Zoo Logic

26/12/2024

If you've not read any of Sy Montgomery's nearly 40 titles on animals and Nature, you owe it to yourself to start. She is a big fan of zoological institutions and their work to conserve species and habitats.

What the Chicken Knows

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/zoo-logic/id1385908352?i=1000681726029

On the heels of 2023's Secrets of the Octopus, award-winning and best-selling author, Sy Montgomery returns to Zoo Logic to discuss her latest title, What the Chicken Knows from Atria Books. As with all of her books about animals and Nature, Sy does her research. In this case much of her source material came from decades of raising, observing, and learning from chickens... and those that love and study them. As a prolific and successful writer, Sy offers some suggestions to listeners who think about writing their own book. Animal professionals and fans will appreciate her long list of titles covering dolphins, apes, big cats, turtles, humming birds and many more species, plus her full support for the zoological community and its vital impact on conservation.

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums American Association of Zoo Veterinarians AnimalCare Software The Animal Behavior Management Alliance (ABMA) American Association of Zoo Keepers Zoological Association of America American Humane MarineMammalTrainer.com Atria Books Rowena Tan

Podcast Episode · Zoo Logic · 12/26/2024 · 33m

21/12/2024

What Dr Bruck Lab wrote…

One woman said one paycheck was nearly a month late at the popular oceanarium.

19/12/2024

Podcast Episode · Zoo Logic · 12/19/2024 · 35m

19/12/2024

Tongue Worm Invasion

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/zoo-logic/id1385908352?i=1000680941246

Jenna Palmisano is a doctoral student at the University of Central Florida tracking a parasitic tongue worm infecting nearly 2 dozen native species of snake, including the pygmy rattlesnake, and other ectotherms in central and southern Florida. While much is not known about this parasite, often referred to as a lung worm when it is actually a type of crustacean, it is believed to have been introduced by the many diverse invasive species, especially Burmese Pythons that are now endemic to Florida's rich biodiverse ecosystems. Jenna's field tracking and molecular work are attempting to identify where and at what rate the infestation has spread and to better understand the complex life cycle of this organism which has contributed to signifiant declines in native snake species. She helps manage a website to inform the public of this invasive disease and to recruit anecdotal data from citizen scientists.

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums American Association of Zoo Veterinarians AnimalCare Software The Animal Behavior Management Alliance (ABMA) American Association of Zoo Keepers Zoological Association of America American Humane MarineMammalTrainer.com European Association of Zoo and Wildlife Veterinarians EAZA - the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria

Podcast Episode · Zoo Logic · 12/19/2024 · 35m

12/12/2024

We try to be timely with our podcast topics and guests but had no idea how very real this topic would be for our colleagues at Wildlife World, my former stomping grounds. I was literally editing this episode when news broke yesterday. They experienced an outbreak across several species this past week but hopefully the worst is past. Located in AZ, the zoo attracts a lot of wild avian species, both resident and migratory. Their biosecurity measures are in full force and we wish them and their animal residents well.

Latest Avian Flu Devastating Wild and Domestic Populations

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/zoo-logic/id1385908352?i=1000680112632

Veterinary epidemiologist, Dr. Dominic Travis, Chief Programs Officer for the Marine Mammal Center returns to discuss the virulent and usually lethal strain of avian influenza affecting a variety of species, especially marine mammals. Given the COVID pandemic fatigue felt across society, it is important not to let our guard down about monitoring for known risks such as influenza which has been front and center among researchers, clinicians, and public health agencies for decades. Celebrating its 50th anniversary, The Marine Mammal Center has rescued more than 26,000 marine mammals along 600 miles of California coastline and the Big Island of Hawai‘i. The TMMC team endeavors to advance ocean health through marine mammal rescue and rehabilitation, research, and education.

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums American Association of Zoo Veterinarians AnimalCare Software The Animal Behavior Management Alliance (ABMA) American Association of Zoo Keepers Zoological Association of America American Humane MarineMammalTrainer.com European Association of Zoo and Wildlife Veterinarians Wildlife World Zoo The Marine Mammal Center

Podcast Episode · Zoo Logic · 12/12/2024 · 36m

05/12/2024

Before You Burn That Bridge or Leave the Animal Field
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/zoo-logic/id1385908352?i=1000679327255

As part of Zoo Logic's year-long look at the well-being of animal care professionals, we invited a very special guest with Human Resources expertise across all aspects of the employer-employee spectrum. Karen Stafford is an HR veteran of Fortune 500 corporate and non-profit organizations, as well as, a professor at the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University. She's also knowledgeable about the zoo and aquarium space having witnessed more animal training shows, TV appearances and late night feedings of wild animals in her guest bathroom than any spouse of 34 years should have to endure! Karen offers helpful advice to those professionals considering leaving their dream job or profession due to hostile work environments, difficult coworkers, and/or inexperienced supervisors and managers. What steps should employers do to invest in better trained mangers to improve the overall work environment for every staff member and by doing so, improve retention? Before walking away, what steps can we as employees do to preserve our career paths, improve our own situation, and re-connect with the passion we all feel or once felt caring for and conserving animals in our care and in the wild.

Show Notes links:
Ikigai - A Japanese concept for that which gives your life meaning, purpose, or worth. Similar to French "Raison d'etre": https://ikigaitest.com/en-personality-test/

The Standout Assessment: https://www.tmbc.com/standout-assessment/

Myers Briggs Type Indicator (similar) to help you understand key personality patterns to unlock professional & personal success: https://www.16personalities.com/free-personality-test

Love+Work by Marcus Buckingham

The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums American Association of Zoo Veterinarians AnimalCare Software The Animal Behavior Management Alliance (ABMA) American Association of Zoo Keepers Zoological Association of America American Humane MarineMammalTrainer.com European Association of Zoo and Wildlife Veterinarians EAZA - the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria

Free personality test - take it to find out why our readers say that this personality test is so accurate, “it's a little bit creepy.” No registration required!

28/11/2024

Happy Thanksgiving to those that celebrate!

Sea Lion and K-9 Officer Cross Training

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/zoo-logic/id1385908352?i=1000678504246

The marine mammal team at Wildlife World Zoo, Aquarium and Safari Park met with K-9 law enforcement officers from Prescott Arizona at the park last month to talk and demonstrate animal training principles. This follows a long tradition over the past 25 years or more, set by other representatives from facilities such as the US Navy dolphin program and SeaWorld, of these two very different training communities working to share creative solutions, best practices, and very different work environment requirements. According to Wildlife World's Krysta Henderson who manages the sea lion facility and K-9 coordinator, Officer Kyle Alltop it was motivating to see how the other group responds to behavioral challenges and fostering animal motivation to learn. This was the first of many planned joint sessions where teams from both organizations and surrounding law enforcement agencies in Central Arizona plan to work and learn together.

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums American Association of Zoo Veterinarians AnimalCare Software The Animal Behavior Management Alliance (ABMA) American Association of Zoo Keepers Zoological Association of America American Humane KORE Zoo & Enrichment for Wildlife Professionals European Association of Zoo and Wildlife Veterinarians Wildlife World Zoo Prescott Police Department IMATA's Animal Training Advisory Committee (ATAC) IMATA SeaWorld

Podcast Episode · Zoo Logic · 11/28/2024 · 36m

21/11/2024

Modern Miracle Dolphin on Zoo Logic Podcast
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/zoo-logic/id1385908352?i=1000677745652

Recently, the marine mammal team at Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas announced they had tracked and located a male spotted dolphin the facility had rescued, rehabilitated and returned to the ocean over 5 years ago under the auspices of the company's Blue Project Foundation. The successful return of this animal was due in large part to a series of fortunate factors including the longitudinal study of these resident dolphins. In fact, scientists knew of this animal, its birth year, dam, and migration habits long before it was found stranded and near death at age 9. Thanks to this field evidence and the generous contributions from scientists in the Bahamas and the US including Dr Randy Wells at Mote Marine Lab, the team at the Dolphin Communication Project, the Wild Dolphin Project and others, the animal not only was returned to health and eventually the ocean, but he has since thrived having rejoined his social group. Vice President of Marine Mammal Operations for Atlantis, Ted Turner describes this historic journey for this extraordinary animal nicknamed "M & M."

https://www.atlantisbahamas.com/modernmiracle

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums American Association of Zoo Veterinarians AnimalCare Software The Animal Behavior Management Alliance (ABMA) American Association of Zoo Keepers Zoological Association of America American Humane MarineMammalTrainer.com IMATA IMATA's Animal Training Advisory Committee (ATAC) Atlantis Paradise Island, Bahamas - Info, Reviews, and Discussion Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium

Discover the remarkable marine life in the Bahamas and celebrate our rehabilitation success story.

19/11/2024

Coming Thursday. Hear about the 5+ year journey of M & M, a rescued and returned Spotted dolphin by the team at Atlantis Paradise Island, Bahamas - Info, Reviews, and Discussion. Recently the Atlantis team went back to sea and found this lucky animal thriving with its original pod five years after his rehabilitation and return.

IMATA's Animal Training Advisory Committee (ATAC) IMATA

14/11/2024

Primates for Me, Not for Thee

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/zoo-logic/id1385908352?i=1000676922537

Recently, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) announced a new primate ambassador policy that essentially curtails the practice of having closer contact between primates and the public. Primatologist, Dr. Samantha Russak, Chief of Welfare and Research for Tanganika Wildlife Park in Goddard Kansas joins Zoo Logic to discuss the new policy's drawbacks and inconsistencies at a time when hand-rearing primates has largely gone the way of the dodo in accredited facilities. In addition, Dr. Sam touches on the Well-Being Summit put on by AZA this past week which included key speakers from anti-zoo and aquarium organizations lecturing zoo professionals on welfare practices.

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums American Association of Zoo Veterinarians AnimalCare Software The Animal Behavior Management Alliance (ABMA) American Association of Zoo Keepers Zoological Association of America American Humane MarineMammalTrainer.com IMATA Tanganyika Wildlife Park

Podcast Episode · Zoo Logic · 11/14/2024 · 38m

04/11/2024

It’s been a busy response season and we have a lot to talk about!

Dr. Grey Stafford, who hosts one of our favorite podcasts, Zoo Logic, caught up with ZDR3 Executive Director Julia Wilder last week, while she was still managing a recovery mission in Florida.

Here’s an excerpt in which Grey comments to Julia about the scope of devastation after Hurricane Helene: “Most people care about animals under normal circumstances, but when you've lost your home, your loved ones, your communications, your community has been swept away, I imagine it's pretty hard to muster support for what's happening at the local zoo.”

“We, as an industry, require our own support systems,” Julia points out. “When you start seeing a magnitude of loss of human life, it does get very challenging to muster resources for animal causes…So by having this mutual aid network that are animal people helping animal people, we are able to work in a way that is appropriate within the context of the system without all of our needs having to flow through emergency operations centers and otherwise become integrated in a way that isn't always productive.”

Later in the interview, Julia explains, “With ZDR3, we are folks who have come out of the industry and serve the industry, but we function basically as an emergency services or disaster management mechanism on behalf of the industry…Across our industry, there's a desire to want to help one another. But…what does that help look like?”

Learn more by listening to the podcast. The link is in comments.

We are Stronger Together

24/10/2024

The State of Higher Education

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/zoo-logic/id1385908352?i=1000674266165

Retired Kent State University professor, researcher and administrator, Dr. James Blank joins his former graduate student to discuss the state of flux of higher education in America. How are changing demographics in a post pandemic era affecting university budgets and how are these institutions adapting to the rapid pace of change? In terms of the sciences, what opportunities exist for those interested in a career involving some aspect of biology, especially field-related work? Dr. Blank suggests that the funding pendulum that greatly favored cellular and molecular studies over the past several decades leading to incredible advancements in technology to answer complex questions about the cell and genes has swung back to include training scientists to examine system level problems, particularly from a multidisciplinary perspective. He advises students considering a career in biological sciences to focus on developing their problem-solving, writing, and speaking skills in order to remain adaptable (and employable) in an age where information and careers are changing every 3 to 5 years, rather than the 20 plus years when he began his career.

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums American Association of Zoo Veterinarians AnimalCare Software The Animal Behavior Management Alliance (ABMA) American Association of Zoo Keepers Zoological Association of America American Humane MarineMammalTrainer.com Bruck Lab Kent State University IMATA

Podcast Episode · Zoo Logic · 10/24/2024 · 37m

18/10/2024

I’ve always been bullish on the role of trainers to enhance animal wellbeing, scientific discovery, and conservation, but never more so in my 35 year career than right now. Thanks abma.

17/10/2024

One of the great things about producing Zoo Logic are all the inquiries by book publishers wanting their authors to come on our show. I think you'll like this title and conversation.

Deep Water: the world in the ocean

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/zoo-logic/id1385908352?i=1000673412236

James Bradley, an award winning author of fiction has just released his latest title, a non-fiction book entitled Deep Water: the world in the ocean. It is a "blend of history, nature writing, and environmental science" giving readers insights into the mysteries of the ocean and "humanity's complex connections to the seas." In one passage, James describes the surprisingly complex life cycle of Antarctic krill, its vast biomass often visible from space, and the source of energy for so many species including fish, penguins, and whales. Yet krill are declining in key areas that threaten the entire polar food chain for reasons from the obvious, such as overfishing in critical habits, to the species' more complicated and dependent relationship on winter sea ice. Sea ice that has dramatically declined in recent years due to climate change. The book celebrates the countless researchers past and present working to unlock the ocean's deepest secrets.

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums American Association of Zoo Veterinarians AnimalCare Software The Animal Behavior Management Alliance (ABMA) American Association of Zoo Keepers Zoological Association of America American Humane MarineMammalTrainer.com World Association of Zoos and Aquariums HarperCollins IMATA's Animal Training Advisory Committee (ATAC)

16/10/2024

Two great zoological professionals & past Zoo Logic guests. Zoom session is tomorrow.

10/10/2024

Career Educator

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/zoo-logic/id1385908352?i=1000672479422

Long time zoo and aquarium educator, Terran McGinnis discusses her passion for informal education from her earliest days as a park naturalist. From great storytelling to laughter, she describes some of the most effective ways to reach audiences of all ages. As she steps down from chairing the education committee for the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums after many years of service to the zoological community, Terran talks about how the industry has learned from its earlier push to share "just the facts" about animals, in hopes of avoiding the appearance of anthropomorphism, to weaving in more of the powerful emotional side of working with and preserving species for future generations.

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums American Association of Zoo Veterinarians AnimalCare Software The Animal Behavior Management Alliance (ABMA) American Association of Zoo Keepers Zoological Association of America American Humane MarineMammalTrainer.com European Association of Zoo and Wildlife Veterinarians IMATA Ocean Connections, Inc. Wildlife World Zoo World Association of Zoos and Aquariums ZooSpensefull Association of Minority Zoo & Aquarium Professionals - AMZAP Marineland Dolphin Adventure Bruck Lab Animal Behaviour Matters

Podcast Episode · Zoo Logic · 10/10/2024 · 37m

09/10/2024

Thinking of all our friends, colleagues, and animals in the path of Milton. Especially concerned for those ride-out teams along one of the most zoo and aquarium dense stretches anywhere in America.

You know how to do this. Stay safe. And let us know what you need on the other side of this monster.

Keeper, trainer, aquarist, herpetologist, aviculturust, educator, veterinary Strong

Grey