Zoo Logic

World-renowned wildlife storyteller Sir David Attenborough and the BBC were recently criticized in an op-ed posted in The Guardian for portraying a view of Nature that is too positive, resulting in the public's "complacency, confusion and ignorance" regarding the harmful impact human activities are having on many species. So we asked Columbus Zoo's Director Emeritus and Emmy winning TV host Jungle Jack Hanna to share his thoughts on inspiring and informing the public about amazing wildlife and wild places.

Travel along old route 66 west of Flagstaff and you'll find the historic town of Williams, AZ, home of a unique zoo called Bearizona. It features a drive through section with dozens of black bears, bison, and other species native to ponderosa pine country. Next we talk with Kolmården Wildlife Park's training coordinator, Peter Giljam about his work sharing innovative behavioral applications across zoo species. His goal is to inspire trainers around the globe regardless of cultural or language differences

Have wild horses become America's tribble? Guests from the AZ Department of Game and Fish discuss US wild horse policy, which is often marked by heated debate on all sides. Their recovery points to a need for us to consider how we deal with preservation success stories! While wild horses are a conservation exception rather than the rule, their story challenges us to consider what legal and management adjustments are needed once species do recover, in order to maintain stable habitats for all native species

Not all wildlife warriors use rakes, shovels or whistles as their tools for preserving a part of Nature. Some like Brian Masuga, one half of the husband and wife creative team at Peppermint Narwhal, use their art to tell "fun, whimsical" and always informative conservation stories about animals, from the every day kind to the endangered. Through art we can breakdown language barriers that sometimes exist across the globe to become better conservation storytellers in a way that connects animals and people.

Conversations from Portugal and Japan. Mandy Rodriguez, co-founder of the Dolphin Research Center, Dr. Kelly Jaakkola and professor Satoru Yamamoto pay homage to our training past, conducting research in the present, and the potential for better welfare across the globe. Science is critical but so is the need to build strong relationships through positive reinforcement, a sense of humor, and fun for the animals as well as those that care for and study them. Plus, a judge grants Habeas Corpus to an elephant

Using positive reinforcement skills learned training marine animals, on a visit to a VA hospital with her dog "bear," Clarissa Black saw how the human-animal bond might help veterans returning from war and suffering from PTSD. So she formed Pets for Vets to match dogs with vets in need of companion animals to fit their individual lifestyle and needs. Recently, she completed a 1200-mile hiking and paddling trek to the Arctic Ocean. Hear about the harrowing and healing journey and the kindness of strangers.

Billy Hurley, IMATA ED joins Grey following their 3 day training seminar held at Osaka ECO college. Beyond its core mission to promote modern animal training, what does the future hold for IMATA? From sharing best practices to using technology to mobilize members and inform the public about the importance of zoos, aquariums and marine mammals in human care, IMATA is adapting to 21st century conservation, welfare and political realities.  And, how one commercial seafood company made peace with Greenpeace

Terry Ryan has trained dogs and their owners from all over the world for 50 years. A self-described "crossover" trainer, she's helped lead the transformation of dog training from the days of behavior corrections using aversive methods to today's focus on behavior success using positive reinforcement. She's also an instructor for the Karen Pryor Academy, author of several books, and is fond of her chicken training workshops because participants can set aside any baggage they have acquired from training dogs!

At the International Marine Animal Trainers' Association conference hosted by Zoomarine, in Portugal, Dr. Grey Stafford talks with Dr. Jo Fava, marine mammal ophthalmologist, about the importance of certain supplements in zoological diets. Also, Élio Vicente describes contributions to marine mammal husbandry, veterinary medicine, public education, and display by his mentor and Zoomarine founder, Mr. Pedro Lavia. Élio stresses the need for zoos to find ways to connect with millennials and generation Z.

Zoo Logic is in Portugal for the International Marine Animal Trainers' Association conference. Guests are Dolphin Research Center's Dr. Kelly Jaakkola, Karen Pryor's Ken Ramirez, and Loro Parque's Dr. Javier Almunia. Kelly and Ken talk about the importance of research and training in zoos and the wild. Dr. Almunia describes his organization's research and conservation success stories for birds and cetaceans, and he has an update on the world's most well known and deaf killer whale, Morgan, and her calf.

Should zoos partner with animal rights groups in those rare cases where there's a common interest? Even if the larger, long term mission of these groups is to close all zoos and aquariums? Our guest is Will Coggin from Berman & Co, the driving force behind the watchdog website www.HumaneWatch.org. Also, how has technology, the Internet and social media affected the way zoos and aquariums ought to be managing their own narratives? Plus, two new court cases with scary implications for all animal facilities.

For more than 30 years, the Dolphin Research Center located in the Florida Keys has connected people and animals, including dolphins, sea lions and birds, through trusting relationships and fun based on positive reinforcement. Hear how the DRC Training Institute prepares students for animal careers. And, 1 year after devastating hurricanes, what's the status of the region's recovery and tourism? Plus, in a new Science Fact or Science Fiction, Dr. Kelly Jaakkola asks, whether a small fish is self aware?

Few have had as long and impactful an animal career as Brad Andrews. Best known serving as Chief Zoological Officer for SeaWorld and Busch Gardens, he shares how lessons learned playing college rugby helped him oversee the largest terrestrial and aquatic animal collection in the world. Today, he directs the American Humane Association’s 3rd party certification program for zoological facilities. Plus, Rachel Garner on NOAA’s public meetings after news that ailing wild orca known as J50 has died.

Zoo Logic features a married couple that has worked together at the same animal facilities for more than 20 years. Jess and Dave Peranteau helped build OdySea Aquarium in the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community near Phoenix-- the largest aquarium in the southwest. From competing for the same full-time trainer job when they met at SeaWorld of Ohio to building a family and a major AZA accredited aquarium, hear their full circle journey from Shamu, to terrestrials, to fish and back to marine mammals.

Zoo veterinarian Dr Lara Croft discusses the conflict when regulations crafted by anti-zoo interests place veterinarians at odds with their professional ethics to “do no harm." In one notable case, a law requires veterinarians to medically treat and manage a charismatic species to permanently prevent breeding, regardless of known or unknown long term risks to animal health and wellbeing.  The legal implications for veterinarians caring for other zoo species, like elephants and primates, is unmistakable.