Edge of the Earth: Tales of Conservation

A powerful chest beat, a quiet grumble and a carefully built nest might seem like ordinary moments in the life of a gorilla. But each one reveals something fascinating about how these intelligent animals communicate, interact and navigate the world. And the more we learn about them, the more we discover just how much there is to understand.

In this episode of Edge of the Earth: Tales of Conservation, hosts Dr. Danté Fenolio and Sierra Fenolio sit down with Andrea Pearson, Gorilla Manager at San Antonio Zoo, for a behind-the-scenes look at life with the seven gorillas at Congo Falls. From navigating complex social dynamics and building trust with their care team to discovering the unique personalities of each gorilla, Andrea shares what it's really like to work with these remarkable great apes.

But there's much more at stake for gorillas beyond the zoo. With wild populations facing threats from habitat loss and human activity, Andrea explains why protecting gorillas also means safeguarding the rainforests and countless other species that depend on them. It's a reminder that the more we understand these incredible animals, the more reasons we have to protect them and the places they call home.

There's something magical about a summer night filled with fireflies. But what if there's more to those flickering lights than meets the eye? Every flash has a purpose, every species has its own way of communicating and some fireflies even use their glow to deceive others. The world of fireflies is stranger, sneakier and more fascinating than you might imagine.

In this episode of Edge of the Earth: Tales of Conservation, hosts Dr. Danté Fenolio and Sierra Fenolio sit down with Ben Pfeiffer, firefly researcher and founder of Firefly Conservation & Research, to uncover the surprising science behind these glowing beetles and the growing threats to their survival. From their unusual behaviors to habitat loss, light pollution and the simple ways people can help protect them in their own backyards, Ben reveals why these beloved insects deserve more attention.

Plus, Sierra and Danté share personal memories that have made fireflies so meaningful to their family. They also explore the cultural significance of fireflies around the world and the extraordinary ways bioluminescence appears throughout nature.

Why do different firefly species have their own flashing patterns? How do these insects spend most of their lives before lighting up the night? And what can you do to bring more of them back to your backyard? Discover the surprising world of fireflies and why protecting their light matters more than ever.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 🌍

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.

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.

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.

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!