141: Is it too late to save the Japanese giant salamander?

With the United Nations Biodiversity Conference taking place in Montreal this week, we thought it would be a good opportunity to look at how Japan is handling issues involving biodiversity here. Environmental journalist Mara Budgen comes on the show to talk about the Japanese giant salamander, which has been designated a "special natural monument" under Japanese law but is still vulnerable to extinction.  If you have pitches for our new section Our Planet, feel free to email us at [email protected].  Hosted by Shaun McKenna and produced by Dave Cortez.  On this episode:  Mara Budgen: Articles | Twitter Read more/Watch more:  Battle to stop Kagoshima seawall highlights divide over coastal engineering (Mara Budgen, The Japan Times) Save the Japanese giant salamander campaign (The Japan Channel, YouTube) Sustainable Daisen Get in touch:  Send us feedback at [email protected]. Support the show by rating, reviewing and sharing the episode with a friend if you’ve enjoyed it. For a transcript of the show, head to japantimes.co.jp. And don’t forget to follow us on Twitter!  Photo:  The Japanese giant salamander’s biology has changed little over the past 23 million years, so when you see one it’s like looking at a dinosaur. | TOPOUTIMAGES/ YUKIHIRO FUKUDA