Mooney Goes Wild Monday 16 July 2018
Mooney Goes Wild
Derek Mooney and guests explore the natural world in all its forms.
Gorillas
The gorilla is the planet’s largest living primate. As a rule male gorillas can grow up to about 430 pounds.
Adult male gorillas are known as "Silver-backs" because of the distinctive patch of silver which grows on their backs. – But when, how and why does that silver hair grow? Jillian Miller – Director of The Gorilla Organisation ( conservation group dedicated to working with local communities to protect gorillas in their natural habitat) spoke with Derek....
You can take a virtual safari with Chairman, Ian Redmond to see silverbacks and other gorillas in their natural habitat here- Turn your speakers up and use the keyboard arrows to navigate in the 360 images, then click on the hotspots to watch the videos! You can also download three free VR apps from your app store: Gorilla Safari VR, vEcoLabs and Ape App VR, to do so on your phone or tablet, with or without a VR headset.
Nocturnal Animals
Is it possible that mammals across the world are resetting their internal alarm clocks?
Scientists have found that many species are making the switch from a diurnal life to a nocturnal one. By doing so, they’re changing their feeding, sleeping and mating habits – in fact their entire lifestyle.
In this latest study, researchers examined sixty two species across six continents, in forests and deserts, from Alaska to Australia. The study’s lead author is wildlife ecologist and conservation scientist, Kaitlyn Gaynor, who’s currently a PhD candidate at the University of California in the United States. Kaitlyn spoke on the programme tonight...
Nocturnal animals in Ireland
We’ve heard how many mammal species across the world are making a significant shift in the time that they’re choosing to be active, moving away from day to night...
But what is the picture for the mammals which are living here in Ireland?
Our reporter, Terry Flanagan, was in the suburbs of south Dublin overlooking a green space, while at the same time being surrounded by houses and was joined by Nicola Marples Professor of Zoology at Trinity College Dublin...
Life in the Dark
What about creatures which actually thrive in the dark? An exhibition that’s just started at London’s Natural History Museum 'Life in the Dark' looks at how some animals move, hunt and feed in places where no light ever shines.
Professor Geoff Boxshall from the Department of Life Sciences at the National History Museum curated the content for the exhibition and he spoke with Derek...
For more info on the exhibition click here
Hedgerows
It is an offence to 'cut, grub, burn or otherwise destroy hedgerows on uncultivated land during the nesting season from 1 March to 31 August, subject to certain exceptions'. For more information, click here.
To contact your local wildlife ranger, click here for contact details. To read the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000, click here.
Caring For Wild Animals
Please note that many species of mammals, birds, invertebrates etc... are protected under law and that, even with the best of intentions, only someone holding a relevant licence from the National Parks & Wildlife Service should attempt the care of these animals. For full details, please click here to read the NPWS Checklist of protected & rare species in Ireland. If you are concerned about a wild animal, please contact your local wildlife ranger - click here for details.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
Please DO NOT send any live, dead or skeletal remains of any creature whatsoever to Mooney Goes Wild. If you find an injured animal or bird, please contact the National Parks & Wildlife Service on 1890 20 20 21, or BirdWatch Ireland, on 01 281-9878, or visit www.irishwildlifematters.ie
Mooney Goes Wild
Contact the Show
RTÉ is not responsible for the content of external websites
Presenter: Derek Mooney