Zoo Logic

Why do people risk death to get photos with wild animals? What is it about safety barriers that communicates to some, "sure, climb over"? A recent incident of a zoo visitor injured attempting a selfie with a jaguar highlights the importance of human perceptions of animals. How do human (mis)perceptions of animals impact feelings, behavior, and efforts to save species from extinction? Dr. Susan Clayton discusses how we view and treat animals is often affected by TV, YouTube, and early learning experiences.

Common sense laws have at times been misapplied by those with agendas that are radically different from what Congress or legislatures had in mind. Animal related organizations seem prone to this trend thanks to animal rights groups as in the case of HR 1042, the "Prepared Act." Risk mitigation expert, Julia Matson Wagner discusses why the bill may make facilities less safe. Also, elephant expert, Erin Ivory, discusses EEHV, a lethal virus that has just claimed two young elephants at the Indianapolis zoo

The Marine Mammal Center responds to more stranded marine mammals than any other in the world. According to www.TMMC.org human activity threatens ecosystems that are vital to the health of our ocean and all life on earth. As a critical first responder to these threats, TMMC is leading the field in ocean conservation through animal rescue, veterinary science, and education. Executive Director, Jeff Boehm discusses how TMMC supports a network of scientists and stewards to protect our shared ocean environment.

For 45 years, Dr. Laurie Marker has dedicated her life to saving cheetahs, the fastest land mammal. A species of cat like no other, cheetahs face mounting pressures from conflicts with farmers, habitat loss, and the illegal pet trade. Her fascination with the species led her to move to Namibia where in 1990 she established the headquarters for the Cheetah Conservation Fund organization (www.Cheetah.org). CCF’s programs have effectively stabilized and even increased the wild cheetah population in Namibia.

The highly touted conservation of the Black-footed Ferret over the past 30 years is really a story about two interconnected species, of a predator and its prey. Thought extinct until a tiny number were rediscovered on private property in the 1980's, Black-footed Ferret populations plummeted as humans sought to eradicate their primary source of food, prairie dogs. Today, we recognize we can't save one species without saving the other and that living things are interconnected even if they aren't on display.

By the late 60's, the Arabian Oryx was extinct in the wild. A few remaining individuals living in human care were sent to the Phoenix Zoo where professionals established a successful breeding herd and sustainable population. As a result, by 1982, oryx were reintroduced in safe zones across its former range. Brad Poynter, curator of conservation science describes the zoo's current focus on the preservation and in some cases reintroduction of at-risk species native to Arizona, including Black-footed ferrets.

Sharing feelings over the loss of a favorite furry, scaly or feathered friend was discouraged historically as it might call into question a professional's objectivity. Such attitudes on grief are changing as zoos grapple with preserving entire populations through dispassionate science-based principles while also balancing individual welfare needs within those populations. Ann Howie, a mental health professional who integrates animals into her practice, describes how to help ourselves or others process gri

While species like elephants garner headlines, elusive pangolins hold the title as the most illegally trafficked animal. Prized for its meat and keratin scales covering its body like a suit of armor, pangolins are no match for Nature's top predator, man. This gentle creature that feeds exclusively on thousands of ants and termites each day is headed to extinction. The Pittsburgh Zoo and others are working to understand its behavior, physiology, and nutritional requirements to help preserve the pangolin.

By the 1980's, the California Condor population, North America's largest bird, had plummeted to a few dozen. Society had a choice: let it pass into oblivion or develop a bold plan to collect, preserve, and repopulate the desert southwest with wild animals that could fend for themselves. Michael Mace from San Diego Zoo Global describes some of the early obstacles to success and the pressure professionals from the San Diego and Los Angeles zoos felt working with the world's only remaining California Condors.

As China builds more massive aquariums, scant news reports raise concerns for marine mammals collected in Russian waters and housed in "cramped and potentially illegal" sea pens. The situation raises at least 3 concerns for zoo professionals: 1) are animals being collected humanely and sustainably based upon scientific assessments? 2) are animal health and welfare being maintained? 3) do housing plans meet social and behavioral needs? Long time theme park insider, writer and blogger, Joe Kleiman is guest.

Perhaps because they are silent giants synonymous with zoos and Africa's landscape it is difficult to imagine a world without the iconic species known as giraffe. Their unique familiarity may help explain how the tallest land mammal suddenly slipped from "least concern" to "endangered" according to the IUCN. Researchers David O'Connor and Jenna Stacy-Dawes of San Diego Zoo Global Institute for Conservation Research study giraffe conservation with the aid of local communities, technology and crowdsourcing.

Few species have been disparaged and misunderstood as vultures. Nature's "garbage disposal" is capable of digesting harmful bacteria that would kill most others. This long-lived and slowly reproducing group is nearing extinction not as a direct target of human activities but as an indirect and innocent participant in the very scavenging it evolved to do. Michael Mace of San Diego Zoo Global dispels some myths, describes their importance to human health, and explains threats from poachers and ranchers.

Few people from Hollywood have been as demonstrably supportive of modern zoos and aquariums over the past decade as Emmy winning actor and best selling author, Carolyn Hennesy. She joins Zoo Logic to discuss some of her projects coming in 2019, including assuming the iconic role of General Leia Organa in two animated series: Star Wars Resistance and Lego Star Wars: All-Stars. She also shares the latest news about her hometown zoo and her efforts to help the LA zoo keep its famous elephant named Billy. 

We begin 2019 by celebrating a conservation "win" with news by the IUCN that mountain gorillas have been down-listed from critically endangered to endangered. Mountain gorillas are the elusive great ape species introduced to the world by famous primatologist Dian Fossey, who studied and ultimately lost her life protecting the animals. And who better to discuss the decades long effort to preserve these gentle giants and to help the people of Rwanda than the director emeritus of the Columbus Zoo, Jack Hanna.

Highlights from 2018's lineup of Zoo Logic guests including world renowned trainers like Ken Ramirez; celebrities including best selling author and Emmy winning actor Carolyn Hennesy, Jungle Jack Hanna, and Keiko's trainer, Mark Simmons; scientists such as Dr. Kelly Jaakkola from the Dolphin Research Center and vaquita expert, Dr. Barbara Taylor from NOAA, entrepreneur and Kong company founder, Joe Markham, as well as, perspectives from legal, public policy, and conservation experts from around the globe.