Episode #41 – Turtle in Trouble They are a Maryland native species and extremely endangered, so when the call came to the Zoo Hospital saying a wild bog turtle from Delaware needed medical treatment we quickly agreed to help. In an exciting twist, it was discovered that the injured turtle was carrying eggs! On this episode of Off Exhibit Dr. Ellen …

Episode #40 The Zoo’s sustainability program is growing, quite literally, in the Commissary Department. With so many mouths to feed here at the Zoo, our grocery list is a long one. Commissary Manager Andrew Young is one of the people responsible for managing and fulfilling that list, so he’s also one of the greatest champions of offsetting some of …

Episode #38 Box turtles are on exhibit in the Maryland Wilderness, but it’s also not uncommon to see wild box turtles throughout the Zoo. These unique reptiles are native to Maryland and much of the United States, however, like many other local species they are facing challenges from habitat loss and land development. For close to 20 years the Mary…

Episode #37 In June of this year, the Zoo welcomed its second giraffe calf in less than a few months. The excitement of Kesi’s first calf, however, was quickly replaced with concern as it was clear from the beginning that this giraffe newborn was in need of help. For four very intense weeks, the animal care and veterinary teams at the Maryland Zoo …

Episode #36 It’s a conservation success story that’s taking flight at the Zoo. Trumpeter swans are both big and beautiful waterfowl that up until recent years had been critically endangered in the United States. Thanks to efforts by government agencies, wildlife organizations and zoos their numbers continue to rebound. In 2014, the Maryland Zoo was…

Episode #35 It’s not every day that a new animal joins the Zoo, especially one that weighs in at several thousand pounds. After the loss of Daisy Mae, a female Southern white rhino who outlived her life expectancy to become 48-years-old, the Zoo’s male, Stubby, was left without a fellow rhino. The effort to find another companion for Stubby actuall…

Episode #34 It’s no secret that good veterinary care is vital to the health and wellbeing of Zoo animals. But what you may not know is how much time and effort is spent on preventative medicine. On this episode of Off Exhibit meet Associate Veternarian Dr. Christy Rettenmund and learn about the extensive programs helping treat animals long before t…

Episode #33 It’s a story that starts with two orphaned grizzly bear cubs in the wilds of Montana. What happens next is an effort to save these sisters that spans the country and ends with a new home at the Maryland Zoo. How exactly did the grizzly cubs end up in need of help and what lead the Zoo’s animal care team to volunteer a home for these orp…

Episode #32 She’s the first giraffe calf born at the Maryland Zoo in more than 20 years. Two weeks ago the Zoo welcomed the newest (and tallest) newborn into the herd. How is this 6ft tall addition acclimating behind-the-scenes? On this edition of Off Exhibit we talk with Animal Keeper Amy Botke. Amy is part of the Giraffe House team and is one of …

Episode #31 What do you do when you need to move otters from one area of the Zoo to another? You get creative and you develop a training plan like no otter. On this episode of Off Exhibit learn how construction of the Zoo’s new bobcat exhibit is impacting the training and care of their soon to be next door neighbors, North American river otters. An…

Throwback Episode – Animal Training It’s a new year. What better time to look forward and reflect on the past? In honor of completing 30 episodes of Off Exhibit podcasts we’re taking a look back at one of our more popular topics and revisiting a discussion that happened exactly one year ago at the start of the last new year. We really enjoyed talki…

Episode #29 Elusive, intelligent, sly … just some of the ways to describe bobcats, a species at home in parts of Maryland and most of North America. Now, this charismatic cat will have a special home at the Maryland Zoo. Behind-the-scenes work has begun to renovate and remake an exhibit in the Zoo’s Maryland Wilderness for this native animal. To ta…

Episode #28 It’s no surprise you can visit the Zoo, but did you know the Zoo can come to you? Animal outreach has been an important part of the Zoo’s mission for much of its 140 year history. Connecting people to wildlife in their own communities is something the Maryland Zoo (and many other accredited zoos) are deeply committed to. On this episode…

Episode #27 Animal training is part of everyday life at the Zoo and most of the time is fairly routine. But, every once in a while a training breakthrough happens that’s both unexpected and unprecedented. On this episode of Off Exhibit, we’re talking with Area Manager Pam Carter. Pam is leading a team of dedicated primate keepers who have trained a…

Episode #26 They’re part of the dedicated team who care for wildlife alongside Zoo veterinarians and their jobs are anything but ordinary. On this episode of Off Exhibit, we reveal the unsung and specialized work of Veterinary Technicians. Meet Jen Sohl, one of three Maryland Zoo Veterinary Technicians who shares about the work of an animal nurse, …

Episode #25 How far is the Maryland Zoo willing to go on behalf of endangered penguins? All the way to South Africa and back. Recently, Penguin Coast Area Manger Jess Phillips made the 8,000 mile journey to the southern cape of Africa to attend a global conference in support of the world’s penguins. And penguins need us now more than ever. What did…

Episode #24 With more than 130 acres of land, 80+ buildings, and hundreds of animals there are bound to be some wild logistical challenges. Enter Cristina Lauri, the Maryland Zoo’s Animal Operations Manager. What exactly does the operation consist of? A challenging, fast-paced, anything-that-can-happen-will-happen set of daily scenarios. Working wi…

Episode #23 They’re the largest animals at the Zoo and deservedly get an equally large amount of care and training. Elephants are complex mammals with complex needs and the challenge of working with them is one that Arleta Crawford, Elephant Operations Manager, enjoys every day. But working with large land mammals isn’t what Arleta has always done.…

Episode #22 Recently, the Zoo’s lion pride was reconnected on exhibit after months of being separate. Why were they separated and what ultimately led to their reunion? Animal keeper Sydney Larsen joins us on this episode of Off Exhibit for some catty talk about what’s been happening recently behind-the-scenes with the Zoo’s three lions. Discover wh…

Episode #21 Joining a new group and getting along with everyone is hard, especially when the “everyone” is a tight troop of chimps. Pam Carter, the Zoo’s new Area Manager for the Chimpanzee Forest, has recently proved that she’s well equip to integrate seamlessly into a team of humans and expertly orchestrate chimpanzee introductions, too. On this …

Episode #20 There’s a big buzz around bee conservation and with good reason. Honey bees play an important role in pollination and crop production, but also in the health of our planet. These tiny, powerhouse insects are critical to us and our future. The Maryland Zoo has joined the effort to help grow knowledge and educate guests about honey bees b…

Episode #19 The health of wild animals starts with good nutrition. And good nutrition starts with an epic operation of ordering and delivering things like hay, meat, produce … you name it, the Zoo’s got it. In a Zoo the responsibility for managing all the various food and supplies rests with the commissary team. What’s a commissary, you ask? Think …

Episode #18 Animal exhibits have dramatically changed in the 140 years since The Maryland Zoo was founded. Once characterless concrete structures, now elaborate natural living spaces, today’s habitats are carefully crafted to suit species with a keen focus on the needs of each unique animal. The right space plays a critical role in the wellbeing an…

Episode #17 In the past several months the Zoo has welcomed a herd of new antelope babies. Three sitatunga calves and one lesser kudu calf have been born behind-the-scenes with two more antelope babies to be delivered any day. What’s behind the sudden baby boom? A lot of planning and hard work. In this episode of Off Exhibit we sit down with Maryla…

Episode #16 On this week’s episode of Off Exhibit we’re going way off exhibit … all the way to Western Maryland. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources manages many programs to help protect and support local wildlife. One such effort is Project Black Bear. Throughout each year DNR wildlife biologists track, monitor and manage the population o…

Episode #15 It’s an extremely challenging job, but it can also be deeply rewarding. What’s it like to be a veterinarian in a modern Zoo? Dr. Ellen Bronson, Maryland Zoo Senior Veterinarian shares why she chose a career in veterinary medicine. Learn what it takes to become a vet in a Zoo setting and how this competitive field has changed and evolved…

Episode #14 Healthy and happy animals start with well designed and carefully maintained facilities. The updating of habitats and guest areas is always being discussed behind-the-scenes at The Maryland Zoo. On this edition of Off Exhibit we talk with Karl Kranz, Executive Vice President for Animal Programs and the Zoo’s Chief Operating Officer. Karl…

Episode #13 Let us take you on a muy bien trip. Where? South of the U.S. border where the effort to expand care for zoo animals, especially elephants, is growing. The Zoo’s General Curator and resident elephant expert, Mike McClure, recently travelled to Mexico where he was invited to speak at a conference of Latin American Zoo professionals. Mike …

Episode#12 The birds, the bees … and the elephants. What does it take to provide a successful breeding environment for African elephants? Part of The Maryland Zoo’s work to help save these threatened animals includes a commitment to participate in the Species Survival Plan (SSP) and develop a strong breeding program for elephants. In 2008, the Zoo …

Episode #11 The Zoo is home to a diverse collection of wildlife, including some that you can find in your own backyard. What’s it like to work with birds, reptiles and mammals from right here in Maryland? Kyle Baumgartner is the Area Manager for Maryland Wilderness and in this episode of Off Exhibit this Midwesterner shares his love of Mid-atlantic…

Episode #10 They are our closest relatives and they share more in common with us than any other animals. From complex social structures to intelligent problem solving, chimpanzees are animals that continue to teach us much about our wild world. In this episode, Chimpanzee Area Manager Claire MacNamara shares her own personal connection to these ama…

Episode #9 There’s no shortage of smiles among polar bear keepers. Working with these iconic, majestic and beloved animals is tough work, but it’s something that brings out passion in many animal professionals, including Tanya White. Tanya is a zookeeper who’s worked at the Zoo for more than 18 years and cares for many animals including polar bears…

Episode #8 It’s breeding season for African penguins. This time of year the pitter patter of tiny penguin feet multiplies behind-the-scenes at Penguin Coast, the Zoo’s new penguin habitat. So far, four chicks have already hatched and more are on the way. In this episode of Off Exhibit we talk with Jess Phillips, Penguin Coast Area Manager. Get the …

Episode #7 No tricks. No performances. There is definitely no monkey business going on. In a zoo, training programs for wildlife are some of the most complex and beneficial parts of daily life for both keepers and animals. Believe it or not, each species gets its own tailor made plan and training specific behaviors can sometimes take weeks, months,…

Episode #6 Caring for a giraffe herd is a tall order, literally. Standing more than 14 feet, the world’s tallest land mammals are some of the most unique and fascinating herd animals on the planet. The Maryland Zoo’s Giraffe Area Manager, Erin Cantwell, brings the conversation down to our own eye level revealing everything you’ve ever wanted to kno…

Episode #5 What exactly is an Animal Embassy? This United Nations-esqe place for wildlife is home to a wide array of animals who act as ambassadors for their species and for conservation. Margaret Rose-Innes, the Maryland Zoo’s Assistant General Curator, shares stories from inside the embassy, a place that’s off exhibit to the public but where more…

Episode #4 They’re everywhere. In movies. On TV. Advertisements. But with all their presence in popular culture, penguins are unfortunately not as visible any longer in the wild. With more than 60 penguins, the Zoo’s colony is the largest and most successful breeding colony of African penguins in North America. The effort to help save these now end…

Episode #3 Let us tell you a tail of three little lions. Mammal Collection and Conservation Manager Carey Ricciardone shares the story behind a two year effort to raise and care for cubs. Born in October 2013, the Zoo’s sibling cubs (Luke & Leia) were orphaned after the loss of their mother due to complications during birth. The Maryland Zoo’s lion…

Episode #2 They’re little, yellow and critically endangered. On this episode of Off Exhibit, learn what’s being done to save Panamanian Golden Frogs from extinction, something that’s already happened in the wild. Maryland Zoo Reptile and Amphibian Collection Manager Kevin Barrett gives shares his personal passion for some of nature’s unsung, cold b…