Wild For Life
Wild For Life is the Toronto Zoo podcast that brings you behind the scenes and unveils the "hidden zoo." Each episode brings you information on the critical conservation work that protects endangered species and works to preserve biodiversity. You will hear from nutritionists, ecologists, veterinarians, social scientists, wildlife biologists, and more that are working hard to help protect wildlife from all over the world.
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Preventing the Vancouver Island Marmot form going extinct
08/24/2022
Preventing the Vancouver Island Marmot form going extinct
The Vancouver Island Marmot is designated Critically Endangered under the Canadian Species At Risk Act and the Toronto Zoo (and their partners) are making sure that the cute marmots increase in a population where they would be no longer considered endangered. Stacy Soh, zookeeper at the Toronto Zoo, joins me on the podcast to tell you why she loves the Vancouver Island Marmot so much and how the Zoo is trying to help increase its population. Stacey also talks about how she ended up working at the Toronto Zoo after leaving her home country of New Zealand and how she has an interesting connection to Yeshy (our guests on the last podcast.
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The Black-Footed Ferret conservation program at the Toronto Zoo
07/28/2022
The Black-Footed Ferret conservation program at the Toronto Zoo
The Toronto Zoo is working to help protect the critically endangered Black-Footed Ferret from going extinct in the wild through a breeding program. Yeshy Beyersbergen joins me on the podcast to tell us about the program that raises the ferrets at the Zoo with the goal of releasing them into the wild to add to the population in North America. Yeshy describes the program and the criteria that each ferret must have before being released in the wild. She talks about the precautions that she and her colleagues have to take to keep the animals healthy and the number of new kits (babies) the Zoo has this year. The number of kits certainly keeps Yeshy and her fellow keepers busy!
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Why the Toronto Zoo is excited for the Jane Goodall Act
06/22/2022
Why the Toronto Zoo is excited for the Jane Goodall Act
The Jane Goodall Act will revolutionize animal welfare in institutions by revealing how accredited zoos, like the Toronto Zoo, prioritize animal welfare and conservation of their animals compared to roadside zoos and private owners of exotic animals such as big cats (tigers, lions, etc.), primates, and other animals that require trained zookeepers, veterinarians, and researchers that can care for the animals properly. I am joined by Dolf DeJong (CEO of the Toronto Zoo), Grant Furniss (CEO of the Assiniboine Park & Zoo), Dr. Clement Lanthier (CEO of the Calgary Zoo), and Marty McKendry (Senior Advisor to Senator Klyne) to discuss why the Jane Goodall Act is important for animal welfare and conservation. Link to the Jane Goodall Act:
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Find out about the new baby Sumatran orangutan at the Toronto Zoo
05/31/2022
Find out about the new baby Sumatran orangutan at the Toronto Zoo
Every time there is a new edition to the Toronto Zoo, the staff is very proud to speak about it. Today is no different. Amanda Caroll joins me on the podcast to discuss the journey to the birth of the new Sumatran orangutan at the Zoo. We discuss the pregnancy, birth, and how well Sekali (the mother) is taking care of her new bundle of joy.
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Protecting Turtles at the Toronto Zoo
05/18/2022
Protecting Turtles at the Toronto Zoo
This episode is all about turtle conservation as every May 23rd we celebrate World Turtle Day. Donnell Gasbarrini joins me on the podcast to discuss the status of turtles around the world as well as the Toronto Zoo’s efforts to help protect turtles through their Adopt-A-Pond program (and app) and the Headstart program to help save the Blanding's turtle from going extinct. Donnell also provides some tips on how you can avoid running over turtles in the spring, summer, and fall when driving up to your cottages for some rest and relaxation.
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How the Toronto Zoo is Going Net Zero
04/27/2022
How the Toronto Zoo is Going Net Zero
The Toronto Zoo has always been a conservation driven organization, where many of the initiatives started by the staff to reduce their impact on the surrounding environment and this is why I was not surprised when Kyla Greenham, Manager of Conservation and the Environment at the Zoo, told me about the release of their new program TZ Net0, a program where the total output of the Zoo will be zero. This program is not an easy one to pull off, but according to Kyla the staff have been the driving force behind many of the current accomplishments of the programs including reduce water waste. Kyla gives us a list of the goals of the program and why they chose them.
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Studying the behaviour of Juno the polar bear
04/14/2022
Studying the behaviour of Juno the polar bear
Sophie De Vos joins me on the podcast to discuss her study on the behaviour of Juno, the polar bear, to ensure that the bear is doing well. Sophie is an undergraduate student from the Netherlands who flew over to the Toronto Zoo to study Juno on an overseas internship. Sophie recounts her journey from the Netherlands and how she is adapting to Canadian life. She also details the behaviour study and the type of behaviour patterns she is observing in Juno.
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The birth of a giraffe at The Toronto Zoo
03/31/2022
The birth of a giraffe at The Toronto Zoo
Jason Pootoolal, zookeeper, joins me once again on the podcast to talk about the new giraffe addition at your Toronto Zoo. Jason tells me the behind-the-scenes details of what it’s like to take care of a pregnant giraffe and how the baby is born. He also discusses what it’s like to take care of a newborn giraffe and how the birth of this newborn will help the conservation of these endangered giraffes in the wild one day.
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New Baby Cheetahs at The Toronto Zoo
03/23/2022
New Baby Cheetahs at The Toronto Zoo
There are three new cheetah editions at your Toronto Zoo this year so you know I wanted to talk about these cute cubs in this episode. Keith Pickthorn, a zookeeper in the African Savannah area of your Zoo, joins us on this episode to discuss the pregnancy, birth, and rearing of the cute big cats. He talks about how zookeepers monitor the animals during the pregnancy and rearing period and what he looks forward to you seeing when the babies are introduced to their outdoor habitat.
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Immerse yourself at The Toronto Zoo with the new app, On Thin Ice
02/23/2022
Immerse yourself at The Toronto Zoo with the new app, On Thin Ice
I bet you didn’t think that The Toronto Zoo could get anymore interactive! Well, think again because the Zoo released a new app called “On Thin Ice” where you can play a virtual reality game on your phone at the Zoo in the Tundra area. The app is designed to teach you about Climate Change and how animals such as Polar Bears, Caribou, and Bowhead Whales are being affected by the consequences of climate change. Denise Hill-Fox and Dyann Powley join me on the podcast to discuss the various features of the app, including the virtual reality game, the See Your Impact section and the exploratory map of the Tundra section at the Zoo.
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WFL 85: Considerations when designing habitats at The Toronto Zoo
02/09/2022
WFL 85: Considerations when designing habitats at The Toronto Zoo
Have you ever wondered how each habitat at the Zoo is designed and what type of considerations are taken into account when a new habitat is designed? Brent Huffman, Lead Keeper of Mammals at The Toronto Zoo, returns to the podcast to talk about one of his favourite things are the Zoo: habitat design. Brent tells about all of the different considerations that need to be addressed when designing a new habitat or altering existing ones. Habitats need to provide accessibility to keepers, the veterinarian staff, the garden staff, and more. It also needs to provide a number of different viewing areas that will be optimal for visitors to see the animals. Of course, the most important consideration is that of the animals and their welfare. Brent provides us with different thinking around habitats at The Toronto Zoo.
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WFL 84: Celebrating Charles, the Silverback Gorilla’s 50th Birthday
01/26/2022
WFL 84: Celebrating Charles, the Silverback Gorilla’s 50th Birthday
Heidi Manicki joins me on this episode to help celebrate Charles, the iconic Silverback Gorilla, who turned 50 this year. We discuss how Charles has matured over his years at the Toronto Zoo including his number one fear! We also discuss how important Charles is as an iconic connection for visitors to learn about how we can better protect critically endangered Western Lowland gorillas in the wild. Keep listening for a surprise announcement to help protect gorillas!
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WFL 83: How the Toronto Zoo uses their manure to produce electricity in partnership with Zooshare
01/12/2022
WFL 83: How the Toronto Zoo uses their manure to produce electricity in partnership with Zooshare
I am excited to tell you that Kyla Graham, Manager of Conservation and Environment at the Zoo, joins me on the podcast to discuss the planning and implementation of the Zoo’s new BioGas program that it runs in partnership with ZooShare. Kyla described how the partnership with ZooShare was initiated to help the Zoo to find a process that will not only dispose of the 3,000 metric tons worth of manure per year but do it in a way that contributes to renewable energy. Here are links to ZooShare and an article that provides a summary of the project: 1) ZooShare website: 2) Summary article of BioGas:
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WFL 82: Learn about the Amur tiger breeding program and the new tiger cub at the Toronto Zoo
12/22/2021
WFL 82: Learn about the Amur tiger breeding program and the new tiger cub at the Toronto Zoo
Nigel Parr, Zookeeper, stops by the podcast to tell us about the breeding program that brought us Mila, the Amur tiger cub, to the Toronto Zoo. We go in-depth on the breeding process and Mila’s parents; how the Zookeepers help monitor the health of the cubs; and, how the cub is cared for by Mila’s mom Mazyria and the Zoo staff. Help protect Amur Tigers:
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WFL 81: New Wild Encounters at the Toronto Zoo
12/08/2021
WFL 81: New Wild Encounters at the Toronto Zoo
You can count on the Wild Encounters program at the Toronto Zoo to add more benefits to your visit to the Zoo to get a behind-the-scenes tour of some of your favourite animals such as the polar bears and giraffes. There are now new encounters including goats, reptiles, and the hidden zoo (a look behind the zoo into some of the research). Hollie Ross, the behavioural husbandry supervisor, is my guest on the podcast today to discuss the new encounters and how they can add even more to your Toronto Zoo experience.
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WFL 80: Coorporative Breeding Programs at the Toronto Zoo
11/25/2021
WFL 80: Coorporative Breeding Programs at the Toronto Zoo
Brent Huffman, lead curator of mammals, at the Toronto Zoo joins me on this episode to discuss the importance of coorporative breeding programs at the Zoo. Brent defines the term “Cooporative Breeding” and tells us about various examples of breeding programs at the Zoo as well as some of the other zoos with which the Toronto Zoo works to ensure the proper breeding of a species in question. Brent also discusses the purposes of the Species Survival Plans (SSP) and how they function at the Toronto Zoo.
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WFL 79: Transferring Theo The Rhino from the Toronto Zoo
11/10/2021
WFL 79: Transferring Theo The Rhino from the Toronto Zoo
How to you transport a juvenile rhinoceros from Toronto to Vancouver during a pandemic? Vicki Hardstaff, the Toronto Zoo’s Animal Logistics Coordinator, joins me in today’s episode to discuss the planning and execution of transferring Theo the rhinoceros to the Greater Vancouver Zoo. We discuss the number of Zoo staff that accompanied Theo; his surroundings during the transfer; and, how long the distance actually is between Toronto and Vancouver!
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WFL 78: Native Bat Conservation at the Toronto Zoo
10/27/2021
WFL 78: Native Bat Conservation at the Toronto Zoo
Toby Thorne, Native Bat Coordinator, and Melissa Mayhew, Senior Environmental Scientist at the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) join me on the podcast to discuss why native bat conservation is so important to the Canadian environment and how the partnership between the Zoo and the NWMO is working to help protect bats and their habitat.
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WFL 77: Increasing the breeding success of the Oregon Spotted Frog
10/06/2021
WFL 77: Increasing the breeding success of the Oregon Spotted Frog
The Oregon Spotted Frog is listed as an Endangered Species under the Canadian Species At Risk Act; therefore, the breeding success and reintroduction of offspring to the natural habitat is of utmost importance. It’s not surprising that the Toronto Zoo is partnering with Laurentian University to help research how to increase the success rate for the Oregon Spotted Frog breeding program at the Toronto Zoo. Briar Hunter is a Master’s student at Laurentian University who is involved in the research of the breeding program and joins me on today’s episode to discuss her research purpose, collaborators out west, and what she hopes to accomplish after her research. Briar’s supervisors for her Master’s thesis are Dr. David Lesbarreres (Laurentian University) and Dr. Gabriela Mastromonaco (Toronto Zoo).
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WFL 76: Animal Welfare Science at the Toronto Zoo
09/22/2021
WFL 76: Animal Welfare Science at the Toronto Zoo
I am joined by Maria Franke, Manager of Welfare Science at the Toronto Zoo, on today’s episode to discuss how the Zoo monitors and studies animal welfare for its species. Animal welfare is always the number one priority. It uses a holistic approach that includes monitoring the physical, mental, and emotional status of the animals with a focus on quantitative data. Maria discusses how animal welfare at the Zoo is a collaborative effort and how the new Outdoor Orangutan Habitat will help to monitor the species’ welfare and allow comparisons of welfare between indoor and outdoor habitats.
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WFL 74: Explore Goat World at the Toronto Zoo
08/25/2021
WFL 74: Explore Goat World at the Toronto Zoo
I had the pleasure of interviewing Amanda Corbett today on the podcast to discuss the New Goat World habitat at the Toronto Zoo. The habitat offers goats a chance to climb, cross bridges, and climb the “Toronto Zoo” structure where guests can get a great photo! Amanda tells you about the goat species we have at the Zoo and how the Zookeepers look after them, including their behavioural husbandry.
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WFL 73: Conservation Genetics of the Bison at the Toronto Zoo
08/11/2021
WFL 73: Conservation Genetics of the Bison at the Toronto Zoo
Dr. Liz Okruhlik joins me on the podcast to discuss how she got her new position at the Toronto Zoo. She is the Conservation Research Veterinarian and hands down have THE best title in conservation. Dr. Liz tells me about the incredible work involving the conservation genetics of bison, camels, and white rhinos at the Zoo. We discuss the importance of genetic diversity within a wild population to maintain resiliency.
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WFL 72: Studying Orangutan Behaviour Between Two Exhibits at the Toronto Zoo
07/28/2021
WFL 72: Studying Orangutan Behaviour Between Two Exhibits at the Toronto Zoo
Ezekiel Gading joins me on the podcast to discuss his Master’s research thesis of studying the animal behaviour of one of the most charismatic animals in the animal kingdom, the orangutan. Ezekiel in conjunction with the Toronto Zoo has a unique opportunity to study how the Sumatran orangutans at the Zoo will behave after the move from the current indoor habitat to their new outdoor habitat. Ezekiel and I discuss the science behind studying behaviour and how scientists measure animal welfare. Listen in on this great discussion on orangutan behaviour and how this species will adapt to their new outdoor home.
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WFL 71: Plastic-Free July Competition that you can join with the Toronto Zoo
07/14/2021
WFL 71: Plastic-Free July Competition that you can join with the Toronto Zoo
The Toronto Zoo is participating in an international competition called Plastic-Free July to lead by example in the fight against using single-use plastics. Kyla Greenham, Manager of Conservation Programs and Environment, joins me on the podcast to tell you how the competition works; how you can reduce your single-use plastic pollution; how the Zoo is reducing their single-use plastic use on their grounds; and, how technology is being used to prevent single-use plastic from entering the Great Lakes. Would you like to reduce your plastic footprint? Join the challenge by clicking the following link: Use the password: TZ2021to join the Toronto Zoo team and help us win the competition.
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WFL 70: The Amazing Tree Kangaroo at the Toronto Zoo
06/30/2021
WFL 70: The Amazing Tree Kangaroo at the Toronto Zoo
Ryan Hegarty, the Lead Keeper at the Australasia Pavilion at the Toronto Zoo, joins me to discuss the amazing Tree Kangaroo. These cute animals have adapted to live in trees with their long nails on their front paws and their rigid tail used for balance. Ryan gives us the details on what it’s like to care for Puzzle, the Zoo’s Tree Kangaroo. Ryan also discusses the threats to the species in the wild and the Species Survival Plan (SSP) that is designed to preserve and protect species.
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WFL 69: Why Do Sloths Move So Slow?
06/16/2021
WFL 69: Why Do Sloths Move So Slow?
Brendan Bonner and I sit down to discuss why sloths move so slow and how do they survive in the wilderness. This conversation explores how animals adapt to their surroundings over time (evolution) for the best chances of survival. Brendan and I discuss competition for food, camouflage, teeth, and modified “feet” to help the sloth be successful at surviving in the wild. Brendan talks about Sally the two-toed sloth who lives in the Americas Pavilion at your Toronto Zoo to provide us with a sense of how the Zoo staff works with her to ensure she receives the best care.
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WFL 68: Amorphophallus Bloom and the New Zoo Green Instagram
06/02/2021
WFL 68: Amorphophallus Bloom and the New Zoo Green Instagram
The Toronto Zoo Greenhouse is in the middle of showing off its new Amorphophallus bloom that only blooms once every two years. Amber Vitek, who tends to the tropical plants, joins me today to discuss the bloom, its memorable smell, and why it is important to freeze the reproductive parts of the plant. Amber also tells me of the new @zoogreenhouse account for the Toronto Zoo that shows off the various plants in the Greenhouse.” Instagram:
/episode/index/show/wildforlife/id/19294673
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WFL 67: Migratory Fish of the Great Lakes
05/19/2021
WFL 67: Migratory Fish of the Great Lakes
I had the chance to sit down with Mary-Kate Whibbs, The Great Lakes Program Coordinator, who focuses on coordinating outreach programs on local aquatic species. A part of the program is dedicated towards teaching kids about the migratory fishes of the Great Lakes. Mary-Kate tells me about two of her favourite species, American Eel and Atlantic Salmon, to discuss and their migratory patterns. We talk about the distance of their migrations, how growth affects their migration, and where they go to reproduce.
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WFL 66: Learning Orangutan Behaviour Using Artificial Intelligence At Your Toronto Zoo
05/05/2021
WFL 66: Learning Orangutan Behaviour Using Artificial Intelligence At Your Toronto Zoo
Imagine if you could watch orangutans all day to observe their behaviours to better understand their ecological dynamics within a troop dynamic and in their environment. It would take an abundance of scientific observation that a field team could not complete due to the number of resources it would require to complete the study properly. However, new tools in Artificial Intelligence have made it possible to not only observe the behaviours through visual recordings, but it can also log certain behaviours displayed over time. This type of study can give scientists a better understanding of animal behaviour. Dr. Jenna Congdon is a post-doctoral researcher at York University that is working with the Toronto Zoo to measure the behaviour of orangutans in their Zoo habitat using Artificial Intelligence tools that will help to better understand their behaviours, which could translate into better health and conservation in the wild.
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WFL 65: The Benefits of Feeding Browse To The Animals At The Toronto Zoo
04/21/2021
WFL 65: The Benefits of Feeding Browse To The Animals At The Toronto Zoo
Nutrition is of the utmost importance at the Toronto Zoo and the Nutrition Science Program is always looking for ways to offer food that will ensure the animals at the Zoo are healthy. Jaap Wensvoort, Manager of Nutrition Science at the Zoo, joins me on the podcast today to discuss the Browse Program that helps to keep the animals healthy and mentally stimulated. We discuss the various ways branches, leaves, and the trunks of trees are used by different animals at the Zoo such as giraffes and primates. We also discuss a new location where the Zoo grows and harvests the browse that saves time, resources, and keeps the raw materials local (environmental savings).
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