Zoo Logic
The Executive Director and co-founder of Zoological Disaster Response, Rescue and Recovery (), Julia Wilder returns to discuss her organization's efforts to assist zoological facilities in the wake of back-to-back hurricanes, Helene and Milton. With nearly 200 USDA licensed animal facilities joined together to provide mutual aid to institutions in distress, ZDR3 has already surpassed all expectations in its 5-year history. Julia describes her team's actions prior to, during and following these most recent devastating storms, as well as, ideas to enhance and improve national coordination...
info_outline The State of Higher EducationZoo Logic
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...
info_outline Deep WaterZoo Logic
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...
info_outline Career EducatorZoo Logic
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 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...
info_outline ABMA Behavior MonthZoo Logic
This October marks the Animal Behavior Management Alliance's () fourth annual Behavior Month featuring daily animal training videos from zoological professionals from around the globe. The goal is to share training ideas and examples to enhance species' well-being in zoos, aquariums, as well as with companion animals. These contributions are to anyone interested in animals and the science of operant conditioning through positive reinforcement. Plus, our colleagues at (ZDR3.org) provide a brief update on response efforts in the wake of hurricane Helene.
info_outline Escape From Extinction: RewildingZoo Logic
According to and its leadership team, the newly released sequel to 2020's award-winning "Escape from Extinction," introduces the science of "rewilding," a proven method for sustainable conservation that has the potential to bring back hundreds of thousands of species from the brink of extinction. Dr. Robin Ganzert, President and CEO of American Humane and the film's Executive Producer, along with Director and producer from MRB Productions, Matthew Brady, discuss the science and optimism behind rewilding projects from all over the world. The examples in "Escape From Extinction Rewilding"...
info_outline Survival of the FitnessZoo Logic
Peter Giljam is a long time animal trainer and cofounder of the training resources website Zoospensefull.com. In his spare time from his role as Behavioral Curator at SeaWorld Australia, he's also developed into an avid triathlon athlete. We asked him about his physical and mental health journey since COVID and whether the pain, frustration, dedication, and euphoria of such endurance competition has affected his animal training and behavioral management approach. Given the industry-wide concern and focus on enhancing the well-being of species in our care, how do those goals mirror the physical...
info_outline Enrichment Is Not a Substitute TrainerZoo Logic
Jim Nemet is a long time marine and terrestrial animal trainer and serves as the Director of Wildlife for the Cleveland Natural History Museum. We asked him about the somewhat dated and artificial distinctions between training and enrichment, especially at a time when zoological facilities are increasingly concerned about improving animal welfare or well-being. Jim talks about the wider applications of operant conditioning and behavioral management, of which enrichment is a component, not just for public display animals in zoos and aquariums, but rescue, rehab and return of native species, as...
info_outline Developing Dolphin DronesZoo Logic
Dr. Jason Bruck and his collaborator, Dr. Jamey D. Jacob, School of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering at Oklahoma Sate University describe their efforts to develop a suitable drone platform to study small cetaceans in the wild. Known as PHASM, Passive Health Assessment in Sea Mammals, the team has already worked through several iterations of the emerging technology to best collect and assess respiratory samples from bottlenose dolphins. Rather than rotary technology, the team settled on a fixed wing drone design to prevent dolphin blow samples from being dispersed by the downward...
info_outline SeadragonsZoo Logic
The announced the significant birth of several weedy seadragons. It is the first successful birth of these uncommon animals at Columbus, one of only a handful of institutions that have successfully bred seadragons. Senior Aquarist Aaron Jeskie, who was instrumental in the successful outcome, describes these unique creatures and some of the reasons they are so challenging to display and maintain.
info_outlineRecently, the open access scientific journal Animals published a special issue entitled: Zoo and Aquarium Welfare, Ethics, Behavior. Many of the peer-reviewed papers within this special issue focus on and in some instances call for improvements to animal welfare assessment, husbandry, training, housing, and overall management. The goal of the invited editors, which includes the host of Zoo Logic, was to highlight advances and current best practices across a range of species, and to inspire further progress, while also addressing public perceptions and expectations of zoos and aquariums. One such paper, "A Reexamination of the Relationship between Training Practices and Welfare in the Management of Ambassador Animals," by lead author, and long time trainer and founder of Natural Encounters, Steve Martin and veterinarian and researcher, Dave Miller (and yours truly) examines the history and current state of ambassador animal welfare and the need for choosing the right species and individual animals for such programs (and avoiding the wrong ones). The authors make no secret that animal ambassador welfare has generally not kept pace with other advancements in zoo animal well being. It is vital that zoological facilities devote the necessary resources in terms of time, money, animal selection, and staff training to properly handle and ensure the best welfare outcomes for these animals with a unique role.