Episode notes
In this episode of That’s Wild, hosts Susan Altrui and Joy Matlock take a nostalgic trip back to the 1970s and 80s to explore a pivotal era of transformation at the Little Rock Zoo. Joined by Arkansas broadcasting legend and former radio DJ Craig O’Neal. The team dives into the history of the "Bring Down the Bars" campaign—a community-led movement that revolutionized animal habitats by replacing traditional iron bars with more naturalistic environments.
Highlights from this episode include:
- The "Bring Down the Bars" Legacy: Discover how the zoo transformed the historic WPA Big Cat House (now Café Africa) and moved iconic animals like Buck the Bengal Tiger into modern exhibits.
- A Community Effort: Craig O'Neal shares hilarious and heartfelt stories of 80s-era fundraisers, includin ...
Keywords
Little Rock ZooArkansas Zoological AssociationThat's Wild PodcastAnimals & Wildlife Podcastzoo podcastwildlife conservationjoy matlocksusan altruiConservationLittle Rock Zoo Constructionzoo habitat designCraig O'NealBring down the barsArkansas History1980's NostalgiaZoo TransformationAnimal HabitatsZoo RenovationNaturalistic ExhibitsArkansas CelebritiesCommunity FundraisingTurpentine Creek Wildlife RefugeEureka Springs