Jeff Corwin explores the Great Plains' interconnected species. He aids bison re-establishment with Native American tribes and conserves black-footed ferrets, once thought extinct. Ferrets critically depend on prairie dogs, a keystone species decimated by habitat loss and Sylvatic plague, nearly causing their extinction. The species was famously rediscovered by a dog named Shep.

Conservation efforts involve canine teams, like Melissa Steen and Tule, locating ferrets in prairie dog burrows. Spotlight teams, including Chamois Andersen, then find and trap ferrets at night. Biologists like Jessica Alexander collect vital data and administer life-saving vaccines against Sylvatic plague, ensuring this fragile population's survival.

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Jeff Corwin joins conservationists in California to protect pinnipeds, including elephant seals and sea lions. Organizations like the Marine Mammal Care Center and Defenders of Wildlife are crucial in rescuing and rehabilitating these animals, which face severe threats from climate change, overfishing, habitat loss, and plastic pollution.

Corwin assists Dr. Lauren Palmer and Andy Johnson in rehabilitating four malnourished California sea lion pups, one of whom ingested plastic. After critical care, tagging, and weighing, the pups are successfully released back into the wild. This effort underscores the vital role of conservation in giving endangered animals a second chance and addressing environmental challenges for ecosystem health.

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Join host Jeff Corwin on an epic Alaskan adventure to help save some of North America’s most impressive feathered flyers. Jeff begins exploring the old-growth Tongass National Forest and learns how

Join host Jeff Corwin on an epic Alaskan adventure to help save some of North America’s most impressive feathered flyers. Jeff begins exploring the old-growth Tongass National Forest and learns how this ancient ecosystem has shaped the many birds that call it home. Later, Jeff visits the Alaska Raptor Center where he meets iconic bald eagles, beautiful great blue herons, lightning-quick goshawks, and helps rehabilitated birds return to the wild. Video Transcript: Jeff Corwin: Hey there, friends. I'm Jeff Corwin and welcome to what is going to be an awesome adventure today on Wildlife Nation. We are exploring one of the great wild frontiers in North America. Of course, I'm talking about Alaska, and to help launch our incredible journey, I'm  with Flash. Flash is a goshawk. And this is Pat. Pat works with Defenders of Wildlife. And Pat, I thought it'd be kind of fun to introduce this adventure with Flash, because this bird has a connection to this ecosystem. Patrick Lavin: Indeed, this bird thrives in this ecosystem, Jeff, and only in this ecosystem, in old-growth  forest, just as we have surrounding us here. Jeff Corwin: What's incredible about the goshawk is they are just superb predators. Their ability to negotiate and navigate through a bramble and tangle of branches is unmatched in the world of raptors. And Pat, this forest where we're standing is unmatched when it comes to national forests, isn't it? Patrick Lavin: That's the Tongass National Forest. It's by far our nation's largest forest and largest intact temperate rain forest in North America. Jeff Corwin: There are many classic celebrated Alaskan species that survive because of this forest. Patrick Lavin: For species like goshawks, wolves, bears, Sitka black-tailed deer. Jeff Corwin: Salmon. Patrick Lavin: Yes, all of these species depend on our keeping the old-growth forest intact. Jeff Corwin: It's lush. It's verdant, it's filled with life. But when it comes to issues like climate change, it's also critically important, isn't it? Patrick Lavin: Forests sequesters carbon, pulls carbon from the atmosphere, stores it in the trees and soil that you see here and does that better than almost any other landscape. So if you can keep the forest intact, allow it to continue serving that function, that's actually a natural carbon mitigation, a  natural solution. We've done a lot of logging in the past in the Tongass and it's removed a lot of habitat for species like the goshawk. Jeff Corwin: But the great news is that there are still millions of acres of Tongass National Forest. So I can't think of a better way for us to launch our incredible Alaskan adventure with Flash, the goshawk at my side. It's a little clue of the great adventure to come. Jeff Corwin: Goshawks belong to an incredibly powerful predatory group of birds known as raptors. These amazing airborne animals come in many shapes and sizes, but for today's adventure, we're connecting with one of the most iconic of them all, the bald eagle. Bald eagles are sea eagles that feed on fish, but also a variety of other forms of prey. They're one of North America's largest birds of prey. They build massive nests and they can live for decades. Jeff Corwin: This morning, we're visiting the world-renowned Alaska Raptor Center to help return a young bald eagle named Diesel back to the wild. Dr. V: This could be a challenge. Jeff Corwin: Why? Dr. V: The bird's up there. Jeff Corwin: Diesel was rescued and brought to the Raptor Center a few months ago after being hit by a car. But today, Diesel has recovered and this bald eagle is ready to fly. Dr. V: The goal is to get the eagle in a corner. We're going to have to move fast. Jeff Corwin: In order to get Diesel back into the wild, first we'll need to capture him. Jeff Corwin: All right. Dr. V: I'm going to have you... Actually don't throw your blanket, but let's just flick it and see. Jeff Corwin: See if we can get him to go down. Dr. V: That's all we needed. Jeff Corwin: Yeah. Dr. V: All right. It's good. You've got your... All right. We're going to move in slowly. Block its exit over there. There you go. Good. Jeff Corwin: There we go. Dr. V: Okay. What have you got? Okay. Are you going to let go? Nope. I am going to give this bird to you, but I want you to keep it really low because her head isn't covered. Jeff Corwin: Okay. Dr. V: So I'm going to keep a hold of things. Jeff Corwin: Yeah, I got them. Jeff Corwin: It will take a few more years for Diesel's feathers to develop the iconic white crown of adult bald eagles. Jeff Corwin: So what do you want to do to kind of keep the stress level down? Dr. V: Once we take away the visual stimulus on this bird, it's going to calm down. Jeff Corwin: So Diesel came to the Raptor Center in early summer. Diesel had a run in with an automobile. Dr. V: Yes. We've hit our character count. Leave us a comment for the rest of the transcript.

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Join host Jeff Corwin for a celebration of the Endangered Species Act by connecting with a few of the amazing species that have benefitted from the landmark legislation. To learn more about the

Join host Jeff Corwin for a celebration of the Endangered Species Act by connecting with a few of the amazing species that have benefitted from the landmark legislation. To learn more about the wildlife featured in the episode, visit www.defenders.org/wildlifenation Video Transcript: Jeff Corwin: The United States is home to some of the most spectacular landscapes and diverse wildlife on earth, and there's no better example than an iconic bird that's loved and admired from sea to shining sea.   Now that my friends is a powerful stare. For me, the bald eagle is not only a powerful symbol of the United States, but it is an incredible example of environmental stewardship, conservation, and the importance of the Endangered Species Act. Amazingly, not so long ago, this mighty bird species was pushed to the brink of extinction. But today, it is recovered and it is thriving because we all came together and we protected this amazing symbol of the United States. Jeff Corwin: The modern American environmental movement began in 1973 with the passage of landmark legislation called the Endangered Species Act. This crucial bipartisan law empowered our government to protect and manage vulnerable plants and animals, as well as the ecosystems upon which they depend. The Endangered Species Act has saved dozens of other threatened species from the brink of extinction, including one of my favorites, sea turtles. Today, we're exploring the beautiful beaches of Boca Raton, Florida, where several different sea turtle species make their nests. Jeff Corwin: This is Elizabeth Fleming, she works with Defenders of Wildlife. Her backyard is Florida. Her mission is Florida. This is David Anderson, and you're the sea turtle coordinator for Gumbo Limbo. David Anderson: Yes, I am the conservation coordinator for our five miles of beach in Boca Raton. Jeff Corwin: Awesome. Elizabeth, why are beaches like this critical to the survival of sea turtles? Elizabeth Fleming: Well, Florida is globally important for sea turtles. We have the largest nesting aggregations for loggerhead turtles in the entire world. Jeff Corwin: That's kind of amazing. Elizabeth Fleming: It's kind of amazing. Jeff Corwin: David, I think what's so special about Boca Raton is that a few decades ago, people had a sense of foresight. David Anderson: They had foresight to establish parks - beachfront parks in about half of all of Boca Raton's shoreline. Jeff Corwin: We've got a sea turtle nest right here. What species do you think? David Anderson: This is a loggerhead nest. This nest hatched three days ago, so now we are ready to excavate it and inventory its contents. Jeff Corwin: Awesome. Shall we start? David Anderson: Yes, we can start. Basically just start digging straight down, separate all the hatched shells. Elizabeth, can you help me sort. Elizabeth Fleming: I can. Jeff Corwin: Typically, how many stragglers would you find? David Anderson: I would say about half of the time we excavate nests, we find a live hatchling or two or sometimes three or four. Elizabeth Fleming: So they lay a lot of eggs and numbers are on their side to help them survive. Jeff Corwin: What's really promising is we're seeing a lot of empty shells. David Anderson: Right. Jeff Corwin: Which means, a lot of them got out alive. David Anderson: That's right. Elizabeth Fleming: One in 10,000 actually survive to become an adult and breed. The thing is if we just protect their habitat, they will do the rest. Jeff Corwin: They're indicator species. Elizabeth Fleming: Absolutely. Jeff Corwin: They're keystone species. Elizabeth Fleming: They are. Jeff Corwin: They're critical to the environment. They're a part of human culture. Elizabeth Fleming: They are. Jeff Corwin: It would be a sad world without them. Elizabeth Fleming: It sure would. Jeff Corwin: Oh, and it would be a sad world- Elizabeth Fleming: Did you find one? David Anderson: Look at there. Jeff Corwin: Look at that. Elizabeth Fleming: Look at that. Jeff Corwin: And it would be a sad world without this, and this is why this is so important. Because every sea turtle matters. This little straggler, buried deep in the nest, it's been liberated. In a little bit. David Anderson: Yep. Jeff Corwin: It's going home. Jeff Corwin: Of the seven sea turtle species roaming the oceans of our world, six of them make their nests on the beaches of America and all of them are listed as protected animals, under the Endangered Species Act.

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Join host Jeff Corwin on an adventure to the great state of Alaska as he explores a few of the incredible animals that call it home. Jeff begins on the shores of the icy Cook Inlet helping

Join host Jeff Corwin on an adventure to the great state of Alaska as he explores a few of the incredible animals that call it home. Jeff begins on the shores of the icy Cook Inlet helping conservationists monitor a population of endangered beluga whales. To learn more about the wildlife featured in the episode, visit www.defenders.org/wildlifenation Video Transcript: Jeff Corwin: For today's adventure, I'm traveling to America's last great frontier, the mighty state of Alaska. Alaska is a place of extremes. It is home to some of the most stunning landscapes on earth and a collection of North America's most iconic species. This morning we're exploring the massive Cook Inlet watershed located south of Anchorage. I'm joining Nicole Whittington-Evans from Defenders of Wildlife and Suzanne Steinert to help the ongoing conservation of the great white canaries of the sea. Jeff Corwin: Incredible. So we've got one beluga there and another one right here.  Nicole, when they come up, it's a flash, isn't it? Nicole Whittington-Evans: Yeah. It's just like a marshmallow surfacing on the water and then going back down. Jeff Corwin: What is bringing them here? Nicole Whittington-Evans: They're coming in to the inlet because they are following salmon. They're feeding on salmon and other fish. Jeff Corwin: The beluga whale is uniquely adapted to life in the Arctic. The absence of a dorsal fin allows them to swim under ice with ease. Their highly developed sense of hearing allows them to use echolocation to communicate with each other and navigate through the icy water that often has low visibility. Jeff Corwin: Suzanne, typically, how many belugas would we see here? Suzanne Steinert: This time of year, Jeff, we could see dozens on one tide cycle. Jeff Corwin: Nicole and Suzanne carefully count and photograph every beluga they find to monitor the health of this critically endangered population.   Jeff Corwin: In the late '80s and early '90s, Cook's Inlet was home to well over a thousand beluga whales, but today the population has plummeted by nearly 80%. What has happened to beluga whales? Nicole Whittington-Evans: In Cook Inlet, we're directly adjacent to the largest population center in Alaska. And through that, there's been a lot of habitat degradation for Cook Inlet belugas. Suzanne Steinert: There are a number of threats that are likely contributing cumulatively to preventing this population from recovering. Jeff Corwin: What is one step do you think that we could do today that would ensure their survival into tomorrow? Nicole Whittington-Evans: We really need to be thinking about how we can reduce our impacts to the climate. Suzanne Steinert: And if they're going to have any chance of survival, we've got to figure out how to better balance human and beluga needs. Jeff Corwin:  Our goal is to ensure that every generation has a chance to perch upon this rock and witness these amazing whales. Thank you guys so much. This was awesome. Nicole Whittington-Evans: Yeah, this was fantastic. There's one right there. Jeff Corwin: There is one right there.

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Join host Jeff Corwin on an adventure across central Florida, exploring the Silver and Ocklawaha Rivers, vital habitats for manatees. These gentle giants face severe threats, including habitat loss, dangerous cold snaps, and harmful algae blooms destroying their food sources. Tragically, manatee deaths are at an all-time high, impacting Florida's environmental integrity.

Conservationists, including Defenders of Wildlife, are racing to save this iconic species. A key solution involves restoring natural warm water habitats and removing man-made barriers like the Kirkpatrick Dam. A free-flowing Ocklawaha River would grant manatees access to essential warm springs, ensuring their survival and promoting coexistence with Florida's natural environment. Learn more at www.defenders.org/wildlifenation.

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Join host Jeff Corwin on an adventure as he explores the conservation success stories of the American crocodile and uncovers how a nuclear power station makes for an ideal crocodile nesting area. To

Join host Jeff Corwin on an adventure as he explores the conservation success stories of the American crocodile and uncovers how a nuclear power station makes for an ideal crocodile nesting area. To learn more about the wildlife featured in the episode, visit www.defenders.org/wildlifenation Video Transcript: Jeff Corwin: I'm in the beautiful state of Florida, seeing how conservation efforts are working to bring back the American crocodile from the brink of extinction. We are on our way to the Turkey Point nuclear power plant. It's the sixth largest power plant in the United States, and it provides power to the entire southern half of Florida. But it also plays an even more powerful role in the survival of the American crocodile. Jeff Corwin: This is Mike Lloret and he's a wildlife biologist, and he works with Florida Power & Light. And of course, this is Elizabeth from Defenders of Wildlife. And this is all about these most extraordinary creatures, American crocodiles. Elizabeth, they have quite a powerful story, don't they, in North America? Elizabeth Fleming: Yes, they do. They've really had a terrific success story through many decades of conservation effort. Jeff Corwin: And of course, Florida Power & Light and Turkey Point has been a big part of this nuclear headstart program. And I mean that in the best sense of the description, because it's almost like you guys have been able to launch the re-survival of this species, the re-wilding of this species. What made this such a success? Mike Lloret: We have 6,000 acres here. It ended up being fantastic habitat for the American crocodile. The crocodiles come here. We collect the babies. We monitor the adults and we release everybody back into the wild. Jeff Corwin: The power plant is cooled by a massive network of canals that cover 10 square miles and borders a large wildlife reserve. Conservationists have discovered that these canals make the ideal habitat for crocodile nests. Jeff Corwin: So because this is a secure facility providing energy for millions of people in Florida, it's protected. So you have security which protects the crocodiles. Jeff Corwin: American crocodiles almost were extinct due to hunting and habitat loss. At one point, unfortunately,  there were only 100 adult crocodiles left. But thanks to the Endangered Species Act  and organizations, like our sponsor Defenders of Wildlife, they have made an important comeback. There are now over 2,000 American crocodiles surviving in Southern Florida.  Jeff Corwin: Elizabeth, why is it important that we protect crocodiles? Elizabeth Fleming: Because they're part of the natural system in Florida. We have some of the greatest biological diversity in the entire country, and it's because we have so many species like this. Every single one is important. Everyone has a role in the ecosystem and with their loss, it's a loss to us. Mike Lloret: The crocodiles are one of our apex predators down here in south Florida. So we know if there're more crocodiles, that the rest of the ecosystem is doing well. Jeff Corwin: If they're protected, the birds, the fish, the turtles, the plants, all of that gets protected as well. Mike, so what do we need to accomplish today? Mike Lloret: So today we are tagging these baby hatchlings. We are collecting biometric data, which is important to understand the population health of these little guys. And then we're releasing them back into the wild. Jeff Corwin: First off, we measure the crocodile hatchlings. Jeff Corwin: Snout 12.8 centimeters.   Jeff Corwin: Then we get their weight. Jeff Corwin: 58.7 grams there. Jeff Corwin: In order to identify each crocodile in the future, we insert a small microchip called a PIT tag, just under the skin. When it is scanned, it will reveal the identification number of this particular crocodile. Mike Lloret: Now we're going to cut a unique SKU clip number into his tail. Jeff Corwin: My buddy Mike also makes a small incision in the crocodile's scales, according to a specific number pattern. This way, along with the PIT tag, they can be identified for the rest of their lives. But don't worry, it doesn't hurt. Jeff Corwin: Okay there my friends, so we have ourselves a bucket of amazing American crocodiles. And if you thought this was cool, now they're going back home. Elizabeth Fleming: Absolutely. Jeff Corwin: All right, let's do it. Jeff Corwin: We head to the wildlife sanctuary in Turkey Point to return them back to the wild. Jeff Corwin: All right, here we go. This is what it's all about. You ready, Elizabeth? Elizabeth Fleming: Yes, I am. Jeff Corwin: All right. Mike Lloret: Just going to guide them out that way. Jeff Corwin: They're so cute. Elizabeth Fleming: They really are... We've run out of characters. Leave us a comment for the rest of the transcript.

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Join host Jeff Corwin on an adventure in his home state of Massachusetts. Jeff returns to his roots to help conservationists save a collection of iconic New England wildlife, including an owl ready

Join host Jeff Corwin on an adventure in his home state of Massachusetts. Jeff returns to his roots to help conservationists save a collection of iconic New England wildlife, including an owl ready to be released. To learn more about the wildlife featured in the episode, visit www.defenders.org/wildlifenation Video Transcript: Jeff Corwin: Today, we're in my home state of Massachusetts and we're heading to the New England Wildlife Center. The center provides veterinary care to sick, injured, and orphaned wildlife from raccoons to opossums to owls, squirrels, and hawks. The dedicated staff put a lot of time and caring to rehabilitating each animal that comes through their doors. Jeff Corwin: For me, what I love about New England, specifically Massachusetts is that, Lindsay, when it comes to nature, there's so many surprises. I don't think a lot of people give New England the credit it deserves when it comes to amazing wildlife and habitat. Dr. Lindsay Rosa: They don't, Jeff and in fact, growing up here, I always thought it was wonderful I didn't have to go far across the country to a national park to see wildlife. I had bear and bobcat in my backyard.  Jeff Corwin: This is Lindsay Rosa. She's the senior conservation officer with Defenders of Wildlife, and I'm bringing her to one of my most favorite wildlife conservation centers on the planet. It is called the New England Wildlife Center. And I have worked with the New England Wildlife Center since I was about 13 or 14 years old and it has been such a joy for me to watch them grow and thrive. And their success is largely the result of the challenges that they face. Why are we having so many challenges in protecting species today? Dr. Lindsay Rosa:  The more that we continue to grow and spread from cities like Boston, the more we're encroaching into these habitats, which is why conservation comes in so many shapes and sizes and colors now from protecting a plot of land for species to doing some of the great rehabilitation work that's going on at the center. Jeff Corwin: Well, speaking of great rehabilitation work, I think you're going to love what these folks are doing. They're good friends of mine. It's going to be an amazing experience. You ready?  Dr. Lindsay Rosa: I'm ready.  Jeff Corwin: All right, let's go do it. Zachary Mertz: This guy came in about three weeks ago. He was really debilitated, just pretty dazed, stumbling from side to side, which are all hallmarks of lead poisoning.  Jeff Corwin: Did it eat the lead or was it shot?  Zachary Mertz: Very often it's trying to get a meal at the bottom of a pond, at the bottom of a lake and they accidentally eat a fishing sinker, accidentally eat an old shotgun shell. Gregory Mertz: When lead goes in the body, it circulates in the blood and it attaches to the different nerve endings  and as a result causes neurological disease.  Jeff Corwin: Lead poisoning from pollution or contamination, but especially from shotgun shell shot that has lead has had a powerful impact in wildlife, hasn't it? Dr. Lindsay Rosa:  Yeah. In fact, Jeff millions of birds every year are poisoned with lead and it's a big problem to the point that, various countries and states are now taking action and we've noticed changes and even recovery. Jeff Corwin:  So the good news is there are viable alternatives-  Dr. Lindsay Rosa: There are.  Jeff Corwin: ... that work. So what do we need to do today?  Gregory Mertz: What we want to do is get that lead to release. So we add something called calcium EDTA, and that is fairly reactive with lead itself. It will pick it up and allow it to be washed out of the body. Jeff Corwin: In order to continue the healing process the swan gets an injection of calcium EDTA. Swans, they are incredibly resilient. They can survive a dose of lead poisoning that would kill a human being, which is kind of amazing. Jeff Corwin: And finally, after making a full recovery, the swan is released back into the same lake where it was found. We've had an incredible time helping out at the New England Wildlife Center. There's one final animal ready to be released back into the wild, this beautiful barn owl. Lindsay, Greg and I are releasing it into a protected habitat. Jeff Corwin:  Lindsay, why do you think a moment like this is important?  Dr. Lindsay Rosa: This habitat as well as most across the nation, we share it with our wildlife neighbors and really we have to be mindful about what we're doing. We know that lead and rodenticide are poisonous. We all have to keep our wildlife neighbors safe.  Jeff Corwin: You can't protect what you do not love, and you'll never love it if you don't get to meet it and that's why we go in these journeys. So are you ready, Lindsay, to do this? Dr. Lindsay Rosa: I'm ready, Jeff. Jeff Corwin: 3, 2, 1. Oh, there it goes... We hit our character limit. Leave us a comment for the rest of the transcript!

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Join Jeff Corwin on Wildlife Nation as he champions the understanding and conservation of America's wildlife and wild places. His journey begins in Boston, aiding peregrine falcon recovery, then moves to New Hampshire to meet orphaned black bear cubs.

Corwin concludes his adventure on the New England coast, where volunteers are saving a unique turtle species. Partnering with Defenders of Wildlife, he celebrates North America's creatures and the dedicated conservationists protecting them. Learn more at defenders.org/wildlifenation.

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Join Jeff Corwin on "Wildlife Nation" for an adventure to southern Florida's beaches. He teams with dedicated conservationists to uncover challenges facing sea turtles, releasing hatchlings, diving with researchers for critical data, and helping biologists care for sick and injured turtles.

This episode highlights efforts to protect these ancient, endangered reptiles and bring hope back to the ocean. Corwin, in partnership with Defenders of Wildlife, celebrates North American creatures and the dedicated people protecting them. Check local listings to watch.

For more information about the wildlife featured, visit www.defenders.org/wildlifenation.

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