rica and ejaculating beetles pollinating sexually-deceptive orchids. In the conservation section, Emma and Robi chat about human-wildlife conflict between leopards and people in Nepal being exacerbated by canine distemper virus, and Robi pitches a fascinating thought experiment about elephants and their natural predators.

Robi Watkinson is a Conservation Biologist and wildlife filmmaker specialising in the spatial and movement ecology of large carnivores, camera trapping survey methods, rewilding, metapopulation dynamics and conservation planning. He has an MSc in Conservation Biology from the FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, and the Institute of Communities and Wildlife in Africa, University of Cape Town. He is based between Cape Town and London, and has strong interests in equitable and inclusive conservation, palaeontology and wildlife taxonomy and evolution!

Emma Hodson is a Zoologist and wildlife content creator, currently working in the community and engagement team at Avon Wildlife Trust. Emma’s role as a Wildlife Champions Coordinator involves supporting and upskilling people to take action for nature in their local communities. Emma has experience in remote wildlife fieldwork, and has been part of Arctic fox, macaw and cetacean research teams in Iceland, Peru and Wales respectively. She has also been involved in animal care and rehabilitation work in Costa Rica and South Africa. Emma is particularly passionate about the interface between community engagement and wildlife monitoring, and enjoys running workshops and giving talks on topics including camera trapping, beaver ecology and rewilding. 

You can follow more of our weird and wonderful wildlife adventures on instagram: @thezoologyramblingspodcast & @robi_watkinson_wildlife & @emma_hodson_wildlife

To get exclusive access to podcast notes, background research and references, consider supporting our Patreon (link to come), where you can get all sorts of extra goodies and Zoology Ramblings merch!