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Zoo Logic

Dr. Grey Stafford

Zoo Logic with animal trainer, zoo advocate, and ZOOmility author, Dr. Grey Stafford, is a weekly conversation with zoo, aquarium, and animal experts about Nature, wildlife, pets, animal training with positive reinforcement, health and welfare, research, conservation, and education, sustainability, zoo politics, activism and legislation, and all things animals! On Zoo Logic, we'll go behind the scenes with animal professionals and influencers from around the world to explore the latest Zoos News and issues affecting wildlife, wild places, and people. Communicating with humor, cool stories, and candor, we'll discover the interdependent connection between civilization, conservation, and commerce.

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21 episodes
weekly
Avg 33 min
English

Episodes 21

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S8 · E411
Today · 34 min
The Butterfly Season
Lea Korsgaard is a journalist and best selling author who spent a season documenting all 64 butterfly species found in her native country, Denmark. A self-described newbie in the world of insects and field work, her motivation was "simply a hunger for beauty and a desire to dive into the mysteries of nature." When we all seem overly distracted by screen time and the macroscopic universe, Lea enters the world of the citizen entomologist to describe the fragile and minute world of the butterfly to remind us of the importance of slowing down and paying attention. The Butterfly Season is an international best seller and is now available in English. Animal Care Software
S8 · E410
August 27 · 38 min
National Wildlife Federation's David Mizejewski
National Wildlife Federation's naturalist, author, and tv host David Mizejewski joins Zoo Logic to discuss the organization's many child focused programs designed to help families connect with Nature in their own backyards. From the classic Ranger Rick publications to promoting wildlife friendly gardening, NWF works to inform families about the importance of less screen time and more engagement with the very creatures and plants that share our world. David discusses the many platforms NWF uses to meet people where they are including their new podcast with PBS Nature called Wild Critters USA. The show gives younger kids the opportunity to ask experts questions about animals. Animal Care Software
S9 · E409
July 9 · 32 min
Parasites!
Dr. Dino Martins is an entomologist and evolutionary biologist with a new book entitled Hidden Creatures: Luscious Leeches, Bashful Botflies, and the Wondrous, History-Shaping World of Parasites (Knopf). Growing up around animals in Kenya, Dr Martins travels the world investigating parasites and their hosts. With parasites making up about half of all biological species, he argues we need better and more research and a new generation of young scientists to understand these creatures and their impacts on human health, society and economies throughout history. Animal Care Software
S8 · E408
May 7 · 34 min
Choice and Control
Many training conversations lately involve the buzz words Choice and Control. In fact, zoological welfare programs often insist that choice and control form the foundation of good animal welfare, but are these behavior terms new or simply a rebranding of protocols trainers have been using for decades? Renown behaviorist, Ken Ramirez, Executive VP and Chief Training Officer for Karen Pryor Clicker Training returns to discuss the history, importance and limitations of these terms. Animal Care Software
S8 · E407
April 9 · 34 min
Marineland Lives!
As the oldest marine animal facility, the park known today as Marineland Dolphin Adventure in NE Florida has a storied past and for the longest time, it seemed to have an uncertain future. That is, until a grassroots effort to prevent the sale of the facility to developers over the past year prevailed against all odds. Now with local leadership and support, the team at Marineland has renewed optimism about its future and a research and education focused public display institution. Kelly Fischbach, Zoological Director, Terran McGinnis, Communications Specialist, and Director of Research and Education, Dr. Jason Bruck discuss the latest events and plans for the historic facility. Animal Care Software
S8 · E406
April 2 · 39 min
Fundraising
James Misner is the owner and founder of the Kipos Group which is dedicated to helping organizations with their fundraising efforts. Given the extraordinary impact of DOGE cuts and the withholding of public funding by the current administration on nonprofit institutions across the political spectrum, James offers insights on how to navigate the current philanthropic environment. Whether one is seeking recurring monthly gift-giving through smaller donors or large dollar contributions from wealthy individuals or foundations, James provides tips for building ongoing relationships through the power of storytelling. Animal Care Software
S8 · E405
March 26 · 32 min
Keystone Individuals
Recently, the zoological community said goodbye to a few remarkable and long lived animals, Katina, Seaworld's iconic killer whale matriarch and Slowpoke, a 50-year-old Pacific walrus. Both animals had an impressive lifespan educating and inspiring millions of visitors, as well as, teaching generations of animal caregivers. Katina was not only the queen of Shamu stadium, she was a highly successful mother of eight calves across her 50+ years. Chuck Tompkins was one of the first trainers to know and develop a strong relationship with Katina before moving up the corporate ladder and handing her day to day training and care to the next generation of trainers including Killing Keiko author, Mark Simmons. Both discuss these unique animals who left an indelible mark on so many. Animal Care Software
S8 · E404
March 19 · 35 min
Collaboration not Competition
Kathleen Dezio has been the president and CEO of the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums (AMMPA) for well over a decade. Her wealth of experience working in the Washington, D. C. area in the PR, public policy and trade association management space helps AMMPA's accredited facilities navigate the complex issues facing zoological institutions, especially those featuring marine mammals. In what she hopes will serve as a model for future cooperation, AMMPA recently joined two other zoological trade associations in a joint conference meant to share resources, best practices, and promote continuous improvement in animal care and welfare standards. Animal Care Software
S8 · E403
March 12 · 35 min
After the Break with Carolyn Hennesy
Best-selling author, Emmy winning actor, and animal advocate, Carolyn Hennesy returns to discuss her long recovery from a serious accident last fall. She talks candidly about the need to balance taking pain medication in order to heal and to be able to work with maintaining her sobriety of 25 years. She also comically assures fans she is still quite alive and did not lose her leg despite rampant online rumors. Carolyn closes with some fond memories of her late General Hospital castmates following the passing of daytime drama superstars, Tristan Rogers and Anthony Geary. Animal Care Software
S8 · E402
March 5 · 27 min
IMATA President
As a long time marine mammal trainer and educator, Madelynn Hettiger is the current Board President for the International Marine Animal Trainers' Association (www.IMATA.org). She discusses the ways in which the organization works behind the scenes to assist trainers with networking, career development, and when necessary, during challenging times like COVID, employment interruptions from severe storms and more. Her goal is to increase collaborations among training professionals and trade groups, improve animal welfare through modern training principles, and to increase transparency in all facets of the organization. Animal Care Software
S8 · E401
Dec 25, 2025 · 32 min
Dolphin Communication Project Duo
Dr. Kathleen Dudzinski is the founder and director of the Dolphin Communications Project and has been studying dolphin behavior and communication since 1990, with a focus on tactile, behavioral and acoustic signals employed by dolphins as they share information with each other and across groups. Her husband John Anderson is a veteran documentary filmmaker with nearly 40 years focused on the coastal and offshore marine environment, with 25 years dedicated to conducting marine-related film and video productions. Together, this duo conduct and document small cetacean research and promote conservation efforts with the help of student participants as part of a citizen scientist eco-tourism model. Animal Care Software
S8 · E400
Dec 18, 2025 · 37 min
Seaworld's Dr. Chris Dold
On this our 400th episode of Zoo Logic, we are joined by Chris Dold, DVM, chief zoological officer for SeaWorld and Busch Gardens. While many are familiar with his veterinary career with the US Navy marine mammal program and later SeaWorld of Florida, Chris began his career as a trainer for Dolphin Quest. He discusses his role moving up the ranks to eventually lead the zoological program for one of the largest collections in the world. In addition, as the current board chair for the Association of Zoo and Aquariums he describes some of the opportunities for the greater zoo and aquarium community in areas such as increasing regional and global collaborations, addressing the well being of care givers, aligning animal care standards across regions, and the continued relevance of modern zoological parks. Animal Care Software
S8 · E399
Dec 11, 2025 · 17 min
Global Humane Conservation Fund of Africa
Taryn Gillson, Global Humane Society's regional director for Africa returns to discuss conservation efforts supported by their relatively new conservation fund of Africa. In one effort, students in Uganda are trained to become wildlife rangers in order to combat rampant poaching through snares and to provide sustainable occupations and incomes. Taryn also describes the extraordinary journey of one re-wild cheetah at Nyosi wildlife reserve who despite the odds and injury successfully reared four cubs. Animal Care Software
S8 · E398
Nov 27, 2025 · 24 min
Lola and Sophie's ABC Adventure
Children's author Christine Devane returns with her latest book, Lola and Sophie's ABC Adventure. She discusses the importance of reading to young children daily to instill the habit of reading early in their lives. Christine also discusses the importance of pet adoption like the real life characters in her book and gives potential authors some helpful advice on how to get started on the path to becoming a published author. Animal Care Software
S8 · E397
Nov 20, 2025 · 33 min
Censorship or Good Old Fashioned Rigorous Peer Review?
Previous Zoo Logic podcast guests, Drs. Bruck, Jaakkola, and Hill conduct original research with cetaceans and each has an extensive scientific publication record. They also have significant experience as journal reviewers. A recent "review" paper was published despite our panel of experts best attempts to adhere to sound scientific norms and the peer review process. After many many hours of analysis of the manuscript and its citations, they urged journal editors to reject publication through their exhaustive written reviews, which are publicly available. The paper's authors, led by a long time critic of marine mammals in human care, held a webinar accusing the zoological industry of trying to censor this publication. Our panel shares their public criticisms of the paper, and the journal that elected to ignore their major concerns, and what such publications do to the process of conducting and communicating science. The paper and the complete reviews can be found here. Animal Care Software
S8 · E396
Nov 13, 2025 · 36 min
Living with Lynx: Sharing Landscapes with Big Cats, Wolves, and Bears
Dr. Jonny Hanson's recent book, Living with Lynx: Sharing Landscapes with Big Cats, Wolves, and Bears, examines the contentious topic of reintroducing large carnivores to the islands of Britain and Ireland. Dr. Hanson's work explores conservation of apex predators and our relationship with these animals through the lens of social science, psychology, and history. In addition, he draws upon his experiences working with snow leopard conservationists in Nepal and around the globe. His new documentary, Snow Leopard Trail, is available at film festivals now. Animal Care Software
S8 · E395
Nov 6, 2025 · 37 min
How Do You Solve a Problem Like Marineland (of Canada)?
Key figures behind the Whale Sanctuary Project and other Canadian anti-zoo groups held an online meeting with about 500 attendees including our guest, Dr. Jason Bruck, to discuss the situation concerning 30 beluga whales living in limbo at the troubled Marineland of Canada facility. We discuss the group's plans to build in Nova Scotia and the gaps in their science, funding, and other arguments. Animal Care Software
S8 · E394
Oct 30, 2025 · 25 min
Trumpet the Miracle Wolf Pup
Author Leokadia George has released her 4th children's book published by Briley and Baxter based on the real life endangered Mexican Gray Wolf named Trumpet. This special wolf lives at the Wolf Conservation Center in New York where George has volunteered for nearly a decade helping to care for this subspecies as well as red wolves. The WCC raises endangered pups that are often cross-fostered with wild wolves as part of the species recovery plan. Animal Care Software
S8 · E393
Oct 23, 2025 · 37 min
Gorillas in Our Midst
Longtime zoo professional Alan Toyne has a new book describing his many years working with lowland gorillas at Bristol zoo, including two experiences hand-rearing baby gorillas. Gorillas in Our Midst: A zookeeper's tale of hand-rearing baby gorillas published by Summersdale centers on the lives of extraordinary characters like a female gorilla named Kera, a lone hand-reared female that never knew how to be an adult gorilla herself. When Kera had to deliver by C-section, she failed to bond with her infant Afia. That's when Alan and his fellow keepers stepped in and provided around the clock care for her until such time as another female stepped up to raise Afia as her own. Years later, when another infant, Hasani, needed a surrogate, Alan and the team made the bold decision to train Kera for the job. Could the once ostracized gorilla that rejected her first infant learn to nurture another? Animal Care Software
S8 · E392
Oct 16, 2025 · 33 min
Modern Euthanasia in a Zoological Setting
Dr. Dave Miller, DVM, PhD has a new chapter on euthanasia in zoological settings in the forthcoming second edition of Veterinary Euthanasia Techniques, edited by Kathleen A. Cooney, DVM. In the chapter he and his co-author, yours truly, try to describe the additional pressures and considerations on euthanasia in public display situations. It is no longer enough to simply be aware of the latest methods of humane euthanasia across exotic species. Given all the legal, ethical, coworker, regulatory, and public sentiment perspectives in the age of social media, it is more important than ever for zoos and aquariums to adopt a wholistic approach to quality of life assessments and end of life decision-making. Animal Care Software

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