Zoo Logic

John M. Kinder is director of American Studies, professor of history at Oklahoma State University and author of the new book, World War Zoos: Humans and Other Animals in the Deadliest Conflict of the Modern Age [https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/W/bo245346797.html]. He chronicles the horrific effects of war on zoos throughout Europe, the US and the South Pacific and the sometimes heroic efforts by keepers and the public to preserve their animal charges even in times of scarcity and personal starvation. Zoos that were spared bombing still had to wrestle with difficult questions such as which animals should be euthanized when food supplies were low? Or which should be killed to prevent the escape of dangerous animals? Kinder examines the era from the Great Depression through the Cold War and its cumulative effects resulting in the zoological institutions and some of the policies we see today. Animal Care Software [https://animalcaresoftware.com]

Tom LaRock is a long time zoo administrator turned wildlife safari travel operator.  He founded Rewild Safaris [https://rewildsafaris.com] to connect his travel organization with conservation organizations around the globe working on the ground to solve problems and preserve species and habitats. For him, the meaning behind rewild extends beyond the effort to return species to recovered habitats but also to connect travelers with the wild and wildlife. Animal Care Software [https://animalcaresoftware.com]

The Philadelphia Zoo is America's oldest zoological institution that takes pride in its history of firsts.  Dr. Jo-Elle Mogerman, President and CEO, exemplifies more firsts for the organization including serving as the first woman and first African American woman to hold the top leadership role. She describes how this urban Chicago introvert grew to love nature on her parents' front porch. She is candid about her personal interests which she realized in school did not include remote camping or field work, and the early and long hours of zookeeping.  Rather, her work has largely focused on the people side of the preservation equation, by connecting with diverse audiences through conservation and education.     Animal Care Software [https://animalcaresoftware.com]

A few weeks ago, Colossal Laboratories and Biosciences [https://colossal.com] grabbed the world's attention when it announced the de-extinction of the Dire Wolf which last roamed the earth more than 12 thousand years ago, with the successful birth of three animals. Matt James, a long time zoo professional now serving as the company's Chief Animal Officer, discusses the science and technology behind the momentous announcement and the methodology's potential to help conserve extant but endangered species like red wolves. He also addresses some of the misinformation and misunderstanding about what this outcome has and has not achieved and where it   may lead in the future. Animal Care Software [https://animalcaresoftware.com]

According to its founder, Rebecca Rosenberg who was born with low vision, the name ReBokeh is derived from a photography term "Bokeh," a technique in which all light sources are out of focus and blurred. Re-Bokeh then represents her organization's efforts to re-clarifying of what is out of focus. When this eventual bioengineer was 17 and looking forward to college, she looked at the technology options for the vast majority of visually impaired peopled and discovered that most were geared towards the nearly or completely blind or resorted to auditory-based solutions, bypassing any visual input altogether.  The problem was these alternatives didn't serve the lives of millions of people with signifiant residual vision.  Joining Rebecca is Dr. De'Andrea Matthews, VP of Diversity and Community Engagement for the Detroit Zoological Society to discuss the recent rollout of ReBokeh's app designed to help visitors, staff and docents with low vision maximize their zoo-going experiences. Animal Care Software [https://animalcaresoftware.com]