Rescuing lions from war-torn Ukraine, a dolphin pod protecting a father and daughter from a shark attack, and a woman racing against time to save a horse trapped in quicksand.
These are just some of the remarkable stories shared in Wildest Moments, our brand-new podcast hosted by Ben Fogle to mark our 200th anniversary.
Broadcaster, adventurer and self-confessed animal-lover Ben Fogle will take listeners on an emotional rollercoaster ride as he delves into deeply-personal stories of human-wildlife encounters, with a range of guests including wildlife TV presenter and co-host of BBC Springwatch presenter Megan McCubbin, Big Cat Sanctuary Director and wildlife photographer Cam Whitnall and the awe-inspiring Nicole Graham, who spent three long and emotional hours keeping her horse calm when it became stuck in treacherous sand.
Our 12-part series, which launches on Thursday 19 March, is produced by Peanut & Crumb in partnership with Mountain Warehouse, for our conservation charity’s 200th anniversary.
Available on all major streaming platforms, new episodes of Wildest Moments will drop on the third Thursday of each month, featuring tales from famous faces, wildlife experts and ‘ordinary’ people alike – including one half of the twin doctors behind Operation Ouch!, Chris van Tulleken and lifeguard Rob Howes, whose casual swim with his daughter in New Zealand turned into something far more dramatic when a great white shark appeared.
Ben Fogle said: “It has been an absolute joy to sit in the studio and hear these stories of people’s wildest moments for ZSL’s 200th anniversary podcast. Be it a tale of an encounter with a domestic dog or a wild grizzly bear, what came through in every conversation I had was people’s enduring awe and wonder at the natural world.”
With a career spent exploring remote landscapes and the remarkable people and animals that inhabit them, Ben Fogle brings a lifetime of curiosity to the series.
Bringing his own experiences and stories to the podcast, Ben also shares his own, little-known, personal connection to ZSL, in a Wildest Moments episode featuring his own father, Dr. Bruce Fogle.
“Growing up, I was very aware of ZSL and London Zoo, and my family has always had a strong connection to the Zoo - thanks in no small part to my father working there in the veterinary hospital. But for so many families, ZSL’s London Zoo is a place where people make real connections with wildlife, something ZSL has been doing for 200 years.”
Alongside guests’ personal reflections, ZSL experts share their own stories, provide fascinating context and explore what these moments reveal about our relationship with the natural world.
“For two centuries, ZSL has been creating moments that connect people and wildlife, and this podcast celebrates the connections that have compelled people to care for wildlife.
“Joining this amazing group of guests for Wildest Moments, our experts, who work day in and out for wildlife, here in the UK and around the world, bring their unique perspectives to these incredible stories,” said Kathryn England, our CEO.
Kathryn continued, "The sense of wonder that comes through in every episode really reflects the vision of Sir Stamford Raffles, who established ZSL in 1826 after being amazed by his travels through the natural world. He believed that truly understanding wildlife was essential, laying the foundations for the scientific zoos and conservation we know today. Two centuries later, this new, emotive podcast carries that legacy by celebrating the encounters that spark curiosity, deepen understanding and motivate us to take action for the future of wildlife.”
Listeners can hear the first three episodes on 19 March, wherever they get their podcasts. New episodes will be released on the third Thursday of every month through to December 2026.
ZSL's Wildest Moments is created in partnership with Mountain Warehouse and produced by Peanut & Crumb to support ZSL’s anniversary celebrations and its mission to create a future where people and wildlife thrive.
This year, we celebrate an extraordinary milestone: 200 years of ZSL. That’s two centuries of pioneering science, global conservation, and inspiring connections between people and wildlife.
Whether you’ve visited our Zoos, supported our work, or simply grown up using the words and ideas our science-led charity has brought into everyday life - from “Zoo” to “aquarium” to “jumbo” - you’re already part of our story.
Explore our hub to explore stories from our past, meet the people who shaped our journey, dive into podcasts and oral histories, enjoy our “Who Were You at the Zoo?” quizzes, and discover the events and moments marking this special year.