The Last Wild Islands - A Zambian Radio Interview

Summary

Podcast Summary: Blood Origins - The Last Wild Islands: A Zambian Radio Interview

Episode Overview Title: The Last Wild Islands - A Zambian Radio Interview
Host: Blood Origins Inc.
Release Date: July 18, 2025
Description: In this episode, Blood Origins Inc. delves into a compelling conversation with Dr. Robbie Kruger, a restoration ecologist and director of the documentary The Last Wild Islands. The discussion centers on Zambia's innovative community-driven approach to conservation, challenging traditional narratives around hunting and its role in wildlife preservation.

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Introduction to Dr. Robbie Kruger and the Documentary

Timestamp: [01:03]

Host Mishy introduces Dr. Robbie Kruger, highlighting his diverse background—born in Brazil, raised in South Africa, and now based in the US. Dr. Kruger is recognized for his work in conservation through his nonprofit, Blood Origins, and his influential documentary, The Last Wild Islands. The documentary aims to reshape perceptions of hunting and its impact on wildlife and communities.

Choosing Lake Kariba: A Natural Experiment

Timestamp: [02:37]

Dr. Kruger explains why Lake Kariba was selected as the setting for the documentary:

"It's a unique environment...an experiment of sorts...we can document in a natural way" ([02:37]).

He details how the islands of Lake Kariba serve as a natural experiment to examine the effects of hunting bans on wildlife. By comparing areas with differing levels of hunting restrictions, the documentary seeks to demonstrate that wildlife thrives when hunting is regulated, challenging the notion that hunting is inherently detrimental to conservation.

Challenging the Narrative on Hunting and Conservation

Timestamp: [03:34]

The conversation shifts to how the documentary confronts long-held beliefs about hunting:

"There's been this belief that hunting is bad for wildlife, that hunting is bad for conservation...we haven't done a very good job of explaining who we are" ([03:44]).

Dr. Kruger emphasizes the need to communicate the positive aspects of hunting, such as its benefits to people, wildlife, and local communities. He argues that hunting, when managed responsibly, can contribute to conservation efforts by providing economic incentives to preserve wildlife and habitats.

Role of Local Zambian Communities in Conservation

Timestamp: [04:51]

Mishy inquires about the involvement of local communities:

"Local Zambians are the ones that are protecting wildlife...they have to show wildlife having a value" ([04:59]).

Dr. Kruger highlights that Zambian communities are pivotal in safeguarding wildlife. By valuing wildlife through game meat, hunting, and ecotourism, these communities derive tangible benefits such as employment, protein sources, education, and healthcare improvements. This community-first approach ensures sustainable conservation efforts that are economically and socially beneficial.

Zambia's Unique Conservation Model on the Global Stage

Timestamp: [06:06]

The discussion explores how Zambia's model stands out globally:

"What makes Zambia stand out is the people...they are on the global stage of conservation" ([06:15]).

Dr. Kruger praises the Zambian people for their friendliness and dedication to conservation. He contrasts Zambia’s effective community-driven strategies with other regions, emphasizing that Zambia has not yet fully communicated its successful conservation story to the world. Through his documentary, Dr. Kruger aims to showcase Zambia's contributions and inspire similar efforts elsewhere.

Future Implications and Takeaways from The Last Wild Islands

Timestamp: [07:29]

In closing, Dr. Kruger shares his vision for the documentary's impact:

"The narrative that hunting is bad...it's nonsensical...wildlife needs to have value and hunting brings that value" ([07:36]).

He urges audiences to reconsider preconceived notions about hunting and recognize its role in wildlife conservation. Dr. Kruger hopes that The Last Wild Islands will foster a deeper understanding of how hunting, when properly managed, supports sustainable ecosystems and community development. He invites listeners to engage with the documentary and continue the conversation through social media and other platforms.

Conclusion and Call to Action

Timestamp: [09:38]

Mishy wraps up the interview by encouraging listeners to view the documentary:

"What if saving wildlife means rethinking what we've always believed? And what if the answers are already unfolding right here on Zambia's own Lake Kariba?" ([09:38]).

She calls on the audience to watch The Last Wild Islands on YouTube to form their own opinions and engage with the ongoing conservation dialogue.

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Key Takeaways:

• Reevaluating Hunting: The documentary challenges the negative perception of hunting, presenting it as a viable tool for conservation when regulated effectively.
• Community-Centric Conservation: Successful wildlife preservation in Zambia hinges on empowering local communities by demonstrating the tangible benefits of protecting wildlife.
• Global Conservation Leadership: Zambia's unique approach and the efforts of its people position the country as a significant player in global conservation initiatives.
• Call for Open Dialogue: Encouraging open-mindedness and informed discussions about the complexities of hunting and conservation can lead to more effective and sustainable environmental stewardship.

Notable Quotes:

• "We're advocating for no wildlife, you're advocating for a system in which wildlife isn't valued." – Dr. Robbie Kruger ([07:36])
• "If you put communities first...you will recognize the values that come from protecting that wildlife." – Dr. Robbie Kruger ([04:59])
• "You don't have to like hunting...but I would hope that you now have a better understanding of its role in wildlife conservation." – Dr. Robbie Kruger ([07:36])

Final Note: Listeners are encouraged to watch The Last Wild Islands to gain a comprehensive understanding of Zambia's conservation efforts and to reassess their perspectives on hunting's role in environmental sustainability.

Transcript

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[Mishy]

Midway USA.com today we're diving into conversation. Conversation. I need to be clear about these two words. Conversation. Conservation. Okay, Today we're diving into a conversation that places Zambia at the very heart of a global conservation spotlight. Now Joining us is Dr. Robbie Krager. His he's a restoration ecologist and director of the groundbreaking documentary the Last Wild Islands, a film that's stirring powerful conversations around the world. Now, born in Brazil, raised in South Africa and now based in the US Dr. Robbie has spent his life surrounded by nature, from the vast wilds of Kruger national park to the remote islands of Lake Kariba right here in Zambia. Now, through his nonprofit Blood Origins, he's built a global platform to explore the complex and sometimes controversial truths of conservation. Now, in his new film, he invites us to question what we think we know about hunting, wildlife and human impact. But more importantly, he shines a light on Zambia's innovative, community driven approach to environmental stewardship. Help me welcome to Sweetheart Radio Dr. Robbie Kruger as we explore his journey, his connection to Zambia, and the bold message behind the Last wild islands. So, Dr. Robbie, what was it about Zambia and specifically Lake Kariba that made it the right setting for this powerful and unconventional conservation story?

[Dr. Robbie Kruger]

What was it about Lake Kariba that made us pick this? You know, it's a unique environment. As a scientist, you're always looking for areas in this world that you can document in a natural way. An experiment of sorts and essentially one of the things that we've challenged ourselves from a hunting community perspective is how can we challenge the narrative that hunting is actually bad for wildlife? Well, you have to flip it on its head and you have to prove that there are areas that where hunting doesn't occur, that wildlife doesn't occur either. And so these islands presented this beautiful natural experiment opportunity to show a gradient of where there is no hunting. Essentially, hunting has been banned. The middle, where hunting is also banned, but there is a little bit of protection and then on this end that hunting is allowed. And what does the wildlife look like in those scenarios? That's essentially what we were able to do in the islands of Lake Kariba.

[Mishy]

The documentary challenges long held beliefs about hunting and conservation. How did your time in Zambia influence your perspective on this issue?

[Dr. Robbie Kruger]

Yeah, whenever we build these documentaries, we want to challenge narrative, we want to challenge rhetoric, we want to challenge beliefs. And unfortunately, for the last 15 to 20 years of the advent of social media, there's been this belief that hunting is bad for wildlife, that hunting is bad for conservation. And honestly, the rhetoric is on us, it's on the hunting community. We haven't done a very good job of explaining who we are. We haven't done a great job of explaining what hunting does for people, for wildlife and communities. And so there are many, many places in Zambia, Kariba being one of them. The islands of Kariba, further up the stream of the Zambezi, in a place called Kambu Kezi, in a place in Decca, and lots of other places in the Kafui Luanga. They are just lots of places where you can look at hunting and you can see its benefits to people, its benefits to wildlife and its benefits to communities. And so that's what we want to do, is we want to challenge these, these somehow ingrained beliefs that have come as a result of us not actually telling our true story. And that's what we're about, telling our true story.

[Mishy]

And what role did local Zambian communities play in the conservation work you documented? And what do you think the world can learn from their approach?

[Dr. Robbie Kruger]

Zambian communities are critical to the conservation work that we've documented. Local Zambians are the ones that are protecting wildlife. They don't have to be white, they can be black, they can be any color. They're just Zambians. And Zambians love wildlife and they want to protect wildlife. And to do that, you have to show wildlife having a value, whether that's a game meat value, whether that's a hunting value, whether that's an ecotourism value. And so that's what the local Zambian communities are doing. And I think that when you, when you put communities first, you put the, the people who own the land first, like communities or private landowners, you will see the benefits to wildlife immediately because they will recognize the values that come from protecting that wildlife. Those values come in the form of jobs. That value comes in the form of protein. Value comes in the form of community upliftment with medical opportunities, with schooling and education opportunities, and for investment opportunities.

[Mishy]

So you've worked around and traveled the world. How does Zambia's conservation model compare and what makes it stand out on the global stage?

[Dr. Robbie Kruger]

Yeah, I think the best thing about this job is the amount of places I get to see and the amount of people that I get to interact with. But, you know, I'm South African originally. Again, I'm blessed to go all over the world, but I love, love, love Africa and I love the people of Africa. And, you know, when we first came into Zambia, we came through the port of Victoria Falls and into Livingston, and I just fell in love with the people of Zambia. I can't explain to you, even just in the customs queue, how friendly people were and how everyone was smiling and everyone was so happy. And it didn't matter if it was just a rural village to a big town like Lusaka or to Livingston. It was the people of Zambia is what makes Zambia, and it's what makes conservation work. In Zambia are the people. So, you know, I think you guys are on the global stage of conservation. I don't think, like many places, you've told your story correctly. It's one of my jobs is to tell your story correctly, to show the benefits, to show the work that the people of Zambia are doing for wildlife conservation on the global stage. And I was super honored to be able to do that.

[Mishy]

Lastly, what do you hope Zambians and the global audience can take away from the last wild islands? Especially as we look toward the future.

[Dr. Robbie Kruger]

Of conservation, you know, there's always much, much, much bigger pictures and bigger fish to catch. When you put something like the Lost Wild Islands documentary out there, you know, the very simplest, lowest thing that I hope that everyone can take away from the Lost Wild Islands is that this narrative that hunting is bad, this narrative that hunting is evil, this public relations campaign of trying to get rid of hunting, it's, it's nonsensical. It, it doesn't make any sense. If you're, if you're advocating to get rid of hunting, as you saw in the film, you're advocating for no wildlife you're advocating for a system in which wildlife isn't valued and something else will replace it. Human habitation will replace it. Goats, cattle, sheep will replace it. Wildlife needs to have value and hunting brings that value. And it brings value in many, many, many different forms. As I've already explained in this interview, that is the simplest thing that I want everyone in Zambia and the world to understand is that you may not like hunting, you may not be a hunter yourself, but it doesn't mean you don't understand the benefits that come from hunting. It's like music. You don't have to like music or specific genre or specific band to appreciate it or to appreciate that somebody else likes it. Same thing with hunting. You don't have to like it, you don't have to do it. But I would hope that you now have a better understanding of its role in wildlife conservation because of the Lost Wild Islands film that we, that we produce. I really appreciate the opportunity Mishy from halfway around the world to be able to speak with you and your listeners. And if anybody has any questions, they can feel free to direct message us on Facebook, on Instagram, or send us an email infobloodorigins.com and yeah, I really appreciate your time. I really appreciate this opportunity to put this message and what we've done with the Lost Wild Islands in front of of Zambia and your listeners. So thank you.

[Mishy]

All right, now, clearly Dr. Ravi has given us a lot to think about, from the surprising realities of conservation to Zambia's leading role in protecting the wild. So here's something I want you to walk away with thinking today. Think of it like a food for thought, if you may. What if saving wildlife means rethinking what we've always believed? And what if the answers are already unfolding right here on Zambia's own Lake Kariba? H. Now, in case you haven't already, please head out to YouTube and search for and search the last Wild islands. Watch it for yourself, and I'm curious to hear your opinion thereafter. All right, we take a short break. We'll be back on the other side on Sweetheart Radio.

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