Bertie Gregory: Saving the Animals (Even the Ones That Are Bullies)

Trevor and Eugene go wild with world-class explorer and nature documentarian Bertie Gregory to tackle one of life’s most important questions: are animals a**holes? From whale poop and chimp gangs to elephant stepdads and guanaco hunts, Bertie pulls back the curtain on the animal kingdom’s messiest, funniest dramas—before landing on the surprisingly moving truth about climate change and what’s at stake….for them, for our planet, and for us. SurveyMonkey takes the fear out of asking—and the doubt out of deciding. If you haven't already.... Subscribe to the channel here: http://bit.ly/SubscribeTrevorNoah Or follow the podcast on your other favorite platforms... SiriusXM - Apple Podcasts - https://bit.ly/WhatNowOnApplePodcasts Spotify - https://bit.ly/WhatNowOnSpotify 00:00:00 - Mass Extinction, Saving the Planet, and Podcast Introduction 00:03:56 - Bertie’s Background and Transportive Wildlife Films 00:07:17 - Whale Carbon Capture and the Whale Pump Mechanism 00:10:51 - Significance of Whale Comebacks and Historical Whaling 00:13:49 - Killer Whales Attacking Boats: Myths and Theories 00:16:37 - Can Animals Be Assholes? Bear Attacks and Personalities 00:19:58 - Dolphin Social Behaviors and Anthropomorphizing Animals 00:22:58 - Reading Animal Body Language for Safe Filming 00:25:36 - Habituation and Underwater Filming Techniques 00:28:25 - Leopard Seal Interactions and Comfort with Wild Animals 00:31:26 - Chimpanzee Hunting Strategies and Social Roles 00:34:32 - Post-Shoot Blues and Readjusting to Normal Life 00:37:14 - Dangerous Human Encounters in the Arctic 00:41:37 - Myths About Animal Dangers: Wolves and Sharks 00:44:45 - Beyond Cuteness: Ecosystem Services in Conservation 00:47:54 - Evolution, Mass Extinction, and Human Arrogance 00:50:35 - Climate Change as Nature Destruction and Actionable Steps 00:53:38 - Wildlife Tourism Challenges with Cheetahs 00:56:34 - From Whaling to Sustainable Tourism in the Azores 00:59:39 - Managing Tourism Pressure and Respecting Wildlife 01:02:55 - Lessons from Animals: Mastery and Specialization 01:05:38 - Puma Hunting: Hard Lives and Survival Stakes 01:09:15 - Choosing Sides in Nature and Building Empathy 01:12:17 - Threats from Farming and Fish Farming Realities 01:15:56 - Debunking Fish Farming Sustainability 01:19:10 - Conservation Success Stories: Raja Ampat Recovery 01:22:28 - Short-Term Sacrifices for Long-Term Environmental Gains 01:25:39 - Positive Outlook, Current Projects, and Animal Recognition 01:28:40 - Manta Ray Encounters and Coexisting with Nature 01:31:47 - Tips for Observing Wildlife and Podcast Outro

Bertie GregoryguestTrevor NoahhostEugenehost

Jan 29, 20261h 35mWatch on YouTube ↗

EPISODE INFO

Released: January 29, 2026
Duration: 1h 35m
Channel: What Now? With Trevor Noah
Watch on YouTube: ▶ Open ↗

EPISODE DESCRIPTION

Trevor and Eugene go wild with world-class explorer and nature documentarian Bertie Gregory to tackle one of life’s most important questions: are animals a**holes? From whale poop and chimp gangs to elephant stepdads and guanaco hunts, Bertie pulls back the curtain on the animal kingdom’s messiest, funniest dramas—before landing on the surprisingly moving truth about climate change and what’s at stake….for them, for our planet, and for us. SurveyMonkey takes the fear out of asking—and the doubt out of deciding. If you haven't already.... Subscribe to the channel here: http://bit.ly/SubscribeTrevorNoah Or follow the podcast on your other favorite platforms... SiriusXM - Apple Podcasts - https://bit.ly/WhatNowOnApplePodcasts Spotify - https://bit.ly/WhatNowOnSpotify 00:00:00 - Mass Extinction, Saving the Planet, and Podcast Introduction 00:03:56 - Bertie’s Background and Transportive Wildlife Films 00:07:17 - Whale Carbon Capture and the Whale Pump Mechanism 00:10:51 - Significance of Whale Comebacks and Historical Whaling 00:13:49 - Killer Whales Attacking Boats: Myths and Theories 00:16:37 - Can Animals Be Assholes? Bear Attacks and Personalities 00:19:58 - Dolphin Social Behaviors and Anthropomorphizing Animals 00:22:58 - Reading Animal Body Language for Safe Filming 00:25:36 - Habituation and Underwater Filming Techniques 00:28:25 - Leopard Seal Interactions and Comfort with Wild Animals 00:31:26 - Chimpanzee Hunting Strategies and Social Roles 00:34:32 - Post-Shoot Blues and Readjusting to Normal Life 00:37:14 - Dangerous Human Encounters in the Arctic 00:41:37 - Myths About Animal Dangers: Wolves and Sharks 00:44:45 - Beyond Cuteness: Ecosystem Services in Conservation 00:47:54 - Evolution, Mass Extinction, and Human Arrogance 00:50:35 - Climate Change as Nature Destruction and Actionable Steps 00:53:38 - Wildlife Tourism Challenges with Cheetahs 00:56:34 - From Whaling to Sustainable Tourism in the Azores 00:59:39 - Managing Tourism Pressure and Respecting Wildlife 01:02:55 - Lessons from Animals: Mastery and Specialization 01:05:38 - Puma Hunting: Hard Lives and Survival Stakes 01:09:15 - Choosing Sides in Nature and Building Empathy 01:12:17 - Threats from Farming and Fish Farming Realities 01:15:56 - Debunking Fish Farming Sustainability 01:19:10 - Conservation Success Stories: Raja Ampat Recovery 01:22:28 - Short-Term Sacrifices for Long-Term Environmental Gains 01:25:39 - Positive Outlook, Current Projects, and Animal Recognition 01:28:40 - Manta Ray Encounters and Coexisting with Nature 01:31:47 - Tips for Observing Wildlife and Podcast Outro

SPEAKERS

Bertie Gregory
guest
Wildlife filmmaker and explorer known for filming nature expeditions for major series (e.g., Disney+/BBC).
Trevor Noah
host
Comedian and podcast host of "What Now? with Trevor Noah."
Eugene
host
Co-host who provides comedic interjections and questions alongside Trevor Noah.

EPISODE SUMMARY

In this episode of What Now? With Trevor Noah, featuring Bertie Gregory and Trevor Noah, Bertie Gregory: Saving the Animals (Even the Ones That Are Bullies) explores wildlife filmmaker links animal behavior, conservation, and human survival stakes Gregory reframes “saving the planet” as protecting the life-support systems humans need to live well, emphasizing that Earth will persist even if we don’t.

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