Zoo Logic

A prolific naturalist, award-winning and bestselling author Sy Montgomery and her colleague, Warren Carlyle founder of Octonation, the largest octopus fan club in the world, have a new release entitled Secrets of the Octopus. This book is a follow up to Sy's scientific treatment of the species in 2015's bestseller, Soul of the Octopus. Warren and Sy's passion for this unique species is unmistakable. Both share their journey learning about and promoting further study and preservation of these animals beginning with their very personal encounters with an octopus at an aquarium. The new title comes in advance of a mini series of the same name produced by James Cameron and narrated by actor Paul Rudd scheduled to air on National Geographic on Earth Day. Both Sy and Warren are contributors to the docu-series and believe zoos and aquariums play a vital role in conservation and research.

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The Executive Director of Zoological Disaster Response, Rescue, and Recovery (ZDR3), Julia Matson Wagner, returns on the eve of this coming season for natural disasters such as wildfires, floods, and hurricanes. After several years focusing on providing immediate disaster response and support for affected zoological facilities, ZDR3 has grown in scope in terms of the number of participating facilities and expanded educational outreach. In just a few years, ZDR3's growing response network has more than 170 member facilities in 36 states. Julia describes how important disaster planning and drills along with having frank conversations about individual facility risks are before they are ever needed. 

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After years of working with some of the world's top tequila brands, particularly on the elimination of production waste water, retired police officer Tony Boyle and his news anchor spouse, Olivia Fierro have embarked on a new venture producing Tequila Corrido. The relaunch of the award-winning spirit rests on the principles of sustainability and paying homage to tradition. From harvesting the hundreds of thousands of blue agave plants each year from local farms in the highlands of the Jalisco region of Mexico, featuring the skills of a well-known master distiller in Mexico respected for her knowledge of the agave to bottling in recycled glass--nearly every aspect of production is sourced in Mexico.

According to their website, the name Corrido comes from the poetic ballads sung by smugglers who risked everything to peddle tequila in Prohibition-era border regions. Many of the early corridos celebrated these border bandits and folk heroes—telling tales of triumph and tragedies along trails and around campfires.  To celebrate these folk songs and traditional methods of producing tequila, each bottle of Tequila Corrido ships with a guitar pic.

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Kathy Finley found herself bullied as a child but she drew comfort, confidence, and courage from the pets she loved so well, especially her cats. She thought of her animals as the source of her superpower to make friends which helped build up her self-esteem. That is, until later in life she allowed an abusive husband to remove animals from her home life and thereby, sapping her confidence and feelings of self-worth. It was the gift of a shelter kitten by coworkers that changed everything following a bitter divorce. Today, she is happily remarried, retired, and is a published author of My One-Eyed, Three-Legged Therapist thanks in very large part to an independent and "self-proclaimed queen of the universe" cat named Clio who Kathy claims saved her even as they both experienced challenges and setbacks.

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Kevin Willis has served the zoological community for decades in a variety of posts, including time with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, as one of our most important statisticians. His work is documented in peer-reviewed publications and essays across a multitude of terrestrial and aquatic species, from elephants to orcas. His greatest skill seems to be explaining and applying statistical principles to complex conservation questions in a manner the rest of us can easily grasp. He describes some of the history, key figures, and rationale behind the formation of Species Survival Programs (SSP), their original purpose, and where conservation biology and statistics stand today. 

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The journal, Animals, has published a special issue that includes overviews and original research papers that rigorously assess zoo and aquarium behavior, welfare and ethics. One of the papers, The Cetacean Sanctuary: A Sea of Unknowns is written by frequent Zoo Logic guest, Dr. Jason Bruck and concerns the elusive cetacean sanctuary standards put forth by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS). Jason methodically asks questions about important aspects of animal welfare arising from these standards, which point to no supportive peer-reviewed citations or a history of best practices as seen in other zoological welfare and husbandry standards such as the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums or the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. In the final analysis, it is difficult to reconcile the stated top priority of sanctuary proponents, maximizing animal welfare, with the more likely motivation, the end of cetaceans in managed care.

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The International Elephant Foundation turns 25 this year and the conservation organization continues to break new ground in preserving the world's largest land mammal. Conservation Coordinator, Sarah Conley describes the three species of elephants and the unique challenges to their respective survival. From working with local communities to support the work of game rangers, supporting research for the study and prevention of deadly EEHV to piloting the training and use of feral dogs as detection and protection canines, IEF excels at reducing overhead expenses and thus, maximizing the effectiveness of donations in the field where they can do the most good to help animals and humans successfully co-exist.

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According to its website, the Dolphin Research Center promotes peaceful coexistence, cooperation and communication between marine mammals, humans and the environment. They achieve this through education, research and rescue. Home to generations of bottlenose dolphins as well as California sea lions, the DRC is uniquely situated to study cognition, behavior and husbandry. DRC president and CEO Rita Irwin and Director of Research, Dr. Kelly Jaakkola discuss 40 years of scientific investigations and the future of marine mammals in human care.

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A fun day of snowboarding for 18-year-old Forrest Allen ended in a life-threatening traumatic brain injury, which forever altered his life and that of his family and friends. Neurologists told his well-known parents, veterinarians, Kent Allen and Rae Stone, cofounder of Dolphin Quest, that he would likely not survive the night. Despite that dire warning, Forrest did indeed survive but not without surgeons having to remove 1/3 of his skull which resulted in its own set of complications and life threats. Throughout years of surgeries, setbacks, and rehabilitation therapies the family has been open about the highs and frightening lows of their journey including the vital role of supportive friends and colleagues within the zoological community, music therapy, and a wonderful service dog that helped Forrest regain his speech. Much of Forrest's recovery through music was documented in the 2020 award winning film "Music Got Me Here." Now, at 31, Forrest is rebuilding his life working summers with the Dolphin Quest teams, getting his driver's license, and serving as an inspiration to other families with loved ones experiencing terrible, debilitating brain injuries.

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Many people dream of going on safari. Given the distance, time, and expense involved it is important to research and understand what options, locations, and experiences are most important to you and your travel companions. We talk with one expat with nearly 20 years of experience living abroad, combined with dozens of safaris to well known and more remote locations in east Africa for her suggestions on building that trip of a lifetime.

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As 2023 draws to a close and Zoo Logic approaches its 300th episode, we look back at a remarkable institution that launched or strengthened the careers of many zoological professionals and leaders still very active today. In 1970, the second SeaWorld park opened in a most unlikely place, a suburb of Cleveland, Ohio on the shores of Geauga Lake. The purpose of building an inland marine animal park in the Midwest was to draw upon a radius of huge population centers located within about a 6-hour drive of the location. Sadly, the park could never escape the realities of a seasonal park in a region prone to spectacular winter weather. However, despite its brief 30-year history, the blue collar zoological park left an indelible mark on the community and the professionals that passed through her gates. Some of those that knew her well discuss the unique park and the lessons learned while working there.

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KVP is one of the largest veterinary product manufacturers and distributors in the U.S. In their quarterly newsletter called the Bowman Report, the company describes the growing push by veterinarians and their customers towards more sustainably sourced materials and manufactured veterinary products, especially high use plastic products like nitrile gloves, pill bottles, and Elizabethan collars. VP of Marketing Will Schwing, discusses why customers are willing to spend on more sustainable products, the improved efficacy of such biodegradable products, and tips for those hoping to increase sustainable business practices at their own workplace.

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Recently, Wildlife World Zoo, Aquarium & Safari Park welcomed the birth of a female white rhino. This was no ordinary or overnight conservation success story according to its president, Kristy Hayden. The process began nearly 10-years ago with a significant financial commitment of hundreds of thousands of dollars by the forty-year-old, for-profit organization to acquire and import 3 unrelated females from South Africa. After the animals were identified and their protection and care secured while awaiting permitting and transport, the project was met with extended delays by USFWS. These necessitated finding 3 younger animals suitable in size for transport, the need to build a new expansive rhino habitat and barn, and eventually, once they arrived, time to reach reproductive maturity. The goal by the late owner and director, Mickey Ollson, was to help improve the genetics of the North American population as part of ensuring survival of the species, even as poaching and habitat loss issues are hopefully resolved throughout the African continent in the future. 

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A recent peer-reviewed paper discussed the concept and procedure known as errorless learning and compares its efficacy training dogs to that of the more typical trial-and-error approach to learning. One of the authors of the paper: Comparing Trial-and-Error to Errorless Learning Procedures in Training Pet Dogs a Visual Discrimination, Dr. Eduardo "Eddie" Fernandez discusses the process and its favorable impact on the subjects' frustration, behavior acquisition rate, and failure compared to trial and error learning.  The goal is to uncover ways to minimize any harmful effects on animal welfare during the learning process.

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Several years ago, a few zoo professionals recognized the growing need for better access to mental health resources for their peers.  Together they formed Growing Resiliency for Aquarium and Zoo Employees or GRAZE for the purpose of "bringing mental health support to those in the zoo and aquarium industry by raising awareness, sharing ideas, resources, and tools." The GRAZE team of Erin McNally, LVT; Shannon McKinney & Hannah Fullmer discuss the nature of grief and how their company helps zoo professionals at all levels by providing Proactive Programing, Support Services, and Critical Incident Response. According to the GRAZE team, the key to coping with grief that comes with loss is a willingness to make oneself vulnerable--an animal caretaker trait that has historically been discouraged.

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Lisa Niver was a successful teacher, traveler, and dive master turned award-winning travel writer, but privately things were not as they seemed. At the lowest point in her life and staring at starting over, she found the strength to free herself from an abusive marriage and set upon a path towards personal growth and healing. One strategy was to complete 50 challenges before her 50th birthday as described in her new book, Brave-ish: one breakup, six continents and feeling fearless after fifty.  She shares her experiences in eco-tourism, as well as, other adventures around the world and the importance of facing one's fears.

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Long time zoo expert and media personality, Jarod Miller and his business partner Bob Manley have launched phase one of their pet services concept Hounds and Hops in his hometown of Buffalo, NY. In a city known for deep snowfalls and cold winters, their master plan includes the development of a covered outdoor dog-friendly green space, as well as, a spacious indoor dog park.  As part of the downtown area's revitalization, which includes redevelopment, jobs, and housing, Hounds and Hops will tap into the popularity of craft beers and wines to create a unique human and animal friendly space.

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The oldest animal welfare organization in America, American Humane, has launched a new third party certification program consistent with its longstanding programs covering zoos, farming, and even the film and television industry. Announced a month ago, "Humane Tourism" is designed to certify "wildlife reserves, lodges, and tour operators for their humane responsibility toward the animal life that the operations may encounter and have the potential to impact."  As wildlife viewing vacations become increasingly popular, one goal of this new program is to provide well-meaning consumers the information needed to make conscientious choices about where to spend their wildlife tourism dollars. New SR VP & COO, Dr. Kashyap Choksi and Jill Nizan, Director, Conservation Operations discuss how the program was created and the potential global impact on ensuring wild animal welfare.

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Co-founder of Mission K9 Rescue, Bob Bryant returns to discuss the organization's recent success and ongoing mission to return military and contract working dogs from their deployments around the world as the animal's tour of duty ends due to illness, age, or loss of work drive. In many instances MWD are reunited with their longtime human handlers but without any financial support from the US military. The situation with CWD isn't as simple as these animals typically have no dedicated handler, which is why rehabilitation and adoption funding by groups like MK9R is critical for this group of service dogs. With the recent drawn down in Afghanistan, MK9R worked with the Taliban through a third party rescue on the ground to evacuate several of nearly 50 Canadian dogs under US military control that remained after the US departure.

The circumstances around the laws and absent funding over the long term transport and post service care of these animals is complex and demands public intervention to ensure these canine service members receive the medical and behavioral care and best possible lives during their years of service and throughout their post service lives. While things have improved somewhat for those dogs classified as MWD, leaving any behind with no care or in the hands of our enemies (historically in Vietnam, MWD were euthanized or set to roam the jungles rather than returned to the US) as is the usual case with CWD is unacceptable.

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We begin with long time zoo educator Lanie Angeles reminiscing  about her time at Moorpark College's Exotic Animal Training and Management Program and their recent 50th anniversary celebration. The lessons she learned there have helped her educate thousands of kids of all ages through animal outreach programs. She discusses the important and nearly universal impact that educational encounters with animals have on people of all ages, economic status, and walks of life. According to Lanie, ambassador animals are the "great leveler" turning even the most wealthy, famous or powerful people into inquisitive learners moved by the experience.

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