Many training conversations lately involve the buzz words Choice and Control. In fact, zoological welfare programs often insist that choice and control form the foundation of good animal welfare, but are these behavior terms new or simply a rebranding of protocols trainers have been using for decades? Renown behaviorist, Ken Ramirez, Executive VP and Chief Training Officer for Karen Pryor Clicker Training returns to discuss the history, importance and limitations of these terms.

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As the oldest marine animal facility, the park known today as Marineland Dolphin Adventure in NE Florida has a storied past and for the longest time, it seemed to have an uncertain future. That is, until a grassroots effort to prevent the sale of the facility to developers over the past year prevailed against all odds. Now with local leadership and support, the team at Marineland has renewed optimism about its future and a research and education focused public display institution. Kelly Fischbach, Zoological Director, Terran McGinnis, Communications Specialist, and Director of Research and Education, Dr. Jason Bruck discuss the latest events and plans for the historic facility.

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James Misner is the owner and founder of the Kipos Group which is dedicated to helping organizations with their fundraising efforts. Given the extraordinary impact of DOGE cuts and the withholding of public funding by the current administration on nonprofit institutions across the political spectrum, James offers insights on how to navigate the current philanthropic environment. Whether one is seeking recurring monthly gift-giving through smaller donors or large dollar contributions from wealthy individuals or foundations, James provides tips for building ongoing relationships through the power of storytelling.

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Recently, the zoological community said goodbye to a few remarkable and long lived animals, Katina, Seaworld's iconic killer whale matriarch and Slowpoke, a 50-year-old Pacific walrus. Both animals had an impressive lifespan educating and inspiring millions of visitors, as well as, teaching generations of animal caregivers. Katina was not only the queen of Shamu stadium, she was a highly successful mother of eight calves across her 50+ years. Chuck Tompkins was one of the first trainers to know and develop a strong relationship with Katina before moving up the corporate ladder and handing her day to day training and care to the next generation of trainers including Killing Keiko author, Mark Simmons. Both discuss these unique animals who left an indelible mark on so many.

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Kathleen Dezio has been the president and CEO of the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums (AMMPA) for well over a decade. Her wealth of experience working in the Washington, D. C. area in the PR, public policy and trade association management space helps AMMPA's accredited facilities navigate the complex issues facing zoological institutions, especially those featuring marine mammals. In what she hopes will serve as a model for future cooperation, AMMPA recently joined two other zoological trade associations in a joint conference meant to share resources, best practices, and promote continuous improvement in animal care and welfare standards.

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Best-selling author, Emmy winning actor, and animal advocate, Carolyn Hennesy returns to discuss her long recovery from a serious accident last fall. She talks candidly about the need to balance taking pain medication in order to heal and to be able to work with maintaining her sobriety of 25 years. She also comically assures fans she is still quite alive and did not lose her leg despite rampant online rumors. Carolyn closes with some fond memories of her late General Hospital castmates following the passing of daytime drama superstars, Tristan Rogers and Anthony Geary.

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As a long time marine mammal trainer and educator, Madelynn Hettiger is the current Board President for the International Marine Animal Trainers' Association (www.IMATA.org). She discusses the ways in which the organization works behind the scenes to assist trainers with networking, career development, and when necessary, during challenging times like COVID, employment interruptions from severe storms and more. Her goal is to increase collaborations among training professionals and trade groups, improve animal welfare through modern training principles, and to increase transparency in all facets of the organization.

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Dr. Kathleen Dudzinski is the founder and director of the Dolphin Communications Project and has been studying dolphin behavior and communication since 1990, with a focus on tactile, behavioral and acoustic signals employed by dolphins as they share information with each other and across groups. Her husband John Anderson is a veteran documentary filmmaker with nearly 40 years focused on the coastal and offshore marine environment, with 25 years dedicated to conducting marine-related film and video productions. Together, this duo conduct and document small cetacean research and promote conservation efforts with the help of student participants as part of a citizen scientist eco-tourism model.

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On this our 400th episode of Zoo Logic, we are joined by Chris Dold, DVM, chief zoological officer for SeaWorld and Busch Gardens. While many are familiar with his veterinary career with the US Navy marine mammal program and later SeaWorld of Florida, Chris began his career as a trainer for Dolphin Quest. He discusses his role moving up the ranks to eventually lead the zoological program for one of the largest collections in the world. In addition, as the current board chair for the Association of Zoo and Aquariums he describes some of the opportunities for the greater zoo and aquarium community in areas such as increasing regional and global collaborations, addressing the well being of care givers, aligning animal care standards across regions, and the continued relevance of modern zoological parks.

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Taryn Gillson, Global Humane Society's regional director for Africa returns to discuss conservation efforts supported by their relatively new conservation fund of Africa. In one effort, students in Uganda are trained to become wildlife rangers in order to combat rampant poaching through snares and to provide sustainable occupations and incomes. Taryn also describes the extraordinary journey of one re-wild cheetah at Nyosi wildlife reserve who despite the odds and injury successfully reared four cubs.

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