In celebration of the opening of Congo Falls and in honor of San Antonio Zoo's ongoing commitment to wildlife, we're proud to introduce Edge of the Earth: Tales of Conservation—a new podcast that brings listeners behind the scenes of global conservation work.
Hosted by Dr. Danté Fenolio, Vice President of the Center for Conservation & Research at San Antonio Zoo, and his daughter, Sierra Fenolio, this series dives into the science, stories, and surprising connections that shape the future of our planet's most vulnerable species.
Each episode takes you from local fieldwork in Texas to remote corners of the world, exploring the challenges, breakthroughs, and remarkable individuals working to protect wildlife. Discover how San Antonio Zoo's 111 years of conservation, education, and growth tie into global efforts to secure a future for endangered species everywhere.
The Strange Science Behind Giant Pandas; Edge of the Earth | San Antonio Zoo Podcast
Meet the bear that spends up to 20 hours a day eating bamboo, lives a largely solitary life and—when the opportunity arises—may even gnaw on animal bones for extra nutrients. Giant pandas may be famous for their cuddly appearance, but behind their black-and-white coats lies a remarkable story of specialization, survival and conservation.
In this episode of Edge of the Earth: Tales of Conservation, hosts Dr. Danté Fenolio and Sierra Fenolio sit down with Smithsonian wildlife ecologist Bill McShea to explore the surprising biology of giant pandas and the decades of international collaboration helping protect them in the wild. From bamboo flowering and camera traps to protected reserves and wildlife corridors, Bill reveals what it truly takes to conserve the world's most recognizable bear.
Why would researchers use bones instead of bamboo to attract a panda? How can tunnels through mountains unexpectedly become wildlife crossings? And how does protecting giant pandas also help takin, Asiatic black bears and countless other species sharing their forests? Get ready for an episode filled with unexpected panda facts, remarkable conservation success stories and a closer look at how protecting one beloved species can safeguard an entire ecosystem.
11 Sept 2026
What it REALLY takes to run a zoo with Jesse Vargas; Edge of the Earth | San Antonio Zoo Podcast
There's a LOT more to running a zoo than you might think.
On this episode of Edge of the Earth: Tales of Conservation, Dr. Danté Fenolio and Sierra Fenolio are joined by San Antonio Zoo COO Jesse Vargas for a look at the side of zoo work most guests never get to see.
How do you turn an idea like Congo Falls into a functioning habitat? What happens when the survival of an endangered species depends on decisions being made behind the scenes?
Jesse takes us inside the problem-solving, construction, operations, collaboration, and occasional chaos that goes into keeping a modern zoo moving—all while sharing the experiences that transformed the way he thinks about wildlife and conservation.
Turns out, you don't have to be a biologist to help save species.
28 Aug 2026
Platypuses with Dr. Tahneal Hawke
Meet the mammal that lays eggs, detects its prey through electrical signals, glows under UV light and—in the case of males—comes equipped with venomous ankle spurs. Platypuses may look like they were assembled from nature's spare parts, but every one of their bizarre features has an incredible story behind it.
In this episode of Edge of the Earth: Tales of Conservation, hosts Dr. Danté Fenolio and Sierra Fenolio sit down with platypus conservation biologist Dr. Tahneal Hawke to uncover the remarkable biology of one of Earth's strangest species.
How did platypuses develop so many unusual adaptations? What is it like to study them in the wild? And what are scientists doing to protect their future?
Get ready for an episode filled with bizarre facts, fascinating discoveries, and plenty of reasons to believe that platypuses might just be nature's closest thing to little aliens.
14 Aug 2026
Tim Morrow: Bold Ideas, Zoo Leadership & Community Impact
What does it take to transform a century-old zoo while keeping conservation at the heart of every decision?
In this episode of Edge of the Earth: Tales of Conservation, hosts Dr. Danté Fenolio and Sierra Fenolio are joined by Tim Morrow, President and CEO of San Antonio Zoo. Tim shares the unexpected path that led him to zoo leadership and reflects on the experiences, challenges, and big ideas that have shaped San Antonio Zoo's evolution.
The conversation explores the important role modern zoos play in wildlife conservation, how memorable guest experiences can inspire people to care about animals, and why collaboration between animal care professionals, researchers, educators, and the community is essential to securing a future for wildlife. Tim also offers a behind-the-scenes look at leading a nonprofit zoo, from pursuing ambitious projects to building a culture willing to think differently.
Discover how bold ideas, thoughtful leadership, and a lifelong connection to animals can help transform not only a zoo, but the way an entire community sees its role in conservation.
31 Jul 2026
Edge of the Earth: Tales of Conservation - Deep Sea Marine Biology: Eels, Sharks and Conservation!
What can eel larvae, glowing bacteria, and sharp-toothed fish teach us about life in the deep ocean?
In this episode of Edge of the Earth: Tales of Conservation, hosts Dr. Danté Fenolio and Sierra Fenolio are joined by Dr. Jon Moore, professor of biology at Florida Atlantic University's Wilkes Honors College. Dr. Moore shares his experiences studying deep-sea ecosystems and working alongside Dr. Fenolio to identify the many species of eel larvae found in the Gulf.
The conversation explores the unusual development of eel larvae, the importance of taxonomy, and the role of marine snow in deep-ocean food webs. Dr. Moore also recounts his experience diving aboard the submersible Alvin and discusses bioluminescence, deep-sea exploration, and remarkable species such as lancetfish, dragonfish, tube shoulders, cookie-cutter sharks, and sleeper sharks. Discover how life at the ocean surface connects to its deepest habitats—and why understanding these rarely seen species is essential to conserving our shared ocean.
17 Jul 2026
Texas Horned Lizard: Blood, Myths and Conservation!
Fun fact: When threatened, Texas horned lizards can squirt blood from their eyes to ward off predators! And somehow, it still isn't the most interesting thing about them. In this episode, we're joined by guest speaker Bekky Muscher-Hodges, Manager of the Center for Conservation and Research at San Antonio Zoo, to take a closer look at the "Horny Toad" (the Texas horned lizard), one of North America's most iconic and unusual reptiles. From their incredible adaptations and specialized diet, to the myths that surround them, there's a lot more to this beloved reptile than meets the eye. We'll dive deeper into why Texas horned lizards have disappeared from much of their historic range and what researchers and conservationists at San Antonio Zoo are doing to bring them back. Whether you're here for the bizarre, bloody biology or the conservation work at hand, this episode is a great reminder that some of the most remarkable animals are hiding in plain sight.
1 May 2026
First Ever Giant Squid Captured On Camera with Dr. Edie Widder
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You don't want to miss this episode of Edge of the Earth: Tales of Conservation! Renowned oceanographer, marine biologist, and explorer Dr. Edith Widder joins us for a fascinating journey into the depths of the ocean. As the co-founder and CEO of the Ocean Research & Conservation Association, Dr. Widder has spent her career uncovering the mysteries of the deep sea—often lighting the way with groundbreaking discoveries in bioluminescence.
In this episode, we dive into the science behind nature's glow-in-the-dark organisms, hear the incredible story of capturing the first-ever live footage of a giant squid (and doing it again), and explore some of Dr. Widder's wildest deep-sea adventures. She also shares her personal journey into marine biology and how curiosity, innovation, and storytelling can drive ocean conservation forward.
20 Mar 2026
Talking Glowing Shrimp and Deep Sea Exploration with Heather Bracken-Grissom
In this episode, we dive into the mysterious world of glowing shrimp and the wonders of deep-sea exploration with marine biologist Heather Bracken-Grissom. She unpacks the science behind bioluminescence and what makes deep-sea crustaceans some of the most fascinating creatures on Earth. The conversation also explores how scientists study the ocean's depths and the challenges of uncovering life in such extreme environments. Along the way, Heather shares her journey to becoming a marine biologist and offers insight into pursuing a career in ocean science.
21 Feb 2026
Exploring Blackwater Cave Diving with Mike Bartick
In this episode, we venture into the open ocean at night with underwater photographer and blackwater diving expert Mike Bartick. He shares how blackwater diving reveals rarely seen larval and deep-sea species, why it's becoming so important for marine research, and what it's like to encounter the ocean's most mysterious creatures suspended in the dark.
7 Feb 2026
She flew above the Amazon Rainforest! Women in Stem with Kamryn Richard
In this episode of Edge of the Earth: Tales of Conservation, we sit down with Kamryn to talk about what it's really like to be a woman working in conservation today. She opens up about the challenges, the resilience, and the unexpected hurdles she's faced in a male-dominated field — but also the incredible moments that make it all worth it.
From flying a bush plane over the Amazon rainforest to connecting with conservationists around the globe, Kamryn shares stories of adventure, purpose, and passion for protecting our planet. Whether you're interested in wildlife, travel, or environmental work, this conversation is both inspiring and eye-opening.
Tune in for an honest, heartfelt, and empowering discussion about carving your path in conservation 🌍
24 Jan 2026
Blackwater Diving with Robert Stansfield
Today's episode dives into the deep with Robert Stansfield of Blackwater Cozumel as we explore the fascinating world of blackwater diving. Learn how this unique diving technique reveals rarely seen marine life, why it's so essential for research and conservation, and what it's like to encounter the ocean's most mysterious creatures in the dark.
10 Jan 2026
New England Cottontail
In this episode of Edge of the Earth: Tales of Conservation, we're joined by Lou Perrotti, Director of Conservation Programs at Roger Williams Park Zoo. The conversation focuses on the New England Cottontail and the critical conservation efforts underway to protect this important species and its habitat.
27 Dec 2025
Burying Beetles
In this episode of Edge of the Earth: Tales of Conservation, we're joined by Lou Perrotti, Director of Conservation Programs at Roger Williams Park Zoo. The conversation focuses on the burying beetle and the critical conservation efforts underway to protect this important species and its habitat.
12 Dec 2025
GRACE Foundation
Welcome to Edge of the Earth: Tales of Conservation, the official podcast of San Antonio Zoo!
In our very first episode, we're thrilled to sit down with GRACE Executive Director Katie Fawcett and Deputy & Education Director Laurie Cummins to explore the world of gorilla conservation. We dive into fascinating gorilla facts, the impactful work GRACE is doing in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and why protecting these incredible animals matters now more than ever. We also celebrate the opening of Congo Falls, San Antonio Zoo's new gorilla habitat, and discuss how it directly supports gorilla conservation in the wild. Join us for a world of fun on this first ever episode!
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