Zoo Logic

The Odysea Aquarium's annual Conservation Expo features many rescue, research, conservation and education focused organizations at work in the desert southwest and around the US. We talk with the director of the Scottsdale Community College's Center for Native and Urban Wildlife about its community outreach and the importance of citizen science.  Also, the Arizona Game and Fish Department operates several fish hatcheries to preserve endangered native species and to support the sport fishing community.

February 24th marks 10 years since the tragic passing of marine mammal trainer, Dawn Brancheau. We celebrate her life, the passion she had for animals and training, and the work of the foundation created in her honor with people that knew her well: a close friend, a mentor and manager, a colleague, and a sibling. Plus, we try to assess where the zoological community is today following a decade of change, especially with marine mammals such as orcas, in human care and in the wild. www.dawnsfoundation.org

We visited the Odysea Aquarium's third annual Conservation Expo featuring animal, research, higher education, and conservation related organizations working throughout the state of Arizona to preserve terrestrial and aquatic species and habitat at home and around the world. The free public event is part of the aquarium's education mission designed to increase awareness and support of nonprofit groups working in the community. Part 1 guests include Reid Park Zoo, Phoenix Zoo, and Arizona State University.

Whether you are thrilled or terrified by them, people of all ages seem drawn to ectotherms like rattlesnakes. The Rattlesnake Conservancy works to change the public narrative about the value of these animals by educating communities, professionals, and first responders on how to safely handle and live alongside them. The conservancy also conducts and supports conservation research into various environmental and human caused threats to rattlesnake species survival.

Historic wildfires across Australia threaten some of the most iconic species on earth. Scientist estimate over 1 billion animals may have perished to date, including tens of thousands of individual animals from already threatened and endangered species such as the koala. Giving a firsthand account of the species and critical habitats affected is Australian trainer, behavior consultant, and wildlife conservationist Jade Fountain. Plus, a real time update by the Zoo and Aquarium Association of Australasia.

Conservation education has been a passion for Susan and David Kleven since meeting at America's Teaching Zoo at Moorpark College. Upon graduation and with the help of family they launched Animal Edutainment to teach wildlife conservation education to school children and the public. After working side by side for years, Sue accepted the role as director of the Frank Buck zoo and David launched Animal Care Software. Together they are involved with improving and promoting the Zoological Association of America.

Historically, large zoo animal enrichment items that are safe, won't break teeth or scratch view panels have been limited to the creativity of zookeepers as they repurpose materials like firehoses and hard plastic barrels. A new effort led by the creative mind behind the KONG company, maker of pet toys, hopes to ensure all species have access to enrichment. Two KONGZOO.com guests discuss manufacturing challenges using natural rubber to create welfare tools that are much larger than anything ever attempted.

Medieval Times is an international family dinner theatre experience featuring trained Andalusian horses and saker falcons. To lean more about how the animals and performers are trained and learn to work together, we talked with two animal professionals from the newest Medieval Times castle located in Arizona. According to the company's website, the guest experience is based upon authentic Medieval history and is the true story of a noble family with documentation dating back to the 11th Century.

Steve Martin is the founder of Natural Encounters, a Florida-based company that has created complex conservation focused free-flight bird shows for zoological facilities across the globe. He teaches animals and zoo professionals with positive reinforcement and believes in preparing them for the chaos of the real world by not "training in a vacuum."  Steve suggest we make our own luck by taking chances, being willing to try something new, and embracing the value of making mistakes and learning from them.

Zoo to You founder David Jackson describes being on the road with wild animals and the reward-based training needed to ensure great welfare for their ambassadors. Their mission is ".. providing a permanent, loving home for displaced, abused, abandoned or permanently injured wild and exotic animals." Sharing these animal ambassadors through outreach programs helps educate school children and learners of all ages about conservation, connecting them to the wild world and inspiring them to protect the planet.

SeaWorld's Dr. Hendrik Nollens discusses the company's recent funding announcements regarding efforts to save species like the endangered North Atlantic right whale from entanglements with fishing gear.  With only about 400 of these animals left, SeaWorld is teaming up with the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution to help engineers deploy and test the efficacy of new underwater buoy designs that will enable fishermen to locate and retrieve their traps while reducing the likelihood of whale entanglements.

Specializing in organic and sustainable gardening in 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 as a boy tending to his father's garden as he served three tours in Vietnam. He shares his journey from using synthetic fertilizers, pesticides and fungicides to the organic methods his grandfather used to farm and why we need to adopt ways to soften our impact on the environment and wildlife.

Last spring, a beluga whale showed up on the shores of Norway seeking attention from humans. The press dubbed him "spy whale" as he was clearly trained and likely had strayed from a naval program in nearby Russia. Zoo professionals, like marine mammal expert Lindsay Rubincam volunteered to assess the white whale nicknamed Hvaldimir. She shares her first hand experiences and efforts to ensure his safety from threats like boat traffic, humans, transient killer whales, and the lack of other beluga companions.

In 2018, following a decades-long career with the United Nations, Ivonne Higuero was named the new Secretary-General of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Trained as an environmental economist, her career focus has been in the area of sustainable development working with stakeholders across public and private sectors. With 183 Parties, CITES remains one of the world's most powerful tools for wildlife conservation through the regulation of trade.

In 2005, author Richard Louv coined the expression, Nature Deficit Disorder, in his best selling book, "Last Child in the Woods." It 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 connecting with animals can transform our lives-- and save theirs." Louv suggests strengthening the bonds we share with animals can serve as an antidote to the growing epidemic of human loneliness.