DOC Sounds of Science Podcast

Part 2 of our special with kākāpō scientist, Dr. Andrew Digby. We ask listeners’ questions about kākāpō, talk about some of the biggest wins and disappointments in kākāpō management, and learn new facts about this rare, unusual species. Transcript and shownotes at www.doc.govt.nz/podcast

Dr. Andrew Digby does a deep dive on the science of kākāpō management, recalls weird behaviour he’s observed from them in the field, and explains some of the big challenges the population are facing, including disease outbreak and low fertility. Transcript and full shownotes at www.doc.govt.nz/pocast

To celebrate summer in Aotearoa, we’ve put together a supercut, packed to the brim with all the best bits from previous episodes. From cryptic species to sharks to seal production—this supercut has something for everyone. Full shownotes and transcript at www.doc.govt.nz/podcast

Volcanologist Hollei Gabrielsen (Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Whitikaupeka) on providing advice about volcanoes, particularly in Tongariro National Park; and how her whakapapa, heritage, informs her work. Hollei discusses what you need to know to head out on an adventure in Tongariro, and answer listeners’ questions about lava, caldera, phreatic (steam) explosions, and more. Full shownotes and transcript at www.doc.govt.nz/podcast

Freshwater scientist Nixie Boddy on researching non-migratory galaxiids, native fish, and her adventures in the field—some of which involve costumes. Nixie has a huge amount of knowledge about how non-migratory galaxiids interact with threats and river flows, and the broader ecology of their habitat. In this episode she explains fish passage, electric fishing, and many other mysteries of the deep/shallow. It’s another must-listen. Shownotes and transcript: www.doc.govt.nz/podcast

Kiwi expert Tim Raemaekers on the struggle that kiwi in Fiordland are facing and what impact 1080 has had in this area. Content warning: mention of gross stoat reproduction (not detailed) at 00:11:34

Kiwi expert and star of the Fiordland Kiwi Diaries, Tim Raemaekers, shares his incredible work stories about kākāpō, kiwi, and one very vampiric robin/toutouwai. Heads up, there's mention of blood (it's lowkey) at 9mins 44s. Show notes and transcript at www.doc.govt.nz/podcast

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

Marine biologist Laura Boren dives into her favourite topic, seals, and shares some on-the-job stories about this mischievous species. Laura has developed shelters for seals on Campbell Island, advocated for responsible pet ownership, and has a lot of experience being a go-to seal source. Shownotes and transcript available at www.doc.govt.nz/podcast

Our mighty and iconic kauri is under threat from a notorious fungus-type pathogen. In our newest episode, ranger Hana Harris shares her passion for kauri and how you can help. For the full shownotes and transcript go to www.doc.govt.nz/podcast

Ecologist Michelle Bradshaw discusses what we can learn from the data we get from banded birds and shares some cautionary tales about on the fly identification. Michelle is in charge of the National Banding Scheme in Aotearoa and brings hands-on banding experience from bird colonies around the world. If you’re a bird nerd, Michelle has the kind of work stories that’ll make you green with envy. For the shownotes and transcript visit www.doc.govt.nz/podcast

Aroha Gilling is an academic specialising in Te Tiriti o Waitangi and an experienced Treaty Ranger. She’s passionate about education, and this episode contains a wealth of expertise about nature and being a good Treaty Partner. Aroha is also a superfan of all creatures great and small in the Rangitahi Molesworth Recreation Reserve. It’s her happy place. For the full shownotes and transcript go to www.doc.govt.nz/podcast

The DOC Sounds of Science podcast is a behind-scenes-look at conservation in Aotearoa New Zealand. Every episode we chat with one of our experts about their greatest achievements and most interesting days on the job. Watch our trailer animation! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84_QK5NYemU

Avi has worked with big cats, endangered turtles, and renegade scamps like skunks and racoons. Now he’s here in Aotearoa New Zealand making sure wildlife goods don’t illegally cross the borders. The most important thing he wants you to know is that before you shop or travel, please check if your item needs a wildlife permit. Note: We had some sound difficulties with this recording. We’re sorry and have resolved this for future episodes. Avi’s stories are still top notch, and we hope you enjoy them. For shownotes visit www.doc.govt.nz/podcast

Stories about velvet worms, tiny frogs, crooning bats and more from ecologist Jess Scrimgeour. Jess knows that The Fab Five—in this case we mean kākāpō, kiwi, whio, takahē, and kererū—are easy to love, but she wants to light your spark for the hard to see, hard to hear, or hard to find critters too: like pekapeka/bats, wētā, pepeketua/frogs, and even the peripatus/velvet worm which fires a sticky substance when it feels threatened. How iconic. Shownotes and transcript at www.doc.govt.nz/podcast

Renowned shark expert Clinton Duffy shares niche knowledge and on-the-job stories. Sharks have a little bit of a PR problem. They’re fascinating, intelligent creatures, and most of them mind their own business. But they are predators, and their reputation has become a bit mythical. In this episode, we break it down. We talk about how we monitor shark species in an area as complex and vast as the ocean, their reproduction methods which are so incredible it could have come from a sci-fi writer’s brain, and a shark species that walks on land. Not once have we told a lie. Clinton Duffy is a Technical Advisor, Marine Species, and he works at the Department of Conservation in Aotearoa New Zealand. Transcript and shownotes: www.doc.govt.nz/podcast

There aren’t many jobs with us that Jack hasn’t turned his hand to. Remote island ranger, species monitor, trapper, hunter, ranger trainer, systems designer, operations manager—you name it, Jack has probably done it. He’s deeply passionate about conservation and has accumulated a lot of great stories. In this episode Jack shares stories about powelliphanta, kōkako, tūturuatu, Canterbury mudfish, Mana Island flax weevil, alseuosmia the mimic plant, akeake the giant daisy, ongaonga the serious stinging nettle; as well as diesel grass, rockhopper penguins, sea lions, kiwi, and parea/Chatham Island pigeon. It’s a very full 39 minutes. Show notes available at www.doc.govt.nz/podcast

Did you know that Aotearoa’s rarest parakeet is a small, forest-dwelling bird, and there are only about 360 estimated to be left in the wild? The kākāriki karaka, or orange-fronted parakeet are in serious trouble. Listen and learn about the work to monitor and track this species, control predators in critical areas, and boost numbers with captive breeding. Show notes available at www.doc.govt.nz/podcast

This is the much awaited second part of Brent Beaven’s Predator Free interview. In this episode, we’re talking about upcoming innovations as well as current predator control tools, and yes that includes 1080. This episode is a big swing and we hope it gives you some important context. Show notes available at www.doc.govt.nz/podcast

Brent Beaven tells us everything we need to know about New Zealand's goal to be Predator Free by 2050. How will we? What is this? Is it even possible? Brent has the answers. In fact he has so many, we’ve split his interview in two. Brent is an expert on predator control and has decades of hands-on field experience. He's herded sea lions, been hounded by kiwi, and caught mohua in his socks. In the world of threatened species conservation, you name it and Brent has done it. Listen and learn. Show notes available at www.doc.govt.nz/podcast