That"s WILD! A Little Rock Zoo Podcast

30:04

Meet Mojave the Rosy Boa with Hannah Baker

That"s WILD! A Little Rock Zoo Podcast ·

2026/09/29

In this episode of That’s Wild, hosts Susan Altrui and Joy Matlock sit down with Hannah Baker, the general curator at the Little Rock Zoo, to bust common snake myths and explore the fascinating biology of reptiles. The conversation kicks off with Susan playfully describing a snake as "maybe a tube with teeth", which sets the stage for a deep dive into the complexities hidden inside that body. Hannah introduces Mojave, a 20-year-old Rosy Boa who serves as a zoo ambassador. Originally kept as a pet

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34:57

Behind the Bowl with Dr. Sara Stoneburg

That"s WILD! A Little Rock Zoo Podcast ·

2026/09/15

This episode of That's Wild! hosted by Susan Altrui and Joy Matlock features returning guest Dr. Sarah Stoneburg, who serves as a veterinarian at the Little Rock Zoo and oversees the zoo's commissary operations. The discussion highlights the massive logistical operation required to feed over 400 animals representing more than 200 species every day.Dr. Stoneberg explains the diverse diet categories handled by her team of three commissary keepers, noting, "we have carnivores, we have insectivores, we

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54:08

Buzzing About Beekeeping and Electric Co-ops with...

That"s WILD! A Little Rock Zoo Podcast ·

2026/09/01

In this episode of That's Wild, hosts Joy Matlock and Dustin Bean sit down with guest Buddy Hasten. Buddy serves as the President and CEO of the Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corporation and Arkansas Electric Cooperatives Incorporated, but beyond his corporate career, he is a dedicated backyard beekeeper.During the episode, Buddy explains the ecological and economic significance of bees to Arkansas, noting how essential pollinators support the state's agriculture. He discusses threats to bee

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30:06

Cheetah Anatomy, Speed, and Survival with Kate Neal

That"s WILD! A Little Rock Zoo Podcast ·

2026/08/18

In this episode of "That's Wild!", hosts Joy Matlock and Susan Altrui are joined by Kate Neal, the interim and senior carnivore keeper at the Little Rock Zoo, to explore the world of cheetahs. Neal clarifies right away that cheetahs are not actually classified as big cats, explaining, "Panthera is lions, tigers, jaguars, and leopards, where Acinonyx is the genus for cheetahs. So they are their own genus, there are no other extant members of that genus". The conversation highlights the species'

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38:05

Bird Conservation & Backyard Tips with Kevin Krajcir

That"s WILD! A Little Rock Zoo Podcast ·

2026/08/04

In this episode, Joy Matlock and Susan Altrui sit down with Kevin Krajcir, Conservation Biologist and Grants Coordinator with the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission. We dive deep into local bird conservation efforts, the research surrounding bird-feather mite symbioses, and practical steps everyday Arkansans can take to transform their backyards into thriving avian sanctuaries.Kevin shares his research background at Arkansas State University's Boves Lab, focusing on the functional nature of the

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38:18

Would You Rather: Wild Edition

That"s WILD! A Little Rock Zoo Podcast ·

2026/07/21

In this wildly entertaining episode of That’s Wild, hosts Susan and Joy go head-to-head in a hilarious, fast-paced game of animal-themed "Would You Rather." They dive deep into the bizarre realities of the animal kingdom, weighing the pros and cons of shedding their entire outer layers against entering a complete physical shutdown. Along the way, they swap stories of forty-mile-an-hour cheetahs, arctic foxes, and the unexpected challenges of sharing a refrigerator with a wild animal. Amidst the

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51:27

Is That True?!

That"s WILD! A Little Rock Zoo Podcast ·

2026/07/07

The hosts of the That's Wild podcast, Susan Altrui and Joy Matlock, spent this episode debunking famous animal myths and exploring weird wildlife facts:Susan kicks off the trivia by asking, "Supposedly sharks can smell a single drop of blood from miles away," but Joy corrects this, noting that "the single drop from miles away is a little far-fetched... it's a little heavily exaggerated. So it's not quite true, but they do have a very sharp sense of smell." Joy adds that "piranhas do become

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42:22

Raccoons, Dogs & Wolves: How Wild Animals Shape to...

That"s WILD! A Little Rock Zoo Podcast ·

2026/06/23

This episode of the That's Wild podcast features host Susan Altrui, host Joy Matlock, MC Dustin Bean, and their guest, Dr. Raffaela Lesch. Dr. Lesch is a biology professor at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock who specializes in animal behavior, domestication, urbanization, and bioacoustics.The conversation explores how wild animals adapt and change physically when living close to humans. A central highlight is Dr. Lesch's research on raccoons, which she regards as a "modern day ancestral

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19:53

The Science of Cute

That"s WILD! A Little Rock Zoo Podcast ·

2026/06/09

his podcast is from the That's Wild series, specifically Season 2, Episode 4, titled "The Science of Cute."Hosts Susan Altrui and Joy Matlock from the Little Rock Zoo talk with resident animal expert Hannah about the science behind why we find baby animals cute. The episode features a live appearance by Bert, a three-month-old African penguin chick, and provides updates on various successful breeding programs at the zoo.Bert is a three-month-old African penguin chick hatched on November 16, 2025. At

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37:43

Dr. Sarah Stoneburg: Realities of a Zoo Veterinarian

That"s WILD! A Little Rock Zoo Podcast ·

2026/05/26

The episode kicks off with Susan and Joy sharing an incredible viral video of a diabetic support dog detecting its owner's shifting blood sugar levels from all the way across the street. This remarkable display of animal senses prompts a deeper conversation about how zoo veterinarians must routinely rely on intuitive care, but in reverse—interpreting the silent signals of animals that are experts at hiding their pain.Dr. Stoneburg completely reframes what it means to be a vet, revealing that the job

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41:48

Debbie Thompson: The Art and Science of Zoo Matchmaking

That"s WILD! A Little Rock Zoo Podcast ·

2026/05/12

In this episode of the That’s Wild podcast, Little Rock Zoo Director Susan Altrui and Joy Matlock dive into the complex world of "zoo matchmaking". They are joined by Debbie Thompson, the Zoo's Curator of Carnivores and Primates, who explains that managing animal populations is a sophisticated process involving long-term planning and detailed genetic histories. Thompson, who has been with the zoo since 1982, shares how her role as a coordinator for Species Survival Plans (SSP) helps maintain genetic

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27:13

Ancient Arkansas: The World of Dinosaurs and Fossils...

That"s WILD! A Little Rock Zoo Podcast ·

2026/04/28

In this episode of That’s Wild, hosts Susan Altrui and Joy Matlock dive into the prehistoric history of Arkansas with special guest Dr. Jessica Scott, a paleoecologist. They explore how the state’s landscape has shifted from deep oceans to dinosaur-inhabited shorelines and eventually to the age of mammoths.Key Discussion PointsPaleoecology Explained: Dr. Scott defines paleoecology as the study of past ecosystems, comparing the work to a detective piecing together an ancient puzzle from limited

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41:30

Arkansas Stories with Rex Nelson

That"s WILD! A Little Rock Zoo Podcast ·

2026/04/14

In this episode, Little Rock Zoo Director Susan Altrui and co-host Joy Matlock interview Rex Nelson, Senior Editor and columnist at the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. They explore Rex's deep-rooted history as an Arkansan storyteller and discuss how the state's natural beauty and cultural attractions serve as a heart for the community.Key Discussion PointsWildlife and Safety:The hosts discuss a record-breaking year for bear attacks in Japan and link it to similar concerns in Arkansas, noting that poor

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25:27

Built on a Bugtopia

That"s WILD! A Little Rock Zoo Podcast ·

2026/03/31

In this episode, hosts Dustin Bean and Joy Matlock are joined by Hannah Baker to discuss the often-overlooked world of bugs. The conversation features a special appearance by Miguel, a three-banded armadillo, to illustrate the direct link between mammals and their insect-based diets.Key Discussion PointsMeet Miguel the Armadillo:Miguel is a three-banded armadillo, a species from South America capable of curling completely into a ball for protection.Unlike the nine-banded armadillos common in

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30:20

Bugtopia Exhibit: Order in the Bug Court!

That"s WILD! A Little Rock Zoo Podcast ·

2026/03/17

In this episode of That’s Wild, hosts Dustin Bean and Joy Matlock go to "Bug Court" with guest Jessica Briley, the Conservation Education Manager for the Little Rock Zoo. They discuss the zoo's upcoming "Bugtopia" exhibit, which features giant animatronic insects and arachnids. Jessica provides fascinating facts about the Madagascar Hissing Cockroach, the Asian Forest Scorpion, the Goliath Bird Eater spider, and the Monarch Butterfly, highlighting their ecological importance and debunking common

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25:07

The Jane Goodall Effect: Primates, Tech Recycling,...

That"s WILD! A Little Rock Zoo Podcast ·

2026/03/03

In this episode of That’s Wild, we go behind the scenes at the Little Rock Zoo with Erin Dauenhauer-Decota, Assistant Curator for Primates, to explore the complex world of Great Apes and the personal "calling" of conservation.From the hilarious personalities of chimpanzees like Mikey to the "original PSL" (the Pygmy Slow Loris), Erin shares what it’s really like to manage one of the most diverse primate collections in the country. We also dive deep into the enduring legacy of Dr. Jane Goodall,

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28:29

The 11,000lb Labrador: Inside the Secret Lives of...

That"s WILD! A Little Rock Zoo Podcast ·

2026/02/17

0:00 – 0:40 | Introduction Dustin Bean: Welcome to That’s Wild, exploring the amazing natural world that surrounds and astounds us. Hosted by Susan Altrui and Joy Matlock, and brought to you by the Arkansas Zoological Foundation and the Little Rock Zoo. Let’s get wild.0:41 – 2:05 | Spooky Season and Stress Relief Susan Altrui: Welcome back! I’m joined by my co-host Joy Matlock. Joy, has your week been as hectic as mine? Joy Matlock: It has. We’re already planning for spring events like April and

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36:17

From Cages to Conservation: The Little Rock Zoo Story...

That"s WILD! A Little Rock Zoo Podcast ·

2026/02/03

00:00:00 Intro Dustin Bean: Welcome to That’s Wild Podcast, the podcast that explores the amazing natural world that surrounds and astounds us. Hosted by Susan Altrui and Joy Matlock, we share insights to inspire you to value and conserve our natural world. Presented by the Arkansas Zoological Foundation and produced by the Little Rock Zoo.00:00:40 80s Nostalgia Susan Altrui: Welcome back to That’s Wild! Today we are talking about totally radical and gnarly things in our natural world as we flash

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34:06

How We Construct Buildings for Wild Animals

That"s WILD! A Little Rock Zoo Podcast ·

2026/01/20

[00:00 - 01:25] Introduction: Dustin Bean introduces hosts Susan Altrui and Joy Matlock. They set the stage for a discussion on "Project Zoo: Wildly Reimagined," the largest construction project in the zoo’s history.[01:25 - 03:00] Weird Architecture News: The hosts discuss international architecture news, including China’s ban on "ugly" buildings and a U.S. executive order promoting classical Greek and Roman styles for federal buildings.[03:00 - 06:10] The Zoo’s Unique Style: The conversation

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37:14

That's Wild: Sloth Bears with Dr. Laura

That"s WILD! A Little Rock Zoo Podcast ·

2025/12/05

Hosts Susan Altrui and Joy Matlock speak with Little Rock Zoo's Conservation and Research Coordinator, Dr. Laura Bernstein-Curtis, about sloth bears and international conservation.The episode starts with "Wild News": celebrating the hopeful increase in the endangered Red Wolf population (supported by AZA zoos) and the rediscovery of the sailback hound shark, highlighting the vulnerability of microendemic species.Dr. Bernstein-Curtis clarifies that sloth bears, native to India, Sri Lanka, and Nepal,

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