Zoo Logic

University of Minnesota researcher and former VP of Science and Conservation for Lincoln Park Zoo, Dominic Travis, DVM specializes in wildlife epidemiology. His primary area of interest is understanding the interface between humans, domestic animals and wildlife species, and how that interface affects our health, food safety, and conservation. How has our polarized political environment in an election year contributed to the public's confusion over the scientific method, as it pertains to the value of mathematical models, as government agencies scramble to use their evolving predictions to inform and communicate effective health policies addressing the global crisis?

That Sounds Wild: Dromedary Camel. Frank Buck Zoo

Animal Care Software

Peppermint Narwhal

Zoo Logic FB page

Following a personal message of unity to zoo fans and professionals everywhere from Jungle Jack Hanna, the CEO of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) describes the impact of COVID-19 on its nearly 300 member facilities. As the global alliance of regional associations, national federations, zoos and aquariums, dedicated to the care and conservation of animals and their habitats around the world, WAZA is coordinating its messaging and resources with the latest guidelines from the World Health Organization as well as regional and national authorities.

While many businesses may close during this crisis, zoological professionals continue to care for animals, while trying to balance the personal, financial, and health demands of this historic pandemic.

That Sounds Wild: Chorus Frogs. Frank Buck Zoo

Animal Care Software

Peppermint Narwhal

Columbus Zoo

Kong Zoo

Zoo Logic

As the rest of the country became aware of the virus spreading in hard hit Washington state, the Seattle Aquarium was one of the first zoological facilities in the U.S. to announce it was closing to the public. Fortunately for the aquarium, their new Director of Life Sciences, Grant Abel, is all too familiar with dealing with regional pandemics from his previous posts in Asia. Grant describes the difficult decision process, the evolving plans, and the fiscal and operational challenges to ensuring the aquarium's collection of fish, marine mammals, birds, and staff members are well cared for as the crisis unfolds and as the medical and public health community hope to "flatten the curve." It's a developing story that is being repeated at zoological facilities throughout the world.

That Sounds Wild: Baby Prairie Dogs. Frank Buck Zoo.

Animal Care Software

Peppermint Narwhal

Seattle Aquarium

Director of Conservation for San Antonio zoo, Dr. Dante' Fenolio, says zoos are unique in their ability to take funds designated by families for entertainment and repurpose them for conservation research. This is especially important for overlooked species like the reticulated flatwoods salamander, which his team successfully hatched recently for the first time ever, because zoos are willing to invest time, money, and expertise to preserve unknown, uncharismatic, and endangered species like these and other amphibians. He cautions that conservation biology can't be rushed as this project took eleven years to achieve this breeding success in part because of how little is known about these elusive, mostly subterranean animals.

That Sounds Wild: Madagascar Hissing Cockroach. Frank Buck Zoo

Animal Care Software

Zoo Logic

Peppermint Narwhal

San Antonio Zoo

As a species, the odds of survival are stacked against cheetahs. From habitat loss and fragmentation, high infant mortality rates, poaching for the pet trade, and conflicts with humans Cheetahs face a myriad of threats. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium has been supporting cheetah conservation, reproductive research, and public education through its ambassador program for over 20 years. Recently they announced the first ever successful births of cubs conceived through in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer. The emerging reproductive science, reward-based husbandry training, and trustful bond between animals and zookeepers may just offer a pathway forward to preserve this unique and fragile species.

Peppermint Narwhal

Animal Care Software

Zoo Logic podcast

Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

Animal trainer Ken Ramirez has worked with dozens of species living in zoos and the wild. In part 2 of our conversation, Ken describes his years long effort to use behavioral science to teach a large herd of wild African elephants to avoid a centuries-old migratory route through a conflict zone. It's a hopeful example of the growing role for modern training methods in wildlife conservation and preservation. Plus, Ken has a new book unlike any he's written before entitled, The Eye of the Trainer: Animal Training, Transformation, and Trust.

Clicker Training

Animal Care Software

Zoo Logic Podcast FB

Peppermint Narwhal

For over 40 years, author, consultant, zoological manager, behaviorist, and teacher, Ken Ramirez has explored and observed the natural world with a keen eye for animal training. There are few wild and domestic species living in human care that haven't benefited from his work as a positive reinforcement-based animal trainer. His new book available at ClickerTraining is a series of essays entitled The Eye of the Trainer: Animal Training, Transformation, and Trust. His latest field work connects conservation with behavioral science.

That Sounds Wild: Lyrebird

Animal Care Software

Peppermint Narwhal

Zoo Logic FB page

The Odysea Aquarium's annual and free Conservation Expo features many rescue, research, conservation and education focused organizations at work in the desert southwest and around the US. We talk with the director of the Scottsdale Community College's Center for Native and Urban Wildlife about its community outreach mission. Also, the Arizona Game and Fish Department operates several fish hatcheries to preserve endangered native species of fresh water fish and to support the sport fishing community.

That Sounds Wild: Guinea Fowl. Frank Buck Zoo

Animal Care Software

Peppermint Narwhal

Zoo Logic Facebook

Odysea Aquarium

February 24th marks the 10-year anniversary of the tragic passing of marine mammal trainer, Dawn Brancheau. Her loss was felt not only by family and friends, but throughout the zoological community and the general public. We celebrate the life of Dawn, the passion she had for animals and training, and the work of the foundation created in her honor with people that knew her well: a close friend, a mentor and manager, a colleague, and a sibling.

Plus, we try to assess where the zoological community is today following a decade of change, especially with regards to marine mammals such as orcas, in human care and in the wild.

That Sounds Wild: Endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales. The Orca Conservancy

The Dawn Brancheau Foundation

Peppermint Narwhal

Animal Care Software

Zoo Logic Facebook

ZOOmility

SeaWorld

We visited the Odysea Aquarium's third annual Conservation Expo featuring animal, research, higher education, and conservation related organizations working throughout the state of Arizona to preserve terrestrial and aquatic species and habitat at home and around the world. The free public event is part of the aquarium's education mission designed to increase awareness and support of nonprofit groups working in the community.

Part 1 guests include Reid Park Zoo, Phoenix Zoo, and Arizona State University.

That Sounds Wild: barn Owl. Frank Buck Zoo.

Animal Care Software

Peppermint Narwhal

Zoo Logic Facebook

Zoo Logic