The Animal Nerd Podcast

It's a little-known fact that the island of Madagascar was once home to at least two species of dwarf hippopotamus, who were actually quite different from modern hippos in both their appearance and behaviour. But, sadly, these unique creatures are long gone, driven to extinction by habitat destruction and hunting... or are they? Because as it turns out, there's considerable evidence that the Malagasy hippos were around for a lot longer than originally thought - they may have still been roaming the remote areas of the island as recently as the 1970s. In fact, some people believe there's still a chance that they could still be out there now, just waiting to be re-discovered...Original air date: 9th March 2026Important note: Unfortunately I wasn't able to import my show when I was switching hosting platforms, and as a result I'm having to re-upload my podcast from the start. Because of that, these early episodes are not indictive of the show's current quality - both in terms of the equipment used and my own skills as a writer & presenter - so apologies for that! Hopefully before too long I'll have caught up to my current output. In the meantime, you can check out my full back catalogue of episodes, and catch up with my newer content, over on my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLp6MWEI1w5ZrPiEM7zZKmgvtqhmWWbpeBShow notes: (for content warnings, sources used, related non-profits, etc)https://docs.google.com/document/d/1oOHmXHcRGny_d1OWbo4GoHgHPsipK6xXW2lwghsqIB8/edit?usp=sharing

I feel like this one story perfectly encapsulates so many of the recurring themes of this podcast. Wholesome animal rescue story! Disabled animals thriving! A famous pet! The mutual healing of the human-animal bond! Unsolved crime! Horrific violence!...wait, what was that last one?Yeah, I'm as surprised as you that my animal podcast features quite so many true crime and unsolved mystery elements as it does. And I know for a fact that there are more episodes like that coming - although possibly none quite so strange and outlandish as this one!Seriously, whatever you're expecting from this episode, I promise you it's even weirder and has even more twists than that. I am honestly obsessed with this story.Original air date: 2nd March 2026Important note: Unfortunately I wasn't able to import my show when I was switching hosting platforms, and as a result I'm having to re-upload my podcast from the start. Because of that, these early episodes are not indictive of the show's current quality - both in terms of the equipment used and my own skills as a writer & presenter - so apologies for that! Hopefully before too long I'll have caught up to my current output. In the meantime, you can check out my full back catalogue of episodes, and catch up with my newer content, over on my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLp6MWEI1w5ZrPiEM7zZKmgvtqhmWWbpeBShow notes: (for content warnings, sources used, related non-profits, etc)https://docs.google.com/document/d/1McBA3_Rm-ApPLsEkgKH4eW46agbmO2hOtVcr0p5ibZE/edit?usp=sharing

When Rita Kimball and her family first encountered a stray dog in the parking lot of a grocery store and decided to adopt him, they never would have guessed that he would one day go on to be certified as the world's oldest living dog. But... is he actually? As is the case with many rescued animals, Spike's exact date of birth is unknown, and in addition to his rescue story, we'll also be exploring the controversy around that. But regardless of how old he actually is, Spike's story still deserves to be told in it's own right. Older rescue animals often have a much harder time finding forever homes than younger ones, but Spike is proof that adopting a senior pet can still give you - and them! - years of joy and love.((Apologies for the background noise in this week's episode - I was pet-sitting for my parents and their puppy wouldn't let me record unless he was with me!))Original air date: 16th February 2026Important note: Unfortunately I wasn't able to import my show when I was switching hosting platforms, and as a result I'm having to re-upload my podcast from the start. Because of that, these early episodes are not indictive of the show's current quality - both in terms of the equipment used and my own skills as a writer & presenter - so apologies for that! Hopefully before too long I'll have caught up to my current output. In the meantime, you can check out my full back catalogue of episodes, and catch up with my newer content, over on my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLp6MWEI1w5ZrPiEM7zZKmgvtqhmWWbpeBShow notes: (for content warnings, sources used, related non-profits, etc)https://docs.google.com/document/d/1lcE0a6mefG5ne8Lq9v2Lz8fdqxGUJG8LaJHSU1TlptM/edit?usp=sharing

We've all seen those photos of Roger the ripped kangaroo flexing for the camera, right? And maybe you've even seen the videos of him chasing people down. Or perhaps you saw his CGI twin in the 2025 film Kangaroo? Either way, you probably don't know this buff boy's full life story - how he was first rescued as a tiny orphaned baby, found cowering in his dead mothers pouch; and the complicated relationship he shared with his lifelong human caregiver - and you just know we've got to talk about his amazing legacy! In this weeks episode of the Animal Nerd Podcast, I get into all of that and so much more. Enjoy!Original air date: 2nd February 2026Important note: Unfortunately I wasn't able to import my show when I was switching hosting platforms, and as a result I'm having to re-upload my podcast from the start. Because of that, these early episodes are not indictive of the show's current quality - both in terms of the equipment used and my own skills as a writer & presenter - so apologies for that! Hopefully before too long I'll have caught up to my current output. In the meantime, you can check out my full back catalogue of episodes, and catch up with my newer content, over on my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLp6MWEI1w5ZrPiEM7zZKmgvtqhmWWbpeBShow notes: (for content warnings, sources used, related non-profits, etc)https://docs.google.com/document/d/1VhN91M9j4Yxv8rnkq4Fgg4XMUcnVsvx8ao7KTXePVsI/edit?usp=sharing

In 2020, animal lovers across Brazil were horrified by the story of Sansao, a pit bull who was violently attacked by humans who cut off his hind legs with a sickle. But instead of giving in to despair, people instead turned their heartbreak into action, ultimately forcing their reluctant government to introduce new laws to protect animals from harm, and to secure justice for Sansao.It's an inspiring story for sure. But what became of the poor dog in the centre of all this? You'll just have to listen to find out!Original air date: 31st July 2025Important note: Unfortunately I wasn't able to import my show when I was switching hosting platforms, and as a result I'm having to re-upload my podcast from the start. Because of that, these early episodes are not indictive of the show's current quality - both in terms of the equipment used and my own skills as a writer & presenter - so apologies for that! Hopefully before too long I'll have caught up to my current output. In the meantime, you can check out my full back catalogue of episodes, and catch up with my newer content, over on my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLp6MWEI1w5ZrPiEM7zZKmgvtqhmWWbpeBShow notes: (for content warnings, sources used, related non-profits, etc)https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jlHfGTcUkkRVXbq4JiahDjq1M0UMhQ-PevYQjBy4i-o/edit?usp=sharing

The Steller's sea cow, or Hydrodamalis gigas, was one of the most beautiful and unique animals to have ever graced our planet - but despite that, less than three decades after they first became known to western science, these gentle giants of the ocean had been hunted to extinction. The loss of the Steller's sea cow was an unnecessary and avoidable tragedy, fuelled by capitalistic greed and a total lack of consideration for the natural world and the other living beings who share the Earth with us. While it's not an easy or uplifting story to tell, it's an important one all the same - especially now in our age of climate meltdown. We can't bring the Steller's sea cow back, but if we learn from the lessons their story holds, maybe we can help to prevent other at-risk species from suffering the same fate.Original air date: 15th July 2025Important note: Unfortunately I wasn't able to import my show when I was switching hosting platforms, and as a result I'm having to re-upload my podcast from the start. Because of that, these early episodes are not indictive of the show's current quality - both in terms of the equipment used and my own skills as a writer & presenter - so apologies for that! Hopefully before too long I'll have caught up to my current output. In the meantime, you can check out my full back catalogue of episodes, and catch up with my newer content, over on my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLp6MWEI1w5ZrPiEM7zZKmgvtqhmWWbpeBShow notes: (for content warnings, sources used, related non-profits, etc)https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gsQugxRnH5rdPr1nUIYZBGujXG7gUcZK_3hBMd-c0ao/edit?usp=sharing

Since the peak of his fame in the late 1980s, Bubbles the chimp - the beloved (and controversial) pet and sidekick of the (equally beloved & controversial) King of Pop - has disappeared completely from the public eye. But what really happened to him? Where did he go? And is he still alive? In this weeks episode of the Animal Nerd Podcast, I'm deep-diving into Bubbles' story, from his birth in a medical research facility to his stint as an international superstar to where he is now. Hope you enjoy! 💕Original air date: 24th June 2025Important note: Unfortunately I wasn't able to import my show when I was switching hosting platforms, and as a result I'm having to re-upload my podcast from the start. Because of that, these early episodes are not indictive of the show's current quality - both in terms of the equipment used and my own skills as a writer & presenter - so apologies for that! Hopefully before too long I'll have caught up to my current output. In the meantime, you can check out my full back catalogue of episodes, and catch up with my newer content, over on my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLp6MWEI1w5ZrPiEM7zZKmgvtqhmWWbpeBShow notes: (for content warnings, sources used, related non-profits, etc)https://docs.google.com/document/d/1wxeWuru51w5a0GMvGkKw5aQNASEqntlvqD_18f25mY4/edit?usp=sharing

Thomas was a feral goose living in New Zealand, who initially made headlines when people realised that he had chosen a black swan as his mate. Their interspecies relationship alone would have been enough to garner attention, but when their fans realised that they were also both males, Thomas and his husband Henry were skyrocketed to international stardom. But it wasn't until a second black swan arrived at the scene and turned Henry's head that the real drama started to go down...Honestly, this story has got to be one of my all-time favourites! And if you need a wholesome tale as a little pick-me-up, then I'm sure you'll love it too! Thomas is the kind of queer hero we all need in our lives.Original air date: 17th June 2025Important note: Unfortunately I wasn't able to import my show when I was switching hosting platforms, and as a result I'm having to re-upload my podcast from the start. Because of that, these early episodes are not indictive of the show's current quality - both in terms of the equipment used and my own skills as a writer & presenter - so apologies for that! Hopefully before too long I'll have caught up to my current output. In the meantime, you can check out my full back catalogue of episodes, and catch up with my newer content, over on my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLp6MWEI1w5ZrPiEM7zZKmgvtqhmWWbpeBShow notes: (for content warnings, sources used, related non-profits, etc)https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jxIgozTzbKLz30VbCy5WbOVFyaCCm68mX9TcKaVbPm8/edit?usp=sharing