June 18, 2026

Meet Polar Bears, Pandas & Orangutans! A Wild Animal Adventure for Kids

Meet Polar Bears, Pandas & Orangutans! A Wild Animal Adventure for Kids
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Hop aboard the Culture Train with Kristen and Asher as they head to the world famous San Diego Zoo to meet wildlife specialist Marco Wendt. Twelve thousand animals, more than 650 species, and a whole lot of heart await on this stop in sunny San Diego, California.

In this episode, families will discover:

  • Why San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is a nonprofit conservation organization, not just a zoo, and how their work has helped reintroduce more than 44 endangered species back into the wild
  • The incredible true story of Tatqiq, a polar bear rescued as an orphaned cub in Alaska, who now helps scientists understand how polar bears hear, move, and survive a warming Arctic
  • How Karen the orangutan became the first great ape in history to undergo open heart surgery, and how she's thriving today with her orangutan and siamang family
  • The journey of giant pandas from Endangered to Vulnerable, and just how much bamboo it takes to keep Yun Chuan and Xin Bao happy (hint: it's a lot~!)


About our guest:

Marco Wendt has worked as a wildlife specialist at the San Diego Zoo for almost thirty years, caring for everything from cranes and cassowaries to red river hogs and giant pandas.

A huge thank you to San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance for believing in our work and partnering with us on this episode and for the incredible work they do protecting wildlife for future generations.


About San Diego Zoo

The San Diego Zoo is located at 2920 Zoo Drive in Balboa Park, San Diego, CA 92101, and is operated by the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, an international nonprofit committed to creating a world where all life thrives. The Zoo is 100 acres and home to more than 12,000 animals representing over 650 species and subspecies!

Website: zoo.sandiegozoo.org
Wildlife Alliance site: sandiegozoowildlifealliance.org
Instagram: @sandiegozoo
Facebook: facebook.com/SanDiegoZoo
TikTok: @sandiegozoo
X: @sandiegozoo


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If you enjoyed today's adventure, please subscribe, leave a review, and share Culture Kids with a family you love. Every share helps more children discover new places, meet new people, and grow curious about the world around them.

Culture Kids is a nonprofit organization creating free educational adventures for families around the world.

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