Cliffs, Toddlers, and Tracking Devices - The Megan Murgatroyd Story

In this compelling episode of Talons of Hope, Dr. Munir Virani sits down with one of the rising stars in global raptor conservation—Dr. Megan Murgatroyd, a field biologist, scientist, mother, and Director of International Programs at HawkWatch International.

From the cliffs of South Africa to the jungles of Indonesia, Megan shares her bold and deeply personal journey tracking and protecting some of the world’s most elusive and endangered raptors. Listeners are taken behind the scenes of her fieldwork: wrestling Verreaux’s Eagles, developing wind energy collision models for large eagles, tagging Flores Hawk Eagles with a toddler strapped to her back, and investigating the illegal killing of Hen Harriers on UK grouse moors.

Throughout the conversation, Megan reflects on:

• The early spark that drew her to raptors
• The resilience it takes to do fieldwork as a woman and a mother
• The powerful role of GPS tracking in both conservation science and advocacy
• How science can—and must—adapt to a changing climate
• The vital importance of storytelling and mentorship in inspiring the next generation of conservation leaders

What emerges is the portrait of a conservationist who brings equal parts grit, grace, and global thinking to the field of raptor biology. With humor, honesty, and depth, Megan shares lessons from the field—both scientific and human—that offer hope for the skies above and the communities below.

Featured Themes:

• Women in conservation science
• GPS tracking and real-time conservation
• Balancing motherhood with fieldwork
• Renewable energy and wildlife coexistence
• Illegal killing of raptors and policy implications
• Mentorship and building the next generation of raptor biologists

"Sometimes you have to climb a cliff with a telemetry unit in one hand and a baby carrier in the other—because the eagles aren’t going to wait." — Dr. Megan Murgatroyd