Taronga Zoo New Taronga Zoo TV Series

@Abbey

Wonderful recaps Abbey, really want to check out the episodes.

Wanted to reply ie Sun Bears (was so sad about Mr Hobbs hey :() is really interesting to hear about the enrichment schedule on a 31 day cycle that he had and Mary still does.

On that, actually met a volunteer at Taronga on 10th July while watching Mary and spent about twenty minutes watching Mary, at the beginning she was towards the back of the exhibit (north-west side near what looked like a door to her night quarters maybe) but by the end of watching she was right at the front centre with one of the wooden cones that had treats in it.

Halfway through watching Mary the volunteer came over and was saying they put a whole array of hidden treats in the exhibit at different spots at different times for Mary's enrichment and was affectionately softly calling out "thats it Mary, you found it you clever girl, yup its in there, (turning back to me) she's really clever at working out how to get it out..". We both had a chuckle at what seemed like Mary might of been giving up on one of the treat puzzles out of not getting a result, but nope she kept going until she was eating what was inside. The volunteer said it was really impressive often seeing Mary leaning on branches and climbing sometimes to get at some of the things but also using her paws and long tongue to reach them out at other times, which kicked off a chat about how we both found Sun Bear's uniquely long tongues really interesting and cool.

I told the volunteer where Mary had been when first got to the front of her exhibit and she said that was likely because the keepers had put something up that way too.

I asked her how Mary seemed to be going living solo without Mr Hobbs the last couple of years and she said Mary was doing very well and enjoyed her own company (well I guess they are solitary by nature really except mothers and cubs) and that in reality Mary had been "not particularly nice to 'poor old' Mr Hobbs" which she put down to going against their solitary natures in the wild, but also that Mary was more dominant because she was "raised 'well' " as in actually growing into adulthood under the care of a mother whether as Mr Hobbs being taken as a cub for the illegal trade in Cambodia had not had the natural upbringing due to those circumstances and that "he wasnt as 'well behaved' as Mary". Was a really interesting conversation. After reading your awesome recap realised didnt know why hadnt recounted what had been told by the nice volunteer like seven weeks ago just afterwards lol.
 
Episode 8 - Keeping it Real

Zookeeper Paul, who is one of the few keepers to work across all divisions - a fact routinely pointed out throughout promotions for the episode - starts off the episode working with Taronga’s two male Australian Pelicans - Eora and Marni. Their exhibit contains teatree mulch on the ground, to prevent the pelicans from developing bumblefoot.

Keepers look to feed the zoo’s chimpanzees. Paul prepares tubes for the chimpanzee troop which contain sultanas and pellets in some and beetroot puree in the others. These tubes are locked into place in the exhibit, giving the chimps enrichment as they seek their food from the holes in the sides of the tubes.

A Little Penguin is brought into the wildlife hospital. The penguin is suffering from a leg wound. Vet Larry removes a paralysis tick from its feathers, but fortunately the bird is not impacted by the tick’s bite. They scan the penguin to search for a microchip, as some wild populations are monitored. Vets cut the bird’s feather as part of treating his ill health. By cutting the feathers, the feathers will not grow back until after the bird’s next moult, whereas plucking them means that the feathers would have grown back quite quickly. The penguin’s recovery was not yet complete as his severe wounds had not yet fully healed.

Keepers feed the zoo’s fishing cats. Meanwhile, the growing lion pride is fed a lamb carcass. Zoo nutritionist Michelle explains the value of carcass feeding, especially for young animals, as it allows them to develop the muscles around their jaw which they would use for catching prey if they were in the wild.
 
Episode 9 - Who's Poo in the Zoo

As the title suggests, this episode has a central theme of zoo nutritionist Michelle visiting animals around the zoo to investigate their health through examining their faeces. She insists that, while it’s a smelly job, the odour of herbivore faeces, in particular, is not necessarily unpleasant. The first patients are Nelly and Kayak, the white-cheeked gibbons. It’s a little sombre watching this episode in retrospect, given that Nelly eventually passed away from a long-term illness. At this time, keepers bring Michelle into the gibbon exhibit. They find faeces with a liquid consistency, indicating both Nelly and Kayak have diarrhoea. Ekundu, Taronga’s sole male bongo, receives a morning meal of pellets, a dietary supplement and linseed oil. This assists with his digestion and defecation, which is especially helpful given that he is an older male. While Ekundu tucks into his food, his keeper is able to clean his exhibit and examine Ekundu’s faeces.

Keeper Stu credits his love of reptiles to his mother, who provided him with reptile books for Christmas as a child. Taronga’s male Olive Python is named Oliver, and keepers are able to enter his enclosure with him as he is not a venomous snake. Stu is able to pick him up to feed him or to clean his enclosure. He next visits one of the zoo’s other reptile species. Little Joe is named after Stu’s housemate. He is the world’s smallest python, an adult Pygmy python, no longer than 30 centimetres long. Their wild habitat is in Western Australia. Little Joe is also a constrictor, capable of cutting off blood flow of their prey.

Taronga Zoo is assisting with reducing wildlife trafficking by improving the scanning technology used to detect reptiles. Some of the more commonly trafficked reptiles include Shingleback and Blue-tongued lizards. In addition, Eastern water dragons frequently come through Taronga’s wildlife hospital. Their bodies are retained for use in training scanning machines to look for various shapes of lizards, in order to detect animals being smuggled and rescue them from the trade. At the scanning centre, staff from Taronga investigate the technology and scan the taxidermied lizards so they can improve detection for smuggled wildlife.

Following the passing of elderly male Emas, young binturong brothers Rimbo and Kemiri are transferred to Taronga from Perth Zoo. It’s a rainy day when keeper Dannielle is cleaning their exhibit. Despite the inclement weather, however, the work must go on at the zoo. Smelling like popcorn and with prehensile tails, Rimbo and Kemiri love climbing right to the top of the tree in their exhibit, where the Sky Safari travels right past them.

In Taronga’s Training Institute, Feathertail Gliders serve as ambassadors for their species. Being such a small native marsupial, they face threats in the wild from pet cats, making it important for members of the public to connect with the gliders and understand the importance of keeping their cats inside at night.
 
Episode 10 - Halloween

Vets need to X-ray the feet of Tang Mo, the Asian Elephant. The equipment they use is valued at $50,000, so they must make sure that it is not damaged during the procedure. As Tang Mo weighs 3.8 tonnes, and she must step onto the plate, there are always risks, even during routine care. During training, keepers use a piece of wood and condition Tang Mo through positive reinforcement to place her food in the correct position. Eventually, vet Larry comes down to the elephant barn to conduct the X-rays, as part of ongoing monitoring to ensure any abnormalities which could develop as she ages are picked up and treated quickly. Larry speaks powerfully and emotionally about Tang Mo, having cared for her since first meeting her back in Thailand in the mid-2000s. There is some beautiful footage of ‘aunty’ Tang Mo with the late calf, Jai Dee, playing in Taronga’s waterfall, as Larry reflects upon his sadness regarding Tang Mo’s inability to have a calf of her own.


It is Halloween at Taronga Zoo. Like Christmas and Easter, it presents an occasion where the zoo’s media team get involved with the preparation of enrichment for the animals. They use jack-o-lanterns in order to raise awareness of threats facing some of the zoo’s species in the wild. The squirrel monkeys receive a pumpkin with ‘Pet trade’ carved into it. Having grown up in America, Halloween is keeper Gray’s favourite holiday. He is keen to get involved with providing Halloween-themed enrichment to the native Australian animals living at Taronga’s Training Institute.


Meanwhile, the wildlife hospital is preparing for its largest marine turtle release yet, with four turtles which have been in Taronga’s care ready to return to the wild. Vets use fibreglass to affix trackers to the turtles’ shells so that they will be able to monitor their progress back out in the wild and learn more about the behaviour of sub-adult turtles. The four sea turtles are successfully released into the ocean. Over the next twelve months, Taronga staff continue to track their progress and learn more about how the turtles habituate rivers, lakes and bays up the eastern Australian coastline as their journey north to breed. Human impacts in these areas threaten the turtles’ survival.

That was the season finale of Season 3 of Taronga: Who's Who at the Zoo. Thankfully, Season 4 premieres tonight on Channel 9 at 7:30pm AEDT for Australian audiences. I plan on recapping this new season's episodes - hopefully with more haste than I did the last season. Thanks to everyone who read and engaged.
 
Abbey said:
Episode 10 - Halloween

Vets need to X-ray the feet of Tang Mo, the Asian Elephant. The equipment they use is valued at $50,000, so they must make sure that it is not damaged during the procedure. As Tang Mo weighs 3.8 tonnes, and she must step onto the plate, there are always risks, even during routine care. During training, keepers use a piece of wood and condition Tang Mo through positive reinforcement to place her food in the correct position. Eventually, vet Larry comes down to the elephant barn to conduct the X-rays, as part of ongoing monitoring to ensure any abnormalities which could develop as she ages are picked up and treated quickly. Larry speaks powerfully and emotionally about Tang Mo, having cared for her since first meeting her back in Thailand in the mid-2000s. There is some beautiful footage of ‘aunty’ Tang Mo with the late calf, Jai Dee, playing in Taronga’s waterfall, as Larry reflects upon his sadness regarding Tang Mo’s inability to have a calf of her own.


It is Halloween at Taronga Zoo. Like Christmas and Easter, it presents an occasion where the zoo’s media team get involved with the preparation of enrichment for the animals. They use jack-o-lanterns in order to raise awareness of threats facing some of the zoo’s species in the wild. The squirrel monkeys receive a pumpkin with ‘Pet trade’ carved into it. Having grown up in America, Halloween is keeper Gray’s favourite holiday. He is keen to get involved with providing Halloween-themed enrichment to the native Australian animals living at Taronga’s Training Institute.


Meanwhile, the wildlife hospital is preparing for its largest marine turtle release yet, with four turtles which have been in Taronga’s care ready to return to the wild. Vets use fibreglass to affix trackers to the turtles’ shells so that they will be able to monitor their progress back out in the wild and learn more about the behaviour of sub-adult turtles. The four sea turtles are successfully released into the ocean. Over the next twelve months, Taronga staff continue to track their progress and learn more about how the turtles habituate rivers, lakes and bays up the eastern Australian coastline as their journey north to breed. Human impacts in these areas threaten the turtles’ survival.

That was the season finale of Season 3 of Taronga: Who's Who at the Zoo. Thankfully, Season 4 premieres tonight on Channel 9 at 7:30pm AEDT for Australian audiences. I plan on recapping this new season's episodes - hopefully with more haste than I did the last season. Thanks to everyone who read and engaged.
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Big Tang Mo! :D

I thought 3.8 tonnes sounded a lot, so I searched some other weights of cows in the region for comparison:

0.1 Kashin (1968) in 2007 - 3.4 tonnes
0.1 Porntip (1992) in 2018 - 3.1 tonnes (heavily pregnant)
0.1 Burma (1982) in 2007 - 3.0 tonnes
0.1 Num Oi (2001) in 2015 - 3.2 tonnes (mid pregnancy)
0.1 Dokkoon (1993) in 2008 - 2.5 tonnes

I’ve included their ages/dates of weigh in for reference as growth typically peaks at around 25 years. I imagine Num Oi is close to Tang Mo in weight, with Anjalee not far off (being of the Sri Lankan subspecies).
 
Zoofan15 said:
Big Tang Mo! :D

I thought 3.8 tonnes sounded a lot, so I searched some other weights of cows in the region for comparison:

0.1 Kashin (1968) in 2007 - 3.4 tonnes
0.1 Porntip (1992) in 2018 - 3.1 tonnes (heavily pregnant)
0.1 Burma (1982) in 2007 - 3.0 tonnes
0.1 Num Oi (2001) in 2015 - 3.2 tonnes (mid pregnancy)
0.1 Dokkoon (1993) in 2008 - 2.5 tonnes

I’ve included their ages/dates of weigh in for reference as growth typically peaks at around 25 years. I imagine Num Oi is close to Tang Mo in weight, with Anjalee not far off (being of the Sri Lankan subspecies).
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Thanks for providing this data. Tang Mo is also noted to be a tall elephant, which no doubt contributes to being a heavy elephant.
 
Abbey said:
Thanks for providing this data. Tang Mo is also noted to be a tall elephant, which no doubt contributes to being a heavy elephant.
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I recall reading that Tang Mo (1999) was almost as tall as Porntip (1992) and Pak Boon (1992) when they arrived in 2006. Tang Mo was described as a tall, slender elephant but appears to have filled out a bit in recent years from the photos I’ve seen.

Num Oi has a large frame. She’s reasonably tall and well built; while Kulab is of a similar height. When you combine Bong Su (a tall bull) with Kulab, it’s no surprise Ongard is the size he is. I’ll be interested to see his size when he reaches his prime in just over a decade from now.
 
Zoofan15 said:
I recall reading that Tang Mo (1999) was almost as tall as Porntip (1992) and Pak Boon (1992) when they arrived in 2006. Tang Mo was described as a tall, slender elephant but appears to have filled out a bit in recent years from the photos I’ve seen.

Num Oi has a large frame. She’s reasonably tall and well built; while Kulab is of a similar height. When you combine Bong Su (a tall bull) with Kulab, it’s no surprise Ongard is the size he is. I’ll be interested to see his size when he reaches his prime in just over a decade from now.
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It's disappointing Sanook didn't survive; being a calf from Num Oi and Bong Su he would've been huge!

Hopefully Bong Su's genetics can continue through his son Pathi Harn and daughter Mali although I doubt Roi Yim will be that large; he's already noted to be smaller than his two half sisters and three of his four grandparents are also quite small individuals!
 
Season 4, Episode 1 - Giraffe Jimiyu

It’s a new season of Taronga: Who’s Who in the Zoo and there’s a new narrator, with former All Saints actress Virginia Gay replacing Naomi Watts, who provided the voiceovers for the first three seasons. The series starts with a whiparound of some of Taronga’s elderly animals, including JR, the long-beaked echidna. The ungulate team are celebrating as giraffe Jimiyu is celebrating his 17th birthday (placing this part of the episode’s filming in February 2023). However, keeper Jimi is also anxious, as the second-tallest giraffe in the world is due for a medical procedure. Vets need to investigate a lump on Jimiyu’s scrotum. The procedure will be carried out in the zoo’s mock rock barn, a heritage structure. In order to make it safe for Jimiyu, the backyard crew remove brackets from the interior wall of the barn, so that there will be no hazards which could injure the giraffe while he is under anaesthesia. After three months of preparation, the day has arrived for Jimiyu’s procedure. Vet staff transport equipment to the giraffe barn, where senior vet Larry fires the dart. It’s a difficult moment for keepers and vets to watch Jimiyu go down, even though the floor of the barn has been covered with a heavy layer of sawdust for his protection. As soon as the procedure begins, the clock is ticking. For Jimiyu’s welfare, the vets must complete a scrotal ultrasound, hoof trim and X-rays within an hour and a half. Originally, it is believed that the lump on his scrotum is a hernia; however, it turns out to be a lump of fat. One canine tooth is removed, but his mouth is otherwise in good condition. Finally, the vets provide the reversal drugs and exit the barn, waiting for Jimiyu to wake up and get back to his feet. He thankfully stands up without incident. Soon after, when he is steady on his feet, Jimiyu is reunited with Taronga’s other giraffes - Zarafa, Kito and Ebo - in the paddock.

Keke the long-nosed fur seal has recently given birth to a new male pup. While she is out on exhibit, keeper Brad leads the pup, at this point still unnamed, into a purpose-built shallow pool. He has a successful splash around and is even able to get back out of the pool himself, which is a good sign in developing independence. Brad leads a meeting of the marine keepers to determine a shortlist of names for the pup, to be put to a public vote. One keeper suggests Kobe, which was developed by combining the names of the pup’s parents, Bondi and Keke (and here’s me thinking the name was Kobe Bryant-inspired….), which turns out to be the winning name.

Nura Diya, the zoo’s new Australian precinct, is under construction. 69% of Taronga’s animal collection are native Australian animals, so the new development is intended to bring the bulk of this collection together so that visitors can see the Australian animals in one place. However, persistent rain is slowing down construction. Project manager Rebecca takes veteran keeper Paul (not the same Paul who was featured on Season 3, but a Paul I’ve seen before on the Australian version of The Zoo which aired on Channel 7 from 2007-2010) on a tour of the under-construction ghost bat exhibit in the nocturnal house.

All in all, a solid opening episode. I’ve seen other storylines involving giraffe procedures before, and thankfully I did know that Jimiyu would survive as I’d recently seen him at Taronga. I did notice the lack of a Dubbo storyline, but I gather there will be other episodes which are more Dubbo-centric as the season goes on.
 
Abbey said:
Season 4, Episode 1 - Giraffe Jimiyu

It’s a new season of Taronga: Who’s Who in the Zoo and there’s a new narrator, with former All Saints actress Virginia Gay replacing Naomi Watts, who provided the voiceovers for the first three seasons. The series starts with a whiparound of some of Taronga’s elderly animals, including JR, the long-beaked echidna. The ungulate team are celebrating as giraffe Jimiyu is celebrating his 17th birthday (placing this part of the episode’s filming in February 2023). However, keeper Jimi is also anxious, as the second-tallest giraffe in the world is due for a medical procedure. Vets need to investigate a lump on Jimiyu’s scrotum. The procedure will be carried out in the zoo’s mock rock barn, a heritage structure. In order to make it safe for Jimiyu, the backyard crew remove brackets from the interior wall of the barn, so that there will be no hazards which could injure the giraffe while he is under anaesthesia. After three months of preparation, the day has arrived for Jimiyu’s procedure. Vet staff transport equipment to the giraffe barn, where senior vet Larry fires the dart. It’s a difficult moment for keepers and vets to watch Jimiyu go down, even though the floor of the barn has been covered with a heavy layer of sawdust for his protection. As soon as the procedure begins, the clock is ticking. For Jimiyu’s welfare, the vets must complete a scrotal ultrasound, hoof trim and X-rays within an hour and a half. Originally, it is believed that the lump on his scrotum is a hernia; however, it turns out to be a lump of fat. One canine tooth is removed, but his mouth is otherwise in good condition. Finally, the vets provide the reversal drugs and exit the barn, waiting for Jimiyu to wake up and get back to his feet. He thankfully stands up without incident. Soon after, when he is steady on his feet, Jimiyu is reunited with Taronga’s other giraffes - Zarafa, Kito and Ebo - in the paddock.

Keke the long-nosed fur seal has recently given birth to a new male pup. While she is out on exhibit, keeper Brad leads the pup, at this point still unnamed, into a purpose-built shallow pool. He has a successful splash around and is even able to get back out of the pool himself, which is a good sign in developing independence. Brad leads a meeting of the marine keepers to determine a shortlist of names for the pup, to be put to a public vote. One keeper suggests Kobe, which was developed by combining the names of the pup’s parents, Bondi and Keke (and here’s me thinking the name was Kobe Bryant-inspired….), which turns out to be the winning name.

Nura Diya, the zoo’s new Australian precinct, is under construction. 69% of Taronga’s animal collection are native Australian animals, so the new development is intended to bring the bulk of this collection together so that visitors can see the Australian animals in one place. However, persistent rain is slowing down construction. Project manager Rebecca takes veteran keeper Paul (not the same Paul who was featured on Season 3, but a Paul I’ve seen before on the Australian version of The Zoo which aired on Channel 7 from 2007-2010) on a tour of the under-construction ghost bat exhibit in the nocturnal house.

All in all, a solid opening episode. I’ve seen other storylines involving giraffe procedures before, and thankfully I did know that Jimiyu would survive as I’d recently seen him at Taronga. I did notice the lack of a Dubbo storyline, but I gather there will be other episodes which are more Dubbo-centric as the season goes on.
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An interesting note that Jimiyu is the second tallest captive giraffe in the world, behind Australia Zoo’s Forrest. Both are getting on in years (born 2006 and 2007 respectively).

It’ll be interesting to see if any future record holders arise within the region. My money is on Jabali (grandson of Forrest), who was noted to be Auckland Zoo’s tallest newborn giraffe at 1.95 metres when he was born last year.

Jabali is certainly tall compared to others in his family line:

0.1 Ntombi (2007) Zabulu x Kay = 1.8 metres
1.0 Forrest (2007) Zabulu x Rukiya = 1.8 metres
1.0 Jelani (2010) Zabulu x Rukiya = 1.8 metres
0.1 Savannah (2011) Harold x Tunu = 1.7 metres
0.1 Nakuru (2012) Zabulu x Rukiya = 1.8 metres
0.1 Shira (2013) Zabulu x Rukiya = 1.7 metres
0.1 Zuri (2015) Zabulu x Rukiya = 1.8 metres
0.1 Kabili (2016) Zabulu x Kiraka = 1.6 metres (twin, premature)
0.1 Jabali (2022) Billy x Kiraka = 1.95 metres
 
Zoofan15 said:
An interesting note that Jimiyu is the second tallest captive giraffe in the world, behind Australia Zoo’s Forrest. Both are getting on in years (born 2006 and 2007 respectively).

It’ll be interesting to see if any future record holders arise within the region. My money is on Jabali (grandson of Forrest), who was noted to be Auckland Zoo’s tallest newborn giraffe at 1.95 metres when he was born last year.

Jabali is certainly tall compared to others in his family line:

0.1 Ntombi (2007) Zabulu x Kay = 1.8 metres
1.0 Forrest (2007) Zabulu x Rukiya = 1.8 metres
1.0 Jelani (2010) Zabulu x Rukiya = 1.8 metres
0.1 Savannah (2011) Harold x Tunu = 1.7 metres
0.1 Nakuru (2012) Zabulu x Rukiya = 1.8 metres
0.1 Shira (2013) Zabulu x Rukiya = 1.7 metres
0.1 Zuri (2015) Zabulu x Rukiya = 1.8 metres
0.1 Kabili (2016) Zabulu x Kiraka = 1.6 metres (twin, premature)
0.1 Jabali (2022) Billy x Kiraka = 1.95 metres
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That sounds on the money of Jabali going on to be a very tall adult giraffe, all being well. I was surprised to learn that Jimiyu was the second-tallest giraffe - all the regional inbreeding doesn't seem to be reducing the size of our giraffe whatsoever! (That said, I don't think Forrest and Jimiyu specifically are that inbred, if at all?).

Thanks for sharing this data of giraffe calf heights. Here's me thinking they always come out 2 metres tall every time!
 
Abbey said:
That sounds on the money of Jabali going on to be a very tall adult giraffe, all being well. I was surprised to learn that Jimiyu was the second-tallest giraffe - all the regional inbreeding doesn't seem to be reducing the size of our giraffe whatsoever! (That said, I don't think Forrest and Jimiyu specifically are that inbred, if at all?).

Thanks for sharing this data of giraffe calf heights. Here's me thinking they always come out 2 metres tall every time!
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I’d say 1.7 metres to 1.8 metres are the average, with bull calves being slightly larger (common in most ungulate species).

Both descend from the Jan Smuts line, so are relatively inbred. Auckland’s most genetically valuable calves were Zabulu (relatively new line to the region, albeit a line that was inbred upon import); combined with Kiri and Kay, who were descendants of John (imported from London Zoo in 1960), who has only a handful of descendants in the region to date. He was bred with Willoughby (Taronga) at Auckland Zoo to produce a male calf (Kahiroa) who produced Kiri and Kay with a Honolulu imported female.
 
Unrelated to the current series set at Taronga and Taronga Western Plains, but some episodes of the Australian version of The Zoo (from 2007-2010) are currently available on Channel 7's catch-up platform, 7Plus, and seem to be airing on repeat at various times (including 3:30pm weekdays) on 7Two.

Episodes currently available include:
  • Arna and Gigi the circus elephants being rehomed at Taronga Western Plains following the death of their trainer (S1, E3)
  • Frala giving birth to Fuzu at Taronga, attempts to carry out IVF on black rhino Rocket at Taronga Western Plains (S1, E4)
  • Jimiyu the giraffe, who was featured in this week's Taronga: Who's Who at the Zoo, being transferred to Taronga from Dubbo (S1, E5)
  • Gorilla Mouila giving birth to baby Mahale at Taronga - billed as the first gorilla birth in Australia captured on camera (S2, E1)
  • Brooke the leopard seal at Taronga rehomed in the Great Southern Oceans precinct, the artificial insemination of Dokkoon (S2, E2)
  • Petre the pygmy hippo giving birth to calf Monifa at Taronga, who was subsequently handreared (S2, E5)
  • Meo giving birth to two snow leopard cubs at Melbourne and Rigo the silverback gorilla having a dental procedure (S3, E1)
  • Australian sea lion Kira giving birth to pup Nala, giraffes Ntombi and Forrest moved to Dubbo, lioness Njeri at Dubbo having a melanoma removed (S3, E2)
By the looks of things, episodes will be uploaded as the reruns are played, so hopefully the whole series will be up eventually. This series was amongst my early ways of learning about zoo animals, their names and histories, so for me it's a fantastic throwback and hopefully interesting for others as well.
 
Abbey said:
Unrelated to the current series set at Taronga and Taronga Western Plains, but some episodes of the Australian version of The Zoo (from 2007-2010) are currently available on Channel 7's catch-up platform, 7Plus, and seem to be airing on repeat at various times (including 3:30pm weekdays) on 7Two.

Episodes currently available include:
  • Arna and Gigi the circus elephants being rehomed at Taronga Western Plains following the death of their trainer (S1, E3)
  • Frala giving birth to Fuzu at Taronga, attempts to carry out IVF on black rhino Rocket at Taronga Western Plains (S1, E4)
  • Jimiyu the giraffe, who was featured in this week's Taronga: Who's Who at the Zoo, being transferred to Taronga from Dubbo (S1, E5)
  • Gorilla Mouila giving birth to baby Mahale at Taronga - billed as the first gorilla birth in Australia captured on camera (S2, E1)
  • Brooke the leopard seal at Taronga rehomed in the Great Southern Oceans precinct, the artificial insemination of Dokkoon (S2, E2)
  • Petre the pygmy hippo giving birth to calf Monifa at Taronga, who was subsequently handreared (S2, E5)
  • Meo giving birth to two snow leopard cubs at Melbourne and Rigo the silverback gorilla having a dental procedure (S3, E1)
  • Australian sea lion Kira giving birth to pup Nala, giraffes Ntombi and Forrest moved to Dubbo, lioness Njeri at Dubbo having a melanoma removed (S3, E2)
By the looks of things, episodes will be uploaded as the reruns are played, so hopefully the whole series will be up eventually. This series was amongst my early ways of learning about zoo animals, their names and histories, so for me it's a fantastic throwback and hopefully interesting for others as well.
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Wow, thank you! I too remember watching this TV series and can fondly recall a few episodes (one of which being the fertility testing of male lions Tonyi and Tombo at Werribee - would be good to see that one again).

Usually they pop up every once in a while randomly, but it’s good to see a consistent approach into re-running some of the episodes. I’ll certainly be looking to tune in; hopefully it’s accessible on the 7plus website.
 
Abbey said:
Unrelated to the current series set at Taronga and Taronga Western Plains, but some episodes of the Australian version of The Zoo (from 2007-2010) are currently available on Channel 7's catch-up platform, 7Plus, and seem to be airing on repeat at various times (including 3:30pm weekdays) on 7Two.

Episodes currently available include:
  • Arna and Gigi the circus elephants being rehomed at Taronga Western Plains following the death of their trainer (S1, E3)
  • Frala giving birth to Fuzu at Taronga, attempts to carry out IVF on black rhino Rocket at Taronga Western Plains (S1, E4)
  • Jimiyu the giraffe, who was featured in this week's Taronga: Who's Who at the Zoo, being transferred to Taronga from Dubbo (S1, E5)
  • Gorilla Mouila giving birth to baby Mahale at Taronga - billed as the first gorilla birth in Australia captured on camera (S2, E1)
  • Brooke the leopard seal at Taronga rehomed in the Great Southern Oceans precinct, the artificial insemination of Dokkoon (S2, E2)
  • Petre the pygmy hippo giving birth to calf Monifa at Taronga, who was subsequently handreared (S2, E5)
  • Meo giving birth to two snow leopard cubs at Melbourne and Rigo the silverback gorilla having a dental procedure (S3, E1)
  • Australian sea lion Kira giving birth to pup Nala, giraffes Ntombi and Forrest moved to Dubbo, lioness Njeri at Dubbo having a melanoma removed (S3, E2)
By the looks of things, episodes will be uploaded as the reruns are played, so hopefully the whole series will be up eventually. This series was amongst my early ways of learning about zoo animals, their names and histories, so for me it's a fantastic throwback and hopefully interesting for others as well.
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This episode list reinforces my perspective that for a while, Taronga and Melbourne’s series have been lacking in content. I appreciate there’s more to the operation of a zoo than high profile births; but earlier seasons featuring great ape births and pachyderm pregnancies are storylines that have continued to this day. I’d much rather hear about those events than analysing faeces for nutritional value or creating apps that scan for wildlife trafficking etc.

Mega Zoo was decidedly underwhelming and has gone away since the birth of three elephant calves and an upcoming transfer to Werribee. I hope we get a dedicated doco covering this.
 
Zoofan15 said:
Mega Zoo was decidedly underwhelming and has gone away since the birth of three elephant calves and an upcoming transfer to Werribee. I hope we get a dedicated doco covering this.
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Since there is considerable public interest in the upcoming transfer I’d hope that Zoos Vic would cover this; at least in a whole episode of Mega Zoo or a doco of their own.
 
Jambo said:
Wow, thank you! I too remember watching this TV series and can fondly recall a few episodes (one of which being the fertility testing of male lions Tonyi and Tombo at Werribee - would be good to see that one again).

Usually they pop up every once in a while randomly, but it’s good to see a consistent approach into re-running some of the episodes. I’ll certainly be looking to tune in; hopefully it’s accessible on the 7plus website.
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The episode you refer to was part of Season 4, if I recall correctly. Hopefully they'll continue airing them and uploading to 7plus until they get through to the end of the show (which, at the current rate, would only be a couple more weeks). I've been able to watch on demand what they've put up already, as well as stream through 7Plus when it's being broadcast.

Zoofan15 said:
This episode list reinforces my perspective that for a while, Taronga and Melbourne’s series have been lacking in content. I appreciate there’s more to the operation of a zoo than high profile births; but earlier seasons featuring great ape births and pachyderm pregnancies are storylines that have continued to this day. I’d much rather hear about those events than analysing faeces for nutritional value or creating apps that scan for wildlife trafficking etc.

Mega Zoo was decidedly underwhelming and has gone away since the birth of three elephant calves and an upcoming transfer to Werribee. I hope we get a dedicated doco covering this.
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I see what you mean. Combining 9 zoos for the series certainly allows only the most high-profile storylines to make the cut. While needing to pad out the content could be one factor in including storylines like those you'd mentioned, I think there's an urgency from the zoos to showcase animal care and other conservation-based activities, to justify their existence.

I'm hopeful that Mega Zoo not coming back for a second season (especially when I think one was announced) is indicative of there being a dedicated doco or series about the elephants. Zoos Victoria have generally done those things pretty well in the past. Another explanation is Melbourne's 2021 lockdown being stricter than Sydney's, but there's been plenty of time since then for another season if they were planning one like the first.
 
Jambo said:
Since there is considerable public interest in the upcoming transfer I’d hope that Zoos Vic would cover this; at least in a whole episode of Mega Zoo or a doco of their own.
Click to expand...
Abbey said:
I'm hopeful that Mega Zoo not coming back for a second season (especially when I think one was announced) is indicative of there being a dedicated doco or series about the elephants. Zoos Victoria have generally done those things pretty well in the past. Another explanation is Melbourne's 2021 lockdown being stricter than Sydney's, but there's been plenty of time since then for another season if they were planning one like the first.
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I think it’s important to have a documentary to cover the elephant transfer to Werribee because of its historical significance. It’s the largest transfer of elephants between two Australian zoos and the Werribee complex will for many years be the largest captive facility.

The birth of Mzuri (an equally historic event); and that of Buzandi and Bambuti were covered via documentaries and provide a record of those events for the decades that followed.
 
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