Finding Awe and Inspiration in the Natural World's ‘Vanishing Treasures’
Nov 12, 2024
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Katherine Rundell, author of "Vanishing Treasures: A Bestiary of Extraordinary Endangered Creatures," shares her passion for some of the world’s most unique and imperiled animals. She discusses wombats with their cube-shaped poop and the incredible resilience of the American wood frog, which can freeze solid to survive winter. Rundell also addresses the emotional bonds we share with wildlife and the myths surrounding animal conservation. This inspiring dialogue emphasizes the urgency of protecting the extraordinary creatures that inhabit our planet.
Katherine Rundell emphasizes the urgent need for conservation efforts to protect extraordinary endangered creatures like the critically endangered northern hairy-nosed wombat.
The podcast highlights the importance of overcoming misguided perceptions of animals, advocating for a genuine understanding of their true nature to foster appreciation and connection with nature.
Deep dives
The Concept of a Bestiary
A bestiary is traditionally a collection of real and sometimes imagined creatures, serving as a means to catalog knowledge about the living world. The term is used in Catherine Rundle's book to highlight the fascinating and often overlooked creatures of our planet, emphasizing the importance of recognizing the real wonders that exist around us. Rundle aims to provide readers with insight into the extraordinary lives of endangered species, illustrating their biological adaptations and unique characteristics. This approach not only honors these creatures but also encourages a deeper appreciation of biodiversity and the need for conservation.
Remarkable Resilience of Wombats
Wombats exhibit remarkable abilities that challenge common perceptions of them as merely cute creatures. They can run faster than Usain Bolt over long distances and possess a unique biological structure that allows them to defend themselves successfully, including by charging backwards at predators. The northern hairy-nosed wombat, one of the rarest mammals, is in critical danger, with only about 250 individuals left due to habitat loss and human activities. Rundle’s account of this species highlights both the need for conservation efforts and the solace that these creatures can bring to those who appreciate their intrinsic value.
Enduring Wisdom of the Greenland Shark
The Greenland shark defies conventional understanding of aging, with the potential to live for centuries, surpassing 500 years. This extraordinary lifespan allows them to witness significant changes in the marine environment over time. Rundle emphasizes that these sharks could have lived alongside historical figures, making their existence a testament to resilience amid chaos and environmental turmoil. Their survival is contingent upon human actions today, calling for urgent conservation measures to ensure they continue to thrive in the future.
Human Connections to the Animal Kingdom
Rundle discusses the often misguided perceptions humans have regarding animals, especially in terms of attributing false characteristics to them, such as the wolf being viewed as a symbol of danger. This anthropomorphizing has led to destructive outcomes, including the near-extinction of wolves due to hunting rooted in fear and misunderstanding. Part of the solution involves fostering a genuine connection to the natural world, encouraging people to appreciate and understand animals for their true nature rather than through the lens of human bias. Rundle advocates for active engagement with nature, inspiring individuals to appreciate the inherent value of all living creatures.
“The time to fight, with all our ingenuity and tenacity, and love and fury, is now.” That sounds like a rallying cry for democrats after their profound election defeat last week. But it’s in fact an environmental call to action from Katherine Rundell, whose new book “Vanishing Treasures” celebrates some of the earth’s most imperiled and unusual creatures. We’ll talk to Rundell about wombats that carry their young in upside-down pouches and excrete cube-shaped poop; the American wood frog that freezes itself solid to get through winter; the golden mole that’s evolved to be iridescent. What extraordinary creatures would you like to pay tribute to?
Guests:
Katherine Rundell, author, "Vanishing Treasures: A Bestiary of Extraordinary Endangered Creatures", Her previous books include "Impossible Creatures" and "Why You Should Read Children's Books, Even Though You Aren't So Old and Wise"
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