Podcast Summary: “From Application to Impact: Kiessling Prize Winners Speak”

Robin’s Nest from American Humane
Host: Dr. Robin Ganzert
Date: March 2, 2026

Episode Overview

In this impactful episode of Robin’s Nest, Dr. Robin Ganzert celebrates the Kiessling International Prize for Species Conservation by bringing together diverse voices of leading researchers and conservationists. Winners and finalists—including Dr. Kathleen Dasinski, Dr. Arnaud Debilly, Professor Theo Pagel, and Dr. Jon Paul Rodriguez—share stories and insights from their pioneering work, discuss the urgent realities of species conservation, and explain the role and ripple effects of the Kiessling Prize in amplifying their missions.
Listeners are treated to firsthand accounts of innovative research, capacity building in South America, the transformation of zoos, the global extinction crisis, and the practical hope and strategies for biodiversity's future.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Setting the Stage: The Power of Research in Changing Narratives

• Dr. Kathleen Dasinski discusses her groundbreaking work studying killer whales and dolphins in both wild and managed care:
  • Orcas Are Dolphins: Clarifies the common misconception—killer whales (“orcas”) are actually the largest dolphin species.
    • [00:52] “Are they whales?”
    • [00:59] Dr. Dasinski: “No, they’re dolphins.”
  • Surface Activity Parity: Her research, employing video analysis of killer whales both in the wild and in managed care, reveals no significant difference in behaviors like socializing, playing, and resting.
    • [01:45] Dr. Ganzert: “...your research shows that there’s really no difference in their social activities for a killer whale in human care and one in the wild?”
    • [02:07] Dr. Dasinski: “Correct. When we're looking at their activity levels... we've compared that information to the literature... and... we're not really seeing any differences.”
  • Comparative Underwater Behaviors: New footage and analysis affirm similar underwater interactions, regardless of size or environment.
    • [03:09] Dr. Dasinski: “So killer whale to killer whale is the same as how bottlenose dolphins and spotted dolphins act to each other... they use their bodies, actions, behaviors the same way.”

From Science to Impact: The Role of the Kiesling Prize

• Dr. Dasinski, a finalist, describes the immense value of the prize in expanding outreach and education:
  • [04:21] Dr. Dasinski: “The recognition will expand our reach... I like to say that our reach is small but mighty... collaborating with Global Humane... means we can reach that many more people.”

Championing Coexistence: Conservation in Action in South America

• Dr. Arnaud Debilly, recipient of the 2024 Kiesling Prize, introduces the Wild Animal Conservation Institute (“Instituto de Conservacion de Animais Silvestres”):
  • The institute’s expanded mission now promotes harmonious coexistence between humans and wildlife across four South American biomes: Pantanal, Cerrado, Amazon, and Atlantic Forest.
    • [06:25] Dr. Debilly: “Our mission is to promote a more peaceful, a more harmonious coexistence between people and animals.”
  • Threats to Giant Armadillos: Fire is a major threat, especially in the Pantanal. Community fire brigades—organized and equipped by the institute—protect both wildlife habitats and local livelihoods.
    • [08:21] Dr. Ganzert: “Which would destroy the habitat for the armadillos...”
    • [08:23] Dr. Debilly: “It would destroy the habitat for the armadillos, but also the livelihood of the ranches.”
  • Investing in the Next Generation: Prize funds will be used for training interns and fostering international exchange among young conservationists from Brazil, Colombia, Paraguay, and beyond.
    • [09:59] Dr. Ganzert: “I love that you’re working with the next generation of conservationists...”

Zoos as Modern Conservation Centers

• Professor Theo Pagel, another Kiesling Prize recipient, highlights the transformation of zoos into science-driven conservation and education hubs.
  • [10:39] Prof. Pagel: “Zoos have changed... Zoos are conservation and education centers nowadays, scientifically run... We can contribute, reach out to the people, we can really get them interested, enthusiastic... Without biodiversity, we cannot live.”
  • Promotes long-term thinking in conservation policy:
    • [13:22] Prof. Pagel: “Don’t think in terms of your election. You have to think in five, 10, 20 years. We cannot wait for the future generation to do that. It’s up to us...”
  • Shares a success story of ecological restoration:
    • [13:52] Prof. Pagel: “As a young boy, I would not have been able to swim in the Rhine because it was so much chemicals inside. And now salmons are swimming again up to the river. So we have these stories of success.”

The Science and Urgency of Extinction — and the Power of Hope

• Dr. Jon Paul Rodriguez, inaugural Kiessling Prize recipient and conservation leader, underscores the role of teamwork, visibility, and funding in conservation achievements.
  • [14:42] Dr. Rodriguez: “All the work that we do is teamwork...a lot of the motivation and the support for a group comes from being known... the prize allowed us to do both things.”
  • Sixth Mass Extinction: Explains today’s extinction crisis, its human causes, and the unprecedented rate of species loss.
    • [15:55] Dr. Rodriguez: “...prior to the present, there were five of these mass extinction events... the current extinction rates are anywhere between 10 and 10,000 times larger than these background extinction rates... this time, we know it’s our activities mainly since the Industrial Revolution...”
  • Rewilding and Individual Action: Rewilding can be hands-on or hands-off, but the principle is restoring nature’s processes; he cautions listeners not to be overwhelmed and stresses that cumulative action drives change.
    • [17:53] Dr. Rodriguez: “Rewilding means, to me, to let nature be nature... Ultimately, what you’re really facilitating is the natural processes to act in their own dimension.”
    • [19:41] Dr. Rodriguez: “Do not give up. Realize that as individuals, we have power and we can make a difference.”
    • [20:07] Dr. Rodriguez: “Everyone can make a difference.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On changing perceptions with science:
  • [01:45] Dr. Ganzert: “...your research shows that there’s really no difference in their social activities for a killer whale in human care and one in the wild?”
  • [02:07] Dr. Dasinski: “Correct. When we're looking at their activity levels... we’re not really seeing any differences.”
• On community-based conservation:
  • [08:23] Dr. Debilly: “It would destroy the habitat for the armadillos, but also the livelihood of the ranches. So it’s really some work that we do hand in hand... we all want the same thing.”
• On hope and collective responsibility:
  • [13:52] Prof. Pagel: “As a young boy, I would not have been able to swim in the Rhine... now salmons are swimming again... we have these stories of success. And yes, we can.”
• On the sixth extinction and urgency:
  • [16:38] Dr. Rodriguez: “...we say we’re going through a six mass extinction event... we know that the cause is human activities...”
• On action and optimism:
  • [19:41] Dr. Rodriguez: “Do not give up. Realize that as individuals, we have power and we can make a difference.”
  • [20:07] Dr. Ganzert/Dr. Rodriguez: “Everyone can make a difference.”

Important Timestamps

• 00:52–03:38 – Orcas and Dolphins: New Research and Conservation Implications (Dr. Dasinski)
• 04:21 – The personal and global impact of the Kiesling Prize (Dr. Dasinski)
• 06:25–09:59 – Armadillo and Anteater Conservation, Biomes, Community Fire Brigades, and Education (Dr. Debilly)
• 10:39–13:52 – Zoos as modern conservation leaders and transformative projects (Prof. Pagel)
• 14:42–20:07 – Teamwork in conservation, the sixth mass extinction explained, and calling listeners to individual action (Dr. Rodriguez)

Final Thoughts

The episode poignantly highlights the intersection of science, passion, community, and individual agency in the fight for a humane world. Each guest demonstrates not only groundbreaking work but the optimism rooted in evidence and collaboration. The repeated chorus: everyone can make a difference—resonates as both a challenge and an invitation.

If you value animal welfare and biodiversity, this episode is an inspiring, knowledge-rich listen that makes the global, urgent work of species conservation feel both local and possible.