Amy Van Dyken-Rouen holds the record for being the first American woman to win 4 gold medals in the same Olympic Games. As a child suffering from severe asthma, Amy took up swimming to improve her lung capacity and breathing, which enabled her to become part of a team and do the the kind of things kids like to do. By high school, Amy narrowly missed out on qualifying for the 1992 games. She spent her college years training and qualifying for the 1996 and 2000 Olympic Games, winning a total of 6 ...
Jun 24, 2021•43 min•Season 4Ep. 167
Built along America's Space Coast, the Brevard zoo has an entrepreneurial history with a focus on local conservation. Located so close to the world's busiest space center, which is also home to some of the few remaining acres of near pristine Florida habitat and biodiversity, Brevard zoo is planning on building the only aquarium along the I-95 corridor. Zoo director, Keith Winsten, hopes to tap into the region's advanced technology expertise to help with next generation solar power and battery s...
Jun 17, 2021•34 min•Season 4Ep. 166
As we age, our DNA begins to show signs of degradation. Physiological mechanisms to protect and preserve DNA from the effects of internal or external factors such as environmental pollutants grow less effective. By studying age-related changes to DNA at specific sites conserved within and across species, scientists have developed epigenetic clocks which are strongly correlated with chronological age in humans and several mammalian species. Validated epigenetic clocks from known age animals, such...
Jun 10, 2021•1 hr 4 min•Season 4Ep. 165
The past year has not been kind to manatees along the Florida coastline. While years of public educational programs and law enforcement seem to have stemmed the tide of animals killed by boat propeller strikes, a new and greater threat has emerged resulting in record manatee deaths. As a result of poor coastal water quality and clarity, the sea grasses that these gentle, slow moving herbivores rely on for survival are vanishing. Nowhere is the situation more dire than the complex and fragile est...
Jun 03, 2021•59 min•Season 4Ep. 164
For over a decade, the Akron Zoo has been partnering with US Fish & Wildlife Service in their efforts to preserve critically endangered red wolves. Recently the zoo reported their first ever successful litter of red wolf pups. As part of the federal species recovery plan, some of the pups were transferred to the den of a wild wolf pair that had a litter within days of the zoo's births to be fostered and raised as wild wolves. That Sounds Wild: Red ruff lemur. Frank Buck Zoo Animal Care Softw...
May 27, 2021•41 min•Season 4Ep. 163
According to their website, the mission of Veterinarians International is to provide veterinary aid and education to improve the health and well-being of animals and their communities worldwide. VI is a global network of veterinarians, animal welfare specialists and researchers who partner with local communities to improve the care and conservation of animals in need, both wild and domestic. Founder and president, Dr. Scarlett Magda and friend of the podcast, behaviorist and VI's new VP of Progr...
May 20, 2021•37 min•Season 4Ep. 162
A visit to Africa can have a life-altering effect on those fortunate enough to make the trip. Following her first trip to see mountain gorillas in Rwanda and accompanied by notable animal experts Julie Scardina and Jungle Jack Hanna, Nancy Uslan founded NEUGlobal.com to help improve literacy in the central African nation. Realizing students were often missing school due to water borne illnesses, NEU Global's mission has since expanded to help bring clean and sustainable water to communities livi...
May 13, 2021•33 min•Season 4Ep. 161
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 coordinated by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Jim Kinsler, SeaWorld aquarium curator and FCRC facili...
May 06, 2021•43 min•Season 4Ep. 160
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 and conservation careers as viable options for interested minorities. To achieve these objective...
Apr 29, 2021•51 min•Season 4Ep. 159
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 standing can lead to health issues like bumble-foot in some avian species, Rickey and his team deve...
Apr 22, 2021•48 min•Season 4Ep. 158
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 positive reinforcement helped Jim manage change for the collection of animals and keepers he now leads as...
Apr 15, 2021•58 min•Season 4Ep. 157
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, live green, and train positive." Plus, we share a personal letter from the family of Jungle Jack Hanna. ...
Apr 08, 2021•38 min•Season 3Ep. 156
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 natural disasters like recent hurricanes That Sounds Wild: Baby Prairie Dogs Animal Care Software Zoo ...
Apr 01, 2021•32 min•Season 3Ep. 155
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 of extinction from a wide range of causes, not the least of which is the manner in which the more t...
Mar 25, 2021•39 min•Season 3Ep. 154
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 those demands. In an era of rapid climate change, this data is critical for preserving species alrea...
Mar 18, 2021•54 min•Season 3Ep. 153
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 and why one version is much better than the other. In addition, Rachel Garner returns with a deep div...
Mar 11, 2021•47 min•Season 3Ep. 152
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 positive reinforcement-based principles she uses with sea lions and other exotic species. During a year in ...
Mar 04, 2021•51 min•Season 3Ep. 151
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 whether sending older animals to such facilities was truly based on the best welfare of animals or si...
Feb 25, 2021•1 hr•Season 3Ep. 150
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 across the globe. Loro Parque continues to proudly, proactively, and unapologetically promote the wo...
Feb 18, 2021•40 min•Season 3Ep. 149
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 animal products with more styles and sizes under development. Recently, they launched a fundraiser assista...
Feb 11, 2021•16 min•Season 3Ep. 148
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 desensitized to the presence of non-invasive equipment. Animals trained via operant conditioning to vo...
Feb 04, 2021•31 min•Season 3Ep. 147
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, what advice does the number one warm up guy in Los Angeles have to share with today's zoological profe...
Jan 28, 2021•59 min•Season 3Ep. 146
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 ambassadors, and its rescue efforts' above average success rate. Plus, Liberty Wildlife is home to the only fe...
Jan 21, 2021•29 min•Season 3Ep. 145
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 aquariums and their trade association ( AZA ) have learned in 2020 that can be carried forward for a ...
Jan 14, 2021•29 min•Season 3Ep. 144
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. That Sounds Wild: Eurasian Eagle Owl. Cleveland Metroparks zoo . Animal Care Software Zoo Logic Zoo...
Jan 07, 2021•41 min•Season 3Ep. 143
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 safely and successfully coax two of about a half-dozen Rothschild's giraffes onto a barge which was ...
Dec 31, 2020•38 min•Season 3Ep. 142
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 describes the building process, the economic revival that has already begun in large part to the aqua...
Dec 24, 2020•51 min•Season 3Ep. 141
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, and later working with him on camera? Plus, several of Jack's famous and not so famous friends drop...
Dec 17, 2020•1 hr 14 min•Season 3Ep. 140
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 Wildlife World now houses over 500 species and thousands of individual birds, mammals, reptiles, and fis...
Dec 10, 2020•1 hr 16 min•Season 3Ep. 139
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 Wildlife Rescue Support to help caregivers throughout much of Australia obtain needed medical and b...
Dec 03, 2020•43 min•Season 3Ep. 138
