Wild Kingdom The Podcast | Incredible Resilience of Polar Bears

Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant: [00:00:00] Climate change is clearly affecting our weather patterns. The problem is some animals are adapted to a specific climate. Some only thrive in the cold, and I mean really cold. [00:00:11]

Peter Gros: [00:00:12] Animals living in the Arctic, for example, are used to being in temperatures sometimes getting as low as minus 40 degrees centigrade, and for months at a time. Much of this region is also locked in 24-hour darkness, nothing but frigid weather and brutal winds. [00:00:28]

Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant: [00:00:29] Sounds impossible to survive, right? Well, polar bears have evolved to thrive in this harsh environment. [00:00:36]

Nikki Smith: [00:00:37] So polar bears are actually clear. They're not white. The white fur is the way that our eyes perceive the light hitting the fur. So those longer guard hairs, which are what make a polar bear look so fluffy, those longer, guard hairs help insulate. So, they're so well adapted to live in their environment. [00:00:53]

Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant: [00:00:57] In today's episode, we're going to meet someone on a mission to protect polar bears living in the wild, and she's doing it in the most unexpected place. [00:01:05]

Peter Gros: [00:01:06] I'm Peter Gross, Wildlife Expert and Educator. [00:01:09]

Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant: [00:01:09] And I'm wildlife ecologist, Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant. And this is Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom, The Podcast. Episode 11, The Incredible Resilience of Polar Bears. [00:01:20]

Peter Gros: [00:01:31] Polar bears primarily live in the arctic regions of Canada, Alaska, Greenland, Norway, and Russia. On the original Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom series, Marlon Perkins flew over the coast of Cape Churchill in Manitoba, Canada to observe them. [00:01:46]

Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant: [00:01:47] Polar bears gather there each year, waiting for the sea ice to form so they can hunt seals without entering the frigid waters. [00:01:53]

Marlin Perkins: [00:01:54] No trees are visible, and the air is clear and cold. We will decrease airspeed in lower altitude now to look for some bears. We soon see what was hidden from higher up, the polar bear. This big male is on a mantle of snow and ice not yet thick enough to properly support him, despite his broad, heavily furred feet. [00:02:19]

Peter Gros: [00:02:21] Rae and I went to Churchill ourselves to shoot two episodes for Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild, one about polar bears and the other about beluga whales. [00:02:30]

Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant: [00:02:31] It was summertime, so the bears weren't on the ice hunting for seals. Instead, we found a mama bear and her little cub sunbathing on land. [00:02:39]

Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant: [00:02:40] Oh, I see it! Oh, my god! It's a good one. [00:02:42]

Peter Gros: [00:02:44] Ray and I have just spotted a polar bear mom and her cub with the help of veteran tracker Dennis Campere. [00:02:50]

Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant: [00:02:51] Oh, it's bear time, it is bear time. Our guest today is based far from Churchill, but she also spends a fair amount of time observing polar bears. [00:03:02]

Peter Gros: [00:03:02] Nikki Smith is curator at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in Ohio. [00:03:06]

Nikki Smith: [00:03:07] So my arrival in Columbus brought me face to face with the first bears that I have ever gotten to work with. And we are fortunate enough here to work with black bears, brown bears, and of course, polar bears. And they are all just incredibly wonderful for different reasons. But polar bears are truly, I think, one of the most amazing species that we have on our planet today, and that we have the ability to see at our zoos. [00:03:35]

Peter Gros: [00:03:36] I love how the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is designed to bring guests closer to the animals. One of my highlights when I was there was walking through a glass tunnel where if you [00:03:48]

Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant: [00:03:49] This was an incredible habitat. I can't imagine anybody having been in the water before and having polar bears swimming over their heads. [00:03:57]

Nikki Smith: [00:03:58] So our polar bear habitat is about an acre and a half or so. And our saltwater pool is 167,000 gallons where we have trout that swim in that pool along with the polar bears. Overall, it's just an engaging immersive experience. [00:04:14]

Peter Gros: [00:04:15] I just have to reiterate what an incredible display it is. Can you give us an idea what their daily life is like there at the zoo? [00:04:21]

Nikki Smith: [00:04:22] Yes, our bears have access to both their habitat and their building 24 hours a day. They have the choice to be either with each other out on the habitat, maybe take a break and come inside for the air conditioning. I will tell you that I feel like polar bears are the nosiest of the bears. They enjoy knowing what's going on, so they do like some of the higher perches in their exhibit because they like to see what's happening. So, if they hear us in the building, you can rest assured somebody's going to saunter in there and take a look, see what you're up to. [00:04:53]

Peter Gros: [00:04:54] So a great place to be if you are a polar bear, is the Columbus Zoo. Now you said our bears, where did the bears come from originally? [00:05:01]

Nikki Smith: [00:05:02] So the polar bears that are housed here at the zoo are part of the polar bear management group throughout AZA zoos. So, there are a number of zoos that house polar bears, and we are one of them. Right now, we have a male and a female and Lee who is our male and our female is Aurora and then she has been here at The Columbus Zoo since we opened our exhibit in 2009. So, she's been with us for a long time now. [00:05:26]

Peter Gros: [00:05:26] Is there something that struck you about the species physically or behaviorally that is unique to polar bears? [00:05:32]

Nikki Smith: [00:05:33] I think it is mostly that they're always watching you, even when you don't think they are. They are always aware of what's going on in their environment. We had a female that lived here for a while. Her name was Anana. She used to sneak up and hide in her pool and she would dip down in it. And if you walked over to say hi and she knew you were close enough, she enjoyed pouncing to try to get you wet. They're very perceptive animals, and I think they have to be. They live in an environment where if they miss an opportunity, that could have dire consequences for them. So, they are really just so smart and so perceptive. [00:06:11]

Peter Gros: [00:06:13] Speaking of being smart and having to survive in such severe climatic conditions, what sort of physical features help them survive? [00:06:20]

Nikki Smith: [00:06:21] They have very thick skin, and then they have a dual coat of fur. So, they've got an undercoat, and all polar bear hair is hollow, and it's air-filled. So polar bears are actually clear. They're not white. The white fur is the way that our eyes perceive the light hitting the fur. So those longer guard hairs, which are what make a polar bear look so fluffy, those longer card hairs help insulate. They've got those inner hairs to keep. Nice and tight together. They're not nearly as soft as you think they look. Their fur's quite coarse. And then they're able to gain quite a bit of weight to help them metabolically and insulate them through the winter. In their nose, they have a network of just different bony structures to help minimize heat loss when they're breathing in and out. So, they're so well adapted to live in their environment. Their fur is unable to have water freeze on it because of the oils. That they excrete and that is on their fur. [00:07:20]

Peter Gros: [00:07:21] Beyond their physical features, polar bears are incredibly determined hunters. Using their powerful sense of smell, they track seals beneath the ice. Polar bears can wait for hours, or even days, at a seal's breathing hole, relying on patience and instinct. But catching their prey isn't always guaranteed. They need good old, sturdy ice. [00:07:43]

Nikki Smith: [00:07:44] Polar bears rely on pack ice in order to hunt and catch the seals that they need in order to eat that blubber, have a high enough fat and calorie diet in order to put on the weight they need to survive in the harsh environment where they live. Polar bears are not great at swimming and catching food. It would be nearly impossible for them to swim and catch a seal, and it is difficult for them to swim to catch the fish, so. Energetically, they're putting out a lot of effort to catch those fish, and they're not getting a big return on it. Where a polar bear is so well adapted to just hang out on the ice, at a seal's breathing hole, and then that way, they are not expending energy. They wait for that seal to pop up and they are a bit of an ambush predator. So, I think what I love best about polar bears is that they are incredibly patient and incredibly intelligent. And I think. That makes such an awe-inspiring and deadly combination, which is what they need in order to survive. [00:08:43]

Peter Gros: [00:08:44] Animals are incredible at adapting, but with climate change, shifting seasons, and rising temperatures, polar bears are facing a serious threat. [00:08:52]

Nikki Smith: [00:08:53] We're losing little bits of time in the shoulder months. So, I think everyone can say like, wow, we never used to get this much rain in a certain month or it's hotter a little longer in the fall and hotter a little earlier in the spring. And it's not by much. But when you're a polar bear, 14 days to hunt can be life-changing for them. So, the sea ice is still forming. Is it as thick as it should be? Can a thousand-pound polar bear walk? Uninterrupted for the 10 miles that they need to walk to get to the next breathing hole that they wanted to stake out. These are the things that are important. We know the ice forms, but it's not as thick as it used to be. And when a polar bear needs to swim, we know that they're exerting more energy. [00:09:37]

Peter Gros: [00:09:39] As it turns out, when polar bears are at risk, the entire Arctic ecosystem is threatened. [00:09:45]

Nikki Smith: [00:09:46] Every other animal in the arctic depends on the polar bear. So, if hunting is good this year and I'm a polar bear and I catch 10 ringed seals, when I catch those seals the only thing that I'm going to consume from those as a polar bears is the fat layer and the rest is not what they prefer. So then that is when your arctic fox and your snowy isles and other animals that might come and have their big meals, and so that sustains them through the colder months. So, every animal up there truly relies on the polar bear for their sustenance, and if it's a great year for polar bears, it's a great year, for all of the other carnivores, and then that trickles down to the other animals. [00:10:31]

Peter Gros: [00:10:33] So, without a doubt, just the way nature works, all things in nature are connected. We just can't assume if you lose a species, it's not going to affect the entire rest of the natural world. Tell me a little bit about the research you're doing at the Zoo with polar bears. [00:10:44]

Nikki Smith: [00:10:45] It's a project where we're going to try to figure out how much a polar bear weighs simply from a picture. When you see a polar bears, it's not like you can ask them to stand on a scale. So, we are using the resources we have here in zoos. We can tell you what a polar bear weighs basically on almost any given day. I can have my bear come in and stand on the scale. I can also have her stand in places that are a known distance away from a fixed point so that we can take pictures. Get an outline of that polar bear's body, and compare that to the weight so that our counterparts that are working up there in the Arctic are able to take that and use it to figure out what a wild polar bear weighs, which is going to be an amazing way to judge their fitness. How are they doing as a species in a population? [00:11:31]

Peter Gros: [00:11:33] That's incredible. Tell me something, a real indicator of how comfortable an animal is in human care is reproduction. Tell me about the success you've all had with polar bears there. [00:11:43]

Nikki Smith: [00:11:44] You know, the most important thing for polar bears when they're breeding is that that female feels really secure and comfortable in her environment. It's also very important for her to gain just a ton of weight. But if she doesn't feel secure in her environment, that embryo won't implant. So, we have been incredibly fortunate to have five surviving polar bear cubs born here at the Columbus Siwan Aquarium. So, one of the coolest things I've ever seen with our very first polar bears, we had twins that were being cared for by Aurora. They are about the size of a box of butter. The one pound box of butter that you would pick up in the grocery store. That is how big a polar bear cub is. And mom is between eight and 900 pounds. So, she's massive and they're tiny. And to watch a female polar bear try to lay down next to her cubs is an acrobatic feat. It's amazing to watch. I think everything about watching those cubs grow and develop, Aurora's had Nora, which we stepped in to help hand raise. But the next year she had twins and was the greatest mom ever. And then a couple of years ago, she had a single cub and was an amazing mother to him as well. Our female Inanna that lived here for a number of years had a simple cub and she was I think probably the most comfortable polar bear with a cub I've ever seen. She would kind of walk away and leave the cub sitting near us. So, I always thought that was kind of a nod to how much she trusted the team that helped take care of her, that she was comfortable enough to walk into another room to get a drink, to have something to eat while one of us was sitting pretty close to her cub. Polar bear moms, they take mama bear to a level that you can't even imagine. They are always on the lookout for their babies. [00:13:36]

Peter Gros: [00:13:37] Well, we couldn't agree more. Nikki, you and the Columbus Zoo and the other AZA members are doing an incredible job. Thank you and please keep it up. [00:13:46]

Nikki Smith: [00:13:46] Thank you very much, Peter. It was great talking to you. [00:13:48]

Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant: [00:13:54] Now it's time for conservation connection. We know that the more we can connect with wildlife, the more likely we are to protect it. So today we want to share the story of two bears who were rescued after tragically losing their mother. [00:14:06]

Jennica King: [00:14:07] Their names are Tikhelma and Sama. They are the most beautiful, charismatic bears and you look into their eyes, and you fall in love with them. You can really feel that connection deep in your soul with these animals. [00:14:21]

Peter Gros: [00:14:22] Jennica King is the Director of Marketing and Communications at the Sedgwick County Zoo in Wichita, Kansas. [00:14:29]

Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant: [00:14:30] In 2024, Tacoma and Selma were orphaned when their mother was killed in the Oregon wilderness. They were too young to survive on their own. They are a- [00:14:39]

Jennica King: [00:14:39] and sister, and they were estimated to be about three months old, about 8 to 10 pounds, and just unable to care for themselves without their mother there to care for them. [00:14:52]

Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant: [00:14:53] Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife agents rescued the cubs and soon identified a permanent home for them in Kansas, where the Sedgwick County Zoo has a North American prairie habitat just right for them. [00:15:04]

Jennica King: [00:15:05] So we brought them home to Wichita, Kansas, where they spent most of the summer acclimating to Kansas, to our weather, to our zoo, to their new zookeepers who are dedicated to caring for them around the clock, being bottle fed, and then slowly integrating solid foods. Their brother and sister, so they, you know, have been playing with each other. Since day one, they love to chase each other up the tree and knock each other out of the tree and see who can swim across the creek faster and get to the food faster. And so, it's just been such a delight to see these bears grow. Now they're about 38 and 40 pounds and they're just getting bigger and bigger by the day and really thriving in their new home. And we're able to give them a place where they can be the bears. That they were meant to be. I feel hopeful, not just for these two bears that would not have survived in the wild were it not for our teams working with these other institutions and organizations to save them. But I also feel hopeful that they are able to live at our zoo for the rest of their lives, build these connections within our community, And... Tell them the story of these bears in order to kind of give them a reason to care about conserving their habitats in the wild and giving them actions that they can easily carry out in their daily lives to promote conservation, not just for black bears, but for the entire North American wilderness. [00:16:52]

Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant: [00:16:56] What an incredible story. It's inspiring to see how zoos and conservationists step in to give orphaned cubs a second chance, not just to survive, but to thrive. [00:17:06]

Peter Gros: [00:17:13] 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. [00:17:27]

Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant: [00:17:29] Join us next week when we explore the lives of one of the polar bear's Arctic neighbors, our beluga whales. [00:17:35]

Dr. Kristin Westdal: [00:17:36] And it felt like I was being drafted by these whales. Like I was paddling hard, but I was pulled through the water with them. And it sort of felt like, you know, I was one of the pod. And it was just this incredible experience. [00:17:48]

Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant: [00:17:49] That's next week on Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom, The Podcast. [00:17:53]

Peter Gros: [00:18:00] 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 Soelen. [00:18:12]

Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant: [00:18:13] This episode was produced by associate producer Lisa Cerda. Editor is Darby Maloney. Executive producers are Barry Finkel, Gabrielle Lewis, and Jen Wulf. Pineapple's head of sound and engineering is Raj Makhija. Senior audio engineers are Marina Pais, Davy Sumner, Javi Cruces, and Pedro Alvira. This episode is mixed by Davy Somner. [00:18:38]

Peter Gros: [00:18:39] Production music courtesy of Epidemic Sound and Hearst Media Production Group. [00:18:42]

Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant: [00:18:43] Episode Clips, courtesy of Hearst Media Production Group. Marketing and promotion by Emily Poeschl. This podcast is hosted by me, Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant. [00:18:52]

Peter Gros: [00:18:54] Peter Gross, a special thanks to Katelyn Williams, Sophie Radmelamich, and Stephanie Diaz. [00:18:59]

Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant: [00:19:00] Today's episode is based on the Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom series created by Don Meier. Our next episode will be out in a week. [00:19:07]

Peter Gros: [00:19:08] Make sure you listen on the Audacy app, or wherever you get your podcasts. [00:19:08]

Updated on May 06, 2025

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.

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.

Watch “On Thin Ice” on NBC.com.

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Dr. Rae and Peter speak to Nikki Smith, Columbus Zoo curator about the challenges polar bears face and efforts to protect this species." 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They’re called guardians of the wild, aka the folks working in wildlife conservation.\n We spotlight icons of conservation who work tirelessly to protect wildlife. In the Bahamas, Dr. Rae collaborates with a team of conservationists to release a young green sea turtle back to its ocean habitat. Then, Peter gets an up-close look at polar bears at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and hears about the challenges they face to survive in the wild. In Panama, Dr. Rae joins locals at a festival to celebrate the country’s national bird — the harpy eagle — and the cultural significance of this powerful predator protecting the rainforest. Finally, Peter dives deep with a research team in Mexico to study the impact of tourists who flock to the area to swim with massive whale sharks.\n Go behind the scenes of <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/article/protecting-the-wild-season-two-filming-journal">filming whale sharks and polar bears</a>. Then, learn what it was like to <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/article/wild-kingdom-films-new-episodes-in-panama">film harpy eagles in Panama.</a>\n Watch <a href="https://www.nbc.com/mutual-of-omahas-wild-kingdom-protecting-the-wild/video/guardians-of-the-wild/9000414726" target="_blank" rel="noopener">“Guardians of the Wild”</a> on NBC.com or the NBC app.\n """ "custom_fields" => array:18 [ …18] "date" => "2025-05-03 12:00:43" "excerpt" => "Did you know animals have their own superheroes? They’re called guardians of the wild, aka the folks working in wildlife conservation. We spotlight icons of conservation who work tirelessly to protect wildlife. In the Bahamas, Dr. Rae collaborates with a team of conservationists to release a young green sea turtle back to its ocean habitat. Then, Peter gets an up-close look at polar […]\n" "id" => 4103 "modified" => "2025-05-09 10:34:13" "screenreader_text" => null "slug" => "guardians-of-the-wild" "status" => "publish" "tags" => array:2 [ …2] "title" => "Guardians of the Wild" "title_plain" => "Guardians of the Wild" "type" => "video" "url" => "https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/video/guardians-of-the-wild/" ] 1 => array:20 [ "attachments" => array:2 [ …2] "author" => array:8 [ …8] "categories" => [] "comment_count" => 0 "comment_status" => "closed" "comments" => [] "content" => """ Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild heads to the arctic to catch one of the world’s most spectacular species — the polar bear!\n Peter and Dr. Rae travel to the polar bear capital of the world — Churchill, Manitoba — for an adventure to connect with the largest carnivores in North America. These amazing arctic animals face immense challenges to survive, but climate change has imposed a new threat to their way of life. Peter and Dr. Rae join conservation experts who study the effects of thinning ice on polar bear hunting and migration. Using tracking devices and drone technology, these scientists are racing to better understand how to protect this amazing species before it’s too late.\n Learn what it was like to <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/article/protecting-the-wild-season-two-filming-journal">film the episode</a>.\n <a href="https://www.nbc.com/mutual-of-omahas-wild-kingdom-protecting-the-wild" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Watch “On Thin Ice” on NBC.com and the NBC app.</a>\n Plus, check out these Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom classic series episodes, Season 10, Episode 12, “<a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/classic-episodes/the-polar-bears-of-churchill">The Polar Bears of Churchill</a>,” and Season 26, Episode 3, “<a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/classic-episodes/problem-bears-of-the-north">Problem Bears of the North</a>,” to see Marlin Perkins, Jim Fowler and Peter Gros’ adventures in Manitoba.\n """ "custom_fields" => array:18 [ …18] "date" => "2025-02-22 12:05:54" "excerpt" => "Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild heads to the arctic to catch one of the world’s most spectacular species — the polar bear! Peter and Dr. Rae travel to the polar bear capital of the world — Churchill, Manitoba — for an adventure to connect with the largest carnivores in North America. These amazing arctic animals […]\n" "id" => 3862 "modified" => "2025-02-24 10:19:59" "screenreader_text" => null "slug" => "on-thin-ice" "status" => "publish" "tags" => array:2 [ …2] "title" => "On Thin Ice" "title_plain" => "On Thin Ice" "type" => "video" "url" => "https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/video/on-thin-ice/" ] 2 => array:20 [ "attachments" => array:1 [ …1] "author" => array:8 [ …8] "categories" => [] "comment_count" => 0 "comment_status" => "closed" "comments" => [] "content" => "Jim Fowler joins Dr. Steve Amstrup to observe the impact on polar bears on the pack ice of the Arctic Ocean north of Alaska by the recent exploration of oil in that area.\n" "custom_fields" => array:16 [ …16] "date" => "2022-10-12 14:19:31" "excerpt" => "Jim Fowler joins Dr. Steve Amstrup to observe the impact on polar bears on the pack ice of the Arctic Ocean north of Alaska by the recent exploration of oil in that area.\n" "id" => 1372 "modified" => "2022-10-12 14:19:31" "screenreader_text" => null "slug" => "polar-bears-of-the-pack-ice" "status" => "publish" "tags" => array:1 [ …1] "title" => "Polar Bears of the Pack Ice" "title_plain" => "Polar Bears of the Pack Ice" "type" => "episode" "url" => "https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/episode/polar-bears-of-the-pack-ice/" ] 3 => array:20 [ "attachments" => array:2 [ …2] "author" => array:8 [ …8] "categories" => [] "comment_count" => 0 "comment_status" => "closed" "comments" => [] "content" => """ <h2>Need a Quick Summer Vacation?</h2>\n Get a glimpse of zoo exhibits from around the nation without leaving your home! From giant pandas to penguins and everything in between, you can check in with your favorite animals by watching a live zoo cam.\n These zoo cams show viewers the importance of animal conservation, highlighting different species and how they live and interact. Plus, they’re a fun way to “visit” the zoo in the comfort of your own home.\n Take a look at some of our favorites. Note that camera availability varies due to factors such as zoo hours. If one isn’t on now, check back later!\n <h3><a href="https://zoo.sandiegozoo.org/live-cams" target="_blank" rel="noopener">San Diego Zoo</a></h3>\n The 100-acre wildlife park in southern California is home to more than 12,000 animals. San Diego Zoo cams have live feeds of koalas, pandas, baboons, polar bears, penguin, hippopotami and apes.\n <h3><a href="https://sdzsafaripark.org/live-cams" target="_blank" rel="noopener">San Diego Safari Park</a></h3>\n Just north of San Diego in Escondido, California, the San Diego Safari Park allows visitors an up-close experience of birds and mammals. Likewise, their cameras show animals you’d expect to see on a safari like tigers and giraffes and other animals like platypuses, burrowing owls and condors.\n <h3><a href="https://nationalzoo.si.edu/webcams" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute</a></h3>\n The Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute in Washington, D.C. is one of the only zoos in the U.S. with giant pandas. And, lucky for us these beautiful mammals are one of five live cameras along with black-footed ferrets, naked mole rats, lions and elephants. Visitors are also encouraged to play <a href="https://nationalzoo.si.edu/sites/default/files/documents/webcam_bingo-final.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Animal Cam Bingo</a> to see if they can spot different animal behavior and habits.\n <h3><a href="https://www.houstonzoo.org/explore/webcams/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Houston Zoo</a></h3>\n Deep in the heart of Texas, the Houston Zoo takes visitors on a journey across a variety of habitats. Its live cams vary too with feeds of giraffe feeding, giant river otters, elephants, gorillas, flamingos and rhinos.\n <h3><a href="https://bronxzoo.com/virtual/live-cams" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bronx Zoo and New York Aquarium</a></h3>\n New York may be the concrete jungle but it’s also home to a zoo with more than 6,000 species of wildlife. Live cameras from the Bronx Zoo and New York Aquarium let viewers check up on gorillas, sea lions, sandbar sharks, stingrays and tiger sharks as well as take them inside the spiny forest exhibit with lemurs, tortoises and birds.\n <h3><a href="https://www.marylandzoo.org/animals/live-cams-feeds/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Maryland Zoo</a></h3>\n One of the oldest zoos in the U.S., the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore invites its virtual visitors to be a part of its daily happenings with cams that show twice daily feeding of its penguins. Other cams include elephants, lions, giraffes and the African watering hole with rhinos, zebras and ostriches.\n <h3><a href="https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/animals/live-cams" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Monterey Bay Aquarium</a></h3>\n The Monterey Bay Aquarium gives shows visitors the wonders of the California coast. One camera is situated on the Monterey Bay itself so you can see ocean waves and look out for otters, birds and even sailboats. Other cams, such as the penguin and sea otter cams, include narrated feedings so you can learn about these amazing animals.\n In addition, virtual visitors can check up on jellyfish, sardines, leopard sharks, moon jellyfish, tuna, turtles, sharks and spider crabs.\n <h3><a href="https://www.cmzoo.org/animals/a-z/giraffe-cams/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cheyenne Mountain Zoo</a></h3>\n The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Wyoming takes great pride in its giraffes. While in-person visitors are invited to feed these graceful giants, virtual visitors can view its two giraffe cams to get an up-close view of feedings or a wider shot of the giraffe habitat. (Please note: this livestream may be temporarily offline while the giraffe are moved to a new area within the zoo.)\n  \n Can’t get enough animal facts? <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/all-posts?tagType=Animals">Learn more about the wild kingdom from these other articles</a>.\n """ "custom_fields" => array:17 [ …17] "date" => "2022-06-14 16:43:43" "excerpt" => "Need a Quick Summer Vacation? Get a glimpse of zoo exhibits from around the nation without leaving your home! From giant pandas to penguins and everything in between, you can check in with your favorite animals by watching a live zoo cam. These zoo cams show viewers the importance of animal conservation, highlighting different species […]\n" "id" => 409 "modified" => "2025-06-04 13:05:29" "screenreader_text" => "mom and daughter looking at computer" "slug" => "watch-your-favorite-animals-on-zoo-wildlife-cams" "status" => "publish" "tags" => array:2 [ …2] "title" => "Watch Your Favorite Animals on Zoo Wildlife Cams" "title_plain" => "Watch Your Favorite Animals on Zoo Wildlife Cams" "type" => "article" "url" => "https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/article/watch-your-favorite-animals-on-zoo-wildlife-cams/" ] 4072 => array:21 [ "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 "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/" ] 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/" ] 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/the-incredible-resilience-of-polar-bears" "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. 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"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 [ "card_description" => array:1 [ 0 => "What's the future for polar bears as climate change melts Arctic sea ice? 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[00:00:11] \r\n \r\n Peter Gros: [00:00:12] Animals living in the Arctic, for example, are used to being in temperatures sometimes getting as low as minus 40 degrees centigrade, and for months at a time. Much of this region is also locked in 24-hour darkness, nothing but frigid weather and brutal winds. [00:00:28] \r\n \r\n Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant: [00:00:29] Sounds impossible to survive, right? Well, polar bears have evolved to thrive in this harsh environment. [00:00:36] \r\n \r\n Nikki Smith: [00:00:37] So polar bears are actually clear. They're not white. The white fur is the way that our eyes perceive the light hitting the fur. So those longer guard hairs, which are what make a polar bear look so fluffy, those longer, guard hairs help insulate. So, they're so well adapted to live in their environment. [00:00:53] \r\n \r\n Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant: [00:00:57] In today's episode, we're going to meet someone on a mission to protect polar bears living in the wild, and she's doing it in the most unexpected place. [00:01:05] \r\n \r\n Peter Gros: [00:01:06] I'm Peter Gross, Wildlife Expert and Educator. [00:01:09] \r\n \r\n Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant: [00:01:09] And I'm wildlife ecologist, Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant. And this is Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom, The Podcast. Episode 11, The Incredible Resilience of Polar Bears. [00:01:20] \r\n \r\n Peter Gros: [00:01:31] Polar bears primarily live in the arctic regions of Canada, Alaska, Greenland, Norway, and Russia. On the original Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom series, Marlon Perkins flew over the coast of Cape Churchill in Manitoba, Canada to observe them. [00:01:46] \r\n \r\n Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant: [00:01:47] Polar bears gather there each year, waiting for the sea ice to form so they can hunt seals without entering the frigid waters. [00:01:53] \r\n \r\n Marlin Perkins: [00:01:54] No trees are visible, and the air is clear and cold. We will decrease airspeed in lower altitude now to look for some bears. We soon see what was hidden from higher up, the polar bear. This big male is on a mantle of snow and ice not yet thick enough to properly support him, despite his broad, heavily furred feet. [00:02:19] \r\n \r\n Peter Gros: [00:02:21] Rae and I went to Churchill ourselves to shoot two episodes for Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild, one about polar bears and the other about beluga whales. [00:02:30] \r\n \r\n Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant: [00:02:31] It was summertime, so the bears weren't on the ice hunting for seals. Instead, we found a mama bear and her little cub sunbathing on land. [00:02:39] \r\n \r\n Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant: [00:02:40] Oh, I see it! Oh, my god! It's a good one. [00:02:42] \r\n \r\n Peter Gros: [00:02:44] Ray and I have just spotted a polar bear mom and her cub with the help of veteran tracker Dennis Campere. [00:02:50] \r\n \r\n Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant: [00:02:51] Oh, it's bear time, it is bear time. Our guest today is based far from Churchill, but she also spends a fair amount of time observing polar bears. [00:03:02] \r\n \r\n Peter Gros: [00:03:02] Nikki Smith is curator at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in Ohio. [00:03:06] \r\n \r\n Nikki Smith: [00:03:07] So my arrival in Columbus brought me face to face with the first bears that I have ever gotten to work with. And we are fortunate enough here to work with black bears, brown bears, and of course, polar bears. And they are all just incredibly wonderful for different reasons. But polar bears are truly, I think, one of the most amazing species that we have on our planet today, and that we have the ability to see at our zoos. [00:03:35] \r\n \r\n Peter Gros: [00:03:36] I love how the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is designed to bring guests closer to the animals. One of my highlights when I was there was walking through a glass tunnel where if you [00:03:48] \r\n \r\n Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant: [00:03:49] This was an incredible habitat. I can't imagine anybody having been in the water before and having polar bears swimming over their heads. [00:03:57] \r\n \r\n Nikki Smith: [00:03:58] So our polar bear habitat is about an acre and a half or so. And our saltwater pool is 167,000 gallons where we have trout that swim in that pool along with the polar bears. Overall, it's just an engaging immersive experience. [00:04:14] \r\n \r\n Peter Gros: [00:04:15] I just have to reiterate what an incredible display it is. Can you give us an idea what their daily life is like there at the zoo? [00:04:21] \r\n \r\n Nikki Smith: [00:04:22] Yes, our bears have access to both their habitat and their building 24 hours a day. They have the choice to be either with each other out on the habitat, maybe take a break and come inside for the air conditioning. I will tell you that I feel like polar bears are the nosiest of the bears. They enjoy knowing what's going on, so they do like some of the higher perches in their exhibit because they like to see what's happening. So, if they hear us in the building, you can rest assured somebody's going to saunter in there and take a look, see what you're up to. [00:04:53] \r\n \r\n Peter Gros: [00:04:54] So a great place to be if you are a polar bear, is the Columbus Zoo. Now you said our bears, where did the bears come from originally? [00:05:01] \r\n \r\n Nikki Smith: [00:05:02] So the polar bears that are housed here at the zoo are part of the polar bear management group throughout AZA zoos. So, there are a number of zoos that house polar bears, and we are one of them. Right now, we have a male and a female and Lee who is our male and our female is Aurora and then she has been here at The Columbus Zoo since we opened our exhibit in 2009. So, she's been with us for a long time now. [00:05:26] \r\n \r\n Peter Gros: [00:05:26] Is there something that struck you about the species physically or behaviorally that is unique to polar bears? [00:05:32] \r\n \r\n Nikki Smith: [00:05:33] I think it is mostly that they're always watching you, even when you don't think they are. They are always aware of what's going on in their environment. We had a female that lived here for a while. Her name was Anana. She used to sneak up and hide in her pool and she would dip down in it. And if you walked over to say hi and she knew you were close enough, she enjoyed pouncing to try to get you wet. They're very perceptive animals, and I think they have to be. They live in an environment where if they miss an opportunity, that could have dire consequences for them. So, they are really just so smart and so perceptive. [00:06:11] \r\n \r\n Peter Gros: [00:06:13] Speaking of being smart and having to survive in such severe climatic conditions, what sort of physical features help them survive? [00:06:20] \r\n \r\n Nikki Smith: [00:06:21] They have very thick skin, and then they have a dual coat of fur. So, they've got an undercoat, and all polar bear hair is hollow, and it's air-filled. So polar bears are actually clear. They're not white. The white fur is the way that our eyes perceive the light hitting the fur. So those longer guard hairs, which are what make a polar bear look so fluffy, those longer card hairs help insulate. They've got those inner hairs to keep. Nice and tight together. They're not nearly as soft as you think they look. Their fur's quite coarse. And then they're able to gain quite a bit of weight to help them metabolically and insulate them through the winter. In their nose, they have a network of just different bony structures to help minimize heat loss when they're breathing in and out. So, they're so well adapted to live in their environment. Their fur is unable to have water freeze on it because of the oils. That they excrete and that is on their fur. [00:07:20] \r\n \r\n Peter Gros: [00:07:21] Beyond their physical features, polar bears are incredibly determined hunters. Using their powerful sense of smell, they track seals beneath the ice. Polar bears can wait for hours, or even days, at a seal's breathing hole, relying on patience and instinct. But catching their prey isn't always guaranteed. They need good old, sturdy ice. [00:07:43] \r\n \r\n Nikki Smith: [00:07:44] Polar bears rely on pack ice in order to hunt and catch the seals that they need in order to eat that blubber, have a high enough fat and calorie diet in order to put on the weight they need to survive in the harsh environment where they live. Polar bears are not great at swimming and catching food. It would be nearly impossible for them to swim and catch a seal, and it is difficult for them to swim to catch the fish, so. Energetically, they're putting out a lot of effort to catch those fish, and they're not getting a big return on it. Where a polar bear is so well adapted to just hang out on the ice, at a seal's breathing hole, and then that way, they are not expending energy. They wait for that seal to pop up and they are a bit of an ambush predator. So, I think what I love best about polar bears is that they are incredibly patient and incredibly intelligent. And I think. That makes such an awe-inspiring and deadly combination, which is what they need in order to survive. [00:08:43] \r\n \r\n Peter Gros: [00:08:44] Animals are incredible at adapting, but with climate change, shifting seasons, and rising temperatures, polar bears are facing a serious threat. [00:08:52] \r\n \r\n Nikki Smith: [00:08:53] We're losing little bits of time in the shoulder months. So, I think everyone can say like, wow, we never used to get this much rain in a certain month or it's hotter a little longer in the fall and hotter a little earlier in the spring. And it's not by much. But when you're a polar bear, 14 days to hunt can be life-changing for them. So, the sea ice is still forming. Is it as thick as it should be? Can a thousand-pound polar bear walk? Uninterrupted for the 10 miles that they need to walk to get to the next breathing hole that they wanted to stake out. These are the things that are important. We know the ice forms, but it's not as thick as it used to be. And when a polar bear needs to swim, we know that they're exerting more energy. [00:09:37] \r\n \r\n Peter Gros: [00:09:39] As it turns out, when polar bears are at risk, the entire Arctic ecosystem is threatened. [00:09:45] \r\n \r\n Nikki Smith: [00:09:46] Every other animal in the arctic depends on the polar bear. So, if hunting is good this year and I'm a polar bear and I catch 10 ringed seals, when I catch those seals the only thing that I'm going to consume from those as a polar bears is the fat layer and the rest is not what they prefer. So then that is when your arctic fox and your snowy isles and other animals that might come and have their big meals, and so that sustains them through the colder months. So, every animal up there truly relies on the polar bear for their sustenance, and if it's a great year for polar bears, it's a great year, for all of the other carnivores, and then that trickles down to the other animals. [00:10:31] \r\n \r\n Peter Gros: [00:10:33] So, without a doubt, just the way nature works, all things in nature are connected. We just can't assume if you lose a species, it's not going to affect the entire rest of the natural world. Tell me a little bit about the research you're doing at the Zoo with polar bears. [00:10:44] \r\n \r\n Nikki Smith: [00:10:45] It's a project where we're going to try to figure out how much a polar bear weighs simply from a picture. When you see a polar bears, it's not like you can ask them to stand on a scale. So, we are using the resources we have here in zoos. We can tell you what a polar bear weighs basically on almost any given day. I can have my bear come in and stand on the scale. I can also have her stand in places that are a known distance away from a fixed point so that we can take pictures. Get an outline of that polar bear's body, and compare that to the weight so that our counterparts that are working up there in the Arctic are able to take that and use it to figure out what a wild polar bear weighs, which is going to be an amazing way to judge their fitness. How are they doing as a species in a population? [00:11:31] \r\n \r\n Peter Gros: [00:11:33] That's incredible. Tell me something, a real indicator of how comfortable an animal is in human care is reproduction. Tell me about the success you've all had with polar bears there. [00:11:43] \r\n \r\n Nikki Smith: [00:11:44] You know, the most important thing for polar bears when they're breeding is that that female feels really secure and comfortable in her environment. It's also very important for her to gain just a ton of weight. But if she doesn't feel secure in her environment, that embryo won't implant. So, we have been incredibly fortunate to have five surviving polar bear cubs born here at the Columbus Siwan Aquarium. So, one of the coolest things I've ever seen with our very first polar bears, we had twins that were being cared for by Aurora. They are about the size of a box of butter. The one pound box of butter that you would pick up in the grocery store. That is how big a polar bear cub is. And mom is between eight and 900 pounds. So, she's massive and they're tiny. And to watch a female polar bear try to lay down next to her cubs is an acrobatic feat. It's amazing to watch. I think everything about watching those cubs grow and develop, Aurora's had Nora, which we stepped in to help hand raise. But the next year she had twins and was the greatest mom ever. And then a couple of years ago, she had a single cub and was an amazing mother to him as well. Our female Inanna that lived here for a number of years had a simple cub and she was I think probably the most comfortable polar bear with a cub I've ever seen. She would kind of walk away and leave the cub sitting near us. So, I always thought that was kind of a nod to how much she trusted the team that helped take care of her, that she was comfortable enough to walk into another room to get a drink, to have something to eat while one of us was sitting pretty close to her cub. Polar bear moms, they take mama bear to a level that you can't even imagine. They are always on the lookout for their babies. [00:13:36] \r\n \r\n Peter Gros: [00:13:37] Well, we couldn't agree more. Nikki, you and the Columbus Zoo and the other AZA members are doing an incredible job. Thank you and please keep it up. [00:13:46] \r\n \r\n Nikki Smith: [00:13:46] Thank you very much, Peter. It was great talking to you. [00:13:48] \r\n \r\n Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant: [00:13:54] Now it's time for conservation connection. We know that the more we can connect with wildlife, the more likely we are to protect it. So today we want to share the story of two bears who were rescued after tragically losing their mother. [00:14:06] \r\n \r\n Jennica King: [00:14:07] Their names are Tikhelma and Sama. They are the most beautiful, charismatic bears and you look into their eyes, and you fall in love with them. You can really feel that connection deep in your soul with these animals. [00:14:21] \r\n \r\n Peter Gros: [00:14:22] Jennica King is the Director of Marketing and Communications at the Sedgwick County Zoo in Wichita, Kansas. [00:14:29] \r\n \r\n Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant: [00:14:30] In 2024, Tacoma and Selma were orphaned when their mother was killed in the Oregon wilderness. They were too young to survive on their own. They are a- [00:14:39] \r\n \r\n Jennica King: [00:14:39] and sister, and they were estimated to be about three months old, about 8 to 10 pounds, and just unable to care for themselves without their mother there to care for them. [00:14:52] \r\n \r\n Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant: [00:14:53] Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife agents rescued the cubs and soon identified a permanent home for them in Kansas, where the Sedgwick County Zoo has a North American prairie habitat just right for them. [00:15:04] \r\n \r\n Jennica King: [00:15:05] So we brought them home to Wichita, Kansas, where they spent most of the summer acclimating to Kansas, to our weather, to our zoo, to their new zookeepers who are dedicated to caring for them around the clock, being bottle fed, and then slowly integrating solid foods. Their brother and sister, so they, you know, have been playing with each other. Since day one, they love to chase each other up the tree and knock each other out of the tree and see who can swim across the creek faster and get to the food faster. And so, it's just been such a delight to see these bears grow. Now they're about 38 and 40 pounds and they're just getting bigger and bigger by the day and really thriving in their new home. And we're able to give them a place where they can be the bears. That they were meant to be. I feel hopeful, not just for these two bears that would not have survived in the wild were it not for our teams working with these other institutions and organizations to save them. But I also feel hopeful that they are able to live at our zoo for the rest of their lives, build these connections within our community, And... Tell them the story of these bears in order to kind of give them a reason to care about conserving their habitats in the wild and giving them actions that they can easily carry out in their daily lives to promote conservation, not just for black bears, but for the entire North American wilderness. [00:16:52] \r\n \r\n Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant: [00:16:56] What an incredible story. It's inspiring to see how zoos and conservationists step in to give orphaned cubs a second chance, not just to survive, but to thrive. [00:17:06] \r\n \r\n Peter Gros: [00:17:13] 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. [00:17:27] \r\n \r\n Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant: [00:17:29] Join us next week when we explore the lives of one of the polar bear's Arctic neighbors, our beluga whales. [00:17:35] \r\n \r\n Dr. Kristin Westdal: [00:17:36] And it felt like I was being drafted by these whales. Like I was paddling hard, but I was pulled through the water with them. And it sort of felt like, you know, I was one of the pod. And it was just this incredible experience. [00:17:48] \r\n \r\n Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant: [00:17:49] That's next week on Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom, The Podcast. [00:17:53] \r\n \r\n Peter Gros: [00:18:00] 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 Soelen. [00:18:12] \r\n \r\n Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant: [00:18:13] This episode was produced by associate producer Lisa Cerda. Editor is Darby Maloney. Executive producers are Barry Finkel, Gabrielle Lewis, and Jen Wulf. Pineapple's head of sound and engineering is Raj Makhija. Senior audio engineers are Marina Pais, Davy Sumner, Javi Cruces, and Pedro Alvira. This episode is mixed by Davy Somner. [00:18:38] \r\n \r\n Peter Gros: [00:18:39] Production music courtesy of Epidemic Sound and Hearst Media Production Group. [00:18:42] \r\n \r\n Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant: [00:18:43] Episode Clips, courtesy of Hearst Media Production Group. Marketing and promotion by Emily Poeschl. This podcast is hosted by me, Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant. [00:18:52] \r\n \r\n Peter Gros: [00:18:54] Peter Gross, a special thanks to Katelyn Williams, Sophie Radmelamich, and Stephanie Diaz. [00:18:59] \r\n \r\n Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant: [00:19:00] Today's episode is based on the Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom series created by Don Meier. Our next episode will be out in a week. [00:19:07] \r\n \r\n Peter Gros: [00:19:08] Make sure you listen on the Audacy app, or wherever you get your podcasts. [00:19:08] """ ] "updated_date" => array:1 [ 0 => "2025-05-06 00:00:00" ] "use_experimentation" => array:1 [ 0 => "0" ] ] "date" => "2025-05-06 09:32:46" "displayedDate" => "Updated on May 06, 2025" "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" "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" => """ Did you know animals have their own superheroes? They’re called guardians of the wild, aka the folks working in wildlife conservation.\n We spotlight icons of conservation who work tirelessly to protect wildlife. In the Bahamas, Dr. Rae collaborates with a team of conservationists to release a young green sea turtle back to its ocean habitat. Then, Peter gets an up-close look at polar bears at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and hears about the challenges they face to survive in the wild. In Panama, Dr. Rae joins locals at a festival to celebrate the country’s national bird — the harpy eagle — and the cultural significance of this powerful predator protecting the rainforest. Finally, Peter dives deep with a research team in Mexico to study the impact of tourists who flock to the area to swim with massive whale sharks.\n Go behind the scenes of <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/article/protecting-the-wild-season-two-filming-journal">filming whale sharks and polar bears</a>. Then, learn what it was like to <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/article/wild-kingdom-films-new-episodes-in-panama">film harpy eagles in Panama.</a>\n Watch <a href="https://www.nbc.com/mutual-of-omahas-wild-kingdom-protecting-the-wild/video/guardians-of-the-wild/9000414726" target="_blank" rel="noopener">“Guardians of the Wild”</a> on NBC.com or the NBC app.\n """ "custom_fields" => array:18 [ …18] "date" => "2025-05-03 12:00:43" "excerpt" => "Did you know animals have their own superheroes? They’re called guardians of the wild, aka the folks working in wildlife conservation. We spotlight icons of conservation who work tirelessly to protect wildlife. In the Bahamas, Dr. Rae collaborates with a team of conservationists to release a young green sea turtle back to its ocean habitat. Then, Peter gets an up-close look at polar […]\n" "id" => 4103 "modified" => "2025-05-09 10:34:13" "screenreader_text" => null "slug" => "guardians-of-the-wild" "status" => "publish" "tags" => array:2 [ …2] "title" => "Guardians of the Wild" "title_plain" => "Guardians of the Wild" "type" => "video" "url" => "https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/video/guardians-of-the-wild/" ] 1 => array:20 [ "attachments" => array:2 [ …2] "author" => array:8 [ …8] "categories" => [] "comment_count" => 0 "comment_status" => "closed" "comments" => [] "content" => """ Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild heads to the arctic to catch one of the world’s most spectacular species — the polar bear!\n Peter and Dr. Rae travel to the polar bear capital of the world — Churchill, Manitoba — for an adventure to connect with the largest carnivores in North America. These amazing arctic animals face immense challenges to survive, but climate change has imposed a new threat to their way of life. Peter and Dr. Rae join conservation experts who study the effects of thinning ice on polar bear hunting and migration. Using tracking devices and drone technology, these scientists are racing to better understand how to protect this amazing species before it’s too late.\n Learn what it was like to <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/article/protecting-the-wild-season-two-filming-journal">film the episode</a>.\n <a href="https://www.nbc.com/mutual-of-omahas-wild-kingdom-protecting-the-wild" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Watch “On Thin Ice” on NBC.com and the NBC app.</a>\n Plus, check out these Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom classic series episodes, Season 10, Episode 12, “<a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/classic-episodes/the-polar-bears-of-churchill">The Polar Bears of Churchill</a>,” and Season 26, Episode 3, “<a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/classic-episodes/problem-bears-of-the-north">Problem Bears of the North</a>,” to see Marlin Perkins, Jim Fowler and Peter Gros’ adventures in Manitoba.\n """ "custom_fields" => array:18 [ …18] "date" => "2025-02-22 12:05:54" "excerpt" => "Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild heads to the arctic to catch one of the world’s most spectacular species — the polar bear! Peter and Dr. Rae travel to the polar bear capital of the world — Churchill, Manitoba — for an adventure to connect with the largest carnivores in North America. These amazing arctic animals […]\n" "id" => 3862 "modified" => "2025-02-24 10:19:59" "screenreader_text" => null "slug" => "on-thin-ice" "status" => "publish" "tags" => array:2 [ …2] "title" => "On Thin Ice" "title_plain" => "On Thin Ice" "type" => "video" "url" => "https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/video/on-thin-ice/" ] 2 => array:20 [ "attachments" => array:1 [ …1] "author" => array:8 [ …8] "categories" => [] "comment_count" => 0 "comment_status" => "closed" "comments" => [] "content" => "Jim Fowler joins Dr. Steve Amstrup to observe the impact on polar bears on the pack ice of the Arctic Ocean north of Alaska by the recent exploration of oil in that area.\n" "custom_fields" => array:16 [ …16] "date" => "2022-10-12 14:19:31" "excerpt" => "Jim Fowler joins Dr. Steve Amstrup to observe the impact on polar bears on the pack ice of the Arctic Ocean north of Alaska by the recent exploration of oil in that area.\n" "id" => 1372 "modified" => "2022-10-12 14:19:31" "screenreader_text" => null "slug" => "polar-bears-of-the-pack-ice" "status" => "publish" "tags" => array:1 [ …1] "title" => "Polar Bears of the Pack Ice" "title_plain" => "Polar Bears of the Pack Ice" "type" => "episode" "url" => "https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/episode/polar-bears-of-the-pack-ice/" ] 3 => array:20 [ "attachments" => array:2 [ …2] "author" => array:8 [ …8] "categories" => [] "comment_count" => 0 "comment_status" => "closed" "comments" => [] "content" => """ <h2>Need a Quick Summer Vacation?</h2>\n Get a glimpse of zoo exhibits from around the nation without leaving your home! From giant pandas to penguins and everything in between, you can check in with your favorite animals by watching a live zoo cam.\n These zoo cams show viewers the importance of animal conservation, highlighting different species and how they live and interact. Plus, they’re a fun way to “visit” the zoo in the comfort of your own home.\n Take a look at some of our favorites. Note that camera availability varies due to factors such as zoo hours. If one isn’t on now, check back later!\n <h3><a href="https://zoo.sandiegozoo.org/live-cams" target="_blank" rel="noopener">San Diego Zoo</a></h3>\n The 100-acre wildlife park in southern California is home to more than 12,000 animals. San Diego Zoo cams have live feeds of koalas, pandas, baboons, polar bears, penguin, hippopotami and apes.\n <h3><a href="https://sdzsafaripark.org/live-cams" target="_blank" rel="noopener">San Diego Safari Park</a></h3>\n Just north of San Diego in Escondido, California, the San Diego Safari Park allows visitors an up-close experience of birds and mammals. Likewise, their cameras show animals you’d expect to see on a safari like tigers and giraffes and other animals like platypuses, burrowing owls and condors.\n <h3><a href="https://nationalzoo.si.edu/webcams" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute</a></h3>\n The Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute in Washington, D.C. is one of the only zoos in the U.S. with giant pandas. And, lucky for us these beautiful mammals are one of five live cameras along with black-footed ferrets, naked mole rats, lions and elephants. Visitors are also encouraged to play <a href="https://nationalzoo.si.edu/sites/default/files/documents/webcam_bingo-final.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Animal Cam Bingo</a> to see if they can spot different animal behavior and habits.\n <h3><a href="https://www.houstonzoo.org/explore/webcams/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Houston Zoo</a></h3>\n Deep in the heart of Texas, the Houston Zoo takes visitors on a journey across a variety of habitats. Its live cams vary too with feeds of giraffe feeding, giant river otters, elephants, gorillas, flamingos and rhinos.\n <h3><a href="https://bronxzoo.com/virtual/live-cams" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bronx Zoo and New York Aquarium</a></h3>\n New York may be the concrete jungle but it’s also home to a zoo with more than 6,000 species of wildlife. Live cameras from the Bronx Zoo and New York Aquarium let viewers check up on gorillas, sea lions, sandbar sharks, stingrays and tiger sharks as well as take them inside the spiny forest exhibit with lemurs, tortoises and birds.\n <h3><a href="https://www.marylandzoo.org/animals/live-cams-feeds/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Maryland Zoo</a></h3>\n One of the oldest zoos in the U.S., the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore invites its virtual visitors to be a part of its daily happenings with cams that show twice daily feeding of its penguins. Other cams include elephants, lions, giraffes and the African watering hole with rhinos, zebras and ostriches.\n <h3><a href="https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/animals/live-cams" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Monterey Bay Aquarium</a></h3>\n The Monterey Bay Aquarium gives shows visitors the wonders of the California coast. One camera is situated on the Monterey Bay itself so you can see ocean waves and look out for otters, birds and even sailboats. Other cams, such as the penguin and sea otter cams, include narrated feedings so you can learn about these amazing animals.\n In addition, virtual visitors can check up on jellyfish, sardines, leopard sharks, moon jellyfish, tuna, turtles, sharks and spider crabs.\n <h3><a href="https://www.cmzoo.org/animals/a-z/giraffe-cams/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cheyenne Mountain Zoo</a></h3>\n The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Wyoming takes great pride in its giraffes. While in-person visitors are invited to feed these graceful giants, virtual visitors can view its two giraffe cams to get an up-close view of feedings or a wider shot of the giraffe habitat. (Please note: this livestream may be temporarily offline while the giraffe are moved to a new area within the zoo.)\n  \n Can’t get enough animal facts? <a href="https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/all-posts?tagType=Animals">Learn more about the wild kingdom from these other articles</a>.\n """ "custom_fields" => array:17 [ …17] "date" => "2022-06-14 16:43:43" "excerpt" => "Need a Quick Summer Vacation? Get a glimpse of zoo exhibits from around the nation without leaving your home! From giant pandas to penguins and everything in between, you can check in with your favorite animals by watching a live zoo cam. These zoo cams show viewers the importance of animal conservation, highlighting different species […]\n" "id" => 409 "modified" => "2025-06-04 13:05:29" "screenreader_text" => "mom and daughter looking at computer" "slug" => "watch-your-favorite-animals-on-zoo-wildlife-cams" "status" => "publish" "tags" => array:2 [ …2] "title" => "Watch Your Favorite Animals on Zoo Wildlife Cams" "title_plain" => "Watch Your Favorite Animals on Zoo Wildlife Cams" "type" => "article" "url" => "https://blogs.mutualofomaha.com/wknewsroom/article/watch-your-favorite-animals-on-zoo-wildlife-cams/" ] 4072 => array:21 [ "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 "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/" ] 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/" ] 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" => "the-incredible-resilience-of-polar-bears" "status" => "publish" "tags" => array:1 [ 0 => array:5 [ "description" => "" "id" => 72144 "post_count" => 31 "slug" => "podcast" "title" => "Podcast" ] ] "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/" ]]

Updated on May 06, 2025

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