Zoo Logic

Dr. Paul Ling is a professor in the Department of Microbiology and Virology at Baylor College of Medicine. He also serves as an advisor to Colossal Biosciences [https://colossal.com]. Following the death in 2010 of a 2-year-old elephant at the Houston zoo [https://www.houstonzoo.org] due to elephant endotheliotropic herpes virus (EEHV), Dr. Ling formed a cooperative effort with the zoo and others within the community to address this highly lethal disease. Thanks to this partnership and significant funding from the Houston zoo, a mRNA vaccine was successfully introduced last year to a few vulnerable individuals at the Cincinnati zoo.  Other key partners in the development of diagnostics, therapeutics and ultimately, the vaccine include: Dr. Jeroen Pollet of the National School for Tropical Medicine, the International Elephant Foundation [https://elephantconservation.org] (IEF), Colossal Biosciences, and the Houston Methodist Center for RNA Therapeutics. https://www.houstonzoo.org/houston-zoo-leads-the-way-in-eehv-research/ [https://www.houstonzoo.org/houston-zoo-leads-the-way-in-eehv-research/] Animal Care Software [https://animalcaresoftware.com]

After a long career as a wildlife manager and educator, David Kleven turned his zoological expertise and attention to improving animal welfare through better electronic recordkeeping. As President of Animal Care Software, he works with a range of animal facilities to use the power of smart phones to track animal behavior and health in the field and in real time. Recently, the cloud-based platform has been enhanced to include more than a dozen languages to better ensure accurate and detailed records by staff members whose first language may not be english.  Animal Care Software [https://animalcaresoftware.com]

What began as one man's dream to rewild the eastern Cape of South Africa with the Big Five a quarter century ago has grown into the Mantis Collection [https://www.mantiscollection.com] of eclectic eco-lodges, waterways, and curated eco-scapes throughout Africa and the Middle East. The name Mantis stands for Man and Nature Together Is Sustainable. Its CEO, Craig Erasmus, describes the unique brand and the company's goal of not just being concerned with sustainability like its competitors, but leading the hospitality industry as the experts in wildlife and habitat conservation, as well as, local community engagement. As such, its focus is on enhancing animal welfare, not just for rare and exotic species through its properties featuring safari experiences, but also common wildlife at its urban and suburban locations.  Animal Care Software [https://animalcaresoftware.com]

After years working for Merlin Entertainments building and renovating major aquariums, architect Benedikt Schikora founded  BSK Projects [http://www.bskprojects.com.au/] which handles project management in the hospitality, entertainment and tourism space. He's also a partner in the zoo and aquarium consulting firm, IZACS [https://www.i-zacs.com]. We discuss the trends in zoological design, particularly those back of house aspects of animal care that have historically lagged behind today's modern, more enriching public display exhibits. One of the biggest challenges according to Benedikt is working across the many stakeholder groups from owners, curators, caregivers, and guests, while ensuring the well-being and safety of the animals. Animal Care Software [https://animalcaresoftware.com]

Sooner or later most zoological professionals will meet a local or national celebrity as part of their work. Some, like our guest Lanie Angeles, have met dozens or possibly hundreds of popular actors, musicians, politicians and other influencers as part of her long career in educational and media outreach. Sharing some of her most memorable encounters, both positive and not so positive, Lanie is quick to remind us that most celebrities, like everyday people, are enamored by animals, which offers an informal opportunity to educate and motivate those with larger platforms to get involved with conservation. Animal Care Software [https://animalcaresoftware.com]