Most marine biologists dream of studying dolphins. Dr. Louisa Ponnampalam actually did it - and discovered that saving wildlife requires far more than science.

Louisa shares her journey from teenage "dolphin obsession" to founding and running Marecet, Malaysia's leading marine mammal conservation organization. She opens up about the steep learning curve from field researcher to organizational leader, the surprising skills conservation work demands, and why protecting animals means understanding the humans around them.

In this conversation:

→ The baby dugong encounter that took 11 years to happen

→ Why marine mammals are legally protected but their habitats aren't

→ Building trust with fishermen to reduce dolphin bycatch

→ The reality of conservation funding and facing "get a real job" criticism

→ Making marine conservation accessible to marginalized communities

Key timestamps: [UPDATE WITH FINAL TIMES]

0:00 - The baby dugong encounter

8:00 - Why Louisa founded Marecet and filling knowledge gaps

10:30 - The turning point: Conservation is more than science

25:00 - Working with fishermen on bycatch solutions

32:00 - Marine debris and habitat threats

40:00 - Getting research into policy and protected areas

44:00 - Learning to lead and communicate

53:00 - "Just because it's never been done doesn't mean it can't be done"

About Louisa: Dr. Louisa Ponnampalam is a Pew Fellow and co-founder of Marecet, living the childhood dream she never gave up on. She's spent nearly two decades researching dolphins, dugongs, and whales, and has helped establish multiple internationally recognized marine protected areas in Malaysia while training the next generation of homegrown marine conservationists.

Learn more about Marecet:

• Website: https://www.marecet.org/
• Donate: https://wildnet.org/wildlife-programs/dolphins-and-dugongs/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/marecet-research-organization/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marecetresearchorganization
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marecet/

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Weddell Seal audio from NOAA

Rosamira Guillen shares her inspiring journey to becoming Executive Director of Proyecto Tití and shows us that conservation is more than just biology. We range from fun stories of the Cotton-tops, protecting their dry-forest and working finding ways to benefit local Colombian communities to values, culture and leadership!

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Instagram: Proyecto Tití (@proyectotiti) · Barranquilla

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Rocio Palacios has dedicated her life to learning about and protecting one of the world’s most elusive cats. The Andean Cat Alliance works across the four countries where the cats are found. Their research and conservation involves local communities and their impact benefits cats and other wildlife in the high Andes. Rocio shares fun and inspiring stories of a life rich adventure and passion.

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