Zoo Logic

Modern Miracle Dolphin Nov 21, 2024

Recently, the marine mammal team at Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas announced they had tracked and located a male spotted dolphin the facility had rescued, rehabilitated and returned to the ocean over 5 years ago under the auspices of the company's Blue Project Foundation. The successful return of this animal was due in large part to a series of fortunate factors including the longitudinal study of these resident dolphins. In fact, scientists knew of this animal, its birth year, dam, and migration habits long before it was found stranded and near death at age 9. Thanks to this field evidence and the generous contributions from scientists in the Bahamas and the US including Dr Randy Wells at Mote Marine Lab, the team at the Dolphin Communication Project, the Wild Dolphin Project and others, the animal not only was returned to health and eventually the ocean, but he has since thrived having rejoined his social group. Vice President of Marine Mammal Operations for Atlantis, Ted Turner describes this historic journey for this extraordinary animal nicknamed "M & M."

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Primates for Me, Not for Thee Nov 14, 2024

Recently, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) announced a new primate ambassador policy that essentially curtails the practice of having closer contact between primates and the public. Primatologist, Dr. Samantha Russak, Chief of Welfare and Research for Tanganika Wildlife Park in Goddard Kansas joins Zoo Logic to discuss the new policy's drawbacks and inconsistencies at a time when hand-rearing primates has largely gone the way of the dodo in accredited facilities. In addition, Dr. Sam touches on the Well-Being Summit put on by AZA this past week which included key speakers from anti-zoo and aquarium organizations lecturing zoo professionals on welfare practices.

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Nasty Names Are Hurtful Nov 07, 2024

Dr. Rick LeCouteur is a retired veterinary neurosurgeon originally from Australia. His new children's book entitled Nasty Names Are Hurtful: An Australian white ibis responds to name-calling in the city highlights the repercussions of human activities on wild habitats and underscores the importance of empathy and acceptance. Young readers will learn about a resilient species once on the verge of extinction that has since adapted to the loss of wetlands by surviving in urban areas.

Zoological Recovery From Helene and Milton Oct 31, 2024

The Executive Director and co-founder of Zoological Disaster Response, Rescue and Recovery (ZDR3), Julia Wilder returns to discuss her organization's efforts to assist zoological facilities in the wake of back-to-back hurricanes, Helene and Milton. With nearly 200 USDA licensed animal facilities joined together to provide mutual aid to institutions in distress, ZDR3 has already surpassed all expectations in its 5-year history. Julia describes her team's actions prior to, during and following these most recent devastating storms, as well as, ideas to enhance and improve national coordination so that mutual aid meets facilities where they are and provides them what they need, not just what people want to offer.

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The State of Higher Education Oct 24, 2024

Retired Kent State University professor, researcher and administrator, Dr. James Blank joins his former graduate student to discuss the state of flux of higher education in America. How are changing demographics in a post pandemic era affecting university budgets and how are these institutions adapting to the rapid pace of change? In terms of the sciences, what opportunities exist for those interested in a career involving some aspect of biology, especially field-related work? Dr. Blank suggests that the funding pendulum that greatly favored cellular and molecular studies over the past several decades leading to incredible advancements in technology to answer complex questions about the cell and genes has swung back to include training scientists to examine system level problems, particularly from a multidisciplinary perspective. He advises students considering a career in biological sciences to focus on developing their problem-solving, writing, and speaking skills in order to remain adaptable (and employable) in an age where information and careers are changing every 3 to 5 years, rather than the 20 plus years when he began his career.

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Deep Water Oct 17, 2024

James Bradley, an award winning author of fiction has just released his latest title, a non-fiction book entitled Deep Water: the world in the ocean. It is a "blend of history, nature writing, and environmental science" giving readers insights into the mysteries of the ocean and "humanity's complex connections to the seas." In one passage, James describes the surprisingly complex life cycle of Antarctic krill, its vast biomass often visible from space, and the source of energy for so many species including fish, penguins, and whales. Yet krill are declining in key areas that threaten the entire polar food chain for reasons from the obvious, such as overfishing in critical habits, to the species' more complicated and dependent relationship on winter sea ice. Sea ice that has dramatically declined in recent years due to climate change. The book celebrates the countless researchers past and present working to unlock the ocean's deepest secrets.

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Career Educator Oct 10, 2024

Long time zoo and aquarium educator, Terran McGinnis discusses her passion for informal education from her earliest days as a park naturalist. From great storytelling to laughter, she describes some of the most effective ways to reach audiences of all ages. As she steps down from chairing the education committee for the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums after many years of service to the zoological community, Terran talks about how the industry has learned from its earlier push to share "just the facts" about animals, in hopes of avoiding the appearance of anthropomorphism, to weaving in more of the powerful emotional side of working with and preserving species for future generations.

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ABMA Behavior Month Oct 03, 2024

This October marks the Animal Behavior Management Alliance's (ABMA) fourth annual Behavior Month featuring daily animal training videos from zoological professionals from around the globe. The goal is to share training ideas and examples to enhance species' well-being in zoos, aquariums, as well as with companion animals. These contributions are available to anyone interested in animals and the science of operant conditioning through positive reinforcement.

Plus, our colleagues at Zoological Disaster Response, Rescue and Recovery (ZDR3.org) provide a brief update on response efforts in the wake of hurricane Helene.

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Escape From Extinction: Rewilding Sep 26, 2024

According to American Humane and its leadership team, the newly released sequel to 2020's award-winning "Escape from Extinction," introduces the science of "rewilding," a proven method for sustainable conservation that has the potential to bring back hundreds of thousands of species from the brink of extinction. Dr. Robin Ganzert, President and CEO of American Humane and the film's Executive Producer, along with Director and producer from MRB Productions, Matthew Brady, discuss the science and optimism behind rewilding projects from all over the world. The examples in "Escape From Extinction Rewilding" suggest the long held promise of modern zoological facilities and the professionals that care for threatened and endangered species to safeguard and return species into the wild in a manner that is beneficial to local communities is real. It's happening with greater success and sense of urgency as more habitats and species face threats from human activities such as climate change, pollution, encroachment, overfishing and so on. The film is in theaters in select cites now with streaming planned for later this year.

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Survival of the Fitness Sep 19, 2024

Peter Giljam is a long time animal trainer and cofounder of the training resources website Zoospensefull.com. In his spare time from his role as Behavioral Curator at SeaWorld Australia, he's also developed into an avid triathlon athlete. We asked him about his physical and mental health journey since COVID and whether the pain, frustration, dedication, and euphoria of such endurance competition has affected his animal training and behavioral management approach. Given the industry-wide concern and focus on enhancing the well-being of species in our care, how do those goals mirror the physical and mental fitness of caregivers?

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Enrichment Is Not a Substitute Trainer Sep 12, 2024

Jim Nemet is a long time marine and terrestrial animal trainer and serves as the Director of Wildlife for the Cleveland Natural History Museum. We asked him about the somewhat dated and artificial distinctions between training and enrichment, especially at a time when zoological facilities are increasingly concerned about improving animal welfare or well-being. Jim talks about the wider applications of operant conditioning and behavioral management, of which enrichment is a component, not just for public display animals in zoos and aquariums, but rescue, rehab and return of native species, as well as, threatened and endangered wildlife in national parks.

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Developing Dolphin Drones Sep 05, 2024

Dr. Jason Bruck and his collaborator, Dr. Jamey D. Jacob, School of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering at Oklahoma Sate University describe their efforts to develop a suitable drone platform to study small cetaceans in the wild. Known as PHASM, Passive Health Assessment in Sea Mammals, the team has already worked through several iterations of the emerging technology to best collect and assess respiratory samples from bottlenose dolphins. Rather than rotary technology, the team settled on a fixed wing drone design to prevent dolphin blow samples from being dispersed by the downward rotary action of most drones. The latest stage of the project involved working with Dolphin Quest staff, animals and student researchers and pilots to beta test the drone and sample collection.

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Seadragons Aug 29, 2024

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium announced the significant birth of several weedy seadragons. It is the first successful birth of these uncommon animals at Columbus, one of only a handful of institutions that have successfully bred seadragons. Senior Aquarist Aaron Jeskie, who was instrumental in the successful outcome, describes these unique creatures and some of the reasons they are so challenging to display and maintain.

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Sharks Don't Sink Aug 22, 2024

Jasmin Graham describes her unique path as a shark scientist at Mote Marine Lab and Aquarium, as well as, her efforts to increase diversity among the biological sciences, especially in marine science. She's also the president and CEO of Minorities In Shark Sciences (MISS), an organization dedicated to "see representation of gender minorities from historically-excluded communities of color and the Global South in shark, ray and other marine sciences is the norm rather than the exception." Her new book is entitled "Sharks Don't Sink: adventures of a rogue shark scientist."

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International Conservation Center Aug 15, 2024

Dr. Jeremy Goodman President and CEO of the Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium returns to discuss the organization's rural 1000 acre offsite conservation center. Originally acquired to facilitate African elephant breeding and closed to the public, the International Conservation Center (ICC) has added a few additional species and developed educational programming and other recreational activities to meet the needs of its rural farm community neighbors as well as school kids and families from the greater Pittsburgh area. The future of the facility includes developing conservation breeding programs for additional colder climate exotic and native species.

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Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium Aug 08, 2024

In 2021, Dr. Jeremy Goodman succeeded long time leader Dr. Barbara Baker to become the president and CEO of the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium, one of the oldest institutions of its kind in the US. Following years working as a clinician, Dr. Goodman elected to change his professional focus to serve as chief administrator of several other zoological institutions leading them through periods of significant change. He describes the rich history of his current facility, partnering with other major philanthropic organizations, and his vision for the future.

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Cannabis for Companion, Farm and Exotic Animals Aug 01, 2024

Dr. Tim Shu is the founder and CEO of VetCBD, a California based company that specializes in cannabis products for domestic, farm and zoological animals. As the legal cannabis industry for humans and animals grows across the US, state by state, the public has many questions as to the safety and efficacy of extracts like CBD or full spectrum products that include low doses of THC, which is the psychoactive compound found in cannabis. Dr. Shu reminds us that while the plant has largely been demonized for the past century, its extensive medicinal use by humans dates back thousands of years. Research on the use of cannabinoids in animals suggests it has therapeutic effects to relieve and treat chronic pain, anxiety, inflammation, nausea, and seizures. Products containing THC will also help stimulate appetite. As zoological populations continue to age well past typical lifespans found in the wild, Dr. Shu suggests we ought to be using every tool available to us to improve animal health and welfare, ensuring the best possible quality of life for animals.

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News Zoos Can Use Jul 25, 2024

Troy Hayden has been a journalist and TV news anchor for over 35 years. We asked for his perspective concerning the news industry's views on zoos and aquariums and whether a reporter's approach varies if the names "sanctuary" or "rescue" are attached. Troy admits to being a fan of zoos as a kid but admitted major controversies like that portrayed in Blackfish have tarnished the zoological community's reputation and created greater skepticism among some of his peers. A skepticism he doesn't share thanks in part to being married to a zoo and aquarium president who has opened his eyes to the important conservation work being done. Troy offers some advice on the importance of telling the great stories that zoos have to offer and how to get those on air.

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Ocean Connections Jul 18, 2024

Shelley Ballmann is the force behind Ocean Futures and its nonprofit wing, Ocean Connections. Starting her career as a dolphin trainer, Shelley earned her niche working with pinnipeds at a time when everyone was more focused on cetaceans like bottlenose dolphins and orcas. She believes that training sea lions truly hones one's skill as a trainer in ways unique to pinnipeds. Following the closing of operations after 30-plus years at their original facility at Milwaukee County Zoo and a name change/addition, Shelley has expanded her programs and animal teams to two new locations, in addition to her longstanding facility at Hershey Park, as part of the Dolly Parton family of attractions. She is particularly thrilled to be able to bring educational components to these highly theatrical cirque-type shows which include sea lions, birds and domestic dogs. As evidence of Ocean Connections' success, Shelley and her team are preparing another animal team for a third location in the Dolly company to begin in 2025.

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Never Too Late to Prepare for Disaster Jul 11, 2024

Hurricane Beryl's effect on the Texas power grid still being felt by millions of people reminds us all that natural disasters like wind, fire, or flood can can occur anywhere with devastating consequences. Fortunately the team at Zoological Disaster Response, Rescue and Recovery (ZDR3) has experience helping facilities plan for and if needed, respond to emergencies that can disrupt the lives of animals, staff, and the surrounding community. With over 180 zoological facility members united in support of each other in just a few years of operation, ZDR3 Executive Director, Julia Wilder describes the lessons learned thus far, and steps all facilities should take today to be better prepared, even with hurricane and wild land fire season already well underway.

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Operation Beluga Rescue: Ukraine to Spain Jul 04, 2024

Dennis Christen, Senior Director, Animal Wellbeing & Behavior for the Georgia Aquarium was one of the architects that helped move two beluga whales from the NEMO Dolphinarium in Putin-ravaged Ukraine to the safety of Europe's largest aquarium, Oceanographic, in Valencia, Spain. This story made international headlines recently and involved a host of zoological facilities and other agencies to rescue these animals from worsening conditions such as power interruptions, food and other supply chain issues, and the inherent danger posed to NEMO staff caring for these and other animals over the past several years of Russian aggression. It is another amazing example of conservation and compassion by zoological professionals and institutions concerned for the welfare of animals regardless of cost or risk. It is a tale that honors the bravery, national pride, and dedication of the people of Ukraine as they strive to maintain some degree of normal life even as they fight for survival against a powerful aggressor.

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Ischia: Nature's Laboratory for Ocean Acidification Jun 27, 2024

Growing up on the beautiful Italian island of Ischia 19 miles off the coast of Naples, Dr. Valerio Mazzella of the Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn Napoli grew to love the ecosystem's unique features and species. As a natural source of thermal and pH gradients due to the region's secondary volcanism, which gives rise to carbon dioxide vents, Ischia and the surrounding ocean waters have long been a natural laboratory for scientists to study the global effects of rising atmospheric carbon and the resulting ocean acidification. Dr. Mazzella's research fascination first with sea grasses and the countless species that depend upon them, and later with sea sponges and their microbiomes has implications for preserving the island's fragile balance in the face of mounting pressures from increasing tourism and boat traffic, overfishing, and pollution.

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How to Win Celebrity Friends and Influence Hollywood Jun 20, 2024

Best selling author, Emmy winning actor, and fierce animal advocate, Carolyn Hennesy returns to discuss her recent comments at the annual meeting of the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums (AMMPA) about how zoos and aquariums can begin to build better relationships with entertainers and influencers. In many instances, entertainers and those who work behind the camera inside the film and television industry have to be concerned about what supporting modern zoos and aquariums may do to their careers and future employment prospects. Carolyn encourages us to be persistent, inviting, and accommodating to those we wish to recruit into helping educate the world, including our detractors, about the important work of conservation we do.

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Are Zoos Still in the Conservation Business? Jun 13, 2024

Long time zoological statistician and animal manager, Kevin Willis, returns to discuss dolphin demographics and other mathematical insights into current species populations in human care. The overall population of dolphins in facilities looks promising, but Kevin warns this view is not reality since the animals are not actually maintained as one but several small islands of sub-populations that are not at all sustainable as currently managed. He also argues that zoos and aquariums are in the midst of change from the Noah's Ark conservation model of the 1980s and its SSP's (Species Survival Plans) designed to one day re-populate wild habitats, once humans get their act together, to something as yet still evolving. In fact, the number of managed species has been greatly reduced and the word conservation no longer appears in the description of SSP's on the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) website. When asked what the math tells him about the future of species and genetic diversity of both plants and animals in zoos and aquariums and the wild, he shares that we as a community have some tough choices ahead about what species can and should be prioritized for preservation.

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Bullying Jun 06, 2024

The team from GRAZE (Growing Resiliency for Aquarium and Zoo Employees) Erin McNally and Hannah Fullmer return to discuss a widespread problem in most fields, including the zoological profession. While not unique to animal facilities, bullying takes a tremendous toll on an already beleaguered workforce. If social media content is to be believed, younger professionals seem increasingly disillusioned while senior staff are leaving the field from burnout. Erin and Hannah describe ways to think about and address bullying, as well as, urge individuals to develop coping strategies to improve workplace culture and not to run from the issues. It's a difficult but necessary conversation for individuals and organizations to have in order to build trust and retain experienced staff within an organization.

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Saving and Enriching Lives Through Scent Work May 30, 2024

Long time animal trainer and consultant, Jade Fountain from Animal Behavior Matters returns to discuss her latest work in East Africa with a global organization called APOPO (Anti-Persoonsmijnen Ontmijnende Product Ontwikkeling”, or in English, Anti-Personnel Landmines Detection Product Development. For the past 25 years, APOPO has been utilizing African Pouched Rats trained for scent detection to locate landmines in war torn countries such as Cambodia. As a result of their work and the astonishing olfactory abilities of these rats, hundreds of thousands of square meters of land have been rendered safe for people to return to farm and to build new lives. More than 160,000 landmines have been detected and destroyed. Remarkably, no rat has ever perished from mine detection work. Jade describes the training of these special animals and their unique characteristics that make them ideal for use in mine detection, but also wildlife trafficking and identifying positive tuberculosis samples. She also shares some of her doctoral work and how she hopes to validate anecdotal evidence that scent work in dogs has physiological and behavioral benefits.

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Latest Avian Flu Strain Poses Lethal Risk to Marine Mammals May 23, 2024

Dr. Jay Sweeney, cofounder of Dolphin Quest, returns to discuss the latest strain of avian flu making its way across the globe with lethal effects. It was an avian flu strain that caused the global pandemic in 1918 that killed tens of millions of humans. The current strain H5N5 seems to be mild in infected dairy cows and humans but it has caused thousands of pinniped and a handful of dolphin deaths over the past few seasons as migratory birds move up and down coastlines of North and South America. The strain has already impacted millions of birds on poultry farms and Dr. Sweeney urges zoological facilities to remain vigilant to protect heir avian and marine mammal collections.

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Mission Driven Research May 16, 2024

Dr. Terrie Williams, long time UC Santa Cruz wildlife researcher interested in species energetics returns to discuss the race against geometric levels of extinction. We are losing species at pace well above the normal background rates. Her mission is to gather basic bioenergetic data to help inform regulators, lawmakers, and industry about the potential harmful effects from undersea noise pollution, climate change, over fishing, and more. Importantly, she celebrates the role of today's modern zoos and aquariums and the training professionals that make her data collection possible in situ and ex situ.

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Efficacy and Ethics of Using Hormones to Modify Behavior May 09, 2024

Following a recent industry webinar, we asked ethicist, Dr. Raymond Anthony and veterinarian and researcher, Dr. Dave Miller to weigh in on the subject of using hormone therapy to curb aggressive behavior in managed settings. Under what conditions and to what extent is modifying animal behavior through pharmacology, specifically hormones or their synthetic analogs, an acceptable practice? Is there an ethical difference between acute and chronic use, especially when the drug in question is used "off label" or may not have been studied in the species for which its use is intended? Importantly, what sort of ethical framework should facilities employ before this approach to managing animal behavior, social well-being, reproduction or long term contraception is utilized?

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Zoological Association of America's New Leader May 02, 2024

Before she accepted the role of executive director of the Zoological Association of America in 2023, Dr. Kelly George was a researcher with Ohio State University studying human-animal relationships with an emphasis on welfare and behavior. Today she leads the young but growing trade association focused on improving standards of husbandry care, educating the public, and promoting greater conservation efforts for species in human care and in the wild. She describes her first year, where the association is now, where she thinks it is headed, and why it is important for the organization to tell its own narrative.

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Impoverished vs. Cognitively Challenging Environments Apr 25, 2024

As director of research for the Dolphin Research Center, Dr. Kelly Jaakkola spends much of her time studying the cognitive abilities of bottlenose dolphins, as well as, refuting the false or unsubstantiated narratives stemming from all places, recent peer-reviewed publications by authors opposed to marine mammals in human care. One of two of her recent publications examines whether these small cetaceans in human care live in "impoverished" environments. Spoiler alert, they don't. However, Kelly argues in a separate paper that this low bar of animal welfare can and should be raised to include beneficial cognitive challenges that enable animals in zoological facilities, not just dolphins, to thrive when we humans have met most of their physical needs.

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Training Crocs! Apr 18, 2024

Before she became an expert avian trainer with Natural Encounters, Ari Bailey got her start working with crocodilian species at a time when aversives and physical restraint were still commonly in use. Fortunately, the state of animal training for crocodilians and other ectothermic species has since advanced; in many ways, the same sort of husbandry behaviors commonly seen with mammals and birds can also be seen with reptiles at modern zoological facilities. However, while the principles of operant conditioning used with crocs are the same as with other species, their unique physiology and natural history does influence how modern behavioral science methods are applied. Ari discusses these and other details from training material she's written for professional coursework on crocodilians.

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Our Kindred Creatures: How Americans Came to Feel the Way They Do About Animals Apr 11, 2024

The post Civil War era gave rise to unprecedented social changes. The energy and activism directed at ending the scourge of slavery found new life in improving the welfare of animals, particularly those species in American homes, industry, entertainment, and on the dinner plate. Authors, Bill Wasik and Monica Murphy, DVM have written their second book together (Knopf, 4/23) examining the extraordinary animal welfare movement that emerged during the latter third of the 19th century. Readers of Our Kindred Creatures are "introduced to the activists, scientists, and moguls who helped create our modern views on animals, with our intense compassion for certain species and ignorant disregard for others." Not surprisingly, this same movement was intertwined with the public's burgeoning interest in conservation as rampant species and habitat loss was unfolding.

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Revisiting Negative Reinforcement with Ken Ramirez Apr 04, 2024

On a recent visit to a zoological facility, their senior animal manager asked about my current views on the use of negative reinforcement given past treatment of the subject in my book ZOOmility going back to the mid 2000's, when I largely discouraged trainers from using the training tool. So we thought it might be time to take another look at that behavioral tool to better understand if, when or with what species it is ever appropriate to use negative reinforcement since it requires the presence and subsequent removal of aversive stimuli. We asked well known animal trainer and Clicker Training's Executive Vice President and Chief Training Officer, Ken Ramirez, to weigh in on the subject and share his thoughts and cautions on negative reinforcement.

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Boldly Go Mar 28, 2024

What is the secret to longevity and relevance in any career path? While the answer may vary among differing professions, one ingredient seems to be a willingness to "apply the joy of exploration to our own lives," according to actor, director, best selling author, musician, and real life space traveler, William Shatner. In 2022, Shatner now 93, best known for his iconic role on Star Trek as Captain James T. Kirk, wrote Boldly Go with coauthor, writer and director Joshua Brandon. The book is a series of reflections and insights stemming from personal triumphs and tragedies and a career spanning eight decades. We talk with Josh about what it was like to meet and later collaborate with the iconic entertainer and what advice he has to share for those pursuing their dream in a highly competitive field like television and film or... zookeeping.

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Caring for Military Working Dogs After Their Service Mar 21, 2024

It would likely surprise most people that until about a decade ago, military service dogs were routinely euthanized at the end of their working service life rather than be transported back to the U.S. and a life of retirement. Congress and the Department of Defense finally provided some resources to ensure military working dogs are returned to U.S. soil at the completion of their service. These funds do not cover all transport costs and there are currently no funds to help these animals deal with the impact of physical and psychological trauma or illness when their military careers are completed. The situation is even more dire for the much larger group of trained service dogs used by private military contractors for whom there is no funding for return transport or even guaranteed feeding and medical treatment. Mission K9 Rescue co-founder Bob Bryant returns to discuss a bill pending in Congress to provide grant funding in support of military working dog medical care throughout their lives.

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Uncompromising Animal Ambassador Welfare Mar 14, 2024

Recently, the open access scientific journal Animals published a special issue entitled: Zoo and Aquarium Welfare, Ethics, Behavior. Many of the peer-reviewed papers within this special issue focus on and in some instances call for improvements to animal welfare assessment, husbandry, training, housing, and overall management. The goal of the invited editors, which includes the host of Zoo Logic, was to highlight advances and current best practices across a range of species, and to inspire further progress, while also addressing public perceptions and expectations of zoos and aquariums. One such paper, "A Reexamination of the Relationship between Training Practices and Welfare in the Management of Ambassador Animals," by lead author, and long time trainer and founder of Natural Encounters, Steve Martin and veterinarian and researcher, Dave Miller (and yours truly) examines the history and current state of ambassador animal welfare and the need for choosing the right species and individual animals for such programs (and avoiding the wrong ones). The authors make no secret that animal ambassador welfare has generally not kept pace with other advancements in zoo animal well being. It is vital that zoological facilities devote the necessary resources in terms of time, money, animal selection, and staff training to properly handle and ensure the best welfare outcomes for these animals with a unique role.

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Secrets of the Octopus Mar 07, 2024

A prolific naturalist, award-winning and bestselling author Sy Montgomery and her colleague, Warren Carlyle founder of Octonation, the largest octopus fan club in the world, have a new release entitled Secrets of the Octopus. This book is a follow up to Sy's scientific treatment of the species in 2015's bestseller, Soul of the Octopus. Warren and Sy's passion for this unique species is unmistakable. Both share their journey learning about and promoting further study and preservation of these animals beginning with their very personal encounters with an octopus at an aquarium. The new title comes in advance of a mini series of the same name produced by James Cameron and narrated by actor Paul Rudd scheduled to air on National Geographic on Earth Day. Both Sy and Warren are contributors to the docu-series and believe zoos and aquariums play a vital role in conservation and research.

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Disaster Planning Feb 29, 2024

The Executive Director of Zoological Disaster Response, Rescue, and Recovery (ZDR3), Julia Matson Wagner, returns on the eve of this coming season for natural disasters such as wildfires, floods, and hurricanes. After several years focusing on providing immediate disaster response and support for affected zoological facilities, ZDR3 has grown in scope in terms of the number of participating facilities and expanded educational outreach. In just a few years, ZDR3's growing response network has more than 170 member facilities in 36 states. Julia describes how important disaster planning and drills along with having frank conversations about individual facility risks are before they are ever needed.

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Tequila Corrido Feb 22, 2024

After years of working with some of the world's top tequila brands, particularly on the elimination of production waste water, retired police officer Tony Boyle and his news anchor spouse, Olivia Fierro have embarked on a new venture producing Tequila Corrido. The relaunch of the award-winning spirit rests on the principles of sustainability and paying homage to tradition. From harvesting the hundreds of thousands of blue agave plants each year from local farms in the highlands of the Jalisco region of Mexico, featuring the skills of a well-known master distiller in Mexico respected for her knowledge of the agave to bottling in recycled glass--nearly every aspect of production is sourced in Mexico.

According to their website, the name Corrido comes from the poetic ballads sung by smugglers who risked everything to peddle tequila in Prohibition-era border regions. Many of the early corridos celebrated these border bandits and folk heroes—telling tales of triumph and tragedies along trails and around campfires. To celebrate these folk songs and traditional methods of producing tequila, each bottle of Tequila Corrido ships with a guitar pic.

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My One-Eyed, Three-Legged Therapist Feb 15, 2024

Kathy Finley found herself bullied as a child but she drew comfort, confidence, and courage from the pets she loved so well, especially her cats. She thought of her animals as the source of her superpower to make friends which helped build up her self-esteem. That is, until later in life she allowed an abusive husband to remove animals from her home life and thereby, sapping her confidence and feelings of self-worth. It was the gift of a shelter kitten by coworkers that changed everything following a bitter divorce. Today, she is happily remarried, retired, and is a published author of My One-Eyed, Three-Legged Therapist thanks in very large part to an independent and "self-proclaimed queen of the universe" cat named Clio who Kathy claims saved her even as they both experienced challenges and setbacks.

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Conservation Math Feb 08, 2024

Kevin Willis has served the zoological community for decades in a variety of posts, including time with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, as one of our most important statisticians. His work is documented in peer-reviewed publications and essays across a multitude of terrestrial and aquatic species, from elephants to orcas. His greatest skill seems to be explaining and applying statistical principles to complex conservation questions in a manner the rest of us can easily grasp. He describes some of the history, key figures, and rationale behind the formation of Species Survival Programs (SSP), their original purpose, and where conservation biology and statistics stand today.

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The Cetacean Sanctuary: A Sea of Unknowns Feb 01, 2024

The journal, Animals, has published a special issue that includes overviews and original research papers that rigorously assess zoo and aquarium behavior, welfare and ethics. One of the papers, The Cetacean Sanctuary: A Sea of Unknowns is written by frequent Zoo Logic guest, Dr. Jason Bruck and concerns the elusive cetacean sanctuary standards put forth by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS). Jason methodically asks questions about important aspects of animal welfare arising from these standards, which point to no supportive peer-reviewed citations or a history of best practices as seen in other zoological welfare and husbandry standards such as the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums or the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. In the final analysis, it is difficult to reconcile the stated top priority of sanctuary proponents, maximizing animal welfare, with the more likely motivation, the end of cetaceans in managed care.

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International Elephant Foundation Jan 25, 2024

The International Elephant Foundation turns 25 this year and the conservation organization continues to break new ground in preserving the world's largest land mammal. Conservation Coordinator, Sarah Conley describes the three species of elephants and the unique challenges to their respective survival. From working with local communities to support the work of game rangers, supporting research for the study and prevention of deadly EEHV to piloting the training and use of feral dogs as detection and protection canines, IEF excels at reducing overhead expenses and thus, maximizing the effectiveness of donations in the field where they can do the most good to help animals and humans successfully co-exist.

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Dolphin Research Center Turns 40 Jan 18, 2024

According to its website, the Dolphin Research Center promotes peaceful coexistence, cooperation and communication between marine mammals, humans and the environment. They achieve this through education, research and rescue. Home to generations of bottlenose dolphins as well as California sea lions, the DRC is uniquely situated to study cognition, behavior and husbandry. DRC president and CEO Rita Irwin and Director of Research, Dr. Kelly Jaakkola discuss 40 years of scientific investigations and the future of marine mammals in human care.

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Episode 300: A Head Full of Hope Jan 11, 2024

A fun day of snowboarding for 18-year-old Forrest Allen ended in a life-threatening traumatic brain injury, which forever altered his life and that of his family and friends. Neurologists told his well-known parents, veterinarians, Kent Allen and Rae Stone, cofounder of Dolphin Quest, that he would likely not survive the night. Despite that dire warning, Forrest did indeed survive but not without surgeons having to remove 1/3 of his skull which resulted in its own set of complications and life threats. Throughout years of surgeries, setbacks, and rehabilitation therapies the family has been open about the highs and frightening lows of their journey including the vital role of supportive friends and colleagues within the zoological community, music therapy, and a wonderful service dog that helped Forrest regain his speech. Much of Forrest's recovery through music was documented in the 2020 award winning film "Music Got Me Here." Now, at 31, Forrest is rebuilding his life working summers with the Dolphin Quest teams, getting his driver's license, and serving as an inspiration to other families with loved ones experiencing terrible, debilitating brain injuries.

Animal Care Software

Planning Your First Safari Jan 04, 2024

Many people dream of going on safari. Given the distance, time, and expense involved it is important to research and understand what options, locations, and experiences are most important to you and your travel companions. We talk with one expat with nearly 20 years of experience living abroad, combined with dozens of safaris to well known and more remote locations in east Africa for her suggestions on building that trip of a lifetime.

Animal care Software

The Legacy of SeaWorld of Ohio Dec 28, 2023

As 2023 draws to a close and Zoo Logic approaches its 300th episode, we look back at a remarkable institution that launched or strengthened the careers of many zoological professionals and leaders still very active today. In 1970, the second SeaWorld park opened in a most unlikely place, a suburb of Cleveland, Ohio on the shores of Geauga Lake. The purpose of building an inland marine animal park in the Midwest was to draw upon a radius of huge population centers located within about a 6-hour drive of the location. Sadly, the park could never escape the realities of a seasonal park in a region prone to spectacular winter weather. However, despite its brief 30-year history, the blue collar zoological park left an indelible mark on the community and the professionals that passed through her gates. Some of those that knew her well discuss the unique park and the lessons learned while working there.

Animal Care Software

Veterinary Sustainability Dec 21, 2023

KVP is one of the largest veterinary product manufacturers and distributors in the U.S. In their quarterly newsletter called the Bowman Report, the company describes the growing push by veterinarians and their customers towards more sustainably sourced materials and manufactured veterinary products, especially high use plastic products like nitrile gloves, pill bottles, and Elizabethan collars. VP of Marketing Will Schwing, discusses why customers are willing to spend on more sustainable products, the improved efficacy of such biodegradable products, and tips for those hoping to increase sustainable business practices at their own workplace.

Animal Care Software

Capitalism AND Conservation Dec 14, 2023

Recently, Wildlife World Zoo, Aquarium & Safari Park welcomed the birth of a female white rhino. This was no ordinary or overnight conservation success story according to its president, Kristy Hayden. The process began nearly 10-years ago with a significant financial commitment of hundreds of thousands of dollars by the forty-year-old, for-profit organization to acquire and import 3 unrelated females from South Africa. After the animals were identified and their protection and care secured while awaiting permitting and transport, the project was met with extended delays by USFWS. These necessitated finding 3 younger animals suitable in size for transport, the need to build a new expansive rhino habitat and barn, and eventually, once they arrived, time to reach reproductive maturity. The goal by the late owner and director, Mickey Ollson, was to help improve the genetics of the North American population as part of ensuring survival of the species, even as poaching and habitat loss issues are hopefully resolved throughout the African continent in the future.

Animal Care Software

Errorless Learning Dec 07, 2023

A recent peer-reviewed paper discussed the concept and procedure known as errorless learning and compares its efficacy training dogs to that of the more typical trial-and-error approach to learning. One of the authors of the paper: Comparing Trial-and-Error to Errorless Learning Procedures in Training Pet Dogs a Visual Discrimination, Dr. Eduardo "Eddie" Fernandez discusses the process and its favorable impact on the subjects' frustration, behavior acquisition rate, and failure compared to trial and error learning. The goal is to uncover ways to minimize any harmful effects on animal welfare during the learning process.

Animal Care Software

A Conversation About Mental Health and Grief with GRAZE Nov 30, 2023

Several years ago, a few zoo professionals recognized the growing need for better access to mental health resources for their peers. Together they formed Growing Resiliency for Aquarium and Zoo Employees or GRAZE for the purpose of "bringing mental health support to those in the zoo and aquarium industry by raising awareness, sharing ideas, resources, and tools." The GRAZE team of Erin McNally, LVT; Shannon McKinney & Hannah Fullmer discuss the nature of grief and how their company helps zoo professionals at all levels by providing Proactive Programing, Support Services, and Critical Incident Response. According to the GRAZE team, the key to coping with grief that comes with loss is a willingness to make oneself vulnerable--an animal caretaker trait that has historically been discouraged.

Animal Care Software

Brave-ish Author Lisa Niver Nov 23, 2023

Lisa Niver was a successful teacher, traveler, and dive master turned award-winning travel writer, but privately things were not as they seemed. At the lowest point in her life and staring at starting over, she found the strength to free herself from an abusive marriage and set upon a path towards personal growth and healing. One strategy was to complete 50 challenges before her 50th birthday as described in her new book, Brave-ish: one breakup, six continents and feeling fearless after fifty. She shares her experiences in eco-tourism, as well as, other adventures around the world and the importance of facing one's fears.

Animal Care Software

Hounds and Hops Nov 16, 2023

Long time zoo expert and media personality, Jarod Miller and his business partner Bob Manley have launched phase one of their pet services concept Hounds and Hops in his hometown of Buffalo, NY. In a city known for deep snowfalls and cold winters, their master plan includes the development of a covered outdoor dog-friendly green space, as well as, a spacious indoor dog park. As part of the downtown area's revitalization, which includes redevelopment, jobs, and housing, Hounds and Hops will tap into the popularity of craft beers and wines to create a unique human and animal friendly space.

Animal Care Software

Humane Tourism Nov 09, 2023

The oldest animal welfare organization in America, American Humane, has launched a new third party certification program consistent with its longstanding programs covering zoos, farming, and even the film and television industry. Announced a month ago, "Humane Tourism" is designed to certify "wildlife reserves, lodges, and tour operators for their humane responsibility toward the animal life that the operations may encounter and have the potential to impact." As wildlife viewing vacations become increasingly popular, one goal of this new program is to provide well-meaning consumers the information needed to make conscientious choices about where to spend their wildlife tourism dollars. New SR VP & COO, Dr. Kashyap Choksi and Jill Nizan, Director, Conservation Operations discuss how the program was created and the potential global impact on ensuring wild animal welfare.

Animal Care Software

Evacuating Working Dogs from Afghanistan Nov 02, 2023

Co-founder of Mission K9 Rescue, Bob Bryant returns to discuss the organization's recent success and ongoing mission to return military and contract working dogs from their deployments around the world as the animal's tour of duty ends due to illness, age, or loss of work drive. In many instances MWD are reunited with their longtime human handlers but without any financial support from the US military. The situation with CWD isn't as simple as these animals typically have no dedicated handler, which is why rehabilitation and adoption funding by groups like MK9R is critical for this group of service dogs. With the recent drawn down in Afghanistan, MK9R worked with the Taliban through a third party rescue on the ground to evacuate several of nearly 50 Canadian dogs under US military control that remained after the US departure.

The circumstances around the laws and absent funding over the long term transport and post service care of these animals is complex and demands public intervention to ensure these canine service members receive the medical and behavioral care and best possible lives during their years of service and throughout their post service lives. While things have improved somewhat for those dogs classified as MWD, leaving any behind with no care or in the hands of our enemies (historically in Vietnam, MWD were euthanized or set to roam the jungles rather than returned to the US) as is the usual case with CWD is unacceptable.

Animal Care Software

Animal Educational Outreach Programs Oct 26, 2023

We begin with long time zoo educator Lanie Angeles reminiscing about her time at Moorpark College's Exotic Animal Training and Management Program and their recent 50th anniversary celebration. The lessons she learned there have helped her educate thousands of kids of all ages through animal outreach programs. She discusses the important and nearly universal impact that educational encounters with animals have on people of all ages, economic status, and walks of life. According to Lanie, ambassador animals are the "great leveler" turning even the most wealthy, famous or powerful people into inquisitive learners moved by the experience.

Animal Care Software

AtoZooEducation.com

Killers in Eden Revisited Oct 19, 2023

Scientist and historian Dr. Danielle Clode returns to discuss her extraordinary 2002 book, Killers in Eden and the documentary that followed in 2004 that explored the unique cooperative relationship between a pod of orcas and their human whaling partners in a small coastal town in New South Wales. Building upon the historic relationship between the aboriginal Yuin people and the killer whale which are viewed as Yuin ancestors, beginning in the early 1800s, European whalers in the town of Eden spared the seasonally returning predators in favor of teaming with them to hunt migrating humpback, blue, and fin whales. Much like a pack of dogs, the orcas would roundup, wear down, and trap the passing massive baleen whales towards the waiting humans and their small boats in the bay. At night, the orcas would even swim towards the shore to slap their tail flukes and alert the whalers that prey was passing near. The improbable interspecies cooperation was based upon the "Law of the Tongue" in which humans would leave whale carcasses anchored in the bay so that the orcas could feed on the preferred baleen whale parts such as the lips and tongue. After a few days, the whalers would haul the rest of the whale to shore to harvest the blubber for whale oil. This unlikely cooperation lasted decades until the end of whaling in the early 20th century.

Animal Care Software

Trade Association Accreditation Oct 12, 2023

With so many people inside and outside the zoological community paying attention to the Lolita/Toki killer whale story this past year, it was natural for there to be questions about her care, housing, training and future habitat. As events and confusing communications surrounding this beloved animal unfolded up to and including her sudden passing, questions about the role of trade associations like the International Marine Animal Trainers' Association (IMATA) emerged. Michael Hunt has been an active member of IMATA for decades including serving as its Board President on two occasions. He describes the process and narrow scope of IMATA accreditation of trainer development programs compared to other trade associations that accredit entire facilities, infrastructure, and operations. What are an organization's communications obligations to its individual members and what is their oversight role when circumstances like the one involving Lolita warrant increased scrutiny?

Animal care Software

Hanging It High Doesn't Make It Browse Oct 05, 2023

Providing adequate browse for species that specialize in such diet items can be a huge challenge for any zoological institution due to availability, cost, and quality. While many species adapt to the higher cell wall and lower nutrient levels found in grass hay and quality commercial diets designed to supplement the perishable nutrients that fresh browse provides, there are physiological, behavioral, and health-related tradeoffs to feeding animals foodstuffs that vary significantly from what they'd eat in a suitable, healthy wild habitat. Nutritionist, Dr. Katie Kerr has years of experience working with large and diverse animal collections in major US zoos. She discusses her affinity for problem-solving and the ways zoo animal nutrition has improved and where we ought to be headed to further enhance this major component of animal well-being.

Animal Care Software

Wildlens Sep 28, 2023

With a family legacy of rewilding the Eastern Cape region of South Africa, Paul Gardiner has always had a close relationship with Africa's Wildlife and an affinity for filming. Together with his business partner, media executive and content producer Barbara Bellini, they have launched a new content platform on YouTube called Wildlens. This channel in beta testing is designed for those budding storytellers working in the field protecting, preserving, studying, and educating others about Nature and the amazing creatures found in it. Their stated mission is to unite people and animals, ignite engagement, and grow an enormous community passionate about our planet!

Animal Care Software

A Lifetime of Saving Cheetahs Sep 21, 2023

Starting her career in a more traditional zoo setting in the 1970's, Dr. Laurie Marker has dedicated her professional life to preserving cheetahs in the wild. After what is now Namibia gained independence from South Africa in 1990, she moved to the southern African nation to help reduce the hundreds of cheetahs killed by ranchers and farmers each year. Through the foundation she founded and leads as Executive Director, Cheetah Conservation Fund works to study, preserve, rescue, and most recently, reintroduce wild cheetahs. Dr. Marker describes her team's efforts in the cheetah translocation and rewinding effort underway in India, whose subspecies of cheetah went extinct in the 1950's. Dr. Marker invites zoo professionals and others interested in conserving cheetahs to attend one of her many events scheduled during her US tour underway now.

Animal care Software

Enrichment By Any Other Name Sep 14, 2023

Enrichment is a frequently tossed around term but what actually is it? How is it being used today and is that application appropriate or even effective? We are on location at the AZA annual conference hosted by Columbus Zoo & Aquarium with applied animal behavior experts Chuck Tompkins and Erin Ivory to discuss the current use of enrichment, how to better maximize its positive impact on animal well-being in managed care and more wild scenarios, and why the term may be a misnomer to cover for the collective historical reservations by some within the zoological space opposed to the idea of "training 'wild' animals tricks."

Animal Care Software

World's First Female Conservation Cyber Tracker Sep 07, 2023

As the executive director of the Community Conservation Fund for Africa or CCFA, Taryn Gillson works to help build community development through funding generated by ecotourism. Their goal is to assist communities participating in and benefiting from conservation. CCFA is the foundation of the ecotourism leading experts at Mantis following their merger with hotel management giant, Accor. Even more interesting is Taryn's status as a cyber tracker evaluator, the first female in the world to earn such status from the conservation software organization. Cyber tracker's original goal was to preserve and celebrate the dying science and skill of animal tracking for use in research and conservation.

Animal Care Software

Beavers Aug 31, 2023

Marine biologist Dr. Holley Muraco returns to Zoo Logic to discuss her recent work rehabilitating orphaned beavers. This iconic and unique species was integral to the early history and commerce of western Europeans in North America and narrowly managed to avoid extinction. Holley also discusses her work monitoring the health of coastal Mississippi, largely via its resident dolphin population, through her new role with MS State University. Holley also discusses her experiences with and the passing of the beloved orca known as Lolita.

Animal Care Software

Dr. Jay Sweeney part 2: small cetacean conservation, off-shore and neonatal dolphin research Aug 24, 2023

It's part 2 of our conversation with Dolphin Quest co-founder, Dr. Jay Sweeney beginning with efforts to increase awareness and basic research of at-risk small cetaceans around the globe. Jay discusses some of the other research DQ has supported over its history including some pioneering work studying the off-shore bottlenose dolphins of Bermuda and their amazing adaptations to their deep sea habitat compared to their more familiar in-shore, smaller, coastal cousins. Jay also describes the bold initiative launched 20 years ago called "project newborn" whose purpose was to safely collect neonatal physiological data on fragile baby dolphins to improve their survivability. Jay concludes with some helpful advice for new veterinarians entering the field.

Animal Care Software

Sustainable Tourism: MANTIS Aug 17, 2023

Founded nearly a quarter of a century ago, Mantis is a boutique hotel group with a focus on conservation and sustainable eco-tourism. Mantis founder, Adrian Gardiner, born in Zambia, took his childhood interest in wildlife and began a life-long journey towards restoring and rewinding thousands of acres of degraded farmland in South Africa. Among the many boutique hotels Mantis has developed around the world since, Adrian and the Mantis team were instrumental in the early plans to restore and re-wild Akagera National park in Rwanda. Mantis' foundation, Community Conservation Fund Africa (CCFA) is "a grant-giving and fundraising instrument to support company efforts in addressing social and environmental imbalances, and the growing conservation crisis, not only in Africa, but in the world."

Animal Care Software

Why Animal Professionals Should Pay Attention to Government Affairs Aug 10, 2023

Most zoological professionals would rather spend each day focusing on providing great welfare for their animals than keeping tabs on restrictive bills moving through Congress or the state legislature. Unfortunately, today's environment necessitates that everyone proactively engage in the legislative and lobbying process in order to prevent anti-zoo groups and their false narratives from convincing lawmakers to enact unnecessary laws that curtail the important work of zoos and aquariums. Zoological Association of America (ZAA) government affairs consultant, attorney Tom Albert discusses recent laws and bills that should concern us all.

Animal Care Software

Rescue, Return, and Enrichment? Aug 03, 2023

Our ability to rescue, treat, and hopefully, return stranded marine mammals to sea has greatly improved over the past few decades with advancements in husbandry, medicine, and veterinary care. However, our ability to also behaviorally treat animals, especially juveniles during critical learning periods, to better prepare them physically and mentally for the wild has understandably lagged behind over concerns about animals becoming habituated to human activities and objects. Recently, the Pacific Marine Mammal Center led a pilot study, to explore the benefits of providing rescue animals access to environmental enrichment devices with support provided by KONG company founder, Joe Markham and his team, to determine if such use would increase desirable behaviors while reducing the development of unwanted behaviors such as looking for rescue staff. Several of the coauthors of the resulting paper, Environmental Enrichment Devices Are Safe and Effective at Reducing Undesirable Behaviors in California Sea Lions and Northern Elephant Seals during Rehabilitation, published in the journal Animals discuss the project, including Dr. Hendrik Nollens, Dr. Alissa Deming, lead author Kirsten Donald, and AnimalConcepts' Sabrina Brando.

KORE Zoo & Enrichment

Dolphin Quest's Dr. Jay Sweeney Jul 27, 2023

As the son of one of the first female marine biologists in the world and certainly at Southern California's Scripp's Institute of Oceanography, Dr. Jay Sweeney grew up surrounded by aquatic life, surfing, and scientific discovery. Long before he co-founded Dolphin Quest and helped launch the public animal interactive experience with Dr. Rae Stone we know today, Jay worked with SeaWorld and the US Navy's marine mammal program as a young veterinarian devising diagnostic tools, particularly in the area of cytology, to study, monitor, and maintain animal health. But it was at Marineland of the Pacific where Jay recalls a welcoming philosophy that brought biologists, veterinarians, and behaviorists together in the early days of marine mammal display and care to share ideas and best practices-- a philosophy he and his colleagues continue to this day at their exotic locations in Hawaii and Bermuda. Jay speaks fondly of the important animal health role that trainers and keepers play in caring for exotic animals. In his spare time, Jay has developed his interest and skills in art through woodworking sculptures of small cetaceans, which he donates to various conservation organizations to support students.

Animal care Software

So You Want to Go On Safari? Jul 20, 2023

Going on an African safari is a dream for many but what should travelers know about their destination before booking with a tour operator? We spoke to the team from Rickshaw Travels Rwanda about the growth of sustainable ecotourism in the small mountainous country as well as other popular East African locations. While there are many similarities among range countries, each differs not only by the number and type of species and ecosystems, but also in their respective travel infrastructure, capacity, and cost of accommodations.

Animal Care Software

Dr. Susan Friedman Jul 13, 2023

Dr. Susan G. Friedman, professor emeritus from the Department of Psychology at Utah State University is well known among the zoological community for her expertise in behavior change and learning. She consults for a variety of animal organizations and facilities, is a frequent speaker at professional meetings, and her written work has been translated into well over a dozen languages. According to her website, BehaviorWorks.org, the behavior of individuals is always the study of one. She discusses the importance of providing choice to animals and how we can infer what animals are thinking or feeling by their observable behavior and the context in which it occurs.

Animal Care Software

Monarchs and the Importance of Accurate Science Communications Jul 06, 2023

Many people, perhaps most including some scientists, think Monarch Butterflies are in trouble. It turns out, according to Monarch expert and researcher, Andy Davis, PhD from the UGA Odum School of Ecology that Monarch populations over the past decade are stable and may even be climbing. So what began as a Zoo Logic conversation about threats to Monarchs quickly turned into a discussion about the importance of science communications and the difficulty of correcting the public narrative when it is factually wrong. The implications of strongly held, false narratives among the public, media or policymakers are significant and include expensive, misguided and even harmful public policies, what types of research questions are funded or not, and whether data running contrary to the prevailing opinion even gets published in peer-reviewed journals. The parallels to the strongly held narratives about zoos and aquariums and certain charismatic species in human care are unmistakable.

Animal Care Software

Mountain Gorillas & Conservation with Julie Scardina Jun 29, 2023

Longtime trainer and conservationist Julie Scardina reflects on her time filming Mountain Gorillas with Jack Hanna in Rwanda a mere decade after the 1994 genocide. Julie has since trekked to view these great apes many times across their range in nearby Uganda. Since her retirement as ambassador for SeaWorld & Busch Gardens where she helped manage their Conservation Fund, Julie leads Mission Wildlife, raising awareness and funds to support important conservation projects in Africa and elsewhere.

Animal Care Software

The Fab Four Jun 22, 2023

In a zoological podcast first, the hosts of 4 animal training and welfare related shows, including Zoo Logic, join together to discuss how their respective programs came about, future goals, as well as, content similarities and differences. Guests include Ryan Cartlidge of The Animal Training Academy podcast, Shane Corbett of the recently launched Animal Behavior Conversations podcast from the Animal Behavior Management Alliance (ABMA), and Ari Bailey and Chris Jenkins from The Natural Encounters, Inc., Training and Education Center (TEC) Talk podcast.

Animal Care Software

Hand-Rearing vs. Parent Raised Jun 15, 2023

On a recent extended visit to a zoo, one topic that arose among some of the keeper staff concerned the individual animal well-being pros and cons of hand-rearing predator species versus managing them as parent-raised animals. Historically, many zoos have preferred to let young predatory species, especially elusive felines, be reared entirely by the parent, with minimal contact with human caregivers. As part of long term conservation goals that included the possibility of reintroducing zoo born animals to their original ranges, this husbandry management practice made sense in order to avoid habituation to human beings and activities during critical learning periods. However, even in wealthier nations with ample resources and oversight, the reintroduction, or merely the preservation of existing predator populations like wolves, in the wild has been plagued with setbacks, modest results, and public resistance.

As society sorts out global land-use policies and struggles to find better ways to reduce human-animal conflicts, should our zoological animal management strategies be adapted, at least for the foreseeable future, to reflect this reality? In our noble quest to achieve a conservation dream of future species reintroductions, are we sacrificing individual animal welfare today by not doing everything we can to prepare these newborns for a more likely lifetime in managed human care? Our guest, long time zoo curator Suzi Rapp believes the answer to questions like these requires us to gather more scientific data in order balance the conservation needs of the species with the welfare needs of the individual.

Animal Care Software

SeaWorld Abu Dhabi Jun 08, 2023

After more than seven years of planning, construction, collection planning, staffing and transports, an international team has opened the massive all-new indoor SeaWorld Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. General Curator, Rob Yordi, has been a major part of the process from the earliest days of specialized teams drawing up next generation exhibit designs to launching operations a few weeks ago. Rob discusses the 8 realm facility that features several "dynamic," multi-species habitats, and how this facility relied on and enhanced decades of SeaWorld animal care, exhibitry, research, and life support expertise to bring species never before seen in that part of the world.

Animal Care Software

Gorillas in the Mist and Mud May 31, 2023

War, genocide, human population growth, food insecurity, poaching, limited range, climate change and land use policies are just some of the reasons why mountain gorillas have been on the brink of extinction for decades. A reality made more stark given the subspecies was only "discovered" by the West as recently as 1902. Today, the Mountain Gorilla, made part of the public consciousness by the embedded research and advocacy efforts of the late Dr. Dian Fossey, and later by modern zoos and zoo media personalities like Jack Hanna, has rebounded somewhat in the beautiful central African country of Rwanda. While these conservation gains are far from guaranteed, concentrated research, public education, greater security, and well-managed ecotourism efforts have preserved mountain gorillas for now. Join Zoo Logic from the field for a real time glimpse at what trekking to see this charismatic species entails for them and for humans in a small country still coping with the legacy of genocide.

Animal Care Software

Kigali Genocide Memorial

Marine Mammal Research Network May 25, 2023

Recently, a group of scientists and animal facilities announced a cooperative program called the Marine Mammal Research Network to match researchers and students with institutions interested in conducting investigations for the conservation and welfare benefit of wild populations and those living in human care. Dr Jason Bruck returns to discuss the group's formation and goals, as well as, how interested students, facilities, and/or researchers can get involved.

Animal Care Software

Accountability May 18, 2023

Recently, labor journalist Asher Elbein published a story in Undark Magazine describing a legal settlement in favor of a primate researcher claiming sexual assault and retaliation against an accredited zoo director and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. What is the remedy when an organization created to assist facility and individual members, and at the same time hold them accountable to higher standards of animal care and professional conduct, fails to act or worse, treats some within its ranks better than others?

Animal Care Software

Telling the Emperor He has No Clothes May 11, 2023

Known for its snarky videos and scathing websites directed at exposing animal rights groups, Berman and Co may have new leadership, but its purpose remains: speaking truth to power and revealing the hypocrisy of those bent on eliminating zoos, aquariums and animals in human care. The organization's new executive director, Jack Hubbard, discusses their new website EnvironmentandWelfare.com, which includes easy to access "activist" profiles, issue briefs, and videos to assist consumers and animal attractions push back on the false narratives promoted by well-funded activist groups.

Animal Care Software

Fire! May 04, 2023

A few chapters in to A Future in Flames, by returning guest Dr. Danielle Clode, one realizes that Australia has a unique relationship with wildfire unlike any other large land mass. On the one hand, wildfire has helped shaped the continent and the plant and animal life we know today. At the same time, this isolated continent's natural and anthropogenic-driven evolution, especially over the last 100,000 years has affected the nature of wildfire itself. As other regions around the globe experience climate and habitat changes in the coming century that favor larger, more destructive events, what lessons can wildfire prone countries learn from the Australian example to preserve life, ecosystems, and property?

Animal Care Software

The Future of Conservation Research & Improved Welfare: Animal Data Portability Apr 27, 2023

Three leaders behind some of today's top animal record-keeping software management systems discuss their joint effort to establish data portability as the new standard for zoos, aquariums and related organizations. On the surface, David Kleven, Mark Simmons and Tony Niemann are competitors in the electronic animal record-keeping arena. Behind the scenes, however, these three recognize the greater purpose for their collaboration when it comes to seamlessly sharing critical animal data profiles to foster better individual and species level understanding and care.

Animal Care Software

Animal Data Sharing

Toki's (a.k.a Lolita) Truth Apr 20, 2023

With so many competing outside voices claiming to know what is best for the 57-year-old orca named Toki, we knew it was important to better understand the unique individual behind the stage name Lolita by those who actually cared for her daily for decades. Experienced animal professionals Heather Keenan and Marni Wood spent decades at Miami Seaquarium caring for and building relationships based on trust with Toki. They describe this impressive animal's strengths and significant limitations in accepting disruptions to her routine, companions, and habitat to the point of shutting down mentally and physically at even modest changes. Their hope is to sit down with all the stakeholders that will determine Toki's fate and discuss why, much like Keiko before her, moving this elderly animal across country to a sea pen and separating her from her human family will needlessly place her welfare and life in jeopardy.

Animal Care Software

Truth 4 Toki

Balancing the Needs of the Many with the Needs of the One Named Tokitae (Lolita) Apr 13, 2023

The social and traditional media response in the wake of news that owners of Miami Seaquarium have partnered with groups bent on returning ailing 57 year old Lolita to her home waters of the Pacific Northwest after more than 50 years in human care has been extraordinary. With few details about how such a project would be completed and sustained safely and successfully for her and the few remaining critically endangered southern resident killer whales, we asked researcher Dr. Jason Bruck and Orca Conservancy Executive Director, Shari Tarantino to discuss the huge gaps in scientific knowledge that need to be filled before such a move can be seriously contemplated and authorized by regulatory agencies. Remarkably, given the potential zoonotic risks to the resident whales and the ongoing threats to their survival like acoustic noise, pollution, and most of all, starvation from dwindling salmon stocks, Shari and her team oppose such a move despite the fact her organization was originally created in the mid 1990's to return Toki to her home waters. Both Shari and Jason agree that any decision to relocate her must be based on objective science and behavioral data that ensures her welfare, not what makes people feel good.

Animal Care Software

How Not to Solve a Problem Like Lolita Apr 05, 2023

Late last week the zoological world was blindsided by the announcement that the owners of Miami Seaquarium had entered into an agreement with anti-zoo organizations and a wealthy philanthropist from the NFL to return the oldest orca in human care named Lolita (a.k.a. Tokitae) to her original range in the Pacific Northwest.

Against the backdrop of the disastrous results of how Keiko (Free Willy) was returned and died alone at sea over 20 years ago, professionals from all sectors of the zoological, research, and conservation communities, especially those involved with marine mammals, have expressed skepticism and outrage about moving a geriatric, chronically ill and possibly deaf orca, with documented limited ability to adapt to changes in her immediate environment and routines to compromised habitat of the critically endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales.

Former IMATA and AMMPA president, Billy Hurley and Killing Keiko author and Keiko's former trainer Mark Simmons weigh in on the news and share their historical, scientific, training, political, and welfare concerns about this beloved animal.

Animal Care Software

Preserving Waterways Mechanically not Chemically Mar 30, 2023

Along with her late husband, Tara Lordi has channeled her passion for the outdoors, lakes, and ponds she enjoyed in her youth into developing non toxic solutions to preserve our vital waterways and water treatment facilities from overgrowth of invasive weeds. With runoff from farms, industry, and faulty septic systems, the nation's fresh, brackish and marine ecosystems are under siege from invasive plants which pose a significant economic impact on communities and aquatic life. To help communities sustainably maintain their water resources without the use of herbicides, Tara's Florida based company has developed small workboat solutions to remove organic materials. With the giant seaweed blob headed towards the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, her aquatic weed harvester solutions are in high demand.

Animal Care Software

Zoo Logic Podcast

Neighborhood Cats Mar 23, 2023

There are millions of unwanted feral cats roaming the US, leaving an indelible mark on vulnerable species conservation. Before appreciating the size of the problem that feral cats present globally, Neighborhood Cats founder, Bryan Kortis recognized the issue in his own NYC backyard as he tried to rescue and place a few kittens found next to his apartment. Turns out one useful strategy is known as TNR, trap, neuter and return. Bryan suggests TNR has to be applied in a targeted fashion in order to have high sterilization rates in defined locations resulting in gradual but significant population decline and control of feral cats. He discusses the nuanced application of TNR in sensitive nesting areas in places like Maui, as well as, the pushback his efforts have received by many in the conservation biology community. Have we in the zoological and conservation space made an as yet unrealized perfect solution the enemy of the good?

Animal Care Software

Zoo Logic Podcast

YAS/SeaWorld Research & Rescue Mar 16, 2023

Seven years ago SeaWorld was approached with the idea of building a world class marine animal facility in Abu Dhabi. Long time SeaWorld and Busch Gardens curator, Rob Yordi, was involved in planning this immense indoor park from the start. While we don't yet know exactly when in 2023 SeaWorld Abu Dhabi will open to the public, the Yas/SeaWorld Research and Rescue center has launched to serve the conservation and educational needs of the region.

Animal Care Software

Zoo Logic Podcast

IMATA-ABMA Joint Conference Mar 09, 2023

After years of delays due to scheduling, hurricanes, and COVID, the long discussed combined conference of trainers from the Animal Behavior Management Alliance (ABMA) and the International Marine Animal Trainers' Association (IMATA) is underway in Atlanta. Zoo Logic is live with two of the organizations' long time leaders, Nicki Boyd, Curator of Applied Behavior from San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance and Will Elgar, Director of ZOO Miami. While animal training in applied zoo and aquarium settings will always be the primary focus of these groups, both leaders recognize the growing importance and industry influence their alliance of behaviorists have on the global zoological community.

Animal Care Software

KORE Enrichment Products

Conserving Ukraine Mar 02, 2023

Environmental journalist Marlowe Starling recently published an article in Mongabay about the efforts of Ukrainian biologists and their colleagues around the world to preserve data, specimens, and research sites in the war ravaged country. These biologists have risked their lives to transport, recover, and most importantly, share conservation data with scientists around the globe. The urgency is great as field research on vulnerable and endangered species such as the sandy blind mole-rat, the Black Sea bottlenose dolphin, migratory birds, and native plants has come to a standstill or has been severely curtailed, and original data sets have been lost.

Animal CareSoftware

KONG Zoo

Zoo Logic

Greater One-Horned Rhino Birth Feb 23, 2023

With all the activist and conservation challenges confronting the zoological world, it's important to just stop and appreciate good news when it happens. Recently, the Tanganika Wildlife Park announced its first successful birth of an Indian rhinoceros, also called the greater one-horned rhino. This large species of rhino once numbered as few as 100 individuals in the wild. Today, while still considered vulnerable, it has made a remarkable comeback to approximately 4000 animals according to sources like the International Rhino Foundation. Even more remarkable is this young calf was born to a mother who was conceived through artificial insemination--proving that reproductive assistance techniques developed for humans has a role to play in species conservation. The park's curator of research and welfare, Dr. Samantha Russak and primary rhino keeper, Sierra Smith discuss the new arrival and all the adjustments needed as a result of this significant birth.

Animal Care Software

KONG Zoo

Zoo Logic

Longevity Feb 16, 2023

In the 20th century, it was the norm for people over the span of decades to work at and eventually retire from the same company. With the approach of the 21st century, a monumental economic shift occurred in which most employees now have a more varied work history with multiple employers over much shorter durations. So to meet zoological professionals with a lifetime of experience at one location with the same individual animals, not just the same species, is increasingly rare. Nicole West, animal manager at Dolphin Quest Oahu, discusses what growing up and working with the same individual animals for nearly a quarter century has meant to maintaining their behavioral and psychological well-being in good times and bad.

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KONG Zoo (https://kongzoo.com/)

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Dolphin Quest (https://dolphinquest.com/)

Space Invaders Feb 09, 2023

Board certified veterinarian and author, Dr. Doug Mader returns to discuss the growing problem of invasive species throughout Florida and especially, the Everglades and Keys. Given the perfect climate and bountiful food availability, it's no wonder why one such invasive species, the green iguana, has flourished to the point of being deemed a nuisance animal by the state. Still, there are some residents that want to protect the iguanas despite their overgrowth which only serves to complicate matters and thwart potential solutions to reduce population numbers.

Animal Care Software

KONG Zoo

Zoo Logic

Zoological Research in a Post Blackfish Era Feb 02, 2023

Historically, many if not most scientists dismissed the value of studying wild animals in managed care settings like zoos and aquariums. With dwindling wild populations in need of immediate conservation solutions and increased competition for research funding, the importance and relevance of studying animals in human care has been on the increase. Friend of the podcast, Dr. Jason Bruck and some of his graduate students discuss the challenges and opportunities of developing working relationships with zoological facilities and staff, as well as, the "game changing" emergence of smaller, cheaper, and more powerful technologies with which to study marine and terrestrial animals.

Animal Care Software

KONG Zoo

Zoo Logic Podcast

Ocearch Jan 26, 2023

By the mid 2000's, Chris Fischer began to lend his business, angling, and media acumen to answering a basic question facing ocean scientists and all of humanity: how do we ensure our grandkids will be able to eat a fish sandwich? Having grown up in the 1970's and all too familiar with the depleted fish stocks of the western Atlantic at that time, Chris realized the biggest threat to our world oceans was a data deficit and the siloing of well-intentioned researchers stuck in an antiquated and dysfunctional system of funding. So he set about disrupting the research status quo by forming Ocearch to bring a multidisciplinary team of cooperating scientists and a uniquely equipped ship and experienced crew to study, assess, and track apex predators like white sharks. As Chris points out, he's not a shark guy, rather he's an abundance guy. His goal is to restore balance to the oceans through shared data, public education, and informed policymaking.

Animal Care Software

KONG Zoo

Zoo Logic Podcast

Koala Jan 19, 2023

Few species are as widely recognizable as Australia's koala. Despite its iconic status and reams of studies, there is much we don't know about this species and the threats to its survival. As a result, Dr. Danielle Clode chose to explore "why this species is the lone survivor of a once-diverse family of uniquely Australian marsupials." Her new book Koala: a natural history and an uncertain future (W.W. Norton & Company) released this month examines their behavior, physiology, and complex relationship with the "distinctive" trees upon which they depend.

Animal Care Software

KONG Zoo

Zoo Logic Podcast

Passing the Torch Jan 12, 2023

This past week marks a year since the passing of Wildlife World Zoo founder, Mickey Ollson. And while changes as significant as the loss of a leader can be paralyzing to any organization, the team at Wildlife World knew there would be no time to close shop and grieve when thousands of animals and tens of thousands of visitors are depending on them. Wildlife World spokesperson and president, Kristy Hayden reflects on the staff's and facility's past year, describes some of the improvements made thus far, and shares plans for the future. Kristy notes that succession planning can be a sensitive situation for any organization to embrace and underscores how important it is to have those difficult conversations before change occurs.

Animal Care Software

KONG Zoo

Zoo Logic Podcast

Bearizona in Winter Jan 05, 2023

While many zoos and aquariums feature animals from around the globe, Bearizona, located in the old western town of Williams, Arizona is uniquely situated among ponderosa pines to focus on north American species. Director of Animals, Dave O'connell returns to discuss managing animals, including more than 40 black and brown bears at high elevation where snow and weather can be extreme.

Animal Care Software

KONG Zoo

Zoo Logic

Paul Rosolie: Junglekeeper Dec 29, 2022

Growing up in New Jersey, conservationist, author, and award-winning filmmaker, Paul Rosolie would much rather be outdoors testing his own survival skills than in a classroom. As a young boy he was fascinated by rainforests. Even before graduating college, he had formed an ecotourism company with his mentor Juan Julio Durand. Proceeds from leading ecotours to some of the most remote and dangerous regions in the world are used to purchase and protect pristine patches of the Peruvian rainforest. Paul is also founder of Junglekeepers, which conserves thousands of acres of threatened habitat in the vitally important Madre de Dios region of the Peruvian Amazon. The Las Piedras watershed is part of the Andes/Amazon hotspot—one of the most biodiverse and pristine areas on earth.

Animal Care Software

KONG Zoo

Zoo Logic Podcast

IMATA at 50 Dec 22, 2022

Celebrating its 50th anniversary, the International Marine Animal Trainers' Association has recently published a decade-by-decade account of major contributions by its members to research, conservation, strengthening the human-animal bond, husbandry, and veterinary medicine through advancements in animal training. Michael Hunt, a long time zoological professional with decades of engagement with the organization at all levels of its leadership, discusses IMATA's history and future, including an upcoming first-ever joint conference with the Animal Behavior Management Alliance.

Animal Care Software

KONG Zoo

Zoo Logic Podcast

Implications of the Big Cat Public Safety Act Dec 15, 2022

In addition to serving as the current board chair for the Zoological Association of America, Holly Hunt operates the African Safari Wildlife Park in Port Clinton, Ohio. She also serves as president of the International Animal Exchange, an exotic animal import/export and transport company started over 60 years ago by her father and uncles. Who better than someone with Holly's experience to discuss the confusing transport, display, and import implications of the recently passed Big Cat Public Safety Act.

Animal Care Software

KONG Zoo

Zoo Logic Podcast

WAZA Guide: reducing, measuring, and offsetting carbon Dec 08, 2022

In an effort to help reduce the effects of human-caused greenhouse gases on global climate, the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums has recently produced a publicly available comprehensive guide to help facilities and individuals reduce their carbon footprint. Karen Fifield, WAZA Vice President from Wellington Zoo and Helen Lockhart, from Two Oceans Aquarium were instrumental in producing the guide and discuss its implementation for zoos and aquariums of all sizes and resources. The important takeaway they agree is for every facility to just begin wherever they can and to build greater success from there.

Animal Care Software

KONG Zoo

Zoo Logic

The Vet at Noah's Ark Dec 01, 2022

Dr. Doug Mader is an experienced, board-certified veterinarian with expertise in equine, small animal, and exotic animal care. The author of several medical textbooks, book chapters, and hundred of articles, his most recent book is The Vet at Noah's Ark: stories of survival from an inner-city animal hospital. The book is a celebration of the human-animal bond and reflects on his time in Los Angeles protecting his animal patients and his team during the time of the Rodney King riots. His many talents include expertise with reptiles and amphibians having developed a passion for these animals as a boy growing up in the Florida Keys.

Animal Care Software

KONG Zoo

Zoo Logic

ZooSpensefull Cooperative Care Conference Nov 24, 2022

The team at ZooSpensefull has created its second annual Cooperative Care Conference for animal professionals and enthusiasts. Founder Peter Giljam describes the reasoning behind the conference to bring trainers from diverse animal backgrounds together to share behavior modification ideas, solutions, and best practices. The online conference features over a dozen international speakers over several days. Attendees will be able to access recorded presentations and panel discussions for several months following the conference.

Animal Care Software

KONG Zoo

Zoo Logic Podcast

ZooSpensefull Cooperative Care Conference Nov 24, 2022

The team at ZooSpensefull has created its second annual Cooperative Care Conference for animal professionals and enthusiasts. Founder Peter Giljam describes the reasoning behind the conference to bring trainers from diverse animal backgrounds together to share behavior modification ideas, solutions, and best practices. The online conference features over a dozen international speakers over several days. Attendees will be able to access recorded presentations and panel discussions for several months following the conference.

Animal Care Software

KONG Zoo

Zoo Logic Podcast

Mission K9 Rescue Nov 17, 2022

Mission K9 Rescue's purpose is to "Rescue, Reunite, Re-Home, Rehabilitate and Repair any retired working dog that has served mankind in some capacity." Whether it's bringing them back from overseas deployments which is quite costly, reuniting them with their military handlers, or rescuing them from poor environments at home, Mission K9 works to provide the best possible care for working canines once their service is completed due to injury, age, and/or health issues.

Mission K9 co-founder Bob Bryant discusses the life and fate of working dogs. In many cases, when these animals retire, some have extensive medical issues that can become quite costly. Often retired working dogs have been in situations that can cause them severe anxiety and stress. Many retire with issues such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. These dogs need time to decompress and reintegrate into society. Mission K9 Rescue works with these dogs in order to make them suitable for adoption.

Animal Care Software

KONG Zoo

Zoo Logic

Animals Amplified Nov 10, 2022

Animal curator LynnLee Schmidt formed Animals Amplified to "save the world one person at a time," by providing professional development courses for zookeepers and animal trainers so they can own their own development and provide amazing care for their animals. Rather than give keepers permission to quit difficult work environments or managers, she tries to help individuals develop their own skill sets to cope with all the challenges and opportunities found in such workplaces.

Animal Care Software

KONG Zoo

Zoo Logic Podcast

Rosenberg's Look-alike Dog Dad, Topher Brophy Nov 03, 2022

As he describes in his recently released first book, Dog Dad: How Animals Bring out the Best in Us and Can Help Save the World, Instagram sensation Tophy Brophy's childhood was anything but easy. Suffering from anxiety and never feeling fully connected to the people around him, Topher recalls years of loneliness, depression and attempts to cure his "sad sickness." Once he found a lifelong friend in a puppy named Rosenberg, the quality of life for Topher increased dramatically. In addition to the fulfillment of caring for the needs of another living being that the adoption brought, life with Rosenberg lead to an unexpected creative outlet when people began commenting how similar Rosenberg and Topher resembled each other, especially as they dressed in over-the-top costumes. As a way to help others, Topher is donating all proceeds from the book to support rescue and recovery efforts by American Humane.

Animal Care Software

KONG Zoo

Zoo Logic

Sea Dog Animal Training: Saves Lives Oct 27, 2022

We catch up with long time pinniped trainer, Heather Crane to see how the recent launch of her 16,000 square foot animal rescue, training, and boarding facility for Sea Dog Animal Training is going. As part of her mission to help the animal population of Houston, Heather and her team set aside about 40% of kennel space for rescue and feral dog rehabilitation. In addition to the main boarding wing, there's a specially designed rescue wing with extra environmental controls to help animals adjust and rest from previous abuse, over stimulation, and/or life on the streets. While the struggle to complete construction and now staff and operate the facility has been greater than Heather and her supportive family may have anticipated, the satisfaction of helping animals too easily deemed disposable by society is why Heather began this journey.

Animal Care Software

KONG Zoo

Zoo Logic

ZDR3 Post Ian Oct 20, 2022

We catch up with Zoological Disaster Response, Rescue, and Recovery (ZDR3) executive director, Julia Wagner following their deployment to south Florida immediately after hurricane Ian made landfall. Julia shares what the team discovered, and how member zoo and aquarium facilities both in the region and from several states away were quick to provide resources and expertise to help facilities devastated by flooding, power loss, downed trees and damaged structures and fencing.

Animal Care Software

KONG Zoo

Zoo Logic Podcast

The Role of an Animal Welfare and Behavioral Coordinator Oct 13, 2022

Dr. Katie Hall is the Animal Welfare and Training coordinator for Sedgwick County Zoo. Her interest in animal welfare and training began as a teenager when she had the opportunity to provide care for chimpanzees used in the film industry. As an internal consultant to the animal care and veterinary team, Dr. Hall describes the importance of collecting and using behavioral and physiological data to inform on husbandry and management decisions to improve individual animal welfare.

Animal Care Software

KONG Zoo

Zoo Logic Podcast

ZDR3 Quickly Deploys in the Wake of Hurricane Ian Oct 01, 2022

Less than 24 hours after the near category 5 strength hurricane Ian made landfall in southwestern Florida, Zoological Disaster Response, Rescue, and Recovery (ZDR3) executive director, Julia Wagner, was already booked on a flight to help the region's zoos and aquariums. Julia describes the consortium of over 100 zoological facilities nationwide who have signed on to lend assistance, staffing, expertise, and other resources whenever facilities request help following natural and made-made disasters or incidents. This mutual help is offered freely among zoos, aquariums, sanctuaries, and exotic animal businesses independent of various trade affiliations. Joining in the effort to help ensure the mental well-being of animal professionals whose work and home lives have been disrupted is GRAZE, Growing Resiliency for Aquarium and Zoo Employees.

Animal Care Software

KONG Zoo

Zoo Logic

Building A Brand New Zoo Sep 29, 2022

For nearly 100 years, the Sacramento Zoo has operated on approximately 14 acres. As a result of improvements in animal welfare standards, many of the iconic charismatic species the zoo once displayed are no longer featured due to space. Soon after becoming CEO, Jason Jacobs began investigating what it would take to modernize the current zoo or relocate to a larger location. The analysis concluded that modernization of the existing zoo would cost about as much as the first phase of a new facility on 60 acres. A new zoo would permit the return of some iconic species and the care and display of larger populations. Jason provides insights on potential design and guest interaction concepts drawn from visiting hundreds of zoos and aquariums from around the world.

Animal care Software

KONG Zoo

Zoo Logic

Candid Conversation with Columbus Zoo's New CEO Sep 22, 2022

As the song Collide states, even the best fall down sometimes. That was the situation in 2020-2021 when one of the premier zoological institutions in the world, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, stumbled as a result of poor judgment by a few in leadership. Stepping into the fray was long time Texas State Aquarium CEO Tom Schmid to answer the call to restore stakeholder trust in the organization. Tom describes his efforts to rebuild the institution's reputation and plans for future growth and reinvestment. He speaks frankly about the organization's loss of accreditation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, which some have deemed unfair, even as it earned accreditation through the Zoological Association of America and the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums. And no conversation about the zoo's past, present or future can be complete without mention of the contributions by the one and only Jungle Jack Hanna.

Animal Care Software

KONG Zoo

Zoo Logic Podcast

Essex County Turtle Back Zoo Sep 15, 2022

As the newer director of Turtle Back Zoo with an all female senior leadership team, Dr. Jilian Fazio discusses the growing demographic shift in zoological professions towards greater diversity. As more women assume leadership roles, what does she believe are some of the long term implications for the zoo and aquarium community? Plus, as the leader of her organization how does she adjust to the typical and often rapid-fire highs and lows of working with animals.

Animal Care Software

KONG Zoo

Zoo Logic

The Wild Side with Clay Sep 08, 2022

Clay Carabajal got his zoological start as a "show host" at SeaWorld of Texas. While not exactly the role he envisioned at the marine mammal park as a young man, he turned it into one opportunity after another over a 17-year span. The lessons learned served him well as an educator and ambassador animal presenter. Following the examples set by his mentors Julie Scardina and Jungle Jack Hanna, Clay launched his own YouTube channel featuring wild animals and facilities, which he now conducts from his new base camp at the Abilene Zoo.

Animal Care Software

KONG Zoo

Zoo Logic

Beating the Odds Sep 01, 2022

About 5 years ago, a month old beluga whale calf from the endangered subpopulation of cetaceans native to Cook Inlet Alaska stranded on a mud flat. Much to the surprise of initial responders from the Alaska Sealife Center, the little male was still alive but in serious condition. Over the next serval days and weeks, members of the marine mammal zoological community rallied from across the U.S. to provide medical resources and staffing to provide him around the clock care. By early 2018, NOAA Fisheries deemed the young whale non-releasable due to his young age, health status, and lack of survival skills. The government decided the best location to continue his recovery was with the large beluga pod at SeaWorld of Texas. Curator Katie Kolodziej describes this remarkable young cetacean named Tyonek and the process of introducing him to his new pod of beluga whales and the instrumental role one special pacific white-sided dolphin played in his success.

Animal Care Software

KONG Zoo

Zoo Logic

Endlings Aug 25, 2022

How do we describe the last of any living thing, plant or animal? Is there even a word for something, some individual that is the last of its kind? And does it matter? According to scientist and historian, Dr. Lydia Pyne, one useful word may be, "Endling." In her new book, Endlings: Fables for the Anthropocene, she explains why these “last individuals” are poignant characters in the stories that humans tell themselves about today’s Anthropocene. From Benjamin the thylacine to Celia the ibex to Lonesome George the Galápagos tortoise, endlings, Pyne argues, have the power to shape how we think about grief, mourning, and loss amid the world’s sixth mass extinction.

Animal Care Software

KONG Zoo

Zoo Logic Podcast

From Animal Trainer to Zoo Director Aug 18, 2022

Growing up in the United Kingdom, Will Elgar told his mom he was going to be either an astronaut, dolphin trainer or stunt man. Given the lack of cetaceans in the UK, working with dolphins seemed unlikely, but Will eventually found a way. It turns out that his real passion was working with and training sea lions, which led him to new opportunities and species around the world. Recently named as the director of Zoo Miami in 2021, Will discusses how learning to train animals with positive reinforcement to develop relationships based on mutual trust has informed his skills as a manager and coach.

Animal Care Software

KONG Zoo

Zoo Logic

Animals in Biomedical Research Today Aug 11, 2022

Given the lack of familiarity on the current state of animals in research combined with deliberate misinformation by animal rights organizations, it's no wonder people have doubts about the use of animals for biomedical studies. Dr Cindy Buckmaster, Director of Public Outreach for the National Animal Interest Alliance and host of the podcast, GetReal! describes why animals are still necessary to develop therapeutic solutions for human and animal diseases. She also discusses the various levels of oversight for animals in research as well as the multidisciplinary approach to ensure the best possible husbandry care and welfare for animals.

Animal Care Software

KONG Zoo

Zoo Logic

Ghosted By PeTA Aug 04, 2022

From time to time Zoo Logic is approached by publishers, animal facilities, and individuals requesting to appear on this podcast. Recently, we were approached by a publisher in what can only be described as the most unexpected guest request ever! The publisher had re-issued an updated 30th anniversary edition of Free the Animals, written by none other than PeTA founder, Ingrid Newkirk. After sending a review copy and scheduling the interview, communications coming from the publisher and PeTA began to decline and eventually cease altogether. Apparently, the team representing Ms. Newkirk developed cold feet. Undaunted, we examine the book which describes the formation of the Animal Liberation Front in North America in the early 1980's. Given the advancements in the law, oversight, and public awareness of animal testing since the book's first release decades ago, the question for Ms Newkirk and the author of her foreword, actor Joaquin Phoenix, is whether their message of resorting to criminal acts and property destruction to achieve animal liberation is relevant today.

Animal Care Software

KONG Zoo

Zoo Logic

The Extraordinary Monarch Butterfly Jul 28, 2022

Recently, the IUCN Red List announced its findings that the Monarch Butterfly population had declined between 22% and 72% in just the past decade. As a result of this latest census, which largely attributes the dramatic population decline to habitat loss and overuse of pesticides, the species is now listed as endangered by the IUCN. Butterfly Wonderland's director of education, Adriane Grimaldi helps us understand this amazing species and its incredible yearly migration from Canada to Mexico. Plus, she describes what each of us can do to help preserve and restore the monarch.

Animal Care Software

KONG Zoo

Zoo Logic

Life, Love & Conservation with Carolyn Hennesy Jul 21, 2022

Emmy winner, best-selling author, and animal advocate Carolyn Hennesy shares news on the launch of her new podcast: Life, Love and Conservation. We also learn more about her work as an actor and how she's able to channel the light and dark she says lies within each of us to create memorable characters on stage and screen. Plus, she reveals her professional link to the Star Wars universe and her family connection to the original Star Trek series.

Animal Care Software

KONG Zoo

Zoo Logic

The World's First Whale Sanctuary part 2 Jul 14, 2022

After 15 months of constant care to restore JJ the gray whale calf to health and to prepare her for life in the wild, the complex day to return her back to the sea had arrived. Marine mammal expert Keith Yip describes the apprehension he and his team experienced as they attempted to safely transport the largest living creature in history.

Plus, a moment to remember the passing of a marine mammal medicine and science icon, Dr. Sam Ridgway.

The World's First Whale Sanctuary Jul 07, 2022

A quarter of a century ago, SeaWorld San Diego received a days old, nearly one ton gray whale calf whose mother was nowhere to be found and was presumed dead from a possible boat strike. With no previous data or experience on the neonatal nutritional and husbandry needs of a large species of baleen whale, SeaWorld's Keith Yip and the rest of the animal team set about the impossible task of saving an emaciated and dehydrated calf on the verge of death. What began as a long-shot turned into world wide interest in the first-of-its-kind rescue, rehabilitation, study, and eventual return to the ocean of a 31 foot, 19,000 pound gray whale some 15 months later. Part 1.

Crowded County Shelters and July 4th Jun 30, 2022

Maricopa County Animal Care and Control is one of the largest municipal shelters in the US. Community Outreach Manager, Gina Martino describes the challenges of operating a nearly full public shelter caring for several hundred animals at a time in the fastest growing county in the country. Compounding matters is the July 4th holiday, which invariably leads to more missing and frightened family pets. Gina offers steps the community can take to improve the lives of animals in their care even as we all work to lower the number of animals in need of forever homes.

Animal Care Software

KONG Zoo

Zoo Logic

ZooMontana: Profile in Courage Jun 23, 2022

For the past few weeks, the ZooMontana team has been at the center of a local controversy stemming from a scheduled 406 Pride event featuring drag queens reading family friendly stories to children. Executive Director, Jeff Ewelt who has borne the brunt of the criticism by those opposed to the Pride event being held at the zoo, has eloquently and unapologetically posted on social media defending his decision to host this ticketed event because "ZooMontana prides itself in being inclusive of all living beings."

Animal Care Software

KONG Zoo

Zoo Logic

Happy Personhood Jun 16, 2022

The New York State court of appeals announced its decision this week supporting lower court rulings that Happy, the Bronx Zoo elephant, was not entitled to legal rights held by human beings such as Habeas Corpus. This is the latest in a series of attempts by groups such as the non Human Rights Project to have charismatic animals like elephants and great apes granted personhood, under which they could then avail themselves of legal rights such as Habeas Corpus. Animal Law attorney, Michelle Pardo, describes the court's ruling and criticism of the plaintiff's petition, as well as, the minority opinion.

Animal Care Software

KONG Zoo

Zoo Logic

Dr. Holley Muraco: trainer, researcher, rehabilitator Jun 09, 2022

Dr. Holley Muraco is the director of research at the Mississippi Aquarium. In addition to starting her career training aquatic and terrestrial animals like dolphins and elephants, she has spent her graduate and post graduate time studying reproduction in marine mammals, especially those that are not as prolific in human care. She also enjoys working with students, particularly girls and minorities from her home state, and exposing them to the possibilities of a marine biology research career. Thanks to circumstances stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, she found herself caring for native wildlife like raccoons and most recently, beaver kits. And according to Holley, there's so much to learn about this once nearly extinct species from their physiology to engineering skills.

Fresh Eggs Jun 02, 2022

Hickman's Family Farms is a family run egg provider almost as old as the state of Arizona where the company was founded. With approximately 10 million laying hens housed across a half dozen facilities in the Southwest, its husbandry and bio-security measures to protect the collection from hazards such as the current strain of Avian Influenza virus dwarf those of any zoo or aquarium. Compliance Manager, Shari Yeatts describes the American Humane certified company's operations, the tracking of current and future animal welfare regulations which often vary by state, and the growing use of cage-free housing and enrichment.

Animal Care Software

KONG Zoo

Zoo Logic

Animal Welfare Research Trends part 2 May 26, 2022

It's part two of our animal welfare research panel of experts from the recent meeting of the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums held at SeaWorld of Florida. First up is researcher, Dr Jason Bruck describing his diverse study interests including the first published evidence that dolphins utilize urine to identify conspecifics--an extraordinary finding making national and international news and even a mention in Stephen Colbert's monologue on the Late Show! Also featured are scientists, Dr Kathleen Dudzinski and Dr. Heather Hill to discuss animal welfare and the future of the marine mammal community.

Animal Care Software

KONG Zoo

Zoo Logic

Animal Welfare Research Trends part 1 May 19, 2022

Recently, the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums held its annual meeting at SeaWorld of Florida. We had the opportunity to hear from several researchers on the latest zoo and aquarium animal welfare studies, with an emphasis on cetaceans. In part one of this two part series, we hear from Dr. Lance Miller from the Chicago Zoological Society on how the organization monitors, assesses, and studies welfare across the entire zoo collection. Dr. Miller also provides an overview of the extensive cetacean welfare study conducted in cooperation with dozens of facilities, which has already resulted in 9 peer-reviewed papers. Plus, Dr. Kelly Jaakkola from the Dolphin Research Center discusses her passion for cognition research, cognitive welfare for animals in human care, and the importance of providing species appropriate cognitive challenges to animals.

Animal Care Software

KONG Zoo

Zoo Logic

Dolphin Quest May 12, 2022

In 1988 two veterinarians launched a dolphin facility on the Big Island of Hawaii that would help usher in a whole new experience between humans and bottlenose dolphins. That company, Dolphin Quest, has been a pioneer in creating guest interactive experiences based on science, conservation and education about the ocean environment and its most well-known cetacean ambassadors. Co-founder, Dr. Rae Stone pierced the once male dominated veterinary profession and lead the way in the use of ultrasound technology to monitor animal health and reproduction. Joining Dr. Stone is long time DQ team member and current VP of Animals, Michelle Campbell. Together, these marine mammal leaders discuss the Dolphin Quest culture and its mission to apply scientific and husbandry lessons learned in human care to meet the growing list of challenges wild marine animals face.

Entanglements May 05, 2022

No one is immune from heart-wrenching video clips of animals in dire conditions, particularly a stranded marine mammal or one ensnared in ghost nets, crab traps, and other ocean debris. While most people want to assist wild animals in need, few of us are trained, experienced, and authorized to intervene in what can be an incredibly dangerous situation for both animals and humans. Keith Yip is an experienced animal care professional with decades of experience in husbandry, transport logistics, and government authorization for disentanglement of large whales and other species.

Wildlife ACT Apr 28, 2022

According to its website, Wildlife ACT is a non-profit trust on a mission to save endangered wildlife and wild places from extinction. Its professionals, like our guest PJ Roberts, work in the field to monitor endangered and critically endangered species, including lesser known and appreciated animals like vultures. To assist in their conservation and fundraising efforts, Wildlife Act incorporates tourists as part of their data collection and monitoring services to protected areas in South Africa and other range countries. Wildlife ACT uniquely advances conservation by initiating, implementing and managing monitoring projects on reserves which do not have existing monitoring programs in place or by taking over existing monitoring projects on reserves that can no longer fund or manage them.

Animal Care Software

KONG Zoo

Zoo Logic

Avian Flu 2022 Apr 21, 2022

In a world weary of pandemic, we asked Dr. Yvonne Nadler, long time veterinary expert with the ZAHP Fusion Center, to describe the risks to animals from the latest strain of Avian Influenza. This year's strain appears more active than in recent years, which places the nation's poultry industry at greater risk. Other facilities like zoos and aquariums are at heightened risk of an outbreak due to accidental spread through public visitation as well as the mingling of collection and wild species in open air exhibits. What are the steps facilities can take to prevent the lethal spread of Avian Flu and what species are most vulnerable?

Plus, an unusual case of rabies.

Saving the Survivors Apr 14, 2022

The animal care and veterinary heroes behind Saving the Survivors treat wild and endangered animals that are victims of poaching or traumatic incidents. Most of the organization's work has focused on caring for rhinos in the field that have been illegally and horrifically attacked by those seeking to profit from the animal's horns. According to the organization's website, many injured animals have been given a second chance after undergoing various interventions and multiple surgical procedures performed by their team of veterinary experts. Dorota Ladosz, a veterinary assistant to the organization's founder, Dr. Johan Marais, shares stories of some of the animal heroes that have survived unfathomable pain, injury and lengthy recoveries.

The Future of Thailand's Captive Elephants Apr 07, 2022

In her new book, After the Forests: Thailand’s Captive Elephants and Their People, Dr. Nikki Savvides explores the life and welfare of Thailand's captive elephants. Neither wild nor domesticated, these animals, once utilized in the country's now defunct logging industry, find themselves in a newer and uncertain industry: tourism. The book also examines the people who care for these elephants — including their mahouts, activists, conservationists, and tourists committed to improving elephant lives.

Avian Behavior International Mar 31, 2022

Should families have long-lived animals like parrots as pets? Do owls make good animal ambassadors? The founder of Avian Behavior International, Hillary Hankey, works to ensure bird’s have better lives and to reduce behavior-caused stress for owners in the home. Bird training is complex and with so much random information online, she believes training them properly with positive reinforcement can be overwhelming to learn and even harder to implement. So she and her team created online and in-person learning experiences at her southern California farm featuring a variety of avian species from macaws and parrots to several types of birds of prey.

Animal Care Software

KONG Zoo

Zoo Logic

African Wild Dogs Mar 24, 2022

Following his work in Kabul and Baghdad rescuing zoological animals caught in war zones, author and conservationist Brendan Whittington-Jones began a seven year stint studying endangered and often maligned African Wild Dogs. In his book, African Wild Dogs: on the front lines, he describes his work examining the behavior of this species once they leave the relative safety of protected reserves and venture out into human civilization. Brendan compares them to the story of wolves in North America rather than their distant cousins, the often urban savvy coyote. Thanks to some public education and rebranding, the future of the African Wild Dog may not be as bleak as once feared.

Animal Care Software

KONG Zoo

Zoo Logic Podcast

Endangered Wildlife Trust

Wildlife Act

Lolita Mar 17, 2022

Not since Keiko or Tilikum has a killer whale garnered as much attention as the single orca resident of Miami Seaquarium known as Lolita. Estimated to be about 56 years old, she has lived at the park since the early 1970's. To learn more about this amazing animal, one of the park's longtime executives and eventual general manager, Andrew Hertz describes his family's interwoven history with the facility and its grande dame.

Animal Care Software

KONG Zoo

Zoo Logic

War Zoos Mar 10, 2022

When Coalition Forces invaded Iraq in 2003, the security situation across the country and in major cities like Baghdad was grim. Amongst all the devastation of war, the situation for the Baghdad zoo animals was critical with starvation, dehydration, poaching, and shelling reducing the collection to a few dozen inhabitants. Along with his boss, South African Brendan Whittington-Jones, a game rancher turned captive animal rescuer, researcher and author, travelled to Baghdad with no money or institutional support, but a huge desire to help zoo animals in need. Brendan describes what is was like working for a year with minimal resources and on the "coat-tails" of the US military to save the remaining animals, and what lessons might apply to Ukrainian zoos trying to survive Russia's invasion and brutal war.

Animal Care Software

KONG Zoo

Zoo Logic

IMATA Live: Pandemic Lessons Learned Mar 03, 2022

Across the globe, few have been spared the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in terms of personal, public, and animal health, business operations, and travel to name a few. As animal professionals know having experienced it firsthand, public attractions like zoological parks were among the first and hardest hit facilities as the pandemic's effects on a mobile society grew. What were some of the earliest steps taken to blunt these outcomes? How did previous regional pandemics and disaster preparedness plans inform zoological leaders staring at the abyss and what changes need to be made for the future? While the human consequences over the past two years have been devastating, what about the behavior and well-being of species in our care and the wild? What are some of the less visible impacts on field research and wildlife conservation? Join us for a live audience panel discussion held at the International Marine Animal Trainers' Association annual conference with three senior leaders, Grant Abel, Dr. Yvonne Nadler, and Bob Wengel, from Seattle Aquarium, ZAHP Fusion Center, and Shedd Aquarium, respectively, tasked with protecting and preserving their teams, their animals, and the public.

Animal Care Software

KONG Zoo

Save Seagrass, Save Manatees Feb 24, 2022

Recent news reports of state and federal agencies taking the extraordinary step of providing supplemental feeding to starving wild manatees point to a larger problem, the decline of vital seagrass beds due to runoff, coastal development, and dredging. Seagrass not only supplies nourishment to turtles and manatees, it is also used by countless aquatic species as a nursery and habitat. Beau Williams of Aquaticus Plants and Aquatech Eco Consultants discusses their efforts to sustainably source seagrass products for zoos, aquariums and rehabilitation facilities, as well as, efforts to protect and restore historical seagrass beds.

One Special Penguin Feb 17, 2022

Just as the scope of the COVID 19 pandemic was becoming clear, the animal team at OdySea Aquarium realized their latest black-footed penguin hatchling was not achieving normal developmental milestones. While she was otherwise healthy and growing, the team observed "Rosie" was not progressing in her ability to stand or walk. Despite the impact COVID had on staffing, operations and the temporary closure of the aquarium, the team was committed to improving the mobility of this special penguin. Director of Animal Care and Education, Jess Peranteau and Animal Care Manager, Mary Mills discuss the creative steps and penguin onesie the team devised to strengthen Rosie's legs and introduce her to the rest of the colony, adoring children with special needs, and the national media.

That Sounds Wild: Blue Penguin

Remembering Richard Leakey Feb 10, 2022

Son of famous paleoanthropologists, Mary and Louis Leakey, Richard Leakey was also famous for his discoveries on the origins of early humans, particularly the nearly complete skeletal remains of what became known as Turkana Boy. As a Kenyan of British descent, Richard Leakey lived a fascinating life in East Africa as a researcher and conservationist. In 1989, Leakey was named the head of the Kenyan Wildlife Conservation and Management Department which eventually became what is known today as the Kenya Wildlife Service. At the time, much of Africa experienced historical levels of poaching of elephants for ivory and Kenya's economy was at risk of losing its important wildlife tourism industry. One of Leakey's first decisions was to implement a controversial shoot on sight policy for any poachers. Conservation writer, Jeremy Hance returns to discuss the Leakey family's contributions to science and conservation.

Parsimony Feb 03, 2022

While not a completely new phenomena, the COVID pandemic has exposed the public's lack of training in and understanding of the scientific method and the process of doing science. Increasingly, one's opinion or online search results are valued as much as someone else's peer reviewed data, according to returning guest, Dr. Jason Bruck. To guard against unsubstantiated, anthropomorphic narratives or rampant conspiracy theories, he argues we need a return to parsimony, the concept that the simplest scientific explanations are often the most accurate because they require as few assumptions as possible.

Animal Care Software

KONG Zoo

Zoo Logic Podcast

Breaking the Laminated Glass Ceiling Jan 27, 2022

Last year, several major zoological parks named a woman to their organization's top leadership position. In some cases, these appointments mark the first time a woman has ever held the role of director at their respective institutions. As part of our ongoing conversation about increasing diversity in zoos and aquariums, Dr. Brandie Smith, recently named director of the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, discusses what this trend means to her and to future conservation professionals.

That Sounds Wild: Wildebeest on the Serengeti

Remembering EO Wilson Jan 20, 2022

Biologist EO Wilson has been called the heir to Darwin. His decades of work in evolutionary biology and island ecology has helped shape modern thinking about species conservation and the increased extinction risks associated with shrinking wild habitats. Science author Jeremy Hance had the opportunity to interview Dr Wilson a few years prior to his recent passing and shares insights into the legendary researcher's life, work, and legacy.

Animal care Software

KONG Zoo

Zoo Logic

Remembering Betty White Jan 13, 2022

As most fans know, the late Betty White loved animals and zoos. She routinely donated her time and support to zoos and aquariums and often shared the stage with her good friend, Jungle Jack Hanna. Conservation Ambassador's, David Jackson returns to describe what working with Betty was like on and off stage. Plus, the passing of another zoological icon.

IMATA In Person Jan 06, 2022

After nearly a 3-year gap since its last annual conference due to the pandemic, the International Marine Animal Trainers' Association (IMATA) will soon host an in-person conference in Chicago. The timing couldn't be better with 2022 marking the 50th anniversary of the animal training organization. Madelynn Hettiger, animal manager with the Shedd Aquarium and IMATA VP responsible for planning the conference discusses the lineup of speakers, workshops, and events.

That Sounds Wild: mini donkey

Sahara Conservation Fund Dec 30, 2021

Dedicated to preserving animals uniquely adapted to survive the hottest, driest, and sparsely vegetated desert for which it is named, the Sahara Conservation Fund works to preserve habitat and to reintroduce critically endangered species to the wild. SCF CEO John Watkin describes the organization's successful cooperation among zoos, field biologists, governments and supporters to maintain nationally protected areas and build productive breeding and return programs with species on the brink of extinction, including the once extinct in the wild, scimitar-horned oryx.

Dissecting the LRS Dec 23, 2021

Recently, Zoo Logic was invited to participate in an online international Cooperative Care Conference conducted by the behavioral team at ZooSpensefull. Our topic was a focused look at the enigmatic Least Reinforcing Scenario with one of the architects of the behavioral tool, Ted Turner. After more than 30 years, why is there ongoing debate about the LRS? Why do some still conflate the LRS with a timeout? More importantly, what are the behavioral laws that form the basis for the LRS and its resulting effectiveness in reducing frustration and aggression in naive and experienced animals?

Animal Care Software

KONG Zoo

Zoo Logic

The Lion in Winter Dec 16, 2021

On a cold day sixteen years ago, a months old bottlenose dolphin calf was severely entangled by a crab trap. Thanks to a quick thinking fisherman notifying rescuers, the young animal was eventually freed from the strangling ropes and taken to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium for recovery. The constriction of blood flow to her tail led to the loss of her flukes and marked the beginning of an extraordinary tale of survival and perseverance by a small cetacean the world would eventually come to know thanks to a Hollywood film. The aquarium's Animal Care Program Manager, Robin Curry describes the life and recent passing of this animal ambassador and the generosity of prosthetic engineers who developed the technology to handle the harsh marine environment that enabled Winter to thrive despite her disability.

That Sounds Wild: Screamers.

Animal Care Software

Kong Zoo

Zoo Logic

GRAZE Dec 09, 2021

Animal professionals often experience great highs in their work from the birth of an endangered species to the smiles on the young faces of future conservationists. Yet, animal work is often heavy with the sadness of losing a dear animal or frustration at the slow pace of societal change for the better. To help individuals and institutions better navigate the chronic and acute mental health aspects of animal work, our guest Erin McNally, helped create GRAZE: Growing Resiliency for Aquarium and Zoo Employees.

Animal Actors Dec 02, 2021

After some 30 years as an animal trainer and agency owner working in film, TV, and print, Cris Rankin has worked with dozens of domestic, exotic and native species from skunks to scorpions. What is the life of an animal actor like and what steps does Chris take to ensure the well-being of the animals while on set, as well as, between gigs. How has animal wrangling changed during her career and does she think computer technology will eventually replace all animal actors?

Ailing Forests Nov 25, 2021

Healthy forests provide immeasurable benefits to humans, animals and ecosystems from capturing carbon to preventing erosion and preserving water tables, just to name a few. So it is important to understand the complex and interconnected layers of threats trees face today. Forest health specialist, Aly McAlexander from Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management describes the deleterious effects stemming from years of mega drought, bark beetle infestation, and 100 years of fire suppression policy on the desert southwest's forests.

That Sounds Wild: African Wild Dogs feeding.

Talk Turkey Nov 18, 2021

Randy Babb is a retired wildlife biologist, author, and educator having spent his long career with the Arizona Game and Fish Department. As the year end holidays approach, he discusses the iconic wild turkey, the importance of preserving species and habitats, and the positive influence that changing demographics of wildlife biologists promises for the future of conservation efforts.

Plus, we remember Winter, the special bottlenose dolphin whose story of survival touched the world.

"Fill the Tank," a Conversation with CNN's Clarissa Ward Nov 11, 2021

The events of 9/11 had a profound effect on a young Clarissa Ward's career plans and ultimately led her on path to becoming an award winning journalist with a focus on covering conflict zones. From the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to the devastation of civil war in Syria, she describes her dangerous work and its impact on her personally, in her book, On All Fronts. Currently serving as CNN's Chief International correspondent, we discuss some of the personal and professional challenges and similarities between being a war correspondent and an animal professional in a modern world.

That Sounds Wild: Wild African Lions Eating

Mazuri Exotic Animal Nutrition Nov 04, 2021

Modern zookeeping involves an array of disciplines from veterinary medicine and operant conditioning to species specific nutrition. Founded in 1989, Mazuri, which means "good" in Swahili has researched, developed and brought to market exotic animal diets across the spectrum of avian, reptile, insect, fish and mammalian species. Our guest, Dr. Troy Tollefson joined the Mazuri team after studying the dietary needs of bears and later serving as nutritionist at SeaWorld and Busch Gardens. He describes the extensive process working with zoos and aquariums to bring new dietary products for animals to market.

That Sounds Wild: Hippos

Exactly How Many Big Cats ARE in the US? Oct 28, 2021

For the past few decades, an unsubstantiated narrative which suggests as many as 10,000 big cats are living in backyards across America has been repeated without evidence. The poorly understood and tracked presence or absence of so many endangered and dangerous felines has implications for policymakers and conservationists alike. To help shed some light on these issues, frequent Zoo Logic contributor, Rachel Garner discusses her recent peer-reviewed paper on the number of big cats found in USDA licensed facilities throughout the U.S.

A Census of Federally Regulated Big Cat Populations within the United States as of December 2020.

Feline Conservation Foundation

To Be Accredited or Not To Be? Oct 21, 2021

Recent headlines about major zoological institutions not retaining their accreditation status have raised troubling questions about the inspection process, the role of trade associations, and the relevance of peer-reviewed seals of approval. As a zoo professional with more than 40 years of experience, Brad Andrews has not only overseen the largest zoological collection in the world, he has served in leadership roles among several North American and European trade and third party animal welfare organizations.

That Sounds Wild: dromedary camels.

The Welfare and Ethics of Public Display of Dolphins Oct 14, 2021

An all-star panel of researchers, Heather Hill, Jason Bruck and Isabella Clegg discuss and debate a recent published essay in the Journal of Applied Animal Ethics Research by Dr. Clegg in which she explores what the future may hold for the public display of cetaceans. Dr. Clegg asserts that "...any industry that uses animals must largely align their ethical position with that of the general public: ‘the mainstream social ethic’." In response, Drs. Hill and Bruck ask what if the public's prevailing opinions of animals like dolphins in human care are based on faulty science or are flat out wrong? Should zoological facilities align their animal management, business models, and conservation programs with a false or unsubstantiated public narrative just because it may be held by the majority?

"Spectacular" Afghanistan Oct 07, 2021

Dr. Alex Dehgan is the cofounder and CEO of Conservation X Labs as well as author of the book, The Snow Leopard Project and other adventures in war zone conservation. His policy and field work have taken him to 80 countries over his distinguished career, which includes time in the Obama administration and the Wildlife Conservation Society. Perhaps no country in his portfolio means as much to this conservation biologist and innovator as Afghanistan. Despite the false narrative from decades of war coverage of the country being a harsh barren desert, Dr. Dehgan describes the countryside's long human history matched only by the nation's rich biodiversity and ecological importance to European, Asian and African species, including migratory species.

Ape Dates Sep 30, 2021

A recent science publication describes the social bonding that seems to occur among male chimpanzees towards the alpha male that has the effect of enabling less dominant males access to females. The data is based upon nearly 40 years of longitudinal observations of our closest relatives made at Gombe National Park in Tanzania. Primatologist Dr. Samantha Russak from Tanganika Wildlife Park discusses the implications of the study for understanding early humans as well as the conservation importance of preserving primate species.

That Sounds Wild: Fisher's Turaco.

Be a Better Cog Sep 23, 2021

At age three, future animal care professional, Mike Dech, discovered a love of sharks. So much so that by age twelve, he earned his SCUBA certification, which has served him well in his zoological career, as a hobby, and as a growing side business teaching new generations of divers and leading offshore excursions. Mike shares his insights after a lifetime of exploring his home state of Florida's reefs and offers advice to those looking to grow personally and professionally by pursuing their passion.

Erin Ivory from Veterinarians International stops by to announce their walkathon and how listeners can participate.

That Sounds Wild: Argus Pheasant. Dallas World Aquarium.

IUCN World Conservation Congress Sep 16, 2021

Bill Street, Sr VP at Indianapolis Zoo describes attending the recently concluded International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) World Conservation Congress held in Marseilles, France. The IUCN is organized by taxa to address global preservation issues affecting the survival of animal, plant and fungi species. It publishes the well known Red List database which lists species according to their current population status such as endangered, threatened or least concern. The work to assess thousands of wild species is largely conducted by volunteers, so the Indianapolis Zoo has formed and funded the Global Center for Species Survival to help support IUCN committees. This center includes several paid positions for conservation coordinators whose purpose is to assist IUCN committees.

That Sounds Wild: Rhinoceros Hornbill and Pesquet's Parrot. Dallas World Aquarium

Dolphin Welfare Study Sep 09, 2021

Chicago Zoological Society's Dr. Lance Miller is one of the principle investigators of a recently published comprehensive Dolphin Welfare Study. Using new technology and software to track study animals, researchers examined physiological and behavioral metrics for dozens of cetaceans from more than 40 AMMPA and AZA accredited facilities across 4 continents to better understand the factors that contribute to improved animal welfare. Such factors include habitat size, access to environmental enrichment, training, age, guest interactions, and more.

That Sounds Wild: Hippos

Good Zoo News Sep 02, 2021

In search of some happier news to amplify, we turned to San Antonio Zoo director, Tim Morrow and American Humane President and CEO, Dr. Robin Ganzert. Tim describes how his local community responded to support the zoo during the financial hardships posed by COVID-19, so much so, that recently, staff members were reimbursed for lost wages from a year ago.

Robin shares her great news about the passage of the Paws Act, a new federal law that funds the Veterans Administration's pilot project to support the training of more therapy dogs for service men and women.

That Sounds Wild: Safari Ants

Everything We Do Is Training Aug 26, 2021

Denver Zoo behavioral manager, Heather Genter describes her lifelong passion for animal training. Starting out with her own dog training business, she graduated to working with exotic species at a time when zoos didn't have behavioral managers and it seemed only sea lions and elephants were being trained. Following the operant conditioning and positive reinforcement principles she learned training dogs and by observing the sea lion keepers, she began working with spider monkeys to teach them how to safely and calmly participate in annual exams despite the initial protests by her manager. With zoos and aquariums widely using behavioral techniques across an array of species today, she thinks zoological professionals have only just begun to realize the benefits for animal health, welfare, research and the guest experience.

That Sounds Wild: Bald Eagle

Building a Culture of Excellence Aug 19, 2021

Within days of opening the new Mississippi Aquarium in 2020, hurricane zeta made a nearly direct hit on the Gulfport attraction. While the harrowing experience left some damage to the campus shade structures, a larger lesson had been learned. The staff, exhibits, and disaster planning had withstood the test of a category 3 storm in a region once completely devastated by Katrina. As a result of the confidence stemming from weathering the storm, the newly formed aquarium team went on to handle more challenges in the facility's freshman year. We are on location with curators Andy Horn and Matt Fripp as they describe that first year and the process of building a culture of excellence.

Animal Care Software

KONG Zoo

Zoo Logic

The Legacy of Stella the Sand Tiger Shark Aug 12, 2021

Dr. Alexa Delaune, Vice President of Veterinary Services at the Mississippi Aquarium in Gulfport discusses her career, the challenges of launching a brand new zoological facility, and a very special patient named Stella. When the sand tiger shark developed a bulging spine affecting her health and well-being, Dr. Delaune reached out to colleagues in animal and human medicine for treatment and surgical solutions. Within 48 hours, a team of professionals assembled to conduct the first of its kind stabilization of a shark spine in attempt to preserve Stella's quality of life.

Clicker Training Your Cat Aug 05, 2021

Animal trainer Stephanie Mantilla has a new book How to Clicker Train Your Cat, which draws upon her many years working with exotic animals including cheetahs, hoofed animals, primates, and even elephant shrews! While COVID and raising a toddler may have put her client work on hold temporarily, Stephanie continues to encourage cat owners to refrain from labeling their pets as stubborn in favor of recognizing and appreciating the behavioral and natural history differences between cats and dogs. While dogs tend to be more social, most cat species are solitary which has a dramatic impact on their behavior and interest in play and learning.

That Sounds Wild: Cheetah purr

Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo Jul 29, 2021

Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo director, Jonathan Miot describes the 50-year-old program designed to train the next generation of zookeeping professionals. While college level zookeeping programs have grown in number over the past few decades, few academic institutions can lay claim to operating their own accredited zoo. What qualities and skill sets produce a successful zookeeper? How can professional degree programs contribute to a more diverse workforce across the zoo and aquarium industry? Why should unpaid internships be a thing of the past? And, as the longstanding chasm between keepers and zoo administrators seems to be widening, what advice does professor Miot have for his fellow zoo directors to reduce attrition and the loss of senior keeper level expertise and leadership.

That Sounds Wild: Lion

Chuck & Ted's Excellent Training Adventure part 4 Jul 22, 2021

Back by listener request, long time behaviorists and marine mammal experts, Ted Turner and Chuck Tompkins return to discuss the finer points of reinforcement schedules, tips for those hoping to change the training culture at their facility, and the politics and prospects for the recently stranded orca calf in New Zealand.

LRS Episode

That Sounds Wild: tiger play. Conservation Ambassadors

Sea Turtles Jul 15, 2021

Despite being an ancient species, we still have much to learn about sea turtles, in part, because they spend most of their long lives at sea. We usually only hear about them or get a glimpse when the females come onshore a few weeks each spring and early summer to lay eggs or when groups of turtles are trapped in northern waters at the onset of winter in a cold stunning event. Dr. Joe Pfaller, research director for the Caretta Research Project discusses his field research with loggerheads at the Wassaw National Wildlife Refuge off the coast of Savannah, Georgia, the sea turtle conservation role of volunteers and students, and ongoing threats to sea turtle survival.

That Sounds Wild: Clouded Leopard.

Pacific Marine Mammal Center Turns 50 Jul 08, 2021

Spring and summer represent the peak season when newly weaned seals and sea lion pups strand along the California coastline. Celebrating its 50th year, the Pacific Marine Mammal Center has rescued, rehabilitated, and returned approximately 10,000 animals since its humble start by a concerned lifeguard prior to the creation of the landmark conservation legislation known as the Marine Mammal Protection Act. While many marine mammal populations have recovered in recent decades, threats to their survival from starvation, pollution, climate change, entanglement, and disease have only increased in number and severity. In addition to treating animals, the center focuses on public education and original research to help alleviate these emerging threats.

That Sounds Wild: Stellar Sea Lion

The Life of a Zoo Spokesperson Jul 01, 2021

As Director of Communications for one of the largest zoos and aquariums in the western US, Kristy Morcom relies on her animal care and training experiences like barrel racing horses, being a mother to young kids, and her nurturing personality to share wild animal and conservation stories through print, radio, television and increasingly, social media. Given the scrutiny and criticism zoos often face today by a small but vocal minority, Kristy advocates for building relationships with the community and local media by getting information out through multiple platforms quickly and completely when the news is good and not so good.

That Sounds Wild: Grizzly Bear. Bearizona

Childhood Asthma to Olympic Champion Jun 24, 2021

Amy Van Dyken-Rouen holds the record for being the first American woman to win 4 gold medals in the same Olympic Games. As a child suffering from severe asthma, Amy took up swimming to improve her lung capacity and breathing, which enabled her to become part of a team and do the the kind of things kids like to do. By high school, Amy narrowly missed out on qualifying for the 1992 games. She spent her college years training and qualifying for the 1996 and 2000 Olympic Games, winning a total of 6 gold medals in free-style and butterfly. She is one of few athletes in history to have won only gold medals! We caught up with Amy while covering the US Olympic swim trials for the Tokyo Games in Omaha to see which athletes stand out to her, as well as, to understand the commitment required to be the best in the world.

That Sounds Wild: Bottlenose Dolphin

Animal Care Software

Kong Zoo

Zoo Logic

Brevard Zoo...and Aquarium? Jun 17, 2021

Built along America's Space Coast, the Brevard zoo has an entrepreneurial history with a focus on local conservation. Located so close to the world's busiest space center, which is also home to some of the few remaining acres of near pristine Florida habitat and biodiversity, Brevard zoo is planning on building the only aquarium along the I-95 corridor. Zoo director, Keith Winsten, hopes to tap into the region's advanced technology expertise to help with next generation solar power and battery storage--important considerations for a future aquatic facility subject to hurricanes and dependent on stable energy supplies to run life support systems.

That Sounds Wild: Addax

Epigenetic Clock for Cetacean Conservation Jun 10, 2021

As we age, our DNA begins to show signs of degradation. Physiological mechanisms to protect and preserve DNA from the effects of internal or external factors such as environmental pollutants grow less effective. By studying age-related changes to DNA at specific sites conserved within and across species, scientists have developed epigenetic clocks which are strongly correlated with chronological age in humans and several mammalian species. Validated epigenetic clocks from known age animals, such as those living at zoos and aquariums, allow scientists to more accurately determine the age distribution of wild populations from blood or skin samples collected in the field during health assessments or stranding events. Dr. Todd Robeck describes recent collaborative work across several species of odontocetes or toothed whales that promises to give researchers and government agencies a powerful wildlife conservation tool.

Paper: "Multi-species and multi-tissue methylation clocks for age estimation in toothed whales and dolphins"

That Sounds Wild: Gila Woodpecker

Animal Care Software

KONG Zoo

Zoo Logic

Starving Manatees & the Indian River Lagoon Jun 03, 2021

The past year has not been kind to manatees along the Florida coastline. While years of public educational programs and law enforcement seem to have stemmed the tide of animals killed by boat propeller strikes, a new and greater threat has emerged resulting in record manatee deaths. As a result of poor coastal water quality and clarity, the sea grasses that these gentle, slow moving herbivores rely on for survival are vanishing. Nowhere is the situation more dire than the complex and fragile estuary ecosystem known as the Indian River Lagoon along Florida's Atlantic coast. Dr. Duane De Freese, Executive Director of the Indian River lagoon Council and IRL National Estuary Program, describes decades of human caused damage to the IRL which in turn threatens countless species of plants and animals.

That Sounds Wild: Western Diamondback

Animal Care Software

KONG Zoo

Zoo Logic

Endangered Red Wolves May 27, 2021

For over a decade, the Akron Zoo has been partnering with US Fish & Wildlife Service in their efforts to preserve critically endangered red wolves. Recently the zoo reported their first ever successful litter of red wolf pups. As part of the federal species recovery plan, some of the pups were transferred to the den of a wild wolf pair that had a litter within days of the zoo's births to be fostered and raised as wild wolves.

That Sounds Wild: Red ruff lemur. Frank Buck Zoo

Saving Mexican Gray Wolves episode

Endangered Wolf center episode

Veterinarians International May 20, 2021

According to their website, the mission of Veterinarians International is to provide veterinary aid and education to improve the health and well-being of animals and their communities worldwide. VI is a global network of veterinarians, animal welfare specialists and researchers who partner with local communities to improve the care and conservation of animals in need, both wild and domestic.

Founder and president, Dr. Scarlett Magda and friend of the podcast, behaviorist and VI's new VP of Programs, Erin Ivory discuss partnering with local organizations and work with veterinarians and community leaders to ensure animals in their communities receive the veterinary care they need. VI's teams provide veterinary expertise, equipment and supplies for both immediate aid and disease prevention; build necessary infrastructure for animal care; and educate communities about animal health, behavior and husbandry for long-term, sustainable solutions in their own communities.

That Sounds Wild: Ring Tail Coati. Frank Buck Zoo

Sustainable Water for Gorillas and People May 13, 2021

A visit to Africa can have a life-altering effect on those fortunate enough to make the trip. Following her first trip to see mountain gorillas in Rwanda and accompanied by notable animal experts Julie Scardina and Jungle Jack Hanna, Nancy Uslan founded NEUGlobal.com to help improve literacy in the central African nation. Realizing students were often missing school due to water borne illnesses, NEU Global's mission has since expanded to help bring clean and sustainable water to communities living close to wildlife for the benefit of people and the preservation of habitats for endangered species like the gorilla.

That Sounds Wild: red tailed cockatoos. Frank Buck Zoo

Florida Coral Rescue Center May 06, 2021

For the past several years, scientists have been tracking the stony coral tissue loss disease that is rapidly destroying corals as it spreads across the Florida Reef Tract. To preserve coral species, a consortium of public and private organizations has formed the Florida Coral Rescue Center (FCRC). The FCRC is the newest and largest member of a national network of coral holding facilities coordinated by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Jim Kinsler, SeaWorld aquarium curator and FCRC facility manager leads a team of specially trained aquarists to care for, study and hopefully one day, help facilitate successful reproduction and eventual reintroduction efforts for dozens of species.

That Sounds Wild: Cheetah chirps. Frank Buck Zoo

AMZAP: Increasing Minority Representation in Zoos Apr 29, 2021

According to its website, the newly launched Association of Minority Zoo & Aquarium Professionals (AMZAP) is comprised of professionals currently working in the zoological industry focused on minority representation in the zoo field across all disciplines and at all levels. Its goal is to build a sense of community amongst minorities currently working in the zoo field and to promote animal care and conservation careers as viable options for interested minorities. To achieve these objectives, AMZAP focuses on four core goals: Networking, Outreach, Mentoring, and Professional Development. One of the organization's founding members, Craig Saffoe, curator at the National Zoo, discusses the group's formation and its plans for the future.

That Sounds Wild: Little Blue Penguin. Rickey Kinley, Cincinnati Zoo

Animal Care Software

Zoo Logic

ZOOmility

How DO You Teach a Penguin to Swim? Apr 22, 2021

Seasoned zookeeper Rickey Kinley began his career as a high school student enrolled in a unique job training program in partnership with the Cincinnati Zoo. As a long time proponent of using operant conditioning as part of any animal management plan, he noticed the penguins in his care spent far less time swimming compared to the mostly aquatic lifestyle of their wild counterparts. Since excessive standing can lead to health issues like bumble-foot in some avian species, Rickey and his team developed a behavioral plan and exhibit changes to increase the time the animals spent being active in the water.

That Sounds Wild: Catbird

Animal Care Software

Zoo Logic

ZOOmility

How to Succeed a Legend Apr 15, 2021

What better way to begin season 4 of Zoo Logic than a conversation with seasoned zoo trainer, educator and friend, Jim Nemet. After long careers at SeaWorld and Cleveland's Metroparks Zoo, Jim recently accepted the role of Director of Wildlife for the prestigious Cleveland Museum of Natural History-- a role previously held by a local legend for almost 50 years!

How has a career training with positive reinforcement helped Jim manage change for the collection of animals and keepers he now leads as well as for himself? What advice does he have for trainer keepers entering the field today? This episode is a fun stroll down memory lane between two friends appreciating the lessons of the past and applying them to the future of animal husbandry and training.

That Sounds Wild: Butcher Bird

Animal Care Software

Zoo Logic

Zoomility

Zoo Fit Apr 08, 2021

Long time animal care professional PJ Beaven realized she would be unable to ensure the best welfare for the animals in her care if she didn't first prioritize her own mental and physical health and well-being. So using the same positive reinforcement principles of husbandry and training she learned to apply to animals, PJ created Zoo Fit. It's a process and lifestyle designed to "eat clean, live green, and train positive."

Plus, we share a personal letter from the family of Jungle Jack Hanna.

Animal Care Software

Zoo Logic

ZOOmility

ZDR3: Zoo Disaster Response, Rescue, and Recovery Apr 01, 2021

According to its website, Zoo Disaster Response, Rescue, and Recovery (ZDR3) provides support to zoos, aquariums, sanctuaries, and other exotic animal businesses before, during, and after significant incidents. ZDR3 director, Julia Wagner, describes how this peer-to-peer support organization came to be as several facilities sent supplies and staff to aid others severely damaged in the wake of natural disasters like recent hurricanes

That Sounds Wild: Baby Prairie Dogs

Animal Care Software

Zoo Logic

Zoomility

Bats Man! Mar 25, 2021

For over 30 years, the Lubee Bat Conservancy has worked to preserve and protect bat species around the world. In addition to its conservation work, Lubee supports much-needed scientific research and public education on the importance of bats for insect control, pollination, and seed dispersal. Despite their fascinating behavior and physiology, these remarkable animals are increasingly under threat of extinction from a wide range of causes, not the least of which is the manner in which the more than 1200 known species of bats are maligned in pop culture and media, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. Director of the Lubee Bat Conservancy, Brian Pope, is guest.

Plus, Dr Jo Fava from Animal Necessity has a special message on an effort to support rescue and rehabilitation of dolphins along the Florida Keys.

That Sounds Wild: Military Macaws. Frank Buck Zoo.

Animal Care Software

Zoo Logic

ZOOmility

On Thin Ice Mar 18, 2021

Dr. Terrie Williams is a research physiologist with a passion for studying species, particularly large predators, found in some of the most extreme habitats on earth. Her work endeavors to understand the energy requirements these challenging conditions present, as well as, the unique behavioral and physiological adaptations that animals like polar bears, killer whales, and narwhals use to satisfy those demands. In an era of rapid climate change, this data is critical for preserving species already living on the edge.

That Sounds Wild: Gray Wolves

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ZAA and the Big Cat Safety Bill Mar 11, 2021

The executive director of the Zoological Association of America, John Seyjagat, describes the relatively young zoo and aquarium trade organization and its focus on improving animal welfare, inclusivity, and ensuring pubic safety around dangerous animals. Plus, he shares insights into the two current versions of what has become known as the "Big Cat Safety" bills making their way through Congress and why one version is much better than the other. In addition, Rachel Garner returns with a deep dive into the specifics of each bill and what passage of either would mean for the zoological community, the public, and the future of endangered large felines.

That Sounds Wild: African Lion

Why Animals Do The Thing

Houston, We Have a Solution Mar 04, 2021

Confronted by a largely ignored feral and unwanted pet problem in the major US city of Houston, zoological professional and marine mammal trainer, Heather Crane decided to do something about it. In her spare time, she started Sea Dog Animal Training to help desperate pet owners and rescue organizations rehabilitate some of the most difficult behavioral cases in her community using the very positive reinforcement-based principles she uses with sea lions and other exotic species. During a year in which many zoo professionals found themselves out of work due to the economic impact of COVID-19, Heather's company was also able to put several trainers back to work.

That Sounds Wild: Amphibian courtship season. Frank Buck Zoo

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Zoomility

Zoo Logic and Friends Feb 25, 2021

As Zoo Logic wraps up its third season over the next few weeks, we invited several past guests representing the arts, science and research, and animal law to share their diverse perspectives on the past difficult year and what a new US administration might mean for public display, conservation, and future regulations. One theme to emerge was the narrative of "retiring" animals to sanctuaries and whether sending older animals to such facilities was truly based on the best welfare of animals or simply designed to soothe human feelings.

That Sounds Wild: African Cicada.

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Zoo Logic

Zoomility

Loro Parque: No Retreat, No Surrender Feb 18, 2021

Nearly 50 years old, Loro Parque has grown into one of the premier zoological parks in the world and is a major attraction of the Canary Islands. Known for its extensive in situ and ex situ conservation and research of avian species, particularly psittacines, Loro Parque and its foundation have saved some parrot species from extinction. Currently, it participates in over 200 conservation projects across the globe.

Loro Parque continues to proudly, proactively, and unapologetically promote the work of its foundation and that of other modern zoological facilities to display, study, conserve, and in some instances, reintroduce endangered species to recovered habitats. It contributes upwards of 10% of gate revenues to conservation research and has developed its own green energy production that exceeds the facility's demands for electricity. Loro Parque Foundation Science Director Rafael Zamora Padron is guest.

That Sounds Wild: Great Migration of wildebeest.

Kong Zoo Enrichment Fundraiser Program Feb 11, 2021

Kong Zoo is a new platform where animal professionals can realize significant savings for themselves and their animal facilities when purchasing enrichment items. As the name suggests, the company is focused on an underserved segment of the animal training and enrichment world: large zoological (and equine) species. Since its creation about a year ago, the company has introduced new, larger animal products with more styles and sizes under development. Recently, they launched a fundraiser assistance program to help struggling organizations stretch their enrichment budgets.

That Sounds Wild: Jaguar. Wildlife World Zoo, Aquarium & Safari Park.

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Zoo Logic

Walrus! Feb 04, 2021

Researchers Andreas Fahlman and Alicia Borque Espinosa return to discuss their latest respiratory physiology paper focusing on walrus. Relying on animals living and trained in managed care, the researchers were able to develop the necessary equipment to measure basic respirometry parameters for these semi-aquatic animals. As with all metabolic studies, it was important to work with calm animals desensitized to the presence of non-invasive equipment. Animals trained via operant conditioning to voluntarily participate in data collection by breathing into a mask helps avoid the confounding effects on respiration and metabolism of anxious or restrained subjects.

That Sounds Wild: Cheetah purr. Frank Buck Zoo.

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Zoo Logic

Global Diving Research

The Most Famous Guy in America Nobody Knows Jan 28, 2021

Few people working in the entertainment world can point to sea lions, walrus and otters being among their earliest co-stars like comedian Bill Sindelar can. How did growing up in Cleveland working alongside animal trainers and marine mammals in front of live audiences prepare him for a successful life-long career in Hollywood working on popular live competition, theatrical, and talk shows? And, what advice does the number one warm up guy in Los Angeles have to share with today's zoological professionals and those aspiring to be?

That Sounds Wild: Crested Guinea Fowl. Cleveland Metropark Zoo

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Liberty Wildlife Jan 21, 2021

From its humble beginnings on a one acre horse property 40 years ago rescuing and rehabilitating about 80 birds in its first year, Liberty Wildlife today has a modern medical and educational facility which treated and returned 12k wild, orphaned and/or injured birds last year. Education Coordinator, Laura Hackett describes the rich history of the facility, some of its long term resident ambassadors, and its rescue efforts' above average success rate. Plus, Liberty Wildlife is home to the only federally authorized non-eagle feather repository where Native Americans may request feathers and other legally restricted migratory bird parts for cultural and religious use.

That Sounds Wild: Blue Fronted Amazon

Finding the Good in a Year of Bad Jan 14, 2021

We are joined by the president and CEO of the Phoenix Zoo, Bert Castro, who is also the current board chair for the largest zoo and aquarium trade association in North America. How has his organization weathered the pandemic and its impact on staff health, attendance, revenues, and importantly, their extensive conservation efforts locally and internationally? What lessons does he think zoos and aquariums and their trade association (AZA) have learned in 2020 that can be carried forward for a more successful 2021?

That Sounds Wild: Red Ruff lemurs. Frank Buck Zoo

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Zoo Logic

ZOOmility

Positive Reinforcement Effect on the User and Bottom Line Jan 07, 2021

Friends of the Zoo Logic Podcast, animal trainers and authors, Chuck Tompkins and Clicker Training's Ken Ramirez discuss the impact of using positive reinforcement on people. Each describes their own occasionally bumpy journey as young, inexperienced managers learning to tap into the individual motivations of their team members while also avoiding the management style errors of their predecessors.

That Sounds Wild: Eurasian Eagle Owl. Cleveland Metroparks zoo.

Save Giraffes Now Dec 31, 2020

Wildlife biologist and president of the conservation organization, Save Giraffes Now, David O'Connor returns with the real life account of a recent rescue of endangered giraffes stranded on an island in Kenya as lake waters continue to rise. With support of Save Giraffes Now, its international partners, and the local community united in its concern for this group of animals, the team was able to safely and successfully coax two of about a half-dozen Rothschild's giraffes onto a barge which was then towed to a nearby protected conservancy. Depending upon the travel obstacles posed by COVID-19, David and the team plan to reconvene in Kenya in early 2021 to rescue the remaining adults, plus an additional "castaway" born in recent weeks!

That Sounds Wild: Shoebill. Dallas World Aquarium.

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Zoo Logic

ZOOmility

A Rare 2020 Success Story: the New Mississippi Aquarium Dec 24, 2020

It is difficult to launch a new zoological facility and major community resource under the best of times, much less during a global pandemic. That is exactly what the brand new Mississippi Aquarium in Gulfport did just a few months ago on the 15th anniversary of hurricane Katrina, the historic storm that leveled homes and businesses throughout much of the gulf coast. President and CEO Kurt Allen describes the building process, the economic revival that has already begun in large part to the aquarium, and the spirit of collaboration that exists among all facilities to lend a hand during the good times and bad.

That Sounds Wild: Fennec Fox. Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

Aloha, Jungle Jack Hanna Dec 17, 2020

Earlier this year it was announced that former Columbus Zoo Director turned Emmy winning wildlife TV host, Jungle Jack Hanna was retiring from his busy zoological career. Who better then to discuss the life and conservation legacy he and his wife of over 50 years, Suzi, have built, than their eldest daughter, Kathaleen. What was it like growing up in a zoo surrounded by wild animals, a famous dad, and later working with him on camera? Plus, several of Jack's famous and not so famous friends drop in to share a favorite memory and well-wishes for their next adventure.

Friends of Jack and Suzi in order of appearance: Carolyn Hennesy, Dana Perino, Julie Scardina, Patty Neger, Mickey Ollson, Nancy Grace, Joe Stegmeyer, Sue and David Kleven, Paul Shaffer, Jim Nemet, Frederick Nsabaramiye, and Larry King.

That Sounds Wild: IMATA 2017.

Ubumwe Community Center, GISENYI, RWANDA

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Zoo Logic Podcast

ZOOmility

A Wild Life and World Dec 10, 2020

Many people dream of building their own zoo but few individuals ever make that childhood wish a reality. For nearly 40 years, Mickey Ollson has directed the zoological facility he founded known as Wildlife World Zoo. Today that zoo has grown from its original 40 acres and a few hundred animals to well over one hundred acres featuring a Safari Park and Arizona's first public aquarium. In total Wildlife World now houses over 500 species and thousands of individual birds, mammals, reptiles, and fish in what has become one of the largest zoological collections in the western United States. From the lean early years to the unfolding 2008 financial crisis during a major collection expansion to this year's COVID disruptions, Mickey describes the organization's journey against a backdrop of tremendous growth of the desert southwest, and why, despite activism and over-regulation he's still bullish on the future and importance of zoos.

That Sounds Wild: Night safari Tarangire National Park, Tanzania.

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Zoo Logic Podcast

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Wildlife World Zoo, Aquarium & Safari Park

Bushfires Rescue Dec 03, 2020

Last year's historic and devastating fires in Australia may have resulted in billions of animals lost, including many listed as threatened or endangered species, across 12 million hectares of habitat. That's roughly equivalent to the area of Spain according to guest, Beau Peberdy, a former zoo professional turned wildlife rescuer involved with several rescue organizations. Beau works with Bushfire Wildlife Rescue Support to help caregivers throughout much of Australia obtain needed medical and basic husbandry supplies to treat injured, orphaned, or burned koalas and macropods in the wake of fires and other natural disasters.

That Sounds Wild: Kookaburra

Bushfires Wildlife Rescue Support

Far North Queensland FNQ Wildlife Rescue

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Zoo Logic Podcast

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Deserted: Ecocide on the Arizona Border Nov 26, 2020

Rapid ecological destruction has been underway on the southern border of Arizona along some of the most pristine and inaccessible regions of the Sonoran desert. It isn't being done by poachers, crime syndicates, or undocumented immigrants. It's being done without serious public input, oversight, environmental impact studies, or objection by elected state and federal officials.

Over the past 2 years, photographer, John Kurc, has been documenting the work of the Trump administration to build a wall in remote areas, some with 70-90% inclines. Paradoxically, in order to build this barrier, roads must first be blasted into these mountainsides. And, as we know from examples around the world in other formerly pristine and remote places, when you build roads, the people will follow.

The impact on wildlife migration, watersheds, habitats, endangered plant and animal species, not to mention the increase in human migration in areas previously untravelled thanks to the new access courtesy of the federal government, are incalculable. Undeterred by the intimidation he's experienced at the hands of contractors, John's ongoing video documentation of the widespread destruction is shocking and suggests the scars upon this beautiful but fragile region will never heal.

John Kurc @iamKurc

Videos of desert destruction

That Sounds Wild: Harris' Hawk

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Animal Care Software

Marine Mammal Veterinary Scientist Dr. Sam Ridgway Nov 19, 2020

The term pioneer is overused but how else to describe the person contributing to our basic understanding of cetacean health and husbandry, anatomy and physiology, and behavior for the past 60 years? In the early 1960's, Dr. Sam Ridgway became one of the architects of the US Navy's Marine Mammal Program. Trained first as an Air Force veterinarian, Dr Ridgway went on to earn his doctorate and has for decades collaborated with some of the world's most renown marine mammal researchers in the areas of cetacean neuroscience, hearing and echolocation, sleep, deep diving physiology and more.

That Sounds Wild: Bottlenose dolphin

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National Marine Mammal Foundation

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The Rewards of Positive Training pt 2 Nov 12, 2020

It's part two of our discussion about modern behavioral training applications to improve animal husbandry and wildlife conservation with friends of Zoo Logic, large animal managers Erin Ivory, Chuck Tompkins and Ted Turner. Using examples from their work with animals in human care and in the wild, the trio downplay the role of rewards like food while stressing the importance of establishing strong relationships with large predatory and prey animals through creative, fun, and unpredictable consequences.

That Sounds Wild: tropical Australia.

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Zoo Logic

ZOOmility

The Rewards of Positive Training Nov 05, 2020

Friends of Zoo Logic, large animal managers Erin Ivory, Chuck Tompkins and Ted Turner return to discuss success stories from 3 decades or more of positive reinforcement-based training principles utilized with zoological and domestic species. The trio downplay the role of rewards like food while stressing the importance of establishing strong relationships with large predatory and prey animals through creative, fun, and unpredictable consequences.

That Sounds Wild: Beaver pup.

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Zoo Logic

Zoos Preserving Endangered Island Iguanas Oct 29, 2020

The Fort Worth Zoo has been focused on preserving threatened and endangered iguana species in their native ranges for many years. Recently, they announced the successful hatching of 2 endangered Grand Cayman iguanas as part of a multi-institutional cooperative effort to boost healthy and genetically diverse populations of these animals, both in human care and in restored habitats. Remarkably, fewer than 10 of these individuals remained in the wild 20 years ago. Today, thanks to the work of zoological and conservation organizations there are more than 700.

Fort Worth Zoo's conservation biologist and co-chair of the IUCN Iguana Specialist Group, Dr. Stesha Pasachnik explains some of the challenges facing larger vertebrate island species like the Grand Cayman iguana.

That Sounds Wild: gator snort

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To learn more about iguana conservation:

https://www.iguanafoundation.org/

https://www.iguanafoundation.org/adopt-an-iguana/ https://www.iucn-isg.org/

IUCN Plan to Save Small Cetaceans Oct 22, 2020

According to their press release, a new report published in recent weeks by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) calls for a broader, more integrated approach to the conservation of small cetaceans, particularly dolphins and porpoises. Many species and populations that are only found close to human activities are quickly declining due to known but unsolved problems – primarily accidental drowning in fishing gillnets. The report recommends urgent actions for several species and subspecies at risk of extinction, including Atlantic humpback dolphins, Yangtze finless porpoises, Franciscana dolphins, and Indus and Ganges river dolphins, and development of integrated conservation plans with explicit consideration of all measures and strategies that might be needed to save these and other threatened dolphin and porpoise species.

Director of Life Sciences for the Seattle Aquarium, Grant Abel, returns to describe a "seminal" 2018 workshop in Nuremberg, Germany prompted by the realization that more tools were needed to prevent further extinctions of dolphins and porpoises following the recent extinction of the Yangtze River dolphin in China and the catastrophic decline of the vaquita porpoise in Mexico. A plan had been developed to save the Yangtze river dolphin by temporarily moving animals into protected areas until the threats to their survival had been addressed. Similar actions to conserve the critically endangered vaquita were attempted. In both cases, these efforts to protect the species came too late to succeed, as there were too few animals left.

At this workshop, a scientific working group made up of conservation biologists, veterinarians, and marine mammal population experts discussed novel approaches to dolphin and porpoise conservation that are routinely used for terrestrial species. The working group consisted of experts from 14 countries.

The resulting workshop report recommends that marine mammal conservationists around the world work together and act with urgency to consider critically needed conservation measures both in wild environments within the species’ geographic range (in situ) and in protected or modified environments within or outside that range (ex situ). This holistic framework for species conservation planning is known as the One Plan approach. People frequently associate the term“ex situ conservation” with captive breeding of individuals in zoos and aquariums. In reality, ex situ approaches comprise a variety of actions including safeguarding animals in protected environments such as semi-natural reserves to prevent species extinction; initiating research programs to fill gaps in our understanding of a species’ biology and threats to its survival; rescue and release of stranded or otherwise incapacitated individuals; and public engagement programs to promote understanding and support of species conservation. The One Plan approach, developed by the IUCN Species Survival Commission’s Conservation Planning Specialist Group, features direct involvement of many stakeholders – conservation scientists, NGO representatives, government wildlife managers, local community leaders and industry representatives – combined with science-based decision making to improve species conservation planning.

That Sounds Wild: Siamang. Wildlife World Zoo Aquarium & Safari Park

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IUCN Report

Escape From Extinction Oct 15, 2020

American Humane’s new groundbreaking documentary, Escape from Extinction, narrated by Academy Award winner Helen Mirren, showcases the critical efforts certified zoos and aquariums are undertaking to preserve millions of species on the verge of disappearing forever. As the first pro-zoo-and-aquarium documentary of its kind, the film takes viewers on a dramatic trip around the world and through time to explore the roots of the wholesale disappearance of species in our forests and oceans, described by scientists and journalists as a “Sixth Mass Extinction.”

Importantly, however, the film also shows people that there is hope as animal experts, conservationists, animal scientists, veterinarians, bioethicists and others at leading zoological organizations across the globe work feverishly to pull endangered and disappearing species back from the brink. The making of this 90-minute film took many years, passion, and tens of thousands of miles of travel.

From the producers:

About American Humane

Founded in 1877, American Humane is the country's first national humane organization. For 142 years, the nonprofit has pioneered many of the humane protections we have come to take for granted and today works to save, shelter, feed, and improve the lives of some one billion animals around the world. With 91 cents of every dollar spent going directly to programs, American Humane has earned Charity Navigator’s highest “Four-Star Rating,” has been named a “Top-Rated Charity” with an “A” rating by both the American Institute of Philanthropy’s CharityWatch and Great Nonprofits, and was awarded the gold level seal from GuideStar USA. The organization has also earned the Independent Charities Seal of Excellence, was awarded inclusion on Better Business Bureau’s prestigious Wise Giving Alliance Accredited Charities list and was designated as a “Best Charity” by Consumer Reports. For more information about American Humane’s lifesaving work, please visit www.AmericanHumane.org.

About MRB Productions

MRB Productions brings inventive stories and inspired imagery to media platforms around the world. Whether producing a commercial, a feature film, television, digital, live sports or an award show, MRB evolves to embrace a project’s specific needs. We are passionate about what we do and committed to being exceptional. MRB’s most recent feature, All I Wish, with Sharon Stone, Tony Goldwyn & Ellen Burstyn, is currently streaming. Our documentary, Back to Life, premiered on ABC and is currently on Amazon Prime. MRB’s latest films, all festival darlings, are available on streaming platforms. These include The Night Stalker with Lou Diamond Phillips, The Truth About Emanuel with Jessica Biel, & Grassroots with Jason Biggs. In Television, MRB has a decade of experience producing the pre-taped segments and VIP program for ESPN’s ESPY Awards, in addition to producing the Hero Dog Awards for the Hallmark Channel. Additional TV projects include two seasons of the mockumentary comedy show Free Radio on VH1 and Comedy Central and the Webby award-winning series, The Confession, starring Kiefer Sutherland. MRB is also known for sports programming for the Longhorn Network. MRB’s commercial repertoire includes a longstanding relationship with Mattel and collaborations with Periera & O’Dell, Saatchi & Saatchi, and Publicis, for clients such as McDonald’s, Pepsi, Mattel, Lay’s, Foot Locker, Samsung, Nerf, NHL, Smirnoff, Wal-Mart, and University of Phoenix. In the video game space, MRB partners with Ubisoft to produce the Just Dance Kids series. For more information, please visit www.mrbproductions.com.

That Sounds Wild: African Pied crow (sort of)

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ZOOmility

Zoo Logic

The Frozen Zoo Oct 08, 2020

The San Diego Zoo Global's Institute for Conservation Research maintains what is called the frozen zoo. For decades, carefully collected and prepared cell samples from over 1000 species, many of them listed as threatened or endangered and nearing extinction, have been stored almost indefinitely in ultra cold freezers. Recently, the frozen zoo played an instrumental role in the successful cloning of an endangered Przewalski's Horse by providing the genetic material from a long deceased yet underrepresented stallion.

SDZG's Dr. Oliver Ryder has spent his career working to preserve the Przewalski's Horse and many other species through scientifically managed breeding programs and husbandry in human care. However, when the number of individuals in a rare population is very small the natural loss of genetic diversity can't be met or prevented by managed breeding methods alone. Thus, Dr. Oliver describes how increasing the number of species and individuals from which cells are collected and stored would provide future generations with the option of whether and to what extent assisted reproductive techniques should be used to increase species biodiversity.

That Sounds Wild: African elephant

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Successful Cloning of an Endangered Species Oct 01, 2020

Recently, historic news of the successful birth of an endangered Przewalski's Horse foal conceived through cloning technology was announced. Remarkably, the nuclear material used for the purpose of expanding the genetic diversity of this managed species was from a genetically underrepresented stallion that has been deceased for many years. The stallion's DNA had been preserved at what is colloquially called the Frozen Zoo located at the San Diego Zoo Global's Institute for Conservation Research. Ryan Phelan, co-founder of Revive & Restore and lead scientist Ben Novak discuss the use and future promise of technology to increase biodiversity of vulnerable populations in what they deem "genetic rescue."

That Sounds Wild: African Crested Porcupine tail

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Environmental Journalist Jeremy Hance Sep 24, 2020

Long time journalist for the popular environmental news website Mongabay.com, Jeremy Hance has a new book entitled, Baggage: Confessions of a Globe Trotting Hypochondriac. In it, he openly and sometimes humorously describes his own struggles with mental illness including anxiety and depression as a child and how his later in life diagnosis of OCD affected and informed his work as a world traveling environmental journalist. Despite the challenges and opportunities his condition presents, Jeremy relishes his time interviewing field researchers in some of the most remote and biodiverse locations in the world.

That Sounds Wild: Asian Elephants.

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Animal Welfare and Software Sep 17, 2020

Dr. Isabella Clegg is an ethologist researching animal welfare, particularly in cetaceans, and developing species assessments in zoological settings. David Kleven is a zoo animal professional and founder of Animal Care Software. Together, they developed a new animal welfare assessment software module that caregivers can use other mobile devices in the field and in real time. The goal is to have customized data collection and analysis to better understand the welfare needs of animals at the species and individual levels. Dr. Clegg also gives a quick update on two beluga whales transferred from China to an ocean sea pen in Iceland last year.

That Sounds Wild: Swamp wallaby joey. Frank Buck Zoo

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What Species Are Most Vulnerable to COVID-19? Sep 10, 2020

Researchers at UC Davis published a paper recently describing through computational methods the relative risk of COVID-19 infection to over 400 species examined. Nearly half of the species studied are listed as threatened or endangered. Some of the animals found to be most at risk were not too surprising, such as endangered Old World apes. Still others, particularly reptiles and birds, represent a lower risk. Our guests, Dr. Yvonne Nadler from the USDA funded ZAHP Fusion Center and Dr. Dominic Travis, University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine discuss how this research will help the zoological and veterinary health community set conservation and husbandry priorities and funding for developing best practices to safeguard the most vulnerable species both in human care and in the wild, as well as humans.

That Sounds Wild: African Lion Cub

COVID-19 hub for information on nonhuman primates

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The Future of Zoos and Aquariums (part 2) Sep 03, 2020

It's part two of our conversation about the future with zoo and aquarium thought leaders from the Denver Zoo, Indianapolis Zoo, Dolphin Discovery, and Karen Pryor Clicker Training. Coinciding with the news that at least 1 major aquarium has decided to close public operations temporarily to reassess its business model in a COVID-19 reality, our panel looks at revenue streams and the need for greater creativity going forward. They also stress the need for organizations to put trade association differences aside and work together, lest all facilities (and as a result, possibly animal welfare) suffer during these troubling public health, travel industry, and economic times.

That Sounds Wild: Lory parrots. Wildlife World

Karen Pryor Clicker Training

The Future of Zoos and Aquariums (part 1) Aug 27, 2020

Following our conversation with futurist Bob Johansen last week, we assembled a panel of zoo and aquarium thought leaders with diverse backgrounds, interests and organizations, to get their views on what the future may hold for zoological facilities and professionals. Topics include: sharing how they adapted their guest experience, infrastructure, and staffing roles to address the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic upon reopening; the re-focus on smaller, personal interactions among animals, staff, and guests versus large audience events and attractions; and the implications for budgets and revenues now and forever.

Denver Zoo

Indianapolis Zoo

The Dolphin Company (Dolphin Discovery)

Karen Pryor Clicker Training

That Sounds Wild: Smooth-sided toad. Kemah Aquarium.

Animal Care Software

KONG ZOO

Full-Spectrum Thinking with Futurist Bob Johansen Aug 20, 2020

Given the globally disruptive challenges presented by COVID-19, zoos, aquariums, and the conservation and research organizations they support are in serious financial jeopardy. So to help sort out a robust pathway forward, we sought the assistance of renowned futurist, Dr. Bob Johansen from the Institute for the Future. In his latest book, he describes the importance of a Full-Spectrum Thinking mindset to avoid the brain's tendency towards rigid categorical thinking. With the next decade expected to be even more chaotic than today such rigidity is not only outdated, it often leads to a false certainty and all too simplistic binary choices. He argues this old way of thinking is not only foolish, it can be dangerous.

To successfully navigate what he calls the "scramble" and to reach the next decade, what's needed is a future-back approach- one that allows leaders to use foresight to set the direction for where an organization wants to be among a spectrum of possible futures. Then by harnessing current insights and remaining flexible about how to get to that future, leaders and organizations can make sense of new opportunities. Resisting labels and using new technologies will assist leaders to see patterns in big-data and achieve greater clarity over false certainty.

That Sounds Wild: Black Bear. Frank Buck Zoo

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How Do You Solve a Problem Like Hvaldimir? A Conversation with Lindsay Rubincam Aug 13, 2020

More than a year after his arrival in the waters of Norway, Hvaldimir, a trained beluga whale is surviving on his own while still seeking the company of his human family. Whether it's sleeping under maintenance boats at fish farms or engaging with people in crowded waterways, Hvaldimir may be living free in the open ocean but he's anything but wild. Marine mammal expert Lindsay Rubincam shares how a social media network tracking his whereabouts is helping a team of volunteers insure his future well being and informing Norway Fisheries.

One thing is clear, Hvaldimir is touching the hearts and minds of the people of Norway, which is remarkable given the country's whaling past and present.

That Sounds Wild: Gibbons. The Phoenix Zoo

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Proactive Aggression Management Using Positive Reinforcement Aug 06, 2020

Animal training experts Chuck Tompkins and Ted Turner return for a third installment on behavioral principles to discuss how operant conditioning using positive reinforcement in managed care can prevent and at minimum reduce the frequency and intensity of aggressive behaviors directed at other animals, caregivers, or the immediate environment. The goal is not to react to or try to suppress aggressive responses after they have happened as traditional punishment-based training often calls for, but to prevent the fear or frustration that leads to aggression before it ever occurs.

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Rising Tide Conservation Jul 30, 2020

Renowned veterinary pathologist and researcher, Dr. Judy St. Leger is the president of Rising Tide Conservation. According to its website, Rising Tide Conservation is dedicated to developing and promoting aquaculture of marine ornamental fish species through the collaborative efforts of researchers, public aquaria, hobbyists, pet industry professionals, and conservation groups. Rising Tide Conservation facilitates sustainability in the aquarium industry by supporting marine ornamental fish aquaculture research in order to reduce the impacts of wild fish collection on fish populations and the coral reefs where they live.

That Sounds Wild: Screech owl. Frank Buck Zoo.

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Correcting the Narrative Jul 23, 2020

This special episode features a series of panel presentations based on recently published peer-reviewed papers about dolphin life expectancy, orca longevity, cetacean dive physiology, and two rebuttals of Marino et al 2019. Panelists Kelly Jaakkola, Kevin Willis, Andreas Fahlman, Heather Hill, Kathleen Dudzinski, & Jason Bruck present data, as well as, commentary on a case study example of a published paper on orca welfare that never should have cleared the peer-review process. Our panel of scientists clarify what we currently know and don't know about two popular species of marine mammals in human care and in the wild across a few key welfare measures. Plus, they discuss at length the problems that occur when previous scientific citations are misused, and unsupported opinion and agendas are passed off as science in peer-reviewed journals.

Kelly Jaakkola Dolphin Life Expectancy

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/mms.12601

Kevin Willis Orca Longevity

Kochanek KD, Murphy SL, Xu JQ, Arias E. Deaths: Final data for 2017. National Vital Statistics Reports; vol 68 no 9. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2019.

Jett, J. and Ventre, J. Captive killer whale (Orcinus orca) survival. Marine Mammal Science, 4:297-311. 2015.

Robeck, T. R., K. Willis, M. R. Scarpuzzi and J. K. O’Brien. 2015. Comparisons of life history parameters between free-ranging and captive killer whale (Orcinus orca) populations for application toward species management. Journal of Mammalogy, 96:1055-1070.

Robeck, T., Jaakkola, K., Stafford G., and Willis, K. Killer whale (Orcinus orca) survivorship in captivity: A critique of Jett and Ventre (2015). Marine Mammal Science, 32, 786–792. 2016.

Andreas Fahlman Dolphin Dive and Respiratory Physiology

Borque Espinosa, A., Burgos, F., Dennison, S., Laughlin, R., Manley, M., Capaccioni, R. and Fahlman, A. (2020). Lung function testing as a diagnostic tool to assess respiratory health in bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus. Diseases of Aquatic Organisms 138, 17-27.

Fahlman, A., Borque-Espinosa, A., Facchin, F., Ferrero Fernandez, D., Muñoz Caballero, P., Haulena, M. and Rocho-Levine, J. (2020). Comparative respiratory physiology in cetaceans. Frontiers Physiology 11, 1-7.

Fahlman, A., Brodsky, M., Miedler, S., Dennison, S., Ivančić, M., Levine, G., Rocho-Levine, J., Manley, M., Rocabert, J. and Borque Espinosa, A. (2019). Ventilation and gas exchange before and after voluntary static surface breath-holds in clinically healthy bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus. Journal of Experimental Biology 222, 1-9.

Fahlman, A., Brodsky, M., Wells, R., McHugh, K., Allen, J., Barleycorn, A., Sweeney, J. C., Fauquier, D. and Moore, M. (2018a). Field energetics and lung function in wild bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus, in Sarasota Bay Florida. Royal Society Open Science 5, 171280.

Fahlman, A., Jensen, F., Tyack, P. L. and Wells, R. (2018b). Modeling tissue and blood gas kinetics in coastal and offshore common Bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus. Frontiers Physiology 9, 1-13.

Fahlman, A., Loring, S. H., Levine, G., Rocho-Levine, J., Austin, T. and Brodsky, M. (2015). Lung mechanics and pulmonary function testing in cetaceans Journal of Experimental Biology 218, 2030-2038.

Fahlman, A., McHugh, K., Allen, J., Barleycorn, A., Allen, A., Sweeney, J., Stone, R., Faulkner Trainor, R., Bedford, G., Moore, M. J. et al. (2018c). Resting metabolic rate and lung function in wild offshore common bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus, near bermuda. Frontiers in Physiology 9.

Fahlman, A., Moore, M. J. and Garcia-Parraga, D. (2017). Respiratory function and mechanics in pinnipeds and cetaceans. Journal of Experimental Biology 220, 1761-1763.

Thanks to Dr. Randy Wells, Director of the Sarasota Dolphin Research Program and Chicago Zoological Society.

https://www.sarasotadolphin.org/about-us-2/

Kathleen Dudzinski & Heather Hill

Commentary on Marino et al 2019 https://escholarship.org/uc/item/6cj9473p

www.aquaticmammalsjournal.org

https://www.dolphincommunicationproject.org/index.php/about-dolphins/scientific-publications

Jason Bruck

Commentary on Marino et al 2019 https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Jason_Bruck2

Pacific Marine Mammal Center Jul 16, 2020

Friend of the podcast, Dr. Hendrik Nollens describes his new role as VP of Conservation Medicine and Science at the Pacific Marine Mammal Center. In addition to responding to marine mammal stranding events along the entire coastline of Orange County, the PMMC has an ongoing role in public education, original wildlife research, as well as, assisting wild animals, particularly large cetaceans, entangled by ropes and other fishing debris. Dr. Nollens sees advancements in veterinary medicine and animal husbandry science developed in zoological facilities being increasingly utilized proactively to intervene with wild animals, including endangered species, at risk from injury or illness.

That Sounds Wild: Reeves muntjac. Frank Buck Zoo.

A Conversation About Race and Zoos Jul 09, 2020

Modern zoos and aquariums are agents for positive change. Through conservation, public education, in situ and ex situ research, and the display of amazing animals, zoological facilities inspire people of all ages to care about the well-being of wildlife and wild places. Still, it doesn't take one long to realize that these organizations so dedicated to preserving biodiversity are, in fact, not all that diverse in terms of their workforce, especially across animal-related departments and occupations. Given the ongoing historical protests for racial equality and justice, how are zoos and aquariums endeavoring to build more diverse teams? What roadblocks exist to increasing participation in zoological work by people of color? Does the lack of diversity among role models have an effect on inspiring young people to consider careers in zoos and aquariums? And, how do we reconcile the shameful role some prominent western zoos played in the 19th and 20th centuries in perpetuating racial stereotypes in support of white supremacy and Colonialism?

Our guest is Odysea Aquarium's TJ Lowery who is also co-founder of Defeating Racism at Work or DR@W.

That Sounds Wild: Nubian Ibex. Frank Buck Zoo

Humanism vs. Behavior Management Jul 02, 2020

Our recent episode on the Least Reinforcing Scenario (#113) set download records and elicited so much feedback from listeners that we invited long time animal training experts Chuck Tompkins and Ted Turner back to discuss other controversial operant conditioning terms and topics. The Intermediate Bridge and End of Session signal are two such concepts about which few behavior training professionals are ambivalent. Chuck and Ted reflect on the validity of these concepts and warn trainers against letting humanistic interpretations of animal responses cloud their decision-making when it comes to behavior management using operant conditioning.

That Sounds Wild: African lion, coyote, and new guinea Singing Dog. EATM at Moorpark College.

Pittsburgh Zoo's Dr. Barbara Baker Jun 25, 2020

Dr. Barbara Baker the president and CEO of the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium for thirty years spoke at the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums annual meeting in February (just as the COVID-19 pandemic was arriving in the United States) as part of a panel discussion made up of leaders of major zoological organizations from around the world. She also serves as the Board Chair for the trade association known as the Zoological Association of America. Dr. Baker shares her insights on Expedia's decision to support ticket sales to zoos and aquariums accredited by a few trade groups but not others. Given the resurgence in activism by well-funded companies like PeTA and HSUS, Dr. Baker warns of the federal, state, and local legislative bills targeting such aspects of zoo operations as animal ambassadors, transports, breeding and public display. She argues these efforts are intended to force zoos into adopting a sanctuary model and eventually into extinction. She stresses the need for all zoo and aquarium accreditation organizations to work together and to resist activist efforts to divide and conquer zoo and aquarium professionals.

Also, Dr Jo Fava from Animal Necessity returns with a great way for zoo and aquarium fans to support their local facilities struggling with the loss of revenues during the pandemic.

That Sounds Wild: Asian Elephant cows

Big Baby Beluga Jun 18, 2020

Recently, the Georgia Aquarium site of the Animal Planet show, The Aquarium, announced the birth of a large female beluga whale calf. Long time marine mammal husbandry and training professionals, Eric Gaglione and Dennis Christen describe the extensive planning and staff preparation that occurs in advance of any cetacean birth. Most important to the process is the extensive desensitization training based upon operant conditioning and positive reinforcement that the expectant mother receives from her caregivers. The goal is to prepare the team and the animals for any conceivable contingency prior to, during, and after parturition. Hear the latest on what challenges occurred during delivery, how the team successfully responded, and the latest on how the calf is doing.

That Sounds Wild: Beluga chorus.

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The Least Reinforcing Scenario Jun 11, 2020

Few behavioral terms or concepts have engendered as much discussion, confusion, and heated debate among zoo professionals, behaviorists, and animal trainers over the past thirty years as the Least Reinforcing Scenario, known simply as LRS. Two of the original LRS architects, Chuck Tompkins and Ted Turner, describe the concept and the fundamental shift in behavioral psychology it represented by rejecting the status quo of traditional animal training that urged trainers to say "no" to animals when they make a mistake. Chuck and Ted clarify what the LRS is and is not, and why its development made trustful relationships and incredible behavioral advancements with with killer whales possible. The LRS has since been applied to the care of hundreds of other marine and terrestrial species, as well as, domestic pets.

That Sounds Wild: orcas. SeaWorld Hubbs Research Institute.

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Understanding Dolphin Pulmonary Physiology Jun 04, 2020

Dr. Andreas Fahlman returns with doctoral candidate Alicia Espinosa to describe their research using tools and knowledge of human spirometry to better understand dolphin pulmonary function. Their goal is to establish a baseline of small cetacean pulmonary physiology measures for use in assessing wild and stranded dolphin respiratory health.

Global Diving Research

That Sounds Wild: Bottlenose Dolphin whistle

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Broken Trust: When the Peer Review Process Breaks Down May 28, 2020

With science proving to be an easy target these days for those looking to politicize it, what lasting harm is done to the public discourse and society's faith in anything the research community at large has to report on any subject, in those rare instances when unsubstantiated, misleading, or unethically crafted papers clear a respected journal's peer review process?

Dr. Heather Hill, principle author of the recent rebuttal letter to one such concerning peer-reviewed paper joins researcher Jason Bruck, PhD to discuss the implications for us all.

That Sounds Wild: Red Tailed Hawk. Frank Buck Zoo

To download the rebuttal/commentary: Distinguishing personal belief from scientific knowledge for the betterment of killer whale welfare – a commentary The International Journal of Comparative Psychology (IJCP)

Into the COVID-19 Lion's Den May 21, 2020

When the plea for help went out across the US for medical professionals to lend their talents to the city hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic, like nearly 100 thousand of his colleagues, Ohio surgeon Dr. Ray Gagliardi answered the call. Dr. Ray shares his insights into the myriad of ways the deadly disease attacks the human body making it much more than just a respiratory illness.

That Sounds Wild: Great Horned Owls. Frank Buck Zoo

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Okapi: Ghosts of the Forests May 14, 2020

John Lukas is president of the Okapi Conservation Project which works in the Democratic Republic of Congo to study, protect and preserve the elusive large mammal known as okapi, nicknamed the ghost of the forest. Despite its large size for a forest-dwelling species, the okapi, a relative of the giraffe, was only recently described by western civilization in the early 1900's. Its great mass enables it to easily plow through dense jungle forests which serve to camouflage the species from predators like leopards as well as humans.

That Sounds Wild: Flamingos Frank Buck Zoo

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When Legislator Agendas Trump Animal Welfare May 07, 2020

The Director of Research for the Dolphin Research Center, Dr. Kelly Jaakkola is back describing a recent Connecticut bill intended to ban all relevant activities surrounding cetaceans living in human care. The bill's timing coincides with a federal import permit application by the state's only marine mammal facility, the Mystic Aquarium, seeking to add a handful of beluga whales born at a crowded facility in Canada. Mystic Aquarium has a well regarded rescue and research program for animals in human care and the wild so the bill's intent seems more concerned with ending public display rather than ensuring the best possible welfare interests of these animals. Not surprisingly, the bill's author has publicly denounced keeping cetaceans in human care and is a vocal member of an anti-zoo organization.

That Sounds Wild: Red Foxes. Frank Buck Zoo

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The Rattlesnake Conservancy

Deepwater Horizon: Still Deadly Ten Years Later Apr 30, 2020

The National Marine Mammal Foundation has been studying chronic effects from the Deepwater Horizon disaster in the Gulf of Mexico, one of the largest oil spills in history. The NMMF's Director of Medicine, Dr. Forrest Gomez describes some of the findings from field research and wild population assessments on cetacean health and reproduction, particularly for bottlenose dolphins. The data shows dolphins are still experiencing toxic effects more than 10 years later with some populations not expected to recover for decades.

That Sounds Wild: Squirrel monkey. Frank Buck Zoo.

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Catastrophic: Zoos and Aquariums Fight for Survival Against COVID-19 Apr 23, 2020

San Antonio Zoo CEO Tim Morrow describes recent acquisitions, animal habitat improvements, and the William Smith Zoo School for preschool children at the historic zoo. In a story playing out at zoological facilities across the nation and world, Tim also describes the sudden financial and staffing challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic has presented to this non-profit facility that is entirely dependent upon earned revenues and donations to fund its operations. No facility, regardless of tax and ownership status or funding sources has been immune to the economic impact of the pandemic. Yet, despite these unprecedented professional and personal hurdles, dedicated animal professionals continue to provide great care to their animal collections.

That Sounds Wild: European Barn Owl Animal Edutainment

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Ape Trees Apr 16, 2020

With the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, wildlife conservationist Julie Scardina introduces us to the work of Wild Earth Allies and its executive director, Katie Frohardt. WEA has conservation interests around the globe with a keen interest in Central Africa and the preservation of gorillas. With the aid of scientists experienced at successfully studying and conserving mountain gorillas from the brink of extinction a few decades ago to well over 1000 individuals today, WEA is working to preserve the endangered Grauer's gorilla. Mitigating the threats to this lowland gorilla subspecies whose population is decreasing by 5% per year is made more difficult by their wider yet patchy distribution over a vast range that varies in habitat quality. One effort supported by WEA to help the gorillas and the local communities that depend upon the same resources is the sorting of gorilla dung to identify preferred foodstuffs and to collect seeds for use in restoring forests by way of two community nurseries.

That Sounds Wild: North American Porcupine. Animal Edutainment

Preventing the Next Pandemic: A Humane Conversation About Our Social Contract with Animals Apr 09, 2020

As the oldest animal welfare organization in the US, American Humane and its CEO Dr. Robin Ganzert work to improve welfare across the companion, military, farm, entertainment, and zoological animal world. As the SARS-CoV-2 spread continues to affect the lives of animals and people around the globe, American Humane is stepping up to provide online materials and support to organizations and animals in need. Dr. Ganzert discusses how the current pandemic is more evidence of how humans have violated the social contract we have with animals and that we must do better to share humane values and practices around the nation and the world.

Plus last week's guest, University of Minnesota veterinary epidemiologist, Dr. Dominic Travis joins us again to discuss the late breaking news about a tiger at the Bronx zoo that tested positive for COVID-19 and what the implications are for zoo and domestic animals. Rather than a reason to panic, Dr. Travis says this incident highlights the important and longstanding scientific role of modern zoos and aquariums as sentinels for zoonotic disease. He argues that zoological facilities and professionals play an integral part of the broader public health community to curb this pandemic and to monitor, prepare for, and mitigate future ones.

That Sounds Wild: Clouded Leopard. Frank Buck Zoo

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Bronx Zoo info on tiger testing positive for COVID-19

American Humane

The Politics of SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic Modeling, Public Health, and Conservation Apr 02, 2020

University of Minnesota researcher and former VP of Science and Conservation for Lincoln Park Zoo, Dominic Travis, DVM specializes in wildlife epidemiology. His primary area of interest is understanding the interface between humans, domestic animals and wildlife species, and how that interface affects our health, food safety, and conservation. How has our polarized political environment in an election year contributed to the public's confusion over the scientific method, as it pertains to the value of mathematical models, as government agencies scramble to use their evolving predictions to inform and communicate effective health policies addressing the global crisis?

That Sounds Wild: Dromedary Camel. Frank Buck Zoo

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Global Response of Zoos and Aquariums to the COVID-19 Pandemic Mar 26, 2020

Following a personal message of unity to zoo fans and professionals everywhere from Jungle Jack Hanna, the CEO of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) describes the impact of COVID-19 on its nearly 300 member facilities. As the global alliance of regional associations, national federations, zoos and aquariums, dedicated to the care and conservation of animals and their habitats around the world, WAZA is coordinating its messaging and resources with the latest guidelines from the World Health Organization as well as regional and national authorities.

While many businesses may close during this crisis, zoological professionals continue to care for animals, while trying to balance the personal, financial, and health demands of this historic pandemic.

That Sounds Wild: Chorus Frogs. Frank Buck Zoo

Pandemic: Balancing Animal Welfare with Public Health Mar 19, 2020

As the rest of the country became aware of the virus spreading in hard hit Washington state, the Seattle Aquarium was one of the first zoological facilities in the U.S. to announce it was closing to the public. Fortunately for the aquarium, their new Director of Life Sciences, Grant Abel, is all too familiar with dealing with regional pandemics from his previous posts in Asia. Grant describes the difficult decision process, the evolving plans, and the fiscal and operational challenges to ensuring the aquarium's collection of fish, marine mammals, birds, and staff members are well cared for as the crisis unfolds and as the medical and public health community hope to "flatten the curve." It's a developing story that is being repeated at zoological facilities throughout the world.

That Sounds Wild: Baby Prairie Dogs. Frank Buck Zoo.

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Seattle Aquarium

Overlooked Species: Wading in to Save Animals No One Cares About Mar 12, 2020

Director of Conservation for San Antonio zoo, Dr. Dante' Fenolio, says zoos are unique in their ability to take funds designated by families for entertainment and repurpose them for conservation research. This is especially important for overlooked species like the reticulated flatwoods salamander, which his team successfully hatched recently for the first time ever, because zoos are willing to invest time, money, and expertise to preserve unknown, uncharismatic, and endangered species like these and other amphibians. He cautions that conservation biology can't be rushed as this project took eleven years to achieve this breeding success in part because of how little is known about these elusive, mostly subterranean animals.

That Sounds Wild: Madagascar Hissing Cockroach. Frank Buck Zoo

Special Delivery: Columbus Zoo's Historic Cheetah Cubs Mar 05, 2020

As a species, the odds of survival are stacked against cheetahs. From habitat loss and fragmentation, high infant mortality rates, poaching for the pet trade, and conflicts with humans Cheetahs face a myriad of threats. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium has been supporting cheetah conservation, reproductive research, and public education through its ambassador program for over 20 years. Recently they announced the first ever successful births of cubs conceived through in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer. The emerging reproductive science, reward-based husbandry training, and trustful bond between animals and zookeepers may just offer a pathway forward to preserve this unique and fragile species.

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Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

Ken Ramirez part 2 Feb 27, 2020

Animal trainer Ken Ramirez has worked with dozens of species living in zoos and the wild. In part 2 of our conversation, Ken describes his years long effort to use behavioral science to teach a large herd of wild African elephants to avoid a centuries-old migratory route through a conflict zone. It's a hopeful example of the growing role for modern training methods in wildlife conservation and preservation. Plus, Ken has a new book unlike any he's written before entitled, The Eye of the Trainer: Animal Training, Transformation, and Trust.

Ken Ramirez: Animal Training, Transformation, and Trust Feb 20, 2020

For over 40 years, author, consultant, zoological manager, behaviorist, and teacher, Ken Ramirez has explored and observed the natural world with a keen eye for animal training. There are few wild and domestic species living in human care that haven't benefited from his work as a positive reinforcement-based animal trainer. His new book available at ClickerTraining is a series of essays entitled The Eye of the Trainer: Animal Training, Transformation, and Trust. His latest field work connects conservation with behavioral science.

That Sounds Wild: Lyrebird

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Odysea Aquarium Conservation Expo part 2 Feb 13, 2020

The Odysea Aquarium's annual and free Conservation Expo features many rescue, research, conservation and education focused organizations at work in the desert southwest and around the US. We talk with the director of the Scottsdale Community College's Center for Native and Urban Wildlife about its community outreach mission. Also, the Arizona Game and Fish Department operates several fish hatcheries to preserve endangered native species of fresh water fish and to support the sport fishing community.

That Sounds Wild: Guinea Fowl. Frank Buck Zoo

Remembering Dawn Brancheau: Dream Big Feb 06, 2020

February 24th marks the 10-year anniversary of the tragic passing of marine mammal trainer, Dawn Brancheau. Her loss was felt not only by family and friends, but throughout the zoological community and the general public. We celebrate the life of Dawn, the passion she had for animals and training, and the work of the foundation created in her honor with people that knew her well: a close friend, a mentor and manager, a colleague, and a sibling.

Plus, we try to assess where the zoological community is today following a decade of change, especially with regards to marine mammals such as orcas, in human care and in the wild.

That Sounds Wild: Endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales. The Orca Conservancy

The Dawn Brancheau Foundation

Odysea Aquarium Conservation Expo Jan 30, 2020

We visited the Odysea Aquarium's third annual Conservation Expo featuring animal, research, higher education, and conservation related organizations working throughout the state of Arizona to preserve terrestrial and aquatic species and habitat at home and around the world. The free public event is part of the aquarium's education mission designed to increase awareness and support of nonprofit groups working in the community.

Part 1 guests include Reid Park Zoo, Phoenix Zoo, and Arizona State University.

That Sounds Wild: barn Owl. Frank Buck Zoo.

Conserving Rattlesnakes? Jan 23, 2020

Whether you are thrilled or terrified by them, people of all ages seem drawn to ectotherms like rattlesnakes. The Rattlesnake Conservancy works to change the public narrative about the value of these animals by educating communities, professionals, and first responders on how to safely handle and live alongside them. The conservancy also conducts and supports conservation research into various environmental and human caused threats to rattlesnake species survival.

That Sounds Wild: Western Diamondback

Rattlesnake Conservancy savethebuzztails.org

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Inferno Down Under Jan 16, 2020

The historic wildfires underway across Australia threaten the existence of some of the most iconic species on earth. The fires have already consumed thousands of homes over a total area nearly equal to the size of the state of Indiana. Scientist estimate over 1 billion animals may have perished to date, including tens of thousands of individual animals from already threatened and endangered species such as the koala.

Giving a firsthand account of the areas, species and critical habitats affected is Australian trainer, behavior consultant, and wildlife conservationist Jade Fountain.

Also joining us is James Biggs with an update on how member facilities of the Zoo and Aquarium Association of Australasia are working to rescue and rehabilitate injured and orphaned wildlife, with the goal to eventually return them in the coming months or years to recovered habitats. He describes ZAA's 3-phase plan for zoological facilities to address not only the immediate crisis but the long term care, assessment, and recovery of individuals, species, and habits, which in some cases may take several generations.

For information on how Australia's zoos and aquariums are responding to the fires or to contribute to efforts to help affected wildlife visit: https://www.zooaquarium.org.au/

That Sounds Wild: baby giraffe eating. Frank Buck Zoo

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Zoo School Sweethearts Jan 09, 2020

Conservation education has been a passion for Susan and David Kleven since they met on the campus of America's Teaching Zoo at Moorpark College. Upon graduation and with the help of family they launched Animal Edutainment based in Texas to help teach wildlife and conservation education to school children and the general public. After working side by side for several years, Sue accepted the role as director of the Frank Buck zoo and David launched Animal Care Software, while still overseeing a growing collection of animals for their educational outreach programs.

Together they are involved with growing, improving, and promoting zoo and wildlife education trade organizations like the Zoological Association of America.

That Sounds Wild: Red Ruff lemurs

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KONG ZOO Jan 02, 2020

Historically, the availability of large zoo animal enrichment items that are safe and won't splinter, break teeth, or harm acrylic view panels has been limited to the creativity of zookeepers as they repurpose materials like tires, telephone poles, firehoses, and hard plastic barrels or gas tanks. Over the next few years, a new company spearheaded by a team led by the same creative mind that founded the KONG company, maker of companion animal toys and products using natural rubber, hopes to ensure that all species, even those as large as orcas and elephants, have access to engaging enrichment. Two members of the KONG ZOO team discuss the manufacturing challenges and creative process using natural materials to create animal training and welfare tools that are considerably larger than anything ever produced. In advance of the larger products expected to roll out beginning mid 2020, zoological professionals and institutions can register now at KONGZOO.com to take advantage of the existing line of KONG products at special reduced zoo and aquarium pricing.

Modern Training at Medieval Times Dec 26, 2019

Medieval Times is an international family dinner theatre experience featuring trained Andalusian horses and falcons. To lean more about how the animals and performers are trained and learn to work together, we talked with two animal professionals from the newest Medieval Times castle located in Arizona. According to the company's website, the guest experience is based upon authentic Medieval history and is the true story of a noble family with documentation dating back to the 11th Century. Medieval Times began with two dinner/ entertainment complexes located in Majorca and Benidorm, Spain. There are now ten Medieval Times’ Castles in North America which have entertained more than 60 million guests since its first US location opened in 1983.

That Sounds Wild: harris' hawk

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Steve Martin Dec 19, 2019

For more than 30 years, Steve Martin has created complex and conservation minded free-flight bird shows for zoological facilities across the globe. He trains animals and zoo professionals with positive reinforcement and believes in preparing them for the chaos of the real world by not "training in a vacuum." Steve believes in making one's own luck by taking chances, being willing to try something new, and embracing the value of making mistakes and learning from them. He recently was asked by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) to develop new welfare standards for animal ambassador programs.

According to the NEI website: Natural Encounters, Inc. has served more than 120 facilities in over 20 countries, offering expertise in animal training, staff training, educational program production and presentation, exhibit design, and enrichment. With innovative, industry-leading technology, the NEI team of trainers has worked with hundreds of species of animals and has taught the art and science of behavior change to thousands of people.

Our goal is threefold: to Engage, Inspire, and Empower audiences and animal professionals all over the world by teaching the art of training and the science of behavior change.

That Sounds Wild: squirrel monkeys. Zoospensefull

Zoo to You Dec 12, 2019

Zoo to You founder David Jackson describes being on the road with wild and endangered species and the process of reward-based desensitization training necessary to ensure great animal welfare for all their animal ambassadors. According to the Zoo to You website, their mission is "Giving a worldwide voice to wildlife by providing a permanent, loving home for displaced, abused, abandoned or permanently injured wild and exotic animals. Sharing these animal ambassadors through our Zoo to You outreach program helps educate school children and learners of all ages about conservation, connecting them to the wild world and inspiring them to protect the planet."

That Sounds Wild: Brown Capuchin.

Doing Right By Whales Dec 05, 2019

SeaWorld's Dr. Hendrik Nollens discusses the company's recent funding announcements regarding efforts to save species like the endangered North Atlantic right whale from entanglements with fishing gear. With only about 400 of these animals left, SeaWorld is teaming up with the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution to help engineers deploy and test the efficacy of new underwater buoy designs that will enable fishermen to locate and retrieve their traps while reducing the likelihood of whale entanglements.

That Sounds Wild: Breeding African lions

Dave, The Garden Guy Nov 28, 2019

Specializing in organic and sustainable gardening and farming in the extreme climate conditions of the desert southwest over the past 30 years, Dave Owens, "The Garden Guy," is an author, television host, and entrepreneur. Originally from Kentucky, Dave recalls his earliest days as a young boy tending to his father's garden as his dad went off to serve three tours in Vietnam. He shares his journey from using synthetic fertilizers, pesticides and fungicides to the organic methods his grandfather used to farm and why we all need to think about ways to soften our impact on the environment and wildlife.

GardenGuy.com

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That Sounds Wild: Coqui frog

The Spy Whale Who Loved Me Nov 21, 2019

Last spring, a single male beluga whale showed up along the shores of Norway following boats and seeking attention and contact with humans. The international press dubbed him "spy whale," as he was clearly trained and likely had strayed from a secret naval program from nearby Russia. Serving as an information resource for authorities, experienced zoo professionals immediately volunteered their time and mobilized to assess and monitor the white whale nicknamed Hvaldimir. One of those volunteers is long time marine mammal trainer and zoological manger, Lindsay Rubincam. Lindsay shares her first hand experiences with Hvaldimir, the personal and professional impact he has had on her life, and the community's efforts to ensure he's safe from the many threats to his well being such as boat traffic, the lack of conspecifics, his excessive comfort with approaching humans and manmade hazards, and the presence of marine mammal eating transient killer whales.

Plus a tribute following the passing of a marine mammal researcher and veterinary icon.

That Sounds Wild: Belugas

Mystic Aquarium Belugas

CITES Secretary-General Nov 14, 2019

According to CITES.org, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora regulates international trade in over 36,000 species of plants and animals, including their products and derivatives, to ensure their survival in the wild with benefits for the livelihoods of local people and the global environment. The CITES permit system seeks to ensure that international trade in listed species is sustainable, legal and traceable.

With 183 Parties, CITES remains one of the world's most powerful tools for wildlife conservation through the regulation of trade. (Though not without debate and controversy among competing member interests!) Thousands of species are internationally traded and used by people in their daily lives for food, health care, housing, tourist souvenirs, cosmetics or fashion.

In late 2018, following a decades-long career with the United Nations in which she held posts in Europe and Africa, Ivonne Higuero was named the new Secretary-General of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Trained as an environmental economist, her career focus has been in the area of sustainable development working with stakeholders across public and private sectors at the local, regional and international level. The SG discusses her first year at CITES and the challenges ahead.

CITES was signed in Washington D.C. on 3 March 1973 and entered into force on 1 July 1975.

That Sounds Wild: Miffed African Elephant.

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Last Child in the Woods author, Richard Louv Nov 07, 2019

In 2005, acclaimed nature journalist and author Richard Louv coined the expression, "Nature Deficit Disorder," in his best-selling book, Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder. The book sparked an international movement and greater awareness about the growing lack of human connection to the natural world. He discusses NDD and his new book, Our Wild Calling: How connecting with animals can transform our lives-- and save theirs released this week by Algonquin.

According to the book jacket, Our Wild Calling makes the case for protecting, promoting, and creating a sustainable and shared habitat for all creatures. Louv suggests that strengthening the bonds we share with animals can help serve as an antidote to the growing epidemic of human loneliness.

Louv is the cofounder and chair emeritus of the Children & Nature Network.

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iReinforce.com

Mystical Belugas Oct 31, 2019

For more than 45 years, the Mystic Aquarium's Sea Research Foundation has worked to protect marine mammals. For example, full-time scientists conduct global research with beluga whales within a larger set of marine science research and educational programs. The need for ongoing basic research is urgent. A recent scientific report by the United Nations warns that more than one-third of all marine mammal species are now threatened with extinction. Belugas in some parts of the world, including Alaska’s Cook Inlet, are considered endangered or depleted. To support current and future studies, Mystic Aquarium’s Sea Research Foundation has submitted a research permit application to the US federal agency (NOAA Fisheries) with oversight responsibility for cetaceans to re-home five beluga whales born at Marineland Canada to the aquarium's world-renowned Connecticut care facility. Dr. Tracy Romano, VP of biological research and chief scientist discusses the permitting process and the need for ongoing conservation research into beluga behavior and physiology in response to growing anthropogenic stressors like ship traffic, noise, pollution, and degrading habitats. Listeners are encouraged to read the application and to submit supportive comments in favor of NOAA granting the permit during the public comment period through early December. https://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=NOAA-NMFS-2019-0113 Plus, American Humane shares an update on the work of their emergency teams from the hurricane-devastated Bahamas. And, an all new That Sounds Wild: baby squirrel monkey. Wildlife World Zoo and Aquarium. animalcaresoftware.com peppermintnarwhal.com FB Zoo Logic podcast www.iReinforce.com

Zoos Saving Trumpeter Swans Oct 24, 2019

Zoos and aquariums are not just concerned with preserving species and habitat in far away locations. Many are conserving threatened and endangered native species including amphibians, reptiles, insects, plants, small mammals, and birds in their own back yard through cooperative breeding and reintroduction programs. Dr. Samantha Russak shares the story of how Southwick's Zoo is working with officials to help return once endangered trumpeter swans to their original home range.

Plus, That Sounds Wild: cheetah purr. www.columbuszoo.org

Southwick's zoo

www.facebook.com/ZooLogicpodcast/

Animal Care Software

http://peppermintnarwhal.com

www.iReinforce.com

Conservation and Tourism Oct 17, 2019

Where is the overlap between tourism and conservation? And what do well-intentioned travelers need to known and do to leave as light a footprint as possible wherever they may go to experience nature? Safari tour operator Chris Liebenberg founder of Piper and Heath Travel shares his unique perspective on conservation and tourism in Africa having been raised in Namibia.

That Sounds Wild: Silvery Cheeked hornbill. www.ColumbusZoo.org

PiperandHeath.com

iReinforce.com

animalcaresoftware.com

peppermintnarwhal.com

Zoo Logic Podcast

Ewaso Lions Project Oct 10, 2019

Recently, the Mission Wildlife organization (www.mission-wildlife.com) held a fundraiser for groups working to conserve species and habitat in Africa. One such organization is the Ewaso Lions Project (www.Ewasolions.org) based in Kenya's northern regions. According to their website, "Ewaso Lions takes its name from the mighty Ewaso Nyiro River (also called the Ewaso Ng’iro) which starts on the slopes of Mt Kenya and snakes its way through Laikipia and Samburu. The Ewaso (pronounced 'eh-wah-so') serves as a lifeline for the people and wildlife in the area. Ewaso Lions is dedicated to conserving lions and other large carnivores by promoting co-existence between people and wildlife." They "work hand-in-hand with local communities to provide education, training and improved conservation practices that help people and wildlife." As we discuss with two of their representatives, "Ewaso Lions uses sound science to help guide the long-term conservation of lions across community conservancies and protected areas in northern Kenya."

Previous Zoo Logic guest, Dr. Isabella Clegg returns to tell me something I don't know about the two beluga whales recently transferred from China to a facility in Iceland.

Artist Stephen Fishwick (stephenfishwickart.com) shares his passion for sharing endangered species and raising funds for their preservation through his artwork.

Plus That Sounds Wild: spider monkey. www.conservationambassadors.org

www.ireinforce.com

www.animalcaresoftware.com

peppermintnarwhal.com

Zoo Logic

Zoo Logic Podcast Facebook

Isabella Clegg

THE Florida Aquarium Oct 03, 2019

Recently, the Florida Aquarium in Tampa announced being the first facility to successfully induce spawning of endangered Atlantic pillar coral in human care. One day, scientists think this achievement may enable humans to restore reef systems like the one along the southeastern shores of Florida. President and CEO, Roger Germann describes the aquarium's plans for growth including the expansion of a 22-acre satellite facility used for recreation, education, conservation research, and rescue and rehabilitation for sea turtles. For the second year in a row, The Florida Aquarium has been nationally recognized as one of North America’s best aquariums, taking the number two spot in USA TODAY’S 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards.

37:30 A message to TripAdvisor. www.imata.org/speak_up

39:30 That Sounds Wild: Mexican Gray Wolves. www.endangeredwolfcenter.org

www.flaquarium.org

www.animalcaresoftware.com

www.iReinforce.com

http://peppermintnarwhal.com

Seafood Watch Sep 26, 2019

Increasingly, zoos and aquariums are being called upon to fund and develop science-based research and practical solutions to environmental problems like species extinction and dramatic declines in species abundance. For the past two decades one demonstrably successful consumer-facing program meeting the needs of commerce and conservation has been Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch. What began as a temporary campaign with printed lists of sustainably sourced seafood dining options for the aquarium's visitors has grown into an international effort and mobile app supported by more than two dozen scientists and public engagement professionals. Karin Stratton, conservation partner liaison shares insights on the history and current scope of the Seafood Watch program.

That Sounds Wild: European brown bears. www.zoospensefull.com

www.ireinforce.com

www.facebook.com/ZooLogicpodcast/

www.animalcaresoftware.com

http://peppermintnarwhal.com

www.seafoodwatch.org

www.aza.org

Tell Me Something I Don't know Sep 19, 2019

This week's Zoo Logic episode is a mash-up of researchers, trainers, and news items from around the zoo and aquarium world following the recent professional joint conference for the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (www.AZA.org) and the International Marine Animal Trainers' Association (www.IMATA.org) in New Orleans. Past guest Jeremy Hance, writer for (www.Mongabay.com) shares insights into a species few have ever heard of. And, working with another past guest, Dr Jason Bruck, Samantha Sheppard describes new research suggesting dolphins use urine tasting to identify others! Hear from zoo media personality Stephanie Arne (www.stephaniearne.com) about conservation efforts to help the endangered black-footed penguin in need of guano for shelter. Wouter Stellard teases the new multi-species exhibit at the Columbus zoo and aquarium featuring more than a dozen pinnipeds ready in time for next year's annual AZA conference in Columbus. And Shelley Ballman from Ocean Connections (www.oceansoffun.org) shares why training is so important for animals and their caretakers.

That Sounds Wild: Maned wolf bark. www.endangeredwolfcenter.org.

www.iReinforce.com

www.facebook.com/ZooLogicpodcast/

www.animalcaresoftware.com

http://peppermintnarwhal.com

The Big "Bad" Wolf Needs Our Help Sep 12, 2019

Demonized for centuries in literature, pop culture, and most worrisome of all, in the execution of public policy, several canid species are on the edge of extinction. Ginny Busch, CEO of the Endangered Wolf Center describes their work and ongoing challenges to preserving species such as Mexican Gray Wolves, African painted Dogs, and the most endangered canid species of all, the Red Wolf. The center not only breeds and helps introduce young wolves into the wild, it is partnering with federal, state and local agencies to listen to and educate communities about the importance of these predators to restoring and maintaining healthy ecosystems.

Rachel Garner is back with an update on a newly announced www.AZA.org policy phasing out bullhook use at all member zoos with elephants.

That Sounds Wild: Morelet's croc. Odysea Aquarium.

www.endangeredwolfcenter.org

www.iReinforce.com

http://whyanimalsdothething.com

www.animalcaresoftware.com

http://peppermintnarwhal.com

www.facebook.com/ZooLogicpodcast/

http://odyseaaquarium.com

Deciphering Deep Diving Dolphins Sep 05, 2019

Dr. Andreas Fahlman, senior researcher for the Oceanographic Foundation in Valencia Spain shares insights into the respiratory physiology and behavior of offshore and coastal bottlenose dolphins. In addition to significant size differences between these two distinct populations from the same species of dolphin, the larger offshore type has been observed routinely diving to depths of 1000m, whereas the much smaller near shore animals rarely venture beyond depths of 10m. His research to date suggests the diving reflex in marine mammals, a phenomena observed for decades, is actually far more complex than first described. Dr. Fahlman says the passion and skills of the professional animal trainer are a vital tool for researchers engaged in scientific efforts to understand animal physiology and behavior in human care. Such understanding is important because it can lead to the development of new and innovative methods for collecting, designing, and validating data observed from wild populations.

With the 2109 hurricane season underway, we talk with the program manager for the ZAHP Fusion Center, Dr Yvonne Nadler. Funded by the USDA, the center is a repository for best practices and information designed to assist all (i.e., AZA, ZAA, independent) zoological animal facilities with their disaster preparedness and emergency response planning for natural and manmade events like wild land fires, storms, flooding and zoonotic diseases.

Rachel Garner of http://whyanimalsdothething.com returns with a legislative update on the new bill HR 4211 and its harmful implications for all zoos and aquariums.

Plus, That Sounds Wild: siamang. Peter Giljam www.Zoospensefull.com.

www.oceanografic.org/en/fundacion/

www.ZAHP.AZA.org

www.iReinforce.com

www.facebook.com/ZooLogicpodcast/

www.animalcaresoftware.com

http://peppermintnarwhal.com

www.DolphinQuest.com

Evolution of the Orca Conservancy Aug 29, 2019

Founded in 1996 in hopes of reuniting one killer whale with her wild cousins, the Orca Conservancy today is focused on preserving the endangered population of Southern Resident Killer Whales (SRKW) that frequent the waters around Seattle and Vancouver part of the year. It's this steadfast mission to prevent the SRKW from extinction that put the Orca Conservancy at odds recently with a well-publicized plan by the Whale Sanctuary Project to build in SRKW waters, a permanent whale holding facility for orcas of mostly Icelandic descent that were born and currently reside in zoos and aquariums.

Orca Conservancy president Shari Tarantino describes the organization's work to save the SRKW by also preserving the endangered chinook salmon, as well as restoring the river and ocean habitats that both species depend upon for their survival.

This episode's honest and at times difficult conversation between an anti-captivity leader and a former orca trainer and podcast host shows their perspectives have much in common, especially when it comes to saving SRKW and restoring healthy marine ecosystems.

1:20 History of Orca Conservancy. Reuniting Lolita/Tokitae.

31:00 The OC blog post heard round the marine mammal world

1:03:30 That Sounds Wild

That Sounds Wild: Killer Whale vocal imitation. Courtesy www.SeaWorld.com and Hubbs Research. (Crance, J.L., A.E. Bowles, and A. Garver. 2014. Evidence for vocal learning in juvenile male killer whales, Orcinus orca, from an adventitious cross-socializing experiment. Journal of Experimental Biology 217: 1229-1237.)

www.iReinforce.com

www.facebook.com/ZooLogicpodcast/

www.OrcaConservancy.org

http://peppermintnarwhal.com

www.animalcaresoftware.com

Phoenix Herpetological Society Aug 22, 2019

We are onsite with the three founders of the Phoenix Herpetological Society to discuss their passion for rescuing animals in need, conserving endangered species, and educating the public about all kinds of ectotherms from cobras to crocodiles. PHS' mission is to "promote conservation and preservation of native and non-native reptiles through education, rehabilitation, rescue, and relocation." From its humble start, PHS now cares for over 1000 animals and boasts several firsts such as "Mr. Stubbs," an American alligator with the first ever prosthetic (tail) for a reptile.

According to www.Phoenixherp.com, PHS was founded in 2001 by three long-time, passionate reptile enthusiasts with a vision to make a difference for reptiles in the state of Arizona. There were plenty of organizations to rescue many species of animals from dogs and cats to birds. However, there was no such facility or refuge for unwanted or rescued reptiles. Reptile owners had no outlet to relinquish ownership if needed nor was there a resource to acquire accurate, reliable information on the care and husbandry of reptiles as pets. In addition, native and non-native species were being destroyed by state facilities and other animal rescue agencies solely due to lack of knowledge regarding care and housing of these amazing creatures – native and exotic. In response, the Phoenix Herpetological Society (PHS) was launched. PHS services have grown over the years from solely taking in unwanted reptile pets to rattlesnake removal, rattlesnake removal training, helping take in and reunite lost and found reptiles, working with law enforcement agencies for illegal or confiscated animals, and even helping special needs reptiles.

www.ireinforce.com

http://peppermintnarwhal.com

www.animalcaresoftware.com

www.facebook.com/ZooLogicpodcast/

Zoos Saving Mexican Gray Wolves From Extinction Aug 15, 2019

We return to the Phoenix Zoo to discuss their collaborative work to save another endangered species, the Mexican Gray Wolf, which as recently as the early 1970's came within a handful of remaining founder animals from being deliberately exterminated across the West and Mexico. Senior carnivore keeper, Carl Mohler describes how caring for a social group pf predators that may one day be introduced to the wild is very different from other species found in zoos and aquariums. The relationships of trust that naturally form between keepers and most zoo animals is not only discouraged, it can place the animals at greater risk. As a result of the need to discourage theses wolves from habituating to humans, routine veterinary care, husbandry, and servicing of exhibits can present challenges compared to other species in a zoo. Even forms of enrichment must be disguised and utilize natural items the animals won't associate with human activities.

That Sounds Wild: Mexican Gray Wolves

www.iReinforce.com

www.facebook.com/ZooLogicpodcast/

http://zoologic.libsyn.com

https://www.phoenixzoo.org

www.animalcaresoftware.com

http://peppermintnarwhal.com

Gayle Bass: Radio, TV and Animals, Oh My! Aug 08, 2019

Host of the viral videos television show Right This Minute (www.RightThisMinute.com), Gayle Bass reminisces about how her early career experiences such as an intern, a film critic, and a radio reporter led to her role as one of the original hosts of RTM, now starting its 9th season. As a huge fan of wild and domestic animals, and having met many animal ambassadors throughout her media career, Gayle shares some unique insights from years of scouring the Internet in search of the next video to go viral. Plus, she and Grey share memories of their earliest radio and TV segment mishaps together with animals.

Children's book author Faith Goldstein, author of the new picture book, Gorilla's Night Out (www.indigoriverpublishing.com/product/gorillas-night-out/), talks about how her experiences as a kindergarten teacher and a mom helped her write a book that would appeal to 5 year olds.

Plus, an all new That Sounds Wild: Crested Screamer. Thanks to Wildlife World Zoo, Aquarium & Safari Park www.wildlifeworld.com.

www.iReinforce.com

www.facebook.com/ZooLogicpodcast/

http://zoologic.libsyn.com

www.FaithGoldstein.com

http://peppermintnarwhal.com

www.animalcaresoftware.com

Deep Sea Explorer Sylvia Earle Aug 01, 2019

The 1970's was a decade of unparalleled exploration far above and below the sea. From astronauts driving on the moon and unmanned probes collecting data on the outer planets to piercing the deepest oceans in new submersibles, scientists and engineers achieved some of the greatest feats in human history. One such pioneer, Dr. Sylvia Earle is an ocean scientist and engineer, policymaker and conservationist, and best of all, a record-setting deep sea explorer whose work over 60 years places her in the company of Cook, Piccard, Cousteau, Ballard, and more recently, Cameron.

Dr Earle has spent thousands of hours under the sea as an aquanaut, as a pilot of over 30 different submersibles, and as a researcher studying marine animals and plants. In 1979 she set the individual record for deepest dive in a JIM suit at 400m. In addition, she has served as Chief Scientist for www.NOAA.gov.

Through the company she founded, www.DOERMarine.com, she collaborated on the development of submersibles and remotely operated vehicles.

Thanks to an initial award from the TED organization about ten years ago (https://www.ted.com/talks), Dr. Earle launched the Mission Blue Foundation to help people, organizations, and governments around the world form ocean sanctuaries she calls "Hope Spots." There are well over 100 Hope Spots underway today.

Dr. Earle continues to consult on ocean issues including major events like the Deep Water Horizon spill in the Gulf of Mexico, and she travels globally and speaks frequently about the need to preserve the oceans, its biodiverse lifeforms, complexity, chemistry, and health.

That Sounds Wild: Sea Lions. https://www.oceansoffun.org

www.facebook.com/ZooLogicpodcast/

www.iReinforce.com

www.MissionBlue.org

https://www.netflix.com/title/70308278

www.DOERMarine.com

www.AnimalCareSoftware.com

http://peppermintnarwhal.com

Sea of Shadows Jul 25, 2019

As part of its work to support research and conservation of marine mammals, the National Marine Mammal Foundation (www.NMMF.org) has been working with many diverse stakeholders to study, preserve, and increase awareness of the world's most endangered marine mammal, an elusive porpoise found only in the far northern Gulf of California known as the vaquita. Their story is featured in a new documentary Sea Of Shadows (www.SeaofShadows.film) by executive producer, Leonardo DiCaprio (www.LeonardoDiCaprio.com) and www.NatGeo.com documentary films.

The documentary highlights the inextricable link for survival that human activities have forged between two endangered species, the vaquita and a fish known as the totoaba, prized for its swim bladder. describes recent efforts by conservation groups, scientists, and the military to save the critically endangered vaquita. Thursday's Zoo Logic guest is one of the film's participants, NMMF executive director, Dr. Cynthia Smith.

Plus Tell me something I don't know about animals by Dr. Lara Croft: manatee facts.

And That Sounds Wild: dolphin clicks

www.iReinforce.com

www.facebook.com/ZooLogicpodcast/

www.AnimalCareSoftware.com

http://peppermintnarwhal.com

www.VaquitaCPR.org

Previous Zoo Logic interview with NOAA scientist and vaquita expert, Dr. Barbara Taylor:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dont-be-shy-legacy-panda-looking-porpoise-called-vaquita/id1385908352?i=1000416150166

Health, Behavior, Longevity, or Feelings? How Should We Measure Animal Welfare? Jul 18, 2019

Animal welfare science is a relatively new discipline that has generated some degree of debate among scientists, policymakers, animal professionals, animal rights activists, and the public. Even the meaning of the term animal welfare has been cause for scientific and public debate in part because the conversation often includes qualities such as emotions normally associated with humans being applied to animals. Dr. Isabella Clegg shares her work assessing the welfare of dolphins living in human care, describes the difficulty that language can present when discussing animal welfare, and explains why a simple experiment can demonstrate whether an animal can be considered an optimist or a pessimist.

David Kleven, long time zoological educator and president of Animal Care Software talks about the importance of great animal record-keeping. His Animal Care Software enables zoological, domestic, rescue, and farm animal professionals to utilize today's mobile and cloud technology to record, share, search, and analyze in real time individual animal observations, photos, health, behavior and welfare data. www.AnimalCareSoftware.com.

Long time animal ambassador, conservationist and past Zoo Logic guest, Julie Scardina shares a new Something I Don't Know About Animals. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/julie-scardina-conservationist-trainer-author/id1385908352?i=1000414292200

www.iReinforce.com

www.facebook.com/ZooLogicpodcast/

@ZooLogicPodcast

@IzziClegg

www.animalwelfareexpertise.com

www.AnimalCareSoftware.com

http://peppermintnarwhal.com

Dropping Like Flies Jul 11, 2019

In addition to the dramatic declines in charismatic species most people are aware of, research over the past few years suggests we are facing a potential extinction event for insects. This week's episode features www.mongabay.com frequent contributor, environmental writer Jeremy Hance, to discuss his recent 4-part series on the insect extinction situation based on interviews he's conducted with dozen's of entomologists from around the globe. Jeremy discusses potential root causes such as over use of pesticides, climate change, and human over-population. As we continue to wrestle with the substantial loss of higher order species over the past 50 years, what will the earth look like with the added burden of significantly lower insect biodiversity and abundance? What impact will lower insect numbers have on the species that are dependent upon them, including humans? And, how does improved education and access to health care offer a way forward?

https://twitter.com/jeremy_hance

https://news.mongabay.com/2019/06/the-great-insect-dying-a-global-look-at-a-deepening-crisis/

https://jeremyhance.com

www.theguardian.com/environment/radical-conservation

www.iReinforce.com

www.facebook.com/ZooLogicpodcast/

Plus, Tell me something I don't know about animals with Dr. Jeff Boehm, CEO of the Marine Mammal Center. www.marinemammalcenter.org

That Sounds Wild: Addax. Thanks Peter Giljam www.zoospensefull.com.

Amazon River Dolphins Jul 04, 2019

Fresh water dolphins like the Amazon River Dolphin face a myriad of challenges including human encroachment and habitat loss, pollution, the damming of river systems, and poaching.

The Amazon River Dolphin Conservation Foundation www.ARDCF.org supports local efforts to protect a storied species and its rainforest ecosystem. ARDCF founder and director, Suzanne Smith discusses what she describes as healthy, natural interactions between dolphins and people that protect both animals and people, sustain local culture, and transform visitors to ardent Amazon conservationists. These interactions represent a small scale effort to preserve the Amazon River dolphin through the use of platforms where free ranging wild dolphins get a few kilos of supplemental fish from platform operators while visitors learn about and can observe the animals for a few minutes. The platforms are remote, highly regulated, and provide an income for the families that operate them. If the animals aren't becoming habituated to humans or dependent on a free snack, could this be a one region's way to prevent river dolphin extinction? As we've heard on previous episodes, when it comes to conservation strategies that work, one size does not fit all. And, while uncontrolled (and illegal) public feeding of wild dolphins is a serious problem in the US that harms or kills wildlife, these platform interactions might just be a way forward to help preserve river dolphins in the remotest parts of Brazil.

Building upon the wisdom of Amazon traditions, practices and beliefs with findings from modern conservation biology, Amazon River Dolphin Conservation Foundation works to preserve the river dolphin from the corrosive pressures that threaten the survival of the dolphins and their world.

Plus our first "Tell me something I don't know about animals" with former guest, Barbara Heidenreich.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/leaving-behind-a-legacy-of-kindness/id1385908352?i=1000415256474

www.AnimalTrainingFundamentals.com.

That Sounds Wild: baby jaguar. www.wildlifeworld.com

www.facebook.com/ZooLogicpodcast/

www.iReinforce.com

http://peppermintnarwhal.com

http://zoologic.libsyn.com

www.facebook.com/ardcfoundation/

Veterinary Suicide Prevention Jun 27, 2019

In 2014, the training community lost a well-known veterinarian and behavioral consultant, lecturer, author and colleague to suicide. Many were surprised by the loss of someone so successful at her craft and popular among her clients and fans to learn about the high rate of suicide among veterinary professionals. A recent report posted at AAHA.org found "U.S. veterinarians at greater risk for mental illness, suicidal thoughts, and depressive episodes than the general population." Jenifer Chatfield, DVM, DACZM and Christine Royal, DVM discuss the veterinary community and companies such as Merck Animal Health's endeavors to assess the mental wellness of veterinary professionals, as well as, to provide online support tools to those in need.

Sounds Wild: Reindeer. Thanks to www.conservationambassadors.org.

For mental wellness support tools for veterinary professionals visit:

www.VetWellbeing.com

www.AVMA.org

https://www.aaha.org/professional/resources/veterivnary_practice_team_wellbeing_chapter_1.aspx

www.iReinforce.com

www.facebook.com/ZooLogicpodcast/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/christine-royal-dvm-a02b0334/

Oh Canada! Jun 20, 2019

An all star panel of Zoo Logic alumni discusses current wildlife news stories including why the misguided and unscientific cetacean ban recently passed by Canada's parliament will have a chilling effect on conservation research. Researchers Dr. Kelly Jaakkola and Dr. Jason Bruck join Killing Keiko author and wildlife advocate, Mark Simmons to describe some of the negative implications for wildlife conservation, public education, field research, and policymaking everywhere, not just in Canada.

The panel examines the critical role zoological facilities play in conducting important research and developing technology and methods necessary for species conservation that would simply not be possible to do in the wild. Plus, hear the panel's views on counteracting one-sided and often anti-cap media, the future of those Russian orcas and belugas, and "spy whale."

Sounds Wild: Squeak toy lemur Thanks to Conservation Ambassadors Zoo to You. http://conservationambassadors.org

https://www.ammpa.org/why-canada-got-it-wrong

www.facebook.com/ZooLogicpodcast/

Dr. Kelly Jaakkola http://zoologic.libsyn.com/dolphins-live-how-long

Dolphin Research Center https://dolphins.org

www.iReinforce.com

Dr. Jason Bruck http://zoologic.libsyn.com/zoos-and-researchers-join-forces-to-preserve-nature

Killing Keiko author, Mark Simmons http://zoologic.libsyn.com/killing-keiko-author-mark-simmons-0

American Association of Zoo Keepers Jun 13, 2019

For more than 50 years, the American Association of Zoo Keepers has been pursuing excellence in animal care, sharing best practices, providing professional development workshops and conferences, and raising serious dollars for the support of conservation organizations in the field helping to preserve endangered species like rhinos and cheetahs. AAZK members have also planted over 100k trees! AAZK's individual members cover the range of zoological expertise from keepers to aquarists, trainers to vet techs, while covering every species in-between. Through the contributions of over 100 local chapters across the U.S and Canada, AAZK has raised more than $7M from its popular Bowling for Rhinos fundraisers over several years. Best of all, AAZK memberships are open to students and professionals alike. James Weinpress, AAZK Communication Committee Chair joins us.

All new Ms. Mallory Minute: The Narwhal.

Sounds Wild: Momma Beaver to pup. Thanks to http://conservationambassadors.org

http://aazk.org

https://aazk.org/what-is-bowling-for-rhinos/

www.iReinforce.com

www.facebook.com/ZooLogicpodcast/

@ZooLogicPodcast

http://peppermintnarwhal.com

https://mallorylindsay.com

The Bear Nonnecessities: Jun 06, 2019

Asiatic and Sun bear products are traded and consumed illegally throughout SE Asia. The rampant use of bear parts like bile as part of traditional medicine has severely impacted bear populations. While bear farms have been prohibited by some countries, it remains legal to possess bears and thus, the farming for bile largely continues. San Diego Zoo Global's Institute for Conservation Research scientist, Dr. Elizabeth Davis uses social science methods to uncover the motivation behind bear product use and is using that information to develop strategies designed to conserve bear populations by changing consumer behavior. She and her colleagues are developing small scale behavioral change campaigns in hopes of measuring their effectiveness in reducing consumption of bear products in favor of sustainable traditional plant and/or western pharmaceuticals. Reducing demand for bear products is critical to saving wild populations and for improving the welfare for rescued bears, since law enforcement approaches and regulations to ban poaching and farming of bears has not proved successful to date.

Sounds Wild: Stellar Sea Lion

www.iReinforce.com

www.facebook.com/ZooLogicpodcast/

www.freethebears.org/pages/origins

https://institute.sandiegozoo.org/science-blog/wildlife-trade-bears-cambodia-sdzg-completes-first-ever-investigation

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/325360234_Understanding_Use_of_Bear_Parts_in_Southeast_Asia_to_Diminish_Demand

https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0211544

In The Navy May 30, 2019

Shrouded in secrecy until it was declassified in the 1990's, the U.S. Navy Marine Mammal Program continues its mission which began nearly 60 years ago to protect service men and women at home and abroad. Dr. Mark Xitco, researcher and Director of the NMMP discusses the rich history of the program, the animal training and welfare focus in use today, the hundreds of publicly available peer-reviewed research papers on marine mammal behavior and physiology the program has produced, and the important recovery and security missions that teams of California sea lions, bottlenose dolphins, and their human trainers are ready to assist with 24 hours day anywhere in the world.

According to the NMMP website, in the early years of the program, more than a dozen different species of marine mammals, as well as sharks, rays, sea turtles, and marine birds were tested, and their sensory and physical capabilities explored. Today, the Navy relies on bottlenose dolphins and California sea lions as both are known for their trainability and adaptability to a wide range of marine environments. The navy relies on dolphins because they "naturally possess the most sophisticated sonar known to science. Mines and other potentially dangerous objects on the ocean floor that are difficult to detect with electronic sonar, especially in coastal shallows or cluttered harbors, are easily found by the dolphins. Both dolphins and sea lions have excellent low light vision and underwater directional hearing that allow them to detect and track undersea targets, even in dark or murky waters. They can also dive hundreds of feet below the surface, without risk of decompression sickness or "the bends" like human divers. Someday it may be possible to complete these missions with underwater drones, but for now technology is no match for the animals." The animals are trained for 3 primary missions: '"recovering objects in harbors, coastal areas, and at depth in the open sea, sea lions locate and attach recovery lines to Navy equipment on the ocean floor. Dolphins are trained to search for and mark the location of undersea mines that could threaten the safety of those on board military or civilian ships. Both dolphins and sea lions also assist security personnel in detecting and apprehending unauthorized swimmers and divers that might attempt to harm the Navy’s people, vessels, or harbor facilities." That Sounds Wild: penguins www.iReinforce.com www.public.navy.mil/spawar/NIWC-Pacific/technology/Pages/mammals.aspx http://www.nmmf.org/service.html www.facebook.com/ZooLogicpodcast/

American Humane May 23, 2019

American Humane is the oldest organization in the US dedicated to "promoting the welfare and safety of animals and strengthening the bond between animals and people."

For more than one hundred years, American Humane has operated wherever animals are in need of rescue, shelter, protection or security. President and CEO, Dr. Robin Ganzert describes the various programs in place to achieve its mission today including working to reunite military dogs wth their human handlers once their service is complete. In addition, American Humane achieves its mission through a variety of other programs including their well known “No Animals Were Harmed®” program in Hollywood to broad-based farm animal welfare and zoo and aquarium conservation certifications, to rapid response rescue and care. In total, about 1 Billion animals worldwide are covered by AH programs and science-based welfare certification standards.

That Sounds Wild: Lion cub

www.AmericanHumane.org

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Illegal Wildlife Trafficking May 16, 2019

According to the USFWS, illegal and unsustainable trade in wildlife and plants is a multibillion dollar industry that is having a devastating impact on thousands of species globally. Former Scottish police detective and law enforcement expert, author, and lecturer John Sellar spent 14 years working for CITES where he became Chief of Enforcement and conducted hundreds of missions to more than 60 countries to assess enforcement and develop strategies to combat wildlife crime. His book, ‘The UN’s Lone Ranger: Combating International Wildlife Crime’, was published in January 2014. In recognition of his UN service, in 2013 he was appointed by the Queen as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire.

That Sounds Wild: Wildebeest

https://globalinitiative.net/experts/john-m-sellar/

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Elephant in the Capitol May 09, 2019

Animal law expert and attorney Michelle Pardo returns to Zoo Logic to describe some of the recent and ongoing legislative efforts animal rights organizations are pushing at the local, state, and federal levels. What lessons can we learn about how the legislative process is being used to promote an extreme animal rights agenda, not shared by most people? Why is it so important for animal professionals, zoo and aquarium fans, and taxpayers to pay attention to legislative bills with reasonable sounding titles, especially when those same stakeholders are purposefully left out of the deliberative and amendment process by those seeking to pass such bills? Finally, where should our future animal welfare priorities lie? Creating redundant and unnecessary animal welfare laws and new language with which critics may launch novel legal challenges to lawful, ethical, and humane animal endeavors? Or, should we focus oversight resources and dollars on better enforcement of existing animal welfare and public display laws to eliminate the few bad actors that aren't living up to modern husbandry, training, and care standards?

Animal Adventurer and spokeswoman, Mallory Lindsay shares an all new Ms Mallory Minute. Plus, an all new That Sounds Wild.

https://blogs.duanemorris.com

www.facebook.com/ZooLogicpodcast/

http://msmalloryadventures.com

www.iReinforce.com

http://peppermintnarwhal.com

That Sounds Wild: Beluga whales

Dolphins Live How Long? May 02, 2019

Frequent contributor to Zoo Logic, Dr. Kelly Jaakkola, Director of Research for the Dolphin Research Center discusses the new peer-reviewed study she coauthored and published in the Journal Marine Mammal Science that compared survival rates and life expectancies for bottlenose dolphins living in zoological facilities with comparable values published for wild populations. The main takeaway from the study is dolphins living in zoological facilities today live at least as long or longer than wild populations studied to date. These results stand in stark contrast to some zoo and aquarium critics that continue to promote the false claim that dolphins do not live as long in human care.

Data analyzed in this new study come from a U.S. government source called the “Marine Mammal Inventory Report” (MMIR), which lists basic information (e.g. birth date, death date, transfers, etc.) for all dolphins in marine mammal facilities in the U.S over the past 40 years or so.

A few complications with comparing current MMIR data with previous studies of wild populations are due to the inherent limited scope of observations found in most wild studies and the different methods of statistical analysis that have been used in each previous publication. To make comparisons valid, the new study used the same analysis on the MMIR data that was used for each wild population publication.

The last scientific paper to analyze survival for dolphins in facilities before this latest study used data that are now more than 25 years old. Even back then, survival rate and life expectancy for dolphins living in zoos and aquariums in the US were increasing and this study shows continuing significant increases since then.

The current median life expectancy of bottlenose dolphins living in human care in the U.S. is 29.2 years. This is based on the most robust method of analysis called the Kaplan-Meier Survival Analysis. While the K-M approach is the most accurate analysis because it uses information from ALL animals in the population (both dead and living) and does not assume equal probability of dying at all ages like some of the other methods used in previous publications require, no wild study has yet used the Kaplan-Meier method to analyze the life expectancy of the respective wild populations examined due to the lack of detailed information on the age of living animals and the age-at-death for dead animals.

Also of interest was the finding that a direct comparison of calf survival rate between the decades-long field study of the Sarasota population of dolphins and modern MMIR data found no significant difference between populations. In other words, while dolphin calf (age less than 1 year) mortality is higher than for adults, as is the case for many species including humans, there is no significant difference in survival rate between dolphin calves born in human care and those born in the wild.

K. Jaakkola/K. Willis: How long do dolphins live? Survival rates and life expectancies for bottlenose dolphins in zoological facilities vs. wild populations. Marine Mammal Science 2019; DOI: 10.1111/mms.12601. Available at: http://doi.wiley.com/10.1111/mms.12601

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https://dolphins.org

Dark Horse Apr 25, 2019

According to the book, Dark Horse, society has systems of education and employment management that require us "to be the same as everyone else, only better." As designed, these systems are a zero-sum game with only limited opportunities for a few. Thus, these systems leave "most of us feeling disengaged, frustrated, and yearning for something more personal and authentic." Harvard researcher and Dark Horse coauthor Dr. Ogi Ogas discusses how real life dark horses are able to attaining personal fulfillment and professional success, not by following the standardize systems of society, but by tapping into each individual's micro-motives and then being willing to make decisions in the moment that reflect who they truly are. Achieving greater fulfillment is not about taking the standard pathway towards some long term goal, nor does it require the dark horse to be endowed with marvelous gifts. The dark horse mindset involves harnessing each person's individuality, not society's systems bent on conformity, in pursuit of personal satisfaction in order to achieve professional excellence.

As part of the Dark Horse Project at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, researchers focused on many different individuals including several animal professionals including marine mammal trainers like former Zoo Logic guest, Ken Ramirez.

Also, to celebrate World Penguin Day, we're joined by a penguin expert from SeaWorld San Diego to discuss the current status of these iconic flightless birds, as well as, SeaWorld's rich history and contributions to species other than orcas, dolphins, and sea lions.

Mallory Lindsay shares another Ms Mallory Minute on the unusual Hagfish.

https://lsi.gse.harvard.edu/dark-horse

www.iReinforce.com

https://mallorylindsay.com

https://sanccob.co.za

www.facebook.com/ZooLogicpodcast/

https://seaworld.org/animals/all-about/penguins/

Chelsea Clinton Apr 17, 2019

Our one-on-one conversation with best selling author, advocate, and Vice Chair of the Clinton Foundation, Dr. Chelsea Clinton discussing her new picture book, Don't Let Them Disappear, as well as, memories of her earliest encounters with animals and reliving those experiences by visiting zoos and aquariums with her own children today. In her new book, Chelsea shares the stories of 12 threatened and endangered species--what makes them unique, what risks they face in the wild, and even what simple steps kids can take to increase pubic awareness about Nature and ways they can begin to help build connections with species and habitat in their own lives.

Throughout the conversation, Chelsea shares an appreciation for the important and increasingly necessary conservation and educational work of aquariums and zoos. She ends with some personal advice for animal professionals when confronted by unfair criticism.

Mallory Lindsay returns with another informative installment of Miss Mallory Minute. Plus, an all new That Sounds Wild!

www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/563903/dont-let-them-disappear-by-chelsea-clinton-illustrated-by-gianna-marino/9780525514329/

www.clintonfoundation.org

@ChelseaClinton

www.mallorylindsay.com

www.facebook.com/ZooLogicpodcast/

www.iReinforce.com

http://peppermintnarwhal.com

www.conservationambassadors.org

www.AZA.org

www.WildlifeWorld.com

www.phoenixzoo.org

Polar Bears: changes in latitudes, changes in attitudes Apr 11, 2019

Species that will experience the effects of climate change the most are ones that depend on sea ice for survival. As the quantity and quality of sea ice changes and the time gap between the spring thaw and fall formation increases, animals like polar bears are struggling to find adequate high fat prey in the form of ringed seals, which are necessary for the bears to survive the winter. Field biologist turned Director of Conservation and Research at the Assiniboine Park Zoo, Dr. Stephen Petersen discusses polar bear physiology, life history, public education and policy, and the resulting conflicts against the backdrop of a changing arctic habitat and ecosystem. The clear message is that one size does not fit all when it comes to population management strategies for this species as various segments of the bear population react differently depending on their latitude and proximity to humans.

This week's Sounds Wild: African Crested Porcupine tail. Thanks to www.conservationambassadors.org.

www.iReinforce.com

www.facebook.com/ZooLogicpodcast/

www.assiniboineparkzoo.ca

www.polarbearsinternational.org

www.peppermintnarwhal.com/

To Thine Own Selfie Be True Apr 04, 2019

Why do people risk personal injury or death just to get a photo next to wild animals, even those living in the relative safety of a zoo or aquarium? What is it about protective barriers, walls, or fences designed to bring animals and the viewing public safely together in close proximity that communicates to some visitors, "sure, climb over"? A recent incident of a zoo visitor injured for ignoring the safety barriers just to get a selfie with an adult jaguar went viral and highlights the importance of human perceptions of animals and how well they align with reality. More importantly, how do our perceptions or misperceptions of animals impact our feelings and behavior, especially with regards to preserving species under threat of extinction?

Dr. Susan Clayton professor of psychology and environmental studies at the College of Wooster discusses how human perceptions of animals is affected by things such as TV, youtube, and early learning experiences with animals at the zoo. The nature of that education can affect whether we objectify animals or view them with respect. She argues that zoos are important institutions because they hold the promise not only to educate and inspire people about animals through proper messaging, but to change human behavior in achievable increments to protect the natural environment.

www.facebook.com/ZooLogicpodcast/

www.iReinforce.com

www.wooster.edu

www.WildlifeWorld.com

www.FOX10Phoenix.com

www.KTAR.com

Weaponizing Transparency Mar 28, 2019

On occasion, laws and regulations enacted for common sense reasons have purposefully been misapplied by those with agendas and intentions that are radically different from what Congress or state legislatures had in mind. It is difficult to anticipate such unintended consequences in new laws, especially when stakeholders that may be affected by such legislation are excluded from the bill writing and amendment process. Animal related organizations such as zoos and aquariums seem particularly and increasingly prone to this trend thanks to animal rights groups as in the current case of HR 1042 known as the "Prepared Act." It's an otherwise common sense idea that the thousands of USDA licensed facilities including zoos, aquariums, research, and breeding facilities ought to have disaster preparedness plans in place in the event of natural or other catastrophic events. However, backers of the bill seem to have an insidious goal in mind, to use HR 1042 to gain access to an organization's private operational and emergency contingency plans through the Freedom of Information Act, or FOIA. Julia Matson Wagner, a risk mitigation expert, discusses the bill and why it might make zoos and aquariums vulnerable as soft targets to much more dangerous elements than simply animal rights groups.

In an all new Zoos News elephant expert, Erin Ivory, returns to Zoo Logic to discuss EEHV, a devastating and almost always lethal virus that has just claimed two young elephants at the Indianapolis zoo.

Plus an all new That Sounds Wild.

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THE Marine Mammal Center Mar 21, 2019

The Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito is not just the organization that responds to more stranded marine mammals than any other in the world. According to www.TMMC.org, from the depletion of fish stocks to increasing ocean temperatures, human activity threatens marine ecosystems that are vital to the health of our ocean and all life on earth. As a critical first responder to these threats, The Marine Mammal Center is leading the field in ocean conservation through marine mammal rescue, veterinary science, and education.

Marine mammals are ecosystem indicators, and the health of these animals provides insights into human and ocean health threats. Executive Director, Jeff Boehm discusses how the center supports a network of scientists and stewards to protect our shared ocean environment for future generations.

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www.zoologic.libsyn.com

Cheetahs never prosper...or can they? Mar 14, 2019

For 45 years, Dr. Laurie Marker has dedicated her life to saving cheetahs, the fastest land mammal on earth. A species of cat like no other, cheetahs face mounting pressures from conflicts with farmers, habitat loss and fragmentation, local and species-wide genetic bottlenecks, and the illegal pet trade. Her love and fascination with the species led Dr. Marker to move to Namibia where in 1990 she established the headquarters for the Cheetah Conservation Fund organization (www.Cheetah.org). Dr. Marker serves as an advisor for several national and international zoological and conservation organizations; is the recipient of many awards recognizing her contributions to science, conservation, and education; and has authored or contributed to a long list of academic publications.

From the CCF website:

Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) is the global leader in research and conservation of cheetahs. CCF is dedicated to saving the cheetah in the wild. CCF’s mission is to be the internationally recognized center of excellence in the conservation of cheetahs and their ecosystems. CCF will work with all stakeholders to develop best practices in research, education, and land use to benefit all species, including people.

The vast majority of wild cheetahs are outside protected areas, in areas populated by humans. Saving this magnificent animal from extinction requires innovative conservation methods that address the welfare of both cheetah and human populations over large landscapes. CCF has developed a set of integrated programs that work together to achieve this objective. CCF’s programs have effectively stabilized and even increased the wild cheetah population in Namibia.

CCF has close links and assists in training and sharing program successes with other countries where cheetah live, including Botswana, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Iran, Algeria and more recently, Angola. In many of these countries, efforts are currently underway to develop new conservation programs or support existing cheetah conservation efforts. CCF’s international collaborations involve distributing CCF materials, lending resources and support, and providing training through Africa and the rest of the world.

CCF’s conservation programming is rooted in scientific research. CCF maintains a research program on the biology, ecology and genetics of cheetahs that publishes papers in peer-reviewed journals annually, and currently operates the only fully-equipped genetics lab at an in-situ conservation facility in Africa.

CCF’s renowned Livestock Guarding Dog Program has been highly effective at reducing predation rates and thereby reducing the inclination by farmers to trap or shoot cheetahs. CCF breeds Anatolian shepherd and Kangal dogs, breeds that for millennia have guarded small livestock against wolves and bears in Turkey. The dogs are placed with Namibian farmers as puppies. They bond with the herd and use their imposing presence and loud bark to scare away potential predators. CCF has been placing dogs since 1994 and our research shows the dogs are highly effective, reducing livestock loss from all predators by over 80 and up to 100 percent.

According to Dr. Marker, "the Cheetah Conservation Fund is many things. We are a world class research facility doing groundbreaking research in the biology, ecology and genetics of the cheetah. We’re a conservation organization working to combat the problems that afflict the human communities that live alongside cheetahs and threaten the cheetah as a species with extinction. We’re a place that visitors may come to learn about the cheetah and experience its magnificence and grace more closely."

"But we do all that we do for a single purpose – to win the race to save the cheetah. We’ve lost 90 percent of the world’s population of cheetahs in the last 100 years. And we know that if we’re going to have cheetahs around for the next 100 years, we need to act now to address the threats to the cheetah’s survival."

Plus, an all new That Sounds Wild and a Zoos News legislative update from Rachel Garner from www.whyanimalsdothething.com.

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Ferret Out! Mar 07, 2019

The highly touted federal and state program to conserve the Black-footed Ferret over the past three decades is really a story about two interconnected species, of a predator and its prey. Once thought extinct until a tiny number were rediscovered on a rancher's private property, Black-footed Ferret populations plummeted in the wild as humans sought to eradicate their primary source of food, prairie dogs. In hindsight we recognize today the tremendous ecological importance of prairie dogs that once numbered in the hundreds of millions across the grasslands of the U.S. If we are going to succeed in saving the ferret, then we must also save the prairie dog. Unfortunately, prairie dogs have lost 95% of their historic range according to www.worldwildlife.org and they are susceptible to the plague carried by fleas on infected rats that entered North America aboard European ships. Curator of Conservation Science for the Phoenix Zoo, Brad Poynter joins us for part two of our conversation on how modern zoos and aquariums work behind the scenes locally and internationally to study and preserve species that no one may ever see on display, but that are intrinsically important to conserve in order to maintain healthy environments.

www.Phoenixzoo.org

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www.iReinforce.com

www.zoologic.libsyn.com

Arabian Oryx: Back from Extinction Feb 28, 2019

By the late 1960's, the Arabian oryx was considered extinct in the wild. Some of the few remaining animals living in human care were sent to the Phoenix Zoo in the early 1970's because its desert climate matched the species' former natural range across the Middle East. From just nine animals, zoo professionals were able to establish a successful breeding herd with subsequent offspring sent to other zoos to rebuild a sustainable population. The program was so successful that by 1982, Arabian Oryx were beginning to be reintroduced in safe zones across its former range. It is the first species to ever be down listed from "extinct in the wild" to a much improved (but still at risk) status of "vulnerable."

Today, the Phoenix zoo's rich history of conservation success is coordinated at its conservation center by Brad Poynter, curator of conservation science. The center is responsible for the preservation, and in some instances, the reintroduction of at-risk species native to Arizona, including the once believed extinct Black-footed ferret.

www.Phoenixzoo.org

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Good Grief? Feb 21, 2019

Historically, animal professionals were discouraged from sharing feelings of grief over the loss of a pet or zoo animal. To do otherwise might call into question one's ability to remain objective when managing, studying, or conserving wild species. In other words, emotionally speaking, animals should be kept at arm's length and zookeepers shouldn't have favorites!

Such attitudes about the need to acknowledge one's grief over the passing of a favorite furry, scaly or feathered friend seem to be changing, especially as modern zoos must now grapple with the often competing priorities of preserving entire populations through dispassionate science-based principles, while also balancing the welfare needs of individual animals within those populations.

Increasingly, zoological and veterinary organizations are realizing the importance of processing grief not just for pet owners, but for keepers and the general public, too. Our guest, Ann Howie, is an author and mental health professional who integrates animals into her counseling practice. She describes things we should and should not do to help ourselves and others process grief.

www.dogsinactionolympia.com

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www.iReinforce.com

@zoologicpodcast

Peaceful Pangolins Feb 14, 2019

While other well known and charismatic species like rhinos, tigers, and elephants garner more headlines, the small, shy, and nocturnal pangolin has the sad distinction of being the globe's most illegally trafficked animal. Prized for their meat and the few hundred keratin scales that cover their bodies like a suit of armor that's strong enough to repel lion attacks, pangolins are no match for Nature's top predator, man. And the result of the industrial-sized poaching occurring over the past few decades may be the extinction of all 8 varieties of this gentle creature that feeds exclusively on thousands of ants, termites, and other insects each day.

Recently, a consortium of 7 North American zoos, including the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium imported a small group of one pangolin species to better understand their behavior, physiology, and highly specialized nutritional requirements. It is a great example of zoos working across trade association affiliations like www.AZA.org and www.ZAA.org to improve our husbandry and overall understanding of this species before it's too late to preserve them.

World Pangolin Day is this Saturday, February 16th.

www.pangolinconservation.org

www.GlobalConservationForce.org

www.pittsburghzoo.org/

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www.iReinforce.com

Three Decades of the Condor Feb 07, 2019

The California Condor is the largest bird naturally found in North America and by the mid 1980's its population had plummeted to a few dozen individuals. Society had a choice: let the species pass into oblivion or develop a bold and untested plan to collect, preserve, and eventually, repopulate the desert southwest with wild animals and their descendants that could fend for themselves.

Animal expert Michael Mace from San Diego Zoo Global describes some of the early obstacles to success and the pressure professionals from the San Diego and Los Angeles zoos felt working with the world's only remaining California Condors. While some of the the factors (e.g., use of pesticide DDT) that led to the condor's near extinction over thirty years ago may have faded, new and persisting risks remain. Not only has the Condor conservation program continued to evolve and incorporate new technologies to meet these challenges, it continues to serve as a model and inspiration to preserve other critically endangered species.

https://institute.sandiegozoo.org/species/california-condor

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http://zoologic.libsyn.com

This week's That Sounds Wild comes from www.conservationambassadors.org

China's orcas. From Russia, with love? Jan 31, 2019

China is experiencing tremendous growth in the popularity, number and size of family attractions under development, especially aquariums featuring marine mammals. In recent years, Russia has been a primary source of the larger marine mammal species sent to these major aquarium projects. Against the backdrop of this demand which is projected to grow, scant reports, including one by CBS News late last year, have raised concerns over the status of approximately 100 orcas and beluga whales collected from Russian waters and currently temporarily housed in "cramped and potentially illegal" near shore sea pens on Russia's Pacific east coast near the city of Nakhodka. This situation and the broader implications of these collections raise at least 3 potential concerns for zoological professionals from accredited public display facilities: 1) whether the animals from Russia are being collected humanely and sustainably based upon previously conducted and up to date scientific environmental impact assessments? 2) how well the veterinary care and welfare of the animals while housed in temporary sea pen facilities are being maintained? and 3) whether the long term housing, husbandry, and reproductive plans for larger cetaceans like orcas once they are transferred to China will meet their social, behavioral, and health needs?

To shed light on the situation and help separate fact from fiction, long time amusement park and family entertainment attractions insider, journalist, and blogger, Joe Kleiman, joins us.

Plus, an all new That Sounds Wild and a personal aloha to an animal friend and teacher.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/russia-whale-jail-investigated-prosecutors-nakhodka-orca-beluga-whales-held/

www.iReinforce.com

www.facebook.com/ZooLogicpodcast/

www.finaldaysofwisdom.wordpress.com/2018/10/18/final-days-synopsis-on-the-expanding-future-of-killer-whale-exhibition/

Giraffe: the forgotten megafauna Jan 24, 2019

Perhaps because they are silent giants synonymous with zoos and the African landscape it is difficult to imagine a world without the iconic species known as giraffe. Their unique familiarity ingrained in human consciousness may help explain how the tallest land mammal suddenly and quietly slipped from "least concern" to "endangered" status according to the IUCN, much to the surprise of everyone over the past few years, even wildlife professionals. Now that we've all been warned of the peril facing the "watchtowers of the savanna," zoological institutions like the San Diego Zoo Global's Institute for Conservation Research are working in Northern Kenya and elsewhere to study and stabilize giraffe populations through in situ and ex situ studies relying on local communities, technology, and crowdsourcing. Researchers David O'Connor and Jenna Stacy-Dawes describe the latest giraffe news as well as how anyone can get involved in original research like thousands of people already have to help giraffe and other African species at risk through SDZG's website www.WildWatchKenya.org.

www.iReinforce.com

www.institute.sandiegozoo.org

www.iucnredlist.org

www.facebook.com/ZooLogicpodcast/

Vulture Culture Jan 17, 2019

Throughout history and literature few species have been as unfairly disparaged and misunderstood as vultures. Despite serving as Nature's "garbage disposal," capable of digesting harmful bacteria that would kill most other animals, the vulture has long been viewed with fear or scorn. Today, this important group of long-lived and slowly reproducing species is under threat of extinction not as a direct target of human activities but as an indirect and innocent participant in the very scavenging behaviors it evolved to do--behaviors necessary to maintain healthy ecosystems.

Zoo Logic guest Michael Mace from San Diego Zoo Global (SDZG), the organization behind the famous Southern California zoo and safari parks, dispels some of the myths about vultures, describes their importance to human health, and explains the deadly threats from poachers, farmers, and ranchers (albeit for different reasons) through the same mechanism, mass poisonings. Fortunately, organizations like SDZG and others are working in the field to increase public education and to train communities how to prevent more vulture population losses and to care for animals suffering from poisonings.

www.animals.sandiegozoo.org/animals/vulture

www.iReinforce.com

www.aza.org/safe-species

www.vulpro.com/about/

www.zoologic.libsyn.com

The Force is with Actor, Author, and Animal Advocate Carolyn Hennesy Jan 10, 2019

Few people from Hollywood have been as demonstrably supportive of modern zoos and aquariums, helping animals in need, and conserving our planet over the past decade as Emmy winning actor and best selling author, Carolyn Hennesy. Carolyn joins Zoo Logic to discuss some of her new creative projects coming in 2019, including assuming the iconic role of General Leia Organa in two animated series: Star Wars Resistance and Lego Star Wars: All-Stars. Carolyn also shares the latest news about her hometown zoo and her efforts to help the LA zoo keep its famous elephant named Billy.

12:00 Billy the elephant

23:35 Replacing single use plastic while filming on location in Jamaica

31:40 Counter protesting PeTA at the LA zoo.

www.CarolynHennesy.com

www.iReinforce.com

www.LAZoo.org

www.AmericanHumane.org

Mountain Gorilla Recovery Jan 03, 2019

We begin 2019 by celebrating an increasingly scarce conservation "win" with news by the IUCN that mountain gorillas have been down-listed from critically endangered to endangered. Mountain gorillas are the elusive great ape species introduced to most of the world by the famous primatologist Dian Fossey, who studied and ultimately lost her life protecting the animals. And who better to discuss the decades-long effort to preserve these gentle giants, not just for today but indefinitely, and to help the people of Rwanda than the director emeritus of the Columbus Zoo, Jack Hanna.

https://globalimpact.columbuszoo.org/projects/project/gorilla-doctors-in-africa

www.peppermintnarwhal.com

www.iReinforce.com

https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/39999/17989719

Zoo Logic's 2018 Year End Review Dec 27, 2018

Highlights from 2018's lineup of Zoo Logic guests including world renowned trainers, celebrities, best selling authors, scientists, veterinarians, and entrepreneurs, as well as, perspectives from legal, public policy, and conservation experts.

Trainers

0:51 Ken Ramirez www.clickertraining.com

4:09 Erin Ivory elephant manager and consultant

5:05 Barbara Heidenreich

7:45 Dave and Jess Peranteau, Odysea Aquarium

10:04 Professor Gary Wilson, Moorpark College

10:51 Joe Markham, Kong company founder, www.KongCompany.com

Celebrity Authors

13:11 Kyle Kittleson, Wear a Wetsuit at Work

14:03 Mark Simmons, Killing Keiko

17:53 Julie Scardina, Wildlife Heroes

18:57 Jack Hanna, Into the Wild, www.jackhanna.com

20:42 Carolyn Hennesy, www.CarolynHennesy.com

Scientists

25:13 Dr. Kelly Jaakkola, www.dolphins.org

27:03 Dr. Barbara Taylor, NOAA

21:27 Dr. Jason Bruck, OK State University

32:39 Marty Haulena, DVM, Vancouver Aquarium

Animal Law, Rights and Public Policy

37:03 Michelle pardo, esq.

40:38 Rachel Garner, www.whyanimalsdothething.com

41:20 Lara Croft, DVM

44:16 Arizona Department of Game and Fish

Public Relations and Trade Associations

47:50 Billy Hurley, www.IMATA.org

48:16 Will Coggins, www.HumaneWatch.org

49:54 Doug Cress, www.WAZA.org

Perspectives

54:27 Dr. Susie Ellis, www.Rhinos.org

56:02 Brian Masuga, www.PeppermintNarwhal.com

57:28 Clarissa Black, www.PetsforVets.com

58:13 Dr Javier Almunia, Loro parque

59:18 Mandy Rodriguez, www.Dolphins.org

59:58 Mallory Lindsay, www.MalloryLindsay.com

1:00:19 Brad Andrews, www.AmericanHumane.org

Jungle Jack Hanna Returns Dec 20, 2018

World-renowned wildlife storyteller Sir David Attenborough and the BBC were criticized recently for essentially portraying a view of Nature that was too positive. According to the op-ed which appeared in The Guardian, "By downplaying our environmental crisis, the presenter's BBC films have generated complacency, confusion and ignorance" amongst the viewing public.

While the criticism goes to an unfair extreme, the author does identify a longstanding dilemma, not just for famous environmentalists and their networks, but for all zoos and aquariums and animal professionals. How best to balance the need to inspire the public about amazing wildlife and wild places versus focusing on what is currently happening to them? Regardless of the type or size of our platform, how do we accurately inform without turning the audience off by being too negative or creating a paralyzing sense of helplessness with respect to saving species in a world bursting with people?

Who better to ask about these issues than the person who has spent decades sharing wild animals and wild places with all of us through his many hours of televised content, Late Night laughs, books, and public appearances? Zoo Logic is pleased to welcome back the Director Emeritus of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, and the Emmy award winning TV host of Into the Wild, Jungle Jack Hanna!

www.facebook.com/ZooLogicpodcast/?ref=bookmarks

www.iReinforce.com

www.PeppermintNarwhal.com

www.JackHanna.com

www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/nov/07/david-attenborough-world-environment-bbc-films

Training makes the animal world go round Dec 13, 2018

Travel along the old route 66 west of Flagstaff and you'll find the historic town of Williams, Arizona, home of a unique zoo called Bearizona. It features a drive through section with dozens of black bears, bison, and other species native to ponderosa pine country. During a recent visit we learned how the animal team uses operant conditioning and their "enrichment truck" to safely manage and monitor groups of big animals living in extra large spaces.

Next we talk with Kolmården Wildlife Park's training coordinator, Peter Giljam about his work sharing animal training best practices and innovative behavioral applications across zoo species. His career training animals spans dozens of aquatic, terrestrial, and avian species at facilities in Canada and Europe. He's been in the unique position to unite and inspire keepers and trainers from around the globe regardless of cultural, language, or species experience differences, and he is the creative force behind ZooSpensfull.com, a site dedicated to sharing trainer knowledge and stories.

Plus an all new Zoos News and That Sounds Wild.

www.Bearizona.com

www.zoospensefull.com

www.iReinforce.com

www.kolmarden.com/sprak/english

www.peppermintnarwhal.com

"Wild," wild horses? Dec 06, 2018

Have wild horses become America's tribble?

Guests from the Arizona Department of Game and Fish discuss the contentious subject of US wild horse policy, which is often marked by passions and frustration on all sides. Congress passed the landmark 1971 Wild Free-roaming Horse and Burros Act to preserve those specific “unbranded and unclaimed” animals on public lands from steep declines in the preceding decades. Unlike native wildlife species, these feral horses have had a unique legal standing and separate multiple federal agency oversight, which has contributed to the confusion, frustration, disagreement, and anger over their management in recent decades. It might surprise many to know there are 3 times as many formerly designated wild horses living, cared for, and fed in fenced federal facilities than the current management level set for public lands. And, the current estimate of wild horses roaming on public lands is slightly greater than 3 times the management level set at 27000 animals.

The history of the wild horse over the past 50 years points to the need for us to consider how we deal with a conservation success story! While their recovery is still the conservation exception rather than the rule, the story of the wild horse challenges us today to consider what legal, oversight, and management adjustments we need to make once species do recover in order to maintain stability for all native plant and animal species.

Our guests this week from the State of Arizona Department of Game and Fish talk about the (over) population success of the nearly 50-year old law and the challenges these large bodied herbivores place on a western habitat that no longer resembles the one experienced by their long extinct and distant North American ancestors of 10-12 thousand years ago. The US is not alone in struggling with the issues raised by wild horses. Countries like Australia face similar public debates about the impacts on native species and habitats by these animals with no natural predators and with as much as a 20% population increase per year.

It’s an important conversation about the often competing needs of native versus feral animals and the courageous decisions needed to restore and maintain sustainable habitats for all native plant and animal species, as well as, America's iconic wild horses and burros.

http://wildlife.org/tws-offers-recommendations-for-wild-horse-management/

https://www.wafwa.org/Documents%20and%20Settings/37/Site%20Documents/Committees/Resolutions%20Committee/BLM%20Wild%20Horse%20and%20Burro%20Management.pdf

http://wildlife.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/PS_FeralHorsesandBurros.pdf

www.peppermintnarwhal.com

www.iReinforce.com

Peppermint Narwhal: conservation storytelling through art Nov 29, 2018

Not all wildlife warriors use rakes, shovels or whistles as their tools for preserving a part of Nature. Some like Brian Masuga, one half of the husband and wife creative team at Peppermint Narwhal, use their art to tell "fun, whimsical" and always informative conservation stories about animals, from the every day kind to the endangered. Brian believes that through art we can breakdown the language barriers that sometimes exist across the globe to become better conservation storytellers in a way that connects species and people. He and his wife Becky have a goal to spread positive messages, especially through the power of social media, to inspire others about the need to preserve wildlife and wild places. Perhaps that's why their infographics have been featured in many zoos and aquariums, in print, and online for years.

Plus, the latest Zoos News and an all new That Sounds Wild.

www.PeppermintNarwhal.com

www.iReinforce.com

www.polarbearsinternational.org

Training should be fun! Nov 22, 2018

Conversations with animal training and research experts from our recent travels to Portugal and Japan. Guests Mandy Rodriguez, co-founder of the Dolphin Research Center, DRC's Director of Research and Zoo Logic contributor, Dr. Kelly Jaakkola, and professor Satoru Yamamoto pay homage, each in their own unique way to our animal training and care past, the growing focus on conducting research in the present, and the future potential for greater understanding, and improved training and welfare across the globe. Each stresses the importance of not just the science of animal training but also the need to build strong relationships with animals through positive reinforcement steeped in love, a sense of humor, and fun for the animals as well as the people that care for and study them.

Plus, a judge in NY has issued the first ever writ of Habeas Corpus for an elephant named Happy living at the Bronx zoo. Blogger Rachel Garner shares an update on this troubling precedent-setting case brought by those seeking to give human rights to animals, in an all new Zoos News.

www.dolphins.org

www.iReinforce.com

www.whyanimalsdothething.com

Pets for Vets Nov 15, 2018

Using positive reinforcement-based skills she learned while training marine animals, and on a chance visit to a VA hospital with her own dog named "bear," Clarissa Black witnessed the full potential that the human-animal bond might provide service men and women returning from war and suffering from PTSD. So she formed an organization called Pets for Vets to identify, match, and train dogs in need of forever homes with vets in need of companion animals that fit their individual lifestyle and needs. Today, PetsforVets.com has grown to 30 thirty chapters across the US.

Always ready for the next personal and physical challenge, Clarissa and her friend Leigh Swansborough recently completed a 1200-mile hiking and paddling trek across the Yukon territory to the Arctic Ocean. They are the first women to walk to Tuktoyaktuk via the new completed Dempster highway. Hear about their harrowing and healing journey and the kindness of strangers they met along the way.

Plus, a Zoos News update by Rachel Garner on LA zoo's Billy the elephant and efforts by those in power that want to take him from his home of 30 years.

www.whyanimalsdothething.com

www.PetsforVets.com

www.iReinforce.com

Global perspectives on zoo animal training and welfare with IMATA's Billy Hurley Nov 08, 2018

Executive Director of the International Marine Animal Trainers' Association, Billy Hurley joins Dr. Grey Stafford, former president of www.IMATA.org following their three-day training seminar held at Osaka ECO college for students and zoo professionals. Billy discusses cultural differences and similarities, as well as, training challenges and improved welfare opportunities for zoo and training professionals from his work in Japan and other regions of Asia. Beyond its original, near 50-year old core mission to promote modern methods of animal training using positive reinforcement for all species, especially marine mammals, what does he think the future role of IMATA looks like across the globe? From sharing animal care best practices to using technology to inform and mobilize its members to improve public education and to lobby policy leaders about the important contributions of zoos and aquariums, IMATA is adapting to 21st century conservation, wildlife research, animal welfare, and political realities.

Plus, hear how one commercial seafood company made peace with Greenpeace! www.parlevliet-vanderplas.nl

www.iReinforce.com

Terry Ryan: 50 years of humane dog training Nov 01, 2018

Terry Ryan has been training dogs and their owners from all over the world for 50 years. A self-described "crossover" trainer, Terry has witnessed and helped lead the ongoing transformation of companion animal training from the old days of relying heavily on behavior corrections using aversive methods to today's focus on animal behavior success using positive reinforcement. In addition to operating her own training facility, Legacy Canine, in the Pacific Northwest, she is an instructor for the Karen Pryor Academy, an author of several books and other training materials, and she is particularly fond of her chicken training workshops because they allow participants to set aside any baggage they may have acquired by training dogs!

www.legacycanine.com

https://karenpryoracademy.com

www.iReinforce.com

What [zoos] got here is failure to communicate Oct 25, 2018

On location at the International Marine Animal Trainers' Association annual conference hosted by Zoomarine in Algarve, Portugal, Dr. Grey Stafford talks with Dr. Jo Fava, marine mammal ophthalmologist, about the importance of certain supplements in zoological diets. Specifically, she describes her interest in what is known and yet to be discovered about the role of carotenoids like lutein on pinniped and cetacean vision.

Also featured is Élio Vicente, Director of External Affairs sharing his thoughts on the decades of contributions to marine mammal husbandry, veterinary medicine, public education, and display by his mentor and Zoomarine founder, Mr. Pedro Lavia. Plus, he discusses the challenges facing the diverse zoological community in the EU, and our collective failure to effectively communicate with the public about the important conservation work zoos and aquariums are doing. In particular, he stresses the need for zoos to find better ways to connect with millennials and generation Z.

www.animalnecessity.com

www.zoomarine.pt/en/

www.iReinforce.com

www.IMATA.org

Animal training, research, conservation and Morgan the deaf killer whale Oct 18, 2018

Zoo Logic is in Algarve, Portugal for the International Marine Animal Trainers' Association annual conference. Our guests are Dolphin Research Center's Dr Kelly Jaakkola, Karen Pryor's Ken Ramirez, and Loro Parque's Dr. Javier Almunia. Kelly and Ken talk about the importance and current state of research and training in zoos and aquariums, and their impact on wild populations.

Plus, Dr. Almunia describes his organization's research, conservation projects and success stories for rare birds and cetaceans at risk. And he updates us on the status of the world's most well known and deaf killer whale, Morgan, and her newborn calf.

www.ClickerTraining.com

"There's no public opinion tooth fairy" Oct 10, 2018

Should zoos partner with animal rights groups in those rare instances where there's a common interest, even if the larger, long term mission of these groups is to close all zoos and aquariums? Zoo Logic's guest is Will Coggin from Berman & Co, the driving force behind the watchdog website www.HumaneWatch.org.

18:00. Has there been any indication of a shift in anti zoo groups' thinking about zoos?

20:00. Ending the chimps in research exemption under the ESA: a notable example of zoos partnering with anti-zoo groups. While an important issue, was it a credibility giveaway by zoos?

Plus a legal update by Rachel Garner from www.whyanimalsdothething.com on two recent court filings with scary implications for all animal facilities.

www.iReinforce.com

www.AZA.org

www.IMATA.org

Dolphin Research Center's Training Institute Oct 04, 2018

For more than 30 years, Florida's Dolphin Research Center has connected people and animals through trust-based relationships and fun. The DRC's Training Institute prepares post high school students to work with and train marine mammal, zoo, and domestic animals with positive reinforcement.

Plus, in a new installment of Science Fact or Science Fiction, Dr. Kelly Jaakkola asks, is a small variety of fish self aware?

https://dolphins.org

http://www.ireinforce.com

What rugby teaches about life, better zoos, and saving animals Sep 27, 2018

Few have had as long and impactful an animal career as Brad Andrews. Best known for his many years as Chief Zoological Officer for SeaWorld and Busch Gardens, he shares how lessons learned playing college rugby helped him oversee the display and care of the largest terrestrial and aquatic animal collection in the world. The same lessons may just help us save more species from extinction. Today, he directs the American Humane Association’s (http://www.americanhumane.org) Humane Conservation certification program for zoological facilities.

Plus an update by Rachel Garner (https://www.whyanimalsdothething.com) with information from NOAA’s public meetings following the news of ailing SRKW J50’s likely demise.

The OdySea Couple Sep 20, 2018

Zoo Logic features a wife and husband animal care and training team that has successfully worked in the same field and at the same facilities for more than 20 years. Jess and Dave Peranteau are part of the senior team that built the OdySea Aquarium located in the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community near Phoenix-- it's the largest aquarium in the desert southwest.

From competing for the same full-time trainer job when they first met at SeaWorld of Ohio to building a life, a family, and most recently, a major AZA accredited aquarium, you'll enjoy their full circle journey from Shamu, to terrestrials, to fish and back to marine mammals.

Plus the latest Zoos News and an all new That Sounds Wild.

When animal laws conflict with veterinary ethics Sep 13, 2018

Zoo veterinarian Dr. Lara Croft discusses the conflict that arises when new animal laws and regulations crafted by anti-zoo interests place veterinarians at odds with their professional ethics to “do no harm."

In the most notable case to date, when CA Governor Jerry Brown signed the ironically named Orca Protection and Safety Act in 2016, he placed zoo veterinarians at legal odds with their professional ethics. Specifically, this law and increasingly, others like it require veterinarians violate their ethical standards by forcing them to medically treat and manage these animals in such a way as to permanently prevent breeding for years or even decades, regardless of the known and unknown long term risks to animal health and well-being.

The legal implications for veterinarians responsible for other charismatic species, like elephants, primates, and big cats in human care set by this precedent, which essentially circumvents at the state level those federal processes overseeing the care, treatment, and display of wild and endangered species via landmark legislation like the AWA, ESA and MMPA, is unmistakable.

Fires, Smoke, and Bears, Oh My Sep 06, 2018

Santa Barbara Zoo's Dr. Julie Barnes joins Zoo Logic's Dr. Grey Stafford to discuss the zoo team's evacuation response to 2017's record-breaking Thomas fire. From evacuating every creature to mobilizing a defensive position within a zoo to protect large, dangerous and not easily relocated animals like elephants and predators, every wildfire is different. Increasingly, zoos and aquariums must adapt and prepare for a variety of crisis situations including having little to no warning of unfolding disasters. Even as zoos become more involved with researching and preserving local threatened and endangered species and habitat, the impact of these intense fires and their aftermath on isolated populations can be devastating and possibly result in local extinctions.

Plus a new Ms. Mallory Minute with animal adventurer and spokesperson, Mallory Lindsay, and an all new That Sounds Wild.

Helping Hungry Whales Aug 30, 2018

Dr. Marty Haulena, a veterinarian with the Vancouver Aquarium provides Zoo Logic with a breaking Zoos News update about first of its kind medical efforts to help the malnourished wild and endangered southern resident killer whale known as J50.

In a related story, with nearly 70% of all humans depending on the world ocean as their source of protein, Michelle Garis, with McRoberts Sales discusses their efforts to promote sustainable use of fisheries and to provide zoos and aquariums with information to help them better conserve commercial fish stocks commonly used to feed animals living in human care. With the collapse of a number of commercial fisheries in recent years, it is more important than ever for zoological professionals to use a wide range of fish types to ensure a steady supply of food for their animals.

Plus an all new That Sounds Wild.

Good Animal Welfare: do we know it when we see it? Aug 23, 2018

What is good animal welfare and how do we measure it? Sabrina Brando, Animal Welfare Coordinator for the World Association of Zoos & Aquariums, talks with Zoo Logic host Dr. Grey Stafford about WAZA's work to increase collaboration among animal facilities and professionals to improve the lives of all animals across the globe.

Also, a breaking Zoos News extended update with Marine Mammal veterinarian, Dr. Lydia Staggs on the Red Tide crisis along SW Florida's coastline harming thousands of animals including endangered turtles, manatees, and dolphins and what marine mammal professionals at SeaWorld and elsewhere are doing to help.

Plus an all new That Sounds Wild.

Kong is King of the Animal Training World Aug 16, 2018

How did an old part from a VW bus and a rock chewing German Shepherd dog named Fritz lead to the most recognizable pet toy on earth? Zoo Logic host Dr. Grey Stafford asks Kong Company cofounder, Joe Markham and lead behavior and training specialist, Mark Hines about the history of the classic dog toy that's still made in the USA, and how it has helped solve problems for animals and people for more than 40 years. Hear how Kong's unique design and quality construction continues to find new behavior training and enrichment applications with police and military canines, zoo species from primates to pumas, and farm animals as big as horses.

Plus the latest Zoos News, a Ms. Mallory Minute with wildlife adventurer Mallory Lindsay, and an all new That Sounds Wild.

EATM: America's first college zookeeping program Aug 09, 2018

Long time Moorpark College professor Gary Wilson joins Zoo Logic host Dr. Grey Stafford to discuss the Exotic Animal Training and Management program, America's oldest professional zookeeping academic curriculum. Gary describes the early history of EATM at Moorpark first as a student and now as a long serving professor. Students develop advanced skills and gain practical experience learning and working at a functioning public zoo with about 130 animals. Gary and Grey discuss the evolution of zookeeping as a multidisciplinary and science-based career that is increasingly reliant on applied animal training principles.

Plus the latest Zoos News, an all new Ms. Mallory Minute with national spokesperson and wildlife adventurer, Mallory Lindsay, and an all new That Sounds Wild.

Elephant in the Courtroom: defending against activist threats Aug 02, 2018

Animal Law attorney Michelle Pardo joins host Dr. Grey Stafford to discuss legal challenges by animal rights groups using landmark laws such as the ESA, MMPA, and AWA to attack, not just zoos, but all domestic, pet, and wild animal activities, agriculture, and stakeholders. She describes important court rulings like PeTA's defeat in the "monkey selfie" case, the multimillion dollar settlement activist groups had to pay Ringling's parent company, and the evolving litigation strategies of zoo opponents using consumer protection statutes. The implications for animal professionals and zoo fans are scary!

Plus the latest Zoos News, a new feature called Science Fact or Science Fiction, and an all new That Sounds Wild.

Zoos and researchers join forces to preserve Nature Jul 26, 2018

Dr. Jason Bruck joins Zoo Logic host Dr. Grey Stafford to talk about the increasingly important collaborative role between scientists and zoological facilities in order to preserve wild species. Jason describes his research on how complex social systems in cetaceans, primates and other vertebrates drive the evolution of complex learning and memory skills. They also discuss the role of a researcher and that of a paid lobbyist to answer whether a scientist can or should publish scientific papers at the same time he or she is lobbying on behalf of a client or issue.

Plus the latest Zoos News and an all new That Sounds Wild.

"Don't Be Shy," the legacy of the panda-looking porpoise called vaquita Jul 19, 2018

NOAA Fisheries scientist, Dr. Barbara Taylor, joins Zoo Logic host Dr. Grey Stafford to discuss the progress of women in science, her field work to help endangered marine mammals like the Bowhead whale rebound in numbers, and the recent efforts through vaquitaCPR.org to save the nearly extinct vaquita porpoise. While the fate of the vaquita may be sealed, the cooperative model and painful lessons learned over the past few years by scientists, marine mammal veterinarians, animal trainers and zoological professionals, governments, animal activists, and related conservation organizations to act early and boldly may just save other wild marine species from extinction.

Zoos and Aquariums: "our time is now!" Jul 12, 2018

Zoo Logic host Dr. Grey Stafford talks with Doug Cress, Chief Executive Officer of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums. With nearly 400 facilities and regional associations, WAZA members wield great influence with 700M visitors per year. As the new CEO, Doug describes changes to WAZA leadership, direction, and plans for growth in membership as a more balanced and representative global organization. We also get WAZA's bold take on recent news that mega food producer, Nestle, has been expelled from the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) for failing to meet membership requirements designed to preserve rainforest habitat and help consumers make sustainable choices at the supermarket.

Plus the latest Zoos News, a special legislative update separating real tiger numbers from fiction with whyanimalsdothething.com’s Rachel Garner, and an all new That Sounds Wild.

Leaving behind a Legacy of Kindness Jul 05, 2018

Animal training consultant, Barbara Heidenreich, talks with Zoo Logic host Dr. Grey Stafford. Barbara specializes in avian, exotics and zoo animal training. She lectures and consults worldwide working with zoos, universities, veterinary professionals, pet owners and conservation projects. She has worked with over 80 facilities in over 20 countries. She is an adjunct clinical instructor at Texas A & M University. Much of her work focuses on training animals with positive reinforcement to cooperate in medical care, solving complex behavior problems, making day to day care easier and developing animal caregivers' training skills.

Plus the latest Zoos News and an all new That Sounds Wild.

Wear a Wetsuit to Work Jun 28, 2018

Trainer, media personality, and author of the book, Wear a Wetsuit to Work, Kyle Kittleson talks with Zoo Logic host Dr. Grey Stafford about his journey from growing up in the desert to successfully becoming a marine mammal trainer. Kyle's journey prompted him to write a helpful how-to guide for those aspiring to become marine mammal trainers in a highly competitive field.

Plus the latest Zoos News, a legislative update from whyanimalsdothething.com’s Rachel Garner, and an all new That Sounds Wild.

Julie Scardina, conservationist, trainer & author Jun 21, 2018

Zoo Logic host Dr. Grey Stafford talks with Wildlife Heroes author, media personality, and retired SeaWorld and Busch Gardens animal ambassador, Julie Scardina and her continued work with several conservation groups around the world. Seemingly busier than before retirement, in addition to live audience and media appearances, Julie is a member of several boards including the SeaWorld-Busch Gardens Conservation Fund, which means evaluating hundreds of worthy funding proposals each year. At a critical time when habitats and animal populations are shrinking, she describes her work with zoos and wildlife organizations to help mentor young zoological professionals through the Emerging Wildlife Conservation Leaders program (wildlifeleaders.org). Julie's best advice to young zoological professionals and students is to get involved in wildlife policy by making their voices heard to protect existing landmark laws and efforts to preserve what's left of the wild.

Plus the latest Zoos News and an all new That Sounds Wild.

Killing Keiko author, Mark Simmons Jun 14, 2018

Zoo Logic host Dr. Grey Stafford talks with Mark Simmons, author of Killing Keiko, the true story of Free Willy's return to the wild. As the behaviorist tasked with preparing Keiko mentally, physically, and behaviorally for possible release to the waters off Iceland, Mark describes firsthand why this gentle orca was never a good candidate for return and how those behind the project sealed his fate by ignoring the law and the best welfare interests of Keiko in favor of media attention and marketing. Abandoned by the only family he knew, humans, Keiko's sad and tragic end provides important lessons now more than ever for zoos, policy makers, and all those concerned about preserving species in human care and the wild.

Plus the latest Zoos News and an all new That Sounds Wild.

Jungle Jack Hanna Jun 07, 2018

Jungle Jack Hanna, Emmy Award winning host of Into the Wild joins Zoo Logic host Dr. Grey Stafford to talk about his love for animals and the important role of zoos and aquariums as "arks" to save wildlife and wild places. From his humble beginnings cleaning cages as a kid, Jack describes his 40-year zoo career and the tremendous growth of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, the adventures of filming all over the globe, and his focus on "filming with respect."

Plus the latest Zoos News, a new Ms Mallory Minute with national spokesperson Mallory Lindsay of MsMalloryAdventures.com, and an all new That Sounds Wild.

International Rhino Foundation's Susie Ellis May 31, 2018

Zoo Logic host Dr. Grey Stafford talks with Dr. Susie Ellis, Executive Director of the International Rhino Foundation (Rhinos.org) about the status of rhinos in Indonesia and Africa. For 25-years the IRF has been supporting research, education, and on the ground protection for the world’s remaining species of rhinos. Susie describes some of the challenges the IRF team faces to prevent rhino extinction due to habitat loss, human encroachment, and record levels of poaching.

Plus the latest Zoos News, a legislative update on Animal Rights Groups growing use of the ESA to further their anti-zoo agenda from whyanimalsdothething.com’s Rachel Garner, and an all new That Sounds Wild.

Elephant trainer, international consultant and animal welfare advocate, Erin Ivory May 24, 2018

Zoo Logic host Dr. Grey Stafford talks with elephant trainer, international consultant and animal welfare advocate, Erin Ivory about her work since leading the effort to bring Mila, New Zealand's lone elephant to the U.S. to live out her days with other elephants at the San Diego Zoo. Erin discusses her work with SE Asia zoos and elephant camps to improve positive reinforcement-based training and expand the use of enrichment. According to Erin, sometimes the biggest impediment to achieving better animal welfare is convincing zoo directors of the critical need for using enrichment and reward-based training to improve the lives of animals.

Plus the latest Zoos News and an all new That Sounds Wild.

Clicker Training's Ken Ramirez and the importance of behavioral science to saving wild species May 16, 2018

Zoo Logic host Dr. Grey Stafford talks with long time marine mammal, pet, and wild animal training expert, Ken Ramirez, about the growing importance of science-based behavioral management for preserving wild populations of animals. Ken recalls his efforts to encourage primates through operant conditioning to use their natural distress call to alert nearby park rangers to the presence of poachers. He also describes his successful efforts to mitigate human - polar bear conflicts in the arctic. And, after an attack by poachers that left he and some of his team critically injured last year, Ken tells of his renewed determination to help teach wild elephants a new migratory route away from human conflicts and deadly poachers.

Plus the latest Zoos News, a new conservation feature with the Curious Conservationist and national spokesperson Mallory Lindsay from MsMalloryAdventures.com, and an all new That Sounds Wild.

Dolphin Cognition: reality vs public perception with Dr. Kelly Jaakkola May 16, 2018

Zoo Logic host Dr. Grey Stafford talks with Dr. Kelly Jaakkola, the Director of Research for the Dolphin Research Center on dolphin cognition and how scientists describe animal intelligence. Kelly and Grey discuss how the public narrative and widespread misperceptions about dolphins and orcas affect public attitudes of these animals living in the wild and those living in human care.

Plus the latest Zoos News and an all new That Sounds Wild.

Carolyn "mob lawyer" Hennesy's journey to animal advocate (part 1) May 16, 2018

Zoo Logic host Dr. Grey Stafford talks with Emmy Award winning actor, best selling author, and zoo animal advocate, Carolyn Hennesy on the difference between advocacy and activism, and why the difference matters. Fans of Carolyn from her work on General Hospital, True Blood, Jesse and more will enjoy her candor describing her own personal journey from activist to vocal zoo advocate.

Plus the latest Zoos News, a legislative update on the progress of the Big Cat Public Safety Act by whyanimalsdothething.com's Rachel Garner, and an all new That Sounds Wild.

Dr. Kelly Jaakkola and the role of science in the debate over the need for zoos May 16, 2018

Zoo Logic host Dr. Grey Stafford talks with Dr. Kelly Jaakkola, the Director of Research for the Dolphin Research Center on the importance of science in the debate over whether animals like dolphins should be kept in human care. Kelly and Grey discuss how the public narrative and widespread misperceptions about dolphins and orcas affect public attitudes of these animals living in the wild versus those living in human care.

Plus the latest Zoos News, an all new That Sounds Wild, and a legislative update by whyanimalsdothething.com's Rachel Garner explaining why it is illegal for carnivores to breed in Michigan!

Animal Advocacy vs Activism with guest Carolyn Hennesy (part 2) May 16, 2018

Zoo Logic host Dr. Grey Stafford talks with Emmy Award winning actor, best selling author, and zoo animal advocate, Carolyn Hennesy on her experiences with elephants in SE Asia. Fans of Carolyn from her work on General Hospital, True Blood, Jesse and more will enjoy her candor describing her own personal journey from activist to vocal zoo advocate.

Plus the latest Zoos News, an update on efforts to remove Los Angeles Zoo's Billy the elephant to a sanctuary, and an all new That Sounds Wild.

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