Wild swimming
The Expedition Podcast
Tropical rainforest, Peru. 99 per cent humidity; the air is stifling. Crickets chirp, mosquitoes bite. And right in the middle of it all: two fishing chairs, two microphones, two people – and plenty of stories to tell.
Wildbaden – the expedition podcast from Wilderness International takes you on a challenging, emotional and sometimes surprisingly funny research journey to the most biodiverse place on Earth – the tropical rainforest in Peru – with people who are no less diverse than its flora and fauna: researchers, environmental and animal rights activists, ambassadors for our organisation, nature filmmakers and, of course, our team from Wilderness International.
The host
Sebastian “Basti” Unger is a cameraman, expedition professional and qualified forest swimming instructor. 😉 On this expedition, Basti is switching sides for us and stepping IN FRONT of the camera alongside some fascinating guests who were part of the expedition. As an eloquent northerner, he knows how to create calm, reflective and incredibly funny moments, even after the most gruelling day on the expedition.
#1 Tomb Raider & Animal Instinct
Malte Zierden & Phia Quantius
Malte Zierden and Phia Quantius are animal rights activists, authors, content creators and – despite there being plenty of opportunities in the rainforest – still not engaged! The couple talk about empathy for animals and collective responsibility, the gap between public and private life as content creators, and the best way to prepare for a trip to the rainforest when you’re actually afraid of spiders.
#1 Tomb Raider & Animal Instinct
Tattoo artist and animal rights activist Broder Böll
Malte Zierden and Phia Quantius are animal rights activists, authors, content creators and – despite there being plenty of opportunities in the rainforest – still not engaged! The couple talk about empathy for animals and collective responsibility, the divide between public and private life as content creators, and how best to prepare for a trip to the rainforest when you’re actually afraid of spiders.
#3 Animal photos aren’t just snapshots!
Nature photographer Mattis Weber
He’s got a soft spot for hummingbirds, and leafcutter ants are his mates: Mattis Weber is a wildlife and nature photographer, a die-hard rainforest enthusiast – and, since 2023, a loyal companion to the team from the NGO Wilderness International on their expeditions. Mattis talks about snapshots and why they’re off-limits for photographers; about the difference between perfect moments and perfect photos – and whether you ever get used to the unpleasant odours from your expedition colleagues.
#4 Nature conservation must be bold!
With biologist and entomologist Thalia Hurtado Zegarra
Don’t be afraid of beetles and spiders! Biologist and entomologist Thalia Hurtado Zegarra specialises in researching arthropods – that is, insects, spiders, crustaceans and millipedes. We talk to Thalia about why every animal in the rainforest, no matter how small, is indispensable, what humans can learn from beetles, and why nature conservation takes courage, even – or perhaps especially – when you’re actually afraid.
#5 Is a job in nature conservation a dream job?
With Chris Ketola, Head of Field Research
How does one actually become a field researcher or an ornithologist? And what does research have to do with nature conservation? Chris Ketola is Head Field Research Coordinator at Wilderness International Peru, but his career path is anything but conventional! Chris talks about his “career path”, his special connection to the rainforest, his love of animals – but also about the personal sacrifices that living in the jungle for so many years often entails.
#6 Videos with attitude
With editor and creator Tobias Zimmermann
Tobi is a video editor at Wilderness International, and his main job is telling stories from the rainforest. Every reel, every short film passes across his desk. So Tobi has definitely seen the forest from every angle. Except his own. Until now! With boundless dedication, a wealth of expertise and more than a few dad jokes, Tobi talks about camera angles, sound design and storytelling in the tropical rainforest.
About Wilderness International
The foundation, which has offices in Peru, Canada and Germany, acquires wilderness areas in a legally secure manner and protects them for the long term. These acquisitions are funded by donations, which ensure the long-term protection of the areas and enable environmental education projects and research into CO2 storage and biodiversity.
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