That Tracks, A Lincoln Park Zoo Podcast

How does poop tell a welfare story? What is a great ape blood bank? Why does the zoo study cities? Tune in and find out!

Episode 7: The Science of Animal Happiness

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

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Episode 6: Wildlife Also Call Cities Home

Why does understanding urban wildlife matter? Ecologist Seth explains.

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Episode 5: Horticulture is an Art and Science

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

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Episode 4: Animal Care is Built on Trust

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

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Episode 3: Veterinary Care is Complex

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

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Episode 2: Conservation is About People

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

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Episode 1: Food Supports Animal Happiness

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

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Zoo News, Advocacy
April 24, 2026
Why Lincoln Park Zoo Supports the Illinois Traveling Animal Act
The Illinois Senate must vote on this bill by May 8. It prevents bears, primates, and most non-domestic cats from being transported across the state for performances. Act now!
toto the squirrel monkey climbing in habitat
Captive Primate Safety Act, Zoo News, Advocacy
May 29, 2025
Primate Stories: Toto the Squirrel Monkey at Reid Park Zoo
In support of the Captive Primate Safety Act, we are showcasing the stories of primates in the pet trade. Here’s the story of a squirrel monkey confiscated at the U.S. border.
chimp haven announcement al the chimp
Zoo News, Captive Primate Safety Act, Advocacy
April 10, 2025
Zoo Partner Chimp Haven Receives Final Alamogordo Chimps
After a prolonged legal battle and advocacy from multiple animal welfare organizations, sanctuary Chimp Haven has received the final six chimps from an NIH facility where they were being illegally kept.
Captive Primate Safety Act, Advocacy, Zoo News
October 10, 2024
Primates as Pets: By the Numbers
Here are some numbers you should know about the keeping of primates as pets, including wildlife trafficking statistics and conservation impacts.
ring-tailed lemur
Zoo News, Captive Primate Safety Act, Advocacy
September 17, 2024
Primate Stories: Ring-tailed Lemurs at the Detroit Zoo
One of Lincoln Park Zoo’s partners in supporting the Captive Primate Safety Act, Detroit Zoo, cares for several lemurs who were once kept in the pet trade, and their conditions were not optimal.
chimpanzee eye
Zoo News, Captive Primate Safety Act, Advocacy
September 5, 2024
Opinion: Why Chimp Crazy Only Scratches the Surface of Necessary Primate Protections
This op-ed, originally published on MSNBC.com, outlines the position of a coalition led by Lincoln Park Zoo and other animal protection organizations regarding private ownership of primates as depicted in the HBO series Chimp Crazy .
chimpanzee
Zoo News, Conservation, Captive Primate Safety Act, Advocacy
September 4, 2024
Advancing Chimp Welfare: The ChimpCARE Tool
Lincoln Park Zoo researchers created a comprehensive review of the effects of chimpanzee care in zoos, aquariums, and other institutions—and then they took action, creating a tool to measure chimp welfare.
chimpanzee eye
Captive Primate Safety Act, Advocacy, Zoo News
August 19, 2024
Chimp Crazy: Why Primates Should Not Be Pets
The docuseries Chimp Crazy debuted this past weekend, highlighting some of the issues of having primates as pets. Lincoln Park Zoo is leading a coalition of partners supporting the Captive Primate Safety Act. Here’s why we care about this issue so deeply.
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