Top Journalists in Zoos and Game Farms
Karin Brulliard The Washington Post
National correspondent at The Washington Post; founded and led the Post’s Animalia beat on animals and people and continues to cover animal welfare and wildlife issues alongside a West-focused national beat. Specialties: Zoos and aquariums, wildlife policy, animal welfare, human–animal interactions, public-lands and Western wildlife issues.
Natasha Daly National Geographic
Award‑winning National Geographic writer/editor focused on wildlife conservation, welfare and exploitation; led major investigations into wildlife tourism and captive big cats. Specialties: Wildlife tourism and exploitation, captive wildlife, animal welfare investigations, social media’s impact on animals.
Sharon Guynup Freelance (National Geographic, Mongabay, others)
Environmental journalist and National Geographic Explorer whose multi‑year investigations helped expose abuses in the captive tiger industry; contributor to National Geographic and Mongabay. Specialties: Big cats in captivity, wildlife crime/trafficking, policy and conservation impacts on captive and wild animals.
Rachel Fobar Freelance (formerly National Geographic Wildlife Watch)
Investigative reporter formerly with National Geographic’s Wildlife Watch, known for coverage of captive lion farming and wildlife crime. Specialties: Wildlife crime and exploitation, captive-lion industry, animal welfare investigations.
John R. Platt The Revelator (Center for Biological Diversity)
Editor of The Revelator and longtime environmental journalist (creator of Extinction Countdown) covering wildlife conservation and trafficking. Specialties: Endangered species, zoos’ conservation roles, wildlife trafficking, biodiversity policy.
Jason Bittel Freelance (National Geographic, Washington Post, NYT, etc.)
Freelance science writer whose animal features regularly appear in National Geographic, The Washington Post and other outlets; covers zoos with clear, accessible reporting. Specialties: Animal behavior and welfare, zoos and aquariums, wildlife science explainer features.
Christina Larson Associated Press
AP Global Health & Science writer who frequently covers animal research and zoo‑based studies (e.g., eclipse behavior research at U.S. zoos). Specialties: Zoo/animal science research, National Zoo and wildlife studies, animal disease and public‑facing science reporting.
Emily Anthes The New York Times
Science reporter covering animal health and science for The New York Times; has reported on zoos, captive wildlife and animal research throughout the pandemic and beyond. Specialties: Animal health and science, zoos’ research and welfare practices, policy and ethics around captive animals.
Patrick Greenfield The Guardian
Biodiversity and environment reporter for the Guardian/Observer; covers wildlife trade, conservation policy and biodiversity loss worldwide. Specialties: Biodiversity, wildlife trade and policy, zoos’ conservation claims, global captive‑wildlife issues.
Phoebe Weston The Guardian
Guardian biodiversity writer reporting on conservation, rewilding and wildlife stories that often intersect with zoos and captive breeding. Specialties: Rewilding and biodiversity, captive–wild interfaces, public interest wildlife stories with UK and global relevance.
Craig Pittman Florida Phoenix (columnist); author
Veteran Florida environmental journalist and Florida Phoenix columnist; author of Cat Tale (Florida panther) and longtime reporter on zoos/aquariums in Florida. Specialties: Florida wildlife, manatees, panthers, aquariums/zoos and state wildlife policy; roadside zoos and tourism impacts.
Don Hopey Freelance/Independent; formerly Pittsburgh Post‑Gazette
Long‑time Pittsburgh environmental reporter who has extensively covered Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium and regional wildlife policy. Specialties: Regional zoo and aquarium coverage, wildlife policy and enforcement, captive animal controversies in Western Pennsylvania.
Gary Robbins The San Diego Union‑Tribune
Science reporter who regularly covers San Diego Zoo/SAFARI Park science and conservation for the San Diego Union‑Tribune. Specialties: San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, zoo science, conservation programs, local/regional wildlife and research coverage.
David Grimm Science (AAAS)
Online News Editor at Science and author of Citizen Canine; frequently covers animal welfare, captivity ethics and policy/science that inform zoo standards. Specialties: Animal welfare, laboratory and captive animals, ethics of captivity, companion‑animal science with relevance to zoo welfare debates.
Laurel Neme Freelance (National Geographic, Mongabay, etc.)
Journalist/author of Animal Investigators and frequent National Geographic/Mongabay contributor on wildlife crime, including hunting ranches and game‑farm links. Specialties: Wildlife trafficking and enforcement, captive wildlife trade, game farms and trophy hunting intersections.
Benji Jones Vox
Environmental correspondent at Vox covering biodiversity, wildlife policy and conservation; prior bylines include National Geographic and Audubon. Specialties: Biodiversity and wildlife policy, zoos’ conservation roles and ethics, invasive species and wildlife trade.
Asher Elbein Freelance (Texas Observer, National Geographic, NYT, etc.)
Austin‑based freelance journalist whose work (Texas Observer, National Geographic, NYT) has explored Texas exotic game ranching and captive wildlife industries. Specialties: Exotic game ranches and “Texotics,” wildlife trade/captive breeding, natural history features with captive–wildlife angles.
Jani Actman Freelance (formerly National Geographic Wildlife Watch)
Former National Geographic Wildlife Watch reporter who chronicled wildlife‑crime prosecutions and illegal trade trends; now freelance in California. Specialties: Wildlife crime roundups, illegal pet trade and taxidermy, trafficking supply chains intersecting with zoos and collectors.
Rachael Bale WIRE – Wildlife Investigative Reporters & Editors (Freelance)
Co‑founder of WIRE; former National Geographic Animals executive/Investigations editor and reporter on wildlife exploitation and trade. Specialties: Investigative wildlife reporting, trafficking networks, captive wildlife exploitation and policy accountability.
Bryan Christy Author/Investigative Journalist (formerly National Geographic Special Investigations)
Founder of National Geographic’s Special Investigations; led landmark investigations into ivory and reptile trafficking with implications for captive trade and collections. Specialties: Wildlife investigative reporting (ivory/rhino horn), exotic reptile trade, links between trafficking and captive markets/collectors.
Related Topics
Further Reading
Was this page helpful? We'd love your feedback — please email us at feedback@dealstream.com.