WCS Wild Audio

The REEL WILD™ New York Film Festival returns April 23–26, 2026, celebrating filmmakers and wildlife stories that inspire action and conservation impact. WCS’s Hannah Kaplan sat down with Dr. Edith Widder, star of A Life Illuminated, winner of Best Exploration Film and Best in Fest. The documentary follows Dr. Widder - one of the first women in her field and first people to explore the ocean’s twilight zone - as she descends 3,300 feet into the deep, capturing the first-ever footage of the elusive giant squid and uncovering bioluminescent phenomena that could transform our understanding of life on Earth. Reporting: Hannah KaplanGuest: Dr. Edith Widder

This month between March 23-29, governments from around the world will gather in Campo Grande, Brazil, for the triennial conference of parties to the Convention on Migratory Species, or CMS. It’s a treaty focused on animals that cross borders—birds, whales and sharks, big cats, freshwater fish—that no one country can conserve alone. As the meeting approaches, WCS Wild Audio spoke to CMS Executive Secretary Amy Fraenkel about the state of the world’s migratory species — and what’s at stake at this year’s conference. Reporting: Nat Moss Guest: Amy Fraenkel

Across the Amazon Basin, the search for gold has unleashed a crisis both environmental and human. Illegal and small-scale gold mining depends on mercury to separate gold from stone. That mercury seeps into rivers, the air, and the food people eat, poisoning ecosystems and communities alike. This week, WCS Wild Audio has the story of how—from Ecuador to Bolivia —conservationists and Indigenous leaders are fighting back. Reporting: Nat Moss Guests: Sebastian Valdivieso, Óscar Loayza

Peatlands don’t get the attention they deserve. Worldwide, these wetlands provide crucial ecosystem services. They are vital for Indigenous livelihoods and as carbon storage powerhouses. Canada has some of the world's largest remaining intact peatlands. Now, WCS Canada has a new national strategy to safeguard them before it’s too late. Reporting: Dan Rosen Guest: Victoria Goodday

Coral reefs are facing unprecedented pressure from overfishing, pollution, and climate change. But scientists are finding that some reefs are more resilient than others — and that protecting those reefs could shape the future of coral conservation worldwide. The Wildlife Conservation Society has developed a new strategy focused on identifying and safeguarding those places of resilience. Reporting: Nat Moss Guest: Emily Darling As we launch this new coral reef conservation strategy, WCS would like to thank Bloomberg Philanthropies, The Paul M. Angell Family Foundation, and The Tiffany & Co. Foundation for their longtime partnership with the WCS Coral Reef Program. Their support, in addition to several other dedicated donors and multilateral partners, has helped us to propel this work.

Sharks and rays are some of the ocean’s most iconic species, but they are in crisis. At the upcoming CITES COP20 meeting in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, governments will decide on dozens of proposals to regulate global trade in wildlife and wildlife products. That includes whether or not to give certain shark and ray species the highest level of international trade protections—a full ban. Reporting: Dan Rosen Guests: Luke Warwick, Dana Tricarico

This summer, the Wildlife Conservation Society welcomed Adam Falk as its new president and CEO. Previously the president of Williams College and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, Adam brings to his new role a deep commitment to science, a passion for education, and a belief in the power of collaboration. As WCS begins a new chapter, Adam sat down with Wild Audio to share his excitement for his new position and the opportunity to lead the Wildlife Conservation Society as it confronts the urgent conservation challenges of the moment. Reporting: Nat Moss Guest: Adam Falk

In Papua New Guinea’s Eastern Highlands, five clans have come together to formally protect 2,000 hectares of ancestral forest through the Yasina Conservation Deed. This landmark agreement shows how Indigenous communities can lead conservation, safeguarding biodiversity while preserving their cultural traditions. Reporting: Hannah Kaplan Guests: Harshad Hemant Karandikar, Bennie W Atigini

Every four years, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, or IUCN, brings together governments, NGOs, scientists, and Indigenous leaders at the World Conservation Congress. Soon, it will be convened in Abu Dhabi. The growing threat of the pet trade in terrestrial wildlife is one of the important issues that will be addressed. Reporting: Dan Rosen Guest: Dr. Elizabeth Bennett

Many New Yorkers have great memories of the Bronx Zoo's World of Darkness. It was a groundbreaking exhibit when it opened in 1969. This summer, the zoo opened a new version that features some fascinating species. From naked mole rats to aye ayes to vampire bats, the updated space offers a rare glimpse into the lives of animals that thrive in the dark. Reporting: Dan Rosen Guest: Keith Lovett

Guanacos—fleet-footed cousins of the llama—roam the windswept grasslands of South America in one of the world’s longest overland migrations. But fences, hunting, and competition with livestock are putting their survival at risk. Ahead of the 2nd International Guanaco Day, WCS Argentina is joining forces with local communities and the government to secure vast migration corridors, promote sustainable livelihoods, and bring guanaco populations back from the brink. From live—shearing innovations to landmark land protection, this story reveals how conservation is turning the tide for these resilient creatures—and why their future matters for ecosystems and people alike. Reporting: Hannah Kaplan Guests: Dr Andrés Novaro, Dr. Susan Lieberman

Recently, staff at WCS’s New York Aquarium got a call from the US Fish and Wildlife Service. The authorities had intercepted an illegal shipment of corals and they needed WCS’s help. When corals come into the country like this, they typically can’t be returned to the wild. So the Fish and Wildlife Service turns to accredited facilities like the New York Aquarium to care for the animals. Reporting: Dan Rosen Guests: Aaron Brett, Camilla Piechocki

Talented, passionate local conservation leaders are critical for the durable conservation of wildlife and wild places around the world. To address the need for them, WCS launched the Graduate Scholarship Program in 1996 to provide financial support for the highest quality, graduate-level academic training to promising conservationists. Over its nearly 30 years, the program has awarded 163 scholarships to conservationists from 42 different countries to pursue advanced degrees. With those skills, recipients are able return home and make a significant impact on their countries. They now lead conservation efforts in governments, universities, local organizations, and WCS itself—building lasting conservation capacity from within and delivering tangible conservation results on the ground. Reporting: Dan Rosen Guests: Denise Garcia, Richard Malonga, Peter Umunay

Participants from around the world have gathered in Nice this week for the third United Nations Oceans Conference. It’s an opportunity to assess the current state of marine conservation and seek ambitious new opportunities to achieve progress toward ocean protection. WCS was there with a big announcement to make. Reporting: Nat Moss Guests: Stacy Jupiter, Pamela Castillo The 30x30 Ocean Accelerator is made possible through funding support from the Thomas L. Kempner, Jr. Foundation, Paul M. Angell Family Foundation, BlackRock, The Tiffany & Co. Foundation, the Shark Conservation Fund, and several other visionary private donors, with multilateral partners now engaged to expand its reach.

In today’s episode, we journey to the heart of the Amazon Basin—home to the largest freshwater system on Earth. These waterways don’t just support rich biodiversity—they’re a vital source of food and nutrition for millions across South America, where fish are often the most affordable and accessible source of protein. But this life-sustaining resource is under threat. Mercury contamination, overfishing, and the pressures of a globalized food market are putting fish populations—and the health of the people who rely on them—at risk. In this episode, we explore how conservationists are working to reimagine food systems in the Amazon—blending traditional knowledge with science to protect rivers, restore fisheries, and ensure a healthy, sustainable future for communities and ecosystems alike. Reporting: Hannah Kaplan Guests: Silvia López Casas, Sebastian Heilpern

A leopard. A giant pangolin. A group of forest elephants. They can be almost impossible to spot in the wild. But in February, WCS and wildlife photographer Will Burrard-Lucas released a series of high definition camera trap photos of these species and more from the Republic of Congo’s Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park. The hope is that sharing these remarkable pictures of rarely seen animals in their natural environment will inspire people to protect them. See some of the photos: https://www.wcs.org/get-involved/updates/unseen-rainforest Reporting: Dan Rosen Guest: Will Burrard-Lucas

For four decades, the Conservation Leadership Programme, or CLP, has been providing critical early career funding awards to emerging conservationists. Born out of a partnership between Birdlife International, Fauna & Flora, and the Wildlife Conservation Society, the CLP has opened the door countless scientists working across the globe in countries rich in biodiversity but often lacking resources for their protection. As the program turns 40, we checked in with a few alumni to hear how the program has helped them to advance in their journey to become conservation leaders. Reporting: Nat Moss Guests: Camila Kass, Jorge Parra, Deepshikha Sharma

As Earth Day turns 55 this year, it seemed like a good moment to reflect on WCS’s mission to protect wildlife and wild places. Why does the protection of biodiversity carry with it so many other benefits for people and the planet? What are the approaches that work and what are the challenges? And what can the average person do to make it a priority in their lives? WCS Wild Audio knew just the right person to ask. Reporting: Nat Moss Guest: Dr. Elizabeth Bennett

In Part 3 of our series featuring the inaugural REEL WILD New York Film Festival, which launches in New York City this week, we talk to the hosts of the popular television series Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom “Protecting the Wild.” They’ll be on hand for the screening of several of the show’s episodes in an exciting and inviting family-friendly program on Saturday, April 5. Reporting: Nat Moss Guests: Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant, Peter Gros To learn more about the festival and purchase tickets, go to https://www.wcs.org/reelwild

In the second episode of our three-part series on WCS's REEL WILD New York Film Festival, we go behind the scenes to uncover the inspiration behind this inaugural event celebrating remarkable filmmakers and extraordinary wildlife stories from around the globe. From Namibia’s resilient desert lions to a massive annual walrus gathering in the Russian Arctic, this year’s lineup aims not only to captivate audiences but also to spark meaningful conservation action. Hannah Kaplan has this report. Get your tickets for The REEL WILD™ NEW YORK Film Festival: reelwild.org Reporting: Hannah Kaplan Guests: Natalie Cash, John Calvelli

This spring, the inaugural WCS-curated REEL WILD New York Film Festival comes to Manhattan. Taking place April 4-5, this two-day event showcases award-winning natural history films and offers a unique chance to hear directly from the filmmakers and experts behind the stories. In the first of a 3-part series on the festival, we look at one of those films, the 2022 Oscar-nominated documentary “Haulout,” which explores the impact of climate change on walrus habitat in the Arctic. Reporting: Nat Moss Guests: Evgenia Arbugaeva, Martin Robards, Jonathan Slaght, Natalie Cash Learn more about the festival and purchase tickets at: https://www.wcs.org/reelwild. [Parts of this episode originally aired in March 2023.]

The Bronx Zoo’s Herpetology Team cares for a number of venomous snakes at the zoo’s World of Reptiles. As professionals, they know what they’re doing. Just in case, though, the zoo team keeps antivenom on site and a thorough plan in place to address any potential emergencies. Fortunately, it hasn’t been needed any time in recent memory. Instead, that antivenom, and the team, are helping to save lives outside the zoo through an impactful partnership with nearby NYC Health and Hospitals–Jacobi. Reporting: Dan Rosen Guests: Kevin Torregrosa, Dr. Joshua Z. Silverberg

The khulan - a species of wild equid - is a true nomad, covering distances unmatched by any other land mammal. Yet, their survival in Mongolia’s harsh Gobi desert is a constant battle. Populations already strained by overhunting and harsh winters – exacerbated by climate change – are now facing a growing threat from rapid road and railway construction, which fragments the landscape and cuts them off from essential resources. Now, WCS is developing innovative solutions that benefit both this vital species and the local communities that share its habitat. WCS wishes to thank Cartier for Nature for their invaluable support of WCS Mongolia’s efforts with local communities. To learn more about Cartier for Nature visit cartierfornature.org.We also extend our deepest gratitude to Fondation Segré for their commitment to khulan conservation in Mongolia. To learn more about Fondation Segré, visit fondationsegre.org.Reporting: Hannah KaplanGuests: Buuveibaatar Bayarbaatar, Bayarmaa Chuluunbat, Batbayar Galtbalt

Highly pathogenic avian influenza is having an unprecedented and devastating impact on wildlife. We have the latest on its path and where it may be headed, including whether or not it could pose an even bigger threat to humans.Reporting: Dan RosenGuest: Dr. Christian Walzer

Rangers are the frontline guardians of conservation efforts, regularly putting their physical and mental health at risk to protect our planet. But they can't do it alone—they need more support and resources to stay safe and effective in their vital work. That’s where URSA, the Universal Ranger Support Alliance—which supports the International Ranger Federation and counts WCS among its members—steps in to ensure they get the backing they deserve. Visit wcs.org and ursa4rangers.org to learn more.Reporting: Hannah KaplanGuests: Alexa Montefiore, Rohit Singh, Yahaira Urbina

Roughly 90 percent of coral reefs globally face collapse by 2050 due to human activity. At the same time, close to a quarter of all marine life is found in coral reef ecosystems, which support some one billion of the world's population. Miamba Yetu is a creative new financing mechanism designed to help protect coral reefs off the coasts of Kenya and Tanzania that are resilient to climate change, while supporting the communities that depend on them. Reporting: Nat MossGuests: Fahd Al-Guthmy, Ray Victurine, Evelyn Namvua

In 2004, the investment bank and financial services firm Goldman Sachs came into possession of a group of distressed assets that included a 680,000-acre parcel of land at the bottom of South America. In Part 2 of our celebration of the 20th anniversary of the establishment of Chile’s Karukinka Natural Park, we dive into the exceptional story of how Goldman came to gift this pristine landscape to WCS for conservation. Reporting: Nat MossGuests: Bob Christie, John Calvelli, Larry Linden, Kent Redford, Steven Sanderson WCS wishes to acknowledge the important contributions of the following individuals to the successful transfer of land from Goldman Sachs to the Wildlife Conservation Society for the creation of the Karukinka Natural Park in Tierra del Fuego, Chile: Chris Austin, Kathy Barclay, John Bryan, Norman Christensen, Bob Christie, Dale Cooney, Brad D Gillman, Max Gitter, Salman Kahn, Nico Kogan, Adam Levine, Larry Linden, Kim Maxfield, John O’Leary, Kevin Padrick, Hank Paulson, Juan Robayo, John F.W. Rogers, Peter Rose, Jed Schaefer, Don Stern, Doug Tompkins, Kris Tompkins.This proud achievement could not have been accomplished without the extraordinary dedication and commitment of WCS staff at that time, including: John Calvelli, Claudio Campagna, Avecita Chicchón, Craig Groves, Graham Harris, Bill McKeown, Andrés Novaro, Kent Redford, John Robinson, Bárbara Saavedra, and Steven Sanderson, among others. The current WCS regional team, led by Martin Mendez, is sustaining and building on this legacy for the continued conservation of Karukinka.

The 300,000-hectare Karukinka Natural Park was created in 2004 after land in Chilean Tierra del Fuego was donated to the Wildlife Conservation Society by Goldman Sachs. As the park celebrates its 20th anniversary, we begin a two-part series on how its establishment helped to spur both the development of an ambitious WCS Country Program in Chile and the expansion of the country’s national conservation efforts. Reporting: Nat MossGuests: Bárbara Saavedra, Melissa Carmody, Rodrigo MunzenmayerThe creation of the Karukinka Natural Park could not have been accomplished without the extraordinary dedication and commitment of WCS staff at that time, including: John Calvelli, Claudio Campagna, Avecita Chicchón, Craig Groves, Graham Harris, Bill McKeown, Andrés Novaro, Kent Redford, John Robinson, Bárbara Saavedra, and Steven Sanderson, among others. The current WCS regional team, led by Martin Mendez, is sustaining and building on this legacy for the continued conservation of Karukinka.

It’s Bat Week. White-nose syndrome is a deadly fungus that’s wiping out bats across North America. New research makes the case that it’s having a direct negative impact on human health, too. WCS Canada has an innovative solution to address the problem. Reporting: Dan RosenGuest: Cori Lausen

The United States is one of only two UN Member States that is actually not a party to the Convention on Biological Diversity. Back in the 1990s, the Senate failed to ratify the treaty. But, when the parties meet in Colombia next week at COP16, the U.S. is expected to have a significant presence. Over the years, the U.S. government has been successful at driving ambition in policy, action, and nature finance pledges. In our 3rd episode exploring the themes of the coming CBD COP, Wild Audio checked in with WCS Executive Director of Federal Affairs & Policy Kelly Keenan Aylward to learn more.Reporting: Dan RosenGuest: Kelly Keenan Aylwarde6chs5rn

Cali, Colombia will soon play host to the biennial gathering of parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). The theme of this important international meeting will be “Peace with Nature.” WCS will have a significant delegation on the ground.For our 2nd episode highlighting the CBD’s 16th Conference of the Parties, or COP, WCS Wild Audio caught up with a few critical members of that delegation to hear their thoughts on the coming meeting and what WCS’s priorities will be. Reporting: Nat MossGuests: Susan Lieberman, Catalina Gutiérrez, Jose Luis Gomez

The 16th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity—or CBD COP16—convenes in Cali, Colombia beginning on October 21. More than 14,000 participants are expected to attend, representing national governments, NGOs, Indigenous groups, the private sector, and others.In the first of a three-part series on the coming COP, WCS Wild Audio spoke with CBD Deputy Executive Secretary David Cooper to learn more about what brings the conservation community to Latin America and what they hope to achieve there. Reporting: Nat MossGuest: David Cooper

In Part 2 of our podcast series exploring the themes of New York Climate Week, we look at a new initiative being piloted by the WCS Forests and Climate Change program to attract investment in large tropical areas with healthy ecosystems. The High Integrity Forest Investment Initiative, or HIFOR, provides a novel approach to compensate nature and its protectors for the services they provide. Reporting: Nat MossGuests: Ashley Camhi, Tom Evans

Season 5 of the WCS Wild Audio podcast begins with a two-part series looking to NY Climate Week, which runs during the US General Assembly this month. For Part 1, we explore how WCS is focusing on ecological restoration, transforming degraded lands into thriving habitats with the collaboration of Indigenous Peoples and local communities, and innovative tools enabling real-time tracking of conservation progress. Hannah Kaplan explores how restoration, technology, and community partnerships are shaping a sustainable future. Reporting: Hannah Kaplan Guests: Tim Rayden, Diane Detoeuf, Itma Selene Torres Rodríguez

The world produces over 400 metric tons of plastic every year today. Single-use plastics—from utensils and straws to soda bottles and packaging—enter our waste stream at an alarming rate. Less than 10 percent of all plastic is recycled.For Part 6—and the final episode—of our summer series on marine conservation, we investigate the impact of plastic pollution on marine life and steps being taken to reduce single-use plastic consumption at WCS and its home in New York City. Reporting: Nat MossGuests: Margaret Spring, Niko Radjenovic, Greg Edgar, Chris DurosinmiToday's episode of WCS Wild Audio is brought to you by our partners at Armitron. Armitron aims to bring awareness and inspire action to help protect marine ecosystems around the world, particularly as it pertains to single-use plastics. Armitron's ocean plastic watches, the Wave and Reef Collections, are crafted from recycled ocean-bound plastic, blending eco-consciousness with impeccable design.

The waters off New York City are some of the busiest in the world with both ships and marine life. In fact, new research co-authored by WCS shows that fin whales can be found in these waters all 12 months. And that has important conservation implications.Reporting: Dan RosenGuests: Carissa King-Nolan, Dr. Melinda Rekdahl

As top predators, sharks help maintain healthy and productive ocean ecosystems. They also play important roles in coastal livelihoods and food security through fisheries and tourism. But time is running out to save them says Luke Warwick, Director of the WCS Sharks & Rays program. In Part 4 of our WCS Wild Audio marine-themed Summer Series, Luke argues that we must turn recent international policy progress into concrete results to protect these vulnerable species.To learn more about WCS's shark and ray conservation efforts, follow this link.Reporting: Dan RosenGuest: Luke Warwick

Small Scale fisheries are the cornerstone of livelihoods and economies across the world, providing essential micronutrients to more than 4 billion people. What's more, they also employ over 150 million people in the industry, the majority of whom live in the Global South, and are most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. In Part 3 of our marine-themed summer series, Wild Audio's Hannah Kaplan talks to WCS's Hoyt Peckham, Director of Community fisheries, who manages a team supporting 30 Country programs as they work to achieve a more sustainable and equitable approach to managing our marine resources.Reporting: Hannah KaplanGuest: Hoyt Peckham

“With all this strangeness, there is also beauty beyond words.” That’s how the famous scientist and explorer William Beebe described an underwater marvel off the coast of New York and New Jersey in the late 1920s. In Part 2 of our marine-themed summer series, we return to the Hudson Canyon, which has been nominated as a U.S. National Marine Sanctuary. As WCS Wild Audio’s Dan Rosen learned from Noah Chesnin and Dr. Merry Camhi, there’s still a lot we don’t know about this massive canyon. Reporting: Dan RosenGuests: Noah Chesnin, Merry Camhi

Season 4 of WCS Wild Audio is in the books. Today we begin a summer series highlighting marine conservation stories. First up, our interview with WCS Life Trustee Allison Maher Stern, who was the model for the swimmer in the famously provocative marketing campaign for Steven Spielberg’s 1975 blockbuster film Jaws. While shark incidents with people are statistically very rare, each event understandably creates fear among beachgoers contemplating a swim in the ocean. Nothing has influenced the public’s attitude toward sharks more than Jaws. WCS Wild Audio caught up with Allison to ask about her historic modeling job half a century ago and why sharks need our conservation support now more than ever. Reporting: Nat MossGuest: Allison Maher Stern

Turtles and tortoises are facing extinction like few other species groups. Nearly half of the 300+ species are at risk. The international pet trade is a major reason why. WCS’s Bronx Zoo, as a member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, is working to tackle the problem and the case of the radiated tortoise is a good example. Reporting: Dan RosenGuests: Kevin Torregrosa, Dr. Susie Bartlett

Last week in Part 1 of our series on bison conservation, we explored the historical role that WCS and Indigenous and other partners played in helping to save the American bison from extinction and begin to restore this iconic species on tribal lands in the west. In Part 2, we look at how critical partnerships across lines of geography, culture, and politics helped to establish the bison as the national mammal of the United States. Reporting: Nat MossGuests: Keith Aune, John Calvelli, Dave Carter, Jim Stone

For millennia, tens of millions of bison roamed the plains of North America. By the end of the 19th century, westward expansion and overhunting at the hands of settlers had devastated these populations. The fate of one of the America’s most iconic animals teetered on the edge of extinction. Hannah Kaplan looks at how collaboration between the Bronx Zoo, many other organizations, and Indigenous Peoples helped pull one of North America’s most endangered species back from the brink. Reporting: Hannah KaplanGuests: Pat Thomas, Jason George, Madeleine Thompson

One of WCS’s priorities is protecting an underwater marvel off the coast of New York and New Jersey. Along the way, the goal is to deepen the connection of the more than 28 million local residents to our treasured ocean resources. There are a number of voices contributing to the effort, including young people. Reporting: Dan RosenGuests: Leslieann Peers-Roman, Brynn HellerToday's World Oceans Day episode of WCS Wild Audio is brought to you by our partners at Armitron. Armitron aims to bring awareness and inspire action to help protect marine ecosystems around the world, particularly as it pertains to single-use plastics. Armitron's ocean plastic watches, the Wave and Reef Collections, are crafted from recycled ocean-bound plastic, blending eco-consciousness with impeccable design.

When the Cat Specialist Group of the International Union for Conservation of Nature, or IUCN, met in San Diego in 2019 they were keen to identify fresh insights in jaguar conservation. Delayed due to COVID, the effort got back on track in 2023 and this winter its findings were published. It seemed like a good moment to check in with some of WCS’s leading jaguar conservationists to see how Latin America’s biggest cat is faring. Read the IUCN Cat Specialist Group jaguar status report HERE.Reporting: Nat MossGuests: Esteban Payan, Rob Wallace, Mariana da Silva

This week for Endangered Species Day we revisit a report from a year ago by WCS Wild Audio’s Dan Rosen with WCS Vice President for Species Conservation Elizabeth Bennett. The scale of the current species extinction crisis is dangerous and unprecedented, according to experts. Dan talks to Liz about why it demands our attention and what we can all do to stop it.Reporting: Dan RosenGuest: Elizabeth Bennett