Amazing Wildlife: A San Diego Zoo Podcast

A Special Conversation with Joan Embery

This week, host Marco is speaking with someone whose legacy helped shape the way we take care of wildlife on this beautiful planet. As the first ambassador for the San Di

Cheetahs: The Purring Polka-Dotted Predator

Earlier this month was International Cheetah Day, so this week, Marco is learning all about the world’s fastest land mammal. The Cheetah Conservation Center at the San Di

Horticulture at Elephant Valley: Important and Immersive

The San Diego Zoo Safari Park doesn’t just have animals—it also has incredible plants! Last episode, we learned about elephants, and this week, we’re learning about their

The Social Dynamics of Elephants

This week Marco is visiting Elephant Valley to learn all about the world’s largest land mammal. The San Diego Zoo Safari Park is home to eight elephants, and they are ver

Learning All About Gorillas — and Breaking Misconceptions

Did you know the San Diego Zoo Safari Park is home to 11 gorillas? This week, Marco is going behind the scenes at the bachelor habitat to learn more about the “jock” of t

The Camouflaged Okapi

Last week was World Okapi Day, and to celebrate, hosts Rick and Marco are heading to the San Diego Safari Park to speak with Dallas Dumont and learn all about this striki

World Cassowary Day

World Cassowary Day is September 26th, so hosts Rick and Marco are headed to the cassowary habitat area in the San Diego Zoo Safari Park to learn more about these incredi

The Wildlife Health Team—Crucial to Conservation

Conservation is dynamic and deeply collaborative—and it takes many people across diverse disciplines to address the challenges facing wildlife. Hosts Rick and Marco speak

Looking Back—and Forward: The Flight Path of the California Condor

This week, host Rick speaks with senior wildlife care specialist Nora Willis about an iconic bird with a gigantic wingspan! In the 1980s, just over 20 California condors

Parrots in Pine Forests – Meet the Thick-Billed Parrot

This week, hosts Rick and Marco are headed to Baja Garden in the San Diego Safari Park to speak with James Sheppard and Jenna Stallard about a brilliantly colored thick-b

Orchids: Resilient, Yet Endangered

The San Diego Zoo is home to several critically endangered species, and not just animals. We’re talking about plants, too! This week, hosts Rick and Marco speak with Zoo

Elephant Conservation

This week, hosts Rick and Marco speak with Dr. Kirstie Ruppert and Dr. Shifra Goldenberg about human and elephant conflict and coexistence. African elephants are invaluab

Giant Panda Update

California Panda Day is coming up on August 8th, so hosts Rick and Marco are headed to the Denny Sanford Panda Ridge to get an update on everyone’s favorite black and whi

Giraffes: Long Necks, Long Legs, and a Long List of Amazing Adaptations

Did you know the longest day of the year in the western hemisphere—June 21—is also World Giraffe Day? In this episode, hosts Rick and Marco visit giraffes on the savanna

Zoos, Conservation and the Przewalski's Horse

Having never been successfully domesticated, the Przewalski's horse is the only true wild horse of our time. This week, hosts Rick and Marco are speaking with Amanda Luss

Curating the Coldest “Zoo” on Earth

In this episode, hosts Rick and Marco are headed back to the Frozen Zoo® to speak with its curator, Marlys Houck. This first-of-its-kind biobank began with a cell, and ov

Inspire and Empower Through Conservation Education

Wildlife conservation starts with people—of all ages. In this episode, hosts Rick and Marco speak with Lisa Biasillo, vice president of wildlife education programs for Sa

Flamingo Fact or Fiction?

April 26 is International Flamingo Day! To celebrate, hosts Rick and Marco speak with Wildlife Care Specialist Erin Massey to learn more about these long-legged birds. Do

Founding the Frozen Zoo

This year marks the 50th anniversary of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s Frozen Zoo®. To learn about its history, hosts Rick and Marco speak with Rolf Benirschke, son of

Digging in and Unearthing Fascinating Meerkat Facts

Welcome back to Amazing Wildlife! We are kicking off season 4 by learning all about meerkats. In this episode, Marco and Rick learn how a specific type of stress can make