Rossifari Podcast - Zoos, Aquariums, and Animal Conservation
438 episodes - English - Latest episode: 2 days ago -The Rossifari Podcast brings my love of zoos, aquariums, rescues, and rehab facilities to you! Each episode features an interview with someone who works at one of these facilities. We talk about different species, individual animals, conservation efforts, nutrition...all kinds of stuff. This is a podcast suitable for all ages, but we will discuss topics like mating behaviors and euthanasia. If you're a fan of zoos, or have ever wondered what exactly a zookeeper does, how aquariums manage to keep all that water so clean, or just want to hear a bunch of amazing stories about incredible animals, and the people that take care of them, this is the podcast for you! Check us out online at www.rossifari.com and on all social media platforms @rossifari. Support the show at patreon.com/rossifari. Check out the merch at rossifari.redbubble.com.
Homepage Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Episodes
028 - The Rossifari Spooky Spectacular Part 2 with Laura Soder of Elmwood Park Zoo
October 27, 2020 05:00 - 45 minutes - 31.5 MBThe Safari continues to sit down at Elmwood Park Zoo to discuss some of the most iconic animals associated with Halloween! In this case, we talk to Laura Soder, the manager of ambassador animal engagement at Elmwood Park Zoo, with a specific focus on her time hand-raising Banshee the barn owl. Come for the owl physiology and animal training information, stay for the jokes and the fun spooky intro! Also, stick around to the end to hear exactly what Banshee has to say about everything, as Lau...
027 - The Rossifari Spooky Spectacular Part 1 with Kelsey Castrogiovanni of Elmwood Park Zoo
October 22, 2020 05:00 - 45 minutes - 31.5 MBToday, the Safari heads back to my favorite home zoo, Elmwood Park Zoo, to start a three episode Halloween arc! We are going to be looking at some of the animals closely associated with Spooky Season, including bats and snakes (this episode), owls (next episode) and tarantulas (the third episode). Today's conversation is with Kelsey Castrogiovanni, a keeper who takes care of bats, snakes, and many other amazing animals at the zoo, both spooky and not! Check out Elmwood Park Zoo @elmwoodp...
026 - Unexpected Kookaburra with Dani Poirier of Southwick's Zoo
October 20, 2020 05:00 - 57 minutes - 39.9 MBToday, the Safari heads back to New England to spend some time with Dani Poirier, the curator of birds and training at Southwick's Zoo in Massachusetts! We talk a lot about birds, bird conservation, and, of course, bird poop! Dani brings an incredible passion and energy to the podcast, and I'm so grateful for her taking the time to do this interview despite being in the final planning stages of her wedding! Check out Dani on Insta @danipoirier Southwick's Zoo can be found @southwickszoo...
025 - Fennec Foxy Lady with Autumn Lindey of the Chattanooga Zoo
October 15, 2020 05:00 - 44 minutes - 30.3 MBToday, the Safari heads back to Chattanooga, Tennessee, to talk to Autumn Lindey, a keeper in the desert region of the zoo. You'll get to hear all about Sophie, an adorable fennec fox I got to snuggle; why rock hyraxes eat flowers; what makes sand cats so awesome; and how meerkats structure their societies. You'll also earn a new level of respect for naked mole rats! Check out Autumn on Instagram @zkprautumn, and the Chattanooga Zoo @chattanoogazoo ! Also make sure to visit: www.rossif...
024 - Flappy Bird Stories with Katie Propp of Penguins International
October 13, 2020 05:00 - 57 minutes - 39.7 MBCome for the rats that play basketball, and stay for the penguin conservation facts as I bring you an interview with Katie Propp, who works at Penguins International! In this episode, we talk about the incredible in situ conservation efforts being undertaken by Penguins International, and have a long conversation about reasons to have hope for the future of animal conservation! Katie is not only incredibly passionate, but also a lot of fun! You can check Katie out on Instagram @wildlifeka...
023 - Animals Are Everything with Jungle Jordan
October 08, 2020 05:00 - 56 minutes - 38.9 MBToday, the Safari is back in the state of Washington for a conversation with the one, the only, Jungle Jordan! Along with being a zookeeper, Jordan has built quite the impressive digital brand on all the major platforms @junglejordan23 . His videos, photos, and live online conversations are making a huge impact for conservation, and helping educate people of all ages about amazing animals that can be found in zoos. Check him out on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and TikTok! Also, r...
022 - Tayras and Bongos and Bints, Oh My! with David and Maggie from Bright's Zoo
October 06, 2020 05:00 - 39 minutes - 27 MBToday, the Safari heads to Limestone, TN, to visit Bright's Zoo! I sit down with David Bright, who runs the zoo along with his family, and Maggie, the lead keeper at the zoo. The day started with an incredible tour of the zoo, meeting a red panda, getting some feisty binturong attention, and seeing an animal I've never even heard of, the adorable tayra. After that, we sat down for an awesome interview that discussed for-profit zoos, how to tell whether a conservation organization is worth ...
021 - Welcome To Pliocene Park - with Dr. Steven Wallace of the Gray Fossil Site
October 01, 2020 05:00 - 54 minutes - 37.4 MBToday, the Safari is heading to a different kind of zoo...a dead zoo! No, I don't mean a closed zoo...I mean the Gray Fossil Site in Gray, Tennessee. I'm bringing you an interview with Dr. Steven Wallace, a paleontologist and geologist who brings the perspective of time to the conservation efforts that are currently being undertaken all around the world! In this interview you will get to find out about some of the species that used to live in the United States that no longer do...including...
021 - Welcome To Pliocene Park with Dr. Steven Wallace of the Gray Fossil Site
October 01, 2020 05:00 - 54 minutes - 37.4 MBToday, the Safari is heading to a different kind of zoo...a dead zoo! No, I don't mean a closed zoo...I mean the Gray Fossil Site in Gray, Tennessee. I'm bringing you an interview with Dr. Steven Wallace, a paleontologist and geologist who brings the perspective of time to the conservation efforts that are currently being undertaken all around the world! In this interview you will get to find out about some of the species that used to live in the United States that no longer do...including...
020 - The Great Apesode with Tiffany James of Zoo Knoxville
September 29, 2020 05:00 - 51 minutes - 35.1 MBToday, the Safari heads to Knoxville, Tennessee! I'm bringing you a chat with Tiffany James, a great ape keeper at Zoo Knoxville, and it's a really fun one! Tiffany came in to this episode with one mission: to make me fall in love with her apes. She succeeded, and you're all going to fall in love with them as well. This episode was done in person, so you'll get a great sit down interview, and then some bonus footage from the handheld recorder as we walked to see the chimps and gorillas th...
019 - Less Charismatic Species Conserved By A Charismatic Guy - with Lou Perrotti of Roger Williams Park Zoo
September 24, 2020 05:00 - 48 minutes - 33.5 MBToday, the Safari heads up north to Providence, Rhode Island, to visit Roger Williams Park Zoo! I interview Lou Perrotti, the Director of Conservation Programs at RWPZ, and he goes deep on some of the conservation efforts he is involved with through the zoo. You'll learn about three projects in great detail, that deal with the conservation of less charismatic species, and why that is so important! We also discuss the effect of the current pandemic on the world of conservation, and touch on...
019 - Less Charismatic Species Conserved By A Charismatic Guy with Lou Perrotti of Roger Williams Park Zoo
September 24, 2020 05:00 - 48 minutes - 33.5 MBToday, the Safari heads up north to Providence, Rhode Island, to visit Roger Williams Park Zoo! I interview Lou Perrotti, the Director of Conservation Programs at RWPZ, and he goes deep on some of the conservation efforts he is involved with through the zoo. You'll learn about three projects in great detail, that deal with the conservation of less charismatic species, and why that is so important! We also discuss the effect of the current pandemic on the world of conservation, and touch on...
018 - Hit That Lick Now, Cotton Top! With Amy, Kate, and Betsy from the Chattanooga Zoo
September 22, 2020 05:00 - 48 minutes - 33.3 MBToday, the Safari stops in Chattanooga, Tennessee, for not one, not two, but THREE keeper chats! I got to visit the brand new giraffe barn at the zoo to talk to Amy about the giraffes at the zoo, then headed to the callitrichid building to talk to Kate about those adorable new world monkeys. Finally, I got to swing by the Himalayan section to visit with Betsy and a few of my favorites, the red pandas! In fact, one reason I'm releasing this episode today is that this past Saturday was Inte...
017 - The Vinterview! with Grae O'Toole and Anna Morris at VINS
September 17, 2020 05:00 - 44 minutes - 30.4 MBToday, the Safari heads up to Queeche, VT, to the Vermont Institute of Natural Sciences, better known as VINS! VINS is an awesome raptor rehab center that does amazing educational work as well! In this interview, I talk to two people who work at the center, Grae O'Toole and Anna Morris. You'll also get to hear from a few of the birds at the center, one of whom is quite chatty! You can check out VINS at www.vinsweb.org and on Instagram @vinsraptors. Also, don't forget to support the podcas...
017 - The Vinterview! with Grae O'Toole and Anna Morris at VINS
September 17, 2020 05:00 - 44 minutes - 30.4 MBToday, the Safari heads up to Queeche, VT, to the Vermont Institute of Natural Sciences, better known as VINS! VINS is an awesome raptor rehab center that does amazing educational work as well! In this interview, I talk to two people who work at the center, Grae O'Toole and Anna Morris. You'll also get to hear from a few of the birds at the center, one of whom is quite chatty! You can check out VINS at www.vinsweb.org and on Instagram @vinsraptors. Also, don't forget to support the podcas...
016 - The Good Zoo? More Like The Great Zoo! - with Dr. Joe Greathouse of The Good Zoo
September 15, 2020 05:00 - 53 minutes - 36.5 MBToday, the Safari heads to Wheeling, West Virginia, to talk to Zoo Director Dr. Joe Greathouse. Dr. Joe is an incredibly intelligent and driven person who keeps science and conservation at the forefront of every decision he makes for his zoo. This episode not only talks about a lot of the cool animals at The Good Zoo, but also talks about some of the incredible conservation efforts being undertaken by the zoo. Also, you'll get to hear the story of my first time meeting red pandas, and und...
015 - The Hermione of Hoofstock with Kara McSweeney (Part 2)
September 10, 2020 05:00 - 51 minutes - 35.6 MBToday the Safari sits put as we go to part two of my interview with Kara McSweeney! We continue talking about conservation, learning about cool hoofstock, and take multiple tangents from the original conversation! You'll also get to learn why Kara may leave the zookeeping field to become a film double for Emma Watson! Check out Kara on Insta @karamc3 Check out www.rossifari.com, patreon.com/rossifari, @rossifari on Insta, and rossifari.redbubble.com for all things related to the pod!
014 - Go Out and Find Your Own Resplendent Quetzal with Kara McSweeney (Part 1)
September 08, 2020 05:00 - 50 minutes - 34.5 MBThe Safari goes to a top secret location today to speak to hoofstock keeper and awesome human Kara McSweeney. Over the next two episodes, Kara will talk about her travels all around the world on her quest to learn about and participate in conservation projects, what her career as a zookeeper has been like, and why she loves hoofstock, and often less appreciated type of animal found in zoos. Check out Kara @karamc2 on Instagram Hit up @rossifari on social media, patreon.com/rossifari to ...
013 - Opossum or possum? with Jawnie Payne of the Nashville Zoo
September 03, 2020 05:00 - 56 minutes - 38.9 MBToday, the Safari makes a return trip to The Nashville Zoo at Grassmere to speak to Jawnie Payne (@zookeeperjawnie)! Jawnie is an outreach specialist keeper who works closely with Jake Belair, the first guest on the podcast! We discuss her career path, some of the incredible animals she takes care of, her caracal kittens that are taking the world by storm, and more! We also get into a discussion about the lack of diversity in the zookeeping field, and Jawnie shares some thoughts on the impo...
013 - Opossum or Possum? with Jawnie Payne of the Nashville Zoo
September 03, 2020 05:00 - 56 minutes - 38.9 MBToday, the Safari makes a return trip to The Nashville Zoo at Grassmere to speak to Jawnie Payne (@zookeeperjawnie)! Jawnie is an outreach specialist keeper who works closely with Jake Belair, the first guest on the podcast! We discuss her career path, some of the incredible animals she takes care of, her caracal kittens that are taking the world by storm, and more! We also get into a discussion about the lack of diversity in the zookeeping field, and Jawnie shares some thoughts on the impo...
012 - What Do Bass Players and Tamanduas Have In Common? with Colleen Adams of the Cincinnati Zoo
September 01, 2020 05:00 - 56 minutes - 38.6 MBThe Safari heads to one of my favorite zoos in the country today, the Cincinnati Zoo, to talk to Colleen Adams all about the amazing ambassador animals in her collection! Colleen is an incredibly passionate and well spoken individual who fills the episode with personal stories about her interactions with the animals she loves so dearly. The Animal Ambassador Center at Cincy is brimming with incredible species including bearcats (binturongs), bat-eared foxes, stunning birds, funky armadillos...
011 - What Movie Should Be Called Melanistic Leopard? with Chris Barker and Bethany Thatcher of Beardsley Zoo
August 27, 2020 05:00 - 54 minutes - 37.4 MBThe Safari continues to visit Beardsley Zoo in Connecticut, where we talk all things Amur leopards and Amur tigers with two keepers who take care of these incredible and rare animals, Bethany Thatcher and Chris Barker! Chris and Bethany have really different personalities, but one thing they have in common is a deep love for their animals! Get ready for some interesting facts, fun stories, and a few references to movies from the '80s! Quick word of warning, both the h-word and the s-word a...
011 - Black Panther? More Like Melanistic Leopard! with Chris Barker and Bethany Thatcher of Beardsley Zoo
August 27, 2020 05:00 - 54 minutes - 37.4 MBThe Safari continues to visit Beardsley Zoo in Connecticut, where we talk all things Amur leopards and Amur tigers with two keepers who take care of these incredible and rare animals, Bethany Thatcher and Chris Barker! Chris and Bethany have really different personalities, but one thing they have in common is a deep love for their animals! Get ready for some interesting facts, fun stories, and a few references to movies from the '80s! Quick word of warning, both the h-word and the s-word a...
010 - When Is A Wolf Not A Wolf with JT Warner of Beardsley Zoo
August 25, 2020 05:00 - 28 minutes - 19.6 MBThe safari heads to Beardsley Zoo, the only AZA accredited zoo in Connecticut, to talk to JT Warner about the maned wolves that live there. This episode starts a little differently, as I spend some time giving you an introduction to this incredible and beautiful species. JT then comes in to tell us more details about the species, and the specific individuals that live at Beardsley. There may even be a discussion about what a birthday party looks like for maned wolves! You can find Beardsle...
009 - Nico The Bird Steals My Podcast with Kaitlyn Graham, Artist
August 20, 2020 05:00 - 42 minutes - 28.9 MBDISCOUNT CODE! When you use code 'rossifari' on Kaitlyn's website or Etsy, you'll get 20% off! The Safari heads back to San Diego to visit with graphic designer Kaitlyn Graham, an incredible artist who donates a portion of her proceeds to conservation charities. Her animal art is incredible! Kaitlyn also works in admissions at the San Diego Zoo, and has some entertaining stories about the time she spends in that position. Kaitlyn and I have a lot of fun chatting during this episode, but y...
009 - Nico The Bird Steals My Podcast with Kaitlyn Graham of the San Diego Zoo
August 20, 2020 05:00 - 42 minutes - 28.9 MBDISCOUNT CODE! When you use code 'rossifari' on Kaitlyn's website or Etsy, you'll get 20% off! The Safari heads back to San Diego to visit with graphic designer Kaitlyn Graham, an incredible artist who donates a portion of her proceeds to conservation charities. Her animal art is incredible! Kaitlyn also works in admissions at the San Diego Zoo, and has some entertaining stories about the time she spends in that position. Kaitlyn and I have a lot of fun chatting during this episode, but y...
008 - Tinder, But For Red Pandas with Lisa Termini of the Toronto Zoo
August 18, 2020 05:00 - 41 minutes - 28.6 MBThe Safari heads across the border to The Toronto Zoo to discuss what the Species Survival Plan of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums looks like from a keeper's perspective. I talk to Lisa Termini, a keeper in the Eurasia Wilds section, all about the decision by the AZA to bring Ila and Suva, two red pandas, to the zoo in the hopes of breeding them. What's it like for the pandas? What's it like for the keepers? And is there any exciting news to share at the end of the process? Tune in to...
007 - Giving Essential Oils to Chickens with Mieko Temple (Part 2)
August 13, 2020 05:00 - 48 minutes - 33.1 MBDISCOUNT CODE!!!! Mieko Temple, the artist and animal nutritionist who is featured in this episode (and the last one) is proud to offer 20% off to fans of this podcast when you purchase her art! Just use promo code ROSSIFARI at checkout! This episode features a deep dive into the world of animal nutrition with Mieko Temple, a grad student who has spent time doing work with the animals at the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park! We go deep into what the term "gut" means, talk about...
006 - Animals Eat Better Than I Do with Mieko Temple (Part 1)
August 11, 2020 05:00 - 51 minutes - 35.2 MBContent Warning: No, there is nothing inappropriate in this one, but I want you all to know that it is about to get REAL nerdy up in here! This episode features a deep dive into the world of animal nutrition with Mieko Temple, a grad student who has spent time doing work with the animals at the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park! You'll learn about what goes into customizing animal diets and get to hear some really fun and gross stories! This is part one of a two part series! Che...
005 - Unexpected Otter with Laura Houston of Elmwood Park Zoo
August 06, 2020 05:00 - 1 hour - 46.2 MBThis episode, the Safari heads back home for a little bit! I spend time talking to Laura Houston, the Director of Education at Elmwood Park Zoo in Norristown, PA, right by where I live. You'll hear some great stories about ambassador animals and a new otter, but you'll also get some insight into a lot of the stuff that happens in zoo administration! You can check out Elmwood Park Zoo online at www.elmwoodparkzoo.org and on Instagram @emlwoodparkzoo. And don't forget to hit up www.rossifari.c...
005 - Unexpected Otter with Laura Houston
August 06, 2020 05:00 - 1 hour - 46.2 MBThis episode, the Safari heads back home for a little bit! I spend time talking to Laura Houston, the Director of Education at Elmwood Park Zoo in Norristown, PA, right by where I live. You'll hear some great stories about ambassador animals and a new otter, but you'll also get some insight into a lot of the stuff that happens in zoo administration! You can check out Elmwood Park Zoo online at www.elmwoodparkzoo.org and on Instagram @emlwoodparkzoo. And don't forget to hit up www.rossifari.c...
004 - Remembering Idgie with Danica Wolfe of Zoo Atlanta
August 04, 2020 05:00 - 38 minutes - 26.4 MBHow much of an impact can one animal make at a zoo? Especially a small animal tucked away in the back corner of said zoo? Well, today the Safari heads to Zoo Atlanta in Georgia to find out exactly that. I sit down with Danica Wolfe to discuss the life and impact of Idgie the red panda, who lived at ZooAtl for many years, becoming both a fan favorite and an incredible ambassador for her species...all in exchange for a bunch of red grapes. Make sure you check out @zooatl on Instagram, and ...
004 - Remembering Idgie with Danica Wolfe
August 04, 2020 05:00 - 38 minutes - 26.4 MBHow much of an impact can one animal make at a zoo? Especially a small animal tucked away in the back corner of said zoo? Well, today the Safari heads to Zoo Atlanta in Georgia to find out exactly that. I sit down with Danica Wolfe to discuss the life and impact of Idgie the red panda, who lived at ZooAtl for many years, becoming both a fan favorite and an incredible ambassador for her species...all in exchange for a bunch of red grapes. Make sure you check out @zooatl on Instagram, and ...
003 - Can A Red Panda Have An Advanced Degree with Melinda Kommavongsa (Part 2)
July 30, 2020 05:00 - 40 minutes - 27.9 MBThe Safari stays Nashville to continue to chat with Melinda Kommavongsa, a quarantine and veterinary team keeper at the Nashville Zoo! For those of you who have been waiting for some really nerdy conversations about red pandas, this episode starts with a bang! This interview was so packed with information, I decided to split it into two parts, so this is part two of two! Remember to check out www.rossifari.com, @rossifari on Instagram and Twitter, rossifari.redbubble.com for merch, and pat...
002 - Binturongs Are Binturight with Melinda Kommavongsa (Part 1)
July 28, 2020 05:00 - 43 minutes - 29.8 MBThe Safari heads back down to Nashville to chat with Melinda Kommavongsa, a quarantine and veterinary team keeper at the Nashville Zoo! We discuss Melinda's path to becoming a zookeeper, and she shares all kinds of cool animal stories from her time on the ambassador animal show team and then in her new position, which allows her to work with almost every animal at the zoo! This interview was so packed with information, I decided to split it into two parts, so this is part one of two! Rememb...
001 - Nashvile Zoo Ambassador Collection with Jake Belair
July 23, 2020 06:00 - 51 minutes - 35.6 MBWelcome to the first official episode of the Rossifari Podcast! Today, I'm going to start with telling you a little bit about who I am, what I do, and what you can expect from this podcast! Then we're going to dive into it with an interview with Jake Belair, an ambassador animal keeper at The Nashville Zoo at Grassmere! Jake has some incredible stories to share, and brings a great energy to the interview! You can find Jake @zkprjake on Instagram, and @zookeeperjake on Twitter! Remember t...
001 - Nashville Zoo Ambassador Collection with Jake Belair
July 23, 2020 06:00 - 51 minutes - 35.6 MBWelcome to the first official episode of the Rossifari Podcast! Today, I'm going to start with telling you a little bit about who I am, what I do, and what you can expect from this podcast! Then we're going to dive into it with an interview with Jake Belair, an ambassador animal keeper at The Nashville Zoo at Grassmere! Jake has some incredible stories to share, and brings a great energy to the interview! You can find Jake @zkprjake on Instagram, and @zookeeperjake on Twitter! All opinion...
Coming Soon: Rossifari Podcast!
July 19, 2020 16:00 - 1 minute - 1.05 MBThe official trailer for the Rossifari Podcast! Take a quick listen to hear all about what you can expect from this upcoming zoo-positive podcast! And don't forget to hit subscribe now so you don't miss a single minute of the show!