The Oregon Spotted Frog is listed as an Endangered Species under the Canadian Species At Risk Act; therefore, the breeding success and reintroduction of offspring to the natural habitat is of utmost importance. It’s not surprising that the Toronto Zoo is partnering with Laurentian University to help research how to increase the success rate for the Oregon Spotted Frog breeding program at the Toronto Zoo.  Briar Hunter is a Master’s student at Laurentian University who is involved in the research of the breeding program and joins me on today’s episode to discuss her research purpose, collaborators out west, and what she hopes to accomplish after her research. Briar’s supervisors for her Master’s thesis are Dr. David Lesbarreres (Laurentian University) and Dr. Gabriela Mastromonaco (Toronto Zoo).

Wild For Life

WFL 77: Increasing the breeding success of the Oregon Spotted Frog

I am joined by Maria Franke, Manager of Welfare Science at the Toronto Zoo, on today’s episode to discuss how the Zoo monitors and studies animal welfare for its species. Animal welfare is always the number one priority. It uses a holistic approach that includes monitoring the physical, mental, and emotional status of the animals with a focus on quantitative data. Maria discusses how animal welfare at the Zoo is a collaborative effort and how the new Outdoor Orangutan Habitat will help to monitor the species’ welfare and allow comparisons of welfare between indoor and outdoor habitats.

WFL 76: Animal Welfare Science at the Toronto Zoo

You are probably familiar with the animal that we are going to cover today. These animals are found all over the Greater Toronto Area and Southern Ontario. They are also found in many other places that you may not realize. In fact, there may be many things that you don’t know about our animals today even though we see them often. Erica Jacques, Zookeeper at the Toronto Zoo, joins me to discuss Todd the red fox. Todd was rescued after he was found abandoned.  Erica discusses how the Zoo built a new habitat for Todd that would stimulate his active mind and provide him with everything that he needs, including the health care and nutrition that he would not have had in the wild. 

WFL 75: The Story of Todd the Red Fox at the Toronto Zoo

I had the pleasure of interviewing Amanda Corbett today on the podcast to discuss the New Goat World habitat at the Toronto Zoo. The habitat offers goats a chance to climb, cross bridges, and climb the “Toronto Zoo” structure where guests can get a great photo! Amanda tells you about the goat species we have at the Zoo and how the Zookeepers look after them, including their behavioural husbandry. 

WFL 74: Explore Goat World at the Toronto Zoo

Dr. Liz Okruhlik joins me on the podcast to discuss how she got her new position at the Toronto Zoo. She is the Conservation Research Veterinarian and hands down have THE best title in conservation. Dr. Liz tells me about the incredible work involving the conservation genetics of bison, camels, and white rhinos at the Zoo.    We discuss the importance of genetic diversity within a wild population to maintain resiliency.

WFL 73: Conservation Genetics of the Bison at the Toronto Zoo

Ezekiel Gading joins me on the podcast to discuss his Master’s research thesis of studying the animal behaviour of one of the most charismatic animals in the animal kingdom, the orangutan. Ezekiel in conjunction with the Toronto Zoo has a unique opportunity to study how the Sumatran orangutans at the Zoo will behave after the move from the current indoor habitat to their new outdoor habitat.  Ezekiel and I discuss the science behind studying behaviour and how scientists measure animal welfare. Listen in on this great discussion on orangutan behaviour and how this species will adapt to their new outdoor home.

WFL 72: Studying Orangutan Behaviour Between Two Exhibits at the Toronto Zoo

The Toronto Zoo is participating in an international competition called Plastic-Free July to lead by example in the fight against using single-use plastics. Kyla Greenham, Manager of Conservation Programs and Environment, joins me on the podcast to tell you how the competition works; how you can reduce your single-use plastic pollution; how the Zoo is reducing their single-use plastic use on their grounds; and, how technology is being used to prevent single-use plastic from entering the Great Lakes.    Would you like to reduce your plastic footprint? Join the challenge by clicking the following link: https://plasticfree.ecochallenge.org/    Use the password: TZ2021to join the Toronto Zoo team and help us win the competition.

WFL 71: Plastic-Free July Competition that you can join with the Toronto Zoo

Ryan Hegarty, the Lead Keeper at the Australasia Pavilion at the Toronto Zoo, joins me to discuss the amazing Tree Kangaroo. These cute animals have adapted to live in trees with their long nails on their front paws and their rigid tail used for balance. Ryan gives us the details on what it’s like to care for Puzzle, the Zoo’s Tree Kangaroo.   Ryan also discusses the threats to the species in the wild and the Species Survival Plan (SSP) that is designed to preserve and protect species.

WFL 70: The Amazing Tree Kangaroo at the Toronto Zoo

Brendan Bonner and I sit down to discuss why sloths move so slow and how do they survive in the wilderness. This conversation explores how animals adapt to their surroundings over time (evolution) for the best chances of survival. Brendan and I discuss competition for food, camouflage, teeth, and modified “feet” to help the sloth be successful at surviving in the wild.  Brendan talks about Sally the two-toed sloth who lives in the Americas Pavilion at your Toronto Zoo to provide us with a sense of how the Zoo staff works with her to ensure she receives the best care.

WFL 69: Why Do Sloths Move So Slow?

 The Toronto Zoo Greenhouse is in the middle of showing off its new Amorphophallus bloom that only blooms once every two years. Amber Vitek, who tends to the tropical plants, joins me today to discuss the bloom, its memorable smell, and why it is important to freeze the reproductive parts of the plant.  Amber also tells me of the new @zoogreenhouse account for the Toronto Zoo that shows off the various plants in the Greenhouse.” Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoogreenhouse/ 

WFL 68: Amorphophallus Bloom and the New Zoo Green Instagram

I had the chance to sit down with Mary-Kate Whibbs, The Great Lakes Program Coordinator, who focuses on coordinating outreach programs on local aquatic species. A part of the program is dedicated towards teaching kids about the migratory fishes of the Great Lakes. Mary-Kate tells me about two of her favourite species, American Eel and Atlantic Salmon, to discuss and their migratory patterns. We talk about the distance of their migrations, how growth affects their migration, and where they go to reproduce.

WFL 67: Migratory Fish of the Great Lakes

Imagine if you could watch orangutans all day to observe their behaviours to better understand their ecological dynamics within a troop dynamic and in their environment. It would take an abundance of scientific observation that a field team could not complete due to the number of resources it would require to complete the study properly. However, new tools in Artificial Intelligence have made it possible to not only observe the behaviours through visual recordings, but it can also log certain behaviours displayed over time. This type of study can give scientists a better understanding of animal behaviour. Dr. Jenna Congdon is a post-doctoral researcher at York University that is working with the Toronto Zoo to measure the behaviour of orangutans in their Zoo habitat using Artificial Intelligence tools that will help to better understand their behaviours, which could translate into better health and conservation in the wild.

WFL 66: Learning Orangutan Behaviour Using Artificial Intelligence At Your Toronto Zoo

Nutrition is of the utmost importance at the Toronto Zoo and the Nutrition Science Program is always looking for ways to offer food that will ensure the animals at the Zoo are healthy. Jaap Wensvoort, Manager of Nutrition Science at the Zoo, joins me on the podcast today to discuss the Browse Program that helps to keep the animals healthy and mentally stimulated. We discuss the various ways branches, leaves, and the trunks of trees are used by different animals at the Zoo such as giraffes and primates. We also discuss a new location where the Zoo grows and harvests the browse that saves time, resources, and keeps the raw materials local (environmental savings).

WFL 65: The Benefits of Feeding Browse To The Animals At The Toronto Zoo

I am joined by Andy Cockburn on today’s episode to discuss how the Keepers at the Toronto Zoo look after their grizzly bear population. Andy talks about how the bears came to the Zoo; the differences in size between males and females; the difference in weight throughout the year; and explains the difference between hibernation and deep sleep.    This episode is packed with great information on grizzly bears and how they compare to polar bears.

WFL 64: Grizzly Bears At Your Toronto Zoo

Have you ever wondered how the animals’ habitats are built at the Toronto Zoo? It seems like all of these complex habitats are built every once and a while, but it seems seamless; however, that can’t be the case…and it isn’t the case. The animal habitats and designs are managed by the diverse team of professionals and led by the Project Management Team at the Toronto Zoo. I had the opportunity to sit down with Ben Knoop to ask him about his role as Project Manager. We discuss everything from how he ended up working at the Zoo, what his favourite construction job was, and how he is looking forward to the new Outdoor Orangutan Habitat that is currently being built. If you would like to support the Zoo in building the Orangutan Habitat, click on the link below to donate: https://www.wildlifeconservancy.ca/habitat

WFL 63: Building The Toronto Zoo’s Animal Habitats

Wild For Life is the Toronto Zoo podcast that brings you behind the scenes and unveils the "hidden zoo." Each episode brings you information on the critical conservation work that protects endangered species and works to preserve biodiversity. You will hear from nutritionists, ecologists, veterinarians, social scientists, wildlife biologists, and more that are working hard to help protect wildlife from all over the world.

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Wild For Life

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