Wild For Life

Paul Gellatly is back on the show to talk about how to take care of orchids. Orchids are a popular plant in many households, but people often don’t know how to take care of them, including me. Paul takes us through the care process step by step from purchase to watering. After this episode, you will have a greater understanding of the care needed for a happy, beautiful and long-living orchid. Paul also talks about the number of orchids species in the world and where they are located. He also gives you reasons why dense soil in a potted orchid plant is not the right way to take care of an orchid (spoiler: it has to do with where they grow).

The river otters at the Toronto Zoo are always a highlight for me to visit because they are so cute and playful. It seems like they are always up to something, whether it is enjoying a treat, swimming alongside the viewing glass as people interact with them, or sliding on their bellies in the snow! I’m always curious about this species and its conservation story. Courtney Coons, Zookeeper, sat down with me to record our conversation on the river otters at the Toronto Zoo. We discussed behavioural husbandry and conservation, as well as how the two river otters at the Zoo behave when presented with different opportunities.

Do you like to look at cute and interesting animals on social media platforms such as Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook? Or do you like to watch videos of animals on YouTube and maybe even listen about conservation initiatives linked to these important animals on podcasts like Wild For Life? Then you have probably come across the wonderful work of the two women I interviewed for today’s episode, Olivia Weaver and Cassandra Thompson.  In our interview, we discussed the strategy and logistics behind creating such wonderful, funny, and educational content for the Toronto Zoo’s audience. Olivia and Cassandra talk about how they leverage the passion of the Zoo staff to help them capture amazing videos and pictures of each animal to bring them to the audience.  Take a look at some of the Social Media Platforms from the Toronto Zoo: Facebook Link: https://www.facebook.com/TheTorontoZoo/ Twitter Link: https://twitter.com/thetorontozoo Instagram Link: https://www.instagram.com/thetorontozoo/

Naked Mole Rats can freak people out by their looks; however, they are a very interesting species as they build intricate sets of tunnels and rooms that have specific purposes; they have a queen of their colony; and, they may benefit human health in the future. How. You ask? Well, you will have to listen to my interview with Ali Vella-Irving to find out.    Ali tells me all about the naked mole rats at the Toronto Zoo as we watch them move quickly within their clear acrylic tunnels working away like they always do. Come and take a listen with us.

Transferring animals from one zoo to another can be very important to the conservation of a particular species. Individual species are matched within accredited zoos to fulfill the Species Survival Plans (SSP) of specific animals. SSPs are designed to preserve the diversity of species by matching the desired genes of one individual with specific genes of another. Zoos need to have processes in place to ensure the transfer of animals for the SSPs is done properly, which is why the Toronto Zoo has an Animal Logistics Coordinator. I sit down with Vicki Hardstaff to discuss how animals are transferred from the Toronto Zoo using the example of a white rhino that was transferred the same day we recorded this interview!

I had the chance to sit down with Toronto Zoo Zookeepers Aly Pidgen and Lindsay Vasseur to discuss the Caribou herd at the Zoo. They discussed what it’s like to care for the herd and go into detail on the behavioural husbandry.  Don’t miss the chance to get up close to these wonderful animals at the Zoo during their wildlife encounter: http://www.torontozoo.com/wildencounters/   Have you checked out Terra Lumina yet? It’s phenomenal. I highly recommend it: http://www.torontozoo.com/terralumina

Lauren Ogle, Manager of Guest Operations, joins me on the podcast today to discuss how hard the Zoo works to ensure your visit is the best experience every time you come to the Zoo. Lauren discusses the creative ideas that are implemented at the Zoo that augment your visit and make learning about Wildlife Conservation entertaining.  Lauren also introduces Terra Lumina (http://www.torontozoo.com/terralumina), which opens on Friday, December 13, 2019. Terra Lumina is the eleventh unique experience created in Moment Factory’s Lumina night walk series. Let yourself be transported by vibrant lighting, multimedia effects, breathtaking video projections and an original score to an enchanted world filled with possibility. And explore this bright and hopeful future to reveal the powerful secrets of tomorrow. Listen to the episode to find out more. Tickets on sale now at torontozoo.com/terralumina

You haven’t seen a horse until you have seen the Przewalski’s Horses (P. Horses) at the Toronto Zoo. These rugged wild horses may be shorter than the horses that you are used to seeing in a parade or on the farm, but they are tougher than you would think. Their harsh wild environment demands it. I sit down with Toronto Zookeeper, Jenn Martin, to discuss just how tough P. Horses are in order to survive their harsh environment. Jenn talks about the P. Horse’s diet, how they change their appearance, and survive in the Mongolian deserts. You won’t want to miss hearing about these wonderful animals.

Gorillas may be one of the most iconic species at the Toronto Zoo and they are the subject of today’s episode. I sit down with Zookeepers Ali Vella-Irving and Heidi Manicki-Claffey to discuss the unique personalities of the gorillas at the Zoo and how Zookeepers take care of such a large and strong animal.  I also ask them questions about the conservation of this critically endangered species, to which they offer some excellent advice on how everyone can help protect them. Links to organizations listed in the episode:   Ape Action Africa: http://apeactionafrica.org/index   Phone Apes Program At The Toronto Zoo: http://www.torontozoo.com/tz/phoneapes

The Polar Bears at the Toronto Zoo are always a sight to see when you visit. The massive bears are playful, active, and massive in size and personality. Aly Pidgen is a Zookeeper at the Zoo who takes care of the polar bears and sits down with me to give us a great behind-the-scenes look at these majestic animals. She talks about each of the bear’s own distinct personality, the conservation of polar bears, and what you and I can do to protect these iconic Arctic species.

Giraffes are a unique animal with their long necks and very long and flexible tongues. I wanted to find out more about giraffes at the Toronto Zoo, so I got the chance to sit down with Brent Huffman, Zookeeper, to ask him some questions about the two Masai giraffes at the Zoo.  Brent and I discuss their conservation needs in the wild in light of their massive population decline, the Species Survival Plan, behavioural husbandry implemented for giraffes at the Zoo, and we learn why giraffes have such long and flexible tongues.

Volunteers play an integral role in educating people who visit the Toronto Zoo. In this episode, I interview Karen Conway and Denise Hill-Fox, who are Coordinators of Volunteering and Engagement, to discuss the various volunteer programs at the Zoo and the training that is involved in each volunteer program. Karen and Denise discuss how they started as volunteers before working for the Zoo full-time coordinating volunteers.

Habitats at the Toronto Zoo are carefully planned, designed, and constructed to make the animals feel at home as well as provide a function in the husbandry of the animals. Dave LaGrotta and Katrina Salvador sit down with me to discuss the details of designing and constructing habitats at the Toronto Zoo. We discuss everything from the design of habitats to the construction of specific African rocks and interactive display items, such as the cast of a gorilla’s hand, to educate visitors.  Dave and Katrina discuss how they became exhibit designers and how they use their creativity to create important habitat pieces that not only help the animals at the Zoo feel at home, but also educate the visitors.

The Great Barrier Reef is the largest barrier reef in the world and it’s a United Nations World Heritage Site; therefore, it is important that you are aware of how to protect this reef. Sam Ironside, Wildlife Care Keeper in the Australasia Pavilion, is here to help you understand how she cares for the live corals and fish from the Great Barrier Reef to show you how sensitive they are to changes in the environment. She also discusses with me how Climate Change, Tourism, and the Marine Aquarium Industry can affect the health of the reef. Support The Zoo and the Great Barrier Reef

Amanda Carroll, a Zookeeper in the Indo-Malaya Area of the Toronto Zoo, joins me on the podcast to discuss the care and conservation of the Sumatran orangutans. During the interview, Amanda talks about the level of care the animals receive at the Zoo and how they rotate the animals on display to mimic how they live in the wild. We also spend some time discussing the Orangutans’ conservation needs in the wild and how we can stop the destruction of their habitats. One of the best ways to help is to buy sustainable Palm Oil products using this app: https://apps.apple.com/ca/app/sustainable-palm-oil-shopping/id671945416 You can help the Toronto Zoo support important organizations that work to help Orangutans by donating to the Zoo: http://www.torontozoo.com/SupportTheZoo/

I had the wonderful opportunity to sit down with Julie Ward, Lead Keeper of the African Savanna at the Toronto Zoo, to discuss the unique characteristics of the white lions at the Zoo; their personalities; and, how those personalities play a role in their husbandry. Links Mentioned During The Episode: Global White Lion Protection Trust Homepage: https://whitelions.org/ Global White Lion Protection Trust photo of their lions:     https://whitelions.org/white-lion/meet-the-star-lions/ Lion Recovery Fund:  This is the conservation organization that we are supporting this year at lion awareness:   https://www.lionrecoveryfund.org/ Lion Recovery Fund and Disney’s involvement with Lion King Movie:                                                                                       https://www.lionrecoveryfund.org/disney-the-lion-recovery-fund/ Disney’s Protect the Pride Campaign:                                                                                        https://www.thewaltdisneycompany.com/disney-anno

I had the pleasure to sit down with Mary-Kate Whibbs and Kat Lucas to discuss the Toronto Zoo’s Great Lakes Aqua-Links Program. Mary-Kate and Kat visit classrooms all across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) to educate students on the fish and invertebrates of the Great Lakes Watershed. The students participate and rear their own salmon from eggs to hatchlings and learn how to identify freshwater mussels.  Mary-Kate and Kat also tell me about their Freshwater Mussel Monitoring Program that stretches across the GTA to find and identify mussels and their habitat.   You are going to want to listen to how important mussels are for the Great Lakes and their conservation needs. Download The Clam Counter App In The Apple Store In The Google Play Store

Tigers are one of the most iconic species in the world and the staff at the Toronto Zoo are working hard to make visitors aware of their conservation status in the wild. I interview Bailey Druery and Sarah Stata who are Zoo Keepers of the Amur and Sumatra Tigers, respectively, at the Toronto Zoo. Bailey and Sarah describe each of their tiger species starting with the husbandry of these animals to how each species’ population is struggling in the wild. In this episode, you will learn why the Siberian tiger is now called the Amur Tiger and how destructive farming practices in Sumatra is leading to the removal of habitat for their tigers.

One of the greatest things about a Zoo is to see how animals behave in an up close and personal environment. The Toronto Zoo produces daily shows that provide you with the opportunity to experience how their behaviours in the wild could be used to demonstrate conservation messages such as picking up litter and putting in the recycling bin.  I had the pleasure to sit down with Ashley Fell and Brendan Bonner, Zoo Keepers at the Toronto Zoo, this week to discuss how they work with the animals to show off their natural abilities. Ashley and Brendan discuss using positive reinforcement in the training as well as making calls as to whether the animals are feeling up for participating in the Wonders of Wildlife Show on a particular day. It’s a very interesting process.

I sit down with Sonia Hojka, who is a Zoo Keeper at the Zoo, to discuss the biology, behaviour, ecology, and conservation of the ring-tailed lemurs. We chat about some interesting facts about the primates including how they like to cuddle, how they use their tails, and how the females are leaders of the troops - and what that means for reproduction!