Nan Hauser grew up in Pennsylvania and Bermuda, surrounded by animals and inspired by her nature-loving grandmother. With a background in nursing and midwifery, Nan applies science and compassion from human healthcare to whale research, combining accurate methodology, emergency care, and a passion for helping both people and animals.

A whale researcher in the Cook Islands and Bermuda, Nan investigates whale songs, migration, and genetics. Her curiosity fuels scientific publications and conservation efforts, aiming to be a dedicated voice for whales.

Nan is President and Director of the Centre for Cetacean Research & Conservation and Director and Principal Investigator of Cook Islands Whale Research, based in Rarotonga, Cook Islands. She researches whale and dolphin identity, population abundance, acoustics, genetics, behaviour, migration, and navigation, using satellite tagging to track long-distance movements.

As an Adjunct Professor at Auckland University of Technology, she has taught internationally for numerous conservation and research organisations.

A registered nurse, Nan also practices and teaches medicine locally and educates schools about whale conservation and ocean protection. Nan serves on the Executive Committee of the South Pacific Whale Research Consortium and was instrumental in creating the Cook Islands’ 2 million km² whale sanctuary and establishing a Whale Research & Education Centre.

For over three decades, Hauser has led humpback whale field research focused on population ecology, migration, and conservation management. She founded the Cook Islands Whale Research Project in 1998, producing the first baseline data on whale abundance, site fidelity, and reproduction.

Her research directly informed sanctuary creation and the development of Marae Moana, a vast marine park declared in 2017. Combining photo-identification, satellite telemetry, and acoustics, her work revealed complex migratory patterns linking Oceania and Antarctica, supported new Important Marine Mammal Areas, and gained global recognition through major media features and awards.

Link

www.whaleresearch.org

*****

We hope that you enjoyed this episode of Animals & Us (Kintsugi Heroes).

Please take care: if you have been triggered by listening to this episode we recommend you get in contact with someone who can help keep you safe and give you the support you need. This may be Lifeline, AA, a friend, a counsellor, or some other support group.

If you’d like to share your story on Kintsugi Heroes, please get in touch by contacting us via the website here - https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/contact

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Theme Song: "Follow the Sun" by Xavier Rudd

Shane Gehlert grew up in Adelaide with lots of freedom. He explored sheep stations, rode motorbikes, camped, and developed a lifelong love of animals while enjoying the Australian outback and wildlife. Living on a property with alpacas, goats, and chickens, Shane’s bond grew deeper after caring for a baby goat called Rosie. This experience sparked his curiosity about the lives and intelligence of animals.

Shane is an artist, photographer, and filmmaker and writer who found his passion for academia later in life by pursuing a degree in psychology.

He became interested in psychology while painting, listening to podcasts like "All in the Mind." Shane is now finishing his psychology degree and uses research and evidence to explore human and animal minds.

Shane has spent 25 years as an artist. He created distinctive chrome kangaroo paintings, explored surrealism, and met inspiring mentors in Broken Hill before moving to the Sunshine Coast, embracing creativity in his work.

He wrote Oh My Goat. Just How Intelligent are the Animals We Eat? His book combines stories, research, and art, encouraging readers to think about animals, their lives, and the food we eat.

His love for travel and a deep fascination with animals has taken him all over the world, where he enjoys observing and photographing the incredible creatures with which we share this planet. Shane lives in Queensland, Australia, with his wife, Cristine, and a menagerie of rather spoilt animals.

Links

Book on Amazon: https://amzn.asia/d/1aXBi3c

Author website: https://www.shanegehlert.com

art website https://www.outbackart.com.au/

Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@CritterChannel-h4t

*****

We hope that you enjoyed this episode of Animals & Us (Kintsugi Heroes).

Please take care: if you have been triggered by listening to this episode we recommend you get in contact with someone who can help keep you safe and give you the support you need. This may be Lifeline, AA, a friend, a counsellor, or some other support group.

If you’d like to share your story on Kintsugi Heroes, please get in touch by contacting us via the website here - https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/contact

We hope you continue enjoying the heroes stories!

Warmly,

The Kintsugi Heroes team

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Theme Song: "Follow the Sun" by Xavier Rudd

Darryl grew up on a little farm near Wagga, making his own fun among animals. He became patient and observant, allowing animals to do their own thing, which shaped his curiosity.

As a child, Darryl’s fascination with animals grew. Digging up burrowing frogs and watching blue tongues in his mother’s garden inspired his interest. He emerged with a desire to learn more and observe.

At fifteen, Darryl cared for a magpie named Jimmy after a storm. A painful experience with a local bully and Jimmy’s fate became a turning point, sparking his fixation for knowledge.

Darryl went to university and found his interest in urban wildlife. Initially, others did not understand or value his studies, but he believed learning about animals living with us was worth doing.

He was a pioneer in studying urban wildlife, discovering the richness of birds in cities. He focused on comparing urban versions of species like magpies with their “wild cousins” and encouraged native plant landscaping.

Darryl loved teaching students, even leading transformative trips to Borneo. He inspired many to connect with nature and turn ordinary people into fanatics, always focusing on the importance of everyday engagement.

Darryl believes we are all part of nature. Connecting closely with wildlife from backyard tadpoles to magpies is vital for well-being and understanding our place within nature’s fate. He promotes local native landscaping.

He recently 'retired' to devote himself to full-time writing. He am committed to encouraging people to connect with the natural world in whatever way they can.

Website:

darryljonesnature.com

Books (all published by New South Publishing):

The Birds at My Table. 2018.

Feeding the Birds at Your Table. 2019.

Curlews on Vulture Street. 2022,

A Clouded Leopard in the Middle of the Road. 2022.

*****

We hope that you enjoyed this episode of Animals & Us (Kintsugi Heroes).

Please take care: if you have been triggered by listening to this episode we recommend you get in contact with someone who can help keep you safe and give you the support you need. This may be Lifeline, AA, a friend, a counsellor, or some other support group.

If you’d like to share your story on Kintsugi Heroes, please get in touch by contacting us via the website here - https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/contact

We hope you continue enjoying the heroes stories!

Warmly,

The Kintsugi Heroes team

YouTube || Facebook || Instagram || LinkedIn || Website

Theme Song: "Follow the Sun" by Xavier Rudd