Haley and Debbie (and Debbie's cat, Roy) are talking about homing pigeons trained by the military in WWII (and WWI too). The programs spanned decades and are full of fascinating tales of expertise, bravery, and heroism. But today we're focusing on G.I. Joe, a homing pigeon trained by American troops at Fort Monmouth. In Italy in 1943, GI Joe carried a message so important it is believed to have saved an estimated 1,000 lives.

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instagram: @creaturemeetsculture

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Youtube Shorts (I said it was a tiktok on the episode but I misspoke):

Gas Mask:

https://youtube.com/shorts/DsEdhyn26XQ?si=IVujXmrnO0LLn2Gj

The History Guy (very informative, love his stuff):

https://youtu.be/cDwsnpo066g?si=9XXwDNZvgKPLpHef

General Sources:

https://www.army.mil/article/268163/honoring_those_who_served_pigeon_memorial

https://www.foreignaffairs.com/reviews/capsule-review/2019-02-12/operation-columba-secret-pigeon-service-untold-story-world-war-ii

https://www.fortmonmouth.org/history/

https://www.army.mil/article/74924/cecom_history_is_for_the_birds_hero_pigeons

https://www.pdsa.org.uk/what-we-do/animal-awards-programme/pdsa-dickin-medal

How Pigeons Home:

https://journals.biologists.com/jeb/article/216/12/2165/11389/Forty-years-of-olfactory-navigation-in-birds

Father Raskin

https://www.elimarpigeons.com/articles/pigeon-clubs-and-federations/dorset-federation-2/10062-from-the-chair-by-chris-williams-01-11-21

Haley and Debbie recorded this episode about Groundhog Day on Groundhog Day. We talk a lot about guys in top hats, Groundhog Day being very odd and very intense, and we really want to give some credit to Marcy. Debbie has a new bucket list item to see Groundhog Day's festival in Punxsatawney and we really go into depth about the Inner Circle because we know all about it. We also know about the fact that shadows and weather and weirds animals looped into a special day has been around for a realllllly long time! Come for the groundhog, stay for the friendship!

Let's Be Friends:

creaturemeetsculture.com

instagram: @creaturemeetsculture

reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/CreatureMeetsCulture/?type=TEXT

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61583610878197

Cistations:

The Inner Circle! The Inner Circle!

https://www.groundhog.org/about/groundhog-clubs-inner-circle/

The Inner Circle Describing Groundhog Day:

https://www.groundhog.org/contact/resources-for-teachers/

More about the Inner Circle:

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/group-normal-guys-wearing-top-hats-and-tuxes-keep-groundhog-day-running-180961954/

General/Origins:

https://www.npr.org/2025/01/31/nx-s1-5279482/groundhog-day-punxsutawney-phil

https://www.history.com/articles/groundhog-day-history-and-facts

https://www.cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/news/groundhog-day-punxsutawney-phil-origins/

https://whyy.org/articles/pa-groundhog-day-origins-punxsutawney-phil/

The Others: https://www.foxweather.com/learn/famous-forecasting-groundhog-day-phil

Debbie and Savanna are together to talk all about Pelorous Jack. For nearly 24 years, a Risso's dolphin appeared in the treacherous waters of Cook Strait, New Zealand, approaching ships and guiding them safely towards French Pass. Pelorous Jack became a celebrity in his own time—passengers booked voyages just to see him, newspapers covered his appearances, and sailors considered him good luck. But when someone tried to shoot him in 1904, the public outcry led New Zealand to do something unprecedented: they passed a law protecting a single wild animal by name. Pelorous Jack became the world's first individually protected creature, setting a legal precedent that would shape wildlife conservation for generations.

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instagram: @creaturemeetsculture

reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/CreatureMeetsCulture/?type=TEXT

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PRIMARY SOURCES

1. Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand

https://teara.govt.nz/en/1966/pelorus-jack

https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/4696/the-story-of-pelorus-jack

2. New Zealand History Online

https://nzhistory.govt.nz/ss-penguin-wrecked-in-cook-strait

3. Te Papa Museum Blog

https://blog.tepapa.govt.nz/2016/07/07/what-or-which-was-new-zealands-first-protected-dolphin/

4. Excerpt from “Pelrous Jack” by Maori 1913

https://exiw.wordpress.com/2025/02/20/legends-of-pelorus-jack/