In this episode, we’re exploring New Zealand’s largest reptile and a species that is considered among the most unique wildlife in the world. We’re talking about the tuatara! Hosts Rick and Ebone discuss how these creatures have a “third eye” and why even though it looks like a lizard, its lineage traces back to the age of the dinosaurs. Later, Kim Gray, curator of herpetology and ichthyology, joins the show to chat about this truly one-of-a-kind animal often referred to as a “living fossil.”

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For this very special episode of Amazing Wildlife, join global phenomenon and world-renowned conservationist, Dr. Jane Goodall, as she shares her lifelong passion for wildlife and her commitment to saving our natural world with Paul Baribault, President and Chief Executive Officer of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. The two will sit down and chat about Jane’s lifelong commitment to conserving our natural world, and as Chair of the Jane Goodall Institute’s USA Board of Directors, Baribault talks with his friend about her love for chimpanzees and what it will take to protect and save our closest relatives—and the planet we all share.

Featured promotion photo by JGI/Bill Wallauer.

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Amazing Wildlife is spotlighting one of Australia's most beloved endemic species... the kangaroo!  This plant eating marsupial is known for its many familiar characteristics from its powerful kick to the female’s joey toting pouches. Hosts Ebone Monet and Rick Schwartz explore the marsupial’s lesser-known species, features and  behaviors. Later, a young listener has an opportunity to find out how much Rick really knows about the popular hoppers. 

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What is a carnivorous and endangered marsupial? In this episode, Amazing Wildlife explores what makes the Tasmanian Devil so fascinating. Hosts Ebone Monet and Rick Schwartz discuss the history behind the creature’s unique name, the role they play in their habitat, and the breeding program to introduce the population outside of Tasmania. Later,  Cora Singleton joins the show to give insight about the outbreak behind a dramatic decline in the Tasmanian Devil population. 

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For this episode, Amazing Wildlife ventures to the tropical forests of New Guinea and northeastern Australia to showcase one of the world’s largest birds… the cassowary. Hosts Ebone and Rick uncover why this threatened species is so important to its forest habitats, how they resemble dinosaurs, and the unique coloring of their eggs. They also unpack why these flightless birds hold the title of the bird with the most fierce reputation and how they are notorious for having a lethal kick. Rick will later dispel facts from folklore when he answers questions from a young listener. 

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For this episode of Amazing Wildlife, we’re traveling to the cloud forests of the island of Papua New Guinea to find an animal found nowhere else in the world! Locals call Matschie’s tree kangaroos “ghosts of the forest” because they are so hard to spot and move quickly. Hosts Rick and Ebone discuss how this kangaroo is uniquely adapted for climbing trees and how zoos are working together to save this endangered species. Katie Christofferson, senior wildlife care specialist, joins the show to give more fascinating facts about this marsupial. 

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The animal explored in this episode is so unusual that when it was first discovered by European explorers, they had a hard time convincing scientists it was real! We’re talking about the one and only platypus. Hosts Rick and Ebone reveal some cool facts about this egg-laying mammal and detail the journey on how the San Diego Zoo became the only zoo outside Australia to house platypuses. Luis Ochoa, a Lead Wildlife Care Specialist, joins the show to discuss what makes this species so unique and what goes into caring for them.

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This Amazing Wildlife episode is all about a beautiful and unusual mammal found only in the rainforests of the Democratic Republic of the Congo… the Okapi! Hosts Rick and Ebone find out how this species, which is the only living relative of the giraffe, manages to blend in with surroundings in their native habitat and explore their different vocalizations and social dynamic. Later, senior wildlife specialist Jennifer Chapman stops by the show to explain the Okapi Species Survival Plan and how to monitor an Okapi pregnancy to help maintain its genetic diversity.

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Meet the largest of the zebra species… Grevy’s Zebra! Amazing Wildlife hosts Rick and Ebone examine the history of the species’ name and discuss how to spot the difference between a Grevy’s Zebra and a Plains Zebra. Mike Langridge, animal Care Supervisor at San Diego Zoo joins the show to share the different challenges the Grevy's Zebra has faced over the last several decades. 

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This episode of Amazing Wildlife tracks the world's fastest land mammal… the cheetah! Hosts Rick and Ebone explore the cheetah’s unique adaptations to find out the secret to their speed and what makes them unique among other large cat species. Later, Animal Training Supervisor, Janet Rose-Hinostroza, joins the show to discuss the factors as to why the cheetah’s “vulnerable” status is being pushed to change to “endangered.”

Special thanks to Debra Erickson! 

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