Zoo Logic

The UN warns that more than 1/3 of marine mammal species are threatened with extinction. Mystic Aquarium's Sea Research Foundation protects marine mammals by conducting urgent research with species like beluga whales. The foundation has filed a permit application to NOAA Fisheries to re-home five beluga whales born at Marineland Canada to the aquarium's world-renowned Connecticut care facility. Dr. Tracy Romano, VP and chief scientist discusses the permitting process and the need for conservation research.

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 officials to help return once endangered trumpeter swans to their original home range.  

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. 

US based Mission Wildlife held a fundraiser recently for groups working to conserve species in Africa including the Ewaso Lions Project based in Kenya's northern regions. Ewaso Lions works to conserve lions and other large carnivores by promoting co-existence between people and wildlife by working with local communities to provide education, training and improved conservation practices that help people and wildlife. And, Dr. Isabella Clegg returns with an update on beluga whales moved from China to Iceland.

Recently, THE Florida Aquarium announced being the first facility to successfully induce spawning of endangered Atlantic pillar coral in human care. Scientists believe this achievement may one day 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 a 22-acre satellite facility used for recreation, conservation research, and rescue and rehabilitation for sea turtles.

Zoos and aquariums are called upon to develop science-based solutions to growing problems like species extinction and population declines. One successful consumer-facing program meeting the needs of commerce and conservation has been the Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch. What was a temporary campaign with printed lists of sustainably sourced dining recommendations for the aquarium's visitors has become an international effort and mobile app supported by more than 2 dozen scientists and professionals.

A mash-up of researchers, trainers, and news items following the recent joint conference for the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the International Marine Animal Trainers' Association in NOLA. Writer Jeremy Hance returns with insights into a species you've never heard of. Samantha Sheppard shares data suggesting dolphins use urine tasting to identify others! Hear from zoo media personality Stephanie Arne about conservation efforts to help endangered black-footed penguins in need of guano. And more!

Demonized for centuries in literature, pop culture, and global public policy, many canid species are on the edge of extinction. Ginny Busch, CEO of the Endangered Wolf Center describes their work preserving Mexican Gray Wolves, African Painted Dogs, and the most endangered of all, the Red Wolf. The center breeds and introduces pups into the wild by partnering with government agencies. Success depends on listening to and educating communities about the importance of predators to restoring healthy ecosystems.

Physiologist Dr. Andreas Fahlman discusses large offshore dolphins, routinely diving to 1000m and much smaller near shore ones that rarely go beyond 10m. His data suggests the diving reflex is far more complex than we realize, and he believes the passion of professional trainers is a vital scientific tool for understanding animal physiology and behavior. And, with hurricane season underway, ZAHP Fusion Center's, Dr Yvonne Nadler describes its work helping zoological facilities with emergency response plans.

The Orca Conservancy is focused on preserving endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales. Their steadfast mission to prevent SRKWs from extinction put OC publicly at odds with the Whale Sanctuary Project's plan to build a permanent facility for orcas that were born in zoos. This episode's honest and at times difficult conversation between an anti-captivity leader and a former orca trainer host, shows their perspectives have much in common, especially when it comes to saving SRKW and restoring ecosystems.

We are onsite with the founders of Phoenix Herpetological Society discussing their passion for all 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." Before PHS, reptile owners had no outlet to relinquish pets nor was there a resource for accurate information on their care. Also native and non-native species were being destroyed by state agencies due to lack of knowledge.

On location at Phoenix Zoo to discuss saving the endangered species, Mexican Gray Wolf, which came within a handful of founder animals from being deliberately exterminated across the West and Mexico. Senior keeper Carl Mohler describes how caring for predators that may be introduced to the wild is very different from other species found in zoos. The trust that naturally forms between keepers and most zoo animals is not only discouraged, it can place these animals and their new litter of pups at great risk.

Host of the viral videos television show "Right This Minute" (www.RightThisMinute.com), Gayle Bass reminisces on how her early media experiences as an intern, film critic, and radio reporter led to her role as one of the original hosts of RTM, now in its 9th season. As a fan of animals, having met many zoo ambassadors, Gayle shares some unique insights from years of scouring the Internet in search of the next video to go viral. Plus, she and Grey share memories of their radio and TV mishaps together.

The 70's was a decade of unparalleled exploration far above and below the sea. From astronauts driving on the moon and probes collecting data on the planets to piercing the deepest oceans in new submersibles, humans achieved some of the greatest feats in history. One such pioneer, Dr. Sylvia Earle is an ocean scientist, engineer, policymaker, conservationist, and a record-setting deep sea explorer whose work over 60 years places her in the company of Cook, Piccard, Cousteau, Ballard, and recently, Cameron.

In support of research and conservation, the National Marine Mammal Foundation works with stakeholders to preserve and increase awareness of the world's most endangered marine mammal, a shy porpoise called vaquita. Their story is told in a new documentary, Sea of Shadows by executive producer, Leonardo DiCaprio and NatGeo. NMMF director, Dr. Cynthia Smith describes the inextricable link for survival that human activities have forged between two endangered species, the vaquita and a fish known as totoaba.