https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/animal-attacks--7317493
What you get here isn't a highlight reel of animal attacks. It's a full account: the wolf that stayed hidden for eighty-seven years before one final sighting, the four hippos left behind by a drug lord who became an invasive species crisis in Colombia, a grizzly hunted down after seven bullets finally ended a reign of terror in the American West. Each of these animal attacks is rebuilt from the ground up, so you understand not just what happened, but why the animal did what it did, and what it cost the humans involved.

The show moves through wildlife encounters gone wrong, unexplained natural phenomena like fish raining from the sky for three days, and survival stories where the line between predator and prey blurs fast. Some episodes focus on animal attacks that made international headlines, others on quieter incidents nobody outside a small town ever heard about. You will hear about survivors who made impossible choices in seconds, people who faced something ancient and instinctive and lived to describe it, and the strange afterlives of animals that became legend, from a taxidermied mascot to a whale that vanished without a trace. This is nature red in tooth and claw, with real animal attacks told through the patience of investigative journalism instead of shock value.

If you're drawn to stories of survival against all odds, where the wilderness is a character and not a backdrop, and where animal attacks reveal something deeper about the natural world, subscribe now.]]>enNatureCopyright OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENThttps://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/9541c4b27fcfda24035af6dfd22a9315.jpghttps://www.spreaker.com/podcast/animal-attacks--7317493Mon, 26 Oct 2026 08:01:22 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTOBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTcreators@obomedia.comAnimal Attacks opens with the sound every hiker fears: a branch snapping too close, too deliberate to be the wind. This documentary podcast about animal attacks is where nature stops being scenery and becomes something with teeth, and every episode...
What you get here isn't a highlight reel of animal attacks. It's a full account: the wolf that stayed hidden for eighty-seven years before one final sighting, the four hippos left behind by a drug lord who became an invasive species crisis in Colombia, a grizzly hunted down after seven bullets finally ended a reign of terror in the American West. Each of these animal attacks is rebuilt from the ground up, so you understand not just what happened, but why the animal did what it did, and what it cost the humans involved.

The show moves through wildlife encounters gone wrong, unexplained natural phenomena like fish raining from the sky for three days, and survival stories where the line between predator and prey blurs fast. Some episodes focus on animal attacks that made international headlines, others on quieter incidents nobody outside a small town ever heard about. You will hear about survivors who made impossible choices in seconds, people who faced something ancient and instinctive and lived to describe it, and the strange afterlives of animals that became legend, from a taxidermied mascot to a whale that vanished without a trace. This is nature red in tooth and claw, with real animal attacks told through the patience of investigative journalism instead of shock value.

If you're drawn to stories of survival against all odds, where the wilderness is a character and not a backdrop, and where animal attacks reveal something deeper about the natural world, subscribe now.]]>falsee587f783-7d7d-5f75-9a96-e482b82e8bdbepisodichttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/a-motion-sensor-camera-captured-a-wolf-that-rewrote-california-law--74909196
A Motion-Sensor Camera Captured a Wolf That Rewrote California Law

This episode explores the journey of OR-seven, a gray wolf whose unprecedented trek from Oregon into California ignited a debate over wildlife management and conservation. It delves into the ecological and political void that awaited him and the profound impact his presence had on a state unprepared for his return.

Person: OR-seven
Event: Wolf dispersal
Location: California
Period: 2011
Species: Gray wolf

- A motion-sensor camera captured an image of a wolf in December 2011, an animal not seen in that landscape for 87 years.
- The wolf, designated OR-seven, traveled over 1,000 miles alone in less than three months, at roughly one year of age.
- OR-seven crossed into California without any existing legal framework for wild wolves, which had been eliminated from the state by the 1920s.
- The absence of wolves had led to a trophic cascade, impacting deer and elk populations, vegetation, and river channels.
- OR-seven's arrival presented California with a real-world policy challenge it had only previously debated in theory.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74909196Tue, 27 Oct 2026 08:00:04 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA lone wolf walks 1,000 miles into California, a state that hasn't seen a wild wolf in 87 years. Its presence sparks a legal and political battle. A Motion-Sensor Camera Captured a Wolf That Rewrote California Law This episode explores the...
A Motion-Sensor Camera Captured a Wolf That Rewrote California Law

This episode explores the journey of OR-seven, a gray wolf whose unprecedented trek from Oregon into California ignited a debate over wildlife management and conservation. It delves into the ecological and political void that awaited him and the profound impact his presence had on a state unprepared for his return.

Person: OR-seven
Event: Wolf dispersal
Location: California
Period: 2011
Species: Gray wolf

- A motion-sensor camera captured an image of a wolf in December 2011, an animal not seen in that landscape for 87 years.
- The wolf, designated OR-seven, traveled over 1,000 miles alone in less than three months, at roughly one year of age.
- OR-seven crossed into California without any existing legal framework for wild wolves, which had been eliminated from the state by the 1920s.
- The absence of wolves had led to a trophic cascade, impacting deer and elk populations, vegetation, and river channels.
- OR-seven's arrival presented California with a real-world policy challenge it had only previously debated in theory.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1190falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/a-tortoise-outlives-everyone-the-secret-lives-of-blue-peter-animals--74909194
A Tortoise Outlives Everyone: The Secret Lives of Blue Peter Animals

In this episode we chart how Blue Peter’s animals moved between studio, presenters, and a largely invisible handler, revealing the tangled boundaries between public property and private companionship. We follow specific cases that forced decisions about stipends, custody, and on-screen identity - and ask what ownership really measured.

Person: John Noakes
Person: Edith Menezes
Person: Biddy Baxter
Event: Shep's death on 17 January 1987
Event: Noakes's Spillers dog food advertisements featuring "Skip"

- The BBC treated Blue Peter animals as programme assets managed through stipends to presenters and handlers.
- Edith Menezes served twenty-seven years as the programme’s animal handler, housing animals when stipends ended or between shoots.
- John Noakes lived with Shep for nine years while BBC paperwork recorded the dog as programme property.
- When the BBC withdrew Noakes’s stipend for Shep, the dog was sent to Edith rather than returning to a presenter’s home.
- Months after Shep’s death, Noakes appeared in commercial adverts with a Border Collie called Skip described as indistinguishable from Shep.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74909194Mon, 26 Oct 2026 08:00:04 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA legendary Blue Peter tortoise outlived presenters and paperwork, exposing how the show's animals became everyone’s and no one’s at once. A Tortoise Outlives Everyone: The Secret Lives of Blue Peter Animals In this episode we chart how Blue...
A Tortoise Outlives Everyone: The Secret Lives of Blue Peter Animals

In this episode we chart how Blue Peter’s animals moved between studio, presenters, and a largely invisible handler, revealing the tangled boundaries between public property and private companionship. We follow specific cases that forced decisions about stipends, custody, and on-screen identity - and ask what ownership really measured.

Person: John Noakes
Person: Edith Menezes
Person: Biddy Baxter
Event: Shep's death on 17 January 1987
Event: Noakes's Spillers dog food advertisements featuring "Skip"

- The BBC treated Blue Peter animals as programme assets managed through stipends to presenters and handlers.
- Edith Menezes served twenty-seven years as the programme’s animal handler, housing animals when stipends ended or between shoots.
- John Noakes lived with Shep for nine years while BBC paperwork recorded the dog as programme property.
- When the BBC withdrew Noakes’s stipend for Shep, the dog was sent to Edith rather than returning to a presenter’s home.
- Months after Shep’s death, Noakes appeared in commercial adverts with a Border Collie called Skip described as indistinguishable from Shep.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1031falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/a-600-chimpanzee-made-nbc-100-000-000-and-rewrote-broadcasting-law--74909193
A $600 chimpanzee made NBC $100,000,000 and rewrote broadcasting law

In this episode we lay out how J. Fred Muggs arrived at the Today show and became a driving force behind ratings, revenue, and controversy. We trace the decisions, stunts, and studio dynamics that made a single animal indispensable - and ask what systems bent to keep him on air.

Person: J. Fred Muggs
Date: February 3, 1953 (television debut)
Location: Today show, NBC, Rockefeller Center
Event: Ratings surge, advertising and licensing boom
Origin: Born March 14, 1952 in French Cameroon

- Two former NBC pages, Carmine Mennella and Leroy Waldron, bought Muggs for $600 from Henry Trefflich’s pet store and brought him to the studio.
- The Today show, hosted by Dave Garroway and struggling with low ratings since 1952, saw viewership move after Muggs’s debut.
- Muggs arrived with 450 outfits, performed staged bits (reading newspapers, imitating Popeye, playing piano), and generated paid public appearances and licensing opportunities.
- Handlers kept Muggs on a harness and leash; he had a reputation for tantrums, climbing trees on remotes, and refusing to come down without bananas.
- Period accounts claim Muggs learned the camera’s red light meant “live” and misbehaved during that protected window, making him hard to discipline on air.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74909193Sun, 25 Oct 2026 08:00:04 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA $600 chimpanzee walks onto the Today show in 1953 - how did a chimp rewrite broadcasting economics and law? A $600 chimpanzee made NBC $100,000,000 and rewrote broadcasting law In this episode we lay out how J. Fred Muggs arrived at the Today...
A $600 chimpanzee made NBC $100,000,000 and rewrote broadcasting law

In this episode we lay out how J. Fred Muggs arrived at the Today show and became a driving force behind ratings, revenue, and controversy. We trace the decisions, stunts, and studio dynamics that made a single animal indispensable - and ask what systems bent to keep him on air.

Person: J. Fred Muggs
Date: February 3, 1953 (television debut)
Location: Today show, NBC, Rockefeller Center
Event: Ratings surge, advertising and licensing boom
Origin: Born March 14, 1952 in French Cameroon

- Two former NBC pages, Carmine Mennella and Leroy Waldron, bought Muggs for $600 from Henry Trefflich’s pet store and brought him to the studio.
- The Today show, hosted by Dave Garroway and struggling with low ratings since 1952, saw viewership move after Muggs’s debut.
- Muggs arrived with 450 outfits, performed staged bits (reading newspapers, imitating Popeye, playing piano), and generated paid public appearances and licensing opportunities.
- Handlers kept Muggs on a harness and leash; he had a reputation for tantrums, climbing trees on remotes, and refusing to come down without bananas.
- Period accounts claim Muggs learned the camera’s red light meant “live” and misbehaved during that protected window, making him hard to discipline on air.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1161falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/a-bottlenose-whale-swam-14-kilometers-up-the-thames-to-central-london--74909190
A Bottlenose Whale Swam 14 Kilometers Up the Thames to Central London

This episode recounts the extraordinary appearance of a northern bottlenose whale in the River Thames in January 2006. It explores the circumstances that led this deep-ocean creature to navigate so far inland and the unprecedented situation it created for Londoners and marine biologists alike.

Event: Whale in the Thames
Date: January 20, 2006
Species: Northern bottlenose whale (Hyperoodon ampullatus)
Location: Albert Bridge, Central London
Distance from Thames Barrier: 14 kilometers upstream

- On January 20, 2006, a northern bottlenose whale, a species native to the deep North Atlantic, appeared near Albert Bridge in central London.
- The whale had not eaten in days and was heading further upstream, past iconic London landmarks.
- Her species had not been recorded in the Thames since 1913, making this event a rare anomaly.
- Northern bottlenose whales are built for depth, diving over 1,400 meters and hunting squid in permanent darkness.
- Scientists later concluded that the whale had crossed the Thames Barrier around January 19, making a fundamental navigational error.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74909190Sat, 24 Oct 2026 08:00:04 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA deep‑ocean bottlenose whale surfaces in central London's Thames, 14 km upstream. How did she get there? A Bottlenose Whale Swam 14 Kilometers Up the Thames to Central London This episode recounts the extraordinary appearance of a northern...
A Bottlenose Whale Swam 14 Kilometers Up the Thames to Central London

This episode recounts the extraordinary appearance of a northern bottlenose whale in the River Thames in January 2006. It explores the circumstances that led this deep-ocean creature to navigate so far inland and the unprecedented situation it created for Londoners and marine biologists alike.

Event: Whale in the Thames
Date: January 20, 2006
Species: Northern bottlenose whale (Hyperoodon ampullatus)
Location: Albert Bridge, Central London
Distance from Thames Barrier: 14 kilometers upstream

- On January 20, 2006, a northern bottlenose whale, a species native to the deep North Atlantic, appeared near Albert Bridge in central London.
- The whale had not eaten in days and was heading further upstream, past iconic London landmarks.
- Her species had not been recorded in the Thames since 1913, making this event a rare anomaly.
- Northern bottlenose whales are built for depth, diving over 1,400 meters and hunting squid in permanent darkness.
- Scientists later concluded that the whale had crossed the Thames Barrier around January 19, making a fundamental navigational error.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1084falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/a-raven-drank-a-pound-of-white-lead-and-lived--74909189
A raven drank a pound of white lead and lived

In this episode, we tell the story of Grip, Charles Dickens's raven, and the strange timeline that links a household pet, white lead poisoning, and a famous poem. We follow the bird's behavior, Dickens's letters, and the moments that made Grip part of a literary work - but did the poisoning already have its final say?

Person: Charles Dickens
Date: March 12, 1841
Location: Devonshire Terrace, Marylebone, London
Event: Grip drank one to two pounds of white lead paint and later died
Case: Grip inspired a raven character in Barnaby Rudge and a portrait crossed to America

- A neighbor, Frederick Ash, found the raven and brought her to Dickens at Devonshire Terrace in 1839.
- Grip routinely buried small objects - halfpence, cheese, raw potatoes, a brush - and once hid a large hammer for weeks.
- Dickens recorded Grip speaking set phrases repeatedly and wrote detailed, astonished letters about her to multiple correspondents.
- Around 1840 painters left white lead paint in the carriage house; Dickens later wrote that Grip drank a pound or two of it but appeared to recover.
- In March 1841 Grip grew lethargic, stopped eating and speaking, then on March 12 walked, barked, said “Halloa old girl,” staggered, and died at midnight.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74909189Fri, 23 Oct 2026 08:00:05 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTIn Dickens's London, a raven named Grip drank white lead paint and kept living - then fell silent on the stroke of midnight. How is that possible? A raven drank a pound of white lead and lived In this episode, we tell the story of Grip, Charles...
A raven drank a pound of white lead and lived

In this episode, we tell the story of Grip, Charles Dickens's raven, and the strange timeline that links a household pet, white lead poisoning, and a famous poem. We follow the bird's behavior, Dickens's letters, and the moments that made Grip part of a literary work - but did the poisoning already have its final say?

Person: Charles Dickens
Date: March 12, 1841
Location: Devonshire Terrace, Marylebone, London
Event: Grip drank one to two pounds of white lead paint and later died
Case: Grip inspired a raven character in Barnaby Rudge and a portrait crossed to America

- A neighbor, Frederick Ash, found the raven and brought her to Dickens at Devonshire Terrace in 1839.
- Grip routinely buried small objects - halfpence, cheese, raw potatoes, a brush - and once hid a large hammer for weeks.
- Dickens recorded Grip speaking set phrases repeatedly and wrote detailed, astonished letters about her to multiple correspondents.
- Around 1840 painters left white lead paint in the carriage house; Dickens later wrote that Grip drank a pound or two of it but appeared to recover.
- In March 1841 Grip grew lethargic, stopped eating and speaking, then on March 12 walked, barked, said “Halloa old girl,” staggered, and died at midnight.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1051falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/he-married-seven-days-before-he-died-not-in-a-church--74909187
He married seven days before he died, not in a church

In this episode, we trace the week that closed Bradley Nowell's life and the recordings that seemed to forecast it. We follow the band's rise from Long Beach four-tracks to a major-label record and ask how songs like "Pool Shark" reframed what people around him heard and did. What decisions, moments, and people shaped that last week?

Person: Bradley James Nowell
Location: Long Beach, California; Las Vegas; San Francisco
Event: Wedding in Las Vegas seven days before death
Topic: Songwriting about addiction; "Pool Shark" from Robbin' the Hood
Period: late 1980s-1996

- He bought a dalmatian named Lou Dog for $500 and the dog accompanied him to shows, rehearsals, the van, and the beach.
- Sublime self-released Four0z in 1992; a promoter brought it to KROQ-FM and radio play generated audience response without a major label.
- Robbin' the Hood (October 1994) was recorded on a four-track with rough production and contained first-person lyrics addressing addiction.
- He recorded "Pool Shark" with the line "one day I'm gonna lose the war," which people who knew him heard as a personal confession.
- The band signed to MCA in 1995, recorded the polished self-titled album at Pedernales Studio with producer Paul Leary while Nowell continued touring and living with addiction.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74909187Thu, 22 Oct 2026 08:00:04 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA week after a Las Vegas wedding, a singer lies dead in a San Francisco motel - how did his own songs narrate the fall? He married seven days before he died, not in a church In this episode, we trace the week that closed Bradley Nowell's life...
He married seven days before he died, not in a church

In this episode, we trace the week that closed Bradley Nowell's life and the recordings that seemed to forecast it. We follow the band's rise from Long Beach four-tracks to a major-label record and ask how songs like "Pool Shark" reframed what people around him heard and did. What decisions, moments, and people shaped that last week?

Person: Bradley James Nowell
Location: Long Beach, California; Las Vegas; San Francisco
Event: Wedding in Las Vegas seven days before death
Topic: Songwriting about addiction; "Pool Shark" from Robbin' the Hood
Period: late 1980s-1996

- He bought a dalmatian named Lou Dog for $500 and the dog accompanied him to shows, rehearsals, the van, and the beach.
- Sublime self-released Four0z in 1992; a promoter brought it to KROQ-FM and radio play generated audience response without a major label.
- Robbin' the Hood (October 1994) was recorded on a four-track with rough production and contained first-person lyrics addressing addiction.
- He recorded "Pool Shark" with the line "one day I'm gonna lose the war," which people who knew him heard as a personal confession.
- The band signed to MCA in 1995, recorded the polished self-titled album at Pedernales Studio with producer Paul Leary while Nowell continued touring and living with addiction.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>985falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/seventeen-children-killed-in-eighty-three-days-and-wolves-stayed-healthy--74909186
Seventeen children killed in eighty-three days - and wolves stayed healthy

In this episode, we lay out the documented record of the attacks around Ashta in late 1985 and early 1986, drawn from Ajay Singh Yadav’s account. We describe the landscape, the patterns of the killings, and the hunt that followed, and ask what could explain wolves hunting children while appearing physically healthy.

Person: Ajay Singh Yadav
Location: Ashta, Sehore district, Madhya Pradesh
Date: November 1985-January 2, 1986
Species: Indian wolf (Canis lupus pallipes)
Source: The Man-Eating Wolves of Ashta (2000)

- A boy of eight disappeared from a jowar field near Foodra and was found with his abdominal cavity open, the first confirmed victim.
- Villagers recovered a missing infant only as three scattered traces-blood on a leaf, a smear on the ground, and torn clothing in Lantana scrub.
- Initial response treated the crisis as one rogue wolf and shaped traps, patrols, and search patterns around that assumption.
- The final wolf killed on January 2, 1986 was a large male examined and described as in perfect physical condition, with no wounds or disease.
- The account is taken verbatim from the district collector’s record and leaves the central questions-how and why-unanswered.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74909186Wed, 21 Oct 2026 08:00:04 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTSeventeen children killed in eighty-three days on the basalt plains of Ashta; an apparently healthy wolf-or wolves-kept hunting villages. Seventeen children killed in eighty-three days - and wolves stayed healthy In this episode, we lay out the...
Seventeen children killed in eighty-three days - and wolves stayed healthy

In this episode, we lay out the documented record of the attacks around Ashta in late 1985 and early 1986, drawn from Ajay Singh Yadav’s account. We describe the landscape, the patterns of the killings, and the hunt that followed, and ask what could explain wolves hunting children while appearing physically healthy.

Person: Ajay Singh Yadav
Location: Ashta, Sehore district, Madhya Pradesh
Date: November 1985-January 2, 1986
Species: Indian wolf (Canis lupus pallipes)
Source: The Man-Eating Wolves of Ashta (2000)

- A boy of eight disappeared from a jowar field near Foodra and was found with his abdominal cavity open, the first confirmed victim.
- Villagers recovered a missing infant only as three scattered traces-blood on a leaf, a smear on the ground, and torn clothing in Lantana scrub.
- Initial response treated the crisis as one rogue wolf and shaped traps, patrols, and search patterns around that assumption.
- The final wolf killed on January 2, 1986 was a large male examined and described as in perfect physical condition, with no wounds or disease.
- The account is taken verbatim from the district collector’s record and leaves the central questions-how and why-unanswered.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1076falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/a-pod-of-orcas-handed-whales-tongues-to-people-for-decades--74909185
A pod of orcas handed whales' tongues to people for decades

In this episode, we tell how a single orca-Old Tom-and his pod coordinated hunts with coastal whalers and Indigenous people across generations. We trace the rules, signals, and relationships that governed the partnership and ask what the animals themselves might have understood about the bargain.

Person: Old Tom
Location: Twofold Bay, New South Wales
Event: Cooperative hunting between orcas and humans
Period: mid-1800s to 1930s
Practice: The Law of Tongue (orcas took tongue, lips, genital region; Davidsons took blubber and bones)

- Old Tom produced a repeated flop-tailing signal that summoned Davidson whalers in green rowboats to the hunt.
- The hunt used three orca roles: cutting escape, preventing deep dives, and disabling the whale’s breathing until harpooned.
- The Davidsons refused motorized boats and explosive harpoons because the pod required traditional rowing methods.
- The Katunga people had fed and treated the orcas as kin for millennia, a practice the Davidsons later joined.
- The partnership included mutual protections: orcas guarded fallen men and the whalers freed entangled orcas.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74909185Tue, 20 Oct 2026 08:00:03 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTIn Twofold Bay, a killer whale pod and human whalers kept a “Law of Tongue” pact-so how did that strange arrangement begin? A pod of orcas handed whales' tongues to people for decades In this episode, we tell how a single orca-Old Tom-and his...
A pod of orcas handed whales' tongues to people for decades

In this episode, we tell how a single orca-Old Tom-and his pod coordinated hunts with coastal whalers and Indigenous people across generations. We trace the rules, signals, and relationships that governed the partnership and ask what the animals themselves might have understood about the bargain.

Person: Old Tom
Location: Twofold Bay, New South Wales
Event: Cooperative hunting between orcas and humans
Period: mid-1800s to 1930s
Practice: The Law of Tongue (orcas took tongue, lips, genital region; Davidsons took blubber and bones)

- Old Tom produced a repeated flop-tailing signal that summoned Davidson whalers in green rowboats to the hunt.
- The hunt used three orca roles: cutting escape, preventing deep dives, and disabling the whale’s breathing until harpooned.
- The Davidsons refused motorized boats and explosive harpoons because the pod required traditional rowing methods.
- The Katunga people had fed and treated the orcas as kin for millennia, a practice the Davidsons later joined.
- The partnership included mutual protections: orcas guarded fallen men and the whalers freed entangled orcas.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1305falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-tiger-pulled-him-offstage-while-he-was-having-a-stroke--74909183
The tiger pulled him offstage while he was having a stroke

In this episode, we reconstruct the night Siegfried and Roy's long-running Mirage show collapsed into chaos and the immediate decisions that followed. We follow the sequence onstage, the emergency response, and the claim that reframes the attack: did the white tiger sense a medical crisis?

Date: October 3, 2003
Location: Mirage theater, Las Vegas
Person: Roy Horn
Animal: Mantacore (white tiger)
Event: Onstage mauling and emergency response

- The show was sold out with roughly 1,500 people in the audience for Roy Horn’s 59th birthday performance.
- Mantacore, a six-hundred-pound white tiger who had performed the routine hundreds of times, moved toward the audience instead of his mark.
- Roy Horn reached for Mantacore’s collar, tapped his nose with a microphone, then stepped back - the move described as the hinge between routine and crisis.
- Mantacore lunged, bit Roy’s neck, and dragged him offstage; trainers used a fire extinguisher and forced fingers into the tiger’s mouth to free him.
- While being loaded into an ambulance with a severed spinal column and a stroke underway, Roy’s first words were to protect the tiger, and he later maintained Mantacore had sensed his stroke.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74909183Mon, 19 Oct 2026 08:00:04 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA 600‑lb white tiger lunges at a performer in front of an audience - was the animal trying to help him during a stroke? The tiger pulled him offstage while he was having a stroke In this episode, we reconstruct the night Siegfried and Roy's...
The tiger pulled him offstage while he was having a stroke

In this episode, we reconstruct the night Siegfried and Roy's long-running Mirage show collapsed into chaos and the immediate decisions that followed. We follow the sequence onstage, the emergency response, and the claim that reframes the attack: did the white tiger sense a medical crisis?

Date: October 3, 2003
Location: Mirage theater, Las Vegas
Person: Roy Horn
Animal: Mantacore (white tiger)
Event: Onstage mauling and emergency response

- The show was sold out with roughly 1,500 people in the audience for Roy Horn’s 59th birthday performance.
- Mantacore, a six-hundred-pound white tiger who had performed the routine hundreds of times, moved toward the audience instead of his mark.
- Roy Horn reached for Mantacore’s collar, tapped his nose with a microphone, then stepped back - the move described as the hinge between routine and crisis.
- Mantacore lunged, bit Roy’s neck, and dragged him offstage; trainers used a fire extinguisher and forced fingers into the tiger’s mouth to free him.
- While being loaded into an ambulance with a severed spinal column and a stroke underway, Roy’s first words were to protect the tiger, and he later maintained Mantacore had sensed his stroke.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1023falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/a-gps-collar-recorded-cecil-s-last-40-hours-outside-the-park--74909182
A GPS collar recorded Cecil's last 40 hours outside the park

In this episode, we follow the forty-hour trail a GPS collar left when a collared male lion named Cecil crossed Hwange National Park’s boundary and never returned. We explain the collar’s timestamps, the legal lines around the park, and the sequence of events the data exposed - so what did those coordinates actually show?

Person: Cecil
Date: July 1, 2015
Location: Hwange National Park and adjacent private land
Author: Adam Cruise (reported for Conservation Action Trust)
Project: Oxford Wildlife Conservation Research Unit collaring program since 1999

- Cecil wore a GPS collar that pinged his location every two hours as part of Oxford’s long-term research.
- The collar’s last pings show a straight path out of Hwange toward Antoinette Farm, then a final period of stillness.
- Hunters on adjacent private land legally may take lions that have left the park; bait was placed outside the park’s edge.
- The collar was later found cut from the neck, the head and hide removed, and left abandoned in the bush.
- The timestamped collar data enabled researchers and a journalist to map Cecil’s last movements and identify the location and method of the hunt.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74909182Sun, 18 Oct 2026 08:00:03 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA GPS collar blinked Cecil’s last coordinates for forty hours after he left Hwange National Park, recording a hunt no one inside the park witnessed. A GPS collar recorded Cecil's last 40 hours outside the park In this episode, we follow the...
A GPS collar recorded Cecil's last 40 hours outside the park

In this episode, we follow the forty-hour trail a GPS collar left when a collared male lion named Cecil crossed Hwange National Park’s boundary and never returned. We explain the collar’s timestamps, the legal lines around the park, and the sequence of events the data exposed - so what did those coordinates actually show?

Person: Cecil
Date: July 1, 2015
Location: Hwange National Park and adjacent private land
Author: Adam Cruise (reported for Conservation Action Trust)
Project: Oxford Wildlife Conservation Research Unit collaring program since 1999

- Cecil wore a GPS collar that pinged his location every two hours as part of Oxford’s long-term research.
- The collar’s last pings show a straight path out of Hwange toward Antoinette Farm, then a final period of stillness.
- Hunters on adjacent private land legally may take lions that have left the park; bait was placed outside the park’s edge.
- The collar was later found cut from the neck, the head and hide removed, and left abandoned in the bush.
- The timestamped collar data enabled researchers and a journalist to map Cecil’s last movements and identify the location and method of the hunt.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1176falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-tamworth-pig-that-swam-a-river-and-vanished-for-a-week--74909181
The Tamworth pig that swam a river and vanished for a week

In this episode, we follow what happened when two five-month-old Tamworth pigs escaped an abattoir in Malmesbury, swam the River Avon and disappeared into a four-acre thicket. We trace the week-long search, the unusual public reaction that drew nearly one hundred journalists from three continents, and the clues that hinted these were not ordinary farm pigs.

Person: Owner Arnoldo Dijulio
Location: Malmesbury, Wiltshire
Date: January 8, 1998
Event: Escape and eight-day search
Topic: Tamworth pigs, river crossing, media response

- Two five-month-old Tamworth pigs, nicknamed Butch and Sundance, pushed through a gap in V&G Newman’s abattoir fence and ran to the River Avon.
- The pigs entered cold January water and swam to the opposite bank, then vanished into a dense thicket near Tetbury Hill covering roughly four acres.
- Tranquilliser darts struck Sundance twice and fell uselessly before the third dart held, revealing thick skin that complicated capture efforts.
- Nearly one hundred journalists from Britain, America and Japan converged on the town of about 5,000 people to cover animals valued at £40-£50 each.
- RSPCA Inspector Mike Harley spent days in the field; evidence gathered during the search would later prompt new questions about the pigs’ ancestry.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74909181Sat, 17 Oct 2026 08:00:04 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA half-wild Tamworth pig swims a river, vanishes into English woodland and ignites an international media scramble-how did one fence gap do this? The Tamworth pig that swam a river and vanished for a week In this episode, we follow what happened...
The Tamworth pig that swam a river and vanished for a week

In this episode, we follow what happened when two five-month-old Tamworth pigs escaped an abattoir in Malmesbury, swam the River Avon and disappeared into a four-acre thicket. We trace the week-long search, the unusual public reaction that drew nearly one hundred journalists from three continents, and the clues that hinted these were not ordinary farm pigs.

Person: Owner Arnoldo Dijulio
Location: Malmesbury, Wiltshire
Date: January 8, 1998
Event: Escape and eight-day search
Topic: Tamworth pigs, river crossing, media response

- Two five-month-old Tamworth pigs, nicknamed Butch and Sundance, pushed through a gap in V&G Newman’s abattoir fence and ran to the River Avon.
- The pigs entered cold January water and swam to the opposite bank, then vanished into a dense thicket near Tetbury Hill covering roughly four acres.
- Tranquilliser darts struck Sundance twice and fell uselessly before the third dart held, revealing thick skin that complicated capture efforts.
- Nearly one hundred journalists from Britain, America and Japan converged on the town of about 5,000 people to cover animals valued at £40-£50 each.
- RSPCA Inspector Mike Harley spent days in the field; evidence gathered during the search would later prompt new questions about the pigs’ ancestry.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1185falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-soldier-the-bear-and-the-unanswered-goodbye-of-winnie--74909180
The Soldier, The Bear, and the Unanswered Goodbye of Winnie

In this episode, we trace the improbable journey of a black bear cub from a White River train platform to the London Zoo and the wartime choices that left a single unexplained absence in six soldiers' diaries. What decision turned a temporary custody into a permanent donation, and why did Harry Colebourn never return for Winnie?

Person: Harry Colebourn
Date: August 24, 1914
Location: White River, Ontario
Event: Purchase and transport of a bear cub named Winnie
Status: Donated to the London Zoo (document signed at 1919 dedication)

- A hunter brought a motherless black bear cub onto the White River train platform; Colebourn paid twenty dollars and took custody.
- Colebourn, a trained veterinarian and lieutenant in the Canadian Army Veterinary Corps attached to The Fort Garry Horse, kept six wartime diaries documenting Winnie's movements.
- Winnie traveled as the regimental mascot: she rode in the baggage car, slept in Colebourn’s tent, was fed condensed milk, and behaved as if she belonged to humans.
- On October 3, 1914, Winnie crossed the North Atlantic aboard the S.S. Manitou and arrived in England on October 17, then moved to Salisbury Plain for training.
- On December 9, 1914, Colebourn left Winnie at the London Zoo as a temporary arrangement; a 1919 dedication document uses the word "donated," and Colebourn never brought her back.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74909180Fri, 16 Oct 2026 08:00:03 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA Canadian vet lieutenant brings a bear cub to London Zoo in 1914-why he never brought Winnie home? The Soldier, The Bear, and the Unanswered Goodbye of Winnie In this episode, we trace the improbable journey of a black bear cub from a White...
The Soldier, The Bear, and the Unanswered Goodbye of Winnie

In this episode, we trace the improbable journey of a black bear cub from a White River train platform to the London Zoo and the wartime choices that left a single unexplained absence in six soldiers' diaries. What decision turned a temporary custody into a permanent donation, and why did Harry Colebourn never return for Winnie?

Person: Harry Colebourn
Date: August 24, 1914
Location: White River, Ontario
Event: Purchase and transport of a bear cub named Winnie
Status: Donated to the London Zoo (document signed at 1919 dedication)

- A hunter brought a motherless black bear cub onto the White River train platform; Colebourn paid twenty dollars and took custody.
- Colebourn, a trained veterinarian and lieutenant in the Canadian Army Veterinary Corps attached to The Fort Garry Horse, kept six wartime diaries documenting Winnie's movements.
- Winnie traveled as the regimental mascot: she rode in the baggage car, slept in Colebourn’s tent, was fed condensed milk, and behaved as if she belonged to humans.
- On October 3, 1914, Winnie crossed the North Atlantic aboard the S.S. Manitou and arrived in England on October 17, then moved to Salisbury Plain for training.
- On December 9, 1914, Colebourn left Winnie at the London Zoo as a temporary arrangement; a 1919 dedication document uses the word "donated," and Colebourn never brought her back.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1005falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/a-leather-collar-has-been-fastened-only-four-times-in-24-years--74909179
A leather collar has been fastened only four times in 24 years

In this episode, we follow the four bulldogs who have worn Butler University's custom collar and the people who trained and carried it across decades. We trace the decisions, timing, and care that made a simple strip of leather into an institutional symbol, and ask what the collar actually carries beyond a name. What happens when succession meets tradition?

Person: Butler Blue IV
Person: Butler Blue II
Person: Butler Blue III (Trip)
Date: February 29, 2020
Location: Hinkle Fieldhouse, Indianapolis

- The collar was first created as a durable, named emblem to identify a live English bulldog mascot for Butler University.
- Butler Blue I was a white female chosen from a Lizton, Indiana litter in 2000 after a campus naming contest.
- Butler Blue II, a male who arrived in 2004, wore the collar during two Final Four runs and became widely photographed.
- Trip (Butler Blue III), born December 23, 2011, assumed the collar and served seven years through thousands of appearances.
- Handler Michael Kaltenmark planned succession around bulldogs' limited lifespans and the collar was kept at the university while handlers and a longtime fan family prepared the next dog.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74909179Thu, 15 Oct 2026 08:00:04 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA leather collar is buckled at center court - a university's identity passes between bulldogs; what exactly transfers when a collar moves? A leather collar has been fastened only four times in 24 years In this episode, we follow the four...
A leather collar has been fastened only four times in 24 years

In this episode, we follow the four bulldogs who have worn Butler University's custom collar and the people who trained and carried it across decades. We trace the decisions, timing, and care that made a simple strip of leather into an institutional symbol, and ask what the collar actually carries beyond a name. What happens when succession meets tradition?

Person: Butler Blue IV
Person: Butler Blue II
Person: Butler Blue III (Trip)
Date: February 29, 2020
Location: Hinkle Fieldhouse, Indianapolis

- The collar was first created as a durable, named emblem to identify a live English bulldog mascot for Butler University.
- Butler Blue I was a white female chosen from a Lizton, Indiana litter in 2000 after a campus naming contest.
- Butler Blue II, a male who arrived in 2004, wore the collar during two Final Four runs and became widely photographed.
- Trip (Butler Blue III), born December 23, 2011, assumed the collar and served seven years through thousands of appearances.
- Handler Michael Kaltenmark planned succession around bulldogs' limited lifespans and the collar was kept at the university while handlers and a longtime fan family prepared the next dog.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1155falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/a-retired-one-horned-goat-tied-outside-the-pentagon--74909177
A retired one‑horned goat tied outside the Pentagon

In this episode, we trace how a November 2021 incident left a fourteen‑year‑old, one‑horned Naval Academy goat alone on a traffic median across from the Pentagon. The episode outlines the long running Army-Navy mascot rivalry and the institutional decisions and missions that produced that moment. What chain of traditions and operations led cadets to drive a mascot into the night?

Person: one‑horned goat (Bill), age 14
Event: autumn 2021 mission by Army cadets
Institution: United States Naval Academy mascot tradition since 1893
History: 38 previous goats named Bill
Incident examples: 1953 convertible horn damage; 1960 goat flown in B-26 bomb bay

- A live goat has been the Naval Academy mascot since 1893, always called Bill and inheriting a uniformed legacy.
- The Army-Navy rivalry escalated from pranks into organized missions and institutional responses across decades.
- In 1953 cadets hid a Navy goat in a convertible; the animal’s horns shredded the car’s roof and the episode made headlines.
- In 1960 a Navy Bill was transported covertly in the bomb bay of a B-26 bomber rather than openly on a passenger ticket.
- In autumn 2021 a group of Army cadets drove into the night on a mission connected to that century‑long practice, leaving a retired one‑horned Bill tied on Army Navy Drive.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74909177Wed, 14 Oct 2026 08:00:04 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA retired one‑horned goat sits tied outside the Pentagon - how did a cadet mission end with her in traffic? A retired one‑horned goat tied outside the Pentagon In this episode, we trace how a November 2021 incident left a fourteen‑year‑old,...
A retired one‑horned goat tied outside the Pentagon

In this episode, we trace how a November 2021 incident left a fourteen‑year‑old, one‑horned Naval Academy goat alone on a traffic median across from the Pentagon. The episode outlines the long running Army-Navy mascot rivalry and the institutional decisions and missions that produced that moment. What chain of traditions and operations led cadets to drive a mascot into the night?

Person: one‑horned goat (Bill), age 14
Event: autumn 2021 mission by Army cadets
Institution: United States Naval Academy mascot tradition since 1893
History: 38 previous goats named Bill
Incident examples: 1953 convertible horn damage; 1960 goat flown in B-26 bomb bay

- A live goat has been the Naval Academy mascot since 1893, always called Bill and inheriting a uniformed legacy.
- The Army-Navy rivalry escalated from pranks into organized missions and institutional responses across decades.
- In 1953 cadets hid a Navy goat in a convertible; the animal’s horns shredded the car’s roof and the episode made headlines.
- In 1960 a Navy Bill was transported covertly in the bomb bay of a B-26 bomber rather than openly on a passenger ticket.
- In autumn 2021 a group of Army cadets drove into the night on a mission connected to that century‑long practice, leaving a retired one‑horned Bill tied on Army Navy Drive.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>930falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/cecil-earned-9-800-a-day-and-a-hunter-paid-45-000-to-kill-him--74909176
Cecil earned $9,800 a day - and a hunter paid $45,000 to kill him

In this episode, we trace the events and numbers that intersected when Cecil, a thirteen-year-old collared lion from an Oxford study, left park protection and was shot after a bait was placed on a neighboring farm. We lay out the permits, the GPS evidence, the economic calculations, and the conflicting views that turned one animal into two different stories; what question does that split leave hanging?

Person: Cecil
Date: July 1, 2015
Location: Antoinette Farm / Hwange National Park boundary
Author/Study: Oxford University Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (WildCRU)
Payment: $45,000 paid by Walter Palmer for the hunting permit

- The bait was placed at the park boundary after dark, scent crossing into protected Hwange and drawing Cecil out.
- Cecil carried a GPS collar tied to an ongoing Oxford wildlife study; the collar was later found discarded beside his body.
- A professional guide, Theo Bronkhorst, held a valid operator license and Walter Palmer had paid and signed the hunting paperwork.
- Guide Bryan Orford calculated that Cecil generated about $9,800 per day from photographic tourism, making live value exceed one-time trophy fees.
- Zimbabwe's High Court dismissed charges against Bronkhorst, ruling no crime under wildlife law despite the bait, boundary crossing, and collared research animal.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74909176Tue, 13 Oct 2026 08:00:03 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA collared Hwange lion crosses a boundary - a hunter leaves the GPS collar discarded in the dirt. What happened? Cecil earned $9,800 a day - and a hunter paid $45,000 to kill him In this episode, we trace the events and numbers that intersected...
Cecil earned $9,800 a day - and a hunter paid $45,000 to kill him

In this episode, we trace the events and numbers that intersected when Cecil, a thirteen-year-old collared lion from an Oxford study, left park protection and was shot after a bait was placed on a neighboring farm. We lay out the permits, the GPS evidence, the economic calculations, and the conflicting views that turned one animal into two different stories; what question does that split leave hanging?

Person: Cecil
Date: July 1, 2015
Location: Antoinette Farm / Hwange National Park boundary
Author/Study: Oxford University Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (WildCRU)
Payment: $45,000 paid by Walter Palmer for the hunting permit

- The bait was placed at the park boundary after dark, scent crossing into protected Hwange and drawing Cecil out.
- Cecil carried a GPS collar tied to an ongoing Oxford wildlife study; the collar was later found discarded beside his body.
- A professional guide, Theo Bronkhorst, held a valid operator license and Walter Palmer had paid and signed the hunting paperwork.
- Guide Bryan Orford calculated that Cecil generated about $9,800 per day from photographic tourism, making live value exceed one-time trophy fees.
- Zimbabwe's High Court dismissed charges against Bronkhorst, ruling no crime under wildlife law despite the bait, boundary crossing, and collared research animal.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1231falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/fifteen-jonathans-ninety-years-and-no-agreed-numbering-between-8-and-10--74909175
Fifteen Jonathans, ninety years - and no agreed numbering between 8 and 10

In this episode, we trace how a single name became a living symbol at the University of Connecticut and why the sequence of dogs carrying that name cannot be firmly established. The story follows the granite stone, the fraternity that managed the dogs, and a disputed fourteen-month gap that exposes how institutional memory and myth were made. What happened between Jonathan VIII and Jonathan X, and why can’t the records be reconciled?

Person: Jonathan (Siberian husky)
Location: Old Whitney Field, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut
Organization: Alpha Phi Omega (student fraternity)
Event: Board of Trustees vote to recognize the husky as mascot (1989)
Period: Ninety years of the Jonathan lineage up to 2023

- The first Jonathan is buried under a granite stone at the edge of Old Whitney Field with no recorded ceremony or official university acknowledgment.
- The name Jonathan has been passed to fifteen Siberian huskies, with origin stories linking the first to Robert Peary’s sled dogs forming part of the tradition’s mythology.
- Alpha Phi Omega physically managed the dogs for more than fifty years, maintaining continuity through informal, personal handovers rather than institutional recordkeeping.
- The Board of Trustees quietly recognized the husky as UConn’s mascot in 1989 but did not resolve conflicting records about which dog held which number.
- A fourteen-month fracture between Jonathan VIII (died May 1991, cared for on a private Willington farm by Richard Rogers) and Jonathan X is the central unresolved gap that university archives and testimonies cannot agree upon.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74909175Mon, 12 Oct 2026 08:00:05 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA UConn fraternity kept a husky named Jonathan alive for decades - but between Jonathans 8 and 10, numbering fractures and no archive can agree? Fifteen Jonathans, ninety years - and no agreed numbering between 8 and 10 In this episode, we trace...
Fifteen Jonathans, ninety years - and no agreed numbering between 8 and 10

In this episode, we trace how a single name became a living symbol at the University of Connecticut and why the sequence of dogs carrying that name cannot be firmly established. The story follows the granite stone, the fraternity that managed the dogs, and a disputed fourteen-month gap that exposes how institutional memory and myth were made. What happened between Jonathan VIII and Jonathan X, and why can’t the records be reconciled?

Person: Jonathan (Siberian husky)
Location: Old Whitney Field, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut
Organization: Alpha Phi Omega (student fraternity)
Event: Board of Trustees vote to recognize the husky as mascot (1989)
Period: Ninety years of the Jonathan lineage up to 2023

- The first Jonathan is buried under a granite stone at the edge of Old Whitney Field with no recorded ceremony or official university acknowledgment.
- The name Jonathan has been passed to fifteen Siberian huskies, with origin stories linking the first to Robert Peary’s sled dogs forming part of the tradition’s mythology.
- Alpha Phi Omega physically managed the dogs for more than fifty years, maintaining continuity through informal, personal handovers rather than institutional recordkeeping.
- The Board of Trustees quietly recognized the husky as UConn’s mascot in 1989 but did not resolve conflicting records about which dog held which number.
- A fourteen-month fracture between Jonathan VIII (died May 1991, cared for on a private Willington farm by Richard Rogers) and Jonathan X is the central unresolved gap that university archives and testimonies cannot agree upon.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1139falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/a-white-gorilla-with-slc45a2-mutation-was-born-to-closely-related-parents--74909174
A white gorilla with SLC45A2 mutation was born to closely related parents

In this episode, we follow the known facts about a uniquely white gorilla taken from the Río Muni forest in 1966, his transfer to Barcelona, and the genetic and clinical details that linked his color to internal harm. What does the combination of inbreeding and a recessive SLC45A2 mutation reveal about his life and suffering?

Person: Snowflake (Floquet de Neu / Nfumu Ngui)
Date: October 1, 1966 (encounter); born ~1964
Location: Río Muni forest, Spanish Guinea; later transported to Bata and Barcelona
Mutation: SLC45A2 (recessive)
Observer: Jordi Sabater Pi; physician Antonio Jonch

- A Fang farmer, Benito Mañé, found a white infant gorilla among a group he killed and kept the infant alive for four days before selling it.
- The infant, later named Floquet de Neu and Snowflake, was roughly two years old at capture and transported by air to Barcelona in November 1966.
- Posthumous genetic analysis showed Snowflake’s parents shared about 12% of their DNA, consistent with an uncle-niece level of relatedness.
- The white coloration resulted from a recessive SLC45A2 mutation that requires both parents to carry and pass the variant for expression.
- Clinical notes by Antonio Jonch documented severe ocular depigmentation, visible choroidal vessels, high photophobia, and unusually rapid blinking linked to the mutation.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74909174Sun, 11 Oct 2026 08:00:05 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA white gorilla from a West African forest is captured and becomes world-famous - but did the mutation that made him visible also harm his eyes? A white gorilla with SLC45A2 mutation was born to closely related parents In this episode, we follow...
A white gorilla with SLC45A2 mutation was born to closely related parents

In this episode, we follow the known facts about a uniquely white gorilla taken from the Río Muni forest in 1966, his transfer to Barcelona, and the genetic and clinical details that linked his color to internal harm. What does the combination of inbreeding and a recessive SLC45A2 mutation reveal about his life and suffering?

Person: Snowflake (Floquet de Neu / Nfumu Ngui)
Date: October 1, 1966 (encounter); born ~1964
Location: Río Muni forest, Spanish Guinea; later transported to Bata and Barcelona
Mutation: SLC45A2 (recessive)
Observer: Jordi Sabater Pi; physician Antonio Jonch

- A Fang farmer, Benito Mañé, found a white infant gorilla among a group he killed and kept the infant alive for four days before selling it.
- The infant, later named Floquet de Neu and Snowflake, was roughly two years old at capture and transported by air to Barcelona in November 1966.
- Posthumous genetic analysis showed Snowflake’s parents shared about 12% of their DNA, consistent with an uncle-niece level of relatedness.
- The white coloration resulted from a recessive SLC45A2 mutation that requires both parents to carry and pass the variant for expression.
- Clinical notes by Antonio Jonch documented severe ocular depigmentation, visible choroidal vessels, high photophobia, and unusually rapid blinking linked to the mutation.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1036falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/one-percent-of-mammoth-dna-turned-an-elephant-into-something-new--74909173
One percent of mammoth DNA turned an elephant into something new

In this episode, we follow the experiments, the scientific pivots, and the central questions around using gene editing to recreate mammoth traits. We track how methods shifted from cloning to CRISPR and ask what “mammoth” means when most of the genome remains elephant. What threshold turns edited DNA into a new animal?

Person: George Church
Person: Beth Shapiro
Company: Colossal Biosciences
Date: 2028
Method: CRISPR gene editing

- Researchers used CRISPR to make targeted edits in the Asian elephant genome, altering traits like hair, fat metabolism, hemoglobin, and cold resistance.
- In 2015 Beth Shapiro published the complete woolly mammoth nuclear genome and argued intact ancient nuclei necessary for cloning do not exist.
- The cloning route (somatic cell nuclear transfer) relies on a living nucleus, which frozen mammoth remains cannot provide because their DNA is fragmented.
- By 2017 Church’s lab had implemented forty-five specific genetic substitutions in elephant cells to approximate mammoth adaptations.
- Colossal Biosciences publicly committed to producing a hybrid calf by 2028 that would carry no more than one percent mammoth DNA.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74909173Sat, 10 Oct 2026 08:00:04 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA team edits an Asian elephant with mammoth traits to survive cold - but would a mostly elephant animal still be a mammoth? One percent of mammoth DNA turned an elephant into something new In this episode, we follow the experiments, the...
One percent of mammoth DNA turned an elephant into something new

In this episode, we follow the experiments, the scientific pivots, and the central questions around using gene editing to recreate mammoth traits. We track how methods shifted from cloning to CRISPR and ask what “mammoth” means when most of the genome remains elephant. What threshold turns edited DNA into a new animal?

Person: George Church
Person: Beth Shapiro
Company: Colossal Biosciences
Date: 2028
Method: CRISPR gene editing

- Researchers used CRISPR to make targeted edits in the Asian elephant genome, altering traits like hair, fat metabolism, hemoglobin, and cold resistance.
- In 2015 Beth Shapiro published the complete woolly mammoth nuclear genome and argued intact ancient nuclei necessary for cloning do not exist.
- The cloning route (somatic cell nuclear transfer) relies on a living nucleus, which frozen mammoth remains cannot provide because their DNA is fragmented.
- By 2017 Church’s lab had implemented forty-five specific genetic substitutions in elephant cells to approximate mammoth adaptations.
- Colossal Biosciences publicly committed to producing a hybrid calf by 2028 that would carry no more than one percent mammoth DNA.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1105falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-wolf-that-stacked-every-poison-bait-unbitten--74909172
The Wolf That Stacked Every Poison Bait, Unbitten

In this episode, we follow Ernest Thompson Seton’s arrival in the Currumpaw Valley and his months observing a wolf whose behavior confounded hunters and naturalists alike. The episode traces how a pattern of stacked poison baits, a persistent pack, and Seton’s detailed field notes created a puzzle that still asks: what was happening inside that animal’s mind?

Person: Lobo
Person: Blanca
Author: Ernest Thompson Seton
Location: Currumpaw Valley, northeastern New Mexico
Period: 1890s

- Ranchers in the Currumpaw Valley set bounties and organized widespread poisoning campaigns using strychnine in the 1890s.
- Every poison bait placed by hunters was found the next morning stacked in neat groups of four, covered and set aside rather than eaten or buried.
- Lobo led a small pack responsible for cattle losses and repeatedly avoided or neutralized traps and hunters who had succeeded elsewhere.
- Seton arrived in 1894 as a hunter but recorded detailed behavioral observations and drawings, noting Lobo’s apparent pattern recognition and adjustments to human methods.
- Lobo’s constant companion, Blanca, moved where he moved, and Seton concluded that reaching her might reveal a vulnerability the hunters could exploit.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74909172Fri, 09 Oct 2026 08:00:05 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA lone wolf in New Mexico stacks hunters’ poison baits into neat piles-so how did he outsmart an era of industrialized poisoning? The Wolf That Stacked Every Poison Bait, Unbitten In this episode, we follow Ernest Thompson Seton’s arrival in the...
The Wolf That Stacked Every Poison Bait, Unbitten

In this episode, we follow Ernest Thompson Seton’s arrival in the Currumpaw Valley and his months observing a wolf whose behavior confounded hunters and naturalists alike. The episode traces how a pattern of stacked poison baits, a persistent pack, and Seton’s detailed field notes created a puzzle that still asks: what was happening inside that animal’s mind?

Person: Lobo
Person: Blanca
Author: Ernest Thompson Seton
Location: Currumpaw Valley, northeastern New Mexico
Period: 1890s

- Ranchers in the Currumpaw Valley set bounties and organized widespread poisoning campaigns using strychnine in the 1890s.
- Every poison bait placed by hunters was found the next morning stacked in neat groups of four, covered and set aside rather than eaten or buried.
- Lobo led a small pack responsible for cattle losses and repeatedly avoided or neutralized traps and hunters who had succeeded elsewhere.
- Seton arrived in 1894 as a hunter but recorded detailed behavioral observations and drawings, noting Lobo’s apparent pattern recognition and adjustments to human methods.
- Lobo’s constant companion, Blanca, moved where he moved, and Seton concluded that reaching her might reveal a vulnerability the hunters could exploit.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1120falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/a-stray-dog-rode-south-australian-trains-for-eleven-years--74909170
A stray dog rode South Australian trains for eleven years

In this episode, we follow the documented record of a dog named Bob who became a fixture of South Australian railways between 1884 and 1895. The episode covers the journeys, objects, and stories that made him a legend - and asks what the evidence can and cannot resolve about how he lived and moved.

Person: Bob
Date: 1884-29 July 1895
Location: South Australian railway network (Adelaide to Petersburg/Peterborough and beyond)
Event: Eleven years riding trains; death on 29 July 1895
Status: Collar preserved at the National Railway Museum, Port Adelaide

- Acquired by a railway worker named Ferry in 1884, Bob began traveling the rails without a fixed address.
- He rode in goods vans, guards' carriages, on locomotive footplates, by river barge and coastal steamer, moving whenever the trains moved.
- After a farmer stole Bob, a commercial traveler commissioned a brass-plated collar reading a rhyming couplet and "Presented by McLean Bros and Ricc."
- Stories circulated of injuries: Bob arriving at Saddleworth after walking two miles on an injured leg, and losing an inch of tail after being caught by machinery in Port Pirie.
- The collar passed through civic and union hands and now sits in the National Railway Museum, while workers built a mythology around a dog claimed by the railway.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74909170Thu, 08 Oct 2026 08:00:03 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA stray dog rode South Australian trains for eleven years, slipping onto goods vans and footplates - how is that possible? A stray dog rode South Australian trains for eleven years In this episode, we follow the documented record of a dog named...
A stray dog rode South Australian trains for eleven years

In this episode, we follow the documented record of a dog named Bob who became a fixture of South Australian railways between 1884 and 1895. The episode covers the journeys, objects, and stories that made him a legend - and asks what the evidence can and cannot resolve about how he lived and moved.

Person: Bob
Date: 1884-29 July 1895
Location: South Australian railway network (Adelaide to Petersburg/Peterborough and beyond)
Event: Eleven years riding trains; death on 29 July 1895
Status: Collar preserved at the National Railway Museum, Port Adelaide

- Acquired by a railway worker named Ferry in 1884, Bob began traveling the rails without a fixed address.
- He rode in goods vans, guards' carriages, on locomotive footplates, by river barge and coastal steamer, moving whenever the trains moved.
- After a farmer stole Bob, a commercial traveler commissioned a brass-plated collar reading a rhyming couplet and "Presented by McLean Bros and Ricc."
- Stories circulated of injuries: Bob arriving at Saddleworth after walking two miles on an injured leg, and losing an inch of tail after being caught by machinery in Port Pirie.
- The collar passed through civic and union hands and now sits in the National Railway Museum, while workers built a mythology around a dog claimed by the railway.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1145falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/forty-thousand-people-watched-a-groundhog-that-s-right-36-of-the-time--74909169
Forty thousand people watched a groundhog that's right 36% of the time

In this episode, we trace how a midwinter superstition became a mass ritual in Punxsutawney and why people keep the tradition despite its poor forecasting record. We follow the animal’s journey from European badger rites to an American groundhog spectacle and ask what the ritual really gives people.

Person: Punxsutawney Phil
Location: Gobbler's Knob, Pennsylvania
Date: February 2 (Groundhog Day)
Event: Groundhog observance first in print 1886; civic event 1887; Groundhog Club organized 1899; name "Phil" by 1961
Accuracy: Studies report 28% (National Geographic), 39% (Stormfax), 36% (Weather Underground 1969-2016), 52% (Lakehead University 2021)

- Forty thousand attendees now gather at Gobbler's Knob before sunrise to watch Phil, compared with roughly two thousand before 1993.
- Multiple independent analyses measured Phil’s record across decades and found accuracy figures ranging from 28% to 52%, with Weather Underground reporting 36% for 1969-2016.
- The ritual’s logic-shadow equals six more weeks of winter-matches an 1823 Austrian printed text that records the same formula.
- The tradition crossed the Atlantic with German-speaking immigrants who transferred Badger Day (Dachstag) customs to local hibernating animals called "grun'daks"-ground-badgers.
- Early American observances were private or hunting feasts; the Punxsutawney Spirit’s 1886 account and Clymer Freas’s promotion turned the animal into a recurring civic spectacle.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74909169Wed, 07 Oct 2026 08:00:03 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTForty thousand people crowd a Pennsylvania hill at dawn to watch Punxsutawney Phil predict the weather - but is he right? Forty thousand people watched a groundhog that's right 36% of the time In this episode, we trace how a midwinter...
Forty thousand people watched a groundhog that's right 36% of the time

In this episode, we trace how a midwinter superstition became a mass ritual in Punxsutawney and why people keep the tradition despite its poor forecasting record. We follow the animal’s journey from European badger rites to an American groundhog spectacle and ask what the ritual really gives people.

Person: Punxsutawney Phil
Location: Gobbler's Knob, Pennsylvania
Date: February 2 (Groundhog Day)
Event: Groundhog observance first in print 1886; civic event 1887; Groundhog Club organized 1899; name "Phil" by 1961
Accuracy: Studies report 28% (National Geographic), 39% (Stormfax), 36% (Weather Underground 1969-2016), 52% (Lakehead University 2021)

- Forty thousand attendees now gather at Gobbler's Knob before sunrise to watch Phil, compared with roughly two thousand before 1993.
- Multiple independent analyses measured Phil’s record across decades and found accuracy figures ranging from 28% to 52%, with Weather Underground reporting 36% for 1969-2016.
- The ritual’s logic-shadow equals six more weeks of winter-matches an 1823 Austrian printed text that records the same formula.
- The tradition crossed the Atlantic with German-speaking immigrants who transferred Badger Day (Dachstag) customs to local hibernating animals called "grun'daks"-ground-badgers.
- Early American observances were private or hunting feasts; the Punxsutawney Spirit’s 1886 account and Clymer Freas’s promotion turned the animal into a recurring civic spectacle.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1144falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/a-detection-dog-walked-out-of-an-afghan-battlefield-after-14-months--74909167
A detection dog walked out of an Afghan battlefield after 14 months

In this episode, we follow the story of Sarbi, a military detection dog who disappeared during a violent ambush in Orūzgān Province and reappeared over a year later. The episode lays out the battlefield moment, the searches that followed, and the unresolved questions that emerged when she returned. What happened to Sarbi between September 2, 2008 and the day a US soldier recognized her in November 2009?

Person: Sarbi (Labrador Retriever × Newfoundland detection dog)
Person: Corporal David David (handler)
Event: Ambush near Khaz Oruzgan, September 2, 2008
Location: Orūzgān Province, Afghanistan
Person: Retired Lieutenant Colonel George Hulse (ADF Trackers and Defence Dogs Association president)

- A rocket detonated near Sarbi during the September 2, 2008 ambush that wounded nine Australian soldiers and included actions that later earned a Victoria Cross.
- Sarbi’s official status became missing in action; the Special Operations Task Group launched repeated searches and ultimately stopped active recovery efforts.
- One unverified account claims Sarbi, wounded, walked to a nearby ISAF forward operating base and was chased away by Afghan guards at the gate.
- Fourteen months later, in November 2009, an American soldier in north-eastern Orūzgān Province heard Sarbi’s military voice command and she obeyed immediately.
- Questions raised after Sarbi’s return include how she survived, who cared for her while missing, and why public notice of her recovery coincided with a prime ministerial visit.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74909167Tue, 06 Oct 2026 08:00:04 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA black detection dog vanishes from an Afghan ambush and reappears 14 months later - how did she survive and who kept her alive in Orūzgān Province? A detection dog walked out of an Afghan battlefield after 14 months In this episode, we follow...
A detection dog walked out of an Afghan battlefield after 14 months

In this episode, we follow the story of Sarbi, a military detection dog who disappeared during a violent ambush in Orūzgān Province and reappeared over a year later. The episode lays out the battlefield moment, the searches that followed, and the unresolved questions that emerged when she returned. What happened to Sarbi between September 2, 2008 and the day a US soldier recognized her in November 2009?

Person: Sarbi (Labrador Retriever × Newfoundland detection dog)
Person: Corporal David David (handler)
Event: Ambush near Khaz Oruzgan, September 2, 2008
Location: Orūzgān Province, Afghanistan
Person: Retired Lieutenant Colonel George Hulse (ADF Trackers and Defence Dogs Association president)

- A rocket detonated near Sarbi during the September 2, 2008 ambush that wounded nine Australian soldiers and included actions that later earned a Victoria Cross.
- Sarbi’s official status became missing in action; the Special Operations Task Group launched repeated searches and ultimately stopped active recovery efforts.
- One unverified account claims Sarbi, wounded, walked to a nearby ISAF forward operating base and was chased away by Afghan guards at the gate.
- Fourteen months later, in November 2009, an American soldier in north-eastern Orūzgān Province heard Sarbi’s military voice command and she obeyed immediately.
- Questions raised after Sarbi’s return include how she survived, who cared for her while missing, and why public notice of her recovery coincided with a prime ministerial visit.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1005falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-four-hippos-that-became-two-hundred-and-approved-for-killing--74909166
The four hippos that became two hundred and approved for killing

This episode explores the ecological inheritance left by Pablo Escobar: a population of hippos in Colombia. It delves into how four animals imported in 1981 grew into a crisis, and the ongoing debate about how to manage them.

Person: Pablo Escobar
Date: 1981
Location: Hacienda Nápoles, Puerto Triunfo, Antioquia, Colombia
Event: Importation of four hippos
Cost: Seven thousand two hundred million pesos

- Four hippos, one male and three females, were imported into Colombia in 1981 by Pablo Escobar for his private zoo at Hacienda Nápoles.
- After Escobar's death in 1993, the government seized his properties, and the hippos were left abandoned in the Magdalena River basin.
- With no natural predators and abundant resources, the hippo population began to reproduce, with one female producing a calf every two years.
- By 2009, the government attempted to remove one hippo, named Pepe, but public reaction to its killing halted further culling efforts for a decade.
- By 2023, researchers estimated the hippo population to be between 181 and 215 individuals, with projections of reaching 1,000 by 2035 without intervention.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74909166Mon, 05 Oct 2026 08:00:04 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTFour hippos arrived in Colombia in 1981, becoming 200 descendants 45 years later. Now, the government has approved the killing of over 80 of them. The four hippos that became two hundred and approved for killing This episode explores the...
The four hippos that became two hundred and approved for killing

This episode explores the ecological inheritance left by Pablo Escobar: a population of hippos in Colombia. It delves into how four animals imported in 1981 grew into a crisis, and the ongoing debate about how to manage them.

Person: Pablo Escobar
Date: 1981
Location: Hacienda Nápoles, Puerto Triunfo, Antioquia, Colombia
Event: Importation of four hippos
Cost: Seven thousand two hundred million pesos

- Four hippos, one male and three females, were imported into Colombia in 1981 by Pablo Escobar for his private zoo at Hacienda Nápoles.
- After Escobar's death in 1993, the government seized his properties, and the hippos were left abandoned in the Magdalena River basin.
- With no natural predators and abundant resources, the hippo population began to reproduce, with one female producing a calf every two years.
- By 2009, the government attempted to remove one hippo, named Pepe, but public reaction to its killing halted further culling efforts for a decade.
- By 2023, researchers estimated the hippo population to be between 181 and 215 individuals, with projections of reaching 1,000 by 2035 without intervention.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1235falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/one-bulldog-refused-every-name-but-jack-and-seven-successors-kept-it--74909165
One bulldog refused every name but Jack - and seven successors kept it

This episode explores the unique tradition of Georgetown University's bulldog mascots, all named Jack. It delves into how a single dog's stubbornness in 1962 created a lasting institutional identity.

Person: Father Pilarz
Date: 1962
Location: Georgetown University
Animal: Bulldog
Breed: English bulldog

- In 1962, a Georgetown bulldog only responded to the name Jack, despite handlers trying other names.
- The university's bulldog mascot program was not continuous, with periods of no living mascot.
- In 1999, Father Pilarz received a bulldog puppy, formally named John P. Carroll, but everyone called him Jack.
- The American Kennel Club ranked the English bulldog eighth in cultural popularity in 2009.
- A new bulldog, Serchell's John P. Carroll, arrived in 2024, becoming the ninth official mascot, and is also called Jack.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74909165Sun, 04 Oct 2026 08:00:03 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA university bulldog refused to answer to any name but Jack in 1962. Decades later, every Georgetown bulldog mascot still carries it. One bulldog refused every name but Jack - and seven successors kept it This episode explores the unique...
One bulldog refused every name but Jack - and seven successors kept it

This episode explores the unique tradition of Georgetown University's bulldog mascots, all named Jack. It delves into how a single dog's stubbornness in 1962 created a lasting institutional identity.

Person: Father Pilarz
Date: 1962
Location: Georgetown University
Animal: Bulldog
Breed: English bulldog

- In 1962, a Georgetown bulldog only responded to the name Jack, despite handlers trying other names.
- The university's bulldog mascot program was not continuous, with periods of no living mascot.
- In 1999, Father Pilarz received a bulldog puppy, formally named John P. Carroll, but everyone called him Jack.
- The American Kennel Club ranked the English bulldog eighth in cultural popularity in 2009.
- A new bulldog, Serchell's John P. Carroll, arrived in 2024, becoming the ninth official mascot, and is also called Jack.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1014falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/a-single-mountain-lion-crossed-8-lanes-to-save-a-population--74909163
A single mountain lion crossed 8 lanes to save a population

This episode details the extraordinary journey of a mountain lion known as P-twelve, who navigated one of the busiest freeways in the United States. It explores the critical impact of his crossing on the isolated mountain lion population in the Santa Monica Mountains.

Person: P-twelve
Date: February 2009
Location: U.S. Route 101, near Liberty Canyon
Topic: Genetic rescue

- In February 2009, a mountain lion crossed an eight-lane freeway, a feat considered a miracle of timing and nerve.
- Researchers from the National Park Service had been tracking mountain lions in the Santa Monica Mountains since 2002, fitting them with GPS collars.
- The Santa Monica Mountains are an isolated habitat, surrounded by urban development and major highways, leading to a shrinking gene pool for its mountain lion population.
- By the early 2000s, the mountain lions in the Santa Monica Mountains had the second-lowest genetic diversity ever recorded in a large carnivore population in North America.
- P-twelve, an "immigrant" male, brought much-needed unrelated genes into the isolated population, fathering at least eight confirmed litters.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74909163Sat, 03 Oct 2026 08:00:04 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA mountain lion makes a miraculous crossing of an eight-lane freeway, carrying the hopes of a genetically isolated population on his shoulders. A single mountain lion crossed 8 lanes to save a population This episode details the extraordinary...
A single mountain lion crossed 8 lanes to save a population

This episode details the extraordinary journey of a mountain lion known as P-twelve, who navigated one of the busiest freeways in the United States. It explores the critical impact of his crossing on the isolated mountain lion population in the Santa Monica Mountains.

Person: P-twelve
Date: February 2009
Location: U.S. Route 101, near Liberty Canyon
Topic: Genetic rescue

- In February 2009, a mountain lion crossed an eight-lane freeway, a feat considered a miracle of timing and nerve.
- Researchers from the National Park Service had been tracking mountain lions in the Santa Monica Mountains since 2002, fitting them with GPS collars.
- The Santa Monica Mountains are an isolated habitat, surrounded by urban development and major highways, leading to a shrinking gene pool for its mountain lion population.
- By the early 2000s, the mountain lions in the Santa Monica Mountains had the second-lowest genetic diversity ever recorded in a large carnivore population in North America.
- P-twelve, an "immigrant" male, brought much-needed unrelated genes into the isolated population, fathering at least eight confirmed litters.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1198falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/a-thirteen-year-old-lion-with-an-atrophied-hind-leg-led-a-pride-takeover--74909161
A thirteen‑year‑old lion with an atrophied hind leg led a pride takeover

In this episode, we follow decades of continuous observation in the Maasai Mara to trace one individual lion’s unlikely presence in a major pride takeover. The episode lays out the long‑term record, the arrival of the Four Musketeers, and the unanswered question of what kept Scarface alive and influential despite his handicap.

Person: Scarface
Location: Maasai Mara, Marsh (near the Mara River)
Date: August 2020 (BBC Wildlife Magazine cover); takeover events noted in 2011
Period: Jonathan Scott’s continuous observation beginning 1977 and spanning 38+ years
Event: Four Musketeers coalition takeover of the Marsh Pride

- Jonathan Scott returned season after season from 1977, building an individual‑level record of the Marsh Pride across decades.
- By 2015 none of the original 1977 pride members remained alive, yet the pride’s territory and name persisted.
- In 2011 four related adult males, dubbed the Four Musketeers, arrived and gradually displaced the resident males through repeated confrontations.
- One member of that coalition, called Scarface, had a visibly atrophied left hind leg with no documented single cause in the photographic record.
- Scarface ate, held ground, and functioned within the new male hierarchy despite a physical impairment observers expected would prevent him from contributing to a takeover.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74909161Fri, 02 Oct 2026 08:00:03 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA thirteen‑year‑old Scarface with an atrophied hind leg helped seize the Marsh Pride in the Maasai Mara-how did he survive and hold power? A thirteen‑year‑old lion with an atrophied hind leg led a pride takeover In this episode, we follow...
A thirteen‑year‑old lion with an atrophied hind leg led a pride takeover

In this episode, we follow decades of continuous observation in the Maasai Mara to trace one individual lion’s unlikely presence in a major pride takeover. The episode lays out the long‑term record, the arrival of the Four Musketeers, and the unanswered question of what kept Scarface alive and influential despite his handicap.

Person: Scarface
Location: Maasai Mara, Marsh (near the Mara River)
Date: August 2020 (BBC Wildlife Magazine cover); takeover events noted in 2011
Period: Jonathan Scott’s continuous observation beginning 1977 and spanning 38+ years
Event: Four Musketeers coalition takeover of the Marsh Pride

- Jonathan Scott returned season after season from 1977, building an individual‑level record of the Marsh Pride across decades.
- By 2015 none of the original 1977 pride members remained alive, yet the pride’s territory and name persisted.
- In 2011 four related adult males, dubbed the Four Musketeers, arrived and gradually displaced the resident males through repeated confrontations.
- One member of that coalition, called Scarface, had a visibly atrophied left hind leg with no documented single cause in the photographic record.
- Scarface ate, held ground, and functioned within the new male hierarchy despite a physical impairment observers expected would prevent him from contributing to a takeover.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1117falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-photograph-of-shabani-posted-online-made-him-a-national-celebrity--74909160
The photograph of Shabani posted online made him a national celebrity

In this episode, we follow how one unposed image of a gorilla at Higashiyama Zoo transformed him into a cultural phenomenon and commercial brand. The episode traces his life from birth through transfers and the moment a keeper’s snapshot went viral, asking how an animal who sought distance became the center of intense human attention.

Person: Shabani
Date: Born 20 October 1996
Location: Higashiyama Zoo, Nagoya, Japan
Event: Viral photograph published in 2015
Status: Trademarked and licensed image used in merchandise and campaigns

- Born in the Netherlands, moved seven weeks later to Australia, then transferred to Nagoya around age ten as part of breeding programs.
- A keeper photographed Shabani near the viewing glass in 2015; the shot was unplanned and non-staged.
- Social media and international outlets labeled him "handsome" and "metrosexual," sparking crowds who shouted his name at the enclosure.
- The zoo recorded his behavior as withdrawal and placed signs asking visitors not to shout, even as merchandise and media deals multiplied.
- From photo books and DVDs to Adobe campaigns and a Lego sculpture, the machinery of fame expanded far beyond the zoo’s original capacity.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74909160Thu, 01 Oct 2026 08:00:03 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA single candid photo of a withdrawn gorilla in Nagoya ignites a national fascination with the word "handsome" - and nobody planned it. The photograph of Shabani posted online made him a national celebrity In this episode, we follow how one...
The photograph of Shabani posted online made him a national celebrity

In this episode, we follow how one unposed image of a gorilla at Higashiyama Zoo transformed him into a cultural phenomenon and commercial brand. The episode traces his life from birth through transfers and the moment a keeper’s snapshot went viral, asking how an animal who sought distance became the center of intense human attention.

Person: Shabani
Date: Born 20 October 1996
Location: Higashiyama Zoo, Nagoya, Japan
Event: Viral photograph published in 2015
Status: Trademarked and licensed image used in merchandise and campaigns

- Born in the Netherlands, moved seven weeks later to Australia, then transferred to Nagoya around age ten as part of breeding programs.
- A keeper photographed Shabani near the viewing glass in 2015; the shot was unplanned and non-staged.
- Social media and international outlets labeled him "handsome" and "metrosexual," sparking crowds who shouted his name at the enclosure.
- The zoo recorded his behavior as withdrawal and placed signs asking visitors not to shout, even as merchandise and media deals multiplied.
- From photo books and DVDs to Adobe campaigns and a Lego sculpture, the machinery of fame expanded far beyond the zoo’s original capacity.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1151falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/born-into-captivity-the-unrecorded-death-of-amaya-the-orca--74909159
Born Into Captivity: The Unrecorded Death of Amaya the Orca

In this episode we trace the human-made family tree and institutional decisions that shaped Amaya’s life and death. We follow captures, transfers, breeding records and social roles inside captivity to ask what those arrangements cost the animals involved.

Person: Amaya
Date: December 2, 2014, 12:34 PM
Location: SeaWorld San Diego
Event: Death recorded August 2021 with no cause listed
Person: Kalia; Relation: mother and became matriarch at ~13 after Kasatka’s 2017 death

- Amaya was born at SeaWorld San Diego weighing 350 pounds and measuring 6.5 feet, part of a lineage arranged entirely by human decisions.
- Her pedigree included a father-daughter pairing: Ulises was both her father and grandfather through breeding records.
- Amaya carried 93.75% Icelandic genetics and 6.25% Southern Resident genetics tying her to wild Pacific Northwest populations.
- Kasatka, the San Diego pod’s matriarch, died in 2017 and leadership passed to her granddaughter Kalia, then about thirteen years old.
- The orca population in captivity reflects decades of captures and transfers, beginning with Icelandic captures in the 1980s that seeded facilities worldwide.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74909159Wed, 30 Sep 2026 08:00:06 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA calf born at SeaWorld San Diego inherits a family stitched by captures and transfers-how did that world shape her fate? Born Into Captivity: The Unrecorded Death of Amaya the Orca In this episode we trace the human-made family tree and...
Born Into Captivity: The Unrecorded Death of Amaya the Orca

In this episode we trace the human-made family tree and institutional decisions that shaped Amaya’s life and death. We follow captures, transfers, breeding records and social roles inside captivity to ask what those arrangements cost the animals involved.

Person: Amaya
Date: December 2, 2014, 12:34 PM
Location: SeaWorld San Diego
Event: Death recorded August 2021 with no cause listed
Person: Kalia; Relation: mother and became matriarch at ~13 after Kasatka’s 2017 death

- Amaya was born at SeaWorld San Diego weighing 350 pounds and measuring 6.5 feet, part of a lineage arranged entirely by human decisions.
- Her pedigree included a father-daughter pairing: Ulises was both her father and grandfather through breeding records.
- Amaya carried 93.75% Icelandic genetics and 6.25% Southern Resident genetics tying her to wild Pacific Northwest populations.
- Kasatka, the San Diego pod’s matriarch, died in 2017 and leadership passed to her granddaughter Kalia, then about thirteen years old.
- The orca population in captivity reflects decades of captures and transfers, beginning with Icelandic captures in the 1980s that seeded facilities worldwide.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1155falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/a-magazine-interview-revealed-animals-died-in-the-most-innocent-film--74909157
A magazine interview revealed animals died in the most innocent film

This episode explores the making of a globally successful animal film, its journey from Japanese phenomenon to international hit, and the unsettling claims made by an insider years later. It delves into the mystery of how a film so widely praised for its gentle nature could be at the center of such a controversy.

Film: Koneko Monogatari (The Adventures of Milo and Otis)
Release Year (Japan): 1986
Animal Director: Mikio Hata
Director: Masanori Hata
Footage: 400,000 feet of raw footage

- The film, Koneko Monogatari, was filmed over four years, resulting in 74 hours of raw footage.
- It became a cultural phenomenon in Japan, earning the equivalent of $226 million and later distributed in the US as The Adventures of Milo and Otis.
- The American Humane Association reviewed the film but found no visible injury to any animal on screen, describing their investigation as a "dead end."
- Mikio Hata, the director's brother and credited animal director, stated in a 1998 magazine interview that at least one animal died during production.
- The production involved capturing real animals in uncontrolled natural settings across four seasons, featuring a cat named Chatran and a dog named Pochi.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74909157Tue, 29 Sep 2026 08:00:05 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA beloved animal film’s director accuses the production of killing animals-how could this pastoral movie hide a dark secret? A magazine interview revealed animals died in the most innocent film This episode explores the making of a globally...
A magazine interview revealed animals died in the most innocent film

This episode explores the making of a globally successful animal film, its journey from Japanese phenomenon to international hit, and the unsettling claims made by an insider years later. It delves into the mystery of how a film so widely praised for its gentle nature could be at the center of such a controversy.

Film: Koneko Monogatari (The Adventures of Milo and Otis)
Release Year (Japan): 1986
Animal Director: Mikio Hata
Director: Masanori Hata
Footage: 400,000 feet of raw footage

- The film, Koneko Monogatari, was filmed over four years, resulting in 74 hours of raw footage.
- It became a cultural phenomenon in Japan, earning the equivalent of $226 million and later distributed in the US as The Adventures of Milo and Otis.
- The American Humane Association reviewed the film but found no visible injury to any animal on screen, describing their investigation as a "dead end."
- Mikio Hata, the director's brother and credited animal director, stated in a 1998 magazine interview that at least one animal died during production.
- The production involved capturing real animals in uncontrolled natural settings across four seasons, featuring a cat named Chatran and a dog named Pochi.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1077falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/a-phone-demo-heard-an-orphaned-elephant-before-anyone-else-pmid--74909156
A phone demo heard an orphaned elephant before anyone else PMID

In this episode, we follow the unlikely chain of small moments that turned a private phone recording into a recorded song linked to an orphaned elephant in Tanzania. The episode traces the people, choices and chance overlaps that connected a birthday tune, a producer's pick, a Leytonstone choir and a decades-old comedy sample - but how did they all converge around one calf?

Person: Damon Albarn
Location: Mkomazi National Park, Tanzania
Event: Orphaned baby elephant found on aerodrome
Decision: Producer Richard Russell given editorial control over ~60 songs
Source sample: Lord Buckley, Way Out Humor (track "Lions")

- A baby elephant walked onto the Mkomazi aerodrome and remained there alone while carers searched for its mother.
- Damon Albarn had a phone demo written as a birthday song for his daughter that he included among roughly sixty tracks.
- Albarn handed those tracks to producer Richard Russell, who had final say and selected the phone demo for development.
- Albarn recruited the Leytonstone City Mission choir-six singers credited-to record gospel parts linked to his childhood memory.
- Russell added a 1959 Lord Buckley comedy sample ("Lions") into the track, connecting a dead comedian's voice to the new song.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74909156Mon, 28 Sep 2026 08:00:03 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA phone demo becomes a gospel-choir song dedicated to an orphaned calf on an airstrip in Mkomazi - and the elephant heard the demo before anyone else. A phone demo heard an orphaned elephant before anyone else PMID In this episode, we follow the...
A phone demo heard an orphaned elephant before anyone else PMID

In this episode, we follow the unlikely chain of small moments that turned a private phone recording into a recorded song linked to an orphaned elephant in Tanzania. The episode traces the people, choices and chance overlaps that connected a birthday tune, a producer's pick, a Leytonstone choir and a decades-old comedy sample - but how did they all converge around one calf?

Person: Damon Albarn
Location: Mkomazi National Park, Tanzania
Event: Orphaned baby elephant found on aerodrome
Decision: Producer Richard Russell given editorial control over ~60 songs
Source sample: Lord Buckley, Way Out Humor (track "Lions")

- A baby elephant walked onto the Mkomazi aerodrome and remained there alone while carers searched for its mother.
- Damon Albarn had a phone demo written as a birthday song for his daughter that he included among roughly sixty tracks.
- Albarn handed those tracks to producer Richard Russell, who had final say and selected the phone demo for development.
- Albarn recruited the Leytonstone City Mission choir-six singers credited-to record gospel parts linked to his childhood memory.
- Russell added a 1959 Lord Buckley comedy sample ("Lions") into the track, connecting a dead comedian's voice to the new song.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>897falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-athletics-wore-an-insult-the-elephant-on-their-uniforms-for-122-years--74909154
The Athletics wore an insult - the elephant - on their uniforms for 122 years

In this episode, we trace how an insult spoken by New York Giants manager John McGraw in 1902 became the Athletics’ defining emblem and how that decision traveled with the franchise through cities, ownerships, and decades. What happened between the moment the phrase was spoken and the moment the elephant finally left the field?

Person: Connie Mack
Person: John McGraw
Date: 1902
Period: 122 years
Event: Adoption and continued use of the elephant emblem

- McGraw publicly called the Philadelphia Athletics a “white elephant” in 1902, intending to wound.
- Connie Mack responded by adopting the white elephant as the team’s emblem rather than disputing the insult.
- The franchise carried the elephant through moves from Philadelphia to Kansas City to Oakland and multiple ownership changes.
- Costumed mascots-Harry Elephante, Trunk, and later Stomper-appeared at different times, with Stomper introduced in 1997 and remaining active.
- A physical elephant patch appeared on uniforms from 1988 and continued to be worn into the 2010s, maintaining the symbol across eras.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74909154Sun, 27 Sep 2026 08:00:04 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA rival called Connie Mack’s new team a “white elephant” - so Mack put an elephant on the A’s uniforms. Will that icon outlast the team? The Athletics wore an insult - the elephant - on their uniforms for 122 years In this episode, we trace how...
The Athletics wore an insult - the elephant - on their uniforms for 122 years

In this episode, we trace how an insult spoken by New York Giants manager John McGraw in 1902 became the Athletics’ defining emblem and how that decision traveled with the franchise through cities, ownerships, and decades. What happened between the moment the phrase was spoken and the moment the elephant finally left the field?

Person: Connie Mack
Person: John McGraw
Date: 1902
Period: 122 years
Event: Adoption and continued use of the elephant emblem

- McGraw publicly called the Philadelphia Athletics a “white elephant” in 1902, intending to wound.
- Connie Mack responded by adopting the white elephant as the team’s emblem rather than disputing the insult.
- The franchise carried the elephant through moves from Philadelphia to Kansas City to Oakland and multiple ownership changes.
- Costumed mascots-Harry Elephante, Trunk, and later Stomper-appeared at different times, with Stomper introduced in 1997 and remaining active.
- A physical elephant patch appeared on uniforms from 1988 and continued to be worn into the 2010s, maintaining the symbol across eras.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>918falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-fish-vertebra-that-dated-a-dinosaur-to-125-million-years-ago--74909141
The fish vertebra that dated a dinosaur to 125 million years ago

In this episode, we follow how a single juvenile skeleton and a tiny fish bone became the linchpin of a decade-long scientific dispute. We track the claims about age, origin, and anatomy and ask how one identification could reshape the story of tyrannosaur evolution.

Specimen: LH PV 18
Person: Paul Sereno
Person: Denver Fowler
Date: 2009
Topic: fish vertebra (Lycoptera) identification

- The skeleton weighed about sixty-five kilograms and measured roughly two and a half meters, dying in its third year of life.
- Sereno announced LH PV 18 as an Early Cretaceous tyrannosaurid, arguing the surrounding sediment and a fish vertebra (identified as Lycoptera) dated it to ~125 million years ago.
- Lycoptera is known from Early Cretaceous deposits in northeastern China and Inner Mongolia and was central to Sereno’s provenance argument.
- The specimen passed through the fossil trade and at least three countries before formal scientific examination, complicating its geological context.
- Fowler and colleagues contested the fish vertebra ID, argued the centrum didn’t match Lycoptera, and compared the skeleton to Late Cretaceous juvenile tyrannosaurids, suggesting an alternative origin.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74909141Sat, 26 Sep 2026 08:00:04 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA juvenile tyrannosaur skeleton claims to rewrite evolution - but can a single fish vertebra and disputed provenance prove it? The fish vertebra that dated a dinosaur to 125 million years ago In this episode, we follow how a single juvenile...
The fish vertebra that dated a dinosaur to 125 million years ago

In this episode, we follow how a single juvenile skeleton and a tiny fish bone became the linchpin of a decade-long scientific dispute. We track the claims about age, origin, and anatomy and ask how one identification could reshape the story of tyrannosaur evolution.

Specimen: LH PV 18
Person: Paul Sereno
Person: Denver Fowler
Date: 2009
Topic: fish vertebra (Lycoptera) identification

- The skeleton weighed about sixty-five kilograms and measured roughly two and a half meters, dying in its third year of life.
- Sereno announced LH PV 18 as an Early Cretaceous tyrannosaurid, arguing the surrounding sediment and a fish vertebra (identified as Lycoptera) dated it to ~125 million years ago.
- Lycoptera is known from Early Cretaceous deposits in northeastern China and Inner Mongolia and was central to Sereno’s provenance argument.
- The specimen passed through the fossil trade and at least three countries before formal scientific examination, complicating its geological context.
- Fowler and colleagues contested the fish vertebra ID, argued the centrum didn’t match Lycoptera, and compared the skeleton to Late Cretaceous juvenile tyrannosaurids, suggesting an alternative origin.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1164falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/a-half-pound-squirrel-crossed-home-plate-and-sparked-a-citywide-cult--74909139
A half‑pound squirrel crossed home plate and sparked a citywide cult

In this episode, we lay out the moment a wild eastern gray squirrel ran across home plate at Busch Stadium during Game 3 of the 2011 NLDS and trace how that single crossing spun into a cultural phenomenon. We follow the stadium setting, the game's stakes, and the rapid choices-online naming, team merchandising-that turned an unnamed animal into a symbol; why did collective attention amplify one brief sprint into a legend?

Person: Rally Squirrel (unnamed eastern gray squirrel)
Date: October 5, 2011
Location: Busch Stadium, St. Louis, Missouri
Event: Game 3, 2011 National League Division Series vs. Philadelphia Phillies
Outcome: Cardinals won the game (crowd reacted and attention focused on the squirrel)

- A lone eastern gray squirrel, roughly half a pound, darted from the third‑base side and ran across home plate during the top of the fifth inning.
- Busch Stadium's urban setting-trees, concourse food, nearby riverfront canopy-provided ideal habitat and frequent wildlife incursions for grounds crews.
- The Cardinals were an improbable September comeback team in the middle of a playoff run against the favored Phillies when the squirrel appeared.
- Within 24 hours the internet had named it the "Rally Squirrel," and the name spread across broadcasts, headlines, and fan sites without any official declaration.
- The Cardinals front office quickly embraced the moment, producing Rally Squirrel merchandise-T‑shirts, hats, bobbleheads-and deploying the image in team stores.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74909139Fri, 25 Sep 2026 08:00:05 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA squirrel sprinted across home plate at Busch Stadium and ignited a citywide Rally Squirrel craze-how did that happen? A half‑pound squirrel crossed home plate and sparked a citywide cult In this episode, we lay out the moment a wild eastern...
A half‑pound squirrel crossed home plate and sparked a citywide cult

In this episode, we lay out the moment a wild eastern gray squirrel ran across home plate at Busch Stadium during Game 3 of the 2011 NLDS and trace how that single crossing spun into a cultural phenomenon. We follow the stadium setting, the game's stakes, and the rapid choices-online naming, team merchandising-that turned an unnamed animal into a symbol; why did collective attention amplify one brief sprint into a legend?

Person: Rally Squirrel (unnamed eastern gray squirrel)
Date: October 5, 2011
Location: Busch Stadium, St. Louis, Missouri
Event: Game 3, 2011 National League Division Series vs. Philadelphia Phillies
Outcome: Cardinals won the game (crowd reacted and attention focused on the squirrel)

- A lone eastern gray squirrel, roughly half a pound, darted from the third‑base side and ran across home plate during the top of the fifth inning.
- Busch Stadium's urban setting-trees, concourse food, nearby riverfront canopy-provided ideal habitat and frequent wildlife incursions for grounds crews.
- The Cardinals were an improbable September comeback team in the middle of a playoff run against the favored Phillies when the squirrel appeared.
- Within 24 hours the internet had named it the "Rally Squirrel," and the name spread across broadcasts, headlines, and fan sites without any official declaration.
- The Cardinals front office quickly embraced the moment, producing Rally Squirrel merchandise-T‑shirts, hats, bobbleheads-and deploying the image in team stores.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1229falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/he-survived-two-chimpanzees-mauling-and-still-planted-a-free-moe-sign--74909137
He survived two chimpanzees' mauling and still planted a "Free Moe" sign

In this episode, we follow the day St. James Davis drove to Animal Haven Ranch to celebrate his chimpanzee Moe’s birthday and the aftermath that reshaped his family’s life. We trace the legal fight over Moe, the details of the attack, and the Davises’ unexpected focus after the violence-what does loyalty look like when everything has been taken?

Person: St. James Davis
Person: LaDonna Davis
Animal: Moe; Buddy; Ollie
Date: March 3, 2005
Location: Animal Haven Ranch (near Bakersfield, California)

- The Davises adopted Moe in 1967 and raised him like a child, keeping birthday rituals for decades.
- West Covina moved to remove Moe under an exotic-animals ordinance and agreed in 2002 to buy a house in Baldwin Park for him.
- Moe was relocated to Animal Haven Ranch while other chimpanzees there lived in separate enclosures with their own hierarchies.
- On March 3, 2005, Buddy and Ollie broke out and attacked St. James at a picnic table outside the enclosure while Moe remained separated.
- After more than sixty surgeries for catastrophic injuries, the Davises planted a "Free Moe" sign in their yard and kept fighting to be reunited.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74909137Thu, 24 Sep 2026 08:00:07 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA man brings birthday cake to his chimp at a sanctuary - minutes later he's mauled by other chimps; how did a routine visit become a catastrophe? He survived two chimpanzees' mauling and still planted a "Free Moe" sign In this episode, we follow...
He survived two chimpanzees' mauling and still planted a "Free Moe" sign

In this episode, we follow the day St. James Davis drove to Animal Haven Ranch to celebrate his chimpanzee Moe’s birthday and the aftermath that reshaped his family’s life. We trace the legal fight over Moe, the details of the attack, and the Davises’ unexpected focus after the violence-what does loyalty look like when everything has been taken?

Person: St. James Davis
Person: LaDonna Davis
Animal: Moe; Buddy; Ollie
Date: March 3, 2005
Location: Animal Haven Ranch (near Bakersfield, California)

- The Davises adopted Moe in 1967 and raised him like a child, keeping birthday rituals for decades.
- West Covina moved to remove Moe under an exotic-animals ordinance and agreed in 2002 to buy a house in Baldwin Park for him.
- Moe was relocated to Animal Haven Ranch while other chimpanzees there lived in separate enclosures with their own hierarchies.
- On March 3, 2005, Buddy and Ollie broke out and attacked St. James at a picnic table outside the enclosure while Moe remained separated.
- After more than sixty surgeries for catastrophic injuries, the Davises planted a "Free Moe" sign in their yard and kept fighting to be reunited.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>929falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/gibson-s-dog-was-buried-while-its-name-confirmed-the-dam-breach--74909136
Gibson's dog was buried while its name confirmed the dam breach

In this episode, we lay out the facts about a dog, a codeword, and a raid: who the dog was, how his name came to be a pre-assigned confirmation signal, and the sequence of events on the night of May 16, 1943 that left a paradox in the record. What did the men at Scampton know, and did Guy Gibson know before he took off?

Person: Wing Commander Guy Gibson
Date: May 16, 1943
Location: RAF Scampton; over the Möhne Dam, Germany
Event: Dambusters raid; designation of a radio codeword
Animal: Black Labrador Retriever (Gibson's dog)

- Gibson acquired the black Labrador before he formed 617 Squadron, and the dog was present across multiple squadrons and routines.
- The dog's name was a pre-assigned radio codeword in the operational orders to confirm the Möhne Dam breach, chosen for brevity and clarity in Morse.
- A motorist struck the dog on a road near the base shortly before the raid; the dog was buried at midnight during the operation.
- The grave at RAF Scampton exists and the dog's name was later removed from the stone in July 2020, with a 2023 ruling about moving or erasing that identity on record.
- The historical record documents the timing of the burial and the broadcast of the codeword but does not record whether Gibson was informed before takeoff.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74909136Wed, 23 Sep 2026 08:00:05 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA black Labrador is buried at RAF Scampton while his name is used as the Dambusters' radio codeword - how could both be true? Gibson's dog was buried while its name confirmed the dam breach In this episode, we lay out the facts about a dog, a...
Gibson's dog was buried while its name confirmed the dam breach

In this episode, we lay out the facts about a dog, a codeword, and a raid: who the dog was, how his name came to be a pre-assigned confirmation signal, and the sequence of events on the night of May 16, 1943 that left a paradox in the record. What did the men at Scampton know, and did Guy Gibson know before he took off?

Person: Wing Commander Guy Gibson
Date: May 16, 1943
Location: RAF Scampton; over the Möhne Dam, Germany
Event: Dambusters raid; designation of a radio codeword
Animal: Black Labrador Retriever (Gibson's dog)

- Gibson acquired the black Labrador before he formed 617 Squadron, and the dog was present across multiple squadrons and routines.
- The dog's name was a pre-assigned radio codeword in the operational orders to confirm the Möhne Dam breach, chosen for brevity and clarity in Morse.
- A motorist struck the dog on a road near the base shortly before the raid; the dog was buried at midnight during the operation.
- The grave at RAF Scampton exists and the dog's name was later removed from the stone in July 2020, with a 2023 ruling about moving or erasing that identity on record.
- The historical record documents the timing of the burial and the broadcast of the codeword but does not record whether Gibson was informed before takeoff.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1148falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/a-full-grown-black-bear-that-weighed-just-twenty-three-pounds--74909133
A full-grown black bear that weighed just twenty‑three pounds

In this episode, we lay out the evidence and the timeline behind a tiny, fully mature black bear found near Bend, Oregon, and the seventeen-year lag between a scientist’s written explanation and the public’s belief. How did a specimen photographed, exhibited, and mythologized become a local mascot despite an earlier scientific report?

Person: John McKendree
Person: C. Hart Merriam
Person: Irvin Cobb
Location: lava fields east of the Cascade Mountains, near Bend, Oregon
Date: 1914-1925

- In summer 1914 rancher John McKendree captured a bear that was fully mature in features but only twenty‑three pounds.
- Mammalogist C. Hart Merriam examined the specimen and reported in 1917 that it was a cub stunted by prolonged malnutrition caused by the volcanic terrain.
- The mounted specimen toured, drew crowds, and by 1924 a live example exhibited in Portland attracted eight thousand paid viewers.
- The Smithsonian offered two thousand dollars for the animal, but the specimen disappeared from the documentary record after a private sale or unauthorized removal.
- In 1925 Bend Senior High School adopted the lava bear as its mascot, unaware of Merriam’s prior published conclusion.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74909133Tue, 22 Sep 2026 08:00:04 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA full-grown black bear in a crate sparks a scientific debate about Oregon’s lava fields. How could a mature bear weigh just twenty‑three pounds? A full-grown black bear that weighed just twenty‑three pounds In this episode, we lay out the...
A full-grown black bear that weighed just twenty‑three pounds

In this episode, we lay out the evidence and the timeline behind a tiny, fully mature black bear found near Bend, Oregon, and the seventeen-year lag between a scientist’s written explanation and the public’s belief. How did a specimen photographed, exhibited, and mythologized become a local mascot despite an earlier scientific report?

Person: John McKendree
Person: C. Hart Merriam
Person: Irvin Cobb
Location: lava fields east of the Cascade Mountains, near Bend, Oregon
Date: 1914-1925

- In summer 1914 rancher John McKendree captured a bear that was fully mature in features but only twenty‑three pounds.
- Mammalogist C. Hart Merriam examined the specimen and reported in 1917 that it was a cub stunted by prolonged malnutrition caused by the volcanic terrain.
- The mounted specimen toured, drew crowds, and by 1924 a live example exhibited in Portland attracted eight thousand paid viewers.
- The Smithsonian offered two thousand dollars for the animal, but the specimen disappeared from the documentary record after a private sale or unauthorized removal.
- In 1925 Bend Senior High School adopted the lava bear as its mascot, unaware of Merriam’s prior published conclusion.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1018falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/a-sleeping-cat-outlasted-seven-prime-ministers--74909132
A sleeping cat outlasted seven prime ministers

This episode explores the unusual career of Larry, the Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office, who has held his post at 10 Downing Street for sixteen years. It questions what his enduring presence reveals about institutions, loyalty, and power within the British government.

Person: Larry the cat
Location: 10 Downing Street
Date: February 15, 2011 (arrival)
Status: Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office
Event: Mouse incident with a fork

- Larry arrived at Downing Street in 2011 from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, described as an experienced ratter.
- An early incident involved a prime minister throwing a fork at a mouse while Larry slept, which was reported in the press.
- Press photographers frequently captured images of Larry observing mice with "philosophical detachment."
- Downing Street staff, not prime ministers, paid for Larry's veterinary bills through personal contributions.
- In 2016, a second cat named Palmerston from the Foreign Office began to trespass into Number 10, leading to public fights between the two cats.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74909132Mon, 21 Sep 2026 08:00:05 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA government cat, appointed to catch mice, is caught sleeping on the job. Yet, he outlasts seven prime ministers and becomes a British political icon. A sleeping cat outlasted seven prime ministers This episode explores the unusual career of...
A sleeping cat outlasted seven prime ministers

This episode explores the unusual career of Larry, the Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office, who has held his post at 10 Downing Street for sixteen years. It questions what his enduring presence reveals about institutions, loyalty, and power within the British government.

Person: Larry the cat
Location: 10 Downing Street
Date: February 15, 2011 (arrival)
Status: Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office
Event: Mouse incident with a fork

- Larry arrived at Downing Street in 2011 from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, described as an experienced ratter.
- An early incident involved a prime minister throwing a fork at a mouse while Larry slept, which was reported in the press.
- Press photographers frequently captured images of Larry observing mice with "philosophical detachment."
- Downing Street staff, not prime ministers, paid for Larry's veterinary bills through personal contributions.
- In 2016, a second cat named Palmerston from the Foreign Office began to trespass into Number 10, leading to public fights between the two cats.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1118falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/a-five-day-photographer-paid-9-800-a-day-more-than-the-50-000-hunt--74909131
A five‑day photographer paid $9,800 a day - more than the $50,000 hunt

In this episode, we lay out the facts: a GPS collared lion named Cecil crossed a boundary on July 1, 2015, and his collar stopped transmitting two days later, setting off global outrage and legal battles. We follow the data, permits, revenue math, and the legal framework that governed the death to ask why a studied animal had no special protection and what that reveals about wildlife value in Zimbabwe.

Person: Cecil (GPS-collared lion)
Date: July 1, 2015 (boundary crossing); collar silent 48 hours later
Location: Boundary between Hwange National Park and adjacent hunting concessions
Topic: Sustainable use hunting framework, permits, and photographic tourism revenue
Figure: $9,800 per day (photographer rate) vs $50,000 (hunt fee)

- A GPS collar transmitted Cecil’s position every two hours for fourteen years and went silent forty‑eight hours after he crossed the park boundary.
- Under the Zimbabwe legal framework then, named, GPS‑tagged research animals had no special status in permit language governing hunting.
- Oxford’s Wildlife Conservation Research Unit had collars on sixty‑two lions; mortality records showed thirty‑four dead, with twenty‑four deaths attributed to sport hunting.
- Safari operator Emanuel Fundira described Cecil as a “draw card,” framing the animal’s worth in economic terms tied to living tourism revenue.
- Guide Bryan Orford calculated that one photographic tourist paying $9,800 per day for five days would out-earn the $50,000 paid for the hunt, highlighting conflicting revenue incentives.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74909131Sun, 20 Sep 2026 08:00:04 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA GPS‑collared lion from a Zimbabwe sanctuary crosses into hunting land-and forty‑eight hours later his collar goes silent; how is that possible? A five‑day photographer paid $9,800 a day - more than the $50,000 hunt In this episode, we lay out...
A five‑day photographer paid $9,800 a day - more than the $50,000 hunt

In this episode, we lay out the facts: a GPS collared lion named Cecil crossed a boundary on July 1, 2015, and his collar stopped transmitting two days later, setting off global outrage and legal battles. We follow the data, permits, revenue math, and the legal framework that governed the death to ask why a studied animal had no special protection and what that reveals about wildlife value in Zimbabwe.

Person: Cecil (GPS-collared lion)
Date: July 1, 2015 (boundary crossing); collar silent 48 hours later
Location: Boundary between Hwange National Park and adjacent hunting concessions
Topic: Sustainable use hunting framework, permits, and photographic tourism revenue
Figure: $9,800 per day (photographer rate) vs $50,000 (hunt fee)

- A GPS collar transmitted Cecil’s position every two hours for fourteen years and went silent forty‑eight hours after he crossed the park boundary.
- Under the Zimbabwe legal framework then, named, GPS‑tagged research animals had no special status in permit language governing hunting.
- Oxford’s Wildlife Conservation Research Unit had collars on sixty‑two lions; mortality records showed thirty‑four dead, with twenty‑four deaths attributed to sport hunting.
- Safari operator Emanuel Fundira described Cecil as a “draw card,” framing the animal’s worth in economic terms tied to living tourism revenue.
- Guide Bryan Orford calculated that one photographic tourist paying $9,800 per day for five days would out-earn the $50,000 paid for the hunt, highlighting conflicting revenue incentives.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1185falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/a-goat-drove-a-400-lb-amur-tiger-off-its-own-den-and-onto-the-roof--74909130
A goat drove a 400‑lb Amur tiger off its own den and onto the roof

In this episode, we lay out the recorded incident at Primorsky Safari Park where a goat introduced as live prey changed the tiger's behavior and became an online phenomenon. We follow the timeline, the people who watched it unfold, and the conservation context that framed why the moment mattered. What did that encounter cost the tiger and the goat in the years that followed?

Date: November 2, 2015
Location: Primorsky Safari Park, Primorsky Safari, Russia
Animal: Amur tiger (named Amur) and domestic goat (Baron, later called Timur)
Event: Live-goat feeding recorded on security cameras; tiger vacated ground-level shelter
Reaction: Park feed crashed December 30, 2015 as footage went viral

- A goat purchased at market was released into the tiger’s enclosure as standard live prey during a feeding.
- The goat held its ground with lowered head and horns forward while the four-hundred-pound tiger circled and retreated.
- Over seventy-two hours the tiger abandoned its wooden sleeping shelter and climbed onto its roof, while the goat occupied the shelter.
- Renowned biologist Nikolai Drozdov publicly warned that a single strike could have killed the goat, questioning why the tiger did not attack.
- The footage went viral worldwide, crashing the park’s website and turning the goat-renamed Timur-into an unexpected symbol amid contemporary public sentiment.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74909130Sat, 19 Sep 2026 08:00:04 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA domestic goat dropped as live prey into a Primorsky Amur tiger enclosure refuses to flee-and the tiger abandons its den for the roof. A goat drove a 400‑lb Amur tiger off its own den and onto the roof In this episode, we lay out the recorded...
A goat drove a 400‑lb Amur tiger off its own den and onto the roof

In this episode, we lay out the recorded incident at Primorsky Safari Park where a goat introduced as live prey changed the tiger's behavior and became an online phenomenon. We follow the timeline, the people who watched it unfold, and the conservation context that framed why the moment mattered. What did that encounter cost the tiger and the goat in the years that followed?

Date: November 2, 2015
Location: Primorsky Safari Park, Primorsky Safari, Russia
Animal: Amur tiger (named Amur) and domestic goat (Baron, later called Timur)
Event: Live-goat feeding recorded on security cameras; tiger vacated ground-level shelter
Reaction: Park feed crashed December 30, 2015 as footage went viral

- A goat purchased at market was released into the tiger’s enclosure as standard live prey during a feeding.
- The goat held its ground with lowered head and horns forward while the four-hundred-pound tiger circled and retreated.
- Over seventy-two hours the tiger abandoned its wooden sleeping shelter and climbed onto its roof, while the goat occupied the shelter.
- Renowned biologist Nikolai Drozdov publicly warned that a single strike could have killed the goat, questioning why the tiger did not attack.
- The footage went viral worldwide, crashing the park’s website and turning the goat-renamed Timur-into an unexpected symbol amid contemporary public sentiment.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1120falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-stuffed-goat-that-lost-columbia-s-mascot-vote-still-sat-above-a-doorway--74909129
The stuffed goat that lost Columbia's mascot vote still sat above a doorway

In this episode, we trace the odd seventy-year arc of Matilda, a Harlem goat who lost a 1910 Columbia mascot vote, was given a formal student funeral, stuffed and displayed above a shop doorway, then moved to a window after a "beauty treatment" before disappearing from the record in 1960. What does a stuffed goat reveal about presence, memory, and university rituals?

Person: Matilda
Date: 1910-1960 (appearance to archive silence)
Location: Amsterdam Avenue, New York
Event: Mascot nomination and student funeral
Status: Stuffed, displayed, later unlocated

- Matilda, owned by an unnamed Amsterdam Avenue squatter, was nominated on a real Columbia ballot in 1910 and lost to a lion.
- Four years later Columbia students attended her funeral in academic robes, treating the goat with formal ceremony usually reserved for university figures.
- After the funeral Matilda was stuffed with sawdust and mounted above a shop doorway, where she remained for fifteen years watching the neighborhood.
- In 1929 shop buyer David Ratner ordered a "beauty treatment" and moved the deteriorating taxidermy goat from the niche into the shop window for public display.
- In spring 1960 fifty Columbia students petitioned to rescue Matilda's mounted remains as records go silent about any confirmed donation or final resting place.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74909129Fri, 18 Sep 2026 08:00:04 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA petition of fifty Columbia students demands the rescue of Matilda, a sawdust-stuffed goat mascot-how is that possible? The stuffed goat that lost Columbia's mascot vote still sat above a doorway In this episode, we trace the odd seventy-year...
The stuffed goat that lost Columbia's mascot vote still sat above a doorway

In this episode, we trace the odd seventy-year arc of Matilda, a Harlem goat who lost a 1910 Columbia mascot vote, was given a formal student funeral, stuffed and displayed above a shop doorway, then moved to a window after a "beauty treatment" before disappearing from the record in 1960. What does a stuffed goat reveal about presence, memory, and university rituals?

Person: Matilda
Date: 1910-1960 (appearance to archive silence)
Location: Amsterdam Avenue, New York
Event: Mascot nomination and student funeral
Status: Stuffed, displayed, later unlocated

- Matilda, owned by an unnamed Amsterdam Avenue squatter, was nominated on a real Columbia ballot in 1910 and lost to a lion.
- Four years later Columbia students attended her funeral in academic robes, treating the goat with formal ceremony usually reserved for university figures.
- After the funeral Matilda was stuffed with sawdust and mounted above a shop doorway, where she remained for fifteen years watching the neighborhood.
- In 1929 shop buyer David Ratner ordered a "beauty treatment" and moved the deteriorating taxidermy goat from the niche into the shop window for public display.
- In spring 1960 fifty Columbia students petitioned to rescue Matilda's mounted remains as records go silent about any confirmed donation or final resting place.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1237falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/a-dog-walked-200-miles-to-build-a-permanent-military-tradition--74909127
A dog walked 200 miles to build a permanent military tradition

This episode explores the remarkable journey of a Staffordshire Bull Terrier in 1882 who, after becoming separated from his regiment, walked 200 miles across the desert to rejoin them. It delves into how this act of loyalty sparked a unique military tradition that continues to this day, even after the original regiment was dissolved.

Date: 1882
Animal: Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Distance: 200 miles
Location: Burton upon Trent

- In 1882, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier became separated from his regiment during a period of extensive British military deployments.
- The dog, later named Watchman, walked approximately 200 miles across desert terrain to return to his unit.
- The regiment responded to this act of loyalty by formally naming the dog Watchman and establishing him as a regimental mascot.
- The tradition of a Staffordshire Bull Terrier named Watchman serving as a mascot continued for generations, even through periods when the regiment's attention was elsewhere.
- Despite the dissolution of the Staffordshire Regiment, the community of Burton upon Trent took steps to ensure the Watchman tradition would persist.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74909127Thu, 17 Sep 2026 08:00:04 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA Staffordshire Bull Terrier walks 200 miles to find his regiment. How does a dog become a permanent institution? A dog walked 200 miles to build a permanent military tradition This episode explores the remarkable journey of a Staffordshire Bull...
A dog walked 200 miles to build a permanent military tradition

This episode explores the remarkable journey of a Staffordshire Bull Terrier in 1882 who, after becoming separated from his regiment, walked 200 miles across the desert to rejoin them. It delves into how this act of loyalty sparked a unique military tradition that continues to this day, even after the original regiment was dissolved.

Date: 1882
Animal: Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Distance: 200 miles
Location: Burton upon Trent

- In 1882, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier became separated from his regiment during a period of extensive British military deployments.
- The dog, later named Watchman, walked approximately 200 miles across desert terrain to return to his unit.
- The regiment responded to this act of loyalty by formally naming the dog Watchman and establishing him as a regimental mascot.
- The tradition of a Staffordshire Bull Terrier named Watchman serving as a mascot continued for generations, even through periods when the regiment's attention was elsewhere.
- Despite the dissolution of the Staffordshire Regiment, the community of Burton upon Trent took steps to ensure the Watchman tradition would persist.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1210falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/a-murdered-bulldog-is-buried-under-a-fifty-yard-line--74909126
A murdered bulldog is buried under a fifty-yard line

This episode explores the unique tradition of the Bully mascots at Mississippi State University, an unbroken line of English bulldogs spanning nearly nine decades. Discover how these animals became symbols so protected that their stories include dognappings, unsolved murders, and nationally televised accidents.

Location: Mississippi State University, Starkville, Mississippi
Mascot: Bully (English Bulldog)
Number of Mascots: 22
First Recorded Bully: 1930s
Unsolved Case: Murder of Bully XII

- The body of a bulldog is physically buried under the fifty-yard line at Mississippi State University.
- The name "Bully" has been held by 22 different bulldogs in an unbroken succession over nearly nine decades.
- Bully XII was murdered after the 1972 season, and no one was ever charged, leaving the case open.
- The university began to protect the mascot in a manner similar to how governments protect heads of state.
- In 1974, the university acquired two bulldogs, Trajan and his mother Sissy, marking the only time a female bulldog held a place in the Bully line.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74909126Wed, 16 Sep 2026 08:00:05 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA murdered bulldog is buried under the fifty-yard line at Mississippi State University - how did Bully’s life become stranger than myth? A murdered bulldog is buried under a fifty-yard line This episode explores the unique tradition of the Bully...
A murdered bulldog is buried under a fifty-yard line

This episode explores the unique tradition of the Bully mascots at Mississippi State University, an unbroken line of English bulldogs spanning nearly nine decades. Discover how these animals became symbols so protected that their stories include dognappings, unsolved murders, and nationally televised accidents.

Location: Mississippi State University, Starkville, Mississippi
Mascot: Bully (English Bulldog)
Number of Mascots: 22
First Recorded Bully: 1930s
Unsolved Case: Murder of Bully XII

- The body of a bulldog is physically buried under the fifty-yard line at Mississippi State University.
- The name "Bully" has been held by 22 different bulldogs in an unbroken succession over nearly nine decades.
- Bully XII was murdered after the 1972 season, and no one was ever charged, leaving the case open.
- The university began to protect the mascot in a manner similar to how governments protect heads of state.
- In 1974, the university acquired two bulldogs, Trajan and his mother Sissy, marking the only time a female bulldog held a place in the Bully line.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1221falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/a-65-pound-coonhound-s-howl-started-a-70-year-football-tradition--74909125
A 65‑pound coonhound's howl started a 70‑year football tradition

In this episode, we trace how a single howl on a concrete ramp became Tennessee’s live-animal mascot ritual and how that unbroken bloodline of Smokeys endured, struggled, and ultimately changed. We ask what institutions owe the living symbols they put on display and why the line of dogs that lasted seven decades finally stopped.

Person: Reverend Bill Bill
Dog: Smokey (original bluetick coonhound)
Location: University of Tennessee stadium concrete ramp
Attendance: 100,000 people
Period: Seventy years, ending in 2025

- A halftime contest in the 1950s invited fans to bring dogs onto a noisy concrete ramp for the crowd to choose a mascot.
- Reverend Bill Bill brought a 65-pound bluetick coonhound named Smokey who howled when his name was called and won the crowd.
- The university borrowed that winning dog for football Saturdays and a single family bloodline supplied successors for decades.
- Earl Hudson, Reverend Bill’s brother-in-law, raised Smokey VIII from two months old and cared for him through 91 wins, illnesses, and a long mascot career.
- Smokey’s unbroken bloodline ran through seven successors until 2025, when a dog refused to continue and the university listened.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74909125Tue, 15 Sep 2026 08:00:03 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA bluetick coonhound howled into a stadium and, from a concrete ramp, launched a 70-year Tennessee football tradition-how did a dog become a ritual? A 65‑pound coonhound's howl started a 70‑year football tradition In this episode, we trace how a...
A 65‑pound coonhound's howl started a 70‑year football tradition

In this episode, we trace how a single howl on a concrete ramp became Tennessee’s live-animal mascot ritual and how that unbroken bloodline of Smokeys endured, struggled, and ultimately changed. We ask what institutions owe the living symbols they put on display and why the line of dogs that lasted seven decades finally stopped.

Person: Reverend Bill Bill
Dog: Smokey (original bluetick coonhound)
Location: University of Tennessee stadium concrete ramp
Attendance: 100,000 people
Period: Seventy years, ending in 2025

- A halftime contest in the 1950s invited fans to bring dogs onto a noisy concrete ramp for the crowd to choose a mascot.
- Reverend Bill Bill brought a 65-pound bluetick coonhound named Smokey who howled when his name was called and won the crowd.
- The university borrowed that winning dog for football Saturdays and a single family bloodline supplied successors for decades.
- Earl Hudson, Reverend Bill’s brother-in-law, raised Smokey VIII from two months old and cared for him through 91 wins, illnesses, and a long mascot career.
- Smokey’s unbroken bloodline ran through seven successors until 2025, when a dog refused to continue and the university listened.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1170falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/an-emperor-penguin-walked-onto-a-new-zealand-beach-2-000-km-from-home--74909123
An emperor penguin walked onto a New Zealand beach 2,000 km from home

In this episode, we follow the strange arrival of a juvenile emperor penguin on Peka Beach and the immediate struggle to keep him alive. We trace what his species’ extreme Antarctic life requires, the navigational errors young penguins make, and the practical choices zookeepers and vets made to treat him - but how did he get so far from home?

Person: Happy Feet (juvenile emperor penguin)
Date: June 2011
Location: Peka Beach, North Island, New Zealand
Age: approximately 11 months
Problem: ingested ~2 kilograms of compacted sand causing intestinal blockage

- A walker, Christine Wilton, found an almost one-meter-tall emperor penguin blinking on sand roughly 2,000 km from the nearest pack ice.
- Emperor penguins are biologically tuned to Antarctic sea ice: breeding in winter, males incubating eggs, chicks learning to dive in cold water.
- Young emperors disperse alone, navigate by instinct (sun angle, magnetic cues, currents), and commonly make navigation errors; most are minor but this wasn’t.
- To reach North Island he would have had to swim north through Sub-Antarctic waters, cross the Sub-Tropical Front, and keep moving into progressively warmer seas.
- Wellington Zoo vets found a packed intestinal blockage of sand, performed endoscopy, faced a bird reluctant to eat local fish, and resorted to tube-feeding and cooling measures.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74909123Mon, 14 Sep 2026 08:00:04 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTAn emperor penguin appears on a North Island beach - how did he cross oceans and end up eating sand? An emperor penguin walked onto a New Zealand beach 2,000 km from home In this episode, we follow the strange arrival of a juvenile emperor...
An emperor penguin walked onto a New Zealand beach 2,000 km from home

In this episode, we follow the strange arrival of a juvenile emperor penguin on Peka Beach and the immediate struggle to keep him alive. We trace what his species’ extreme Antarctic life requires, the navigational errors young penguins make, and the practical choices zookeepers and vets made to treat him - but how did he get so far from home?

Person: Happy Feet (juvenile emperor penguin)
Date: June 2011
Location: Peka Beach, North Island, New Zealand
Age: approximately 11 months
Problem: ingested ~2 kilograms of compacted sand causing intestinal blockage

- A walker, Christine Wilton, found an almost one-meter-tall emperor penguin blinking on sand roughly 2,000 km from the nearest pack ice.
- Emperor penguins are biologically tuned to Antarctic sea ice: breeding in winter, males incubating eggs, chicks learning to dive in cold water.
- Young emperors disperse alone, navigate by instinct (sun angle, magnetic cues, currents), and commonly make navigation errors; most are minor but this wasn’t.
- To reach North Island he would have had to swim north through Sub-Antarctic waters, cross the Sub-Tropical Front, and keep moving into progressively warmer seas.
- Wellington Zoo vets found a packed intestinal blockage of sand, performed endoscopy, faced a bird reluctant to eat local fish, and resorted to tube-feeding and cooling measures.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>960falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-bat-dog-who-died-without-warning--74909122
The Bat Dog Who Died Without Warning

In this episode, we follow the life and sudden death of Ripken, a working bat dog for the Durham Bulls, and trace how a trainer built a rare performer from a specific lineage. We explore Ripken’s training, his public role, and the failed succession that exposed the job’s hidden demands.

Person: Ripken (Labrador Retriever)
Date: December 22, 2024 (last game) / nine days later (death)
Location: Durham, North Carolina (baseball field)
Trainer: Michael O'Donnell (All-Star Dog Training, Apex, North Carolina)
Predecessor candidate: Rivers (Labrador Retriever, began prep late 2022)

- Ripken was bred from a line chosen by Michael O'Donnell in Boise, Idaho, for traits he valued.
- As a puppy Ripken was socialized with novelty bats to build tolerance for unusual weight and shapes.
- Ripken worked live games for four seasons and appeared in 14 games during the 2024 season.
- A succession plan began in 2022 when Rivers was trained but failed due to an intolerance of people wearing hats.
- Ripken crossed into other sports, including a puck drop at a Carolina Hurricanes game on February 18, 2023.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74909122Sun, 13 Sep 2026 08:00:04 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA Labrador bat dog walks onto a Durham baseball field, picks up a tee, and nine days later he’s dead - what was he, really? The Bat Dog Who Died Without Warning In this episode, we follow the life and sudden death of Ripken, a working bat dog...
The Bat Dog Who Died Without Warning

In this episode, we follow the life and sudden death of Ripken, a working bat dog for the Durham Bulls, and trace how a trainer built a rare performer from a specific lineage. We explore Ripken’s training, his public role, and the failed succession that exposed the job’s hidden demands.

Person: Ripken (Labrador Retriever)
Date: December 22, 2024 (last game) / nine days later (death)
Location: Durham, North Carolina (baseball field)
Trainer: Michael O'Donnell (All-Star Dog Training, Apex, North Carolina)
Predecessor candidate: Rivers (Labrador Retriever, began prep late 2022)

- Ripken was bred from a line chosen by Michael O'Donnell in Boise, Idaho, for traits he valued.
- As a puppy Ripken was socialized with novelty bats to build tolerance for unusual weight and shapes.
- Ripken worked live games for four seasons and appeared in 14 games during the 2024 season.
- A succession plan began in 2022 when Rivers was trained but failed due to an intolerance of people wearing hats.
- Ripken crossed into other sports, including a puck drop at a Carolina Hurricanes game on February 18, 2023.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1028falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/a-duck-at-the-university-of-york-stood-70-cm-tall-and-went-viral--74909119
A duck at the University of York stood 70 cm tall - and went viral

In this episode, we tell how a tall campus duck went from anonymous pond resident to an online phenomenon and a campus symbol. We trace the photo, the mistakes, and the social reaction that turned a local bird into a global story - what does that rise say about how animals become real to strangers?

Person: Long Boi
Location: Heslington Fish Pond, University of York, Heslington, England
Date: April 2021
Height: approximately 70 cm
Observer: Zoe Duffin

- A Reddit post misidentified Long Boi as a one-metre mallard and that photograph sparked rapid online spread.
- Within 24 hours, 16,300 people followed a student-run Instagram account that posted pictures of the duck.
- Media mentions included James Corden joking about Long Boi on television and a BBC radio presenter saying his name on air.
- Biologists later identified Long Boi as a mallard-Indian Runner hybrid, explaining his upright posture and limited flight.
- Campus life featured named pond residents (Chonky Boi, Fancy Boi) and students photographing and interacting with the duck before and after the viral moment.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74909119Sat, 12 Sep 2026 08:00:05 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA student photo of a 70 cm duck on the University of York campus explodes online - how did a pond bird become a sensation? A duck at the University of York stood 70 cm tall - and went viral In this episode, we tell how a tall campus duck went...
A duck at the University of York stood 70 cm tall - and went viral

In this episode, we tell how a tall campus duck went from anonymous pond resident to an online phenomenon and a campus symbol. We trace the photo, the mistakes, and the social reaction that turned a local bird into a global story - what does that rise say about how animals become real to strangers?

Person: Long Boi
Location: Heslington Fish Pond, University of York, Heslington, England
Date: April 2021
Height: approximately 70 cm
Observer: Zoe Duffin

- A Reddit post misidentified Long Boi as a one-metre mallard and that photograph sparked rapid online spread.
- Within 24 hours, 16,300 people followed a student-run Instagram account that posted pictures of the duck.
- Media mentions included James Corden joking about Long Boi on television and a BBC radio presenter saying his name on air.
- Biologists later identified Long Boi as a mallard-Indian Runner hybrid, explaining his upright posture and limited flight.
- Campus life featured named pond residents (Chonky Boi, Fancy Boi) and students photographing and interacting with the duck before and after the viral moment.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1244falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/eleven-squirrels-wore-the-name-twiggy-over-the-act-s-forty-year-run--74909118
Eleven squirrels wore the name Twiggy over the act's forty-year run

In this episode, we follow the story of a water‑skiing squirrel act that began after a storm and grew into a decades‑long touring show. The episode traces how the act worked, the training regimen, and the personal stakes for the woman who kept sewing life jackets and starting over. What does it mean to sustain a single identity across eleven different animals?

Person: Lou Ann Best
Event: water‑skiing squirrel act
Date: 1978-2018
Location: Sanford, Florida and touring nationwide
Topic: animal performance, training, grief

- A roofer brought an orphaned eastern gray squirrel to Chuck and Lou Ann Best after a storm in 1978, and Chuck imagined teaching her to water‑ski.
- Training began in a bathtub with homemade foam skis, ten‑minute sessions, and peanut butter as the sole reward until the squirrel could ski on Lake Monroe.
- Media attention in 1979 propelled Twiggy from local novelty to international tours, TV appearances, and a National Safe Boating Council "Wear It" spokesperson role.
- Chuck and Lou Ann sold their roller rink, bought an RV, and toured for decades; after Chuck drowned in 1997, Lou Ann nearly stopped but returned to perform and sew every life jacket by hand.
- Over forty years, eleven eastern gray squirrels each took roughly two years to train, requiring continuous renewal rather than a single enduring animal.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74909118Fri, 11 Sep 2026 08:00:04 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA tiny squirrel in a matchbox life jacket water-skis across Florida lakes - but Twiggy was eleven squirrels. How did one name hold together forty years? Eleven squirrels wore the name Twiggy over the act's forty-year run In this episode, we...
Eleven squirrels wore the name Twiggy over the act's forty-year run

In this episode, we follow the story of a water‑skiing squirrel act that began after a storm and grew into a decades‑long touring show. The episode traces how the act worked, the training regimen, and the personal stakes for the woman who kept sewing life jackets and starting over. What does it mean to sustain a single identity across eleven different animals?

Person: Lou Ann Best
Event: water‑skiing squirrel act
Date: 1978-2018
Location: Sanford, Florida and touring nationwide
Topic: animal performance, training, grief

- A roofer brought an orphaned eastern gray squirrel to Chuck and Lou Ann Best after a storm in 1978, and Chuck imagined teaching her to water‑ski.
- Training began in a bathtub with homemade foam skis, ten‑minute sessions, and peanut butter as the sole reward until the squirrel could ski on Lake Monroe.
- Media attention in 1979 propelled Twiggy from local novelty to international tours, TV appearances, and a National Safe Boating Council "Wear It" spokesperson role.
- Chuck and Lou Ann sold their roller rink, bought an RV, and toured for decades; after Chuck drowned in 1997, Lou Ann nearly stopped but returned to perform and sew every life jacket by hand.
- Over forty years, eleven eastern gray squirrels each took roughly two years to train, requiring continuous renewal rather than a single enduring animal.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1033falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/eighteen-programs-faced-a-postseason-ban-florida-state-kept-its-rider--74909117
Eighteen programs faced a postseason ban - Florida State kept its rider

In this episode, we tell how a carefully staged pageant became a national controversy and why Florida State's relationship with the Seminole Tribe of Florida complicates the mascot debate. What does it mean when two sovereign Seminole nations give two different answers?

Person: Osceola (symbolic rider)
Event: First ride at Doak Campbell Stadium on September 16, 1978
Person: Bill Durham (creator and original rider)
Person: James E. Billie (Seminole Tribe of Florida chairman who supported FSU)
Event: NCAA announced postseason ban on "hostile and abusive" Native American imagery in 2005

- Bill Durham conceived a living pre-game ceremony around 1962, waited sixteen years, then staged the first Osceola and Renegade ride in 1978.
- Durham trained successors and built a system of succession that resulted in eighteen men serving as the rider across six horses all named Renegade.
- The tradition involved documented consultation and explicit support from named leaders of the Seminole Tribe of Florida, including Chairman James E. Billie and Council Member Max Osceola.
- Separate sovereign Seminole authorities-Florida and Oklahoma-offered conflicting views, with the Seminole Tribe of Oklahoma withholding the same blessing.
- In 2005 the NCAA listed eighteen programs for a postseason ban over Native American imagery, putting Florida State’s long-standing pageant at the center of a broader national debate.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74909117Thu, 10 Sep 2026 08:00:03 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTOsceola plunges a flaming spear at midfield as fans roar-Florida State claims Seminole honor while the NCAA fights mascot bans. Who wins? Eighteen programs faced a postseason ban - Florida State kept its rider In this episode, we tell how a...
Eighteen programs faced a postseason ban - Florida State kept its rider

In this episode, we tell how a carefully staged pageant became a national controversy and why Florida State's relationship with the Seminole Tribe of Florida complicates the mascot debate. What does it mean when two sovereign Seminole nations give two different answers?

Person: Osceola (symbolic rider)
Event: First ride at Doak Campbell Stadium on September 16, 1978
Person: Bill Durham (creator and original rider)
Person: James E. Billie (Seminole Tribe of Florida chairman who supported FSU)
Event: NCAA announced postseason ban on "hostile and abusive" Native American imagery in 2005

- Bill Durham conceived a living pre-game ceremony around 1962, waited sixteen years, then staged the first Osceola and Renegade ride in 1978.
- Durham trained successors and built a system of succession that resulted in eighteen men serving as the rider across six horses all named Renegade.
- The tradition involved documented consultation and explicit support from named leaders of the Seminole Tribe of Florida, including Chairman James E. Billie and Council Member Max Osceola.
- Separate sovereign Seminole authorities-Florida and Oklahoma-offered conflicting views, with the Seminole Tribe of Oklahoma withholding the same blessing.
- In 2005 the NCAA listed eighteen programs for a postseason ban over Native American imagery, putting Florida State’s long-standing pageant at the center of a broader national debate.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1052falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/a-pawned-rifle-cleared-the-path-for-japan-s-worst-bear-attack--74909116
A pawned rifle cleared the path for Japan's worst bear attack

This episode recounts the documented events of the Sankebetsu brown bear attack in Hokkaido, Japan, focusing on the critical decisions and circumstances that led to the catastrophe. It explores how a preventable variable turned a dangerous animal encounter into a historical tragedy.

Location: Rokusen-sawa, Sankebetsu river valley, Hokkaido, Japan
Date: December
Bear's Name: Kesagake
Hunter: Yamamoto Heikichi
Investigator: Kimura Moritake

- A 340-kilogram brown bear, Kesagake, entered the village of Rokusen-sawa in December.
- The region's most respected bear hunter, Yamamoto Heikichi, had pawned his rifle for alcohol money when the bear first appeared.
- Yamamoto refused to help the community when they sought his assistance against the visible and trackable bear.
- Sixty armed men organized a defense along the frozen Sankebetsu river, but it proved insufficient against the persistent bear.
- Kesagake repeatedly returned to the settlement, damaging structures and consuming winter food stores.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74909116Wed, 09 Sep 2026 08:00:04 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA 340-kg brown bear terrorizes a remote Japanese settlement, but the hunter who could stop it has pawned his rifle-will he act? A pawned rifle cleared the path for Japan's worst bear attack This episode recounts the documented events of the...
A pawned rifle cleared the path for Japan's worst bear attack

This episode recounts the documented events of the Sankebetsu brown bear attack in Hokkaido, Japan, focusing on the critical decisions and circumstances that led to the catastrophe. It explores how a preventable variable turned a dangerous animal encounter into a historical tragedy.

Location: Rokusen-sawa, Sankebetsu river valley, Hokkaido, Japan
Date: December
Bear's Name: Kesagake
Hunter: Yamamoto Heikichi
Investigator: Kimura Moritake

- A 340-kilogram brown bear, Kesagake, entered the village of Rokusen-sawa in December.
- The region's most respected bear hunter, Yamamoto Heikichi, had pawned his rifle for alcohol money when the bear first appeared.
- Yamamoto refused to help the community when they sought his assistance against the visible and trackable bear.
- Sixty armed men organized a defense along the frozen Sankebetsu river, but it proved insufficient against the persistent bear.
- Kesagake repeatedly returned to the settlement, damaging structures and consuming winter food stores.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1276falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/12-000-people-paid-to-see-a-dead-whale-on-one-sunday--74909115
12,000 People Paid to See a Dead Whale on One Sunday

In this episode, we follow a humpback whale that spent weeks inside the Firth of Tay and became a daily presence in Dundee's newspapers and streets. The episode traces the arrival, the hunt, the disappearance, and the strange gap between public attention and the whale's unnoticed death - what produced that crowd and that silence?

Person: John Woods
Date: November 12, 1883
Location: Firth of Tay, Dundee
Event: Whale lived in river for seven weeks, hunted December 31, 1883, found dead ~January 7-8, 1884

- A forty-foot male humpback appeared inside the industrial Firth of Tay on November 12, 1883, moving through waters filled with tanneries and coal smoke.
- The Dundee Courier published twenty-one pieces about the animal over two months and even ran a "Christmas Greeting from the Whale" headline on December 25.
- On December 31, four boats from Dundee-two rowing and two steam-harpooned the whale; it dragged all four boats for miles before the lines snapped.
- Seven days after the escape the whale's body was found floating; there is no recorded cause of death and no eyewitness account of its final hours.
- On January 11 a Dundee showman, John Woods, paid £226 to exhibit the carcass, drawing twelve thousand people in one Sunday to view the display.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74909115Tue, 08 Sep 2026 08:00:03 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA forty-foot humpback drifts into Dundee's river, becomes a city character, then dies unseen - how did a community make a whale matter? 12,000 People Paid to See a Dead Whale on One Sunday In this episode, we follow a humpback whale that spent...
12,000 People Paid to See a Dead Whale on One Sunday

In this episode, we follow a humpback whale that spent weeks inside the Firth of Tay and became a daily presence in Dundee's newspapers and streets. The episode traces the arrival, the hunt, the disappearance, and the strange gap between public attention and the whale's unnoticed death - what produced that crowd and that silence?

Person: John Woods
Date: November 12, 1883
Location: Firth of Tay, Dundee
Event: Whale lived in river for seven weeks, hunted December 31, 1883, found dead ~January 7-8, 1884

- A forty-foot male humpback appeared inside the industrial Firth of Tay on November 12, 1883, moving through waters filled with tanneries and coal smoke.
- The Dundee Courier published twenty-one pieces about the animal over two months and even ran a "Christmas Greeting from the Whale" headline on December 25.
- On December 31, four boats from Dundee-two rowing and two steam-harpooned the whale; it dragged all four boats for miles before the lines snapped.
- Seven days after the escape the whale's body was found floating; there is no recorded cause of death and no eyewitness account of its final hours.
- On January 11 a Dundee showman, John Woods, paid £226 to exhibit the carcass, drawing twelve thousand people in one Sunday to view the display.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>936falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/a-death-produced-a-game-day-blanket-that-became-the-mascot-s-whole-identity--74909114
A death produced a game-day blanket that became the mascot's whole identity

In this episode, we trace how a sudden death in 1987 upended a college football ritual and forced handlers to improvise on a tight timeline. The story follows the people, procedures, and gear that kept a live-animal tradition running and asks how you manage an institution built around an animal that cannot be commanded.

Date: September 19, 1987
Event: Death of Ralphie II
Person: Gail Pederson (program director for 17 years)
Person: Taylor Stratton (director in 2020; former student handler)
Location: Folsom Field

- A 900-pound bison ran the horseshoe twice before a game, appeared healthy the next morning, and died by nightfall without any public cause.
- The bison mascot program began in 1967, predating modern animal-welfare rules and developing handler practices by trial and error.
- Handlers earn varsity letters, commit 20+ hours weekly, run beside Ralphie twice per game, and rely on ropes that only keep her close - not controllable.
- Ralphie lives at a secret ranch, travels in a custom-insulated, ventilated trailer, arrives an hour before kickoff, and follows multiple behavioral accommodations.
- After Ralphie II’s death, handlers debuted Ralphie III early and wrapped her in a blanket as a practical fix - a makeshift solution that became the program’s defining visual.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74909114Mon, 07 Sep 2026 08:00:05 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTColorado’s living bison mascot dies overnight - can the football team pull off a risky replacement before the season clock runs out? A death produced a game-day blanket that became the mascot's whole identity In this episode, we trace how a...
A death produced a game-day blanket that became the mascot's whole identity

In this episode, we trace how a sudden death in 1987 upended a college football ritual and forced handlers to improvise on a tight timeline. The story follows the people, procedures, and gear that kept a live-animal tradition running and asks how you manage an institution built around an animal that cannot be commanded.

Date: September 19, 1987
Event: Death of Ralphie II
Person: Gail Pederson (program director for 17 years)
Person: Taylor Stratton (director in 2020; former student handler)
Location: Folsom Field

- A 900-pound bison ran the horseshoe twice before a game, appeared healthy the next morning, and died by nightfall without any public cause.
- The bison mascot program began in 1967, predating modern animal-welfare rules and developing handler practices by trial and error.
- Handlers earn varsity letters, commit 20+ hours weekly, run beside Ralphie twice per game, and rely on ropes that only keep her close - not controllable.
- Ralphie lives at a secret ranch, travels in a custom-insulated, ventilated trailer, arrives an hour before kickoff, and follows multiple behavioral accommodations.
- After Ralphie II’s death, handlers debuted Ralphie III early and wrapped her in a blanket as a practical fix - a makeshift solution that became the program’s defining visual.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1039falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/a-stadium-with-eleven-dog-graves-inside-its-walls--74909112
A stadium with eleven dog graves inside its walls

In this episode, we follow the origins and rituals of a university mascot tradition that links a single Savannah family, a closed canine lineage, and a corner of Sanford Stadium where eleven Ugas are buried. We trace the decisions that created the mausoleum, the breeding rules that sustain the line, and the incidents that turned a sideline dog into a national image - what do those choices mean for the dogs involved?

Person: Frank Seiler
Event: First Uga introduced as mascot
Date: 1956
Location: Sanford Stadium, University of Georgia
Status: Eleven Ugas buried in stadium mausoleum

- 1956: Frank Seiler brought an English bulldog puppy to a University of Georgia game and by season’s end the dog became the official mascot.
- The Seiler family retained ownership and daily care of every successive Uga, transporting each dog from Savannah to Athens for games and events.
- A standing requirement: every new Uga must be a direct descendant of the original dog, creating a closed lineage maintained within one family.
- English bulldogs’ known medical vulnerabilities-breathing, heat sensitivity, cardiac and structural issues-intersect with the mascot’s duties of travel, crowds, and physical stress.
- Photographed on October 11, 1996: Uga lunged at Auburn player Robert Baker on the sideline; the image ran on the cover of Sports Illustrated and crystallized public attention on the mascot’s role.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74909112Sun, 06 Sep 2026 08:00:03 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA university built a mausoleum for English bulldogs inside its football stadium - how is that possible? A stadium with eleven dog graves inside its walls In this episode, we follow the origins and rituals of a university mascot tradition that...
A stadium with eleven dog graves inside its walls

In this episode, we follow the origins and rituals of a university mascot tradition that links a single Savannah family, a closed canine lineage, and a corner of Sanford Stadium where eleven Ugas are buried. We trace the decisions that created the mausoleum, the breeding rules that sustain the line, and the incidents that turned a sideline dog into a national image - what do those choices mean for the dogs involved?

Person: Frank Seiler
Event: First Uga introduced as mascot
Date: 1956
Location: Sanford Stadium, University of Georgia
Status: Eleven Ugas buried in stadium mausoleum

- 1956: Frank Seiler brought an English bulldog puppy to a University of Georgia game and by season’s end the dog became the official mascot.
- The Seiler family retained ownership and daily care of every successive Uga, transporting each dog from Savannah to Athens for games and events.
- A standing requirement: every new Uga must be a direct descendant of the original dog, creating a closed lineage maintained within one family.
- English bulldogs’ known medical vulnerabilities-breathing, heat sensitivity, cardiac and structural issues-intersect with the mascot’s duties of travel, crowds, and physical stress.
- Photographed on October 11, 1996: Uga lunged at Auburn player Robert Baker on the sideline; the image ran on the cover of Sports Illustrated and crystallized public attention on the mascot’s role.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1025falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-tortoise-survived-a-televised-funeral-and-lived-another-37-years--74909111
The tortoise survived a televised funeral and lived another 37 years

In this episode, we follow the strange chronology of a Mediterranean spur-thighed tortoise named George whose life stretched from a hillside in the 1920s to the BBC studio in 1982 and beyond. The episode traces how George became a public figure, the role of her keeper Edith Menezes, and the bizarre moment when a national tribute declared her dead-only for her to be found alive days later. What does it mean for an animal to outlive its own funeral?

Person: George, a Mediterranean spur-thighed tortoise (Testudo graeca)
Date: Born circa 1920; arrived at Blue Peter in 1982; declared dead in 1988 and later found alive
Location: Mediterranean hillside (birth); BBC Blue Peter studio (public life)
Person: Edith Menezes, Blue Peter animal keeper for 27 years
Event: George was declared dead on Blue Peter and returned to the programme after being found alive

- George was hatched around 1920 and lived through decades before ever appearing on television.
- Blue Peter brought George into the studio in 1982 and the audience later voted to name her.
- Edith Menezes cared for George for 27 years, handling her feeding, health checks, and seasonal behaviour.
- In 1988 Blue Peter broadcast a tribute announcing George dead after a reported burglary and disappearance.
- Days after the funeral tribute, a neighbour walking a dog found George alive and she was returned to the programme.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74909111Sat, 05 Sep 2026 08:00:04 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA tortoise declared dead on live TV gets a national funeral-and then walks away-how did a Mediterranean tortoise survive a televised funeral? The tortoise survived a televised funeral and lived another 37 years In this episode, we follow the...
The tortoise survived a televised funeral and lived another 37 years

In this episode, we follow the strange chronology of a Mediterranean spur-thighed tortoise named George whose life stretched from a hillside in the 1920s to the BBC studio in 1982 and beyond. The episode traces how George became a public figure, the role of her keeper Edith Menezes, and the bizarre moment when a national tribute declared her dead-only for her to be found alive days later. What does it mean for an animal to outlive its own funeral?

Person: George, a Mediterranean spur-thighed tortoise (Testudo graeca)
Date: Born circa 1920; arrived at Blue Peter in 1982; declared dead in 1988 and later found alive
Location: Mediterranean hillside (birth); BBC Blue Peter studio (public life)
Person: Edith Menezes, Blue Peter animal keeper for 27 years
Event: George was declared dead on Blue Peter and returned to the programme after being found alive

- George was hatched around 1920 and lived through decades before ever appearing on television.
- Blue Peter brought George into the studio in 1982 and the audience later voted to name her.
- Edith Menezes cared for George for 27 years, handling her feeding, health checks, and seasonal behaviour.
- In 1988 Blue Peter broadcast a tribute announcing George dead after a reported burglary and disappearance.
- Days after the funeral tribute, a neighbour walking a dog found George alive and she was returned to the programme.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1023falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/a-bronze-horse-points-at-a-pony-s-grave-for-ninety-years--74909110
A bronze horse points at a pony's grave for ninety years

This episode explores the hidden history of Southern Methodist University's mascot, Peruna, and the elaborate lengths taken to maintain the illusion of a single, immortal horse. It uncovers the surprising origins and the secret rituals behind this enduring symbol.

Person: W. E. Culwell
Date: 1932
Location: Southern Methodist University
Animal: Shetland pony
Topic: University mascot tradition

- A student sculptor placed a bronze horse statue over the grave of the first Peruna in 1937, two years after the pony's secret burial.
- The tradition of Peruna began with W. E. Culwell, a donor who specifically chose a long-lived Shetland pony to ensure the mascot's permanence.
- The name "Peruna" originated from a defunct patent medicine, an alcoholic tonic sold in the American South.
- Handlers dyed the white diamond on Peruna II's forehead black before games to maintain the illusion of a continuous, unchanging horse.
- When Peruna IV died in 1949, a student was called back to campus during summer break to serve as a pallbearer for a quiet burial next to the first Peruna.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74909110Fri, 04 Sep 2026 20:43:10 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA bronze horse statue marks a pony's grave on a university campus. This is the story of a strange tradition - why does it endure? A bronze horse points at a pony's grave for ninety years This episode explores the hidden history of Southern...
A bronze horse points at a pony's grave for ninety years

This episode explores the hidden history of Southern Methodist University's mascot, Peruna, and the elaborate lengths taken to maintain the illusion of a single, immortal horse. It uncovers the surprising origins and the secret rituals behind this enduring symbol.

Person: W. E. Culwell
Date: 1932
Location: Southern Methodist University
Animal: Shetland pony
Topic: University mascot tradition

- A student sculptor placed a bronze horse statue over the grave of the first Peruna in 1937, two years after the pony's secret burial.
- The tradition of Peruna began with W. E. Culwell, a donor who specifically chose a long-lived Shetland pony to ensure the mascot's permanence.
- The name "Peruna" originated from a defunct patent medicine, an alcoholic tonic sold in the American South.
- Handlers dyed the white diamond on Peruna II's forehead black before games to maintain the illusion of a continuous, unchanging horse.
- When Peruna IV died in 1949, a student was called back to campus during summer break to serve as a pallbearer for a quiet burial next to the first Peruna.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1110falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/a-bear-enlisted-as-a-private-with-a-real-service-number--74909109
A bear enlisted as a Private with a real service number

In this episode, we tell how a Syrian brown bear named Wojtek joined the Polish II Corps, moved across the Middle East with the twenty-second Artillery Supply Company, and was formally issued military documents so he could sail on British ships. How did soldiers turn a wild animal into an official service member?

Person: Wojtek
Person: Irena Bokiewicz (Inka)
Unit: 22nd Artillery Supply Company, Polish II Corps
Date: December 2, 1963 (death at Edinburgh Zoo)
Location: Iran (transit through Tehran; later sailed from Egypt to Italy)

- A malnourished cub was bought on the road between Pahlavi and Tehran and fed condensed milk from a vodka bottle by refugees.
- Irena cared for the cub for three months before formally handing him to the twenty-second Company in August 1942.
- Wojtek learned human habits: drinking coffee and beer, walking upright, mimicking soldiers and wrestling without lethal force.
- British ships enforcing a strict “no pets” policy required the unit to alter Wojtek’s status to allow him to sail.
- The company issued a real military paybook, rank (Private), and service number so Wojtek could travel with them to Italy.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74909109Fri, 04 Sep 2026 20:43:04 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA Syrian brown bear was issued a real Polish Army service number and sailed to Italy as a Private - how did military paperwork make that possible? A bear enlisted as a Private with a real service number In this episode, we tell how a Syrian...
A bear enlisted as a Private with a real service number

In this episode, we tell how a Syrian brown bear named Wojtek joined the Polish II Corps, moved across the Middle East with the twenty-second Artillery Supply Company, and was formally issued military documents so he could sail on British ships. How did soldiers turn a wild animal into an official service member?

Person: Wojtek
Person: Irena Bokiewicz (Inka)
Unit: 22nd Artillery Supply Company, Polish II Corps
Date: December 2, 1963 (death at Edinburgh Zoo)
Location: Iran (transit through Tehran; later sailed from Egypt to Italy)

- A malnourished cub was bought on the road between Pahlavi and Tehran and fed condensed milk from a vodka bottle by refugees.
- Irena cared for the cub for three months before formally handing him to the twenty-second Company in August 1942.
- Wojtek learned human habits: drinking coffee and beer, walking upright, mimicking soldiers and wrestling without lethal force.
- British ships enforcing a strict “no pets” policy required the unit to alter Wojtek’s status to allow him to sail.
- The company issued a real military paybook, rank (Private), and service number so Wojtek could travel with them to Italy.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1009falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/a-dog-buried-in-1895-became-the-face-on-millions-of-records--74909108
A dog buried in 1895 became the face on millions of records

In this episode, we tell the story of a mixed‑breed terrier named Nipper and the painting that turned him into a worldwide trademark. We trace how a photograph, a memory, a rejected canvas, and a business decision transformed a dog buried on Clarence Street into an image reproduced across records and storefronts - but did the dog ever actually listen?

Person: Nipper
Location: Clarence Street, Kingston upon Thames
Date: burials September 1895; painting completed 1898; sale May 31, 1899; US trademark July 10, 1900
Event: painting "His Master's Voice" sold to The Gramophone Company for £100
Topic: origin and commercialization of the Nipper image

- Nipper was a mixed‑breed terrier born circa 1884, known for nipping visitors' legs and living with the Barraud family.
- Francis Barraud painted "His Master's Voice" in 1898 from a photograph and memory, three years after Nipper’s death.
- Edison‑Bell rejected the original painting; The Gramophone Company bought it on condition the cylinder phonograph be replaced with a Berliner disc gramophone.
- The painting was sold for £100 on May 31, 1899, then registered as a trademark in the US on July 10, 1900 and used on labels from 1909.
- While Nipper remained buried beneath magnolia trees on Clarence Street, his painted likeness was reproduced on records, statues, and signage worldwide.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74909108Fri, 04 Sep 2026 20:43:00 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA dead terrier buried in Kingston upon Thames became the face on record labels - how did a dog in a grave turn into a global music icon? A dog buried in 1895 became the face on millions of records In this episode, we tell the story of a...
A dog buried in 1895 became the face on millions of records

In this episode, we tell the story of a mixed‑breed terrier named Nipper and the painting that turned him into a worldwide trademark. We trace how a photograph, a memory, a rejected canvas, and a business decision transformed a dog buried on Clarence Street into an image reproduced across records and storefronts - but did the dog ever actually listen?

Person: Nipper
Location: Clarence Street, Kingston upon Thames
Date: burials September 1895; painting completed 1898; sale May 31, 1899; US trademark July 10, 1900
Event: painting "His Master's Voice" sold to The Gramophone Company for £100
Topic: origin and commercialization of the Nipper image

- Nipper was a mixed‑breed terrier born circa 1884, known for nipping visitors' legs and living with the Barraud family.
- Francis Barraud painted "His Master's Voice" in 1898 from a photograph and memory, three years after Nipper’s death.
- Edison‑Bell rejected the original painting; The Gramophone Company bought it on condition the cylinder phonograph be replaced with a Berliner disc gramophone.
- The painting was sold for £100 on May 31, 1899, then registered as a trademark in the US on July 10, 1900 and used on labels from 1909.
- While Nipper remained buried beneath magnolia trees on Clarence Street, his painted likeness was reproduced on records, statues, and signage worldwide.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1055falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/a-stuffed-bulldog-outlived-its-maker-by-fifty-years--74909106
A stuffed bulldog outlived its maker by fifty years

In this episode, we trace the origins and odd continuity of Yale’s Handsome Dan, from the dog christened in 1889 to the sealed first mascot in a glass case and the succession of living successors who faced thefts, injuries, retirements, and institutional reinvention. What choices and compromises kept the office alive across wars, vacancies, and rivalries?

Person: Andrew Barbey Graves
Date: 1889 (name given), died February 18, 1948
Location: Yale’s Payne Whitney Gymnasium; England (death of Dan I)
Event: Thirty-five-year vacancy and 135-year mascot dynasty
Person: Current handler Kassandra Haro; Current dog Kingman (born January 2, 2021)

- Andrew Barbey Graves selected a pug-like bulldog in autumn 1889 for its tolerance of brass bands, children, and hatred for Harvard and Princeton colors.
- After the dog died in England in 1898, Graves had it taxidermied and shipped back to Yale, where Dan I sits sealed in a glass case at Payne Whitney Gymnasium.
- The Handsome Dan office went vacant for thirty-five years before a 1933 revival funded in part by freshman pennies, marking the mascot as a communal institution.
- Successive dogs were stolen, injured, paralyzed by a car, retired for crowd fear, or attributed mythic causes like “shame,” forcing shifts in ownership and selection practices.
- By the early 20th century Yale sought dogs that combined crowd tolerance with theatrical aggression, leading to changing models such as family ownership and institutional handlers.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74909106Fri, 04 Sep 2026 20:42:57 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA student names an ugly bulldog "Handsome Dan" at Yale. How does a joke become an institution? A stuffed bulldog outlived its maker by fifty years In this episode, we trace the origins and odd continuity of Yale’s Handsome Dan, from the dog...
A stuffed bulldog outlived its maker by fifty years

In this episode, we trace the origins and odd continuity of Yale’s Handsome Dan, from the dog christened in 1889 to the sealed first mascot in a glass case and the succession of living successors who faced thefts, injuries, retirements, and institutional reinvention. What choices and compromises kept the office alive across wars, vacancies, and rivalries?

Person: Andrew Barbey Graves
Date: 1889 (name given), died February 18, 1948
Location: Yale’s Payne Whitney Gymnasium; England (death of Dan I)
Event: Thirty-five-year vacancy and 135-year mascot dynasty
Person: Current handler Kassandra Haro; Current dog Kingman (born January 2, 2021)

- Andrew Barbey Graves selected a pug-like bulldog in autumn 1889 for its tolerance of brass bands, children, and hatred for Harvard and Princeton colors.
- After the dog died in England in 1898, Graves had it taxidermied and shipped back to Yale, where Dan I sits sealed in a glass case at Payne Whitney Gymnasium.
- The Handsome Dan office went vacant for thirty-five years before a 1933 revival funded in part by freshman pennies, marking the mascot as a communal institution.
- Successive dogs were stolen, injured, paralyzed by a car, retired for crowd fear, or attributed mythic causes like “shame,” forcing shifts in ownership and selection practices.
- By the early 20th century Yale sought dogs that combined crowd tolerance with theatrical aggression, leading to changing models such as family ownership and institutional handlers.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1097falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/a-cub-smaller-than-a-guinea-pig-generated-five-million-euros--74909105
A cub smaller than a guinea pig generated five million euros

This episode explores the life of Knut, a polar bear born at the Berlin Zoo, whose early rejection by his mother led to an unprecedented upbringing and worldwide fame. It delves into the ethical debates and the unseen challenges that shaped his existence.

Person: Knut
Date: December 5, 2006
Location: Berlin Zoo
Animal: Polar bear
Revenue: Five million euros

- Knut was born one of two cubs, but his mother, Tosca, rejected both, leading to the death of his sibling.
- A keeper slept next to Knut for months, hand-feeding him and ensuring his survival.
- Animal activist Frank Albrecht publicly argued that raising Knut by hand was ethically wrong and would create a psychologically dependent animal.
- Despite warnings, Knut generated five million euros for the Berlin Zoo in his first year, leading to his image appearing on merchandise and a commemorative coin.
- By the age of two, Knut, who was once smaller than a guinea pig, weighed over two hundred pounds and still sought human interaction at the fence.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74909105Fri, 04 Sep 2026 20:42:53 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA polar bear cub, hand-raised and adored, becomes a global sensation. But his unique upbringing raises questions about his true nature and future. A cub smaller than a guinea pig generated five million euros This episode explores the life of...
A cub smaller than a guinea pig generated five million euros

This episode explores the life of Knut, a polar bear born at the Berlin Zoo, whose early rejection by his mother led to an unprecedented upbringing and worldwide fame. It delves into the ethical debates and the unseen challenges that shaped his existence.

Person: Knut
Date: December 5, 2006
Location: Berlin Zoo
Animal: Polar bear
Revenue: Five million euros

- Knut was born one of two cubs, but his mother, Tosca, rejected both, leading to the death of his sibling.
- A keeper slept next to Knut for months, hand-feeding him and ensuring his survival.
- Animal activist Frank Albrecht publicly argued that raising Knut by hand was ethically wrong and would create a psychologically dependent animal.
- Despite warnings, Knut generated five million euros for the Berlin Zoo in his first year, leading to his image appearing on merchandise and a commemorative coin.
- By the age of two, Knut, who was once smaller than a guinea pig, weighed over two hundred pounds and still sought human interaction at the fence.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1229falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/a-pacifier-tied-to-a-stable-door-bent-a-polar-bear-cub-s-nose--74909103
A pacifier tied to a stable door bent a polar bear cub's nose

In this episode, we follow the sequence of events at Nuremberg Zoo that turned a fragile polar bear cub into a citywide and international focus. The story traces a zoo policy, a maternal scandal, the decision to remove a four-week-old cub, and the human labor that replaced her mother - but why Vera began dropping her cub remains unanswered.

Person: Flocke
Date: 11 December 2007
Location: Nuremberg Zoo, Bavaria
Event: Mother Vera began picking up and dropping her four‑week‑old cub
Status: Cub removed from mother; hand‑raised by four keepers in rotating shifts

- The cub was born weighing less than a kilogram and had a crooked nose caused by a pacifier tied to stable bars.
- Nuremberg Zoo had a non‑interference policy but intervened after Vera repeatedly dropped the cub onto rocky flooring.
- The intervention removed the cub under four weeks old to a heated keeper area and ended meaningful contact with Vera.
- Keepers fed the cub 140 milliliters of artificial milk every four hours with four staff rotating to cover every feed.
- Days after the removal, the zoo launched a dedicated website for the cub, thrusting her into public attention.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74909103Fri, 04 Sep 2026 20:42:49 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA pacifier tied to a stable bent a newborn polar bear cub’s nose in a Bavarian zoo - how did a rescue become a public spectacle with global stakes? A pacifier tied to a stable door bent a polar bear cub's nose In this episode, we follow the...
A pacifier tied to a stable door bent a polar bear cub's nose

In this episode, we follow the sequence of events at Nuremberg Zoo that turned a fragile polar bear cub into a citywide and international focus. The story traces a zoo policy, a maternal scandal, the decision to remove a four-week-old cub, and the human labor that replaced her mother - but why Vera began dropping her cub remains unanswered.

Person: Flocke
Date: 11 December 2007
Location: Nuremberg Zoo, Bavaria
Event: Mother Vera began picking up and dropping her four‑week‑old cub
Status: Cub removed from mother; hand‑raised by four keepers in rotating shifts

- The cub was born weighing less than a kilogram and had a crooked nose caused by a pacifier tied to stable bars.
- Nuremberg Zoo had a non‑interference policy but intervened after Vera repeatedly dropped the cub onto rocky flooring.
- The intervention removed the cub under four weeks old to a heated keeper area and ended meaningful contact with Vera.
- Keepers fed the cub 140 milliliters of artificial milk every four hours with four staff rotating to cover every feed.
- Days after the removal, the zoo launched a dedicated website for the cub, thrusting her into public attention.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1111falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/a-twenty-five-dollar-cub-climbed-a-goal-post-and-started-a-century-long-fight--74909101
A Twenty-Five Dollar Cub Climbed a Goal Post and Started a Century-Long Fight

This episode explores the strange disappearance of Touchdown III, a live black bear mascot for Cornell University, in the 1920s. It delves into the university's long-standing fight against its own beloved tradition and the enduring mystery at its heart.

Person: Touchdown III
Date: 1920s
Location: Manhattan, New York
Institution: Cornell University

- In 1915, a black bear cub named Touchdown I, purchased for $25, climbed a goal post during a game, captivating the crowd.
- Romeyn Berry, director of the Cornell University Athletic Association until 1935, became a vocal opponent of live bear mascots, describing them as "disagreeable beasts with a fetid odor."
- Despite administrative opposition, students continued the tradition, leading to Touchdown II and Touchdown III.
- Touchdown III traveled with the Cornell football team by train to Manhattan and attended an alumni gathering on Forty-Fourth Street.
- After the alumni party, the official record of Touchdown III's whereabouts abruptly ends, with no transfer or death documentation.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74909101Fri, 04 Sep 2026 20:42:44 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA live black bear, mascot of an Ivy League football team, vanished in Manhattan after an alumni party. A century later, the mystery remains. A Twenty-Five Dollar Cub Climbed a Goal Post and Started a Century-Long Fight This episode explores the...
A Twenty-Five Dollar Cub Climbed a Goal Post and Started a Century-Long Fight

This episode explores the strange disappearance of Touchdown III, a live black bear mascot for Cornell University, in the 1920s. It delves into the university's long-standing fight against its own beloved tradition and the enduring mystery at its heart.

Person: Touchdown III
Date: 1920s
Location: Manhattan, New York
Institution: Cornell University

- In 1915, a black bear cub named Touchdown I, purchased for $25, climbed a goal post during a game, captivating the crowd.
- Romeyn Berry, director of the Cornell University Athletic Association until 1935, became a vocal opponent of live bear mascots, describing them as "disagreeable beasts with a fetid odor."
- Despite administrative opposition, students continued the tradition, leading to Touchdown II and Touchdown III.
- Touchdown III traveled with the Cornell football team by train to Manhattan and attended an alumni gathering on Forty-Fourth Street.
- After the alumni party, the official record of Touchdown III's whereabouts abruptly ends, with no transfer or death documentation.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1005falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-four-pound-yorkie-that-crawled-a-70-foot-culvert-and-kept-the-airstrip-open--74909100
The four‑pound Yorkie that crawled a 70‑foot culvert and kept the airstrip open

In this episode we follow the sequence of events that took a stray Yorkshire Terrier from an abandoned New Guinea trench into the hands of Corporal William Wynne and onto missions in the South Pacific. We lay out the decision, the conditions, and the moment Smoky was sent into a narrow culvert under an active airstrip - what led to that choice, and what it required.

Person: Smoky (Yorkshire Terrier)
Person: Corporal William Wynne
Location: New Guinea; Lingayen Gulf airstrip (Philippines)
Date: 1944
Measurement: culvert 70 feet long, 8 inches interior diameter

- Soldiers found a malnourished, collarless Yorkie alone in an abandoned trench in the New Guinea jungle.
- Corporal William Wynne bought the dog in a poker game and named her Smoky, then carried her on reconnaissance flights in his pack.
- Engineers needed to thread a communications cable through a 70‑foot culvert under an operational airstrip to avoid digging up the runway.
- The culvert’s interior diameter was eight inches - only slightly wider than a large man’s hand - ruling out human passage and protracting excavation.
- Wynne attached a cable to Smoky’s collar, crouched at the culvert entrance, called her name, and she entered the dark pipe.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74909100Fri, 04 Sep 2026 20:42:41 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA four‑pound Yorkie is sent into a culvert beneath an active airstrip with a cable on her collar - how is that possible? The four‑pound Yorkie that crawled a 70‑foot culvert and kept the airstrip open In this episode we follow the sequence of...
The four‑pound Yorkie that crawled a 70‑foot culvert and kept the airstrip open

In this episode we follow the sequence of events that took a stray Yorkshire Terrier from an abandoned New Guinea trench into the hands of Corporal William Wynne and onto missions in the South Pacific. We lay out the decision, the conditions, and the moment Smoky was sent into a narrow culvert under an active airstrip - what led to that choice, and what it required.

Person: Smoky (Yorkshire Terrier)
Person: Corporal William Wynne
Location: New Guinea; Lingayen Gulf airstrip (Philippines)
Date: 1944
Measurement: culvert 70 feet long, 8 inches interior diameter

- Soldiers found a malnourished, collarless Yorkie alone in an abandoned trench in the New Guinea jungle.
- Corporal William Wynne bought the dog in a poker game and named her Smoky, then carried her on reconnaissance flights in his pack.
- Engineers needed to thread a communications cable through a 70‑foot culvert under an operational airstrip to avoid digging up the runway.
- The culvert’s interior diameter was eight inches - only slightly wider than a large man’s hand - ruling out human passage and protracting excavation.
- Wynne attached a cable to Smoky’s collar, crouched at the culvert entrance, called her name, and she entered the dark pipe.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1215falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-white-whale-that-carried-twenty-harpoons-for-decades--74909098
The White Whale That Carried Twenty Harpoons for Decades

In this episode, we trace the recorded encounters with a single white sperm whale known to Pacific whalers as Mocha Dick, assembling eyewitness testimony about its behavior, appearance, and the methods crews used to hunt it. What do the numbers and the survivors' accounts tell us about how one whale withstood repeated attacks and became notorious among nineteenth-century whalers?

Person: Mocha Dick
Location: Southeast Pacific, off Chile (Mocha Island area)
Date: documented from before 1810; compiled account published May 1839
Author: J. N. Reynolds (Knickerbocker article)
Topic: repeated harpooning, whale behavior, nineteenth-century whaling

- Whalers reported a near-white, 70-foot sperm whale with a barnacled, ridged head that announced itself with a perpendicular spout and a “continuous roar.”
- The whale was encountered in at least one hundred skirmishes compiled by Reynolds, with attacks spanning nearly three decades of Pacific whaling.
- The body recovered at death contained twenty iron harpoon heads lodged in blubber and muscle, with broken shafts still seated - a minimum count.
- Standard whaling technique: small boats, harpoon to anchor, then lance to kill; this whale repeatedly avoided that sequence by diving deep and breaching at attacking boats.
- Eyewitnesss described the whale sounding straight down to run a line out until it snapped or held, then launching its full body directly beneath a whaleboat, leaving crews seconds to react.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74909098Fri, 04 Sep 2026 20:42:36 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA white sperm whale off Chile surfaced with dozens of harpoons embedded in its flesh - how is that possible? The White Whale That Carried Twenty Harpoons for Decades In this episode, we trace the recorded encounters with a single white sperm...
The White Whale That Carried Twenty Harpoons for Decades

In this episode, we trace the recorded encounters with a single white sperm whale known to Pacific whalers as Mocha Dick, assembling eyewitness testimony about its behavior, appearance, and the methods crews used to hunt it. What do the numbers and the survivors' accounts tell us about how one whale withstood repeated attacks and became notorious among nineteenth-century whalers?

Person: Mocha Dick
Location: Southeast Pacific, off Chile (Mocha Island area)
Date: documented from before 1810; compiled account published May 1839
Author: J. N. Reynolds (Knickerbocker article)
Topic: repeated harpooning, whale behavior, nineteenth-century whaling

- Whalers reported a near-white, 70-foot sperm whale with a barnacled, ridged head that announced itself with a perpendicular spout and a “continuous roar.”
- The whale was encountered in at least one hundred skirmishes compiled by Reynolds, with attacks spanning nearly three decades of Pacific whaling.
- The body recovered at death contained twenty iron harpoon heads lodged in blubber and muscle, with broken shafts still seated - a minimum count.
- Standard whaling technique: small boats, harpoon to anchor, then lance to kill; this whale repeatedly avoided that sequence by diving deep and breaching at attacking boats.
- Eyewitnesss described the whale sounding straight down to run a line out until it snapped or held, then launching its full body directly beneath a whaleboat, leaving crews seconds to react.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1069falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/when-a-chimp-broke-humanity-david-greybeard-s-tool-that-shook-the-world--74909097
When a Chimp Broke Humanity: David Greybeard's Tool That Shook the World

In this episode, we follow Jane Goodall’s first months at Gombe Stream and the events that forced scientists to rethink human uniqueness. We track discoveries from tool use to meat-eating, social ranks, and a community’s slow split - what do these changes mean for the boundary between species?

Person: David Greybeard
Date: November 4, 1960
Location: Gombe Stream, Tanzania
Researcher: Jane Goodall
Event: Tool use and meat-eating observations

- A twenty-six-year-old Jane Goodall arrived at Gombe Stream in July 1960 with binoculars and a notebook but no university degree.
- On October 30, 1960, David Greybeard was seen eating red colobus meat - chimpanzees had been considered vegetarians.
- On November 4, 1960, the same chimp stripped a twig, used it to fish termites, and pulled it out covered in insects.
- Goodall named each chimp and recorded genealogies; Flo, born ~1919, became the pivotal matriarch of the F family.
- After Flo’s death in 1972, her youngest son Flint stopped eating and died within weeks, recorded by researchers as a possible case of grief.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74909097Fri, 04 Sep 2026 20:42:33 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA young chimp in Tanzania sticks a grass stem into a termite mound and changes the line between human and animal - how could a tool do that? When a Chimp Broke Humanity: David Greybeard's Tool That Shook the World In this episode, we follow Jane...
When a Chimp Broke Humanity: David Greybeard's Tool That Shook the World

In this episode, we follow Jane Goodall’s first months at Gombe Stream and the events that forced scientists to rethink human uniqueness. We track discoveries from tool use to meat-eating, social ranks, and a community’s slow split - what do these changes mean for the boundary between species?

Person: David Greybeard
Date: November 4, 1960
Location: Gombe Stream, Tanzania
Researcher: Jane Goodall
Event: Tool use and meat-eating observations

- A twenty-six-year-old Jane Goodall arrived at Gombe Stream in July 1960 with binoculars and a notebook but no university degree.
- On October 30, 1960, David Greybeard was seen eating red colobus meat - chimpanzees had been considered vegetarians.
- On November 4, 1960, the same chimp stripped a twig, used it to fish termites, and pulled it out covered in insects.
- Goodall named each chimp and recorded genealogies; Flo, born ~1919, became the pivotal matriarch of the F family.
- After Flo’s death in 1972, her youngest son Flint stopped eating and died within weeks, recorded by researchers as a possible case of grief.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1151falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/a-thirty-three-degree-incubator-turned-genetic-males-into-fertile-females--74909095
A thirty-three-degree incubator turned genetic males into fertile females

In this episode, we describe a documented, repeatable biological event in central bearded dragons where incubation temperature overrides chromosomal sex during development. We outline the discovery, how breeders and pet owners unknowingly incubate these outcomes, and why that raises questions about the future of the species.

Species: Pogona vitticeps
Date published: 2015
Temperature threshold: 32°C (approx. 90°F)
Chromosomal sexes: ZZ (male), ZW (female)
Origin of captive stock: smuggled exports 1974-1990

- An egg incubated at 33°C produced an animal with ZZ chromosomes that developed ovaries and laid eggs.
- Above ~32°C, cellular stress pathways activate and the chromosomal male pathway is overridden during development.
- The phenomenon was documented in captive populations and confirmed in wild populations, not in engineered lab specimens.
- Most pet and captive bearded dragons in Europe and North America descend from a small illegal cohort moved off Australia 1974-1990.
- By 2021 the central bearded dragon was the most commonly kept reptile in the US and Western Europe, meaning this temperature effect is widespread in home terraria.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74909095Fri, 04 Sep 2026 20:42:29 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA bearded dragon egg at 33°C produces a chromosomally male lizard that develops ovaries and lays eggs-how can heat rewrite sex? A thirty-three-degree incubator turned genetic males into fertile females In this episode, we describe a documented,...
A thirty-three-degree incubator turned genetic males into fertile females

In this episode, we describe a documented, repeatable biological event in central bearded dragons where incubation temperature overrides chromosomal sex during development. We outline the discovery, how breeders and pet owners unknowingly incubate these outcomes, and why that raises questions about the future of the species.

Species: Pogona vitticeps
Date published: 2015
Temperature threshold: 32°C (approx. 90°F)
Chromosomal sexes: ZZ (male), ZW (female)
Origin of captive stock: smuggled exports 1974-1990

- An egg incubated at 33°C produced an animal with ZZ chromosomes that developed ovaries and laid eggs.
- Above ~32°C, cellular stress pathways activate and the chromosomal male pathway is overridden during development.
- The phenomenon was documented in captive populations and confirmed in wild populations, not in engineered lab specimens.
- Most pet and captive bearded dragons in Europe and North America descend from a small illegal cohort moved off Australia 1974-1990.
- By 2021 the central bearded dragon was the most commonly kept reptile in the US and Western Europe, meaning this temperature effect is widespread in home terraria.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1042falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/a-dime-pooled-by-fourteen-strangers-bought-auburn-s-golden-eagle--74909094
A dime pooled by fourteen strangers bought Auburn's golden eagle

In this episode, we follow the documented journey of a golden eagle bought by fourteen people for about a dime apiece and placed at Auburn amid an already‑existing chant. What did that $10 purchase - and a string of later eagles, invented Civil War legends, and competing origin stories - actually build or obscure?

Person: Jim Phillips
Date: November 1930
Location: Bee Hive, Alabama
Event: purchase and gifting of a golden eagle to Auburn University

- Fourteen strangers pooled roughly ten dollars to buy a golden eagle caught in a farmer’s pea vines and brought it to Auburn for football season.
- The phrase "War Eagle" appears in print before the live bird arrived, including a 1916 newspaper usage and earlier literary mentions like Francis Parkman in 1846.
- Two locally sourced origin stories trace the cry to a 1913 pep rally (E.T. Enslen and Gus Graydon) and a 1914 misheard quarterback signal (Lucy Hairston), but neither is definitively proven.
- In 1959 Jim Phillips published a Civil War origin story in the Auburn University-an invented account he later acknowledged-and the university continued to circulate it.
- The 1930 bird disappears from records after a short documented window; conflicting accounts say it died, was taken by a rival school, or possibly ended up taxidermied, but no confirmed fate exists.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74909094Fri, 04 Sep 2026 20:42:24 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTFourteen strangers bought a golden eagle tangled in vines - the bird became the living symbol of an Auburn battle cry no one can prove they invented? A dime pooled by fourteen strangers bought Auburn's golden eagle In this episode, we follow the...
A dime pooled by fourteen strangers bought Auburn's golden eagle

In this episode, we follow the documented journey of a golden eagle bought by fourteen people for about a dime apiece and placed at Auburn amid an already‑existing chant. What did that $10 purchase - and a string of later eagles, invented Civil War legends, and competing origin stories - actually build or obscure?

Person: Jim Phillips
Date: November 1930
Location: Bee Hive, Alabama
Event: purchase and gifting of a golden eagle to Auburn University

- Fourteen strangers pooled roughly ten dollars to buy a golden eagle caught in a farmer’s pea vines and brought it to Auburn for football season.
- The phrase "War Eagle" appears in print before the live bird arrived, including a 1916 newspaper usage and earlier literary mentions like Francis Parkman in 1846.
- Two locally sourced origin stories trace the cry to a 1913 pep rally (E.T. Enslen and Gus Graydon) and a 1914 misheard quarterback signal (Lucy Hairston), but neither is definitively proven.
- In 1959 Jim Phillips published a Civil War origin story in the Auburn University-an invented account he later acknowledged-and the university continued to circulate it.
- The 1930 bird disappears from records after a short documented window; conflicting accounts say it died, was taken by a rival school, or possibly ended up taxidermied, but no confirmed fate exists.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1087falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/a-bald-eagle-flew-into-36-civil-war-battles-and-lived--74909093
A bald eagle flew into 36 Civil War battles - and lived

In this episode, we follow the documented arc from a nest on the South Fork of the Flambeau River to a bushel-of-corn purchase and into the Eighth Wisconsin’s ranks. We trace the transactions, the soldiers who carried him, and the moments in battle that turned a bird into a living emblem - but how did myth and reality diverge?

Person: Old Abe
Person: Chief Sky (Ahgamahwegezhig)
Person: Captain John C. Perkins
Event: Battle of Farmington, Mississippi (May 9, 1862)
Location: South Fork of the Flambeau River, Wisconsin

- A young Ojibwe man, Chief Sky, finds two eaglets; one dies and the surviving chick is traded for a bushel of corn.
- Daniel McCann keeps the eaglet through the summer before soldiers collect a Quarter Eagle (two dollars and fifty cents) to buy him.
- Captain John C. Perkins names the bird Abraham Lincoln; soldiers shorten it to Old Abe and a wooden perch is built.
- The Eighth Wisconsin musters as Company C and adopts the eagle as a war relic and regimental emblem before seeing its first heavy fire.
- At the Battle of Farmington, Old Abe screams and spreads his wings amid the fighting, a moment soldiers said steadied the line.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74909093Fri, 04 Sep 2026 20:42:21 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA bald eagle named Old Abe rode into Civil War battles on a wooden perch - how did a traded eaglet become a battlefield symbol? A bald eagle flew into 36 Civil War battles - and lived In this episode, we follow the documented arc from a nest on...
A bald eagle flew into 36 Civil War battles - and lived

In this episode, we follow the documented arc from a nest on the South Fork of the Flambeau River to a bushel-of-corn purchase and into the Eighth Wisconsin’s ranks. We trace the transactions, the soldiers who carried him, and the moments in battle that turned a bird into a living emblem - but how did myth and reality diverge?

Person: Old Abe
Person: Chief Sky (Ahgamahwegezhig)
Person: Captain John C. Perkins
Event: Battle of Farmington, Mississippi (May 9, 1862)
Location: South Fork of the Flambeau River, Wisconsin

- A young Ojibwe man, Chief Sky, finds two eaglets; one dies and the surviving chick is traded for a bushel of corn.
- Daniel McCann keeps the eaglet through the summer before soldiers collect a Quarter Eagle (two dollars and fifty cents) to buy him.
- Captain John C. Perkins names the bird Abraham Lincoln; soldiers shorten it to Old Abe and a wooden perch is built.
- The Eighth Wisconsin musters as Company C and adopts the eagle as a war relic and regimental emblem before seeing its first heavy fire.
- At the Battle of Farmington, Old Abe screams and spreads his wings amid the fighting, a moment soldiers said steadied the line.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1360falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/a-winless-stallion-sired-510-000-dollars-in-descendants-winnings--74909092
A winless stallion sired 510,000+ dollars in descendants' winnings

In this episode, we trace the journey of Gunrock from a racetrack blank slate to a prolific stallion at a university, and the surprising chain of pedigrees and decisions that followed. What happens when winning on the track means nothing, but breeding does everything?

Person: Gunrock
Person: Rock Sand
Person: Hastings
Date: born c. 1914
Event: assigned to UC Davis by the U.S. Army Remount Service

- Gunrock was by Rock Sand, a horse that won the English Triple Crown and had 16 wins in 20 starts.
- Hastings, born 1893, was bought by August Belmont Jr. for a record $37,000 and became a key ancestor in Gunrock’s pedigree.
- August Belmont Jr. donated Gunrock to the U.S. Army Remount Service in 1921 after Gunrock failed to win or place in any races.
- The Remount Service placed Gunrock at the University of California, Davis with a mandate that his offspring be army stock, not racehorses.
- Gunrock covered 476 mares over eleven years at UC Davis, and his descendants’ line eventually produced over $510,000 in winnings decades later.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74909092Fri, 04 Sep 2026 20:42:17 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA Thoroughbred with Triple Crown blood never won a race but became a university stallion-how did Gunrock seed a $510,000 legacy through breeding? A winless stallion sired 510,000+ dollars in descendants' winnings In this episode, we trace the...
A winless stallion sired 510,000+ dollars in descendants' winnings

In this episode, we trace the journey of Gunrock from a racetrack blank slate to a prolific stallion at a university, and the surprising chain of pedigrees and decisions that followed. What happens when winning on the track means nothing, but breeding does everything?

Person: Gunrock
Person: Rock Sand
Person: Hastings
Date: born c. 1914
Event: assigned to UC Davis by the U.S. Army Remount Service

- Gunrock was by Rock Sand, a horse that won the English Triple Crown and had 16 wins in 20 starts.
- Hastings, born 1893, was bought by August Belmont Jr. for a record $37,000 and became a key ancestor in Gunrock’s pedigree.
- August Belmont Jr. donated Gunrock to the U.S. Army Remount Service in 1921 after Gunrock failed to win or place in any races.
- The Remount Service placed Gunrock at the University of California, Davis with a mandate that his offspring be army stock, not racehorses.
- Gunrock covered 476 mares over eleven years at UC Davis, and his descendants’ line eventually produced over $510,000 in winnings decades later.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1225falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-pyrenean-ibex-died-under-a-fallen-tree-then-was-cloned-and-lived-minutes--74909091
The Pyrenean ibex died under a fallen tree, then was cloned and lived minutes

In this episode, we tell how a single animal in Ordesa National Park became the last of a lineage and how scientists used frozen tissue from her ear to attempt a genetic resurrection. What decisions, techniques, and limits led from a fingernail-sized biopsy to a birth that lasted minutes?

Person: Celia
Location: Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park, Spanish Pyrenees
Date: January 6, 2000 (death); July 30, 2003 (cloning birth)
Topic: Pyrenean ibex (Capra pyrenaica) extinction and cloning
Method: Ear tissue biopsy frozen in liquid nitrogen; nuclear transfer into donor egg; pregnancy carried by a domestic goat

- Celia lived her final years alone inside Ordesa and was known and monitored by park rangers.
- One year before her death, scientists took a small biopsy from the inside of her ear and froze the tissue.
- Over three years, researchers reconstructed DNA, fused it with donor eggs, and attempted hundreds of embryos.
- A domestic goat carried the successful embryo to term, producing a newborn ibex that breathed and survived for minutes.
- The newborn died from lung defects and malformed tissue despite having been brought to life via cloning.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74909091Fri, 04 Sep 2026 20:42:13 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA Pyrenean ibex crushed under a tree dies, then scientists clone her from an ear biopsy - how could that lineage end and restart? The Pyrenean ibex died under a fallen tree, then was cloned and lived minutes In this episode, we tell how a single...
The Pyrenean ibex died under a fallen tree, then was cloned and lived minutes

In this episode, we tell how a single animal in Ordesa National Park became the last of a lineage and how scientists used frozen tissue from her ear to attempt a genetic resurrection. What decisions, techniques, and limits led from a fingernail-sized biopsy to a birth that lasted minutes?

Person: Celia
Location: Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park, Spanish Pyrenees
Date: January 6, 2000 (death); July 30, 2003 (cloning birth)
Topic: Pyrenean ibex (Capra pyrenaica) extinction and cloning
Method: Ear tissue biopsy frozen in liquid nitrogen; nuclear transfer into donor egg; pregnancy carried by a domestic goat

- Celia lived her final years alone inside Ordesa and was known and monitored by park rangers.
- One year before her death, scientists took a small biopsy from the inside of her ear and froze the tissue.
- Over three years, researchers reconstructed DNA, fused it with donor eggs, and attempted hundreds of embryos.
- A domestic goat carried the successful embryo to term, producing a newborn ibex that breathed and survived for minutes.
- The newborn died from lung defects and malformed tissue despite having been brought to life via cloning.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1221falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/a-single-owl-pellet-proved-flaco-had-hunted-in-central-park--74909090
A single owl pellet proved Flaco had hunted in Central Park

In this episode, we follow the months after Flaco the Eurasian eagle-owl escaped his enclosure and moved through Manhattan, tracking what changed the way experts thought about his survival. The story centers on sightings, scientific observations, and one small piece of biological evidence that forced a major decision: what did that pellet mean for Flaco's future?

Person: Flaco (Eurasian eagle-owl)
Date: escaped February 2, 2023; pellet observed February 10, 2023; confirmed hunting February 12, 2023
Location: Central Park, New York City
Origin: born in North Carolina, transferred to Central Park Zoo in 2010
Status: twelve years captive, twelve months free

- Someone cut the steel mesh of Flaco’s Temperate Territory enclosure the night he fled into Central Park.
- For the first eight days after escape he was glimpsed sporadically and not observed eating despite trapping efforts by the Wildlife Conservation Society.
- Experts noted unstable flight and stress in early footage, predicting captive-trained hunting skills would be insufficient.
- On February 10 a passerby saw Flaco expel a single compact pellet-an unequivocal biological sign he had eaten.
- Within days the Wildlife Conservation Society confirmed the pellet’s implication and suspended active recapture efforts.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74909090Fri, 04 Sep 2026 20:42:09 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA six-foot Eurasian eagle-owl born in captivity appears in Central Park after someone cuts the mesh-how did Flaco survive without hunting experience? A single owl pellet proved Flaco had hunted in Central Park In this episode, we follow the...
A single owl pellet proved Flaco had hunted in Central Park

In this episode, we follow the months after Flaco the Eurasian eagle-owl escaped his enclosure and moved through Manhattan, tracking what changed the way experts thought about his survival. The story centers on sightings, scientific observations, and one small piece of biological evidence that forced a major decision: what did that pellet mean for Flaco's future?

Person: Flaco (Eurasian eagle-owl)
Date: escaped February 2, 2023; pellet observed February 10, 2023; confirmed hunting February 12, 2023
Location: Central Park, New York City
Origin: born in North Carolina, transferred to Central Park Zoo in 2010
Status: twelve years captive, twelve months free

- Someone cut the steel mesh of Flaco’s Temperate Territory enclosure the night he fled into Central Park.
- For the first eight days after escape he was glimpsed sporadically and not observed eating despite trapping efforts by the Wildlife Conservation Society.
- Experts noted unstable flight and stress in early footage, predicting captive-trained hunting skills would be insufficient.
- On February 10 a passerby saw Flaco expel a single compact pellet-an unequivocal biological sign he had eaten.
- Within days the Wildlife Conservation Society confirmed the pellet’s implication and suspended active recapture efforts.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1157falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/a-coffee-cup-kept-selling-after-a-cease-and-desist-jurors-awarded-710-000--74909089
A coffee cup kept selling after a cease‑and‑desist - jurors awarded $710,000

In this episode, we follow the chain of events from a Reddit photo of a kitten to an image turned into a commercial brand and then into a federal intellectual property lawsuit. How did a cease‑and‑desist email, a coffee called Grumppuccino, and a meme manager lead twelve jurors to assign a dollar value to a cat's face?

Person: Tardar Sauce (the cat)
Person: Tabatha Bundesen (owner)
Person: Ben Lashes (meme manager)
Event: Reddit post of Tardar Sauce on September 22, 2012
Product: Grumppuccino coffee by Grenade Beverage

- A Reddit photo of a flat‑faced kitten went viral within days and spawned hundreds of image variations using the same expression.
- A meme manager, Ben Lashes, contacted the family and began professionally representing Tardar Sauce, turning viral fame into commercial deals.
- Commercialization included a Friskies sponsorship, first‑class travel, a New York Times bestselling book, a Lifetime film, and an official shop with 1,082 items.
- Grenade Beverage produced a coffee called Grumppuccino with packaging evoking the cat's unhappy face and sold it without obtaining permission.
- After receiving a written cease‑and‑desist instructing them to stop, Grenade Beverage continued selling the product, triggering federal litigation and a jury award.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74909089Fri, 04 Sep 2026 20:42:05 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA famous grumpy cat's face is used on a coffee cup after a cease-and-desist - how did a meme become federal IP litigation? A coffee cup kept selling after a cease‑and‑desist - jurors awarded $710,000 In this episode, we follow the chain of...
A coffee cup kept selling after a cease‑and‑desist - jurors awarded $710,000

In this episode, we follow the chain of events from a Reddit photo of a kitten to an image turned into a commercial brand and then into a federal intellectual property lawsuit. How did a cease‑and‑desist email, a coffee called Grumppuccino, and a meme manager lead twelve jurors to assign a dollar value to a cat's face?

Person: Tardar Sauce (the cat)
Person: Tabatha Bundesen (owner)
Person: Ben Lashes (meme manager)
Event: Reddit post of Tardar Sauce on September 22, 2012
Product: Grumppuccino coffee by Grenade Beverage

- A Reddit photo of a flat‑faced kitten went viral within days and spawned hundreds of image variations using the same expression.
- A meme manager, Ben Lashes, contacted the family and began professionally representing Tardar Sauce, turning viral fame into commercial deals.
- Commercialization included a Friskies sponsorship, first‑class travel, a New York Times bestselling book, a Lifetime film, and an official shop with 1,082 items.
- Grenade Beverage produced a coffee called Grumppuccino with packaging evoking the cat's unhappy face and sold it without obtaining permission.
- After receiving a written cease‑and‑desist instructing them to stop, Grenade Beverage continued selling the product, triggering federal litigation and a jury award.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1151falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/one-orange-maine-coon-appeared-on-two-different-2010-album-covers--74909088
One orange Maine Coon appeared on two different 2010 album covers

In this episode, we follow the overlap between a persistent image and a personal story: a cat that shows up twice in 2010 and the musician whose life unfolds around him. What does it mean when the one constant in a career is also the quiet center of everything that changes?

Person: Bethany Cosentino
Event: Cat appears on two album covers in 2010
Animal: Snacks, an orange Maine Coon
Date: November 3, 2017 (op-ed publication)
Topic: Cosentino’s public account of past assaults and sobriety

- Bethany Cosentino grew up singing in a church choir in the San Fernando Valley and later founded Best Coast.
- Snacks arrived around 2008 from neighbors and later appeared on two different artists’ album covers in 2010.
- Cosentino carried two private assaults into her public work: one by a family member in childhood and a later assault by an employee.
- On her thirty-first birthday, November 3, 2017, Cosentino published an op-ed in Billboard naming her experiences without identifying perpetrators.
- By 2017 she had gotten sober and ended her relationship with Nathan Williams, events that coincided closely in time.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74909088Fri, 04 Sep 2026 20:42:01 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTAn orange Maine Coon named Snacks appears on two 2010 album covers - and one musician’s life quietly reconfigures around what he witnesses. One orange Maine Coon appeared on two different 2010 album covers In this episode, we follow the overlap...
One orange Maine Coon appeared on two different 2010 album covers

In this episode, we follow the overlap between a persistent image and a personal story: a cat that shows up twice in 2010 and the musician whose life unfolds around him. What does it mean when the one constant in a career is also the quiet center of everything that changes?

Person: Bethany Cosentino
Event: Cat appears on two album covers in 2010
Animal: Snacks, an orange Maine Coon
Date: November 3, 2017 (op-ed publication)
Topic: Cosentino’s public account of past assaults and sobriety

- Bethany Cosentino grew up singing in a church choir in the San Fernando Valley and later founded Best Coast.
- Snacks arrived around 2008 from neighbors and later appeared on two different artists’ album covers in 2010.
- Cosentino carried two private assaults into her public work: one by a family member in childhood and a later assault by an employee.
- On her thirty-first birthday, November 3, 2017, Cosentino published an op-ed in Billboard naming her experiences without identifying perpetrators.
- By 2017 she had gotten sober and ended her relationship with Nathan Williams, events that coincided closely in time.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1122falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/a-fourteen-foot-chain-let-a-trapped-grizzly-walk-on-for-nine-years--74909087
A fourteen-foot chain let a trapped grizzly walk on for nine years

In this episode, we lay out the nine-year pursuit of a single grizzly in the Bear River Range and the decisions, traps, and accounts that made it a legend. What did hunters and a sheepherder learn from the tracks, the failures, and the tally of losses that reframed this animal’s behavior?

Person: Frank Clark
Date: 1911-1922
Location: Bear River Range, Utah; Logan Canyon
Event: Repeated livestock depredations and nine years of failed trapping
Status: Bear killed after seven shots at a creek in 1922

- Clark counted 154 adult sheep killed in one summer and kept a written account of losses and attempts to stop the predator.
- Early prints showed a three-toed front track, indicating the bear had lost toes to a previous trap but continued to travel.
- Traps set from 1912 onward were found sprung, moved, or thrown aside across difficult, familiar terrain.
- Reports from the time estimated the bear at ten feet tall and over a thousand pounds, figures that circulated and amplified fear.
- Clark recorded that Old Ephraim "killed only what he needed to survive," a line that reframed how the animal’s repeated kills were understood.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74909087Fri, 04 Sep 2026 20:41:57 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA grizzly dragged a steel trap on a fourteen-foot chain through Utah-how could one bear outwit every trap and keep walking? A fourteen-foot chain let a trapped grizzly walk on for nine years In this episode, we lay out the nine-year pursuit of a...
A fourteen-foot chain let a trapped grizzly walk on for nine years

In this episode, we lay out the nine-year pursuit of a single grizzly in the Bear River Range and the decisions, traps, and accounts that made it a legend. What did hunters and a sheepherder learn from the tracks, the failures, and the tally of losses that reframed this animal’s behavior?

Person: Frank Clark
Date: 1911-1922
Location: Bear River Range, Utah; Logan Canyon
Event: Repeated livestock depredations and nine years of failed trapping
Status: Bear killed after seven shots at a creek in 1922

- Clark counted 154 adult sheep killed in one summer and kept a written account of losses and attempts to stop the predator.
- Early prints showed a three-toed front track, indicating the bear had lost toes to a previous trap but continued to travel.
- Traps set from 1912 onward were found sprung, moved, or thrown aside across difficult, familiar terrain.
- Reports from the time estimated the bear at ten feet tall and over a thousand pounds, figures that circulated and amplified fear.
- Clark recorded that Old Ephraim "killed only what he needed to survive," a line that reframed how the animal’s repeated kills were understood.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>944falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-whale-they-called-105-and-the-truth-that-outlived-her--74909086
The Whale They Called 105 - And the Truth That Outlived Her

In this episode, we follow the story of Granny, J2, an iconic matriarch of the southern resident orcas whose disappearance in October 2016 reopened a debate about her true age and legacy. We trace the methods scientists used to estimate her years, the capture history that shaped her generation, and the evidence that turned a widely repeated number into a scientific question. What did the half-moon notch really mean, and what vanished when it stopped appearing?

Person: Granny (J2)
Event: Disappearance on October 12, 2016
Location: Southern resident range - inland waters of British Columbia and Washington State to central California
Period: Capture operations in the 1960s-1970s; biopsy and analyses after 2016
Topic: Age estimate discrepancy based on assumed family relationship

- Researchers recognized Granny by a half-moon notch and a distinctive gray saddle patch used as a long-term identifier.
- In 1967 Granny was captured, examined, and released after being judged too old for display, a moment later used to anchor age estimates.
- The widely cited age of 105 came from assuming a photographed association with J1 (Ruffles) signified a mother-son relationship.
- A post-disappearance tissue biopsy reconstructed a much younger age range (about 65-80), creating a gap of up to 40 years from the old estimate.
- Southern residents endured 1960s capture operations and later high PCB loads in tissue, raising concerns about multigenerational reproductive harm.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74909086Fri, 04 Sep 2026 20:41:53 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA famous orca known as Granny vanishes from the Salish Sea-her celebrated age hinged on a single assumed family tie, and that tie may be wrong. The Whale They Called 105 - And the Truth That Outlived Her In this episode, we follow the story of...
The Whale They Called 105 - And the Truth That Outlived Her

In this episode, we follow the story of Granny, J2, an iconic matriarch of the southern resident orcas whose disappearance in October 2016 reopened a debate about her true age and legacy. We trace the methods scientists used to estimate her years, the capture history that shaped her generation, and the evidence that turned a widely repeated number into a scientific question. What did the half-moon notch really mean, and what vanished when it stopped appearing?

Person: Granny (J2)
Event: Disappearance on October 12, 2016
Location: Southern resident range - inland waters of British Columbia and Washington State to central California
Period: Capture operations in the 1960s-1970s; biopsy and analyses after 2016
Topic: Age estimate discrepancy based on assumed family relationship

- Researchers recognized Granny by a half-moon notch and a distinctive gray saddle patch used as a long-term identifier.
- In 1967 Granny was captured, examined, and released after being judged too old for display, a moment later used to anchor age estimates.
- The widely cited age of 105 came from assuming a photographed association with J1 (Ruffles) signified a mother-son relationship.
- A post-disappearance tissue biopsy reconstructed a much younger age range (about 65-80), creating a gap of up to 40 years from the old estimate.
- Southern residents endured 1960s capture operations and later high PCB loads in tissue, raising concerns about multigenerational reproductive harm.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1107falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/two-hundred-years-of-eyewitnesses-recorded-rain-of-live-fish--74909085
Two hundred years of eyewitnesses recorded rain of live fish

In this episode, we follow a string of recorded events - from a biologist on a Marksville street to ancient chroniclers - that all describe animals falling from the sky during storms. The episode traces who recorded these falls, what they collected, and what scientific explanations have been proposed, and asks which part of the chain still breaks down.

Person: A.D. Bajkov
Date: October 23, 1947
Location: Marksville, Louisiana
Event: Hundreds of live fish fell onto streets and rooftops
Topic: Persistent unexplained mechanism linking storms and animal falls

- A.D. Bajkov, a biologist with instruments and a notebook, collected specimens as fish landed around him during a storm.
- Reports of animals falling from the sky appear across two thousand years, from Athenaeus describing Chaeronea to modern accounts worldwide.
- Common features: storms precede events, animals are small aquatic species, and falls often involve a single species rather than mixed catches.
- Early alternative: 1861 naturalist Castelnau argued flood-driven overland migration explained some events, citing walking catfish and flooded terrain.
- Dominant scientific hypothesis: waterspouts can generate updrafts over bodies of water and theoretically lift and carry small aquatic animals to distant locations.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74909085Fri, 04 Sep 2026 20:41:49 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA trained biologist watched hundreds of live fish carpet a Louisiana town square during a storm - how did aquatic animals end up on rooftops? Two hundred years of eyewitnesses recorded rain of live fish In this episode, we follow a string of...
Two hundred years of eyewitnesses recorded rain of live fish

In this episode, we follow a string of recorded events - from a biologist on a Marksville street to ancient chroniclers - that all describe animals falling from the sky during storms. The episode traces who recorded these falls, what they collected, and what scientific explanations have been proposed, and asks which part of the chain still breaks down.

Person: A.D. Bajkov
Date: October 23, 1947
Location: Marksville, Louisiana
Event: Hundreds of live fish fell onto streets and rooftops
Topic: Persistent unexplained mechanism linking storms and animal falls

- A.D. Bajkov, a biologist with instruments and a notebook, collected specimens as fish landed around him during a storm.
- Reports of animals falling from the sky appear across two thousand years, from Athenaeus describing Chaeronea to modern accounts worldwide.
- Common features: storms precede events, animals are small aquatic species, and falls often involve a single species rather than mixed catches.
- Early alternative: 1861 naturalist Castelnau argued flood-driven overland migration explained some events, citing walking catfish and flooded terrain.
- Dominant scientific hypothesis: waterspouts can generate updrafts over bodies of water and theoretically lift and carry small aquatic animals to distant locations.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1202falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-seven-year-old-who-harnessed-an-unbroken-colt-and-hauled-a-cabin-sized-pile--74909083
The seven‑year‑old who harnessed an unbroken colt and hauled a cabin‑sized pile

In this episode, we tell the story of Ulysses S. Grant’s lifelong, inexplicable rapport with horses, from a barn in Ohio to West Point and the Civil War. We trace specific episodes and eyewitness records that show how animals responded to him and ask what practical habits or instincts made that bond possible.

Person: Ulysses S. Grant
Date: April 27, 1822 (birth); May 29, 1839 (entered West Point); June 1843 (graduation)
Location: Point Pleasant, Ohio; West Point; White House stables
Event: At age seven, harnessed an unbroken three-year-old colt and hauled brush into a cabin-sized pile
Record: Set West Point high-jump record on York that stood for twenty-five years

- At five he rode fast standing on one leg, a detail recorded in biographies and letters
- At seven he alone harnessed and worked an unbroken three-year-old colt all day without adult supervision
- By nine jockeys brought their sick horses to him, and his counterintuitive approach-ride them hard-appears repeatedly in sources
- At West Point classmates brought unruly mounts to him; a condemned bay permitted only Grant to handle it
- On graduation day he cleared an extra-foot high jump on York, a record that lasted twenty-five years

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74909083Fri, 04 Sep 2026 20:41:44 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA seven-year-old Ulysses Grant harnesses an unbroken colt alone and hauls a cabin-sized pile-how did a future general build such a bond with horses? The seven‑year‑old who harnessed an unbroken colt and hauled a cabin‑sized pile In this episode,...
The seven‑year‑old who harnessed an unbroken colt and hauled a cabin‑sized pile

In this episode, we tell the story of Ulysses S. Grant’s lifelong, inexplicable rapport with horses, from a barn in Ohio to West Point and the Civil War. We trace specific episodes and eyewitness records that show how animals responded to him and ask what practical habits or instincts made that bond possible.

Person: Ulysses S. Grant
Date: April 27, 1822 (birth); May 29, 1839 (entered West Point); June 1843 (graduation)
Location: Point Pleasant, Ohio; West Point; White House stables
Event: At age seven, harnessed an unbroken three-year-old colt and hauled brush into a cabin-sized pile
Record: Set West Point high-jump record on York that stood for twenty-five years

- At five he rode fast standing on one leg, a detail recorded in biographies and letters
- At seven he alone harnessed and worked an unbroken three-year-old colt all day without adult supervision
- By nine jockeys brought their sick horses to him, and his counterintuitive approach-ride them hard-appears repeatedly in sources
- At West Point classmates brought unruly mounts to him; a condemned bay permitted only Grant to handle it
- On graduation day he cleared an extra-foot high jump on York, a record that lasted twenty-five years

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1007falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/a-lance-corporal-goat-with-number-25232301-led-a-battalion-on-parade--74909082
A lance-corporal goat with number 25232301 led a battalion on parade

In this episode, we lay out how a cashmere goat became an enlisted member of the First Battalion, Royal Welsh, and the chain of events that turned a ceremonial parade into a courtroom matter. We trace the institutional history behind the goat’s rank and ask how tradition can create real military consequences.

Person: William Windsor (Billy)
Army number: 25232301
Rank: Lance corporal
Unit: First Battalion, Royal Welsh
Date: 16 June 2006

- A wild goat first walked ahead of Welsh regimental colours at Bunker Hill in 1775, and the regiment kept the memory alive.
- In 1837, Shah Mohammad Shah Mohammad gifted cashmere goats to Queen Victoria; by 1844 the Royal Welsh Fusiliers received a formal royal goat each generation.
- Goats in the regiment hold army numbers, draw rations, have a Goat Major as handler, and march at the head of the battalion during royal reviews.
- Taffy IV, a regimental goat in 1914-15, served on the Western Front and was issued three campaign medals through standard military paperwork.
- Billy was presented by Queen Victoria II, arrived in 2001 from Whipsnade Zoo, held number 25232301, and marched without incident for five years before the Cyprus parade led to a formal trial.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74909082Fri, 04 Sep 2026 20:41:40 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA lance-corporal goat (army no. 25232301) marched with a British battalion - then a parade in Cyprus sparked diplomatic chaos. What happens next? A lance-corporal goat with number 25232301 led a battalion on parade In this episode, we lay out...
A lance-corporal goat with number 25232301 led a battalion on parade

In this episode, we lay out how a cashmere goat became an enlisted member of the First Battalion, Royal Welsh, and the chain of events that turned a ceremonial parade into a courtroom matter. We trace the institutional history behind the goat’s rank and ask how tradition can create real military consequences.

Person: William Windsor (Billy)
Army number: 25232301
Rank: Lance corporal
Unit: First Battalion, Royal Welsh
Date: 16 June 2006

- A wild goat first walked ahead of Welsh regimental colours at Bunker Hill in 1775, and the regiment kept the memory alive.
- In 1837, Shah Mohammad Shah Mohammad gifted cashmere goats to Queen Victoria; by 1844 the Royal Welsh Fusiliers received a formal royal goat each generation.
- Goats in the regiment hold army numbers, draw rations, have a Goat Major as handler, and march at the head of the battalion during royal reviews.
- Taffy IV, a regimental goat in 1914-15, served on the Western Front and was issued three campaign medals through standard military paperwork.
- Billy was presented by Queen Victoria II, arrived in 2001 from Whipsnade Zoo, held number 25232301, and marched without incident for five years before the Cyprus parade led to a formal trial.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1143falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/143-000-miles-the-stray-terrier-that-rode-the-u-s-mail-for-a-decade--74909081
143,000 miles: the stray terrier that rode the U.S. mail for a decade

In this episode, we follow the path of a small terrier mix that wandered into the Albany Post Office in the late 1880s and became a fixture of railway mail clerks across the United States. We trace how clerks turned him into a moving symbol with tags, a jacket, and records now held by the National Postal Museum-what tension would that create with emerging management doctrines?

Person: Owney (a terrier mix)
Location: Albany, New York; railway mail routes across the United States
Date: circa 1887-1890s (began around 1887-1888)
Institution: United States Post Office; National Postal Museum (holds tags and jacket)
Event: accumulation of 1,017 tokens and commissioning of a canvas jacket

- An unnamed clerk abandoned a small terrier at the Albany Post Office, and clerks kept and fed the dog instead of removing him.
- Railway mail clerks began attaching individual tokens from their stations; the practice was ad hoc and uncoordinated.
- The weight of hundreds of tags broke Owney’s collar, so clerks made a canvas jacket to spread the load and carry the tokens.
- Owney developed a consistent behavior: he rode departing mail cars, guarded mail bags from non-postal workers, and was recognized across routes by clerks.
- By the mid-1890s, the Post Office was moving toward scientific management, introducing pressures that conflicted with an informal, unassigned figure like Owney.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74909081Fri, 04 Sep 2026 20:41:36 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA stray terrier with a postal-made jacket rode the U.S. mail-how did a dog become the postal service’s traveling emblem? 143,000 miles: the stray terrier that rode the U.S. mail for a decade In this episode, we follow the path of a small terrier...
143,000 miles: the stray terrier that rode the U.S. mail for a decade

In this episode, we follow the path of a small terrier mix that wandered into the Albany Post Office in the late 1880s and became a fixture of railway mail clerks across the United States. We trace how clerks turned him into a moving symbol with tags, a jacket, and records now held by the National Postal Museum-what tension would that create with emerging management doctrines?

Person: Owney (a terrier mix)
Location: Albany, New York; railway mail routes across the United States
Date: circa 1887-1890s (began around 1887-1888)
Institution: United States Post Office; National Postal Museum (holds tags and jacket)
Event: accumulation of 1,017 tokens and commissioning of a canvas jacket

- An unnamed clerk abandoned a small terrier at the Albany Post Office, and clerks kept and fed the dog instead of removing him.
- Railway mail clerks began attaching individual tokens from their stations; the practice was ad hoc and uncoordinated.
- The weight of hundreds of tags broke Owney’s collar, so clerks made a canvas jacket to spread the load and carry the tokens.
- Owney developed a consistent behavior: he rode departing mail cars, guarded mail bags from non-postal workers, and was recognized across routes by clerks.
- By the mid-1890s, the Post Office was moving toward scientific management, introducing pressures that conflicted with an informal, unassigned figure like Owney.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1212falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ucla-shaved-ucla-into-his-back-and-put-him-in-the-los-angeles-times--74909080
UCLA shaved "UCLA" into his back and put him in the Los Angeles Times

In this episode, we tell the story of George Tirebiter and the events that followed his sudden coronation as USC's unofficial mascot. It follows his six years on campus, the coronation parade, the theft by rival students, and the institutional decisions that followed - but what choices did the university and city face next?

Person: George Tirebiter
Event: Coronation parade with thirty convertibles and a marching band
Date: October 22, 1947 (coronation); October 30, 1947 (theft and Los Angeles Times photograph)
Location: University of Southern California campus, Trousdale Parkway
Issue: City health department ultimatum after George bit two people in 1948

- Students unofficially cared for a scruffy pound mutt for roughly six years before any formal recognition
- USC organized a public coronation with paw prints pressed into wet cement and a large parade
- Eight days after the ceremony, UCLA students sedated him, shaved "UCLA" into his back, and took him to the Los Angeles Times
- The photograph ran in the paper the next morning, showing a doped, confused dog with "UCLA" carved into his coat
- After biting two people in 1948, the city health department demanded USC either contain George formally or relinquish him

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74909080Fri, 04 Sep 2026 20:41:32 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA stray dog crowned USC mascot is sedated and posed for the Los Angeles Times - how did a campus mutt become the prize in a college rivalry? UCLA shaved "UCLA" into his back and put him in the Los Angeles Times In this episode, we tell the story...
UCLA shaved "UCLA" into his back and put him in the Los Angeles Times

In this episode, we tell the story of George Tirebiter and the events that followed his sudden coronation as USC's unofficial mascot. It follows his six years on campus, the coronation parade, the theft by rival students, and the institutional decisions that followed - but what choices did the university and city face next?

Person: George Tirebiter
Event: Coronation parade with thirty convertibles and a marching band
Date: October 22, 1947 (coronation); October 30, 1947 (theft and Los Angeles Times photograph)
Location: University of Southern California campus, Trousdale Parkway
Issue: City health department ultimatum after George bit two people in 1948

- Students unofficially cared for a scruffy pound mutt for roughly six years before any formal recognition
- USC organized a public coronation with paw prints pressed into wet cement and a large parade
- Eight days after the ceremony, UCLA students sedated him, shaved "UCLA" into his back, and took him to the Los Angeles Times
- The photograph ran in the paper the next morning, showing a doped, confused dog with "UCLA" carved into his coat
- After biting two people in 1948, the city health department demanded USC either contain George formally or relinquish him

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1028falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/a-ten-metre-carcass-with-a-1-5-metre-neck-hauled-up-off-new-zealand--74909079
A ten‑metre carcass with a 1.5‑metre neck hauled up off New Zealand

In this episode, we follow the Zuiyō Maru crew’s April 25, 1977 catch and the cascade of measurements, photographs, tissue samples and scientific claims that followed. We trace the decisions and debates that turned a stinking, decomposed carcass into a national sensation and a serious scientific controversy - so what exactly did they pull from the net?

Vessel: Zuiyō Maru
Date: April 25, 1977
Location: East of Christchurch, New Zealand
Person: Michihiko Yano
Event: Carcass hauled in during a mackerel trawl

- Crew measured the carcass at ten meters total length with a neck of 1.5 meters, sketched and photographed it from multiple angles.
- The carcass had no obvious dorsal fin, four large reddish fins, a tapering small head, and internal organs missing from an opened chest cavity.
- Captain Akira Tanaka ordered the carcass returned to sea to protect the commercial catch, leaving only photos, sketches, and tissue samples.
- Prominent Japanese professors, including Tokio Shikama, publicly argued the remains were a plesiosaur based on the photographs and measurements.
- Scientists including Ove Persson and Hans‑Christian Bjerring demanded microscopic analysis and pointed out biological and evidentiary problems with the plesiosaur interpretation.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74909079Fri, 04 Sep 2026 20:41:29 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA Japanese trawler hauls a ten‑metre carcass off New Zealand - could this mackerel trip have dragged up a living fossil? A ten‑metre carcass with a 1.5‑metre neck hauled up off New Zealand In this episode, we follow the Zuiyō Maru crew’s April...
A ten‑metre carcass with a 1.5‑metre neck hauled up off New Zealand

In this episode, we follow the Zuiyō Maru crew’s April 25, 1977 catch and the cascade of measurements, photographs, tissue samples and scientific claims that followed. We trace the decisions and debates that turned a stinking, decomposed carcass into a national sensation and a serious scientific controversy - so what exactly did they pull from the net?

Vessel: Zuiyō Maru
Date: April 25, 1977
Location: East of Christchurch, New Zealand
Person: Michihiko Yano
Event: Carcass hauled in during a mackerel trawl

- Crew measured the carcass at ten meters total length with a neck of 1.5 meters, sketched and photographed it from multiple angles.
- The carcass had no obvious dorsal fin, four large reddish fins, a tapering small head, and internal organs missing from an opened chest cavity.
- Captain Akira Tanaka ordered the carcass returned to sea to protect the commercial catch, leaving only photos, sketches, and tissue samples.
- Prominent Japanese professors, including Tokio Shikama, publicly argued the remains were a plesiosaur based on the photographs and measurements.
- Scientists including Ove Persson and Hans‑Christian Bjerring demanded microscopic analysis and pointed out biological and evidentiary problems with the plesiosaur interpretation.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1282falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-dachshund-that-crossed-the-atlantic-ten-times-before-his-first-birthday--74909078
The dachshund that crossed the Atlantic ten times before his first birthday

In this episode, we trace how a small dachshund named Archie entered Andy Warhol’s life and began traveling with him between New York and Europe, changing the rhythms of Warhol’s public persona. The story maps the objects, routines, and decisions that turned a pet into a performative presence - but what does that presence mean?

Person: Archie; Andy Warhol; Jed Johnson
Date: November 1972 (Archie arrives)
Location: New York and Europe (transatlantic crossings)
Object: Tiffany silver dog tag; Hermès leash; miniature nineteenth-century doll bed
Event: Archie crosses the Atlantic ten times before turning one year old

- Jed Johnson brought the puppy Archie home to Warhol in November 1972 and the dog immediately became part of Warhol’s life.
- Archie accompanied Warhol on regular transatlantic trips for openings, commissions, and social obligations, totaling ten crossings before his first birthday.
- Details of Archie’s accouterments and routines were deliberate: a Tiffany silver tag, a Hermès leash, a doll-sized nineteenth-century bed, and a mixed diet from steak and caviar to Quarter Pounders.
- Warhol shifted interviews and press interactions toward the dog, redirecting questions about his art and persona onto Archie as a subject of attention.
- By the late 1970s Archie earned a modeling fee and appeared in publications such as Esquire, formalizing his role within Warhol’s public presentation.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74909078Fri, 04 Sep 2026 20:41:25 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA dachshund puppy travels with Andy Warhol, forcing a famous non-dog person to answer a different question about what he loves? The dachshund that crossed the Atlantic ten times before his first birthday In this episode, we trace how a small...
The dachshund that crossed the Atlantic ten times before his first birthday

In this episode, we trace how a small dachshund named Archie entered Andy Warhol’s life and began traveling with him between New York and Europe, changing the rhythms of Warhol’s public persona. The story maps the objects, routines, and decisions that turned a pet into a performative presence - but what does that presence mean?

Person: Archie; Andy Warhol; Jed Johnson
Date: November 1972 (Archie arrives)
Location: New York and Europe (transatlantic crossings)
Object: Tiffany silver dog tag; Hermès leash; miniature nineteenth-century doll bed
Event: Archie crosses the Atlantic ten times before turning one year old

- Jed Johnson brought the puppy Archie home to Warhol in November 1972 and the dog immediately became part of Warhol’s life.
- Archie accompanied Warhol on regular transatlantic trips for openings, commissions, and social obligations, totaling ten crossings before his first birthday.
- Details of Archie’s accouterments and routines were deliberate: a Tiffany silver tag, a Hermès leash, a doll-sized nineteenth-century bed, and a mixed diet from steak and caviar to Quarter Pounders.
- Warhol shifted interviews and press interactions toward the dog, redirecting questions about his art and persona onto Archie as a subject of attention.
- By the late 1970s Archie earned a modeling fee and appeared in publications such as Esquire, formalizing his role within Warhol’s public presentation.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1232falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/a-mammary-gland-cell-rebuilt-an-entire-sheep-from-one-of-277-eggs--74909077
A mammary-gland cell rebuilt an entire sheep from one of 277 eggs

In this episode, we lay out the sequence of decisions, methods and setbacks that produced Dolly the sheep and the scientific questions her existence forced researchers to confront. What did the Roslin team actually do, and how did a lab trying to make better pharmaceutical milk end up challenging a core idea about cell identity?

Person: Ian Wilmut
Person: Keith Campbell
Date: July 5, 1996
Location: Roslin Institute, Midlothian, Scotland
Event: Somatic cell nuclear transfer from a mammary gland cell into 277 eggs

- The team used somatic cell nuclear transfer, taking nuclei from frozen mammary gland cells sourced from a six-year-old Finn Dorset ewe.
- Two hundred and seventy-seven eggs were enucleated and prepared for nucleus transfer; most failures occurred at very early developmental stages.
- Twenty-nine embryos developed far enough to be carried by surrogate ewes; one lamb survived to term and was born at five in the morning weighing 6.6 kg.
- The lab kept the birth secret for seven months before announcing it, triggering global attention, media coverage and government panels on cloning.
- The experiment was funded to produce genetically modified farm animals for pharmaceutical proteins, not to make a statement about cellular differentiation.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74909077Fri, 04 Sep 2026 20:41:20 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA mammary‑gland cell from a dead ewe helped rebuild a sheep - could a committed adult cell be reset to make a new mammal? A mammary-gland cell rebuilt an entire sheep from one of 277 eggs In this episode, we lay out the sequence of decisions,...
A mammary-gland cell rebuilt an entire sheep from one of 277 eggs

In this episode, we lay out the sequence of decisions, methods and setbacks that produced Dolly the sheep and the scientific questions her existence forced researchers to confront. What did the Roslin team actually do, and how did a lab trying to make better pharmaceutical milk end up challenging a core idea about cell identity?

Person: Ian Wilmut
Person: Keith Campbell
Date: July 5, 1996
Location: Roslin Institute, Midlothian, Scotland
Event: Somatic cell nuclear transfer from a mammary gland cell into 277 eggs

- The team used somatic cell nuclear transfer, taking nuclei from frozen mammary gland cells sourced from a six-year-old Finn Dorset ewe.
- Two hundred and seventy-seven eggs were enucleated and prepared for nucleus transfer; most failures occurred at very early developmental stages.
- Twenty-nine embryos developed far enough to be carried by surrogate ewes; one lamb survived to term and was born at five in the morning weighing 6.6 kg.
- The lab kept the birth secret for seven months before announcing it, triggering global attention, media coverage and government panels on cloning.
- The experiment was funded to produce genetically modified farm animals for pharmaceutical proteins, not to make a statement about cellular differentiation.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1111falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/two-tsavo-skins-held-bones-from-35-72-people--74909076
Two Tsavo skins held bones from 35-72 people

In this episode, we lay out the scene at the Tsavo River in 1898, where two lions repeatedly entered railway worker camps and stopped a major construction project. We trace the environmental pressures, the improvised defenses, and the failed traps that shaped the months-long hunt - and ask what the skins later revealed about the toll.

Person: Lt.-Col. John Henry Patterson
Date: 1898
Location: Tsavo River, southeastern Kenya
Event: Man-eating lions attacked railway construction camps
Status: Two lion skins preserved for 25 years and later analyzed

- A British railway project brought thousands of Indian laborers to Tsavo camps along a caravan crossing used for trade and slave routes.
- A recent rinderpest outbreak had decimated normal prey, leaving lions facing severe food shortages before the railway arrived.
- Workers built thorn bomas to protect camps, but Patterson recorded lions crawling through or leaping over these defenses.
- Patterson tried traps, baited platforms, a railway-car cage with human bait, and poison; each method failed as the lions adapted.
- Patterson observed the two lions hunting together, entering camps simultaneously at opposite ends and coordinating withdrawals into darkness.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74909076Fri, 04 Sep 2026 20:41:16 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTTwo man-eating lions prowl the Tsavo railway camps, turning platforms into traps-how did two lions learn to take humans? Two Tsavo skins held bones from 35-72 people In this episode, we lay out the scene at the Tsavo River in 1898, where two...
Two Tsavo skins held bones from 35-72 people

In this episode, we lay out the scene at the Tsavo River in 1898, where two lions repeatedly entered railway worker camps and stopped a major construction project. We trace the environmental pressures, the improvised defenses, and the failed traps that shaped the months-long hunt - and ask what the skins later revealed about the toll.

Person: Lt.-Col. John Henry Patterson
Date: 1898
Location: Tsavo River, southeastern Kenya
Event: Man-eating lions attacked railway construction camps
Status: Two lion skins preserved for 25 years and later analyzed

- A British railway project brought thousands of Indian laborers to Tsavo camps along a caravan crossing used for trade and slave routes.
- A recent rinderpest outbreak had decimated normal prey, leaving lions facing severe food shortages before the railway arrived.
- Workers built thorn bomas to protect camps, but Patterson recorded lions crawling through or leaping over these defenses.
- Patterson tried traps, baited platforms, a railway-car cage with human bait, and poison; each method failed as the lions adapted.
- Patterson observed the two lions hunting together, entering camps simultaneously at opposite ends and coordinating withdrawals into darkness.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1028falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/one-dead-female-mountain-lion-was-carrying-four-kittens-five-lions-wiped-out--74909074
One dead female mountain lion was carrying four kittens - five lions wiped out

In this episode, we follow the recorded lives and losses of mountain lions in the Santa Monica Mountains, from individual collisions to long-term genetic collapse. The episode traces how roads, development, and broken corridors have shaped who can move, mate, and survive - and asks whether connectivity can be restored.

Person: P‑54 (female), P‑1, P‑2, P‑6, P‑10, P‑12
Event: Vehicle collision on Malibu Canyon Road
Date: June 2022
Location: Santa Monica Mountains (Malibu Canyon Road; Liberty Canyon; Palo Comado Canyon)
Topic: Genetic isolation, habitat fragmentation, tracking program

- The National Park Service began collaring mountain lions in 2002 and assigned individuals numbers (P‑1, P‑2, etc.) to track movements, lineage, and deaths.
- P‑54 was struck and killed instantly on Malibu Canyon Road while pregnant with four kittens found during necropsy.
- The Santa Monica Mountains population is isolated by US‑101 and I‑405, creating a habitat island despite the 153,075‑acre Recreation Area.
- By 2016 researchers warned the population could collapse within fifty years due to extremely low genetic diversity-second-lowest among North American large carnivores.
- In February 2009 P‑12 was documented crossing US‑101 at Liberty Canyon from the Simi Hills, representing a rare natural connection and an unrelated male entering the range.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74909074Fri, 04 Sep 2026 20:41:13 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA pregnant mountain lion is struck on Malibu Canyon Road - when researchers find her body, what does this mean for Santa Monica Mountains wildlife? One dead female mountain lion was carrying four kittens - five lions wiped out In this episode,...
One dead female mountain lion was carrying four kittens - five lions wiped out

In this episode, we follow the recorded lives and losses of mountain lions in the Santa Monica Mountains, from individual collisions to long-term genetic collapse. The episode traces how roads, development, and broken corridors have shaped who can move, mate, and survive - and asks whether connectivity can be restored.

Person: P‑54 (female), P‑1, P‑2, P‑6, P‑10, P‑12
Event: Vehicle collision on Malibu Canyon Road
Date: June 2022
Location: Santa Monica Mountains (Malibu Canyon Road; Liberty Canyon; Palo Comado Canyon)
Topic: Genetic isolation, habitat fragmentation, tracking program

- The National Park Service began collaring mountain lions in 2002 and assigned individuals numbers (P‑1, P‑2, etc.) to track movements, lineage, and deaths.
- P‑54 was struck and killed instantly on Malibu Canyon Road while pregnant with four kittens found during necropsy.
- The Santa Monica Mountains population is isolated by US‑101 and I‑405, creating a habitat island despite the 153,075‑acre Recreation Area.
- By 2016 researchers warned the population could collapse within fifty years due to extremely low genetic diversity-second-lowest among North American large carnivores.
- In February 2009 P‑12 was documented crossing US‑101 at Liberty Canyon from the Simi Hills, representing a rare natural connection and an unrelated male entering the range.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1090falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/one-confirmed-wild-jaguar-lived-in-the-u-s-in-2011-and-glenn-photographed-it--74909072
One confirmed wild jaguar lived in the U.S. in 2011 - and Glenn photographed it

In this episode, we follow the moment Warner Glenn’s dogs treed an animal in southeastern Arizona and the scientific effort that unfolded after his photograph. The episode covers how researchers identified the cat, tracked its movements, and what its solitary presence meant for jaguar conservation in the borderlands.

Person: Warner Glenn
Date: March 2011
Location: Peloncillo Mountains, southeastern Arizona
Event: Photograph of a wild jaguar treed in an oak
Method: Spot-pattern comparison and genetic confirmation from scat

- Glenn climbed toward his dogs, raised his camera, and photographed a rosette-patterned cat forty feet up in an oak.
- Researchers compared the jaguar’s rosette arrangement to records to confirm it was a previously unrecorded individual.
- Camera traps across the Santa Rita Mountains documented the same solitary male moving through high canyons.
- A detection dog named Mayke and her handler located scat that laboratory analysis genetically confirmed as jaguar.
- Historical records show sixty-two jaguars were reported killed or captured in the American Southwest between 1900 and 2011.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74909072Fri, 04 Sep 2026 20:41:09 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA man in the Peloncillo Mountains photographed a rosette-patterned big cat forty feet up an oak - how did it get there? One confirmed wild jaguar lived in the U.S. in 2011 - and Glenn photographed it In this episode, we follow the moment Warner...
One confirmed wild jaguar lived in the U.S. in 2011 - and Glenn photographed it

In this episode, we follow the moment Warner Glenn’s dogs treed an animal in southeastern Arizona and the scientific effort that unfolded after his photograph. The episode covers how researchers identified the cat, tracked its movements, and what its solitary presence meant for jaguar conservation in the borderlands.

Person: Warner Glenn
Date: March 2011
Location: Peloncillo Mountains, southeastern Arizona
Event: Photograph of a wild jaguar treed in an oak
Method: Spot-pattern comparison and genetic confirmation from scat

- Glenn climbed toward his dogs, raised his camera, and photographed a rosette-patterned cat forty feet up in an oak.
- Researchers compared the jaguar’s rosette arrangement to records to confirm it was a previously unrecorded individual.
- Camera traps across the Santa Rita Mountains documented the same solitary male moving through high canyons.
- A detection dog named Mayke and her handler located scat that laboratory analysis genetically confirmed as jaguar.
- Historical records show sixty-two jaguars were reported killed or captured in the American Southwest between 1900 and 2011.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1168falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-king-declared-the-beast-dead-two-years-before-it-killed-113-people--74909071
The king declared the beast dead two years before it killed 113 people

In this episode, we tell how a royal proclamation intersected with a three‑year wave of attacks across the Margeride Mountains and the decisions people made as the violence continued. What happened between the king’s decree and the mounting body count that kept the province in panic?

Person: Jean Chastel
Date: June 19, 1767
Location: Mont Mouchet, Margeride Mountains, Gévaudan
Event: 210 attacks over 2 years, 11 months, 20 days
Victims: 113 dead, 49 injured

- Jean Chastel shot a large animal on Mont Mouchet that was later buried under rubble in Paris when a mansion was demolished in 1825.
- Parish registers begin the official record with Jeanne Boulet, 14, killed June 30, 1764, labeled la bête féroce by the priest.
- Descriptions from witnesses repeatedly compare the creature to a calf with a tawny, russet coat, dark dorsal streaks, a long tufted tail, and a habit of attacking head and neck.
- The king sent professional wolf hunters Jean Chastel Marc Antoine Vaumesle d'Enneval and his son with bloodhounds in February 1765; they killed wolves but failed to stop the attacks.
- A celebrated January 12, 1765 incident in Chanaleilles involved Jacques Portefaix organizing eight children to drive the creature off, earning him a royal reward.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74909071Fri, 04 Sep 2026 20:41:05 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA king declared the beast dead, but two years later a predator still killed in Gévaudan - how could a royal decree stop a creature that kept killing? The king declared the beast dead two years before it killed 113 people In this episode, we tell...
The king declared the beast dead two years before it killed 113 people

In this episode, we tell how a royal proclamation intersected with a three‑year wave of attacks across the Margeride Mountains and the decisions people made as the violence continued. What happened between the king’s decree and the mounting body count that kept the province in panic?

Person: Jean Chastel
Date: June 19, 1767
Location: Mont Mouchet, Margeride Mountains, Gévaudan
Event: 210 attacks over 2 years, 11 months, 20 days
Victims: 113 dead, 49 injured

- Jean Chastel shot a large animal on Mont Mouchet that was later buried under rubble in Paris when a mansion was demolished in 1825.
- Parish registers begin the official record with Jeanne Boulet, 14, killed June 30, 1764, labeled la bête féroce by the priest.
- Descriptions from witnesses repeatedly compare the creature to a calf with a tawny, russet coat, dark dorsal streaks, a long tufted tail, and a habit of attacking head and neck.
- The king sent professional wolf hunters Jean Chastel Marc Antoine Vaumesle d'Enneval and his son with bloodhounds in February 1765; they killed wolves but failed to stop the attacks.
- A celebrated January 12, 1765 incident in Chanaleilles involved Jacques Portefaix organizing eight children to drive the creature off, earning him a royal reward.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1197falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/forty-seven-seconds-of-a-labrador-drew-161-500-views-in-nine-days--74909070
Forty-seven seconds of a Labrador drew 161,500 views in nine days

In this episode, we follow the exact moment a dog runs the wrong way through Richmond Park and the small choices that sent a short home video into national circulation. We track where the footage came from, who filmed it, and the slow chain of events that turned forty‑seven seconds into 161,500 views - so how did it spread so fast?

Person: Jake Goodyear
Person: Max Findlay
Location: Richmond Park
Date: 13 November 2011
Event: 47‑second video of a black Labrador chasing deer

- A thirteen‑year‑old, Jake Goodyear, filmed the scene on his phone and uploaded the clip to YouTube with a minimal title and no tags.
- The dog, called Fenton (or possibly Benton), was off its lead during November, a season when park rules advise dogs be leashed.
- Owner Max Findlay, 60, was about five hundred metres behind the dog and shouted the one sentence caught on audio.
- The park normally records roughly six deer deaths a year linked to uncontrolled dogs, a backdrop to the incident that few initial viewers knew.
- The video sat largely unseen for nine days before organic sharing propelled it to 161,500 views and top‑trending status in the UK.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74909070Fri, 04 Sep 2026 20:41:00 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA black Labrador bolts across Richmond Park while its owner shouts 500m away - how did a 47‑second clip become the UK's most‑viewed unplanned video? Forty-seven seconds of a Labrador drew 161,500 views in nine days In this episode, we follow the...
Forty-seven seconds of a Labrador drew 161,500 views in nine days

In this episode, we follow the exact moment a dog runs the wrong way through Richmond Park and the small choices that sent a short home video into national circulation. We track where the footage came from, who filmed it, and the slow chain of events that turned forty‑seven seconds into 161,500 views - so how did it spread so fast?

Person: Jake Goodyear
Person: Max Findlay
Location: Richmond Park
Date: 13 November 2011
Event: 47‑second video of a black Labrador chasing deer

- A thirteen‑year‑old, Jake Goodyear, filmed the scene on his phone and uploaded the clip to YouTube with a minimal title and no tags.
- The dog, called Fenton (or possibly Benton), was off its lead during November, a season when park rules advise dogs be leashed.
- Owner Max Findlay, 60, was about five hundred metres behind the dog and shouted the one sentence caught on audio.
- The park normally records roughly six deer deaths a year linked to uncontrolled dogs, a backdrop to the incident that few initial viewers knew.
- The video sat largely unseen for nine days before organic sharing propelled it to 161,500 views and top‑trending status in the UK.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1112falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-whale-that-shouldn-t-exist-migaloo-s-vanishing-trail--74909068
In this episode of Animal Attacks, we follow the strange trail of Migaloo, the famous white humpback whose movements across the ocean became increasingly difficult to predict. Sightings grew rare, rumors spread, and questions began to surround what had happened to one of the most recognizable whales in the world.

It is a story of a remarkable animal, the dangers hidden beneath the ocean, and the mystery created when a creature known by millions suddenly seems to vanish without a trace.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74909068Fri, 04 Sep 2026 20:40:56 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTFor years, an extraordinary white whale captured the attention of everyone lucky enough to see him. His unusual appearance turned every sighting into an event—and every disappearance into a mystery. In this episode of Animal Attacks, we follow the...
In this episode of Animal Attacks, we follow the strange trail of Migaloo, the famous white humpback whose movements across the ocean became increasingly difficult to predict. Sightings grew rare, rumors spread, and questions began to surround what had happened to one of the most recognizable whales in the world.

It is a story of a remarkable animal, the dangers hidden beneath the ocean, and the mystery created when a creature known by millions suddenly seems to vanish without a trace.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1172falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/when-fish-fell-for-three-days-the-unsolved-rain-of-animals--74909066
In this episode of Animal Attacks, we explore one of the strangest natural mysteries ever reported: animals suddenly raining down over communities with no obvious explanation. From violent storms and powerful winds to theories that still leave unanswered questions, these bizarre events blur the line between unusual weather and the seemingly impossible.

It is a story of nature at its most unpredictable, where the sky itself becomes part of the mystery—and ordinary people are left wondering how living creatures could possibly fall from above.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74909066Fri, 04 Sep 2026 20:40:53 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTFor three days, something impossible seemed to fall from the sky. Not rain, hail, or debris—but fish. In this episode of Animal Attacks, we explore one of the strangest natural mysteries ever reported: animals suddenly raining down over communities...
In this episode of Animal Attacks, we explore one of the strangest natural mysteries ever reported: animals suddenly raining down over communities with no obvious explanation. From violent storms and powerful winds to theories that still leave unanswered questions, these bizarre events blur the line between unusual weather and the seemingly impossible.

It is a story of nature at its most unpredictable, where the sky itself becomes part of the mystery—and ordinary people are left wondering how living creatures could possibly fall from above.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1304falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-stray-who-bit-tires-usc-s-unruly-mascot-s-wild-reign--74909065
In this episode of Animal Attacks, we explore the chaotic story of an unruly campus mascot whose behavior turned him into a legend. From chasing vehicles and biting tires to causing trouble wherever he went, this was no ordinary school animal.

It is a story of instinct, loyalty, unpredictability, and the strange bond between a community and the animal that refused to behave like a mascot was supposed to.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74909065Fri, 04 Sep 2026 20:40:48 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTHe started as a stray and quickly became impossible to ignore. In this episode of Animal Attacks, we explore the chaotic story of an unruly campus mascot whose behavior turned him into a legend. From chasing vehicles and biting tires to causing...
In this episode of Animal Attacks, we explore the chaotic story of an unruly campus mascot whose behavior turned him into a legend. From chasing vehicles and biting tires to causing trouble wherever he went, this was no ordinary school animal.

It is a story of instinct, loyalty, unpredictability, and the strange bond between a community and the animal that refused to behave like a mascot was supposed to.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1020falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/seven-bullets-one-skull-the-true-fall-of-old-ephraim--74909064
In this episode of Animal Attacks, we explore the story of Old Ephraim, the massive bear whose reputation spread through ranching country and turned him into a symbol of fear, survival, and the untamed frontier. As attempts to stop him failed, the hunt grew into something larger than a simple struggle between man and animal.

It is a story of persistence, danger, and the violent end of a creature that had become almost impossible to kill—and even harder to forget.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74909064Fri, 04 Sep 2026 20:40:44 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA legendary predator became the center of one of the most famous hunts in the American wilderness. In this episode of Animal Attacks, we explore the story of Old Ephraim, the massive bear whose reputation spread through ranching country and turned...
In this episode of Animal Attacks, we explore the story of Old Ephraim, the massive bear whose reputation spread through ranching country and turned him into a symbol of fear, survival, and the untamed frontier. As attempts to stop him failed, the hunt grew into something larger than a simple struggle between man and animal.

It is a story of persistence, danger, and the violent end of a creature that had become almost impossible to kill—and even harder to forget.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1073falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/when-pablo-left-how-4-hippos-became-colombia-s-invasive-giants--74909061
In this episode of Animal Attacks, we explore how a small group of exotic animals escaped into the wild and began spreading through rivers, wetlands, and nearby communities. With no natural predators and plenty of territory, their population grew far beyond what anyone expected.

It is a story of human excess, ecological consequences, and what happens when one of the world’s most dangerous large animals begins building a new home thousands of miles from where it belongs.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74909061Fri, 04 Sep 2026 20:40:40 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTFour hippos were left behind. Decades later, their descendants had transformed into one of Colombia’s strangest environmental problems. In this episode of Animal Attacks, we explore how a small group of exotic animals escaped into the wild and began...
In this episode of Animal Attacks, we explore how a small group of exotic animals escaped into the wild and began spreading through rivers, wetlands, and nearby communities. With no natural predators and plenty of territory, their population grew far beyond what anyone expected.

It is a story of human excess, ecological consequences, and what happens when one of the world’s most dangerous large animals begins building a new home thousands of miles from where it belongs.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1166falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-taxidermied-mascot-that-never-retired-secrets-of-handsome-dan--74909060
In this episode of Animal Attacks, we explore the strange story behind Handsome Dan, the famous Yale mascot whose legacy continued long after death. From campus tradition and fierce school pride to the unusual decision to preserve a beloved animal, his story became part of something much larger than college sports.

It is a story of loyalty, rivalry, tradition, and the bizarre ways people choose to keep an animal’s memory alive—even when the mascot itself can no longer take the field.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74909060Fri, 04 Sep 2026 20:40:36 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTSome mascots disappear when their time is over. Others become legends. In this episode of Animal Attacks, we explore the strange story behind Handsome Dan, the famous Yale mascot whose legacy continued long after death. From campus tradition and...
In this episode of Animal Attacks, we explore the strange story behind Handsome Dan, the famous Yale mascot whose legacy continued long after death. From campus tradition and fierce school pride to the unusual decision to preserve a beloved animal, his story became part of something much larger than college sports.

It is a story of loyalty, rivalry, tradition, and the bizarre ways people choose to keep an animal’s memory alive—even when the mascot itself can no longer take the field.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1157falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-wolf-that-broke-eighty-seven-years-of-silence-and-vanished--74909059
In this episode of Animal Attacks, we explore the mysterious return of a lone wolf to territory where its kind had been absent for generations. Its arrival sparked fascination, fear, and questions about how such an animal had traveled so far unnoticed.

Then, almost as suddenly as it appeared, the wolf vanished.

It is a story of survival, instinct, and the fragile return of a predator to a world that had learned to live without it.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74909059Fri, 04 Sep 2026 20:40:33 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTFor eighty-seven years, the landscape had been without a wild wolf. Then, without warning, one appeared. In this episode of Animal Attacks, we explore the mysterious return of a lone wolf to territory where its kind had been absent for generations....
In this episode of Animal Attacks, we explore the mysterious return of a lone wolf to territory where its kind had been absent for generations. Its arrival sparked fascination, fear, and questions about how such an animal had traveled so far unnoticed.

Then, almost as suddenly as it appeared, the wolf vanished.

It is a story of survival, instinct, and the fragile return of a predator to a world that had learned to live without it.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1202falsefull