Cincinnati Zoo Tales

Jane Bacchieri of the Elakha Alliance joins Cincinnati Zoo Tales to share how restoring sea otters to the Oregon coast could rebuild entire ecosystems. As a Barrows Lecture speaker, she highlights a community-driven approach to conservation, showing how science, local partnerships, and public support all play a role in protecting this keystone species.

Meet Teddy, short for Theodore Roosevelt, a small but mighty new face at the Cincinnati Zoo’s Cat Ambassador Program. In this episode, we follow Teddy’s journey from Nashville to Cincinnati as he begins settling into his new home, bonding with his keepers, and exploring a world full of new sights, sounds, and smells. From his favorite toy (a stuffed shrimp!) to his love of watching the world from his outdoor space, Teddy is quickly showing off the curious and playful traits that make servals so special. As Teddy grows, he’ll begin training and eventually take part in programs like Cheetah Encounters, helping guests connect with wildlife and inspiring conservation action.

What do the Three Little Pigs, the fastest runner in the world, and even the slowest among us all have in common? Surprisingly… Physical Therapy! 🐷🐢😻 In this episode, learn more about how Cinder, Thatcher, Magnolia, Kris, and Bruno have all put in the work behind the scenes. With the help of their dedicated keepers, these animals are actively participating in physical therapy exercises designed to keep them strong, mobile, and thriving. From building muscle and improving flexibility to preventing injury and supporting long-term health, physical therapy plays a crucial role in their daily routines. Tune in to hear how these sessions look, why they matter, and the unique personalities that make each animal’s journey so special.

In this episode, staff from the Cincinnati Zoo share their experience traveling to Thailand to work alongside conservation partners at Bring the Elephant Home. Learn how communities are working to reduce human-elephant conflict and how global partnerships help protect elephants and the people who live alongside them. 🐘🌏

Ever wonder how hundreds of animals get their meals perfectly timed and tailored? Join Michael and Rahme from the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden's commissary team as they dish out what it’s really like delivering everything from leafy greens to specialty diets. This episode shows that feeding the Zoo is no small task!

Get the latest bear-y adorable updates on rescued black bear sisters Juniper and Hazel! In this episode, their keeper Tara shares how the sisters have been settling in at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, what they’ve been up to lately, and how they’re doing during torpor this winter. Learn how these once-tiny cubs are growing, exploring, and thriving in their new home — with plenty of sweet sister moments along the way.

In this episode, we spotlight the Advanced Inquiry Program (AIP) — a unique online master’s degree offered through Miami University and and Project Dragonfly in partnership with the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. Designed for working professionals, the AIP blends web-based coursework with experiential learning at the Zoo, empowering students to lead environmental and community change through inquiry-driven projects and real-world collaboration. Apply by February 15, 2026 to join the next cohort and take a major step toward advancing your career and impact. Tune in to learn what makes this program special and how it could be the right fit for you.

Happy 9th Birthday, Fiona! Cincinnati Zoo's favorite hippo turns nine on January 24. In this special episode, Fiona’s care team comes together to reminisce about their favorite Fiona moments and share an update on how she’s doing today.

Get to know the new Zoo Director, Dave Jenike! Jenike has been integral to the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden’s success in the three decades that he has been part of its history. He is known for his love of wildlife, commitment to education and dedication to working with communities to achieve wildlife conservation goals through co-existence. He has developed innovative programs to connect families and communities with wildlife. His focus on visitor experience has helped transform the Zoo, bringing together the best of a vibrant botanical garden with the wonder inspired by a wildlife encounter with a penguin or feeding a giraffe.

In this episode, we spotlight a conservation partnership between the Cincinnati Zoo and the Ohio Division of Wildlife to rescue and rehome native box turtles found in a demolition site. Learn how these turtles are being cared for—and why protecting local species matters.

In this episode, Keeper Tara from the Cincinnati Zoo and Keeper Erin from the Aquarium of the Pacific team up to introduce us to two special new sea otters, Chloe and Kevin. They share the otters’ backstories, personalities, favorite toys and foods, and what goes into helping them grow strong and confident. Chloe is a retired 13-year-old female who served as a surrogate mom for orphaned sea otter pups later released back into the wild, while Kevin is a 1½-year-old male who stranded as a pup and was deemed non-releasable by the USFWS.

We are thankful for baby gorillas! In this special Thanksgiving episode, Team Leader Ashley Ashcraft and Keeper Shaina Baker share a heartwarming update on Gladys and her baby, Mboka Jo. Listen in as they talk about his latest milestones, the incredible care that goes into raising a growing gorilla, and what makes this mother–infant duo so special. It’s a cozy, feel-good check-in perfect for the holiday season!

Join Keeper Jenna for a behind-the-scenes look at the Cincinnati Zoo’s meerkat mob! Learn what it takes to care for these curious and social animals, how their group dynamics work, and the unique personalities that make each meerkat stand out. From foraging to teamwork, Jenna shares fun facts, daily routines, and insider stories from the meerkat habitat.

Sink your teeth into this Spooky Series episode featuring the Zoo’s fascinating vampire bats! 🦇 Jenna and Mark are joined by keeper Amber to uncover the truth behind these mysterious nocturnal creatures. Learn more about their personalities, enrichment, adaptations and care! Amber also debunks myths about bats!

Think skunks are scary? Think again! 🦨 In this Spooky Series episode, baby skunk Marshmallow and his care team Sarah and Sammie join Jenna and Mark to clear the air about one of nature’s most misunderstood animals. Learn fun facts about skunks, and more about Marshmallow, and why these striped cuties deserve a little more love and a lot less fear!

On this episode learn from zoo keeper Faith Hall about the aye aye, one of the most unusual primates in the world! Native to Madagascar, these rare lemurs are nocturnal and use their oversized ears and long, skinny middle finger to tap on wood and listen for insects hiding inside. Once they find a snack, that spooky finger helps scoop it out — nature’s very own “bug detector”! Though their unusual looks have sparked myths and superstitions, aye-ayes play an important role in their ecosystem by keeping insect populations in check. Sadly, they are considered endangered due to habitat loss.

In this episode of Cincinnati Zoo Tales, we celebrate 150 years of the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden with Director Thane Maynard. Thane reflects on the Zoo’s incredible journey since its founding in 1875, sharing fascinating stories from the past and highlighting how far the Zoo has come. From its earliest days as one of the nation’s first zoos to today’s role as a leader in animal care, conservation, and sustainability, listeners will get an inside look at the milestones, challenges, and inspiring transformations that shaped the Zoo’s legacy.

Meet Alex, the new king of the Reptile House! In this episode of Cincinnati Zoo Tales, we introduce Alex the king cobra, the Zoo’s newest and most fascinating arrival. His keeper, Jenna, joins us to share what it’s like caring for the world’s longest venomous snake, from training and safety to Alex’s personality.

Dive into the latest updates from Hippo Cove with hosts Jenna and Mark! 🦛 This episode covers everything from Fritz’s future and training milestones to how Fiona is doing. Hear behind-the-scenes stories, fun hippo facts, and insider updates straight from the team who cares for them every day. Whether you’ve followed Fiona from the start or just met the newest member of the bloat, this episode is packed with splashes of joy and fascinating hippo news you won’t want to miss!

In this episode, hosts Jenna and Mark sit down with Zoological Manager of Elephants, Christy Ison and Dr. Mike Wenninger, Director of Animal Health, to explore the groundbreaking progress Cincinnati Zoo has made in protecting its young Asian elephants from Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpesvirus (EEHV). This episode captures a hopeful turning point in elephant care: from daily keeper training to cutting-edge mRNA vaccine breakthroughs, Sanjay and Kabir’s recovery demonstrates what proactive veterinary science paired with strong keeper-elephant relationships can achieve. Christy and Dr. Mike’s insights offer both a moving behind‑the‑scenes story and a model for wildlife conservation worldwide.