Zoo Logic

Specializing in organic and sustainable gardening and farming in the extreme climate conditions of the desert southwest over the past 30 years, Dave Owens, "The Garden Guy," is an author, television host, and entrepreneur. Originally from Kentucky, Dave recalls his earliest days as a young boy tending to his father's garden as his dad went off to serve three tours in Vietnam. He shares his journey...

Last spring, a single male beluga whale showed up along the shores of Norway following boats and seeking attention and contact with humans. The international press dubbed him "spy whale," as he was clearly trained and likely had strayed from a secret naval program from nearby Russia. Serving as an information resource for authorities, experienced zoo professionals immediately volunteered their tim...

According to CITES.org , the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora regulates international trade in over 36,000 species of plants and animals, including their products and derivatives, to ensure their survival in the wild with benefits for the livelihoods of local people and the global environment. The CITES permit system seeks to ensure that international...

In 2005, acclaimed nature journalist and author Richard Louv coined the expression, "Nature Deficit Disorder," in his best-selling book, Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder . The book sparked an international movement and greater awareness about the growing lack of human connection to the natural world. He discusses NDD and his new book, Our Wild Calling: How...

For more than 45 years, the Mystic Aquarium's Sea Research Foundation has worked to protect marine mammals. For example, full-time scientists conduct global research with beluga whales within a larger set of marine science research and educational programs. The need for ongoing basic research is urgent. A recent scientific report by the United Nations warns that more than one-third of all marine m...

Zoos and aquariums are not just concerned with preserving species and habitat in far away locations. Many are conserving threatened and endangered native species including amphibians, reptiles, insects, plants, small mammals, and birds in their own back yard through cooperative breeding and reintroduction programs. Dr. Samantha Russak shares the story of how Southwick's Zoo is working with officia...

Where is the overlap between tourism and conservation? And what do well-intentioned travelers need to known and do to leave as light a footprint as possible wherever they may go to experience nature?  Safari tour operator Chris Liebenberg founder of Piper and Heath Travel shares his unique perspective on conservation and tourism in Africa having been raised in Namibia.    That Sounds Wild : Silver...

Recently, the Mission Wildlife organization ( www.mission-wildlife.com ) held a fundraiser for groups working to conserve species and habitat in Africa. One such organization is the Ewaso Lions Project ( www. Ewasolions.org ) based in Kenya's northern regions.  According to their website, "Ewaso Lions takes its name from the mighty Ewaso Nyiro River (also called the Ewaso Ng'iro) which starts on t...

Recently, the Florida Aquarium in Tampa announced being the first facility to successfully induce spawning of endangered Atlantic pillar coral in human care. One day, scientists think this achievement may enable humans to restore reef systems like the one along the southeastern shores of Florida. President and CEO, Roger Germann describes the aquarium's plans for growth including the expansion of...

Increasingly, zoos and aquariums are being called upon to fund and develop science-based research and practical solutions to environmental problems like species extinction and dramatic declines in species abundance. For the past two decades one demonstrably successful consumer-facing program meeting the needs of commerce and conservation has been Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch. What began a...

This week's Zoo Logic episode is a mash-up of researchers, trainers, and news items from around the zoo and aquarium world following the recent professional joint conference for the Association of Zoos and Aquariums ( www. AZA.org ) and the International Marine Animal Trainers' Association ( www. IMATA.org ) in New Orleans. Past guest Jeremy Hance, writer for ( www. Mongabay.com ) shares insights...

Demonized for centuries in literature, pop culture, and most worrisome of all, in the execution of public policy, several canid species are on the edge of extinction. Ginny Busch, CEO of the Endangered Wolf Center describes their work and ongoing challenges to preserving species such as Mexican Gray Wolves, African painted Dogs, and the most endangered canid species of all, the Red Wolf.  The cent...

Dr. Andreas Fahlman, senior researcher for the Oceanographic Foundation in Valencia Spain shares insights into the respiratory physiology and behavior of offshore and coastal bottlenose dolphins. In addition to significant size differences between these two distinct populations from the same species of dolphin, the larger offshore type has been observed routinely diving to depths of 1000m, whereas...

Founded in 1996 in hopes of reuniting one killer whale with her wild cousins, the Orca Conservancy today is focused on preserving the endangered population of Southern Resident Killer Whales (SRKW) that frequent the waters around Seattle and Vancouver part of the year. It's this steadfast mission to prevent the SRKW from extinction that put the Orca Conservancy at odds recently with a well-publici...

We are onsite with the three founders of the Phoenix Herpetological Society to discuss their passion for rescuing animals in need, conserving endangered species, and educating the public about all kinds of ectotherms from cobras to crocodiles. PHS' mission is to "promote conservation and preservation of native and non-native reptiles through education, rehabilitation, rescue, and relocation." From...

We return to the Phoenix Zoo to discuss their collaborative work to save another endangered species, the Mexican Gray Wolf, which as recently as the early 1970's came within a handful of remaining founder animals from being deliberately exterminated across the West and Mexico. Senior carnivore keeper, Carl Mohler describes how caring for a social group pf predators that may one day be introduced t...

Host of the viral videos television show Right This Minute ( www. RightThisMinute.com ), Gayle Bass reminisces about how her early career experiences such as an intern, a film critic, and a radio reporter led to her role as one of the original hosts of RTM, now starting its 9th season. As a huge fan of wild and domestic animals, and having met many animal ambassadors throughout her media career, G...

The 1970's was a decade of unparalleled exploration far above and below the sea. From astronauts driving on the moon and unmanned probes collecting data on the outer planets to piercing the deepest oceans in new submersibles, scientists and engineers achieved some of the greatest feats in human history. One such pioneer, Dr. Sylvia Earle is an ocean scientist and engineer, policymaker and conserva...

As part of its work to support research and conservation of marine mammals, the National Marine Mammal Foundation ( www. NMMF.org ) has been working with many diverse stakeholders to study, preserve, and increase awareness of the world's most endangered marine mammal, an elusive porpoise found only in the far northern Gulf of California known as the vaquita. Their story is featured in a new docume...

Animal welfare science is a relatively new discipline that has generated some degree of debate among scientists, policymakers, animal professionals, animal rights activists, and the public. Even the meaning of the term animal welfare has been cause for scientific and public debate in part because the conversation often includes qualities such as emotions normally associated with humans being appli...

In addition to the dramatic declines in charismatic species most people are aware of, research over the past few years suggests we are facing a potential extinction event for insects. This week's episode features   www.mongabay.com frequent contributor, environmental writer Jeremy Hance, to discuss his recent 4-part series on the insect extinction situation based on interviews he's conducted with...

Fresh water dolphins like the Amazon River Dolphin face a myriad of challenges including human encroachment and habitat loss, pollution, the damming of river systems, and poaching. The Amazon River Dolphin Conservation Foundation www. ARDCF.org supports local efforts to protect a storied species and its rainforest ecosystem. ARDCF founder and director, Suzanne Smith discusses what she describes as...

In 2014, the training community lost a well-known veterinarian and behavioral consultant, lecturer, author and colleague to suicide. Many were surprised by the loss of someone so successful at her craft and popular among her clients and fans to learn about the high rate of suicide among veterinary professionals. A recent report posted at AAHA.org found "U.S. veterinarians at greater risk for menta...

An all star panel of Zoo Logic alumni discusses current wildlife news stories including why the misguided and unscientific cetacean ban recently passed by Canada's parliament will have a chilling effect on conservation research. Researchers Dr. Kelly Jaakkola and Dr. Jason Bruck join Killing Keiko author and wildlife advocate, Mark Simmons to describe some of the negative implications for wildlife...

For more than 50 years, the American Association of Zoo Keepers has been pursuing excellence in animal care, sharing best practices, providing professional development workshops and conferences, and raising serious dollars for the support of conservation organizations in the field helping to preserve endangered species like rhinos and cheetahs. AAZK members have also planted over 100k trees! AAZK'...