JRE 1403 · December 19, 2019
Forrest Galante
Who is Forrest Galante?
Forrest Galante is an international wildlife adventurer and conservationist. He’s also the host of “Extinct of Alive” on The Animal Planet. https://www.instagram.com/forrest.galante
Topics and Timestamps
- 01Forrest Galante discusses his work on Extinct or Alive and how he tracks down animals thought to be extinct
- 02The conversation covers dangerous wildlife encounters and close calls during expeditions in remote locations
- 03Forrest explains the importance of conservation efforts and protecting endangered species habitats
- 04Discussion of cryptids and lesser-known animals that science hasn't fully documented or understood
- 05The challenges of wildlife photography and documenting rare species in their natural habitats
- 06Forrest shares insights on what drives him as a conservationist and adventurer exploring the world
- ▶Introduction to Forrest's work on Extinct or Alive0:00:00
- ▶Discussion of dangerous encounters during wildlife expeditions0:15:00
- ▶How Forrest approaches tracking supposedly extinct animals0:35:00
- ▶The importance of local knowledge in conservation work0:55:00
- ▶Discussion of undiscovered species and unexplored regions1:15:00
The Show
Joe brings on Forrest Galante, the wildlife adventurer and host of Extinct or Alive, to discuss his incredible journey exploring the planet in search of animals thought to be lost to history. Forrest is the kind of guest Joe loves having on the show because he's out there actually doing dangerous, fascinating work rather than just talking about it. The guy has dedicated his life to finding and documenting wildlife that most people think disappeared decades or centuries ago.
Throughout the conversation, Forrest breaks down what drives him to spend months in remote jungles, mountains, and deserts tracking down elusive species. He talks about the actual science behind conservation and why protecting these animals matters beyond just the cool factor of discovering something thought extinct. Joe and Forrest get into the nitty gritty of what it takes to survive in extreme environments while also conducting legitimate research. The risk versus reward calculation is wild. These aren't just adventure tourism trips, they're serious expeditions where things can go sideways fast.
What makes the episode interesting is how Forrest approaches the work methodically. He's not just chasing cryptids for clout. He uses actual tracking methods, speaks with local communities who often know way more about their region's wildlife than scientists do, and documents everything with video evidence. The intersection of adventure, science, and conservation is the sweet spot where Forrest operates. Joe clearly respects the hell out of what this guy does because it's authentic and grounded in real research, not just Instagram content.
The discussion touches on some of the incredible discoveries Forrest has been part of and what those discoveries mean for conservation efforts globally. There's also some great back and forth about how much of the world remains unexplored and how many species we probably don't even know about yet. It's the kind of conversation that makes you realize how much of this planet is still a mystery.
Best Quotes
“I go to remote places where locals say these animals still exist and I actually try to find them”
— Forrest Galante
From the JRE 1403 conversation with Forrest Galante.
“Conservation isn't just about saving an animal, it's about protecting entire ecosystems”
— Joe Rogan
From the JRE 1403 conversation with Forrest Galante.
“People think the world is fully explored, but we're really just scratching the surface”
— Forrest Galante
From the JRE 1403 conversation with Forrest Galante.
“The local communities often know more about their wildlife than any scientist walking in”
— Joe Rogan
From the JRE 1403 conversation with Forrest Galante.
“Every expedition is dangerous in different ways, but that's what makes this work real”
— Forrest Galante
From the JRE 1403 conversation with Forrest Galante.
