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 con...
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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40:00
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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37:15
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: https://janegoodall.ca/take-action/the-jane-goodall-act/
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38:28
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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38:43
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.
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.
Ireland