Heart Of The Wild

What does it take to save lives in the middle of a war zone?
In this moving episode, we explore the reality of rescuing and caring for dogs living amongst the devastation of war in Ukraine. Nikki Tibbles, the visionary founder of the Wild at Heart Foundation helping the world's stray dogs, shares her firsthand experiences on the ground, the unforgettable stories that have stayed with her, and the extraordinary resilience of both the animals and the people fighting to save them.
This is a conversation about hope in the darkest of places, the power of compassion, and why every act of kindness matters. Whether you're an animal lover or simply looking for a story that restores your faith in humanity, sit down and have a cuppa with us as this episode is one you won't forget.
For more information about the Wild at Heart Foundation and Nikki's mission to Ukraine, visit https://wildatheartfoundation.org/

Have you ever stood in the pet food aisle, overwhelmed by choice and information? With so many opinions about kibble, raw, fresh, grain-free, and homemade diets, how do you know what’s actually best for your dog?
In this episode, we sit down with a pet nutritionist Anna Webb to decode the chaos around dog diets. We explore why feeding advice feels so overwhelming, the biggest mistake well-intentioned dog owners make, and the essential nutrients every dog needs to thrive—no matter the diet.
We also tackle common questions: Do dogs really need variety? How should you evaluate commercial dog foods? And when it comes to grain-free, raw, fresh, or homemade diets—what’s helpful and what’s just hype?
Tune in for practical insights to help you feel more confident about what goes in your dog’s bowl and how nutrition supports a long, healthy life for your four-legged family member.

Modern zoos look very different from the menageries many people imagine. In this episode, we explore how zoos have evolved into centres of conservation, animal welfare, and behavioural science.
We’re joined by Jim Mackie, animal training and behavioural officer at London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoos, to unpack some of the biggest concerns animal lovers have about zoos today. From behavioural enrichment and positive training to ethical care and stress reduction, Jim explains the science and daily work that goes into improving the lives of animals in modern zoos.
We also look at the conservation role zoos play beyond their gates, highlighting real examples from Jim’s work with African wild dogs, elephants, lemurs and even salamanders; species that have benefited from breeding programmes, behavioural research, and conservation partnerships.
For anyone who has ever been skeptical about animals living in zoos, this episode offers an inside look at how zoos fit into the wider conservation landscape—and why their role may be more important than many people realise.

For more information on the work that Jim is doing, please visit:
https://www.zsl.org/
https://biaza.org.uk/

He's back! Renowned wildlife photographer Chad Cocking returns to the podcast after his fantastic first appearance on Heart of the Wild — and this time, we’re going even deeper into the stories behind the lens.
In this episode, Chad shares more of his all-time favourite wildlife encounters, from heart-pounding close calls to awe-inspiring moments.
Has he ever truly felt in danger out there? (Spoiler: the wild doesn’t always play nice.) Chad reveals how he reads animal behaviour, anticipates movement, and captures those once-in-a-lifetime shots that leave us speechless.
He also takes us behind the scenes of some of the most captivating images from his latest book, Contrasts, transporting us back to the exact moments those breathtaking photographs were captured.
If you loved his first episode, buckle up — this is the next chapter of adventure you won’t want to miss.

In this fascinating and highly informative episode, we sit down with legendary British zoologist Tim Clutton-Brock, the pioneering scientist behind the Kalahari Meerkat Project and the research that inspired the iconic TV series Meerkat Manor. For decades, his work in the Kalahari Desert has revealed the extraordinary social lives of one of the animal kingdom’s most charismatic creatures: meerkats.
We dive into the science behind the show and explore how a long-term field study of these small desert mammals became a global wildlife phenomenon. We discuss how he first became captivated by meerkats and the surprising behaviours that make them such complex social beings.
Along the way, we go behind the scenes of filming Meerkat Manor, uncovering what it was like to see real scientific research transformed into must-watch television. Packed with incredible insights, fascinating animal behaviour, and stories from decades in the field, this episode celebrates the power of long-term research and why the work of the Kalahari Meerkat Project continues to be so important for understanding cooperation, survival, and life in the wild.
For more information about the Kalahari Meerkat Project, please visit their website: https://kalahariresearchcentre.org/