Published by Michael Howie / The Fur-Bearers
Defender Radio and The Switch bring experts and solutions to wildlife advocates and animal lovers around the world. Hosted by award-winning journalist Michael Howie, Defender Radio and The Switch are produced by The Fur-Bearers (TheFurBearers.com) and released weekly. Learn more at DefenderRadio.com
Listen on Apple Podcasts37 min
When we talk about wildlife, we often talk about it as though it belongs somewhere else. A forest. A park. A protected area. Somewhere north of us, away from the roads, neighbourhoods, shopping centres, and backyards where we spend most of our lives. But nature is not somewhere else. It's everywhere. Coyotes on city streets, raccoons in backyards, skunks under sheds, birds crossing parking lots, insects searching for flowers — all are living in landscapes we have shaped, divided, paved, and rearranged. So what does that mean for them? And what does it mean for us? Dr. Lenore Fahrig, a highly-cited landscape ecologist at Carleton University joins Defender Radio to discuss what habitat loss and fragmentation mean for wildlife, how fur-bearing animals move through cities, and what we can do as individuals and in our communities to create more essential connectivity. SHOW NOTES: Episode art by Ken Duffney / Getty Dr. Lenore Fahrig's Lab page: https://carleton.ca/fahriglab/ Dr. Lenore Fahrig's Bio page: https://carleton.ca/biology/people/lenore-fahrig/ Study – Nature-based solutions for urban biodiversity: Spatial targeting of retrofits can multiply ecological connectivity benefits: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0169204624001683 Podcast interview on above study: https://thefurbearers.com/blog/defender-radio/biodiversity-and-urban-connectivity/ Want to suggest topics for Defender Radio? Reach out to us at info@TheFurBearers.com, by visiting DefenderRadio.com or engaging host Michael Howie on social media via Instagram ( www.instagram.com/howiemichael ) or Facebook ( www.Facebook.com/DefenderRadio ). Defender Radio is produced by The Fur-Bearers ( www.TheFurBearers.com ), a charitable non-partisan organization whose mandate is to advocate on behalf of fur-bearing animals in the wild and in confinement, promote coexistence solutions in communities and protect the habitats of fur-bearing animals across Canada. You can follow The Fur-Bearers on Instagram ( www.instagram.com/furbearers ), Bluesky ( https://bsky.app/profile/thefurbearers.bsky.social ) and Facebook ( www.facebook.com/FurFree ).
57 min
Defender Radio host Michael Howie is joined by colleagues Dr. Valli Fraser-Celin and Tijana (Wildlife Campaigns and Advocacy Manager at The Fur-Bearers) to talk about studies covering drones and British Columbia's endangered species, plus a chat about what kind of space wildlife needs this time of year. SHOW NOTES Episode artwork of an edangered Vancouver Island Marmot by James Telford / iNaturalist / CCBY4.0 (modification included cropping and display text). Learn more about Dr. Valli Fraser-Celin: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelivesofwilddogs/ Articles on TheFurBearers.com: https://thefurbearers.com/tag/drvallifrasercelin/ Articles and Studies referenced: When Drones Disturb Nature: What Wildlife Research Is Telling Us: https://thefurbearers.com/blog/when-drones-disturb-nature-what-wildlife-research-is-telling-us/ Species at Risk in British Columbia: What 17 Years of Data Reveal: https://thefurbearers.com/blog/species-at-risk-in-british-columbia-what-17-years-of-data-reveal/ Dear Grizzly Bear 142, Mother of a Train-Struck Cub (by Cleo Shedden): https://thefurbearers.com/blog/dear-grizzly-bear-142-mother-of-a-train-struck-cub/ The Lost Words by Robert McFarlane: https://houseofanansi.com/products/the-lost-words How to Pronounce Arthropod: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/pronunciation/english/arthropod Want to suggest topics for Defender Radio? Reach out to us at info@TheFurBearers.com, by visiting DefenderRadio.com or engaging host Michael Howie on social media via Instagram ( www.instagram.com/howiemichael ) or Facebook ( www.Facebook.com/DefenderRadio ). Defender Radio is produced by The Fur-Bearers ( www.TheFurBearers.com ), a charitable non-partisan organization whose mandate is to advocate on behalf of fur-bearing animals in the wild and in confinement, promote coexistence solutions in communities and protect the habitats of fur-bearing animals across Canada. You can follow The Fur-Bearers on Instagram ( www.instagram.com/furbearers ), Bluesky ( https://bsky.app/profile/thefurbearers.bsky.social ) and Facebook ( www.facebook.com/FurFree ).
43 min
It feels like yesterday – and a lifetime ago – that the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the world. I don't know about you, but I'm still dealing with that experience, and I see the impact of it around me regularly. What's most upsetting, perhaps, is that experts are sending clear messages: it's not if, but when the next pandemic will hit. A major source for potential virus spillover is fur farms, of which there remain dozens in Canada today, despite a British Columbia mink fur farm ban announced in 2021. Dr. Neil Vora , a former CDC epidemiologist, Executive Director of the Preventing Pandemics at the Source Coalition and Orchestrator in Residence at Integral, and passionate conservationist, is one of many people pushing for change. Dr. Vora joins Defender Radio to discuss the risks of fur farms, how Canada and other nations can embrace One Health policies, and how our relationship with nature is at the core of it all. SHOW NOTES Photo of a mink on a Canadian fur farm by We Animals Dr. Neil Vora's website: https://neilvora.com/ Preventing Pandemics at The Source: https://www.preventingfuturepandemics.org/ Ban fur farming or risk a new pandemic (The Guardian, by Dr. Neil Vora): https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/apr/24/fur-farming-pandemic-risk Marking the end of fur farming in British Columbia: https://thefurbearers.com/blog/marking-the-end-of-mink-farming-in-british-columbia/ Want to suggest topics for Defender Radio? Reach out to us at info@TheFurBearers.com, by visiting DefenderRadio.com or engaging host Michael Howie on social media via Instagram ( www.instagram.com/howiemichael ) or Facebook ( www.Facebook.com/DefenderRadio ). Defender Radio is produced by The Fur-Bearers ( www.TheFurBearers.com ), a charitable non-partisan organization whose mandate is to advocate on behalf of fur-bearing animals in the wild and in confinement, promote coexistence solutions in communities and protect the habitats of fur-bearing animals across Canada. You can follow The Fur-Bearers on Instagram ( www.instagram.com/furbearers ), Bluesky ( https://bsky.app/profile/thefurbearers.bsky.social ) and Facebook ( www.facebook.com/FurFree ).
36 min
This time of year is glorious for all of us – and for the wild neighbours with whom we share our communities. From black bears and coyotes to skunks and squirrels, wildlife is out and about, finding new den sites, food sources, and introducing their families to the world around them – even in cities. Sadly, human infrastructure and behaviours can lead to tragic outcomes for many animals; and that's why dedicated wildlife rehabilitators across the country need your help. Joining us to talk about spring wildlife and their families, the surprising biodiversity of major cities like Toronto, and how you can help your local wildlife rehabilitator is Nathalie Karvonen, Executive Director and Founder of the Toronto Wildlife Centre. SHOW NOTES Episode art of a Toronto raccoon by bukharova / Getty Images Toronto Wildlife Centre website: https://www.torontowildlifecentre.com/ Toronto Wildlife Centre Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/torontowildlifecentre/ Impacts of Wildlife Feeding Along RBG Trails: https://www.rbg.ca/impacts-of-wildlife-feeding-along-rbg-trails/ Paris has successfully cut noise pollution, but urban birds still can't sing at their natural pitch: https://theconversation.com/paris-has-successfully-cut-noise-pollution-but-urban-birds-still-cant-sing-at-their-natural-pitch-280229 Ontario Gov page on Wildlife Rehab: https://www.ontario.ca/page/find-wildlife-rehabilitator Want to suggest topics for Defender Radio? Reach out to us at info@TheFurBearers.com, by visiting DefenderRadio.com or engaging host Michael Howie on social media via Instagram ( www.instagram.com/howiemichael ) or Facebook ( www.Facebook.com/DefenderRadio ). Defender Radio is produced by The Fur-Bearers ( www.TheFurBearers.com ), a charitable non-partisan organization whose mandate is to advocate on behalf of fur-bearing animals in the wild and in confinement, promote coexistence solutions in communities and protect the habitats of fur-bearing animals across Canada. You can follow The Fur-Bearers on Instagram ( www.instagram.com/furbearers ), Bluesky ( https://bsky.app/profile/thefurbearers.bsky.social ) and Facebook ( www.facebook.com/FurFree ).
48 min
Defender Radio host Michael Howie is joined by colleagues Dr. Valli Fraser-Celin and Tijana S. (Wildlife Campaigns and Advocacy Manager at The Fur-Bearers) to talk about The Fur-Bearers' recent time at the Humane Canada Summit for Wildlife, two studies reviewed for our article, and how communication is a key aspect to wildlife coexistence. SHOW NOTES Episode artwork by Brittany Crossman / Getty Learn more about Dr. Valli Fraser-Celin: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelivesofwilddogs/ Articles on TheFurBearers.com: https://thefurbearers.com/tag/drvallifrasercelin/ Articles and Studies referenced: Humane Canada recap – https://thefurbearers.com/blog/recap-humane-canadas-2026-summit-for-animals/ Study: Helping Landowners Live with Beavers – https://thefurbearers.com/blog/study-helping-landowners-live-with-beavers/ Why Nocturnal Wildlife Gets Less Love – https://thefurbearers.com/blog/why-nocturnal-wildlife-gets-less-love/ Surprising ways skunks help your ecosystem – https://thefurbearers.com/blog/surprising-ways-skunks-help-your-ecosystem/ Raccoons at Noon? Don't Panic. – https://thefurbearers.com/blog/raccoons-at-noon-dont-panic/ Want to suggest topics for Defender Radio? Reach out to us at info@TheFurBearers.com, by visiting DefenderRadio.com or engaging host Michael Howie on social media via Instagram ( www.instagram.com/howiemichael ) or Facebook ( www.Facebook.com/DefenderRadio ). Defender Radio is produced by The Fur-Bearers ( www.TheFurBearers.com ), a charitable non-partisan organization whose mandate is to advocate on behalf of fur-bearing animals in the wild and in confinement, promote coexistence solutions in communities and protect the habitats of fur-bearing animals across Canada. You can follow The Fur-Bearers on Instagram ( www.instagram.com/furbearers ), Bluesky ( https://bsky.app/profile/thefurbearers.bsky.social ) and Facebook ( www.facebook.com/FurFree ).
4 min
We want to look into the future for Defender Radio and The Switch – and that means hearing from you! We've put together a short (really) survey that will take fewer than 5 minutes and can help us know in which direction to go. It includes episode length/frequency, guest mix, accessibility, and more. Click here to open the survey now. To show our appreciation, we're also offering a $100 Visa Gift Card that will be randomly drawn and awarded to a survey taker (must be 18+, live in Canada excluding Quebec, and provide name/contact information in the survey to participate). Click here to get started or visit DefenderRadio.com/survey . Thank you. SHOW NOTES: Artwork by Enrico Staine / Getty Images Take the survey at https://questionnaire.simplesurvey.com/f/s.aspx?s=dd56341d-a112-4f66-a58e-8fad38458f63&ds=zX2P67oC1l Want to suggest topics for Defender Radio? Reach out to us at info@TheFurBearers.com, by visiting DefenderRadio.com or engaging host Michael Howie on social media via Instagram ( www.instagram.com/howiemichael ) or Facebook ( www.Facebook.com/DefenderRadio ). Defender Radio is produced by The Fur-Bearers ( www.TheFurBearers.com ), a charitable non-partisan organization whose mandate is to advocate on behalf of fur-bearing animals in the wild and in confinement, promote coexistence solutions in communities and protect the habitats of fur-bearing animals across Canada. You can follow The Fur-Bearers on Instagram ( www.instagram.com/furbearers ), Bluesky ( https://bsky.app/profile/thefurbearers.bsky.social ) and Facebook ( www.facebook.com/FurFree ).
33 min
Animal law is a topic of growing interest to Canadians, advocates, and legal experts. While there are some great people doing great work related to animal law in Canada, there haven't been any university-associated programs on it – until now. Angela Fernandez, a long-time University of Toronto law professor, is taking on the project as the director of the University of Toronto Animal Law Program. To share what the vision for the program is, what prospective students may learn, why there's a need for the program, and how it could reshape law in Canada, Professor Fernandez joins Defender Radio. SHOW NOTES: Cover image by Siva Kumar Nimmadala / Getty Images Animal Law Program at UofT: https://jackmanlaw.utoronto.ca/animal-law-program Animal Law Program on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/106565344/admin/dashboard/ Animal Law Program on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uoftanimallaw/ Dr. Angela Fernandez's UofT bio page: https://jackmanlaw.utoronto.ca/people/angela-fernandez Animal Justice Law Conference: https://www.alaconference.ca/ Want to suggest topics for Defender Radio? Reach out to us at info@TheFurBearers.com, by visiting DefenderRadio.com or engaging host Michael Howie on social media via Instagram ( www.instagram.com/howiemichael ) or Facebook ( www.Facebook.com/DefenderRadio ). Defender Radio is produced by The Fur-Bearers ( www.TheFurBearers.com ), a charitable non-partisan organization whose mandate is to advocate on behalf of fur-bearing animals in the wild and in confinement, promote coexistence solutions in communities and protect the habitats of fur-bearing animals across Canada. You can follow The Fur-Bearers on Instagram ( www.instagram.com/furbearers ), Bluesky ( https://bsky.app/profile/thefurbearers.bsky.social ) and Facebook ( www.facebook.com/FurFree ).
40 min
September is fashion month, with massive week-long events in major cities worldwide, including New York, London, Milan and Paris. And the question on many peoples' minds is: will we be seeing fur, or will more designers choose to go fur-free? PJ Smith, Director of Fashion Policy for Humane World for Animals thinks the future of the industry is fur-free, and joins Defender Radio to discuss trends, textile innovation, and what gives him optimism. SHOW NOTES Humane World for Animals: https://www.humaneworld.org/ Humane World for Animals Woolrich Campaign: https://secure.humaneworld.org/page/176766/action/1 Want to suggest topics for Defender Radio? Reach out to us at info@TheFurBearers.com, by visiting DefenderRadio.com or engaging host Michael Howie on social media via Instagram ( www.instagram.com/howiemichael ) or Facebook ( www.Facebook.com/DefenderRadio ). Defender Radio is produced by The Fur-Bearers ( www.TheFurBearers.com ), a charitable non-partisan organization whose mandate is to advocate on behalf of fur-bearing animals in the wild and in confinement, promote coexistence solutions in communities and protect the habitats of fur-bearing animals across Canada. You can follow The Fur-Bearers on Instagram ( www.instagram.com/furbearers ), Bluesky ( https://bsky.app/profile/thefurbearers.bsky.social ) and Facebook ( www.facebook.com/FurFree ).
27 min
The tragic story of a locally beloved cougar being killed near Canmore, Alberta, earlier this year was heartbreaking. John Marriott, an award-winning wildlife photographer and co-founder of Exposed Wildlife Conservancy shared his harrowing experience with Defender Radio – along with his discovery of two cougar kits, orphaned by the incident. Several months later, the cougar kits were transferred to Parc Safari in Quebec, and the outcry for policy change in Alberta rages on. To share more about these updates and introduce the new Executive Director of Exposed Wildlife Conservancy, John Marriott and Maggie Spizziri join Defender Radio. SHOW NOTES Cougar kit photo by John E. Marriott / WildernessPrints.com Exposed Wildlife Conservancy website: https://www.exposedwildlifeconservancy.org/ EWC on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSN6XzS07gO8xNxLWFGJY5Q EWC on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/exposdwc/ EWC on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/exposdwc/ Canmore Cougar Tragedy (original episode): https://thefurbearers.com/blog/defender-radio/the-canmore-cougar-tragedy-featuring-john-e-marriott/ Conservationst article mentioned: https://www.nsnews.com/environment/study-reveals-anglers-conservationists-share-surprising-common-ground-in-orca-chinook-fight-11084359 Want to suggest topics for Defender Radio? Reach out to us at info@TheFurBearers.com, by visiting DefenderRadio.com or engaging host Michael Howie on social media via Instagram ( www.instagram.com/howiemichael ) or Facebook ( www.Facebook.com/DefenderRadio ). Defender Radio is produced by The Fur-Bearers ( www.TheFurBearers.com ), a charitable non-partisan organization whose mandate is to advocate on behalf of fur-bearing animals in the wild and in confinement, promote coexistence solutions in communities and protect the habitats of fur-bearing animals across Canada. You can follow The Fur-Bearers on Instagram ( www.instagram.com/furbearers ), Bluesky ( https://bsky.app/profile/thefurbearers.bsky.social ) and Facebook ( www.facebook.com/FurFree ).
8 min
From streetlights to skyscrapers and everything in between, lighting up the night can help keep people safe. But, this often excessive lighting has a consequence: light pollution. Native wildlife across Canada gets impacted by light pollution in many ways–and they're not alone. Humans, too, are impacted in surprising ways by our bright night skies. Tijana Selak, Wildlife Campaigns and Advocacy Manager at The Fur-Bearers, joins The Switch to talk about the impacts of light pollution on wildlife, humans, and the simple solutions that can help us make a switch for the better. SHOW NOTES: Episode art of Calgary at night by Gelu Popa / Getty Images Check out Tijana's excellent article on light pollution at TheFurBearers.com: https://thefurbearers.com/blog/bring-back-the-night-how-light-pollution-disrupts-wildlife/ Learn more about window strikes and their impact on birds with FLAP Canada at: https://flap.org/ CBC Article "Urban wildlife team finds alarming rise in bird-window collisions in downtown Calgary": https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/bird-window-collisions-downtown-1.7606425 Want to suggest topics for Defender Radio? Reach out to us at info@TheFurBearers.com, by visiting DefenderRadio.com or engaging host Michael Howie on social media via Instagram ( www.instagram.com/howiemichael ) or Facebook ( www.Facebook.com/DefenderRadio ). Defender Radio is produced by The Fur-Bearers ( www.TheFurBearers.com ), a charitable non-partisan organization whose mandate is to advocate on behalf of fur-bearing animals in the wild and in confinement, promote coexistence solutions in communities and protect the habitats of fur-bearing animals across Canada. You can follow The Fur-Bearers on Instagram ( www.instagram.com/furbearers ), Bluesky ( https://bsky.app/profile/thefurbearers.bsky.social ) and Facebook ( www.facebook.com/FurFree ).
57 min
Wildfires and drought, floods and ice storms, and a seemingly never-ending news cycle of chaos around us is a lot. I'll be honest – there are days I want to hide from it all myself. But carrying the weight of what's happening to the natural world around us isn't new, and it has a name – climate grief. This intense grief and anxiety can come from any source and impact anyone. It can be the terrifying scenes of wildfires across Canada, the floods impacting other parts of the world, or even noticing the subtle quiet in greenspaces, once filled with bird calls and buzzing insects. But there are ways to navigate this grief, to listen to ourselves and the world around us, and re-establish connections for resilience and hope. To share insights into how climate grief can impact us, how it manifests differently for different people, and strategies to manage, climate grief expert and author Dr. Shawna Weaver joins Defender Radio. SHOW NOTES Episode title card photo of wildfire in British Columbia's Okanagan Valley by shootthebreeze / Getty Images Dr. Shawna Weaver's book Climate Grief: https://lanternpm.org/shop/climate-grief-from-coping-to-resilience-and-action/ Dr. Shawna Weaver's website: https://www.shawnajweaver.com/ Mental Health Supports: The Government of Canada's landing page for mental health supports offers a variety of services, organized by province/territory and type. Visit https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/mental-health-services/mental-health-get-help.html to find support for yourself or loved ones. You can call 9-8-8 in Canada and the United States to be connected to crisis intervention . You're not alone. Want to suggest topics for Defender Radio? Reach out to us at info@TheFurBearers.com, by visiting DefenderRadio.com or engaging host Michael Howie on social media via Instagram ( www.instagram.com/howiemichael ) or Facebook ( www.Facebook.com/DefenderRadio ). Defender Radio is produced by The Fur-Bearers ( www.TheFurBearers.com ), a charitable non-partisan organization whose mandate is to advocate on behalf of fur-bearing animals in the wild and in confinement, promote coexistence solutions in communities and protect the habitats of fur-bearing animals across Canada. You can follow The Fur-Bearers on Instagram ( www.instagram.com/furbearers ), Bluesky ( https://bsky.app/profile/thefurbearers.bsky.social ) and Facebook ( www.facebook.com/FurFree ).
21 min
Mink fur farms are a virus's favourite place. There's lots of opportunity to transmit, mutate, and lead to more virulent strains that threaten public health. With the devastating economic impact of H5N1 or avian flu in the news, the reintroduction of the Mink Virus Act to the United States Congress is well timed. To share what this legislation is about, why it matters, and how people on both sides of the border can support it, Devan Schowe , Campaigns Associate for BornFree USA joins Defender Radio. SHOW NOTES Photo of a mink on a Canadian fur farm by We Animals. BornFree USA's Mink VIRUS Act page and action: https://www.bornfreeusa.org/2025/03/19/great-news-mink-virus-act-reintroduced-in-congress/ BornFree USA on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/bornfreeusaorg BornFree USA on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/bornfreeusa BornFree USA on Tiktok: http://www.tiktok.com/@bornfreeusaorg BornFree USA on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/bornfreeusa Want to suggest topics for Defender Radio? Reach out to us at info@TheFurBearers.com, by visiting DefenderRadio.com or engaging host Michael Howie on social media via Instagram ( www.instagram.com/howiemichael ) or Facebook ( www.Facebook.com/DefenderRadio ). Defender Radio is produced by The Fur-Bearers ( www.TheFurBearers.com ), a charitable non-partisan organization whose mandate is to advocate on behalf of fur-bearing animals in the wild and in confinement, promote coexistence solutions in communities and protect the habitats of fur-bearing animals across Canada. You can follow The Fur-Bearers on Instagram ( www.instagram.com/furbearers ), Bluesky ( https://bsky.app/profile/thefurbearers.bsky.social ) and Facebook ( www.facebook.com/FurFree ).
1 hr 1 min
Anyone who follows John E. Marriott or Exposed Wildlife Conservancy on social media knows that a cougar John had tracked for many years was killed near Canmore, Alberta, earlier this year. It led to two orphaned kits, a harrowing experience for John, and a clear mission: to share this story with the public and lead to change for wildlife in Alberta. To give us the story from the very beginning and what he wants to see happen next, John Marriott joins Defender Radio. SHOW NOTES: Photo of the orphaned cougars provided by John E. Marriott / WildernessPrints.com Exposed Wildlife Conservancy: https://www.exposedwildlifeconservancy.org/ John's Photography website: https://wildernessprints.com/ EWC on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSN6XzS07gO8xNxLWFGJY5Q EWC on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/exposdwc/ EWC on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/exposdwc/ Want to suggest topics for Defender Radio? Reach out to us at info@TheFurBearers.com, by visiting DefenderRadio.com or engaging host Michael Howie on social media via Instagram ( www.instagram.com/howiemichael ) or Facebook ( www.Facebook.com/DefenderRadio ). Defender Radio is produced by The Fur-Bearers ( www.TheFurBearers.com ), a charitable non-partisan organization whose mandate is to advocate on behalf of fur-bearing animals in the wild and in confinement, promote coexistence solutions in communities and protect the habitats of fur-bearing animals across Canada. You can follow The Fur-Bearers on Instagram ( www.instagram.com/furbearers ), Bluesky ( https://bsky.app/profile/thefurbearers.bsky.social ) and Facebook ( www.facebook.com/FurFree ).
38 min
Fifty years ago this week, Canada officially made beavers one of our national symbols. In celebrating this anniversary – and the many ecological services and benefits provided by beavers – The Fur-Bearers have a bit of beaver fever. And who better to talk to about beavers than Ben Goldfarb , the journalist behind Eager: The Surprising Secret Life of Beavers and Why They Matter . This book has made big waves since it landed in 2018, and Ben joins Defender Radio to share how he started out writing Eager , what he loves about beavers, his newer works, and how we can look to beavers for hope in uncertain times. SHOW NOTES: Cover photo by jamesvancouver / Getty Images Ben Goldfarb's website: https://www.bengoldfarb.com/ More about Eager: https://www.bengoldfarb.com/eager More about Crossings: https://www.bengoldfarb.com/crossings Ben on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/bengoldfarb.bsky.social Learn more about Canada's 50th anniversary of the beaver as a national symbol from The Fur-Bearers at: https://thefurbearers.com/blog/celebrating-beavers-50th-anniversary-as-canadas-symbol/ Want to suggest topics for Defender Radio? Reach out to us at info@TheFurBearers.com, by visiting DefenderRadio.com or engaging host Michael Howie on social media via Instagram ( www.instagram.com/howiemichael ) or Facebook ( www.Facebook.com/DefenderRadio ). Defender Radio is produced by The Fur-Bearers ( www.TheFurBearers.com ), a charitable non-partisan organization whose mandate is to advocate on behalf of fur-bearing animals in the wild and in confinement, promote coexistence solutions in communities and protect the habitats of fur-bearing animals across Canada. You can follow The Fur-Bearers on Instagram ( www.instagram.com/furbearers ), Bluesky ( https://bsky.app/profile/thefurbearers.bsky.social ) and Facebook ( www.facebook.com/FurFree ).
31 min
Canada's iconic wildlife include moose, beavers, and wolves. But of the many species of vertebrate, which are the most evolutionarily distinct? And why does that matter? A team of researchers from Simon Fraser University (emma Kominek, Olivia Cornies, Arne Ø. Mooers, and Wildlife Preservation Canada's Hannah McCurdy-Adams) explored these questions in their paper, Evolutionary isolation of Canadian terrestrial vertebrate species , published in the journal The Canadian Field-Naturalist . The final list included some not so surprising results – like beavers being near the top for mammals, and some unusual species that aren't commonly known, like mudpuppies, an amphibian that can be found in a relatively small range of southern Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec. To share more about the paper, how the species lists were developed, and why it's important for conservationists to learn about, study coauthor Emma Kominek joins Defender Radio. SHOW NOTES: Episode photo by Chuck Miller / Getty Images Evolutionary isolation of Canadian terrestrial vertebrate species: https://doi.org/10.22621/cfn.v137i4.2673 SFU's coverage of the study: https://www.sfu.ca/science/news/2024-news/move-along-moose--sfu-study-reveals-the--most-canadian--animals.html Want to suggest topics for Defender Radio? Reach out to us at info@TheFurBearers.com, by visiting DefenderRadio.com or engaging host Michael Howie on social media via Instagram ( www.instagram.com/howiemichael ) or Facebook ( www.Facebook.com/DefenderRadio ). Defender Radio is produced by The Fur-Bearers ( www.TheFurBearers.com ), a charitable non-partisan organization whose mandate is to advocate on behalf of fur-bearing animals in the wild and in confinement, promote coexistence solutions in communities and protect the habitats of fur-bearing animals across Canada. You can follow The Fur-Bearers on Instagram ( www.instagram.com/furbearers ), Bluesky ( https://bsky.app/profile/thefurbearers.bsky.social ) and Facebook ( www.facebook.com/FurFree ).
2 min
Whether you're heading south to escape the cold, across the provinces for an adventure, or just a town over for a quick getaway, there are a lot of choices we can make while travelling for March Break that reduce our impact on the environment – and can even improve it. SHOW NOTES Episode art photo by Petmal / Getty Images Want to suggest topics for Defender Radio and The Switch? Reach out to us at info@TheFurBearers.com, by visiting DefenderRadio.com or engaging host Michael Howie on social media via Instagram ( www.instagram.com/howiemichael ), Facebook ( www.Facebook.com/DefenderRadio) , or Bluesky ( https://bsky.app/profile/defenderradio.bsky.social) . Defender Radio and The Switch is produced by The Fur-Bearers ( www.TheFurBearers.com ), a charitable non-partisan organization whose mandate is to advocate on behalf of fur-bearing animals in the wild and in confinement, promote coexistence solutions in communities and protect the habitats of fur-bearing animals across Canada. You can follow The Fur-Bearers on Instagram ( www.instagram.com/furbearers ), Twitter ( www.twitter.com/furbearers ) and Facebook ( www.facebook.com/FurFree ).
26 min
The journey of Takaya the Lone wolf on Vancouver Island was one of hope, inspiration, and ultimately tragedy. Cheryl Alexander, acclaimed conservation photographer and Founding Executive Director of Takaya's Legacy has shared her story countless times – but this past year the story took a new twist. An iconic photo of Takaya, taken by Cheryl, was used by a wolf hunting guide's website without permission. This not only created a social media outrage, but put the spotlight back on the pressures facing wolves in British Columbia and the need to connect public belief with policy. To share these updates and explore the impact the misuse of Takaya's image had both personally and publicly, Cheryl Alexander joins Defender Radio. SHOW NOTES: Photo of Takaya by Cheryl Alexander Takaya's Legacy website: https://takayaslegacy.com/ Takaya's Legacy on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/takayalonewolf Takaya's Legacy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/takayalonewolf Want to suggest topics for Defender Radio? Reach out to us at info@TheFurBearers.com, by visiting DefenderRadio.com or engaging host Michael Howie on social media via Instagram ( www.instagram.com/howiemichael ) or Facebook ( www.Facebook.com/DefenderRadio ). Defender Radio is produced by The Fur-Bearers ( www.TheFurBearers.com ), a charitable non-partisan organization whose mandate is to advocate on behalf of fur-bearing animals in the wild and in confinement, promote coexistence solutions in communities and protect the habitats of fur-bearing animals across Canada. You can follow The Fur-Bearers on Instagram ( www.instagram.com/furbearers ), Bluesky ( https://bsky.app/profile/thefurbearers.bsky.social ) and Facebook ( www.facebook.com/FurFree ).
3 min
Winter salt keeps sidewalks safe but harms Ottawa's waterways. A five-year study shows toxic chloride levels in local streams year-round. Learn how to reduce salt use, protect aquatic life, and keep winter walkways safe. SHOW NOTES: Episode art photo by EyeEm Mobile GmbH / Getty Images Check out Ottawa Riverkeeper's work on salt monitoring and reduction: https://ottawariverkeeper.ca/sign-the-road-salt-reduction-pledge/ Want to suggest topics for Defender Radio and The Switch? Reach out to us at info@TheFurBearers.com, by visiting DefenderRadio.com or engaging host Michael Howie on social media via Instagram ( www.instagram.com/howiemichael ), Facebook ( www.Facebook.com/DefenderRadio) , or Bluesky ( https://bsky.app/profile/defenderradio.bsky.social) . Defender Radio and The Switch is produced by The Fur-Bearers ( www.TheFurBearers.com ), a charitable non-partisan organization whose mandate is to advocate on behalf of fur-bearing animals in the wild and in confinement, promote coexistence solutions in communities and protect the habitats of fur-bearing animals across Canada. You can follow The Fur-Bearers on Instagram ( www.instagram.com/furbearers ), Twitter ( www.twitter.com/furbearers ) and Facebook ( www.facebook.com/FurFree ).
18 min
North Atlantic Right Whales are at extreme risk of extinction, with only around 370 individuals and around 70 reproductive females. According to RightWhales.org , over 142 individuals have been injured or died since 2017 – a shocking 35% of the current population. Fortunately, individuals like Sheryl Fink of the International Fund for Animal Welfare or IFAW are working hard to collaborate and find solutions to protect this endangered whale species, who can be found off the coast of Canada. To share more about how North Atlantic Right Whales reached such critically low levels, what the largest impacts on their populations are, and how scientific collaboration can lead to solutions, Sheryl joins Defender Radio. SHOW NOTES: Episode art credit: Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission. Image taken under NOAA Research Permit 665-1652 ( link to original use ). Find more about Sheryl and IFAW's work to save North Atlantic Right Whales at: https://www.RightWhales.org . Find IFAW on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ifawglobal/ Find IFAW on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:ay3hmpazay7ndzmbxcyfasb7 Want to suggest topics for Defender Radio? Reach out to us at info@TheFurBearers.com, by visiting DefenderRadio.com or engaging host Michael Howie on social media via Instagram ( www.instagram.com/howiemichael ) or Facebook ( www.Facebook.com/DefenderRadio ). Defender Radio is produced by The Fur-Bearers ( www.TheFurBearers.com ), a charitable non-partisan organization whose mandate is to advocate on behalf of fur-bearing animals in the wild and in confinement, promote coexistence solutions in communities and protect the habitats of fur-bearing animals across Canada. You can follow The Fur-Bearers on Instagram ( www.instagram.com/furbearers ), Bluesky ( https://bsky.app/profile/thefurbearers.bsky.social ) and Facebook ( www.facebook.com/FurFree ).
3 min
Canadians waste a ton of food - literally! Learn how meal planning can reduce food waste, save you money, and reduce your impact on emissions and climate change by listening now. SHOW NOTES: LoveFoodHateWaste.ca: https://lovefoodhatewaste.ca/ Want to suggest topics for Defender Radio and The Switch? Reach out to us at DefenderRadio@Gmail.com, by visiting DefenderRadio.com or engaging host Michael Howie on social media via Instagram ( www.instagram.com/howiemichael ) or Facebook ( www.Facebook.com/DefenderRadio ). Defender Radio and The Switch is produced by The Fur-Bearers ( www.TheFurBearers.com ), a charitable non-partisan organization whose mandate is to advocate on behalf of fur-bearing animals in the wild and in confinement, promote coexistence solutions in communities and protect the habitats of fur-bearing animals across Canada. You can follow The Fur-Bearers on Instagram ( www.instagram.com/furbearers ), Twitter ( www.twitter.com/furbearers ) and Facebook ( www.facebook.com/FurFree ).