Analiese G. - Louisiana, USA
Join Ed and wildlife officer Todd Vandivert, formerly of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Police, as they discuss Operation Cody, Todd's investigation into widespread wildlife crime involving the trafficking of endangered species native to the state of Washington.
Be in the room when Ed reunites with his old friend Craig Spencer, founder of the Black Mambas Anti-Poaching Unit and the NGO Transfrontier Africa. Craig has a long history of combating wildlife crimes in Southern Africa, particularly those affecting endangered species. In this engaging episode, Craig and Ed discuss pressing issues such as rhino horn trafficking and elephant ivory trafficking, along with the importance of engaging local communities in wildlife conservation education.
Join Ed in a conversation with Nkateko Mzimba and Collet Ngobeni, two rangers from the Black Mambas Anti-Poaching Unit based at the Olifants West Nature Reserve in South Africa. This episode highlights the efforts of the Black Mambas as they patrol a 25,000 acre reserve within the greater Kruger ecosystem, which is home to endangered species such as elephants, rhinos, lions, and buffalo, alongside many others native to the Southern African bush. Listen as the rangers share their stories about their duties, adventures, and close calls while protecting vital wildlife that is often threatened by wildlife crime and commercial poachers.
We've talked about confidential informants before, especially in the context of wildlife crime. Now, you get to meet one! Pete Paxton is the best C.I. Ed worked with while he was a special agent. He's professional, cool as a cucumber, and very good at what he does. This is your chance to sit down with Ed and Pete Paxton to discuss what it's like to be an informant, how they interact with sworn law enforcement officers, and how they contribute to the protection of wildlife through their work.
Plant crimes resurface this week but, this time, in the form of American ginseng, an endangered species! This native plant is found throughout the Appalachian Mountains, including the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and is under heavy pressure from unscrupulous commercial collectors. Join Ed and former special agent Tom Chisdock as they discuss the threats to the species, the illegal trade, and Tom's great work exposing a ginseng trafficker who also sold opioids straight from the same store that served tourists coming and going from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
The abalone is an endangered species of marine snail found off the coast of California and in a few other locations around the globe. With their populations crashing due to global warming, these creatures face further threats from wildlife crime, as unscrupulous poachers illegally collect abalone in commercial quantities to sell to Asian buyers. Lieutenant Kathy Ponting, a legendary former game warden with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, led their elite Special Operations Unit (SOU) for many years. Her plain clothes team excelled at conducting undercover work and gained a solid reputation as one of the best surveillance teams among all law enforcement agencies in California.
Former US Fish and Wildlife Service Special Agent Walter Duran joins us from his home in Miami to discuss his role in Operation Ornery Birds. The underground world of wildlife crime sometimes takes strange twists and turns and doesn't always involve exotic species from faraway lands. Many wildlife species native to the United States, including some that are endangered species, find their way into the illegal wildlife trade. Every year, our native songbirds are trapped and sold into the exotic pet trade. This week, you're at the table to hear Walter describe how bird traffickers trap and sell wild birds native to the U.S. and why they do it. The answers will shock you. All migratory birds in the United States are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (17 USC 703), and it is a felony to sell or offer to sell, or take (capture or kill) with the intent to sell, any migratory bird or their parts.
Author Bryan Christy sits down with Ed to discuss the disturbing world of the reptile trade and reptile trafficking. Christy, known for his book The Lizard King, chronicles the origins and history of a reptile supply company called Strictly Reptiles and its controversial owners, Ray and Mike Van Nostrand. In their conversation, Bryan and Ed will reflect on the late Charles "Chip" Bepler, a US Fish and Wildlife Service special agent who dedicated years to pursuing and building a case against Strictly and Mike Van Nostrand. This story will open your eyes to the seedy underbelly of the world of "pet" reptiles and reveal the intense rivalry between criminals and law enforcement, while also telling the true story of the personal lives and emotions driving these two adversaries, who are hell-bent on defeating each other.
Meet Captain Dan Brinson, formerly with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Police, who has been a significant influence on Ed as a role model and mentor. Join Ed for a wide-ranging conversation with Dan about diverse topics, including officer discretion and how wildlife officers play a vital role in protecting the public from unseen safety threats. In Ed's opinion, Dan is one of the most intelligent and ethical wildlife law enforcement officers to ever wear a badge and carry a gun. Tune in and discover why; by the end of the episode, we bet you'll agree.
Lt. George Wilson dedicated 36 years to law enforcement with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), recently retiring as the lieutenant in charge of the FWC's statewide investigations unit. Since his retirement, George has been consulting with a private organization called Exulans (www.exulans.net), which offers training and investigative support to emerging countries, in partnership with WildAid. Recently, George and the Exulans team assisted the Bahamas in cracking down on wildlife crime, specifically targeting illegal charter fishing by US-based charter boat captains in Bahamian waters. As a top-notch investigator, George thinks outside the box and is now sharing his expertise to raise awareness about endangered species and conservation efforts worldwide. Stay tuned for more episodes of Nature's Secret Service with George, as he and Ed have collaborated on many successful projects throughout their careers.
Forty years after US Fish and Wildlife Service Special Agent Marie Palladini took on alligator skin traffickers, Wildlife Officer Jeff Babauta of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) found himself back on the case. It's not skins this time. Now, Jeff is investigating the widespread laundering of wild caught alligator eggs and hatchlings. This illegal business can generate hundreds of thousands, and sometimes millions of dollars in profits for traffickers, posing a significant threat to wild populations. The practice seriously hampers alligator conservation efforts and can lead to dramatic impacts on alligator nesting success from year to year, making it a critical issue throughout the Southeastern United States.
Did you know that the very first federal law enforcement officer to ever conduct undercover work was a US Fish and Wildlife Service officer? This is particularly interesting given that the US Fish and Wildlife Service is one of the oldest federal law enforcement agencies in the United States. Join Ed and his guest Mark Madison, historian for the US Fish and Wildlife Service, as they discuss the earliest pioneers in Fish and Wildlife Service law enforcement and the ongoing battle against wildlife crime.
It was a cold Illinois night in 1962 when US Fish and Wildlife Service Special Agent Vic Blasevic set out to capture two duck poachers. As he was about to make the arrest, Blasevic was ambushed and shot at close range. Tune in to hear the true story and the amazing subsequent tangle of coincidences that later involved a presidential candidate and a famous US Army demolitions expert who was a member of Delta Force.
Join Ed on patrol with California Department of Fish and Wildlife Captain Michele Budish. Working at night is always dangerous and in Los Angeles you never know what you might run into. When Ed was a special agent for the US Fish and Wildlife Service, he frequently worked with Michele when she patrolled at night. It was a good opportunity to build interagency trust but also a good opportunity for Ed to keep his field skills sharp while providing Michele with needed backup during night contacts.
Sit down with Ed and three of the most experienced federal wildlife prosecutors at the US Attorney's Office in Los Angeles. Each prosecutor talks about their favorite case over the years that involved wildlife crime. You'll instantly be part of the conversation and appreciate the strong professional and personal relationship that Ed has with each of these prosecutors.
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