Dino Days, Sumatran Tigers, & Future of The Topeka Zoo | Dennis Dinwiddie

Dennis Dinwiddie shares his 15-year journey as Director of Conservation at the Topeka Zoo, where he oversees initiatives protecting endangered species locally and globally. Through partnerships with other zoos and conservation organizations, the Topeka Zoo funds rangers in Sumatra, supports black-footed ferret reintroduction, and creates habitats for monarch butterflies. • Topeka Zoo funds a ranger in Sumatra's Leuser Range, the last stronghold for fewer than 400 remaining Sumatran tigers • Monarch butterflies have declined by 90% in 15-20 years due to loss of milkweed, their only egg-laying plant • The zoo hosts an annual native plant sale the day before Mother's Day offering milkweed and native flowers • Black-footed ferrets, once declared extinct with only 18 individuals remaining, are now being reintroduced with the zoo's help • "Dino Days" features life-size animatronic North American dinosaurs throughout the zoo until October • Construction will soon begin on a $7.5 million tiger exhibit featuring Sumatran tigers, king vultures, and an education center • The zoo now exclusively serves bird-friendly coffee grown under rainforest canopies without deforestation Visit the Topeka Zoo for Dino Days now through October, and watch for the new tiger exhibit coming soon! This episode is proudly brought to you by Choose Topeka! If you've been thinking about relocating to Shawnee County, Topeka might just pay you to move. Seriously. You could get up to $15,000 to live and work in Shawnee County. Check it out at ChooseTopeka.com. ________________________________________ 0:00: Conservation at the Topeka Zoo 8:45: Saving the Sumatran Tigers 17:35: Disappearing Monarch Butterflies 26:15: Dinosaur Days at the Zoo 36:45: Prehistoric Kansas and Ancient Oceans 43:50: Why Topeka is the Perfect Size ________________________________________ Beyond the Podcast: 🎙️ Be sure to follow our Topeka Insider Socials below and check out our website for additional stories and articles pertaining to Topeka, KS Website -- https://topekainsider.com/ Facebook --- https://www.facebook.com/topekainsider Instagram -- https://www.instagram.com/topekainsider Follow Your Hosts: 📱 Follow both Justin & Jon on their personal socials to get connected. They would love to connect and answer any questions about the show or their day to day. Jon Griffith's Instagram -- https://www.instagram.com/thejongriffith/ Justin Armbruster's Instagram -- https://www.instagram.com/armbruster_jd For Any Inquiries, please DM @TopekaInsider on Instagram!