Talking Penguins - and Other Animals - with Biologist Suzanne Akerman.

One of GCP’s faves, Suzanne rejoins the guys to talk about all things Point Defiance. Suzanne spends her days sharing her passion for animals with visitors at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium where she works as a staff biologist for the Wild Wonders Outdoor Theater. When she is not performing in shows or scooping poop, Suzanne is chair of Drinking for Conservation, a committee dedicated to conserving wildlife through fun social gatherings. Her hobbies include reading, solving crossword puzzles, trivia, dancing, and occasional modeling. Suzanne holds a B.A in English and an M.A. in Education from Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma and an M.A. in Biology from Miami University.

01:23 – Suzanne explains what Point Defiance AAZK is, the types of volunteer opportunities at AAZK, and Justin and Scott comment on going to the Red Wolves Drinking For Conservation event. Justin thanks GCP listeners, shares where people can find them online, and GCP’s plan to bring back Boot To Boot. Suzanne talks about the upcoming event March for Penguins, Scott gives props to the Red Wolf breeding facility in Washington, and Justin asks Suzanne about the pregnant muskox at the zoo.

15:40 – Suzanne talks about the planning that goes on around breeding at the zoo, the zoo’s upcoming St. Patrick’s Day themed events, and Justin gives a shout out to GCP’s photographer Mandy. Scott gives a shout out to Wing Man, they talk on their go to Karaoke songs, and Justin shares when he fell offstage while doing Karaoke. Suzanne tells the guys about the new zoo show that’s starting on Mothers Day, Scott recommends reading the Willow books, and Justin talks on the GCP movie review episodes.

30:15 – Suzanne shares how people can volunteer at Point Defiance, talks on the benefits for the youth that sign up for the Youth volunteer program, and the benefits they have discovered with the youth program. Suzanne talks about Point Defiance’s tarantula Caroline, Justin shares the story of when his mom had a tarantula, and kicks off Coaster Questions. Suzanne answers what her scariest moment with an animal has been, and the intimidation behind dumping a bucket of gran to the animals at Northwest Trek early in her career.

48:35 – Suzanne talks about her favorite animal, what training a tortoise entails, and Justin and Scott give their called shots. Justin gives a shout out to Alexis at Sublime Therapeutic Massage, Scott gives props to the Hoover Ville bar in Seattle, and Suzanne recommends Edgeworks Climbing Gym in Tacoma. She gives props to the Grand Cinema, talks on her appreciation for Grand Cinema’s dedication to sustainability, and when the March for Penguins is happening.

Thanks Suzanne for another great conversation on the haps at Point Defiance Zoo!

• March for Penguins! — This month's DFC event will be a blast!
• Charlotte The Muskox Is Pregnant
• Sublime Therapeutic Massage — If you’re looking for professional massage therapy for pain and injury treatment, or just to relax, you’ve come to the right place.
• Grand Cinema - Independent, International, and Local Films — The South Sound's nonprofit home for independent film
• Edgeworks Climbing, Tacoma's Climbing Gym — #1 choice for indoor rock climbing in the South Sound.