Trainer Talks and Tails

This week we are lucky enough to be joined by Rachel all the way from the US! Rachel has years of experience working with and training dolphins and we dive into conversations all about training and reinforcers! Asides from working hands on with dolphins, Rachel has developed an incredible program, from her experiences, which provides advice, tips and guidance for aspiring marine animal trainers. I...

This week its just us! We chat through a bunch of questions that we got sent covering a huge array of topics related to the industry! You can find the podcast on socials @trainertalksandtails or for feedback or queries reach out on trainertalksandtails@outlook.com.

Bianca joins us this week where she generously shares so much of her experience in animal training! We chat about training resources, writing a shaping plan, training hurdles and what a training coordinator or consultant really does! You can find the podcast on socials @trainertalksandtails.

Not one, but two ungulate specialists joined us this week! Vicky and Jess, both from Auckland Zoo, chat all about their primary species, rhino, giraffe and nyala! There share their cooperative care training focuses for all species including important dental work and hoof care. We chat about challenges they face and future training goals! If you have any questions for Vicky or Jess, you can reach o...

Matisse is an absolute professional when it comes to agility training with dogs! We were lucky enough to chat with her all about her passion, from puppy training to agility and her new exciting sheep herding venture. We chat about the importance of using positive reinforcement with dogs and leaving old training techniques in the past. If you have any questions for Matisse you can find her on socia...

For our 30th episode, we were lucky enough to be joined by host of Mothering Wildlife podcast, Elizabeth Johnson! Elizabeth has decades of experience working within the field and uses her podcast platform to chat with other professionals about balancing work life with parenthood. We chat about the common challenges, how management can be supportive and whether her years of animal training experien...

Tess and Daisy were overjoyed to be joined by the Director of Behavioral Husbandry of Brookfield Zoo, Tim Sullivan. Tim expands on his impressive career within the animal field before diving into the topic of mentorship and the key role it plays in our field. We discuss self-fulfilling prophecies and the impact it can have both positively, and negatively on our training and how to best mitigate it...

Céser has a huge passion for wildlife and in particular birds and frogs! We chat about his really succesful podcast, Death by Birding, and where his love of frogs has taken him. We also chat all about being a vet student alongside a very unique photographer. If you have any questions for Céser, you can reach out on socials @ceser_on_safari. You can find the podcast on socials @trainertalksandtails...

Jake shares his experience of being involved in Australia's first successful Komodo Dragon breeding program! We expand on Komodo Dragon husbandry and training! Jake also chats about Symbio Wildlife Park's brand new habitat and the process for designing an exhibit. If you have any questions for Jake, you can reach out to him on socials @jakemeney. You can find the podcast on socials @trainertalksan...

Emily from Skegness Seal Sanctuary in the UK joins us this week! We speak about the process of rescuing and rehabilitating an animal, the challenges that come with it and the success rate with seals and release. Emily also shares her tips for rescue & rehab role and some of her favorite success stories! If you have any questions for Emily you can reach her on socials @keeperemily. If you have...

This week's episode we're joined by Matthew Kettle, long time bird trainer at Taronga Zoo in Sydney, AUS! Matthew shares his journey into the industry and what he has gained from different facilities and bird shows across the globe. We chat about starting Taronga Zoo's famous bird show alongside Steve Martin and mishaps that can occur with free flight birds. You can find the podcast on socials @tr...

For our first guest of 2024 we were joined by Sea World Australia's Head Vet Dr. Claire Madden. Claire talks us through her j0urney through the industry and how she got to her role now and what it entails. We chat all about how advancements within training have played a huge role in veterinarian care and the importance of talking about mental health as a vet. If you have any questions for Claire y...

Tess and Daisy are back for 2024! Starting off the year with a catch-up episode, where Daisy shares her experience overseas and the details of Seaworld Abu Dhabi whilst Tess has a very special announcement! They also chat about their work goals for 2024 and what is in and what is out! You can find the podcast on socials @trainertalksandtails and reach out for feedback or queries on trainertalksand...

We're wrapping up this year and our first 6 months podcasting! Tess and Daisy share their work wins from the year before jumping into a great conversation with Chris Dryburgh. Chris chats about what's involved in the role of a species coordinator for Komodo Dragons and some of the amazing field projects he has been involved in around the world. Chris is also the ASZK president, and he shares the a...

This week it's just Tess & Daisy as they sit down and answer some of the most frequently asked questions about the industry! They chat about topics such as how to get into the industry, applying for jobs, improving engagement with guests and so much more! Combined Tess & Daisy have close to 20 years' experience within the field and share their answers through different experiences. You can...

This week, we were lucky enough to be joined by Animal Welfare Expertise founder, Dr. Isabella Clegg. We learn all about the company and the impact it is having on welfare within zoos, aquariums and wild animal populations. Dr. Isabella Clegg generously shares her insights into what she believes good welfare is and how she got to where she is today. If you have any questions for Dr. Isabella Clegg...

Trainer Talks and Tails welcomed Kristyn Plancarte to the podcast this week! Kristyn has built an incredible community across her social media and uses her platform to educate and inspire people all over the world. We touch on this as well as the importance of training and in particular, co-operative care behaviours! Whilst Kristyn is a MetroParks Tacoma employee, she is speaking at an individual...

Jacob is one of the marine animal specialists at Seaworld on the Gold Coast and this week he chats in depth about working with polar bears and the cooperative care training they've achieved with the 3 bears. Alongside polar bears, Jacob also works with penguins and seals and talks about enrichment and in particular, things to consider when organizing species specific enrichment. If you have any qu...

This week, Gena Williams joins the girls and chats about how her career transitioned from working with raptors and seals to being a full-time whale researcher. She dives into her current PhD with humpback whales and shares her tips on how to become a researcher. If you have any questions for Gena, you can reach her on email genevieve.williams@uq.edu.au . You can find the podcast on socials @traine...

Trainer Talks & Tails collaborated with Jon from Rossifari podcast to bring you 4 episodes across the 2 podcasts! Jon shares his animal journey and what lead him to starting his podcast before diving into what he looks for in zoos & aquariums and what facilities should focus on into the future. If you have any questions for Jon, you can reach out to him on socials @rossifari. You can find...

Ever wondered what is involved in assist rearing a baby gorilla? Chad generously shares his journey with Mogo Zoo's newest primate edition. We also chat about managing numerous facilities and what that role looks like. If you have any questions for Chad, you can reach him on socials @zookeeper_chad. You can find the podcast on socials @trainertalksandtails or reach out for feedback or queries on t...

This week we sat down with 2 of our closest friends to chat about their exciting new business venture, Wildlife Unleashed. Mick & Adele share an incredible passion for wildlife and chat about their pathways into the industry, some of the challenges they have faced and what exciting things to expect in the future for Wildlife Unleashed. If you have any questions for Adele & Mick, you can re...

For episode 13, Sarah chatted with us all about the amazing orangutan training that is happening at Auckland Zoo! She focuses on the impressive pre- and post-natal training that has been achieved with their female as well as touching on social dynamics and enriching primates. If you have any questions for Sarah you can reach out to her on socials @sarahtaylorrobinson. You can find the podcast on s...

We turn the questions to Tess this week as she shares a day in the life of working with a variety of birds of prey and the training the birds participate in. She also talks all about her love for flying foxes and tips on how to become a wildlife carer. If you have any questions for Tess, you can reach her on socials @tessagrace11. You can find the podcast on socials @trainertalksandtails or reach...

Stuart runs a hugely successful snake catching business on and around the Sunshine Coast in Queensland. This week we chat with him where he shares his passion for reptiles, his time at Australia Zoo and the importance of snake education within his role. If you have any questions for Stuart, you can reach him on socials @sunshinecoastsnakecatchers. You can find the podcast on socials @trainertalksa...