Hosts Susan Altrui and Joy Matlock speak with Little Rock Zoo's Conservation and Research Coordinator, Dr. Laura Bernstein-Curtis, about sloth bears and international conservation.

The episode starts with "Wild News": celebrating the hopeful increase in the endangered Red Wolf population (supported by AZA zoos) and the rediscovery of the sailback hound shark, highlighting the vulnerability of microendemic species.

Dr. Bernstein-Curtis clarifies that sloth bears, native to India, Sri Lanka, and Nepal, are not sloths. They are insectivores and their primary diet of ants and termites is called myrmecophagous. Their unique adaptations include long claws for digging and a gap in their front teeth for sucking up insects.

The core of the discussion is the Little Rock Zoo’s role in the AZA SAFE (Saving Animals From Extinction) Sloth Bear Program. Dr. Bernstein-Curtis explains that SAFE works with field partners like Wildlife SOS to address threats like the historical "dancing bear" trade by supporting local communities. The program also funds simple, effective solutions to human-wildlife conflict, such as distributing metal sticks with bells (bear deterrent sticks) to prevent surprise encounters. She shares a highlight from her field trip to India and Sri Lanka where she helped facilitate veterinary and conservation training.

Zoos are essential for conservation. The animals on exhibit are ambassadors who inspire the public to care, and every visit directly supports research and field work to save species worldwide.

In this episode you’ll learn

• Sloth Bear Facts: Why they are not sloths, their range, and the term myrmecophagous for their unique insect diet.
• AZA SAFE Program: How the Little Rock Zoo coordinates the SAFE effort to fund and direct conservation, aligning with field partner needs.
• Success Stories: The recovery efforts for the Red Wolf and the rediscovery of the microendemic sailback hound shark.
• Conflict Reduction: The use of bear deterrent sticks in India to prevent aggressive human-sloth bear encounters.
• Zoos & Conservation: Why zoos must exhibit animals (to create ambassadors) and actively engage in field work (to save species).

Highlights & Key Takeaways

• Zoos are critical funding sources and knowledge partners for global efforts.
• Sloth bear claws are for digging, and they use a dental gap for sucking up termites.
• Successful conservation prioritizes the needs and knowledge of local communities.
• Seeing animals in person inspires action and makes the public part of the work to save species.