Sir David Attenborough, remarking on his documentary series, Life on Earth, said, ‘The fact is that no species has ever had such wholesale control over everything on Earth, living or dead, as we now have. That lays upon us, whether we like it or not, an awesome responsibility. In our hands now lies not only our future, but that of all other living creatures with whom we share the Earth.”
2. Today, the crisis of species extinction is accelerating, turning Attenborough’s statement from a philosophical observation into an urgent demand for action. Our episode with Maria Diekmann dives into this critical tension: How can we restructure our communities and economies—our very civil society—to honour this immense responsibility while navigating complex political and economic landscapes? Her decades of work provide not just a critique of the status quo but also a vital roadmap for individuals seeking to embody their role as ecological citizens and meet this grave ethical imperative.
3. Maria Diekmann is one of the world’s most dedicated and hands-on conservationists, known globally as the founder of the Rare and Endangered Species Trust (REST) in Namibia. Since establishing REST in 2000, she has committed her life to protecting vulnerable wildlife, notably the Cape Griffon vultures and most famously, the pangolin—the world’s most trafficked mammal. Her work goes beyond simple rescue: she was the first person in the world to successfully record a pangolin birth and raise a pangolin pup in captivity, leading to invaluable insights into their survival.
4. This dedication has placed her on the front lines of the conservation battle, where she works to save species often referred to as “The Forgotten Five”. Her approach blends scientific research with community engagement, demonstrating that local, dedicated civil action can produce tangible, life-saving results, offering a vital and urgent blueprint for global citizenship. She has recently published a book on her work, Pangolins in My Life.
5. In this episode, we discuss the topic: The Ethical Imperative: Citizenship, Civil Society, and Our Duty to Endangered Animals.
6. Please take a moment to listen to Episode 026 of Conversations with Stephen Kamugasa. We invite you to follow us on your preferred podcast app to stay updated with the latest insights from our esteemed guest thought leaders.
Mentioned in the Podcast:
1. Pangolins in My Life (Paperback Press, March 11, 2023). By Maria Diekmann.
2. How To Love Endangered and Misunderstood Animals [Podcast]