Daily Dose of Nature | Asia & the Pacific Webinars

Repeater Layout : vertical-2up

Wolves, Jackals and Foxes, Oh My! The Canids of India

Originally presented July 27, 2020
Wildlife conservation in India often focuses on tigers, elephants and rhinos; charismatic species that are found in national parks and preserves. However, eight species of wild canids including the Asiatic wild dog, two species of wolves,, four species of foxes and one species of jackal inhabit ranges both within and outside of protected areas, often in areas that are densely populated by humans. Because of this, protection of these species requires innovative solutions. Although much more research about them is needed, Expedition Leader Surya Ramachandran will help us understand where they are found, their behaviors and what the threats are to their survival.

Discover the Heart of India

Originally presented July 23, 2020
In this new webinar series, Annie Van Dinther interviews Expedition Leaders from around the world to discover the heart of the places they call home. Her quest is to take you on a journey with our guides, via stories and photographs, that leaves you feeling like you’ve been there. In this episode, travel vicariously to India with two leading Nat Hab Expedition Leaders who call it home, Payal Mehta and Harsha Jayaramaiah. While India may be best known for its teeming cities, it's the vast, diverse wild spaces of India that captivate Payal and Harsha. From the foothills of the Himalaya to the grasslands of Gujurat, join these two top naturalist guides on a journey through premier national parks, several of which contain India's best tiger habitat, and learn about the wide array of wildlife you're likely to encounter. You'll discover why Indian nature has such a hold on Payal and Harsha's hearts, from its hefty one-horned rhinos to its small, colorful birds... and why an Indian safari is like none other!

Wild Asian Elephants and their Captive Counterparts

Originally presented July 13, 2020
Elephants have long played an important role in the art, culture and even warfare of India and elsewhere in Asia. Today, these smaller cousins to Africa’s elephants are endangered by habitat loss and poaching, and have lost 50% of their population and 85% of their traditional range in just a few generations. In this webinar, Expedition Leader Surya Ramachandran will discuss their biology, habitats, range and migratory routes, with a focus on how to conserve Asian elephants for the future. He will also dive into the controversy around captive elephants and what constitutes ethical treatment.

Saving Asia's Large Mammals: India's Inspiring Conservation Story

Originally presented July 6, 2020
How is it possible for Asiatic lions, Bengal tigers, Indian leopards and one-horned rhinos to survive in a country with 1.3 billion people? Expedition Leader Aditya Panda surveys India’s conservation history, revealing the uplifting story of how one of the world’s most densely populated countries has managed to protect vast habitats and save the largest, most stable populations of almost all of Asia’s most charismatic big creatures. He’ll place contemporary conservation measures in historical context, talk about WWF’s helping hand in this quest, and touch on the important conservation impacts of Nat Hab’s India adventures, sharing highlights from these encounters with wild Indian nature.

The Old Man of the Forest and Other Old World Primates

Originally presented June 17, 2020
Few animals on Earth strike a chord in the human soul like the orangutan — aloof, wise, sentient, mysterious— whose name in Malay means “old man of the forest.” Expedition Leader Brad Josephs introduces us to these incredible great apes, which share 99% of our DNA. We will also learn about many of Asia’s other primates, from the primitive giant-eyed tarsier to the beautiful golden snub-noses monkeys that live in China’s high altitudes. You’ll come away with lots of new knowledge about some of world’s oldest primate species!

Safari on the Subcontinent: India’s Big 7

Originally presented May 25, 2020
When you think of going on safari, India is not typically the first destination that pops to mind. But maybe it should be! Join Nat Hab Expedition Leader Aditya Panda to find out why. Aditya take us on a virtual safari to find India’s “Big 7”: Bengal tiger, leopard, sloth bear, Asiatic elephant, one-horned rhinoceros, Asiatic wild buffalo and Indian gaur.

Bears, Bears and More Bears

Originally presented May 13, 2020
You’ve asked for it, and we are bringing it to you! We’ve received so many requests for more bear webinars that we have invited back one of our experts, Expedition Leader Brad Josephs, to take us on a deep dive into the biology and behaviors of bears around the world. Brad will share his vast knowledge about these fascinating animals that strike such a deep chord for many of us.

Tigers: India's Powerful Top Predator

Originally presented May 11, 2020
In this webinar, Expedition Leader Surya Ramachandran will discuss the behaviors, biology and ecology of wild tigers in Ranthambore National Park, a protected area that was once the private hunting grounds of the Rajasthani Maharajas. An increasing tiger population also comes with the risk of increased conflict with humans, so we will also learn what it means for communities living in tiger habitat.

China’s Changing Views on Nature and Conservation

Originally presented May 6, 2020
China’s success in saving the giant panda from the brink of extinction, with the help of WWF, is arguably the world’s greatest conservation story and could only be achieved through widespread appreciation of these charismatic animals. Nat Hab’s Chinese/Tibetan naturalist guide Philip He joins Brad Josephs live from Sichuan Province to help unravel mysteries of the giant panda and the attitudes and actions that might lead to even more conservation victories in China.

Snow Leopards & Wildlife of the Himalayas

Originally presented April 30, 2020
In the austere heights of the Himalayas and Tibetan Plateau, an elusive feline thrives among the rocks and snowfields. Brad Josephs highlights the crucial role of conservation-focused tourism in sustaining the snow leopard population in northern India. He also introduces us to other charismatic Himalayan wildlife including the Tibetan wolf and wild yak.

Meet Borneo’s Sun Bears & the Hero Saving Them from Extinction

Originally presented April 22, 2020
Native only to the island of Borneo, the cute, fuzzy sun bear is the smallest of the world’s eight bear species. It’s facing big struggles from tropical forest loss, illegal hunting for bear parts, and poaching to obtain cubs for pet trade. But one man—Dr. Wong Siew Te—has almost single-handedly kept the sun bear from going extinct in the wild, dedicating his life to their protection.

Who’s the Best Bear in the World?

Originally presented April 15, 2020
These Expedition Leaders are passionate about bears—and each will make the case for why the bear species they represent should win our Best Bear in the World contest! The four contenders are the polar bear, brown bear, panda bear and sun bear. By the way, these are four of eight bear species worldwide.

Borneo’s Magical Menagerie

Originally presented April 8, 2020
Expedition Leader Brad Josephs is wild about Borneo! Join him for a deep dive into the tropical treasures of the world’s third-largest island. Boasting some of the planet’s greatest biodiversity, Earth’s oldest and tallest rain forests and endlessly fascinating fauna, Borneo brims with natural wonders.