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Saving Wildlife with Sam

Saving Wildlife with Sam

Written by: Sam
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Get to know the extraordinary people who dedicate their lives to save wildlife and the places they call home. We go beyond the headlines to uncover their wildest encounters, toughest challenges, and what keeps them hopeful in the fight for nature.

© 2025 Saving Wildlife with Sam
Biological Sciences Science
Episodes
  • Louisa Ponnampalam: From dolphin dreams to conservation reality in Malaysia
    Dec 29 2025

    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/


    CONNECT WITH SAVING WILDLIFE WITH SAM:

    • Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@savingwildlifewithsam
    • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/savingwildlife
    • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/savingwildlifewithsam/
    • Join the newsletter: https://forms.gle/3v5UCmN6CgLGGM3s5
    • Follow Sam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-williams-0989483/

    Please like, comment, and share to help more people discover these conservation stories!


    Weddell Seal audio from NOAA



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    1 hr
  • Rosamira Guillen: The architect turned conservation leader saving the world’s cutest little monkey!
    Dec 6 2025

    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!

    Follow Rosamira and her team’s work

    https://www.facebook.com/proyectotiti

    Instagram: Proyecto Tití (@proyectotiti) · Barranquilla

    Support the protection of the world’s cutest little monkey: https://wildnet.org/wildlife-programs/cotton-top-tamarin/

    Signup for the Saving Wildlife With Sam email https://forms.gle/3v5UCmN6CgLGGM3s5

    More about Saving Wildlife with Sam https://www.facebook.com/savingwildlife

    Please support the channel and subscribe to help more conservationists tell their story!




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    1 hr and 13 mins
  • Rocio Palacios: One Andean Cat sighting in 22 years of dedication! Conservation in high mountains.
    Nov 5 2025

    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.


    Follow Rocio and her work

    https://www.facebook.com/alianzagatoandino

    Instagram: @alianza_gato_andino


    Support the protection of Andean cats: https://wildnet.org/wildlife-programs/andean-cat/


    Signup for the Saving Wildlife with Sam email https://forms.gle/3v5UCmN6CgLGGM3s5



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    47 mins
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