Zoo Logic

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 o...

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...

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) wa...

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 invasiv...

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...

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...

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 Al...

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 g...

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 con...

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...

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 resi...

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...

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 ocea...

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 futur...

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...

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...

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...

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 t...

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 discus...

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...

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 Angele...

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 severa...

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 severa...

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 o...

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...