Local Animal Care & Conservation Experts Re-Launch Exciting Animal-Focused Podcast

From the ecological importance of owls to fish training, listeners are gaining incredible insight into everything there is to know about wildlife, conservation, and animal-focused careers – and all from industry experts. The re-launch of the Animal Talk podcast welcomes even more professional collaborations, with hosts Ryne Ferguson (Margate, KZN) and Ayrton King (Cape Town, Western Cape) releasing captivating new episodes weekly.

Meet the Dynamic Co-Hosts

With his passion for animals ignited early on, Ryne Ferguson started volunteering at The Joburg Zoo in his teens, before taking on a part-time position as Assistant Keeper. After completing courses in aviculture and animal behaviour he took up a more permeant position at Montecasino Bird Gardens as Bird Show Manager; Reserve Manager and Conservation Project Manager at The KZN Crane Foundation; He has since volunteered at Australia Zoo (started by renowned Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin); Bird Curator at Crocworld Conservation Centre; and now Estate Manager at Serenity Hills.

“I started the podcast during lockdown 2020 to try to connect everyone in the animal industry and to share industry insights and knowledge. After the first 10 episodes, lockdown eased off and work started up, but I feel the time is right for the re-launch of Animal Talk with a whole new look and feel.”

The re-launch introduces co-host Ayrton King, an Aquarist at Cape Town’s Two Oceans Aquarium. Like Ryne, Ayrton began volunteering in high school before joining the aquarium full-time after matric, spending eight years as a Keeper caring for penguins, freshwater fish, and amphibians.

Ayrton now manages the aquarium’s second-largest exhibit, home to stingrays, marine fish, and sea turtles, and contributes to coral care and jellyfish breeding — including species never before displayed globally. Passionate about animal behaviour, he leads training programmes to enhance welfare and visitor engagement and also serves as the aquarium’s lead Comms Diver.

Both Ayrton and Ryne are committee members of the South African Animal Keepers Association (SAAKA), allowing them to access the best in the animal care industry. Additionally, Ryne in the past has sat on the subcommittee for the International Association of Avian Trainers and Educators (IAATE) in the USA as a representative of the African continent, as well as the previous, Animal Keepers Association of Africa (AKAA) as a committee member.

Exceptional Insights on Animal Talk

This uniquely South African podcast focuses on animal care, training, and behaviour – bringing seasoned professionals and newcomers together to share their experiences in wildlife, zoo, aquarium, and conservation settings.

Complemented by the Animal Talk Podcast social media groups led by Ryne, the podcast gives listeners insight into various animal professions, from zookeeping and veterinary care to wildlife conservation. It’s great for individuals looking to find out more about how to get involved in such careers and conservation efforts, supporting a growing network of animal-care professionals in Southern Africa and beyond.

“The podcast also serves to offer really practical advice and actionable tips on career building for those in the animal care profession,” explains Ryne. “This includes tips on preventing burnout, behaviour training, and the welfare best practices.”

The latest Animal Talk episodes include:

• ‘Something Seems Fishy’ (episode 11), which explores fish training with a qualified aquarist.
• ‘Keeper Burnout’ (episode 12) is an open and informative discussion on dealing with stress in animal care professions.
• The latest ‘Getting into the Industry’ (episode 13) dives into various ways people can break into the conservation industry.

While the re-launch includes an exciting new format, listeners will also benefit from keen insights on previous Animal Talk episodes, including career journeys, working with African wildlife, bird training in global settings (from Australia to America and in between!), as well as reptile care and awareness.

Listeners can also tune in for upcoming episodes featuring guest Gabby Harris, a world-renowned animal trainer and behaviourist,and Author of two books “Touching Animal Souls” and “Animal Grace”, discussing her choice of control for animals in training and everyday life. SAAKA committee members are also set to feature in the coming weeks in the lead up to an Animal Welfare workshop at The Joburg Zoo.

Tune Into Animal Talk

New episodes of Animal Talk Podcast drop every Sunday!

All 14 episodes of Animal Talk are available on streaming services, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Pocket Casts, and YouTube (AnimalTalkPodcast_ZA). The Animal Talk Podcast is also available on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

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Author: Agnes Matladi from Olivia Jones Communications on behalf of Animal Talk.