Shows
That's WILD! PodcastFrom Cages to Conservation: The Little Rock Zoo Story with Craig O'Neal00:00:00 Intro Dustin Bean: Welcome to That’s Wild Podcast, the podcast that explores the amazing natural world that surrounds and astounds us. Hosted by Susan Altrui and Joy Matlock, we share insights to inspire you to value and conserve our natural world. Presented by the Arkansas Zoological Foundation and produced by the Little Rock Zoo.00:00:40 80s Nostalgia Susan Altrui: Welcome back to That’s Wild! Today we are talking about totally radical and gnarly things in our natural world as we flash back to the 1980s. Joy Matlock: We’re catching those nostalgia vibes, but it’s not just...
2026-02-0336 min
That's WILD! PodcastHow We Construct Buildings for Wild Animals [00:00 - 01:25] Introduction: Dustin Bean introduces hosts Susan Altrui and Joy Matlock. They set the stage for a discussion on "Project Zoo: Wildly Reimagined," the largest construction project in the zoo’s history.[01:25 - 03:00] Weird Architecture News: The hosts discuss international architecture news, including China’s ban on "ugly" buildings and a U.S. executive order promoting classical Greek and Roman styles for federal buildings.[03:00 - 06:10] The Zoo’s Unique Style: The conversation shifts to the Little Rock Zoo's use of native Arkansas stone, a style established by Silas Owens, one of the state's first Black archit...
2026-01-2034 min
That's WILD! PodcastThat's Wild: Sloth Bears with Dr. LauraHosts Susan Altrui and Joy Matlock speak with Little Rock Zoo's Conservation and Research Coordinator, Dr. Laura Bernstein-Curtis, about sloth bears and international conservation.The episode starts with "Wild News": celebrating the hopeful increase in the endangered Red Wolf population (supported by AZA zoos) and the rediscovery of the sailback hound shark, highlighting the vulnerability of microendemic species.Dr. Bernstein-Curtis clarifies that sloth bears, native to India, Sri Lanka, and Nepal, are not sloths. They are insectivores and their primary diet of ants and termites is called myrmecophagous. Their unique adaptations include long claws for...
2025-12-0537 min
That's WILD! PodcastThat's WILD: What If?Hosts Susan Altrui and Joy Matlock team up with zookeeper Hannah Baker for a playful but powerful thought experiment: What if humans had the superpowers of animals? From cheetah-speed sprints to gorilla strength and kangaroo jumps, this imaginative episode uses humor to explore real conservation issues hiding beneath the “what if” scenarios.But the conversation turns deeper: What if accredited zoos didn’t exist? The hosts reflect on the life-saving impact of AZA-accredited zoos—from black-footed ferrets and California condors to great ape medical research, hero rats, venom-derived medicines, habitat conservation, and the emotional and educational moments that sha...
2025-12-0528 min
That's WILD! PodcastThat's WILD: Saved by the Zoo: Species Back from the Brink of ExtinctionSummary Hosts Susan Altrui and Joy Matlock celebrate conservation comeback stories and the teamwork behind them. Through a game of Two Truths and a Lie and a visit from zookeeper Hannah Baker (and ambassador ferret Hagrid), this episode explores how AZA-accredited zoos, government agencies, scientists, and communities combine tools like captive breeding, reintroduction, habitat protection, disease management, and genetics to bring species back from the brink.In this episode you’ll learnWhy bald eagles declined and which policy and habitat actions enabled their recovery.How black-footed ferrets were rescued from near extinction via captive breeding, re...
2025-09-1020 min
That's WILD! PodcastThat's WILD: Conservation WorldwideHosts Susan Altrui and Joy Matlock explore how local actions support global conservation. From hummingbird migrations to endangered pancake tortoises, this episode pulls back the curtain on AZA-accredited zoo work, Species Survival Plans (SSPs), community events like Drink Beer, Save Turtles, and simple steps listeners can take to protect wildlife. Zookeeper Hannah Baker brings Short Stack the pancake tortoise to show how ambassador animals help spark conservation.In this episode, you’ll learn:How tiny ruby-throated hummingbirds migrate ~3,300 miles each year.Which swans, fish, and songbirds travel thousands of miles through Arkansas (trumpeter swans, Alabama shad, bo...
2025-08-1424 min
That's WILD! PodcastThat's WILD: Animal ManagementEpisode Summary: Hosts Susan Altrui and Joy Matlock kick off with a fun audio quiz—identifying Siamang apes, ponies, capuchin monkeys, geese, and alligators by their calls—then dive into how That’s Wild animals are cared for. Learn about AZA accreditation, Species Survival Plans (SSPs), and the day‑to‑day enrichment and husbandry that keep zoo residents thriving. Zookeeper Hannah brings Iris the blue‑tongued skink to demonstrate protocols for ambassador animals.In this episode, you’ll learn:Iconic Calls: What a Siamang’s “whoop,” pony neighs, capuchin squeaks, goose honks, and alligator bellows mean in the wild.AZA Accredit...
2025-07-2334 min
That's WILD! PodcastThat's WILD: Animal SuperpowersEpisode Summary: Hosts Susan Altrui and Joy Matlock explore the “superpowers” that let wildlife hide, survive, and sustain ecosystems. From master camouflagers in the upcoming Hidden Corners exhibit to the semi-permeable skin of a smooth-sided toad, learn how animals blend in, breathe through skin, and even regenerate limbs. Zookeeper Hannah introduces a native Amazonian toad ambassador to demonstrate these incredible adaptations up close.In this episode, you’ll learn:Animal Invisibility: How Vietnamese mossy frogs, tentacled snakes, and Amazon milk frogs use camouflage, sensory tentacles, and skin coatings to hide or thrive.Forest Mindfulness: Why slowing down a...
2025-07-0920 min
That's WILD! PodcastThat's WILD: Komodos Galore Hosts Susan Altruy and Joy Matlock dive into the astonishing world of lizards—exploring Komodo dragons, bearded dragons, and Arkansas’s eastern collared lizard “dragons.” Learn what makes Komodos fearsome predators and how local zoos breed and release native species to restore Ozark glade ecosystems. Zookeeper Hannah also introduces Steve the bearded dragon, a laid-back ambassador who helps families connect with reptiles.In this episode, you’ll learn:Reptile vs. Lizard vs. Dragon: Why all lizards are reptiles but only certain “dragon” species earn that nickname.Komodo Dragon Biology: How their venomous bite, venom glands, and ambush tactics...
2025-06-1922 min
That's WILD! PodcastThat's WILD: Decoding Animal LanguagesJoin hosts Susan Altruy and Joy Matlock on That’s Wild Podcast as they explore the myriad ways animals communicate—through dance, color changes, smells, and vocalizations. From honeybee waggle dances to skunk foot stomps, squid chromatophores, and the hoots of a great horned owl named Lincoln, this episode reveals how nonverbal and verbal signals shape survival and social bonds in the wild. Zookeeper Hannah also brings Lincoln on-mic to demonstrate visual cues and territorial hoots firsthand.In this episode, you’ll learn:How honeybees perform their “waggle dance” to share precise directions to food sources.The role o...
2025-06-0420 min
That's WILD! PodcastThat's WILD: Nature's PantryEpisode Summary: Hosts Susan Altruy and Joy Matlock explore how animals secure food—through foraging, hunting, and special tactics—and how habitat loss endangers those sources. Zookeeper Hannah then presents Monty, a Ball Python, to demonstrate snake adaptations for locating and subduing prey. Learn simple actions you can take to protect natural food chains.In this episode, you’ll learn:Foraging vs. Hunting: Black bears gather berries and carrion; river otters dive for fish; red-tailed hawks hunt rodents.Habitat & Food: Clearing forests or draining wetlands removes vital plants and prey for box turtles, penguins, and pollina...
2025-06-0419 min
That's WILD! PodcastThat's WILD: Nature’s Geniuses – Tool Use & Problem‑Solving in the WildEmcee Dustin Bean, host Susan Altrui, and co‑host Joy Matlock dive into animal intelligence and tool use on this episode of That’s Wild Podcast—brought to you by the Arkansas Zoological Foundation and produced by the Little Rock Zoo. From octopuses wielding coconut shells to crows bending wires, learn how creatures across the globe employ inventive strategies to survive. Plus, special guest Hannah brings Molly, a 28‑year‑old Moluccan cockatoo ambassador, to demonstrate the true brainpower of our feathered friends.Show Notes1. Introduction & Mission (0:00)Welcome: Dustin Bean kicks off the episode, emphasizing the show’s...
2025-05-0520 min
That's WILD! PodcastThat's WILD: Animal Parenting: Helicopter Moms, Super Dads & Penguin PalsEmcee Dustin Bean welcomes you to That’s Wild Podcast, produced by the Little Rock Zoo and sponsored by the Arkansas Zoological Foundation. Hosts Susan Altrui and Joy Matlock explore the world’s wildest “parenting” strategies—from alligator moms ferrying babies in their mouths to seahorse dads carrying eggs. You’ll hear how orangutans bond for eight years, why cuckoo birds outsource childcare, and get an insider look at parenting in action at Little Rock Zoo, capped off by a special visit from Vinny the African penguin.Show Notes1. Welcome & MissionOpening Music & Intro (0:00): – Dustin Bean se...
2025-05-0517 min
That's WILD! PodcastThat's Wild: Animal Sleep & DormancyJoin emcees Susan Altrui, Joy Matlock, and Dustin Bean on That’s Wild Podcast as they dive into the intriguing world of sleep and animal dormancy. In this episode—brought to you by the Arkansas Zoological Foundation and produced by the Little Rock Zoo—the hosts explore the science behind hibernation, brumation, and estivation. From the ultra-slow heartbeats of hibernating bears to the unique adaptations of reptiles and desert dwellers, they blend humor with fascinating facts and share conservation insights to inspire listeners to protect our natural world.Show Notes:Introduction & MissionWelcome: Dustin Bean, Susan Altrui, and Jo...
2025-04-0726 min
That's WILD! PodcastThat's Wild: Animal Eating BehaviorJoin emcees Susan Altrui, Joy Matlock, and Dustin Bean on That’s Wild Podcast as they delve into the fascinating world of animal eating behaviors, from picky eaters like pandas and koalas to opportunistic feeders such as hyenas and owls. In this episode—brought to you by the Arkansas Zoological Foundation and produced by the Little Rock Zoo—the hosts uncover incredible animal adaptations, share conservation insights, and explore how these behaviors connect to the natural world.Show Notes:1. Introduction & MissionWelcome: Dustin Bean opens the show by celebrating the wonders of nature and introd...
2025-03-1720 min
That's WILD! PodcastThat's Wild: Crazy Like a Fox & Rat RaceEpisode Summary: Join emcees Susan Altrui, Joy Matlock, and Dustin Bean on That’s Wild Podcast as they explore the clever world of foxes and the urban ingenuity of rats. In this episode—brought to you by the Arkansas Zoological Foundation and produced by the Little Rock Zoo—the hosts dive into intriguing animal behaviors, pop culture nods, and conservation insights that connect nature to everyday life.Show Notes:1. Introduction & MissionWelcome: Dustin Bean sets the stage by celebrating the wonders of our natural world and emphasizing the podcast’s mission to inspire wildlife conserva...
2025-03-0332 min
That's WILD! PodcastDrama Llamas, Exploding Ants, and Other Divas of the Animal KingdomThis week on THAT’S WILD, Joy and Susan explore the natural world’s drama queens—animals with attitudes, quirks, and downright wild behaviors. From llamas asserting dominance to exploding ants and bubble-popping shrimp, this episode dives into the fascinating and sometimes bizarre behaviors that make these creatures true divas.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Drama Llamas: Fact or fiction? Discover the surprising (and occasionally dangerous) behaviors of llamas, including the infamous "Berserk Llama Syndrome."Animal Superpowers:Exploding Ants: Learn how Malaysian ants self-destruct to protect their colonies with a glue-like toxin.Pistol Shrimp: These ti...
2024-12-3029 min
That's WILD! PodcastThat’s Wild: Nature’s NightmaresHappy Halloween! Explore the scary side of the natural world with your hosts from the Little Rock Zoo, Susan Altrui and Joy Matlock, as they discuss the real-life inspiration behind horror-movie monsters! Learn more about creepy animal behavior with special guests, Hannah Baker and Buzz the Tarantula.
2024-10-3028 min