Shows
Animal Behavior Conversations: The Podcast of The ABMA36: Introduction to Welfare Assessments with Sabrina Brando, AnimalConceptsThis episode special guest, Sabrina Brando, AnimalConcepts, continues the welfare discussion from episode 35 with a focus on introducing the topic of Welfare Assessments. Sabrina discusses a holistic approach to welfare and the necessity of observational, research-focused data as opposed to emotional thinking in welfare assessments. Sabrina also explains the difference between output-based and input-based welfare assessments. The episode ends with a conversation about constant welfare analysis and effective assessments models. Stay tuned for Sabrina's "Training Tale" about reinforcing a dolphin for saying "no" and not coming to her when asked. For questions or suggestions about the podcast email abc...2023-11-0844 minAnimal Behavior Conversations: The Podcast of The ABMA35: Introduction to Welfare Science with Sabrina Brando, AnimalConceptsThis episode concludes Behavior Month 2023 with special guest, Sabrina Brando, AnimalConcepts, to discuss this week's theme for Behavior Month 2023: Welfare Around the World. This episode serves as the podcast's introduction to welfare with plans for future episodes to dive deeper into the science of welfare. Sabrina explains what welfare science is and the different lenses in which we can view animal welfare. Sabrina also discusses the Five Domains Model and the importance of affective states to animal welfare. Stay tuned for Sabrina's powerful "Training Tale" about a monkey taking his choices into his own hands. For questions or suggestions...2023-10-2554 min
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEP98 Sam M. Crowell Jr. on the value of the humanities in education“I realised this isn’t new, this interconnection, this view of holistic understandings of who we are… back to indigenous cultures” - Sam Crowell
This podcast utilises the audio from the webinar that took place on 30 April 2021 on the Planetary wellbeing platform by AnimalConcepts.
Let us welcome Dr Sam M. Crowell Jr. He is a professor emeritus from California State University, San Bernardino. He founded the MA in Holistic and Integrative Education and is a founding member of the Network in Spirituality and Education. He serves as a faculty member of the Earth Charter Education Center fo...2022-07-161h 02
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp97 Alicia Jiménez on integrating values in education - value reflections for change“Education can change minds, if you can change minds, you can change mindsets, you change the behaviours and change the collective, so it is crucial”. - Alicia
This week’s podcast utilises the audio from the webinar interview led by Alicia Jiménez which took place on the 29th of January 2021 from the AnimalConcepts platform.
Let us welcome Alicia Jiménez, the Director of Programmes at the Earth Charter International Secretariat in Costa Rica. She has been working in the field of conservation and sustainable development since 1998.
The conversation discusses why it is essentia...2022-07-021h 04
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp96 Circular economy, ethics, sustainable development, and animal welfareThis week’s podcast utilises the audio from the webinar interview led by Irma Verhoeven which took place on the 31st of May 2021 from the AnimalConcepts platform.
Let us welcome Tracey Starke, the founder of the environmental news website Ecolightenment, which brings together positive environmental news from mainstream media, as well as smaller NGOs to highlight the important work these groups are carrying out.
The circular economy is a way of living in harmony with our ecological systems and restoring them. It is based on the principles of designing out waste and pollution, keeping products an...2022-06-251h 14
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp95 Rolf Winters on unlocking human potential, wisdom-knowledge based leadership and the Earth Charter“Crises offer an invitation to do things differently. Embracing this opportunity clearly demands an overhaul of what is considered ‘leadership’ in our society. We need to up our game! What we need are masterful warriors with a crystal clear vision and the ability to incite the necessary inspiration, creativity and faith that catalysis transformational change. We need wise leaders instead of smart managers.” - Rolf Winters
Let us welcome Rolf Winters to WeBuzz. He is an explorer of life, a leadership coach, a public speaker, and Wise Leaders Ltd founder.
Rolf starts by explaining how the meani...2022-06-111h 00
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp94 Mirian Vilela on the Earth Charter, storytelling to promote system thinking, and relationships with everyone including the Earth"It’s important to emphasise that a key purpose of the Earth Charter is to expand and deepen a consciousness with regards to how we ought to relate not only with ourselves, and with others, but also how we ought to relate with the large living world." - Mirian Vilela
Let us welcome Mirian Vilela who is the Executive Director of the Earth Charter International Secretariat and the Centre for Education for Sustainable Development at the University for Peace (UPEACE). Additionally, Mirian coordinates the UNESCO Chair on Education for Sustainable Development with the Earth Charter.
Mi...2022-06-0556 min
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp93 Grian Cutanda on social and environmental activism, storytelling, and the Earth Stories CollectionGrian A. Cutanda has a PhD in Social Education from the University of Granada (Spain) and a Degree in Psychology from the University of Valencia. He is an author of fiction and essay, with 16 books published, some of them translated into 12 languages, and a number of academic papers and chapters at the request of various universities. To highlight his international bestseller The Gardener, published in English by Thorsons (HarperCollins) in 1998.
Social and environmental activist, Grian has been an organiser and coordinator in different fields within social movements such as the Indignados Movement in Spain, forerunner of the...2022-05-281h 10
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp92 Charlotte Corney about growing up in a zoo, the Wildheart Animal Sanctuary, and the SERVIVAL campaignLet's welcome Charlotte Corney, the former CEO of the Wildheart Animal Sanctuary in the Isle of Wight and the founder and trustee of the Wildheart Trust.
Charlotte tells us of what it is like growing up in the Isle of Wight Zoo (now the Wildheart Animal Sanctuary), and how agreeing to hand-raise Zia the Tiger cub committed herself to work with animals. She explains the journey from a zoo to a sanctuary, yet emphasises that throughout the sanctuary's history, each animal's life has always mattered.
“One thing, to this day, remains absolutely unshiftable, and that is...2022-04-3059 min
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp91 Fernando Trujillo on the Amazon as the heart of the planet, indigenous storytelling, and the interconnectedness of life“Most people used to say, the Amazon is like the lung of the planet. I say it is like the heart. If you see the Amazon, you can see a heart and all the rivers are like veins. When you clog all these veins, the body is going to collapse. This is happening now."
Let us welcome Dr Fernando Trujillo, a marine biologist who is the Scientific Director of Foundation Omacha, an NGO he established in 1993 to promote the conservation of river species and their ecosystems in South America.
Fernando guides us through his studying his...2022-04-231h 00
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp90 Jes Harfeld on ethics, breaking down disciplinary boundaries, & the importance of finding out why we are thinking as we are thinking right now“I think one of the things we should do, and that I am experiencing more and more, is that, in order to think differently we have to look to the past, to find out why we are thinking as we are thinking right now”.
Let us welcome Jes Lynning Harfeld, an associate professor of applied ethics at the Centre for Applied Philosophy at Aalborg University, Denmark. Currently, his research focuses on the connections between animal welfare and ethics in the realm of human-animal interactions and the way that language interacts with thinking and character.
It was...2022-04-161h 22
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp89 on gratitude and celebrating 2-years of online platforms through global collaborations for peoples, animals & the planet we share“That is the real beauty, we often talk about global collaboration for animal welfare, or global collaboration for human wellbeing or for the greater community of life, or the planetary… What makes it so strong, is these different expertise, these different interests, these different talents, these different things that people bring… to effect change and the only way we can do that, is of course, is by doing it together.” - Sabrina Brando
Hummingbird Stories
AnimalConcepts Public Facebook Group
Elephant Care & Wellbeing2022-04-091h 04
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp88 Suzanne Gendron on the importance of informal education in conservation activities“We have a mission to connect people with nature to inspire stewardship for nature through those connections!... An emotional connection with nature through spending time in nature is more important than environmental education for inculcating that sense of stewardship in children… an important part of conversation”. - Suzanne Gendron
Let us welcome Suzanne Gendron, the Director of Sage Advice Consulting and the Former Executive Director of Zoological Operations and Conservation at Ocean Park Hong Kong.
In this episode, Suzanne shares with us the importance of educational opportunities outside of school to promote stewardship through creating a conne...2022-04-0249 min
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp87 Sabrina Brando on human wellbeing, empowering people, being a force for good, & love in the workplace2022-03-2622 min
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp86 Sabrina Brando on 1 life, Metallica, language around animals and nature, and I SEE YOU"Everyone has 1 life. Me, you, and each animal in our care. Let's bring awareness to what seems so obvious, and embody I SEE YOU" - Sabrina Brando
Join Sabrina Brando in thinking about the 1 life we all have. On how we can make a difference, through the methods and approaches we use, patience and loving-kindness.
Sabrina discusses bringing attention to the effect of our language around other animals and nature, and how this can shape the ways we think and act.
She shares some recent insights and experiences with animals and a valuable...2022-03-1926 min
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp85 Dr Jane Goodall on the interconnectedness of life, feelings of beingness, acting locally & the importance of hope“Every single individual impacts the planet in some way, big or small everyday. Every individual has a role to play”. - Jane Goodall
“If we find the right organisations to collaborate with… and to share values about the sanctity of life, whether it's animal-human, human-animal, we’re all one! And yet, we’re different, so we are responsible for the harm we are causing around the globe”. - Jane Goodall
“Every species of animal and plant has a role to play. It was all connected. It’s like a tapestry of beautiful colours, a living tapestry of life...2022-03-1246 min
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp84 Irma Verhoeven on empowering people through education, storytelling and sustainable citiesIn this episode, we connect with Irma Verhoeven who is a professional educator and a program and partnership development manager with Earth Charter International. Irma will share her insights and experiences on why education plays such an important role in human behaviour changes and empowerment.
Irma shares her experiences of working with Indigenous Peoples, and how this has influenced her work as an educator, including learning from, through and with others.
As a Programme & Partnership Development Manager with Earth Charter International, Irma shares how the Earth Charter can be useful for educational organisations as well as z...2022-03-0555 min
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp83 William Winhall on marine mammal training, importance of collaboration and community communication“Changes in how we react with animals… it’s not all about food. The animals are going to get their food anyway, there is so much more to the relationship” - Sabrina 2022
“It’s important that we’re doing research to help animals that are in the wild. I believe a big reason that we have these animals is not for money or entertainment, but it's for education, conservation and research…” - William Winhall
Today we welcome William (Bill) Winhall, the Manager/Principal Consultant at Marine Mammal Care Consulting LLC and who has a very long career in mari...2022-02-261h 04
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp82 Augusto Vitale on behaviour and care of common marmosets and the welfare of animals used in biomedical research“In this endless discussion [about animal experimentation] we completely forget that animals are used now and they need our attention now.” - Augusto Vitale & Sabrina Brando
Dr Augusto Vitale joins us to share his experience in the study of non-human primate behaviour and welfare. Since 1991 Augusto has worked as a researcher at the Istituto Superiore di Sanità in Rome (Italy) dedicating his scientific activity to investigate behaviour, cognition and welfare of non-human primates, with a focus on common marmosets used in neuroscience and biomedical research.
He guides us in discovering the work of ethologists and evolu...2022-02-1958 min
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp81 A conversation with Jill Mellen and Sabrina Brando about public perceptions on animal welfare, exhibits and enrichments“It’s really important to understand what our zoo visitors are seeing, feeling and understanding, because we want them to be a full partner in how we manage and take care of animals” – Jill Mellen
"Our interpretations of what we may think of our own animals at home versus wild animals in our care... We have lots of similar problems... We could bring visitors along in learning to assess the wellbeing of animals and how this can be used with their own animals" - Sabrina Brando
Jill Mellen joins us once again to discuss with Sabrina...2022-02-1226 min
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp80 Jan van Hooff on love, caring, and reconciliation in chimpanzees“Not everybody is convinced that a zoo can offer these conditions ... in most zoos, there is a great awareness that this is one of their biggest challenges - to give animals a natural environment in which to develop their natural behaviours" - Jan van Hooff
Jan van Hooff joins us once again to share more stories about the chimpanzees, led by Mama, living at the Royal Burgers Zoo. He shares with us more tales of coalition behaviour in primates from his time with Mama and the Arnhem chimps, during a time when there was a great interest re...2022-02-051h 01
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp79 Lynette Hart on human-animal interactions and grief counselling for animal loss“My focus was to study the social aspect of companion animals and how they change our social relationships with people.” – Lynette Hart
Today we will hear Dr Lynette Hart as she delves into the world of Human-animal interactions, grief counselling and animal behaviour research, which she was happy to be a part of at a time when women with PhDs did not find suitors!
As she tells how Leo Bustad pioneered in talking about the human-animal bond and vulnerable people, she asserts that ‘interaction’ best describes the positive and negative aspects.
She shares her part a...2022-01-2953 min
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp78 Alan McElligott on animals communicating with people and the unsolvable problem“If [animals that had been treated poorly] were treated well, they can recover to a mood level just as well as animals that had been treated well all their lives” - Alan McElligott
We welcome Dr Alan McElligott, Associate Professor in Animal Behaviour and Welfare at the City University of Hong Kong, to share the story of his career’s journey - ranging from his childhood on his family’s dairy farm to studying communication in kangaroos.
Dr. Alan shares with us his rationale for studying zoology at University College Cork – a fascination with all animals, la...2022-01-221h 09
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp77 Samantha Ward on zoo-based stockmanship and the importance of cross-industry communication"Curiosity is key. Ask questions and break them down into smaller components and apply it to a study to create a fundamental understanding... it helps us progress from what we know to more knowledge" - Samantha Ward
Let’s welcome Dr Samantha Ward, a senior lecturer in animal science at Nottingham Trent University (NTU) who also manages the undergraduate bachelor’s degree in zoo animal biology. Furthermore, Sam works within the EAZA Records Working Group, a research advisor for Wild Welfare and is a welfare expert on the Zoo’s Executive Committee as part of Defra.
Sam s...2022-01-1554 min
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp76 Sven Wieskotten on positive reinforcement animal training and its utilisation in research"The toughest part of animal training is that you find your own way, and not following rules. Because, following rules means there is no forward development" - Sven Wieskotten
Let’s welcome Sven Wieskotten for today’s podcast. He is the founding director of Animal and Training.
Sven first reminisces about his childhood bird and how far we have come in terms of animal husbandry. Then his first animal bond during his PhD with a Harbour seal named Henry. Sven noted his first career choice was being a pilot, however, due to unforeseen circumstances, he coul...2022-01-0857 min
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp75 In memory of Dr Hal Markowitz. Autumn Sorrells on behavioural enrichment, connections, and making a difference for animalsThis podcast is dedicated to Dr Hal Markowitz (1934-2013)
"Hal argued that an unnatural stimulus is better than a natural environment with no stimulation." - Autumn Sorrells
Let’s welcome Autumn Sorrell, the Animal Care Director at Elon Musk’s neuro-tech company, Neuralink. She attributes her career to being heavily influenced by the Father of Environmental Enrichment, Dr Hal Markowitz, with whom Autumn worked for the last 10 years of his life. As such, this podcast is the celebration of his life.
Autumn undertook an undergraduate agricultural animal science programme at the University of Misso...2022-01-0159 min
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp74 with Brice Lefaux on primate conservation, research and his book Sauvons les primatesLet’s welcome Dr Brice Lefaux for today’s podcast as he takes us around the world to meet with the most endangered species of primates on earth.
It all started with Lily, the family dog. Growing up together, and learning to live with each other was probably the trigger to a life dedicated to animal welfare and conservation. One career option would be becoming a vet, although it wouldn’t be a match to his determination to make a difference.
Not realising at first how zoos could have an impact, Brice still decided to take a po...2021-12-251h 07
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp73 Magnus Wahlberg on bioacoustics, underwater noise and the interplay of ex-situ and in-situ animal conservation studiesMagnus Wahlberg started out as a physicist and mathematician, even though he was more interested in biology. The thought of experimenting with laboratory animals put him off, and he felt field biology may not be his cup of tea.
Ironically, his voluntary work on marine animal sounds drowned him in fieldwork. He credits his mentors for their stimulating curiosity-driven approach. He had a long emotional journey of self-realisation that studying animals in captivity helps us know more about wild animals and vice versa. Listen as Magnus tells us about his interesting work on the bioacoustics of...2021-12-181h 18
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp72 Kirstin Anderson Hansen on positive reinforcement training for positive animal welfare and conservationLet’s welcome Dr. Kirstin Anderson Hansen for today’s podcast as she takes us on an exciting life journey through her experiences in animal training and bioacoustics of marine animals.
As a 13-year-old, Kirsten encountered her first surreal sighting of swimming killer whales whilst journeying on a bike on the San Juan islands off the coast of Washington State. This set the course as a marine biologist for this Colorado girl, starting from high school to post-doctorate.
Kirstin shares how operant conditioning for communicating with animals is all about, “Teaching animals to be comfortable in the...2021-12-1153 min
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp71 Hal Herzog on biological psychology and cultural influences on human-animal interactionsHal Herzog is a professor of psychology at Western Carolina University, whose research entails the complex psychology of human-animal interactions for over three decades. These studies have been published in many journals, including Science, Animal Behavior and The American Psychologist to name a few. He also is the author of ‘Some We Love, Some We Hate, Some We Eat’ and writes the blog Animals and Us on Psychology Today.
Hal shares with us his love of animals from childhood, specifically reptiles. He quotes collecting reptiles during high school such as the boa constrictor, rat snakes, turtles etc. Hal...2021-12-041h 31
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp70 Jan van Hooff on the Royal Burgers Zoo chimpanzee colony, and the trials and tribulations of the social lives of primatesFor today’s podcast, we once again welcome back Professor Jan van Hooff to share more of his stories and knowledge surrounding his experiences working with the chimpanzees at Burgers Zoo.
He explains how the large community of chimpanzees he came to work with was unheard of at the time. He draws on his experiences researching the chimpanzees housed in New Mexico by the United States Air Force to encourage and formulate a plan for keeping a colony of chimpanzees in captivity. He explains how, prior to the 1970s, chimpanzees in zoos were traditionally kept alone or in...2021-11-2744 min
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp69 Jill Mellen & Sabrina Brando in a conversation about environmental enrichmentDr Jill Mellen worked as the Education and Science Director at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and while now retired from this position, she is still very active in all kinds of projects! She has worked in the zoo and aquatic field for over three decades, with expertise in animal welfare. As such, in 2021, Jill received a lifetime achievement award for her work in animal welfare from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
Jill shares with us that beyond having a dog, her family had no interest in animals. Instead, Jill was inspired by her neighbours Velma and Ka...2021-11-201h 00
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp68 Tim Sullivan on the yin and yang of animal training, crystal okapis, and a career benefitting animalsHaving a background in marine mammal training, Tim Sullivan reflects on the impact his different mentors and the thorough coaching that he received has had on his career in caring for marine mammals. Tim reflects on his experience and discusses how the practice of animal training has changed over the years and whether it is logical to ask animals to carry out behaviours that do not come naturally to them.
Tim is a co-founder of the Animal Behaviour Management Alliance and he explains how the organisation got started alongside the benefits it has for collaborative working when...2021-11-131h 22
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp67 with Jay Pratte in remembrance of Else Poulsen, positive reinforcement training and Borscht the bearThis podcast is dedicated to Else Poulsen (1955 to 2016)
“Bears just do things for Bear reasons”
Jay Pratte is the Director of Animal Care, Conservation and Education at the Utica Zoo in the state of New York, USA.
Jay shares with us how his interest in animal behaviour initiated in Waterton Park whilst on a high school camping trip. While exploring the environment, Jay walked upon a doe. He approached her slowly with grass, observing her body language and adjusting himself to reduce the chance of her running. Although his father found it confusing, Jay...2021-11-061h 01
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp66 with Erna Walraven on writing, inspiring and empowering people in caring for wildlifeErna Walraven covers the progression of her career in the animal care sector, from caring for stray dogs to successfully becoming former Senior Curator at Taronga Zoo for twenty years. She strives to encourage members of the public and animal care professionals to be active for animals, the planet and the greater good.
As curator, Erna realised her region was lacking animal welfare positions. She created a position for Taronga Zoo which encompassed training the zoo’s staff about what the term ‘animal welfare’ actually means. This enables staff to create goals in what standards they want to ach...2021-10-3053 min
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp65 Lori Gruen on ethics of care, our relationships with other animals, entangled empathy, and attending to natureTune in for this Saturday's podcast to learn more about animal ethics, philosophy, our relationship to other animals, and empathetic engagement with the more than human world.
Lori Gruen is the William Griffin Professor of Philosophy and Professor of Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies and Science in Society at Wesleyan University where she also coordinates Wesleyan Animal Studies. Her work lies at the intersection of ethical and political theory and practice, with a particular focus on issues that impact those often overlooked in traditional ethical investigations, e.g. women, people of color, incarcerated people, non-human animals. She...2021-10-161h 20
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp64 David Neale on the Animals Asia Foundation and the importance of education and collaboration for animal welfareDavid Neale has been the Director of Animals Asia Foundation since 2002.
David shares with us how when he was 14, he saw chimpanzees used as photo props whilst in Majorca, Spain, and how it ignited his passion for animal welfare. Sabrina shares similar memories of seeing Africa Greys, snakes, and a Tiger. She also mentions apps where the public can record these animals to influence change.
David says his study choices were limited, so studied Environmental Science and then a postgraduate in Conservation Biology. After graduating, David worked as an ecologist for a river restoration charity...2021-10-091h 21
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp63 Sally Thompson-Iritani on laboratory animal care, positive interactions, and human wellbeingContent warning: This podcast includes descriptive content related to laboratory animals which some listeners may find distressing.
Sally Thompson-Iritani is the Asst. Vice Provost, Animal Care, Outreach & 3Rs and Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Washington. Additionally, she is a Certified Compassion Fatigue Professional and a Human-Animal Bond Practitioner.
Sally shares with us how her love of animals developed from her love of cats. Despite not being allowed one as a child due to living in a small apartment, she found interacting with them comforting. Through this, Sally’s mum nurtured her understanding of en...2021-10-0253 min
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp62 Elisabetta Palagi on comparative research, primates, animal friendships, and playElisabetta Palagi is an Associate Professor at the University of Pisa, whose research focuses on social and sexual behaviour, and mechanisms underlining empathy such as rapid facial mimicry and emotional contagion.
Elisabetta shares a short story of growing up on a farm, of chickens and other animals, her early interest in animal behaviour, and a wise lesson by her grandmother.
She shares her start in academia, being a student at the University of Pisa, and completing her PhD in evolutionary biology. After her studies she continued at the University of Pisa, in the role of m...2021-09-251h 08
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp61 Becca Hanson on landscape architecture, Conservation by Design and sustainability in animal enclosure structureBecca Hanson is a Founding Principal of Studio Hanson | Roberts. She is a landscape architect with over 44 years of experience.
Becca shares with us how her love of nature started in Cincinnati, Ohio, during her childhood in the woodland behind her home. Here she could interact with nature first-hand by climbing trees, handling animals etc.
Becca started her university career intending to be an architect. However, she realised it was not for her, so took a nine-year sabbatical where she had a child and lived in Europe. During a trip to the Royal Horticultural Society...2021-09-181h 05
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp60 with Gordon Bauer on care, training, research, and conservation of manatees and other animals, as well as interspecies play between a manatee and a turtleToday on iBuzz we welcome Dr Gordon Bauer, Professor Emeritus of Psychology at New College of Florida. Gordon has investigated animal senses, cognition and behaviour in a wide variety of species such as manatees, bottlenose dolphins, humpback whales and sea turtles.
Gordon opens with one of his first interactions with humpback whales and explains how he became interested in studying animals at a young age with frequent trips to his local zoo. He reflects on how he explored a number of possible career paths before returning to work with animals at the age of 30, a decade after...2021-09-111h 22
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp59 Terry Maple on the life of Atlanta’s Iconic Ape and positive change for gorillasOn today’s podcast, we welcome Terry Maple onto iBuzz to talk to us about his new book, The Life of Willie B., and his impressive lifelong career as a behavioural researcher, wildlife conservationist, professor, author, and zoo director.
Terry tells us of the inspirations behind his latest book, citing the positive changes for animals - particularly great apes - that have occurred in the zoo industry during his career. He talks about his life’s journey to Zoo Atlanta, starting out as an animal social psychologist, and his interest in what made a zoo great. Inspired by his loc...2021-09-0449 min
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp58 with Samantha Chiew on understanding the effects of animal-visitor interactions, learning from little penguins, and animal welfare policySamantha Chiew on understanding the effects of animal-visitor interactions, learning from little penguins, and animal welfare policy
Samantha Chiew starts by sharing some of her first memories of connecting with animals at a children’s farm.
With so many other ways to study and work with animals abound, Samantha reflects on different pathways and how she obtained an MSc and joined, like Sabrina, the CAWSEL course in Cambridge.
Samantha shares about her work at the Healesville Sanctuary as a customer service representative, learning about why zoos are so important. Looking at both animal we...2021-08-2842 min
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp57 with Jan van Hooff on historical perspectives of chimpanzees in space, raising chimpanzee babies and socialisation, and the contemporary care and housing at Burgers' ZooThis is the 3rd episode with Jan van Hooff in which we continue to follow his stories from England to the Netherlands, back to Burgers' Zoo and the monthly TV program on AVRO TV, called "ZooZoo" from 1964 till 1967 which Jan presented with his brother Antoon. Jan continued on his PhD with the late Professor Dijkgraaf.
Jan shares his involvement in research concerning the socialization of a large group of chimpanzees held at the United States Air Force in 1966. Focusing on not only the physicalbut also psychological wellbeing in a group living environment.
He con...2021-08-211h 18
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp56 Sabrina Brando on 'system failures' in the zoo and aquarium related domains, rebooting to see the broader picture & ACT for more positive changes. Part 1: An overviewThe global zoo community has made great efforts and progresses to understanding, promoting, and engaging in the animal welfare and conservation domain. However, there are, among others, various legal, educational, strategical, and operational aspects which affect animal welfare, and which warrant critical analysis, discussions, mitigation, and resolution. This podcast will not only highlight some of the ‘System failures’ as Sabrina Brando has started to call them, root problems that cause some or many symptoms but will also be a call to action. Too often we still deal with symptoms instead of going to the root of the problem, many of w...2021-08-1440 min
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp55 Jan van Hooff on the work of Dijkgraaf, Griffin, Darwin, Niko Tinbergen and Desmond Morris, and how it inspired him to work on primate behaviourJan van Hooff briefly recapped what was previously discussed in episode 44 of iBuzz, saying how he grew up in Burger’s Zoo and studied biology at the University of Biology.
Jan discusses how he initially got his biology kick from working in the institute of Sven Dijkgraaf, who is famous for his input towards the discovery of echolocation in bats during World War II. Jan states that Dijkgraaf himself was inspired by Lazzaro Spallanzani. He observed that bats could still navigate when blinded, but not when their ears are plugged. Building on this Dijkgraaf noted that bats co...2021-08-0751 min
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp54 Gregg Tully on the importance of collaboration and capacity building within the Pan African Sanctuary Alliance for the care and protection of primates in AfricaGregg Tully is the Executive Director of the Pan African Sanctuary Alliance (PASA), the largest association of wildlife centres in Africa, with the aim of securing a future for the African primates and their habitats.
Gregg shares with us how he has always had a passion for nature and animals, he just did not know how to obtain a career in that field. Consequently, he went to university to study biology with a major in environmental studies. Soon he identified that he loved teaching older people and believed this way he could share his passion for animals...2021-07-3152 min
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp53 Jill Robinson on bear rescues, cat and dog welfare in AsiaWhen Jill Robinson moved to Hong Kong in 1985, she soon joined the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW). Her responsibilities for the position back then included many investigative work in live animal markets and animal protection programmes throughout Asia. There was a time that Jill had the opportunity to visit a bear bile farm and it inspired her to found Animals Asia Foundation with the mission of further improving animal welfare and providing sanctuary for bears rescued from the bear bile industry.Jill shares some of the practical work of the Animals Asia Foundation, including t...2021-07-2450 min
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp52 James F. Gesualdi on Excellence Beyond Compliance® and viewing the law as a foundation to care for animalsAward-winning animal welfare attorney and author James Gesualdi, works on animal law since 1989. He is the founding Member and former Chair of the New York State Bar Association Committee on Animals and the Law; Founding Co-Chair of the Suffolk County Bar Association Animal Law Committee; and Vice-Chair of the American Bar Association Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section Animal Law Committee. James has a B.A., magna cum laude, with highest honours in Government by the St. Lawrence University; a M.A., in Political Science by the State University of New York at Stony Brook; and a J...2021-07-1755 min
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp51 Clive Wynne on helping shelter dogs, canine cognition and human-dog relationshipsClive Wynne is the founding director of the Canine Science Collaboratory at Arizona State University. He is also the Director of Research at Wolf Park in the USA and the author of many books, including his latest ‘Dog is Love’. Clive is from Britain and he was inspired to study animals while he was studying in London. Later, he went to University of Edinburgh to study for a PhD and further studied animal behaviour and minds, psychology and cognition. Afterwards, Clive had the opportunity to study the behaviour of marsupials in Australia. Then, he went to Uni...2021-07-101h 26
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp50 Marek Špinka on animal welfare, agency, and play behaviourDr Marek Špinka is an Associate Professor in the Department of Ethology and Companion Animal Science at the Czech University of Life Sciences and in the Department of Psychology at Charles University in Prague. Marek Špinka shares how he began his career studying animals. He wasn’t like many others who knew that they wanted to study animals at a young age. During his university years, he was inspired by his biology professor who always had thought-provoking questions for the class.Marek then discusses how his original interests in ethics, philosophy, and human psychology still intersect with comp...2021-07-031h 16
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp49 James Fischer on the importance of light in animal welfare monitoring and through the lens of the Five DomainsDr. James Karl Fischer operates the Zoological Lighting Institute (ZLI), a charity dedicated to supporting and advocating for photobiology research in wildlife conservation and animal care.Dr. Fischer completed advanced degrees in physics and architecture at Wesleyan University and began his career as an architect, serving as a liaison to architects around the globe. He was inspired to found ZLI after a conversation with a zookeeper who wanted to study the effect of lighting on seahorse colouration, when he realised that there was a huge need to provide animal keepers with the necessary support and funding to...2021-06-261h 06
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp48 Craig Saffoe on the Association of Minority Zoo and Aquarium ProfessionalsCraig Saffoe is the Curator of Large Carnivores at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park located in Washington DC. Overall, he has over 27 years working with animals within zoos.Craig started his career thinking that the only career available in the animal industry, is to become a veterinarian. As such he went to get a degree in Animal Science with a pre-vet track at North Carolina State University. Whilst there he was inspired by a single professor to explore animal husbandry careers. She also helped him to get an internship at the Smithsonian’s National Zoological Zoo in 1994. Fro...2021-06-191h 14
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp 47 Luke Harding on the importance of reptile welfare, cooperation in conservation and Blue Iguana (Cyclura lewisi) conservationLuke Harding is the Blue Iguana Conservation Programme Manager at the National Trust for the Cayman Islands. He is a conservation biologist with over 14 years of experience in the conservation sector. Luke shares with us how his family and early life experiences kindled his particular interest in the conservation breeding and captive management of amphibians and reptiles. Critically, he references his BTEC at Sparsholt College Hampshire as key in kindling his passion for animals. Furthermore, he participated in a two-week work experience at Chester Zoo which increased his passion for Herpetology. Luke went on to get...2021-06-121h 13
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp46 Jon Coe on activity-based design, monkeys running the monkey house, and asking 'what is the message'?Jon has almost 60 decades of experience, and completed over one hundred sixty planning and design projects for eighty-two zoos, aquariums, botanical gardens, theme parks, wildlife sanctuaries and national parks in thirteen nations on six continents.Jon shares with us about how fighting elephants at Boston Zoo sparked his thesis idea which would be on Artificial Habitats for Captive Animals. After receiving his undergraduate degree and his master’s degree, it still took Jon 7 years before getting his first project. Jon’s first project was working with Jones & Jones in Seattle, between 1973 – 1983. Together they invented the landscape immersion design...2021-06-051h 33
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp45 Dr Francis Cabana on zoo nutrition, the importance of body condition scoring research and sharing knowledge Dr Francis Cabana is the Assistant Director of Zoology & Wildlife Nutritionist at Wildlife Reserve Singapore and holds an Adjunct Lecturer position at Temasek Polytechnic, and shares his experiences working in different zoo’s and how he found his love for studying wildlife nutrition.Francis shares how his love for animals started at an incredibly young age, and how his “best mistake” in his life was not having high enough grades to attend vet school. He went on to get his degree in zoology before moving between different zoos and obtaining his MSc and PhD in the UK.Fra...2021-05-291h 05
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp44 Jan van Hooff on growing up in a zoo, Burgers' Zoo in WWII, and how connecting with a drill shaped his careerJan van Hooff was born in a zoo in 1936. He grew up in Burgers’ Zoo, founded and named after his grandfather Johan Burgers. His grandfather was a butcher and in the meat trade, and also an avid collector of pheasants. Jan shared how the zoo grew as other animals were added to the pheasant collection, like boars, deer and a rescued bear. He also shares some operational details and approaches to zoos in the Netherlands and other European cities in the early 19th century.Jan shares how his grandfather would travel to Germany for his trade and ho...2021-05-2254 min
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp43 Amy Plowman on the importance of nutrition, collaboration, and learning from the wildDr Amy Plowman who is the head of conservation with the Bumblebee Conservation Trust, is part of the European Nutrition Group, and was at the Paignton Zoo and Wild Planet Trust for over 2 decades. Amy shares how she came to study animal nutrition and remarks on the importance of diets in promoting optimal welfare. She gives some practical examples of nutritional problems and how she started looking at sugars and carbohydrates in the animal’s diets. Amy explains different types of nutrients and deepens the conservation by sharing about the diverse adaptations for digestion in di...2021-05-151h 08
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp42 Suzy Deurinck on connection, being, social skills, and 247 horse welfareSuzy Deurinck is from the Netherlands and is the owner of the horse consultancy company Deurinck Paardengedrag & Welzijn (horse behaviour and welfare). Suzy shares she is not as the typical horse lady. She tells us how she started being interested in horses, talks about her academic career and her MSc in Animal Science, wanting to help changing the odd training methods in horses. Suzy introduces her thesis work in dog training and welfare, and how head and neck posture affecting horse welfare. She talks about her data collection and her research findings. Suzy bring...2021-05-081h 04
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp41 Geoff Hosey on academic research, human-animal interactions and lemursGeoff Hosey is an Honorary professor at the University of Bolton in the UK. His experience of undertaking research and supervising students has mostly been in behavioural biology, animal welfare and primatology, and he is still involved in research on zoo animal welfare, particularly about human-animal relationships in the zoo.Geoff shares how he started studying animals and animal welfare and explains what behavioural biology is. He suggests new students to starting an academic career to do research in this field and encourages zoos and other animal facilities to do more research in general.Geoff...2021-05-0159 min
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp40 Sarah van Herpt on bear friendships, the importance of observations, and stories of healingSarah van Herpt is a senior bear team manager at Animals Asia in Vietnam, and she shares the work Animals Asia is doing and how they are working to improve the welfare of animals in captivity. In addition, they are working towards ending the dog-meat trade and ending bear farming.Sarah shares with us the daily routine of observation, feeding, and enrichment with the bears at the sanctuary. She explains all about the dens and bear houses in the facilities, the choice the bears have, and open access for the animals.Sarah talks about different...2021-04-241h 03
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp39 Steve Unwin on interconnectedness, community, and people also as part of natureDr Steve Unwin, Lecturer in Biosystems and Environmental Change at the University of Birmingham School of Biosciences in the UK, is a European specialist in Zoo Health Management. Steve starts introducing how he became into the field of veterinary science and conservation, his work in zoos and other facilities and his time as a veterinary officer and clinical manager at Chester Zoo. Steve thinks that conservation is not about animals, is but about people, and he highlights the importance of storytelling for conservation purposes.Steve shares his involvement with the Pan African Sanctuary Alliance veterinary p...2021-04-171h 13
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp38 Gordon Burghardt on reptiles, critical anthropomorphism, controlled deprivation and play Gordon Burghardt is an Alumni Distinguished Service Professor in the Psychology, Ecology, and Evolutionary Biology departments at the University of Tennessee in the USA, with more than 50 years of experience in the field. Gordon gives a short overview of his work and research interests, having worked with all kinds of animals and collaborated with people all around the world. He talks about his last research project studying behaviour in black bears' dens and cubs. Gordon shares some stories of the learning repertoire of reptiles, individuality and personality differences in reptiles, and the behaviour of snakes right...2021-04-101h 03
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp37 John Webster on animal sentience, why veterinarians need animal welfare science, & The Cordelia PrincipleJohn Webster is Professor Emeritus and former Head of the Veterinary School at Bristol University. He studied veterinary science as he wanted to help animals. He is also a founding member of the Farm Animal Welfare Council and first propounded the ‘Five Freedoms’ as a standard for defining the elements of good welfare in domestic animals.John highlights the importance of animal welfare science for veterinarians and talks about the insights of the animals. He discusses how "sentient animals do not live only in the present” and how having emotions matters in addition to understanding the duty we hav...2021-04-031h 09
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp36 Daniel Mills on looking at individual animals, solving behaviour problems, and studying animal emotionsDaniel Mills is a professor at the University of Lincoln in the UK. He currently consults at the University Animal Behaviour Clinic. In 2020 he was recognized by Stanford University as part of the top 2% of all scientists globally.Daniel dives into his research world of problem behaviour, and his studies to understand individual differences in animals that reflect emotions. He remarks that animals are often not using human mechanisms to solve problems, rather they do it their own way and we have to understand that in order to assess animals’ emotions more systematically. He tells the...2021-03-271h 10
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp35 Mike Mendl on animal emotions, welfare and cognitionDr Mendl is a professor of animal behaviour and welfare at the Bristol Veterinary School, University of Bristol. His research focuses on cognition, emotion, development, individuality and social behaviour in domestic animals. Mike starts by introducing his background and giving some alternative options to start in the research field of animal behaviour and welfare aside from doing a PhD, postdoc, or fellowship. He then dives into the background of how he is working together with his collaborators studying emotions, welfare and cognition in animals. He presents the methods used to understand what animals are experiencing, and cognitive b...2021-03-201h 08
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp34 Gerry Creighton on elephants learning from elephants, research, and a dynamic approach to elephant care and wellbeingGerry Creighton did not want to be anywhere else than at the zoo, working with and caring for animals, rising through the ranks to Zoo Operations Manager for animals and grounds in 2009. He worked at the Dublin Zoo, also together with his dad, for over 36 years. Gerry shares how he worked as a trainee keeper, before becoming a full-time zookeeper and Team Leader responsible for large apes, carnivores and elephants for nearly ten years before becoming Zoo Operations Manager for animals and grounds in 2009. Gerry shares details of the gorilla and mangabey habitat, will giant tr...2021-03-1346 min
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp33 Ron Kagan on pheromones, zoos as sanctuaries and exotic animal welfare and ethics.Ron Kagan is the Chief Executive Officer of the Detroit Zoological Society (DZS) in the USA. Ron starts talking about his start in the zoo field and how he ended up in his current position and suggests for people starting out in the field to seek both academic studies and practical experience.Ron shares with us a little about his first studies on pheromones in animal communication and thermoregulation in mammals.He discusses the program he helped create at Michigan State University for people who want to go into the profession. It was th...2021-03-061h 14
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp32 Joanne Thomas on the 5 Domains in strategy, animals as teachers guiding care, and punching above your weight for all to flourish.Joanne Thomas is the Animal Care Manager at Wellington Zoo Trust (WZT) in New Zealand. Joanne shares her background, and big passion and love that is animal welfare. She started volunteering in a wide variety of places around the world to gain experience, working with a wide variety of species for over 30 years. For Joanne, the key is always being open and prepared to learn, and how animals are our teachers too.Joanne talks about all her experience from agriculture and farming, to sanctuaries and zoos around the world. Despite all the challenging as...2021-02-2845 min
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp31 Monica Battini on assessing positive welfare in ruminants and promising indicators in the Five DomainsDr. Monica Battini is a Research Fellow at the Department of Agricultural andEnvironmental Sciences in Milan, Italy, where she also received her PhD in animal welfare.Monica shares experiences about her previous work researching welfare quality and welfare assessment protocols for different farming species, animal emotions, and communication among others. She dives into two European projects: Welfare Quality® (WQ) and Animal Welfare Indicators (AWIN). In WQ, protocols for cattle, pigs and poultry (broiler and hens) were developed and I collected data for the development of the protocol for dairy cows. In AWIN, protocols we...2021-02-2052 min
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp30 Rebecca Ledger on the Five Domains Model for assessing suffering in cases of animal cruelty and the importance of bringing & bridging science into practiceDr. Rebecca Ledger is an animal behaviour and animal welfare scientist from Vancouver. Part of her work focuses on using behavioural assessments to assess animal welfare, and she has worked in the management of shelter dogs. She is regularly retained by humane societies, pet owners, and the Crown and Defence counsel across Canada to provide expert opinion in legal cases involving animal cruelty and animal behaviour.Rebecca shares with us her rich background of experiences, her different jobs for universities, her consulting company, and the many years as a columnist, bringing animal welfare science to the general...2021-02-1351 min
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp29 Nicolas de Graaff on using the Five Domain Model in ZAA accreditation and the importance of asking questionsNicolas de Graaff has worked in the zoo industry for over 20 years and now he is the Accreditation Manager with the Zoo and Aquarium Association in Australia.In this episode, Nicolas shares how he got started in the zoo field and how he came to the ZAA position, by being always flexible, open-minded, and working with his passion, joy, and commitment.Nicolas brings to mind two rewarding and achieving histories about primates and recalls how all the experiences are a good way to learn from each other and together improve.2021-02-061h 00
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp28 Sabrina Brando connects with animal welfare scientists & practitioners around the world to ask their top 3 considerations regarding animal welfare assessmentsToday's podcast is a combination of different animal welfare scientists from around the world, giving their perspectives, insights, and visions on animal welfare assessments. This podcast will feature:Dr. Elizabeth Herrelko, Animal Welfare and Research Manager at Smithsonian's National ZooDr. Katherine Cronin, Senior Animal Welfare Scientist at Lincoln Park ZooDaren Minier, Assistant Director, Animal Care, Conservation, and Research at Conservation Society of California - Oakland ZooDr. Eduardo Fernandez, Senior Lecturer of Animal Behaviour, Welfare, and Ethics, School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, the University of AdelaideDr. Samantha Ward, Senior Lecturer in Animal Science at Nottingham Trent UniversityDr. Jason...2021-01-3043 min
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp27 Hannah Buchanan-Smith on evolutionary principles, learning from the wild, and making a case for positive change for animalsProfessor Hannah-Buchanan-Smith is the head of the Behaviour and Evolution Research Group, and Director of Human Animal Interaction Research Group in Psychology, University of Stirling, Scotland, UK.Hannah introduces us to her work, the importance of understanding how animals have evolved, their capacities, and adaptations. She emphasizes that it is key to learn about how animals live in the wild to provide good captive conditions. She shares highlights from her research career such as why animals live in mixed-species groups, research on comparative colour vision, and animal welfare studies.Hannah describes some early life experiences...2021-01-231h 08
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp26 Amanda Embury on animal welfare assessments, teamwork, and continuous improvementsIn this episode Amanda Embury, whose career has spanned over 40 years in the fields of animal welfare and species management, shares insights on ongoing animal welfare assessments, teamwork and continuous improvements.Amanda shares how she started her work in zoos, her study comparing behaviour of wild and zoo gibbons, and ongoing interest in enrichment and behaviour of zoo animals. She gives insights of her work in her current role as Senior Manager Animal Welfare and Life Sciences which leads the team that provides strategic directions for animal welfare, species planning, animal behaviour, training and enrichment....2021-01-161h 15
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp25 Jason Wark on ZooMonitor and assessing animal welfareIn this episode, Dr. Jason Wark, an Animal Welfare Scientist in Lincoln Park Zoo’s Animal Welfare Science Program shares details and stories of how he and a wider team, manages and develops the ZooMonitor app.Jason talks about his career and how he started in the zoo world. Jason describes the history of ZooMonitor – which was the brainchild of Dr. Megan Ross (iBuzz podcast #22) and was developed by Lincoln Park Zoo. It has grown as a data collection tool for recording and analysing behaviour to infer the welfare of animals.Jason details many features of Z...2021-01-0958 min
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp24 Robert Young on the sciences and practices of animal care and welfareRobert Young is a Professor at University of Salford, at the School of Science, Engineering and Environment, and also a Chair in Wildlife Conservation. He has hundreds of publications in Wildlife Conservation, Animal Welfare, Animal Behaviour, Zoos and Anthropogenic Impacts.Throughout the podcast, Rob talks about decades of research with over 50 species, on different continents, covering a wide variety of topics, studying animals both in the wild and in captivity.Rob started his research during his Ph.D. on foraging behaviour in pigs and enrichment activities. He shares amazing and detailed stories of his projects...2021-01-021h 12
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp23 Frans de Waal on emotions and morality in animalsDr. Frans de Waal is a Dutch primatologist and ethologist. He is C.H. Candler Professor of primate behaviour in the Department of Psychology at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. He is also the director of the Living Links Center at the Yerkes National Primate Research Center at Emory. Frans is the author of many books of which he discusses during this podcast.Frans discusses the attribution of emotion and morality to animals, which is still a subject of debate among animal scientists. For many, empathy and emotion have been thought of as a distinctly human experience. 2020-12-2659 min
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp22 Megan Ross on animal care and welfare & conservation science, honesty and success storiesDr. Megan Ross is a visionary institutional director focused on all strategic, operational, and programmatic initiatives at Lincoln Park Zoo (LPZ). She is also the first female zoo director in the 150-year history of the zoo. Megan is an expert in zoo and aquarium ethics, a published scientist, and a committed environmentalist. Megan talks about how she started in the zoo community many decades ago when she met Terry Maple. Throughout her time in the zoo, she has done research in several fields, and she discusses her studies with flamingos, as well as her research on ultra-violet l...2020-12-1955 min
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp21 Terry Maple on animal welfare at the hand of scienceTerry Maple on animal welfare at the hand of scienceDr. Terry L. Maple is an animal behaviourist and wildlife conservationist known for his visionary leadership in revitalizing Zoo Atlanta as the director. Aside from being Professor Emeritus, he is the founder of the Center for Conservation & Behavior, and the Founding Editor of the journal Zoo Biology among many other things from his long career.Terry shares with us how he transformed Zoo Atlanta in a build for change towards research and improvement for the welfare of the animals. He describes how he applied his...2020-12-1158 min
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp20 Con Slobodchikoff into the world of animal languagesCon Slobodchikoff is Professor Emeritus of Biology at Northern Arizona University, and co-founder and CEO of Zoolingua, a company that is using artificial intelligence technology to decode animal communication. Also known for writing the book “Chasing Doctor Dolittle: Learning the Language of Animals”.Con shares with us his story on how he became interested in animal languages invites and encourages us to keep an open mind in our theories to understand it.He shares his studies on defence behaviours in beetles, and later on about his work on prairie dogs, finding these animals to have a ri...2020-12-041h 19
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp19 Saskia Verbruggen on the importance of training for positive animal welfareSaskia Verbruggen is an experienced animal trainer from the Netherlands, with a long career training marine mammals as well as birds of prey. She founded her own consultancy company Animal Training Roundeurope.When she started her career, she enjoyed learning to train pinnipeds through positive reinforcement. Saskia shares with us her personal stories of the sea lions she cared for, learning that animals should have a choice in participating or not in a training session.Saskia talks about the importance of giving animals the option to choose, and using positive reinforcement training, a common way...2020-11-271h 02
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp18 Mirian Vilela on a vision for a better world, education, social transformation, and a global movementIn this episode Mirian Vilela guides us through the importance of sustainable development. She is originally from Brazil, but now she works in Costa Rica as the Executive Director of the Earth Charter International Secretariat and Earth Charter Center on Education for Sustainable Development. She is also a professor in the University for Peace teaching in the areas of Sustainable Development, Environmental Governance, and Education for Sustainable Development. Mirian discusses the Earth Charter document that articulates values and principles for a more sustainable, compassionate world, explaining the document’s vision that inspires a global movement for a bet...2020-11-201h 24
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp17 Mark Kingston Jones on enrichment and the importance of the individualWe are delighted to welcome Mark Kingston Jones on this next episode of the iBuzz podcast! Mark is a co-founder of Team Building With Bite, which aims to increase cohesion and animal welfare by having teams come together to build enrichment devices. He is also the workshop Coordinator for The Shape of Enrichment, a non-profit dedicated to promoting environmental enrichment around the world. The organisation is based on two key founding principles: goal-based and holistic welfare programmes. Having always wanted to work with animals, Mark originally planned to become a keeper, but a desire to pursue research s...2020-11-131h 00
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp16 Margo DeMello on human-animal studies, speaking for animals, and mourning animalsIn this episode, we are joined by Margo DeMello (PhD, Cultural Anthropology, UC Davis), Assistant Professor at Carroll College in the Anthrozoology Program. Margo has also been an adjunct professor in the Canisius College Anthrozoology program, she directed the Human-Animal Studies program at the Animals & Society Institute for 15 years, and she is the immediate past president of House Rabbit Society. She has published over a dozen books, most within the field of human-animal studies and body studies, and dozens of articles and book chapters.To introduce us to her work and field, Margo explains the field of...2020-11-061h 10
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp15 Jorg Massen on animal friendships, cognition, and enrichmentJorg Massen, assistant professor of animal ecology at Utrecht University and editorial board member at Animals, joins us in this next episode of the iBuzz podcast. Jorg talks in-depth about a topic we can all appreciate – friendships among animals. He begins by sharing a bit about his background and PhD-work studying friendship in macaques, where he found that the concept of friendship between macaques is, in principle, actually the same as it is between humans in terms of how they maintain friendships and what fitness benefits (i.e. survival and reproduction) they gain from these relationships. ...2020-10-301h 11
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp14 Al Kordowski on relationships with animals, trust, and life-long learnersWe are delighted to be joined by Al Kordowski in this episode of the iBuzz podcast! Al is an animal behaviour and training practitioner who has trained with 125 different species over the course of his influential career. Though his work training animals has spanned from marine mammals to service dogs to hawks, his number one goal with every animal is the same: building a trusting relationship. In our episode, Al begins by sharing with us the evolution of the animal training world from using adverse methods to using positive reinforcement and providing animals with as much choice a...2020-10-231h 46
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp13 Donald Broom on the evolution of animal welfare science and relationships with animals, morality, and welfare for allIn this episode the father of animal welfare, Donald Broom, Emeritus Professor of Animal Welfare at Cambridge University, Department of Veterinary Medicine and St Catharine's College, takes us on a journey through the emergence of animal welfare as a scientific field and discusses its role in the world today. Donald is a long-standing pillar of the animal welfare community, having been Chairman or Vice Chairman of EU Scientific Committees on Animal Welfare 1990 – 2012. His many contributions to the field include scientific assessment of animal welfare, cognitive abilities of animals, ethics of animal usage, the evolution of morality, and su...2020-09-041h 04
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp12 Jessica Dolce on Compassion Fatigue, Self Care versus Institutional Care, and stories of healing.Jessica Dolce is a Certified Compassion Fatigue Educator via the Green Cross of Traumatology, receiving her training through The Figley Institute and Tend Academy. She brings seventeen years of experience working with and for companion animals to her online classes, workshops, and coaching.Jessica is an adjunct faculty member at The Maddie’s® Shelter Medicine Program at the University of Florida and has worked with organizations such as the ASPCA, Maine Medical Center, Maine Department of Agriculture, Southern Maine Community College, and the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants.Jessica shares her personal stories of con...2020-08-281h 03
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp11 Ineke van Herwijnen over opvoedstijlen, onderzoek, mooie verhalen vertellen en de hond-eigenaar relatie!De eerste Nederlandse podcast is met Dr. Ineke van Herwijnen!Ineke van Herwijnen behaalde haar Master Nutrition and Health aan Wageningen University (Nederland) met een specialisatie in gezondheidspreventie in 2001. Terwijl ze werkte als communicatiemanager bij een grote multinational, begon ze haar carrière in hondentraining en welzijn, wat leidde tot haar werkzaam bij de Koninklijke Nederlandse Vereniging voor Hondenbescherming. Ineke is opgeleid tot hondentrainer, tester en therapeut en heeft ruime ervaring op het gebied van hondenbezit en welzijn.Ineke neemt ons mee naar de aanleiding van haar promotieonderzoek onderwerp en welke onderzoeksvraag er c...2020-08-2153 min
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp10 Jim Guenter on Species360, the use of data for animal welfare and conservation, and global collaboration!Jim Guenter is the CEO of Species360Jim has led Species360 since 2015. Before joining our organization, he served in technology leadership roles for major US corporations including Target.com, Best Buy, and Accenture, in computer systems and sciences. Jim also served 5 years in the US Army.Species360 is a non-profit organisation and works with over 1200 member institutions worldwide, including aquariums, zoos, wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centers, governments, universities and colleges, and others. The member community curates and shares husbandry, welfare, medical, and population data for animals in their care, using a software system called Zoological...2020-08-0739 min
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp9 Carl Safina on making a case for life on Earth, connecting to hearts, and the power of hope!Carl Safina is an author and ecologist and founder of The Safina Center, fusing scientific understanding, emotional connection, and a moral call to action. Carl Safina's writing about the living world has won a MacArthur “genius” prize, Pew, and Guggenheim Fellowships; book awards from Lannan, Orion, and the National Academies; and the John Burroughs, James Beard, and George Rabb medals.Carl and talks about 'making a case for life on Earth', how people can help, what is at stake, and how we can make a difference for nature. Stories are what makes information stick, what the Safina Cent...2020-07-241h 08
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp8 Erika Fleury about primates, finding your niche, and collaboration to make small changes every day!Erika Fleury is an author and the Program Director of the North American Primate Sanctuary Alliance (NAPSA), and an unofficial primatologist, and loves to talk about primates!As Program Director Erika works on a lot of different topics, from legislation, addressing primates not being suitable as pets, grant writing, workshops, and the international animal community, from zoos to legislators, students, and members of the public. Erika shares what makes a true sanctuary, the different animals who live and found a new home, from cows, tigers, to other primates, about the necessary protocols and procedures to...2020-07-1044 min
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp7 Dr. David Shepherdson on enrichment, animal welfare and conservationDr. David Shepherdson is a biologist with a long and distinguished career in zoo animal welfare and conservation. David was inspired by Tinbergen, Durrell, and Lorentz, and completed a Ph.D. in ethology, on the European badgers in England. David got a job at the London Zoo in the late '80 with a renewed interest in animal welfare, ignited by the work and book by the late Hal Markowitz, 'behavioral enrichment at the zoo'. Working on zoo animal welfare, and specifically the psychological and behavioural needs. David moved to the Oregon Zoo where he had...2020-07-031h 02
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp6 Jen Feuerstein about practising pant hoots, resilience, learning, & fellow animals!In this episode, Jen Feuerstein shares her long experience and knowledge of caring and working for our fellow animals in a wide variety of settings, from sanctuaries, research facilities, to zoos and shelters. Jen is currently the Director of Human Resources at the Humane Society Naples. Formerly Manager of Administration at Project Chimps (2016-2018) and Sanctuary Director at Save the Chimps (2003 – 2015). Jen has spent a lot of time observing all kinds of primates and other species, looking at the details such as "Is their hair standing on end, what are they looking at?" and learning about their so...2020-06-2656 min
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp5 Dr. Balcombe about the inner lives of fishes, cognition, and relationship with other animals!Dr. Balcombe about the inner lives of fishes, cognition, and relationship with other animals!Dr. Jonathan Balcombe describes himself as a synthesizer, someone who pulls together research and practical information to correct or expand our often underestimated views and treatments of animals, including the often invisible, unliked, and unpopular animals. Jonathan shares his insights and stories about fishes cognition, being a machiavellian, play, human-fishes interaction, social dynamics, behaviour, recognition, memory, and emotions. For more information on Dr. Jonathan Balcombe please visit his WEBSITEShort bio: Jonathan Balcombe is a biologist with...2020-06-1952 min
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp4 Karen Fifield on the role of directors and managers in animal welfare, research, and Sunny the giraffe!Today's episode is with Karen Fifield MNZM, the Chief Executive of Wellington Zoo in New Zealand, who shares the philosophy, experiences and insights of the zoo on animal welfare and care. About what leading zoos and aquariums are doing for animal welfare today.The importance of social media to bring people with us to understand the work we are doing in zoos, as well as the importance of transparent messages, focusing on the visitor experience, and how we can work together with the staff and the public for animals and conservation. Karen discussed the opportunities...2020-06-1235 min
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp3 Heidi Quine on bears, rescue, change, Animals Asia, more bears, & hope!In this episode Heidi Quine, Bear & Vet Team Director Vietnam Animal Asia, talks about the work of Animals Asia, about bears, rescue, change, more bears, & hope!How do you go about rescuing a bear, what happens on a farm and why? What is Animals Asia doing and how? Who are the bears at the sanctuaries, and how does the care staff work for them, managing over 200 bears! Animals Asia's national and international heroes in the veterinary department and bear care specialists are working hand in hand with Government Partners to end the farming of bears...2020-06-051h 08
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp2 Dr. Heather Hill on belugas, dolphins, research and a surprise animal!In this episode, Dr. Heather Hill, Professor of Psychology, St. Mary's University, shares her research, experiences, pipe dreams, and stories about belugas, dolphins, and killer whales, including very exciting collaborative work on a stranded beluga calf. Heather has done welfare-related research on topics such as play, baby animals, mother-calf behaviour and development, including developmental aspects. Heather's research interests also include cognition, problem-solving, communication systems, and group formations. To understand what are animals doing in the wild, and how can we give them the best experience in human care, also using the information from the wild to shape c...2020-05-2853 min
INTERBEING by AnimalConceptsEp1 In memory of Graham Law - an inspiration to all in animal welfare and enrichmentThe first podcast of AnimalConcepts is a special podcast. It is dedicated to our friend and colleague, the late Graham Law. This podcast is a conversation between AnimalConcepts & PAWS Director Sabrina Brando and Mark Kingston Jones, Co-Founder of Team Building with Bite, remembering the work, travel, and downtime with the kind, witty, always up for a joke and drink, and to animals committed Scotsman, of which he was very proud. Graham Law was Graham, and he was a husband, father, friend, and colleague. He was a visionary, an inspirator, joker, deep thinker, a poker & pusher to explore an...2020-05-2251 min