Bad at Goodbyes

Barker's Koromiko :: Veronica barkeri
Bad at Goodbyes :: Episode 084
On today’s show we learn about the Barker's Koromiko, a critically endangered flowering shrub native to Aotearoa Rēkohu / New Zealand's Chatham Islands, an archipelago roughly 400 miles east of Te Waipounamu / New Zealand's South Island. Its scientific name is Veronica barkeri and it was first described in 1899.

For more information about conservation on Rēkohu / Chatham Islands see the Chatham Islands Landscape Restoration Trust at https://www.chathamrestorationtrust.org.nz/.

(00:05) Intro
(02:05) Species Information
(18:37) Citations
(20:29) Music
(26:27) Pledge

Research for today’s show was compiled from:
Baeckens, S., & Van Damme, R. (2020). The island syndrome. Current Biology, 30(8), R338–R339. – https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2020.03.029
Breitwieser I., Heenan P.J.; Nelson W.A., Wilton A.D. eds. (2010-2026). Flora of New Zealand Online – Taxon Profile - Veronica barkeri. – https://www.nzflora.info/factsheet/taxon/Veronica-barkeri.html
Chatham Island Temperate Forests. Ecoregion Snapshots: Descriptive Abstracts of the Terrestrial Ecoregions of the World, 2021. Developed by One Earth and RESOLVE. – https://www.oneearth.org/ecoregions/chatham-island-temperate-forests/
de Lange, P. 2025. Veronica barkeri. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2025: e.T30493A62620653. – https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS.T30493A62620653.en
de Lange, P.J. (2026): Veronica barkeri Fact Sheet (content continuously updated). New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. – https://www.nzpcn.org.nz/flora/species/veronica-barkeri/
iNaturalist – Chatham Islands
Kavanagh, P.H. (2015), Moa Herbivory and Divaricate Plants. Austral Ecology, 40: 206-211. – https://doi.org/10.1111/aec.12196
Mulligan, J. (Host), & Toki, N. (Presenter). (2019, May 17). Critter of the week: Chatham Island tree hebe [Audio radio broadcast]. Radio New Zealand. – https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/afternoons/audio/2018695557/critter-of-the-week-chatham-island-tree-hebe
New Zealand Department of Conservation. (n.d.). Chatham Islands plants. – https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-plants/chatham-islands-plants/
Urlich, S. C., & Brown, K. P. (2005). Monitoring the effects of animal pests on Chatham Islands vegetation: A plan for 2004–2013. New Zealand Department of Conservation. – https://www.researchgate.net/publication/309718759_Monitoring_the_effects_of_animal_pests_on_Chatham_Island_vegetation
Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veronica_barkeri

Please find us on the web at Bad at Goodbyes and on instagram. Please subscribe and rate/review Bad at Goodbyes wherever you listen to podcasts. Please help spread the word about the show and about the species we feature. Please take care of each other, and all of our fellow travelers.

A note on accuracy: I strive for it! These episodes are well-researched and built from scholarly sources, hoping to provide an informed and accurate portrait of these species. That said, I’m a musician! I am not an academic and have limited scientific background. I may get things wrong! If you are using this podcast for scholarship of any kind, please see the cited sources and double-check all information.

Ganges Shark :: Glyphis gangeticus
Bad at Goodbyes :: Episode 083
On today’s show we learn about the Ganges Shark, a critically endangered freshwater shark native to South and Southeast Asia, to the river systems of India, Bangladesh and Indonesian Borneo. Its scientific name is Glyphis gangeticus and it was first described in 1839.

For more information about Shark conservation please see the Shark Conservation Fund at https://www.sharkconservationfund.org.

(00:05) Intro
(02:05) Species Information
(19:53) Citations
(21:39) Music
(29:55) Pledge

Research for today’s show was compiled from:
Chowdhury, G., Akash, M., Haque, A. (2017). Status of the Ganges river shark Glyphis gangeticus (Müller & Henle, 1839). Dhaka University Journal of Biological Sciences. 26. 111-116. – https://doi.org/10.3329/dujbs.v26i1.46355
Compagno, L. J. V. (n.d.). Glyphis gangeticus. Sharks of the World, Naturalis Biodiversity Center. – https://sharks.linnaeus.naturalis.nl/linnaeus_ng/app/views/species/taxon.php?id=62717
De, K., A. Dwivedi. 2025. Call to Action for Conservation of the Critically Endangered Ganges Shark (Glyphis gangeticus). Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems , 35(2). – https://doi.org/10.1002/aqc.70080
Duhigg, K. (2020, June). The rare shark of the Ganga. Mongabay India. – https://india.mongabay.com/2020/06/the-rare-shark-of-the-ganga/
Dunphy-Miller, S. 2025. "Glyphis gangeticus" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed July 2, 2026 – https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Glyphis_gangeticus/
Haque AB, Das SA (2019) New records of the Critically Endangered Ganges shark Glyphis gangeticus in Bangladeshi waters: urgent monitoring needed. Endangered Species Research 40:65-73. – https://doi.org/10.3354/esr00981
iNatualist - Hooghly River / Sesayap River Delta
Jabado, R.W., Kyne, P.M., Nazareth, E. and Sutaria, D.N. (2018), A rare contemporary record of the Critically Endangered Ganges shark Glyphis gangeticus. Journal of Fish Biology, 92: 1663-1669. – https://doi.org/10.1111/jfb.13619
Martin, R.A. 2005. Conservation of freshwater and euryhaline elasmobranchs. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, 85: 1049-1073. – https://doi.org/10.1017/S0025315405012105
Martin, R. A. (n.d.). The mysterious, endangered river sharks (Glyphis spp.). ReefQuest Centre for Shark Research. – http://www.elasmo-research.org/conservation/river_sharks.htm
Rigby, C.L., Derrick, D., Dulvy, N.K., Grant, M.I. & Jabado, R.W. 2021. Glyphis gangeticus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021: e.T169473392A124398647. – https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-2.RLTS.T169473392A124398647.en
Saha, S., Pal, P., Halder, S., Dhara, K., & Saha, N. (2022). Shark diversity in the Indian Sundarban biosphere. FishTaxa, 23, 53-56. – https://fishtaxa.com/index.php/FishTaxa/article/view/50
Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganges_shark

Please find us on the web at Bad at Goodbyes and on instagram. Please subscribe and rate/review Bad at Goodbyes wherever you listen to podcasts. Please help spread the word about the show and about the species we feature. Please take care of each other, and all of our fellow travelers.

A note on accuracy: I strive for it! These episodes are well-researched and built from scholarly sources, hoping to provide an informed and accurate portrait of these species. That said, I’m a musician! I am not an academic and have limited scientific background. I may get things wrong! If you are using this podcast for scholarship of any kind, please see the cited sources and double-check all information.

Spindle Palm :: Hyophorbe verschaffeltii
Bad at Goodbyes :: Episode 082

On today’s show we learn about the Spindle Palm, a critically endangered flowering palm native to the Republic of Mauritius on Rodrigues Island in the southern Indian Ocean. Its scientific name is Hyophorbe verschaffeltii and it was first described in 1866.
For more information about conservation on the islands of Mauritius please see the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation at https://www.mauritian-wildlife.org

(00:05) Intro
(02:05) Species Information
(18:43) Citations
(20:25) Music
(27:11) Pledge

Research for today’s show was compiled from:
Bailey, L. H. (1942). Palms of the Mascarenes. Gentes Herbarum, 6, 51–85. – https://media.e-taxonomy.eu/palmae/protologe/palm_tc_121020_P.pdf
Botânico, M. P., & Angyalossy, V. (2013). Is the secondary thickening in palms always diffuse? [Annals of the Brazilian Academy of Science 85(4)] Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências, 85(4), 1461–1472. – https://doi.org/10.1590/0001-37652013108612
Friedman, M. H., Andreu, M. G., Quintana, H. V., & McKenzie, M. (2010). Hyophorbe verschaffeltii, Spindle Palm: FOR 241/FR303, 5/2010. EDIS, 2010(4). – https://doi.org/10.32473/edis-fr303-2010
Henderson, A. (2024). Pollination Systems of Palms (Arecaceae). Journal of Pollination Ecology, 36, 144–248. – https://doi.org/10.26786/1920-7603(2024)782
iNaturalist - https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?captive=false&nelat=-19.653424450781902&nelng=63.51122182&quality_grade=research&subview=map&swlat=-19.779143834184264&swlng=63.317004655&view=species
Kew Royal Botanic Gardens. (n.d.). Plants of the World Online. Retrieved June 24, 2026. – https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:667456-1
Maunder, M., Page, W., Mauremootoo, J., Payendee, R., Mungroo, Y., Maljkovic, A., Lyte, B. (2002). The decline and conservation management of the threatened endemic palms of the Mascarene Islands. Oryx, 36(1), 56–65. – https://doi.org/10.1017/S0030605302000091
Mauritian Wildlife Foundation. (2025). Annual report: On the activities of the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation year 2024. – https://www.mauritian-wildlife.org/mwf-files/files/files/Mauritian%20Wildlife%20Foundation%20Annual%20report%202024.pdf
Ortega-Chávez, N., & Stauffer, F. W. (2011). Ontogeny and structure of the acervulate partial inflorescence in Hyophorbe lagenicaulis (Arecaceae; Arecoideae). Annals of Botany, 108(8), 1517–1527. – https://doi.org/10.1093/aob/mcr149
Tatayah, V., Jhangeer-Khan, R. & Bégué, J.A. 2021. Hyophorbe verschaffeltii. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021: e.T38582A67537366. Accessed on 23 June 2026. – https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-2.RLTS.T38582A67537366.en
Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyophorbe_verschaffeltii

Please find us on the web at Bad at Goodbyes and on instagram. Please subscribe and rate/review Bad at Goodbyes wherever you listen to podcasts. Please help spread the word about the show and about the species we feature. Please take care of each other, and all of our fellow travelers.

A note on accuracy: I strive for it! These episodes are well-researched and built from scholarly sources, hoping to provide an informed and accurate portrait of these species. That said, I’m a musician! I am not an academic and have limited scientific background. I may get things wrong! If you are using this podcast for scholarship of any kind, please see the cited sources and double-check all information.

Hirola :: Beatragus hunteri
Bad at Goodbyes :: Episode 081

On today’s show we learn about the Hirola, a critically endangered land mammal, an antelope, native to to eastern Africa, specifically Kenya and Somalia, with two subpopulations, one within the Tsavo East National Park in Kenya, and another in unprotected land on the Somali-Kenyan border in Garissa County, Kenya. Its scientific name is Beatragus hunteri, and it was first described in 1889.

For more information about Hirola conservation please see the Hirola Conservation Program at https://www.hirolaconservation.org

(00:05) Intro
(02:05) Species Information
(21:29) Citations
(23:47) Music
(29:42) Pledge

Research for today’s show was compiled from:
Andanje, S. A., & Ottichilo, W. K. (1999). Population status and feeding habits of the translocated sub-population of Hunter's antelope or hirola (Beatragus hunteri, Sclater, 1889) in Tsavo East National Park, Kenya. African Journal of Ecology, 37(1), 38–48. – https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2028.1999.00141.x
Andanje, S. A. (2002). Factors limiting the abundance and distribution of hirola (Beatragus hunteri) in Kenya [Doctoral dissertation, Newcastle University]. Newcastle University eTheses. – http://hdl.handle.net/10443/1048
Ali, A. H., Kauffman, M. J., Amin, R., et al. (2018). Demographic drivers of a refugee species: Large-scale experiments guide strategies for reintroductions of hirola. Ecological Applications, 28, 275–283. – https://doi.org/10.1002/eap.1664
Ali, A. H., & Kivai, S. (2026). Drivers of Hirola Antelope Diet Selection in Natural and Managed Habitat in Eastern Kenya. Ecology and Evolution, 16(1), e72980. – https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.72980
iNaturalist – https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?nelat=-1.375032027&nelng=40.634809542&quality_grade=research&subview=map&swlat=-2.322767254&swlng=39.657286413&view=species
IUCN SSC Antelope Specialist Group. 2017. Beatragus hunteri. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017: e.T6234A50185297. – https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-2.RLTS.T6234A50185297.en
Jowers, M. J., Queirós, J., Resende Pinto, R., Ali, A. H., Mutinda, M., Angelone, S., Alves, P. C., & Godinho, R. (2020). Genetic diversity in natural range remnants of the critically endangered hirola antelope. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 190(1), 384–395. – https://doi.org/10.1093/zoolinnean/zlz174
Kimitei, K.K., Kimanzi, J. and Andanje, S.A. (2015), Habitat suitability modelling for Hirola (Beatragus hunteri) in Tsavo East National Park, Kenya. African Journal of Ecology, 53: 550-559. – https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.12248
Lundgren, E. J., Wallach, A. D., Svenning, J.-C., Schlaepfer, M. A., Andersson, A. L. A., & Ramp, D. (2024). Preventing extinction in an age of species migration and planetary change. Conservation Biology, 38(6), e14270. – https://doi.org/10.1111/cobi.14270
Olney, H. 2002. "Beatragus hunteri" (Online), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed June 8, 2026. – https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Beatragus_hunteri/
Probert, J., Evans, B., Andanje, S., Kock, R., & Amin, R. (2015). Population and habitat assessment of the Critically Endangered hirola Beatragus hunteri in Tsavo East National Park, Kenya. Oryx, 49(3), 514–520. – https://doi.org/10.1017/S0030605313000902
Ruso, G. E. (2017). Beatragus hunteri (Artiodactyla: Bovidae). Mammalian Species, 49(955), 119–127. – https://doi.org/10.1093/mspecies/sex015
Wikipedia – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hirola
Yassin, M., Mohamed, A. M., Isiah, S., & Abdullahi, A. (2024). Assessment of Community Capacity Building and Recovery of the Hirola Antelope in Ijara Sub-County, Garrissa County, Kenya. American Journal of Environment Studies, 7(3), 1-16. – https://doi.org/10.47672/ajes.2094

Please find us on the web at Bad at Goodbyes and on instagram. Please subscribe and rate/review Bad at Goodbyes wherever you listen to podcasts. Please help spread the word about the show and about the species we feature. Please take care of each other, and all of our fellow travelers.

A note on accuracy: I strive for it! These episodes are well-researched and built from scholarly sources, hoping to provide an informed and accurate portrait of these species. That said, I’m a musician! I am not an academic and have limited scientific background. I may get things wrong! If you are using this podcast for scholarship of any kind, please see the cited sources and double-check all information.

Okinawa Sumire :: Viola utchinensis
Bad at Goodbyes :: Episode 080

On today’s show we learn about the Okinawa Sumire, a critically endangered flowering plant native to the Ryukyu Islands of Japan, in the Pacific Ocean, specifically, the island of Okinawa, roughly 400 miles southeast of the Japanese mainland. Its scientific name is Viola utchinensis and it was first described in 1938.
(00:05) Intro
(02:05) Species Information
(17:56) Citations
(19:47) Music
(24:53) Pledge

Research for today’s show was compiled from:
Beattie, A. J., and N. Lyons. 1975. "Seed Dispersal in Viola (Violaceae): Adaptations and Strategies." American Journal of Botany 62, no. 7: 714–722. – https://doi.org/10.1002/j.1537-2197.1975.tb14104.x
FamousFix. n.d. "Flora of the Ryukyu Islands." FamousFix. Accessed June 3, 2026. – https://www.famousfix.com/list/flora-of-the-ryukyu-islands
iNaturalist – https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?captive=false&nelat=26.527232454&nelng=127.974081399&quality_grade=research&subview=map&swlat=26.42028461&swlng=127.849111916&verifiable=any&view=species
Karnish, A. (2024). "Seed dispersal by ants: A primer". International Journal of Plant Sciences, 185(5), 403–411. – https://doi.org/10.1086/730787
Koidzumi, G. (1938). "Contributiones ad Cognitioem Florae Asiae Orientalis". Acta Phytotaxonomica et Geobotanica 7 (2): 112–117 [113]. – https://doi.org/10.18942/bunruichiri.KJ00002594478
Marcussen, T., Ballard, H. E., Danihelka, J., Flores, A. R., Nicola, M. V., & Watson, J. M. (2022). A Revised Phylogenetic Classification for Viola (Violaceae). Plants 11(17), 2224. – https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11172224
Ministry of the Environment, Japan. 2016. Viola utchinensis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T54081377A54081585. – https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T54081377A54081585.en
NYAN. 2026. "Viola utchinensis." Violet Chamber of Flower Photo Gallery. Last updated March 19, 2026. – https://www.io-net.com/violet/violet2/okinawa(e).htm
Shinmoto, Mitsutaka, Xiaohe Xinli, Anri Nerio, Nagaken Ishigaki, and Lishio Wu. 2011. "Research on Resource Botany of Natural Forests in Subtropical Okinawa." The Science Bulletin of the College of Agriculture, University of the Ryukyus 52. – https://agriknowledge.affrc.go.jp/RN/2030722825
Sutton, Sharon, and Clara Benecke. 1985. "ARGS Members Visit Japan." Bulletin of the American Rock Garden Society 43, no. 2 (Spring). – https://www.nargs.org/sites/default/files/free-rgq-downloads/VOL_43_NO_2.pdf
U.S. Forest Service. n.d. "Visual Cues." Celebrating Wildflowers. Accessed June 3, 2026. – https://www.fs.usda.gov/wildflowers/pollinators/Plant_Strategies/visualcues.shtml
Yousefi, N., S. S. Mehrvarz, and T. Marcussen. 2012. "Anatomical Studies on Selected Species of Viola(Violaceae)." Nordic Journal of Botany 30: 461–469. – https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1756-1051.2011.01266.x
Wikipedia. n.d. "Viola utchinensis." Wikipedia. Accessed June 3, 2026. – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viola_utchinensis

Please find us on the web at Bad at Goodbyes and on instagram. Please subscribe and rate/review Bad at Goodbyes wherever you listen to podcasts. Please help spread the word about the show and about the species we feature. Please take care of each other, and all of our fellow travelers.

A note on accuracy: I strive for it! These episodes are well-researched and built from scholarly sources, hoping to provide an informed and accurate portrait of these species. That said, I’m a musician! I am not an academic and have limited scientific background. I may get things wrong! If you are using this podcast for scholarship of any kind, please see the cited sources and double-check all information.