Humane Wildlife Services of the HSUS Addresses Human-Wildlife Conflict
Posted by Jordan Carlton Schaul of University of Alaska on December 18, 2012 Most of us think of the Humane Society of the United States as an organization dedicated to the welfare of companion animals and perhaps domestic and alternative livestock. But the HSUS is also very cognizant of the needs of wildlife species and through its Humane Wildlife Services program, works to mitigate human-wildlife conflict in the…
“Animals in Action”— Orange County Zoo’s Beavers (Betty & Buckley)
Posted by Jordan Carlton Schaul of University of Alaska on December 14, 2012 Contributing Editor Dr. Jordan Schaul introduces a new series of articles showcasing Orange County Zoo’s (OC Zoo’s) native wildlife ambassadors, which represent indigenous species of the Southwest. When a colleague of mine—another Zoo Curator at the Oklahoma City Zoo learned of my new post as the Curator of Zoo Operations for the Orange County Zoo via Facebook, he…
The Nature Deficit Disorder and How it is Impacting our Natural World—An Interview with Dr. Michael Hutchins
Posted by Jordan Carlton Schaul of University of Alaska on December 14, 2012 Contributing Editor Dr. Jordan Schaul interviews Dr. Michael Hutchins concerning some societal trends that have dire consequences for our natural world. This is the second in a series of interviews Jordan has conducted with his friend and distinguished colleague. Michael is a wildlife biologist, professor and conservationist currently living in Silver Spring, Maryland. Here is…
The Wiseguy “Gets” Animals: Interview with Ken Wahl
Posted by Jordan Carlton Schaul of University of Alaska on December 5, 2012 Contributing Editor Dr. Jordan Schaul and legendary celebrity animal activists the Barbi Twins interview Ken Wahl—the Wiseguy. Ken Wahl is an award winning actor, writer, and director most known for winning a Golden Globe for the series Wiseguy. Wahl has starred in many movies, including, THE WANDERERS, PURPLE HEARTS, FORT APACHE THE BRONX with Paul Newman, JINXED…
Former AZA Director/William Conway Chair of Conservation & Science Discusses the State of Zoos & their Future
Posted by Jordan Carlton Schaul of University of Alaska on December 2, 2012 Contributing Editor Dr. Jordan Schaul interviews his friend and colleague Dr. Michael Hutchins, one of the foremost experts on zoos in the world, to continue discussion about the future of zoos, related conservation breeding facilities and their role in global species preservation. Michael is the Director of Conservation and Science for Safari Professionals (SP), one…
Shedd Aquarium Studies Invasive Fish Species Impacting the Great Lakes Ecosystem
Posted by Jordan Carlton Schaul of University of Alaska on November 29, 2012 Contributing Editor Dr. Jordan Schaul interviews Shedd Aquarium researchers about the facility’s Great Lakes conservation research programs, which include studies on invasive species. In the face of all the threats that challenge the Earth’s pelagic and coastal zones of fresh water, marine and brackish water bodies, Shedd Aquarium remains committed to the conservation of aquatic…
Actor Eric Roberts Talks Animal Rescue from Russian Brown Bears to Backyard Bees
Posted by Jordan Carlton Schaul of University of Alaska on November 29, 2012 Contributing Editor Dr. Jordan Schaul and legendary celebrity animal advocates the Barbi Twins interview actor Eric Roberts about his animal rescue work and his family’s love for the animal kingdom. Eric Roberts is a Golden Globe and Academy Award nominated actor, vegan animal activist and environmentalist. He began his career in 1977 playing the original…
Grizzly Bear Activity in Response to Traffic Volume and Road Densities
Posted by Jordan Carlton Schaul of University of Alaska on November 21, 2012 Contributing Editor Dr. Jordan Schaul reports on the first study to examine grizzly bear behavior in response to spatial and temporal variations in traffic patterns using traffic models. In April, while filming a segment for the BBC series Dangerous Roads with actor Charley Boorman, I reported on the impact of roads on wildlife for Nat…
Richard Pryor’s Legacy Lives On—Advocating on Behalf of Laboratory Animals
Posted by Jordan Carlton Schaul of University of Alaska on November 17, 2012 Contributing Editor Dr. Jordan Schaul and legendary celebrity animal activists—the Barbi Twins—interview Jennifer Lee Pryor, wife of the late Richard Pryor about his legacy as a crusader for the voiceless members of the animal kingdom. Jennifer Lee Pryor was twice married to Richard Pryor—one the most influential comedians of the 20th century. Richard was an…
No Funny Business in Animal Rescue: Interview with Comedian Elayne Boosler
Posted by Jordan Carlton Schaul of University of Alaska on November 15, 2012 Contributing Editor Dr. Jordan Schaul and legendary animal activists—the Barbi Twins—interview funny lady Elayne Boosler about her more serious interest in animal rescue. Elayne Boosler initially began rescue work with Boxer Rescue of Los Angeles in the Mid 90′s. She eventually joined the organization’s Board of Directors. More recently, Elayne founded her own animal rescue…
The Brady Bunch to the Rescue: Interview with Animal Advocate—Susan Olsen (Cindy Brady)
Posted by Jordan Carlton Schaul of University of Alaska on November 11, 2012 Contributing Editor Dr. Jordan Schaul, once again, invited the legendary animal rescuers, the Barbi Twins, to interview another celebrity animal advocate and rescuer. Here is an interview with Susan Olsen who played Cindy Brady on the Brady Bunch. Barbi Twins: We noticed on the Brady Bunch that Cindy Brady, as a young girl, wanted to…
Shedd Aquarium & Project Seahorse Collaborate in Southeast Asia
Posted by Jordan Carlton Schaul of University of Alaska on November 8, 2012 Contributing Editor Dr. Jordan Schaul interviews Dr. Charles Knapp, Shedd Aquarium’s Vice President of Conservation and Research, to learn about some of the institution’s field conservation work in Southeast Asia. As Shedd Aquarium embarks on new on-the-ground field conservation initiatives to save aquatic environments, they have recently deployed three post-doctoral researchers around the world to…
‘Stars for Stripes’—Celebrities Come Out to Support Tiger Conservation
Posted by Jordan Carlton Schaul of University of Alaska on November 3, 2012 Contributing Editor Dr. Jordan Schaul introduces Katie Cleary’s Peace 4 Animals organization, which has teamed up with Born Free USA to host a Star-Studded Red Carpet Gala—”Stars for Stripes”—in support of Bengal tiger conservation. Two years ago the world celebrated Year of the Tiger. Hopefully it won’t be the last time we pay tribute to…
Zoo Conservation Notes—November 2012 Edition
Posted by Jordan Carlton Schaul of University of Alaska on November 2, 2012 Two of the most prestigious zoological parks in the Midwest have some exciting updates to share for this inaugural edition of Zoo Conservation Notes. Chicago Zoological Society’s Brookfield Zoo announced the release of an endangered Mexican gray wolf at a USFWS refuge in New Mexico last Saturday that was previously held at the suburban Chicago…
Interview with San Diego Zoo’s Animal Enrichment Expert—Dr. Lance Miller
Posted by Jordan Carlton Schaul of University of Alaska on November 2, 2012 Contributing Editor Dr. Jordan Schaul interviews environmental enrichment expert Dr. Lance Miller of San Diego Zoo Global’s Institute for Conservation Research. Today, zoos adhere to strict environmental enrichment protocols to ensure that the animal ambassadors in their respective collections are stimulated and encouraged to perform natural behaviors. Enrichment programs are carefully planned and science-based, just…
‘Housewife’ Joanna Krupa has Cat Fight with Sandy for Hurricane Pets
Posted by Jordan Carlton Schaul of University of Alaska on November 1, 2012 Hurricane Sandy interrupted my regular Q & A blog where celebrity animal activists, the Barbi Twins, interview their celebrity friends, which was going to be Joanna Krupa, the ‘hot’ Miami housewife. Instead, Joanna contacted the Barbi Twins since she was stuck in NY because of Hurricane Sandy, and asked how she could help hands-on with Hurricane Sandy’s…
Interview with Alison Eastwood & Billy McNamara of Nat Geo Wild’s ‘Animal Intervention’
Posted by Jordan Carlton Schaul of University of Alaska on November 1, 2012 Contributing Editor Dr. Jordan Schaul and the legendary Barbi Twins interview actors/producers Billy McNamara and Alison Eastwood about their new show—Animal Intervention—a featured program on Nat Geo Wild. Playing opposite the likes of Sigourney Weaver and Gabriel Byrne, William “Billy” McNamara is credited with 65 TV and film appearances. The celebrated actor was formerly trained…
World Expert on Seals Discusses their Fate in Light of Climate Change
Posted by Jordan Carlton Schaul of University of Alaska on October 25, 2012 Contributing Editor Dr. Jordan Schaul interviews one of his first mentors—Dr. David Aurioles Gamboa—concerning the future of seals, sea lions, fur seals and walruses given the predicted impact of climate change on the global populations of these marine mammals. In 1995, Jordan conducted census work and activity budget studies on California sea lions under David’s…
Wildlife SOS-India Ends the 400 Year-Old Practice of Persecuting Bears—a Conservation Success Story
Posted by Jordan Carlton Schaul of University of Alaska on October 11, 2012 Contributing Editor Jordan Schaul talks with his friends and colleagues Geeta Seshamani and Kartick Satyanarayan, the founders of Wildlife SOS India, and Nikki Sharp (Director of Wildlife SOS USA) about how they put an end to the 400 year-old practice of dancing bears in an exclusive Skype interview across the world. Below is the story…
“Black Bear”—the New Exhibit at the Minnesota Zoo for a Triplet of Orphans
Posted by Jordan Carlton Schaul of University of Alaska on October 11, 2012 Contributing Editor Jordan Schaul interviews Tom Ness of the Minnesota Zoo about the new bear exhibit in Apple Valley. The Medtronic Minnesota trail at the Minnesota Zoo in Minneapolis is home to one of the most complete living collections of Nearctic carnivorans in the world, if not the most complete. The exhibit features coyote, grey…
From “Poop to Power”—the Denver Zoo is One of the Greenest of the Green
Posted by Jordan Carlton Schaul of University of Alaska on October 8, 2012 Contributing Editor Jordan Schaul interviews Denver Zoo’s Director of Communications Tiffany Barnhart about some of the “greenest” achievements of any zoological park in North America. Jordan: The Denver Zoo is the first AZA institution to have received certification, indicating the facility meets environmental management standards set by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Congratulations on…
Willie Nelson’s Family & Friends Talk Animals
Posted by Jordan Carlton Schaul of University of Alaska on October 5, 2012 Contributing Editor Dr. Jordan Schaul recently asked the world famous, celebrity models and animal activists—the Barbi Twins—to find out how some of their celebrity friends are using their clout to help animals around the world. Within a few moments, the Twins arranged a sit-down interview with two other celebrity sisters—Amy and Raelyn Nelson—children of Willie…
Namaste—National Yoga Month is Here!
Posted by Jordan Carlton Schaul of University of Alaska on September 13, 2012 Namaste! How is your yoga practice going? Whether it is going well or just “going,” it will be cheaper this month in celebration of National Yoga Month. Designated by the Department of Health and Human Services as a month of national observance, the celebratory event is intended to raise awareness for the practice of yoga…
“Don’t Be Slow to Save a Loris”—Announcing Loris Awareness Week
Posted by Jordan Carlton Schaul of University of Alaska on September 10, 2012 Direct you to where you might find an Asian lorisine at the zoo? “Not a chance,” I would say—at least that’s what I used to say—until I was introduced to one as a professional zoo keeper. As a kid, enamored with zoos and zoo animals, I was impressed with charismatic megafauna and utterly unimpressed with…
A Small Tale of Human-Elephant Conflict on Kenya’s Northern Border
Posted by Jordan Carlton Schaul of University of Alaska on September 9, 2012 One of my favorite zoo signs was created by the folks at the world famous San Diego Zoo and the Safari Park (AKA Wild Animal Park). If you’re a zoophile, you have probably seen this sign! For sale in the zoo shop and posted around the two wildlife campuses, the sign lists a whole bunch…
