It’s time for me to face my fears! Oysters are iconic here in the Pacific Northwest. The glistening, oval shells and salty aroma are like having a tasty piece of the ocean on your plate. (Well…tasty for some). For a lot of people, including me, you try them once and hope you never have to again. 

They’re also critical to the ecosystem. A single oyster can filter up to 50 gallons of water a day. Their shells stick together as they proliferate, creating “reefs” that make habitat for over 300 other species from crabs, and herring, to sea anemones and young salmon.   

But our native Olympia oysters have taken a real hammering. A combination of pollution, habitat degradation, and… the Gold Rush…. brought them to the brink. That’s when a strong group of oyster enthusiasts stepped in to help.

On today’s episode, we’ll meet the folks going to some extraordinary lengths to save this local population…and I sit down at a downtown Seattle oyster bar to taste this slimy delicacy and learn why eating them can also help support their future.

Enjoy BONUS CONTENT and help us continue to create this special immersive storytelling by joining THE WILD Patreon community atwww.patreon.com/chrismorganwildlife and you can donate to KUOW at kuow.org/donate/thewild. Thank you.

THE WILD is a production of KUOW in Seattle in partnership with Chris Morgan Wildlife and Wildlife Media. It is produced by Matt Martin and Lucy Soucek, and edited by Jim Gates. It is hosted, produced and written byChris Morgan. Fact checking by Apryle Craig. Our theme music is by Michael Parker.

Follow us on Instagram @chrismorganwildlife and @thewildpod for more adventures and behind the scenes action! We’re also on Tiktok! Check us out @chris.morgan.wildlife.

It&rsquo;s time for me to face my fears! Oysters are iconic here in the Pacific Northwest. The glistening, oval shells and salty aroma are like having a tasty piece of the ocean on your plate. (Well&hellip;tasty for some). For a lot of people, including me, you try them once and hope you never have to again.&nbsp;
They&rsquo;re also critical to the ecosystem. A single oyster can filter up to 50 gallons of water a day. Their shells stick together as they proliferate, creating &ldquo;reefs&rdquo; that make habitat for over 300 other species from crabs, and herring, to sea anemones and young salmon.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
But our native Olympia oysters have taken a real hammering. A combination of pollution, habitat degradation, and&hellip; the Gold Rush&hellip;. brought them to the brink. That&rsquo;s when a strong group of oyster enthusiasts stepped in to help.
On today&rsquo;s episode, we&rsquo;ll meet the folks going to some extraordinary lengths to save this local population&hellip;and I sit down at a downtown Seattle oyster bar to taste this slimy delicacy and learn why eating them can also help support their future.
Enjoy BONUS CONTENT and help us continue to create this special immersive storytelling by joining THE WILD Patreon community at<a href="https://www.patreon.com/chrismorganwildlife"> www.patreon.com/chrismorganwildlife</a> and you can donate to KUOW at <a href="http://kuow.org/donate/thewild">kuow.org/donate/thewild</a>. Thank you.
THE WILD is a production of KUOW in Seattle in partnership with<a href="https://www.chrismorganwildlife.org/"> Chris Morgan Wildlife</a> and<a href="https://www.wildlifemedia.org/"> Wildlife Media</a>. It is produced by<a href="https://www.kuow.org/authors/matt-martin"> Matt Martin</a> and<a href="https://www.kuow.org/authors/lucy-soucek"> Lucy Soucek</a>, and edited by<a href="https://kuow.org/authors/jim-gates"> Jim Gates</a>. It is hosted, produced and written by<a href="https://www.chrismorganwildlife.org/bio"> Chris Morgan</a>. Fact checking by<a href="https://apryledcraig.wordpress.com/"> Apryle Craig</a>. Our theme music is by<a href="https://www.michaeltparker.com/"> Michael Parker</a>.
Follow us on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/chrismorganwildlife/?hl=en">@chrismorganwildlife</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thewildpod/?hl=en">@thewildpod</a> for more adventures and behind the scenes action! We&rsquo;re also on Tiktok! Check us out <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@chris.morgan.wildlife">@chris.morgan.wildlife</a>.

Chris Morgan ventures out with the folks going to some extraordinary lengths to save Washington’s Olympia oysters…and sits down at a downtown Seattle oyster bar to finally face his fears and taste this slimy delicacy.

For shuck's sake! Saving wild oysters

How do you save sage grouse inside Grand Teton National Park? With robot birds… of course. 

A group of sage grouse have started using the runway at the Jackson Hole Airport for their mating dance. Not an ideal place for birds or humans. 

On today’s episode, THE WILD producer Matt Martin sits down in front of the mic to tell me the story of how park rangers plan to relocate this unique bird species away from danger. It’s a fascinating story that involves jet airplanes, a couple teenage engineering geniuses, and some very convincing robot decoys.

Enjoy BONUS CONTENT and help us continue to create this special immersive storytelling by joining THE WILD Patreon community atwww.patreon.com/chrismorganwildlife and you can donate to KUOW at kuow.org/donate/thewild. Thank you.

THE WILD is a production of KUOW in Seattle in partnership with Chris Morgan Wildlife and Wildlife Media. It is produced by Matt Martin and Lucy Soucek, and edited by Jim Gates. It is hosted, produced and written byChris Morgan. Fact checking by Apryle Craig. Our theme music is by Michael Parker.

Follow us on Instagram @chrismorganwildlife and @thewildpod for more adventures and behind the scenes action! We’re also on Tiktok! Check us out @chris.morgan.wildlife.

How do you save sage grouse inside Grand Teton National Park? With robot birds&hellip; of course.&nbsp;
A group of sage grouse have started using the runway at the Jackson Hole Airport for their mating dance. Not an ideal place for birds or humans.&nbsp;
On today&rsquo;s episode, THE WILD producer Matt Martin sits down in front of the mic to tell me the story of how park rangers plan to relocate this unique bird species away from danger. It&rsquo;s a fascinating story that involves jet airplanes, a couple teenage engineering geniuses, and some very convincing robot decoys.
Enjoy BONUS CONTENT and help us continue to create this special immersive storytelling by joining THE WILD Patreon community at<a href="https://www.patreon.com/chrismorganwildlife"> www.patreon.com/chrismorganwildlife</a> and you can donate to KUOW at <a href="http://kuow.org/donate/thewild">kuow.org/donate/thewild</a>. Thank you.
THE WILD is a production of KUOW in Seattle in partnership with<a href="https://www.chrismorganwildlife.org/"> Chris Morgan Wildlife</a> and<a href="https://www.wildlifemedia.org/"> Wildlife Media</a>. It is produced by<a href="https://www.kuow.org/authors/matt-martin"> Matt Martin</a> and<a href="https://www.kuow.org/authors/lucy-soucek"> Lucy Soucek</a>, and edited by<a href="https://kuow.org/authors/jim-gates"> Jim Gates</a>. It is hosted, produced and written by<a href="https://www.chrismorganwildlife.org/bio"> Chris Morgan</a>. Fact checking by<a href="https://apryledcraig.wordpress.com/"> Apryle Craig</a>. Our theme music is by<a href="https://www.michaeltparker.com/"> Michael Parker</a>.
Follow us on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/chrismorganwildlife/?hl=en">@chrismorganwildlife</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thewildpod/?hl=en">@thewildpod</a> for more adventures and behind the scenes action! We&rsquo;re also on Tiktok! Check us out <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@chris.morgan.wildlife">@chris.morgan.wildlife</a>.

How robotic sage grouse are helping to save actual sage grouse at the Jackson Hole airport.

A mating dance party with robotic sage grouse

Almost everybody has seen the Grand Canyon, whether it’s on a road trip to northern Arizona or on a postcard. It’s one of the seven natural wonders of the world. 

It’s one thing to see the canyon from a distance, even if that is standing on one of its storied rims. But it’s a whole other experience when you step down into it... to hike deep inside and walk along its ancient ridges. Best-selling author Kevin Fedarko did just that. In fact, he walked the entire 750-mile length of it.

Over the course of his ambitious trek, Kevin faced serious heat exhaustion, dehydration, and had multiple near-death experiences, including almost running out of food during a snowstorm. But he lived to tell the tale.

On today's episode, I sit down with Kevin Fedarko in the woods of Bellingham, WA to hear the remarkable story of his relationship with the Grand Canyon, his journey to uncover the human-made threats it faces, and what he learned along the way - through pain, misery, humiliation and laughter.

GUEST:
Kevin Fedarko, NYT best-selling author of A Walk in the Park: The True Story of a Spectacular Misadventure in the Grand Canyon

We’ve been nominated for a Signal award! A real honor. This award would mean the world to us and help us reach even more listeners. If you’d like to vote for us, click here. Voting closes October 15, 2026.

Enjoy BONUS CONTENT and help us continue to create this special immersive storytelling by joining THE WILD Patreon community atwww.patreon.com/chrismorganwildlife and you can donate to KUOW at kuow.org/donate/thewild. Thank you.

THE WILD is a production of KUOW in Seattle in partnership with Chris Morgan Wildlife and Wildlife Media. It is produced by Matt Martin and Lucy Soucek, and edited by Jim Gates. Writing for this episode by Christopher Preston. It is hosted, produced and written byChris Morgan. Fact checking by Apryle Craig. Our theme music is by Michael Parker.

Follow us on Instagram @chrismorganwildlife and @thewildpod for more adventures and behind the scenes action! We’re also on TikTok! Check us out @chris.morgan.wildlife.

Almost everybody has seen the Grand Canyon, whether it&rsquo;s on a road trip to northern Arizona or on a postcard. It&rsquo;s one of the seven natural wonders of the world.&nbsp;
It&rsquo;s one thing to see the canyon from a distance, even if that is standing on one of its storied rims. But it&rsquo;s a whole other experience when you step down into it... to hike deep inside and walk along its ancient ridges. Best-selling author Kevin Fedarko did just that. In fact, he walked the entire 750-mile length of it.
Over the course of his ambitious trek, Kevin faced serious heat exhaustion, dehydration, and had multiple near-death experiences, including almost running out of food during a snowstorm. But he lived to tell the tale.
On today's episode, I sit down with Kevin Fedarko in the woods of Bellingham, WA to hear the remarkable story of his relationship with the Grand Canyon, his journey to uncover the human-made threats it faces, and what he learned along the way - through pain, misery, humiliation and laughter.
GUEST: <a href="https://www.kevinfedarko.com/about-kevin">Kevin Fedarko</a>, NYT best-selling author of A Walk in the Park: The True Story of a Spectacular Misadventure in the Grand Canyon
We&rsquo;ve been nominated for a Signal award! A real honor. This award would mean the world to us and help us reach even more listeners. If you&rsquo;d like to vote for us, <a href="https://vote.signalaward.com/PublicVoting?utm_campaign=signa5_entrant_finalistnotification_092926&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=cio#/2026/individual-episodes/genre/sustainability-environment">click here</a>. Voting closes October 15, 2026.
Enjoy BONUS CONTENT and help us continue to create this special immersive storytelling by joining THE WILD Patreon community at<a href="https://www.patreon.com/chrismorganwildlife"> www.patreon.com/chrismorganwildlife</a> and you can donate to KUOW at <a href="http://kuow.org/donate/thewild">kuow.org/donate/thewild</a>. Thank you.
THE WILD is a production of KUOW in Seattle in partnership with<a href="https://www.chrismorganwildlife.org/"> Chris Morgan Wildlife</a> and<a href="https://www.wildlifemedia.org/"> Wildlife Media</a>. It is produced by<a href="https://www.kuow.org/authors/matt-martin"> Matt Martin</a> and<a href="https://www.kuow.org/authors/lucy-soucek"> Lucy Soucek</a>, and edited by<a href="https://kuow.org/authors/jim-gates"> Jim Gates</a>. Writing for this episode by Christopher Preston. It is hosted, produced and written by<a href="https://www.chrismorganwildlife.org/bio"> Chris Morgan</a>. Fact checking by<a href="https://apryledcraig.wordpress.com/"> Apryle Craig</a>. Our theme music is by<a href="https://www.michaeltparker.com/"> Michael Parker</a>.
Follow us on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/chrismorganwildlife/?hl=en">@chrismorganwildlife</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thewildpod/?hl=en">@thewildpod</a> for more adventures and behind the scenes action! We&rsquo;re also on TikTok! Check us out <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@chris.morgan.wildlife">@chris.morgan.wildlife</a>.

Chris Morgan sits down with Kevin Fedarko to hear the remarkable story of his relationship with the Grand Canyon, his journey to uncover the human-made threats it faces, and what he learned along the way.

A 750-mile misadventure in the Grand Canyon

Bears in swimming pools… in Los Angeles? Of course I had to find out more.

I've been studying bears and working with them in the wild for over 30 years, and I thought I'd seen it all. Polar bears in Canada, grizzlies in Alaska, Andean bears in South America. But I never thought I’d be racing to see a family of black bears lounging in a pool in a swanky LA  neighborhood. 

A lot of my work is about keeping bears and people away from each other. Avoiding bear-human conflict. Bears belong in the wild, doing wild things surrounded by roots, berries, and forests… not hanging out with inflatable unicorns in swimming pools. But these LA bears are doing just that. And as you’ll hear, opinions about it run the gamut. 

On today’s episode, I travel to LA to get to know these famous pool-loving bears, and see if it is possible for bears and humans to live side by side. What happens when bears make our home their home?

We’ve been nominated for a Signal award! A real honor. This award would mean the world to us and help us reach even more listeners. If you’d like to vote for us, click here. Voting closes October 15, 2026.

Enjoy BONUS CONTENT and help us continue to create this special immersive storytelling by joining THE WILD Patreon community atwww.patreon.com/chrismorganwildlife and you can donate to KUOW at kuow.org/donate/thewild. Thank you.

THE WILD is a production of KUOW in Seattle in partnership with Chris Morgan Wildlife and Wildlife Media. It is produced by Matt Martin and Lucy Soucek, and edited by Jim Gates. Writing for this episode by Christopher Preston. It is hosted, produced and written byChris Morgan. Fact checking by Apryle Craig. Our theme music is by Michael Parker.

Follow us on Instagram @chrismorganwildlife and @thewildpod for more adventures and behind the scenes action! We’re also on Tiktok! Check us out @chris.morgan.wildlife.

Bears in swimming pools&hellip; in Los Angeles? Of course I had to find out more.
I've been studying bears and working with them in the wild for over 30 years, and I thought I'd seen it all. Polar bears in Canada, grizzlies in Alaska, Andean bears in South America. But I never thought I&rsquo;d be racing to see a family of black bears lounging in a pool in a swanky LA&nbsp; neighborhood.&nbsp;
A lot of my work is about keeping bears and people away from each other. Avoiding bear-human conflict. Bears belong in the wild, doing wild things surrounded by roots, berries, and forests&hellip; not hanging out with inflatable unicorns in swimming pools. But these LA bears are doing just that. And as you&rsquo;ll hear, opinions about it run the gamut.&nbsp;
On today&rsquo;s episode, I travel to LA to get to know these famous pool-loving bears, and see if it is possible for bears and humans to live side by side. What happens when bears make our home their home?
We&rsquo;ve been nominated for a Signal award! A real honor. This award would mean the world to us and help us reach even more listeners. If you&rsquo;d like to vote for us, <a href="https://vote.signalaward.com/PublicVoting?utm_campaign=signa5_entrant_finalistnotification_092926&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=cio#/2026/individual-episodes/genre/sustainability-environment">click here</a>. Voting closes October 15, 2026.
Enjoy BONUS CONTENT and help us continue to create this special immersive storytelling by joining THE WILD Patreon community at<a href="https://www.patreon.com/chrismorganwildlife"> www.patreon.com/chrismorganwildlife</a> and you can donate to KUOW at <a href="http://kuow.org/donate/thewild">kuow.org/donate/thewild</a>. Thank you.
THE WILD is a production of KUOW in Seattle in partnership with<a href="https://www.chrismorganwildlife.org/"> Chris Morgan Wildlife</a> and<a href="https://www.wildlifemedia.org/"> Wildlife Media</a>. It is produced by<a href="https://www.kuow.org/authors/matt-martin"> Matt Martin</a> and<a href="https://www.kuow.org/authors/lucy-soucek"> Lucy Soucek</a>, and edited by<a href="https://kuow.org/authors/jim-gates"> Jim Gates</a>. Writing for this episode by Christopher Preston. It is hosted, produced and written by<a href="https://www.chrismorganwildlife.org/bio"> Chris Morgan</a>. Fact checking by<a href="https://apryledcraig.wordpress.com/"> Apryle Craig</a>. Our theme music is by<a href="https://www.michaeltparker.com/"> Michael Parker</a>.
Follow us on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/chrismorganwildlife/?hl=en">@chrismorganwildlife</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thewildpod/?hl=en">@thewildpod</a> for more adventures and behind the scenes action! We&rsquo;re also on Tiktok! Check us out <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@chris.morgan.wildlife">@chris.morgan.wildlife</a>.

Bears in swimming pools… in Los Angeles? Of course I had to find out more. 

There's a bear in my swimming pool!

Welcome back to THE WILD! 

 All around the world, humans are getting up close and personal with wildlife. In Los Angeles, black bears are playing with floaties in swanky backyard swimming pools. Mountain lions are dodging cars trying to get across 10-lane highways. In subarctic Norway, generations of Eider keepers are bonding with vulnerable ducks.

But when is getting too close to wildlife too far? 

Join host Chris Morgan for Season 8 of THE WILD, where he'll travel the world to meet the people defending space for wildlife, from deep in the wilderness to their own backyards. How can wildlife, wild places, and humans share our beautiful planet? 

New episodes of THE WILD come out starting on October 6, 2026.

Enjoy BONUS CONTENT and help us continue to create this special immersive storytelling by joining THE WILD Patreon community at www.patreon.com/chrismorganwildlife and you can donate to KUOW at kuow.org/donate/thewild. Thank you.


THE WILD is a production of KUOW in Seattle in partnership with Chris Morgan Wildlife and Wildlife Media. It is produced by Matt Martin and Lucy Soucek, and edited by Jim Gates. It is hosted, produced and written by Chris Morgan. Fact checking by Apryle Craig. Our theme music is by Michael Parker.

Follow us on Instagram @chrismorganwildlife and @thewildpod for more adventures and behind the scenes action!

Welcome back to THE WILD!&nbsp;
&nbsp;All around the world, humans are getting up close and personal with wildlife. In Los Angeles, black bears are playing with floaties in swanky backyard swimming pools. Mountain lions are dodging cars trying to get across 10-lane highways. In subarctic Norway, generations of Eider keepers are bonding with vulnerable ducks.
But when is getting too close to wildlife too far?&nbsp;
Join host Chris Morgan for Season 8 of THE WILD, where he'll travel the world to meet the people defending space for wildlife, from deep in the wilderness to their own backyards. How can wildlife, wild places, and humans share our beautiful planet?&nbsp;
New episodes of THE WILD come out starting on October 6, 2026.
Enjoy BONUS CONTENT and help us continue to create this special immersive storytelling by joining THE WILD Patreon community at <a href="https://www.patreon.com/chrismorganwildlife">www.patreon.com/chrismorganwildlife</a> and you can donate to KUOW at <a href="https://donate.kuow.org/donate/thewild">kuow.org/donate/thewild</a>. Thank you. 
THE WILD is a production of KUOW in Seattle in partnership with<a href="https://www.chrismorganwildlife.org/"> Chris Morgan Wildlife</a> and<a href="https://www.wildlifemedia.org/"> Wildlife Media</a>. It is produced by<a href="https://www.kuow.org/authors/matt-martin"> Matt Martin</a> and<a href="https://www.kuow.org/authors/lucy-soucek"> Lucy Soucek</a>, and edited by<a href="https://kuow.org/authors/jim-gates"> Jim Gates</a>. It is hosted, produced and written by <a href="https://www.chrismorganwildlife.org/bio">Chris Morgan</a>. Fact checking by<a href="https://apryledcraig.wordpress.com/"> Apryle Craig</a>. Our theme music is by<a href="https://www.michaeltparker.com/"> Michael Parker</a>.
Follow us on Instagram @chrismorganwildlife and @thewildpod for more adventures and behind the scenes action!

Join host Chris Morgan for Season 8 of THE WILD, where he'll travel the world to meet people defending space for wildlife, from deep in the wilderness to their own backyards. How can wildlife, wild places, and humans share our beautiful planet? 

THE WILD is back!

We lost a good friend a few days ago. A friend of the owls, and a man who made a real difference for them.

I was very lucky to spend time with David Johnson for an episode we did about his delightful burrowing owls a few years ago - an experience that’ll always stay with me. David was a kind and inspiring man. He looked like an owl - inquisitive, wide-eyed, and full of magic, and possibilities.

David Johnson passed away on June 15th from cancer. So in his honor, we’d like to share the episode we did that featured his work with burrowing owls.

David’s owl work continues through the Global Owl Project and the people all over the planet that he brought into the world of these magical creatures that he loved with all his heart. Including the hundreds of young people he inspired to DO something for owls - so many of them are professional experts in the field now. 

We lost a good friend a few days ago. A friend of the owls, and a man who made a real difference for them.
I was very lucky to spend time with David Johnson for an episode we did about his delightful burrowing owls a few years ago - an experience that&rsquo;ll always stay with me.&nbsp;David was a kind and inspiring man. He looked like an owl - inquisitive, wide-eyed, and full of magic, and possibilities.
David Johnson passed away on June 15th from cancer. So in his honor, we&rsquo;d like to share the episode we did that featured his work with burrowing owls.
David&rsquo;s owl work continues through the Global Owl Project and the people all over the planet that he brought into the world of these magical creatures that he loved with all his heart. Including the hundreds of young people he inspired to DO something for owls - so many of them are professional experts in the field now.&nbsp;

We are republishing our episode of burrowing owls to remember owl expert David Johnson after his passing due to cancer. 

Remembering David Johnson and the burrowing owls he loved

You look amazing, you look beautiful. Those are the words of Victor Glover, pilot of NASA’s Artemis 2 mission. He spoke those words less than a month ago on his trip to the moon. His way of describing our planet as he peered out the window of his space capsule and took in the view. I couldn't think of a better message than that as we reshare our special episode to celebrate our planet. So I hope you enjoy and happy Earth Day! 

Enjoy BONUS CONTENT and help us continue to create this special immersive storytelling by joining THE WILD Patreon community at www.patreon.com/chrismorganwildlife and you can donate to KUOW at kuow.org/donate/thewild. Thank you.


THE WILD is a production of KUOW in Seattle in partnership with Chris Morgan Wildlife and Wildlife Media. It is produced by Matt Martin and Lucy Soucek, and edited by Jim Gates. It is hosted, produced and written by Chris Morgan. Fact checking by Apryle Craig. Our theme music is by Michael Parker.

Follow us on Instagram @chrismorganwildlife and @thewildpod for more adventures and behind the scenes action!

You look amazing, you look beautiful. Those are the words of Victor Glover, pilot of NASA&rsquo;s Artemis 2 mission. He spoke those words less than a month ago on his trip to the moon. His way of describing our planet as he peered out the window of his space capsule and took in the view. I couldn't think of a better message than that as we reshare our special episode to celebrate our planet. So I hope you enjoy and happy Earth Day!&nbsp;
Enjoy BONUS CONTENT and help us continue to create this special immersive storytelling by joining THE WILD Patreon community at <a href="https://www.patreon.com/chrismorganwildlife">www.patreon.com/chrismorganwildlife</a> and you can donate to KUOW at kuow.org/donate/thewild. Thank you. 
THE WILD is a production of KUOW in Seattle in partnership with<a href="https://www.chrismorganwildlife.org/"> Chris Morgan Wildlife</a> and<a href="https://www.wildlifemedia.org/"> Wildlife Media</a>. It is produced by<a href="https://www.kuow.org/authors/matt-martin"> Matt Martin</a> and<a href="https://www.kuow.org/authors/lucy-soucek"> Lucy Soucek</a>, and edited by<a href="https://kuow.org/authors/jim-gates"> Jim Gates</a>. It is hosted, produced and written by <a href="https://www.chrismorganwildlife.org/bio">Chris Morgan</a>. Fact checking by<a href="https://apryledcraig.wordpress.com/"> Apryle Craig</a>. Our theme music is by<a href="https://www.michaeltparker.com/"> Michael Parker</a>.
Follow us on Instagram @chrismorganwildlife and @thewildpod for more adventures and behind the scenes action!

Host Chris Morgan presents a special Earth Day episode. 

Earth Day 2026 - You look beautiful 

When I was eight, growing up in England, I was already really into birds. I was in the Young Ornithologists Club for goodness sake! I didn't have one friend who was into birds. But these days, things are different. Here in the USA, almost 100 million people birdwatch. And that number's growing. 

There's a lot going on between the birds, as they flit around chirping and singing  To us, it might just sound like beautiful little tunes. But to birds, and even other species in the forest,  there’s a whole hidden world of conversation out there— love songs, alarm calls, turf wars, parenting struggles — entire dramas unfolding above our heads. 

So what are they saying? And why are they saying it? Naturalist Libby Mills has spent almost her entire life learning how to make sense of what the birds are saying. 

Today, I take a walk with Libby in her backyard where she helps us slow down, listen deeply, and try to better understand what’s going on in a bird’s world.

GUEST:
Libby Mills, naturalist at the North Cascades Institute
Check out our Great British Birding Show episode to meet a wildly enthusiastic birder on the other side of the pond.
Bird book Libby recommends: The Sibley Guide to Birds - Second Edition

Birding app: Merlin Bird ID

This is our last official episode of the season. It’s been so much fun - thank you for coming along with us to some truly wild places. We will be back in the fall with more episodes. But in the meantime, we want to hear from you! What kinds of stories do you want to hear? What should we do differently? Please consider takingTHE WILD survey. It will only take a few moments of your time. Thanks!

Enjoy BONUS CONTENT and help us continue to create this special immersive storytelling by joining THE WILD Patreon community at www.patreon.com/chrismorganwildlife and you can donate to KUOW at kuow.org/donate/thewild. Thank you.


THE WILD is a production of KUOW in Seattle in partnership with Chris Morgan Wildlife and Wildlife Media. It is produced by Matt Martin and Lucy Soucek, and edited by Jim Gates. It is hosted, produced and written by Chris Morgan. Fact checking by Apryle Craig. Our theme music is by Michael Parker.

Follow us on Instagram @chrismorganwildlife and @thewildpod for more adventures and behind the scenes action!

When I was eight, growing up in England, I was already really into birds. I was in the Young Ornithologists Club for goodness sake! I didn't have one friend who was into birds. But these days, things are different. Here in the USA, almost 100 million people birdwatch. And that number's growing. There's a lot going on between the birds, as they flit around chirping and singing &nbsp;To us, it might just sound like beautiful little tunes. But to birds, and even other species in the forest,  there&rsquo;s a whole hidden world of conversation out there&mdash; love songs, alarm calls, turf wars, parenting struggles &mdash; entire dramas unfolding above our heads.&nbsp; So what are they saying? And why are they saying it? Naturalist Libby Mills has spent almost her entire life learning how to make sense of what the birds are saying.&nbsp; Today, I take a walk with Libby in her backyard where she helps us slow down, listen deeply, and try to better understand what&rsquo;s going on in a bird&rsquo;s world.
GUEST: <a href="https://ncascades.org/discover/north-cascades-institute/instructors/libby_mills">Libby Mills</a>, naturalist at the North Cascades Institute
<ul>
<li>Check out our <a href="https://omny.fm/shows/the-wild-with-chris-morgan/the-great-british-birding-show">Great British Birding Show </a>episode to meet a wildly enthusiastic birder on the other side of the pond.</li>
<li>Bird book Libby recommends:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sibleyguides.com/product/the-sibley-guide-to-birds-2/">The Sibley Guide to Birds - Second Edition </a></li>
<li>Birding app:&nbsp;<a href="https://merlin.allaboutbirds.org/">Merlin Bird ID</a></li>
</ul>
This is our last official episode of the season. It&rsquo;s been so much fun - thank you for coming along with us to some truly wild places. We will be back in the fall with more episodes. But in the meantime, we want to hear from you! What kinds of stories do you want to hear? What should we do differently? Please consider taking<a href="https://forms.microsoft.com/r/kaA7ViUrSz"> THE WILD survey</a>. It will only take a few moments of your time. Thanks!
Enjoy BONUS CONTENT and help us continue to create this special immersive storytelling by joining THE WILD Patreon community at <a href="https://www.patreon.com/chrismorganwildlife">www.patreon.com/chrismorganwildlife</a> and you can donate to KUOW at kuow.org/donate/thewild. Thank you. 
THE WILD is a production of KUOW in Seattle in partnership with<a href="https://www.chrismorganwildlife.org/"> Chris Morgan Wildlife</a> and<a href="https://www.wildlifemedia.org/"> Wildlife Media</a>. It is produced by<a href="https://www.kuow.org/authors/matt-martin"> Matt Martin</a> and<a href="https://www.kuow.org/authors/lucy-soucek"> Lucy Soucek</a>, and edited by<a href="https://kuow.org/authors/jim-gates"> Jim Gates</a>. It is hosted, produced and written by <a href="https://www.chrismorganwildlife.org/bio">Chris Morgan</a>. Fact checking by<a href="https://apryledcraig.wordpress.com/"> Apryle Craig</a>. Our theme music is by<a href="https://www.michaeltparker.com/"> Michael Parker</a>.
Follow us on Instagram @chrismorganwildlife and @thewildpod for more adventures and behind the scenes action!

Chris Morgan goes for a walk with naturalist Libby Mills in her backyard where she helps us slow down, listen deeply, and try to better understand what’s going on in a bird’s world.

Bird watching and listening with Libby Mills

Today, a fun trip down memory lane! 

Lots of things have shaped my life and work as an ecologist, and this experience when I was 25 was one of them. As I wrapped up my master's degree at the University of Durham in England, I was hired onto a grey seal project on some tiny, uninhabited islands off the coast of Scotland. 

While I was there, I recorded the seals and the six weeks of fieldwork on my Walkman cassette recorder. I had no idea I’d be digging into those archives 32 years later! 

Hear the tape, learn about the seals, and listen to our conversation when I track down Dr Sean Twiss who hired me all those years ago. This was a fun one!

GUEST:
Dr. Sean Twiss, associate professor of animal behavior and behavior ecology at Durham University in England

We want to hear from you! What kinds of stories do you want to hear? What should we do differently? Please consider takingTHE WILD survey. It will only take a few moments of your time. Thanks!

Enjoy BONUS CONTENT and help us continue to create this special immersive storytelling by joining THE WILD Patreon community at www.patreon.com/chrismorganwildlife and you can donate to KUOW at kuow.org/donate/thewild. Thank you.

Follow us on Instagram @chrismorganwildlife and @thewildpod for more adventures and behind the scenes action!

THE WILD is a production of KUOW in Seattle in partnership withChris Morgan Wildlife andWildlife Media. It is produced byMatt Martin andLucy Soucek, and edited byJim Gates. It is hosted, produced and written by Chris Morgan. Fact checking byApryle Craig. Our theme music is byMichael Parker.

Today, a fun trip down memory lane!&nbsp;
Lots of things have shaped my life and work as an ecologist, and this experience when I was 25 was one of them. As I wrapped up my master's degree at the University of Durham in England, I was hired onto a grey seal project on some tiny, uninhabited islands off the coast of Scotland.&nbsp;
While I was there, I recorded the seals and the six weeks of fieldwork on my Walkman cassette recorder. I had no idea I&rsquo;d be digging into those archives 32 years later!&nbsp;
Hear the tape, learn about the seals, and listen to our conversation when I track down Dr Sean Twiss who hired me all those years ago. This was a fun one!
GUEST: <a href="https://www.durham.ac.uk/staff/s-d-twiss/">Dr. Sean Twiss</a>, associate professor of animal behavior and behavior ecology at Durham University in England
We want to hear from you! What kinds of stories do you want to hear? What should we do differently? Please consider taking<a href="https://forms.microsoft.com/r/kaA7ViUrSz"> THE WILD survey</a>. It will only take a few moments of your time. Thanks!
Enjoy BONUS CONTENT and help us continue to create this special immersive storytelling by joining THE WILD Patreon community at <a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.patreon.com%2Fchrismorganwildlife&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cjgates%40kuow.org%7C38749ede12834c67efb108ddf619cf0f%7C3d57c1b8f4ae4639adb13312ae3bc827%7C0%7C0%7C638937312905088453%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=2p7KcfrLRWd9OZwpuK48wt6m4H6QIBigD8ksBGaU5%2BM%3D&amp;reserved=0">www.patreon.com/chrismorganwildlife</a> and you can donate to KUOW at <a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fkuow.org%2Fdonate%2Fthewild&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cjgates%40kuow.org%7C38749ede12834c67efb108ddf619cf0f%7C3d57c1b8f4ae4639adb13312ae3bc827%7C0%7C0%7C638937312905110715%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=fY%2BfVkv0ijLWRX%2FXqzbV4gTRwyWYG4%2FTkgyud44SUWc%3D&amp;reserved=0">kuow.org/donate/thewild</a>. Thank you.
Follow us on Instagram @chrismorganwildlife and @thewildpod for more adventures and behind the scenes action!
THE WILD is a production of KUOW in Seattle in partnership with<a href="https://www.chrismorganwildlife.org/"> Chris Morgan Wildlife</a> and<a href="https://www.wildlifemedia.org/"> Wildlife Media</a>. It is produced by<a href="https://www.kuow.org/authors/matt-martin"> Matt Martin</a> and<a href="https://www.kuow.org/authors/lucy-soucek"> Lucy Soucek</a>, and edited by<a href="https://kuow.org/authors/jim-gates"> Jim Gates</a>. It is hosted, produced and written by <a href="https://www.chrismorganwildlife.org/bio">Chris Morgan</a>. Fact checking by<a href="https://apryledcraig.wordpress.com/"> Apryle Craig</a>. Our theme music is by<a href="https://www.michaeltparker.com/"> Michael Parker</a>.

I dig into 32-year-old audio cassette tapes from my time studying grey seals off the coast of Scotland and reconnect with my professor who hired me all those years ago.

Grey seals of Scotland: my lost tapes from 1994

Anton Mzimba was the head ranger at the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve in South Africa. Anton and hundreds of wildlife rangers like him risk their lives every day to protect endangered species, mainly the rhino, from poachers and organized crime. 

Anton is the focus of a documentary film called Rhino Man. It tells the extraordinary story of the rhinos, and the brave rangers that are out to protect them. In this episode, filmmaker John Jurko ll tells us about his relationship with Anton, the threats to rhinos and how he finds hope in the face of so much evil. 

You can support this work by contributing to a fund for Anton Mzimba’s family and the Future Rangers fund

Audio in this episode and photo courtesy of Rhino Man, © Global Conservation Corps. Music courtesy of composer Simon Wilson. 

We want to hear from you! What kinds of stories do you want to hear? What should we do differently? Please consider taking THE WILD survey. It will only take a few moments of your time. Thanks!

Enjoy BONUS CONTENT and help us continue to create this special immersive storytelling by joining THE WILD Patreon community at www.patreon.com/chrismorganwildlife and you can donate to KUOW at kuow.org/donate/thewild. Thank you.

THE WILD is a production of KUOW in Seattle in partnership with Chris Morgan Wildlife and Wildlife Media. It is produced by Matt Martin and Lucy Soucek, and edited by Jim Gates. It is hosted, produced and written by Chris Morgan. Fact checking by Apryle Craig. Our theme music is by Michael Parker.

Follow us on Instagram @chrismorganwildlife and @thewildpod for more adventures and behind the scenes action!

Anton Mzimba was the head ranger at the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve in South Africa. Anton and hundreds of wildlife rangers like him risk their lives every day to protect endangered species, mainly the rhino, from poachers and organized crime.&nbsp;
Anton is the focus of a documentary film called&nbsp;<a href="https://rhinomanthemovie.org/">Rhino Man</a>. It tells the extraordinary story of the rhinos, and the brave rangers that are out to protect them. In this episode, filmmaker John Jurko ll tells us about his relationship with Anton, the threats to rhinos and how he finds hope in the face of so much evil.&nbsp;
You can support this work by contributing to a fund for <a href="https://rhinomanthemovie.org/justice-for-anton-mzimba/">Anton Mzimba&rsquo;s</a> family and the <a href="https://globalconservationcorps.org/future-rangers/">Future Rangers fund</a>
Audio in this episode and photo courtesy of Rhino Man, &copy; <a href="https://globalconservationcorps.org/">Global Conservation Corps</a>. Music courtesy of composer <a href="https://www.simonwilsonmusic.com/">Simon Wilson</a>.&nbsp;
We want to hear from you! What kinds of stories do you want to hear? What should we do differently? Please consider taking&nbsp;<a href="https://forms.microsoft.com/r/kaA7ViUrSz">THE WILD survey</a>. It will only take a few moments of your time. Thanks!
Enjoy BONUS CONTENT and help us continue to create this special immersive storytelling by joining THE WILD Patreon community at <a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.patreon.com%2Fchrismorganwildlife&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cjgates%40kuow.org%7C38749ede12834c67efb108ddf619cf0f%7C3d57c1b8f4ae4639adb13312ae3bc827%7C0%7C0%7C638937312905088453%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=2p7KcfrLRWd9OZwpuK48wt6m4H6QIBigD8ksBGaU5%2BM%3D&amp;reserved=0">www.patreon.com/chrismorganwildlife</a> and you can donate to KUOW at <a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fkuow.org%2Fdonate%2Fthewild&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cjgates%40kuow.org%7C38749ede12834c67efb108ddf619cf0f%7C3d57c1b8f4ae4639adb13312ae3bc827%7C0%7C0%7C638937312905110715%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=fY%2BfVkv0ijLWRX%2FXqzbV4gTRwyWYG4%2FTkgyud44SUWc%3D&amp;reserved=0">kuow.org/donate/thewild</a>. Thank you.
THE WILD is a production of KUOW in Seattle in partnership with<a href="https://www.chrismorganwildlife.org/"> Chris Morgan Wildlife</a> and<a href="https://www.wildlifemedia.org/"> Wildlife Media</a>. It is produced by<a href="https://www.kuow.org/authors/matt-martin"> Matt Martin</a> and<a href="https://www.kuow.org/authors/lucy-soucek"> Lucy Soucek</a>, and edited by<a href="https://kuow.org/authors/jim-gates"> Jim Gates</a>. It is hosted, produced and written by <a href="https://www.chrismorganwildlife.org/bio">Chris Morgan</a>. Fact checking by<a href="https://apryledcraig.wordpress.com/"> Apryle Craig</a>. Our theme music is by<a href="https://www.michaeltparker.com/"> Michael Parker</a>.
Follow us on Instagram @chrismorganwildlife and @thewildpod for more adventures and behind the scenes action!

In this episode, Filmmaker John Jurko tells the story of wildlife ranger Anton Mzimba who is the lead in the documentary film called Rhino Man. 

Rhino Man 

The Wild with Chris Morgan is a celebration of the natural world and the people devoted to wild places and incredible species. In each episode, host and ecologist Chris Morgan brings you face to face with some of the most extraordinary creatures and explores how they are finding unique and inspiring ways to adapt and thrive.

 

The Wild with Chris Morgan is a celebration of the natural world and the people devoted to wild places and incredible species. In each episode, host and ecologist Chris Morgan brings you face to face with some of the most extraordinary creatures and explores how they are finding unique and inspiring ways to adapt and thrive.
&nbsp;

The Wild with Chris Morgan

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