Playlist: Critter Stories
Compiled By: University of Montana Journalism
Stories about critters. Montana critters. Featuring Montanans and their interactions with critters. Produced by students at the University of Montana. Which is in Montana.
Osprey Blood Is Full of Secrets
From University of Montana Journalism | 07:19
Traces of heavy metals that reflect the health of a whole ecosystem can be found in vials of blood from osprey chicks. Researchers from the Montana Osprey Project have been collecting blood samples along the Clark Fork River since 2006. To do that, they have to get up to the top of the nests—a journey 50 feet in the air. Producer Allison Mills' story goes up and then widens out to tell a bigger tale.
Traces of heavy metals that reflect the health of a whole ecosystem can be found in vials of blood from osprey chicks. Researchers from the Montana Osprey Project have been collecting blood samples along the Clark Fork River since 2006. To do that, they have to get up to the top of the nests—a journey 50 feet in the air. Producer Allison Mills' story goes up and then widens out to tell a bigger tale.
Capturing Montana's Elk
From University of Montana Journalism | 04:03
Instead of moving in typical migration patterns, elk herds are doing more hanging out on the floor of Montana's Bitterroot Valley. Scientists are trying to figure out why. Producer Nate Hegyi's story follows them as they use a helicopter to net, collar and release elk for a study that should provide answers.
- Playing
- Capturing Montana's Elk
- From
- University of Montana Journalism
Instead of moving in typical migration patterns, elk herds are doing more hanging out on the floor of Montana's Bitterroot Valley. Scientists are trying to figure out why. Producer Nate Hegyi's story follows them as they use a helicopter to net, collar and release elk for a study that should provide answers.
Feasting on Roadkill
From University of Montana Journalism | 08:10
Montana passed a recent law allowing people to pick up dead animals on the side of the road and eat them. Producer Madelyn Beck's story *goes there.*
- Playing
- Feasting on Roadkill
- From
- University of Montana Journalism
A vegetarian most of the time, producer Madelyn Beck decides in this story to not only eat meat, but eat meat killed by a car and then found, picked up and butchered by someone else. It's all perfectly legal in Montana now. Her story looks at the recent law and finds out who's taking advantage of free road-killed food.
Critters, Blobs and Swan Dives
From University of Montana Journalism | 09:07
Producer Corin Cates-Carney's story does the unexpected, connecting the invisible line from critter to kid to ... blob. It ends up being a sweet, strange story about parenting.
Producer Corin Cates-Carney's story does the unexpected, connecting the invisible line from critter to kid to ... blob. It ends up being a sweet, strange story about parenting.
Put Her Down
From University of Montana Journalism | Part of the Heartbreak Stories: The Other Side of Valentines Day series | 03:19
When Chuck’s health declined, Marcos didn’t see any other option: It was time for Chuck to be euthanized. As a veterinarian, Marcos helps many owners with the decision to say goodbye to their pets. It’s not an easy decision, but giving an animal a gentle and easy death can be the most compassionate last act of an owner and friend. Voxpop by producer Corin Cates-Carney.
- Playing
- Put Her Down
- From
- University of Montana Journalism
When Chuck’s health declined, Marcos didn’t see any other option: It was time for Chuck to be euthanized. As a veterinarian, Marcos helps many owners with the decision to say goodbye to their pets. It’s not an easy decision, but giving an animal a gentle and easy death can be the most compassionate last act of an owner and friend. Voxpop by producer Corin Cates-Carney.
Taxidermy Boot Camp
From University of Montana Journalism | 04:33
Who signs up to spend five weeks with dead critters during a Montana Winter? Producer Jessica Murri answers that question from the Second Nature School of Taxidermy.
- Playing
- Taxidermy Boot Camp
- From
- University of Montana Journalism
This feature was produced for UM Journalism's Advanced Audio class.
Back From the Brink: Black-Footed Ferrets
From University of Montana Journalism | 04:11
When a species goes extinct, that’s usually the end of the story. We don’t exactly have dinosaurs or dodo birds running around these days.
But sometimes, and only sometimes, the species is somehow found again. That’s what happened with the Black-Footed Ferret, which went missing for about 20 years. Producer Anna Cole has more.
When a species goes extinct, that’s usually the end of the story. We don’t exactly have dinosaurs or dodo birds running around these days.
But sometimes, and only sometimes, the species is somehow found again. That’s what happened with the Black-Footed Ferret, which went missing for about 20 years. Producer Anna Cole has more.
Follow That Cat
From University of Montana Journalism | 03:59
Producer Cody Blum's feature about Animeals, a no-kill cat shelter in Missoula, Montana, follows Marlo to his new home amid "biosolids" at Eko Compost.
- Playing
- Follow That Cat
- From
- University of Montana Journalism
This piece was produced as part of UM Journalism's Advanced Audio class.
Predators of the Heart: Where Wild Animals Meet God
From University of Montana Journalism | 04:32
Most know the old stories about Noah's Ark and how Eve was tempted by a snake, but now God’s creatures are uncaged and in church. Producer Ruth Eddy has more on one group using live predators to teach old-school Biblical morals.
Most know the old stories about Noah's Ark and how Eve was tempted by a snake, but now God’s creatures are uncaged and in church. Producer Ruth Eddy has more on one group using live predators to teach old-school Biblical morals.
Cash Market: Livestock Sold As Is
From University of Montana Journalism | 08:36
Live cattle auctions are disappearing in the Northwest. But the Missoula Livestock Exchange continues to sell millions of dollars worth of cows, heifers and bulls every month. Producer Christopher Allen talks with ranchers about maintaining as operating cost continue to climb. IN the end: Cowboys continue to cowpoke.
Live cattle auctions are disappearing in the Northwest. But the Missoula Livestock Exchange continues to sell millions of dollars worth of cows, heifers and bulls every month. Producer Christopher Allen talks with ranchers about maintaining as operating cost continue to climb. IN the end: Cowboys continue to cowpoke.