#235 - The Amazon Jungle Saved My Life: Encounters with STRANGE Creatures | Harry Turner
Apr 26, 2024
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Harry Turner, a former military member, shares his captivating journey from Afghanistan to the Amazon Jungle. He discusses rescuing a baby ocelot, encounters with frightening Amazon animals, uncontacted tribes, the destruction of the Amazon, and exotic animal trade. Harry's adventures highlight the unique beauty and challenges of the jungle.
Rescuing and nurturing a baby ocelot in the Amazon jungle led to a transformative journey of healing and purpose for the narrator.
Observing Ocelots' unique communication through ear movements improved hunting success and deepened the bond between the narrator and Khan.
Facing a dangerous encounter with a puma while on a night walk with a wild Ocelot highlighted the risks and challenges of navigating the jungle at night.
Encountering uncontacted tribes in the Amazon shed light on their isolation, communication methods, and the importance of respecting their unique way of life.
Engaging in conservation work through Emerald Arch in Ecuador aimed to protect land, support veterans, combat deforestation, and promote environmental preservation.
Deep dives
Rescuing an Ocelot and Forming a Deep Connection
The narrator recounts the story of rescuing an Ocelot named Khan from a native community. After a challenging negotiation, Khan is brought to safety. The narrator establishes a strong bond with Khan, nurturing him back to health through companionship and care. This experience leads to a transformation as Khan, once abandoned and mistreated, finds comfort and security with the narrator.
Survival and Reintroduction Efforts
Over the course of a year, the narrator spends every moment with Khan, observing his behavior and needs. Guiding Khan in hunting skills and understanding his diet, the narrator is driven by a commitment to reintroduce him to the wild respectfully. Through instinct and adaptability, the duo navigates the challenges of survival in the jungle, fostering a growing connection and trust.
Emerging Understanding and Natural Instincts
Despite lacking formal training, the narrator relies on natural observations and instincts to care for Khan. Recognizing cues like hunger and cries, the narrator learns to interpret and fulfill Khan's needs. By immersing in nature and adopting a hands-on approach, the narrator navigates the complexities of raising a rescued Ocelot with care and dedication.
Reflecting on the Journey to Redemption
The narrator reflects on the transformative journey from despair and isolation to renewed purpose and connection. Through the experience with Khan, the narrator finds solace and healing in nature's profound influence. Grappling with past trauma and self-destructive thoughts, the narrator experiences a profound shift, realizing the power of compassion and the resilience of wildlife.
Understanding Animal Communication Through Observation
Observing Ocelots' communication through ear movements revealed their unique way of signaling direction for hunting. By noticing the twitching of their ears, it became clear that this behavior was a means of silent communication, guiding individuals during hunts. Utilizing this knowledge, the speaker improved the hunting success of the Ocelots by interpreting their ear movements accurately, leading to better outcomes.
Encountering a Puma During a Night Walk
During a night walk with a wild Ocelot named Khan, the speaker unexpectedly faced a dangerous encounter with a puma. The tense situation involved carefully managing the presence of the puma while safeguarding Khan, demonstrating the inherent risks of navigating the jungle at night. Through a calm and calculated response, the speaker successfully navigated the situation, highlighting the challenges and unpredictability of nocturnal jungle expeditions.
Insights on Uncontacted Tribes in the Amazon
While exploring the Amazon, the speaker discovered evidence of uncontacted tribes through distinct sounds and signals observed in the jungle. This encounter shed light on the intricate communication methods and territorial behaviors of these tribes, emphasizing their isolation and avoidance of outside contact. Through conversations with local communities, the speaker gained insights into the uncontacted tribes' cultural practices and the importance of respecting their boundaries and unique way of life.
Conservation Efforts Through Nonprofit Initiatives
Engaging in conservation work through the nonprofit organization Emerald Arch, the speaker outlined efforts to protect land in Ecuador and support humanitarian causes. The initiative aimed to create a sustainable environment by purchasing land in threatened areas and facilitating transformative experiences for veterans in nature. By emphasizing the connection between environmental preservation and mental health, the project sought to combat challenges such as deforestation and wildlife exploitation.
Adventures in Australia with a Wild and Adventurous Friend
The podcast episode delves into the speaker's unique experiences living and filming with a friend in Australia. The friend is described as eccentric and engaging in bold activities like catching cane toads and creating shoes out of them. Despite the friend's eccentricities, the speaker acknowledges their deep bond and the unforgettable adventures they shared over six months.
Passion for Wildlife Photography and Conservation Efforts
The episode highlights the speaker's passion for wildlife photography and conservation, particularly focusing on Florida Panthers. The speaker discusses camera trapping Florida Panthers to monitor their well-being and the threats they face, such as collisions with cars and disease. Through anecdotes and personal experiences, the speaker emphasizes the importance of conservation efforts and educates about the challenges faced by these endangered animals.
Harry Turner moved to the Peruvian Amazon following a life altering military tour of the American-led invasion of Afghanistan. When Harry Turner was filming his life in the Amazon Jungle, the last thing he expected was for his footage to turn into an award winning nature documentary. SPONSORS https://buy.ver.so/danny - Use code DANNY to save 15% on your first order. https://pxg.com/danny - Get FREE shipping on all equipment. EPISODE LINKS https://www.emeraldarch.org https://www.instagram.com/harry__turner Wildcat Doc: https://amzn.to/49X72MZ FOLLOW DANNY JONES https://www.instagram.com/dannyjones https://twitter.com/jonesdanny OUTLINE 00:00 - Producing WILDCAT 08:17 - Joining the military 17:36 - Military combat in Afghanistan 35:42 - Why Harry went to the Amazon Jungle 49:43 - Logging industry in Peru 53:04 - Rescuing a baby ocelot 01:02:26 - Most frightening animals in the Amazon rainforest 01:18:29 - Humans don't belong in the Amazon jungle 01:19:49 - Uncontacted tribes 01:32:08 - Ecuador 01:39:29 - Reintroducing animals to the jungle 01:47:28 - Amazon burn & destruction funded by China 01:54:14 - Will Harry ever see Keanu again? 01:59:37 - Exotic animal trade 02:03:34 - Insane adventures of Andrew Ucles & Cane toads 02:12:58 - Ancient sites in Australia 02:18:03 - Florida everglades & Florida panther 02:29:10 - Mysterious effects of snake venom
