(scroll down for episodes).......................................Dr. Jones
Wild Guide Competition
........
..Stephanie Arne ....................Thiago Bahia...
...................................
........
..Reggie Busse ...........................
How many of us would love to make a living exploring exotic places while starring on our own television adventure show with a huge audience? That is the possibility for these three contestants: Stephanie Arne, Thiago Bahia, and Reggie Busse. We explore what it is like to compete for a spot as a host of a famous and popular wildlife TV show. Mutual of Omaha has held this video contest on YouTube, visited by over 5 MILLION viewers, to find the right person to host a 50th anniversary webisode of Wild Kingdom. Our three finalists are seasoned explorers, travelers and wildlife enthusiasts. Hear their stories and decide which one you would like to see be the next Wild Kingdom Wild Guide.
This Special Episode includes a fun mix of music styles not usually associated with Jungle Deep.
Questions or Comments? Send them to: ken@petliferadio.com
Stephanie Arne
Oahu's enthusiastic Wildlife Educator uses her passion, knowledge and experience to inspire others to take action at a local and global scale.
Stephanie is originally from South Dakota and started her career with an internship in the Education and Mammal Department at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo. “I was fortunate enough to work with many zoo keepers from various departments to gain knowledge of the animal collection and more respect for the keepers. My first day as an intern was spent shoveling buffalo poop for 5 hours straight. Hot, sweaty, smelly and covered in blisters, I still asked all the questions I needed and kept a smile on my face. Luckily, I proved myself to the keepers and I was given the opportunity to work in every animal section
Within a month, Stephanie was hired on as the Education Outreach Coordinator. During her experience at HDZ, Stephanie increased the yearly outreach presentations, helped with the implementation of the Long Distance Learning program and created both the Homeschool programs and the Zoo to You Boxes.
Later, Stephanie received the opportunity to work as a civilian contracted Educator for the US military in Key West, Florida, Iwakuni, Japan and Pearl Harbor military base in 2008 where she finished her contract and found herself applying for the Honolulu Zoological Society. Stephanie worked with Vacation Adventures, Snooze at the Zoo and Twilight Tours.
On her quest to gain more experience working with wildlife, Stephanie moved to San Diego to work for Sea World and San Diego Zoo. At the San Diego Zoo, Steph hosted the Backstage Pass show and ran VIP/Behind the Scene Tours. Within the last couple of years, she got the opportunity to work on some wildlife projects in Borneo and Papua New Guinea. “My favorite experiences were working with whale sharks on Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia, doing coral reef checks on the Great Barrier Reef and helping clean off Little Blue Penguins on the North Island of New Zealand.”
Stephanie has just recently returned to the island of Oahu and re-joined the Education Staff as the new Education Outreach Coordinator. She is passionate about teaching the public about the importance of wildlife conservation and is looking forward to sharing her exciting stories and animal knowledge with the island of Oahu.
Thiago Bahia
When asked why filming wildlife adventures is his passion, Thiago says, "Being outside and experiencing adventure recharges my batteries. I'm fortunate to be able to go out and experience these adventures and then share them with my friends and family who aren't able to be there with me."
Reggie Busse
Hello All! My name is Regina Busse -aka- Reggie. Backpacker, Travel Writer, Wildlife Aficionado and Adrenalin Junky are just a few of my M.O.'s! Born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska my values are Midwest but my perspectives are global. Venturing to over 50 different countries by age 29, a once far-fetched dream to travel, has become my reality.
College opened the door to my first trip overseas. "Studying" abroad for a year down under. Geelong, Australia. I truly believe the personal growth and change occurring that year, set the tone for the next stage of my life. The wonder and awe of living overseas was addicting. The exciting accents, lifestyles, international friendships and handful of intra-Aussie trips, everything was a discovery! Discoveries that of course, came with a price. If I wanted to continue living and traveling overseas, I would need to work...HARD. Working to live, NOT living to work. A personal practice which persists today. Snagging a radio station internship, along with a well-paid Bartending gig, I funded the duration of my trip in Aussie, not to mention exploration through Southeast Asia and New Zealand. A novice backpackers dream!
Where am I today? Well, I just celebrated 29 glorious years on this earth and the second year of my website, Backpackers Wanted. I continue to write travel articles for a handful of magazines along with competing for the Mutual Of Omaha's Wild Kingdom Next Wild Guide Competition. The Wild Kingdom TV series has amazed viewers for over 50-years with wildlife, conservation and fun, a legacy I hope to continue. If my efforts can motivate even one wishful traveler to get out and explore our great big planet, then I have succeeded. If your mission is to travel, seek it! Living cheap and backpacking on a budget is how I've afforded my trips and so can you!!
Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom