Animal Law attorney Michelle Pardo joins host Dr. Grey Stafford to discuss legal challenges by animal rights groups using landmark laws such as the ESA, MMPA, and AWA to attack, not just zoos, but all domestic, pet, and wild animal activities, agriculture, and stakeholders. She describes important court rulings like PeTA's defeat in the "monkey selfie" case, the multimillion dollar settlement activist groups had to pay Ringling's parent company, and the evolving litigation strategies of zoo opponents using consumer protection statutes. The implications for animal professionals and zoo fans are scary!

Plus the latest Zoos News, a new feature called Science Fact or Science Fiction, and an all new That Sounds Wild.

Dr. Jason Bruck joins Zoo Logic host Dr. Grey Stafford to talk about the increasingly important collaborative role between scientists and zoological facilities in order to preserve wild species. Jason describes his research on how complex social systems in cetaceans, primates and other vertebrates drive the evolution of complex learning and memory skills. They also discuss the role of a researcher and that of a paid lobbyist to answer whether a scientist can or should publish scientific papers at the same time he or she is lobbying on behalf of a client or issue.  

Plus the latest Zoos News and an all new That Sounds Wild.

NOAA Fisheries scientist, Dr. Barbara Taylor, joins Zoo Logic host Dr. Grey Stafford to discuss the progress of women in science, her field work to help endangered marine mammals like the Bowhead whale rebound in numbers, and the recent efforts through vaquitaCPR.org to save the nearly extinct vaquita porpoise. While the fate of the vaquita may be sealed, the cooperative model and painful lessons learned over the past few years by scientists, marine mammal veterinarians, animal trainers and zoological professionals, governments, animal activists, and related conservation organizations to act early and boldly may just save other wild marine species from extinction.

Zoo Logic host Dr. Grey Stafford talks with Doug Cress, Chief Executive Officer of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums. With nearly 400 facilities and regional associations, WAZA members wield great influence with 700M visitors per year. As the new CEO, Doug describes changes to WAZA leadership, direction, and plans for growth in membership as a more balanced and representative global organization. We also get WAZA's bold take on recent news that mega food producer, Nestle, has been expelled from the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) for failing to meet membership requirements designed to preserve rainforest habitat and help consumers make sustainable choices at the supermarket.

Plus the latest Zoos News, a special legislative update separating real  tiger numbers from fiction with whyanimalsdothething.com’s Rachel Garner, and an all new That Sounds Wild.

Animal training consultant, Barbara Heidenreich, talks with Zoo Logic host Dr. Grey Stafford. Barbara specializes in avian, exotics and zoo animal training. She lectures and consults worldwide working with zoos, universities, veterinary professionals, pet owners and conservation projects. She has worked with over 80 facilities in over 20 countries. She is an adjunct clinical instructor at Texas A & M University. Much of her work focuses on training animals with positive reinforcement to cooperate in medical care, solving complex behavior problems, making day to day care easier and developing animal caregivers' training skills. 

Plus the latest Zoos News and an all new That Sounds Wild.

Trainer, media personality, and author of the book, Wear a Wetsuit to Work, Kyle Kittleson talks with Zoo Logic host Dr. Grey Stafford about his journey from growing up in the desert to successfully becoming a marine mammal trainer. Kyle's journey prompted him to write a helpful how-to guide for those aspiring to become marine mammal trainers in a highly competitive field.

Plus the latest Zoos News, a legislative update from whyanimalsdothething.com’s Rachel Garner, and an all new That Sounds Wild.

Zoo Logic host Dr. Grey Stafford talks with Wildlife Heroes author, media personality, and retired SeaWorld and Busch Gardens animal ambassador, Julie Scardina and her continued work with several conservation groups around the world. Seemingly busier than before retirement, in addition to live audience and media appearances, Julie is a member of several boards including the SeaWorld-Busch Gardens Conservation Fund, which means evaluating hundreds of worthy funding proposals each year. At a critical time when habitats and animal populations are shrinking, she describes her work with zoos and wildlife organizations to help mentor young zoological professionals through the Emerging Wildlife Conservation Leaders program (wildlifeleaders.org). Julie's best advice to young zoological professionals and students is to get involved in wildlife policy by making their voices heard to protect existing landmark laws and efforts to preserve what's left of the wild.

Plus the latest Zoos News and an all new That Sounds Wild.

Zoo Logic host Dr. Grey Stafford talks with Mark Simmons, author of Killing Keiko, the true story of Free Willy's return to the wild. As the behaviorist tasked with preparing Keiko mentally, physically, and behaviorally for possible release to the waters off Iceland, Mark describes firsthand why this gentle orca was never a good candidate for return and how those behind the project sealed his fate by ignoring the law and the best welfare interests of Keiko in favor of media attention and marketing. Abandoned by the only family he knew, humans, Keiko's sad and tragic end provides important lessons now more than ever for zoos, policy makers, and all those concerned about preserving species in human care and the wild.

Plus the latest Zoos News and an all new That Sounds Wild.

Jungle Jack Hanna, Emmy Award winning host of Into the Wild joins Zoo Logic host Dr. Grey Stafford to talk about his love for animals and the important role of zoos and aquariums as "arks" to save wildlife and wild places. From his humble beginnings cleaning cages as a kid, Jack describes his 40-year zoo career and the tremendous growth of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, the adventures of filming all over the globe, and his focus on "filming with respect."  

Plus the latest Zoos News, a new Ms Mallory Minute with national spokesperson Mallory Lindsay of MsMalloryAdventures.com, and an all new That Sounds Wild.

Zoo Logic host Dr. Grey Stafford talks with Dr. Susie Ellis, Executive Director of the International Rhino Foundation (Rhinos.org) about the status of rhinos in Indonesia and Africa. For 25-years the IRF has been supporting research, education, and on the ground protection for the world’s remaining species of rhinos. Susie describes some of the challenges the IRF team faces to prevent rhino extinction due to habitat loss, human encroachment, and record levels of poaching.

Plus the latest Zoos News, a legislative update on Animal Rights Groups growing use of the ESA to further their anti-zoo agenda from whyanimalsdothething.com’s Rachel Garner, and an all new That Sounds Wild.