The Vet and the Actress

When Dr Bruce Fogle arrived in London from Canada for a short placement as a veterinarian at ZSL, he had no idea his life was about to take an unexpected turn - all because of a dog named Honey.

In this episode of Wildest Moments, host Ben Fogle speaks with his father, renowned veterinarian and author Dr Bruce Fogle, about how the golden retriever led him to his wife, actress Julia Foster. Decades later, history repeated itself when Ben met his own wife, Marina, after their dogs struck up a friendship in the park – it's a remarkable story of two generations brought together through animals.

Joining the conversation is ZSL's Head of Wildlife Health Services, Dr Amanda Guthrie. Together they reveal the incredible varied life of a zoo vet – caring for everything from tiny snails to giant elephants – and discuss the vital role zoos have and continue to play in protecting both wildlife and human health around the world.

From family history to global conservation, this episode is a celebration of the extraordinary bond between people and animals - and the unexpected ways those connections can shape our lives.

About Wildest Moments: Hosted by Ben Fogle and created in partnership with Mountain Warehouse, Wildest Moments is a podcast from ZSL (Zoological Society of London) exploring the surprising, emotional and transformative encounters people have had with wildlife. New episodes are released on the third Thursday of every month. Launched as part of ZSL's 200th anniversary, the series celebrates over two centuries of inspiring closer connections between people and the natural world.

Executive Producers - Rami Tzabar, Jane Gerber and Katie Derham

Senior Producer - Naomi Oiku

Production Supervisor - Mia Xerri Mondragon

ZSL editorial leads: Tina Campanella and Rebecca Blanchard

Sound Design and Additional Editing - Nada Smiljanić

Sound Engineer - Jon Last

Video Editor - Carla Mercer

Cover Art - Will Rose

Recorded at TYX Studios, London.