Defender Radio and The Switch

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Episode 429: Dr. Marc Bekoff and the Rise of the Compassionocene May 15, 2017

Show notes

When we hear the word "compassionate" paired with non-human animals, our first thoughts often go to Dr. Marc Bekoff. A highly-esteemed field biologist, animal behaviour researcher, author, and speaker, Marc has penned multiple books, essays, and papers on concepts of compassionate conservation, compassion choices, and the sentience of animals with whom we share the world. Marc, along with bio-ethicist and past collaborator Jessica Pierce, have released a new book, The Animals' Agenda: Freedom, Compassion, and Coexistence in the Human Age.

This book, which is reviewed at TheFurBearers.com, takes readers on a journey of knowledge showing why, to truly provide freedom for non-human animals, we must ask ourselves hard questions around topics involving food, medical research, entertainment, and, of course, wildlife and the environment. Marc and Jessica set out a clear path away from what they hypothesize is the failure of animal welfare and toward animal well-being, as well as why science, which has illustrated the sentience, and deep emotional lives of many animals, has not produced more obvious changes in our society.

To discuss this recent book, and walk through some of the amusing anecdotes, at times uncomfortable questions, and possible solutions to moving toward an age of compassion for all living beings that they labelled as the Compassionocene, Marc joined Defender Radio.

Episode 428: Bif Naked, Wild and Free May 08, 2017

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Bif Naked is a Canadian rock star, author, cancer survivor, and social and animal advocate. Her music career, which spans more than 20 years and includes multiple hit singles and extensive tours, made her a household name – but her advocacy has made her an icon.

From speaking out for fair treatment in the welfare system for British Columbians to advocating for a fur-free Canada filled with co-existence, Bif is always ready to stand for what's right. Our interview was scheduled to talk about the launch of the paperback edition of her popular book, I Bificus, and update us on her busy life of advocacy and music.

But her one-on-one, candid interview with Defender Radio wound its way through finding hope while recovering from cancer, understanding how she looks at a world that sometimes is filled with darkness, how she looks at making compassionate choices, and answering a slew of questions from the Defender Radio audience.

Episode 427: Advocacy in the Age of Trump May 01, 2017

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On January 10, 2017, Donald Trump became the 45th President of the United States of America. While I do have my personal feelings about the man that I cannot in good conscience share on this family-friendly podcast, it cannot be said that he is a friend of the animals. Immediately upon his winning of the 2016 election, animal advocates began scrambling – and within the first weeks of his presidency, their nightmares started coming true. Massive cuts to environmental and animal-related federal budgets, the reversal of protection laws, and censoring of both science and advocacy within federal agencies.

In this Age of Trump, animal advocacy in the United States has taken on a new urgency, and how that will eventually impact wildlife and our environment is yet to be seen. But that will not halt the work of groups like the Animal Legal Defense Fund. The ALDF's campaigns focus on a variety of animal-related issues, including the worrisome case of Tony the Tiger, who lives in a roadside cage, fighting against cruel puppy mills, and the onslaught of so-called ag-gag laws. To discuss these campaigns, and how this new, unpredictable age of Presidential politics will impact them, Defender Radio was joined by ALDF senior attorney Anthony Eliseuson.

Episode 426: Science for the Win (Defeating Depredation) Apr 24, 2017

Show notes

Thousands of protestors in cities across North America marched on the weekend, calling attention to the need for science in society and government. I absolutely loved seeing some of the signs that scientists, educators, and science enthusiasts came up with for their local marches. My personal favourite read: "First they came for the scientists, and the National Park Service said, 'LOL, no' and went rogue and we were all like 'I was not expecting the park rangers to lead the resistance. None of the dystopian novels I've read prepared me for this.'"

You can see some of the other ones from protests across the continent in various news reports that I've shared on my social media streams: Facebook.com/DefenderRadio, and Twitter @DefenderRadio.

It feels fitting, too, that this week we're looking at a solution to a long-standing ethical, environmental, and economic problem that could be solved with science.

A paper titled

Thousands of protestors in cities across North America marched on the weekend, calling attention to the need for science in society and government. I absolutely loved seeing some of the signs that scientists, educators, and science enthusiasts came up with for their local marches, with my personal favourite reading, "First they came for the scientists, and the National Park Service said, "LOL, no" and went rogue and we were all like "I was not expecting the park rangers to lead the resistance. None of the dystopian novels I've read prepared me for this."

You can see some of the other ones from protests across the continent in various news reports that I've shared on my social media streams: Facebook.com/DefenderRadio, and Twitter @DefenderRadio.

It feels fitting, too, that this week we're looking at a solution to a long-standing ethical, environmental, and economic problem that could be solved with science.

A paper titled "Adaptive use of non-lethal strategies for minimizing wolf-sheep conflict in Idaho" was published in the February edition of the Journal of Mammalogy. It isn't the first paper or study that's looked at solutions to ending conflict on livestock grazing lands, but it certainly is expansive and exciting.

Along with biologists, local ranchers, and a United States Department of Agriculture researcher, Suzanne Stone of Defenders of Wildlife collected data of depredation and management practices from two similar, yet separate areas of land in the Gem state. What they found confirms, scientifically, what many have said for some time: non-lethal deterrents work better than lethal control, cost less, and save thousands of lives.

To talk more about this incredible study, the findings, the questions that still need to be asked, and what all of this means for a potential end to the war on wildlife, Defenders of Wildlife's Suzanne Stone joined Defender Radio.

was published in the February edition of the Journal of Mammalogy. It isn't the first paper or study that's looked at solutions to ending conflict on livestock grazing lands, but it certainly is expansive and exciting.

Episode 425: John E. Marriott and the Ice Grizzlies Apr 17, 2017

Show notes

Witnessing the northern lights dance across an open arctic sky, watching a grizzly mother teach her cubs to fish for the first time, and feeling the solitude of a cold morning in the far north may be something few of us will ever experience. But thanks to John Marriott, we'll get closer than we ever have.

John is an accomplished wildlife photographer, who also leads photography tours across Canada's wilderness. But in recent years, he's taken his growing popularity and success and become an advocate for the animals. Most notably, John has started a video web series titled Exposed with John E. Marriott. The combination of incredible videography and photography, along with insightful commentary on the issues related to his subjects (often wolves and bears), creates an experience for viewers that is difficult to describe. His most recent adventure, and the launch of the second season of Exposed, focuses on what he calls Ice Grizzlies – bears who visit a perpetually running stream in the far northern reaches of the Yukon.

John joined Defender Radio to discuss the Exposed series, his latest trip to the Yukon, ethical photography, why advocacy has become an important and rewarding part of his career, and answer questions from the Defender Radio audience.

Episode 424: The Easter Bunny Blues Apr 10, 2017

Show notes

Easter is around the corner, and for some reason, that means we'll soon be surrounded by rabbits. Sadly, it isn't just the stuffed toys or chocolate egg variety, but real, live, fluffy bunnies who are given as pets by well-meaning parents or loved ones.

While bunnies can make wonderful pets, there's a lot more to raising and giving them a home to them then you might think. The combination of impulse buying from pet shops and the amount of work necessary to keeping a rabbit healthy and happy means many – far too many – end up being sent to live outdoors, where they can wreak havoc on ecosystems, or given up to shelters.

Fortunately, rescues like Ladybird Animal Sanctuary are ready to help bunnies get a second chance. Lisa Winn, co-founder and animal manager for Ladybird Animal Sanctuary, joined Defender Radio to talk about why giving bunnies as gifts can be a bad decision, what goes into giving a rabbit a good, happy home, and why rabbits are one of the most popular pets in the world.

You'll also hear from my special co-host on this week's episode, Pigeon! My youngest dog had double knee surgery recently, and while he's recovering well and feeling good, his displeasure with not being allowed to run around like normal becomes vocal. As a result, he ended up sitting behind the mic as a special co-host of Defender Radio.

Episode 423: What to Expect When You're Expecting Apr 03, 2017

Show notes

It is remarkable how significant an impact people have on the wildlife around them, even if it isn't always seen. Understanding our role, and what we should do to help animals we see, is also something we're not too clear on. Fortunately, we do have some wonderful people in our communities who can help.

Wildlife rehabilitators are ready for the influx of injured, orphaned or ill babies they'll be seeing in the coming weeks – but a growing part of their work is to make sure their community is ready, too. In southern Ontario, registered rehabilitators are also facing the ongoing spread of rabies as distemper, deadly diseases that can ravage the animals. And in regions like Grimsby, the home of Urban Wildlife Care, rapid development is creating problems in areas where animals once lived without ever being seen. These subjects, along with a few interesting anecdotes about a Headstones concert, squirrels that like to mock dogs, and the need to support local rehabbers, were discussed when Defender Radio was joined by Urban Wildlife Care's Cara Contardi.

Episode 422: Spring Training Mar 27, 2017

Show notes

The sun is shining, the rain is washing away the last of the snow, and families are hitting the trails and sidewalks with their four-legged companions and that means it's time for some spring training. Whether you share your home with a young puppy or a senior dog, getting out and reviewing the basics like sit, down, stay, and a good recall (coming when called) is a great idea, both for the safety of your pet, and for building your relationship. Of course, turning these exercises into fun games makes it even more enjoyable.

From lazy hounds to neurotic herders and every type in between, getting to know your furry family member through play and training, and finding ways for them to interact socially in appropriate ways with other dogs and people will make your home a little bit happier. To help us with our spring training, and answer questions from our social media audience, we were joined by dog trainer, and a good friend to both The Fur-Bearers and my own family, Kyla Boyer.

Episode 421: The Non-human Rights Project Mar 20, 2017

Show notes

Steven Wise stood up in a New York court room to make his case last week. It's something he's worked toward for years, and so far, the courts haven't supported his efforts. But Steven knows that his clients need him – because they simply can't speak for themselves.

Steven is the founder and president of the Non-human Rights Project, and his clients are chimpanzees being kept in confinement. The goal is to get these chimps, individuals of a species that experts have long identified as sentient, emotional, and social, out of cages and into sanctuaries. The case is to appeal the failure of the New York County Supreme Court to issue writs of habeas corpus on behalf of two captive chimpanzees, Tommy and Kiko, who were recently featured in the HBO documentary Unlocking the Cage.

Steven took a break from preparing his arguments last week to join Defender Radio and explain the background of the cases of Tommy, Kiko, and other non-human animals for whom the Non-human Rights Project is speaking, why the law should grant them freedom, and how animal lovers around the world can help.

Episode 420: #TeamRaccoon / Problem-solving the problem solvers Mar 13, 2017

Show notes

Raccoons are the enemy, and green bins are the battlefield. At least, that's how some Torontonians view an ongoing saga between themselves and the furry neighbours that so successfully live in Canada's largest city.

Attitudes on raccoons in the Greater Toronto Area are split surprisingly evenly, but due to their problem-solving skills the sneaky fur-bearers do make it into the news and even political discussions regularly. And that's where Dr. Suzanne MacDonald got involved.

Dr. MacDonald, a professor of psychology and biology at York University, helped the city test which new green bin designs would best prevent raccoons from enjoying a feast; and now, she's trying to determine if the new bins will help the city's raccoons shed a few pounds, and potentially have smaller litters.

On this week's episode of Defender Radio, Dr. MacDonald joined us to discuss her fascinating hypotheses on raccoon learning and their potential evolution, as well as how she tests their problem-solving skills, and some practical advice on preventing conflict.

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