The Curiosity Podcast

A Surprising Amount of Scientific Research Happens at the Zoo

A lot of science takes place at the zoo. Dr. Rachel Santymire, Director of the Davee Center for Epidemiology and Endocrinology at the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago, discusses the animal research going on both behind the scenes and out in the wild. She also explains what animals can tell us about our environment, including her work with the black-footed ferret recovery project. Stream or download the podcast using the player below or find the episode everywhere podcasts are found, including iTunes, Stitcher, and Gretta.

It's a Zoo Out There

On this episode of the Curiosity Podcast, Dr. Rachel Santymire, Director of the Davee Center for Epidemiology and Endocrinology at the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago, discusses:

  • The science that goes on behind the scenes at the Lincoln Park Zoo and other zoos.
  • How much scientists can tell about an animal from various samples, including its hormone and stress levels and what those say about their environment.
  • When and why it's important to save animals from extinction instead of letting nature "run its course."
  • A brand-new method for measuring amphibian stress using only a cotton swab.
  • How zoo animals are cared for differently than household pets, and what pet owners can learn from zoos.

Click here to follow along with a written transcript of this episode (and share clips with your friends).

Podcast Show Notes and Links

More reading from Curiosity:

Additional resources from the Lincoln Park Zoo:

Other studies and resources discussed:

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About the Curiosity Podcast: Curiosity makes you smarter – and so will this podcast. Each week, we talk to experts who can help you get smart about the world around you, with a timely blend of cultural trends, life hacks, and developments in science and technology. You'll learn about your mind and your body, outer space and the depths of the sea, how history shaped the world into what it is today, and more. From the largest galaxies to your smallest brain cells, our curiosity will help you understand the world better.

Written by Cody Gough April 17, 2018

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