This week, the sixth episode of Mega Zoo screened in New Zealand. It was filmed in early to mid 2020.
I’ve written an episode synopsis below for anyone isn’t able to view this series, but wants to catch up on the goings on (spoiler alert):
I’ve written an episode synopsis below for anyone isn’t able to view this series, but wants to catch up on the goings on (spoiler alert):
At Werribee Open Range, they were preparing for the adolescent male lions (Ato and Lwazi) to move to Taronga Zoo. The keepers got a call to say the exhibit in Sydney wasn’t ready; and the lions would have to remain in their pride for a few weeks longer. As a result, their mother Nilo requires a contraceptive as the males are reaching maturity and starting to mount the females. Kelly, the Animal Behaviour Specialist describes Nilo as a fiery, strong lioness; but due to her close relationship with her, is able to hand inject her with a sedative. The procedure went well, despite starting to run low on oxygen near the end of the operation, requiring them to pick up the pace. At the end of the episode, the males depart; leaving the zoo with a pride of six lionesses. The lionesses vocalise when the males leave, which the staff say was their way of calling for them.
At Melbourne Zoo, the monthly butterfly census kicks off in the butterfly house. The temperature is lowered to slow the butterflies down, making them easier to count. The staff work fast to get it done before the sun rises, counting 622 butterflies. Apparently the sensation of rain in the butterfly house is not rain or some sort of mist spray, it’s butterfly faeces.
At Melbourne Zoo’s Wild Seas precinct, an 18 month old fur seal named Bella is being target trained for an X-ray. Bella was rescued from the wild, suffering from an abscess and damaged joint to her front left flipper. She was assessed as unlikely to survive at the wild and will remain at the zoo. On the first attempt at the X-ray, Bella gets nervous and scuttles out the door; she later successfully participates and the X-ray reveals her affected digit in her flipper is well aligned and straight.
At Healesville Sanctuary, they talk about the critically endangered Mountain pygmy possum, of which there are fewer than 2000. 1.1 siblings named Flora and Fauna are taken for a health check and receive a microchip. The health check gives them the all clear.
In Victoria’s alpine fields, Healesville staff distribute biscuits they’ve baked as supplematry food for wild Mountain pygmy possums. The biscuits, comprised mostly of meal worms are a substitute for their natural diet of Bogal moth, which are declining in number. The biscuits are dropped from a water tower to test if they’d survive an aerial drop; and are also placed into feeder boxes on the ground. Cameras reveal the possums are eating them and gaining the weight they’ll need to survive winter.
Back at Werribee Open Range Zoo, the zoo’s new breeding Southern white rhinoceros bull is preparing to meet the females. Kifaru was born at Hamilton Zoo in 2009; and has also lived at Halls Gap Zoo. He meets the youngest female, Kipenzi; then Sisi and Ketaba. Kifaru is assertive and appears motivate to breed; but the females aren’t receptive. The keeper, who is a little amphomorphic, notes that he’s encouraged the rhinos are relatively calm during the introduction and says he’s hopeful for calves in the years to come.
At Melbourne Zoo, the monthly butterfly census kicks off in the butterfly house. The temperature is lowered to slow the butterflies down, making them easier to count. The staff work fast to get it done before the sun rises, counting 622 butterflies. Apparently the sensation of rain in the butterfly house is not rain or some sort of mist spray, it’s butterfly faeces.
At Melbourne Zoo’s Wild Seas precinct, an 18 month old fur seal named Bella is being target trained for an X-ray. Bella was rescued from the wild, suffering from an abscess and damaged joint to her front left flipper. She was assessed as unlikely to survive at the wild and will remain at the zoo. On the first attempt at the X-ray, Bella gets nervous and scuttles out the door; she later successfully participates and the X-ray reveals her affected digit in her flipper is well aligned and straight.
At Healesville Sanctuary, they talk about the critically endangered Mountain pygmy possum, of which there are fewer than 2000. 1.1 siblings named Flora and Fauna are taken for a health check and receive a microchip. The health check gives them the all clear.
In Victoria’s alpine fields, Healesville staff distribute biscuits they’ve baked as supplematry food for wild Mountain pygmy possums. The biscuits, comprised mostly of meal worms are a substitute for their natural diet of Bogal moth, which are declining in number. The biscuits are dropped from a water tower to test if they’d survive an aerial drop; and are also placed into feeder boxes on the ground. Cameras reveal the possums are eating them and gaining the weight they’ll need to survive winter.
Back at Werribee Open Range Zoo, the zoo’s new breeding Southern white rhinoceros bull is preparing to meet the females. Kifaru was born at Hamilton Zoo in 2009; and has also lived at Halls Gap Zoo. He meets the youngest female, Kipenzi; then Sisi and Ketaba. Kifaru is assertive and appears motivate to breed; but the females aren’t receptive. The keeper, who is a little amphomorphic, notes that he’s encouraged the rhinos are relatively calm during the introduction and says he’s hopeful for calves in the years to come.
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