I’ve been looking forward to today’s episode for a really long time - and for two great reasons. One, it’s about wildlife forensics, which is an immense field that requires knowledge of everything from wildlife behavior and morphology, to DNA, to crime scene investigation, to policy and the law. I’ve always been a bit of a generalist who likes to deep dive into topics on occasion…so this is a field true to my heart.

And the second reason I’ve been looking forward to it is the guest - forensic wildlife biologist Ashley Bray. As you’ll hear, Ashley - in addition to being a forensic wildlife biologist - is also a podcaster. And her podcast is a slant on human/wildlife conflict - with - as you might expect from a forensic biologist - with a true crime twist. Oh - it’s called Get Out Alive - be sure to check it out.

Today we take a broad look at what forensic wildlife biology entails, and the surprising connections it reveals, such as the connection between wildlife crimes and drug and human trafficking - and organized crime in general.

Ashley has a few nice case examples that we review. And hold tight - you’re going to learn about a super cute animal called a vaquita.

So, get ready for a wide ranging discussion with forensic wildlife biologist Ashley Bray. And you can find Ashley on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook!

FULL SHOW NOTES (Includes Photos!)

LINKS
An Immense World by Ed Yong

CITES Treaty information

Sea of Shadows documentary

Sea Shepherd Conservation Society

University of Florida's Wildlife Forensics Program

RELATED PODCAST EPISODES
#102: Sophie Osborn - From the Brink: Reintroducing Endangered Birds

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Music: Spellbound by Brian Holtz Music
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Artist site: https://brianholtzmusic.com

Discover the Jumpstart Nature Podcast - entertaining and immersive, it's the nature fix we all need.

Check past Nature's Archive episodes for amazing guests like Doug Tallamy, Elaine Ingham, and Rae Wynn-Grant, covering topics from bird migration to fungi to frogs and bats!

What do parasitic plants, 600 year old oak trees, salmon, and hoverflies have in common? Well, they are some of Griff's, Michelle Fullner’s and my favorite wild organisms!

Today’s episode is a fun conversation with Michelle Fullner, Griff Griffith, and myself, Michael Hawk, where we advocate for our 10 favorite animals and plants. We each bring three species to the conversation…well, not physically. And we had a bit of a game to decide who got to pick the 10th one. All I’m saying is that I still think that aphids would be good at soccer, but you’ll have to listen to hear what that’s about.

This idea was all Michelle’s - and if you don’t know Michelle, she’s the host and producer of the Golden State Naturalist podcast, which is a fun and entertaining California-centric nature podcast. Her fourth season is about to launch, and she plans to cover topics that I know you’ll love - wildlife crossings, coastal wetlands, red-legged frogs, and much more. Be sure to check out her podcast and follow her social media, too.

And looking ahead, Jumpstart Nature is in the late stages of three new episodes for this fall, covering invasive species, outdoor cats, and an inspiring land conservation story that succeeded against all odds. And if you’re listening to this on the Nature’s Archive feed, well, we have plenty of fun episodes coming too - covering topics ranging from wildlife forensics to ants!

FULL SHOW NOTES (be sure to check it for some great photos!)

LINKS
Snakes with Emily Taylor - Nature's Archive
Newt Patrol

Support Us On Patreon!
Buy our Merch!

Music: Spellbound by Brian Holtz Music
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Artist site: https://brianholtzmusic.com

Discover the Jumpstart Nature Podcast - entertaining and immersive, it's the nature fix we all need.

Check past Nature's Archive episodes for amazing guests like Doug Tallamy, Elaine Ingham, and Rae Wynn-Grant, covering topics from bird migration to fungi to frogs and bats!

Have you ever wondered what it takes to bring a species back from the brink of extinction? Today, we’re diving into the front lines of one of the most challenging and inspiring conservation efforts of our time, with Sophie Osborn as our guide. This episode unravels the incredible stories of the Peregrine Falcon, Hawaiian Crow, and California Condor—three iconic birds with a common thread of survival against the odds.

We’ll explore the daunting threats these birds have faced, and surprisingly, how those same dangers continue to impact us all. Take lead ammunition, for instance—it’s a well-known hazard to wildlife like the Condor. But did you know that the tiny fragments left behind in game can be ingested by people, leading to serious health risks? You’ll find a striking X-ray image in our show notes that drives this point home.

But this isn’t just a tale of challenges—it’s also a story of hope. Sophie shares the hard-won successes and the relentless dedication of biologists who are making a difference. Sophie discussed all of this and much more in her new book, ‘Feather Trails’. It’s a beautifully crafted narrative that blends humor and suspense, along with Sophie’s personal journey alongside these remarkable species. Trust me, it’s well worth the read.

Be sure to check out Sophie’s work at wordsforbirds.net, and her Substack blog, ‘Words for Birds.’

FULL SHOW NOTES with photos

Links from Today's Episode
Feather Trails: A Journey of Discovery Among Endangered Birds - Sophie Osborn's most recent book

School for Field Studies

Sophie's Substack Blog: Words for Birds

Sophie's website: wordsforbirds.net

Vocalizations of the Hawaiian Crow

Note: links to books are affiliate links to Bookshop.org. You can support independent bookstores AND Jumpstart Nature by purchasing through our affiliate links or our bookshop store.

Related Podcast Episodes

Plant Your Birdfeeder

Condors with Tiana Williams-Claussen (Golden State Naturalist Crossover!)

CREDITS:
Thanks to Kat Hill for editing help with this episode!

Support Us On Patreon!
Buy our Merch!

Music: Spellbound by Brian Holtz Music
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Artist site: https://brianholtzmusic.com

Discover the Jumpstart Nature Podcast - entertaining and immersive, it's the nature fix we all need.

Check past Nature's Archive episodes for amazing guests like Doug Tallamy, Elaine Ingham, and Rae Wynn-Grant, covering topics from bird migration to fungi to frogs and bats!