Rossifari Podcast - Zoos, Aquariums, and Animal Conservation

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

Dateline: January 16, 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 upcoming shows and such.
Then it's time for Zoo News stories from Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium, Dallas World Aquarium, Oklahoma City Zoo, Memphis Zoo, Smithsonian's National Zoo, Little Rock Zoo, Chester Zoo, Altina Wildlife Park, Australia Zoo, Cape May County Zoo, North Carolina Zoo, Columbus Zoo, the ABMA, and so much more! 
Conservation News stories include a new Fahlo bracelet, a horror movie that might help the conversation around primates as pets, what a tiger's movement shows us about conservation work, and a neat look at how many new species are still discovered every year. 
Other News features a look at some good or bad news from the CDC. 
ROSSIFARI LINKS: 
patreon.com/rossifari to support the pod 
rossifari.com 
@rossifari on socials 
@rossifaripod on TikTok

Today, the Safari sits down with Cassandra Ray to discuss what ethical conservation travel looks like. We talk about the good, the bad, and the ugly of an industry that can do a lot of good when it's done right, and a lot of bad when it isn't. 
EPISODE LINKS: 
@cassanimaladventures on socials 
ROSSIFARI LINKS: 
rossifari.com 
@rossifari on socials 
@rossifaripod on TikTok 
Patreon.com/rossifari to support the pod

Dateline: January 9, 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 for the past month including visits to the San Diego Zoo, SDZ Safari Park, Avian Behavior Conservancy, and more! 
Then it's time for Zoo News stories from Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium, Phoenix Zoo, ZooAtlanta, Nashville Zoo, Paignton Zoo, Roger Williams Park Zoo, Zoo Knoxville, the North Carolina Zoo, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, Tanganyika Wilfdlife Park, Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Taronga Zoo, and more! 
Conservation News stories include the largest wildlife overpass in North America, a look at genetics in a tiger reserve, how AI can help with heating homes, when invasive species aren't invasive, and more. 
Other News features a lying father.
ROSSIFARI LINKS: 
patreon.com/rossifari to support the pod 
rossifari.com 
@rossifari on socials 
@rossifaripod on TikTok

Today the Safari heads back to Elmwood Park Zoo to catch up with some of the ambassador department...and the animals that serve as ambassadors at the zoo! You get to hear me meet a skunk, opossum, and one of the bald eagles that is an official live mascot of the Philadelphia Eagles! Learn what goes into training these animals and so much more in a series of three minterviews! 
EPISODE LINKS: 
elmwoodparkzoo.org 
@elmwoodparkzoo 
ROSSIFARI LINKS: 
rossifari.com 
@rossifari 
@rossifaripod on TikTok 
Patreon.com/rossifari