Rossifari Podcast - Zoos, Aquariums, and Animal Conservation

Today, the Safari heads up to Queeche, VT, to the Vermont Institute of Natural Sciences, better known as VINS!  VINS is an awesome raptor rehab center that does amazing educational work as well!  In this interview, I talk to two people who work at the center, Grae O'Toole and Anna Morris. You'll also get to hear from a few of the birds at the center, one of whom is quite chatty!  You can check out VINS at www.vinsweb.org and on Instagram @vinsraptors. Also, don't forget to support the podcast at www.patreon.com/rossifari, check out merch at rossifari.redbubble.com, and hit me up on the socials @rossifari. 

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Today, the Safari heads to Wheeling, West Virginia, to talk to Zoo Director Dr. Joe Greathouse.  Dr. Joe is an incredibly intelligent and driven person who keeps science and conservation at the forefront of every decision he makes for his zoo.  This episode not only talks about a lot of the cool animals at The Good Zoo, but also talks about some of the incredible conservation efforts being undertaken by the zoo.  Also, you'll get to hear the story of my first time meeting red pandas, and understand the significance of the moment captured in the Rossifari logo.  

The Good Zoo can be found online at www.oglebay.com and on Instagram @oglebaygoodzoo . Also check out www.rossifari.com, patreon.com/rossifari, and @rossifari on the social media sites.  Merch is available at rossifari.redbubble.com. 

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Today the Safari sits put as we go to part two of my interview with Kara McSweeney! We continue talking about conservation, learning about cool hoofstock, and take multiple tangents from the original conversation! You'll also get to learn why Kara may leave the zookeeping field to become a film double for Emma Watson!  
Check out Kara on Insta @karamc3  
Check out www.rossifari.com, patreon.com/rossifari, @rossifari on Insta, and rossifari.redbubble.com for all things related to the pod!

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The Safari goes to a top secret location today to speak to hoofstock keeper and awesome human Kara McSweeney.  Over the next two episodes, Kara will talk about her travels all around the world on her quest to learn about and participate in conservation projects, what her career as a zookeeper has been like, and why she loves hoofstock, and often less appreciated type of animal found in zoos.  
Check out Kara @karamc2 on Instagram  
Hit up @rossifari on social media, patreon.com/rossifari to support the pod, and rossifari.redbubble.com for merch!  

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Today, the Safari makes a return trip to The Nashville Zoo at Grassmere to speak to Jawnie Payne (@zookeeperjawnie)! Jawnie is an outreach specialist keeper who works closely with Jake Belair, the first guest on the podcast! We discuss her career path, some of the incredible animals she takes care of, her caracal kittens that are taking the world by storm, and more!  We also get into a discussion about the lack of diversity in the zookeeping field, and Jawnie shares some thoughts on the importance of representation in the field.  
You can check out Jawnie on all the major social medial platforms @zookeeperjawnie
Check out the Nashville Zoo @nashvillezoo  
Check out www.rossifari.com, @rossifari on social media, rossifari.redbubble.com for merch, and patreon.com/rossifari to support the pod! All opinions represent Jawnie's own, and do not represent The Nashville Zoo in any way.

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The Safari heads to one of my favorite zoos in the country today, the Cincinnati Zoo, to talk to Colleen Adams all about the amazing ambassador animals in her collection! Colleen is an incredibly passionate and well spoken individual who fills the episode with personal stories about her interactions with the animals she loves so dearly.  The Animal Ambassador Center at Cincy is brimming with incredible species including bearcats (binturongs), bat-eared foxes, stunning birds, funky armadillos, and, most importantly to Colleen, a pair of adorable tamanduas (lesser anteaters).  Get ready to learn how to train a binturong to hang out at a sporting event, which animal makes the best prom date, and what bass players and tamanduas have in common.  This episode packs a lot of fun and a lot of heart into one hour.  

You can find Colleen on Instagram @zookeepercolleen and check out the Cincinnati Zoo @cincinnatizoo . Also don't forget the show links: www.rossifari.com, @rossifari on the socials, rossifari.redbubble.com, and patreon.com/rossifari ! 

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The Safari continues to visit Beardsley Zoo in Connecticut, where we talk all things Amur leopards and Amur tigers with two keepers who take care of these incredible and rare animals, Bethany Thatcher and Chris Barker!  Chris and Bethany have really different personalities, but one thing they have in common is a deep love for their animals! Get ready for some interesting facts, fun stories, and a few references to movies from the '80s! 
Quick word of warning, both the h-word and the s-word are dropped once during this interview!
Don't forget to support Beardsley Zoo by visiting @ctbeardsleyzoo on Instagram and www.beardsleyzoo.org on the web!
Also help support the pod by stopping by patreon.com/rossifari, and check out the merch at rossifari.redbubble.com. 

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The safari heads to Beardsley Zoo, the only AZA accredited zoo in Connecticut, to talk to JT Warner about the maned wolves that live there. This episode starts a little differently, as I spend some time giving you an introduction to this incredible and beautiful species.  JT then comes in to tell us more details about the species, and the specific individuals that live at Beardsley.  There may even be a discussion about what a birthday party looks like for maned wolves!
You can find Beardsley Zoo on Instagram @ctbeardsleyzoo and online at www.beardsleyzoo.org.
Don't forget to check out www.rossifari.com, @rossifari on all the socials, patreon.com/rossifari to support the pod, and rossifari.redbubble.com for show merch!

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DISCOUNT CODE! When you use code 'rossifari' on Kaitlyn's website or Etsy, you'll get 20% off!

The Safari heads back to San Diego to visit with graphic designer Kaitlyn Graham, an incredible artist who donates a portion of her proceeds to conservation charities.  Her animal art is incredible!  Kaitlyn also works in admissions at the San Diego Zoo, and has some entertaining stories about the time she spends in that position. Kaitlyn and I have a lot of fun chatting during this episode, but you'll also get to hear plenty from Nico, her green cheek conure who steals the show!  Check out Kaitlyn at kaitlynnicoledesign.com and @kaitlynnicoledesign ! Don't forget to check out www.rossifari.com, @rossifari on the socials, patreon.com/rossifari to support the pod, and rossifari.redbubble.com for show merch!

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The Safari heads across the border to The Toronto Zoo to discuss what the Species Survival Plan of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums looks like from a keeper's perspective.  I talk to Lisa Termini, a keeper in the Eurasia Wilds section, all about the decision by the AZA to bring Ila and Suva, two red pandas, to the zoo in the hopes of breeding them. What's it like for the pandas? What's it like for the keepers? And is there any exciting news to share at the end of the process? Tune in to find out! 

You can check out the Toronto Zoo @thetorontozoo on Instagram, and also find Lisa there @zoogirl19. And don't forget to check out @rossifari on Insta and all the socials, www.rossifari.com, patreon.com/rossifari, and rossifari.redbubble.com for show and photography merch! Also, we yet again include a mention of Red Panda Network (@redpandanetwork), so make sure you're checking them out if you haven't yet!

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