Ep 2. Tools, Teeth, and Tusks

In season 1 episode 2 of Mission Unstoppable, titled "Tools, Teeth, and Tusks," viewers are taken on a thrilling journey to explore the innovative tools and techniques employed by biologists in the field. Host Miranda Cosgrove is joined by two female scientists who share their expertise on everything from predicting harmful algal blooms to studying animal behavior with the help of remote camera traps.

First, Cosgrove meets with Dr. Vera Trainer, a scientist from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), who studies harmful algal blooms. Trainer explains that blooms can be triggered by an array of factors, including temperature, nutrient levels, and pollution. She shares her team's cutting-edge methods for using remote sensing and computer models to predict when and where harmful algal blooms are likely to occur. Cosgrove and Trainer also visit a mussel farm where they discuss the ways in which ocean monitoring systems help farmers protect their crops from toxic blooms.

Next, Cosgrove heads to the field with conservation biologist Dr. E.J. Milner-Gulland, who uses remote camera traps to study the behavior of wild animals. Milner-Gulland explains that camera traps are a non-invasive way to observe animals without disturbing them. She shares footage of elephants in the wild, captured on her camera traps, and explains how her team uses the data they collect to study everything from population sizes to social behavior.

Finally, Cosgrove meets with Dr. Holly Root-Gutteridge, a bioacoustician who studies animal vocalizations. Root-Gutteridge explains that animals use vocalizations to communicate with each other, and shares some amazing recordings of elephant calls that she has taken in the field. She also demonstrates some of the innovative technology she uses to analyze the recordings and distinguish between different types of calls.

Throughout the episode, Mission Unstoppable showcases the exciting and inspiring work being done by women in the field of biology, and emphasizes the importance of using science to protect the health and well-being of our planet. Cosgrove's enthusiastic and curious approach to science makes the show fun and engaging for viewers of all ages, while the expert insights of scientists like Trainer, Milner-Gulland, and Root-Gutteridge provide valuable information for anyone interested in the natural world. Overall, "Tools, Teeth, and Tusks" is a fascinating and informative installment of this must-watch science show.