In this episode our host Ethan Leaman interviews Fauz Fath-hee a coordinator for the RahVeshi Programme a project supported by The Manta Trust. We discuss the oceanic and reef manta rays that the RahVeshi Programme studies, how Fauz has a less than traditional path to research and conservation, and one of the most inspirational "wild stories" we ha…

In this episode, Jules Hartl from the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology comes back to the show...but not as a guest...as our special co-host! We have a chat with Christine de Silva. A shark scientist that has been featured on Shark Week for her research on the animals! She is also a PHd student at the University of Rhode Island. Christine shares h…

In this episode, we sit down with Simon Jones, the Founder and CEO of Helping Rhinos, a UK-based organization dedicated to developing habitats, protecting rhinos from poaching, and educating the world on their importance. Simon shares his personal experiences and encounters with these magnificent creatures, insights into the incredible work being d…

We depart from the normal guest type on this weeks episode of Wild & Unprotected. As everyone knows media is an incredibly important part of conservation. Telling a story in a way that captivates is often what drives people to get involved. In this weeks episode we talk with Ivey Kennedy a photographer who has a passion for wildlife. We discuss the…

In this episode we talk with Jessica Carroll from the Cassowary Conservancy. After this episode it's easy to see how Florida is home to some of the wildest birds on the planet. Ethan & Jessica talk about the nicknames the cassowary have (like murder bird), having to do a swab on a bird, and a very special announcement! Support the show To help supp…

In this episode we are headed to Rincón Puerto Rico to talk with Evan Tuohy the Co-Founder of Isla Mar Research Expeditions. Ethan & Evan talk about their student marine biology programs, turning beer bottles into concrete for coral reef restoration, diving 160 feet down into the ocean, and how it was to stumble upon manatees mating. Buckle up beca…

Season 2 kicks off with a species we never expected to be a part of the show! In this episode our hoss Ethan Leaman meets with Terrance Lee the Deputy Director of the Red Panda Network In this episode we talk about mistaking red pandas for children, Disney's Turning Red and the impact on conservation of the species, women in conservation, and how i…

It's the season finale! In this episode co-hosts Ethan Leaman and Koji Sumalde meet with Javier Fabrega from Marsh Sessions. In an episode that's a little different than most this episode dives deep into outdoors and fishing culture. Tune in to learn about fishing culture in Florida, the recent Marsh Fest event, and how we can work together with th…

In this episode co-hosts Ethan Leaman and Koji Sumalde meet with Andres Sáenz and Tesa Blowey of from Toucan Rescue Ranch. Andres is the Vet Supervisor and Tesa is the Release Site Supervisor for Toucan Rescue Ranch. Tune in to hear about the new Howler Money program TRR has just recently launched, a surprise special guest, and what an animal medic…

In this episode co-hosts Ethan Leaman and Koji Sumalde meet with Dr. Larry Wood from the National Sea Turtle Foundation. Learn all about Dr. Wood, his journey to leading the program, and how animals can make an impact on everyone. To support Dr. Wood and National Save the Sea Turtle Foundation please visit https://savetheseaturtle.org/ Support the …

In this episode co-hosts Ethan Leaman and Koji Sumalde meet with Jordan Lerma of Cascadia Research Collective. This episode is jam packed. Talking about whether or not college educations should still be a thing in 15 years to boat yoga…and everything in between. This episode has it all. The “wild” stories part of the show will make you smile, shed …

In this episode co-hosts Ethan Leaman and Koji Sumalde meet with Dení Ramírez of Whale Shark Mexico. Thank goodness for Starlink. Recording from a boat off the coast of Solomon Islands makes for one of the crazier locations a guest has recorded from. Learn about starting an NGO, Ultrasounds on whale sharks, and what life is like after 20 years in c…

In this episode co-hosts Ethan Leaman and Koji Sumalde meet with Susan Inman from 100 Miles. Politicians having their pockets lined, lemur poop, and a conservation journey that goes across the U.S make this episode one not to miss. This conversation goes up the Georgia Coast to really learn what 100 Miles (an advocacy group in Georgia) does to pres…

In this episode co-hosts Ethan Leaman and Koji Sumalde meet with Becca Bryan from Friends of the Florida Panther Refuge. Anyone ever feel like their personal journey could never lead them to conservation work? Our conversation with Becca proves that no matter what your route is...if you are passionate then you can be a part of conservation programs…

In this episode co-hosts Ethan Leaman and Koji Sumalde meet with Dr. Guy Stevens of Manta Trust. Anyone want to learn about Mantas...and talk about butt stuff? Guy is the CEO and Co-Founder of Manta Trust. We talk about his journey to becoming the CEO of Manta Trust, all of the dives he has gone on with mantas, and what comes out of a mantas butt? …

In this episode co-hosts Ethan Leaman and Koji Sumalde meet with Dominica Mack and Josey Sharrad from IFAW Australia. Get ready to laugh you're a** off in this episode. This episode is a rollercoaster ride from start to finish as we discuss the current state of koalas in Australia. IFAW is incredibly involved in conserving the population of the koa…

In this episode co-hosts Ethan Leaman and Koji Sumalde meet with Peter Clark of Tampa Bay Watch. Peter is the Founder of Tampa Bay Watch in Florida. In this episode we go over the programs that Peter and Tampa Bay Watch have put in place to make an impact in the local community. We also discuss the new discovery center that TBW has opened and the i…

In this episode co-hosts Ethan Leaman and Koji Sumalde meet with Encar Garcia of the Jaguar Rescue Center. Encar is the Founder of the Jaguar Rescue Center in Costa Rica. In this episode we have alot of fun with our first international episode. We talk about naming the rescue center JRC (even though there are no jaguars there now), the three R's th…

In this episode co-hosts Ethan Leaman and Koji Sumalde meet with Denise Peterson of Utah Mountain Lion Conservation. Denise is the founder and director of UMLC and Explore Wild Media. In this episode we go through all things trail cams. We talk about current legislation that is a potential threat to mountain lions, Denise's current projects, and ca…

In this episode co-hosts Ethan Leaman and Koji Sumalde meet with Julia "Jules" Hartl from the Hawai'i Institute for Marine Biology. We officially go off the rails in this episode. Jules is a PHD student at HIMB. You might recognize her from Maui Shark Mystery on Disney+. She is focusing on the impacts of shark eco-tourism on sharks in the Hawaiian …

In this episode co-hosts Ethan Leaman and Koji Sumalde meet with Will Gough from the Marine Mammal Research Program of the University of Hawai'i. He is a post doc at MMRP and is in charge of tagging large marine animals. We talk about deploying data tags with a big a$$ stick, dog urination behavior (yep...you read that right), and remote controlled…

In this episode co-hosts Ethan Leaman and Koji Sumalde meet with Shelby Thomas from Ocean Rescue Alliance. She is the CEO and Director of research for the organization. We talk about deploying artificial reefs, Ocean Rescue Alliance most recent project in Florida, and a mayor that got bit by a territorial fish. Support the show To help support the …

In this episode co-hosts Ethan Leaman and Koji Sumalde meet with Misty Niemeyer and Stacey Hedman from the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW). Misty Niemeyer is the Stranding Coordinator for the Marine Mammal Rescue and Research Program and Stacey Hedman is the Director of Communications for the organizations. We talk about how dolphins g…

In this episode co-hosts Ethan Leaman and Koji Sumalde meet with Bryan Legare of the Center for Coastal Studies, Bryan Legare is the man with the epic 'stache and a shark ecologist for the center for coastal studies. In this episode we go over Bryans journey through education, talk about sharks and the misconceptions about them, and fundraising for…

In this episode co-hosts Ethan Leaman and Koji Sumalde meet with Justin Tramble of Tampa Bay Waterkeeper. Justin is the Executive Director of Tampa Bay Waterkeeper. In this episode we go over Tampa being declared dead in the 70's, why having clean water is so important, and the impacts that have on both the animals and community. Support the show T…

In this episode co-hosts Ethan Leaman and Koji Sumalde meet with Bob Lynch of the Center for Coastal Studies. Bob is the Rescue Operations Manager for the Center of Coastal Studies Provincetown. Bob is one of the few level 5 disentanglement specialists in the world. What does that mean? We wanted to know the same thing.. We discuss his path to beco…

In this episode co-hosts Ethan Leaman and Koji Sumalde meet with Dr. Iain Kerr. Dr. Kerr is the CEO of Ocean Alliance and the founder of Snot Bot. We talk about how Earth is really "Planet Ocean", how difficult it could be to get a whale to pee in a cup, and breaking the mold and using technology for research. Hope you are ready to takeoff drone st…

In this episode co-hosts Ethan Leaman and Koji Sumalde meet with Teresa Whipple ("The Bear Lady") of Ursa Major Training and Consulting. We talk about everything and anything bears. From bear dialects to bears watching you go to the bathroom. This episode truly goes off the rails. Support the show To help support the show or be in the know for all …

In this episode co-hosts Ethan Leaman and Koji Sumalde meet with Dr. Claire Lacey from the Marine Mammal Research Program of the University of Hawaii. We talk about growing up in the U.K., life on board a research vessel, and dolphin sex. Support the show To help support the show or be in the know for all things Wildscape see the links below: https…

In this episode co-hosts Ethan Leaman and Koji Sumalde meet with Maria Harvey of Hawaii Uncharted Research Collective. We catch up on H.U.R.C. updates since our last meeting when our team filmed an episode of the Wildscape Production's show Shoreline Stories. We talk about riding whale sharks, classic pranks, and whale shark poop tornados. Support …

Welcome to Wild & Unprotected hosted by Ethan Leaman and Koji Sumalde. This podcast is about conservation and the people that run the organizations...but it's not your normal nature show. We let our guests tell the fun, crazy, and outright wild stories from their time in conservation. So get ready to laugh and enjoy the show! Support the show To he…