How the Harpy Eagle United a Nation

Peter Gros: [00:00:00] Rainforests are some of the oldest and most biologically diverse ecosystems on the planet. [00:00:05][5.5]

Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant: [00:00:07] Rainforests act like the Earth's lungs, releasing massive amounts of oxygen into the atmosphere. Their dense canopies provide shade and habitat to half of the world's plant and animal species. [00:00:18][11.1]

Peter Gros: [00:00:19] Within the rainforests of Panama lives one of the largest species of eagles on the planet, the harpy eagle. For generations, some Panamanians feared them, and well, you can kind of understand why. [00:00:32][12.6]

Ron Magill: [00:00:33] I've actually seen a harpy take a sloth out of the canopy at 50 miles an hour. There's no way to describe what that's like. You've got these talons that are grizzly bear claws, and this bird comes in at 50 miles an hour and takes the sloth and flies, continues to fly with the sloth through the canopy, lands on a branch and starts to eat a bunch of it so that it can take the lighter part back to the nest. [00:00:52][19.3]

Peter Gros: [00:00:54] Today, we'll find out how a passionate conservation effort changed minds and elevated this bird to be a national treasure. I'm Peter Gross, wildlife expert and educator. [00:01:08][14.7]

Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant: [00:01:09] And I'm wildlife ecologist Dr. Rae Winn -Grant. And this is Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom, the podcast, Episode 1, How the Harpy Eagle United a Nation. Peter, I'm so happy we're back. The second season of our TV show, Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom, Protecting the Wild, is airing Saturdays on NBC. And we've already released several episodes with many more to come. And now the second season of Wild Kingdom, the podcast, is here. And it allows us to dig a little deeper into some of our favorite stories from the show. [00:01:52][43.2]

Peter Gros: [00:01:53] We've traveled to different countries to feature a range of animals from whales and manatees to ocelots and polar bears. But today we've got a story about this massive, majestic bird, the Harpy Eagle. [00:02:04][11.6]

Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant: [00:02:06] The Harpy Eagle has a long history with the original Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom. Over 40 years ago, hosts Jim Fowler and Marlon Perkins first introduced viewers to this spectacular species. [00:02:17][11.6]

Peter Gros: [00:02:19] This largest and most powerful eagle in the whole world is the Harpy Eagle. [00:02:22][3.6]

Jim Fowler: [00:02:23] This Harpy is a forest dweller, and therefore it's designed for pursuit of its prey right through the middle of the thick forest. Its wings are round and cup -like. They're sort of used as propellers, and that tail is very broad, and it allows the bird to be highly maneuverable. [00:02:39][15.9]

Peter Gros: [00:02:44] When I joined Marlon Perkins and Jim Fowler to co -host the original Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom series, they became friends and mentors. Jim and I spent hours with a Harpy Eagle flying across a field from his glove to land on my glove. Their passion and knowledge sparked a curiosity and wonder in me. But I wasn't the only one. Our guest today, Ron McGill, was also inspired. [00:03:10][25.6]

Ron Magill: [00:03:11] This kid who grew up in a small apartment in New York City from the son of immigrant parents, who was in passion to do what I do from watching Wild Kingdom, 7:30 every Sunday night, that was going to church for me. [00:03:22][11.4]

Peter Gros: [00:03:22] Today, Ron is the communications director at Zoo Miami. And early in his zoo career, he had a chance to meet his childhood icon, Jim Fowler. [00:03:32][9.4]

Ron Magill: [00:03:32] Jim was doing a national tour. He was going around the country touring for Wild Kingdom. And every major city he went into, he would call the local zoo and ask if they would have any ambassador animals that they could bring. He didn't want to travel with animals, too much stress with the animals traveling that way. And I've never been starstruck.

When I heard Jim Fowler was coming to town, I said, oh my gosh, please send me. I'll never forget it. He did a presentation at the Miami Beach Theater of the Performing Arts. And I went down there with a young orinoco crocodile and a red-tailed hawk. And I went in and his dressing room had his name on the dressing room door.

I said, oh, Jim Fowler. I knocked on the door. I'm in fear. And he goes, you must be Ron. And I went, oh, I quivered. And he put his hand on my shoulder. He goes, I can't thank you enough for coming out here, young man. Come on in. And from that day on, he just took me under his wing. For whatever reason, I don't know what it was, but I thank God for it every day, Peter.

He took me under his wing. He gave me his telephone number. He said, you call me whatever you want. And he would call me when he was in town. And we just developed this friendship. And from then on, it just mushroomed. [00:04:35][62.1]

Peter Gros: [00:04:39] Ron has been at Zoo Miami for decades now. And one of his biggest achievements is what he's done on behalf of conservation, in particular for the harpy eagle. [00:04:48][9.5]

Ron Magill: [00:04:49] It was Wild Kingdom that inspired me to work with animals. The zoo was just a conduit to do that. I didn't come to work at the zoo to work for an attraction. I would never, ever support taking an animal out of the wild and putting it in captivity, unless it's the last ditch effort to protect that animal's life or to protect the species it represents.

And zoos have done that with California condors, Arabian oryx, black -footed ferrets. But having said that, we've got to do more for conservation. I looked at it as a stepping stone to being able to get involved in conservation. I originally wanted to become a veterinarian. My chemistry scores told me I would never get into vet school, so I had to come up with Plan B. [00:05:21][32.8]

Peter Gros: [00:05:22] And the zoo in Miami enabled you to do that? [00:05:24][1.8]

Ron Magill: [00:05:24] It enabled me to do that. It opened doors for me. It connected me with people. When I first started 45 years ago, it was more of just attractions. It wasn't as much the conservation, even though that was my goal. But I knew it afforded me the ability to connect with these animals, to work with these animals face to face and see them in real life. [00:05:41][16.4]

Peter Gros: [00:05:42] Can you tell me about the first time you encountered a harpy eagle in person? Where were you? [00:05:46][4.7]

Ron Magill: [00:05:47] Well, it's interesting. The first harpy eagle I encountered was, unfortunately, a stuffed one at the Museum of Natural History in New York. And that's what planted the seed in me, because I had always heard about this harpy eagle. But I'd never seen one. And I went to the museum to see a bald eagle. And right down the way was a harpy eagle that made the bald eagle look like a chicken.

And I went, oh, my gosh, what is this bird? And that's the first time I saw a stuffed one. The first live one wasn't until I was in my 30s, early 30s. And that was in Panama, because my wife is Panamanian. And I always go to the local zoos whenever I travel. And I heard they had a pair of harpy eagles there. And those were the first live harpy eagles I ever saw.

The very bittersweet part of it, Peter, was that these two eagles were in a horrible little cage. You know, they didn't even have proper perches. They had angle iron. I could see the beginnings of bumblefoot on their feet. And I was like, it was very bittersweet, because here I'm seeing my first harpy eagles in a terrible situation. [00:06:41][54.1]

Peter Gros: [00:06:42] How were they regarded in Panama back in those days? What were their biggest threats? [00:06:45][3.7]

Ron Magill: [00:06:46] Well, the biggest threat, I think, was just development and also the misconceptions about the bird. I was speaking to locals who said they routinely would shoot them, because they truly believed that harpy eagles would snatch their children. I mean, this is a myth that's been passed down from generation to generation, that harpies would come down and take babies, not to mention their livestock as well, which, of course, is not true. [00:07:08][21.2]

Peter Gros: [00:07:08] Was it all just fear from this bird they knew so little about? [00:07:11][3.3]

Ron Magill: [00:07:12] That's exactly what it was. It was just lack of knowledge, lack of understanding that brings that fear. And I think both of us know how fear can contribute so much to the demise of wildlife, because people just don't understand it. And that's what was happening with the harpy eagle. And they just didn't really know what it was. Many people thought it was a big owl, you know, because it has that big facial disk, that big crest. People thought it was a big owl. [00:07:33][21.6]

Peter Gros: [00:07:34] When Ron traveled to Panama in the 80s, the harpy eagles were endangered. And if they were under threat, well, then other species were too, because harpy eagles are considered an umbrella species. [00:07:45][11.4]

Ron Magill: [00:07:46] It's an umbrella species because by protecting the harpy eagle, you're causing an umbrella over that habitat that protects all the countless species that live in it as well. [00:07:54][7.9]

Peter Gros: [00:07:54] So basically you're saying in the rainforest, all species are connected. If something happens to the harpy, this umbrella species, it's going to affect the other species. [00:08:01][6.8]

Ron Magill: [00:08:02] And you know what? It's not just in the rainforest, Peter. You and I both know it's everywhere. Every species is connected. I try to tell people all the time when they say, well, you know, why should I care about this and that, you know, of bees and butterflies and rainforest? You know, I see them or I don't see them, whether it's the bees and the butterflies pollinating the plants that we feed off of, whether it's the rainforest providing medicines and air, the bottom line is it's all connected by protecting these things we're protecting ourselves. [00:08:27][25.3]

Peter Gros: [00:08:29] Feeling an urgency to protect these birds and knowing that public education is the key to conservation, Ron set out to transform the way that some Panamanians saw harpy eagles. His journey started at the zoo in Panama City. [00:08:43][14.3]

Ron Magill: [00:08:45] Basically, I went down there and I told the director of the zoo, I said, this is atrocious. How can you have these majestic birds in this horrible little cage? And he said, we have no money. And I said, who's in charge of the budget here? The mayor of Panama City. So I said, give me the address of the mayor of Panama City. And I wrote her a letter and people laughed at me.

Here I am, this gringo going down to Panama, you know, and he thinks he's going to get a meeting with the mayor. But I must have written a good letter because I had a call from the mayor's office and she invited me to breakfast. And I sat down with her and I said, Madam Mayor, we need to do something for these birds. This is one of the most majestic species of birds in the world. We need to build a better enclosure for them.

And she said, Ron, I'm the mayor of Panama City. Okay. I've got to take care of potholes, pick up garbage, take care of people. If I allocate money for a bigger bird cage, I'll be crucified. I said, I understand that. Let me do it for you. Not knowing what I was saying. And she said, okay. And with her permission, I met with the U .S. ambassador to Panama. I asked him for all the major corporations doing business in Panama.

And I wrote them letters to see if they would get money. You know, many of these corporations have to give money to some type of philanthropic effort. And I said, well, the Harpy Eagle is the perfect one. So I wrote these letters and I got a call from Sony Corporation.

And Sony Corporation said, we want to fly in our president. I'll never forget his name, Mr. Akahigo Kaji. Going to fly him in and you are going to give a presentation to him in Panama City on why Sony Corporation should sponsor this effort. I said, yes, I'll do it. Bing. I hung up the phone and I'm like, oh my gosh, what am I going to do now? [00:10:07][82.0]

Peter Gros: [00:10:07] Ron wanted some backup. So he reached out to his mentor and friend, Jim Fowler. [00:10:12][4.3]

Ron Magill: [00:10:13] And Jim, in his wisdom, he said, Ron, you had that great baritone voice. He goes, Ron, I'll go down with you, but you're going to give the presentation. I'm just going to listen. And that was Jim's way of basically teaching me how to go out on my own and do this. I mean, that's I can't say enough about this man on how he mentored me. And I went down there and Peter, I did this, you know, I'm kind of an animated guy. And I said, Mr. Kaji, this is an incredible bird, protecting the forest, protecting so many other things. Sony needs this good reputation. At the time, the Japanese were getting a lot of bad press for the whaling and all the things going on. I said, here's an opportunity to save a rainforest species, do a great thing. And they didn't show me any emotion, Peter. [00:10:51][38.6]

Peter Gros: [00:10:52] That's unusual because you are sort of slightly animated, right? [00:10:55][3.1]

Ron Magill: [00:10:56] But so they left the room. [00:10:58][1.7]

Peter Gros: [00:10:58] They leave the room. [00:10:59][0.6]

Ron Magill: [00:10:59] They go, we have to discuss this. I look at Jim, I go, Jim, we're not going to get a penny out of these guys. I thought they were in a coma. And Jim goes, Ron, you know, the Japanese are very smart business people. They're not going to wear their emotions on their sleeve. I think you did a fine job. And I think you may be surprised at what they have to answer. And then they came back and they go, gave a very good presentation. We're going to begin by giving you two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. [00:11:21][21.9]

Peter Gros: [00:11:21] Wow. Two hundred and fifty thousand in Panama. OK. [00:11:28][6.6]

Ron Magill: [00:11:29] In 1989, in 1989. And that was just that's when the floodgates opened. [00:11:31][2.1]

Peter Gros: [00:11:34] So what were the next steps? You've got the money now. You wanted to build a larger aviary. [00:11:38][4.1]

Ron Magill: [00:11:39] So after we got the funding from Sony, I was able to go out to the mayor's office and get their construction team to go out there. And Jim and I actually went into this place called Summit Park, which is right next to Soberania National Park, a Harpy Eagle habitat. And Jim picked the spot where we were going to build the National Harpy Eagle Center. And that money enabled us to provide the foundation to build what eventually was a million dollar project. And it led to the fact that on April 10th, 2003, the Panamanian Parliament officially declared the Harpy Eagle the national bird of Panama. And that, for me, is one of the greatest accomplishments in my career to have been part of that. And I thank Jim for that. I thank the Panamanian government. And I thank Sony for believing in us because that money, that seed money that eventually became close to a million dollars, built the greatest single Harpy Eagle Center in the Western Hemisphere. [00:12:28][48.9]

Peter Gros: [00:12:29] Today, on Harpy Eagle Day in Panama, there are festivals celebrating the once feared and misunderstood bird. [00:12:36][6.7]

Ron Magill: [00:12:37] It's called Festi Arpia, where thousands of people come to the Harpy Eagle Center that we built there at Summit Gardens and they just learn about the Harpy Eagle. It's all this wonderful festival to celebrate this majestic bird and to celebrate the country that it represents. So now when you go to Panama, you get off a plane at their international airport and you see these massive murals of Harpy Eagles, where again, 30 years ago, nobody knew what a Harpy Eagle was. From not knowing what a Harpy Eagle was to making it their national bird and having an annual day to celebrate it with a festival. [00:13:05][28.7]

Peter Gros: [00:13:06] You and I have been in the business of, I think, public education as part of our career for a very long time. What do you think about the next generation coming up? What do you think we should advise them to do? [00:13:17][10.5]

Ron Magill: [00:13:17] You know, I don't even think I need to advise them to do much because they inspire me so much. I'm so encouraged by this generation, Peter. They do so much more than I did at their age. I mean, you know, when I was young, I had never heard about recycling. I drove a hot rod car that got negative seven miles to the gallon, and back then it was cool. You drive a car like that today, you're going to get dirty looks. These kids are passionate. I see these blossoming environmental clubs. Kids come to me with ideas. They come to me to ask, what can I do? The enthusiasm, the passion that they have. I'm very encouraged about this young generation. They have shown me that they're more environmentally concerned, more concerned about conservation than I think any generation before them. [00:13:57][39.8]

Peter Gros: [00:14:00] Thank you so much, Ron. This is just such a great walk down memory lane and such a great, great to hear the stories of what it took for you to do what you've done to save the Harpy Eagle. It's a story that I'm going to continue to tell as long as I can. [00:14:14][14.5]

Ron Magill: [00:14:15] Well, Peter, for me, it's a lot to do with you, a lot to do with Jim. You all are the flag bearers for so many people who have had the privilege and pleasure of watching you and learning from you and being inspired by you. You know, the platform that you have through Mitchell of Omaha's Wild Kingdom is so powerful, it's so inspirational. I cannot begin to tell you. I mean, look at me, I'm a 65 -year -old man now, but I'm still a little boy at heart. And those days continue to make me a little boy at heart. I will never forget the passion I have for wildlife is something that was planted by Wild Kingdom. [00:14:46][31.3]

Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant: [00:14:52] Now, we've got a new feature on the podcast this season. We're calling it Conservation Connection, and we'll be featuring snippets of conversations we recorded at the 2024 Association of Zoos and Aquariums annual conference in Calgary, Canada. [00:15:06][14.5]

Peter Gros: [00:15:07] When Ron was talking about how Harpy Eagles helped maintain a balance to the intricate ecosystem of the rainforest, it reminded us of the story of pollinators. [00:15:16][8.7]

Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant: [00:15:17] Mary Ann Colley is the CEO of the Butterfly Pavilion in Westminster, Colorado. Its mission is to foster an appreciation of invertebrates by educating the public about the need to protect and care for threatened habitats globally while conducting research for solutions in invertebrate conservation. [00:15:35][17.8]

Mary Ann Colley: [00:15:37] I always say that bees and butterflies are the best gateway bug. Because they're the ones that kind of get you excited about bugs, because they're pretty. But those butterflies really are critical in pollination of specific plants. Invertebrate pollinators might be a butterfly, they might be a beetle, but for the most part, those invertebrate pollinators are going to be flying around, and they're going to be flying from one flower to another, and they're going to be pollinating those flowers.

Pollinators are critical for life as we know it. Without pollinators, we don't have the very diets that we eat. We can think about pollinators providing one out of every three bites of food that we have every day. And when we think about pollinators, if we take a step back and we think about invertebrates in general, 97 % of all the animals on our planet are invertebrates. And we often only focus on 3%. And so Butterfly Pavilion's focus really is to say, hey, let's open our eyes, let's really understand what's going on in our planet.

And these little guys, we stand on the backs of these little guys, and so if we don't start paying attention to the intricate food web that these animals are supporting, we're going to lose out on days in the future. In Colorado, we recently passed a bill stating that invertebrates are wildlife, and this is an amazing first step across the United States, right? Invertebrates are being seen as animals in our state. That can lead to more study, to more understanding, and ultimately then more protection, not only for the invertebrates, but for all the animals that live within the amazing ecosystems in Colorado, as well as the amazing ecosystems that we have across our world. [00:17:19][102.0]

Peter Gros: [00:17:25] Thank you for listening to this episode of Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom, the podcast. And remember, if we protect wildlife and the environment today, we can ensure magical moments in the wild kingdom for future generations. [00:17:38][12.9]

Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant: [00:17:39] Join us next week when we talk to Dr. Claire Erlacher-Ried about manatees off the coast of Florida. [00:17:45][5.5]

Dr. Claire Erlacher-Ried: [00:17:45] This amazing network of biologists and rescue workers and veterinarians [00:17:51][5.3] [00:17:52] all came together as part of this manatee rehab and rescue program to work together to save the species, and they're no longer endangered. [00:18:00][8.5]

Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant: [00:18:01] That's next week on Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom, the podcast. [00:18:04][3.8]

Peter Gros: [00:18:09] Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom, the podcast, is a production of Pineapple Street Studios and Mutual of Omaha. Our senior producer is Stephen Key. Producers are Elliot Adler and Jenny Van Solen. [00:18:22][12.6]

Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant: [00:18:23] Associate producer is Lisa Cerda. Editor is Darby Maloney. Executive producers are Barry Finkel, Gabrielle Lewis, and Jen Wolf. Pineapple's head of sound and engineering is Raj Makhija. Senior audio engineers are Marina Paiz, Davy Sumner, Javi Cruces, and Pedro Alvira. This episode was mixed by Davy Sumner. [00:18:46][23.5]

Peter Gros: [00:18:47] Production music courtesy of Epidemic Sound and Hearst Media Production Group. [00:18:51][3.6]

Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant: [00:18:52] Episode clips courtesy of Hearst Media Production Group. Marketing and promotion by Emily Poeschl. This podcast is hosted by me, Dr. Rae Winn -Grant. [00:19:01][9.3]

Peter Gros: [00:19:01] And me, Peter Gros. A special thanks to Katelyn Williams, Sophie Radmelovich, and Stephanie Diaz. [00:19:07][6.0]

Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant: [00:19:09] Today's episode is based on the Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom series created by Don Meyer. Our next episode will be out in a week. [00:19:16][7.3]

Peter Gros: [00:19:17] Make sure you listen on the Audacy app or wherever you get your podcasts. [00:19:17]

Updated on February 25, 2025

The harpy eagle, once feared in Panama for its massive size and powerful talons, has now soared to national hero status. Today, it’s celebrated as the country’s national bird. Wildlife expert Ron Magill chats about these incredible birds, how he helped bring the harpy eagle into the spotlight in Panama, and how original Wild Kingdom host Jim Fowler’s influence inspired him to become a zookeeper, shaping his lifelong dedication to wildlife conservation.

Bonus track: Mary Ann Colley from Butterfly Pavilion talks about pollinators and the importance of invertebrate conservation.

Watch this episode of Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild, “The Most Powerful Predator in the Sky,” on NBC.com, the NBC app or Peacock.

Stream On Your Favorite Platform:

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"metaKeywords" => "harpy eagle, wildlife, conservtion, ron magill, jim fowler, peter gros, wildlife conservation, nature, birds or prey, wild kingdom, mutual of omaha's wild kingdom the podcast" "newsletterForm" => array:9 [ "body" => "Sign up for exclusive Wild Kingdom content including a download of our Wild Kingdom digital calendar and much more." "cta" => "Subscribe Now" "emailErrorPrompt" => "Please enter a valid Email." "emailPrompt" => "Email Address" "incompleteErrorPrompt" => "Please complete all required fields before trying to submit." "newsletterCloseText" => "NO THANKS" "thankYou" => "<h3>You're all set!</h3>Thanks for signing up to receive Wild Kingdom news straight to your inbox. Be sure to check your email for a free gift, just for you." "thankYouCloseText" => "Return To Wild Kingdom Site" "tryLaterError" => "There was a problem submitting your request. Please try again later." ] "openGraph" => array:6 [ "description" => "Wildlife expert Ron Magill chats about harpy eagles and how original Wild Kingdom host Jim Fowler’s influence inspired his lifelong dedication to wildlife conservation." "image" => array:2 [ "alt" => "A picture of a harpy eagle's head, looking off to the right side. The harpy eagle has a lot of feathers in different shades of gray with the lightest being on its face and neck. It has feathers sticking up at the top of its head as if it's having a bad hair day. It has a short, curved dark gray beak at the tip of its face." "url" => "https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2025/02/635700_WKPod_S2_HARPY_1200x630_image.jpg" ] "metaURL" => "https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/podcast/how-the-harpy-eagle-united-a-nation" "title" => "How the Harpy Eagle United a Nation | Wild Kingdom Podcast" "twitterImage" => "summary" "videoUrl" => "https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/podcast/how-the-harpy-eagle-united-a-nation" ] "podcastSource" => array:2 [ "content" => array:15 [ "amazonLink" => "" "appleLink" => "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-the-harpy-eagle-united-a-nation/id1754202738?i=1000695780949" "audacyLink" => "" "background" => "wkLightGrey" "description" => "With its massive talons and foreboding size, the harpy eagle was once feared by Panamanians. But thanks to wildlife expert Ron Magill and Wild Kingdom Host Jim Fowler, today harpy eagles have a new status in Panama, as the country’s national bird. " "descriptionOptionalStyles" => "u-textAlign--left u-fontStyle--italic" "gridFlow" => array:2 [ "content" => "Right" "media" => "Left" ] "layout" => "Grid" "media" => array:3 [ "position" => "top" "type" => "video" "video" => array:3 [ …3] ] "podcastIcons" => true "promoOptionalStyles" => "u-textAlign--left Podcast-episode" "spotifyLink" => "https://open.spotify.com/episode/5FubtnLQexfi5D6dz5IxDV" "title" => "Listen to the episode" "titleOptionalStyles" => "u-textAlign--left Promo-heading__podcast" "youTubeLink" => "https://youtu.be/9GSzna7bbL8" ] "name" => "promo" ] "relatedPosts" => array:1 [ "slides" => array:12 [ 0 => array:20 [ "attachments" => array:2 [ …2] "author" => array:8 [ …8] "categories" => [] "comment_count" => 0 "comment_status" => "closed" "comments" => [] "content" => """ This episode of Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild bridges past and present with the extraordinary harpy eagle. Learn the role classic series Co-Host Jim Fowler played in its conservation. And see how the harpy eagle is doing today in Panama.\n Peter and Dr. Rae connect with the most powerful predator in South America: the harpy eagle. These birds are the largest eagles on earth with talons the size of grizzly bear claws. They prey on more than 100 different species and have no natural predators of their own. Peter visits raptor sanctuaries in Florida that are dedicated to the recovery of many birds of prey — especially harpy eagles. Following in the footsteps of Wild Kingdom’s original Co-Host Jim Fowler, Peter explores the unique and fascinating world of harpies and meets the conservationists working to preserve the species and habitats. Meanwhile, Dr. Rae travels to the biodiverse country of Panama, the ancestral home of harpy eagles to learn the cultural significance of this amazing raptor, which is the country’s national bird.\n <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/article/wild-kingdom-films-new-episodes-in-panama">Go behind the scenes</a> of “The Most Powerful Predator of the Sky.”\n Watch the episode on NBC and NBC.com.\n """ "custom_fields" => array:19 [ …19] "date" => "2024-11-02 12:05:13" "excerpt" => "This episode of Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild bridges past and present with the extraordinary harpy eagle. Learn the role classic series Co-Host Jim Fowler played in its conservation. And see how the harpy eagle is doing today in Panama. Peter and Dr. Rae connect with the most powerful predator in South […]\n" "id" => 3648 "modified" => "2024-11-04 09:14:37" "screenreader_text" => null "slug" => "the-most-powerful-predator-of-the-sky" "status" => "publish" "tags" => array:2 [ …2] "title" => "The Most Powerful Predator of the Sky" "title_plain" => "The Most Powerful Predator of the Sky" "type" => "video" "url" => "https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/video/the-most-powerful-predator-of-the-sky/" ] 1 => array:20 [ "attachments" => array:1 [ …1] "author" => array:8 [ …8] "categories" => [] "comment_count" => 0 "comment_status" => "closed" "comments" => [] "content" => """ Back by popular demand, Mutual of Omaha and Pineapple Street Studios are excited to announce that <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/the-podcast">Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom The Podcast</a> is returning for a second season. This podcast is based on the iconic and Daytime Emmy® Award-nominated television series, <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/protecting-the-wild">Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild</a>, and launches Feb 25. \n \n <h2>What to expect from Wild Kingdom The Podcast Season 2 </h2>\n Each week, listeners will explore the world of wildlife conservation with Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild Co-Hosts Peter Gros and Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant. The duo returns to share more incredible stories from their animal encounters and the inspiring people working behind the scenes to protect wildlife. This season, they embark on international adventures exploring places where wildlife conservation is celebrated and making a difference for future generations.  \n \n <h3>Upcoming episodes of Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom The Podcast </h3>\n Curious about what to expect from Season 2? Take a sneak peek at the first few episodes. \n <ul>\n <li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">How the Harpy Eagle United a Nation: The harpy eagle, once feared in Panama for its massive size and powerful talons, has now soared to national hero status. Today, it’s celebrated as the country’s national bird. Wildlife expert Ron Magill of Zoo Miami chats about these incredible birds, <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/article/wild-kingdoms-storied-history-of-harpy-eagles">how he helped bring the harpy eagle into the spotlight in Panama</a>, and how original Wild Kingdom Host Jim Fowler’s influence inspired him to become a zookeeper, shaping his lifelong dedication to wildlife conservation. </li>\n </ul>\n <ul>\n <li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="2" data-aria-level="1">A Manatee’s Journey From Rescue to Release: Every year, boat strikes injure and kill tens of thousands of manatees. In this episode, Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant and Peter Gros <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/video/gentle-giants">explore the challenges these gentle mammals face</a> in the wild and the ongoing efforts to protect them. We hear from guest expert Dr. Claire Erlacher-Reid, senior staff veterinarian at SeaWorld Rescue, who specializes in marine mammal rehabilitation and rescue. She discusses the threats manatees face, the critical work being done to help them and the wonderful experience of rehabilitating and releasing these magnificent animals back into the wild. </li>\n </ul>\n <ul>\n <li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="3" data-aria-level="1">How Tech Can Save Right Whales: With fewer than 360 North Atlantic right whales remaining in the wild, these incredible marine giants are critically endangered. In this episode, New England Aquarium Marine Biologist Orla O’Brien discusses this <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/video/north-atlantic-right-whale-conservation">urgent wildlife crisis and the challenges facing this species</a>. </li>\n </ul>\n <ul>\n <li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="4" data-aria-level="1">Uncovering the Elusive Ocelot: Fewer than 100 <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/video/the-hidden-world-of-ocelots">ocelots</a> remain in the United States, making these rare wildcats incredibly difficult to study and protect. Filmmaker and Wildlife Biologist Ben Masters discusses the importance of documenting endangered species, and how his work has led him to capture rare footage of these elusive cats. </li>\n </ul>\n \n <h3>Wild Kingdom podcast hosts share excitement </h3>\n Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant and Peter Gros return as hosts of Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom The Podcast, bringing their animal knowledge, lively stories from behind the scenes of Protecting the Wild and their individual field work to the mic. \n “Dr. Rae and I are so excited to launch Season 2 of our podcast to bring you untold wildlife and conservation stories from new locations around the world,” Peter said. \n “Bigger, better, braver than our debut run, Season 2 of Wild Kingdom The Podcast brings the fun and energy to all the behind-the-scenes moments from filming our most iconic wildlife and most adventurous expeditions,” Dr. Rae said. “The people we speak with are truly the heroes of wildlife conservation and this season will make you laugh, think and jump right into the environmental movement!” \n  \n <h2>How to listen to Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom The Podcast </h2>\n Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom The Podcast launches Feb. 25 with episodes airing each Tuesday. <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/the-podcast">Listen directly on our website and get direct links to each episode here</a>. You can also listen to episodes everywhere podcasts are available including: \n <ul>\n <li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1"><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mutual-of-omahas-wild-kingdom-the-podcast/id1754202738" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Apple</a> </li>\n </ul>\n <ul>\n <li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="2" data-aria-level="1"><a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/0a1BOq1LJEDVhmEDiY9M9m" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Spotify</a> </li>\n </ul>\n <ul>\n <li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="3" data-aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLA1UeRQ_bbVs99JcJKfqATcHnk2VetiL2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">YouTube</a> </li>\n </ul>\n <ul>\n <li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="4" data-aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.audacy.com/podcast/mutual-of-omahas-wild-kingdom-the-podcast-87967" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Audacy app</a> </li>\n </ul>\n \n Be sure to catch up on episodes of <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/protecting-the-wild">Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild</a>, airing weekends on NBC and <a href="https://www.nbc.com/mutual-of-omahas-wild-kingdom-protecting-the-wild" target="_blank" rel="noopener">streaming on NBC.com</a>, the NBC app and Peacock. \n """ "custom_fields" => array:18 [ …18] "date" => "2025-02-18 09:00:02" "excerpt" => "Back by popular demand, Mutual of Omaha and Pineapple Street Studios are excited to announce that Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom The Podcast is returning for a second season. This podcast is based on the iconic and Daytime Emmy® Award-nominated television series, Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild, and launches Feb 25. […]\n" "id" => 3852 "modified" => "2025-02-18 16:12:28" "screenreader_text" => null "slug" => "wild-kingdom-podcast-launches-season-2" "status" => "publish" "tags" => array:4 [ …4] "title" => "Wild Kingdom Podcast Launches Season 2" "title_plain" => "Wild Kingdom Podcast Launches Season 2" "type" => "video" "url" => "https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/video/wild-kingdom-podcast-launches-season-2/" ] 2 => array:20 [ "attachments" => array:7 [ …7] "author" => array:8 [ …8] "categories" => [] "comment_count" => 0 "comment_status" => "closed" "comments" => [] "content" => """ Harpy eagles may have their first featured story on Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom with the <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/protecting-the-wild">Protecting the Wild</a> Season Two episode, “The Most Powerful Predator in the Sky,” but their history with Wild Kingdom goes way back to the 1950s with original series co-host, <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/meet-our-hosts">Jim Fowler</a>.\n Discover how Jim went from researching harpy eagles in the wild to working with Ron Magill, Zoo Miami’s goodwill ambassador and communications director, to designate the harpy eagle as Panama’s national bird.\n <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-3714" src="https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/12/harpy-eagle1-1024x401.jpg" alt="A harpy eagle hunched over with its mouth slightly open. A harpy eagle is a large bird that has a grey head with dark grey and white features on its wings and body." width="1024" height="401" srcset="https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/12/harpy-eagle1-1024x401.jpg 1024w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/12/harpy-eagle1-300x118.jpg 300w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/12/harpy-eagle1-150x59.jpg 150w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/12/harpy-eagle1-768x301.jpg 768w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/12/harpy-eagle1.jpg 1440w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />\n  \n <h2>Early introductions to the harpy eagle</h2>\n <h3>Jim Fowler’s harpy eagle studies in Guyana</h3>\n Before Jim joined <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/meet-our-hosts">Marlin Perkins</a> to form <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/classic-episodes">Wild Kingdom</a> in 1963, he spent time in present-day Guyana studying harpy eagles, South America’s largest bird of prey. From December 1959 to May 1960, Jim and Earlham College Biology Professor James Cope, observed two harpy eagle families in their native habitat. He returned to the sites in 1961 and published “Notes on the Harpy Eagle in British Guiana,” in The Auk, a quarterly journal of ornithology in 1964.\n Their research was one of the first formal accounts of harpy eagles. They noted harpy eagle habitat, detailed behavior of wild juvenile and adult eagles and took measurements.\n “We made many observations at the nest sites of two families of Harpy Eagles, either from a blind or from other concealment in the immediate vicinity of their nest trees. We took precaution at all times to keep the eagles from being aware of our presence. We think these are among the first detailed observations of Harpy Eagles in their native habitat,” they wrote in The Auk.\n Jim later brought three harpy eagles from Guyana to the U.S., showing one off on the “Today” show. Not only would the segment introduce Americans to the bird of prey, but it would also catch the eye of Marlin, who was <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/article/celebrating-marlin-perkins-and-jim-fowlers-legacy">looking for a co-host for a TV show</a> — Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom.\n <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-3715" src="https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/12/jim-ron-throwback-1024x401.jpg" alt="Ron Magill and Jim Fowler standing next to a fence with a large sign written in Spanish that mentions the harpy eagle." width="1024" height="401" srcset="https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/12/jim-ron-throwback-1024x401.jpg 1024w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/12/jim-ron-throwback-300x118.jpg 300w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/12/jim-ron-throwback-150x59.jpg 150w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/12/jim-ron-throwback-768x301.jpg 768w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/12/jim-ron-throwback.jpg 1440w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />\n <h3>Ron Magill’s fascination with harpy eagles</h3>\n Meanwhile, as a child in New York City, Magill enjoyed watching Wild Kingdom. He also spent time visiting the city’s American Museum of Natural History learning about wildlife and our natural world. There, he became fascinated with harpy eagles and dove into research.\n “Lo and behold one of the first articles ever written about the harpy eagle was by Jim Fowler,” Magill said. “I started to deep dive and said, ‘Oh my God, this guy Jim Fowler, is not only my hero from watching him on Wild Kingdom, he’s the expert on my favorite animal in the entire planet!’”\n Magill and Jim would eventually meet each other in Miami at a Wild Kingdom event, prompting a decades-long friendship.\n “It’s almost as if we knew each other for many, many years,” Magill said. “We were like kindred spirits.”\n <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-3717" src="https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/12/harpy-chick-1024x401.jpg" alt="A harpy eagle chick sitting in a nest, looking towards the camera. It has fluffy white feathers and a black beak. " width="1024" height="401" srcset="https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/12/harpy-chick-1024x401.jpg 1024w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/12/harpy-chick-300x118.jpg 300w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/12/harpy-chick-150x59.jpg 150w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/12/harpy-chick-768x301.jpg 768w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/12/harpy-chick.jpg 1440w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />\n <h2>Harpy eagles in Panama</h2>\n The friendship wasn’t just an opportunity for two people to bond over a love of wildlife, it was a catalyst for change.\n Magill visited family in Panama and while there, went to a local zoo that had harpy eagles on display. A pair of large, majestic raptors were in a small cage. It didn’t sit well with Magill.\n “It was such a bittersweet moment for me because there’s a pair of harpy eagles in this tiny little chain link cage with horrible, really not even perches,” Magill said. “They appeared to be malnourished.”\n He went to the zoo’s director and spoke of the horrible conditions and the need for change. But the director didn’t have money.\n “So, I wrote a letter to the Mayor of Panama City, and everybody laughed at me saying, “Hey, what, you think your stupid gringo, you’re going to write this letter to the mayor and you’re going to get any kind of attention from the mayor?’” Magill said.\n His letter was convincing, earning him a meeting with the mayor. Although the mayor said she had limited funding to help the eagles, she gave Magill the go-ahead to fundraise to improve the eagles’ lives at the zoo.\n The fundraiser caught the attention of Sony Corporation and suddenly, Magill needed to present to the president of Sony.\n <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-3716" src="https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/12/jim-ron-later-1024x401.jpg" alt="Ron Magill and Jim Fowler posing together later in their lives. There are trees and a wood cabin behind them." width="1024" height="401" srcset="https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/12/jim-ron-later-1024x401.jpg 1024w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/12/jim-ron-later-300x118.jpg 300w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/12/jim-ron-later-150x59.jpg 150w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/12/jim-ron-later-768x301.jpg 768w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/12/jim-ron-later.jpg 1440w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />\n <h3>Fowler, Magill save the harpy eagle together</h3>\n “So, I called Jim,” Magill said. “I said, Jim, I’m just a zookeeper, but if they see you next to me, they’re all going to know who you are.”\n Jim agreed to go to Panama with Magill and present to Sony on one condition: Magill would do all the talking.\n It paid off. Sony donated $250,000 to kickstart the project.\n Together, Magill and Jim worked with Zoo Miami to design and build Harpy Eagle Center at Summit Municipal Park. The work wasn’t done, however.\n Magill spoke in front of the Panamanian Congress and on April 10, 2002, the harpy eagle was named the national bird of Panama.\n “Now when you go to Panama, the harpy eagle is everywhere,” Magill said. “The minute you get off a plane at the airport, you see these huge billboards. There are dioramas of eagles everywhere and the badges of all the police departments were changed to have harpy eagles on top.”\n Magill says he couldn’t have done it without Jim.\n “He guided me and was always behind me, always pushing me to do this project that resulted in changing an entire culture of a country for a bird that we both love beyond belief,” Magill said.\n <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-3718" src="https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/12/peter-harpy-1024x401.jpg" alt="Peter Gros with a harpy eagle on his arm. He's wearing a thick, black protective glove to save his skin from the eagle's sharp tallons." width="1024" height="401" srcset="https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/12/peter-harpy-1024x401.jpg 1024w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/12/peter-harpy-300x118.jpg 300w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/12/peter-harpy-150x59.jpg 150w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/12/peter-harpy-768x301.jpg 768w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/12/peter-harpy.jpg 1440w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />\n <h2>Harpy eagles on Protecting the Wild</h2>\n In the Season Two episode, Magill joins Protecting the Wild Co-Host Peter Gros to <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/article/wild-kingdom-films-new-episodes-in-panama">talk about harpy eagles at Zoo Miami</a>. The zoo is the only one in the country with a breeding pair of harpy eagles.\n “We did a whole segment to talk about the harpy eagle itself to talk about my adventures with Jim in Panama and to share memories of Jim what an inspiration he was to both of us and how he really laid down the foundation not just for what we do, but really for all the television presenters you see today,” Magill said.\n And back in Panama, Co-Host Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant saw Magill and Jim’s continued legacy. She visited Summit Municipal Park and met a harpy eagle, aptly named “Panama.”\n “Reveling in her beauty was captivating, and learning about the sheer power of harpy eagles was incredible,” Dr. Rae said.\n An encounter only possible by the legacy of Wild Kingdom’s own, Jim Fowler.\n <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/article/celebrating-marlin-perkins-and-jim-fowlers-legacy">Learn more about Jim’s time on Wild Kingdom</a> and how the original stories came to be.\n """ "custom_fields" => array:17 [ …17] "date" => "2024-12-10 13:55:25" "excerpt" => "Harpy eagles may have their first featured story on Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom with the Protecting the Wild Season Two episode, “The Most Powerful Predator in the Sky,” but their history with Wild Kingdom goes way back to the 1950s with original series co-host, Jim Fowler. Discover how Jim went from researching harpy eagles […]\n" "id" => 3710 "modified" => "2024-12-10 13:55:25" "screenreader_text" => "A harpy eagle sitting on a branch in a tree. It's a large bird that has a grey head with dark grey and white features on its wings and body." "slug" => "wild-kingdoms-storied-history-of-harpy-eagles" "status" => "publish" "tags" => array:4 [ …4] "title" => "Wild Kingdom’s Storied History of Harpy Eagles" "title_plain" => "Wild Kingdom’s Storied History of Harpy Eagles" "type" => "article" "url" => "https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/article/wild-kingdoms-storied-history-of-harpy-eagles/" ] 3 => array:20 [ "attachments" => array:8 [ …8] "author" => array:8 [ …8] "categories" => [] "comment_count" => 0 "comment_status" => "closed" "comments" => [] "content" => """ When <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/classic-episodes">Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom</a> premiered on Jan. 6, 1963, it introduced millions of Americans to a new genre of television: wildlife programming. Though other shows aired during its original run, no other nature series continues to stir up name recognition and fond childhood memories quite like Wild Kingdom.\n To enjoy Wild Kingdom, viewers didn’t need to be animal experts. All they needed was an appetite for adventure, because <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/meet-our-hosts">Hosts Marlin Perkins and Jim Fowler</a> were their guides to the natural world.\n Even today if you say, “Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom” it isn’t long before someone starts talking about Marlin and Jim, and their extraordinary encounters with wildlife. Many will recall <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/video/marlin-perkins-wrestles-an-anaconda">Marlin’s wrestle with an anaconda</a> in the Season 6 episode, “Giants of Dadanawa,” as a favorite encounter. Throughout their 22 years of hosting, Jim and Marlin shared many memorable moments and became legends in the story of wildlife conservation.\n Discover how Marlin and Jim went from animal experts to TV stars, all while keeping true to their roots.\n  \n <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-3251" src="https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/06/marlin-zoo-parade-1024x508.jpg" alt="A black and white image of two men wearing suits on a television set with animals. One is holding a microphone, the other has a small monkey on a leash. You can be part of the large camera that says "WNBQ Television" on it." width="1024" height="508" srcset="https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/06/marlin-zoo-parade-1024x508.jpg 1024w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/06/marlin-zoo-parade-300x149.jpg 300w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/06/marlin-zoo-parade-150x74.jpg 150w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/06/marlin-zoo-parade-768x381.jpg 768w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/06/marlin-zoo-parade-1536x761.jpg 1536w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/06/marlin-zoo-parade.jpg 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />\n  \n <h2>Marlin and Jim before Wild Kingdom</h2>\n <h3>From Zoo Parade to Wild Kingdom</h3>\n Marlin’s wildlife career started as a grounds crew member at the Saint Louis Zoo, where he earned $3.75 a week. He didn’t stay a groundskeeper for long — within two years he became curator of reptiles, exponentially growing the zoo’s collection to 500 animals. From there, he was the Saint Louis Zoo’s director as well as director the New York Zoological Gardens and Chicago’s Lincoln Park Zoo.\n Chicago brought him his first opportunity with television, hosting a local show, Zoo Parade in 1949. By the next year, the series ran nationally and showcased animals from the zoo. It was produced by Don Meier, who later went on to create and produce <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/classic-episodes">Wild Kingdom</a>.\n “He started off in TV when there were about 200 receivers in the Chicago area,” said <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/article/marlin-perkins-daughter-shares-excitement-for-new-series">Marlin’s daughter, Marguerite Perkins Garrick</a>.\n By the time Zoo Parade ended in 1955, Marlin was recognized as an animal expert. He traveled for speaking engagements including to Omaha, Nebraska, in 1962, home of one of Zoo Parade’s former sponsors, Mutual of Omaha. It was in Omaha that Marlin spoke with CEO V.J. Skutt about a new series that would later become Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom.\n <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/article/protection-is-in-our-dna-wild-kingdom-and-mutual-of-omaha">Learn more about the creation and early days of Wild Kingdom</a>.\n <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-3252" src="https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/06/jim-harpy-eagle-1024x508.jpg" alt="A black and white image of a man, Jim Fowler, with a large harpy eagle perched on his hand. He's wearing a protective glove on that arm and his other arm is touching the chest of the eagle." width="1024" height="508" srcset="https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/06/jim-harpy-eagle-1024x508.jpg 1024w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/06/jim-harpy-eagle-300x149.jpg 300w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/06/jim-harpy-eagle-150x74.jpg 150w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/06/jim-harpy-eagle-768x381.jpg 768w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/06/jim-harpy-eagle-1536x761.jpg 1536w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/06/jim-harpy-eagle.jpg 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />\n <h3>How did Marlin and Jim meet?</h3>\n While Marlin was hosting Zoo Parade, Jim was finishing up his degrees in zoology and geology from Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana. He then worked at a raptor sanctuary in Florida and later studied harpy eagles along the Amazon River in Brazil.\n Jim’s expertise of harpy eagles landed him a spot on NBC’s Today show in 1961. But more importantly, it caught the eye of Marlin, who then invited Jim to host Wild Kingdom.\n  \n <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-3253" src="https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/06/fowler-marlin-lizard-1024x508.jpg" alt="Two men, Jim Fowler and Marlin Perkins. Marlin, the man on the right is holding a lizard. There is a blue sky and trees behind them." width="1024" height="508" srcset="https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/06/fowler-marlin-lizard-1024x508.jpg 1024w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/06/fowler-marlin-lizard-300x149.jpg 300w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/06/fowler-marlin-lizard-150x74.jpg 150w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/06/fowler-marlin-lizard-768x381.jpg 768w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/06/fowler-marlin-lizard-1536x761.jpg 1536w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/06/fowler-marlin-lizard.jpg 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />\n  \n <h2>Marlin and Jim host Wild Kingdom</h2>\n When viewers first saw Marlin and Jim in the first episode, “<a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/classic-episodes/myths-and-superstitions">Myths and Superstitions</a>,” the hosts had a palpable enthusiasm for wildlife and an eagerness to share their findings with the world. The duo would go on to host more than 20 seasons, taking viewers to six of the seven continents.\n <h3>Debunking the myth: Marlin in the studio, Jim in the field</h3>\n The series featured moments in both the studio and in the wild. In studio, Marlin donned a suit and tie while Jim sported a khaki shirt and pants, looking ready to head out into the field. Perhaps this duality of fashion is what started the notion that Marlin was always in the studio and Jim did his “dirty work.” But Tonight Show host Johnny Carson was the one who cemented the sentiment.\n “Johnny Carson started that and I can’t seem to shake the image. It isn’t true, you know. Marlin was right there with me on almost all of the stuff,” <a href="https://greensboro.com/jim-will-tackle-the-anaconda-jim-fowler-s-still-at/article_50970a51-de3d-5959-96f2-691f9623784d.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jim told the Associated Press</a> in 1993.\n  \n <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-3254" src="https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/06/marlin-jim-canoe-1024x508.jpg" alt="Marlin Perkins and Jim Fowler in a canoe on a river. Marlin appears to be using an ore to row while Jim is standing slightly, bent over with his hands on his knees and looking into the water." width="1024" height="508" srcset="https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/06/marlin-jim-canoe-1024x508.jpg 1024w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/06/marlin-jim-canoe-300x149.jpg 300w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/06/marlin-jim-canoe-150x74.jpg 150w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/06/marlin-jim-canoe-768x381.jpg 768w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/06/marlin-jim-canoe-1536x761.jpg 1536w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/06/marlin-jim-canoe.jpg 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />\n  \n <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/classic-episodes">Watch classic Wild Kingdom episodes</a> back today and you’ll see that Jim wasn’t alone filming on location. Marlin was right there with him, tracking animals and telling viewers what he saw.\n “Jim would tell me that was blown way out of proportion,” said Ron Magill, Zoo Miami goodwill ambassador and communications director. “Marlin many times would go in and do a lot of the things Jim did. He defended Marlin wholeheartedly; it was a very big misconception.”\n It’s true, however, in the later years of the show, Jim did spend more time in the wild. This was simply because Marlin was 25 years his senior and battling cancer. In 1985, Marlin stepped down as host to focus on his health. <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/meet-our-hosts">Peter Gros</a> joined the Wild Kingdom team and continues to be a part of it today as co-host of <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/protecting-the-wild">Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild</a> with <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/meet-our-hosts">Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant</a>.\n  \n <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-3255" src="https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/06/marlin-jim-scouts-1024x508.jpg" alt="Marlin Perkins and Jim Fowler bottle feeding small deer on their laps. There are two scouts seated on either side of them. They appear to be sitting in front of a camp with tree large tents in setup behind them." width="1024" height="508" srcset="https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/06/marlin-jim-scouts-1024x508.jpg 1024w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/06/marlin-jim-scouts-300x149.jpg 300w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/06/marlin-jim-scouts-150x74.jpg 150w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/06/marlin-jim-scouts-768x381.jpg 768w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/06/marlin-jim-scouts-1536x761.jpg 1536w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/06/marlin-jim-scouts.jpg 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />\n  \n <h2>Who were the real Marlin and Jim?</h2>\n Outside their wild adventures, what were Marlin and Jim like? Those who worked with the hosts say they weren’t affected by their fame.\n “Marlin was always more interested in hearing what you’ve been doing than telling you what he’d been doing,” said <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/article/traveling-the-world-with-wild-kingdom">Peter Drowne, Wild Kingdom director of photography and field production</a>. “There are a lot of people in the public eye that are sort of ego involved. But Marlin and Jim were not that way.”\n Magill echoes the sentiment for Jim saying, “when you meet him, you realize he’s such a Southern gentleman, such a great person and never full of himself. I’ve worked with a lot of celebrities who are so full of themselves. Jim was the absolute opposite.”\n Even when Marlin would return home from his memorable filming trips, he wouldn’t focus on what he saw abroad, but rather wanted to know what had happened while he was gone.\n “He always wanted to hear our news first, like if I got the part in a play,” Perkins Garrick said.\n <h3></h3>\n <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-3256" src="https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/06/marlin-jim-newspaper-old-1024x508.jpg" alt="An older Marlin Perkins and Jim Fowler look at each other while each holding a side of a newspaper. They are both wearing suits." width="1024" height="508" srcset="https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/06/marlin-jim-newspaper-old-1024x508.jpg 1024w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/06/marlin-jim-newspaper-old-300x149.jpg 300w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/06/marlin-jim-newspaper-old-150x74.jpg 150w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/06/marlin-jim-newspaper-old-768x381.jpg 768w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/06/marlin-jim-newspaper-old-1536x761.jpg 1536w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/06/marlin-jim-newspaper-old.jpg 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />\n <h3></h3>\n <h3>How Jim and Marlin’s legacy lives on</h3>\n Humility, charisma and expertise — these are the characteristics that made Jim and Marlin stand out among the pack and they’re what many still recall about the hosts today.\n “Jim taught us all how to be humble and respectful at all times,” Magill said. “Look at some of the things he did even on the Tonight Show. There was just a humbleness to him that was fantastic.”\n Though Marlin and Jim filmed hundreds of episodes, they made every episode an unforgettable event for all those involved.\n “I really appreciated his ability to be the spokesman to the program and involve the audience and give all the people he worked with such a special experience,” Drowne said of Marlin.\n But why did Wild Kingdom resonate with the general public? Because its hosts went beyond the scientific facts about animals and invited the audience to truly connect with wildlife conservation.\n “Jim was such a great storyteller,” Magill said. “That’s going to define the difference between a person who’s successful in getting people involved in conservation and one who is not. You can have people who do research, can write great scientific papers and can do all the technical things.\n “But if you’re not able to connect with the common man who lives among these animals that we’re trying to protect, all your research, all your work is going to be a moot point. Because until we get those people to take ownership and want to care for these animals themselves, we’re not going to be able to save them. And that was the gift Jim had.”\n Their legacy lives on today in those they inspired.\n “All my life, conservationists, veterinarians, zoologists, field biologists and people who have been moved to volunteer and support wildlife organizations have told me my dad and Wild Kingdom were their inspiration to want to work with and conserve animals,” Perkins Garrick said.\n  \n <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/protecting-the-wild">Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild</a> hopes to encourage a new generation of conservationists.\n  \n “Something that’s so imperative about Wild Kingdom, it enables families to sit down and watch and connect on a common level, a common appreciation of something that affects all of us,” Magill said.\n We hope it’s something Jim and Marlin would be proud of.\n """ "custom_fields" => array:17 [ …17] "date" => "2024-06-24 17:14:19" "excerpt" => "When Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom premiered on Jan. 6, 1963, it introduced millions of Americans to a new genre of television: wildlife programming. Though other shows aired during its original run, no other nature series continues to stir up name recognition and fond childhood memories quite like Wild Kingdom. To enjoy Wild Kingdom, viewers […]\n" "id" => 3248 "modified" => "2024-10-18 10:54:25" "screenreader_text" => "A black and white image of two men, Jim Fowler and Marlin Perkins, hiding behind a large rock. Behind them are trees, shrubs and sticks." "slug" => "celebrating-marlin-perkins-and-jim-fowlers-legacy" "status" => "publish" "tags" => array:3 [ …3] "title" => "Celebrating Marlin Perkins and Jim Fowler’s Legacy" "title_plain" => "Celebrating Marlin Perkins and Jim Fowler’s Legacy" "type" => "article" "url" => "https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/article/celebrating-marlin-perkins-and-jim-fowlers-legacy/" ] 4098 => array:21 [ "attachments" => array:2 [ …2] "author" => array:8 [ …8] "categories" => [] "comment_count" => 0 "comment_status" => "closed" "comments" => [] "content" => """ Bison may no longer be on the brink of extinction, but their journey is far from over. With dwindling genetic diversity and the absence of natural selection, these prairie ecosystem engineers are not as wild as they once were. In this episode, Dr. Daniel Kinka, director of rewilding at American Prairie, shares the story of bison — from their near extinction due to westward expansion to their return to the plains. We also learn why bison rewilding is essential to restoring biodiversity and ensuring the prairie thrives for generations to come.\n Bonus track: Jen Osburn Eliot at Oregon Zoo shares how it’s helping Northwestern pond turtles grow strong in a program that raises and releases them back into the wild.\n Watch <a href="https://www.nbc.com/mutual-of-omahas-wild-kingdom-protecting-the-wild/video/rewilding-the-american-prairie/9000414728" target="_blank" rel="noopener">“Rewilding the American Prairie” on NBC.com</a>.\n """ "custom_fields" => array:30 [ …30] "date" => "2025-04-29 16:36:14" "excerpt" => "Bison may no longer be on the brink of extinction, but their journey is far from over. With dwindling genetic diversity and the absence of natural selection, these prairie ecosystem engineers are not as wild as they once were. In this episode, Dr. Daniel Kinka, director of rewilding at American Prairie, shares the story of […]\n" "id" => 4098 "modified" => "2026-07-08 22:44:32" "screenreader_text" => null "slug" => "restoring-the-bison-reviving-the-prairie" "status" => "publish" "tags" => array:1 [ …1] "title" => "Restoring the Bison, Reviving the Prairie" "title_plain" => "Restoring the Bison, Reviving the Prairie" "type" => "podcast" "updated_date" => "2025-04-29 00:00:00" "url" => "https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/podcast/restoring-the-bison-reviving-the-prairie/" ] 4113 => array:21 [ "attachments" => array:2 [ …2] "author" => array:8 [ …8] "categories" => [] "comment_count" => 0 "comment_status" => "closed" "comments" => [] "content" => """ As climate change rapidly melts Arctic sea ice, polar bears could face near extinction by the end of the century. But thanks to the work of dedicated conservationists, there’s hope. In this episode, Nikki Smith, curator at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, shares her mission to help save polar bears in the wild and secure the future of this incredible species. She discusses the many challenges they face, from rising temperatures disrupting their breeding and growth to surviving in extreme freezing conditions and how the zoo’s breeding program is essential for the survival of this species.\n Bonus track: Jennica King at Sedgwick County Zoo shares how the zoo’s efforts gave two orphaned bears a second chance — not just to survive, but to thrive.\n <a href="https://www.nbc.com/mutual-of-omahas-wild-kingdom-protecting-the-wild/video/on-thin-ice/9000414720" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Watch “On Thin Ice” on NBC.com</a>.\n """ "custom_fields" => array:30 [ …30] "date" => "2025-05-06 09:32:46" "excerpt" => "As climate change rapidly melts Arctic sea ice, polar bears could face near extinction by the end of the century. But thanks to the work of dedicated conservationists, there’s hope. In this episode, Nikki Smith, curator at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, shares her mission to help save polar bears in the wild and secure […]\n" "id" => 4113 "modified" => "2026-07-08 22:46:46" "screenreader_text" => null "slug" => "the-incredible-resilience-of-polar-bears" "status" => "publish" "tags" => array:1 [ …1] "title" => "The Incredible Resilience of Polar Bears" "title_plain" => "The Incredible Resilience of Polar Bears" "type" => "podcast" "updated_date" => "2025-05-06 00:00:00" "url" => "https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/podcast/the-incredible-resilience-of-polar-bears/" ] 4142 => array:21 [ "attachments" => array:26 [ …26] "author" => array:8 [ …8] "categories" => [] "comment_count" => 0 "comment_status" => "closed" "comments" => [] "content" => """ Conversations of squeaks, whistles and buzzes are an important way that beluga whales communicate in the dark depths of the ocean. In this episode, Dr. Kristin Westdal of Oceans North chats about her groundbreaking research of beluga behaviors and how noise pollution in the water can impact these beautiful mammals. She shares some unforgettable moments of up-close encounters with belugas while kayaking in the frigid waters near Churchill, Manitoba.\n Bonus track: Sunny Nelson from Lincoln Park Zoo shares her journey researching the beautiful, and nearly extinct, Bali Myna, a rare bird found only in Bali, Indonesia.\n Watch <a href="https://www.nbc.com/mutual-of-omahas-wild-kingdom-protecting-the-wild/video/canaries-of-the-sea/9000414730" target="_blank" rel="noopener">“Canaries of the Sea” on NBC.com</a>.\n """ "custom_fields" => array:29 [ …29] "date" => "2025-05-13 10:55:28" "excerpt" => "Conversations of squeaks, whistles and buzzes are an important way that beluga whales communicate in the dark depths of the ocean. In this episode, Dr. Kristin Westdal of Oceans North chats about her groundbreaking research of beluga behaviors and how noise pollution in the water can impact these beautiful mammals. She shares some unforgettable moments […]\n" "id" => 4142 "modified" => "2026-07-08 22:47:57" "screenreader_text" => null "slug" => "the-sounds-of-beluga-whales" "status" => "publish" "tags" => array:1 [ …1] "title" => "The Sounds of Beluga Whales" "title_plain" => "The Sounds of Beluga Whales" "type" => "podcast" "updated_date" => "2025-05-13 00:00:00" "url" => "https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/podcast/the-sounds-of-beluga-whales/" ] 4912 => array:21 [ "attachments" => array:3 [ …3] "author" => array:8 [ …8] "categories" => [] "comment_count" => 0 "comment_status" => "closed" "comments" => [] "content" => """ In the 1970s, the green sea turtle was vanishing. Poaching, egg harvesting and habitat loss had crashed global numbers by 67%, landing one of the ocean’s most treasured wild animals on the endangered species list. Extinction had become a genuine possibility. \n In the first episode of Back From the Brink, Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant sits down with wildlife biologist and TV host Jeff Corwin to unpack green sea turtle’s incredible comeback. After over 30 years of working with sea turtles around the world, Jeff has watched a critically endangered species he once feared we’d lose become, against all odds, an environmental conservation success. It’s a surprising story — told by one of television’s most passionate conservationists. \n <h3>Explore Sea Turtle Stories </h3>\n Discover more sea turtle facts through Wild Kingdom videos and articles about turtle conservation, rescue and rehabilitation. \n <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/article/sea-turtle-stranding-brings-organizations-together-for-rescue">Sea Turtle Stranding Brings Organizations Together for Rescue</a> \n <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/article/manatee-and-sea-turtle-conservation">Manatee and Sea Turtle Conservation</a> \n <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/video/reef-revival">Reef Revival Episode</a> \n <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/video/celebrating-world-sea-turtle-day">Celebrating World Sea Turtle Day</a> \n <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/article/why-do-some-species-migrate">Why Do Some Species Migrate?</a> \n <h3>The Green Sea Turtle’s Hidden Life Cycle</h3>\n <div class="iframe-video"><iframe loading="lazy" title="The Green Sea Turtles's Hidden Life Cycle" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0zRghzwDh0w" width="1263" height="710" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></div>\n <div class="Accordion Container">\n <div id="turtle-video-transcript" class="Accordion-panel">\n <div class="Accordion-panelHeader"><a class="Accordion-panelTrigger" href="#turtle-video-transcript" data-accordion-trigger=""> \n Show Transcript<img decoding="async" src="https://cdn.mutualofomaha.com/wildkingdom/v3/icons/explore/down_arrow_WK-reveal.svg" alt="arrow" /> \n </a></div>\n <div class="Accordion-panelBody">\n [Rae] Walk me through that life cycle from where it’s born.\n [Jeff] Yeah, so when the sea turtle, when the mom, she comes out and she excavates that nest out to deposit her eggs and she may during that season, she’ll do multiple nests. She’ll do like a decoy nest to do kind of sloppy that kind of fool the animals.\n Oh, clever.\n The idea is you do multiple nests so your entire clutch isn’t lost. And then, you know, she’s laying between 30 and 70 eggs.\n [Rae] Okay.\n Little bigger than a ping pong ball. And then she goes back to sea. When she comes out to nest, she is nesting on the very beach where she was born.\n Amazing.\n Where her life began. And she is the only time a sea turtle, for the most part, with few places like Hawaii will have this phenomenon of sea turtles that actually will sleep in the beach, most sea turtles become plagic. A sea turtle born that hatches out on Florida may find its way, we’ve tracked them to the coast of Africa.\n [Rae] Oh my gosh.\n [Jeff] Sea turtles from Africa have shown up beating in the horn of Cape Cod, Massachusetts.\n [Interviewer] Incredible.\n So they are incredibly adaptive of using the ocean’s currents to go from A to B or go from the new world to the old world.\n And we can find them in all of the oceans essentially, right?\n We even have some sea turtles that go into the Arctic.\n What?\n Think of sea turtles as being cold blooded and not being warm blooded, being endothermic, but they are the only turtle that is megathermic because they are so big they are like their own, they’re a closed loop energy system. So the nest is laid there and she will go back to sea and only the females will come out. Males will spend their whole lives in the ocean.\n At sea, isn’t that something?\n And when they hatch out, you know, if they’re lucky enough, if they’re that one in 10,000 that survive the flood, that survive that high tide, that survive the coyotes of the raccoons, that survive the ghost crabs and all the fish that will eat them, then they’ll come back 20 years later. It will take two decades for that mom to come to the beach, excavate that nest out and bring that next generation in. So that’s kind of how the cycle works.\n The recovery of the green sea turtle didn’t happen by accident, it happened because people decided it would. But the threats that nearly wiped them out haven’t disappeared and some new ones have arrived.\n So green sea turtles were listed on the endangered species list. And that made a big difference at least in the US and in North America in their protection. And you know, and I think it also made a difference worldwide.\n It did because they were protected internationally. The IUCN and other groups and there was a tremendous-. There’s still places where people eat green turtles and other sea turtles. The green turtle is the one that’s actually eaten the most. People don’t eat leatherbacks.\n And they’re eating this green meat.\n Yeah.\n I can’t get over that.\n That’s what they say is, I’ve been to places where I’ve seen it being cooked in the streets of Indonesia and other places. But that was the most hunted sea turtle. They would hunt them for their eggs. And sometimes they would just literally get them all on board, cut them open, remove the eggs. And you look at those old National Geographic photos and you don’t really see that anymore. But they still face future challenges. One is a warming world.\n Yeah.\n And how do we combat that? And the other are plastics.\n Okay, talk to me about plastics in the ocean.\n Yeah, we dump 10 billion pounds of plastics every year into our oceans. And you can see that as blue as a beautiful bluebird morning in New England. I’ve been to the Trash Pacific Gyre and I’ve seen that and where you see something that looks like an island that is hundreds of miles in size of this gyro of trash that has all come together. And there are places where beautiful, Bali for example, you go there and they have to every day, because people have spent all this money to be a tourist in beautiful Bali, they have to come in with excavators and front end loaders every morning just to clean the trash off the beach. And that is a preventable thing. It is something we could mitigate. So that’s the good news. If we decided, we could eliminate almost all of the plastic trash that goes into our oceans, there’s a way we could manage that. But it’s been documented that one like big landscape plastic bag, you know, those plastic bags that’s really tough, can kill five individual sea turtles\n [Rae] Just one.\n Before it’s broken up enough into little pieces that it could pass through. And I have been to so many sea turtle hospitals where that is it. So you have them eating plastics, and then off Florida boat strikes, big problem. And then they have diseases that may be the result of climate change, may be the result of pollution. It’s a papilloma type virus where they get these tumors and they’ll often get them in and they’ll remove the tumors and stuff. So they have challenges. But overall, I don’t like to look at things as good news or success, I would say it’s a promising story.\n Okay.\n It’s a hopeful story. We are at a place of uncertainty and hope with green sea turtles and all the other sea turtles that we have out there. But I would argue we are there where we have this out of sight, out of mind, oh, we fixed it.\n Sure.\n We live in a world now where, whether you like it or not, in the last century, humankind has consumed 70 to 80% of all our planet’s nature. We, whether we like it or not, have been given this responsibility to be our planet stewards. And that is something that will always require vigilancy. (soft music)\n </div>\n </div>\n </div>\n A sea turtle hatchling has a one-in-10,000 shot at survival. And if it beats those odds, it won’t return to nest for another two decades. In this episodette, Jeff Corwin walks Dr. Rae through the green sea turtle’s remarkable life cycle, from decoy nests to transoceanic migration. Then he turns to the threats still facing the species today: 10 billion pounds of plastic dumped into the ocean every year, boat strikes, disease and a planet where humankind has consumed 70%–80% of nature in the last century. It’s not a fixed problem — it’s an ongoing one. \n <div class="iframe-portrait"><iframe loading="lazy" title="turtle-video-social" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4EGtKCuOJrc" width="488" height="867" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></div>\n <h4>About Jeff Corwin </h4>\n Jeff Corwin is a wildlife biologist, conservationist and an Emmy Award–winning producer and host of more than a dozen television series that have been broadcast in more than 100 countries. His shows are featured on networks including Discovery, Animal Planet, Disney, the Food Network, NBC, CNN and Travel Channel. Corwin holds Bachelor of Science degrees in biology and anthropology from Bridgewater State College and a Master of Science degree in wildlife and fisheries conservation from the University of Massachusetts. He’s the founder of the EcoZone, an interactive museum in Norwell, Massachusetts. When not in the field, Corwin resides with his wife and two daughters on a small island off the southeastern coast of Massachusetts. \n """ "custom_fields" => array:31 [ …31] "date" => "2026-07-08 21:11:49" "excerpt" => "In the 1970s, the green sea turtle was vanishing. Poaching, egg harvesting and habitat loss had crashed global numbers by 67%, landing one of the ocean’s most treasured wild animals on the endangered species list. Extinction had become a genuine possibility. In the first episode of Back From the Brink, Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant sits down with wildlife biologist and TV host Jeff Corwin […]\n" "id" => 4912 "modified" => "2026-08-20 12:08:04" "screenreader_text" => null "slug" => "the-green-sea-turtles-impossible-comeback" "status" => "publish" "tags" => array:6 [ …6] "title" => "The Green Sea Turtle’s Impossible Comeback" "title_plain" => "The Green Sea Turtle’s Impossible Comeback" "type" => "podcast" "updated_date" => "2026-07-23 00:00:00" "url" => "https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/podcast/the-green-sea-turtles-impossible-comeback/" ] 4914 => array:21 [ "attachments" => array:2 [ …2] "author" => array:8 [ …8] "categories" => [] "comment_count" => 0 "comment_status" => "closed" "comments" => [] "content" => """ Not long ago, grizzly bears were on the edge of extinction in the lower 48 states. Fewer than 1,000 bears remained after decades of illegal hunting, poisoning and habitat loss. So how did this iconic species make an extraordinary comeback? Surprisingly, the story begins at a garbage dump.\n In this episode of Back From The Brink from Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom, Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant and bear biologist Wes Larson uncover the unlikely turning points, bold conservation efforts and the passionate people who refused to give up on the grizzly. Discover how science, collaboration and persistence helped restore one of North America’s most powerful predators to the wild landscapes it once ruled.\n <h3>Explore Bear Stories</h3>\n Discover more bear facts through Wild Kingdom videos and articles about bear conservation, rescue and rehabilitation.\n <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/video/black-bear-fun-facts">Bear Fun Facts</a>\n <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/interactive/how-well-do-you-know-black-bears">How Well Do You Know Black Bears Quiz</a>\n <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/video/into-the-bears-den">Into the Bear’s Den Episode</a>\n <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/article/do-all-bears-hibernate-in-winter">Do All Bears Hibernate in the Winter?</a>\n <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/article/how-we-can-prepare-for-bear-hibernation">How We Can Prepare for Bear Hibernation</a>\n <h3>Before the Recovery of Grizzly Bears, There was a Reckoning</h3>\n <div class="iframe-video"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Before the Recovery of Grizzly Bears, There was a Reckoning" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8xsd_aNNxU8" width="1263" height="710" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></div>\n <div class="Accordion Container">\n <div id="grizzly-bear-video-transcript" class="Accordion-panel">\n <div class="Accordion-panelHeader"><a class="Accordion-panelTrigger" href="#grizzly-bear-video-transcript" data-accordion-trigger=""> \n Show Transcript<img decoding="async" src="https://cdn.mutualofomaha.com/wildkingdom/v3/icons/explore/down_arrow_WK-reveal.svg" alt="arrow" /> \n </a></div>\n <div class="Accordion-panelBody">– Yellowstone was a stronghold for grizzly bears, still is, but in the ’70s, they had all of these, like, garbage piles. Do you wanna talk a little bit about, like, how trash attracted bears and what that meant for tourism, and then how quickly they actually changed that?- In the decades leading up to 1970, they had these big, open-pit garbage dumps scattered throughout Yellowstone. There was four or five of them. And they had literal bleachers set up around these dumps, and people would gather every night and watch the bears come up and eat all this food waste. And it was a reliable way to see grizzly bears. They got huge and fat. They were very happy bears where they didn’t really have to compete and they just kinda sat there, and they weren’t very wild anymore. I mean, these were essentially just, you know, garbage-dump bears. And that continued for a while, and the park kind of started realizing they were having a lot of conflicts every year with bears. They were having about 50 incidents every year of people being bitten or injured by bears, which was a lot, and they thought, “We need to do something about this.” So they slowly were kind of starting to make changes, planning to close dumps. And then in 1967, in Glacier National Park, two women were killed on the same night by two different grizzly bears. It’s often referred to as the Night of the Grizzlies. We did a three-part series on it on “Tooth & Claw.” That incident echoed throughout the national park system. People really realized, “Okay, this is an animal that has some potential danger to it that we need to treat a little bit differently than we’ve been treating.” And they quickly closed the dumps then. The last one closed in 1970. And we were left with these bears that were so used to human food and didn’t really know where to go now that they didn’t have access to these dumps. And in the following years, they had to either euthanize or relocate a lot of those bears. And it was kind of this cleansing period in Yellowstone where, unfortunately, a lot of these bears that were totally food conditioned had to be removed from that population, and that left the wild bears, the ones that weren’t food conditioned or totally habituated to people. And that’s where all of our bears we currently have in Yellowstone stem from, was that population that was left after they changed that policy with the dumps.\n – We have very few grizzly bears in Montana and in Yellowstone, you know, because of some of the policies that have been in place for decades. Like, there’s some bad news going on, so how do things start to get a little bit better?\n – So, in ’75 was kind of the first big step forward for grizzly bears, and that’s when they received protections under the Endangered Species Act. And then the next really great thing that happened was in 1983, the Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team was formed, and that consisted of people in the National Park Service and USGS, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that essentially decided they were gonna combine this, you know, amazing pool of knowledge to figure out how to properly conserve this animal and give them the kind of things they need to spread across the West in ways that they used to. So they had six kind of recovery zones that they outlied, the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem being one of them. And I was lucky enough to work when I was in Yellowstone under Kerry Gunther, who is, like, the guy when it comes to Yellowstone grizzly bears. He’s done, you know, more for them than anyone that I know of personally. And a lot of those early days was just really hazing bears that were too, you know, habituated or food conditioned, moving bears that were problem bears or getting rid of ones that, you know, had gone too far and kind of, you know, cleaning out that population, making it wilder. And over time, those kind of processes and the ways that they hazed got better and better and better. And now in Yellowstone, where they used to have, like, 50 conflicts a year that were injuries to humans, now they average one per year, which is a huge step in the right direction, you know? We’d love it if there wasn’t any, but they respond quickly to any bears that are food conditioned. They allow for some habituation. That’s why people are able to do what you did last week, go up and see these bears and these meadows and get some incredible photos and experiences. But the whole outlook kind of toward grizzly bears has changed, and that’s allowed these strongholds to really grow. And now in Yellowstone, there’s probably over 1,000 grizzly bears just in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.\n </div>\n </div>\n </div>\n Before Yellowstone had over 1,000 grizzly bears, it had bleachers. Every night, people would gather around open pit garbage dumps to watch bears eat food waste — reliable, safe and nothing like the wild. It took a single catastrophic night in 1967 to change everything. Wes Larson breaks down the uncomfortable turning point that forced Yellowstone to close its dumps, remove its food-conditioned bears, and start over — and how that painful reset became the foundation for one of conservation’s greatest comebacks. \n <div class="iframe-portrait"><iframe loading="lazy" title="bears-video-social" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/x15sfkKFdzw" width="488" height="867" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></div>\n <h4>About Wes Larson</h4>\n Wes Larson is a bear biologist whose work centers on human-bear conflict. He hosts “Tooth & Claw,” a podcast that unpacks true accounts of the most dramatic wildlife encounters on record. Much of his work focuses on helping people understand wild animals and coexist with them safely.\n """ "custom_fields" => array:31 [ …31] "date" => "2026-07-08 21:14:39" "excerpt" => "Not long ago, grizzly bears were on the edge of extinction in the lower 48 states. Fewer than 1,000 bears remained after decades of illegal hunting, poisoning and habitat loss. So how did this iconic species make an extraordinary comeback? Surprisingly, the story begins at a garbage dump. In this episode of Back From The Brink from Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom, […]\n" "id" => 4914 "modified" => "2026-08-21 11:03:51" "screenreader_text" => null "slug" => "what-it-actually-took-to-bring-grizzly-bears-back" "status" => "publish" "tags" => array:6 [ …6] "title" => "What It Actually Took to Bring Grizzly Bears Back" "title_plain" => "What It Actually Took to Bring Grizzly Bears Back" "type" => "podcast" "updated_date" => "2026-08-20 00:00:00" "url" => "https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/podcast/what-it-actually-took-to-bring-grizzly-bears-back/" ] 4941 => array:24 [ "attachments" => array:5 [ …5] "author" => array:8 [ …8] "categories" => [] "comment_count" => 0 "comment_status" => "closed" "comments" => [] "content" => """ Premiering July 23, Back From the Brink is a wildlife podcast from Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom celebrating conservation comeback stories. Hosted by Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant and narrated by Peter Gros, the video podcast airs on YouTube, with audio episodes available wherever you get your podcasts. \n <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-4936" src="https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/07/645510_WK_Podcast_images3-scaled.jpg" alt="Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant interviews a podcast guest seated across from her in a studio recording space. Both speakers sit in armchairs with microphones positioned between them and a small table in the center." width="2560" height="1003" srcset="https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/07/645510_WK_Podcast_images3-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/07/645510_WK_Podcast_images3-300x118.jpg 300w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/07/645510_WK_Podcast_images3-1024x401.jpg 1024w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/07/645510_WK_Podcast_images3-150x59.jpg 150w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/07/645510_WK_Podcast_images3-768x301.jpg 768w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/07/645510_WK_Podcast_images3-1536x602.jpg 1536w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/07/645510_WK_Podcast_images3-2048x802.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" />\n <ul>\n <li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">Back From the Brink premieres July 23 on YouTube and all major podcast platforms as an all-new wildlife podcast from Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom. </li>\n <li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant hosts and Peter Gros narrates, bringing the wildlife expertise from Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild to the podcast. </li>\n <li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">Every episode spotlights a single species and the scientists, conservationists and unexpected heroes behind its comeback story.</li>\n <li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">Expert guests appear across the season, including Jeff Corwin, Coyote Peterson and Philippe Cousteau. </li>\n <li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">Featured animals range from green sea turtles to grizzly bears, focusing on conservation efforts saving species from extinction </li>\n </ul>\n <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-4937" src="https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/07/645510_WK_Podcast_images4-scaled.jpg" alt="Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant participates in a remote podcast interview displayed on a computer screen. A guest appears in a video call window beside her while recording equipment and an online meeting interface are visible." width="2560" height="1003" srcset="https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/07/645510_WK_Podcast_images4-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/07/645510_WK_Podcast_images4-300x118.jpg 300w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/07/645510_WK_Podcast_images4-1024x401.jpg 1024w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/07/645510_WK_Podcast_images4-150x59.jpg 150w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/07/645510_WK_Podcast_images4-768x301.jpg 768w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/07/645510_WK_Podcast_images4-1536x602.jpg 1536w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/07/645510_WK_Podcast_images4-2048x802.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" />\n Join Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom for an all-new podcast, Back From the Brink, celebrating incredible wildlife comeback stories. Every episode is a deep-dive into a single species and the scientists, conservationists and unexpected heroes who fought to save them. \n Hosted by Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild’s Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant and narrated by Peter Gros, Back From the Brink premieres July 23. The video podcast will stream on YouTube, with an audio-only version wherever you get your podcasts. \n <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-4939" src="https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/07/645510_WK_Podcast_images6-scaled.jpg" alt="Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant speaks with a podcast guest in a recording studio. The two sit across from each other with microphones and a small table between them, while a video camera in the foreground captures the conversation." width="2560" height="1003" srcset="https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/07/645510_WK_Podcast_images6-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/07/645510_WK_Podcast_images6-300x118.jpg 300w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/07/645510_WK_Podcast_images6-1024x401.jpg 1024w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/07/645510_WK_Podcast_images6-150x59.jpg 150w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/07/645510_WK_Podcast_images6-768x301.jpg 768w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/07/645510_WK_Podcast_images6-1536x602.jpg 1536w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/07/645510_WK_Podcast_images6-2048x802.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" />\n <h2>Podcast episode lineup </h2>\n Back From the Brink features the following guests speaking on these wildlife species: \n <ul>\n <li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">Jeff Corwin from Wildlife Nation on green sea turtles </li>\n </ul>\n <ul>\n <li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="2" data-aria-level="1">Kirstin Hill from the Smithsonian Institution on North American songbirds </li>\n </ul>\n <ul>\n <li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="3" data-aria-level="1">Bear biologist Wes Larson on grizzly bears </li>\n </ul>\n <ul>\n <li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="4" data-aria-level="1">Coyote Peterson from Brave Wilderness on American alligators </li>\n </ul>\n <ul>\n <li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="5" data-aria-level="1">Philippe Cousteau from EarthEcho International on coral reef restoration </li>\n </ul>\n <ul>\n <li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="6" data-aria-level="1">Jeff Ewelt from Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo on saltwater tiger beetles </li>\n </ul>\n <ul>\n <li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="7" data-aria-level="1">Bailey Cadena from Cincinnati Zoo on Mexican gray wolves </li>\n </ul>\n <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-4938" src="https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/07/645510_WK_Podcast_images5-scaled.jpg" alt="Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant conducts a virtual podcast interview shown on a computer screen. A remote guest appears in a separate video window while the online meeting interface and recording setup are visible." width="2560" height="1003" srcset="https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/07/645510_WK_Podcast_images5-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/07/645510_WK_Podcast_images5-300x118.jpg 300w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/07/645510_WK_Podcast_images5-1024x401.jpg 1024w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/07/645510_WK_Podcast_images5-150x59.jpg 150w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/07/645510_WK_Podcast_images5-768x301.jpg 768w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/07/645510_WK_Podcast_images5-1536x602.jpg 1536w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/07/645510_WK_Podcast_images5-2048x802.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" />\n Follow <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/the-podcast">Back From the Brink’s podcast page</a> for more upcoming featured animals and guests. \n """ "custom_fields" => array:19 [ …19] "date" => "2026-07-09 10:00:59" "excerpt" => "Premiering July 23, Back From the Brink is a wildlife podcast from Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom celebrating conservation comeback stories. Hosted by Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant and narrated by Peter Gros, the video podcast airs on YouTube, with audio episodes available wherever you get your podcasts. Back From the Brink premieres July 23 on YouTube and all major podcast platforms as […]\n" "id" => 4941 "modified" => "2026-07-27 16:21:08" "screenreader_text" => null "slug" => "new-podcast-back-from-the-brink-airs-july-23" "status" => "publish" "tags" => array:2 [ …2] "thumbnail" => null "thumbnail_images" => [] "thumbnail_size" => "thumbnail" "title" => "New Podcast Back From the Brink Airs July 23" "title_plain" => "New Podcast Back From the Brink Airs July 23" "type" => "video" "updated_date" => "2026-07-09 00:00:00" "url" => "https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/video/new-podcast-back-from-the-brink-airs-july-23/" ] 4943 => array:21 [ "attachments" => array:4 [ …4] "author" => array:8 [ …8] "categories" => [] "comment_count" => 0 "comment_status" => "closed" "comments" => [] "content" => """ Each spring, North America comes alive with a familiar and magical sound — the dawn chorus of songbirds returning home after journeys spanning thousands of miles. But behind that beauty lies a stark reality: nearly 3 billion birds have vanished since 1970. In this episode of Back From The Brink from Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom, Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant is joined by Kirstin Hill of Smithsonian Bird Friendly to explore a hopeful solution taking root in an unexpected place — coffee farms. Discover how shade-grown coffee is creating vital habitat, helping bird populations rebound and restoring one of nature’s most iconic soundtracks.\n <h2>Explore Bird Stories</h2>\n Discover more bird facts through Wild Kingdom videos and articles about North American songbirds, birds of prey and more.\n <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/article/your-guide-to-north-american-songbirds">Your Guide to North American Songbirds</a>\n <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/article/how-organizations-protect-north-american-songbirds">How Organizations Protect North American Songbirds</a>\n <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/article/10-tips-for-backyard-birding">10 Tips For Backyard Birding</a>\n <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/video/birds-of-a-feather">Birds of a Feather Episode</a>\n <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/article/birds-the-word-discover-birds-of-prey">Discover Birds of Prey</a>\n <h2>The Bird-Friendly Checklist Everyone Can Follow</h2>\n <div class="iframe-video"><iframe loading="lazy" title="The Bird-Friendly Checklist Everyone Can Follow" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XTZNYwmfocE?si" width="1263" height="710" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></div>\n <div class="Accordion Container">\n <div id="coffee-video-transcript" class="Accordion-panel">\n <div class="Accordion-panelHeader"><a class="Accordion-panelTrigger" href="#coffee-video-transcript" data-accordion-trigger=""> \n Show Transcript<img decoding="async" src="https://cdn.mutualofomaha.com/wildkingdom/v3/icons/explore/down_arrow_WK-reveal.svg" alt="arrow" /> \n </a></div>\n <div class="Accordion-panelBody">(lighthearted music) \n – Our Migratory Bird Center was founded in the 1990s, \n but the work for migratory bird conservation \n kind of started long before that. \n And in the 1980s, the person who then went on \n to kind of be the founder of the Migratory Bird Center, \n Dr. Russell Greenberg, he was noticing a decline \n in migratory songbird populations in North America. \n So if you think about, you know, 40 years ago, \n we’re in the ’80s and he’s noticing \n and trying to figure out sort of like, \n “Where are these birds going? \n I know they’re here in North America during part of the year \n and then they disappear and then sometimes they come back \n and sometimes they don’t.” \n And we’re starting to see fewer and fewer of these birds. \n So he kind of said, “All right, I’m going to try \n to figure out where it is that these birds are going.” \n He went down to Mexico to conduct a bit of research there \n and to try to see if he could find those same birds \n and figure out where it was that they were going \n when they left our areas in North America here. \n What he kind of found while he was down there \n was that there were lots and lots of birds \n in undisturbed forest. \n And he’s looking around, he’s trying to figure out, \n okay, what are the types of habitat that they’re utilizing? \n He was on one area of a valley and heard a lot of bird calls \n and things like that happening. \n And he looked over and it looked like an area \n that appeared to be sort of like an undisturbed forest. \n Went over to check it out, \n and what he realized is that it was a coffee farm. \n So there was coffee growing in the understory \n and then lots of native trees providing high shade \n for birds, really high-quality habitats \n and lots of this, you know, this area \n that effectively looked like a forest \n but was actually a coffee farm. \n And he said, “Hmm, this seems like this could be \n a really important habitat measure for migratory birds \n and providing a healthy over wintering habitat for them.” \n And so that kind of led to just this concept \n that coffee could be grown in a way that was friendly \n to birds and biodiversity. \n And that sort of went on to become \n the Smithsonian Bird Friendly certification program. \n – I mean, this is just such a serendipitous story, right? \n And I think probably the biggest shock to Dr. Greenberg \n was thinking he’s looking at what we’re saying, \n like pristine, untouched, you know, old growth forest, \n going in and actually seeing like, “Oh, this is a farm.” \n (chuckles) Who knew a farm could look like this? \n Because certainly in North America, we, \n at that time, didn’t have those examples. \n Many of us in the West are quite detached \n from the things we consume. \n Can you help me understand what does coffee look like? \n Like it’s apparently not a tree. (chuckles) \n How does coffee grow \n and how can that fit into a forest ecosystem? \n – So coffee is kind of like a shrub. \n When it’s ripe, it’s these nice, beautiful \n bright red cherries that kind of grow out \n on the coffee shrub itself. \n And the shrubs, they can get to be quite tall. \n And so they can grow in the understory. \n So coffee is a unique crop in that it is perfectly happy \n to grow under the shade of trees. \n And that’s actually how it was originally grown. \n And it was only actually up until the 1970s that coffee, \n most coffee was grown that way. \n And then around the ’70s, that’s when we saw the conversion \n of a lot of coffee farm from this agroforestry \n where there’s the agriculture kind of in the understory \n of the forest above to the removal of a lot of the trees \n and a lot of the, kind of the native plants \n and things like that that are in there \n to grow coffee in the sun instead. \n And there are a number of different reasons \n why that change kind of happened. \n There’s rising number of people who were drinking coffee \n and the governments are kind of saying, \n “Hey, we want to make sure that we can keep up \n with this demand.” \n And there was this idea that if you eliminated \n some of the shade trees, that you could, in theory, \n grow more coffee in that way, \n that the cherries would ripen faster \n and that that would be a higher yield \n for the producers there. \n There ended up being a big conversion of the way \n that coffee was grown from the agroforests, \n how it originally grew, into just this \n kind of clear cut monoculture where the coffee \n is just kind of baking in the sun \n and you’re just seeing rows and rows of crops \n and very little space for birds and biodiversity \n to coexist in that way. \n – So we have a scientist who traveled down with the team \n and discovered, okay, there is habitat fragmentation \n and habitat loss, but it looks like there’s also solutions \n at the same time. \n And then what stemmed from there? \n – What we ended up kind of seeing was, you know, \n when Dr. Greenberg came back and was trying to figure out, \n you know, what do we do with this information \n that we now have. \n So I now, you know, we have made this association \n that the agroforests can provide really high-quality habitat \n for birds and biodiversity. \n The question then became, how do we incentivize producers \n to grow their coffee in this way? \n So for those remaining folks that have kept \n this high-quality habitat on their land, \n how can we make it so that they feel \n there’s a reason for them to continue growing coffee \n in this way, how do we incentivize that? \n – And let me interrupt you here just for me to get a sense. \n Like tell me a little bit about the economics of this. \n Is it somehow like cheaper \n to do the monoculture where it’s just coffee? \n Is it somehow more expensive for landowners \n to continue with the polyculture? \n Like why would someone choose one over the other? \n – So for each individual farmer that can be a, \n or a landowner or producer, \n there’s different motivating factors, \n and it kind of boils down to how you want \n to sell your coffee. \n So there’s coffee that can be sold as specialty grade \n and that’s when we think about, \n you know, high quality, high-end specialty coffees \n versus your commodity coffee, which I kind of refer to \n as like your gas station coffee where it’s just like a mix \n of a bunch of beans and we’re not really sure \n where it’s coming from and maybe the qualities \n is a bit lower. \n So there’s a lot of different factors that can go into \n how a producer can sell their coffee \n and how much money they can get for it. \n So that was kind of what led to the creation \n of the Bird Friendly program was trying to find a way \n to provide this incentive for producers \n that they could get more money for their coffee. \n And Smithsonian will prove, we will vouch for them that, \n yes, this coffee is grown in a way \n that’s really good for birds. \n (uplifting music)</div>\n </div>\n </div>\n <h6></h6>\n From window decals to your morning coffee order, there are more ways to help migratory songbirds than you might think. In this episodette, Kirstin Hill walks through seven simple actions anyone can take — safer windows, keeping cats indoors, native plants, pesticide-free yards, less plastic, bird-friendly coffee and simply paying attention. Plus, she gives an update on how far the movement has come: over 110 coffee roasters and more than 4,000 producers now protect habitat worldwide. Watch the full episode for the complete story behind the movement. \n  \n <div class="iframe-portrait"><iframe loading="lazy" title="coffee-video-social" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gxpIYlGxbBI?si=H8kVlDWiggxzYqnx" width="488" height="867" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></div>\n  \n <h3>About Kirstin Hill</h3>\n Kirstin Hill has spent more than 15 years in wildlife conservation, teaching people why wild animals and their habitats are worth protecting. Today she’s the Smithsonian Institution’s Bird Friendly Program Manager, leading an innovative effort to preserve habitat and protect songbirds. Through forest-friendly farming practices, Bird Friendly farms grow coffee and cocoa in ways that keep their surrounding ecosystems healthy.\n """ "custom_fields" => array:31 [ …31] "date" => "2025-07-01 13:28:59" "excerpt" => "Each spring, North America comes alive with a familiar and magical sound — the dawn chorus of songbirds returning home after journeys spanning thousands of miles. But behind that beauty lies a stark reality: nearly 3 billion birds have vanished since 1970. In this episode of Back From The Brink from Mutual of Omaha’s Wild […]\n" "id" => 4943 "modified" => "2026-08-10 17:54:12" "screenreader_text" => null "slug" => "how-coffee-is-bringing-songbrids-back" "status" => "publish" "tags" => array:6 [ …6] "title" => "How Coffee Is Bringing Songbirds Back" "title_plain" => "How Coffee Is Bringing Songbirds Back" "type" => "podcast" "updated_date" => "2026-08-06 00:00:00" "url" => "https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/podcast/how-coffee-is-bringing-songbrids-back/" ] 5087 => array:20 [ "attachments" => array:2 [ …2] "author" => array:8 [ …8] "categories" => [] "comment_count" => 0 "comment_status" => "closed" "comments" => [] "content" => """ By 1967, the American alligator — a reptile whose lineage predates the dinosaurs — had been hunted, skinned and pushed to the edge of extinction. Twenty years later it was thriving again, making a full recovery under the Endangered Species Act.\n In this episode, Dr. Rae sits down with Coyote Peterson, wildlife educator and creator of Brave Wilderness, whose alligator content alone has racked up over 100 million views. Together they explain why these “ecosystem engineers” are critical to the health of southeastern wetlands. And they dig into the modern threats that still put the species at risk, from invasive Burmese pythons to human habituation. It’s a story about how fast a species can come back, and how easily that progress can be undone.\n <h3>Explore alligator stories</h3>\n Learn more about alligators through these Wild Kingdom videos and articles.\n <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/article/how-alligators-beat-the-endangered-species-list">How Alligators Beat the Endangered Species List</a>\n <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/article/american-alligators">American Alligators</a>\n <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/video/graduation-day-for-a-gator">Graduation Day for a Gator</a>\n <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/video/reptile-rescue">Reptile Rescue</a>\n <h3>Why Feeding an Alligator Is the Worst Thing You Can Do</h3>\n <div class="iframe-video"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Why Feeding an Alligator Is the Worst Thing You Can Do" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7aC_ru54fmo" width="1263" height="710" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></div>\n An alligator on a golf course isn’t lurking — it’s living where humans built on top of its habitat. In this episodette, Coyote Peterson and Dr. Rae unpack why feeding or habituating alligators turns them into the most dangerous version of themselves, why a viral golf-course encounter almost went very wrong and how a little “exposure therapy” — visiting alligators at conservation-focused facilities — can replace fear with respect. Watch the full episode for the complete story of the American alligator’s comeback.\n  \n <div class="iframe-portrait"><iframe loading="lazy" title="alligator-video-social" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SxMul0QOA24" width="488" height="867" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></div>\n <h4>About Coyote Peterson</h4>\n Coyote Peterson is an Emmy Award-winning host and creator of YouTube’s “Brave Wilderness,” where his videos have drawn over 6 billion views worldwide. A lifelong animal lover, he studied video production, writing and film editing at Ohio State University before combining both passions. For over a decade, he’s worked alongside conservationists to protect the planet’s most misunderstood creatures — including a partnership that reintroduced 25 critically endangered black rhinos in South Africa.\n """ "custom_fields" => array:29 [ …29] "date" => "2026-09-03 23:45:52" "excerpt" => "By 1967, the American alligator — a reptile whose lineage predates the dinosaurs — had been hunted, skinned and pushed to the edge of extinction. Twenty years later it was thriving again, making a full recovery under the Endangered Species Act. In this episode, Dr. Rae sits down with Coyote Peterson, wildlife educator and creator […]\n" "id" => 5087 "modified" => "2026-09-04 19:15:46" "screenreader_text" => null "slug" => "from-near-extinction-to-5-million-the-american-alligators-comeback" "status" => "publish" "tags" => array:6 [ …6] "title" => "From Near Extinction to 5 Million: The American Alligator’s Comeback" "title_plain" => "From Near Extinction to 5 Million: The American Alligator’s Comeback" "type" => "podcast" "url" => "https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/podcast/from-near-extinction-to-5-million-the-american-alligators-comeback/" ] ] ] "useExperimentation" => "0" ] "debug" => true "emailJourneyId" => "APIEvent-0915228a-9b5d-b8bc-68b3-1667d737d130" "globals" => array:15 [ "alertContent" => null "analyticsId" => "UA-12109817-22" "bodyBackgroundColor" => "u-bgWhite" "experimentationId" => "25226340136" "gtmId" => "M2XNHQ" "pageClass" => null "pageTitle" => "Mutual of Omaha" "sectionClass" => null "server" => array:9 [ "canonical" => "https://moocat.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/podcast/how-the-harpy-eagle-united-a-nation" "environment" => "cat" "host" => null "hostWithScheme" => null "path" => null "scheme" => null "uri" => null "url" => null "urlWithQuery" => null ] "showZipCodeOverlay" => false "states" => array:53 [ "AK" => "Alaska" "AL" => "Alabama" "AR" => "Arkansas" "AZ" => "Arizona" "CA" => "California" "CO" => "Colorado" "CT" => "Connecticut" "DC" => "District of Columbia" "DE" => "Delaware" "FL" => "Florida" "GA" => "Georgia" "HI" => "Hawaii" "IA" => "Iowa" "ID" => "Idaho" "IL" => "Illinois" "IN" => "Indiana" "KS" => "Kansas" "KY" => "Kentucky" "LA" => "Louisiana" "MA" => "Massachusetts" "MD" => "Maryland" "ME" => "Maine" "MI" => "Michigan" "MN" => "Minnesota" "MO" => "Missouri" "MS" => "Mississippi" "MT" => "Montana" "NC" => "North Carolina" "ND" => "North Dakota" "NE" => "Nebraska" "NH" => "New Hampshire" "NJ" => "New Jersey" "NM" => "New Mexico" "NV" => "Nevada" "NY" => "New York" "OH" => "Ohio" "OK" => "Oklahoma" "OR" => "Oregon" "PA" => "Pennsylvania" "PR" => "Puerto Rico" "RI" => "Rhode Island" "SC" => "South Carolina" "SD" => "South Dakota" "TN" => "Tennessee" "TX" => "Texas" "UT" => "Utah" "VA" => "Virginia" "VI" => "Virgin Islands" "VT" => "Vermont" "WA" => "Washington" "WI" => "Wisconsin" "WV" => "West Virginia" "WY" => "Wyoming" ] "tealiumEnv" => "qa" "twig" => array:2 [ "main" => "design-guide-4" "master" => "design-guide-4" ] "unsupportedBrowser" => false "version" => null ] "package" => array:4 [ "name" => "wild-kingdom" "namespace" => "Mutualofomaha\WildKingdom" "prefix" => "" "vendor" => "mutualofomaha" ] "podcastList" => array:2 [ "new-season" => [] "previous-seasons" => array:28 [ 0 => array:21 [ "attachments" => array:2 [ 0 => array:9 [ …9] 1 => array:9 [ …9] ] "author" => array:8 [ "description" => "" "first_name" => "Kristy" "id" => 1902 "last_name" => "Jaixen Krupa" "name" => "req76576" "nickname" => "Kristy" "slug" => "req76576" "url" => "" ] "categories" => [] "comment_count" => 0 "comment_status" => "closed" "comments" => [] "content" => """ By 1967, the American alligator — a reptile whose lineage predates the dinosaurs — had been hunted, skinned and pushed to the edge of extinction. Twenty years later it was thriving again, making a full recovery under the Endangered Species Act.\n In this episode, Dr. Rae sits down with Coyote Peterson, wildlife educator and creator of Brave Wilderness, whose alligator content alone has racked up over 100 million views. Together they explain why these “ecosystem engineers” are critical to the health of southeastern wetlands. And they dig into the modern threats that still put the species at risk, from invasive Burmese pythons to human habituation. It’s a story about how fast a species can come back, and how easily that progress can be undone.\n <h3>Explore alligator stories</h3>\n Learn more about alligators through these Wild Kingdom videos and articles.\n <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/article/how-alligators-beat-the-endangered-species-list">How Alligators Beat the Endangered Species List</a>\n <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/article/american-alligators">American Alligators</a>\n <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/video/graduation-day-for-a-gator">Graduation Day for a Gator</a>\n <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/video/reptile-rescue">Reptile Rescue</a>\n <h3>Why Feeding an Alligator Is the Worst Thing You Can Do</h3>\n <div class="iframe-video"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Why Feeding an Alligator Is the Worst Thing You Can Do" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7aC_ru54fmo" width="1263" height="710" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></div>\n An alligator on a golf course isn’t lurking — it’s living where humans built on top of its habitat. In this episodette, Coyote Peterson and Dr. Rae unpack why feeding or habituating alligators turns them into the most dangerous version of themselves, why a viral golf-course encounter almost went very wrong and how a little “exposure therapy” — visiting alligators at conservation-focused facilities — can replace fear with respect. Watch the full episode for the complete story of the American alligator’s comeback.\n  \n <div class="iframe-portrait"><iframe loading="lazy" title="alligator-video-social" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SxMul0QOA24" width="488" height="867" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></div>\n <h4>About Coyote Peterson</h4>\n Coyote Peterson is an Emmy Award-winning host and creator of YouTube’s “Brave Wilderness,” where his videos have drawn over 6 billion views worldwide. A lifelong animal lover, he studied video production, writing and film editing at Ohio State University before combining both passions. For over a decade, he’s worked alongside conservationists to protect the planet’s most misunderstood creatures — including a partnership that reintroduced 25 critically endangered black rhinos in South Africa.\n """ "custom_fields" => array:29 [ "card_description" => array:1 [ …1] "customize_related_posts" => array:1 [ …1] "episode" => array:1 [ …1] "feature_post_indicator" => array:1 [ …1] "featured_image" => array:24 [ …24] "hero_description" => array:1 [ …1] "is_available" => true "listening_platform" => array:1 [ …1] "listening_platform_amazon" => array:1 [ …1] "listening_platform_apple" => array:1 [ …1] "listening_platform_audacy" => array:1 [ …1] "listening_platform_spotify" => array:1 [ …1] "listening_platform_youtube" => array:1 [ …1] "meta_keywords" => array:1 [ …1] "openGraphMetaDescription" => array:1 [ …1] "openGraphMetaImage" => array:1 [ …1] "openGraphMetaImageAlt" => array:1 [ …1] "openGraphMetaTitle" => array:1 [ …1] "openGraphMetaTwitterImage" => array:1 [ …1] "open_graph_meta_video_url" => array:1 [ …1] "podcast_summary" => array:1 [ …1] "podcast_url" => array:1 [ …1] "runtime" => array:1 [ …1] "season" => array:1 [ …1] "season_name" => "Season 3" "thumbnail_image" => array:24 [ …24] "transcript" => array:1 [ …1] "updated_date" => array:1 [ …1] "use_experimentation" => array:1 [ …1] ] "date" => "2026-09-03 23:45:52" "excerpt" => "By 1967, the American alligator — a reptile whose lineage predates the dinosaurs — had been hunted, skinned and pushed to the edge of extinction. Twenty years later it was thriving again, making a full recovery under the Endangered Species Act. In this episode, Dr. Rae sits down with Coyote Peterson, wildlife educator and creator […]\n" "id" => 5087 "modified" => "2026-09-04 19:15:46" "screenreader_text" => null "seasonEpisodeShort" => "304" "slug" => "from-near-extinction-to-5-million-the-american-alligators-comeback" "status" => "publish" "tags" => array:6 [ 0 => array:5 [ …5] 1 => array:5 [ …5] 2 => array:5 [ …5] 3 => array:5 [ …5] 4 => array:5 [ …5] 5 => array:5 [ …5] ] "title" => "From Near Extinction to 5 Million: The American Alligator’s Comeback" "title_plain" => "From Near Extinction to 5 Million: The American Alligator’s Comeback" "type" => "podcast" "url" => "https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/podcast/from-near-extinction-to-5-million-the-american-alligators-comeback/" ] 1 => array:22 [ "attachments" => array:2 [ 0 => array:9 [ …9] 1 => array:9 [ …9] ] "author" => array:8 [ "description" => "" "first_name" => "Taylor" "id" => 3446 "last_name" => "Scott-Rohrer" "name" => "req91258" "nickname" => "Taylor" "slug" => "req91258" "url" => "" ] "categories" => [] "comment_count" => 0 "comment_status" => "closed" "comments" => [] "content" => """ Not long ago, grizzly bears were on the edge of extinction in the lower 48 states. Fewer than 1,000 bears remained after decades of illegal hunting, poisoning and habitat loss. So how did this iconic species make an extraordinary comeback? Surprisingly, the story begins at a garbage dump.\n In this episode of Back From The Brink from Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom, Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant and bear biologist Wes Larson uncover the unlikely turning points, bold conservation efforts and the passionate people who refused to give up on the grizzly. Discover how science, collaboration and persistence helped restore one of North America’s most powerful predators to the wild landscapes it once ruled.\n <h3>Explore Bear Stories</h3>\n Discover more bear facts through Wild Kingdom videos and articles about bear conservation, rescue and rehabilitation.\n <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/video/black-bear-fun-facts">Bear Fun Facts</a>\n <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/interactive/how-well-do-you-know-black-bears">How Well Do You Know Black Bears Quiz</a>\n <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/video/into-the-bears-den">Into the Bear’s Den Episode</a>\n <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/article/do-all-bears-hibernate-in-winter">Do All Bears Hibernate in the Winter?</a>\n <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/article/how-we-can-prepare-for-bear-hibernation">How We Can Prepare for Bear Hibernation</a>\n <h3>Before the Recovery of Grizzly Bears, There was a Reckoning</h3>\n <div class="iframe-video"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Before the Recovery of Grizzly Bears, There was a Reckoning" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8xsd_aNNxU8" width="1263" height="710" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></div>\n <div class="Accordion Container">\n <div id="grizzly-bear-video-transcript" class="Accordion-panel">\n <div class="Accordion-panelHeader"><a class="Accordion-panelTrigger" href="#grizzly-bear-video-transcript" data-accordion-trigger=""> \n Show Transcript<img decoding="async" src="https://cdn.mutualofomaha.com/wildkingdom/v3/icons/explore/down_arrow_WK-reveal.svg" alt="arrow" /> \n </a></div>\n <div class="Accordion-panelBody">– Yellowstone was a stronghold for grizzly bears, still is, but in the ’70s, they had all of these, like, garbage piles. Do you wanna talk a little bit about, like, how trash attracted bears and what that meant for tourism, and then how quickly they actually changed that?- In the decades leading up to 1970, they had these big, open-pit garbage dumps scattered throughout Yellowstone. There was four or five of them. And they had literal bleachers set up around these dumps, and people would gather every night and watch the bears come up and eat all this food waste. And it was a reliable way to see grizzly bears. They got huge and fat. They were very happy bears where they didn’t really have to compete and they just kinda sat there, and they weren’t very wild anymore. I mean, these were essentially just, you know, garbage-dump bears. And that continued for a while, and the park kind of started realizing they were having a lot of conflicts every year with bears. They were having about 50 incidents every year of people being bitten or injured by bears, which was a lot, and they thought, “We need to do something about this.” So they slowly were kind of starting to make changes, planning to close dumps. And then in 1967, in Glacier National Park, two women were killed on the same night by two different grizzly bears. It’s often referred to as the Night of the Grizzlies. We did a three-part series on it on “Tooth & Claw.” That incident echoed throughout the national park system. People really realized, “Okay, this is an animal that has some potential danger to it that we need to treat a little bit differently than we’ve been treating.” And they quickly closed the dumps then. The last one closed in 1970. And we were left with these bears that were so used to human food and didn’t really know where to go now that they didn’t have access to these dumps. And in the following years, they had to either euthanize or relocate a lot of those bears. And it was kind of this cleansing period in Yellowstone where, unfortunately, a lot of these bears that were totally food conditioned had to be removed from that population, and that left the wild bears, the ones that weren’t food conditioned or totally habituated to people. And that’s where all of our bears we currently have in Yellowstone stem from, was that population that was left after they changed that policy with the dumps.\n – We have very few grizzly bears in Montana and in Yellowstone, you know, because of some of the policies that have been in place for decades. Like, there’s some bad news going on, so how do things start to get a little bit better?\n – So, in ’75 was kind of the first big step forward for grizzly bears, and that’s when they received protections under the Endangered Species Act. And then the next really great thing that happened was in 1983, the Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team was formed, and that consisted of people in the National Park Service and USGS, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that essentially decided they were gonna combine this, you know, amazing pool of knowledge to figure out how to properly conserve this animal and give them the kind of things they need to spread across the West in ways that they used to. So they had six kind of recovery zones that they outlied, the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem being one of them. And I was lucky enough to work when I was in Yellowstone under Kerry Gunther, who is, like, the guy when it comes to Yellowstone grizzly bears. He’s done, you know, more for them than anyone that I know of personally. And a lot of those early days was just really hazing bears that were too, you know, habituated or food conditioned, moving bears that were problem bears or getting rid of ones that, you know, had gone too far and kind of, you know, cleaning out that population, making it wilder. And over time, those kind of processes and the ways that they hazed got better and better and better. And now in Yellowstone, where they used to have, like, 50 conflicts a year that were injuries to humans, now they average one per year, which is a huge step in the right direction, you know? We’d love it if there wasn’t any, but they respond quickly to any bears that are food conditioned. They allow for some habituation. That’s why people are able to do what you did last week, go up and see these bears and these meadows and get some incredible photos and experiences. But the whole outlook kind of toward grizzly bears has changed, and that’s allowed these strongholds to really grow. And now in Yellowstone, there’s probably over 1,000 grizzly bears just in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.\n </div>\n </div>\n </div>\n Before Yellowstone had over 1,000 grizzly bears, it had bleachers. Every night, people would gather around open pit garbage dumps to watch bears eat food waste — reliable, safe and nothing like the wild. It took a single catastrophic night in 1967 to change everything. Wes Larson breaks down the uncomfortable turning point that forced Yellowstone to close its dumps, remove its food-conditioned bears, and start over — and how that painful reset became the foundation for one of conservation’s greatest comebacks. \n <div class="iframe-portrait"><iframe loading="lazy" title="bears-video-social" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/x15sfkKFdzw" width="488" height="867" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></div>\n <h4>About Wes Larson</h4>\n Wes Larson is a bear biologist whose work centers on human-bear conflict. He hosts “Tooth & Claw,” a podcast that unpacks true accounts of the most dramatic wildlife encounters on record. Much of his work focuses on helping people understand wild animals and coexist with them safely.\n """ "custom_fields" => array:31 [ "card_description" => array:1 [ …1] "current_airdate" => array:1 [ …1] "customize_related_posts" => array:1 [ …1] "episode" => array:1 [ …1] "feature_post_indicator" => array:1 [ …1] "featured_image" => array:24 [ …24] "formatted_current_airdate" => "August 5" "hero_description" => array:1 [ …1] "is_available" => true "listening_platform" => array:1 [ …1] "listening_platform_amazon" => array:1 [ …1] "listening_platform_apple" => array:1 [ …1] "listening_platform_audacy" => array:1 [ …1] "listening_platform_spotify" => array:1 [ …1] "listening_platform_youtube" => array:1 [ …1] "meta_keywords" => array:1 [ …1] "openGraphMetaDescription" => array:1 [ …1] "openGraphMetaImage" => array:1 [ …1] "openGraphMetaImageAlt" => array:1 [ …1] "openGraphMetaTitle" => array:1 [ …1] "openGraphMetaTwitterImage" => array:1 [ …1] "open_graph_meta_video_url" => array:1 [ …1] "podcast_summary" => array:1 [ …1] "podcast_url" => array:1 [ …1] "runtime" => array:1 [ …1] "season" => array:1 [ …1] "season_name" => "Season 3" "thumbnail_image" => array:24 [ …24] "transcript" => array:1 [ …1] "updated_date" => array:1 [ …1] "use_experimentation" => array:1 [ …1] ] "date" => "2026-07-08 21:14:39" "excerpt" => "Not long ago, grizzly bears were on the edge of extinction in the lower 48 states. Fewer than 1,000 bears remained after decades of illegal hunting, poisoning and habitat loss. So how did this iconic species make an extraordinary comeback? Surprisingly, the story begins at a garbage dump. In this episode of Back From The Brink from Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom, […]\n" "id" => 4914 "modified" => "2026-08-21 11:03:51" "screenreader_text" => null "seasonEpisodeShort" => "303" "slug" => "what-it-actually-took-to-bring-grizzly-bears-back" "status" => "publish" "tags" => array:6 [ 0 => array:5 [ …5] 1 => array:5 [ …5] 2 => array:5 [ …5] 3 => array:5 [ …5] 4 => array:5 [ …5] 5 => array:5 [ …5] ] "title" => "What It Actually Took to Bring Grizzly Bears Back" "title_plain" => "What It Actually Took to Bring Grizzly Bears Back" "type" => "podcast" "updated_date" => "2026-08-20 00:00:00" "url" => "https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/podcast/what-it-actually-took-to-bring-grizzly-bears-back/" ] 10 => array:22 [ "attachments" => array:1 [ 0 => array:9 [ …9] ] "author" => array:8 [ "description" => "" "first_name" => "Kristy" "id" => 1902 "last_name" => "Jaixen Krupa" "name" => "req76576" "nickname" => "Kristy" "slug" => "req76576" "url" => "" ] "categories" => [] "comment_count" => 0 "comment_status" => "closed" "comments" => [] "content" => """ Ever wondered why some people and animals form such strong bonds? Or why these connections are so vital to our well-being? In this episode, we continue with more stories from the AZA conference, speaking with Dr. Kathayoon Khalil, a conservation psychologist with the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, about the powerful role of empathy in human-animal connections. We also dive into the world of tarantulas with Sarah Bowser to explore fascinating facts about these misunderstood creatures and the threats they face in the wild. Thom Demas from the Tennessee Aquarium wraps up the episode with a deep dive into the underwater world of a little-known fish that shows how stream health impacts us all — wildlife and humans.\n For more AZA stories, explore <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/article/how-zoos-are-saving-animals-from-extinction">AZA’s Saving Animals From Extinction Program (SAFE)</a>.\n """ "custom_fields" => array:30 [ "card_description" => array:1 [ …1] "custom_related_post_list" => array:1 [ …1] "customize_related_posts" => array:1 [ …1] "episode" => array:1 [ …1] "feature_post_indicator" => array:1 [ …1] "featured_image" => array:24 [ …24] "hero_description" => array:1 [ …1] "is_available" => true "listening_platform" => array:1 [ …1] "listening_platform_amazon" => array:1 [ …1] "listening_platform_apple" => array:1 [ …1] "listening_platform_audacy" => array:1 [ …1] "listening_platform_spotify" => array:1 [ …1] "listening_platform_youtube" => array:1 [ …1] "meta_keywords" => array:1 [ …1] "openGraphMetaDescription" => array:1 [ …1] "openGraphMetaImage" => array:1 [ …1] "openGraphMetaImageAlt" => array:1 [ …1] "openGraphMetaTitle" => array:1 [ …1] "openGraphMetaTwitterImage" => array:1 [ …1] "open_graph_meta_video_url" => array:1 [ …1] "podcast_summary" => array:1 [ …1] "podcast_url" => array:1 [ …1] "runtime" => array:1 [ …1] "season" => array:1 [ …1] "season_name" => "Season 2" "thumbnail_image" => array:24 [ …24] "transcript" => array:1 [ …1] "updated_date" => array:1 [ …1] "use_experimentation" => array:1 [ …1] ] "date" => "2025-04-01 09:00:56" "excerpt" => "Ever wondered why some people and animals form such strong bonds? Or why these connections are so vital to our well-being? In this episode, we continue with more stories from the AZA conference, speaking with Dr. Kathayoon Khalil, a conservation psychologist with the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, about the powerful role of empathy in human-animal […]\n" "id" => 3989 "modified" => "2026-07-08 22:36:33" "screenreader_text" => null "seasonEpisodeShort" => "206" "slug" => "hope-for-the-wild-stories-from-the-aza-part-2" "status" => "publish" "tags" => array:1 [ 0 => array:5 [ …5] ] "title" => "Hope for the Wild: Stories From the AZA, Part 2" "title_plain" => "Hope for the Wild: Stories From the AZA, Part 2" "type" => "podcast" "updated_date" => "2025-04-01 00:00:00" "url" => "https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/podcast/hope-for-the-wild-stories-from-the-aza-part-2/" ] 11 => array:22 [ "attachments" => array:1 [ 0 => array:9 [ …9] ] "author" => array:8 [ "description" => "" "first_name" => "Kristy" "id" => 1902 "last_name" => "Jaixen Krupa" "name" => "req76576" "nickname" => "Kristy" "slug" => "req76576" "url" => "" ] "categories" => [] "comment_count" => 0 "comment_status" => "closed" "comments" => [] "content" => "Every year, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) hosts its annual conference, bringing together zoo and aquarium professionals dedicated to wildlife conservation. In this episode, we hear stories from the conference. First, Ben Jones, vice president of conservation and education at the Houston Zoo, shares his mission to protect endangered mountain gorillas. Then, Dr. Chase LaDue, National Geographic Explorer, conservation scientist at the Oklahoma City Zoo and executive director of the Sri Lanka Elephant Project, discusses fostering coexistence between humans and elephants. Their stories reveal the critical importance of protecting the wild — and why it matters for all of us who share this planet.\n" "custom_fields" => array:32 [ "card_description" => array:1 [ …1] "current_airdate" => array:1 [ …1] "custom_related_post_list" => array:1 [ …1] "customize_related_posts" => array:1 [ …1] "episode" => array:1 [ …1] "feature_post_indicator" => array:1 [ …1] "featured_image" => array:24 [ …24] "formatted_current_airdate" => "March 25" "hero_description" => array:1 [ …1] "is_available" => true "listening_platform" => array:1 [ …1] "listening_platform_amazon" => array:1 [ …1] "listening_platform_apple" => array:1 [ …1] "listening_platform_audacy" => array:1 [ …1] "listening_platform_spotify" => array:1 [ …1] "listening_platform_youtube" => array:1 [ …1] "meta_keywords" => array:1 [ …1] "openGraphMetaDescription" => array:1 [ …1] "openGraphMetaImage" => array:1 [ …1] "openGraphMetaImageAlt" => array:1 [ …1] "openGraphMetaTitle" => array:1 [ …1] "openGraphMetaTwitterImage" => array:1 [ …1] "open_graph_meta_video_url" => array:1 [ …1] "podcast_summary" => array:1 [ …1] "podcast_url" => array:1 [ …1] "runtime" => array:1 [ …1] "season" => array:1 [ …1] "season_name" => "Season 2" "thumbnail_image" => array:24 [ …24] "transcript" => array:1 [ …1] "updated_date" => array:1 [ …1] "use_experimentation" => array:1 [ …1] ] "date" => "2025-03-25 09:31:53" "excerpt" => "Every year, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) hosts its annual conference, bringing together zoo and aquarium professionals dedicated to wildlife conservation. In this episode, we hear stories from the conference. First, Ben Jones, vice president of conservation and education at the Houston Zoo, shares his mission to protect endangered mountain gorillas. Then, Dr. […]\n" "id" => 3973 "modified" => "2026-07-08 22:35:05" "screenreader_text" => null "seasonEpisodeShort" => "205" "slug" => "hope-for-the-wild-stories-from-the-aza-part-1" "status" => "publish" "tags" => array:1 [ 0 => array:5 [ …5] ] "title" => "Hope for the Wild: Stories From the AZA, Part 1" "title_plain" => "Hope for the Wild: Stories From the AZA, Part 1" "type" => "podcast" "updated_date" => "2025-03-25 00:00:00" "url" => "https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/podcast/hope-for-the-wild-stories-from-the-aza-part-1/" ] 12 => array:22 [ "attachments" => array:2 [ 0 => array:9 [ …9] 1 => array:9 [ …9] ] "author" => array:8 [ "description" => "" "first_name" => "Kristy" "id" => 1902 "last_name" => "Jaixen Krupa" "name" => "req76576" "nickname" => "Kristy" "slug" => "req76576" "url" => "" ] "categories" => [] "comment_count" => 0 "comment_status" => "closed" "comments" => [] "content" => """ Fewer than 100 ocelots remain in the United States, making these rare wildcats incredibly difficult to study and protect. Filmmaker and wildlife biologist Ben Masters discusses the importance of documenting endangered species, and how his work has led him to capture rare footage of these elusive cats. He uncovers the many challenges ocelots face, from habitat loss to the struggle for visibility in conservation efforts, and why it’s crucial to continue fighting for their survival.\n Bonus track: Kristin Ulvestad from the Reid Park Zoo explains the important ecological role of songbirds and how the unique call of the Lucy’s warbler is a sure sign of spring.\n Watch this episode of <a href="https://www.nbc.com/mutual-of-omahas-wild-kingdom-protecting-the-wild/video/the-hidden-world-of-ocelots/9000414715" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild, “The Hidden World of Ocelots” on NBC.com</a>, the NBC app or Peacock.\n """ "custom_fields" => array:30 [ "card_description" => array:1 [ …1] "custom_related_post_list" => array:1 [ …1] "customize_related_posts" => array:1 [ …1] "episode" => array:1 [ …1] "feature_post_indicator" => array:1 [ …1] "featured_image" => array:24 [ …24] "hero_description" => array:1 [ …1] "is_available" => true "listening_platform" => array:1 [ …1] "listening_platform_amazon" => array:1 [ …1] "listening_platform_apple" => array:1 [ …1] "listening_platform_audacy" => array:1 [ …1] "listening_platform_spotify" => array:1 [ …1] "listening_platform_youtube" => array:1 [ …1] "meta_keywords" => array:1 [ …1] "openGraphMetaDescription" => array:1 [ …1] "openGraphMetaImage" => array:1 [ …1] "openGraphMetaImageAlt" => array:1 [ …1] "openGraphMetaTitle" => array:1 [ …1] "openGraphMetaTwitterImage" => array:1 [ …1] "open_graph_meta_video_url" => array:1 [ …1] "podcast_summary" => array:1 [ …1] "podcast_url" => array:1 [ …1] "runtime" => array:1 [ …1] "season" => array:1 [ …1] "season_name" => "Season 2" "thumbnail_image" => array:24 [ …24] "transcript" => array:1 [ …1] "updated_date" => array:1 [ …1] "use_experimentation" => array:1 [ …1] ] "date" => "2025-03-18 10:01:52" "excerpt" => "Fewer than 100 ocelots remain in the United States, making these rare wildcats incredibly difficult to study and protect. Filmmaker and wildlife biologist Ben Masters discusses the importance of documenting endangered species, and how his work has led him to capture rare footage of these elusive cats. He uncovers the many challenges ocelots face, from […]\n" "id" => 3955 "modified" => "2026-07-08 22:33:44" "screenreader_text" => null "seasonEpisodeShort" => "204" "slug" => "uncovering-the-elusive-ocelot" "status" => "publish" "tags" => array:1 [ 0 => array:5 [ …5] ] "title" => "Uncovering the Elusive Ocelot" "title_plain" => "Uncovering the Elusive Ocelot" "type" => "podcast" "updated_date" => "2025-03-18 00:00:00" "url" => "https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/podcast/uncovering-the-elusive-ocelot/" ] 13 => array:22 [ "attachments" => array:2 [ 0 => array:9 [ …9] 1 => array:9 [ …9] ] "author" => array:8 [ "description" => "" "first_name" => "Kristy" "id" => 1902 "last_name" => "Jaixen Krupa" "name" => "req76576" "nickname" => "Kristy" "slug" => "req76576" "url" => "" ] "categories" => [] "comment_count" => 0 "comment_status" => "closed" "comments" => [] "content" => """ With fewer than 360 North Atlantic right whales remaining in the wild, these incredible marine giants are critically endangered. In this episode, Orla O’Brien, scientist with the Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life at the New England Aquarium discusses this urgent wildlife crisis and the challenges facing this species. O’Brien explains why right whales are often overlooked — an “out of sight, out of mind” issue — and how innovative technology plays a crucial role in protecting them, offering hope for their future.\n Bonus track: Jeff Baughman of the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo talks about a much smaller animal — but still one of North America’s most endangered amphibians — the Wyoming toad.\n Watch this episode of <a href="https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/article/protecting-the-wild-in-california-mexico-and-more/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild, “Safe Passage for Whales” on NBC.com</a>, the NBC app or Peacock.\n """ "custom_fields" => array:30 [ "card_description" => array:1 [ …1] "custom_related_post_list" => array:1 [ …1] "customize_related_posts" => array:1 [ …1] "episode" => array:1 [ …1] "feature_post_indicator" => array:1 [ …1] "featured_image" => array:24 [ …24] "hero_description" => array:1 [ …1] "is_available" => true "listening_platform" => array:1 [ …1] "listening_platform_amazon" => array:1 [ …1] "listening_platform_apple" => array:1 [ …1] "listening_platform_audacy" => array:1 [ …1] "listening_platform_spotify" => array:1 [ …1] "listening_platform_youtube" => array:1 [ …1] "meta_keywords" => array:1 [ …1] "openGraphMetaDescription" => array:1 [ …1] "openGraphMetaImage" => array:1 [ …1] "openGraphMetaImageAlt" => array:1 [ …1] "openGraphMetaTitle" => array:1 [ …1] "openGraphMetaTwitterImage" => array:1 [ …1] "open_graph_meta_video_url" => array:1 [ …1] "podcast_summary" => array:1 [ …1] "podcast_url" => array:1 [ …1] "runtime" => array:1 [ …1] "season" => array:1 [ …1] "season_name" => "Season 2" "thumbnail_image" => array:24 [ …24] "transcript" => array:1 [ …1] "updated_date" => array:1 [ …1] "use_experimentation" => array:1 [ …1] ] "date" => "2025-03-11 08:37:41" "excerpt" => "With fewer than 360 North Atlantic right whales remaining in the wild, these incredible marine giants are critically endangered. In this episode, Orla O’Brien, scientist with the Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life at the New England Aquarium discusses this urgent wildlife crisis and the challenges facing this species. O’Brien explains why right whales are […]\n" "id" => 3942 "modified" => "2026-07-08 22:32:27" "screenreader_text" => null "seasonEpisodeShort" => "203" "slug" => "how-tech-can-save-right-whales" "status" => "publish" "tags" => array:1 [ 0 => array:5 [ …5] ] "title" => "How Tech Can Save Right Whales" "title_plain" => "How Tech Can Save Right Whales" "type" => "podcast" "updated_date" => "2025-03-11 00:00:00" "url" => "https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/podcast/how-tech-can-save-right-whales/" ] 14 => array:22 [ "attachments" => array:2 [ 0 => array:9 [ …9] 1 => array:9 [ …9] ] "author" => array:8 [ "description" => "" "first_name" => "" "id" => 4532 "last_name" => "" "name" => "req100870" "nickname" => "Katelyn" "slug" => "req100870" "url" => "" ] "categories" => [] "comment_count" => 0 "comment_status" => "closed" "comments" => [] "content" => """ Every year, boat strikes injure and kill tens of thousands of manatees. In this episode, Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant and Peter Gros explore the challenges these gentle mammals face in the wild and the ongoing efforts to protect them. Guest expert Dr. Claire Erlacher-Reid, senior staff veterinarian at SeaWorld Rescue, who specializes in marine mammal rehabilitation and rescue, discusses the threats manatees face, the critical work being done to help them and the wonderful experience of rehabilitating and releasing these magnificent animals back into the wild.\n Bonus track: Learn how a group of real-life mermaids are helping educate the public about the benefits of shark and ray conservation.\n Watch this episode of <a href="https://www.nbc.com/mutual-of-omahas-wild-kingdom-protecting-the-wild/video/gentle-giants/9000414725" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild, “Gentle Giants,” on NBC.com</a>, the NBC app or Peacock.\n """ "custom_fields" => array:30 [ "card_description" => array:1 [ …1] "custom_related_post_list" => array:1 [ …1] "customize_related_posts" => array:1 [ …1] "episode" => array:1 [ …1] "feature_post_indicator" => array:1 [ …1] "featured_image" => array:24 [ …24] "hero_description" => array:1 [ …1] "is_available" => true "listening_platform" => array:1 [ …1] "listening_platform_amazon" => array:1 [ …1] "listening_platform_apple" => array:1 [ …1] "listening_platform_audacy" => array:1 [ …1] "listening_platform_spotify" => array:1 [ …1] "listening_platform_youtube" => array:1 [ …1] "meta_keywords" => array:1 [ …1] "openGraphMetaDescription" => array:1 [ …1] "openGraphMetaImage" => array:1 [ …1] "openGraphMetaImageAlt" => array:1 [ …1] "openGraphMetaTitle" => array:1 [ …1] "openGraphMetaTwitterImage" => array:1 [ …1] "open_graph_meta_video_url" => array:1 [ …1] "podcast_summary" => array:1 [ …1] "podcast_url" => array:1 [ …1] "runtime" => array:1 [ …1] "season" => array:1 [ …1] "season_name" => "Season 2" "thumbnail_image" => array:24 [ …24] "transcript" => array:1 [ …1] "updated_date" => array:1 [ …1] "use_experimentation" => array:1 [ …1] ] "date" => "2025-03-04 08:00:21" "excerpt" => "Every year, boat strikes injure and kill tens of thousands of manatees. In this episode, Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant and Peter Gros explore the challenges these gentle mammals face in the wild and the ongoing efforts to protect them. Guest expert Dr. Claire Erlacher-Reid, senior staff veterinarian at SeaWorld Rescue, who specializes in marine mammal rehabilitation […]\n" "id" => 3912 "modified" => "2026-07-08 22:30:49" "screenreader_text" => null "seasonEpisodeShort" => "202" "slug" => "a-manatees-journey-from-rescue-to-release" "status" => "publish" "tags" => array:1 [ 0 => array:5 [ …5] ] "title" => "A Manatee’s Journey From Rescue to Release" "title_plain" => "A Manatee’s Journey From Rescue to Release" "type" => "podcast" "updated_date" => "2025-03-04 00:00:00" "url" => "https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/podcast/a-manatees-journey-from-rescue-to-release/" ] 15 => array:22 [ "attachments" => array:2 [ 0 => array:9 [ …9] 1 => array:9 [ …9] ] "author" => array:8 [ "description" => "" "first_name" => "" "id" => 4532 "last_name" => "" "name" => "req100870" "nickname" => "Katelyn" "slug" => "req100870" "url" => "" ] "categories" => [] "comment_count" => 0 "comment_status" => "closed" "comments" => [] "content" => """ <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/article/wild-kingdoms-storied-history-of-harpy-eagles" rel="noopener">The harpy eagle</a>, once feared in Panama for its massive size and powerful talons, has now soared to national hero status. Today, it’s celebrated as the country’s national bird. Wildlife expert Ron Magill chats about these incredible birds, how he helped bring the harpy eagle into the spotlight in Panama, and how original Wild Kingdom host Jim Fowler’s influence inspired him to become a zookeeper, shaping his lifelong dedication to wildlife conservation.\n Bonus track: Mary Ann Colley from Butterfly Pavilion talks about pollinators and the importance of invertebrate conservation. \n Watch this episode of <a href="https://www.nbc.com/mutual-of-omahas-wild-kingdom-protecting-the-wild" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild, “The Most Powerful Predator in the Sky,” on NBC.com</a>, the NBC app or Peacock.\n  \n """ "custom_fields" => array:30 [ "card_description" => array:1 [ …1] "custom_related_post_list" => array:1 [ …1] "customize_related_posts" => array:1 [ …1] "episode" => array:1 [ …1] "feature_post_indicator" => array:1 [ …1] "featured_image" => array:24 [ …24] "hero_description" => array:1 [ …1] "is_available" => true "listening_platform" => array:1 [ …1] "listening_platform_amazon" => array:1 [ …1] "listening_platform_apple" => array:1 [ …1] "listening_platform_audacy" => array:1 [ …1] "listening_platform_spotify" => array:1 [ …1] "listening_platform_youtube" => array:1 [ …1] "meta_keywords" => array:1 [ …1] "openGraphMetaDescription" => array:1 [ …1] "openGraphMetaImage" => array:1 [ …1] "openGraphMetaImageAlt" => array:1 [ …1] "openGraphMetaTitle" => array:1 [ …1] "openGraphMetaTwitterImage" => array:1 [ …1] "open_graph_meta_video_url" => array:1 [ …1] "podcast_summary" => array:1 [ …1] "podcast_url" => array:1 [ …1] "runtime" => array:1 [ …1] "season" => array:1 [ …1] "season_name" => "Season 2" "thumbnail_image" => array:24 [ …24] "transcript" => array:1 [ …1] "updated_date" => array:1 [ …1] "use_experimentation" => array:1 [ …1] ] "date" => "2025-02-25 09:40:54" "excerpt" => "The harpy eagle, once feared in Panama for its massive size and powerful talons, has now soared to national hero status. Today, it’s celebrated as the country’s national bird. Wildlife expert Ron Magill chats about these incredible birds, how he helped bring the harpy eagle into the spotlight in Panama, and how original Wild Kingdom […]\n" "id" => 3902 "modified" => "2026-07-08 22:50:23" "screenreader_text" => null "seasonEpisodeShort" => "201" "slug" => "how-the-harpy-eagle-united-a-nation" "status" => "publish" "tags" => array:1 [ 0 => array:5 [ …5] ] "title" => "How the Harpy Eagle United a Nation" "title_plain" => "How the Harpy Eagle United a Nation" "type" => "podcast" "updated_date" => "2025-02-25 00:00:00" "url" => "https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/podcast/how-the-harpy-eagle-united-a-nation/" ] 16 => array:22 [ "attachments" => array:1 [ 0 => array:9 [ …9] ] "author" => array:8 [ "description" => "" "first_name" => "" "id" => 4532 "last_name" => "" "name" => "req100870" "nickname" => "Katelyn" "slug" => "req100870" "url" => "" ] "categories" => [] "comment_count" => 0 "comment_status" => "closed" "comments" => [] "content" => """ Dr. Rae and Peter chat with Dan Bailey, a bear biologist and conservationist, about his vital work on black bear monitoring and den research. Learn about the major threats they face from human activities and illegal hunting and how we can coexist with these remarkable creatures\n Watch Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild on NBC’s The More You Know programming block and <a href="https://www.nbc.com/mutual-of-omahas-wild-kingdom-protecting-the-wild">NBC.com</a>.\n """ "custom_fields" => array:31 [ "card_description" => array:1 [ …1] "customize_related_posts" => array:1 [ …1] "description" => array:1 [ …1] "episode" => array:1 [ …1] "feature_post_indicator" => array:1 [ …1] "featured_image" => array:24 [ …24] "featured_image_url_small" => array:1 [ …1] "hero_description" => array:1 [ …1] "is_available" => true "listening_platform" => array:1 [ …1] "listening_platform_amazon" => array:1 [ …1] "listening_platform_apple" => array:1 [ …1] "listening_platform_audacy" => array:1 [ …1] "listening_platform_spotify" => array:1 [ …1] "listening_platform_youtube" => array:1 [ …1] "meta_keywords" => array:1 [ …1] "openGraphMetaDescription" => array:1 [ …1] "openGraphMetaImage" => array:1 [ …1] "openGraphMetaImageAlt" => array:1 [ …1] "openGraphMetaTitle" => array:1 [ …1] "openGraphMetaTwitterImage" => array:1 [ …1] "open_graph_meta_video_url" => array:1 [ …1] "podcast_summary" => array:1 [ …1] "podcast_url" => array:1 [ …1] "runtime" => array:1 [ …1] "season" => array:1 [ …1] "season_name" => "Season 1" "thumbnail_image" => array:24 [ …24] "transcript" => array:1 [ …1] "updated_date" => array:1 [ …1] "use_experimentation" => array:1 [ …1] ] "date" => "2024-10-01 07:13:01" "excerpt" => "Dr. Rae and Peter chat with Dan Bailey, a bear biologist and conservationist, about his vital work on black bear monitoring and den research. Learn about the major threats they face from human activities and illegal hunting and how we can coexist with these remarkable creatures Watch Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild […]\n" "id" => 3599 "modified" => "2026-07-08 22:26:27" "screenreader_text" => null "seasonEpisodeShort" => "112" "slug" => "our-black-bear-neighbors" "status" => "publish" "tags" => array:1 [ 0 => array:5 [ …5] ] "title" => "Our Black Bear Neighbors" "title_plain" => "Our Black Bear Neighbors" "type" => "podcast" "updated_date" => "2024-10-01 00:00:00" "url" => "https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/podcast/our-black-bear-neighbors/" ] 17 => array:22 [ "attachments" => array:2 [ 0 => array:9 [ …9] 1 => array:9 [ …9] ] "author" => array:8 [ "description" => "" "first_name" => "" "id" => 4532 "last_name" => "" "name" => "req100870" "nickname" => "Katelyn" "slug" => "req100870" "url" => "" ] "categories" => [] "comment_count" => 0 "comment_status" => "closed" "comments" => [] "content" => """ Over a hundred years ago, sea otters were hunted to near extinction for their fur. Peter and Dr. Rae chat with Megan Smylie, sea otter program manager at the Aquarium of the Pacific, about the incredible efforts to restore their population. Learn about the inspiring sea otter surrogacy program, where surrogate mothers Millie and Chloe nurture and train orphaned sea otter pups, teaching them essential survival skills before returning to the wild.\n See sea otters in action, including adorable sea otter pups, on the Season One episode of Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild, <a href="https://www.nbc.com/mutual-of-omahas-wild-kingdom-protecting-the-wild/video/secret-life-of-sea-otters/9000363901" target="_blank" rel="noopener">“Secret Life of Sea Otters.”</a>\n """ "custom_fields" => array:32 [ "card_description" => array:1 [ …1] "custom_related_post_list" => array:1 [ …1] "customize_related_posts" => array:1 [ …1] "description" => array:1 [ …1] "episode" => array:1 [ …1] "feature_post_indicator" => array:1 [ …1] "featured_image" => array:24 [ …24] "featured_image_url_small" => array:1 [ …1] "hero_description" => array:1 [ …1] "is_available" => true "listening_platform" => array:1 [ …1] "listening_platform_amazon" => array:1 [ …1] "listening_platform_apple" => array:1 [ …1] "listening_platform_audacy" => array:1 [ …1] "listening_platform_spotify" => array:1 [ …1] "listening_platform_youtube" => array:1 [ …1] "meta_keywords" => array:1 [ …1] "openGraphMetaDescription" => array:1 [ …1] "openGraphMetaImage" => array:1 [ …1] "openGraphMetaImageAlt" => array:1 [ …1] "openGraphMetaTitle" => array:1 [ …1] "openGraphMetaTwitterImage" => array:1 [ …1] "open_graph_meta_video_url" => array:1 [ …1] "podcast_summary" => array:1 [ …1] "podcast_url" => array:1 [ …1] "runtime" => array:1 [ …1] "season" => array:1 [ …1] "season_name" => "Season 1" "thumbnail_image" => array:24 [ …24] "transcript" => array:1 [ …1] "updated_date" => array:1 [ …1] "use_experimentation" => array:1 [ …1] ] "date" => "2024-09-24 07:47:32" "excerpt" => "Over a hundred years ago, sea otters were hunted to near extinction for their fur. Peter and Dr. Rae chat with Megan Smylie, sea otter program manager at the Aquarium of the Pacific, about the incredible efforts to restore their population. Learn about the inspiring sea otter surrogacy program, where surrogate mothers Millie and Chloe […]\n" "id" => 3585 "modified" => "2026-07-08 22:23:24" "screenreader_text" => null "seasonEpisodeShort" => "111" "slug" => "sea-otter-surrogates" "status" => "publish" "tags" => array:1 [ 0 => array:5 [ …5] ] "title" => "Sea Otter Surrogates" "title_plain" => "Sea Otter Surrogates" "type" => "podcast" "updated_date" => "2024-09-24 00:00:00" "url" => "https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/podcast/sea-otter-surrogates/" ] 18 => array:22 [ "attachments" => array:2 [ 0 => array:9 [ …9] 1 => array:9 [ …9] ] "author" => array:8 [ "description" => "" "first_name" => "" "id" => 4532 "last_name" => "" "name" => "req100870" "nickname" => "Katelyn" "slug" => "req100870" "url" => "" ] "categories" => [] "comment_count" => 0 "comment_status" => "closed" "comments" => [] "content" => """ <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/article/wolves-and-the-endangered-species-act">Wolves play a crucial role as keystone species,</a>, essential for maintaining the health and balance of ecosystems. In this episode, Peter and Dr. Rae chat with Regina Mossotti, Vice President of Animal Care at the Saint Louis Zoo, who discusses her deep commitment to wolf advocacy and dispels common myths about “big, bad wolves.”\n Watch the full episode of Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild <a href="https://www.nbc.com/mutual-of-omahas-wild-kingdom-protecting-the-wild/video/into-the-wolf-den/9000363899" target="_blank" rel="noopener">“Into the Wolf Den”</a>.\n """ "custom_fields" => array:32 [ "card_description" => array:1 [ …1] "custom_related_post_list" => array:1 [ …1] "customize_related_posts" => array:1 [ …1] "description" => array:1 [ …1] "episode" => array:1 [ …1] "feature_post_indicator" => array:1 [ …1] "featured_image" => array:24 [ …24] "featured_image_url_small" => array:1 [ …1] "hero_description" => array:1 [ …1] "is_available" => true "listening_platform" => array:1 [ …1] "listening_platform_amazon" => array:1 [ …1] "listening_platform_apple" => array:1 [ …1] "listening_platform_audacy" => array:1 [ …1] "listening_platform_spotify" => array:1 [ …1] "listening_platform_youtube" => array:1 [ …1] "meta_keywords" => array:1 [ …1] "openGraphMetaDescription" => array:1 [ …1] "openGraphMetaImage" => array:1 [ …1] "openGraphMetaImageAlt" => array:1 [ …1] "openGraphMetaTitle" => array:1 [ …1] "openGraphMetaTwitterImage" => array:1 [ …1] "open_graph_meta_video_url" => array:1 [ …1] "podcast_summary" => array:1 [ …1] "podcast_url" => array:1 [ …1] "runtime" => array:1 [ …1] "season" => array:1 [ …1] "season_name" => "Season 1" "thumbnail_image" => array:24 [ …24] "transcript" => array:1 [ …1] "updated_date" => array:1 [ …1] "use_experimentation" => array:1 [ …1] ] "date" => "2024-09-17 07:53:10" "excerpt" => "Wolves play a crucial role as keystone species,, essential for maintaining the health and balance of ecosystems. In this episode, Peter and Dr. Rae chat with Regina Mossotti, Vice President of Animal Care at the Saint Louis Zoo, who discusses her deep commitment to wolf advocacy and dispels common myths about “big, bad wolves.” Watch […]\n" "id" => 3532 "modified" => "2026-07-08 22:21:49" "screenreader_text" => null "seasonEpisodeShort" => "110" "slug" => "big-good-wolves" "status" => "publish" "tags" => array:1 [ 0 => array:5 [ …5] ] "title" => "Big Good Wolves" "title_plain" => "Big Good Wolves" "type" => "podcast" "updated_date" => "2024-09-17 00:00:00" "url" => "https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/podcast/big-good-wolves/" ] 19 => array:22 [ "attachments" => array:2 [ 0 => array:9 [ …9] 1 => array:9 [ …9] ] "author" => array:8 [ "description" => "" "first_name" => "" "id" => 4532 "last_name" => "" "name" => "req100870" "nickname" => "Katelyn" "slug" => "req100870" "url" => "" ] "categories" => [] "comment_count" => 0 "comment_status" => "closed" "comments" => [] "content" => """ Zoos play a crucial role in wildlife survival, acting as research hubs and connecting people to the wonders of nature. In this episode, Dr. Rae and Peter chat with Patty Ihrig-Bueckendorf, a Saint Louis Zoo hellbender keeper, about the vital role zookeepers play in animal rehabilitation and species preservation. Ihrig-Bueckendorf shares her work with hellbender salamander — a species that’s been on the endangered species list since 2003 — highlighting the efforts to save these unique creatures.\n Learn <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/video/hellbender-conservation-success">more about the hellbender from the Saint Louis Zoo</a>, plus watch the full episode of Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild <a href="https://www.nbc.com/mutual-of-omahas-wild-kingdom-protecting-the-wild/video/raising-hellbenders/9000363892" target="_blank" rel="noopener">“Raising Hellbenders”</a>.\n  \n """ "custom_fields" => array:31 [ "card_description" => array:1 [ …1] "customize_related_posts" => array:1 [ …1] "description" => array:1 [ …1] "episode" => array:1 [ …1] "feature_post_indicator" => array:1 [ …1] "featured_image" => array:24 [ …24] "featured_image_url_small" => array:1 [ …1] "hero_description" => array:1 [ …1] "is_available" => true "listening_platform" => array:1 [ …1] "listening_platform_amazon" => array:1 [ …1] "listening_platform_apple" => array:1 [ …1] "listening_platform_audacy" => array:1 [ …1] "listening_platform_spotify" => array:1 [ …1] "listening_platform_youtube" => array:1 [ …1] "meta_keywords" => array:1 [ …1] "openGraphMetaDescription" => array:1 [ …1] "openGraphMetaImage" => array:1 [ …1] "openGraphMetaImageAlt" => array:1 [ …1] "openGraphMetaTitle" => array:1 [ …1] "openGraphMetaTwitterImage" => array:1 [ …1] "open_graph_meta_video_url" => array:1 [ …1] "podcast_summary" => array:1 [ …1] "podcast_url" => array:1 [ …1] "runtime" => array:1 [ …1] "season" => array:1 [ …1] "season_name" => "Season 1" "thumbnail_image" => array:24 [ …24] "transcript" => array:1 [ …1] "updated_date" => array:1 [ …1] "use_experimentation" => array:1 [ …1] ] "date" => "2024-09-10 08:00:13" "excerpt" => "Zoos play a crucial role in wildlife survival, acting as research hubs and connecting people to the wonders of nature. In this episode, Dr. Rae and Peter chat with Patty Ihrig-Bueckendorf, a Saint Louis Zoo hellbender keeper, about the vital role zookeepers play in animal rehabilitation and species preservation. Ihrig-Bueckendorf shares her work with hellbender […]\n" "id" => 3517 "modified" => "2026-07-08 22:19:36" "screenreader_text" => null "seasonEpisodeShort" => "109" "slug" => "a-day-in-the-life-of-a-zookeeper" "status" => "publish" "tags" => array:1 [ 0 => array:5 [ …5] ] "title" => "A Day in the Life of a Zookeeper" "title_plain" => "A Day in the Life of a Zookeeper" "type" => "podcast" "updated_date" => "2024-09-10 00:00:00" "url" => "https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/podcast/a-day-in-the-life-of-a-zookeeper/" ] 2 => array:22 [ "attachments" => array:4 [ 0 => array:9 [ …9] 1 => array:9 [ …9] 2 => array:9 [ …9] 3 => array:9 [ …9] ] "author" => array:8 [ "description" => "" "first_name" => "Kristy" "id" => 1902 "last_name" => "Jaixen Krupa" "name" => "req76576" "nickname" => "Kristy" "slug" => "req76576" "url" => "" ] "categories" => [] "comment_count" => 0 "comment_status" => "closed" "comments" => [] "content" => """ Each spring, North America comes alive with a familiar and magical sound — the dawn chorus of songbirds returning home after journeys spanning thousands of miles. But behind that beauty lies a stark reality: nearly 3 billion birds have vanished since 1970. In this episode of Back From The Brink from Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom, Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant is joined by Kirstin Hill of Smithsonian Bird Friendly to explore a hopeful solution taking root in an unexpected place — coffee farms. Discover how shade-grown coffee is creating vital habitat, helping bird populations rebound and restoring one of nature’s most iconic soundtracks.\n <h2>Explore Bird Stories</h2>\n Discover more bird facts through Wild Kingdom videos and articles about North American songbirds, birds of prey and more.\n <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/article/your-guide-to-north-american-songbirds">Your Guide to North American Songbirds</a>\n <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/article/how-organizations-protect-north-american-songbirds">How Organizations Protect North American Songbirds</a>\n <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/article/10-tips-for-backyard-birding">10 Tips For Backyard Birding</a>\n <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/video/birds-of-a-feather">Birds of a Feather Episode</a>\n <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/article/birds-the-word-discover-birds-of-prey">Discover Birds of Prey</a>\n <h2>The Bird-Friendly Checklist Everyone Can Follow</h2>\n <div class="iframe-video"><iframe loading="lazy" title="The Bird-Friendly Checklist Everyone Can Follow" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XTZNYwmfocE?si" width="1263" height="710" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></div>\n <div class="Accordion Container">\n <div id="coffee-video-transcript" class="Accordion-panel">\n <div class="Accordion-panelHeader"><a class="Accordion-panelTrigger" href="#coffee-video-transcript" data-accordion-trigger=""> \n Show Transcript<img decoding="async" src="https://cdn.mutualofomaha.com/wildkingdom/v3/icons/explore/down_arrow_WK-reveal.svg" alt="arrow" /> \n </a></div>\n <div class="Accordion-panelBody">(lighthearted music) \n – Our Migratory Bird Center was founded in the 1990s, \n but the work for migratory bird conservation \n kind of started long before that. \n And in the 1980s, the person who then went on \n to kind of be the founder of the Migratory Bird Center, \n Dr. Russell Greenberg, he was noticing a decline \n in migratory songbird populations in North America. \n So if you think about, you know, 40 years ago, \n we’re in the ’80s and he’s noticing \n and trying to figure out sort of like, \n “Where are these birds going? \n I know they’re here in North America during part of the year \n and then they disappear and then sometimes they come back \n and sometimes they don’t.” \n And we’re starting to see fewer and fewer of these birds. \n So he kind of said, “All right, I’m going to try \n to figure out where it is that these birds are going.” \n He went down to Mexico to conduct a bit of research there \n and to try to see if he could find those same birds \n and figure out where it was that they were going \n when they left our areas in North America here. \n What he kind of found while he was down there \n was that there were lots and lots of birds \n in undisturbed forest. \n And he’s looking around, he’s trying to figure out, \n okay, what are the types of habitat that they’re utilizing? \n He was on one area of a valley and heard a lot of bird calls \n and things like that happening. \n And he looked over and it looked like an area \n that appeared to be sort of like an undisturbed forest. \n Went over to check it out, \n and what he realized is that it was a coffee farm. \n So there was coffee growing in the understory \n and then lots of native trees providing high shade \n for birds, really high-quality habitats \n and lots of this, you know, this area \n that effectively looked like a forest \n but was actually a coffee farm. \n And he said, “Hmm, this seems like this could be \n a really important habitat measure for migratory birds \n and providing a healthy over wintering habitat for them.” \n And so that kind of led to just this concept \n that coffee could be grown in a way that was friendly \n to birds and biodiversity. \n And that sort of went on to become \n the Smithsonian Bird Friendly certification program. \n – I mean, this is just such a serendipitous story, right? \n And I think probably the biggest shock to Dr. Greenberg \n was thinking he’s looking at what we’re saying, \n like pristine, untouched, you know, old growth forest, \n going in and actually seeing like, “Oh, this is a farm.” \n (chuckles) Who knew a farm could look like this? \n Because certainly in North America, we, \n at that time, didn’t have those examples. \n Many of us in the West are quite detached \n from the things we consume. \n Can you help me understand what does coffee look like? \n Like it’s apparently not a tree. (chuckles) \n How does coffee grow \n and how can that fit into a forest ecosystem? \n – So coffee is kind of like a shrub. \n When it’s ripe, it’s these nice, beautiful \n bright red cherries that kind of grow out \n on the coffee shrub itself. \n And the shrubs, they can get to be quite tall. \n And so they can grow in the understory. \n So coffee is a unique crop in that it is perfectly happy \n to grow under the shade of trees. \n And that’s actually how it was originally grown. \n And it was only actually up until the 1970s that coffee, \n most coffee was grown that way. \n And then around the ’70s, that’s when we saw the conversion \n of a lot of coffee farm from this agroforestry \n where there’s the agriculture kind of in the understory \n of the forest above to the removal of a lot of the trees \n and a lot of the, kind of the native plants \n and things like that that are in there \n to grow coffee in the sun instead. \n And there are a number of different reasons \n why that change kind of happened. \n There’s rising number of people who were drinking coffee \n and the governments are kind of saying, \n “Hey, we want to make sure that we can keep up \n with this demand.” \n And there was this idea that if you eliminated \n some of the shade trees, that you could, in theory, \n grow more coffee in that way, \n that the cherries would ripen faster \n and that that would be a higher yield \n for the producers there. \n There ended up being a big conversion of the way \n that coffee was grown from the agroforests, \n how it originally grew, into just this \n kind of clear cut monoculture where the coffee \n is just kind of baking in the sun \n and you’re just seeing rows and rows of crops \n and very little space for birds and biodiversity \n to coexist in that way. \n – So we have a scientist who traveled down with the team \n and discovered, okay, there is habitat fragmentation \n and habitat loss, but it looks like there’s also solutions \n at the same time. \n And then what stemmed from there? \n – What we ended up kind of seeing was, you know, \n when Dr. Greenberg came back and was trying to figure out, \n you know, what do we do with this information \n that we now have. \n So I now, you know, we have made this association \n that the agroforests can provide really high-quality habitat \n for birds and biodiversity. \n The question then became, how do we incentivize producers \n to grow their coffee in this way? \n So for those remaining folks that have kept \n this high-quality habitat on their land, \n how can we make it so that they feel \n there’s a reason for them to continue growing coffee \n in this way, how do we incentivize that? \n – And let me interrupt you here just for me to get a sense. \n Like tell me a little bit about the economics of this. \n Is it somehow like cheaper \n to do the monoculture where it’s just coffee? \n Is it somehow more expensive for landowners \n to continue with the polyculture? \n Like why would someone choose one over the other? \n – So for each individual farmer that can be a, \n or a landowner or producer, \n there’s different motivating factors, \n and it kind of boils down to how you want \n to sell your coffee. \n So there’s coffee that can be sold as specialty grade \n and that’s when we think about, \n you know, high quality, high-end specialty coffees \n versus your commodity coffee, which I kind of refer to \n as like your gas station coffee where it’s just like a mix \n of a bunch of beans and we’re not really sure \n where it’s coming from and maybe the qualities \n is a bit lower. \n So there’s a lot of different factors that can go into \n how a producer can sell their coffee \n and how much money they can get for it. \n So that was kind of what led to the creation \n of the Bird Friendly program was trying to find a way \n to provide this incentive for producers \n that they could get more money for their coffee. \n And Smithsonian will prove, we will vouch for them that, \n yes, this coffee is grown in a way \n that’s really good for birds. \n (uplifting music)</div>\n </div>\n </div>\n <h6></h6>\n From window decals to your morning coffee order, there are more ways to help migratory songbirds than you might think. In this episodette, Kirstin Hill walks through seven simple actions anyone can take — safer windows, keeping cats indoors, native plants, pesticide-free yards, less plastic, bird-friendly coffee and simply paying attention. Plus, she gives an update on how far the movement has come: over 110 coffee roasters and more than 4,000 producers now protect habitat worldwide. Watch the full episode for the complete story behind the movement. \n  \n <div class="iframe-portrait"><iframe loading="lazy" title="coffee-video-social" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gxpIYlGxbBI?si=H8kVlDWiggxzYqnx" width="488" height="867" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></div>\n  \n <h3>About Kirstin Hill</h3>\n Kirstin Hill has spent more than 15 years in wildlife conservation, teaching people why wild animals and their habitats are worth protecting. Today she’s the Smithsonian Institution’s Bird Friendly Program Manager, leading an innovative effort to preserve habitat and protect songbirds. Through forest-friendly farming practices, Bird Friendly farms grow coffee and cocoa in ways that keep their surrounding ecosystems healthy.\n """ "custom_fields" => array:31 [ "card_description" => array:1 [ …1] "current_airdate" => array:1 [ …1] "customize_related_posts" => array:1 [ …1] "episode" => array:1 [ …1] "feature_post_indicator" => array:1 [ …1] "featured_image" => array:24 [ …24] "formatted_current_airdate" => "August 13" "hero_description" => array:1 [ …1] "is_available" => true "listening_platform" => array:1 [ …1] "listening_platform_amazon" => array:1 [ …1] "listening_platform_apple" => array:1 [ …1] "listening_platform_audacy" => array:1 [ …1] "listening_platform_spotify" => array:1 [ …1] "listening_platform_youtube" => array:1 [ …1] "meta_keywords" => array:1 [ …1] "openGraphMetaDescription" => array:1 [ …1] "openGraphMetaImage" => array:1 [ …1] "openGraphMetaImageAlt" => array:1 [ …1] "openGraphMetaTitle" => array:1 [ …1] "openGraphMetaTwitterImage" => array:1 [ …1] "open_graph_meta_video_url" => array:1 [ …1] "podcast_summary" => array:1 [ …1] "podcast_url" => array:1 [ …1] "runtime" => array:1 [ …1] "season" => array:1 [ …1] "season_name" => "Season 3" "thumbnail_image" => array:24 [ …24] "transcript" => array:1 [ …1] "updated_date" => array:1 [ …1] "use_experimentation" => array:1 [ …1] ] "date" => "2025-07-01 13:28:59" "excerpt" => "Each spring, North America comes alive with a familiar and magical sound — the dawn chorus of songbirds returning home after journeys spanning thousands of miles. But behind that beauty lies a stark reality: nearly 3 billion birds have vanished since 1970. In this episode of Back From The Brink from Mutual of Omaha’s Wild […]\n" "id" => 4943 "modified" => "2026-08-10 17:54:12" "screenreader_text" => null "seasonEpisodeShort" => "302" "slug" => "how-coffee-is-bringing-songbrids-back" "status" => "publish" "tags" => array:6 [ 0 => array:5 [ …5] 1 => array:5 [ …5] 2 => array:5 [ …5] 3 => array:5 [ …5] 4 => array:5 [ …5] 5 => array:5 [ …5] ] "title" => "How Coffee Is Bringing Songbirds Back" "title_plain" => "How Coffee Is Bringing Songbirds Back" "type" => "podcast" "updated_date" => "2026-08-06 00:00:00" "url" => "https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/podcast/how-coffee-is-bringing-songbrids-back/" ] 20 => array:22 [ "attachments" => array:2 [ 0 => array:9 [ …9] 1 => array:9 [ …9] ] "author" => array:8 [ "description" => "" "first_name" => "" "id" => 4532 "last_name" => "" "name" => "req100870" "nickname" => "Katelyn" "slug" => "req100870" "url" => "" ] "categories" => [] "comment_count" => 0 "comment_status" => "closed" "comments" => [] "content" => """ For three months during nesting season, researchers relocate to Eastern Egg Rock Island to monitor and protect puffins. Peter and Dr. Rae sit down with Emma Lachance Linklater, a biologist who spent months living among the puffins on the remote island. Lachance Linklater shares her unforgettable experiences studying these precious seabirds and highlights the hard work and determination of field biologists committed to protecting and preserving wildlife.\n Watch the Protecting the Wild episode <a href="https://www.nbc.com/mutual-of-omahas-wild-kingdom-protecting-the-wild/video/puffin-island/9000363889" target="_blank" rel="noopener">“Puffin Island”</a>.\n Want to see where it all began? Marlin Perkins visited the same island in the classic Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom episode, <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/classic-episodes/return-of-the-puffin">“Return of the Puffin.”</a>\n """ "custom_fields" => array:31 [ "card_description" => array:1 [ …1] "customize_related_posts" => array:1 [ …1] "description" => array:1 [ …1] "episode" => array:1 [ …1] "feature_post_indicator" => array:1 [ …1] "featured_image" => array:24 [ …24] "featured_image_url_small" => array:1 [ …1] "hero_description" => array:1 [ …1] "is_available" => true "listening_platform" => array:1 [ …1] "listening_platform_amazon" => array:1 [ …1] "listening_platform_apple" => array:1 [ …1] "listening_platform_audacy" => array:1 [ …1] "listening_platform_spotify" => array:1 [ …1] "listening_platform_youtube" => array:1 [ …1] "meta_keywords" => array:1 [ …1] "openGraphMetaDescription" => array:1 [ …1] "openGraphMetaImage" => array:1 [ …1] "openGraphMetaImageAlt" => array:1 [ …1] "openGraphMetaTitle" => array:1 [ …1] "openGraphMetaTwitterImage" => array:1 [ …1] "open_graph_meta_video_url" => array:1 [ …1] "podcast_summary" => array:1 [ …1] "podcast_url" => array:1 [ …1] "runtime" => array:1 [ …1] "season" => array:1 [ …1] "season_name" => "Season 1" "thumbnail_image" => array:24 [ …24] "transcript" => array:1 [ …1] "updated_date" => array:1 [ …1] "use_experimentation" => array:1 [ …1] ] "date" => "2024-09-03 07:22:19" "excerpt" => "For three months during nesting season, researchers relocate to Eastern Egg Rock Island to monitor and protect puffins. Peter and Dr. Rae sit down with Emma Lachance Linklater, a biologist who spent months living among the puffins on the remote island. Lachance Linklater shares her unforgettable experiences studying these precious seabirds and highlights the hard […]\n" "id" => 3472 "modified" => "2026-07-08 22:17:49" "screenreader_text" => null "seasonEpisodeShort" => "108" "slug" => "the-fight-to-save-our-puffins" "status" => "publish" "tags" => array:1 [ 0 => array:5 [ …5] ] "title" => "The Fight to Save Our Puffins" "title_plain" => "The Fight to Save Our Puffins" "type" => "podcast" "updated_date" => "2024-09-03 00:00:00" "url" => "https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/podcast/the-fight-to-save-our-puffins/" ] 21 => array:22 [ "attachments" => array:2 [ 0 => array:9 [ …9] 1 => array:9 [ …9] ] "author" => array:8 [ "description" => "" "first_name" => "" "id" => 4532 "last_name" => "" "name" => "req100870" "nickname" => "Katelyn" "slug" => "req100870" "url" => "" ] "categories" => [] "comment_count" => 0 "comment_status" => "closed" "comments" => [] "content" => """ Dr. Rae and Peter explore the challenges beavers face from habitat loss and human conflict with wildlife biologist, Molly Alves. Learn about the Tulalip Beaver Project and their efforts in relocating beavers from nuisance areas to places where their natural building skills create thriving, biodiverse ecosystems. Discover the incredible impact of these industrious creatures and the efforts to protect them.\n Learn more about <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/article/beaver-conservation-in-the-pacific-northwest">beaver conservation in the Pacific Northwest</a>, plus hear from the <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/article/how-the-tulalip-and-yurok-tribes-protect-wildlife">Tulalip and Yurok Tribes on how they’re making a meaningful impact on protecting beavers and condors</a>.\n Watch the Protecting the Wild episode <a href="https://www.nbc.com/mutual-of-omahas-wild-kingdom-protecting-the-wild/video/eager-beavers/9000363894" target="_blank" rel="noopener">“Eager Beavers”</a>.\n """ "custom_fields" => array:31 [ "card_description" => array:1 [ …1] "customize_related_posts" => array:1 [ …1] "description" => array:1 [ …1] "episode" => array:1 [ …1] "feature_post_indicator" => array:1 [ …1] "featured_image" => array:24 [ …24] "featured_image_url_small" => array:1 [ …1] "hero_description" => array:1 [ …1] "is_available" => true "listening_platform" => array:1 [ …1] "listening_platform_amazon" => array:1 [ …1] "listening_platform_apple" => array:1 [ …1] "listening_platform_audacy" => array:1 [ …1] "listening_platform_spotify" => array:1 [ …1] "listening_platform_youtube" => array:1 [ …1] "meta_keywords" => array:1 [ …1] "openGraphMetaDescription" => array:1 [ …1] "openGraphMetaImage" => array:1 [ …1] "openGraphMetaImageAlt" => array:1 [ …1] "openGraphMetaTitle" => array:1 [ …1] "openGraphMetaTwitterImage" => array:1 [ …1] "open_graph_meta_video_url" => array:1 [ …1] "podcast_summary" => array:1 [ …1] "podcast_url" => array:1 [ …1] "runtime" => array:1 [ …1] "season" => array:1 [ …1] "season_name" => "Season 1" "thumbnail_image" => array:24 [ …24] "transcript" => array:1 [ …1] "updated_date" => array:1 [ …1] "use_experimentation" => array:1 [ …1] ] "date" => "2024-08-27 07:41:34" "excerpt" => "Dr. Rae and Peter explore the challenges beavers face from habitat loss and human conflict with wildlife biologist, Molly Alves. Learn about the Tulalip Beaver Project and their efforts in relocating beavers from nuisance areas to places where their natural building skills create thriving, biodiverse ecosystems. Discover the incredible impact of these industrious creatures and […]\n" "id" => 3454 "modified" => "2026-07-08 22:16:07" "screenreader_text" => null "seasonEpisodeShort" => "107" "slug" => "our-ecosystem-engineers" "status" => "publish" "tags" => array:1 [ 0 => array:5 [ …5] ] "title" => "Our Ecosystem Engineers" "title_plain" => "Our Ecosystem Engineers" "type" => "podcast" "updated_date" => "2024-08-27 00:00:00" "url" => "https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/podcast/our-ecosystem-engineers/" ] 22 => array:22 [ "attachments" => array:2 [ 0 => array:9 [ …9] 1 => array:9 [ …9] ] "author" => array:8 [ "description" => "" "first_name" => "" "id" => 4532 "last_name" => "" "name" => "req100870" "nickname" => "Katelyn" "slug" => "req100870" "url" => "" ] "categories" => [] "comment_count" => 0 "comment_status" => "closed" "comments" => [] "content" => """ Just over a decade ago, the native foxes of California’s Channel Islands were on the brink of extinction. In this episode, Peter and Dr. Rae are joined by Nadya Seal Faith, a conservation biologist from the Santa Barbara Zoo. They discuss her incredible work on the islands conserving these species and the pivotal role bald eagles played in restoring the ecosystem’s balance.\n Learn more about the Channel Island fox in <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/article/about-the-channel-island-fox">this informative (and cute) piece from our friends at the Santa Barbara Zoo</a>. Plus, did you know the Channel Island fox was <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/video/endangered-species-act">one of the first species to be listed as endangered since the Endangered Species Act</a> was signed into place?\n Watch the Protecting the Wild episode <a href="https://www.nbc.com/mutual-of-omahas-wild-kingdom-protecting-the-wild/video/the-lost-fox-of-the-channel-islands/9000363893" target="_blank" rel="noopener">“The Lost Fox of the Channel Islands”</a>.\n """ "custom_fields" => array:31 [ "card_description" => array:1 [ …1] "customize_related_posts" => array:1 [ …1] "description" => array:1 [ …1] "episode" => array:1 [ …1] "feature_post_indicator" => array:1 [ …1] "featured_image" => array:24 [ …24] "featured_image_url_small" => array:1 [ …1] "hero_description" => array:1 [ …1] "is_available" => true "listening_platform" => array:1 [ …1] "listening_platform_amazon" => array:1 [ …1] "listening_platform_apple" => array:1 [ …1] "listening_platform_audacy" => array:1 [ …1] "listening_platform_spotify" => array:1 [ …1] "listening_platform_youtube" => array:1 [ …1] "meta_keywords" => array:1 [ …1] "openGraphMetaDescription" => array:1 [ …1] "openGraphMetaImage" => array:1 [ …1] "openGraphMetaImageAlt" => array:1 [ …1] "openGraphMetaTitle" => array:1 [ …1] "openGraphMetaTwitterImage" => array:1 [ …1] "open_graph_meta_video_url" => array:1 [ …1] "podcast_summary" => array:1 [ …1] "podcast_url" => array:1 [ …1] "runtime" => array:1 [ …1] "season" => array:1 [ …1] "season_name" => "Season 1" "thumbnail_image" => array:24 [ …24] "transcript" => array:1 [ …1] "updated_date" => array:1 [ …1] "use_experimentation" => array:1 [ …1] ] "date" => "2024-08-20 08:44:08" "excerpt" => "Just over a decade ago, the native foxes of California’s Channel Islands were on the brink of extinction. In this episode, Peter and Dr. Rae are joined by Nadya Seal Faith, a conservation biologist from the Santa Barbara Zoo. They discuss her incredible work on the islands conserving these species and the pivotal role bald […]\n" "id" => 3436 "modified" => "2026-07-08 22:14:08" "screenreader_text" => null "seasonEpisodeShort" => "106" "slug" => "a-fox-success-story" "status" => "publish" "tags" => array:1 [ 0 => array:5 [ …5] ] "title" => "A Fox Success Story" "title_plain" => "A Fox Success Story" "type" => "podcast" "updated_date" => "2024-08-20 00:00:00" "url" => "https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/podcast/a-fox-success-story/" ] 23 => array:22 [ "attachments" => array:1 [ 0 => array:9 [ …9] ] "author" => array:8 [ "description" => "" "first_name" => "" "id" => 4532 "last_name" => "" "name" => "req100870" "nickname" => "Katelyn" "slug" => "req100870" "url" => "" ] "categories" => [] "comment_count" => 0 "comment_status" => "closed" "comments" => [] "content" => """ Across the United States, bats are under siege, facing numerous threats that endanger their populations. In this episode, Co-Hosts Dr. Rae and Peter are joined by Dr. Nate Fuller, a bat ecologist, to discuss the critical need to save these misunderstood creatures and what we can do to educate others about their importance to the environment.\n You can learn <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/article/experiencing-bat-conservation">more about bats from Bat Conservation International from this article</a>. Plus, learn about a <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/article/all-about-bats-with-mutual-of-omahas-wild-kingdom">bat’s role in nature and about some common misconceptions from Peter</a>.\n Watch the Protecting the Wild episode <a href="https://www.nbc.com/mutual-of-omahas-wild-kingdom-protecting-the-wild/video/the-bats-of-texas/9000363891" target="_blank" rel="noopener">“The Bats of Texas”</a>.\n """ "custom_fields" => array:31 [ "card_description" => array:1 [ …1] "customize_related_posts" => array:1 [ …1] "description" => array:1 [ …1] "episode" => array:1 [ …1] "feature_post_indicator" => array:1 [ …1] "featured_image" => array:24 [ …24] "featured_image_url_small" => array:1 [ …1] "hero_description" => array:1 [ …1] "is_available" => true "listening_platform" => array:1 [ …1] "listening_platform_amazon" => array:1 [ …1] "listening_platform_apple" => array:1 [ …1] "listening_platform_audacy" => array:1 [ …1] "listening_platform_spotify" => array:1 [ …1] "listening_platform_youtube" => array:1 [ …1] "meta_keywords" => array:1 [ …1] "openGraphMetaDescription" => array:1 [ …1] "openGraphMetaImage" => array:1 [ …1] "openGraphMetaImageAlt" => array:1 [ …1] "openGraphMetaTitle" => array:1 [ …1] "openGraphMetaTwitterImage" => array:1 [ …1] "open_graph_meta_video_url" => array:1 [ …1] "podcast_summary" => array:1 [ …1] "podcast_url" => array:1 [ …1] "runtime" => array:1 [ …1] "season" => array:1 [ …1] "season_name" => "Season 1" "thumbnail_image" => array:24 [ …24] "transcript" => array:1 [ …1] "updated_date" => array:1 [ …1] "use_experimentation" => array:1 [ …1] ] "date" => "2024-08-13 08:00:34" "excerpt" => "Across the United States, bats are under siege, facing numerous threats that endanger their populations. In this episode, Co-Hosts Dr. Rae and Peter are joined by Dr. Nate Fuller, a bat ecologist, to discuss the critical need to save these misunderstood creatures and what we can do to educate others about their importance to the […]\n" "id" => 3408 "modified" => "2026-07-08 22:11:23" "screenreader_text" => null "seasonEpisodeShort" => "105" "slug" => "bats" "status" => "publish" "tags" => array:1 [ 0 => array:5 [ …5] ] "title" => "Bats!" "title_plain" => "Bats!" "type" => "podcast" "updated_date" => "2024-08-13 00:00:00" "url" => "https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/podcast/bats/" ] 24 => array:22 [ "attachments" => array:3 [ 0 => array:9 [ …9] 1 => array:9 [ …9] 2 => array:9 [ …9] ] "author" => array:8 [ "description" => "" "first_name" => "" "id" => 4532 "last_name" => "" "name" => "req100870" "nickname" => "Katelyn" "slug" => "req100870" "url" => "" ] "categories" => [] "comment_count" => 0 "comment_status" => "closed" "comments" => [] "content" => """ Over the past 50 years, climate change, poor water quality and overfishing have devastated up to 60% of our kelp forest. Join Co-Hosts Peter and Dr. Rae as they uncover the vital importance of kelp forests with special guest Dr. Jennifer Adler, a renowned conservation photographer and underwater photojournalist. She shares her incredible experiences capturing the beauty and mystery of deep-water ecosystems and underwater sea caves.\n Watch the <a href="https://www.nbc.com/mutual-of-omahas-wild-kingdom-protecting-the-wild/video/the-forest-beneath-the-sea/9000363896" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Protecting the Wild episode that features kelp and Dr. Jennifer Adler, “The Forest Beneath the Sea”.</a>\n Plus, did you know sea otters are critical in helping save the sea kelp population? <a href="https://www.nbc.com/mutual-of-omahas-wild-kingdom-protecting-the-wild/video/secret-life-of-sea-otters/9000363901" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Learn more about sea otters on another episode.</a>\n """ "custom_fields" => array:31 [ "card_description" => array:1 [ …1] "customize_related_posts" => array:1 [ …1] "description" => array:1 [ …1] "episode" => array:1 [ …1] "feature_post_indicator" => array:1 [ …1] "featured_image" => array:24 [ …24] "featured_image_url_small" => array:1 [ …1] "hero_description" => array:1 [ …1] "is_available" => true "listening_platform" => array:1 [ …1] "listening_platform_amazon" => array:1 [ …1] "listening_platform_apple" => array:1 [ …1] "listening_platform_audacy" => array:1 [ …1] "listening_platform_spotify" => array:1 [ …1] "listening_platform_youtube" => array:1 [ …1] "meta_keywords" => array:1 [ …1] "openGraphMetaDescription" => array:1 [ …1] "openGraphMetaImage" => array:1 [ …1] "openGraphMetaImageAlt" => array:1 [ …1] "openGraphMetaTitle" => array:1 [ …1] "openGraphMetaTwitterImage" => array:1 [ …1] "open_graph_meta_video_url" => array:1 [ …1] …9 ] "date" => "2024-08-06 07:50:46" "excerpt" => "Over the past 50 years, climate change, poor water quality and overfishing have devastated up to 60% of our kelp forest. Join Co-Hosts Peter and Dr. Rae as they uncover the vital importance of kelp forests with special guest Dr. Jennifer Adler, a renowned conservation photographer and underwater photojournalist. She shares her incredible experiences capturing […]\n" "id" => 3391 "modified" => "2026-07-08 22:08:44" "screenreader_text" => null "seasonEpisodeShort" => "104" "slug" => "kelp-forest-photoshoot" "status" => "publish" "tags" => array:1 [ …1] "title" => "Kelp Forest Photoshoot" "title_plain" => "Kelp Forest Photoshoot" "type" => "podcast" "updated_date" => "2024-08-06 00:00:00" "url" => "https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/podcast/kelp-forest-photoshoot/" ] 25 => array:22 [ "attachments" => array:3 [ …3] "author" => array:8 [ …8] "categories" => [] "comment_count" => 0 "comment_status" => "closed" "comments" => [] "content" => """ In this episode, we go on a journey through time and conservation with Peter and Dr. Rae as they talk with Jeff Ewelt, executive director of ZooMontana, about the remarkable resurgence of the black-footed ferret, believed extinct until 1981. They discuss special moments on the show like meeting the ferret clone Elizabeth Ann and releasing endangered ferrets into the wild at Hogg Ranch.\n <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/article/return-of-the-black-footed-ferret">Read more about conservation efforts for the black-footed ferret here</a>. Plus, do you know the <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/video/celebrating-national-ferret-day">differences between a black-footed ferret and a domestic ferret</a>?\n You can see Peter, Dr. Rae and Jeff in action with black-footed ferrets and the people working to save them on Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild<a href="https://www.nbc.com/mutual-of-omahas-wild-kingdom-protecting-the-wild/video/conservation-comeback/9000363908" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> “Conservation Comeback” .</a>\n """ "custom_fields" => array:31 [ …31] "date" => "2024-07-30 07:30:59" "excerpt" => "In this episode, we go on a journey through time and conservation with Peter and Dr. Rae as they talk with Jeff Ewelt, executive director of ZooMontana, about the remarkable resurgence of the black-footed ferret, believed extinct until 1981. They discuss special moments on the show like meeting the ferret clone Elizabeth Ann and releasing […]\n" "id" => 3364 "modified" => "2026-07-08 22:52:46" "screenreader_text" => null "seasonEpisodeShort" => "103" "slug" => "clones" "status" => "publish" "tags" => array:1 [ …1] "title" => "Clones" "title_plain" => "Clones" "type" => "podcast" "updated_date" => "2024-07-30 00:00:00" "url" => "https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/podcast/clones/" ] 26 => array:22 [ "attachments" => array:3 [ …3] "author" => array:8 [ …8] "categories" => [] "comment_count" => 0 "comment_status" => "closed" "comments" => [] "content" => """ Have you heard the remarkable story of the mountain lion that roamed the Hollywood hills? In this episode, Peter and Dr. Rae sit down with Beth Pratt, wildlife advocate and author to discuss the enduring legacy of P-22, the iconic mountain lion who called Griffith Park in Los Angeles home. Together, they’ll touch on the pressing issue of habitat loss — one of the greatest threats to wildlife — and explore innovative solutions for coexisting with wildlife in our urban landscapes.\n <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/article/what-p-22-taught-us-about-urban-wildlife">Learn more about P-22 and what he taught us in this article.</a>\n Beth and P-22 were featured on an episode of Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild<a href="https://www.nbc.com/mutual-of-omahas-wild-kingdom-protecting-the-wild/video/urban-wildlife/9000363902" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> “Urban Wildlife”</a>.\n """ "custom_fields" => array:31 [ …31] "date" => "2024-07-23 08:05:04" "excerpt" => "Have you heard the remarkable story of the mountain lion that roamed the Hollywood hills? In this episode, Peter and Dr. Rae sit down with Beth Pratt, wildlife advocate and author to discuss the enduring legacy of P-22, the iconic mountain lion who called Griffith Park in Los Angeles home. Together, they’ll touch on the […]\n" "id" => 3339 "modified" => "2026-07-08 19:59:01" "screenreader_text" => null "seasonEpisodeShort" => "102" "slug" => "the-most-famous-cougar-in-the-world" "status" => "publish" "tags" => array:1 [ …1] "title" => "The Most Famous Cougar in the World" "title_plain" => "The Most Famous Cougar in the World" "type" => "podcast" "updated_date" => "2024-07-23 00:00:00" "url" => "https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/podcast/the-most-famous-cougar-in-the-world/" ] 27 => array:22 [ "attachments" => array:2 [ …2] "author" => array:8 [ …8] "categories" => [] "comment_count" => 0 "comment_status" => "closed" "comments" => [] "content" => """ Dive into the depths of Southern California’s waters with Peter and Dr. Rae as they chat with Carlos Gauna, an expert drone operator and shark photographer, where he discusses how his videos can impact our understanding of misrepresented animals like sharks. Carlos recounts thrilling tales from his time on the show — including a heart-pounding moment when the hope of spotting a shark seemed completely lost.\n Interested in more on sharks? <a href="https://www.nbc.com/mutual-of-omahas-wild-kingdom-protecting-the-wild/video/mysteries-of-the-great-white/9000363906" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Watch the Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild episode, “Mysteries of the Great White”.</a>\n """ "custom_fields" => array:31 [ …31] "date" => "2024-07-16 07:31:58" "excerpt" => "Dive into the depths of Southern California’s waters with Peter and Dr. Rae as they chat with Carlos Gauna, an expert drone operator and shark photographer, where he discusses how his videos can impact our understanding of misrepresented animals like sharks. Carlos recounts thrilling tales from his time on the show — including a heart-pounding […]\n" "id" => 3331 "modified" => "2026-07-08 19:56:18" "screenreader_text" => null "seasonEpisodeShort" => "101" "slug" => "sharks" "status" => "publish" "tags" => array:1 [ …1] "title" => "Sharks!" "title_plain" => "Sharks!" "type" => "podcast" "updated_date" => "2024-07-16 00:00:00" "url" => "https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/podcast/sharks/" ] 3 => array:22 [ "attachments" => array:3 [ …3] "author" => array:8 [ …8] "categories" => [] "comment_count" => 0 "comment_status" => "closed" "comments" => [] "content" => """ In the 1970s, the green sea turtle was vanishing. Poaching, egg harvesting and habitat loss had crashed global numbers by 67%, landing one of the ocean’s most treasured wild animals on the endangered species list. Extinction had become a genuine possibility. \n In the first episode of Back From the Brink, Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant sits down with wildlife biologist and TV host Jeff Corwin to unpack green sea turtle’s incredible comeback. After over 30 years of working with sea turtles around the world, Jeff has watched a critically endangered species he once feared we’d lose become, against all odds, an environmental conservation success. It’s a surprising story — told by one of television’s most passionate conservationists. \n <h3>Explore Sea Turtle Stories </h3>\n Discover more sea turtle facts through Wild Kingdom videos and articles about turtle conservation, rescue and rehabilitation. \n <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/article/sea-turtle-stranding-brings-organizations-together-for-rescue">Sea Turtle Stranding Brings Organizations Together for Rescue</a> \n <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/article/manatee-and-sea-turtle-conservation">Manatee and Sea Turtle Conservation</a> \n <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/video/reef-revival">Reef Revival Episode</a> \n <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/video/celebrating-world-sea-turtle-day">Celebrating World Sea Turtle Day</a> \n <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/article/why-do-some-species-migrate">Why Do Some Species Migrate?</a> \n <h3>The Green Sea Turtle’s Hidden Life Cycle</h3>\n <div class="iframe-video"><iframe loading="lazy" title="The Green Sea Turtles's Hidden Life Cycle" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0zRghzwDh0w" width="1263" height="710" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></div>\n <div class="Accordion Container">\n <div id="turtle-video-transcript" class="Accordion-panel">\n <div class="Accordion-panelHeader"><a class="Accordion-panelTrigger" href="#turtle-video-transcript" data-accordion-trigger=""> \n Show Transcript<img decoding="async" src="https://cdn.mutualofomaha.com/wildkingdom/v3/icons/explore/down_arrow_WK-reveal.svg" alt="arrow" /> \n </a></div>\n <div class="Accordion-panelBody">\n [Rae] Walk me through that life cycle from where it’s born.\n [Jeff] Yeah, so when the sea turtle, when the mom, she comes out and she excavates that nest out to deposit her eggs and she may during that season, she’ll do multiple nests. She’ll do like a decoy nest to do kind of sloppy that kind of fool the animals.\n Oh, clever.\n The idea is you do multiple nests so your entire clutch isn’t lost. And then, you know, she’s laying between 30 and 70 eggs.\n [Rae] Okay.\n Little bigger than a ping pong ball. And then she goes back to sea. When she comes out to nest, she is nesting on the very beach where she was born.\n Amazing.\n Where her life began. And she is the only time a sea turtle, for the most part, with few places like Hawaii will have this phenomenon of sea turtles that actually will sleep in the beach, most sea turtles become plagic. A sea turtle born that hatches out on Florida may find its way, we’ve tracked them to the coast of Africa.\n [Rae] Oh my gosh.\n [Jeff] Sea turtles from Africa have shown up beating in the horn of Cape Cod, Massachusetts.\n [Interviewer] Incredible.\n So they are incredibly adaptive of using the ocean’s currents to go from A to B or go from the new world to the old world.\n And we can find them in all of the oceans essentially, right?\n We even have some sea turtles that go into the Arctic.\n What?\n Think of sea turtles as being cold blooded and not being warm blooded, being endothermic, but they are the only turtle that is megathermic because they are so big they are like their own, they’re a closed loop energy system. So the nest is laid there and she will go back to sea and only the females will come out. Males will spend their whole lives in the ocean.\n At sea, isn’t that something?\n And when they hatch out, you know, if they’re lucky enough, if they’re that one in 10,000 that survive the flood, that survive that high tide, that survive the coyotes of the raccoons, that survive the ghost crabs and all the fish that will eat them, then they’ll come back 20 years later. It will take two decades for that mom to come to the beach, excavate that nest out and bring that next generation in. So that’s kind of how the cycle works.\n The recovery of the green sea turtle didn’t happen by accident, it happened because people decided it would. But the threats that nearly wiped them out haven’t disappeared and some new ones have arrived.\n So green sea turtles were listed on the endangered species list. And that made a big difference at least in the US and in North America in their protection. And you know, and I think it also made a difference worldwide.\n It did because they were protected internationally. The IUCN and other groups and there was a tremendous-. There’s still places where people eat green turtles and other sea turtles. The green turtle is the one that’s actually eaten the most. People don’t eat leatherbacks.\n And they’re eating this green meat.\n Yeah.\n I can’t get over that.\n That’s what they say is, I’ve been to places where I’ve seen it being cooked in the streets of Indonesia and other places. But that was the most hunted sea turtle. They would hunt them for their eggs. And sometimes they would just literally get them all on board, cut them open, remove the eggs. And you look at those old National Geographic photos and you don’t really see that anymore. But they still face future challenges. One is a warming world.\n Yeah.\n And how do we combat that? And the other are plastics.\n Okay, talk to me about plastics in the ocean.\n Yeah, we dump 10 billion pounds of plastics every year into our oceans. And you can see that as blue as a beautiful bluebird morning in New England. I’ve been to the Trash Pacific Gyre and I’ve seen that and where you see something that looks like an island that is hundreds of miles in size of this gyro of trash that has all come together. And there are places where beautiful, Bali for example, you go there and they have to every day, because people have spent all this money to be a tourist in beautiful Bali, they have to come in with excavators and front end loaders every morning just to clean the trash off the beach. And that is a preventable thing. It is something we could mitigate. So that’s the good news. If we decided, we could eliminate almost all of the plastic trash that goes into our oceans, there’s a way we could manage that. But it’s been documented that one like big landscape plastic bag, you know, those plastic bags that’s really tough, can kill five individual sea turtles\n [Rae] Just one.\n Before it’s broken up enough into little pieces that it could pass through. And I have been to so many sea turtle hospitals where that is it. So you have them eating plastics, and then off Florida boat strikes, big problem. And then they have diseases that may be the result of climate change, may be the result of pollution. It’s a papilloma type virus where they get these tumors and they’ll often get them in and they’ll remove the tumors and stuff. So they have challenges. But overall, I don’t like to look at things as good news or success, I would say it’s a promising story.\n Okay.\n It’s a hopeful story. We are at a place of uncertainty and hope with green sea turtles and all the other sea turtles that we have out there. But I would argue we are there where we have this out of sight, out of mind, oh, we fixed it.\n Sure.\n We live in a world now where, whether you like it or not, in the last century, humankind has consumed 70 to 80% of all our planet’s nature. We, whether we like it or not, have been given this responsibility to be our planet stewards. And that is something that will always require vigilancy. (soft music)\n </div>\n </div>\n </div>\n A sea turtle hatchling has a one-in-10,000 shot at survival. And if it beats those odds, it won’t return to nest for another two decades. In this episodette, Jeff Corwin walks Dr. Rae through the green sea turtle’s remarkable life cycle, from decoy nests to transoceanic migration. Then he turns to the threats still facing the species today: 10 billion pounds of plastic dumped into the ocean every year, boat strikes, disease and a planet where humankind has consumed 70%–80% of nature in the last century. It’s not a fixed problem — it’s an ongoing one. \n <div class="iframe-portrait"><iframe loading="lazy" title="turtle-video-social" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4EGtKCuOJrc" width="488" height="867" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></div>\n <h4>About Jeff Corwin </h4>\n Jeff Corwin is a wildlife biologist, conservationist and an Emmy Award–winning producer and host of more than a dozen television series that have been broadcast in more than 100 countries. His shows are featured on networks including Discovery, Animal Planet, Disney, the Food Network, NBC, CNN and Travel Channel. Corwin holds Bachelor of Science degrees in biology and anthropology from Bridgewater State College and a Master of Science degree in wildlife and fisheries conservation from the University of Massachusetts. He’s the founder of the EcoZone, an interactive museum in Norwell, Massachusetts. When not in the field, Corwin resides with his wife and two daughters on a small island off the southeastern coast of Massachusetts. \n """ "custom_fields" => array:31 [ …31] "date" => "2026-07-08 21:11:49" "excerpt" => "In the 1970s, the green sea turtle was vanishing. Poaching, egg harvesting and habitat loss had crashed global numbers by 67%, landing one of the ocean’s most treasured wild animals on the endangered species list. Extinction had become a genuine possibility. In the first episode of Back From the Brink, Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant sits down with wildlife biologist and TV host Jeff Corwin […]\n" "id" => 4912 "modified" => "2026-08-20 12:08:04" "screenreader_text" => null "seasonEpisodeShort" => "301" "slug" => "the-green-sea-turtles-impossible-comeback" "status" => "publish" "tags" => array:6 [ …6] "title" => "The Green Sea Turtle’s Impossible Comeback" "title_plain" => "The Green Sea Turtle’s Impossible Comeback" "type" => "podcast" "updated_date" => "2026-07-23 00:00:00" "url" => "https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/podcast/the-green-sea-turtles-impossible-comeback/" ] 4 => array:22 [ "attachments" => array:26 [ …26] "author" => array:8 [ …8] "categories" => [] "comment_count" => 0 "comment_status" => "closed" "comments" => [] "content" => """ Conversations of squeaks, whistles and buzzes are an important way that beluga whales communicate in the dark depths of the ocean. In this episode, Dr. Kristin Westdal of Oceans North chats about her groundbreaking research of beluga behaviors and how noise pollution in the water can impact these beautiful mammals. She shares some unforgettable moments of up-close encounters with belugas while kayaking in the frigid waters near Churchill, Manitoba.\n Bonus track: Sunny Nelson from Lincoln Park Zoo shares her journey researching the beautiful, and nearly extinct, Bali Myna, a rare bird found only in Bali, Indonesia.\n Watch <a href="https://www.nbc.com/mutual-of-omahas-wild-kingdom-protecting-the-wild/video/canaries-of-the-sea/9000414730" target="_blank" rel="noopener">“Canaries of the Sea” on NBC.com</a>.\n """ "custom_fields" => array:29 [ …29] "date" => "2025-05-13 10:55:28" "excerpt" => "Conversations of squeaks, whistles and buzzes are an important way that beluga whales communicate in the dark depths of the ocean. In this episode, Dr. Kristin Westdal of Oceans North chats about her groundbreaking research of beluga behaviors and how noise pollution in the water can impact these beautiful mammals. She shares some unforgettable moments […]\n" "id" => 4142 "modified" => "2026-07-08 22:47:57" "screenreader_text" => null "seasonEpisodeShort" => "212" "slug" => "the-sounds-of-beluga-whales" "status" => "publish" "tags" => array:1 [ …1] "title" => "The Sounds of Beluga Whales" "title_plain" => "The Sounds of Beluga Whales" "type" => "podcast" "updated_date" => "2025-05-13 00:00:00" "url" => "https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/podcast/the-sounds-of-beluga-whales/" ] 5 => array:22 [ "attachments" => array:2 [ …2] "author" => array:8 [ …8] "categories" => [] "comment_count" => 0 "comment_status" => "closed" "comments" => [] "content" => """ As climate change rapidly melts Arctic sea ice, polar bears could face near extinction by the end of the century. But thanks to the work of dedicated conservationists, there’s hope. In this episode, Nikki Smith, curator at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, shares her mission to help save polar bears in the wild and secure the future of this incredible species. She discusses the many challenges they face, from rising temperatures disrupting their breeding and growth to surviving in extreme freezing conditions and how the zoo’s breeding program is essential for the survival of this species.\n Bonus track: Jennica King at Sedgwick County Zoo shares how the zoo’s efforts gave two orphaned bears a second chance — not just to survive, but to thrive.\n <a href="https://www.nbc.com/mutual-of-omahas-wild-kingdom-protecting-the-wild/video/on-thin-ice/9000414720" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Watch “On Thin Ice” on NBC.com</a>.\n """ "custom_fields" => array:30 [ …30] "date" => "2025-05-06 09:32:46" "excerpt" => "As climate change rapidly melts Arctic sea ice, polar bears could face near extinction by the end of the century. But thanks to the work of dedicated conservationists, there’s hope. In this episode, Nikki Smith, curator at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, shares her mission to help save polar bears in the wild and secure […]\n" "id" => 4113 "modified" => "2026-07-08 22:46:46" "screenreader_text" => null "seasonEpisodeShort" => "211" "slug" => "the-incredible-resilience-of-polar-bears" "status" => "publish" "tags" => array:1 [ …1] "title" => "The Incredible Resilience of Polar Bears" "title_plain" => "The Incredible Resilience of Polar Bears" "type" => "podcast" "updated_date" => "2025-05-06 00:00:00" "url" => "https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/podcast/the-incredible-resilience-of-polar-bears/" ] 6 => array:22 [ "attachments" => array:2 [ …2] "author" => array:8 [ …8] "categories" => [] "comment_count" => 0 "comment_status" => "closed" "comments" => [] "content" => """ Bison may no longer be on the brink of extinction, but their journey is far from over. With dwindling genetic diversity and the absence of natural selection, these prairie ecosystem engineers are not as wild as they once were. In this episode, Dr. Daniel Kinka, director of rewilding at American Prairie, shares the story of bison — from their near extinction due to westward expansion to their return to the plains. We also learn why bison rewilding is essential to restoring biodiversity and ensuring the prairie thrives for generations to come.\n Bonus track: Jen Osburn Eliot at Oregon Zoo shares how it’s helping Northwestern pond turtles grow strong in a program that raises and releases them back into the wild.\n Watch <a href="https://www.nbc.com/mutual-of-omahas-wild-kingdom-protecting-the-wild/video/rewilding-the-american-prairie/9000414728" target="_blank" rel="noopener">“Rewilding the American Prairie” on NBC.com</a>.\n """ "custom_fields" => array:30 [ …30] "date" => "2025-04-29 16:36:14" "excerpt" => "Bison may no longer be on the brink of extinction, but their journey is far from over. With dwindling genetic diversity and the absence of natural selection, these prairie ecosystem engineers are not as wild as they once were. In this episode, Dr. Daniel Kinka, director of rewilding at American Prairie, shares the story of […]\n" "id" => 4098 "modified" => "2026-07-08 22:44:32" "screenreader_text" => null "seasonEpisodeShort" => "210" "slug" => "restoring-the-bison-reviving-the-prairie" "status" => "publish" "tags" => array:1 [ …1] "title" => "Restoring the Bison, Reviving the Prairie" "title_plain" => "Restoring the Bison, Reviving the Prairie" "type" => "podcast" "updated_date" => "2025-04-29 00:00:00" "url" => "https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/podcast/restoring-the-bison-reviving-the-prairie/" ] 7 => array:22 [ "attachments" => array:2 [ …2] "author" => array:8 [ …8] "categories" => [] "comment_count" => 0 "comment_status" => "closed" "comments" => [] "content" => """ The Bahamas stands as the only nation in the world to establish a shark sanctuary encompassing its entire marine environment. In this episode, we speak with Bahamian biologist and passionate shark advocate, Candace Fields, on why sharks are the true guardians of our oceans, highlighting their essential role in maintaining the vibrant underwater landscapes of coral reefs. She discusses how we can change the common misconceptions about sharks in the media, helping people learn to admire, not fear, these ocean superheroes.\n Bonus track: Dr. Rory Telemeco of the Fresno Chaffee Zoo shares how collaborative conservation efforts are restoring the Blunt-nosed leopard lizard to the landscape to preserve this nearly extinct species.\n Watch <a href="https://www.nbc.com/mutual-of-omahas-wild-kingdom-protecting-the-wild/video/a-world-without-sharks/9000414722" target="_blank" rel="noopener">“A World Without Sharks”</a> on NBC.com.\n """ "custom_fields" => array:30 [ …30] "date" => "2025-04-22 09:00:05" "excerpt" => "The Bahamas stands as the only nation in the world to establish a shark sanctuary encompassing its entire marine environment. In this episode, we speak with Bahamian biologist and passionate shark advocate, Candace Fields, on why sharks are the true guardians of our oceans, highlighting their essential role in maintaining the vibrant underwater landscapes of […]\n" "id" => 4072 "modified" => "2026-07-08 22:41:27" "screenreader_text" => null "seasonEpisodeShort" => "209" "slug" => "sharks-guardians-of-our-oceans" "status" => "publish" "tags" => array:1 [ …1] "title" => "Sharks: Guardians of Our Oceans" "title_plain" => "Sharks: Guardians of Our Oceans" "type" => "podcast" "updated_date" => "2025-04-22 00:00:00" "url" => "https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/podcast/sharks-guardians-of-our-oceans/" ] 8 => array:22 [ "attachments" => array:2 [ …2] "author" => array:8 [ …8] "categories" => [] "comment_count" => 0 "comment_status" => "closed" "comments" => [] "content" => """ For seven years, North American zoos saw no coati births, leaving their population shrouded in uncertainty. But at Brevard Zoo in Florida, a groundbreaking milestone changed everything — welcoming the first coati litter in nearly a decade. Lauren Hinson, director of animal programs and coati studbook keeper, takes us behind the scenes of this incredible journey. From the challenges of understanding this species to the joy of seeing new life thrive, she reveals what it took to make this conservation success story a reality, and why it matters now more than ever.\n Bonus track: Lisa Faust of Chicago’s Lincoln Park Zoo introduces us to the critically endangered Puerto Rican parrot, a remarkable bird that is on the brink of a comeback!\n <a href="https://www.nbc.com/mutual-of-omahas-wild-kingdom-protecting-the-wild/video/coati-comeback/9000414711" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Watch “Coati Comeback” on NBC.com</a>.\n """ "custom_fields" => array:30 [ …30] "date" => "2025-04-15 09:00:33" "excerpt" => "For seven years, North American zoos saw no coati births, leaving their population shrouded in uncertainty. But at Brevard Zoo in Florida, a groundbreaking milestone changed everything — welcoming the first coati litter in nearly a decade. Lauren Hinson, director of animal programs and coati studbook keeper, takes us behind the scenes of this incredible […]\n" "id" => 4056 "modified" => "2026-07-08 22:39:17" "screenreader_text" => null "seasonEpisodeShort" => "208" "slug" => "the-coati-comeback-brevard-zoos-breeding-success" "status" => "publish" "tags" => array:1 [ …1] "title" => "The Coati Comeback: Brevard Zoo’s Breeding Success" "title_plain" => "The Coati Comeback: Brevard Zoo’s Breeding Success" "type" => "podcast" "updated_date" => "2025-04-15 00:00:00" "url" => "https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/podcast/the-coati-comeback-brevard-zoos-breeding-success/" ] 9 => array:22 [ "attachments" => array:2 [ …2] "author" => array:8 [ …8] "categories" => [] "comment_count" => 0 "comment_status" => "closed" "comments" => [] "content" => """ Whale sharks face a constant threat from hunting, with thousands killed each year for their fins. In this episode, Kelly Link, a biologist at the Georgia Aquarium, recounts her up close and personal adventures with these filter feeders, including an incredible 33-hour-mission to bring two whale sharks to safety in Atlanta. She dives into the urgent need for whale shark conservation as their global population continues to decline and many of their behaviors in the wild remain a mystery.\n Bonus track: From bears to frogs, countless animals are at risk due to habitat loss. Learn how Darren Minier and Isabella Linares of the Oakland Zoo are stepping up to rescue and protect wildlife in need.\n <a href="https://www.nbc.com/mutual-of-omahas-wild-kingdom-protecting-the-wild/video/the-biggest-fish-on-earth/9000414718" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Watch “The Biggest Fish on Earth” on NBC.com</a>.\n """ "custom_fields" => array:30 [ …30] "date" => "2025-04-08 08:30:21" "excerpt" => "Whale sharks face a constant threat from hunting, with thousands killed each year for their fins. In this episode, Kelly Link, a biologist at the Georgia Aquarium, recounts her up close and personal adventures with these filter feeders, including an incredible 33-hour-mission to bring two whale sharks to safety in Atlanta. She dives into the […]\n" "id" => 4014 "modified" => "2026-07-08 22:38:01" "screenreader_text" => null "seasonEpisodeShort" => "207" "slug" => "saving-natures-biggest-fish-whale-sharks" "status" => "publish" "tags" => array:1 [ …1] "title" => "Saving Nature’s Biggest Fish: Whale Sharks" "title_plain" => "Saving Nature’s Biggest Fish: Whale Sharks" "type" => "podcast" "updated_date" => "2025-04-08 00:00:00" "url" => "https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/podcast/saving-natures-biggest-fish-whale-sharks/" ] ] ] "session" => array:3 [ "_flash" => array:2 [ "new" => [] "old" => [] ] "_previous" => array:1 [ "url" => "https://moocat.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/article/what-p-22-taught-us-about-urban-wildlife" ] "_token" => "wI76pplzRs2kZo6cucWwBvWFisWPseRCsxlWQgX7" ] "showCriticalCSS" => "View Page Source for Critical CSS." 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=> array:24 [ "attachments" => array:2 [ 0 => array:9 [ "caption" => "" "description" => "" "id" => 3906 "images" => [] "mime_type" => "image/jpeg" "parent" => 3902 "slug" => "635700_wkpod_s2_harpy_1200x630_image" "title" => "635700_WKPod_S2_HARPY_1200x630_image" "url" => "https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2025/02/635700_WKPod_S2_HARPY_1200x630_image.jpg" ] 1 => array:9 [ "caption" => "" "description" => "" "id" => 3907 "images" => [] "mime_type" => "image/jpeg" "parent" => 3902 "slug" => "635700_wkpod_s2_harpy_1800x990_nologo" "title" => "635700_WKPod_S2_HARPY_1800x990_nologo" "url" => "https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2025/02/635700_WKPod_S2_HARPY_1800x990_nologo.jpg" ] ] "author" => array:8 [ "description" => "" "first_name" => "" "id" => 4532 "last_name" => "" "name" => "req100870" "nickname" => "Katelyn" "slug" => "req100870" "url" => "" ] "categories" => [] "comment_count" => 0 "comment_status" => "closed" "comments" => [] "content" => """ <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/article/wild-kingdoms-storied-history-of-harpy-eagles" rel="noopener">The harpy eagle</a>, once feared in Panama for its massive size and powerful talons, has now soared to national hero status. Today, it’s celebrated as the country’s national bird. Wildlife expert Ron Magill chats about these incredible birds, how he helped bring the harpy eagle into the spotlight in Panama, and how original Wild Kingdom host Jim Fowler’s influence inspired him to become a zookeeper, shaping his lifelong dedication to wildlife conservation.\n Bonus track: Mary Ann Colley from Butterfly Pavilion talks about pollinators and the importance of invertebrate conservation. \n Watch this episode of <a href="https://www.nbc.com/mutual-of-omahas-wild-kingdom-protecting-the-wild" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild, “The Most Powerful Predator in the Sky,” on NBC.com</a>, the NBC app or Peacock.\n  \n """ "custom_fields" => array:30 [ "card_description" => array:1 [ 0 => "How did the once-feared harpy eagle become Panama's national bird? Jim Fowler's advocacy changed perceptions." ] "custom_related_post_list" => array:1 [ 0 => "a:4:{i:0;s:4:"3648";i:1;s:4:"3852";i:2;s:4:"3710";i:3;s:4:"3248";}" ] "customize_related_posts" => array:1 [ 0 => "custom" ] "episode" => array:1 [ 0 => "Episode 1" ] "feature_post_indicator" => array:1 [ 0 => "0" ] "featured_image" => array:24 [ "ID" => 3907 "alt" => "A picture of a harpy eagle's head, looking off to the right side. The harpy eagle has a lot of feathers in different shades of gray with the lightest being on its face and neck. It has feathers sticking up at the top of its head as if it's having a bad hair day. It has a short, curved dark gray beak at the tip of its face. The background is a solid one that fades from orange to navy blue." "author" => "4532" "caption" => "" "date" => "2025-02-24 21:49:40" "description" => "" "filename" => "635700_WKPod_S2_HARPY_1800x990_nologo.jpg" "filesize" => 1047941 "height" => 990 "icon" => "https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/wp-includes/images/media/default.png" "id" => 3907 "link" => "https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/podcast/how-the-harpy-eagle-united-a-nation/635700_wkpod_s2_harpy_1800x990_nologo/" "menu_order" => 0 "mime_type" => "image/jpeg" "modified" => "2025-02-24 21:50:09" "name" => "635700_wkpod_s2_harpy_1800x990_nologo" "sizes" => array:18 [ …18] "status" => "inherit" "subtype" => "jpeg" "title" => "635700_WKPod_S2_HARPY_1800x990_nologo" "type" => "image" "uploaded_to" => 3902 "url" => "https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2025/02/635700_WKPod_S2_HARPY_1800x990_nologo.jpg" "width" => 1800 ] "hero_description" => array:1 [ 0 => "How did the once feared harpy eagle become the national bird of Panama? Hear how Wild Kingdom Host Jim Fowler changed perceptions through wildlife advocacy and conservation. 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The harpy eagle has a lot of feathers in different shades of gray with the lightest being on its face and neck. It has feathers sticking up at the top of its head as if it's having a bad hair day. It has a short, curved dark gray beak at the tip of its face." ] "openGraphMetaTitle" => array:1 [ 0 => "How the Harpy Eagle United a Nation | Wild Kingdom Podcast" ] "openGraphMetaTwitterImage" => array:1 [ 0 => "summary" ] "open_graph_meta_video_url" => array:1 [ 0 => "https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/podcast/how-the-harpy-eagle-united-a-nation" ] "podcast_summary" => array:1 [ 0 => "With its massive talons and foreboding size, the harpy eagle was once feared by Panamanians. But thanks to wildlife expert Ron Magill and Wild Kingdom Host Jim Fowler, today harpy eagles have a new status in Panama, as the country’s national bird. " ] "podcast_url" => array:1 [ 0 => "https://www.youtube.com/embed/9GSzna7bbL8" ] "runtime" => array:1 [ 0 => "20 minutes" ] "season" => array:1 [ 0 => "season2" ] "season_name" => "Season 2" "thumbnail_image" => array:24 [ "ID" => 4889 "alt" => "A stylized image of a harpy eagle" "author" => "3446" "caption" => "" "date" => "2026-07-08 02:38:58" "description" => "A stylized image of a harpy eagle" "filename" => "wkpod_HARPY.jpg" "filesize" => 16951 "height" => 300 "icon" => "https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/wp-includes/images/media/default.png" "id" => 4889 "link" => "https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/podcast/the-sounds-of-beluga-whales/wkpod_harpy-2/" "menu_order" => 0 "mime_type" => "image/jpeg" "modified" => "2026-07-08 02:55:56" "name" => "wkpod_harpy-2" "sizes" => array:18 [ …18] "status" => "inherit" "subtype" => "jpeg" "title" => "wkpod_HARPY" "type" => "image" "uploaded_to" => 4142 "url" => "https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2025/05/wkpod_HARPY.jpg" "width" => 300 ] "transcript" => array:1 [ 0 => """ Peter Gros: [00:00:00] Rainforests are some of the oldest and most biologically diverse ecosystems on the planet. [00:00:05][5.5]\r\n \r\n Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant: [00:00:07] Rainforests act like the Earth's lungs, releasing massive amounts of oxygen into the atmosphere. Their dense canopies provide shade and habitat to half of the world's plant and animal species. [00:00:18][11.1]\r\n \r\n Peter Gros: [00:00:19] Within the rainforests of Panama lives one of the largest species of eagles on the planet, the harpy eagle. For generations, some Panamanians feared them, and well, you can kind of understand why. [00:00:32][12.6]\r\n \r\n Ron Magill: [00:00:33] I've actually seen a harpy take a sloth out of the canopy at 50 miles an hour. There's no way to describe what that's like. You've got these talons that are grizzly bear claws, and this bird comes in at 50 miles an hour and takes the sloth and flies, continues to fly with the sloth through the canopy, lands on a branch and starts to eat a bunch of it so that it can take the lighter part back to the nest. [00:00:52][19.3]\r\n \r\n Peter Gros: [00:00:54] Today, we'll find out how a passionate conservation effort changed minds and elevated this bird to be a national treasure. I'm Peter Gross, wildlife expert and educator. [00:01:08][14.7]\r\n \r\n Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant: [00:01:09] And I'm wildlife ecologist Dr. Rae Winn -Grant. And this is Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom, the podcast, Episode 1, How the Harpy Eagle United a Nation. Peter, I'm so happy we're back. The second season of our TV show, Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom, Protecting the Wild, is airing Saturdays on NBC. And we've already released several episodes with many more to come. And now the second season of Wild Kingdom, the podcast, is here. And it allows us to dig a little deeper into some of our favorite stories from the show. [00:01:52][43.2]\r\n \r\n Peter Gros: [00:01:53] We've traveled to different countries to feature a range of animals from whales and manatees to ocelots and polar bears. But today we've got a story about this massive, majestic bird, the Harpy Eagle. [00:02:04][11.6]\r\n \r\n Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant: [00:02:06] The Harpy Eagle has a long history with the original Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom. Over 40 years ago, hosts Jim Fowler and Marlon Perkins first introduced viewers to this spectacular species. [00:02:17][11.6]\r\n \r\n Peter Gros: [00:02:19] This largest and most powerful eagle in the whole world is the Harpy Eagle. [00:02:22][3.6]\r\n \r\n Jim Fowler: [00:02:23] This Harpy is a forest dweller, and therefore it's designed for pursuit of its prey right through the middle of the thick forest. Its wings are round and cup -like. They're sort of used as propellers, and that tail is very broad, and it allows the bird to be highly maneuverable. [00:02:39][15.9]\r\n \r\n Peter Gros: [00:02:44] When I joined Marlon Perkins and Jim Fowler to co -host the original Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom series, they became friends and mentors. Jim and I spent hours with a Harpy Eagle flying across a field from his glove to land on my glove. Their passion and knowledge sparked a curiosity and wonder in me. But I wasn't the only one. Our guest today, Ron McGill, was also inspired. [00:03:10][25.6]\r\n \r\n Ron Magill: [00:03:11] This kid who grew up in a small apartment in New York City from the son of immigrant parents, who was in passion to do what I do from watching Wild Kingdom, 7:30 every Sunday night, that was going to church for me. [00:03:22][11.4]\r\n \r\n Peter Gros: [00:03:22] Today, Ron is the communications director at Zoo Miami. And early in his zoo career, he had a chance to meet his childhood icon, Jim Fowler. [00:03:32][9.4]\r\n \r\n Ron Magill: [00:03:32] Jim was doing a national tour. He was going around the country touring for Wild Kingdom. And every major city he went into, he would call the local zoo and ask if they would have any ambassador animals that they could bring. He didn't want to travel with animals, too much stress with the animals traveling that way. And I've never been starstruck. \r\n \r\n When I heard Jim Fowler was coming to town, I said, oh my gosh, please send me. I'll never forget it. He did a presentation at the Miami Beach Theater of the Performing Arts. And I went down there with a young orinoco crocodile and a red-tailed hawk. And I went in and his dressing room had his name on the dressing room door. \r\n \r\n I said, oh, Jim Fowler. I knocked on the door. I'm in fear. And he goes, you must be Ron. And I went, oh, I quivered. And he put his hand on my shoulder. He goes, I can't thank you enough for coming out here, young man. Come on in. And from that day on, he just took me under his wing. For whatever reason, I don't know what it was, but I thank God for it every day, Peter. \r\n \r\n He took me under his wing. He gave me his telephone number. He said, you call me whatever you want. And he would call me when he was in town. And we just developed this friendship. And from then on, it just mushroomed. [00:04:35][62.1]\r\n \r\n Peter Gros: [00:04:39] Ron has been at Zoo Miami for decades now. And one of his biggest achievements is what he's done on behalf of conservation, in particular for the harpy eagle. [00:04:48][9.5]\r\n \r\n Ron Magill: [00:04:49] It was Wild Kingdom that inspired me to work with animals. The zoo was just a conduit to do that. I didn't come to work at the zoo to work for an attraction. I would never, ever support taking an animal out of the wild and putting it in captivity, unless it's the last ditch effort to protect that animal's life or to protect the species it represents. \r\n \r\n And zoos have done that with California condors, Arabian oryx, black -footed ferrets. But having said that, we've got to do more for conservation. I looked at it as a stepping stone to being able to get involved in conservation. I originally wanted to become a veterinarian. My chemistry scores told me I would never get into vet school, so I had to come up with Plan B. [00:05:21][32.8]\r\n \r\n Peter Gros: [00:05:22] And the zoo in Miami enabled you to do that? [00:05:24][1.8]\r\n \r\n Ron Magill: [00:05:24] It enabled me to do that. It opened doors for me. It connected me with people. When I first started 45 years ago, it was more of just attractions. It wasn't as much the conservation, even though that was my goal. But I knew it afforded me the ability to connect with these animals, to work with these animals face to face and see them in real life. [00:05:41][16.4]\r\n \r\n Peter Gros: [00:05:42] Can you tell me about the first time you encountered a harpy eagle in person? Where were you? [00:05:46][4.7]\r\n \r\n Ron Magill: [00:05:47] Well, it's interesting. The first harpy eagle I encountered was, unfortunately, a stuffed one at the Museum of Natural History in New York. And that's what planted the seed in me, because I had always heard about this harpy eagle. But I'd never seen one. And I went to the museum to see a bald eagle. And right down the way was a harpy eagle that made the bald eagle look like a chicken. \r\n \r\n And I went, oh, my gosh, what is this bird? And that's the first time I saw a stuffed one. The first live one wasn't until I was in my 30s, early 30s. And that was in Panama, because my wife is Panamanian. And I always go to the local zoos whenever I travel. And I heard they had a pair of harpy eagles there. And those were the first live harpy eagles I ever saw. \r\n \r\n The very bittersweet part of it, Peter, was that these two eagles were in a horrible little cage. You know, they didn't even have proper perches. They had angle iron. I could see the beginnings of bumblefoot on their feet. And I was like, it was very bittersweet, because here I'm seeing my first harpy eagles in a terrible situation. [00:06:41][54.1]\r\n \r\n Peter Gros: [00:06:42] How were they regarded in Panama back in those days? What were their biggest threats? [00:06:45][3.7]\r\n \r\n Ron Magill: [00:06:46] Well, the biggest threat, I think, was just development and also the misconceptions about the bird. I was speaking to locals who said they routinely would shoot them, because they truly believed that harpy eagles would snatch their children. I mean, this is a myth that's been passed down from generation to generation, that harpies would come down and take babies, not to mention their livestock as well, which, of course, is not true. [00:07:08][21.2]\r\n \r\n Peter Gros: [00:07:08] Was it all just fear from this bird they knew so little about? [00:07:11][3.3]\r\n \r\n Ron Magill: [00:07:12] That's exactly what it was. It was just lack of knowledge, lack of understanding that brings that fear. And I think both of us know how fear can contribute so much to the demise of wildlife, because people just don't understand it. And that's what was happening with the harpy eagle. And they just didn't really know what it was. Many people thought it was a big owl, you know, because it has that big facial disk, that big crest. People thought it was a big owl. [00:07:33][21.6]\r\n \r\n Peter Gros: [00:07:34] When Ron traveled to Panama in the 80s, the harpy eagles were endangered. And if they were under threat, well, then other species were too, because harpy eagles are considered an umbrella species. [00:07:45][11.4]\r\n \r\n Ron Magill: [00:07:46] It's an umbrella species because by protecting the harpy eagle, you're causing an umbrella over that habitat that protects all the countless species that live in it as well. [00:07:54][7.9]\r\n \r\n Peter Gros: [00:07:54] So basically you're saying in the rainforest, all species are connected. If something happens to the harpy, this umbrella species, it's going to affect the other species. [00:08:01][6.8]\r\n \r\n Ron Magill: [00:08:02] And you know what? It's not just in the rainforest, Peter. You and I both know it's everywhere. Every species is connected. I try to tell people all the time when they say, well, you know, why should I care about this and that, you know, of bees and butterflies and rainforest? You know, I see them or I don't see them, whether it's the bees and the butterflies pollinating the plants that we feed off of, whether it's the rainforest providing medicines and air, the bottom line is it's all connected by protecting these things we're protecting ourselves. [00:08:27][25.3]\r\n \r\n Peter Gros: [00:08:29] Feeling an urgency to protect these birds and knowing that public education is the key to conservation, Ron set out to transform the way that some Panamanians saw harpy eagles. His journey started at the zoo in Panama City. [00:08:43][14.3]\r\n \r\n Ron Magill: [00:08:45] Basically, I went down there and I told the director of the zoo, I said, this is atrocious. How can you have these majestic birds in this horrible little cage? And he said, we have no money. And I said, who's in charge of the budget here? The mayor of Panama City. So I said, give me the address of the mayor of Panama City. And I wrote her a letter and people laughed at me. \r\n \r\n Here I am, this gringo going down to Panama, you know, and he thinks he's going to get a meeting with the mayor. But I must have written a good letter because I had a call from the mayor's office and she invited me to breakfast. And I sat down with her and I said, Madam Mayor, we need to do something for these birds. This is one of the most majestic species of birds in the world. We need to build a better enclosure for them. \r\n \r\n And she said, Ron, I'm the mayor of Panama City. Okay. I've got to take care of potholes, pick up garbage, take care of people. If I allocate money for a bigger bird cage, I'll be crucified. I said, I understand that. Let me do it for you. Not knowing what I was saying. And she said, okay. And with her permission, I met with the U .S. ambassador to Panama. I asked him for all the major corporations doing business in Panama. \r\n \r\n And I wrote them letters to see if they would get money. You know, many of these corporations have to give money to some type of philanthropic effort. And I said, well, the Harpy Eagle is the perfect one. So I wrote these letters and I got a call from Sony Corporation. \r\n \r\n And Sony Corporation said, we want to fly in our president. I'll never forget his name, Mr. Akahigo Kaji. Going to fly him in and you are going to give a presentation to him in Panama City on why Sony Corporation should sponsor this effort. I said, yes, I'll do it. Bing. I hung up the phone and I'm like, oh my gosh, what am I going to do now? [00:10:07][82.0]\r\n \r\n Peter Gros: [00:10:07] Ron wanted some backup. So he reached out to his mentor and friend, Jim Fowler. [00:10:12][4.3]\r\n \r\n Ron Magill: [00:10:13] And Jim, in his wisdom, he said, Ron, you had that great baritone voice. He goes, Ron, I'll go down with you, but you're going to give the presentation. I'm just going to listen. And that was Jim's way of basically teaching me how to go out on my own and do this. I mean, that's I can't say enough about this man on how he mentored me. And I went down there and Peter, I did this, you know, I'm kind of an animated guy. And I said, Mr. Kaji, this is an incredible bird, protecting the forest, protecting so many other things. Sony needs this good reputation. At the time, the Japanese were getting a lot of bad press for the whaling and all the things going on. I said, here's an opportunity to save a rainforest species, do a great thing. And they didn't show me any emotion, Peter. [00:10:51][38.6]\r\n \r\n Peter Gros: [00:10:52] That's unusual because you are sort of slightly animated, right? [00:10:55][3.1]\r\n \r\n Ron Magill: [00:10:56] But so they left the room. [00:10:58][1.7]\r\n \r\n Peter Gros: [00:10:58] They leave the room. [00:10:59][0.6]\r\n \r\n Ron Magill: [00:10:59] They go, we have to discuss this. I look at Jim, I go, Jim, we're not going to get a penny out of these guys. I thought they were in a coma. And Jim goes, Ron, you know, the Japanese are very smart business people. They're not going to wear their emotions on their sleeve. I think you did a fine job. And I think you may be surprised at what they have to answer. And then they came back and they go, gave a very good presentation. We're going to begin by giving you two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. [00:11:21][21.9]\r\n \r\n Peter Gros: [00:11:21] Wow. Two hundred and fifty thousand in Panama. OK. [00:11:28][6.6]\r\n \r\n Ron Magill: [00:11:29] In 1989, in 1989. And that was just that's when the floodgates opened. [00:11:31][2.1]\r\n \r\n Peter Gros: [00:11:34] So what were the next steps? You've got the money now. You wanted to build a larger aviary. [00:11:38][4.1]\r\n \r\n Ron Magill: [00:11:39] So after we got the funding from Sony, I was able to go out to the mayor's office and get their construction team to go out there. And Jim and I actually went into this place called Summit Park, which is right next to Soberania National Park, a Harpy Eagle habitat. And Jim picked the spot where we were going to build the National Harpy Eagle Center. And that money enabled us to provide the foundation to build what eventually was a million dollar project. And it led to the fact that on April 10th, 2003, the Panamanian Parliament officially declared the Harpy Eagle the national bird of Panama. And that, for me, is one of the greatest accomplishments in my career to have been part of that. And I thank Jim for that. I thank the Panamanian government. And I thank Sony for believing in us because that money, that seed money that eventually became close to a million dollars, built the greatest single Harpy Eagle Center in the Western Hemisphere. [00:12:28][48.9]\r\n \r\n Peter Gros: [00:12:29] Today, on Harpy Eagle Day in Panama, there are festivals celebrating the once feared and misunderstood bird. [00:12:36][6.7]\r\n \r\n Ron Magill: [00:12:37] It's called Festi Arpia, where thousands of people come to the Harpy Eagle Center that we built there at Summit Gardens and they just learn about the Harpy Eagle. It's all this wonderful festival to celebrate this majestic bird and to celebrate the country that it represents. So now when you go to Panama, you get off a plane at their international airport and you see these massive murals of Harpy Eagles, where again, 30 years ago, nobody knew what a Harpy Eagle was. From not knowing what a Harpy Eagle was to making it their national bird and having an annual day to celebrate it with a festival. [00:13:05][28.7]\r\n \r\n Peter Gros: [00:13:06] You and I have been in the business of, I think, public education as part of our career for a very long time. What do you think about the next generation coming up? What do you think we should advise them to do? [00:13:17][10.5]\r\n \r\n Ron Magill: [00:13:17] You know, I don't even think I need to advise them to do much because they inspire me so much. I'm so encouraged by this generation, Peter. They do so much more than I did at their age. I mean, you know, when I was young, I had never heard about recycling. I drove a hot rod car that got negative seven miles to the gallon, and back then it was cool. You drive a car like that today, you're going to get dirty looks. These kids are passionate. I see these blossoming environmental clubs. Kids come to me with ideas. They come to me to ask, what can I do? The enthusiasm, the passion that they have. I'm very encouraged about this young generation. They have shown me that they're more environmentally concerned, more concerned about conservation than I think any generation before them. [00:13:57][39.8]\r\n \r\n Peter Gros: [00:14:00] Thank you so much, Ron. This is just such a great walk down memory lane and such a great, great to hear the stories of what it took for you to do what you've done to save the Harpy Eagle. It's a story that I'm going to continue to tell as long as I can. [00:14:14][14.5]\r\n \r\n Ron Magill: [00:14:15] Well, Peter, for me, it's a lot to do with you, a lot to do with Jim. You all are the flag bearers for so many people who have had the privilege and pleasure of watching you and learning from you and being inspired by you. You know, the platform that you have through Mitchell of Omaha's Wild Kingdom is so powerful, it's so inspirational. I cannot begin to tell you. I mean, look at me, I'm a 65 -year -old man now, but I'm still a little boy at heart. And those days continue to make me a little boy at heart. I will never forget the passion I have for wildlife is something that was planted by Wild Kingdom. [00:14:46][31.3]\r\n \r\n Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant: [00:14:52] Now, we've got a new feature on the podcast this season. We're calling it Conservation Connection, and we'll be featuring snippets of conversations we recorded at the 2024 Association of Zoos and Aquariums annual conference in Calgary, Canada. [00:15:06][14.5]\r\n \r\n Peter Gros: [00:15:07] When Ron was talking about how Harpy Eagles helped maintain a balance to the intricate ecosystem of the rainforest, it reminded us of the story of pollinators. [00:15:16][8.7]\r\n \r\n Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant: [00:15:17] Mary Ann Colley is the CEO of the Butterfly Pavilion in Westminster, Colorado. Its mission is to foster an appreciation of invertebrates by educating the public about the need to protect and care for threatened habitats globally while conducting research for solutions in invertebrate conservation. [00:15:35][17.8]\r\n \r\n Mary Ann Colley: [00:15:37] I always say that bees and butterflies are the best gateway bug. Because they're the ones that kind of get you excited about bugs, because they're pretty. But those butterflies really are critical in pollination of specific plants. Invertebrate pollinators might be a butterfly, they might be a beetle, but for the most part, those invertebrate pollinators are going to be flying around, and they're going to be flying from one flower to another, and they're going to be pollinating those flowers. \r\n \r\n Pollinators are critical for life as we know it. Without pollinators, we don't have the very diets that we eat. We can think about pollinators providing one out of every three bites of food that we have every day. And when we think about pollinators, if we take a step back and we think about invertebrates in general, 97 % of all the animals on our planet are invertebrates. And we often only focus on 3%. And so Butterfly Pavilion's focus really is to say, hey, let's open our eyes, let's really understand what's going on in our planet. \r\n \r\n And these little guys, we stand on the backs of these little guys, and so if we don't start paying attention to the intricate food web that these animals are supporting, we're going to lose out on days in the future. In Colorado, we recently passed a bill stating that invertebrates are wildlife, and this is an amazing first step across the United States, right? Invertebrates are being seen as animals in our state. That can lead to more study, to more understanding, and ultimately then more protection, not only for the invertebrates, but for all the animals that live within the amazing ecosystems in Colorado, as well as the amazing ecosystems that we have across our world. [00:17:19][102.0]\r\n \r\n Peter Gros: [00:17:25] Thank you for listening to this episode of Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom, the podcast. And remember, if we protect wildlife and the environment today, we can ensure magical moments in the wild kingdom for future generations. [00:17:38][12.9]\r\n \r\n Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant: [00:17:39] Join us next week when we talk to Dr. Claire Erlacher-Ried about manatees off the coast of Florida. [00:17:45][5.5]\r\n \r\n Dr. Claire Erlacher-Ried: [00:17:45] This amazing network of biologists and rescue workers and veterinarians [00:17:51][5.3] [00:17:52] all came together as part of this manatee rehab and rescue program to work together to save the species, and they're no longer endangered. [00:18:00][8.5]\r\n \r\n Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant: [00:18:01] That's next week on Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom, the podcast. [00:18:04][3.8]\r\n \r\n Peter Gros: [00:18:09] Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom, the podcast, is a production of Pineapple Street Studios and Mutual of Omaha. Our senior producer is Stephen Key. Producers are Elliot Adler and Jenny Van Solen. [00:18:22][12.6]\r\n \r\n Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant: [00:18:23] Associate producer is Lisa Cerda. Editor is Darby Maloney. Executive producers are Barry Finkel, Gabrielle Lewis, and Jen Wolf. Pineapple's head of sound and engineering is Raj Makhija. Senior audio engineers are Marina Paiz, Davy Sumner, Javi Cruces, and Pedro Alvira. This episode was mixed by Davy Sumner. [00:18:46][23.5]\r\n \r\n Peter Gros: [00:18:47] Production music courtesy of Epidemic Sound and Hearst Media Production Group. [00:18:51][3.6]\r\n \r\n Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant: [00:18:52] Episode clips courtesy of Hearst Media Production Group. Marketing and promotion by Emily Poeschl. This podcast is hosted by me, Dr. Rae Winn -Grant. [00:19:01][9.3]\r\n \r\n Peter Gros: [00:19:01] And me, Peter Gros. A special thanks to Katelyn Williams, Sophie Radmelovich, and Stephanie Diaz. [00:19:07][6.0]\r\n \r\n Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant: [00:19:09] Today's episode is based on the Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom series created by Don Meyer. Our next episode will be out in a week. [00:19:16][7.3]\r\n \r\n Peter Gros: [00:19:17] Make sure you listen on the Audacy app or wherever you get your podcasts. [00:19:17] """ ] "updated_date" => array:1 [ 0 => "2025-02-25 00:00:00" ] "use_experimentation" => array:1 [ 0 => "0" ] ] "date" => "2025-02-25 09:40:54" "displayedDate" => "Updated on February 25, 2025" "excerpt" => "The harpy eagle, once feared in Panama for its massive size and powerful talons, has now soared to national hero status. Today, it’s celebrated as the country’s national bird. Wildlife expert Ron Magill chats about these incredible birds, how he helped bring the harpy eagle into the spotlight in Panama, and how original Wild Kingdom […]\n" "id" => 3902 "modified" => "2026-07-08 22:50:23" "recentPosts" => array:3 [ 5069 => array:20 [ "attachments" => array:1 [ …1] "author" => array:8 [ …8] "categories" => [] "comment_count" => 0 "comment_status" => "closed" "comments" => [] "content" => """ Dr. Rae and Peter explore the secrets behind keeping animals healthy and thriving under human care with the help of a good diet.  \n In San Diego, California, and Queensland, Australia, they roll up their sleeves to gather bamboo for giant pandas and eucalyptus for koalas to give the animals vital nutrition they need. In New Mexico, Peter and Dr. Rae assist with the recovery of the Mexican gray wolf by delivering zoo-formulated food that mimics eating habits they’ll experience when released back to the wild. The journey ends in Mexico, where rescued spider monkeys receive a second chance at life. \n Watch <a href="https://www.nbc.com/mutual-of-omahas-wild-kingdom-protecting-the-wild/video/feeding-time/9000457434" target="_blank" rel="noopener">“Feeding Time!” on Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild</a>. \n For an in-depth look at these species, watch “<a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/video/saving-the-sierra-bighorn">Panda-Monimum!</a>,” “<a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/video/rescue-down-under">Rescue Down Under</a>,” “<a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/video/leader-of-the-pack">Leader of the Pack</a>” and “<a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/video/second-chance-spider-monkeys">Second Chance Spider Monkeys</a>.” \n """ "custom_fields" => array:19 [ …19] "date" => "2026-08-29 12:00:49" "excerpt" => "Dr. Rae and Peter explore the secrets behind keeping animals healthy and thriving under human care with the help of a good diet.  In San Diego, California, and Queensland, Australia, they roll up their sleeves to gather bamboo for giant pandas and eucalyptus for koalas to give the animals vital nutrition they need. In New Mexico, Peter and […]\n" "id" => 5069 "modified" => "2026-09-03 18:34:49" "screenreader_text" => null "slug" => "feeding-time" "status" => "publish" "tags" => array:5 [ …5] "title" => "Feeding Time!" "title_plain" => "Feeding Time!" "type" => "video" "url" => "https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/video/feeding-time/" ] 5079 => array:20 [ "attachments" => array:7 [ …7] "author" => array:8 [ …8] "categories" => [] "comment_count" => 0 "comment_status" => "closed" "comments" => [] "content" => """ Expert insights from: Nicki Boyd, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance general curator and Jennifer Moll, lead wildlife care specialist, San Diego Zoo \n <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-5076 size-full" src="https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/08/645518_WK_Article_Koalas_SDzoo_images6-scaled.jpg" alt="Koala peering through eucalyptus leaves while resting among tree branches." width="2560" height="1003" srcset="https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/08/645518_WK_Article_Koalas_SDzoo_images6-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/08/645518_WK_Article_Koalas_SDzoo_images6-300x118.jpg 300w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/08/645518_WK_Article_Koalas_SDzoo_images6-1024x401.jpg 1024w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/08/645518_WK_Article_Koalas_SDzoo_images6-150x59.jpg 150w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/08/645518_WK_Article_Koalas_SDzoo_images6-768x301.jpg 768w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/08/645518_WK_Article_Koalas_SDzoo_images6-1536x602.jpg 1536w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/08/645518_WK_Article_Koalas_SDzoo_images6-2048x802.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" />\n Photo courtesy of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance\n San Diego Zoo is home to the largest koala colony in the United States, and one of the largest outside of Australia. These iconic Australian marsupials thrive here because San Diego’s climate mirrors their homeland. That lets the zoo grow fresh eucalyptus onsite, so its koalas always have a buffet of their favorite food. Through the newly established Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA) Saving Animals From Extinction (SAFE) Koala program, San Diego is leading U.S. conservation efforts to help ensure these threatened animals will thrive for years to come. \n <h2>Key takeaways </h2>\n <ul>\n <li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">The San Diego Zoo is home to 21 koalas, the largest colony in the U.S. and the largest outside Australia and China. </li>\n <li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">San Diego’s Australia-like climate lets the zoo grow eucalyptus onsite, something most zoos can’t do. </li>\n <li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">The zoo leads the AZA’s new SAFE Koala program and funds conservation work in Australia to protect koalas in the wild. </li>\n <li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">Koalas are listed as vulnerable and face growing threats from habitat loss, wildfires, invasive pests and disease. </li>\n </ul>\n <h2>Koala quick facts </h2>\n <ul>\n <li>Common name: Koala </li>\n <li>Scientific name: Phascolarctos cinereus </li>\n <li>Animal group: Mammal </li>\n <li>Mammal type: Marsupial </li>\n <li>Habitat: Eastern Australia eucalyptus forest </li>\n <li>Lifespan: 10 to 15 years in the wild </li>\n <li>Diet: 1 to 1.5 pounds of eucalyptus leaves each day </li>\n <li>Size: 2 to 3 feet tall, 9 to 29 pounds </li>\n <li>Sleep: 18 to 22 hours each day to help conserve energy </li>\n <li>Social life: Solitary </li>\n <li>Behavior: Active at night, spends most of day eating and sleeping </li>\n <li>Young: Newborn <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/video/small-survivors">joeys</a> live in mother’s pouch and with her until they’re around a year old </li>\n <li>Conservation status: Threatened; koala’s biggest threats are loss of habitat, vehicle strikes, dog attacks, bushfires and disease </li>\n </ul>\n <div id="attachment_5074" style="width: 2570px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-5074" class="wp-image-5074 size-full" src="https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/08/645518_WK_Article_Koalas_SDzoo_images4-scaled.jpg" alt="Koala climbing a eucalyptus tree trunk surrounded by green foliage." width="2560" height="1003" srcset="https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/08/645518_WK_Article_Koalas_SDzoo_images4-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/08/645518_WK_Article_Koalas_SDzoo_images4-300x118.jpg 300w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/08/645518_WK_Article_Koalas_SDzoo_images4-1024x401.jpg 1024w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/08/645518_WK_Article_Koalas_SDzoo_images4-150x59.jpg 150w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/08/645518_WK_Article_Koalas_SDzoo_images4-768x301.jpg 768w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/08/645518_WK_Article_Koalas_SDzoo_images4-1536x602.jpg 1536w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/08/645518_WK_Article_Koalas_SDzoo_images4-2048x802.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" />Photo courtesy of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance</div>\n <h2>How big is the San Diego Zoo’s koala colony?</h2>\n Twenty-one koalas live in the San Diego Zoo. The zoo’s koala colony is the largest in the U.S. and the largest outside of Australia and China. \n <h2>What do koalas eat? </h2>\n Koalas eat around 1 to 1.5 pounds of eucalyptus leaves each day and they’re choosy about it! San Diego Zoo offers its koalas around 20 pounds of eucalyptus daily across several species so they can pick their favorite variety. \n Eucalyptus leaves don’t provide many calories, but koalas make up for this by spending most of their day sleeping. \n <div class="iframe-video"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Koala Diet Video" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fGgEuANxPas" width="1263" height="710" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></div>\n Video courtesy of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance\n <h2>Why is eucalyptus so hard to provide? </h2>\n Eucalyptus is difficult to provide because it’s naturally toxic. Most animals can’t eat it at all! Koalas are uniquely adapted to tolerate the toxins, but only in certain species of eucalyptus. Toxin levels can change seasonally and be high enough that koalas will avoid a species they’d usually eat. Of the several hundred types of eucalyptus in Australia, koalas only eat around 80. \n “Koalas will actually smell their eucalyptus before they eat it and they can tell, ‘Oh, this is safe for me to eat,’ or ‘No I should not,’” said Jennifer Moll, San Diego Zoo lead wildlife care specialist. \n <h2>Why is San Diego Zoo uniquely suited to raise koalas? </h2>\n San Diego Zoo is a great place to raise koalas because its climate mirrors Australia, which means, unlike most zoos, it can grow the koalas’ food in its backyard. While many zoos have to ship eucalyptus in, San Diego grows 35 varieties in a 10-acre farm nearby, so its koalas always have fresh, safe leaves to choose from. \n That Australian-like climate doesn’t just feed the koalas, it makes San Diego feel like a part of Australia. \n “When I went to Australia the first time, I felt like I was in San Diego,” said Nicki Boyd, San Diego Zoo general curator. “But the black birds flying around aren’t ravens or crows, they’re black cockatoos!” \n <h2>Where do the koalas live in the zoo? </h2>\n At the San Diego Zoo, the koalas live in a Queenslander-style “house” in the Australian Outback habitat. The koalas sit in tree branches about 12 feet high to simulate living up in the trees. Zoo staff use a pulley system so they can place fresh browse (eucalyptus leaves) in a canister and reel it up to reach the koalas up in the trees. \n “The Queenslander house starts with people walking on a pathway that’s supposed to mimic being on your back patio or balcony and overlooking koalas as if you were out in Australia,” Moll said. \n <div id="attachment_5075" style="width: 2570px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-5075" class="wp-image-5075 size-full" src="https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/08/645518_WK_Article_Koalas_SDzoo_images5-scaled.jpg" alt="Adult koala and joey perched together in the branches of a eucalyptus tree." width="2560" height="1003" srcset="https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/08/645518_WK_Article_Koalas_SDzoo_images5-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/08/645518_WK_Article_Koalas_SDzoo_images5-300x118.jpg 300w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/08/645518_WK_Article_Koalas_SDzoo_images5-1024x401.jpg 1024w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/08/645518_WK_Article_Koalas_SDzoo_images5-150x59.jpg 150w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/08/645518_WK_Article_Koalas_SDzoo_images5-768x301.jpg 768w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/08/645518_WK_Article_Koalas_SDzoo_images5-1536x602.jpg 1536w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/08/645518_WK_Article_Koalas_SDzoo_images5-2048x802.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" />Photo courtesy of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance</div>\n <h2>How has koala care changed over time? </h2>\n Today, the koalas live outside 24/7, but this wasn’t always the case at the zoo. \n In the 1970s and 1980s, zoos were told to keep koalas indoors most of the time. A few males were rotated outside during the day, but the females rarely went out, and every koala came back inside at night. There was some sunlight, but not enough UV. Over time, the koalas began developing metabolic bone disease. \n “We were still keeping the koalas and caring for them the same way we had been taught a couple of decades previously and didn’t realize Australia had changed their ways and found better alternatives,” Moll said. “It made us realize we need to reopen our conversations with the people we know in Australia.” \n When the new space was created in 2013, the zoo made sure all koalas lived outside 24 hours a day to combat this disease. \n “It’s definitely made a great improvement on their quality of life and quality of their health,” Moll said. \n <h2>How do koalas choose a mate? </h2>\n Female koalas at the San Diego Zoo choose their mate. The zoo has a “dating chart” or stud book that keeps track of which koalas can breed with one another to help ensure genetic diversity and a healthy population. Then, the zoo offers her first choice, but the koala may say “no thank you,” so they move down the dating chart to the next koala. \n As far as which koala makes the perfect match? Moll has a theory. \n “We’re starting to believe that female koalas are listening for the sound the male makes and also the scent he leaves behind — kind of his cologne!” Moll said. The female koala, she explains, essentially decides, “Oh yeah, that one smells good and I like the way he sounds. I’m going to go check him out.” \n Keeping genetic diversity strong is about more than the koalas in San Diego. The zoo shares what it learns with other accredited zoos — and partners in Australia — so healthy koalas here help support the future of the species everywhere. \n <h2>What’s the SAFE Koala program? </h2>\n The Koala SAFE program, Saving Animals From Extinction, is run through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), which brings together the expertise of accredited zoos to help save koalas. Formed in June 2026 and led by the San Diego Zoo, it’s one of dozens of SAFE programs working to protect threatened species around the world. \n Koalas are what conservationists call an umbrella species: Protect them, and you protect everything living under their canopy too. \n “Koalas will be the umbrella species that can save the echidna, the wombat, the forest which would house cockatoos and many species,” Boyd said. \n Working alongside other accredited zoos, San Diego shares its research and expertise, so <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/video/eyes-on-the-wild">conservation wins reach koalas in the wild</a> — not just those in human care. \n “We want people to see how cool and unique they are and drive empathy to help that conservation,” Boyd said. \n “We’re learning so much … we can use that knowledge and apply different strategies and send it to our colleagues in Australia,” Boyd said. \n <h2>Are koalas endangered? </h2>\n Often described as endangered, koalas are officially listed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) — a category within its broader “threatened” classification. In their home country, the Australian government has gone further, listing koalas as endangered across Queensland, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory. The bottom line: Koalas need our help. \n <div id="attachment_5077" style="width: 2570px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-5077" class="wp-image-5077 size-full" src="https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/08/645518_WK_Article_Koalas_SDzoo_images7-scaled.jpg" alt="Koala sitting on a branch amid dense green shrubs and native vegetation." width="2560" height="1003" srcset="https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/08/645518_WK_Article_Koalas_SDzoo_images7-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/08/645518_WK_Article_Koalas_SDzoo_images7-300x118.jpg 300w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/08/645518_WK_Article_Koalas_SDzoo_images7-1024x401.jpg 1024w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/08/645518_WK_Article_Koalas_SDzoo_images7-150x59.jpg 150w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/08/645518_WK_Article_Koalas_SDzoo_images7-768x301.jpg 768w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/08/645518_WK_Article_Koalas_SDzoo_images7-1536x602.jpg 1536w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/08/645518_WK_Article_Koalas_SDzoo_images7-2048x802.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" />Photo courtesy of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance</div>\n <h2>What are the biggest threats to koalas? </h2>\n Koalas face several threats — habitat loss, climate change and wildfires, invasive pests and disease. \n The single biggest threat is the loss of the eucalyptus forest koalas depend on. Because koalas rely almost entirely on eucalyptus for both food and shelter, anything that shrinks those forests puts them at risk. And as land is cleared for development and agriculture, koalas lose the habitat they can’t live without. \n Wildfires are destroying even more of what remains. As the climate warms, <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/article/how-wildfires-affect-urban-areas-the-ecosystem-and-wildlife">fire seasons grow more intense</a> and eucalyptus is dangerously combustible. \n “If you’ve ever seen a eucalyptus tree burn, it’s like a candlestick. The sap is very combustible. I do worry about the future for their habitats,” Boyd said. \n The forests face a subtler danger, too. An invasive beetle that eats eucalyptus is damaging the trees in both Australia and San Diego, though Boyd is hopeful nature will find a way to keep it in check. \n “Usually there’ll be a predator that balances out the cycle for invasive pests,” Boyd said. “Hopefully, they’ll be some sort of parasitic wasp or dragonfly that decides that they’re the best thing ever.” \n Beyond their shrinking habitat, koalas also face disease, though it’s one researchers are actively fighting. Koala retrovirus, or KoRV, affects koalas in both human care and in the wild. Different strains can predispose them to other medical concerns like cancers. But there’s real progress. Australian conservationists are developing a vaccine, work San Diego Zoo hopes to support through the SAFE program. At a recent koala conference, researchers showed evidence that vaccinated koalas were doing far better than those left unvaccinated. \n <h2>How does the San Diego Zoo help koalas in the wild? </h2>\n The San Diego Zoo helps wild koalas by funding and supporting conservation work in Australia, following the lead of the <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/article/how-aussies-are-saving-koalas">researchers and organizations</a> who know the animals and their habitats best. \n The zoo was an early supporter of the Greater Blue Mountains Koala Program and its Australian partners credit that first decade of funding with getting the research off the ground. \n San Diego’s support extends to putting its researchers in the field. On St. Bees Island off the Queensland coast, a nearly untouched koala population gave scientists a rare chance to study the animals without human interference. \n “There were only three houses on that island … so we got to watch [the koalas] without it being interrupted by the people living there, without people building and destroying the habitat,” Moll said. \n In Tandora, Queensland, the work turned to a bigger question: how to bring koalas back to places they’ve disappeared from. Researchers worked with a local farmer who once had koalas on his property and wanted them back. \n “It was a study on what does it take to repopulate an area with koalas again,” Moll said. \n And when Australia’s devastating bushfires swept through koala habitat in 2020, the San Diego Zoo’s first instinct wasn’t to rush in. It was to ask how it could help those already on the ground. \n “What we realized — they didn’t need us. That’s Australia. That’s where koalas are from … so it was more about how can we support them,” Moll said. \n It’s a philosophy that runs through all the zoo’s work abroad. The koala’s best hope lies in Australia and San Diego’s role is to help <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/video/rescue-down-under">the people already fighting for them</a>. \n <div class="iframe-video"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Koala General Video" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IQkuQZh6b90" width="1263" height="710" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></div>\n Video courtesy of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance\n <h2>Koala fun facts </h2>\n Koalas are full of surprises, and some of the most fascinating are right at their fingertips (and toes). \n They have two thumbs. Each front paw has five digits arranged as two thumbs and three fingers, giving koalas an exceptional grip for climbing and pulling eucalyptus close. \n “They’re not opposable thumbs like ours are, but they help for grabbing that eucalyptus and bringing it down to them,” Moll said. \n They have a built-in comb. On each back foot, two toes are fused together to form a “grooming claw” the koala uses to clean its fur. \n “We call that their grooming claw because it always seems to have lots of hair stuck in it — that’s the one they’re using to help clean themselves,” Moll said. \n They’re built to climb. One toe on each back foot has no nail at all. Koalas use their powerful hind legs to push themselves up tree trunks. \n <div id="attachment_5078" style="width: 2570px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-5078" class="wp-image-5078 size-full" src="https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/08/645518_WK_Article_Koalas_SDzoo_images8-scaled.jpg" alt="Koala resting on a eucalyptus branch against a bright blue sky." width="2560" height="1003" srcset="https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/08/645518_WK_Article_Koalas_SDzoo_images8-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/08/645518_WK_Article_Koalas_SDzoo_images8-300x118.jpg 300w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/08/645518_WK_Article_Koalas_SDzoo_images8-1024x401.jpg 1024w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/08/645518_WK_Article_Koalas_SDzoo_images8-150x59.jpg 150w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/08/645518_WK_Article_Koalas_SDzoo_images8-768x301.jpg 768w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/08/645518_WK_Article_Koalas_SDzoo_images8-1536x602.jpg 1536w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/08/645518_WK_Article_Koalas_SDzoo_images8-2048x802.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" />Photo courtesy of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance</div>\n <h2>How can you help save koalas? </h2>\n You don’t have to be a scientist in Australia to help koalas. The simplest way to help is to support the organizations already working to protect koalas and their forests. \n <ul>\n <li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">Adopt a koala. Through San Diego Zoo’s <a href="https://sandiegozoowildlifealliance.org/adopt/koala">symbolic adoption program</a>, you can help care for koalas and support conservation. </li>\n <li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">Visit the koalas. Seeing them in person in the Australian Outback area in San Diego, or at other AZA-accredited zoos, is one of the best ways to connect with the species. </li>\n <li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">Support Australian groups directly. Organizations on the ground in Australia, such as the <a href="https://www.scienceforwildlife.org/donate">Greater Blue Mountains Koala Program</a> are leading the fight to save wild koalas. </li>\n </ul>\n Every bit of support helps ensure that koalas, and the forests they depend on, are still here for generations to come. \n <h2>Frequently asked questions about koalas </h2>\n <h3>Are koalas bears? </h3>\n No. Despite the nickname “koala bear,” koalas are marsupials — mammals that carry their young in a pouch — not bears. \n <h3>How long do koalas live? </h3>\n Koalas typically live 10 to 15 years. \n <h3>What do koalas eat? </h3>\n Koalas almost exclusively eat eucalyptus. They eat about 1 to 1.5 pounds of eucalyptus a day, and they’re very selective about which ones they’ll munch on. \n <h3>How much do koalas sleep? </h3>\n Koalas sleep around 18 to 22 hours a day. Eucalyptus provides little energy, so koalas conserve it by sleeping most of the day. \n <div id="attachment_5073" style="width: 2570px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-5073" class="wp-image-5073 size-full" src="https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/08/645518_WK_Article_Koalas_SDzoo_images3-scaled.jpg" alt="Sleeping koala curled into the fork of a eucalyptus tree high above the ground." width="2560" height="1003" srcset="https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/08/645518_WK_Article_Koalas_SDzoo_images3-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/08/645518_WK_Article_Koalas_SDzoo_images3-300x118.jpg 300w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/08/645518_WK_Article_Koalas_SDzoo_images3-1024x401.jpg 1024w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/08/645518_WK_Article_Koalas_SDzoo_images3-150x59.jpg 150w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/08/645518_WK_Article_Koalas_SDzoo_images3-768x301.jpg 768w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/08/645518_WK_Article_Koalas_SDzoo_images3-1536x602.jpg 1536w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/08/645518_WK_Article_Koalas_SDzoo_images3-2048x802.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" />Photo courtesy of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance</div>\n <h3>How many koalas are at the San Diego Zoo? </h3>\n The zoo is home to 21 koalas — the largest koala colony in the United States, and the largest outside Australia and China. \n <h3>Why are koalas endangered? </h3>\n Koalas are disappearing mainly because they’re losing the eucalyptus forests they rely on for food and shelter. Land clearing, wildfires, invasive pests and disease are all shrinking that habitat, leaving fewer safe places for koalas to live. \n <h3>Do koalas really have two thumbs? </h3>\n Yes, each paw has five digits arranged as two thumbs and three fingers, giving koalas a strong grip for climbing and holding eucalyptus. \n <h3>Can you see the koalas? </h3>\n Yes! You can visit the San Diego Zoo’s Australian Outback section to see their koala colony. \n All photos courtesy of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance.\n """ "custom_fields" => array:19 [ …19] "date" => "2026-08-30 20:30:39" "excerpt" => "Expert insights from: Nicki Boyd, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance general curator and Jennifer Moll, lead wildlife care specialist, San Diego Zoo Photo courtesy of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance San Diego Zoo is home to the largest koala colony in the United States, and one of the largest outside of Australia. These iconic Australian […]\n" "id" => 5079 "modified" => "2026-09-02 09:48:12" "screenreader_text" => "Koala perched in a eucalyptus tree, gripping branches and looking toward the camera." "slug" => "inside-the-largest-koala-colony-in-the-u-s" "status" => "publish" "tags" => array:4 [ …4] "title" => "Inside the Largest Koala Colony in the U.S." "title_plain" => "Inside the Largest Koala Colony in the U.S." "type" => "article" "url" => "https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/article/inside-the-largest-koala-colony-in-the-u-s/" ] 5087 => array:20 [ "attachments" => array:2 [ …2] "author" => array:8 [ …8] "categories" => [] "comment_count" => 0 "comment_status" => "closed" "comments" => [] "content" => """ By 1967, the American alligator — a reptile whose lineage predates the dinosaurs — had been hunted, skinned and pushed to the edge of extinction. Twenty years later it was thriving again, making a full recovery under the Endangered Species Act.\n In this episode, Dr. Rae sits down with Coyote Peterson, wildlife educator and creator of Brave Wilderness, whose alligator content alone has racked up over 100 million views. Together they explain why these “ecosystem engineers” are critical to the health of southeastern wetlands. And they dig into the modern threats that still put the species at risk, from invasive Burmese pythons to human habituation. It’s a story about how fast a species can come back, and how easily that progress can be undone.\n <h3>Explore alligator stories</h3>\n Learn more about alligators through these Wild Kingdom videos and articles.\n <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/article/how-alligators-beat-the-endangered-species-list">How Alligators Beat the Endangered Species List</a>\n <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/article/american-alligators">American Alligators</a>\n <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/video/graduation-day-for-a-gator">Graduation Day for a Gator</a>\n <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/video/reptile-rescue">Reptile Rescue</a>\n <h3>Why Feeding an Alligator Is the Worst Thing You Can Do</h3>\n <div class="iframe-video"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Why Feeding an Alligator Is the Worst Thing You Can Do" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7aC_ru54fmo" width="1263" height="710" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></div>\n An alligator on a golf course isn’t lurking — it’s living where humans built on top of its habitat. In this episodette, Coyote Peterson and Dr. Rae unpack why feeding or habituating alligators turns them into the most dangerous version of themselves, why a viral golf-course encounter almost went very wrong and how a little “exposure therapy” — visiting alligators at conservation-focused facilities — can replace fear with respect. Watch the full episode for the complete story of the American alligator’s comeback.\n  \n <div class="iframe-portrait"><iframe loading="lazy" title="alligator-video-social" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SxMul0QOA24" width="488" height="867" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></div>\n <h4>About Coyote Peterson</h4>\n Coyote Peterson is an Emmy Award-winning host and creator of YouTube’s “Brave Wilderness,” where his videos have drawn over 6 billion views worldwide. A lifelong animal lover, he studied video production, writing and film editing at Ohio State University before combining both passions. For over a decade, he’s worked alongside conservationists to protect the planet’s most misunderstood creatures — including a partnership that reintroduced 25 critically endangered black rhinos in South Africa.\n """ "custom_fields" => array:29 [ …29] "date" => "2026-09-03 23:45:52" "excerpt" => "By 1967, the American alligator — a reptile whose lineage predates the dinosaurs — had been hunted, skinned and pushed to the edge of extinction. Twenty years later it was thriving again, making a full recovery under the Endangered Species Act. In this episode, Dr. Rae sits down with Coyote Peterson, wildlife educator and creator […]\n" "id" => 5087 "modified" => "2026-09-04 19:15:46" "screenreader_text" => null "slug" => "from-near-extinction-to-5-million-the-american-alligators-comeback" "status" => "publish" "tags" => array:6 [ …6] "title" => "From Near Extinction to 5 Million: The American Alligator’s Comeback" "title_plain" => "From Near Extinction to 5 Million: The American Alligator’s Comeback" "type" => "podcast" "url" => "https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/podcast/from-near-extinction-to-5-million-the-american-alligators-comeback/" ] ] "relatedPosts" => array:12 [ 0 => array:20 [ "attachments" => array:2 [ …2] "author" => array:8 [ …8] "categories" => [] "comment_count" => 0 "comment_status" => "closed" "comments" => [] "content" => """ This episode of Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild bridges past and present with the extraordinary harpy eagle. Learn the role classic series Co-Host Jim Fowler played in its conservation. And see how the harpy eagle is doing today in Panama.\n Peter and Dr. Rae connect with the most powerful predator in South America: the harpy eagle. These birds are the largest eagles on earth with talons the size of grizzly bear claws. They prey on more than 100 different species and have no natural predators of their own. Peter visits raptor sanctuaries in Florida that are dedicated to the recovery of many birds of prey — especially harpy eagles. Following in the footsteps of Wild Kingdom’s original Co-Host Jim Fowler, Peter explores the unique and fascinating world of harpies and meets the conservationists working to preserve the species and habitats. Meanwhile, Dr. Rae travels to the biodiverse country of Panama, the ancestral home of harpy eagles to learn the cultural significance of this amazing raptor, which is the country’s national bird.\n <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/article/wild-kingdom-films-new-episodes-in-panama">Go behind the scenes</a> of “The Most Powerful Predator of the Sky.”\n Watch the episode on NBC and NBC.com.\n """ "custom_fields" => array:19 [ …19] "date" => "2024-11-02 12:05:13" "excerpt" => "This episode of Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild bridges past and present with the extraordinary harpy eagle. Learn the role classic series Co-Host Jim Fowler played in its conservation. And see how the harpy eagle is doing today in Panama. Peter and Dr. Rae connect with the most powerful predator in South […]\n" "id" => 3648 "modified" => "2024-11-04 09:14:37" "screenreader_text" => null "slug" => "the-most-powerful-predator-of-the-sky" "status" => "publish" "tags" => array:2 [ …2] "title" => "The Most Powerful Predator of the Sky" "title_plain" => "The Most Powerful Predator of the Sky" "type" => "video" "url" => "https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/video/the-most-powerful-predator-of-the-sky/" ] 1 => array:20 [ "attachments" => array:1 [ …1] "author" => array:8 [ …8] "categories" => [] "comment_count" => 0 "comment_status" => "closed" "comments" => [] "content" => """ Back by popular demand, Mutual of Omaha and Pineapple Street Studios are excited to announce that <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/the-podcast">Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom The Podcast</a> is returning for a second season. This podcast is based on the iconic and Daytime Emmy® Award-nominated television series, <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/protecting-the-wild">Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild</a>, and launches Feb 25. \n \n <h2>What to expect from Wild Kingdom The Podcast Season 2 </h2>\n Each week, listeners will explore the world of wildlife conservation with Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild Co-Hosts Peter Gros and Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant. The duo returns to share more incredible stories from their animal encounters and the inspiring people working behind the scenes to protect wildlife. This season, they embark on international adventures exploring places where wildlife conservation is celebrated and making a difference for future generations.  \n \n <h3>Upcoming episodes of Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom The Podcast </h3>\n Curious about what to expect from Season 2? Take a sneak peek at the first few episodes. \n <ul>\n <li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">How the Harpy Eagle United a Nation: The harpy eagle, once feared in Panama for its massive size and powerful talons, has now soared to national hero status. Today, it’s celebrated as the country’s national bird. Wildlife expert Ron Magill of Zoo Miami chats about these incredible birds, <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/article/wild-kingdoms-storied-history-of-harpy-eagles">how he helped bring the harpy eagle into the spotlight in Panama</a>, and how original Wild Kingdom Host Jim Fowler’s influence inspired him to become a zookeeper, shaping his lifelong dedication to wildlife conservation. </li>\n </ul>\n <ul>\n <li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="2" data-aria-level="1">A Manatee’s Journey From Rescue to Release: Every year, boat strikes injure and kill tens of thousands of manatees. In this episode, Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant and Peter Gros <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/video/gentle-giants">explore the challenges these gentle mammals face</a> in the wild and the ongoing efforts to protect them. We hear from guest expert Dr. Claire Erlacher-Reid, senior staff veterinarian at SeaWorld Rescue, who specializes in marine mammal rehabilitation and rescue. She discusses the threats manatees face, the critical work being done to help them and the wonderful experience of rehabilitating and releasing these magnificent animals back into the wild. </li>\n </ul>\n <ul>\n <li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="3" data-aria-level="1">How Tech Can Save Right Whales: With fewer than 360 North Atlantic right whales remaining in the wild, these incredible marine giants are critically endangered. In this episode, New England Aquarium Marine Biologist Orla O’Brien discusses this <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/video/north-atlantic-right-whale-conservation">urgent wildlife crisis and the challenges facing this species</a>. </li>\n </ul>\n <ul>\n <li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="4" data-aria-level="1">Uncovering the Elusive Ocelot: Fewer than 100 <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/video/the-hidden-world-of-ocelots">ocelots</a> remain in the United States, making these rare wildcats incredibly difficult to study and protect. Filmmaker and Wildlife Biologist Ben Masters discusses the importance of documenting endangered species, and how his work has led him to capture rare footage of these elusive cats. </li>\n </ul>\n \n <h3>Wild Kingdom podcast hosts share excitement </h3>\n Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant and Peter Gros return as hosts of Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom The Podcast, bringing their animal knowledge, lively stories from behind the scenes of Protecting the Wild and their individual field work to the mic. \n “Dr. Rae and I are so excited to launch Season 2 of our podcast to bring you untold wildlife and conservation stories from new locations around the world,” Peter said. \n “Bigger, better, braver than our debut run, Season 2 of Wild Kingdom The Podcast brings the fun and energy to all the behind-the-scenes moments from filming our most iconic wildlife and most adventurous expeditions,” Dr. Rae said. “The people we speak with are truly the heroes of wildlife conservation and this season will make you laugh, think and jump right into the environmental movement!” \n  \n <h2>How to listen to Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom The Podcast </h2>\n Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom The Podcast launches Feb. 25 with episodes airing each Tuesday. <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/the-podcast">Listen directly on our website and get direct links to each episode here</a>. You can also listen to episodes everywhere podcasts are available including: \n <ul>\n <li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1"><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mutual-of-omahas-wild-kingdom-the-podcast/id1754202738" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Apple</a> </li>\n </ul>\n <ul>\n <li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="2" data-aria-level="1"><a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/0a1BOq1LJEDVhmEDiY9M9m" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Spotify</a> </li>\n </ul>\n <ul>\n <li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="3" data-aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLA1UeRQ_bbVs99JcJKfqATcHnk2VetiL2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">YouTube</a> </li>\n </ul>\n <ul>\n <li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="4" data-aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.audacy.com/podcast/mutual-of-omahas-wild-kingdom-the-podcast-87967" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Audacy app</a> </li>\n </ul>\n \n Be sure to catch up on episodes of <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/protecting-the-wild">Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild</a>, airing weekends on NBC and <a href="https://www.nbc.com/mutual-of-omahas-wild-kingdom-protecting-the-wild" target="_blank" rel="noopener">streaming on NBC.com</a>, the NBC app and Peacock. \n """ "custom_fields" => array:18 [ …18] "date" => "2025-02-18 09:00:02" "excerpt" => "Back by popular demand, Mutual of Omaha and Pineapple Street Studios are excited to announce that Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom The Podcast is returning for a second season. This podcast is based on the iconic and Daytime Emmy® Award-nominated television series, Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild, and launches Feb 25. […]\n" "id" => 3852 "modified" => "2025-02-18 16:12:28" "screenreader_text" => null "slug" => "wild-kingdom-podcast-launches-season-2" "status" => "publish" "tags" => array:4 [ …4] "title" => "Wild Kingdom Podcast Launches Season 2" "title_plain" => "Wild Kingdom Podcast Launches Season 2" "type" => "video" "url" => "https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/video/wild-kingdom-podcast-launches-season-2/" ] 2 => array:20 [ "attachments" => array:7 [ …7] "author" => array:8 [ …8] "categories" => [] "comment_count" => 0 "comment_status" => "closed" "comments" => [] "content" => """ Harpy eagles may have their first featured story on Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom with the <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/protecting-the-wild">Protecting the Wild</a> Season Two episode, “The Most Powerful Predator in the Sky,” but their history with Wild Kingdom goes way back to the 1950s with original series co-host, <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/meet-our-hosts">Jim Fowler</a>.\n Discover how Jim went from researching harpy eagles in the wild to working with Ron Magill, Zoo Miami’s goodwill ambassador and communications director, to designate the harpy eagle as Panama’s national bird.\n <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-3714" src="https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/12/harpy-eagle1-1024x401.jpg" alt="A harpy eagle hunched over with its mouth slightly open. A harpy eagle is a large bird that has a grey head with dark grey and white features on its wings and body." width="1024" height="401" srcset="https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/12/harpy-eagle1-1024x401.jpg 1024w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/12/harpy-eagle1-300x118.jpg 300w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/12/harpy-eagle1-150x59.jpg 150w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/12/harpy-eagle1-768x301.jpg 768w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/12/harpy-eagle1.jpg 1440w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />\n  \n <h2>Early introductions to the harpy eagle</h2>\n <h3>Jim Fowler’s harpy eagle studies in Guyana</h3>\n Before Jim joined <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/meet-our-hosts">Marlin Perkins</a> to form <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/classic-episodes">Wild Kingdom</a> in 1963, he spent time in present-day Guyana studying harpy eagles, South America’s largest bird of prey. From December 1959 to May 1960, Jim and Earlham College Biology Professor James Cope, observed two harpy eagle families in their native habitat. He returned to the sites in 1961 and published “Notes on the Harpy Eagle in British Guiana,” in The Auk, a quarterly journal of ornithology in 1964.\n Their research was one of the first formal accounts of harpy eagles. They noted harpy eagle habitat, detailed behavior of wild juvenile and adult eagles and took measurements.\n “We made many observations at the nest sites of two families of Harpy Eagles, either from a blind or from other concealment in the immediate vicinity of their nest trees. We took precaution at all times to keep the eagles from being aware of our presence. We think these are among the first detailed observations of Harpy Eagles in their native habitat,” they wrote in The Auk.\n Jim later brought three harpy eagles from Guyana to the U.S., showing one off on the “Today” show. Not only would the segment introduce Americans to the bird of prey, but it would also catch the eye of Marlin, who was <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/article/celebrating-marlin-perkins-and-jim-fowlers-legacy">looking for a co-host for a TV show</a> — Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom.\n <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-3715" src="https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/12/jim-ron-throwback-1024x401.jpg" alt="Ron Magill and Jim Fowler standing next to a fence with a large sign written in Spanish that mentions the harpy eagle." width="1024" height="401" srcset="https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/12/jim-ron-throwback-1024x401.jpg 1024w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/12/jim-ron-throwback-300x118.jpg 300w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/12/jim-ron-throwback-150x59.jpg 150w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/12/jim-ron-throwback-768x301.jpg 768w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/12/jim-ron-throwback.jpg 1440w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />\n <h3>Ron Magill’s fascination with harpy eagles</h3>\n Meanwhile, as a child in New York City, Magill enjoyed watching Wild Kingdom. He also spent time visiting the city’s American Museum of Natural History learning about wildlife and our natural world. There, he became fascinated with harpy eagles and dove into research.\n “Lo and behold one of the first articles ever written about the harpy eagle was by Jim Fowler,” Magill said. “I started to deep dive and said, ‘Oh my God, this guy Jim Fowler, is not only my hero from watching him on Wild Kingdom, he’s the expert on my favorite animal in the entire planet!’”\n Magill and Jim would eventually meet each other in Miami at a Wild Kingdom event, prompting a decades-long friendship.\n “It’s almost as if we knew each other for many, many years,” Magill said. “We were like kindred spirits.”\n <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-3717" src="https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/12/harpy-chick-1024x401.jpg" alt="A harpy eagle chick sitting in a nest, looking towards the camera. It has fluffy white feathers and a black beak. " width="1024" height="401" srcset="https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/12/harpy-chick-1024x401.jpg 1024w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/12/harpy-chick-300x118.jpg 300w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/12/harpy-chick-150x59.jpg 150w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/12/harpy-chick-768x301.jpg 768w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/12/harpy-chick.jpg 1440w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />\n <h2>Harpy eagles in Panama</h2>\n The friendship wasn’t just an opportunity for two people to bond over a love of wildlife, it was a catalyst for change.\n Magill visited family in Panama and while there, went to a local zoo that had harpy eagles on display. A pair of large, majestic raptors were in a small cage. It didn’t sit well with Magill.\n “It was such a bittersweet moment for me because there’s a pair of harpy eagles in this tiny little chain link cage with horrible, really not even perches,” Magill said. “They appeared to be malnourished.”\n He went to the zoo’s director and spoke of the horrible conditions and the need for change. But the director didn’t have money.\n “So, I wrote a letter to the Mayor of Panama City, and everybody laughed at me saying, “Hey, what, you think your stupid gringo, you’re going to write this letter to the mayor and you’re going to get any kind of attention from the mayor?’” Magill said.\n His letter was convincing, earning him a meeting with the mayor. Although the mayor said she had limited funding to help the eagles, she gave Magill the go-ahead to fundraise to improve the eagles’ lives at the zoo.\n The fundraiser caught the attention of Sony Corporation and suddenly, Magill needed to present to the president of Sony.\n <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-3716" src="https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/12/jim-ron-later-1024x401.jpg" alt="Ron Magill and Jim Fowler posing together later in their lives. There are trees and a wood cabin behind them." width="1024" height="401" srcset="https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/12/jim-ron-later-1024x401.jpg 1024w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/12/jim-ron-later-300x118.jpg 300w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/12/jim-ron-later-150x59.jpg 150w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/12/jim-ron-later-768x301.jpg 768w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/12/jim-ron-later.jpg 1440w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />\n <h3>Fowler, Magill save the harpy eagle together</h3>\n “So, I called Jim,” Magill said. “I said, Jim, I’m just a zookeeper, but if they see you next to me, they’re all going to know who you are.”\n Jim agreed to go to Panama with Magill and present to Sony on one condition: Magill would do all the talking.\n It paid off. Sony donated $250,000 to kickstart the project.\n Together, Magill and Jim worked with Zoo Miami to design and build Harpy Eagle Center at Summit Municipal Park. The work wasn’t done, however.\n Magill spoke in front of the Panamanian Congress and on April 10, 2002, the harpy eagle was named the national bird of Panama.\n “Now when you go to Panama, the harpy eagle is everywhere,” Magill said. “The minute you get off a plane at the airport, you see these huge billboards. There are dioramas of eagles everywhere and the badges of all the police departments were changed to have harpy eagles on top.”\n Magill says he couldn’t have done it without Jim.\n “He guided me and was always behind me, always pushing me to do this project that resulted in changing an entire culture of a country for a bird that we both love beyond belief,” Magill said.\n <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-3718" src="https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/12/peter-harpy-1024x401.jpg" alt="Peter Gros with a harpy eagle on his arm. He's wearing a thick, black protective glove to save his skin from the eagle's sharp tallons." width="1024" height="401" srcset="https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/12/peter-harpy-1024x401.jpg 1024w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/12/peter-harpy-300x118.jpg 300w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/12/peter-harpy-150x59.jpg 150w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/12/peter-harpy-768x301.jpg 768w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/12/peter-harpy.jpg 1440w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />\n <h2>Harpy eagles on Protecting the Wild</h2>\n In the Season Two episode, Magill joins Protecting the Wild Co-Host Peter Gros to <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/article/wild-kingdom-films-new-episodes-in-panama">talk about harpy eagles at Zoo Miami</a>. The zoo is the only one in the country with a breeding pair of harpy eagles.\n “We did a whole segment to talk about the harpy eagle itself to talk about my adventures with Jim in Panama and to share memories of Jim what an inspiration he was to both of us and how he really laid down the foundation not just for what we do, but really for all the television presenters you see today,” Magill said.\n And back in Panama, Co-Host Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant saw Magill and Jim’s continued legacy. She visited Summit Municipal Park and met a harpy eagle, aptly named “Panama.”\n “Reveling in her beauty was captivating, and learning about the sheer power of harpy eagles was incredible,” Dr. Rae said.\n An encounter only possible by the legacy of Wild Kingdom’s own, Jim Fowler.\n <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/article/celebrating-marlin-perkins-and-jim-fowlers-legacy">Learn more about Jim’s time on Wild Kingdom</a> and how the original stories came to be.\n """ "custom_fields" => array:17 [ …17] "date" => "2024-12-10 13:55:25" "excerpt" => "Harpy eagles may have their first featured story on Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom with the Protecting the Wild Season Two episode, “The Most Powerful Predator in the Sky,” but their history with Wild Kingdom goes way back to the 1950s with original series co-host, Jim Fowler. Discover how Jim went from researching harpy eagles […]\n" "id" => 3710 "modified" => "2024-12-10 13:55:25" "screenreader_text" => "A harpy eagle sitting on a branch in a tree. It's a large bird that has a grey head with dark grey and white features on its wings and body." "slug" => "wild-kingdoms-storied-history-of-harpy-eagles" "status" => "publish" "tags" => array:4 [ …4] "title" => "Wild Kingdom’s Storied History of Harpy Eagles" "title_plain" => "Wild Kingdom’s Storied History of Harpy Eagles" "type" => "article" "url" => "https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/article/wild-kingdoms-storied-history-of-harpy-eagles/" ] 3 => array:20 [ "attachments" => array:8 [ …8] "author" => array:8 [ …8] "categories" => [] "comment_count" => 0 "comment_status" => "closed" "comments" => [] "content" => """ When <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/classic-episodes">Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom</a> premiered on Jan. 6, 1963, it introduced millions of Americans to a new genre of television: wildlife programming. Though other shows aired during its original run, no other nature series continues to stir up name recognition and fond childhood memories quite like Wild Kingdom.\n To enjoy Wild Kingdom, viewers didn’t need to be animal experts. All they needed was an appetite for adventure, because <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/meet-our-hosts">Hosts Marlin Perkins and Jim Fowler</a> were their guides to the natural world.\n Even today if you say, “Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom” it isn’t long before someone starts talking about Marlin and Jim, and their extraordinary encounters with wildlife. Many will recall <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/video/marlin-perkins-wrestles-an-anaconda">Marlin’s wrestle with an anaconda</a> in the Season 6 episode, “Giants of Dadanawa,” as a favorite encounter. Throughout their 22 years of hosting, Jim and Marlin shared many memorable moments and became legends in the story of wildlife conservation.\n Discover how Marlin and Jim went from animal experts to TV stars, all while keeping true to their roots.\n  \n <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-3251" src="https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/06/marlin-zoo-parade-1024x508.jpg" alt="A black and white image of two men wearing suits on a television set with animals. One is holding a microphone, the other has a small monkey on a leash. You can be part of the large camera that says "WNBQ Television" on it." width="1024" height="508" srcset="https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/06/marlin-zoo-parade-1024x508.jpg 1024w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/06/marlin-zoo-parade-300x149.jpg 300w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/06/marlin-zoo-parade-150x74.jpg 150w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/06/marlin-zoo-parade-768x381.jpg 768w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/06/marlin-zoo-parade-1536x761.jpg 1536w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/06/marlin-zoo-parade.jpg 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />\n  \n <h2>Marlin and Jim before Wild Kingdom</h2>\n <h3>From Zoo Parade to Wild Kingdom</h3>\n Marlin’s wildlife career started as a grounds crew member at the Saint Louis Zoo, where he earned $3.75 a week. He didn’t stay a groundskeeper for long — within two years he became curator of reptiles, exponentially growing the zoo’s collection to 500 animals. From there, he was the Saint Louis Zoo’s director as well as director the New York Zoological Gardens and Chicago’s Lincoln Park Zoo.\n Chicago brought him his first opportunity with television, hosting a local show, Zoo Parade in 1949. By the next year, the series ran nationally and showcased animals from the zoo. It was produced by Don Meier, who later went on to create and produce <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/classic-episodes">Wild Kingdom</a>.\n “He started off in TV when there were about 200 receivers in the Chicago area,” said <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/article/marlin-perkins-daughter-shares-excitement-for-new-series">Marlin’s daughter, Marguerite Perkins Garrick</a>.\n By the time Zoo Parade ended in 1955, Marlin was recognized as an animal expert. He traveled for speaking engagements including to Omaha, Nebraska, in 1962, home of one of Zoo Parade’s former sponsors, Mutual of Omaha. It was in Omaha that Marlin spoke with CEO V.J. Skutt about a new series that would later become Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom.\n <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/article/protection-is-in-our-dna-wild-kingdom-and-mutual-of-omaha">Learn more about the creation and early days of Wild Kingdom</a>.\n <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-3252" src="https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/06/jim-harpy-eagle-1024x508.jpg" alt="A black and white image of a man, Jim Fowler, with a large harpy eagle perched on his hand. He's wearing a protective glove on that arm and his other arm is touching the chest of the eagle." width="1024" height="508" srcset="https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/06/jim-harpy-eagle-1024x508.jpg 1024w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/06/jim-harpy-eagle-300x149.jpg 300w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/06/jim-harpy-eagle-150x74.jpg 150w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/06/jim-harpy-eagle-768x381.jpg 768w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/06/jim-harpy-eagle-1536x761.jpg 1536w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/06/jim-harpy-eagle.jpg 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />\n <h3>How did Marlin and Jim meet?</h3>\n While Marlin was hosting Zoo Parade, Jim was finishing up his degrees in zoology and geology from Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana. He then worked at a raptor sanctuary in Florida and later studied harpy eagles along the Amazon River in Brazil.\n Jim’s expertise of harpy eagles landed him a spot on NBC’s Today show in 1961. But more importantly, it caught the eye of Marlin, who then invited Jim to host Wild Kingdom.\n  \n <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-3253" src="https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/06/fowler-marlin-lizard-1024x508.jpg" alt="Two men, Jim Fowler and Marlin Perkins. Marlin, the man on the right is holding a lizard. There is a blue sky and trees behind them." width="1024" height="508" srcset="https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/06/fowler-marlin-lizard-1024x508.jpg 1024w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/06/fowler-marlin-lizard-300x149.jpg 300w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/06/fowler-marlin-lizard-150x74.jpg 150w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/06/fowler-marlin-lizard-768x381.jpg 768w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/06/fowler-marlin-lizard-1536x761.jpg 1536w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/06/fowler-marlin-lizard.jpg 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />\n  \n <h2>Marlin and Jim host Wild Kingdom</h2>\n When viewers first saw Marlin and Jim in the first episode, “<a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/classic-episodes/myths-and-superstitions">Myths and Superstitions</a>,” the hosts had a palpable enthusiasm for wildlife and an eagerness to share their findings with the world. The duo would go on to host more than 20 seasons, taking viewers to six of the seven continents.\n <h3>Debunking the myth: Marlin in the studio, Jim in the field</h3>\n The series featured moments in both the studio and in the wild. In studio, Marlin donned a suit and tie while Jim sported a khaki shirt and pants, looking ready to head out into the field. Perhaps this duality of fashion is what started the notion that Marlin was always in the studio and Jim did his “dirty work.” But Tonight Show host Johnny Carson was the one who cemented the sentiment.\n “Johnny Carson started that and I can’t seem to shake the image. It isn’t true, you know. Marlin was right there with me on almost all of the stuff,” <a href="https://greensboro.com/jim-will-tackle-the-anaconda-jim-fowler-s-still-at/article_50970a51-de3d-5959-96f2-691f9623784d.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jim told the Associated Press</a> in 1993.\n  \n <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-3254" src="https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/06/marlin-jim-canoe-1024x508.jpg" alt="Marlin Perkins and Jim Fowler in a canoe on a river. Marlin appears to be using an ore to row while Jim is standing slightly, bent over with his hands on his knees and looking into the water." width="1024" height="508" srcset="https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/06/marlin-jim-canoe-1024x508.jpg 1024w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/06/marlin-jim-canoe-300x149.jpg 300w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/06/marlin-jim-canoe-150x74.jpg 150w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/06/marlin-jim-canoe-768x381.jpg 768w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/06/marlin-jim-canoe-1536x761.jpg 1536w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/06/marlin-jim-canoe.jpg 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />\n  \n <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/classic-episodes">Watch classic Wild Kingdom episodes</a> back today and you’ll see that Jim wasn’t alone filming on location. Marlin was right there with him, tracking animals and telling viewers what he saw.\n “Jim would tell me that was blown way out of proportion,” said Ron Magill, Zoo Miami goodwill ambassador and communications director. “Marlin many times would go in and do a lot of the things Jim did. He defended Marlin wholeheartedly; it was a very big misconception.”\n It’s true, however, in the later years of the show, Jim did spend more time in the wild. This was simply because Marlin was 25 years his senior and battling cancer. In 1985, Marlin stepped down as host to focus on his health. <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/meet-our-hosts">Peter Gros</a> joined the Wild Kingdom team and continues to be a part of it today as co-host of <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/protecting-the-wild">Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild</a> with <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/meet-our-hosts">Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant</a>.\n  \n <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-3255" src="https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/06/marlin-jim-scouts-1024x508.jpg" alt="Marlin Perkins and Jim Fowler bottle feeding small deer on their laps. There are two scouts seated on either side of them. They appear to be sitting in front of a camp with tree large tents in setup behind them." width="1024" height="508" srcset="https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/06/marlin-jim-scouts-1024x508.jpg 1024w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/06/marlin-jim-scouts-300x149.jpg 300w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/06/marlin-jim-scouts-150x74.jpg 150w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/06/marlin-jim-scouts-768x381.jpg 768w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/06/marlin-jim-scouts-1536x761.jpg 1536w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/06/marlin-jim-scouts.jpg 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />\n  \n <h2>Who were the real Marlin and Jim?</h2>\n Outside their wild adventures, what were Marlin and Jim like? Those who worked with the hosts say they weren’t affected by their fame.\n “Marlin was always more interested in hearing what you’ve been doing than telling you what he’d been doing,” said <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/article/traveling-the-world-with-wild-kingdom">Peter Drowne, Wild Kingdom director of photography and field production</a>. “There are a lot of people in the public eye that are sort of ego involved. But Marlin and Jim were not that way.”\n Magill echoes the sentiment for Jim saying, “when you meet him, you realize he’s such a Southern gentleman, such a great person and never full of himself. I’ve worked with a lot of celebrities who are so full of themselves. Jim was the absolute opposite.”\n Even when Marlin would return home from his memorable filming trips, he wouldn’t focus on what he saw abroad, but rather wanted to know what had happened while he was gone.\n “He always wanted to hear our news first, like if I got the part in a play,” Perkins Garrick said.\n <h3></h3>\n <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-3256" src="https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/06/marlin-jim-newspaper-old-1024x508.jpg" alt="An older Marlin Perkins and Jim Fowler look at each other while each holding a side of a newspaper. They are both wearing suits." width="1024" height="508" srcset="https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/06/marlin-jim-newspaper-old-1024x508.jpg 1024w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/06/marlin-jim-newspaper-old-300x149.jpg 300w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/06/marlin-jim-newspaper-old-150x74.jpg 150w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/06/marlin-jim-newspaper-old-768x381.jpg 768w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/06/marlin-jim-newspaper-old-1536x761.jpg 1536w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2024/06/marlin-jim-newspaper-old.jpg 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />\n <h3></h3>\n <h3>How Jim and Marlin’s legacy lives on</h3>\n Humility, charisma and expertise — these are the characteristics that made Jim and Marlin stand out among the pack and they’re what many still recall about the hosts today.\n “Jim taught us all how to be humble and respectful at all times,” Magill said. “Look at some of the things he did even on the Tonight Show. There was just a humbleness to him that was fantastic.”\n Though Marlin and Jim filmed hundreds of episodes, they made every episode an unforgettable event for all those involved.\n “I really appreciated his ability to be the spokesman to the program and involve the audience and give all the people he worked with such a special experience,” Drowne said of Marlin.\n But why did Wild Kingdom resonate with the general public? Because its hosts went beyond the scientific facts about animals and invited the audience to truly connect with wildlife conservation.\n “Jim was such a great storyteller,” Magill said. “That’s going to define the difference between a person who’s successful in getting people involved in conservation and one who is not. You can have people who do research, can write great scientific papers and can do all the technical things.\n “But if you’re not able to connect with the common man who lives among these animals that we’re trying to protect, all your research, all your work is going to be a moot point. Because until we get those people to take ownership and want to care for these animals themselves, we’re not going to be able to save them. And that was the gift Jim had.”\n Their legacy lives on today in those they inspired.\n “All my life, conservationists, veterinarians, zoologists, field biologists and people who have been moved to volunteer and support wildlife organizations have told me my dad and Wild Kingdom were their inspiration to want to work with and conserve animals,” Perkins Garrick said.\n  \n <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/protecting-the-wild">Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild</a> hopes to encourage a new generation of conservationists.\n  \n “Something that’s so imperative about Wild Kingdom, it enables families to sit down and watch and connect on a common level, a common appreciation of something that affects all of us,” Magill said.\n We hope it’s something Jim and Marlin would be proud of.\n """ "custom_fields" => array:17 [ …17] "date" => "2024-06-24 17:14:19" "excerpt" => "When Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom premiered on Jan. 6, 1963, it introduced millions of Americans to a new genre of television: wildlife programming. Though other shows aired during its original run, no other nature series continues to stir up name recognition and fond childhood memories quite like Wild Kingdom. To enjoy Wild Kingdom, viewers […]\n" "id" => 3248 "modified" => "2024-10-18 10:54:25" "screenreader_text" => "A black and white image of two men, Jim Fowler and Marlin Perkins, hiding behind a large rock. Behind them are trees, shrubs and sticks." "slug" => "celebrating-marlin-perkins-and-jim-fowlers-legacy" "status" => "publish" "tags" => array:3 [ …3] "title" => "Celebrating Marlin Perkins and Jim Fowler’s Legacy" "title_plain" => "Celebrating Marlin Perkins and Jim Fowler’s Legacy" "type" => "article" "url" => "https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/article/celebrating-marlin-perkins-and-jim-fowlers-legacy/" ] 4098 => array:21 [ "attachments" => array:2 [ …2] "author" => array:8 [ …8] "categories" => [] "comment_count" => 0 "comment_status" => "closed" "comments" => [] "content" => """ Bison may no longer be on the brink of extinction, but their journey is far from over. With dwindling genetic diversity and the absence of natural selection, these prairie ecosystem engineers are not as wild as they once were. In this episode, Dr. Daniel Kinka, director of rewilding at American Prairie, shares the story of bison — from their near extinction due to westward expansion to their return to the plains. We also learn why bison rewilding is essential to restoring biodiversity and ensuring the prairie thrives for generations to come.\n Bonus track: Jen Osburn Eliot at Oregon Zoo shares how it’s helping Northwestern pond turtles grow strong in a program that raises and releases them back into the wild.\n Watch <a href="https://www.nbc.com/mutual-of-omahas-wild-kingdom-protecting-the-wild/video/rewilding-the-american-prairie/9000414728" target="_blank" rel="noopener">“Rewilding the American Prairie” on NBC.com</a>.\n """ "custom_fields" => array:30 [ …30] "date" => "2025-04-29 16:36:14" "excerpt" => "Bison may no longer be on the brink of extinction, but their journey is far from over. With dwindling genetic diversity and the absence of natural selection, these prairie ecosystem engineers are not as wild as they once were. In this episode, Dr. Daniel Kinka, director of rewilding at American Prairie, shares the story of […]\n" "id" => 4098 "modified" => "2026-07-08 22:44:32" "screenreader_text" => null "slug" => "restoring-the-bison-reviving-the-prairie" "status" => "publish" "tags" => array:1 [ …1] "title" => "Restoring the Bison, Reviving the Prairie" "title_plain" => "Restoring the Bison, Reviving the Prairie" "type" => "podcast" "updated_date" => "2025-04-29 00:00:00" "url" => "https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/podcast/restoring-the-bison-reviving-the-prairie/" ] 4113 => array:21 [ "attachments" => array:2 [ …2] "author" => array:8 [ …8] "categories" => [] "comment_count" => 0 "comment_status" => "closed" "comments" => [] "content" => """ As climate change rapidly melts Arctic sea ice, polar bears could face near extinction by the end of the century. But thanks to the work of dedicated conservationists, there’s hope. In this episode, Nikki Smith, curator at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, shares her mission to help save polar bears in the wild and secure the future of this incredible species. She discusses the many challenges they face, from rising temperatures disrupting their breeding and growth to surviving in extreme freezing conditions and how the zoo’s breeding program is essential for the survival of this species.\n Bonus track: Jennica King at Sedgwick County Zoo shares how the zoo’s efforts gave two orphaned bears a second chance — not just to survive, but to thrive.\n <a href="https://www.nbc.com/mutual-of-omahas-wild-kingdom-protecting-the-wild/video/on-thin-ice/9000414720" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Watch “On Thin Ice” on NBC.com</a>.\n """ "custom_fields" => array:30 [ …30] "date" => "2025-05-06 09:32:46" "excerpt" => "As climate change rapidly melts Arctic sea ice, polar bears could face near extinction by the end of the century. But thanks to the work of dedicated conservationists, there’s hope. In this episode, Nikki Smith, curator at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, shares her mission to help save polar bears in the wild and secure […]\n" "id" => 4113 "modified" => "2026-07-08 22:46:46" "screenreader_text" => null "slug" => "the-incredible-resilience-of-polar-bears" "status" => "publish" "tags" => array:1 [ …1] "title" => "The Incredible Resilience of Polar Bears" "title_plain" => "The Incredible Resilience of Polar Bears" "type" => "podcast" "updated_date" => "2025-05-06 00:00:00" "url" => "https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/podcast/the-incredible-resilience-of-polar-bears/" ] 4142 => array:21 [ "attachments" => array:26 [ …26] "author" => array:8 [ …8] "categories" => [] "comment_count" => 0 "comment_status" => "closed" "comments" => [] "content" => """ Conversations of squeaks, whistles and buzzes are an important way that beluga whales communicate in the dark depths of the ocean. In this episode, Dr. Kristin Westdal of Oceans North chats about her groundbreaking research of beluga behaviors and how noise pollution in the water can impact these beautiful mammals. She shares some unforgettable moments of up-close encounters with belugas while kayaking in the frigid waters near Churchill, Manitoba.\n Bonus track: Sunny Nelson from Lincoln Park Zoo shares her journey researching the beautiful, and nearly extinct, Bali Myna, a rare bird found only in Bali, Indonesia.\n Watch <a href="https://www.nbc.com/mutual-of-omahas-wild-kingdom-protecting-the-wild/video/canaries-of-the-sea/9000414730" target="_blank" rel="noopener">“Canaries of the Sea” on NBC.com</a>.\n """ "custom_fields" => array:29 [ …29] "date" => "2025-05-13 10:55:28" "excerpt" => "Conversations of squeaks, whistles and buzzes are an important way that beluga whales communicate in the dark depths of the ocean. In this episode, Dr. Kristin Westdal of Oceans North chats about her groundbreaking research of beluga behaviors and how noise pollution in the water can impact these beautiful mammals. She shares some unforgettable moments […]\n" "id" => 4142 "modified" => "2026-07-08 22:47:57" "screenreader_text" => null "slug" => "the-sounds-of-beluga-whales" "status" => "publish" "tags" => array:1 [ …1] "title" => "The Sounds of Beluga Whales" "title_plain" => "The Sounds of Beluga Whales" "type" => "podcast" "updated_date" => "2025-05-13 00:00:00" "url" => "https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/podcast/the-sounds-of-beluga-whales/" ] 4912 => array:21 [ "attachments" => array:3 [ …3] "author" => array:8 [ …8] "categories" => [] "comment_count" => 0 "comment_status" => "closed" "comments" => [] "content" => """ In the 1970s, the green sea turtle was vanishing. Poaching, egg harvesting and habitat loss had crashed global numbers by 67%, landing one of the ocean’s most treasured wild animals on the endangered species list. Extinction had become a genuine possibility. \n In the first episode of Back From the Brink, Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant sits down with wildlife biologist and TV host Jeff Corwin to unpack green sea turtle’s incredible comeback. After over 30 years of working with sea turtles around the world, Jeff has watched a critically endangered species he once feared we’d lose become, against all odds, an environmental conservation success. It’s a surprising story — told by one of television’s most passionate conservationists. \n <h3>Explore Sea Turtle Stories </h3>\n Discover more sea turtle facts through Wild Kingdom videos and articles about turtle conservation, rescue and rehabilitation. \n <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/article/sea-turtle-stranding-brings-organizations-together-for-rescue">Sea Turtle Stranding Brings Organizations Together for Rescue</a> \n <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/article/manatee-and-sea-turtle-conservation">Manatee and Sea Turtle Conservation</a> \n <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/video/reef-revival">Reef Revival Episode</a> \n <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/video/celebrating-world-sea-turtle-day">Celebrating World Sea Turtle Day</a> \n <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/article/why-do-some-species-migrate">Why Do Some Species Migrate?</a> \n <h3>The Green Sea Turtle’s Hidden Life Cycle</h3>\n <div class="iframe-video"><iframe loading="lazy" title="The Green Sea Turtles's Hidden Life Cycle" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0zRghzwDh0w" width="1263" height="710" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></div>\n <div class="Accordion Container">\n <div id="turtle-video-transcript" class="Accordion-panel">\n <div class="Accordion-panelHeader"><a class="Accordion-panelTrigger" href="#turtle-video-transcript" data-accordion-trigger=""> \n Show Transcript<img decoding="async" src="https://cdn.mutualofomaha.com/wildkingdom/v3/icons/explore/down_arrow_WK-reveal.svg" alt="arrow" /> \n </a></div>\n <div class="Accordion-panelBody">\n [Rae] Walk me through that life cycle from where it’s born.\n [Jeff] Yeah, so when the sea turtle, when the mom, she comes out and she excavates that nest out to deposit her eggs and she may during that season, she’ll do multiple nests. She’ll do like a decoy nest to do kind of sloppy that kind of fool the animals.\n Oh, clever.\n The idea is you do multiple nests so your entire clutch isn’t lost. And then, you know, she’s laying between 30 and 70 eggs.\n [Rae] Okay.\n Little bigger than a ping pong ball. And then she goes back to sea. When she comes out to nest, she is nesting on the very beach where she was born.\n Amazing.\n Where her life began. And she is the only time a sea turtle, for the most part, with few places like Hawaii will have this phenomenon of sea turtles that actually will sleep in the beach, most sea turtles become plagic. A sea turtle born that hatches out on Florida may find its way, we’ve tracked them to the coast of Africa.\n [Rae] Oh my gosh.\n [Jeff] Sea turtles from Africa have shown up beating in the horn of Cape Cod, Massachusetts.\n [Interviewer] Incredible.\n So they are incredibly adaptive of using the ocean’s currents to go from A to B or go from the new world to the old world.\n And we can find them in all of the oceans essentially, right?\n We even have some sea turtles that go into the Arctic.\n What?\n Think of sea turtles as being cold blooded and not being warm blooded, being endothermic, but they are the only turtle that is megathermic because they are so big they are like their own, they’re a closed loop energy system. So the nest is laid there and she will go back to sea and only the females will come out. Males will spend their whole lives in the ocean.\n At sea, isn’t that something?\n And when they hatch out, you know, if they’re lucky enough, if they’re that one in 10,000 that survive the flood, that survive that high tide, that survive the coyotes of the raccoons, that survive the ghost crabs and all the fish that will eat them, then they’ll come back 20 years later. It will take two decades for that mom to come to the beach, excavate that nest out and bring that next generation in. So that’s kind of how the cycle works.\n The recovery of the green sea turtle didn’t happen by accident, it happened because people decided it would. But the threats that nearly wiped them out haven’t disappeared and some new ones have arrived.\n So green sea turtles were listed on the endangered species list. And that made a big difference at least in the US and in North America in their protection. And you know, and I think it also made a difference worldwide.\n It did because they were protected internationally. The IUCN and other groups and there was a tremendous-. There’s still places where people eat green turtles and other sea turtles. The green turtle is the one that’s actually eaten the most. People don’t eat leatherbacks.\n And they’re eating this green meat.\n Yeah.\n I can’t get over that.\n That’s what they say is, I’ve been to places where I’ve seen it being cooked in the streets of Indonesia and other places. But that was the most hunted sea turtle. They would hunt them for their eggs. And sometimes they would just literally get them all on board, cut them open, remove the eggs. And you look at those old National Geographic photos and you don’t really see that anymore. But they still face future challenges. One is a warming world.\n Yeah.\n And how do we combat that? And the other are plastics.\n Okay, talk to me about plastics in the ocean.\n Yeah, we dump 10 billion pounds of plastics every year into our oceans. And you can see that as blue as a beautiful bluebird morning in New England. I’ve been to the Trash Pacific Gyre and I’ve seen that and where you see something that looks like an island that is hundreds of miles in size of this gyro of trash that has all come together. And there are places where beautiful, Bali for example, you go there and they have to every day, because people have spent all this money to be a tourist in beautiful Bali, they have to come in with excavators and front end loaders every morning just to clean the trash off the beach. And that is a preventable thing. It is something we could mitigate. So that’s the good news. If we decided, we could eliminate almost all of the plastic trash that goes into our oceans, there’s a way we could manage that. But it’s been documented that one like big landscape plastic bag, you know, those plastic bags that’s really tough, can kill five individual sea turtles\n [Rae] Just one.\n Before it’s broken up enough into little pieces that it could pass through. And I have been to so many sea turtle hospitals where that is it. So you have them eating plastics, and then off Florida boat strikes, big problem. And then they have diseases that may be the result of climate change, may be the result of pollution. It’s a papilloma type virus where they get these tumors and they’ll often get them in and they’ll remove the tumors and stuff. So they have challenges. But overall, I don’t like to look at things as good news or success, I would say it’s a promising story.\n Okay.\n It’s a hopeful story. We are at a place of uncertainty and hope with green sea turtles and all the other sea turtles that we have out there. But I would argue we are there where we have this out of sight, out of mind, oh, we fixed it.\n Sure.\n We live in a world now where, whether you like it or not, in the last century, humankind has consumed 70 to 80% of all our planet’s nature. We, whether we like it or not, have been given this responsibility to be our planet stewards. And that is something that will always require vigilancy. (soft music)\n </div>\n </div>\n </div>\n A sea turtle hatchling has a one-in-10,000 shot at survival. And if it beats those odds, it won’t return to nest for another two decades. In this episodette, Jeff Corwin walks Dr. Rae through the green sea turtle’s remarkable life cycle, from decoy nests to transoceanic migration. Then he turns to the threats still facing the species today: 10 billion pounds of plastic dumped into the ocean every year, boat strikes, disease and a planet where humankind has consumed 70%–80% of nature in the last century. It’s not a fixed problem — it’s an ongoing one. \n <div class="iframe-portrait"><iframe loading="lazy" title="turtle-video-social" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4EGtKCuOJrc" width="488" height="867" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></div>\n <h4>About Jeff Corwin </h4>\n Jeff Corwin is a wildlife biologist, conservationist and an Emmy Award–winning producer and host of more than a dozen television series that have been broadcast in more than 100 countries. His shows are featured on networks including Discovery, Animal Planet, Disney, the Food Network, NBC, CNN and Travel Channel. Corwin holds Bachelor of Science degrees in biology and anthropology from Bridgewater State College and a Master of Science degree in wildlife and fisheries conservation from the University of Massachusetts. He’s the founder of the EcoZone, an interactive museum in Norwell, Massachusetts. When not in the field, Corwin resides with his wife and two daughters on a small island off the southeastern coast of Massachusetts. \n """ "custom_fields" => array:31 [ …31] "date" => "2026-07-08 21:11:49" "excerpt" => "In the 1970s, the green sea turtle was vanishing. Poaching, egg harvesting and habitat loss had crashed global numbers by 67%, landing one of the ocean’s most treasured wild animals on the endangered species list. Extinction had become a genuine possibility. In the first episode of Back From the Brink, Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant sits down with wildlife biologist and TV host Jeff Corwin […]\n" "id" => 4912 "modified" => "2026-08-20 12:08:04" "screenreader_text" => null "slug" => "the-green-sea-turtles-impossible-comeback" "status" => "publish" "tags" => array:6 [ …6] "title" => "The Green Sea Turtle’s Impossible Comeback" "title_plain" => "The Green Sea Turtle’s Impossible Comeback" "type" => "podcast" "updated_date" => "2026-07-23 00:00:00" "url" => "https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/podcast/the-green-sea-turtles-impossible-comeback/" ] 4914 => array:21 [ "attachments" => array:2 [ …2] "author" => array:8 [ …8] "categories" => [] "comment_count" => 0 "comment_status" => "closed" "comments" => [] "content" => """ Not long ago, grizzly bears were on the edge of extinction in the lower 48 states. Fewer than 1,000 bears remained after decades of illegal hunting, poisoning and habitat loss. So how did this iconic species make an extraordinary comeback? Surprisingly, the story begins at a garbage dump.\n In this episode of Back From The Brink from Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom, Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant and bear biologist Wes Larson uncover the unlikely turning points, bold conservation efforts and the passionate people who refused to give up on the grizzly. Discover how science, collaboration and persistence helped restore one of North America’s most powerful predators to the wild landscapes it once ruled.\n <h3>Explore Bear Stories</h3>\n Discover more bear facts through Wild Kingdom videos and articles about bear conservation, rescue and rehabilitation.\n <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/video/black-bear-fun-facts">Bear Fun Facts</a>\n <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/interactive/how-well-do-you-know-black-bears">How Well Do You Know Black Bears Quiz</a>\n <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/video/into-the-bears-den">Into the Bear’s Den Episode</a>\n <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/article/do-all-bears-hibernate-in-winter">Do All Bears Hibernate in the Winter?</a>\n <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/article/how-we-can-prepare-for-bear-hibernation">How We Can Prepare for Bear Hibernation</a>\n <h3>Before the Recovery of Grizzly Bears, There was a Reckoning</h3>\n <div class="iframe-video"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Before the Recovery of Grizzly Bears, There was a Reckoning" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8xsd_aNNxU8" width="1263" height="710" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></div>\n <div class="Accordion Container">\n <div id="grizzly-bear-video-transcript" class="Accordion-panel">\n <div class="Accordion-panelHeader"><a class="Accordion-panelTrigger" href="#grizzly-bear-video-transcript" data-accordion-trigger=""> \n Show Transcript<img decoding="async" src="https://cdn.mutualofomaha.com/wildkingdom/v3/icons/explore/down_arrow_WK-reveal.svg" alt="arrow" /> \n </a></div>\n <div class="Accordion-panelBody">– Yellowstone was a stronghold for grizzly bears, still is, but in the ’70s, they had all of these, like, garbage piles. Do you wanna talk a little bit about, like, how trash attracted bears and what that meant for tourism, and then how quickly they actually changed that?- In the decades leading up to 1970, they had these big, open-pit garbage dumps scattered throughout Yellowstone. There was four or five of them. And they had literal bleachers set up around these dumps, and people would gather every night and watch the bears come up and eat all this food waste. And it was a reliable way to see grizzly bears. They got huge and fat. They were very happy bears where they didn’t really have to compete and they just kinda sat there, and they weren’t very wild anymore. I mean, these were essentially just, you know, garbage-dump bears. And that continued for a while, and the park kind of started realizing they were having a lot of conflicts every year with bears. They were having about 50 incidents every year of people being bitten or injured by bears, which was a lot, and they thought, “We need to do something about this.” So they slowly were kind of starting to make changes, planning to close dumps. And then in 1967, in Glacier National Park, two women were killed on the same night by two different grizzly bears. It’s often referred to as the Night of the Grizzlies. We did a three-part series on it on “Tooth & Claw.” That incident echoed throughout the national park system. People really realized, “Okay, this is an animal that has some potential danger to it that we need to treat a little bit differently than we’ve been treating.” And they quickly closed the dumps then. The last one closed in 1970. And we were left with these bears that were so used to human food and didn’t really know where to go now that they didn’t have access to these dumps. And in the following years, they had to either euthanize or relocate a lot of those bears. And it was kind of this cleansing period in Yellowstone where, unfortunately, a lot of these bears that were totally food conditioned had to be removed from that population, and that left the wild bears, the ones that weren’t food conditioned or totally habituated to people. And that’s where all of our bears we currently have in Yellowstone stem from, was that population that was left after they changed that policy with the dumps.\n – We have very few grizzly bears in Montana and in Yellowstone, you know, because of some of the policies that have been in place for decades. Like, there’s some bad news going on, so how do things start to get a little bit better?\n – So, in ’75 was kind of the first big step forward for grizzly bears, and that’s when they received protections under the Endangered Species Act. And then the next really great thing that happened was in 1983, the Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team was formed, and that consisted of people in the National Park Service and USGS, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that essentially decided they were gonna combine this, you know, amazing pool of knowledge to figure out how to properly conserve this animal and give them the kind of things they need to spread across the West in ways that they used to. So they had six kind of recovery zones that they outlied, the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem being one of them. And I was lucky enough to work when I was in Yellowstone under Kerry Gunther, who is, like, the guy when it comes to Yellowstone grizzly bears. He’s done, you know, more for them than anyone that I know of personally. And a lot of those early days was just really hazing bears that were too, you know, habituated or food conditioned, moving bears that were problem bears or getting rid of ones that, you know, had gone too far and kind of, you know, cleaning out that population, making it wilder. And over time, those kind of processes and the ways that they hazed got better and better and better. And now in Yellowstone, where they used to have, like, 50 conflicts a year that were injuries to humans, now they average one per year, which is a huge step in the right direction, you know? We’d love it if there wasn’t any, but they respond quickly to any bears that are food conditioned. They allow for some habituation. That’s why people are able to do what you did last week, go up and see these bears and these meadows and get some incredible photos and experiences. But the whole outlook kind of toward grizzly bears has changed, and that’s allowed these strongholds to really grow. And now in Yellowstone, there’s probably over 1,000 grizzly bears just in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.\n </div>\n </div>\n </div>\n Before Yellowstone had over 1,000 grizzly bears, it had bleachers. Every night, people would gather around open pit garbage dumps to watch bears eat food waste — reliable, safe and nothing like the wild. It took a single catastrophic night in 1967 to change everything. Wes Larson breaks down the uncomfortable turning point that forced Yellowstone to close its dumps, remove its food-conditioned bears, and start over — and how that painful reset became the foundation for one of conservation’s greatest comebacks. \n <div class="iframe-portrait"><iframe loading="lazy" title="bears-video-social" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/x15sfkKFdzw" width="488" height="867" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></div>\n <h4>About Wes Larson</h4>\n Wes Larson is a bear biologist whose work centers on human-bear conflict. He hosts “Tooth & Claw,” a podcast that unpacks true accounts of the most dramatic wildlife encounters on record. Much of his work focuses on helping people understand wild animals and coexist with them safely.\n """ "custom_fields" => array:31 [ …31] "date" => "2026-07-08 21:14:39" "excerpt" => "Not long ago, grizzly bears were on the edge of extinction in the lower 48 states. Fewer than 1,000 bears remained after decades of illegal hunting, poisoning and habitat loss. So how did this iconic species make an extraordinary comeback? Surprisingly, the story begins at a garbage dump. In this episode of Back From The Brink from Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom, […]\n" "id" => 4914 "modified" => "2026-08-21 11:03:51" "screenreader_text" => null "slug" => "what-it-actually-took-to-bring-grizzly-bears-back" "status" => "publish" "tags" => array:6 [ …6] "title" => "What It Actually Took to Bring Grizzly Bears Back" "title_plain" => "What It Actually Took to Bring Grizzly Bears Back" "type" => "podcast" "updated_date" => "2026-08-20 00:00:00" "url" => "https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/podcast/what-it-actually-took-to-bring-grizzly-bears-back/" ] 4941 => array:24 [ "attachments" => array:5 [ …5] "author" => array:8 [ …8] "categories" => [] "comment_count" => 0 "comment_status" => "closed" "comments" => [] "content" => """ Premiering July 23, Back From the Brink is a wildlife podcast from Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom celebrating conservation comeback stories. Hosted by Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant and narrated by Peter Gros, the video podcast airs on YouTube, with audio episodes available wherever you get your podcasts. \n <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-4936" src="https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/07/645510_WK_Podcast_images3-scaled.jpg" alt="Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant interviews a podcast guest seated across from her in a studio recording space. Both speakers sit in armchairs with microphones positioned between them and a small table in the center." width="2560" height="1003" srcset="https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/07/645510_WK_Podcast_images3-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/07/645510_WK_Podcast_images3-300x118.jpg 300w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/07/645510_WK_Podcast_images3-1024x401.jpg 1024w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/07/645510_WK_Podcast_images3-150x59.jpg 150w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/07/645510_WK_Podcast_images3-768x301.jpg 768w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/07/645510_WK_Podcast_images3-1536x602.jpg 1536w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/07/645510_WK_Podcast_images3-2048x802.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" />\n <ul>\n <li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">Back From the Brink premieres July 23 on YouTube and all major podcast platforms as an all-new wildlife podcast from Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom. </li>\n <li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant hosts and Peter Gros narrates, bringing the wildlife expertise from Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild to the podcast. </li>\n <li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">Every episode spotlights a single species and the scientists, conservationists and unexpected heroes behind its comeback story.</li>\n <li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">Expert guests appear across the season, including Jeff Corwin, Coyote Peterson and Philippe Cousteau. </li>\n <li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">Featured animals range from green sea turtles to grizzly bears, focusing on conservation efforts saving species from extinction </li>\n </ul>\n <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-4937" src="https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/07/645510_WK_Podcast_images4-scaled.jpg" alt="Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant participates in a remote podcast interview displayed on a computer screen. A guest appears in a video call window beside her while recording equipment and an online meeting interface are visible." width="2560" height="1003" srcset="https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/07/645510_WK_Podcast_images4-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/07/645510_WK_Podcast_images4-300x118.jpg 300w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/07/645510_WK_Podcast_images4-1024x401.jpg 1024w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/07/645510_WK_Podcast_images4-150x59.jpg 150w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/07/645510_WK_Podcast_images4-768x301.jpg 768w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/07/645510_WK_Podcast_images4-1536x602.jpg 1536w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/07/645510_WK_Podcast_images4-2048x802.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" />\n Join Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom for an all-new podcast, Back From the Brink, celebrating incredible wildlife comeback stories. Every episode is a deep-dive into a single species and the scientists, conservationists and unexpected heroes who fought to save them. \n Hosted by Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild’s Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant and narrated by Peter Gros, Back From the Brink premieres July 23. The video podcast will stream on YouTube, with an audio-only version wherever you get your podcasts. \n <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-4939" src="https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/07/645510_WK_Podcast_images6-scaled.jpg" alt="Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant speaks with a podcast guest in a recording studio. The two sit across from each other with microphones and a small table between them, while a video camera in the foreground captures the conversation." width="2560" height="1003" srcset="https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/07/645510_WK_Podcast_images6-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/07/645510_WK_Podcast_images6-300x118.jpg 300w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/07/645510_WK_Podcast_images6-1024x401.jpg 1024w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/07/645510_WK_Podcast_images6-150x59.jpg 150w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/07/645510_WK_Podcast_images6-768x301.jpg 768w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/07/645510_WK_Podcast_images6-1536x602.jpg 1536w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/07/645510_WK_Podcast_images6-2048x802.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" />\n <h2>Podcast episode lineup </h2>\n Back From the Brink features the following guests speaking on these wildlife species: \n <ul>\n <li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">Jeff Corwin from Wildlife Nation on green sea turtles </li>\n </ul>\n <ul>\n <li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="2" data-aria-level="1">Kirstin Hill from the Smithsonian Institution on North American songbirds </li>\n </ul>\n <ul>\n <li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="3" data-aria-level="1">Bear biologist Wes Larson on grizzly bears </li>\n </ul>\n <ul>\n <li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="4" data-aria-level="1">Coyote Peterson from Brave Wilderness on American alligators </li>\n </ul>\n <ul>\n <li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="5" data-aria-level="1">Philippe Cousteau from EarthEcho International on coral reef restoration </li>\n </ul>\n <ul>\n <li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="6" data-aria-level="1">Jeff Ewelt from Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo on saltwater tiger beetles </li>\n </ul>\n <ul>\n <li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="7" data-aria-level="1">Bailey Cadena from Cincinnati Zoo on Mexican gray wolves </li>\n </ul>\n <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-4938" src="https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/07/645510_WK_Podcast_images5-scaled.jpg" alt="Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant conducts a virtual podcast interview shown on a computer screen. A remote guest appears in a separate video window while the online meeting interface and recording setup are visible." width="2560" height="1003" srcset="https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/07/645510_WK_Podcast_images5-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/07/645510_WK_Podcast_images5-300x118.jpg 300w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/07/645510_WK_Podcast_images5-1024x401.jpg 1024w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/07/645510_WK_Podcast_images5-150x59.jpg 150w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/07/645510_WK_Podcast_images5-768x301.jpg 768w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/07/645510_WK_Podcast_images5-1536x602.jpg 1536w, https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/files/2026/07/645510_WK_Podcast_images5-2048x802.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" />\n Follow <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/the-podcast">Back From the Brink’s podcast page</a> for more upcoming featured animals and guests. \n """ "custom_fields" => array:19 [ …19] "date" => "2026-07-09 10:00:59" "excerpt" => "Premiering July 23, Back From the Brink is a wildlife podcast from Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom celebrating conservation comeback stories. Hosted by Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant and narrated by Peter Gros, the video podcast airs on YouTube, with audio episodes available wherever you get your podcasts. Back From the Brink premieres July 23 on YouTube and all major podcast platforms as […]\n" "id" => 4941 "modified" => "2026-07-27 16:21:08" "screenreader_text" => null "slug" => "new-podcast-back-from-the-brink-airs-july-23" "status" => "publish" "tags" => array:2 [ …2] "thumbnail" => null "thumbnail_images" => [] "thumbnail_size" => "thumbnail" "title" => "New Podcast Back From the Brink Airs July 23" "title_plain" => "New Podcast Back From the Brink Airs July 23" "type" => "video" "updated_date" => "2026-07-09 00:00:00" "url" => "https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/video/new-podcast-back-from-the-brink-airs-july-23/" ] 4943 => array:21 [ "attachments" => array:4 [ …4] "author" => array:8 [ …8] "categories" => [] "comment_count" => 0 "comment_status" => "closed" "comments" => [] "content" => """ Each spring, North America comes alive with a familiar and magical sound — the dawn chorus of songbirds returning home after journeys spanning thousands of miles. But behind that beauty lies a stark reality: nearly 3 billion birds have vanished since 1970. In this episode of Back From The Brink from Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom, Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant is joined by Kirstin Hill of Smithsonian Bird Friendly to explore a hopeful solution taking root in an unexpected place — coffee farms. Discover how shade-grown coffee is creating vital habitat, helping bird populations rebound and restoring one of nature’s most iconic soundtracks.\n <h2>Explore Bird Stories</h2>\n Discover more bird facts through Wild Kingdom videos and articles about North American songbirds, birds of prey and more.\n <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/article/your-guide-to-north-american-songbirds">Your Guide to North American Songbirds</a>\n <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/article/how-organizations-protect-north-american-songbirds">How Organizations Protect North American Songbirds</a>\n <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/article/10-tips-for-backyard-birding">10 Tips For Backyard Birding</a>\n <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/video/birds-of-a-feather">Birds of a Feather Episode</a>\n <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/article/birds-the-word-discover-birds-of-prey">Discover Birds of Prey</a>\n <h2>The Bird-Friendly Checklist Everyone Can Follow</h2>\n <div class="iframe-video"><iframe loading="lazy" title="The Bird-Friendly Checklist Everyone Can Follow" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XTZNYwmfocE?si" width="1263" height="710" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></div>\n <div class="Accordion Container">\n <div id="coffee-video-transcript" class="Accordion-panel">\n <div class="Accordion-panelHeader"><a class="Accordion-panelTrigger" href="#coffee-video-transcript" data-accordion-trigger=""> \n Show Transcript<img decoding="async" src="https://cdn.mutualofomaha.com/wildkingdom/v3/icons/explore/down_arrow_WK-reveal.svg" alt="arrow" /> \n </a></div>\n <div class="Accordion-panelBody">(lighthearted music) \n – Our Migratory Bird Center was founded in the 1990s, \n but the work for migratory bird conservation \n kind of started long before that. \n And in the 1980s, the person who then went on \n to kind of be the founder of the Migratory Bird Center, \n Dr. Russell Greenberg, he was noticing a decline \n in migratory songbird populations in North America. \n So if you think about, you know, 40 years ago, \n we’re in the ’80s and he’s noticing \n and trying to figure out sort of like, \n “Where are these birds going? \n I know they’re here in North America during part of the year \n and then they disappear and then sometimes they come back \n and sometimes they don’t.” \n And we’re starting to see fewer and fewer of these birds. \n So he kind of said, “All right, I’m going to try \n to figure out where it is that these birds are going.” \n He went down to Mexico to conduct a bit of research there \n and to try to see if he could find those same birds \n and figure out where it was that they were going \n when they left our areas in North America here. \n What he kind of found while he was down there \n was that there were lots and lots of birds \n in undisturbed forest. \n And he’s looking around, he’s trying to figure out, \n okay, what are the types of habitat that they’re utilizing? \n He was on one area of a valley and heard a lot of bird calls \n and things like that happening. \n And he looked over and it looked like an area \n that appeared to be sort of like an undisturbed forest. \n Went over to check it out, \n and what he realized is that it was a coffee farm. \n So there was coffee growing in the understory \n and then lots of native trees providing high shade \n for birds, really high-quality habitats \n and lots of this, you know, this area \n that effectively looked like a forest \n but was actually a coffee farm. \n And he said, “Hmm, this seems like this could be \n a really important habitat measure for migratory birds \n and providing a healthy over wintering habitat for them.” \n And so that kind of led to just this concept \n that coffee could be grown in a way that was friendly \n to birds and biodiversity. \n And that sort of went on to become \n the Smithsonian Bird Friendly certification program. \n – I mean, this is just such a serendipitous story, right? \n And I think probably the biggest shock to Dr. Greenberg \n was thinking he’s looking at what we’re saying, \n like pristine, untouched, you know, old growth forest, \n going in and actually seeing like, “Oh, this is a farm.” \n (chuckles) Who knew a farm could look like this? \n Because certainly in North America, we, \n at that time, didn’t have those examples. \n Many of us in the West are quite detached \n from the things we consume. \n Can you help me understand what does coffee look like? \n Like it’s apparently not a tree. (chuckles) \n How does coffee grow \n and how can that fit into a forest ecosystem? \n – So coffee is kind of like a shrub. \n When it’s ripe, it’s these nice, beautiful \n bright red cherries that kind of grow out \n on the coffee shrub itself. \n And the shrubs, they can get to be quite tall. \n And so they can grow in the understory. \n So coffee is a unique crop in that it is perfectly happy \n to grow under the shade of trees. \n And that’s actually how it was originally grown. \n And it was only actually up until the 1970s that coffee, \n most coffee was grown that way. \n And then around the ’70s, that’s when we saw the conversion \n of a lot of coffee farm from this agroforestry \n where there’s the agriculture kind of in the understory \n of the forest above to the removal of a lot of the trees \n and a lot of the, kind of the native plants \n and things like that that are in there \n to grow coffee in the sun instead. \n And there are a number of different reasons \n why that change kind of happened. \n There’s rising number of people who were drinking coffee \n and the governments are kind of saying, \n “Hey, we want to make sure that we can keep up \n with this demand.” \n And there was this idea that if you eliminated \n some of the shade trees, that you could, in theory, \n grow more coffee in that way, \n that the cherries would ripen faster \n and that that would be a higher yield \n for the producers there. \n There ended up being a big conversion of the way \n that coffee was grown from the agroforests, \n how it originally grew, into just this \n kind of clear cut monoculture where the coffee \n is just kind of baking in the sun \n and you’re just seeing rows and rows of crops \n and very little space for birds and biodiversity \n to coexist in that way. \n – So we have a scientist who traveled down with the team \n and discovered, okay, there is habitat fragmentation \n and habitat loss, but it looks like there’s also solutions \n at the same time. \n And then what stemmed from there? \n – What we ended up kind of seeing was, you know, \n when Dr. Greenberg came back and was trying to figure out, \n you know, what do we do with this information \n that we now have. \n So I now, you know, we have made this association \n that the agroforests can provide really high-quality habitat \n for birds and biodiversity. \n The question then became, how do we incentivize producers \n to grow their coffee in this way? \n So for those remaining folks that have kept \n this high-quality habitat on their land, \n how can we make it so that they feel \n there’s a reason for them to continue growing coffee \n in this way, how do we incentivize that? \n – And let me interrupt you here just for me to get a sense. \n Like tell me a little bit about the economics of this. \n Is it somehow like cheaper \n to do the monoculture where it’s just coffee? \n Is it somehow more expensive for landowners \n to continue with the polyculture? \n Like why would someone choose one over the other? \n – So for each individual farmer that can be a, \n or a landowner or producer, \n there’s different motivating factors, \n and it kind of boils down to how you want \n to sell your coffee. \n So there’s coffee that can be sold as specialty grade \n and that’s when we think about, \n you know, high quality, high-end specialty coffees \n versus your commodity coffee, which I kind of refer to \n as like your gas station coffee where it’s just like a mix \n of a bunch of beans and we’re not really sure \n where it’s coming from and maybe the qualities \n is a bit lower. \n So there’s a lot of different factors that can go into \n how a producer can sell their coffee \n and how much money they can get for it. \n So that was kind of what led to the creation \n of the Bird Friendly program was trying to find a way \n to provide this incentive for producers \n that they could get more money for their coffee. \n And Smithsonian will prove, we will vouch for them that, \n yes, this coffee is grown in a way \n that’s really good for birds. \n (uplifting music)</div>\n </div>\n </div>\n <h6></h6>\n From window decals to your morning coffee order, there are more ways to help migratory songbirds than you might think. In this episodette, Kirstin Hill walks through seven simple actions anyone can take — safer windows, keeping cats indoors, native plants, pesticide-free yards, less plastic, bird-friendly coffee and simply paying attention. Plus, she gives an update on how far the movement has come: over 110 coffee roasters and more than 4,000 producers now protect habitat worldwide. Watch the full episode for the complete story behind the movement. \n  \n <div class="iframe-portrait"><iframe loading="lazy" title="coffee-video-social" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gxpIYlGxbBI?si=H8kVlDWiggxzYqnx" width="488" height="867" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></div>\n  \n <h3>About Kirstin Hill</h3>\n Kirstin Hill has spent more than 15 years in wildlife conservation, teaching people why wild animals and their habitats are worth protecting. Today she’s the Smithsonian Institution’s Bird Friendly Program Manager, leading an innovative effort to preserve habitat and protect songbirds. Through forest-friendly farming practices, Bird Friendly farms grow coffee and cocoa in ways that keep their surrounding ecosystems healthy.\n """ "custom_fields" => array:31 [ …31] "date" => "2025-07-01 13:28:59" "excerpt" => "Each spring, North America comes alive with a familiar and magical sound — the dawn chorus of songbirds returning home after journeys spanning thousands of miles. But behind that beauty lies a stark reality: nearly 3 billion birds have vanished since 1970. In this episode of Back From The Brink from Mutual of Omaha’s Wild […]\n" "id" => 4943 "modified" => "2026-08-10 17:54:12" "screenreader_text" => null "slug" => "how-coffee-is-bringing-songbrids-back" "status" => "publish" "tags" => array:6 [ …6] "title" => "How Coffee Is Bringing Songbirds Back" "title_plain" => "How Coffee Is Bringing Songbirds Back" "type" => "podcast" "updated_date" => "2026-08-06 00:00:00" "url" => "https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/podcast/how-coffee-is-bringing-songbrids-back/" ] 5087 => array:20 [ "attachments" => array:2 [ …2] "author" => array:8 [ …8] "categories" => [] "comment_count" => 0 "comment_status" => "closed" "comments" => [] "content" => """ By 1967, the American alligator — a reptile whose lineage predates the dinosaurs — had been hunted, skinned and pushed to the edge of extinction. Twenty years later it was thriving again, making a full recovery under the Endangered Species Act.\n In this episode, Dr. Rae sits down with Coyote Peterson, wildlife educator and creator of Brave Wilderness, whose alligator content alone has racked up over 100 million views. Together they explain why these “ecosystem engineers” are critical to the health of southeastern wetlands. And they dig into the modern threats that still put the species at risk, from invasive Burmese pythons to human habituation. It’s a story about how fast a species can come back, and how easily that progress can be undone.\n <h3>Explore alligator stories</h3>\n Learn more about alligators through these Wild Kingdom videos and articles.\n <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/article/how-alligators-beat-the-endangered-species-list">How Alligators Beat the Endangered Species List</a>\n <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/article/american-alligators">American Alligators</a>\n <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/video/graduation-day-for-a-gator">Graduation Day for a Gator</a>\n <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/video/reptile-rescue">Reptile Rescue</a>\n <h3>Why Feeding an Alligator Is the Worst Thing You Can Do</h3>\n <div class="iframe-video"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Why Feeding an Alligator Is the Worst Thing You Can Do" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7aC_ru54fmo" width="1263" height="710" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></div>\n An alligator on a golf course isn’t lurking — it’s living where humans built on top of its habitat. In this episodette, Coyote Peterson and Dr. Rae unpack why feeding or habituating alligators turns them into the most dangerous version of themselves, why a viral golf-course encounter almost went very wrong and how a little “exposure therapy” — visiting alligators at conservation-focused facilities — can replace fear with respect. Watch the full episode for the complete story of the American alligator’s comeback.\n  \n <div class="iframe-portrait"><iframe loading="lazy" title="alligator-video-social" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SxMul0QOA24" width="488" height="867" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></div>\n <h4>About Coyote Peterson</h4>\n Coyote Peterson is an Emmy Award-winning host and creator of YouTube’s “Brave Wilderness,” where his videos have drawn over 6 billion views worldwide. A lifelong animal lover, he studied video production, writing and film editing at Ohio State University before combining both passions. For over a decade, he’s worked alongside conservationists to protect the planet’s most misunderstood creatures — including a partnership that reintroduced 25 critically endangered black rhinos in South Africa.\n """ "custom_fields" => array:29 [ …29] "date" => "2026-09-03 23:45:52" "excerpt" => "By 1967, the American alligator — a reptile whose lineage predates the dinosaurs — had been hunted, skinned and pushed to the edge of extinction. Twenty years later it was thriving again, making a full recovery under the Endangered Species Act. In this episode, Dr. Rae sits down with Coyote Peterson, wildlife educator and creator […]\n" "id" => 5087 "modified" => "2026-09-04 19:15:46" "screenreader_text" => null "slug" => "from-near-extinction-to-5-million-the-american-alligators-comeback" "status" => "publish" "tags" => array:6 [ …6] "title" => "From Near Extinction to 5 Million: The American Alligator’s Comeback" "title_plain" => "From Near Extinction to 5 Million: The American Alligator’s Comeback" "type" => "podcast" "url" => "https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/podcast/from-near-extinction-to-5-million-the-american-alligators-comeback/" ] ] "screenreader_text" => null "slug" => "how-the-harpy-eagle-united-a-nation" "status" => "publish" "tags" => array:1 [ 0 => array:5 [ "description" => "" "id" => 72144 "post_count" => 31 "slug" => "podcast" "title" => "Podcast" ] ] "title" => "How the Harpy Eagle United a Nation" "title_plain" => "How the Harpy Eagle United a Nation" "type" => "podcast" "updated_date" => "2025-02-25 00:00:00" "url" => "https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/podcast/how-the-harpy-eagle-united-a-nation/" ]]

Updated on February 25, 2025

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