Amazing Wildlife: A San Diego Zoo Podcast
81 episodes - English - Latest episode: 14 days ago - ★★★★★ - 149 ratingsDid you know that in the world of elephants the females are the ones in charge? Or that a grizzly bear's bite is strong enough to crush a bowling ball? Amazing Wildlife gives 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 us as hosts Rick Schwartz and now Marco Wendt transport listeners around the globe to highlight the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s collaborative efforts with local communities to drive positive change for the future of animals and plants. Through one-of-a-kind stories, you’ll hear what it takes to create a healthy next chapter for not only wildlife, but also for the people that share their habitats.
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Episodes
Fluttery Friends Need Your Help, Too
April 12, 2024 10:00 - 31 minutes - 29.2 MBSpring 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 o...
Leadership of the Matriarch
March 29, 2024 10:00 - 22 minutes - 21 MBWho’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...
Adventures of a King Cobra
March 15, 2024 10:00 - 24 minutes - 22.7 MBWelcome 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 positiv...
Announcing Season 3 of Amazing Wildlife: A San Diego Zoo Podcast
March 08, 2024 11:00 - 1 minute - 1.21 MBAmazing 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.
Bringing It All Back to Biodiversity
December 15, 2023 11:00 - 31 minutes - 29.2 MBIn 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 ...
Talking Turtles: Pacific Pond Turtles, a Species of Special Concern
December 01, 2023 11:00 - 26 minutes - 24.3 MBAmazing 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 gr...
Cold Penguin, Warm Penguin, and More from the Oceans Conservation Hub
November 17, 2023 11:00 - 22 minutes - 20.6 MBAmazing 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....
Polar Bears: Diving into the Oceans Conservation Hub
November 03, 2023 10:00 - 27 minutes - 24.8 MBFor 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 mar...
Spending Koala-ty Time in the Australian Forest
October 20, 2023 10:00 - 30 minutes - 28.2 MBAmazing 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...
Hidden in San Diego's Backyard: Burrowing Owls of the Southwest
October 06, 2023 10:00 - 34 minutes - 32 MBAmazing 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 no...
A Ton of Rhino Facts and Conservation Conversations for World Rhino Day
September 22, 2023 10:00 - 28 minutes - 26.5 MBIt’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 Safa...
The Value of Vultures—Why They Are Vital to Ecosystems
September 08, 2023 10:00 - 32 minutes - 30.1 MBJoin 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 personali...
Getting to Know Gorillas at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park
August 25, 2023 10:00 - 30 minutes - 27.5 MBGet 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 ...
Trunks, Tusks, and a Ton of Facts for World Elephant Day!
August 11, 2023 10:00 - 29 minutes - 26.8 MBIn 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...
Stripes & Whiskers—Celebrating International Tiger Day
July 28, 2023 10:00 - 27 minutes - 25.1 MBHappy 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 ...
Can AI Benefit Wildlife? Conservation Technology Says Yes!
July 14, 2023 10:00 - 29 minutes - 27.3 MBCalling 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 pe...
Connecting Communities and Wildlife for a Conservation Win
June 30, 2023 10:00 - 23 minutes - 21.3 MBAmazing 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 resee...
Giraffes: The Watchtowers of the Savanna
June 16, 2023 10:00 - 29 minutes - 27.3 MBDid 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 differen...
Nocturnal Wildlife—An Adventure at the San Diego Zoo’s Nighttime Zoo
June 02, 2023 10:00 - 29 minutes - 27.2 MBIn 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.
Taking Care of Twin Andean Bears
May 19, 2023 10:00 - 27 minutes - 25.2 MBAs 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....
Ssssensational Benefits of Venom: Bushmaster Snake
May 05, 2023 10:00 - 23 minutes - 21.7 MBAmazing 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 ani...
The Little Mouse That Matters: Pacific Pocket Mouse
April 21, 2023 10:00 - 23 minutes - 21.3 MBAmazing 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/lis...
Maneless and Prideless: Kenya's Solitary Lions
April 07, 2023 10:00 - 31 minutes - 28.8 MBAmazing 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 pl...
Behind the Transformation: From Caterpillar to Butterfly
March 24, 2023 10:00 - 18 minutes - 16.5 MBWelcome 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 eme...
Announcing Season 2 of Amazing Wildlife: A San Diego Zoo Podcast
March 17, 2023 10:00 - 1 minute - 1.04 MBAmazing 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.
Giant Panda: Black and White—and Loved All Over
November 18, 2022 11:00 - 27 minutes - 25.1 MBAmazing 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 ...
Sloth Bear: Active Insect Eaters
November 11, 2022 11:00 - 13 minutes - 12.7 MBAmazing 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 t...
Brown Bear: North America’s Grizzly
November 04, 2022 10:00 - 23 minutes - 21.5 MBThey 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 Am...
Sun Bear: Sun in the Trees
October 28, 2022 10:00 - 20 minutes - 19.1 MBToday, 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 [email protected] for your c...
Axolotl: Mexico’s Metamorphosis
October 21, 2022 10:00 - 22 minutes - 20.7 MBYou 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@ihea...
Chinese Giant Salamander: A Living Fossil
October 14, 2022 10:00 - 19 minutes - 18 MBIn 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@iheartmedi...
Desert Tortoise: Star of the Southwest
October 07, 2022 10:00 - 24 minutes - 22.6 MBFor 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 pa...
Rattlesnake: Venomous Viper
September 30, 2022 10:00 - 23 minutes - 21.2 MBAmazing 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 [email protected] for...
Mountain Yellow-Legged Frog: Restoring Ecosystem Balance
September 23, 2022 10:00 - 21 minutes - 19.4 MBAmazing 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...
Tuatara: Little Dragons
September 16, 2022 10:00 - 20 minutes - 18.8 MBIn 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.”...
Chimpanzee: A Conversation with Dr. Jane Goodall
September 09, 2022 10:00 - 31 minutes - 28.9 MBFor 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 ta...
Kangaroo: Mighty Marsupials
September 02, 2022 10:00 - 20 minutes - 19.1 MBAmazing 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 ...
Tasmanian Devil: Ghosts of Tasmania
August 26, 2022 10:00 - 22 minutes - 20.9 MBWhat 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 questi...
Cassowary: Dino Birds
August 19, 2022 10:00 - 16 minutes - 15.3 MBFor 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 ...
Matschie's Tree Kangaroo: Ghosts of the Forest
August 12, 2022 10:00 - 21 minutes - 19.4 MBFor 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 t...
Platypus: A Duck-billed, Egg-laying Mammal
August 05, 2022 10:00 - 22 minutes - 20.6 MBThe 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 a...
Okapi: Africa’s Unicorn
July 29, 2022 10:00 - 22 minutes - 20.2 MBThis 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 ho...
Grevy's Zebra: A Star in Stripes
July 22, 2022 04:00 - 22 minutes - 20.9 MBMeet 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 [email protected] for your chance to hear ...
Cheetah: The Spotted Sprinter
July 15, 2022 10:00 - 22 minutes - 20.9 MBThis 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 Amazi...
California Condor: Wings of the Southwest
July 08, 2022 10:00 - 21 minutes - 19.6 MBWhat 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...
Fiji Iguana: Camouflaged Cutie
July 01, 2022 10:00 - 22 minutes - 20.9 MBWhat 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 Ama...
Przewalski's Horse: Last of the Wild
June 24, 2022 10:00 - 21 minutes - 19.9 MBAmazing 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 ...
Northern White Rhino: Functionally Extinct
June 17, 2022 10:00 - 23 minutes - 21.6 MBAfter 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 Froze...
Southern White Rhino: The Social Crasher
June 10, 2022 10:00 - 16 minutes - 15.5 MBAmazing 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 question...
Galapagos Tortoise: The Zoo’s Oldest Friend!
June 03, 2022 10:00 - 19 minutes - 17.7 MBAmazing 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 [email protected] ...