Rossifari Podcast - Zoos, Aquariums, and Animal Conservation

Dateline: July 3, 2026. Rossifari Zoo News is back with a round up of the latest news in the world of zoos, aquariums, conservation, and animal weirdness!   This is just what is normally the introduction part of the podcast. You'll learn why when you listen.  ROSSIFARI LINKS:  Rossifari.com  Patreon.com/rossifari to support the pod  @rossifari on socials  @rossifaripod on TikTok  Join the new...

Today, the Safari heads to Pittsburgh to sit down with two of my favorite colleagues of all time: Jenn and Shafkat! These are two fellow members of the Executive Committee of SAFE Red Panda, and we have spent the last few years working together to build the program into something we are all super proud of. We dive into that, talk about the conservation and education work they do at the zoo, and of...

Dateline: July 3, 2026. Rossifari Zoo News is back with a round up of the latest news in the world of zoos, aquariums, conservation, and animal weirdness!     We start off with a quick catch up on my life, including saying goodbye to a beloved dog and almost getting killed by a turtle.  Then we dive into an interview with Tom Schmid, the President and CEO of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, who tell...

Today, the Safari heads back to the Louisville Zoo to talk all things black-footed ferret conservation with Jamie Huber! We share the entire story of the BFF, including what the zoo is doing to help these amazing animals. This one will make you heart warm for sure!  EPISODE LINKS:  @louisvillezoo on socials  louisvillezoo.org ROSSIFARI LINKS:  Rossifari.com  Patreon.com/rossifari to support the po...

Dateline: June 26, 2026. Rossifari Zoo News is back with a round up of the latest news in the world of zoos, aquariums, conservation, and animal weirdness!     We start off with an interview with Miles Rossi talking about some cool animal experiences we've had this week at the Aquarium of Niagara and Buffalo Zoo. Then it's time for Zoo News stories from The San Antonio Zoo, SeaWorld Yas...

Today, the Safari heads back to Zoo Atlanta for a visit with a longtime friend and first time guest, Dr. Sam Rivera. We talk about the new hospital, what it takes to become a vet, a unique path to becoming boarded, the new hospital at the zoo, and more!  EPISODE LINKS:  @zooatl on socials  zooatlanta.org  ROSSIFARI LINKS:  Rossifari.com  Patreon.com/rossifari to support the pod  @rossifari on soci...

Dateline: June 19, 2026. Rossifari Zoo News is back with a round up of the latest news in the world of zoos, aquariums, conservation, and animal weirdness!     We start off with some discussion of my recent visits to the Maryland Zoo and Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium, along with a quick but vague bit of excitement about SAFE Red Panda! We have two headline stories this week. We start with a surprisi...

Today, the Safari heads down to Baltimore, Maryland, to celebrate the brand new red panda habitat that is less than a week old as you listen! Learn about the two girls that call the zoo home, what went into creating the habitat, what the behind the scenes area looks like, and more! Then we spend some time diving into Margaret's career and current favorites at the zoo. We also talk imposter sy...

Dateline: June 12, 2026. Rossifari Zoo News is back with a round up of the latest news in the world of zoos, aquariums, conservation, and animal weirdness!     We start off with a bunch of random updates from the world of Rossifari. We then get into a mini-deep dives episode featuring: 1. Saying goodbye to Arie, a beloved sea lion at Aquarium of Niagara 2. A look at advocacy and what we can do and...

Today, the Safari heads back to the Columbus Zoo after FAR too long of a break. I sit down with Joy Kotheimer to discuss the penguins, flamingos, and tortoises she takes care of! We also talk about the importance of AAZK to her, and cover so much more in the process!  EPISODE LINKS:  columbuszoo.org  @columbuszoo  ROSSIFARI LINKS:  Rossifari.com  Patreon.com/rossifari to support the pod  @rossifar...

Dateline: June 5, 2026. Rossifari Zoo News is back with a round up of the latest news in the world of zoos, aquariums, conservation, and animal weirdness!     We start off talking about the Ecuador trip and the chance to build our community in a new way. Our headline story is about a data center that may open right next to the Nashville Zoo. This is NOT ok, but you can help.  Then it's time f...

Today, the Safari heads down to the Virginia Living Museum for a big announcement...even though it wasn't official until after recording all of this. So we start with the announcement and then bring you three amazing humans from there.  Lyn talks us through her amazing career and the work she is now doing at the VLM, introducing us to a lot of the animals along the way. Lindsay talks to us ab...

Dateline: May 29, 2026. Rossifari Zoo News is back with a round up of the latest news in the world of zoos, aquariums, conservation, and animal weirdness!     We start off catching you up on my world, including some good news about the Ecuador trip and discussing the show I'm opening tonight.  Our headline story is a sequel to the Sloth World story. No seriously.  Then it's time for Zoo...

Today, the Safari heads back to Providence to catch up with three friends who were all on the pod last year. We sit down with Emily, Diana, and Kate in order to catch up on what's been going on since their episodes last year. These three women never cease to amaze and inspire me, and I'm so genuinely happy to have them back on the pod where they belong!  EPISODE LINKS:  @rwpzoo on social...

Dateline: May 22, 2026 - Rossifari Zoo News is back with a special edition! We've had a secret for a few weeks, and we spill it now!  ROSSIFARI LINKS:  https://animalsanonymousapparel.com/collections/tree-kangaroo-fundraiser https://animalsanonymousapparel.com/collections/binturong-fundraiser @rossifari on socials  @rossifaripod on TikTok  rossifari.com  Patreon.com/rossifari 

Today, the Safari heads to Louisville, KY, to sit down with General Curator Ron Evans of the Louisville Zoo. We talk red pandas, binturongs, koalas, exhibit design, accessibility, and a whole slew of other topics. Also, your intrepid host takes some good-natured ribbing for what is apparently a loud voice. Who knew?  EPISODE LINKS:  @louisvillezooofficial on socials  louisvillezoo.org  ROSSIFARI L...

Dateline May 15, 2026: Rossifari Zoo News is back featuring another few deep dives into the animal news of the world.  This week I start off with a deep look at the swatting incidents that have been plaguing zoos and aquariums across the United States.  Then we talk about the guy who threw a rock at a monk seal and practically became public enemy number one because of it.  Then we do the latest on...

Today, the Safari sits down with my good friend Yosanni Torres to talk all things tree kangaroo in advance of World Tree Kangaroo Day! The SAFE Tree Kangaroo Crunch-A-Thon is currently running on social media, making this feel like a great time to focus on tree kangaroos! We talk about Yosanni's work at Zoo Miami, her transition into leadership, her work with the SSP and SAFE programs, and so...

Dateline: May 8, 2026. Rossifari Zoo News is back with a round up of the latest news in the world of zoos, aquariums, conservation, and animal weirdness!     We start off with exciting news about a potential trip to Ecuador we could all take together to help save sea turtles!  We have two deep dives this week: One is an interview with Sam Trull from The Sloth Institute, and one is a deep look at t...

Today, the Safari heads back to Southwick's Zoo to bring you another interview with fan favorite Emily Begue Masinda! We talk about how her pregnancy is changing her life and work, we laugh a lot, and she has the audacity to tell someone else's Rossifari Poop Story!  EPISODE LINKS:  Southwickszoo.com  @southwickszooofficial on socials  ROSSIFARI LINKS:  @rossifari on socials  @rossifarip...

Dateline: May 1, 2026. Rossifari Zoo News is back with a round up of the latest news in the world of zoos, aquariums, conservation, and animal weirdness!     We start off with exciting news about a potential trip to Ecuador we could all take together to help save sea turtles!  Our headline story is a follow up to last week's Sloth World story. Then it's time for Zoo News stories from Cen...

Today, the Safari heads back to the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., to talk to a keeper of some of my favorite animals there, the binturongs Hank and Lola. Oh, and also tigers, lions, bears, and a bunch of other animals! We talk about how a good leader can make all the difference in a career in the zoo world, the individual personalities of many of the animals at the zoo, and so much more!  EPIS...

Dateline: April 24, 2026. Today, the Safari does a deep dive into Sloth World, a roadside zoo possibly opening soon in Orlando. 31 sloths (at a minimum) have died so far for this tourist trap, and it's not going to get better unless it is gone. We talk about how you can help make that happen.  EPISODE LINKS:  Rossifari.com  @rossifari  @rossifaripod on TikTok  Patreon.com/rossifari 

Today, the Safari visits Mystic Aquarium to talk to the chair and vice-chair of the AZA Accreditation Committee. What does accreditation mean? What does it look like? What happens when an AZA-accredited facility is accused of not living up to the gold-standard that AZA accreditation represents? Can accreditation be revoked? Can special circumstances be accounted for from facility to facility? We a...

Dateline: April 17, 2026. Rossifari Zoo News is back with a round up of the latest news in the world of zoos, aquariums, conservation, and animal weirdness!     We start off with a quick life update, including sending love to our buddy Taylor as he gets married this weekend!  Our headline story is an Other News interview with Dani Larson about the submarine bird! Then it's time for Zoo News s...