Defender Radio and The Switch

OnlyMarms Featuring Dr. Julien Martin

For more than 60 years, researchers have been studying generations of yellow-bellied marmots in Colorado, creating one of the longest-running studies of wild mammals in t

Jimothy and Wild Animal Welfare Science

The Fur-Bearers' Wildlife Campaigns and Advocacy Manager Tijana S and Science Communicator and Researcher Dr. Valli Fraser-Celin join the Defender Radio podcast to talk J

Surviving The Wildfire feat. Interior Wildlife Rehabilitation Society

Over 21,000 people were evacuated from Summerland, British Columbia, when the Bald Range fire rapidly grew to over 156 square kilometres. Among the thousands of homes tha

Urban Habitats and Connectivity featuring Dr. Lenore Fahrig

When we talk about wildlife, we often talk about it as though it belongs somewhere else. A forest. A park. A protected area. Somewhere north of us, away from the roads,

The Space Wildlife Needs feat. Dr. Valli Fraser-Celin & Tijana

Defender Radio host Michael Howie is joined by colleagues Dr. Valli Fraser-Celin and Tijana (Wildlife Campaigns and Advocacy Manager at The Fur-Bearers) to talk about stu

Fur Farming and the Next Pandemic featuring Dr. Neil Vora

It feels like yesterday – and a lifetime ago – that the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the world. I don't know about you, but I'm still dealing with that experience, and

Spring in the Wild City featuring Nathalie Karvonen

This time of year is glorious for all of us – and for the wild neighbours with whom we share our communities. From black bears and coyotes to skunks and squirrels, wildli

Communicating Coexistence feat. Dr. Valli Fraser-Celin + Tijana S.

Defender Radio host Michael Howie is joined by colleagues Dr. Valli Fraser-Celin and Tijana S. (Wildlife Campaigns and Advocacy Manager at The Fur-Bearers) to talk about

What's Next?

We want to look into the future for Defender Radio and The Switch – and that means hearing from you! We've put together a short (really) survey that will take fewer than

Animal Law at University of Toronto featuring Dr. Angela Fernandez

Animal law is a topic of growing interest to Canadians, advocates, and legal experts. While there are some great people doing great work related to animal law in Canada,

Fashion's Future is Fur-Free featuring PJ Smith

September is fashion month, with massive week-long events in major cities worldwide, including New York, London, Milan and Paris. And the question on many peoples' minds

Canmore Cougar Tragedy Update feat. John Marriott and Maggie Spizziri

The tragic story of a locally beloved cougar being killed near Canmore, Alberta, earlier this year was heartbreaking. John Marriott, an award-winning wildlife photographe

Bring Back the Night: Light Pollution featuring Tijana Selak

From streetlights to skyscrapers and everything in between, lighting up the night can help keep people safe. But, this often excessive lighting has a consequence: light p

Navigating Climate Grief featuring Dr. Shawna Weaver

Wildfires and drought, floods and ice storms, and a seemingly never-ending news cycle of chaos around us is a lot. I'll be honest – there are days I want to hide from it

The Mink VIRUS Act featuring Devan Schowe

Mink fur farms are a virus's favourite place. There's lots of opportunity to transmit, mutate, and lead to more virulent strains that threaten public health. With the dev

The Canmore cougar tragedy featuring John E. Marriott

Anyone who follows John E. Marriott or Exposed Wildlife Conservancy on social media knows that a cougar John had tracked for many years was killed near Canmore, Alberta,

A Dam Good Conversation: Ben Goldfarb on Beavers, Wetlands, and Rewilding the World

Fifty years ago this week, Canada officially made beavers one of our national symbols. In celebrating this anniversary – and the many ecological services and benefits pro

Canada's Most Distinct Species featuring Emma Kominek

Canada's iconic wildlife include moose, beavers, and wolves. But of the many species of vertebrate, which are the most evolutionarily distinct? And why does that matter?

The Switch: Going Green for March Break Travel

Whether you're heading south to escape the cold, across the provinces for an adventure, or just a town over for a quick getaway, there are a lot of choices we can make wh

Takaya's Ongoing Legacy featuring Cheryl Alexander

The journey of Takaya the Lone wolf on Vancouver Island was one of hope, inspiration, and ultimately tragedy. Cheryl Alexander, acclaimed conservation photographer and Fo