Episode Summary:
In this episode, host Josh Newton welcomes Ken Yancey, Executive Director of the Exotic Wildlife Association (EWA) to discuss the mission, growth, and impact of the Exotic Wildlife Association (EWA). EWA, founded in 1967, has over 2,000 members and is expanding into new chapters. The association supports projects like anti-poaching in Zimbabwe and educational initiatives. Yancey highlighted the economic impact of the exotic wildlife industry, estimated at nearly $2 billion, and the importance of remote delivery systems for veterinary treatments. He also addressed the New World Screw Worm threat and EWA’s efforts to combat it. Upcoming events include the EWA 2025 convention in San Antonio, Texas, featuring educational sessions and auctions.

Featured Guest:
Ken Yancey, Executive Director Exotic Wildlife Association

As a result of his successful, 25+ year career at the helm of a large non-profit, Ken has built a reputation as a transparent leader with integrity and unparalleled people skills. He balances a strategic, results–oriented, metric-driven approach with an unwavering commitment to core values and beliefs and excels at creating a positive, purpose-driven culture, motivating diverse groups, addressing unconscious bias, building teams and board management.

Ken has testified before Congress more than 20 times and is experienced at navigating a variety of regulatory, political and policy processes.

A clear communicator, high-energy, enthusiastic and engaging speaker and memorable storyteller, he has also delivered countless speeches nationwide about entrepreneurship, non-profit management, leadership, small business trends, volunteerism, corporate responsibility and more.

Key Takeaways:

• EWA’s Mission: Promoting conservation of exotic wildlife, defending the exotic game industry, and educating members on ethical and effective animal stewardship.
• Remote Delivery Systems: Acknowledgment of EWA’s long-standing relationship with Pneu-Dart, highlighting the importance of remote drug delivery in exotic animal care — from sedation to treatment and transport.
• Industry Growth: A steady rise in participation from breeders, hunters, and animal enthusiasts — even on small acreages.
• Conservation Success: EWA has contributed to species repatriation efforts and funded anti-poaching initiatives abroad.
• Economic Impact: With a previous valuation near $2B, the exotic wildlife industry has had a strong economic influence on rural communities. A new study with updated data is underway.
• Value of Wildlife: Exotic animals add not only tax and breeding value to land, but also emotional and recreational value.
• Technology Forward: EWA is launching a new app that helps members manage animals, registry, communication, and eventually even smart ranch tools (like gate/camera integrations).
• Animal Health Focus: Discussion of New World Screwworm and EWA’s partnership with USDA and state agencies for prevention, surveillance, and response planning.

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The post Pneu-Adventures Episode 2: EWA’s Ken Yancey “Conservation Through Commerce” first appeared on Pneu-Dart.