POPULARITY
Director of Research for the Dolphin Research Center, Dr. Kelly Jaakkola returns to discuss her upcoming free webinar summarizing recent dolphin cognition studies hosted by the Dolphin Communication Project and her just published invited rebuttal to a paper in the journal Science about marmosets supposed use of individual names. Few species have been shown to use names much like we humans do as labels to identify specific individuals. She discusses how authors of a recent study that relied on machine learning to analyze common marmoset "phee calls" found patterns which they suggest indicate the use of these calls as individual names. Dr. Jaakkola suggests in her rebuttal that while the computer methodology seems sound and exciting for future investigative work, there is another explanation which fits the data better than the authors' interpretation that marmosets are using these calls as names like humans or dolphins do. Animal Care Software
As director of research for the Dolphin Research Center, Dr. Kelly Jaakkola spends much of her time studying the cognitive abilities of bottlenose dolphins, as well as, refuting the false or unsubstantiated narratives stemming from all places, recent peer-reviewed publications by authors opposed to marine mammals in human care. One of two of her recent publications examines whether these small cetaceans in human care live in "impoverished" environments. Spoiler alert, they don't. However, Kelly argues in a separate paper that this low bar of animal welfare can and should be raised to include beneficial cognitive challenges that enable animals in zoological facilities, not just dolphins, to thrive when we humans have met most of their physical needs. Animal Care Software
In the Florida Keys, the ocean isn't just part of the scenery. Because beneath those shimmering teal waters, there are adventures and discoveries just waiting to be found. And in today's episode, we'll explore two very different - yet equally captivating - gems of the Keys, with excerpts from two different episodes of the 30-part Florida Keys Traveler podcast. First, join host Elizabeth Harryman Lasley as she visits Marathon's Dolphin Research Center. Mandy Rodriguez co-founded DRC in 1984 as a research facility where dolphins are cared for and nurtured in a forever home. The results are something you'll have to hear to believe. (Hint: It really is possible to speak with them - and doing so has saved many lives). Then, Elizabeth speaks with Kim Fisher. In 1985, Kim's father Mel Fisher finally found the object of a deep-sea search spanning nearly 17 years. The Atocha shipwreck was named by the Guinness Book of World Records as the most valuable shipwreck treasure ever recovered, then worth an estimated $400 million. Join us for an episode that will have you eager to hop into the water by the time you're done. VISIT THE FLORIDA KEYS If you want to learn more about booking your own trip to experience the sights and attractions featured in this episode, go to Fla-Keys.com. To call from the United States or Canada, dial 1 (800) FLA-KEYS or contact your travel advisor. SOCIAL For more details about Dolphin Research Center, and for details about this episode's featured dolphins, Pax and Talon, go to dolphins.org. For more information about Mel Fisher's Treasures, go to melfisher.com. The Florida Keys History Center, itself a treasure trove of Keys history, is located in the Key West Library: keyslibraries.org. And please help share the show with your friends! Subscribe to the podcast wherever you're listening, follow @armchairexplorerpodcast on Instagram and Facebook, and check out Armchair Explorer's website, armchair-explorer.com. CREDITS This show was produced by Armchair Productions, the audio experts for the travel industry. Elizabeth Harryman-Lasley hosted and wrote the show. Jason Paton recorded, mixed, and sound designed it. Jenny Allison and Aaron Millar produced it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This episode is a collaboration with AAZK (American Association of Zoo Keepers) for their "Spotlight on Aquariums Week". The guests for this episode are Sarah Snider-Keys from the Board of Directors of AAZK and Sarah (SK) Ivkovich from The Dolphin Research Center (DRC) as they discuss behavior management in an aquatic setting. Sarah and SK discuss some of the differences and challenges of working with purely aquatic species and some of the creative solutions and successes that come from an aquatic setting. This episode also touches on when and how to start training baby animals and training animals in a social group. Stay tuned in for a "Training Tale" about how a dolphin learned how to soar not from a trainer's approximations, but by watching and learning from another dolphin. For questions or suggestions about the podcast email abc@theabma.org or visit our website https://www.theabma.org To reach Sarah Snider- Keys email sarah.snider@aazk.org and to learn more about AAZK visit their website https://aazk.org To reach Sarah Ivkovich email sarah.ivkovich@dolphins.org Let's talk some training and banter about behavior! 2:50 Intro to Sarah Snider-Keys and SK Ivkovich 4:25 Information about AAZK (American Association of Zoo Keepers) 6:55 Spotlight on Aquariums Week 10:20 Planning and implementing training in an aquatic setting 15:05 Specific behaviors/techniques that are unique to purely aquatic species 19:00 Advantages and challenges with habitats that are in the public view 25:20 Training baby animals before food is a reinforcer/When should you start training? 33:15 Social animals, group vs individual animal criteria 38:50 Enrichment opportunities in an aquatic setting 46:10 Advice for starting behavior programs with aquatic species 52:30 “Training Tales”
According to its website, the Dolphin Research Center promotes peaceful coexistence, cooperation and communication between marine mammals, humans and the environment. They achieve this through education, research and rescue. Home to generations of bottlenose dolphins as well as California sea lions, the DRC is uniquely situated to study cognition, behavior and husbandry. DRC president and CEO Rita Irwin and Director of Research, Dr. Kelly Jaakkola discuss 40 years of scientific investigations and the future of marine mammals in human care. Animal Care Software
Pre-show Patreon only: Steven wants to know if anyone wants about 50 blank CDs. Nope. Ben grieves by doing work. He's learning a lot about himself. Ben sent his wife a birthday message recorded by an Argentinian Bruce Willis lookalike. This episode contains: Happy Birthday Devon! We recorded a podcast without you! Don't remember a birthday? You can remember a BELATED BIRTHDAY! Ben is giving his wife 40 gifts over 40 days for her 40th birthday. Steven says Ben is a good gifter... and should give him more gifts. Ben thanks Big Door Prize for the idea of 40 gifts for turning 40. Steven makes fun of a hat that Devon wears while boating, but he rocks it NGL. We giggle like idiots for most of this show. Oh Man, Vacation's Coming: More structure, fewer screens makes for healthier kids in the school holidays. Ben gets grizzled about the terrible screen-filled present we live in. Advertising revenue is more important than the health of the populace? #NoMoreScreens. Ben wishes his son was a foodie. So sad. He eats to live, not lives to eat. A study in Australia showed that kids are generally less healthy during school holidays. At what age do children get different levels of independence? Like, making their own snacks? On holidays, kids watch a whole lot more screens. How bad is this? We suggest setting limits on screen time for kids on holiday. When we were kids, we found things to do. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/04/230414113518.htm So I Listened to Another Podcast: Trip to alphaSyntauri | Welcome to Macintosh. I guess we now know how to pronounce Moog. Thanks Welcome to Macintosh! Charlie Kellner created a synth on an Apple ][, and it was used for TRON sound effects. The Dolphin Research Center used alphaSyntauri on Apple ][ to communicate with dolphins. Obviously, dolphins love TRON. https://www.macintosh.fm/episodes/3 You Know What Else Makes Sense To Me?: Tetris on a chicken nugget is the game as it was meant to be played. Ready to play Tetris on a chicken mcnugget? This is the 40th anniversary of the chicken mcnugget! Hooray for 1983! But can the chicken mcnugget run Doom? Tetris will celebrate 40 years next year, as it was made in 1984. You need a chicken mcnugget 4 times the size to play Tetris on it. Steven and Ben sing Korobeiniki (the Tetris song) on this week's show. They're only making 400,000 mcnugget-Tetris machines. https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2023/05/finally-you-can-play-tetris-on-a-giant-chicken-nugget/ Mid-show Patreon only: Ben's living his best life: mounted his split ergo keyboard to two tripods. Ben's cat is turning 17 this year. We remember the day he nearly murdered Devon. Science Fiction: Spicy take from Steven: cooking is just following directions. We love balancing chemistry equations... can someone make a balancing equations game? Silo is a great show, and Devon is an absolute legend. The compact disk was invented in 1983. Steven never knows what Ben is talking about. Isn't Silo just a Fallout show? Nay. This about life IN the vault. Silo is about how a society has been shaped to live underground for hundreds of years? Steven digs how non-linear the storytelling in Silo is. Does Silo out-LOST LOST? Shoutout to Jason Gurley this week, and his "Greatfall: A Silo Novel". Silo gets five stars out of three from us. You read that right. Jason Gurley's "Eleanor" is incredible. Steven read Jason Gurley's "The Dark Age" on the day his first daughter was born. Whoa. Steven's coming to terms with Anakin's character in the Star Wars prequels. Anakin is a deeply damaged individual, lost his mom and replaced her with Padme. Did Anakin use force powers to make Padme love him? Gives a different context to his creepy dialogue. Once Anakin is betrayed by Padme, he cuts off the "force love" and Padme dies from withdrawals? Clone Wars Anakin is very different from prequel movies Anakin. Men in Black holds up. Great film. Men in Black was a Marvel comic... could we see the MiB in the MCU?!? The Men in Black and Starship Troopers: Roughnecks cartoons were big for Ben in High School. Steven had a tape of Ghostbusters from TV, edited for content. Funny! Are y'all ready for seeing Mariner and Boimler in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds? Post-show Patreon only: We talk about the video games Star Trek: Resurgence and TRON: Identity.
Have you ever really gotten to know a dolphin? In this episode, join host Elizabeth Harryman Lasley and producer Jason Paton as they visit Marathon's Dolphin Research Center in the Florida Keys, home to incredible human-dolphin relationships. Mandy Rodriguez co-founded DRC in 1984 as a research facility where dolphins are cared for and nurtured in a forever home. The results are something you'll have to hear to believe. Can dolphins understand us - and how much can we really understand them? What makes each dolphin unique? How can befriending dolphins save lives? For more information, and for details about this episode's featured dolphins, Pax and Talon, go to dolphins.org. For more details and travel inspiration, visit Fla-Keys.com. To call from the United States or Canada, dial 1 (800) FLA-KEYS or contact your travel advisor. Produced by Armchair Productions, the audio experts for the travel industry.
Mary Stella is the Director of Media & Marketing at Dolphin Research Center in the Florida Keys, a non-profit attraction that offers immersive and educational dolphin encounters, programs, and a wide variety of experiences. In this interview, Mary shares the difference between marketing and public relations, which ties directly into the importance of the guest experience. At the beginning of the pandemic, Dolphin Research Center launched a series on Facebook live, which allowed Mary and her team to showcase the animals and bring educational entertainment to viewers sitting at home. By going live every day, their viewership skyrocketed, along with their followers, and ultimately led to being a highly successful fundraising campaign for donations. Many guests visiting DRC today were influenced to visit from the Facebook live series, which is still in place today on a reduced scheduled. Mary shares that her goal is for all guests to connect so strongly with their experience at Dolphin Research Center that they become members and lifelong advocates.
Can we build a Dolittle Machine, a piece of technology that will let us converse with the animals of planet Earth? Science fiction writer Matthew De Abaitua investigates how the latest advances in AI mean that this is now more in the realms of the possible, rather than in the purely fantastical. Starting in his garden with two cats, he finds himself in a tropical forest with big-brained hook-wielding birds, surveying multidimensional neural networks, and meets a woman who found out about her pregnancy from a dolphin. There are also robotic fish and sound pictures painted at high speed by fruit bats. What is Matthew's machine going to look like, how will it operate, and what will we learn from it all? Featuring: Linda Erb, vice president of animal care and training, Dolphin Research Center, Florida. Martha Nussbaum, professor of law and philosophy, University of Chicago. Diana Reiss, professor, Department of Psychology, Hunter College. Daniela Rus, roboticist, professor and Director of the Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab, MIT. Natalie Uomini, researcher into New Caledonian crows and animal intelligence. Yossi Yovel, professor, Department of Zoology, Tel Aviv University. Extracts from ‘Songs of the Humpback Whale' used with permission from Ocean Alliance. Sperm whale sounds courtesy of Project CETI. Presenter: Matthew De Abaitua Producer: Richard Ward Executive Producer: Jo Rowntree A Loftus Media production for Radio 4
Recently, the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums held its annual meeting at SeaWorld of Florida. We had the opportunity to hear from several researchers on the latest zoo and aquarium animal welfare studies, with an emphasis on cetaceans. In part one of this two part series, we hear from Dr. Lance Miller from the Chicago Zoological Society on how the organization monitors, assesses, and studies welfare across the entire zoo collection. Dr. Miller also provides an overview of the extensive cetacean welfare study conducted in cooperation with dozens of facilities, which has already resulted in 9 peer-reviewed papers. Plus, Dr. Kelly Jaakkola from the Dolphin Research Center discusses her passion for cognition research, cognitive welfare for animals in human care, and the importance of providing species appropriate cognitive challenges to animals. Animal Care Software KONG Zoo Zoo Logic
This is a three-part episode about my past week in the Florida Keys. Covered is the Bonefish & Tarpon Trust 9th annual Circle of Honor Inductions in Islamorada. Next is my adventures at the Dolphin Research Center in Marathon. Lastly, we visited the Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park near Islamorada. Whew! Busy 3 days. Hope you enjoy the podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week, DC & Brother J take a cosmic journey with Jen and Bianca, trainers from The Dolphin Research Center in Marathon Florida! We learn about how Dolphins have best friends, learn the amazing tasks they demonstrate and what its like working so closely with these amazing and intelligent ocean beauties. To Find out more about how you can get involved and visiting The DRC head over to www.dolphins.org Check out this podcast on Youtube!
On August 30th, 2021, AttractionPros hosted an interactive podcast with a live audience at the 2021 Florida Attractions Association Annual Conference. While the topics discussed revolved around the lessons learned during the pandemic, the overall tone of the session was incredibly positive, focusing on the silver linings of these incredibly difficult past 18 months. Questions to the audience asked for stories of those silver linings, examples of changes made during the pandemic that are likely to stick around, and also ways in which people grew personally during these challenging times. Jared Reid of Wild Florida Airboats said that COVID was “the best thing that has ever happened” to the business. When the lockdowns came, Wild Florida was just launching its new safari drive-through attraction. Because of the nature of their attraction, it was able to stay open while other attractions had to remain closed. By focusing more on the local market and less on tourists, attendance soared from 200 visitors per day to over 4000. Mary Stella of Dolphin Research Center discussed their pivot to connecting with supporters daily over social media platforms. This led to increased engagement and donations from the people they interacted with digitally. They also increased their distance learning curriculum. Kara Laufer of Naples Botanical Garden emphasized the goal of “being a force for good.” They worked to grow their online presence while finding ways to give back to their community. One way they gave back was by offering free admission to healthcare and frontline workers and their families. They've also partnered with food banks to help distribute donations to those in need. During all this, their memberships grew. Rob Lamke of the Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) emphasized that change is not inherently bad. He discussed how sometimes there is a tendency to keep doing things the same way that they have always been done. The pandemic forced MOSI to implement some of the types of things they'd already discussed but never committed to, such as a huge focus on digital content. This led to increased engagement with their partner schools, record attendance to the museum and their summer camps, and a greater focus on engaging with adults. John Chidester with Fun Spot America looked ahead, keeping everyone on during the challenging times but asking them to try new roles, like landscaping, to help prepare for the eventual reopening. While others were having to lay folks off, Fun Spot was hiring. When the time came to reopen, Fun Spot focused on locals who hadn't gotten a chance to enjoy all of the parks' latest additions. Additionally, while others were cancelling their new ride and coaster orders, Fun Spot was able to move up in the line and get new attractions in a more timely, affordable manner, helping them be ready for the recent surges in travel. Sara Turner with IMAG History & Science Center said that the downtime gave them a chance to reevaluate their mission. They switched up their programming to become more virtual. They also worked with a local news station to create weekly science segments, giving back to their community while also spreading the word about what they do. They also gave back to their community with food drives. Christina Schwartzman of Sawgrass Recreation Park said that the pandemic gave them a chance to slow down and decide how they wanted their business to look in the future. Instead of continuing to focus on getting as many guests as possible through the doors each day, they decided to switch their focus to VIP, low-volume experiences. This meant there were fewer people coming to their attraction, but they were making more money. Their new focus enhanced the guest experience by allowing visitors to have a quiet, nature-focused visit. Additionally, the supply chain challenges allowed Sawgrass to partner with more small vendors who provided handmade items for their gift shop. Christina also expressed the joy of getting to spend more time with her frontline workers. Julie Baross of Gatorland also discussed the benefits of switching to digital content to grow their engagement with kids and their families. They also created a character, named Social Distancing Skunk Ape, to remind people to stay six feet apart. Their efforts to reach out and provide free digital entertainment in 2020 have led to record-breaking attendance in 2021. Dean Mixon of Mixon Fruit Farms discussed the need to reinvent themselves during the pandemic. The downtime gave Dean time to finish filing a patent. Additionally, there was a greater emphasis on weddings on their beautiful farmland. Dean also expressed his gratitude for local visitors coming out to support the farm, and he also talked about how thankful he was for the employees that stayed with them through the most challenging times. Janet Mixon, also of Mixon Fruit Farms, discussed another aspect of their pivot. A Canadian company reached out to them and asked for assistance making Broghies. This was a new line of business for them, and the popping nature of the machine that makes the Broghies has been a hit with young visitors. Lisa Sbuttoni with Fort Myers River District Alliance talked about the campaign she created called “Look Up, Fort Myers.” Lisa hired aerobatic pilots to put on an amazing show that could be seen all over Fort Myers for the 4th of July. Along with this, Lisa worked with local news channels to feature 26 local businesses and encourage people to buy from local small businesses. Because of the community coming together during this challenging time, none of the businesses in the downtown district went out of business during the pandemic. Scott Rose with ZooTampa at Lowry Park discussed how they had to implement changes to their yearly, large-scale Halloween and Christmas events. In the past, these events have been free for zoo members, so 75% of attendees were members. Because controlling attendance would be important for this event and to combat no-shows, a $5 non-refundable reservation fee was required for all attendees, even members. This fee was given back to people that came in the form of Zoo Bucks that could be used on food and merchandise during the event. This caused more people to choose to dine during the event instead of before arriving. Despite having to limit attendance, the huge in-park spending increase actually made the events more profitable while also giving those that attended a better guest experience. Barry Bass with A Means to a Vend noticed the trend of drive-by parties and gatherings happening during the pandemic. He launched a new product, later named PromoPop, in response. He put popcorn in customizable containers that could be given out as party favors during these drive-by celebrations. Aimie Johnson of the Florida Aquarium talked about how she amped up her collaboration skills during the pandemic. When working with other aquariums who were also creating plans to safely reopen, Aimie freely shared her learnings with others while also asking questions about how the other aquariums were managing guest flow, holding events safely, and keeping employee morale up. She also discussed the value of asking experienced pros to share their thoughts while also gathering the thoughts of newer employees. Kelly Sheer with Moonlight Promos shared how tragedy helped her make a difficult but positive change in her life. Her doctor of 20 years sadly passed away due to COVID-19. This tragedy caused her to reflect and think about what she wanted her life to look like moving forward. This introspective caused her to end relationships that weren't providing joy to her life and making a big move to a new part of the country to start anew. Robin Rosario with Pure Florida talked about how she'd always tried to shoulder everything herself, both at home and at work. However, when she was hospitalized due to COVID-19, she realized that her family and her coworkers were capable of taking care of things when she needed to rest. She realized how blessed she was to be surrounded by folks that supported her, and she was humbled to learn that she no longer had to feel responsible for handling everything on her own. While Matt and Josh were asked to host the session together, Josh was unable to attend due to an unexpected breakthrough COVID-19 infection. If you are on the fence about getting vaccinated against COVID-19, please note that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stresses that “high vaccination coverage will reduce spread of the virus and help prevent new variants from emerging.” To learn more about the Florida Attractions Association, click here. For previous AttractionPros LIVE! episodes hosted at various conferences throughout the United States, click here. This podcast wouldn't be possible without the incredible work of our amazing team: Audio and video editing by Abigail Giganan Complete episode summary by Paige Reiter Scheduling and correspondence by Kristen Karaliunas Social media marketing by Kate Kujawa Branding and design by Fabiana Fonseca Email marketing by Sam Bercik To connect with AttractionPros: attractionpros@gmail.com
Join us as we explore a seemingly simple, yet powerful, subject: listening. We offer a kaleidoscope of lessons, ideas and prompts from the natural world to inform and inspire you as you reflect on the topic of listening – as an individual, organisation, community and world. It's a slightly longer episode than usual -- there was lots we wanted to draw on and share!In the episode, we touch on:· How listening is core to our work in international development, local politics and coaching· Where we see listening working well - and less well· What's available, and what could be possible, as we listen more deeply to ourselves, each other, and the natural world · How examples of listening in / to the natural world might help us to think creatively (we draw on bats; owls; evening primroses; dolphins; forests; and ecoacoustics in biodiverse ecosystems)· What we can learn from collective listening, and silence, including in nature · Ideas and resources to help you experiment with, enhance, and enjoy your listeningListeners who wish to dive deeper can join our Facebook group, “Unfurling Podcast”, a community for asking questions and sharing reflections, ideas and resources: https://www.facebook.com/groups/313645743154222/~~~~~References:~1: Undetermined source: “The Earth Has Music For Those Who Listen”. ~6: Bernard Baruch: "Most of the successful people I've known are the ones who do more listening than talking." ~6: Henry David Thoreau: “It takes two to speak the truth - one to speak and another to hear.”~8: “Levels of Listening” in “Co-Active Coaching - 4th edition” by Henry Kimsey-House, Karen Kimsey-House, Phillip Sandahl, Laura Whitworth ~16: Owl hearing -- https://www.bto.org/our-science/projects/project-owl/learn-about-owls/owl-hearing and bat hearing -- https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-do-bats-echolocate-an/~22: “Flowers can hear buzzing bees—and it makes their nectar sweeter”, National Geographic (https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/2019/01/flowers-can-hear-bees-and-make-their-nectar-sweeter/)~26: Film: ‘Climate of Concern’ by Royal Dutch Shell, 1991 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VOWi8oVXmo ~31: “Dolphin Communication”, Dolphin Research Center (https://dolphins.org/communication) and “Dolphin Echolocation”, Dolphins World (https://www.dolphins-world.com/dolphin-echolocation/)~34: Diogenes Laertius: "We have two ears and only one tongue in order that we may hear more and speak less."~35: “Nature’s Internet: How Trees Talk To Each Other In a Healthy Forest” by Suzanne Simard (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=breDQqrkikM) ~43: Listen First Project (http://www.listenfirstproject.org/)~46: Larry King : "I remind myself every morning: Nothing I say this day will teach me anything. So if I'm going to learn, I must do it by listening."~47: Fragments of Extinction (https://www.fragmentsofextinction.org/mission/)~50: “A Wizard of Earthsea” by Ursula K. Le Guin: “For a word to be spoken, there must be silence. Before, and after.” ~50: “The Power of Silence: The Silence That Lies Within” by Richard Turner~52: “Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking” by Susan Cain~53: Noise level and silent contemplation figures from “NG Live!: The Ragged Edge of Silence” (https://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/00000144-0a37-d3cb-a96c-7b3fbe600000)~54: Sarah Broscombe and silent retreats (http://sarahbroscombe.com/)~55: John Francis in “Walk The Earth...My 17-Year Vow of Silence” (https://www.ted.com/talks/john_francis_walk_the_earth_my_17_year_vow_of_silence)~59: “How To Listen – 10 Expert Tips”, Arukah Network (https://www.arukahnetwork.org/post/211118#!)~62: Stephen R. Covey: "Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply."~63: “Dusk Chorus” documentary (https://www.fragmentsofextinction.org/dusk-chorus-film/)~65: Dorothy Sarnoff: "Make sure you have finished speaking before your audience has finished listening.” See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
The Director of Research for the Dolphin Research Center, Dr. Kelly Jaakkola is back describing a recent Connecticut bill intended to ban all relevant activities surrounding cetaceans living in human care. The bill's timing coincides with a federal import permit application by the state's only marine mammal facility, the Mystic Aquarium, seeking to add a handful of beluga whales born at a crowded facility in Canada. Mystic Aquarium has a well regarded rescue and research program for animals in human care and the wild so the bill's intent seems more concerned with ending public display rather than ensuring the best possible welfare interests of these animals. Not surprisingly, the bill's author has publicly denounced keeping cetaceans in human care and is a vocal member of an anti-zoo organization. That Sounds Wild: Red Foxes. Frank Buck Zoo Animal Care Software Peppermint Narwhal Zoo Logic Facebook The Rattlesnake Conservancy
Want to learn more about what it is like training dolphins? Join us for this episode with Linda Erb from the Dolphin Research Center as we talk about her start in the marine mammal field and what it is like working with dolphins. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thetrainingtails/support
An all star panel of Zoo Logic alumni discusses current wildlife news stories including why the misguided and unscientific cetacean ban recently passed by Canada's parliament will have a chilling effect on conservation research. Researchers Dr. Kelly Jaakkola and Dr. Jason Bruck join Killing Keiko author and wildlife advocate, Mark Simmons to describe some of the negative implications for wildlife conservation, public education, field research, and policymaking everywhere, not just in Canada. The panel examines the critical role zoological facilities play in conducting important research and developing technology and methods necessary for species conservation that would simply not be possible to do in the wild. Plus, hear the panel's views on counteracting one-sided and often anti-cap media, the future of those Russian orcas and belugas, and "spy whale." Sounds Wild: Squeak toy lemur Thanks to Conservation Ambassadors Zoo to You. http://conservationambassadors.org https://www.ammpa.org/why-canada-got-it-wrong www.facebook.com/ZooLogicpodcast/ Dr. Kelly Jaakkola http://zoologic.libsyn.com/dolphins-live-how-long Dolphin Research Center https://dolphins.org www.iReinforce.com Dr. Jason Bruck http://zoologic.libsyn.com/zoos-and-researchers-join-forces-to-preserve-nature Killing Keiko author, Mark Simmons http://zoologic.libsyn.com/killing-keiko-author-mark-simmons-0
Frequent contributor to Zoo Logic, Dr. Kelly Jaakkola, Director of Research for the Dolphin Research Center discusses the new peer-reviewed study she coauthored and published in the Journal Marine Mammal Science that compared survival rates and life expectancies for bottlenose dolphins living in zoological facilities with comparable values published for wild populations. The main takeaway from the study is dolphins living in zoological facilities today live at least as long or longer than wild populations studied to date. These results stand in stark contrast to some zoo and aquarium critics that continue to promote the false claim that dolphins do not live as long in human care. Data analyzed in this new study come from a U.S. government source called the “Marine Mammal Inventory Report” (MMIR), which lists basic information (e.g. birth date, death date, transfers, etc.) for all dolphins in marine mammal facilities in the U.S over the past 40 years or so. A few complications with comparing current MMIR data with previous studies of wild populations are due to the inherent limited scope of observations found in most wild studies and the different methods of statistical analysis that have been used in each previous publication. To make comparisons valid, the new study used the same analysis on the MMIR data that was used for each wild population publication. The last scientific paper to analyze survival for dolphins in facilities before this latest study used data that are now more than 25 years old. Even back then, survival rate and life expectancy for dolphins living in zoos and aquariums in the US were increasing and this study shows continuing significant increases since then. The current median life expectancy of bottlenose dolphins living in human care in the U.S. is 29.2 years. This is based on the most robust method of analysis called the Kaplan-Meier Survival Analysis. While the K-M approach is the most accurate analysis because it uses information from ALL animals in the population (both dead and living) and does not assume equal probability of dying at all ages like some of the other methods used in previous publications require, no wild study has yet used the Kaplan-Meier method to analyze the life expectancy of the respective wild populations examined due to the lack of detailed information on the age of living animals and the age-at-death for dead animals. Also of interest was the finding that a direct comparison of calf survival rate between the decades-long field study of the Sarasota population of dolphins and modern MMIR data found no significant difference between populations. In other words, while dolphin calf (age less than 1 year) mortality is higher than for adults, as is the case for many species including humans, there is no significant difference in survival rate between dolphin calves born in human care and those born in the wild. K. Jaakkola/K. Willis: How long do dolphins live? Survival rates and life expectancies for bottlenose dolphins in zoological facilities vs. wild populations. Marine Mammal Science 2019; DOI: 10.1111/mms.12601. Available at: http://doi.wiley.com/10.1111/mms.12601 http://zoologic.libsyn.com www.facebook.com/ZooLogicpodcast/ www.iReinforce.com https://dolphins.org
Conversations with animal training and research experts from our recent travels to Portugal and Japan. Guests Mandy Rodriguez, co-founder of the Dolphin Research Center, DRC's Director of Research and Zoo Logic contributor, Dr. Kelly Jaakkola, and professor Satoru Yamamoto pay homage, each in their own unique way to our animal training and care past, the growing focus on conducting research in the present, and the future potential for greater understanding, and improved training and welfare across the globe. Each stresses the importance of not just the science of animal training but also the need to build strong relationships with animals through positive reinforcement steeped in love, a sense of humor, and fun for the animals as well as the people that care for and study them. Plus, a judge in NY has issued the first ever writ of Habeas Corpus for an elephant named Happy living at the Bronx zoo. Blogger Rachel Garner shares an update on this troubling precedent-setting case brought by those seeking to give human rights to animals, in an all new Zoos News. www.dolphins.org www.iReinforce.com www.whyanimalsdothething.com
Join me as I chat with Kim Stamps, owner & operator, of Up the Keys Tours. Her tours take you all over the Keys. We talk about the different tours she offers, from half-day, full-day and custom tours. Kim takes her guests to Bahia Honda, The Blue Hole and on a Key Deer Safari. Interested in dolphins? She offers tours that include the Dolphin Research Center and the option to actually swim with the dolphins. Learn how she ended up in Key West ... it's a really interesting story. Maybe you are interested in a custom tour. Up the Keys can take care of that as well. You pick the stops and, viola, a custom tour is created. How about trying some of the Keys' Tiki Bars? Find out about her newest tour all about Tiki bars! Click here to learn more or book your trip. There is so much to see up and down the Keys ... I wouldn't miss out on this tour.
A study out this week, from the Dolphin Research Center in the Florida Keys, that shows how dolphins learned to synchronize their behavior in order to earn more fish and social praise. Dolphins understand something that still escapes many human beings, which is that their interests are not really opposed. Maybe dolphins could show how to put more dollars in the average worker’s paycheck to the benefit of all.
Zoo Logic host Dr. Grey Stafford talks with Dr. Kelly Jaakkola, the Director of Research for the Dolphin Research Center on the importance of science in the debate over whether animals like dolphins should be kept in human care. Kelly and Grey discuss how the public narrative and widespread misperceptions about dolphins and orcas affect public attitudes of these animals living in the wild versus those living in human care. Plus the latest Zoos News, an all new That Sounds Wild, and a legislative update by whyanimalsdothething.com's Rachel Garner explaining why it is illegal for carnivores to breed in Michigan!
Zoo Logic host Dr. Grey Stafford talks with Dr. Kelly Jaakkola, the Director of Research for the Dolphin Research Center on dolphin cognition and how scientists describe animal intelligence. Kelly and Grey discuss how the public narrative and widespread misperceptions about dolphins and orcas affect public attitudes of these animals living in the wild and those living in human care. Plus the latest Zoos News and an all new That Sounds Wild.
Come along with Craig Zabransky of StayAdventurous.com as he discovers Marathon and the middle Florida Keys. In this episode Craig visits the lesser known middle keys and spends time highlighting the advantages and attractions that await visitors to Marathon, Florida. You'll visit the home of perhaps it's most famous resident Flipper the Dolphin at the Dolphin Research Center, tour the world's first Turtle Hospital, take meals and cocktails at the Tarpon Creek Bar and Grill along with the Lighthouse Grill, discuss the restoration of Faro Blanco Lighthouse and tour its world class marina, discuss places to stay such as the Holiday Inn Express and the Hyatt Place and learn news ways to appreciate the iconic Seven Mile Bridge. As always he leaves you with his top travel tips and the where to watch the sunset spot to assist you when planning your road trip to Marathon along with the Staying Adventurous Mindset Moment - your travel take away and souvenir from his time in the middle Florida Keys. Mr Stay Adventurous has often driven straight through Marathon en route to Key West, but this time he stopped and discovered a new destination. With his relocation to the upper Florida Keys, you can expect plenty of coverage and trips to Marathon in his future. Look for it at hashtag#StayMarathon on his social media channels. For more podcasts and the future Staying Adventurous schedule visit the podcast page > here.
“Be willing to learn new skills” is the advice Jennifer Powell offers women considering a life change. Jennifer walks her talk: A former physical education teacher and Dolphin Research Center educator, Jennifer is now an accomplished facilitator, mediator, coach, presenter and a certified international tour director, leading tours in Cuba! Contact Jennifer at http://www.ReflectionsCoaching.net or jjpowell440@gmail.com