Hello and welcome to this week’s Wildlife Matters Podcast. I’m your host, Nigel Palmer.

In today’s Bonus episode, we will look back over our first 50, yes, 5-0 episodes, that is, four complete series, and chat through some of the highlights and challenges. We will celebrate the fantastic wildlife and some of the incredible people we have spoken to and discuss what it’s been like to start a podcast and build a community from scratch.

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It's time to review our first four series and this 52nd episode of the Wildlife Matters podcast.

It feels strange reflecting on my work and passion in public, and perhaps that is one of the reasons I preferred to review our first fifty episodes rather than do a stand-alone Q&A that many of you asked for.

Wildlife Matters journey started with a lifelong love of wildlife and an appreciation of nature and the natural world we share with wild animals.

It also comes from the deeply held belief that we are all animals and a massive aversion to those who take pleasure in hunting or persecuting them for their fur and body parts, testing medications and inflicting diseases on them, or forcing them to perform for our entertainment.

REFLECTING ON THE JOURNEY

When I started this podcast, I had a vision. I dreamt of creating a community of wildlife and nature lovers where we could talk about

and celebrate Wildlife and the wonders of the natural world.

I wanted to share stories, inspire, and help each other grow.

I never imagined we’d reach this incredible milestone.

It is not only 52 episodes or four series but, as you will find out as we go along, I am so proud to have created a passionate and engaged community that will take action and like to celebrate wildlife and the natural world.

We will use our collective voice now to benefit wildlife and the natural world, continue to share each other's stories and grow into a genuine force for good.

It’s been a journey filled with ups and downs, moments of doubt, but most importantly, moments of pure joy.

We’ve had some incredible conversations with inspiring guests, and I’m so grateful to each of them for being such a vital part of our journey.

In Series Five, we will bring you more conversations with people working with or for wildlife and nature.

Why Wildlife Matters?

From the beginning, the goal was to build a community based on mutual love and appreciation of wildlife and nature, sharing stories and experiences to engage, motivate and inspire others to follow their passions and beliefs to help wildlife and nature in their unique way.

Wildlife Matters was born from a passion and a lifelong love for wildlife and the natural world.

With over 30 years of experience working for wildlife and conservation charities in the UK, Africa, and Asia, I have gained invaluable insights into species protection, conservation, and habitat management.

We have a profound love for plants and trees and all aspects of Nature, including habitats, Oceans and rivers, but our absolute passion is wildlife species.

In addition, our practical experience in Woodland Management and Horticulture has given us the tools to make a difference in the fight to protect our natural world.

We have hands-on experience working with sick and injured animals on the frontline in a busy wildlife rescue.

For over forty years, I have, along with many others, taken direct action against hunters and anyone who persecutes wildlife for so-called sport.

Our knowledge and experience are as diverse and varied as they are broad.

British wildlife is not only beautiful and unique but also fascinating and varied.

While our mammals may not be the largest, they possess unique qualities and live in many habitats, including the...