Amazing Wildlife: A San Diego Zoo Podcast

About Amazing Wildlife: A San Diego Zoo Podcast

Did you know that in the world of elephants the females are the ones in charge? Or that a grizzly bear's bite is strong enough to crush a bowling ball? Amazing Wildlife gives a behind-the-scenes look inside the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park to gain insight on rare species and to explore the ongoing conservation efforts to save endangered wildlife no matter how big or small. Join us as hosts Rick Schwartz and now Marco Wendt transport listeners around the globe to highlight the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s collaborative efforts with local communities to drive positive change for the future of animals and plants. Through one-of-a-kind stories, you’ll hear what it takes to create a healthy next chapter for not only wildlife, but also for the people that share their habitats.

Publisher

iHeartPodcasts

Category

kids & family · science

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

9 Nov 2021

Latest episode

29 Apr 2026

Latest episodes

39 of 115 episodes have a transcript.

1. 

   29 Apr 2026TRANSCRIPT

   A Special Conversation with Joan Embery

   Wildlife Ambassador Joan Embery shares her groundbreaking career and favorite animal moments with host Marco in this insightful interview.

2. 

   26 Dec 2025TRANSCRIPT

   Cheetahs: The Purring Polka-Dotted Predator

   Earlier this month was International Cheetah Day, so this week, Marco is learning all about the world’s fastest land mammal. The Cheetah Conservation Center at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park is one of 10 U.S. breeding facilities for the South African cheetah, and there is a lot that makes this species of feline so special. Tune in to learn about their cleat-like toenails, amazing vision, and how they are not quite a big or small cat. See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.

3. 

   12 Dec 2025

   Horticulture at Elephant Valley: Important and Immersive

   The San Diego Zoo Safari Park doesn’t just have animals—it also has incredible plants! Last episode, we learned about elephants, and this week, we’re learning about their zoo habitat. Host Marco is speaking with Director of Horticulture Raj Brown about Elephant Valley and how his team creates a sense of immersion and place. Tune in to learn more about hot composting, force fields, and the meaning of “zookie.” See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.

Inside a recent episode

A Special Conversation with Joan Embery

Published 29 Apr 2026 · Transcript excerpt

[…] Because I think that if people see you with an animal that you're showcasing, they actually imagine what it would be like to work with an animal or see an animal like that. Or just connect with it in a certain way. Just connect with it. They actually experience vicariously through what you're doing with the animal to what it would be like to do that. And it opens their minds. So if I get up and I'm just going to start into a serious lecture with a lot of information, you can just watch people. And they just, you know, you don't have the same thing. If you're losing it or not. You walk out there with an animal, already they're... questions questions questions open mind you know wanting to learn more it just opens that door and allows you to move from there every animal that i've ever worked always has some kind of conservation story that goes with it it's the rainforest it's the pressures that exist in the wild it's Wildlife conflict, interaction with human beings. […]

Who has been a guest on Amazing Wildlife: A San Diego Zoo Podcast

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Natalie Sheridan
• Amanda Lussier
• Marlys Houck

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

877,616,203

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.5 / 5

249 ratings

Spotify

4.9 / 5

97 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 86 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

96

Social presence

0

YouTube

93

Engagement

99

Contact Amazing Wildlife: A San Diego Zoo Podcast

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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Questions about Amazing Wildlife: A San Diego Zoo Podcast