Episode 26 – Healing Through Nature: A chat with OFI Australia President Kobe Steele
Episode 26 – Healing Through Nature: A chat with OFI Australia President Kobe Steele
Philip sits down with Orangutan Foundation International Australia (OFIA) President, Kobe Steele. Kobe has led a fascinating life, being the first woman in Australia to host her own national music TV show with plenty of stories to tell, to leading wildlife conservation efforts. Kobe’s journey is truly inspiring. Kobe also shares her personal journey of becoming involved with orangutan conservation after the tragic loss of her daughter. Philip and Kobe also discuss OFI Australia’s vital work supporting sun bear conservation efforts including providing life changing surgery and a metal hip plate for one sun bear.
CONTENT WARNING: This episode does discuss the loss of a loved one and contains mention of suicidal thoughts.
FROM PHILIP:
This episode was put together in 2025, and scheduled in advance, as a lot of these things are. Just in the last week, Dr. Birute Galdikas, sadly passed away. It’s still quite hard to believe, she was a force of nature and it feels odd that she is no longer here. It’s the end of an era. For 55 years she worked tirelessly to protect forests and those that lived there including orangutans and bears.
She impacted so many people, myself included, and I am forever grateful for the opportunities she gave me and memories that I treasure. You wouldn’t be listening to this whole series of episodes on sun bears and Indonesia without her. Her legacy lives on through Orangutan Foundation International and those she inspired. My thoughts are with her family and the team there. I like to think she is now reunited with her husband Pak Bohap and one of her best orangutan friends Siswi. This episode is dedicated to her. Thank you.
LINKS:
Orangutan Foundation International Australia
The Bear Den Artwork is by Asha Kaur
Contact: pstubley@americanbear.org
Find out more: American Bear Association
Facebook– Instagram: @vinceshutewildlife
Music from #Uppbeat
https://uppbeat.io/t/reakt-music/deep-stone
License code: IKFVKDCH4J1TS03E
