Zoo Logic

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 coordina...

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...

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...

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 posit...

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, liv...

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 na...

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...

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...

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 a...

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 positiv...

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 w...

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...

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  anima...

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 de...

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, w...

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 ambassador...

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...

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....

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...

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...

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...

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 Wild...

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...

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 year...

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 fo...