Rossifari Podcast - Zoos, Aquariums, and Animal Conservation

Today, the Safari heads to the Central Florida Zoo for not one, but two interviews! We talk with Stephanie Williams, the director of the zoo, about her varied and interesting career path, and what it means to be the director of a zoo.  We then talk to Chris Torge, senior hoofstock keeper, about some of the amazing animals found at the zoo! Two poop stories, y'all!  You'll get to hear abo...

Zoo News is back with a roundup of the news from the worlds of zoos and conservation!  In Zoo News, we discuss the new hippo at the Cincinnati Zoo, a birth of a joey of one of my favorite species, how QR codes can help zoo signage, and more!  In Conservation News, we hear about platypus reintroductions, male elephant twins, and more!!  And Other News features crows, how venom can help Covid-19, an...

Today, the Safari resumes our trek through Florida with another stop at Mote Marine Lab!  This episode is releasing on International Manatee Day, so I figured it would be the perfect time to learn about manatees from some real experts.  And we really get into it!  From basic facts, to amazing husbandry, to fart jokes (that are relevant to the discussion of course), to exploring research that is st...

Zoo News is back with a roundup of the news from the worlds of zoos and conservation!  In Zoo News, we discuss the amazing work done by zoos in the path of Hurricane Ida, a BUNCH of important zoo pregnancies and births, and a tale of the Bronx Zoo helping out a cougar!  In Conservation News, we hear from Katie Propp, and learn about bears and sharks!  And Other News features cows, a rhino head, an...

Today, the Safari stays at the Trevor Zoo at Millbrook School in NY to talk to two other guests about this amazing school featuring a zoo that is mostly staffed by high school students!  We talk to a former Zooie, Tiffany Hatfield, and the director of the zoo, Dr. Alan Tousignant!  This is the second of a two part series from the Trevor Zoo, so make sure you listen to last episode first!   EPISODE...

Today, the Safari takes a break from our Florida days to bring you the first of two episodes from the Trevor Zoo at Millbrook School, the ONLY AZA accredited zoo found at a high school!  And, on top of that, we spend a LOT of time talking about the red pandas at the zoo, both current and former!  We also talk about the otters and many other adorable animals there...but let's be honest...this...

Zoo News is back with a roundup of the news from the worlds of zoos and conservation!  In Zoo News, we discuss a cool grant received by the Akron Zoo, a ridiculous tale of social media and the Memphis Zoo, a couple very important births, the story I have had sent to me the most times since starting Zews, and more! In Conservation News, we talk about an amazing story featuring a recent guest, a new...

Today, the Safari continues spending time in Florida, as I head to Gainesville to introduce you to the only teaching zoo in the United States that is accredited by the AZA! Jonathan Miot is the director of the Santa Fe Teaching Zoo, which is NOT in Santa Fe, New Mexico, as I used to think, but was only about 2.5 hours away from my gig in Sarasota!  So I loaded up my gear and headed off for a great...

Zoo News is back with a roundup of the news from the worlds of zoos and conservation!  In Zoo News, we discuss a some cool news out of Oregon, a fight at a zoo, the Delta variant and it's effect on captive populations, and more!  In Conservation News, we talk about a new species of marmoset, an amazing rescue and release effort by Turtle Survival Alliance, and why cruelty towards wolves needs...

Today, the Safari heads out into the field to bring you an interview featuring conservation in action!  We go out into the field with senior biologist and conservation manager Melissa Bernahard to find and document a sea turtle nest!  You'll learn all about this amazing species, and what incredible work is being done to help save them from extinction.  Saving and documenting nests is a HUGE p...

Zoo News is back with a roundup of the news from the worlds of zoos and conservation!  In Zoo News, we discuss a baby giraffe, baby red pandas, THREE stories from the Toronto Zoo, and more!  In Conservation News, we talk about the current state of the climate, learn about a newly discovered species of jelly, explore the concept of rewilding, and more!  And Other News features a quick story about a...

Today, the Safari heads to Naples, Florida, to visit the incredible zoo there.  We talk to Elizabeth Johnson, Supervisor of Carnivores about some of the amazing and unique species at the zoo, including fossa, a striped hyena, clouded leopards, and honey badgers! You'll even get to come hang out with the honey badgers after the interview!  Then, stay tuned to learn more than you ever thought y...

Dateline: August 6, 2021: Rossifari Zoo News is back for Season 2 with zoo and conservation news stories for you!  Zoo News topics include cool news out of Mote Marine Lab, advances at the Cincinnati Zoo, and more!  Conservation News takes a look at the Kratt Brothers, the new IUCN Green Status, North Pacific Right whales, and more! Other News talks about the strangest stuffed animals out there! R...

Today, the Safari continues our times hanging out in Florida by visiting the Lemur Conservation Foundation!  We talk about this incredible conservation organization, sitting down with Caitlin, the curator of primates, and Lauren, the senior keeper at the reserve.  That's right, y'all!  Along with doing research and conservation work for lemurs, there is also a population of lemurs that l...

Back in December, I brought you an interview with Paul Reinhart of the Cincinnati Zoo.  We did our interview IN the panda exhibit, talking about the whole amazing family there.  Well, that family has grown, unexpectedly, this month! I start this episode by bringing you that news story, and then bring back that interview for those that may have missed it!  The info for that episode: Today, the Safa...

Dateline: July 30, 2021: Rossifari Zoo News is back for Season 2 with zoo and conservation news stories for you!  Zoo News topics include an amazing achievement at Akron, a snow leopard with COVID, a Jacksonville jaguar that DOESN'T play football, and more!  Conservation News takes a look at grizzly bear cubs, babirusa rediscovery, an extinct animal that isn't, and more! Other News talks...

Season Two of the Safari starts off in Miami, Florida, with Communications Director and Goodwill Ambassador Ron Magill!  Ron is a legend in the conservation community and the zoo field, and his skill as a storyteller makes this episode both the best start to a new season, and one that will inspire you beyond belief!  If there is only one episode of the podcast that you check out, make it this one!...

Dateline: July 22, 2021: Rossifari Zoo News is back with zoo and conservation news stories for you!  Zoo News topics include  baby red pandas, some very special births, and more!  Conservation News takes a look at unique bird rearing techniques, tiger conservation, the giant opah fish, Asiatic black bear habitat, and much more! Other News talks about an embarrassed raccoon and an adorable walrus!...

Today, the Safari heads all the way across the country to catch up with a very good personal friend of mine, Jamie Delk, a zookeeper at Woodland Park Zoo!  Jamie and I have been trying to make this interview happen since before I launched the podcast, and I'm so glad to bring it to you as the Season 1 Finale! We talk about her dog (a tri-pawd), a sloth, a slew of nocturnal animals, a pigeon w...

Dateline: July 15, 2021: Rossifari Zoo News is back with zoo and conservation news stories for you!  Zoo News topics include a baby red pandas, community conservation through zoos, and more!  Conservation News takes a look at more news about beavers in the UK, a ban on balloons, giant pandas, caracal conservation, indigenous people and their effect on conservation, and a bunch of species recently...

Today, the Safari heads to Glen Rose, Texas, to visit Fossil Rim Wildlife Center and talk to Dr. Holly Haefele, one of the veterinarians there!  Holly talks about the unique parts of being a drive-through safari zoo, and also goes into great detail about one of the amazing conservation projects done at the facility...saving Atwater's Prairie Chickens, an incredibly endangered chicken species...

Season 2 of The Rossifari Podcast will be launching on 7/27/21! Here's a quick recap of Season 1, and what to expect from Season 2, including clips from some early Season 2 interviews!  Enjoy!  

Dateline: July 8, 2021: Rossifari Zoo News is back with zoo and conservation news stories for you!  Zoo News topics include a troubling story out of Madison, WI, a few fun contests to enter or nominate others to, more veterinary news out of the Oakland Zoo, a red panda escape...and so much more!  Conservation News takes a look at two red panda stories, beavers in the UK, the Florida Wildlife Corri...

Today the Safari virtually visits Utah's Hogle Zoo to talk to zookeeper and TikTok sensation Zookeeper Mel!  We talk about her pulling double duty in two areas right now, and hear a lot about some of the cool animals she takes care of, including Pallas' cats, Amur leopards, Amur tigers, scorpions...and, of course, we have some good red panda content for y'all!  We also talk about th...

Dateline: July 1, 2021: Rossifari Zoo News is back with zoo and conservation news stories for you!  Zoo News topics include another "best zoos" publication, marmots at the Toronto Zoo, a farewell to a beloved animal...and so much more!  Conservation News takes a look at Legos, birds, Brazil, elephants, and more! Other News talks about a tiger foster father and an elephant crashing into a...