Using two microphones upstairs in their college home, two TCU students started recording uplifting and educational stories about their experiences in the African safari.
Senior communication studies major Dotsie Jones and senior strategic communication major Mason McGarrity aren’t doing it just for fun.
They have almost reached their goal of raising $800 for Save the Rhino International after starting their “Frogs Gone Wild” podcast just two weeks ago.
Jones and McGarrity were inspired to start an environmental podcast after traveling to the Amakhala Game Reserve in South Africa as part of TCU’s South African biodiversity and human development class. The students had the opportunity to participate in hands-on conservation practices with wildlife veterinarian Dr. William Fowlds.
“Being able to work hands-on with these animals and seeing firsthand how bad the situations are, especially for rhinos, made me decide that I would not go back and sit around anymore,” Jones said. “I wanted to do something about this. Even if it didn’t make a difference, I wanted to try my best, and Mason was right there with me.”
Jones and McGarrity desperately wanted a platform to share their experiences and educate friends and family back home after visiting a reserve where two rhinos had recently been poached.
“We spent hours talking about the things we wanted to do and how different our knowledge and exposure of these animals was compared to our friends, families and communities back in the United States,” said McGarrity. “There’s just a gap between the U.S. and what is going on in the African wildlife.”
McGarrity and Jones have continued to fall more in love with animal conservation practices after each trip taken to Africa.
McGarrity’s love for Africa and the safari began on a childhood trip with her mother.
“The first time I went to Africa was in sixth grade, and it was just me and my mom,” McGarrity said. “During that trip, I looked at my mom and told her, ‘I’m coming and living here after I graduate college.’”
After Jones’ sophomore year at TCU, her family’s trip to Tanzania opened her eyes to the severity of the animal endangerment crisis.
“I guess that was when I really was like, ‘Wow, we really might not have these animals around for my children to see,'” Jones said. “That’s what hurts a lot because I’m so blessed to have the opportunity to witness these animals, but in a few years from now, you might not have the chance to see them in the wild.”
McGarrity and Jones are planning to move together to South Africa after graduating to continue their animal conservation research and reconnect with the people and animals they love.
“Frogs Gone Wild” is available for all listeners on Spotify, and donations can be made to Save the Rhino International through the Instagram account @frogsgonewildpodcast.
