In this week’s episode, host Margaret Walls talks with Lynne Lewis, currently a professor of economics at Bates College and an incoming professor of agricultural and resource economics at Colorado State University, about brown bears in Katmai National Park in Alaska. Lewis discusses the fan base for the brown bear population in Katmai, which is connected to the Fat Bear Week tournament held every October; surveys that indicate the amount of money people would be willing to pay to protect the brown bears in Katmai; the relationship between an animal’s perceived individuality and the value people place on the conservation of that animal or its local population; and potential problems associated with visitors overcrowding Katmai and other national parks in the United States.

References and recommendations:

“Getting to know you: individual animals, wildlife webcams, and willingness to pay for brown bear preservation” by Leslie Richardson and Lynne Lewis; https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/ajae.12249

“The charisma premium: Iconic individuals and wildlife values” by Christopher Costello, Lynne Lewis, John Lynham, and Leslie Richardson; https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0095069623000906

Live cam of brown bears at Katmai National Park in Alaska; https://explore.org/livecams/brown-bears/brown-bear-salmon-cam-brooks-falls

“The Bears of Brooks Falls: Wildlife and Survival on Alaska’s Brooks River” by Michael Fitz; https://wwnorton.com/books/9781682685105

“The Storyteller: Tales of Life and Music” by Dave Grohl; https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-storyteller-dave-grohl

How Much Is a Bear Worth?, with Lynne Lewis

The Lee Richardson Zoo is having a GREAT summer kickoff, with the weather being great for multiple animals it's been amazing to walk or drive around and see all the animals spending time outside. 

DON'T FORGET that today is WILD WEDNESDAY meaning you can drive through the zoo for FREE, and also DON'T FORGET that this weekend and every weekend (weather permitting) is perfect for ENCOUNTERS with giraffes and rhinos. 

ALSO, today is a very special ENRICHMENT day thanks to a grant, starting at 10:30 with jaguars and otters and moving all the way to noon! Come see the animals get special treats and toys TODAY!

Listen to the whole interview right HERE:

Lee Richardson Zoo 6 - 5

Sound of male american alligator bellowing.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

American Alligator Bellowing

Five minutes of sea birds at Titchwell Marsh nature reserve - Line Audio CM4 in ORTF configuration

Titchwell Marsh  - Lagoon 1 - Line Audio CM4

Nature Recordings - 2024 - 06 - 11 18 22 Magpie

It’s no secret that rivers winding through major cities have been reshaped by human hands. Where wildlife and marshes once existed, gray sidewalks and bleak straight-lined tributaries have blossomed. 

Now, some cities are implementing floating wetlands — native plant life on a body of biodegradable materials that bobs on top of the water — to address a budding desire to see animals and greenery return to their rivers. 

In this podcast episode, Jenaye Johnson speaks with scientists and community members in Chicago about the Wild Mile — the city's biggest floating wetland to date. Join her as she winds down the Chicago River, explores the wetlands and discusses the future of new animal habitats and clean water in our urban spaces. 

And check out the associated article on Scienceline: https://scienceline.org/2024/06/wilding-city-rivers/ 

Music used: 
"Glue&Glia" by Rah Hite | CC BY 4.0 
"Floating Wetlands" by Rah Hite | CC BY 4.0 
"Lo Margin" by Blue Dot Sessions | CC BY-NC 4.0 
"The Maison" by Blue Dot Sessions | CC BY-NC 4.0

When city rivers get wild

The seventh episode of RUSHMORE, a list podcast that covers a cornucopia of topics! Your hosts are Micaiah Albert and Josh Gallegos, two friends who have a passion for conversation. On this episode we spend a good amount of time catching up since we went our separate ways a month ago, then jump into discussion on the slightly lighter topic of animals. And turns out we absolutely love animals (I mean, who doesn't?) We also give a couple of stories about run-ins we've had with animals in the past. Please to enjoy!

Top Animals - Rushmore Ep. 7

Do you love the zoo?

Answer Here: 
https://forms.gle/aLnqZA2Ew5Yvuq2o8

I Love The Zoo

Meet the vibrant beak of the rainforest! The toucan, with its large, colorful beak, is a striking bird found in the tropical rainforests of Central and South America. Known for their loud calls and social nature, these birds play a vital role in their ecosystem by dispersing seeds and maintaining the health of the forest, making them a symbol of the lush, vibrant habitats they call home. Discover the wide world of animals on ZooBuddy! That's wild!

Toucan

been sitting on this one for a couple years and finally decided to put it out for ppl to listen to :P enjoyyyy



art from La4ako on pinterest!!

donkeyhotey - yuzu

See more and learn more with ZooBuddy, your audio zoo companion! Discover fascinating facts about your favorite animals without ever taking your eyes off them. ZooBuddy delivers engaging audio episodes about zoo animals, turning your zoo visit into an immersive, educational adventure. Discover the wide world of animals on ZooBuddy! That's wild!