Is the South American Vicuna Trade an example of why trade bans work?, Namibia plans to dehorn 600 rhino, poaching gang receives hefty sentence, documentaries to watch, convergence intelligence report makes for good reading, and Homeland Security ups its game.

Poaching kingpin arrested, rhino horn seizure stats suggest the war is shifting, transit routes for poached rhino are changing, isn't it time we stopped the benign trophy hunting defence arguments?, half the world's rhino's are in private hands - how does this change the game?, and have you ever heard a rhino fart?

Rhino poaching break through, an 11th hour interdict derails key legislation, should the state financially support captive lion breeders?, trophy hunting stats are in, and the UK adds more wildlife to its ivory ban.

In response to the failed auction of the world’s largest rhino breeding facility, we answer your questions.

Controversial rhino breeder and pro-trade protagonist John Hume is forced to sell the world’s largest rhino breeding facility he has built since 2008. But what does this mean for rhino conservation? We explore the details of the auction and its potential effects.

Munu the blind black rhino finds a new home.

The team contemplates the “region beta paradox” as a reason why we don’t see sufficient urgency and how this influences donor expectations in conservation circles.

Julian Rademeyr’s latest report showcases a grim reality of corruption and its influence on wildlife crime around Kruger National Park. In the weeks after the release, alleged kingpin, Chief Clyde Mnisi, is assassinated and shortly thereafter his wife is gunned down in her home. We explore this decentralization of poaching as a result of the disruptions to syndicates in Kruger and what it means for law enforcement elsewhere.

Poaching in South Africa’s eastern cape province is on the rise but why is this perhaps more concerning than other areas?

Convergence Intelligence is showing signs of real impact in the illegal wildlife trade. A recent conference hosted by Prince William’s United for Wildlife, showcased some extraordinary successes in the growing partnerships between the private and public sector, and intelligence agencies.

India’s conservation successes could yield further evidence in the value of community-based responses to poaching and human wildlife conflict. Should we be de-militarizing our response to wildlife protection?

A new white paper from SA Minister Creecy gives us hope, New research shows how trophy hunting is failing communities in Botswana, shark killing contests in Florida spark public outcry, top takeaways from the UN Ocean Conference, new carbon credit product from Gabon, and a new docu-series tells the tale of dogs on the front line of conservation.

5 African countries sign the Hwange declaration - a commitment to pressure CITES to open trade in ivory for one fire sale. The concept is fundamentally flawed - we explain why. Deforestation accelerates in Brazil. We unpack the empty promises made at COP26 in Glasgow last year. Should you be able to buy a puppy from a commercial breeder in the USA?

Is tourism in Africa recovering? Rob Barber shares his insights, Home Depot's procurement policies under fire, Kilo9Academy needs your help, remember the tiger that escaped in Texas last year? here's an update, we push the Big Cat Public Safety Act, and finally, how important is convergence intelligence in the illegal wildlife trade?

Poachers are using tranquillizers in India, the Kering group represent a need for authentic change in the fashion industry, could donkeys go extinct!?, should companies be accepting more responsibility for the state of the planet?, updates on the Big Cat Public Safety Act and could we see slaughter free meat products sooner than later?

rhino review.org is updated and Peter shares some interesting info about rhino evolution, scientists believe they've found the asteroid that wiped out the dinosaurs, Louise de Waal from Blood Lions joins the discussion, Wild Choices, their new program will help tourists make ethical decisions and rhino relocated for the their own protection.

Botswana's largest elephant killed by trophy hunter, Canada opens its questionable seal clubbing season, rhino are being relocated back to Mozambique but is it safe?, should we be endorsing mining companies that invest in conservation or is it just greenwashing?, Doomism could be worse than denialism, GEF gets a commitment of US$600m from Biden and Shannon launches rhino documentary.

We discuss some successes in global IWT prosecutions, Care For Wild rescue another orphan, Indonesia's palm oil industry under scrutiny yet again, what are the best conservation methodologies? Does doing good make you happier? We discuss the science of kindness. Animal rescues in Ukraine are booming desperate and finally, are zoos truly contributing to conservation?

A new scholarship launches for women in conservation, major attack on rangers in Benin sends shock waves through conservation circles, hippo poaching is on the rise, IMF launches a conservation bond, CITES bizarrely approves intensive breeding of an endangered species, India achieves good results and a baby Sumatran rhino is born.

Is climate change to blame for the massive sinkholes on the seabed in the Arctic?, new research suggests the value of hunting in terms of conservation is massively overstated, do trophy hunting quotas offer any real value?, United for Wildlife host a conference and elephants in India are now being poisoned with Anthrax.

South Africa’s minister of the Department of Fisheries, Forest and the Environment recently announced South Africa’s commitment to trophy hunting by publicising the trophy hunting quota for the year ahead. Included in the heady mix of commercialised blood lust are 150 elephant, 10 leopard and shockingly, 10 critically endangered black rhino.

Peter and Simon take a deep look into the rationale behind these quotas and hope that minister will too.

Simon and Sylvia discuss her latest book, a collaboration with the National Geographic Society entitled “Ocean, A Global Odyssey”. The conversation also explores the great “Anthropause”, the state of our oceans, the advancement of women in ocean conservation, the power of conscious consumerism, what we can learn from indigenous communities - and what we can teach them, and why there is cause for great optimism. Sylvia’s Mission Blue organization remains on the up and is truly worth supporting, especially the identifying and protecting of the world’s Hope Spots.

Rob Barber from Golden Africa Safaris joins us in studio as we discuss our reaction to a poorly penned article that argues for trophy hunting as a suggested force for conservation. Debate rages as we explore this contentious issue. Is the value of trophy hunting overstated? Are local communities truly engaged with? What drive trophy hunting as conservation?

Simon points out that arguing that anti hunters are the emotional ones, misses the point – are trophy hunters the overly emotional ones after all…? We think so and explain why…

Rob explains his deep love and affection for the potential role of anthropology in tourism, specifically in Botswana. But how do we honor first nation people in tourism and conservation? Golden Africa Safaris have perhaps got it right…

Jim Jeffries explains the hypocrisy and classism associated with trophy hunting. Crass, but he makes a good point.

The Anthropocene. What are the real implications and how quickly is it all happening?

Does Leonardo di Caprio’s latest film, Don’t Look Up hit the mark?

Is poverty being reversed?

Are our political and economic systems fit for purpose to reverse the damage big business has caused on the planet?

If there were no conservation or environmental charities in the world, where would be?

Some big questions unpacked on this week’s show…

We pay tribute to the late Dr Richard Leakey and discuss the enduring legacy he leaves behind. Daisy, the rhino calf orphaned in South Africa make s surprising friend and gets some designer clothes.