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!

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!

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: https://www.sumatranrangerproject.com

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.

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).

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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: https://www.instagram.com/zoogreenhouse/

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.

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.

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).

This episode is packed with great information on grizzly bears and how they compare to polar bears.

Have you ever wondered how the animals’ habitats are built at the Toronto Zoo? It seems like all of these complex habitats are built every once and a while, but it seems seamless; however, that can’t be the case…and it isn’t the case. The animal habitats and designs are managed by the diverse team of professionals and led by the Project Management Team at the Toronto Zoo. I had the opportunity to sit down with Ben Knoop to ask him about his role as Project Manager.

We discuss everything from how he ended up working at the Zoo, what his favourite construction job was, and how he is looking forward to the new Outdoor Orangutan Habitat that is currently being built.

If you would like to support the Zoo in building the Orangutan Habitat, click on the link below to donate:
https://www.wildlifeconservancy.ca/habitat

Dr. Jill Bueddefeld joins me on the podcast to talk about her research in Collaboration with the Toronto Zoo to study how visitors at the Zoo receive, and act on, conservation messaging to help protect the planet’s animals. Major issues that are raised, such as the 6th Mass Extinction, are often met by the public with overwhelming feelings as the issue seems too big to tackle as an individual; however, conservation messages that provide the public with specific calls to action to help save an iconic animal can provide more realistic goals.

Your Toronto Zoo aims to continually improve its conservation methods by studying messages that have will inspire their visitors to implement those calls to action.

Jill describes the study’s methods and ways in which they will devise the conservation messages.

The Toronto Zoo participated in a long-term study to observe when their young Sumatran orangutans would lose their baby teeth. The data collection was part of a larger study across many zoos in North America to provide more information surrounding the age range at which the primates lose their teeth. The purpose of the study was to help scientists better protect orangutans in the wild. By getting this data from zoo populations, it helps researchers better understand and rehabilitate wild orangutans who do not have known birth dates.

Amanda Carroll, Zookeeper at the Toronto Zoo, sits down with me to discuss the study and how behavioural husbandry played an important role in collecting the data.

There is a lot of work involved in caring for a newborn animal at the Toronto Zoo. It starts with caring for the pregnant Mom to be and continues with caring for the newborn. Ensuring the new Mom has everything she needs to take care of her new addition. Kim Welfle, Zookeeper at the Zoo, joins me on today’s episode to discuss how the staff works together to make certain the newborn offspring is healthy and happy. She uses the Zoo’s newest addition to the Grevy’s zebra herd, Poe, as an example of how the Zoo works with the entire herd to help care for him.

Kim also tells us about how the different personalities of the newborn Zebras will dictate the approach the Zookeepers will take to provide the best care for the animals.

Brenden Bonner never thought that he would have such a passion for frogs until he started working as a Zookeeper in the Americas Pavilion at the Toronto Zoo. Since then, Brendan has learned a lot about the different species of tropical frogs that he looks after at the Zoo, including the conservation efforts in which the Zoo plays a direct role - where tadpoles are released in Puerto Rico.

I had the chance to sit down with Brendan on his second appearance on the Wild For Life Podcast (he made his debut on episode 17) to discuss why he is so passionate about frogs and how they are cared for at the Toronto Zoo.

Andrew Lentini, Senior Director of Wildlife And Science, and I reflect on some of the great conservation projects and events that took place at your Toronto Zoo in 2020.

We discuss the record number of Blanding’s turtles that were released this year into the wild and why the program has been so successful over the past decade. We talk about the addition of an endangered Masai giraffe calf that helped us all get through the pandemic lockdown in the spring. Finally, we talk about an exciting project that is coming in the new year, the outdoor Sumatran Orangutan Habitat.

Dr. Gabriela Mastromonaco sits down with me today to discuss a pilot project of using reproductive sciences to artificially inseminate wood bison in controlled and semi-controlled environments. This ground-breaking research is happening at your Toronto Zoo and has seen some great success within controlled environments. This past fall, Gaby’s team and project partners attempted to artificially inseminate wood bison at the Zoo within a semi-controlled environment.

Toronto Zoo Zookeepers, Ashley Slack and Deserrai Buunk, sit down with me to discuss the biology and conservation of the greater kudu. Ashley and Deserrai talk about their love for hoofstock animals, how they take care of the kudu at the Zoo, why the mixed-species exhibit is great for enrichment, and their conservation in the wild.

I had the wonderful opportunity to speak to Paula Mackie, a Reproductive Sciences Coordinator at the Toronto Zoo, about what the Reproductive Sciences team does to help drive conservation at the Zoo. 

Paula tells me about how her passion for conservation guided her to work at the Zoo after exploring and working in other fields. She discusses the steps (and patience) it takes to create an animal embryo and she also explains to me why it’s so hard to preserve sperm from large cat species. 

Episode 3 - Dr. Gabby Mastromonaco - https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/wild-for-life/id1456395854?i=1000434606012”

Did you know that the red panda (Ailurus fulgens), known for being cute and cuddly, is an animal that is not related to the giant panda at all? In this episode, I interview keeper, Lisa Termini, who has the joyous opportunity to work with these incredible animals. I had the chance to ask Lisa some questions to find out more about the red pandas including what they eat, how the zookeepers use behavioural husbandry to work closely with the animals, and why they are endangered in the wild which, makes the work at your Toronto Zoo so important.

Jon Spero, Lead Keeper of Birds, joins me on the podcast to talk about the four species of hornbills at the Toronto Zoo. During the episode, Jon and I discuss the unique features of these wonderful birds, their cavity nests, and their conservation. Listen to why these birds are so important and find out what bird they are most often mistaken for.

Use this audio tour while on your Drive-Thru BOOmobile adventure at the Toronto Zoo! This NEW adventure takes you on a tour around the Zoo from the comfort of your own car and with this audio tour, your family can enjoy the beautiful fall foliage and festive décor while listening to a special Halloween-themed podcast!

Book your tickets at torontozoo.com today and use this audio tour while on your Drive-Thru BOOmobile adventure at your Toronto Zoo.

The learning and Engagement team coordinates everything from sign content for our animal habitats to the volunteer and school programs that are designed to help you engage and learn about all of the wonderful conservation work that happens at the Zoo and within the community. Mary Ellen Fraser and Shawn Blackburn join me in today’s episode to discuss how the programming unfolds whether you are visiting the Zoo or connection with us through our virtual content.

Horticulture enthusiasts lined up to take a whiff of the corpse flower (Amorphophallus titanum), Vincent Van Gross, whose name describes its smell. With blooms occurring once every 6-10 years and lasting for about 36 hours, this was a must-see at your Toronto Zoo!

Clare Wharton joins me on the podcast to discuss the organization of the plant collection, why the corpse flower has an awful smell, and how it’s linked to the plant's reproduction success. 

Brent Huffman is back on the podcast to provide you with great information on the cheetah. We talk about how the cheetah is built for speed as they are the fastest land animal. We also talk about their social dynamics and how it affects the way the Zoo cares for them.

Finally, Brent tells us about the conservation status of cheetahs and how the breeding program at the Zoo is designed to help maintain genetic diversity.

The Eland is a dynamic species that has a varied herbivore diet and an interesting herd dynamic. I wanted to find out more about the Eland so I sat down with Zookeeper, Jason Pootoolal, who passionately describes what it’s like to look after the Eland herd at the Zoo and what challenges wild Eland face in the African Savanna.

https://www.wildlifeconservancy.ca/donate

When I think about the zebra, I think about another prey item; however, there is so much more to zebra than being prey for African Savanna predators. Amanda Taylor, Zookeeper at the Toronto Zoo, sits down with me to discuss the Grevy’s Zebra, the herd at the Zoo, and why these animals are classified as endangered in the wild.

Jenn Martin sits down with me to discuss Bactrian camels with me. I have great respect for any animal that lives in some of the harshest conditions in the world, where temperatures range from -40C to 40C, but the camel scoffs at those types of conditions as they are built to withstand temperatures, blowing sand, and low water conditions. Jenn talks about the various adaptations that camels have devised for the wild landscapes that make them so hardy. 

She also discusses what it’s like to take care of the herd of camels at the Zoo, as well as behavioural husbandry exercises the Wildlife Care team uses to improve their care.

How do you take care of a 2000 pound wood bison at the Toronto Zoo? Well, I sat down with Zookeeper, Amy Goswell, to talk about the Zoo’s wood bison population. We discuss the Behavioural Husbandry work done with the animals to ensure the staff can provide the best care for these magnificent animals. 

Amy and I also discuss how these animals fared over the past 200 years as their wild numbers declined from over 150,000 to only a few hundred - rising again to over 10,000 individuals. Amy tells us about the challenges they continue to be faced with while striving to conserve the wood bison and the extraordinary conservation technology the Zoo has used to help increase the bison numbers in the wild. 

Link to Dr. Mastromonaco's Wild For Life Episode:
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/wild-for-life/id1456395854?i=1000434606012
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4zkd7fTvt23Nh7riKnb74k
Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93aWxkZm9ybGlmZS5saWJzeW4uY29tL3Jzcw/episode/ZDM0ZDQyYmRiZDYyNGJiYTliNGQ1OGE3OWQ5OTZkNmM?ved=0CFkQzsICahcKEwiIu8yPq6jqAhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQBg

Do you like crocodiles, snakes, and turtles? How about if they were from the Indo-Malayan Region? Well, you are in luck! I had the chance to sit down and chat with Rick Vos, Lead Keeper of Amphibians and Reptiles at the Toronto Zoo.

Rick tells us about how he became a Zookeeper and describes some of the reptile exhibits in detail. Rick even discusses some of the predatory features of snakes as well as why turtles in the region need to be protected.