The Movie-Star Chimpanzee's Retirement Plan Fresh Air September 4, 2009 • Once performing chimpanzees grow too strong and willful to continue their acting careers and returning to the wild is no longer an option, where do they go? Journalist Charles Siebert discusses his new book, which answers the question for one such chimp.
Animal Stage Trainer Makes Stars Out Of Pound Pups Fresh Air September 4, 2009 • Animal stage trainer Bill Berloni has 30 years' worth of experience training dogs, pigs, rats, cats and lambs for Broadway productions and Hollywood films.
The Man Behind Triumph, The Insult Comic Dog Fresh Air September 4, 2009 • Former Saturday Night Live writer and producer Robert Smigel uses animal puppets to say and do the lewdest things. His most infamous creation is Triumph, The Insult Comic Dog, who made a name for himself "pooping" on guests of Late Night With Conan O'Brian.
Photolibrary Getting To Know The Animal Families Of 'Earth' Fresh Air September 3, 2009 • Alastair Fothergill and Mark Linfield are the directors behind the hit nature-documentary series Planet Earth. Their new movie, Earth, uses some of the same footage — but it's "character-based" rather than "habitat based."
Robert Sullivan, In The Alleys With 'Rats' Fresh Air September 3, 2009 • Robert Sullivan's Rats: Observations on the History & Habitat of the City's Most Unwanted Inhabitants chronicles the year he spent studying alley rats in New York City. He says you'd be surprised at what picky eaters they can be.
Up Close And Personal With The Dung Beetle Fresh Air September 3, 2009 • Where will you find more violence than in an NC-17 movie? More sex than on VH1's reality shows? In the downright wild world of the dung-beetle. Biologist Douglas Emlen explains.
Putting Puppies Behind Bars (For A Good Cause) Fresh Air September 2, 2009 • Puppies Behind Bars is a canine training program that enlists prison inmates to train puppies as bomb-sniffing dogs or as service animals. Many of the dogs are then paired with wounded or disabled veterans.
Vetta Collection/iStockphoto.com Cats, More Critters On Animal Week From 'Fresh Air' September 2, 2009 • This week on Fresh Air: It's Animal Week, in which we highlight more than a dozen surprising, revealing, endlessly fascinating conversations about animals and how we live with them.
Rescuing Katrina's Four-Legged Victims Fresh Air September 2, 2009 • Margaret McLaughlin, a New York vet technician, went to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina to join the ASPCA's efforts to rescue pets left behind. She talks about her experiences finding and treating animals in the hurricane zone.
Forensic Vet Helps Prevent Animal Cruelty Fresh Air September 2, 2009 • Melinda Merck is not your average "pet detective." As a forensic vet with the ASPCA, Merck offers insight into the harrowing world of animal cruelty — and how we can use the legal system to stop it.
How Autism Can Help Us Understand Animals Fresh Air September 1, 2009 • Animal-behavior specialist Temple Grandin explains how her personal experiences with autism have in some ways enhanced her work — and shed new light on the way in which we communicate with animals.
Michael Schaffer: America Is Going To The Dogs Fresh Air September 1, 2009 • In his book One Nation Under Dog, Michael Schaffer investigates the booming pet-care industry. He discusses how the $43 billion business reflects our ideas about consumerism, family, politics and domesticity.
Veterinarian Translates Barks And Meows Fresh Air August 31, 2009 • Veterinarian Nancy Kay helps pet caregivers consider what's in the medical best interest of their furry friends, and offers advice on everything from helping a pet handle vet visits to figuring out whether an animal is in pain.
'Alex & Me': The Parrot Who Said 'I Love You' Fresh Air August 31, 2009 • Alex the African gray parrot could do more than speak and understand he could also count, identify colors and develop an emotional relationship. When Alex died in September 2007, his last words to scientist Irene Pepperberg were "You be good. I love you."
