WKU News

Dr. Bruce Schulte, who conducts research on human-elephant conflict, installs fence at a study site in Kenya. He will be featured in an upcoming series from The Deal With Animals podcast.

Dr. Bruce Schulte, University Distinguished Professor of Biology, will be featured on a special series from The Deal With Animals podcast.

Dr. Schulte, who conducts research on human-elephant conflict in Kenya, participated in an episode of the Anthropogenic Behavior Change series that will be available May 6 for download and streaming on all major podcast platforms. The remaining episodes will be available on May 13.

“This episode takes a deep dive into the multifaceted relationship between humans and wildlife, exploring conflict, coexistence, and the critical role of ecosystem engineers in biodiversity,” podcast host, creator, and anthrozoologist Marika S. Bell said. “Dr. Bruce Schulte stands out for his profound insights into human-elephant conflicts and the innovative mitigation strategies being employed."

Bell said the podcast series, sparked by a symposium at the Animal Behavior Society conference in 2023 in Portland, Oregon, delves into the topic of anthropogenic behavior change, focusing on how human activities affect wildlife behavior.

“Coordinators Dr. Liz Peterson, Dr. Bruce Schulte, and Dr. Brett Seymoure, alongside other experts, will discuss the significant impacts of human-induced stressors on global species, ecosystems, and the concept of the Anthropocene, defined as the current era marked by human influence leading to the sixth mass extinction," Bell said. "The series aims to explore conservation behavior's role in mitigating these effects through understanding and managing wildlife behavior amidst human disturbances such as fires, urbanization, and pollution.”

While The Deal With Animals podcast is known for its accessibility for listeners to understand the human and animal connection, this series has been specially curated with university students and scholars in mind. Featuring some of the most prominent voices in the multidisciplinary field of ecology from the United States and beyond, listeners will hear from cognitive, behavioral and aquatic ecologists, field researchers and wildlife conservation experts.

“The series will feature discussions on how to leverage human activity positively for conservation, with insights on management strategies that align with natural animal behaviors,” Bell said. “Scheduled for two release dates, this series seeks to engage listeners in understanding their relationship with the natural world, the systemic and individual impacts of their actions on wildlife, and the necessary behavioral changes required to foster positive environmental outcomes.”

The trailer for the series is available on The Deal With Animals website or on The Deal With Animals blog. For more, follow any listening platform or follow The Deal With Animals blog, newsletter, Facebook or Instagram page.

About The Deal With Animals: The Deal With Animals is an independent anthrozoology podcast created and hosted by anthrozoologist and certified professional dog trainer, Marika S. Bell. Created in 2021, the podcast features conversations with an international array of scholars and professionals with the mission to make research more accessible to the public, while sharing the voices and lived experience of our human connection with animals. For more information, visit thedealwithanimals.com.