We were thrilled to have Ranger Louie on for our July podcast episode, in celebration of world ranger day (July 31st) and all the incredible women rangers on the front line of conservation! Louie is an absolute firecracker- currently working as a ranger in Western Australia, and bringing us on her adventures through her Youtube and Instagram channels. From starting studying paramedicine, to firefighting in her role as a ranger, we heard all about Louie's journey in getting to where she is today. We gained insight into the extremely diverse role that is being a ranger, and what a typical (well, as learn there is no such thing) day as a ranger entails. Louie talks us through what it is like being a woman in the ranger field, which is still largely dominated by men, and how she aims to bring light to this important role and inspire future Ranger Louie's through her Youtube channel.

You can find Louie on Instagram @ranger_louie and on Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@ranger_louie

Any questions or queries contact womeninwildlife@outlook.com

Links to our resources:

Website: https://women-in-wildlife.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/women.in.wildlife/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077369770841
Linked in: https://www.linkedin.com/company/womeninwildlife

Music by Thomas Hagen from SLAUX

We were fortunate enough to have Unathi Makwange join us for our June episode! Unathi is a wildlife projects coordinator in training from Pretoria, South Africa, with a deep-rooted passion for nature, storytelling, and making a difference in the conservation space. We learn all about Unathi's journey in getting to this role at the age of 20 years old, including rejection, pivoting, and ultimately finding her calling in the South African bush. In this chat Unathi was wise beyond her years, and provides listeners with insights into life as a young woman in wildlife in South Africa, along with offering some very important pieces of advice for those wanting to pursue a similar path.

You can find Unathi on instagram at @shivagonewild

Any questions or queries contact womeninwildlife@outlook.com

Links to our resources:

Website: https://women-in-wildlife.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/women.in.wildlife/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077369770841
Linked in: https://www.linkedin.com/company/womeninwildlife

Music by Thomas Hagen from SLAUX

Welcome back with the WIW podcast listeners!

For our May episode we were joined by Ellesha Veness, who is an experienced zookeeper and professional wildlife rescuer. Ellesha shared her career journey with us from breaking into the industry, to working as a zookeeper in some of Australia's most iconic zoos; The Australian Reptile Park and Australia Zoo, to her role as a wildlife rescuer at the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital. In the latter role, Ellesha undertook some seriously unique and exciting wildlife rescues of our native animals, and we were lucky enough to gain insight into a few of these rescues. Ellesha was also generous enough to talk us through her long battle with endometriosis. We heard about the hurdles she has been faced with dealing with menstrual health within the wildlife industry, as well as what changes she would like to see to better accommodate other women working in the industry. This episode is not only for women dealing with menstrual health issues, but anyone dealing with chronic health problems, and further to all people in the workplace (particularly leaders) who can help support the large percentage of women who are battling these often invisible diseases. Our listeners were left with some fantastic advice from Ellesha- we cannot wait for you all to hear!

You can follow Ellesha on instagram at @elleshaveness, and access her blog post about endometriosis here:
https://lifeofellesha.wordpress.com/2025/03/09/another-endometriosis-story/?fbclid=IwY2xjawKmWDJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFySVYzSzJqMHVEaXhvbFVrAR56ib0ouE3_327ICU-kZ6HeRRIkvsvwqV8VkvNpfiRStwZKfSr3XGU97fF8QQ_aem_HmAA1vK5GkYtw-A2ETzYbg

Any questions or queries contact womeninwildlife@outlook.com

Links to our resources:

Website: https://women-in-wildlife.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/women.in.wildlife/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077369770841
Linked in: https://www.linkedin.com/company/womeninwildlife

Music by Thomas Hagen from SLAUX