Amazing Wildlife: A San Diego Zoo Podcast

Despite its name, the Frozen Zoo does not require a scarf and mittens! This week, hosts Rick and Marco speak with Dr. Oliver Ryder, director of conservation genetics at San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. The Frozen Zoo stores cryogenically frozen genetic materials from mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians, safeguarding them for generations to come. Dr. Ryder has been part of the program since the very beginning, and he tells our hosts about its history and its potential to make a difference for wildlife today and tomorrow. Tune in to hear more about this program that gives hope to the future success of wildlife conservation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Just like animals, many plants and trees are at risk of becoming extinct. Even the mighty oak is in danger of extinction due to habitat loss and rapid changes in the climate. In this episode, hosts Rick and Marco speak with Christy Powell, horticulture manager at the San Diego Zoo. They discuss why oak trees are so important, as well as all the different and innovative ways they are working to conserve and propagate this incredibly iconic tree.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do you help a tusker with a wiggly tooth? What do you do if you need a blood sample from an elephant? You ask them nicely to participate in their own care. In this episode, hosts Rick and Marco speak with Megan McMahon, lead wildlife care specialist for elephants at San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, about working with the largest land mammal on the planet. And they even get an inside scoop about the all-new and exciting Elephant Valley, opening at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park in 2025.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, hosts Rick and Marco are learning all about our eight-legged friends, spiders! To find out more, they are speaking with Taylor Cook, the wildlife care supervisor for the entomology department at the San Diego Zoo. Some people might find arachnids a little scary, but there’s also a lot to appreciate about them. Join us to learn about tarantulas, how spiders help balance our ecosystems, and the Arachnid Rescue Center.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yun Chuan and Xin Bao have been at the San Diego Zoo for a few months, so hosts Rick and Marco wanted to check out how they are adapting to their new surroundings. To do so, our hosts are visiting Panda Ridge and speaking with Nicki Boyd, curator of mammals, ambassadors, and applied behavior at San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, to find out more about their new habitats and the benefits of outcome-based husbandry. Additionally, the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park are celebrating Kids Free in October; kids under the age of 11 can enter for free with adult admission!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

International Vulture Awareness Day was earlier this month, so hosts Rick and Marco are speaking to Kim Caldwell, wildlife care supervisor at San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, about this incredible bird of prey. Learn more about the San Diego Zoo Safari Park’s partnership with vulture rehabilitation organization Vulpro and how they are working to protect this misunderstood bird by finding ways to protect vulture populations from poisoning and other dangers. Kim also shares some fun facts about vultures, including their bathing habits and the meaning of a “vulture restaurant.” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When most of us are asleep, there is a dedicated team at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park taking care of the wildlife. In this episode, hosts Rick and Marco speak with Oliver Zirbel, supervisor of the Overnight Wildlife Care Team. What does a shift look like for someone who works overnight at the Safari Park? Tune in to find out more about this emerging program and what our team has learned about the nocturnal behavior of wildlife.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We recently talked about carnivorous cats and birds, but plants can be carnivorous, too! In this episode, hosts Rick and Marco find out more about insect-gobbling plants from San Diego Zoo lead horticulturalist, Adam Painter. What makes plants like the Venus fly trap so appealing to their prey? Tune in to learn more about the San Diego Zoo’s collection of these beautiful and deadly plants.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

World Lion Day was August 10, so we're sharing some of our favorite lion facts! In this episode, hosts Rick and Marco go back and forth with some fascinating details about this big, carnivorous cat. Why are lions called the “kings of the jungle”? Are they the only big cats that live in prides? Tune in to find out more about lions and current conservation efforts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With two new giant pandas at the San Diego Zoo, there is a need for a lot of bamboo! The Horticulture team plays a big role in keeping much of the wildlife at the Zoo well-fed, and that includes the giant pandas. In this episode, hosts Rick and Marco speak with Adam Graves, director of horticulture for San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. How does this team keep up with our giant pandas’ demand for this fast-growing plant? How many kinds of bamboo are there? Tune in to hear more about bamboo and some of the other plants grown at the Zoo, including one of the rarest in the world.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While we have many conservation programs inside the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park, our efforts span the world. This week, hosts Rick and Marco speak with Greg Vicino, vice president of wildlife care at San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, about building relationships and working with local communities to strengthen conservation efforts. Tune in to learn more about some of the conservation success stories as well as the ongoing partnerships in conservation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The San Diego Zoo has a long history with the giant panda, and there are two pandas coming to the zoo soon! The zoo is working with partners in China to research and promote the sustained recovery of this bamboo-eating species, and Rick and Marco have so many questions about their return. Today they are speaking with Megan Owen, vice president of wildlife conservation science for San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, to learn more about these magnificent bears. Tune in to find out how Yun Chuan and Xin Bao are connected to the other pandas that have spent time at the San Diego Zoo.    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National Capybara Appreciation Day is just around the corner! To celebrate, Rick and Marco speak with Senior Wildlife Care Specialist Kimberly Hyde to find out more about the world’s largest rodent. This South American water-loving mammal might be known for its cuteness factor, but it also helps support a healthy ecosystem. Tune in to find out lots of fun facts, including how long they can hold their breath underwater. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When you think of carnivorous birds, you probably imagine an eagle or a falcon, but did you know storks are carnivorous too? Hosts Rick and Marco visit the Bird Conservation Center at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park to speak with Senior Wildlife Care Specialist Miranda Estensen. While the milky stork is native to the mangroves of Southeast Asia, it is also endangered. The San Diego Zoo Safari Park has taken the lessons learned from the California condor breeding program to help the current population of milky storks. Tune in to find out how the Bird Conservation Center and Avian Propagation Center have worked together to help our long-legged friend.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rick and Marco highlight a rare and unusual species that's known as a “spiny anteater.” It's the egg-laying echidna! Our hosts are joined by San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance senior wildlife care specialists Jen Lebeau and Adam Murdoch to discuss one of the newest species at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. We learn about puggles (baby echidnas), how courtship behaviors contribute to the breeding process, and why only the male echidnas are Ambassadors at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. We also find out more about its prickly spines, which resemble a porcupine’s quills, and how it protects itself in the wild.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Endangered Species Day is May 17, and in this episode, hosts Rick and Marco talk about species that need our help. From the ālula plant to the axolotl salamander, many species around the world have seen their numbers drastically decline. There is good news, though, because there are steps we can take to help safeguard ecosystems and create sustainable populations. Tune in to find out how conservationists are coming together to support these plants and animals and how you can make a difference.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Earth Day is celebrated on April 22, but around here, every day is Earth Day. In this episode, hosts Rick and Marco discuss the origins of Earth Day and why it was first established in 1970. After starting in the U.S., the holiday is now observed in many nations around the world. Listen in to learn how preserving the environment benefits humans and wildlife alike. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Spring is fluttering by! It’s April, and that means Butterfly Jungle is currently open at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. In this episode, we are talking with the McKinney Family Curator of Invertebrates, Paige Howorth, about butterflies and butterfly conservation. We know so little about invertebrates in comparison to other wildlife, yet they are the backbone of our ecosystem.The butterfly population faces many challenges, and hosts Rick and Marco learn from Paige about how we can all help our fluttery friends survive and thrive.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Who’s in charge here? In this episode we are talking all about the female's role in leading the group, troop, herd, or family with Kristi Burtis, vice president of wildlife care at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. Rick, Marco, and Kristi discuss the role of the females in lions, gorillas, elephants, meerkats, lemurs, and even killer whales! We learn how some of these females lead as matriarch or as an influencer. The hosts and Kristi unpack how it’s the behaviors and actions of a single female and not brute strength that can lead an entire family of animals.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to Season 3 of Amazing Wildlife! Hosts Rick and Marco are joined by a returning friend of the show, Kim Gray, the curator of herpetology and ichthyology (reptiles, amphibians, and fish) at San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. Oftentimes, people have some fears around snakes, but Kim shares the misconceptions about the king cobra, who is the top predator in their environment. So, if we can conserve their habitat, we can save a lot of species! Our hosts and Kim share a story with a positive ending about San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance saving king cobras from wildlife trafficking and explain why it's an important element for conservation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amazing Wildlife is returning for season 3 starting Friday March 15! From the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, hosts Marco Wendt and Rick Schwartz will spotlight the heroes working worldwide to care for the species we know and love. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the season finale, Rick and Marco take a trip to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park Biodiversity Reserve to speak with Charlie de la Rosa, Ph.D., natural lands manager for San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. This 900-acre preserve in San Diego's North County supports large expanses of coastal sage scrub vegetation along two regionally important wildlife corridors. Here, in the most biodiverse county in the continental United States, we take a look at the importance of native plants including the prickly pear cactus, and Charlie gives us insight on technology used to study the movement of mountain lions and other wildlife. We also discuss how conservation is all about people, our connections to one another, and to the delicately balanced ecosystems that we all share.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amazing Wildlife spotlights the only native aquatic turtle species in California, the Pacific pond turtle. Rick and Marco are joined by Kim Gray, curator of herpetology and ichthyology at San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, to find out why protecting and conserving these turtles will help our ecosystems as well. You’ll hear why this species is also called the Western pond turtle, learn about the riparian zone of an ecosystem, and discover a special program that helps these camouflage experts grow, so they can avoid being preyed upon by invasive species.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

 Amazing Wildlife is on grounds at the San Diego Zoo to highlight the polar opposite of the polar bear—the penguin! (Fun fact: they don’t live together, despite what you may see on TV or in cartoons). While many species of penguins do spend time around Antarctica, Rick and Marco discuss the different types of penguins that do not. Discover how penguins’ bodies have adapted to survive in cold temperatures, and what makes a penguin’s beak different from that of a hawk, a flamingo, or a parrot. We’ll find out about African penguin conservation, and how zoos have worked together to solve nesting problems—plus, what you can do at home to help penguin conservation!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For the first time this season, Amazing Wildlife highlights the Oceans hub, with a “deep dive” into the icy waters of the Arctic to look at polar bears! Rick and Marco are joined by Kelly Murphy, lead wildlife care specialist for the Polar Plunge habitat at the San Diego Zoo. Kelly introduces us to the three polar bears at Polar Plunge—Chinook, Kalluk, and Tatqiq—and explains the reasoning behind their names, which are from the Inuit language. We discover why polar bears are considered a marine mammal, and how they thrive at the San Diego Zoo. We’ll also hear how Chinook, Kalluk, and Tatqiq have helped scientists better understand polar bears and the different ways climate change poses a threat to their existence—and what we can do to help.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amazing Wildlife is spotlighting the Australian Forest Conservation Hub by highlighting a favorite tree-dwelling marsupial: the koala! Rick and Marco are joined by Jen Tobey, a researcher at San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, who explains why marsupials are raised in a pouch—and the truth about why koalas sleep so much. The San Diego Zoo has the largest breeding colony of koalas outside of Australia, and Jen shares details about two field researchers in Queensland and the Blue Mountains region of New South Wales, working with the Alliance in koala conservation. The hosts and Jen also discuss the challenges and successes the Alliance is having in reintroducing koalas to lands they once inhabited.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amazing Wildlife focuses on the Southwest Conservation Hub to take a closer look at the burrowing owl, found in San Diego County—one of the most biologically diverse counties in the United States. Marco attempts to mimic the sound of this unique bird that is about the size of a stick of butter! Rick and Marco chat with Colleen Wisinski, conservation program manager of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s burrowing owl recovery program, who shares how these active-in-daylight owls differ from nocturnal owls, and how they confuse potential predators. Colleen details her work with western burrowing owls, as we find out how they got their name and the importance of burrows. Finally, we get the inside scoop on the Wildwatch Burrowing Owl program, which is a way you can get involved in helping these birds!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s World Rhino Day (September 22)! For this special day to raise awareness about rhino conservation, Amazing Wildlife is joined by Gavin Livingston, the curator of mammals at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. Rick and Marco discuss the five different species of rhinos and offer some interesting facts about their hair color—and how much their head weighs (hint: it’s three times the size of something in your kitchen!) Gavin gives insight into rhino conservation science at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, as well as threats to rhinos in their native habitats, and why they are vital to their ecosystems. We also learn the importance of diversity in rhino conservation, in addition to Gavin’s predictions for conservation’s future.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join us, as Amazing Wildlife gets ready to celebrate International Vulture Awareness Day (September 2). Rick and Marco visit Jenna Stallard, wildlife care manager of birds at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. We’ll learn about Old World vultures (from Europe, Africa, and Asia) and New World vultures (from the Americas and the Caribbean), in addition to what makes vultures unique, and why they are vital to their ecosystems. The hosts and Jenna debunk myths about vultures—who have great personalities, despite popular belief. We also find out more about vulture breeding at the Safari Park, the threats to vultures—including poisoning—and how Egyptian vultures are surprisingly skilled at using tools.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Get to know one of the largest species of the great apes, the gorilla! In this episode of Amazing Wildlife, Rick and Marco visit the San Diego Zoo Safari Park to speak with Breanne Murray, a senior wildlife care specialist. After discussing some popular gorilla terminology, the hosts learn about one of the world's oldest silverbacks, who lives at the Safari Park. They also get an “inside scoop” on how two young male gorillas are learning how to become silverbacks. Breanne explains the three stages of being a gorilla, and how gorillas explore their curiosity at the Safari Park.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In honor of World Elephant Day (celebrated on Saturday, August 12), Amazing Wildlife visits the San Diego Zoo Safari Park to highlight the world’s largest living land mammal. Rick and Marco chat with Catie Aubuchon, a wildlife care specialist, to unpack pachyderm facts and get a better understanding of all that goes into caring for elephants, from getting to know individual personalities to understanding the dynamics of the herd at the Safari Park. We also find out how many pounds of food an elephant eats in a day, and the surprising number of teeth they have—and we debunk some myths about their trunks and tusks.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Happy International Tiger Day—also known as Global Tiger Day—on July 29! For this very special episode of Amazing Wildlife, Rick and Marco are joined by Lori Hieber, lead wildlife care specialist for the primate and carnivore team. Lori, who has worked with tigers for 15 years, describes the different subspecies of tigers and their various sizes. In addition, Lori tells us more about the four tigers currently at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, and how the team can identify them through their unique markings and personalities.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Calling all tech lovers! Amazing Wildlife is joined by the head of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance's Conservation Technology Lab, scientist Ian Ingram. He shares with Rick and Marco how the latest technology is being used to help wildlife, and how we hope to implement it in the Asian Rainforest Conservation Hub. The trio discusses the use of artificial intelligence (AI), how cameras know what they should or shouldn't record in native habitats, and how sensor systems can detect things that people cannot. Ian also describes how, in the not-too-distant future, scientists might use drones and four-legged robots to set cameras.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amazing Wildlife continues its exploration of the Savanna Conservation Hub, and looks at how the conservation of rangeland grasses benefits leopards, Grevy’s zebras, and hundreds of other species. Tomas Pickering, a senior researcher at San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance working in community engagement, joins Rick and Marco, and describes the work in Kenya—a country at the forefront of community-based conservation. Tomas gives insight into communities that are removing invasive plants and reseeding with native grasses, so all wildlife in the area can benefit. The hosts and Tomas also highlight the community-based women’s organization called the Chui Mamas (meaning “Leopard Mothers” in Swahili), working to support conservation and coexistence with carnivores.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Did you know that the longest day of the year in the northern hemisphere is dedicated as World Giraffe Day? Amazing Wildlife heads to the Savannah hub to honor the long legged, long necked giraffe for its special day on June 21st. Marco and Rick are joined by lead wildlife care specialist, Charlie Hyde, who shares his expertise after being at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park for about 15 years. Charlie lets us in on uniqueness of the tallest mammal's tongue and hooves and explains what differentiates their neck though they have the same number of vertebrae as us. With these animals in a mixed species habitat, we'll learn how they interact with the others and how their height plays a big part in everyone's environment.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we explore the world of nocturnal animals—including some you may see at San Diego Zoo’s Nighttime Zoo! Join Rick and Marco as they discuss their favorite nocturnal species, in the sky and on the ground. Find out about reflective eyes, super hearing, and animals that live in the darkness of caves!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As they continue highlighting the Amazonia Conservation Hub, Rick and Marco speak with Senior Wildlife Care Specialist Lindsey Shafer about Alba, a female Andean bear at the San Diego Zoo. Alba recently gave birth to twin Andean bear cubs—the first twins of their species born at the Zoo since 1993! Amazing Wildlife examines what it’s like for this special omnivore to care for these extraordinary bears, and what wildlife care specialists do when cubs—in this case, two of them—join the family.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amazing Wildlife makes its way to the Amazonia Conservation Hub to highlight the longest venomous snake in the Americas, and the third-longest venomous snake on the planet: the bushmaster! Hosts Rick and Marco are joined by Brett Baldwin, associate curator of herpetology and ichthyology at the San Diego Zoo, to discuss their diet, how they capture prey, and the observation methods used to collect information about them. We also discover that although many people may be scared of venomous animals, their venom may hold secrets for medical advancements that could end up helping a lot of humans.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amazing Wildlife highlights a tiny species from the Southwest hub, one of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance's eight areas of conservation focus. Allison Gregor, a researcher for the organization, speaks with Rick and Marco about a unique rodent that weighs about as much as three pennies: the Pacific pocket mouse! They discuss where this granivore can be found, how its diet determines its biology, the threats facing this species, its surprising life expectancy, and more!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amazing Wildlife is highlighting one of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance's eight areas of conservation focus: the Savanna hub! Hosts Rick and Marco are joined by Shivani Bhalla and Toby Otieno, two members of Ewaso Lions, a Lion conservation project located in northern Kenya. Our guests explain why some male lions in Kenya do not have manes—and live alone, rather than in prides. They also discuss the challenges that lions have been facing over the years, as well as the efforts currently in place to protect this iconic species.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to Season 2 of Amazing Wildlife! Hosts Rick and Marco explore the fascinating and dynamic insects of Butterfly Jungle, open through May 14 at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. Lynn Fennema, senior wildlife care specialist in entomology at the San Diego Zoo, gives insight into the transformation of a caterpillar to a butterfly—including the difference between a chrysalis and a cocoon, the different types of caterpillars, and what really happens inside the chrysalis before a butterfly emerges!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amazing Wildlife is back for season 2 starting Friday March 24! From the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, new host Marco Wendt and Rick Schwartz dive deeper into conversation stories around the globe. Every other week, the wildlife ambassadors will speak to animal experts to unpack more fascinating topics and answer your scientific questions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amazing Wildlife is spotlighting China’s national treasure that is beloved all over the world… the giant panda! Hosts Rick and Ebone explore the theory of how this immediately recognizable animal got is black and white coloration, what is included in its diet in addition to bamboo, as well as their distinctive vocalizations. Later, the Alliance’s director of conservation science, Ron Swaisgood, Ph.D., joins the show to explain the giant panda’s conservation journey from near extinction, and San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s 30-year contribution to collaborative panda conservation efforts. If you have a question for Amazing Wildlife you can send them to wildlife@iheartmedia.com for your chance to hear it on the show!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amazing Wildlife is traveling far east to highlight a bear with an interesting name… the sloth bear! Hosts Rick and Ebone discuss the different subspecies of these bears that don’t hibernate, its connection to the tree-dwelling sloth, the origin story of its name, and explore adjustments that sloth bears have made to avoid potential conflict. Late, Rick answers questions from a young listener about this bear that snacks on termites. If you have a question for Amazing Wildlife you can send them to wildlife@iheartmedia.com for your chance to hear it on the show!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

They can be black, blond, gray, or different shades of brown, but their distinct shoulder hump gives them away. We’re highlighting the brown bear also known as the grizzly bear! Hosts Rick and Ebone uncover how the environment of the last of North America’s brown bear can affect its diet, sleep patterns, and size. Hali O'Connor, Senior Wildlife Care Specialist, later sits down to reveal little-known facts about this intelligent, curious, and skilled omnivore.   If you have a question for Amazing Wildlife you can send them to wildlife@iheartmedia.com for your chance to hear it on the show!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, Amazing Wildlife meets a bear that carries sunshine wherever it goes, the sun bear! Hosts Rick and Ebone examine the smallest member of the bear family and discuss how it got its unique name and how it has adapted for life in the trees. Senior Wildlife Care Specialist, Chris Torres, joins the show to share how experts create stimulating environments for sun bears at the San Diego Zoo. If you have a question for Amazing Wildlife you can send them to wildlife@iheartmedia.com for your chance to hear it on the show!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You may know the axolotl from a popular video game, but do you know the secret behind this amphibian’s infant-like smile? Hosts Rick and Ebone explore interesting facts about the axolotl, which is only found in Mexico’s Lake Xochimilco. Later, Amazing Wildlife welcomes a young listener very close to the show to share what she loves about the unique creature from its mating dance to its ability to grow a new limb. If you have a question for Amazing Wildlife you can send them to wildlife@iheartmedia.com for your chance to hear it on the show!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today’s episode, Amazing Wildlife is talking all about the world’s largest amphibian, the Chinese giant salamander! Hosts Rick and Ebone explore the world of this sleek and mysterious gill-less creature that can breath underwater because of its skin. Brett Baldwin, Associate Curator of Herpetology and Ichthyology, stops by to discuss efforts to stop illegal poaching of this critically endangered species. If you have a question for Amazing Wildlife you can send them to wildlife@iheartmedia.com for your chance to hear it on the show!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For this episode, Amazing Wildlife is headed towards the Mojave Desert to spotlight a long-lived species known for its thick shell, the desert tortoise! Hosts Rick and Ebone reveal facts about these tortoises, including their surprising speed and why they are classified as a keystone species (meaning if you protect this species you’ll also protect several others). Melissa Merrick, Associate Director of Recovery Ecology, joins the show to discuss how San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance and its partners are working to help these tortoises survive after years of population declines. If you have a question for Amazing Wildlife you can send them to wildlife@iheartmedia.com for your chance to hear it on the show!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amazing Wildlife is examining a species that oftentimes gets a bad rap, the rattlesnake! Hosts Rick and Ebone debunk myths about these predators and explain how to spot a rattlesnake and their defense mechanisms that are not intended to hurt humans. Through questions from our young listener, you’ll discover cool facts about rattlesnakes (which, surprisingly, are good swimmers) and why we need them. If you have a question for Amazing Wildlife you can send them to wildlife@iheartmedia.com for your chance to hear it on the show!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amazing Wildlife highlights an animal found in high-elevation streams in the Sierra Nevada mountains, the mountain yellow-legged frog. Hosts Rick and Ebone uncover facts about California’s endemic species, including their unique sounds and the reason why scientists estimate there are fewer than 200 remaining in nature. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Research Coordinator, Leah Jacobs, joins the show to explain the large-scale reintroduction project for this endangered frog and the challenges conservationists face as they try to restore ecosystem balance. If you have a question for Amazing Wildlife you can send them to wildlife@iheartmedia.com for your chance to hear it on the show!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we’re exploring New Zealand’s largest reptile and a species that is considered among the most unique wildlife in the world. We’re talking about the tuatara! Hosts Rick and Ebone discuss how these creatures have a “third eye” and why even though it looks like a lizard, its lineage traces back to the age of the dinosaurs. Later, Kim Gray, curator of herpetology and ichthyology, joins the show to chat about this truly one-of-a-kind animal often referred to as a “living fossil.” If you have a question for Amazing Wildlife you can send them to wildlife@iheartmedia.com for your chance to hear it on the show!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For this very special episode of Amazing Wildlife, join global phenomenon and world-renowned conservationist, Dr. Jane Goodall, as she shares her lifelong passion for wildlife and her commitment to saving our natural world with Paul Baribault, President and Chief Executive Officer of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. The two will sit down and chat about Jane’s lifelong commitment to conserving our natural world, and as Chair of the Jane Goodall Institute’s USA Board of Directors, Baribault talks with his friend about her love for chimpanzees and what it will take to protect and save our closest relatives—and the planet we all share. Featured promotion photo by JGI/Bill Wallauer. If you have a question for Amazing Wildlife you can send them to wildlife@iheartmedia.com for your chance to hear it on the show!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amazing Wildlife is spotlighting one of Australia's most beloved endemic species... the kangaroo!  This plant eating marsupial is known for its many familiar characteristics from its powerful kick to the female’s joey toting pouches. Hosts Ebone Monet and Rick Schwartz explore the marsupial’s lesser-known species, features and  behaviors. Later, a young listener has an opportunity to find out how much Rick really knows about the popular hoppers.  If you have a question for Amazing Wildlife you can send them to wildlife@iheartmedia.com for your chance to hear it on the show!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What is a carnivorous and endangered marsupial? In this episode, Amazing Wildlife explores what makes the Tasmanian Devil so fascinating. Hosts Ebone Monet and Rick Schwartz discuss the history behind the creature’s unique name, the role they play in their habitat, and the breeding program to introduce the population outside of Tasmania. Later,  Cora Singleton joins the show to give insight about the outbreak behind a dramatic decline in the Tasmanian Devil population.  If you have a question for Amazing Wildlife you can send them to wildlife@iheartmedia.com for your chance to hear it on the show!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For this episode, Amazing Wildlife ventures to the tropical forests of New Guinea and northeastern Australia to showcase one of the world’s largest birds… the cassowary. Hosts Ebone and Rick uncover why this threatened species is so important to its forest habitats, how they resemble dinosaurs, and the unique coloring of their eggs. They also unpack why these flightless birds hold the title of the bird with the most fierce reputation and how they are notorious for having a lethal kick. Rick will later dispel facts from folklore when he answers questions from a young listener.  If you have a question for Amazing Wildlife you can send them to wildlife@iheartmedia.com for your chance to hear it on the show!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For this episode of Amazing Wildlife, we’re traveling to the cloud forests of the island of Papua New Guinea to find an animal found nowhere else in the world! Locals call Matschie’s tree kangaroos “ghosts of the forest” because they are so hard to spot and move quickly. Hosts Rick and Ebone discuss how this kangaroo is uniquely adapted for climbing trees and how zoos are working together to save this endangered species. Katie Christofferson, senior wildlife care specialist, joins the show to give more fascinating facts about this marsupial.  If you have a question for Amazing Wildlife you can send them to wildlife@iheartmedia.com for your chance to hear it on the show!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The animal explored in this episode is so unusual that when it was first discovered by European explorers, they had a hard time convincing scientists it was real! We’re talking about the one and only platypus. Hosts Rick and Ebone reveal some cool facts about this egg-laying mammal and detail the journey on how the San Diego Zoo became the only zoo outside Australia to house platypuses. Luis Ochoa, a Lead Wildlife Care Specialist, joins the show to discuss what makes this species so unique and what goes into caring for them. If you have a question for Amazing Wildlife you can send them to wildlife@iheartmedia.com for your chance to hear it on the show!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This Amazing Wildlife episode is all about a beautiful and unusual mammal found only in the rainforests of the Democratic Republic of the Congo… the Okapi! Hosts Rick and Ebone find out how this species, which is the only living relative of the giraffe, manages to blend in with surroundings in their native habitat and explore their different vocalizations and social dynamic. Later, senior wildlife specialist Jennifer Chapman stops by the show to explain the Okapi Species Survival Plan and how to monitor an Okapi pregnancy to help maintain its genetic diversity. If you have a question for Amazing Wildlife you can send them to wildlife@iheartmedia.com for your chance to hear it on the show!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet the largest of the zebra species… Grevy’s Zebra! Amazing Wildlife hosts Rick and Ebone examine the history of the species’ name and discuss how to spot the difference between a Grevy’s Zebra and a Plains Zebra. Mike Langridge, animal Care Supervisor at San Diego Zoo joins the show to share the different challenges the Grevy's Zebra has faced over the last several decades.  If you have a question for Amazing Wildlife you can send them to wildlife@iheartmedia.com for your chance to hear it on the show!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode of Amazing Wildlife tracks the world's fastest land mammal… the cheetah! Hosts Rick and Ebone explore the cheetah’s unique adaptations to find out the secret to their speed and what makes them unique among other large cat species. Later, Animal Training Supervisor, Janet Rose-Hinostroza, joins the show to discuss the factors as to why the cheetah’s “vulnerable” status is being pushed to change to “endangered.” Special thanks to Debra Erickson!  If you have a question for Amazing Wildlife you can send them to wildlife@iheartmedia.com for your chance to hear it on the show!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What was once extinct but now glides across southwestern U.S. skies? It’s the California Condor! Hosts Rick and Ebone explore the species’ deep ties to its region, how you can spot this vulture, and what is included in their diet in order to maintain an impressive wingspan. Lead Wildlife Care Specialist, Ron Webb, and Associate Director of Conservation Research Division, Nacho Vilchis, join the show to explain the imperative work that took place to reintroduce the largest North American land bird back into the wild. If you have a question for Amazing Wildlife you can send them to wildlife@iheartmedia.com for your chance to hear it on the show!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What is a beautifully colored arboreal species found only on the Fiji Islands? We’re talking about the Fiji Iguana! Hosts Rick and Ebone reveal what makes the Fiji banded iguana unique, how this lizard is perfectly shaded to camouflage with the forest, and what classifies a lizard to be an iguana. San Diego Zoo curator of herpetology, Kim Gray, makes an appearance to explain the Species Survival Program (SSP) and the threats that impact the Fiji banded iguana. If you have a question for Amazing Wildlife you can send them to wildlife@iheartmedia.com for your chance to hear it on the show!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amazing Wildlife uncovers fascinating facts about the last living "wild" horse, the Przewalski's Horse! Hosts Rick and Ebone explain how the closest living relative of the domestic horse got its unique name and its recovery from once being considered extinct in nature. Later, we’re joined by SDZWA Director of Reproductive Sciences, Barbara Durant, and SDZWA’s curator of the Frozen Zoo, Marlys Houck, to hear about the first cloned Przewalski's Horse, conservations efforts to save the species and the process of reintroducing them into their natural habitat. If you have a question for Amazing Wildlife you can send them to wildlife@iheartmedia.com for your chance to hear it on the show!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After spotlighting the Southern White Rhino, Amazing Wildlife explores a subspecies that’s functionally extinct, the Northern White Rhino. Functionally extinct means there is no chance for the current population, as it is, to naturally reproduce. Hosts Rick and Ebone detail what led to their critically endangered status and the factors that make it hard for the rhino to easily mate and reproduce. SDZWA Director of Reproductive Sciences, Barbara Durant, as well as SDZWA’s curator of the Frozen Zoo, Marlys Houck, join the show discuss the reproduction technologies scientists are using to preserve and maintain the Northern White Rhino genes to bring the subspecies back from extinction. If you have a question for Amazing Wildlife you can send them to wildlife@iheartmedia.com for your chance to hear it on the show!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amazing Wildlife examines a subspecies of the second largest land mammal on the planet, the white rhinoceros. Hosts Rick and Ebone give insight to how the Southern White Rhino marks its’ territory, their affinity for mud, and their complex social structure. The duo discusses the theory of how the white rhino got its name through miscommunication between languages and share current solutions on how to save this species that is declining due to threats of poaching. Later, Rick answers questions from one of our young listeners!  If you have a question for Amazing Wildlife you can send them to wildlife@iheartmedia.com for your chance to hear it on the show!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amazing Wildlife spotlights its oldest species at the San Diego Zoo… the Galapagos tortoise! The animal is credited with possibly helping to inspire Darwin’s theory of natural selection. Hosts Rick and Ebone explore the connection between the Galapagos tortoise and the famous theory as well as give us facts on its lifespan, size and diet. Later, Rick answers questions from one of our young listeners!  If you have a question for Amazing Wildlife you can send them to wildlife@iheartmedia.com for your chance to hear it on the show!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You might know them from their long arms and unique colored hair. We’re talking about the tree dwelling great apes of Southeast Asia … Orangutans! Hosts Ebone and Rick reveal how this species got its name that is often mispronounced. The duo explains how to tell the difference between the different types of orangutans, the unique closeness they have with their mothers, and how the rate of reproduction and deforestation are contributing to a lower number in the population. Tanya Howard, a Senior Wildlife Care Specialist with San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, joins Amazing Wildlife to tell us about her role in caring for these primates.  If you have a question for Amazing Wildlife you can send them to wildlife@iheartmedia.com for your chance to hear it on the show!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amazing Wildlife takes a journey to the Democratic Republic of Congo, the only place were you can find bonobos! Genetically speaking, this endangered great ape species are cousins to humans. Hosts Rick and Ebone discuss bonobos' unique social behaviors that gave them the reputation of being kind to strangers, having relatively peaceful societies, and being highly intelligent. Joining the show is Dr. Brian Hare, Professor of Evolutionary Anthropology at Duke University, to discuss how bonobos' behavior can reveal different facts about people. If you have a question for Amazing Wildlife you can send them to wildlife@iheartmedia.com for your chance to hear it on the show!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For this episode of Amazing Wildlife, we're taking a trip to the highest peak of the Galapagos Islands where a unique reptile calls home. The Galapagos Pink Iguana is so special that it was officially classified as its own species in 2009. Sadly, there are an estimated 200 to 300 remaining in nature. Hosts Rick and Ebone touch on the several obstacles young pink iguanas face in order to survive and disclose interesting facts about this critically endangered species. Later, Dr. Glen Gerber, a San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance scientist in population sustainability joins the show to explain his role to produce new solutions to improve conservation efforts for reptile species. If you have a question for Amazing Wildlife you can send them to wildlife@iheartmedia.com for your chance to hear it on the show!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amazing Wildlife takes a look at a tree-loving bear known for the light-colored fur around its eyes that looks like a pair of eyeglasses... the Andean bear! The Andean bear is special because it is the closest living relative of the extinct species of North American short-faced bear. Hosts Ebone Monet and Rick Schwartz explore the background of how this South American native has received its many names and how the prehistoric mammal has survived long after most of its closet relatives died out during the Ice Age. Dr. Russ Van Horn, a San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Scientist in Population Sustainability, joins the conversation to disclose how this remarkable bear has managed to survive and his role in leading the Alliance's Andean bear conservation program. If you have a question for Amazing Wildlife you can send them to wildlife@iheartmedia.com for your chance to hear it on the show!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Amazing Wildlife meets the longest member of the weasel family... the giant river otter! Hosts Rick and Ebone detail why the giant river otter is known as the “river wolf," its role in South America’s aquatic system, and what separates this species from the other otters. A Postdoctoral Associate in Recovery Ecology at San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, Dr. Adi Barocas, joins the show to discuss how these animals are facing threats as an endangered species and the efforts to save it.  If you have a question for Amazing Wildlife you can send them to wildlife@iheartmedia.com for your chance to hear it on the show!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amazing Wildlife explores the smallest of the large cats, but the largest of South America's big cats.. the Jaguar! Hosts Rick and Ebone Monet uncover the native habitat of South America’s only native big cat and how they have adapted for life in the tropical rainforest. You’ll find out from Dr. Mathias Tobler (a wildlife ecologist with the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance) about what separates the jaguar from other big cats, why jaguar numbers are declining, and how you can help with conservation efforts. If you have a question for Amazing Wildlife you can send them to wildlife@iheartmedia.com for your chance to hear it on the show!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

COVID-19 did not cause disruption on just the human population, but it also took a toll on some of our animal friends. Amazing Wildlife breaks down what happened when a troop of gorillas tested positive for COVID-19, and how wildlife care specialists at the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park kept wildlife healthy during a pandemic. Hosts Rick and Ebone speak with Dr. Lauren Howard, associate director of veterinary services at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, to discuss how San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance became one of the first to begin using a COVID-19 vaccine approved for animals. If you have a question for Amazing Wildlife you can send them to wildlife@iheartmedia.com for your chance to hear it on the show!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amazing Wildlife takes a journey to Central Africa to learn about forest elephants! Hosts Rick and Ebone are joined by Dr. Ekwoge Abwe, manager of the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Central Africa Program’s Ebo Forest Research Project, which is encouraging local communities to take pride in the forest’s unique biodiversity and help protect forest elephants. If you have a question for Amazing Wildlife you can send them to wildlife@iheartmedia.com for your chance to hear it on the show!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amazing Wildlife’s special April Fools episode takes a look at opossums that play dead, insects that look like plants, and other wildlife that might fool you! Hosts Rick and Ebone unveil some of the surprising reasons behind the wild performances and a young explorer joins the conversation with questions about the deceptive animal behavior. If you have a question for Amazing Wildlife you can send them to wildlife@iheartmedia.com for your chance to hear it on the show!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amazing Wildlife is taking a leap into the colorful world of the butterfly! Rick and Ebone analyze how the shades of the butterfly wings that capture our attention serve a different purpose in nature. The hosts also explain the importance of the creature in order to help scientists measure the health of the planet. Later, Paige Howorth joins the show to give us insight on why the Quino checkerspot butterfly, native to southern California and Baja California, might be hard to spot and the current program in place to lower the level of decline. If you have a question for Amazing Wildlife you can send them to wildlife@iheartmedia.com for your chance to hear it on the show!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When you think of owls, you may think of the nocturnal animal known for operating peacefully in a tree at night. But in this episode, Amazing Wildlife is exploring a special species, the burrowing owl that is active in the daytime and on the ground. Hosts Rick and Ebone dissect what makes these tiny birds so unique, what’s behind their declining numbers, and their connection to the decline in prairie dogs and ground squirrels. Colleen Wisinski, our Conservation Program Manager, later joins the show to share the current project in place to protect burrowing owls and the process of reintroducing the owls at the San Diego Zoo back into the wild. If you have a question for Amazing Wildlife you can send them to wildlife@iheartmedia.com for your chance to hear it on the show!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The more you know about bees, the more you can appreciate these unique insects and how they provide us humans with much more than just honey! Hosts Ebone Monet and Rick Schwartz explore the contributions of bees to our society and uncover the different colors of these insects besides just black and yellow! Dr. Keng-Lou James Hung, a Pollination ecologist and assistant professor at the University of Oklahoma stops by the show to discuss what makes bees vulnerable to the effects of global warming and explains the current pollination crisis.   If you have a question for Amazing Wildlife you can send them to wildlife@iheartmedia.com for your chance to hear it on the show!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we’re talking about the animal who is pretty bare and whose home is in East Africa’s deserts... the naked mole-rat. These special beauties might not win any pageants, but they are fascinating! In this episode, hosts Rick and Ebone explore the mole rat’s status in nature, unique behaviors, and social structure. We’ll also hear from a young listener who will help us dig up the most interesting facts about these pink, wrinkly skin rodents.If you have a question for Amazing Wildlife you can send them to wildlife@iheartmedia.com for your chance to hear it on the show! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re traveling to Mexico to explore the mysteriousness of the thick-billed parrot! Hosts Rick and Ebone explain how this red and green bird that was once found in a handful of regions in the Southwest is now reduced to an endangered population in the mountain forests of Northwest Mexico. Later, Amazing Wildlife is joined by Dr. Nadine Lamberski from San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. Nadine explains the current conservationist plan which includes using information about the thick-billed parrots migratory patterns to help improve its chances for survival in the wild.If you have a question for Amazing Wildlife you can send them to wildlife@iheartmedia.com for your chance to hear it on the show! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Once thought to be extinct, black-footed ferrets have another chance at survival! Hosts Rick and Ebone explore the reasons that the species is at risk and the animal’s interesting journey on a road to recovery. Pete Gober from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service joins the show to give an inside look at the innovative science and technology responsible for these mammals making a comeback. Dr. Oliver Ryder, Director of Conservation Genetics at the San Diego Zoo, also joins the conversation to help tell the story of Elizabeth Ann, the first cloned black-footed ferret that recently celebrated her first birthday!If you have a question for Amazing Wildlife you can send them to wildlife@iheartmedia.com for your chance to hear it on the show! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode is dedicated to conservation efforts to save the black rhino, which is unfortunately critically endangered due mostly to international trade in rhino horn. Hosts Ebone and Rick address this problem as well as how the size and strength of rhinos affects the way specialists at the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park care for them. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance President and CEO Paul Baribault is back to discuss working with the organization’s partners to help protect native populations of black rhinos and achieve population sustainability. If you have a question for Amazing Wildlife you can record it and send your audio file to wildlife@iheartmedia.com for your chance to hear it on the show! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Who knew that leopards are attracted to perfume? Hosts Ebone and Rick talk to a San Diego Wildlife Alliance scientist, Dr. Nicholas Pilfold, about how a specific scent helped him photograph an elusive black leopard. Little is known about the population size or conservation status of African leopards, but Dr. Pilford gives details about the Uhifadhi wa Chui project that is trying to help change that. Uhifadhi wa Chui means “leopard conservation” in Kiswahili.If you have a question for Amazing Wildlife you can record it and send your audio file to wildlife@iheartmedia.com for your chance to hear it on the show! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

They are black and white and loved all over. We’re talking about penguins! Hosts Ebone and Rick highlight the social dynamic of these flightless seabirds, and reveal how the San Diego Zoo is able to reflect the native habitat of African penguins, who live in a warm climate. Dr. David Roberts joins us from the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds, also known as SANCCOB, who are first responders for coastal birds. Dr. Roberts explains what is necessary to save underweight and abandoned African penguin chicks, to help support the population of this endangered species. If you have a question for Amazing Wildlife you can record it and send your audio file to wildlife@iheartmedia.com for your chance to hear it on the show! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we’re discussing the tallest land animals: giraffes! Hosts Rick and Ebone reveal interesting characteristics of the species, which can kill a lion with its kick—and we explore their unique features, such as hair-covered horns called ossicones. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance scientist Dr. Kirstie Ruppert joins the show to talk about her work with the Twiga Walinzi group to protect giraffes in Northern Kenya from being hunted and illegally trafficked.If you have a question for Amazing Wildlife you can record it and send your audio file to wildlife@iheartmedia.com for your chance to hear it on the show! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

They’re endemic to the Hawaiian Islands and found nowhere else in the world. We’re exploring how the introduction of cats, dogs, rats, and mongooses contributed to the population decline of a bird revered in Hawaiian culture—the ‘Alalā! President and CEO Paul Baribault joins the show as we learn about how San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance and its partners are working to protect and breed this endangered bird so populations can fly through their home forests once again.If you have a question for Amazing Wildlife you can record it and send your audio file to wildlife@iheartmedia.com for your chance to hear it on the show! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

They are among our closest relatives in the Animal Kingdom. We’re exploring unique facts about these charismatic, intelligent forest dwellers…gorillas! Hosts Rick and Ebone examine the similarities between gorillas and humans and reveal how gorillas are endangered—even though they have no natural predators. Biologist Dr. Bethan Morgan joins the show from Cameroon’s Ebo Forest, where a distinct sound led a San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance scientist to discover a group of gorillas previously unknown to science.If you have a question for Amazing Wildlife you can record it and send your audio file to wildlife@iheartmedia.com for your chance to hear it on the show! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Discover the real life dragons of Komodo Island on this episode of Amazing Wildlife! Hosts Rick and Ebone uncover how this fascinating reptile got its name, the evolution of the species, and what makes their bite so deadly. The hosts respond to a young listener's question about the Komodo Dragon's diet. If you have a question for Amazing Wildlife you can record it and send your audio file to wildlife@iheartmedia.com for your chance to hear it on the show! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Amazing Wildlife looks at one of the smallest mammals in North America, the Pacific pocket mouse. Rick tells us how this animal got its name, their importance for our environment, and the threats they face in the wild. Ebone is joined by Dr. Debra Shier, who leads the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s Pacific pocket mouse conservation program. Dr. Shier details the process of researching the animal that has made a comeback from a 20 year extinction!If you have a question for Amazing Wildlife you can record it and send your audio file to wildlife@iheartmedia.com for your chance to hear it on the show! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

They are powerful, elusive, and disappearing. We’re talking about the all mighty tiger! Hosts Rick and Ebone explore the many mythologies surrounding the tiger in different cultures, clear up common misconceptions about the white tiger, and explain the difference between the 6 subspecies of the animal. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance CEO Paul Baribault joins the show to discuss how the organization partners with SINTAS Indonesia for a first of its kind long-term research and conservation project to reduce the number of human-tiger conflicts.If you have a question for Amazing Wildlife you can record it and send your audio file to wildlife@iheartmedia.com for your chance to hear it on the show! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some may think that koalas are “bears” but that is not true! In this episode, Amazing Wildlife explains what species koalas ​are and why they move slowly and always look sleepy. Host Rick Schwartz tells us how koalas break down and digest eucalyptus, a plant that is toxic to most animals. Host Ebone Monet chats with Dr. Kelli Leigh from Science for Wildlife in Australia to find out how koalas were saved during the Australian bushfires in the summer of 2020. You’ll learn how the San Diego Zoo takes care of koalas and what you can do to help save our animal friends.If you have a question for Amazing Wildlife you can record it and send your audio file to wildlife@iheartmedia.com for your chance to hear it on the show! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

BBBBRRRRRR it's cold in here! In this episode, Amazing Wildlife analyzes the behavior of the polar bear and explains the tools these creatures use to survive in the extreme weather conditions of the Arctic. Hosts Ebone and Rick discuss the parents' roles in raising cubs, how polar bears hunt for food, and the dangers of studying such a big animal. The hosts answer a question from a young listener about why polar bears are (or aren’t) white. If you have a question for Amazing Wildlife you can record it and send your audio file to wildlife@iheartmedia.com for your chance to hear it on the show! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For the very first episode, Amazing Wildlife explores the gender roles of African Savanna elephants, their responsibilities in the herd, and demystifies the structure of the elephant trunk. Host Rick Schwartz explains how we can distinguish between an African forest elephant, an African savanna elephant, and an Asian elephant. Host Ebone Monet sits down with the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance CEO Paul Baribault to find out how the organization partners with the Reteti Elephant Sanctuary to save and protect orphaned elephants in Kenya.If you have a question for Amazing Wildlife you can record it and send your audio file to wildlife@iheartmedia.com for your chance to hear it on the show! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to Amazing Wildlife, a production from iHeart Radio and the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance! Get a behind-the-scenes look inside the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park to gain insight on rare species and to explore the ongoing conservation efforts to save endangered wildlife no matter how big or small. Join hosts Rick Schwartz and Ebone Monet as they highlight the organization's collaborative efforts to drive positive change for the future of animals and plants through captivating interviews and fascinating facts. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.