• That Tracks: The Next Generation As Conservationists
    Jun 11 2026

    What does it take to make a whole city of kids care about conservation? Rosie explains.

    0:00 Introduction
    0:44 Bringing real-world science into classrooms
    3:06 The importance of intentional curriculum design
    3:25 Zoo conservation work with Chicago Public Schools
    5:09 Building the relationship with schools
    8:43 Field trips and Zoo Explorers program
    9:00 Scholarships and accessibility
    9:43 Conservation Camp
    12:08 Zoo Crew
    12:30 What students say and do that surprises us
    15:38 Leave No Trace and program evolution
    17:13 Partners in Fieldwork Student Expo
    17:25 The future of learning programs at Lincoln Park Zoo
    18:22 What a great day looks like for Rosie
    21:41 Who is Rosie?


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    23 mins
  • That Tracks: The Science of Animal Happiness
    Apr 28 2026

    How do you know if an animal you see at the zoo is thriving? Welfare scientist Jason explains.

    0:00 Introduction

    0:27 What is animal welfare?

    0:49 How Lincoln Park Zoo monitors animal behavior

    2:55 Why feeding behaviors are central to welfare science

    3:32 Introducing the Zoo Monitor app

    4:25 Zoo Monitor's global growth

    5:20 The large-scale giraffe study

    7:38 Balancing population data with individual welfare

    9:30 Measuring welfare in understudied species

    11:57 Monitoring nocturnal animals overnight

    13:30 Welfare, wellbeing, and care: what's the difference?

    15:44 How keepers and scientists work together

    18:45 The future of welfare science

    20:46 The naked mole rat dig pit experiment

    23:17 Jason outside the zoo

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    25 mins
  • That Tracks: Wildlife Also Call Cities Home
    Feb 18 2026

    Why does understanding urban wildlife matter? Ecologist Seth explains.

    0:40 What is an urban wildlife ecologist?
    1:25 The Urban Wildlife Institute
    2:15 Gathering data on urban wildlife
    2:55 Understanding urban wildlife data
    3:30 Surprising urban wildlife findings
    4:15 Why are there coyotes in Chicago?
    5:22 Chicago Rathole
    7:15 Urban wildlife stories throughout the world
    9:15 Improving cities for wildlife
    10:40 Chicago Wildlife Coexistence Plan
    12:20 Why is urban wildlife important?
    14:15 Biodiversity in Chicago
    15:35 Researching rats in cities
    18:30 Future of urban ecology
    20:00 How to life wildlife-friendly
    22:50 Black-crowned night herons in Chicago
    24:40 How research improves over time
    25:50 Why is studying animal behavior important?
    27:00 All about Seth

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    29 mins
  • That Tracks: Horticulture is an Art and Science
    Jan 9 2026

    How does the zoo care for thousands of plant species? Horticulturist Katrina explains!

    0:35 Being an accredited botanic garden
    2:49 Importance of tree canopies
    3:50 Collaboration at the zoo
    5:20 Taking care of plants in a zoo setting
    6:20 Curating 49 acres of plants
    8:30 Geographical hardiness zones explained
    10:25 Seasonality and caring for plants
    12:20 Planning for the future
    14:40 Plants with different functions
    16:20 How to be wildlife-friendly at home
    18:00 Plants provide food for animals
    19:30 The significance of being a free botanic garden
    21:50 The past and future of horticulture
    24:00 Beautiful gardens at the zoo
    24:45 Learn more about Katrina

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    26 mins
  • That Tracks: Animal Care is Built on Trust
    Dec 12 2025

    What is it like being a zookeeper? Keepers Cruz and Brittany explain!



    0:22 Meet Brittany and Cruz
    1:00 They journey to becoming a keeper
    3:35 Education is key to being a keeper
    4:20 A day in the life of a keeper
    6:30 Different care for different species
    9:30 How animals respond to keepers
    12:40 Trusting the animals
    16:10 Grieving animals
    21:10 Collaboration across teams
    22:55 Favorite animal stories
    24:50 How animals communicate
    27:30 Get to know Brittany and Cruzanne

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    30 mins
  • That Tracks: Veterinary Care is Complex
    Nov 12 2025

    How does one care for hundreds of animals representing dozens of species? Lincoln Park Zoo’s lead veterinarian, Dr. Kathryn, explains!

    1:04 Dr. Kathryn’s background
    1:30 The path to be a veterinarian
    3:33 The breadth of veterinary work
    5:20 Being flexible for different situations
    6:35 Modeling to treat various species
    11:00 Preventative exams
    13:50 The future of veterinary medicine
    17:05 Blood banking for great apes
    22:10 Lincoln Park Zoo veterinary residency program
    25:45 Who is Dr. Kathryn?

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    28 mins
  • That Tracks: Conservation is About People
    Oct 7 2025

    Bali mynas as canaries in the coal mine? Conservationist Sunny Nelson explains.

    0:40 Sunny's career start
    1:50 The switch from care to conservation
    3:30 Lincoln Park Zoo's global impact
    5:25 Conservation stories across different communities
    6:50 Different tactics for conservation for diverse communities
    8:55 Working with scientists
    10:45 How Bali mynas inspired Sunny
    12:55 What is a Bali myna?
    14:30 Poaching as an umbrella term
    16:00 Trafficking can happen in our own backyard
    16:55 Wildlife trafficking
    18:30 Research is essential to stop wildlife trafficking
    20:22 What is CITES
    23:30 Lincoln Park Zoo's care of trafficked species
    27:30 Get to know Sunny

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    30 mins
  • That Tracks: Food Supports Animal Happiness
    Sep 3 2025

    How do you feed 700+ animals? Nutritionist Siga Lapinskas explains!

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    28 mins