Interviews June 12, 2026 10 min read

Nick Evans and the Real Work of Snake Conservation

South African conservationist Nick Evans shares his journey from childhood snake enthusiast to renowned snake rescuer, researcher, educator, and advocate for human-wildlife coexistence. Discover career advice, conservation lessons, and the realities of working with some of Africa’s most misunderstood animals.

Stephanie Nicolaides
Interviews May 22, 2026 7 min read

A Scientist’s Vision for a Thriving Planet

For Alain Vidal, conservation has never been a career switch, it was always the path. From his early days studying bioclimatology (the science studying the relationships between living organisms and the climate) in France to advising global coalitions on biodiversity and regenerative agriculture, Alain’s journey is a testament to the power of science, strategy, and

Fabiana Bernabe
Interviews May 22, 2026 5 min read

Defying the Odds: How Samara Turned Passion into a Conservation Legacy

For Samara P. El-Haddad, conservation isn’t just a profession—it’s a force that has shaped her life from the very beginning. From a child whose the biggest connection to the world was through wildlife documentaries to a leading conservationist navigating crises and reshaping biodiversity efforts, her story is one of defiance, resilience, and unshakable determination. This

Fabiana Bernabe
Interviews Senior Level February 13, 2026 7 min read

Juliana Ferreira on Wildlife Trafficking, Power, and Building a Conservation Career Beyond the Lab

“Is it love to possess and restrict other beings?” The question comes from Juliana Ferreira, Executive Director of Freeland South America, and it is not rhetorical. It is an invitation to rethink how we relate to wildlife, consumption, and conservation itself. “Demand is born from the desire to have, to own,” Juliana explains. “Since childhood, we’re

Mayan Press Goldfreind
Volunteer & Internships News January 27, 2026 1 min read

New! How to get Conservation Experience

Find and secure conservation volunteering and internships that fit your goals – no matter your background, budget or career stage. Course Outline Conservation experience, like volunteer and internships, can open career doors and change lives – but finding the right opportunity can feel overwhelming, competitive or costly. In just a few hours we’ll guide you

Dr Nick Askew
Interviews Marine Conservation Jobs January 16, 2026 8 min read

Breaking into Marine Conservation: Career Advice From a Marine Biologist (With or Without a Degree)

The world of marine conservation often looks glamorous on screen, but the reality is very different. “In documentaries, they show Earth as a pristine Eden” explains marine biologist Jeethvendra Kirishnamoorthie. “But in reality, when you visit these areas, you see a lot of trash.” “What we see on TV is just the 1%, the cool

Emily Pickett
Interviews Mid Career January 9, 2026 3 min read

From Desert Roots to Global Impact: Alexandria’s Conservation Journey

Growing up in Bahrain, a small island nation in the Middle East, Alexandria first fell in love with animals through frequent vet visits with the family cats. Wildlife is rare in the desert landscape of Bahrain, so childhood dreams centred on one day running a big family farm. After finishing school locally, she headed west

Sarah Donaldson
Interviews Early Years December 18, 2025 7 min read

Attenborough’s Animals: Ryan Eddowes’ Journey to Honour a Legacy and Spotlight Conservation Accessibility

In his new documentary project, Attenborough’s Animals: An Accessible Adventure, Ryan Eddowes is on a mission to search the globe for the over 40 lifeforms named in honour of Sir David Attenborough. As Ryan was born with bilateral clubfoot (talipes) and recently recovered from a below-knee amputation, his project is unique in that it not

Katie Cohan
Scientist Interviews December 18, 2025 8 min read

Urban roots, wild futures: inspiring the next generation of conservationists

Mya Bambrick is a rising force in UK conservation – an award-winning wildlife conservationist, filmmaker and writer, who’s turning heads and winning hearts. At just 23, she’s out in the field working for the Birds of Poole Harbour charity in the UK, leading wildlife experiences, school’s education programmes and public events. Her aim? To spark

Julie Singleton
Interviews Early Years December 2, 2025 8 min read

From classroom to conservation: How students are redefining stewardship

Who is Tintswalo Mukhari? She’s not a scientist or politician; she’s a high school student from St Catherine’s Convent in South Africa who is proving that youth can drive real environmental change. What is she doing? Together with her co-captain, Lesedi Kgarimetsa, Tintswalo leads the True Blue Recycling Club, a school-based initiative turning everyday waste

Stephanie Nicolaides
Interviews November 25, 2025 7 min read

Protecting South Africa’s sharks: A conversation with Sharklife’s Grant Smith

“Fear turns into respect the moment you meet a shark on its own terms.” It’s a sentence that neatly captures the arc of Grant’s life, a journey that begins with childhood terror, moves through unexpected encounters, and ultimately unfolds into a career dedicated to education, research and practical conservation management inside one of Africa’s most

Jordan Gledhill
Interviews Communicator November 18, 2025 10 min read

Sharks, stories and stewardship: How one communicator found her calling beneath the surface

What does it mean to speak for the ocean? For Esther Jacobs, a conservation storyteller, mother and campaigner whose journey spans from the cold coasts of Scotland to the vibrant marine ecosystems of South Africa, it means combining emotion with science, storytelling with advocacy, and turning life’s hardest challenges into a voice for change. Esther’s

Stephanie Nicolaides
Scientist Interviews November 11, 2025 8 min read

Beyond science: Traits that drive success in marine conservation

Protecting the planet requires more than data and fieldwork – it’s resilience, curiosity and connection with local communities that truly make the difference. Marine biologist Alex O’Brien shares how he has cultivated these qualities throughout his career in conservation. Alex stands out most clearly for his unwavering sense of purpose: few children who dream of

Anna Titova
Interviews Communicator November 4, 2025 7 min read

See. Feel. Act. Why storytelling is the new science of conservation

What happens when a biologist swaps the microscope for a camera, and discovers that storytelling can be just as powerful as science? From Arctic expeditions to coral reefs, from UNESCO heritage sites to naval and research vessels, Casper Tybjerg’s journey has spanned over two decades and 64 countries, a lifetime dedicated to showing the world

Stephanie Nicolaides
Interviews Organisational Manager October 21, 2025 8 min read

Guardians of the Javan gibbon: The team protecting an Endangered primate

Rahayu Oktaviani, an Indonesian primate conservationist, has dedicated her career to protecting the Javan gibbon, an elusive primate found in Java, Indonesia. Seeking adventure, she studied Forest Resource Conservation and Ecotourism at university and worked part time with NGOs (non-governmental organisations). Today, Rahayu runs KIARA (Yayasan Konservasi Ekosistem Alam Nusantara), which she created to ensure

Emily Pickett
Interviews October 14, 2025 8 min read

Living with purpose: A career journey across continents, communities and oceans

In the heart of Mossel Bay, where the Indian Ocean meets South Africa’s Garden Route, Andrea Rowlands-Bradfield stands as a lighthouse for youth, conservation and purpose-driven leadership. Her story is a sweeping saga of adventure, reinvention and resilience, a journey that spans continents, career paths and conservation frontlines. Today, Andrea is the Co-founder and Director

Stephanie Nicolaides
Interviews October 7, 2025 6 min read

From saddles to safaris: A journey of grit, grace and the great outdoors

In a world so often rushed and reactive, some individuals lead with presence, purpose and a deep understanding of place. Andrea Bradfield is one of them. From rhino-tracking in remote bushveld to mentoring marine guides along South Africa’s southern coast, her journey is stitched together not by ambition, but by intention. This is the story

Stephanie Nicolaides
Interviews Scientist October 2, 2025 9 min read

Field notes and flight paths: A career in conservation research

Long before fieldwork and research papers, Dr Jamie McKaughan was the kind of child who brought home worms as gifts and tracked frogs through damp grass with his dad. “I was wildlife-obsessed,” he laughs. “Peregrines were my first obsession -everything fast, I loved. Then came cheetahs, then tigers… I just seemed to go through phases

Julie Singleton
Interviews Communicator September 30, 2025 9 min read

Communicating conservation with designer, writer and illustrator Helen Walsh

Meet Helen Walsh, a conservationist who’s bridging the power between science and communication. As one of the first graduates of a unique and innovative Masters in Biological Photography and Imaging at the University of Nottingham (UK), she has spent her career cultivating the power of storytelling to drive ecological understanding and conservation efforts. With a

Andrew Monks
Interviews Land Manager September 23, 2025 9 min read

Sting in the shadows: Fighting wildlife crime in the heart of Africa

The forest near the Congolese border was thick with tension. The mission: intercept the illicit cargo, dismantle the syndicate and avoid casualties. This kind of covert “sting”, an undercover operation designed to catch criminals in the act, was familiar territory for Grevis Mutendi. In a remote clearing, long exploited as a smuggling corridor, half a

Stephanie Nicolaides
Animal Welfare Podcasts September 18, 2025 44 min read

Podcast | Crocodile Conservation with Dr Marisa Tellez

Dr Marisa Tellez knew from a young age that she was destined to work with the world’s apex predators—particularly crocodiles. While her peers played with dolls, she immersed herself in books, documentaries, and wildlife centres, determined to one day turn her fascination into action. In this episode, we sit down with Dr Tellez, Executive Director

Dr Nick Askew
Animal Welfare Podcasts September 15, 2025 7 min read

Podcast | Diving deeper: Cristina Zenato on sharks, conservation & purpose

What happens when you stop fearing sharks — and start listening to them? In this inspiring episode, we dive into the extraordinary world of Cristina Zenato – a trailblazing shark behaviourist, cave explorer, and professional diver who has spent over three decades in the Bahamas. As Founder of the non-profit People of the Water, Cristina has

Dr Nick Askew