When a species becomes ‘un-extinct’, how can their population be bolstered in the wild, but also be reintroduced into culture? Once plentiful in South-West Western Australia, the Gilbert’s potoroo was thought to be extinct for over a hundred years. Since their rediscovery by Western Science in 1954, it has now gained the title of the world’s rarest marsupial, with only just over a hundred individuals.

James and Elysee head to Two Peoples Bay to speak to Leigh Whisson, a conservation biologist, who was there on the day of its rediscovery. He explains how the potoroo was able to be found and protected because of the protection of another endangered species, the noisy scrub bird. Dr. Jackie Courtenay describes the early days of working with the potoroos and trying to help their population.

Next, James and Elysee follow Dr. Tony Friend to a predator-free insurance population to survey Gilbert Potoroo numbers. As they go through traps and find potoroos and collect data, Tony talks about translocation and threats.

Finally, Leigh and Jackie talk about the Gilbert’s Potoroo Action Group and the importance of field volunteering, fundraising, and awareness raising to make sure the Gilbert’s potoroo recovers from its societal extinction.

Thank you to:

Leigh Whisson and Dr. Jackie Courtenay from the Gilbert's Potoroo Action Group.

• To volunteer, donate and become a member visit: https://www.potoroo.org/
• https://www.facebook.com/GilbertsPotorooActionGroup/

Dr. Tony Friend

Recorded, written, and edited by James Worsfold and Elysee Lee.

Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef is a beloved international icon, and home to diverse sea life. A tourist hotspot for Australians and people all over the world, the reef sees about 2 million visitors each year. However, its plight is also well known – the coral is being increasingly bleached and killed.

In this episode, James and Elysee investigate if it’s possible to be an ethical tourist in one of the world’s most fragile and important ecosystems.

They begin on the Cairns wharf, talking to the reef visitors themselves. People have come far and wide to be here, and all know that coral is under threat, but not too many know exactly why. Marine biologist and reef guide, Kate Slaughter, explains what coral even is in the first place, and the cause of increased bleachings.

Tanya Murphy, a community campaigner with the Australian Marine Conservation Society, talks about the misconceptions behind the reef’s health and emphasises the impact of climate change on bleaching.

James, Elysee, and the wharf tourists reflect on their impact on the reef. Tanya and Kate also touch on tourism operators’ place in conserving the natural resource they profit from, with surveys and coral planting, but also highlight the importance of education and advocacy.

Thank you to:

Kate Slaughter from Coral Nurture Program

• https://www.coralnurtureprogram.org/

Tanya Murphy from the Australian Marine Conservation Society

• https://www.marineconservation.org.au/
• And her podcast, Word on the Reef
• https://open.spotify.com/show/5HH7mXTHistUgg4loRIqEz

Recorded, written, and edited by James Worsfold and Elysee Lee.

The Australian housing crisis isn't just affecting people, it’s causing an animal housing crisis too. With countless new developments popping up all over the country, James and Elysee talk to experts to find out exactly how it's affecting wildlife, like platypus and koalas, and what solutions there may be for living in harmony with them.

They first chat with Dr Michelle Ryan, an aquatic ecologist, about a healthy platypus population in Western Sydney. With the platypus habitat threatened by the effects of new housing developments around the corner, citizen scientists have helped get government attention to protect them.

Then, James and Elysee visit Koala Beach on the NSW North Coast, where 75% of the development area has been designated to keep as koala habitat. Irene Tims, a resident, explains what it’s like to live there.

Next, our hosts talk to Deborah Tabart, chair of the Australian Koala Foundation (AKF), about how she negotiated the protection of koalas at Koala Beach. The AKF says that a Koala Protection Act will help ensure that the impact of future developments won’t be as devastating to koalas.

Hugh Possingham, former Queensland Chief Scientist, is a supporter of higher density housing to save our precious species. He talks about how the set up of our cities and suburbs are currently unfavourable, not only for biodiversity, but also for us.

Thank you to:

Dr. Michelle Ryan

Cattai Hills Environment Network

• https://chen.org.au/what-we-do/citizen-science-research/

Irene Tims

Deborah Tabart OAM from the Australian Koala Foundation

• https://savethekoala.com/

Professor Hugh Possingham

Recorded, written, and edited by James Worsfold and Elysee Lee