Episode #41 – Turtle in Trouble They are a Maryland native species and extremely endangered, so when the call came to the Zoo Hospital saying a wild bog turtle from Delaware needed medical treatment we quickly agreed to help. In an exciting twist, it was discovered that the injured turtle was carrying eggs! On this […]

Episode #40 The Zoo’s sustainability program is growing, quite literally, in the Commissary Department. With so many mouths to feed here at the Zoo, our grocery list is a long one. Commissary Manager Andrew Young is one of the people responsible for managing and fulfilling that list, so he’s also one of the greatest champions […]

Episode #38 Box turtles are on exhibit in the Maryland Wilderness, but it’s also not uncommon to see wild box turtles throughout the Zoo. These unique reptiles are native to Maryland and much of the United States, however, like many other local species they are facing challenges from habitat loss and land development. For close […]

Episode #37 In June of this year, the Zoo welcomed its second giraffe calf in less than a few months. The excitement of Kesi’s first calf, however, was quickly replaced with concern as it was clear from the beginning that this giraffe newborn was in need of help. For four very intense weeks, the animal […]

Episode #36 It’s a conservation success story that’s taking flight at the Zoo. Trumpeter swans are both big and beautiful waterfowl that up until recent years had been critically endangered in the United States. Thanks to efforts by government agencies, wildlife organizations and zoos their numbers continue to rebound. In 2014, the Maryland Zoo was […]

Episode #35 It’s not every day that a new animal joins the Zoo, especially one that weighs in at several thousand pounds. After the loss of Daisy Mae, a female Southern white rhino who outlived her life expectancy to become 48-years-old, the Zoo’s male, Stubby, was left without a fellow rhino. The effort to find […]

Episode #34 It’s no secret that good veterinary care is vital to the health and wellbeing of Zoo animals. But what you may not know is how much time and effort is spent on preventative medicine. On this episode of Off Exhibit meet Associate Veternarian Dr. Christy Rettenmund and learn about the extensive programs helping […]

Episode #33 It’s a story that starts with two orphaned grizzly bear cubs in the wilds of Montana. What happens next is an effort to save these sisters that spans the country and ends with a new home at the Maryland Zoo. How exactly did the grizzly cubs end up in need of help and […]

Episode #32 She’s the first giraffe calf born at the Maryland Zoo in more than 20 years. Two weeks ago the Zoo welcomed the newest (and tallest) newborn into the herd. How is this 6ft tall addition acclimating behind-the-scenes? On this edition of Off Exhibit we talk with Animal Keeper Amy Botke. Amy is part […]

Episode #31 What do you do when you need to move otters from one area of the Zoo to another? You get creative and you develop a training plan like no otter. On this episode of Off Exhibit learn how construction of the Zoo’s new bobcat exhibit is impacting the training and care of their […]

Throwback Episode – Animal Training It’s a new year. What better time to look forward and reflect on the past? In honor of completing 30 episodes of Off Exhibit podcasts we’re taking a look back at one of our more popular topics and revisiting a discussion that happened exactly one year ago at the start […]

Episode #29 Elusive, intelligent, sly … just some of the ways to describe bobcats, a species at home in parts of Maryland and most of North America. Now, this charismatic cat will have a special home at the Maryland Zoo. Behind-the-scenes work has begun to renovate and remake an exhibit in the Zoo’s Maryland Wilderness […]

Episode #28 It’s no surprise you can visit the Zoo, but did you know the Zoo can come to you? Animal outreach has been an important part of the Zoo’s mission for much of its 140 year history. Connecting people to wildlife in their own communities is something the Maryland Zoo (and many other accredited […]

Episode #27 Animal training is part of everyday life at the Zoo and most of the time is fairly routine. But, every once in a while a training breakthrough happens that’s both unexpected and unprecedented. On this episode of Off Exhibit, we’re talking with Area Manager Pam Carter. Pam is leading a team of dedicated […]

Episode #26 They’re part of the dedicated team who care for wildlife alongside Zoo veterinarians and their jobs are anything but ordinary. On this episode of Off Exhibit, we reveal the unsung and specialized work of Veterinary Technicians. Meet Jen Sohl, one of three Maryland Zoo Veterinary Technicians who shares about the work of an […]

Episode #25 How far is the Maryland Zoo willing to go on behalf of endangered penguins? All the way to South Africa and back. Recently, Penguin Coast Area Manger Jess Phillips made the 8,000 mile journey to the southern cape of Africa to attend a global conference in support of the world’s penguins. And penguins […]

Episode #24 With more than 130 acres of land, 80+ buildings, and hundreds of animals there are bound to be some wild logistical challenges. Enter Cristina Lauri, the Maryland Zoo’s Animal Operations Manager. What exactly does the operation consist of? A challenging, fast-paced, anything-that-can-happen-will-happen set of daily scenarios. Working with wildlife and helping to manage […]

Episode #23 They’re the largest animals at the Zoo and deservedly get an equally large amount of care and training. Elephants are complex mammals with complex needs and the challenge of working with them is one that Arleta Crawford, Elephant Operations Manager, enjoys every day. But working with large land mammals isn’t what Arleta has […]

Episode #22 Recently, the Zoo’s lion pride was reconnected on exhibit after months of being separate. Why were they separated and what ultimately led to their reunion? Animal keeper Sydney Larsen joins us on this episode of Off Exhibit for some catty talk about what’s been happening recently behind-the-scenes with the Zoo’s three lions. Discover […]

Episode #21 Joining a new group and getting along with everyone is hard, especially when the “everyone” is a tight troop of chimps. Pam Carter, the Zoo’s new Area Manager for the Chimpanzee Forest, has recently proved that she’s well equip to integrate seamlessly into a team of humans and expertly orchestrate chimpanzee introductions, too. […]