Rossifari Podcast - Zoos, Aquariums, and Animal Conservation

Today, the Safari heads back to Buttonwood Park Zoo to talk to returning guest Sarah Henry and newcomer Kristy Kaeterle...and also a cat who almost caused this entire episode to never see the light of day! We talk about the ways Buttonwood Park Zoo is supporting various AZA SAFE Programs including SAFE Red Panda and SAFE North American Songbird, and also discuss some really cool ambassador animals including some adorable foxes! All that plus TWO Rossifari Poop Stories! EPISODE LINKS: @buttonwoodparkzoo on socials bpzoo.org ROSSIFARI LINKS: Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dateline: September 4, 2026 Rossifari Zoo News is back with an update on all things zoos, aquariums, conservation, and general animal weirdness. I start off discussing the fact that I've finally officially moved to Virginia. Then we get into a long chat about the upcoming SAFE Red Panda trading cards! There's a Headline Story about the most ridiculous investigation into Smithsonian's National Zoo ever. Then we have Zoo News stories from Columbus Zoo, Franklin Park Zoo, Virginia Zoo, Los Angeles Zoo, Tropical Birdland, Reid Park Zoo, Bristol Aquarium, Elmwood Park Zoo, Louisville Zoo, Assiniboine Park Zoo, Nashville Zoo, and Aquarium of the Pacific, along with some huge praise for the AZA's Wildlife Confiscation Network! In Conservation News we talk about how space flight might destroy our current planet but then share awesome news about P-horses! In Other News, it's time for another Jimothy story and also a confusing story about lions...or not. All that plus Animal Holidays! ROSSIFARI LINKS: rossifari.com Support the pod at Patreon.com/rossifari Join the Discord at https://discord.gg/hvWZguvu4 Find us on social media @rossifari , and @rossifaripod on TikTok Email: rossifaripod@gmail.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today, the Safari welcomes a new facility to the pod! John Kleoudis is here to welcome us to NOVA Wild! This facility, located in northern Virginia, is both a drive-through safari and a standard walk-through zoo, and features a lot of incredible behind-the-scenes animal encounters designed to encourage a love of animals and conservation! EPISODE LINKS: @novawildz00 novawild.org ROSSIFARI LINKS: Rossifari.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dateline: August 28, 2026 Rossifari Zoo News is back for a bit of a ramble. I start off talking about the loss of Dolly Parton and what it's like losing an artist that I'm in the middle of playing a tribute show for. Then I talk about the devastating flooding in Nepal before touching on a few other topics of importance this week. All that plus Animal Holidays! ROSSIFARI LINKS: rossifari.com Support the pod at Patreon.com/rossifari Join the Discord at https://discord.gg/hvWZguvu4 Find us on social media @rossifari , and @rossifaripod on TikTok Email: rossifaripod@gmail.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today, the Safari heads back to Norfolk, VA, to visit with Bailey Goebel! You'll learn about their unique position at the zoo, why being a Swiftie has helped them in their career, and so much more! EPISODE LINKS: @virginiazoo virginiazoo.org ROSSIFARI LINKS: Rossifari.com Patreon.com/rossifari to support the pod @rossifari on socials @rossifaripod on TikTok Join the new Rossifari Discord: https://discord.gg/rQSwMuetj Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dateline: August 21, 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 with a detour into some info about my drumming career y'all might find interesting. If not, skip ahead, I won't be offended. In Zoo News, we have a headline story that is a spoiler alert for two initiatives that SAFE Red Panda will be announcing soon! Let's build hype early! Then we get to our regular Zoo News stories featuring stories from Zoo Bojnice, Zoo Planckendael, ZooParc de Beauval, Zoo Miami, Virginia Zoo, Smithsonian's National Zoo, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, Cincinnati Zoo, Houston Zoo, Zoo New England, Calgary Zoo, Georgia Aquarium, West Midlands Safari Park, and the Nashville Zoo. Conservation News features stories about little blue penguins, a new initiative by The Civet Project, a sea lion that got attacked by a human, and a really cool story about North American river otters. Other News takes a look at lawsuits from a company that I really like, but don't like what they are doing right now. All that plus Animal Holidays! ROSSIFARI LINKS: Rossifari.com Patreon.com/rossifari to support the pod @rossifari on socials @rossifaripod on TikTok Join the Rossifari Discord: https://discord.gg/rQSwMuetj Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today, the Safari heads back to Greensboro, North Carolina, for a chat with the person who started it all for me there, Audrey Stallings. You'll get to hear her story, her incredible connection to herps and herp education, her work with venomous animals, another interruption by Bekah, why she is responsible for so much of the lore of the podcast, and so much more! EPISODE LINKS: greensboroscience.org @greensborosciencecenter on socials ROSSIFARI LINKS: Rossifari.com Patreon.com/rossifari to support the pod @rossifari on socials @rossifaripod on TikTok Join the new Rossifari Discord: https://discord.gg/rQSwMuetj Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dateline: August 14, 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 with a big announcement about the podcast and its future (which is bright, my friends)! Then we get to what's going on with my life, which is crazy as can be right now. In Zoo News, we have a headline story that I just find so fascinating. Plumes is coming to the Philadelphia Zoo, and I have thoughts and feelings about it that are complex to say the least. Then we get to stories from Smithsonian's National Zoo, Zoo Montana, Espace Zoologique Saint Martin la Plaine, ZooAtlanta, Riverbanks Zoo, Oakland Zoo, The Wilds, Roger Williams Park Zoo, Buffalo Zoo, Seattle Aquarium, Capron Park Zoo, Nashville Zoo, Cincinnati Zoo, and more! Conservation News features stories about sloths, box turtles, and a piranha. All that plus Animal Holidays! ROSSIFARI LINKS: Rossifari.com Patreon.com/rossifari to support the pod @rossifari on socials @rossifaripod on TikTok Join the Rossifari Discord: https://discord.gg/rQSwMuetj Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today, the Safari finally returns to the Greensboro Science Center after way too long of an absence. We talk to Kelsey Hughes about volunteers and the incredible impact they have on zoological facilities. We also talk about the fact that she won't give me a dang hoodie, but that's a different story. EPISODE LINKS: greensboroscience.org @greensborosciencecenter on socials ROSSIFARI LINKS: Rossifari.com Patreon.com/rossifari to support the pod @rossifari on socials @rossifaripod on TikTok Join the new Rossifari Discord: https://discord.gg/rQSwMuetj Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dateline: August 7, 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 with a quick catch up on my life, which is currently taking place in California. I talk a lot about my experience of appearing on the podcast Science VS to talk about my experience with weight cycling. In Zoo News, we have stories from Welsh Mountain Zoo, Chester Zoo, Toronto Zoo, Santa Barbara Zoo, Lincoln Children's Zoo, Detroit Zoo, Nashville Zoo, the ZAA, Zoo Zurich, Tama Zoo, and Zoo Knoxville. Conservation News features stories about beavers, box turtles, tree kangaroos, and a new conservation initiative! All that plus Animal Holidays! ROSSIFARI LINKS: Rossifari.com Patreon.com/rossifari to support the pod @rossifari on socials @rossifaripod on TikTok Join the Rossifari Discord: https://discord.gg/rQSwMuetj Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today, the Safari heads back to the Virginia Zoo to sit down with new director (and friend of the podcast) Chris Jenkins. We talk about taking on this incredible role, what his years of growth at Natural Encounters, Inc. gave him in terms of preparedness for this gig, and so much more. It was a privilege to share the start of Chris' next chapter as the start of my next season! EPISODE LINKS: @virginiazoo virginiazoo.org ROSSIFARI LINKS: Rossifari.com Patreon.com/rossifari to support the pod @rossifari on socials @rossifaripod on TikTok Join the new Rossifari Discord: https://discord.gg/rQSwMuetj Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dateline: July 31, 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 with a quick catch up on my life, which is currently taking place in California. Then we dive into an interview with Dani Larson! We talk about what loss at a facility is like from the perspective of the teams that aren't directly involved, then share two really exciting bits of news about Dani and our friend Emily! All that plus Animal Holidays! EPISODE LINKS: @southwickszooofficial southwickszoo.com ROSSIFARI LINKS: Rossifari.com Patreon.com/rossifari to support the pod @rossifari on socials @rossifaripod on TikTok Join the Rossifari Discord: https://discord.gg/rQSwMuetj Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today, the Safari heads back to Wilmington, DE, to the only accredited zoo in the state, Brandywine Zoo. I sit down with returning guest Brint Spencer, the director of the zoo, to talk about the new animal encounters the zoo is offering, the new habitat that just opened, the incredible conservation work being done at the facility, the unique relationship Brint has with his keepers, and so much more! EPISODE LINKS: @brandywinezoo brandywinezoo.org ROSSIFARI LINKS: Rossifari.com Patreon.com/rossifari to support the pod @rossifari on socials @rossifaripod on TikTok Join the new Rossifari Discord: https://discord.gg/rQSwMuetj Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dateline: July 24, 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 with a quick catch up on my life, which is currently taking place in California. Then we dive into an interview with Dr. Heather Schwartz of the Nashville Zoo. We discuss the current data center fight taking place in Nashville, and how what started as a local battle to protect the zoo's animals has turned into an international conservation conversation. Then we dive into the rest of our zoo news from facilities like Potawatomi Zoo, San Diego Zoo Safari Park, Cincinnati Zoo, Santa Barbara Zoo, Henry Doorly Zoo, Cape May County Zoo, Tanganyika Wildlife Park, The Greenville Zoo, and more! All that plus Conservation News, Other News, and Animal Holidays! EPISODE LINKS: nashvillezoo.org @nashvillezoo SIGN THE PETITION! https://www.change.org/p/nashville-zoo-says-no-to-proposed-data-center ROSSIFARI LINKS: Rossifari.com Patreon.com/rossifari to support the pod @rossifari on socials @rossifaripod on TikTok Join the new Rossifari Discord: https://discord.gg/rQSwMuetj Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today, the Safari heads down to Texas to sit down with my good friend Elizabeth Johnson! We talk about her position at Longneck Manor and catch up on the work she's been doing for The Mothering Wildlife Podcast! This interview took place during the AZA Midyear Meeting, so we talk a lot about the collaboration and work that takes place there as well! EPISODE LINKS: longneckmanor.com @longneckmanor @motheringwildlife ROSSIFARI LINKS: Rossifari.com @rossifari on socials @rossifaripod on TikTok Patreon.com/rossifari to support Join the new Rossifari Discord at: https://discord.gg/AHFjXZHEU Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dateline: July 17, 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 with a quick catch up on my life, including swimming with four dogs. Then we dive into an interview with LynnLee Schmidt of Tanganyika Wildlife Park, sharing the incredible story taking place right now with their baby giraffe. Then I drop a full headline story about the changes made to the Endangered Species Act recently and the negative conservation effects they are going to have. We also discuss Shifting Baseline Syndrome as part of this, so lucky you! Then we dive into a BUNCH of red panda births! Then regular births, deaths, and the rest of Zoo News from places like Santa Barbara Zoo, Longleat, Vogelpark Avifauna, Hamura Zoo, Hertfordshire Zoo, Pairi Daiza, Cincinnati Zoo, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, Detroit Zoo, Little Rock Zoo, Columbus Zoo, Southwick's Zoo, Buffalo Zoo, and more. All that plus Conservation News, Other News, and Animal Holidays! EPISODE LINKS: @tanganyikawildlifepark twpark.com ROSSIFARI LINKS: Rossifari.com Patreon.com/rossifari to support the pod @rossifari on socials @rossifaripod on TikTok Join the new Rossifari Discord: https://discord.gg/rQSwMuetj Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today, the Safari returns to Cincinnati for one of the funniest and most fascinating guests that's ever been on the podcast! Dr. VanSandt has one of the craziest origin stories and is one of the best storytellers I've ever encountered. Add to that a brilliant mind doing incredible work for animals, and you've got one of my favorite episodes ever. EPISODE LINKS: @cincinnatizoo cincinnatizoo.org ROSSIFARI LINKS: Rossifari.com @rossifari on socials @rossifaripod on TikTok Patreon.com/rossifari to support Join the new Rossifari Discord at: https://discord.gg/AHFjXZHEU Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dateline: July 10, 2026. Rossifari Zoo News is back with a round up of the latest news in the world of zoos, aquariums, conservation, and animal weirdness! This is just what is normally the introduction part of the podcast. You'll learn why when you listen. ROSSIFARI LINKS: Rossifari.com Patreon.com/rossifari to support the pod @rossifari on socials @rossifaripod on TikTok Join the new Rossifari Discord: https://discord.gg/rQSwMuetj Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today, the Safari heads to Pittsburgh to sit down with two of my favorite colleagues of all time: Jenn and Shafkat! These are two fellow members of the Executive Committee of SAFE Red Panda, and we have spent the last few years working together to build the program into something we are all super proud of. We dive into that, talk about the conservation and education work they do at the zoo, and of course sneak in a chat about a binturong! EPISODE LINKS: @saferedpanda @pittsburghzoo pittsburghzoo.org ROSSIFARI LINKS: Rossifari.com Patreon.com/rossifari to support the pod @rossifari on socials @rossifaripod on TikTok Join the new Rossifari Discord: https://discord.gg/rQSwMuetj Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dateline: July 3, 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 with a quick catch up on my life, including saying goodbye to a beloved dog and almost getting killed by a turtle. Then we dive into an interview with Tom Schmid, the President and CEO of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, who tells us ALL about the new aquarium that will be coming to the zoo in 2029! Then it's time for Zoo News stories from Zoo Knoxville, Calgary Zoo, Binder Park Zoo, Maryland Zoo, Roger Williams Park Zoo, Nashville Zoo, and more! All that and Animal Holidays! ROSSIFARI LINKS: Rossifari.com Patreon.com/rossifari to support the pod @rossifari on socials @rossifaripod on TikTok Join the new Rossifari Discord: https://discord.gg/rQSwMuetj Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.