Women in Wildlife

Who can post, and who can't? Welcome back for part 2 of our conversation with Connie Needham, which is a topic-based episode where we delve into the profound effects of social media on wildlife welfare and conservation. While social media can be a fantastic tool for bringing awareness and support for wildlife conservation, we openly discuss how close contact photos and sensationalized content can cause serious short and long term wildlife welfare concerns, unethical wildlife tourist choices, as well as fueling illegal pet pet trade. Connie explains how these images often normalize unsafe interactions with wild animals, contributing to misconceptions about their behavior and habitat needs. The conversation highlights the growing influence of social media as a primary source of information, shaping public perceptions and expectations of wildlife. Connie explores the unintended consequences of portraying wild animals in human environments, which can fuel illegal pet trades and unethical tourism practices. Connie emphasises the importance of shifting the narrative from seeking the perfect shot to promoting respect and understanding for animals' natural behaviors and autonomy. Listeners are encouraged to reflect on their own social media practices and consider how they can contribute to a more ethical portrayal of wildlife. This episode serves as a call to action for all people- tourists and wildlife professionals alike to prioritise education and conservation in their online presence. 
Connie's Instagram: connie.needham
Connie's Youtube: youtube.com/@connie.needham?si=IQilIILIqGhc6Nh3&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGnNAyL33mETLXKKmD-NOSJDx2NRMkSLD9fCuChTjAm-BWbU4jJopAR2bkePPY_aem_0z6MARvM0GI-vyKicEB4xA
Project Wild: https://www.projectwild.uk/about 

Any questions or queries contact [email protected]
Links to our resources:
Website: https://women-in-wildlife.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/women.in.wildlife/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077369770841
Linked in: https://www.linkedin.com/company/womeninwildlife
Music by Thomas Hagen from SLAUX

We are so thrilled to have Connie Needham on the podcast for a two part series! Connie is a passionate wildlife storyteller shares her journey from the Scottish countryside to becoming a dedicated advocate for ethical wildlife tourism. Connie discusses her journey from studying philosophy to her work in wildlife advocacy. She emphasises the importance of recognizing red flags in wildlife tourism and the critical role local communities play in conservation efforts. Connie also explores the significance of transparency and accreditation in wildlife facilities, offering practical advice for tourists who wish to engage ethically with wildlife. Her experiences underscore the need for a shift in focus from close encounters to meaningful experiences that support conservation efforts. By sharing her insights, Connie aims to inspire listeners to make informed choices that respect the natural behaviors and habitats of wildlife. This episode highlights the importance of ethical considerations in wildlife tourism and the role of education and transparency in promoting responsible interactions with wildlife.

Resources & Links
Connie's Instagram: connie.needham
Connie's Youtube: youtube.com/@connie.needham?si=IQilIILIqGhc6Nh3&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGnNAyL33mETLXKKmD-NOSJDx2NRMkSLD9fCuChTjAm-BWbU4jJopAR2bkePPY_aem_0z6MARvM0GI-vyKicEB4xA
Project Wild: https://www.projectwild.uk/about 
Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries
Pan-African Sanctuary Alliance
European Alliance of Rescue Centres and Sanctuaries (EARAZA)

Any questions or queries contact [email protected]
Links to our resources:
Website: https://women-in-wildlife.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/women.in.wildlife/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077369770841
Linked in: https://www.linkedin.com/company/womeninwildlife
Music by Thomas Hagen from SLAUX

This episode dives into the realities of doing a PhD in Australia. Co-host Eliza, now in the final year of her PhD, reflects on the best and worst parts of the journey so far, while co-host Maddy opens up about her decision to walk away from her PhD in 2022, and how she feels about that choice four years later.
We unpack the constant uphill learning curve of a PhD, toxic academic culture, and the wide range of skills you can gain along the way. Eliza also shares five key things to consider before starting a PhD. This episode also marks the launch of our new segments, Wildlife Wins and Field Fails, featuring listener-submitted stories and podcast-specific questions from our community. Want to be involved? You can submit a story via our website for future episodes!

Any questions or queries contact [email protected]
Links to our resources:
Website: https://women-in-wildlife.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/women.in.wildlife/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077369770841
Linked in: https://www.linkedin.com/company/womeninwildlife
Music by Thomas Hagen from SLAUX

In our (slightly belated) December episode, we delve into the remarkable journey of Narau Kimani Laizer, a Maasai woman from Tanzania who defied cultural expectations to pursue education and empowerment. Growing up in a community where education for girls was not prioritized, Nara bravely escaped an arranged marriage at the age of 12 to seek a different life. With the support of a compassionate teacher and a nonprofit organization, she pursued her education in wildlife conservation. Today, Nara is the co-founder of the Enduata Community Initiative Organization (ECIO), dedicated to improving the lives of women and girls in her community. Through ECIO, Nara empowers women with education and economic opportunities, challenging traditional roles and fostering a new generation of leaders. Her work extends to wildlife conservation, where she educates her community on the importance of preserving nature, demonstrating how conservation and community development can go hand in hand. Her story is a testament to resilience and the transformative power of education and conservation.
You can follow the work of ECIO here: https://ecio.or.tz/
Any questions or queries contact [email protected]
Links to our resources:
Website: https://women-in-wildlife.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/women.in.wildlife/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077369770841
Linked in: https://www.linkedin.com/company/womeninwildlife
Music by Thomas Hagen from SLAUX

For our November episode, we celebrated our two year podcast birthday! We combined this celebration and look back of two years of trailblazing guests, with our yearly wrap-up (a tad early). We finally introduced our amazing producer, Taylor, and got to hear about her extensive background in communications and incredible new job at Free The Bears. We chatted about the ways in which our guests and the conversations we have had on the podcast has changed the way we look at wildlife and conservation, and the impact we hope that it has had on our listeners. We each looked back at a message from guests that really stood out to us this year, and changes that we made in our lives/careers as a result. Finally, we each chose a women-led conservation success story from this year, from anywhere in the world, and shared how the empowerment of women has led to a successful wildlife outcome. We haven't quite wrapped up for the year though- we will be back in your ears in December!
You can follow producer Taylor at @taylor.jamii 
Any questions or queries contact [email protected]
Links to our resources:
Website: https://women-in-wildlife.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/women.in.wildlife/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077369770841
Linked in: https://www.linkedin.com/company/womeninwildlife
Music by Thomas Hagen from SLAUX