Rossifari Podcast - Zoos, Aquariums, and Animal Conservation

Today, the Safari heads across the pond to the UK to share an incredible story about a zookeeper hand-rearing two gorillas at the Bristol Zoo! Alan Toyne shares some of the amazing stories from this incredible time, and what it was like turning that story into his engaging book, "Gorillas In Our Midst." 
ROSSIFARI LINKS: 
patreon.com/rossifari to support the pod 
rossifari.com 
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Dateline: January 30, 2026. Rossifari Zoo News is back with a round up of the latest news in the world of zoos, aquariums, conservation, and animal weirdness!  
 
We do a deep dive on the controversial facility Sloth World, opening soon in Orlando, Florida. Our expert guide for this topic is Sam Trull, the director of The Sloth Institute, who is passionate and very, very well educated on the topic of sloths. 
ROSSIFARI LINKS: 
patreon.com/rossifari to support the pod 
rossifari.com 
@rossifari on socials 
@rossifaripod on TikTok

Today, the Safari visits Australia (virtually, anyway) for our second full episode featuring Ren Howell...except she's got a new name, a new kid, a new job, and the same ability to get goofy with me!  I'd say more, but I don't have to...it's Ren, so you're listening! 
EPISODE LINKS: 
@reneehowell18 on Insta 
@sealifesydney on Insta 
ROSSIFARI LINKS: 
patreon.com/rossifari to support the pod 
rossifari.com 
@rossifari on socials 
@rossifaripod on TikTok

Dateline: January 23, 2026. Rossifari Zoo News is back with a round up of the latest news in the world of zoos, aquariums, conservation, and animal weirdness!  
 
We start off discussing my life and a new partnership with The Faunary! 
Then it's time for Zoo News stories from Smithsonian's National Zoo, Woodland Park Zoo, Kansas City Zoo, Audubon Zoo, Indianapolis Zoo, Bronx Zoo, Mesker Park Zoo, Elmwood Park Zoo, Topeka Zoo, Manor Wildlife Park, Erie Zoo, The Sacramento Zoo, and more.
Conservation News stories include me complaining about AI again, plus a cool genome discovery, great news for rare tree kangaroos, and a study gone wrong in Australia. 
Other News features a look at a Florida Bird Nerd War and a potentially good thing from the Trump Administration. 
ROSSIFARI LINKS: 
patreon.com/rossifari to support the pod 
rossifari.com 
@rossifari on socials 
@rossifaripod on TikTok

Today, the Safari heads down to East Carolina University to chat with Dr. Jeffrey Skibins about how the study of conservation psychology can apply to zoos and aquariums! Some of the topics we address include: 
- Is it better to see animals in the wild or at a zoo when hoping to inspire conservation action? 
- A surprising story about messaging around palm oil. 
- What traits determine whether an animal is charismatic, as the word is used in the field? 
- Why do people visit zoos only to feel bad about the animals there? 
- Strategies to take steam away from the anti-zoo movement. 
- Do guests actually care about whether enrichment looks natural? 
- A fascinating discussion about the recent move away from the word "captivity."
And SO much more! 
ROSSIFARI LINKS: 
patreon.com/rossifari to support the pod 
rossifari.com 
@rossifari on socials 
@rossifaripod on TikTok