Going "Wild" in 2009

2008 sure brought about several amazing adventures -- I can't wait to see what 2009 has in store!

My animal friends and I are starting the new year off right. I will be riding on the Rain Bird float in the Rose Bowl parade and then a special I did with Greta Van Susteren will also be airing on New Year's Day in the evening.

From my family to yours, we hope that you have a safe and happy new year!

Snakes, stingrays, and log rides...oh my!

Yesterday was an amazing day! I was fortunate to participate in the opening of the Wildlife World Zoo's new aquarium -- the only aquarium in the state of Arizona. I love this zoo and it has been so much fun to see it change and grow over the years. It is truly one of the finest zoo's in the country, with Arizona's largest collection of animals, and definitely should be a family destination! My wife Suzi and my daughter Julie were with me and I know they love it as much as I do -- even when they got a little wet on the new log ride!

Abbie, an albino python from the Wildlife World Zoo, joined me on stage. She is quite a handful -- it takes three people to hold her!

I love talking to audience members after my presentations-- It's great to see the enthusiasm that they have about the animals and conservation.

WOW! The zoo's log ride goes through the aquarium and along the way you see three primate islands!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Merry Christmas and happy holidays! I hope that you and your family have a wonderful holiday season. Lets get ready to kick off 2009! Go Wild!

Visiting with Maury

I recently visited the set of Maury to film our 2008 holiday special. We had a great time, and I'm so excited that it will be airing on December 24, 2008 -- Christmas Eve! Make sure you tune in!

Below a couple photos that were snapped while we were on the set. I hope that you enjoy them!

Suzi Rapp helped me show Maury and the audience three of our favorite new friends. Maury and Suzi are holding of the Columbus Zoos new baby cheetahs Ray and Roe, and I am holding our new anatolian shepherd, Reese. Reese's sister Reagan moved in with the baby cheetahs last week! These animals are ambassadors to their cousins in the wild and we hope that they can help educated audiences for years to come.

In this photo, I am showing Maury one of the greatest holiday animals of all time - the reindeer. Do you think this one can fly?

I sure do love my christmas cookies!

I love chocolate chip cookies! If I could eat them with every meal I would! My wife Suzi developed a cookie recipe that is a little more "nutritious," so that I can indulge occasionally. You should definitely bake them up sometime.

1 cup unsalted butter
1 cup sugar
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/4 cup maple syrup
2 large eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups organic all-purpose flour
1/2 cup organic whole-wheat flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup canola oil
1 1/2 cups old-fashioned or quick-cooking oats
1/2 cup 7-grain cereal
1/2 cup golden flax seed
1 cup finely chopped walnuts
1 cup finely chopped almonds
2 cups semisweet chocolate morsels
2 cups walnut halves

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper; set aside.

In a large bowl, beat butter, sugars, and maple syrup at medium-high speed with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla, beating until combined.

In a medium bowl, combine flours, baking soda, and salt; sift once. Add flour mixture, alternately with oil, 1 cup at a time, beginning and ending with flour mixture; beat at low speed, until smooth, after each addition. Fold in cereals, flaxseed, and chopped nuts.

Drop dough, by rounded tablespoons, onto prepared baking sheets; gently pressing flat with hands. Sprinkle cookies evenly with chocolate morsels and walnut halves. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until edges are lightly browned. Let cool for 2 minutes on baking sheet. Remove to wire racks to cool completely.

Gift ideas for the animal lover in your life

Each year when the holiday season rolls around, people always ask me what to get the animal lover in their life. I know it can be a challenge to think of knew and exciting things so I have come up with a list of a few of my favorites that definitely make great gift options.


1. Columbus Zoo or Wilds membership
Of course I love the Columbus Zoo and the Wilds -- Memberships would be the gift that keeps on giving. Zoo members have free admission 365 days a year, free parking, free or reduced admission to more than 100 AZA accredited zoos across the country, and they also receive a $20 discount on Zoombezi Bay season passes. Being a member of Wilds offers the opportunity to board Safari Transports for free and discounts on Sunset and Open-Air Safaris. These memberships also provide priority registration for educational programs and are a great way to see hundreds of animals up-close and personal!

2. Pet portraits
My assistant had an artist draw 3 drawings of the family dog to put in her baby’s nursery. Including your four-legged family members in your décor adds such a personal touch! And don’t tell anyone, but my wife loves our dogs so much that I’m thinking about giving her a pet portrait of our two dogs for Christmas! This is such a meaningful gift for someone who is crazy about their pets.

3. ‘Adopt-an-animal’ program at the Columbus Zoo
Another good option for the person who has everything is the adopt-an-animal package from the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. An adoption helps support an animal at the zoo, is tax-deductible and comes with a plush animal and certificate.

4. Backyard bird watching
Going on safari is not the only way to see wild animals, watching birds in the backyard is a wonderful way to enjoy local wildlife. Bird houses or birdfeeders are another great option for an animal lover.

Save the rhino, not the rhinovirus

I recently teamed up with Zicam to help protect the endangered rhino population. Zicam will donate $1 for every sweepstakes entry, up to $20,000. The money will go to help support the Wilds and the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy -- organizations that are helping protect the endangered rhino. So pass it along, the more people who enter, the closer we’ll get to $20,000....and you'll have a chance to go on safari!!

By entering the contest, you could have a chance to witness the rhino conservation efforts that are being done in Africa and help make a difference in the rhinos survival. One Grand Prize winner will be awarded the following:

• 11-day African Safari trip for two people including seven and half days in Safari country. ARV $16,000

• Canon Vixia HF10 Camcorder, ARV $1,000.

• In Addition: A Chance to Win $25,000 Cash Prize.

Zicam Save The Rhino Sweepstakes ends 12:00 PM EDT, Tuesday, March 31, 2009.

This Sweepstakes is open to all legal residents of the United States and District of Columbia, 18 years of age or older, as of September 23, 2008.Limit of one entry per email address.

On The Record

Yesterday I stopped by to see my friend Greta Van Susteren and tape an animal special with her.

Here's a picture from the set -- this big guy is over 100 years old!

Stay tuned for an air time and date. The special will most likely be showing on Fox around the holidays.

Fox and Friends

Check out my appearance on Fox and Friends from this morning with the Columbus Zoo's new baby cheetahs. There are two links on the website; one is a clip from the show and the other is from the after show.

Be On The Look Out

Just when I thought things would start slowing down for the holidays, somehow I find myself just as busy. With my animal presentations around the U.S. and appearing on Good Morning America, Larry King Live, and other shows, it seems like the perfect time to teach others about the importance of conservation and the animals that make up our incredible world.

Be on the look out for me in December:

• Sunday, December 7 - Good Morning America Weekend


• Sunday, December 7 - Booksigning & Animal Show at the Columbus Zoo


• Tuesday, December 9 - Fox & Friends


• Thursday, December 25 - Larry King Live

Be on the look out for more posts this month regarding holiday specials with Maury Povich and Greta Van Sustern!

I am in the process of updating my Upcoming Appearances page on my website through March, so check it out and see when I'll be coming to a town near you!

Lighting up the sky

The Columbus Zoo looks absolutely magical this time of year! The colorful lights make the entire Zoo look as if it is glowing. I am so glad I will be at the Zoo again on Sunday, December 7 for an animal show so that I can stay late again to see the light show around the pond -- it's absolutely amazing! I saw the show for the first time last week and I couldn't believe my eyes! If you are lucky, you might even see me out on the Frozone ice skating rink trying not to fall!

Check out http://www.columbuszoo.org/ to find out more information or search your local zoo's website to see what holiday activities they are planning this season.