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Running a zoo of Taronga's
size and animal diversity
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takes hundreds of people
working around the clock.
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Some animals are active during the day,
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others are awake at night,
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and it's a never-ending job
keeping all of them fed.
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And for the marine team,
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that means starting every day at 6 A.M.
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We're arriving at our office
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to get all of our gear
ready to start our day,
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grab all our boots, radios, and gear,
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get ready to check the diary
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to see if there's any updates for us
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and head over towards our fish kitchen
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where we're going to prepare
all the food for today
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for our marine mammals.
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For every animal at Taronga,
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the food is always of the highest quality.
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We separate all of our
fish and seafood into species,
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and we basically have
thawed it out overnight,
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but this just allows it to get
a little bit more defrosted
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for us to work with.
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Most of this fish is used for the seals
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but also some for
our pelicans and penguins.
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But there's more
to keeping animals healthy
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than just giving them the right food.
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Now what I'm doing
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is actually preparing to put
the vitamins for all the animals
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into their fish.
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So these ones are for our marine birds.
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So penguins and pelicans
get these small ones,
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and these larger ones
are made for our seals,
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and they're just a multi-vitamin.
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Then all we do
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is we just slide the vitamin in
underneath the gill of the fish
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so that the fish doesn't
look like anything's different,
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and then we just put it to the side
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so that we know that
that's for those animals.
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Let's do it.
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Alright, we'll be back.
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Yeah, so this is just half of the buckets
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that we're delivering today.
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These are all going up
to our seal theater,
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and we have other buckets to deliver
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around the section later on.
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Prepping the food
is just the first part of a busy day.
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Good morning, buddy.
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With more than 20 keepers
in the marine department,
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making sure everyone
knows their role each day
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is crucial.
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We've got no Josie,
our volly today.
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She's still off with that feral cat bite.
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Feral cat bite?
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Yeah.
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Jo and Mel stores time.
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I wrote down 11:30.
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Dubbo keepers are coming
for a behind-the-scenes
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between 11 and 12.
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Krystal, little penguin
burrow checks this morning.
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You guys are on top of that.
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That's it. All good.
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Okay, so let's head on up
and check the burrows.
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Yay!
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Today, keeper Krystal
is learning how to check
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the little penguin burrows for eggs.
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Hi, guys.
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So we have minimal disturbance,
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we'll get Parni and Liv to feed
the majority of the group
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while we do the burrow checks.
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That means there should be at least
one parent out of the boxes
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so that there's less disturbance.
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They don't know what we're doing
while they're eating.
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Taronga breeds little penguins
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to share them with other facilities,
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ensuring captive penguin populations
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are genetically diverse.
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Hey, let's head on in.
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We have to be really careful when
we're doing the burrow checks.
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They're very flighty little birds.
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If they feel threatened at all,
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they're just going to leave their burrows,
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and we obviously don't want them
to abandon their eggs,
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so we want to give minimal disturbance.
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So far,
the penguin breeding season
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hasn't produced many eggs.
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Okay, so we'll check burrow two.
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Lindsay is hoping
Krystal brings a bit of luck
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to this nest check.
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We've got a parent there.
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Let's have a little look underneath.
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Away from
the gorillas, sea lions,
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giraffes, and other high-profile animals,
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keeper Paul has spent 30 years
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working on one of Taronga's
more peculiar collections.
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This is one of the areas
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where we keep all of our
off-display invertebrates
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or what most people
probably think of as bugs.
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But the real sort of,
I guess definition of it,
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is an animal that doesn't have a backbone.
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We've got far more species of invertebrate
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than there are anything
else on the planet,
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and in here we've got all sorts
of different animals.
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We've got some redback spiders,
we've got plenty of huntsman spiders,
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they're great.
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Love having huntsman spiders
around the house.
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They're fantastic.
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Then around here
we've got our baby phasmids,
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or what people think of as stick insects.
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So what we do is we hatch them out here,
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grow them up so they're a bit bigger,
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and then we can put them on display.
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Very cool indeed.
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Got a lot of growing left to do
on this little one.
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But where some people
see squashable creepy crawlies...
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This is what I really love.
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So wait for this.
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Check this out.
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Paul only sees
beautiful creatures.
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Have a look at this little beauty.
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These are giant burrowing cockroaches.
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This one's a male,
and I can tell he's a male
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because he's got this little tiny
sort of scoop there
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on top of his carapace there.
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These cockroaches
give birth to live young.
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They only give birth once a year.
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And the female will actually
look after the young
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for up to about a year.
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So it's a cockroach that
actually has a motherly instinct.
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But the prize
invertebrate in his collection
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is the Sydney funnel-web.
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Funnel-webs are definitely
an animal that sort of get me in
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because a lot of invertebrates
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have this real sort
of negative association
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for a lot of people,
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but I'd never pick one up in my hand
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because, well, to be
perfectly honest with you,
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that's just stupid.
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I'm aware of the danger there,
but rather than fear for me,
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I'd say it's probably more
a healthy respect for them.
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That's probably a better way to put it.
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And like all animals at Taronga,
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invertebrates are also
entitled to health care,
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and Paul has noticed
that one of his new arrivals
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isn't looking so good.
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She's going to be uncooperative.
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The question is,
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how do you treat a sick funnel-web spider?
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Australia has some of the most
distinct wildlife on Earth.
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You can see he's really starting
on the leaves now nicely,
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really tackling the big ones.
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Without doubt,
one of the most unique is the platypus.
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Platypus are native
to the east coast rivers of Australia,
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and while they're common
in Australian zoos,
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not one platypus exists
outside of Australia.
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But that may soon change.
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Taronga is planning to send a male
and female platypus overseas.
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If the pair successfully breed,
they'd be creating history.
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They have historically
been very, very tricky animals
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to work with and transport.
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There's an interesting story
where during the Second World War,
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actually, Winston Churchill requested
a platypus be sent to the UK.
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It died before it actually got there,
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so there is a bit of anxiety.
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For us to be involved with this
is very significant.
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And the lucky recipients
of two of Taronga's platypus
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will be the world-renowned San Diego Zoo.
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We've been working
on this project for quite a long time,
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and we just have been
anticipating this for so long.
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Keepers Lori and Savanna
have just arrived from San Diego
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to learn all they can
about this Aussie icon.
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We're very excited to be here
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and can't wait to actually
be able to transport him
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to his new home.
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They won't
have to wait too long,
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because the platypus
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are scheduled to leave
for the United States
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in just two weeks.
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Well, at the moment over here
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we've got two on display
and two off display.
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Okay.
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And there's a lot
of learning to be done
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in that time.
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Okay, so in here
we have our female.
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Come on up.
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We've, you know,
done everything we can
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on the other side of the world
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as far as reading and researching,
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but there's nothing that comes
close to being here in person
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and being able to work with the keepers
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that know so much about them.
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You would never handle
any other platypus like this.
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A, she's a girl,
so she doesn't have the spur,
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but she is somewhat special.
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She was hand-raised.
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She came in after
a really rough start to life.
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She was attacked by a dog
when she was a baby
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and came into the zoo as an orphan
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and was the first platypus
ever hand-raised,
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to my knowledge.
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So we had no idea what we were doing.
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But you are fed up with being
held at the moment, aren't you?
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So we'll put you back down here,
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and we'll open this door
so you can go to work.
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Off you go, little one.
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Come on up.
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Okay.
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The male platypus
the San Diego Zoo is receiving
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is young Bira.
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So, we've got Bira in here,
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and he's a really feisty little platypus.
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You can see the way he's
wriggling around in here.
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He is an excitable little brat.
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But males have
venomous spurs on their heels,
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and one mistake could mean
a world of pain for the handler.
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Like anything
that you're working with
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that has the potential to do you harm,
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00:09:06,123 --> 00:09:07,963
there are good ways of learning
and bad ways,
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00:09:08,043 --> 00:09:10,323
and make sure you don't get spurred.
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Okay, one platypus.
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So I'll show you quickly
before we bag him,
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you can see the spurs
on the inside of the back legs there.
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They're folded up against the femur.
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That's the bit you're
really watching out for.
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00:09:26,923 --> 00:09:29,923
Let that slide a little bit more.
That's it, a nice deep pocket,
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and straight into the bag.
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Beautiful.
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00:09:32,883 --> 00:09:34,043
We now have
one safely contained platypus.
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Okay.
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You've been here for quite a while?
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- Twenty five years tomorrow.
- Oh, my goodness!
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- Happy anniversary!
- Ta.
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Yeah, I wish I could absorb all
of your knowledge and experience
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working with the platypus.
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NARRATOR: Rob's decades of experience
make it look easy.
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Whoops, there he is.
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But Lori and Savanna
have just two weeks to master his secrets.
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It's breeding season at Taronga
for the little penguins,
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and keeper Krystal is joining Lindsay
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to learn how to check
their burrows for newborns.
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Okay, so we're checking
for chicks in this one.
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After a slow start to the season
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they're hoping that today,
they finally find some eggs.
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We'll check burrow two.
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I don't think there's
any activity in this.
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Okay, there's a nest in there,
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but, uh, yeah, no penguins.
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It's not the start
that they were hoping for,
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but with 14 other nesting boxes,
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there's still plenty
of chances for success.
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No, a bit of poo, but no nest.
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So what was happening in this last week?
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So, um.. just a really good nest.
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We know that there is a pair
in there, Chomp and Drill.
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Chomp and Drill.
254
00:10:53,123 --> 00:10:54,963
But no eggs have been sighted as of yet.
255
00:10:55,043 --> 00:10:57,163
Okay, so there's
potential for eggs in this one
256
00:10:57,243 --> 00:10:58,403
'cause we've got a pairing,
257
00:10:58,483 --> 00:11:00,923
um, so we'll duck in and have a look.
258
00:11:07,443 --> 00:11:10,323
Whoop, no, so no one in there.
That's a great nest.
259
00:11:10,723 --> 00:11:13,963
Um, but yep, no parents, no eggs.
260
00:11:14,523 --> 00:11:15,683
For the keepers...
261
00:11:15,763 --> 00:11:18,123
Somebody is
obviously living there,
262
00:11:18,203 --> 00:11:20,323
but it might just be a single female.
263
00:11:20,403 --> 00:11:24,203
...today has been one
disappointment after another.
264
00:11:26,203 --> 00:11:28,403
Okay, we've got two parents here.
265
00:11:28,963 --> 00:11:31,963
So we just need to have a little look.
266
00:11:32,323 --> 00:11:33,443
NARRATOR: But finally...
267
00:11:33,523 --> 00:11:35,963
We've got two eggs.
Did you see those?
268
00:11:36,043 --> 00:11:37,363
...some good news.
269
00:11:37,443 --> 00:11:39,363
Okay, so now number ten.
270
00:11:40,283 --> 00:11:41,803
Fingers crossed.
271
00:11:41,883 --> 00:11:43,883
After a slow start...
272
00:11:43,963 --> 00:11:46,123
Okay, so we've got
a parent there.
273
00:11:46,883 --> 00:11:48,683
Let's have a little look underneath.
274
00:11:48,763 --> 00:11:52,563
...the rest of the nesting boxes
produce some great results.
275
00:11:52,643 --> 00:11:54,403
We've still got an egg.
276
00:11:54,483 --> 00:11:55,723
Sorry, matey.
277
00:11:56,243 --> 00:11:57,203
Two eggs.
278
00:11:57,283 --> 00:12:01,603
But it's the next burrow
that gives keepers an unexpected surprise.
279
00:12:01,683 --> 00:12:03,083
A tricky one to get to.
280
00:12:05,083 --> 00:12:07,243
Okay, so we have...
281
00:12:07,323 --> 00:12:12,043
whoop, very, very protective parent
and two little chicks.
282
00:12:12,123 --> 00:12:13,163
Aw.
283
00:12:16,083 --> 00:12:16,963
Okay.
284
00:12:17,043 --> 00:12:18,603
We have 15 burrows.
285
00:12:18,683 --> 00:12:20,443
We have a population of 43 birds,
286
00:12:20,523 --> 00:12:22,843
and to have majority
of those burrows filled
287
00:12:22,923 --> 00:12:24,763
with partners and eggs,
288
00:12:24,843 --> 00:12:26,843
not to mention the chicks
that are already hatching,
289
00:12:26,923 --> 00:12:29,083
that's a really successful start
to our breeding season.
290
00:12:29,803 --> 00:12:32,763
While there's now plenty of eggs
and some new chicks,
291
00:12:33,163 --> 00:12:36,883
there's one nest box that has
the keepers concerned.
292
00:12:41,763 --> 00:12:44,883
Two platypus are being sent
to an overseas zoo.
293
00:12:45,483 --> 00:12:47,563
It's an ambitious undertaking.
294
00:12:47,643 --> 00:12:50,283
Platypus don't jump,
but they certainly are good climbers.
295
00:12:50,363 --> 00:12:53,123
One that requires
a huge transfer of information
296
00:12:53,203 --> 00:12:55,843
between Taronga and the receiving zoo.
297
00:12:55,923 --> 00:12:57,483
Before we open up the nest box,
298
00:12:57,563 --> 00:13:00,083
one thing that we want to do
is just slowly open it
299
00:13:00,163 --> 00:13:01,963
to ensure that the plat isn't up high.
300
00:13:02,043 --> 00:13:03,483
For the past two weeks,
301
00:13:03,563 --> 00:13:05,923
two keepers from the San Diego Zoo
302
00:13:06,003 --> 00:13:09,243
have been at Taronga Zoo
to learn as much as they can
303
00:13:09,323 --> 00:13:11,683
in the remaining days
that they're in Sydney.
304
00:13:11,763 --> 00:13:13,203
And then we just locate,
305
00:13:13,563 --> 00:13:15,883
locate where the animal is
within these chambers.
306
00:13:15,963 --> 00:13:17,563
So it looks like she's down here.
307
00:13:17,643 --> 00:13:20,243
Restraining a male platypus
has some inherent risks,
308
00:13:20,323 --> 00:13:23,603
so it's pretty important that we
absorb everything that we can
309
00:13:23,683 --> 00:13:26,763
so that we can adequately train our staff
once we return to the States.
310
00:13:26,843 --> 00:13:29,643
We want to try and
grab hold of it quite quickly.
311
00:13:29,723 --> 00:13:31,443
You don't want to second guess yourself.
312
00:13:31,523 --> 00:13:34,643
While Lori and Savanna
are put through their paces...
313
00:13:35,043 --> 00:13:35,843
There we go.
314
00:13:35,923 --> 00:13:37,963
NARRATOR: ...up at
the wildlife hospital...
315
00:13:38,043 --> 00:13:40,763
Going to let you do
most of this today, Meredith,
316
00:13:40,843 --> 00:13:41,963
'cause you've got to...
317
00:13:42,043 --> 00:13:42,923
Got to know
how to do it when we...
318
00:13:43,003 --> 00:13:44,203
Train.
Yeah.
319
00:13:44,283 --> 00:13:46,963
NARRATOR: Vet Meredith,
also from San Diego,
320
00:13:47,043 --> 00:13:49,843
is starting her intensive training on Eve,
321
00:13:49,923 --> 00:13:51,963
one of the platypus
she'll be looking after
322
00:13:52,043 --> 00:13:53,323
back in the States.
323
00:13:53,403 --> 00:13:54,603
Here's the head.
324
00:13:54,923 --> 00:13:55,923
Sleepy enough?
325
00:13:56,003 --> 00:13:57,283
Ooh, she's still pretty active.
She's still pretty active.
326
00:13:57,363 --> 00:13:58,363
Just get her head out
327
00:13:58,443 --> 00:14:02,683
and just pop that little bill
in the, um... that's the way.
328
00:14:03,083 --> 00:14:04,523
But unlike the keepers,
329
00:14:04,603 --> 00:14:07,923
Meredith only has one week
to learn everything she can
330
00:14:08,003 --> 00:14:10,283
about this most unusual animal.
331
00:14:10,363 --> 00:14:12,803
Getting a platypus
isn't just like getting a new tiger
332
00:14:12,883 --> 00:14:14,923
from another zoo or shipping a bongo.
333
00:14:15,003 --> 00:14:17,883
A platypus is a totally unique creature.
334
00:14:18,323 --> 00:14:19,723
140 heart rate.
335
00:14:20,123 --> 00:14:22,643
A platypus lays eggs but is a mammal,
336
00:14:23,483 --> 00:14:25,683
has this bird-like bill,
337
00:14:25,763 --> 00:14:28,203
which it uses to actually see underwater.
338
00:14:28,283 --> 00:14:29,883
And this is where a lot
of the little pores are
339
00:14:29,963 --> 00:14:31,443
for their sensing, right?
340
00:14:31,523 --> 00:14:33,403
And along the edge as well.
341
00:14:33,483 --> 00:14:35,243
That's a very sensitive area.
342
00:14:35,323 --> 00:14:37,443
I mean, you know,
they are really just a cross
343
00:14:37,523 --> 00:14:39,883
between a beaver and a duck, really, so...
344
00:14:39,963 --> 00:14:42,283
With some lizard
thrown in for good show, yeah.
345
00:14:42,363 --> 00:14:44,923
You don't learn about
platypus veterinary medicine
346
00:14:45,003 --> 00:14:46,443
when you're in university.
347
00:14:46,523 --> 00:14:47,963
It's something that
we can only really learn
348
00:14:48,043 --> 00:14:49,763
from those who have learned before us.
349
00:14:50,523 --> 00:14:52,723
So, see how she's got
food in her pharynx there?
350
00:14:52,803 --> 00:14:53,763
Yes, and that's--
351
00:14:53,843 --> 00:14:55,483
So that's, you know, quite normal
352
00:14:55,563 --> 00:14:58,643
that they'll store some food
in their cheek pouches.
353
00:14:58,723 --> 00:15:01,923
There's plenty of
pressure on Meredith to take it all in.
354
00:15:02,003 --> 00:15:03,923
Okay, good saliva.
355
00:15:04,003 --> 00:15:05,043
NARRATOR: Once back in the U.S.,
356
00:15:05,123 --> 00:15:08,283
she'll be the only
Taronga-trained platypus vet
357
00:15:08,363 --> 00:15:10,443
in the Northern Hemisphere.
358
00:15:11,083 --> 00:15:14,483
It's quite a big milestone
to send platypus outside Australia,
359
00:15:14,563 --> 00:15:16,443
which is a big event in its own right.
360
00:15:18,003 --> 00:15:19,243
And actually Meredith
did a lot of homework
361
00:15:19,323 --> 00:15:20,843
before she even got here,
362
00:15:20,923 --> 00:15:24,083
which is fantastic in terms
of her preparation for this,
363
00:15:24,163 --> 00:15:26,723
and, of course, she's absorbing
as much as she can
364
00:15:26,803 --> 00:15:28,123
while she's here with us.
365
00:15:28,203 --> 00:15:30,083
So the eyes
are really quite small,
366
00:15:30,163 --> 00:15:31,123
really, considering.
367
00:15:31,203 --> 00:15:32,763
Yeah, tiny little eyes,
very tiny eyes.
368
00:15:32,843 --> 00:15:34,443
So they don't use vision at all
369
00:15:34,523 --> 00:15:38,163
to navigate or detect
their food underwater.
370
00:15:38,243 --> 00:15:41,163
That's all done through
the electro and mechanoreceptors
371
00:15:41,243 --> 00:15:42,043
in the bill.
372
00:15:42,123 --> 00:15:44,443
It's a solid start
to her education.
373
00:15:44,523 --> 00:15:46,203
It will be interesting
to see her nails.
374
00:15:46,283 --> 00:15:48,323
They're the best platypus nails
I've seen all week.
375
00:15:48,403 --> 00:15:50,363
Quite a lot of excitement
and quite a lot of work
376
00:15:50,443 --> 00:15:51,723
and a bit of stress
377
00:15:51,803 --> 00:15:55,403
to make sure that these animals
are going to thrive
378
00:15:55,483 --> 00:15:57,563
and do great under our care.
379
00:15:57,643 --> 00:15:58,803
And not surprisingly,
380
00:15:58,883 --> 00:16:01,603
the enormity of this project
is sinking in.
381
00:16:01,683 --> 00:16:03,443
Alright, there you go.
382
00:16:10,843 --> 00:16:13,083
Keeper Paul has a problem.
383
00:16:13,163 --> 00:16:15,563
A new edition to his
invertebrate collection,
384
00:16:15,643 --> 00:16:18,763
a female Sydney funnel-web, is unwell.
385
00:16:18,843 --> 00:16:21,643
She's got these little tiny
cream sort of colored spots on her.
386
00:16:21,723 --> 00:16:24,043
These are little mites
that we quite often see
387
00:16:24,123 --> 00:16:25,763
with the wild funnel-webs
that get brought in.
388
00:16:25,843 --> 00:16:27,483
So it's up to vet Kimberly
389
00:16:27,563 --> 00:16:31,203
to give this very
venomous spider a once-over.
390
00:16:31,283 --> 00:16:32,443
Hey, Paul.
Hey, Kimberly.
391
00:16:32,523 --> 00:16:34,723
As vets, we work with
all of the animals in the zoo,
392
00:16:34,803 --> 00:16:38,363
from the big elephants
all the way down to the invertebrates.
393
00:16:38,443 --> 00:16:40,043
So that includes the spiders.
394
00:16:40,723 --> 00:16:43,163
- That is a big funnel-web.
It's not a bad size.
395
00:16:43,523 --> 00:16:46,443
And anytime we get
a new funnel-web spider
396
00:16:46,523 --> 00:16:48,243
or any spider into the zoo,
397
00:16:48,323 --> 00:16:50,843
we examine it before we add it
to our collection.
398
00:16:52,043 --> 00:16:55,123
Extra care is needed
when examining this spider.
399
00:16:55,523 --> 00:16:58,803
She has a bite that can kill
a human within 30 minutes
400
00:16:58,883 --> 00:17:00,403
if left untreated.
401
00:17:00,483 --> 00:17:03,083
I'm not afraid of spiders.
I completely respect them.
402
00:17:03,523 --> 00:17:06,843
But he's really good at handling
these venomous spiders
403
00:17:06,923 --> 00:17:08,483
so they're not going to hurt me.
404
00:17:08,923 --> 00:17:10,643
As you can see,
she's got these mites on her,
405
00:17:10,723 --> 00:17:13,723
which we find fairly common
with the wild funnel-webs that come in.
406
00:17:13,803 --> 00:17:15,723
Yeah, she's got
a lot of mites on her,
407
00:17:15,803 --> 00:17:17,483
more than we typically see.
408
00:17:17,563 --> 00:17:19,283
Yeah, a few more than
we normally see for sure.
409
00:17:19,363 --> 00:17:22,723
Okay. She's got all of her legs.
Can you have her stand up a little bit?
410
00:17:22,803 --> 00:17:24,523
Yeah, try and get her to...
There we go.
411
00:17:25,163 --> 00:17:27,163
She's definitely
got her fangs, doesn't she?
412
00:17:27,243 --> 00:17:29,603
She's actually been quite
relaxed, all things considered.
413
00:17:29,683 --> 00:17:32,203
Well you're so good
at handling them. I'm glad you're here.
414
00:17:33,763 --> 00:17:35,243
I don't put my hands in there.
415
00:17:35,323 --> 00:17:36,723
No, and why would you?
416
00:17:36,803 --> 00:17:38,723
So from
a veterinary perspective,
417
00:17:38,803 --> 00:17:43,883
I'm looking if the spider
looks robust, in good condition,
418
00:17:43,963 --> 00:17:45,483
if it's got all of its legs.
419
00:17:46,683 --> 00:17:48,443
But what's going on with her abdomen?
420
00:17:48,523 --> 00:17:50,723
Oh she's got...
looks like a bit of a blister there.
421
00:17:50,803 --> 00:17:53,203
She does.
It's a bit white on the left side.
422
00:17:53,283 --> 00:17:55,043
We don't know what causes that
in these guys.
423
00:17:55,123 --> 00:17:56,643
We have a theory.
424
00:17:56,723 --> 00:18:00,363
Just over time,
it seems to be stress-related.
425
00:18:00,443 --> 00:18:01,483
Oh, yeah.
426
00:18:01,563 --> 00:18:03,283
So you think you're seeing these blisters
427
00:18:03,363 --> 00:18:05,923
come up from spiders
that are handled too often?
428
00:18:06,003 --> 00:18:07,283
Yeah, yeah.
Okay.
429
00:18:07,363 --> 00:18:09,123
Be good to aspirate her,
430
00:18:09,203 --> 00:18:11,283
and we can look for viruses,
look for bacteria.
431
00:18:11,363 --> 00:18:12,363
Okay.
432
00:18:12,443 --> 00:18:13,923
But for now I'm going
to leave her in your hands
433
00:18:14,003 --> 00:18:16,043
to take care of the mites,
434
00:18:16,483 --> 00:18:18,603
and let's keep her
in a quarantine situation
435
00:18:18,683 --> 00:18:19,683
until we're happy with her.
436
00:18:19,763 --> 00:18:21,723
Not a problem, can do.
Alright.
437
00:18:21,803 --> 00:18:24,843
Paul has his little task
of brushing off the mites,
438
00:18:24,923 --> 00:18:27,163
making sure that
they're all off of the spider.
439
00:18:27,243 --> 00:18:31,163
So we can't really use
any kind of insect control
440
00:18:31,243 --> 00:18:33,003
because we don't want to kill
the spiders as well.
441
00:18:33,083 --> 00:18:34,083
Well, I'll leave you to it.
442
00:18:34,163 --> 00:18:35,603
Thanks, Kimberly.
Thanks, Paul.
443
00:18:35,683 --> 00:18:39,803
No, I'd be happy to do that,
but, yeah, that's Paul's job.
444
00:18:41,883 --> 00:18:44,563
I'm going to go off and look at
some other animals in the zoo.
445
00:18:51,123 --> 00:18:54,283
Keepers Lindsay and Krystal
have reached a nesting box
446
00:18:54,363 --> 00:18:57,843
that they know from previous checks
contains eggs,
447
00:18:57,923 --> 00:18:59,603
but they may not be fertile.
448
00:18:59,683 --> 00:19:01,683
Okay, so these ones
are overdue hatching,
449
00:19:01,763 --> 00:19:05,363
so if they haven't hatched now,
I'll take them.
450
00:19:06,043 --> 00:19:08,403
Penguins who sit on unfertile eggs
451
00:19:08,483 --> 00:19:09,723
won't breed again,
452
00:19:09,803 --> 00:19:11,763
so Lindsay needs to intervene.
453
00:19:11,843 --> 00:19:14,683
Both parents, beautiful nest.
454
00:19:15,203 --> 00:19:16,483
Sorry, guys.
455
00:19:17,763 --> 00:19:20,363
Yeah, so I'm going to take the egg.
456
00:19:24,603 --> 00:19:27,843
Oh, gosh, they're normally
more protective than that.
457
00:19:27,923 --> 00:19:29,763
I guess maybe they know
458
00:19:29,843 --> 00:19:31,283
that something's not quite right.
459
00:19:31,363 --> 00:19:32,883
Yeah, I'd say it's not fertile.
460
00:19:32,963 --> 00:19:35,923
Um, but we'll check it downstairs.
Yep.
461
00:19:37,763 --> 00:19:40,163
These eggs, they are way overdue hatching.
462
00:19:40,243 --> 00:19:41,243
Same with these ones.
463
00:19:41,323 --> 00:19:44,683
We give them a little bit longer
to see if they might hatch,
464
00:19:44,763 --> 00:19:47,323
but then we take them
because they're just going to keep sitting
465
00:19:47,403 --> 00:19:48,963
and nothing will happen.
466
00:19:49,043 --> 00:19:50,963
To be absolutely sure,
467
00:19:51,043 --> 00:19:53,763
Lindsay conducts a light test on the egg.
468
00:19:54,323 --> 00:19:56,003
Okay, so have a look at this one,
469
00:19:57,243 --> 00:19:58,483
and, yeah, it's as I expected.
470
00:19:58,563 --> 00:20:00,283
There's a yolk and a bit of egg there,
471
00:20:00,363 --> 00:20:01,683
but there's no development.
472
00:20:01,763 --> 00:20:04,243
You're looking for membranes
and sort of red vessels
473
00:20:04,323 --> 00:20:05,563
and things like that,
474
00:20:05,643 --> 00:20:09,723
but there's nothing there,
so, yeah, infertile unfortunately.
475
00:20:09,803 --> 00:20:11,123
Look at the others.
476
00:20:13,163 --> 00:20:14,883
Yeah, so same there again.
477
00:20:16,403 --> 00:20:19,363
Hopefully by removing those eggs,
they'll mate again
478
00:20:19,443 --> 00:20:21,083
and then produce some more eggs.
479
00:20:21,163 --> 00:20:23,723
It's still early enough in the season
for them to have another clutch
480
00:20:23,803 --> 00:20:25,283
so we'll give them another go.
481
00:20:25,363 --> 00:20:26,803
It's not unusual.
482
00:20:26,883 --> 00:20:29,963
They are new pairings as well,
so sometimes it can take them a season
483
00:20:30,043 --> 00:20:32,723
to kind of work things out
with each other.
484
00:20:32,803 --> 00:20:36,163
Um, so even if they're not
successful this breeding season,
485
00:20:36,243 --> 00:20:37,803
it's likely they'll
pair again next season,
486
00:20:37,883 --> 00:20:39,403
and hopefully we'll get chicks then.
487
00:20:49,043 --> 00:20:50,883
A new arrival at the zoo,
488
00:20:50,963 --> 00:20:53,963
a Sydney funnel-web, has a mite problem.
489
00:20:55,963 --> 00:21:01,083
And it's keeper Paul who has to
remove the tiny mites by hand.
490
00:21:01,683 --> 00:21:03,003
Okay, what I'm going to do now
491
00:21:03,083 --> 00:21:06,083
is I'm going to get the spider
out here onto the bench
492
00:21:06,163 --> 00:21:08,043
so I can start getting
some of these mites off.
493
00:21:08,123 --> 00:21:09,843
Being a spider, of course,
494
00:21:09,923 --> 00:21:11,923
they're not necessarily
always that cooperative.
495
00:21:12,003 --> 00:21:15,403
So what I'll do is once I get her out,
she should just sit there like that,
496
00:21:15,483 --> 00:21:17,963
and if she decides to move,
what I can do is just annoy her like this.
497
00:21:18,043 --> 00:21:19,483
And when she feels threatened,
she's going to sit up
498
00:21:19,563 --> 00:21:20,643
and she should just stay like that.
499
00:21:20,723 --> 00:21:23,963
But no matter how comfortable
Paul may be with funnel-webs,
500
00:21:24,043 --> 00:21:26,963
he still leaves nothing to chance.
501
00:21:27,043 --> 00:21:30,523
The reason I'm doing this
on a nice clean bench like this,
502
00:21:30,603 --> 00:21:34,523
you got a nice big white bench,
which means I can see what's going on.
503
00:21:34,843 --> 00:21:36,603
She's got nowhere to run and hide,
504
00:21:36,683 --> 00:21:38,843
the bench is nice and slippery,
which makes it a little bit harder
505
00:21:38,923 --> 00:21:41,163
for her to get any sort of traction
to get any real speed up,
506
00:21:41,243 --> 00:21:43,323
so it's a lot safer for her and me.
507
00:21:45,323 --> 00:21:47,043
So what I'm doing here,
508
00:21:47,123 --> 00:21:49,923
I just get a little bit of water
on my paint brush
509
00:21:50,763 --> 00:21:51,963
and brush her.
510
00:21:54,043 --> 00:21:55,163
And what happens is
511
00:21:55,243 --> 00:21:57,483
these little mites get caught
in the water droplet there,
512
00:21:58,203 --> 00:22:00,523
and I can literally just
wash them off her like that.
513
00:22:05,883 --> 00:22:08,163
She's being quite relaxed,
514
00:22:08,563 --> 00:22:12,083
which is a little bit of a surprise
considering what's going on here.
515
00:22:12,643 --> 00:22:16,523
These mites, I've been led to believe,
are not necessarily parasitic,
516
00:22:16,603 --> 00:22:18,443
but one way or another,
it's got to be a little uncomfortable
517
00:22:18,523 --> 00:22:20,963
for her to have all these things
climbing around on her.
518
00:22:21,283 --> 00:22:23,603
It's really hard to see
exactly how many are on there.
519
00:22:23,683 --> 00:22:26,683
A bit of a rough guess, I'll say
there have to be at least a hundred.
520
00:22:26,763 --> 00:22:28,043
Having all these things
crawling around on you,
521
00:22:28,123 --> 00:22:29,363
it's got to be annoying.
522
00:22:29,443 --> 00:22:31,643
But now I've pretty much
got all the mites off
523
00:22:31,723 --> 00:22:33,523
that I can get for the moment anyway.
524
00:22:33,603 --> 00:22:36,523
So what I'm going to do is
I'm preparing a home for her...
525
00:22:38,723 --> 00:22:40,963
with some fresh peat moss here.
526
00:22:41,043 --> 00:22:43,643
I'm just going to get this
bit of paper towel in here,
527
00:22:43,723 --> 00:22:45,123
make it nice and damp for her.
528
00:22:45,203 --> 00:22:47,843
They need to stay cool and damp
in order to survive.
529
00:22:48,643 --> 00:22:50,763
So it just means that
having the paper towel in there,
530
00:22:50,843 --> 00:22:52,123
she'll make a bit of a home under it.
531
00:22:52,643 --> 00:22:54,883
So if I do need to check her out
or anything like that,
532
00:22:54,963 --> 00:22:57,603
I can do it with as minimal
disturbance to her as possible.
533
00:22:57,923 --> 00:22:58,723
And there you go.
534
00:22:58,803 --> 00:23:01,203
She's all ready to go back
and join our collection.
535
00:23:01,563 --> 00:23:04,923
Unfortunately she still has some on her,
so it's going to take at least another go
536
00:23:05,003 --> 00:23:06,403
to try and get the rest of them off,
537
00:23:06,483 --> 00:23:08,883
but if nothing else, she's going
to be a lot more comfortable.
538
00:23:08,963 --> 00:23:11,523
She's definitely going to be a lot happier
now that they're gone.
539
00:23:15,963 --> 00:23:17,483
In less than a week,
540
00:23:17,563 --> 00:23:19,483
Taronga is going to make history
541
00:23:19,563 --> 00:23:23,763
by sending the first breeding
pair of platypus overseas.
542
00:23:25,243 --> 00:23:26,443
Keepers Lori and Savanna
543
00:23:26,523 --> 00:23:29,203
have been at Taronga
for the past two weeks,
544
00:23:29,283 --> 00:23:33,243
learning how to handle
this cute but dangerous animal.
545
00:23:33,323 --> 00:23:34,643
A great experience.
546
00:23:34,723 --> 00:23:37,963
Yeah, so this is our last training session
with the platypus.
547
00:23:38,043 --> 00:23:40,403
Do you want to just check
that he's in the box first?
548
00:23:40,483 --> 00:23:43,443
And then we can grab
our equipment to do a weigh.
549
00:23:43,843 --> 00:23:45,443
And he is inside.
550
00:23:45,523 --> 00:23:48,283
We are now getting ready to
head off to the United States.
551
00:23:48,363 --> 00:23:49,763
We're heading home,
552
00:23:49,843 --> 00:23:52,243
and then eventually
they will be joining us.
553
00:23:52,843 --> 00:23:56,283
So I'm picking him up,
and I'm switching positions.
554
00:23:56,763 --> 00:23:58,683
I'm removing this towel.
555
00:23:58,763 --> 00:24:02,483
I'm keeping the spurs
away from my mate's face,
556
00:24:02,563 --> 00:24:03,683
and I am...
557
00:24:03,763 --> 00:24:05,283
Bag over the box.
Bagging.
558
00:24:06,363 --> 00:24:07,163
Perfect.
559
00:24:07,243 --> 00:24:10,723
Alright,
we're twisting the top of the bag,
560
00:24:11,363 --> 00:24:13,363
securing it with a rubber band.
561
00:24:13,683 --> 00:24:15,363
And holding him away from my body.
562
00:24:15,443 --> 00:24:16,963
Yep, excellent.
563
00:24:17,043 --> 00:24:18,483
So that is a platypus in a bag,
564
00:24:18,563 --> 00:24:21,123
ready to be weighed or transported.
565
00:24:21,203 --> 00:24:22,923
And we're aware
of where his head is
566
00:24:23,003 --> 00:24:24,163
from the movement.
567
00:24:24,243 --> 00:24:28,083
So when I replace this platypus
into the nest box,
568
00:24:28,163 --> 00:24:30,443
I'm going to make sure
that he has an easy exit
569
00:24:30,523 --> 00:24:31,763
so that he's comfortable.
570
00:24:31,843 --> 00:24:33,243
Yep, so the face
will be pointing away
571
00:24:33,323 --> 00:24:34,603
and towards the opening.
572
00:24:35,403 --> 00:24:37,843
And I am removing
573
00:24:38,523 --> 00:24:40,363
the pillow case gently.
574
00:24:42,083 --> 00:24:44,683
Perfect.
Nothing else left to teach you.
575
00:24:47,563 --> 00:24:50,843
Yes, yes.
We passed platypus boot camp.
576
00:24:52,763 --> 00:24:54,483
I think our platypus
are in very capable hands.
577
00:24:54,923 --> 00:24:57,043
We're very grateful
for the collaboration
578
00:24:57,123 --> 00:24:59,003
and the camaraderie that we've gained
579
00:24:59,083 --> 00:25:00,683
while we've been here at Taronga.
580
00:25:00,763 --> 00:25:02,763
Yeah, we just can't wait
to see them in San Diego
581
00:25:02,843 --> 00:25:05,043
and to see them in their new exhibit,
their new facility.
582
00:25:05,123 --> 00:25:06,403
We hope that they're going to love it,
583
00:25:06,483 --> 00:25:08,323
and now that we know them as individuals,
584
00:25:08,403 --> 00:25:10,483
we feel pretty confident
that they're going to be happy
585
00:25:10,563 --> 00:25:12,523
- over there with us in the States.
- Yeah.
586
00:25:22,163 --> 00:25:23,643
Eastern Australia
587
00:25:23,723 --> 00:25:26,843
is experiencing one of
the longest droughts on record,
588
00:25:26,923 --> 00:25:31,083
with temperatures regularly
breaking 40 degrees Celsius.
589
00:25:31,603 --> 00:25:33,363
And at Taronga's Western Plains Zoo,
590
00:25:33,443 --> 00:25:36,843
keeping the animals comfortable
in such brutal heat
591
00:25:36,923 --> 00:25:38,643
is a huge challenge.
592
00:25:42,883 --> 00:25:45,803
While the three female
Asian elephants and their calf
593
00:25:45,883 --> 00:25:47,323
cool down with a swim,
594
00:25:47,963 --> 00:25:50,243
zookeepers Christina and Stephanie
595
00:25:50,323 --> 00:25:54,003
have another heat-beating surprise
for the two young bulls.
596
00:25:55,563 --> 00:25:57,563
We have two
Asian elephant bulls.
597
00:25:57,643 --> 00:25:59,443
Lookchai is ten years of age,
598
00:25:59,523 --> 00:26:02,883
and he was actually the first
Asian elephant born in Australia.
599
00:26:03,323 --> 00:26:06,243
And we have Patihan,
who followed a year later.
600
00:26:06,323 --> 00:26:07,963
So they're pretty much like brothers.
601
00:26:08,043 --> 00:26:09,403
They've grown up together,
602
00:26:09,483 --> 00:26:11,923
and they spend four times a week
in this front paddock.
603
00:26:12,763 --> 00:26:14,883
At the moment,
I'm putting out some spices.
604
00:26:14,963 --> 00:26:17,083
It's a part of our enrichment program.
605
00:26:17,163 --> 00:26:19,403
Elephants are natural foragers,
606
00:26:19,483 --> 00:26:22,643
and their sense of smell
is about eight times stronger than a dog,
607
00:26:22,723 --> 00:26:25,243
so they'll forage
with their sense of smell.
608
00:26:25,323 --> 00:26:27,883
The boys will pretty much
find this spice in no time,
609
00:26:27,963 --> 00:26:30,523
but we try to hide it in little spots,
610
00:26:30,603 --> 00:26:32,763
make it a bit challenging
for them as well.
611
00:26:33,403 --> 00:26:34,883
But a three-ton elephant
612
00:26:34,963 --> 00:26:38,603
needs more than a bag of nutmeg
to keep it going each day.
613
00:26:38,683 --> 00:26:39,683
So in the wild,
614
00:26:39,763 --> 00:26:42,923
elephants have to eat up to
100 kilograms of food a day.
615
00:26:43,003 --> 00:26:45,843
But because we give them
higher nutrition, such as hay,
616
00:26:45,923 --> 00:26:49,283
they only need to eat
about 60 kilos a day here.
617
00:26:49,363 --> 00:26:52,723
So we just put up their hay net
so it's above their level,
618
00:26:52,803 --> 00:26:54,283
and then they can eat it
619
00:26:54,363 --> 00:26:56,363
like they would eat high trees
in the wild.
620
00:26:57,043 --> 00:27:01,203
But the biggest treat of all,
especially on such a scorching day,
621
00:27:01,283 --> 00:27:03,523
needs to be put out last.
622
00:27:03,603 --> 00:27:06,643
So we're just putting out
some ice block enrichment today.
623
00:27:07,363 --> 00:27:10,763
Okay, so we'll just place them
on these three rocks.
624
00:27:11,523 --> 00:27:14,883
And we'll try to put maybe two
on top of each other as well.
625
00:27:15,763 --> 00:27:19,443
Every single week on a Friday,
we go collect from a juice store in town.
626
00:27:19,523 --> 00:27:22,603
It's just pulp and left-over
fruits and vegetable
627
00:27:22,683 --> 00:27:25,683
that we add water to,
and then we freeze it.
628
00:27:28,003 --> 00:27:31,363
This one has watermelon in it
and also banana peel,
629
00:27:31,843 --> 00:27:33,763
and it's definitely a favorite.
630
00:27:34,563 --> 00:27:37,283
A great treat on a 40-degree day.
631
00:27:40,683 --> 00:27:41,923
The first thing that they do
632
00:27:42,003 --> 00:27:44,563
is pretty much check out
their whole enclosure
633
00:27:44,643 --> 00:27:47,283
and find all the yummy treats
that we may have hid for them.
634
00:27:50,723 --> 00:27:54,603
Our Asian elephant Patihan
is going about and exploring.
635
00:27:54,683 --> 00:27:56,163
He's, um, foraging.
636
00:27:57,203 --> 00:27:58,923
He'll wander far and be like,
637
00:27:59,003 --> 00:28:01,043
"Did they hide anything here?
638
00:28:01,123 --> 00:28:02,403
I'll get it first."
639
00:28:02,843 --> 00:28:04,883
While the two bulls get on well,
640
00:28:04,963 --> 00:28:07,403
there's still a social hierarchy.
641
00:28:07,483 --> 00:28:10,323
He wants to get
the best of all the foods,
642
00:28:10,963 --> 00:28:15,603
and Lookchai is a bit less dominant
so he'll just let Pati have first dibs.
643
00:28:19,243 --> 00:28:22,003
And it happens in a herd as well,
in the females,
644
00:28:22,083 --> 00:28:24,003
there's a dominant female
who's the matriarch,
645
00:28:24,083 --> 00:28:26,563
and she gets first dibs of all the food.
646
00:28:26,923 --> 00:28:28,483
But on such a hot day,
647
00:28:28,563 --> 00:28:31,683
it's the ice blocks
that get the most attention.
648
00:28:35,403 --> 00:28:37,883
The elephants
absolutely love the ice blocks.
649
00:28:41,283 --> 00:28:44,163
The elephants here, they weigh
about three tons on average.
650
00:28:44,243 --> 00:28:46,963
Sometimes they can't break it,
and they use their whole weight
651
00:28:47,043 --> 00:28:48,603
to try and break it with their foot.
652
00:28:50,483 --> 00:28:54,123
If they get frustrated,
then they just slam it on the ground.
653
00:28:56,643 --> 00:28:58,283
While Dubbo
are dealing with the heat
654
00:28:58,363 --> 00:28:59,643
in their own way,
655
00:29:00,123 --> 00:29:01,163
back in Sydney...
656
00:29:01,243 --> 00:29:02,603
Hello, how are ya?
Good, mate.
657
00:29:02,683 --> 00:29:06,363
...platypus keeper Nick
has a temperature problem of his own.
658
00:29:06,963 --> 00:29:10,923
So this is our second box,
platypus box for Eve, hey?
659
00:29:11,003 --> 00:29:12,603
Yeah. That's brilliant, mate.
660
00:29:12,683 --> 00:29:13,763
It looks so good.
661
00:29:13,843 --> 00:29:17,643
He's had to come up with a way
to safely transport two platypus
662
00:29:17,723 --> 00:29:19,603
halfway around the world.
663
00:29:19,683 --> 00:29:21,803
One of our biggest concerns
for the platypus for this trip
664
00:29:21,883 --> 00:29:23,683
was just making sure that
we keep our temperatures
665
00:29:23,763 --> 00:29:25,003
below that 20-degree mark.
666
00:29:25,083 --> 00:29:26,243
It's huge, mate.
667
00:29:26,323 --> 00:29:29,563
We've never sent plats
in my time before overseas.
668
00:29:29,643 --> 00:29:32,363
Yeah, so this isn't just
your typical transport box.
669
00:29:32,443 --> 00:29:36,003
This actually has three layers
of reflective foam within it
670
00:29:36,083 --> 00:29:38,363
to try and keep
the ambient temps from outside
671
00:29:38,443 --> 00:29:39,443
without getting in.
672
00:29:40,363 --> 00:29:42,843
We obviously did have to try and
address the airflow with that.
673
00:29:42,923 --> 00:29:45,683
Because we've got such an insulated box,
we had to make sure
674
00:29:45,763 --> 00:29:47,923
that we had enough air flow
throughout the crate
675
00:29:48,003 --> 00:29:51,763
to ensure that the platypus would
arrive 24 hours later doing well.
676
00:29:52,723 --> 00:29:54,483
Now they have
to get the platypus
677
00:29:54,563 --> 00:29:56,323
used to their temporary home.
678
00:29:56,403 --> 00:29:57,803
Yeah, push forward.
679
00:29:58,523 --> 00:30:00,443
Yep. That's great.
680
00:30:00,763 --> 00:30:01,883
That's good there.
681
00:30:02,603 --> 00:30:03,603
Yep.
682
00:30:03,683 --> 00:30:05,843
So now we've just finished installing
683
00:30:05,923 --> 00:30:07,843
the transport box
for the platypus, for Eve.
684
00:30:08,243 --> 00:30:13,843
So Eve has just come back from
her 72-hour pre-shipment exam,
685
00:30:13,923 --> 00:30:17,283
and our vets have deemed her
as suitable for travel.
686
00:30:17,363 --> 00:30:18,643
Her condition is great.
687
00:30:18,723 --> 00:30:21,683
Her tail volume is really good,
she's got a great body weight.
688
00:30:21,763 --> 00:30:22,803
So now the next step
689
00:30:22,883 --> 00:30:25,323
is to just pop her into
the transport crate
690
00:30:25,403 --> 00:30:26,803
for transitioning,
691
00:30:26,883 --> 00:30:28,803
so she'll scent it up,
she'll make it her own.
692
00:30:28,883 --> 00:30:31,323
It means that on the day
when we actually come along,
693
00:30:31,403 --> 00:30:33,963
close off this slide here,
basically it's no different
694
00:30:34,043 --> 00:30:35,923
to just being locked in
her nest box for a little while.
695
00:30:36,003 --> 00:30:37,523
So it is ultimately going to be
696
00:30:37,603 --> 00:30:39,283
a very comfortable space for her.
697
00:30:39,363 --> 00:30:41,323
So I'm very confident that we've
done everything that we can.
698
00:30:41,403 --> 00:30:42,923
I don't think we've ever
put as much thought
699
00:30:43,003 --> 00:30:45,003
into a transport crate before.
700
00:30:45,083 --> 00:30:47,723
So certainly on the day,
we'll give one final check
701
00:30:47,803 --> 00:30:49,763
just to make sure
that she's tracking okay,
702
00:30:49,843 --> 00:30:52,123
give her a once-over, close the box off,
703
00:30:52,203 --> 00:30:54,363
and we won't see her again
until the other side.
704
00:30:54,443 --> 00:30:56,923
The platypus wasn't born to fly,
705
00:30:57,003 --> 00:30:59,683
but that's all about to change.
706
00:31:09,643 --> 00:31:12,883
This week's penguin nest checks
are nearly done.
707
00:31:15,283 --> 00:31:17,523
Oh, cute.
708
00:31:17,603 --> 00:31:18,923
Such a darling.
709
00:31:20,003 --> 00:31:21,523
That looks like one chick.
710
00:31:21,603 --> 00:31:22,923
One chick?
Yep.
711
00:31:23,403 --> 00:31:26,923
And the breeding season
is going from strength to strength.
712
00:31:27,843 --> 00:31:29,843
Oh, hello, bubbas.
713
00:31:31,323 --> 00:31:33,643
So two really good-size chicks there.
714
00:31:33,723 --> 00:31:35,203
Same sort of size as well.
715
00:31:35,283 --> 00:31:38,203
Sometimes one's a lot smaller
and not doing,
716
00:31:38,283 --> 00:31:39,443
you know, not getting as much food.
717
00:31:39,523 --> 00:31:41,683
They usually catch up,
but they're doing really well.
718
00:31:41,763 --> 00:31:43,243
So we'll leave them alone.
719
00:31:44,283 --> 00:31:46,243
`So we have two new chicks...
720
00:31:46,323 --> 00:31:47,523
An extra egg.
721
00:31:47,603 --> 00:31:50,763
An extra egg,
an egg left to hatch,
722
00:31:50,843 --> 00:31:53,843
- another burrow left to hatch.
- Yep.
723
00:31:53,923 --> 00:31:56,043
So, um, yeah, we're doing really well.
724
00:31:56,123 --> 00:31:57,283
Good season.
Good season.
725
00:31:57,363 --> 00:31:58,683
Really good season.
Excellent.
726
00:32:01,123 --> 00:32:03,563
NARRATOR: The first chicks
to hatch this season
727
00:32:03,643 --> 00:32:06,563
are already starting
to explore their new home.
728
00:32:06,643 --> 00:32:08,883
So we're in our penguin creche,
729
00:32:08,963 --> 00:32:11,883
and this is an area that we use
when we've got little chicks
730
00:32:11,963 --> 00:32:13,643
that we need to teach to feed from us.
731
00:32:14,803 --> 00:32:15,803
- Ooh.
Jeez!
732
00:32:15,883 --> 00:32:17,683
Out you come.
Little snatcher.
733
00:32:17,763 --> 00:32:20,163
Come on. Come on. That's it.
734
00:32:20,243 --> 00:32:21,363
Whoa.
735
00:32:21,803 --> 00:32:24,363
We want them to come
out and be comfortable with us.
736
00:32:24,443 --> 00:32:25,803
We hand-feed them every day
737
00:32:25,883 --> 00:32:27,523
because it's a good way
to health-check them
738
00:32:27,603 --> 00:32:29,923
by getting them to come to land
and feed from us.
739
00:32:30,003 --> 00:32:31,003
And you can see it's still got
740
00:32:31,083 --> 00:32:33,563
its fluffy little feathers
around its face there,
741
00:32:33,643 --> 00:32:36,283
and once it loses those, there we go,
742
00:32:36,363 --> 00:32:39,243
it will be ready to go out
into the exhibit
743
00:32:39,323 --> 00:32:41,123
and swim in the pool for its first time.
744
00:32:41,883 --> 00:32:43,443
So you can see that fluff around its neck,
745
00:32:43,523 --> 00:32:46,123
and that's its juvenile
baby feathers basically,
746
00:32:46,203 --> 00:32:47,763
and you can see that
beautiful adult plumage
747
00:32:47,843 --> 00:32:48,923
that has come through there,
748
00:32:49,003 --> 00:32:51,243
those beautiful blue feathers on the back.
749
00:32:51,323 --> 00:32:53,043
So the fluff is not waterproof.
750
00:32:53,123 --> 00:32:55,923
So once that's all gone,
he'll be ready to swim.
751
00:32:56,963 --> 00:33:00,883
So, the average adult penguin
weighs a kilo, right?
752
00:33:01,243 --> 00:33:05,043
This guy, when he came out
of the burrow, he was 1.3 kilos.
753
00:33:05,123 --> 00:33:07,363
In all my 23 years,
754
00:33:07,443 --> 00:33:10,483
I don't think I've ever seen
a penguin chick that big.
755
00:33:10,563 --> 00:33:12,083
Yeah, amazing.
756
00:33:12,163 --> 00:33:14,563
That's huge.
1.3.
757
00:33:15,603 --> 00:33:18,483
Once they've accomplish
feeding really well from us
758
00:33:18,563 --> 00:33:20,323
and they've lost all that down,
759
00:33:20,403 --> 00:33:23,883
then they'll go out into the exhibit
and become adult penguins.
760
00:33:24,763 --> 00:33:25,963
So it's a really fast growth rate.
761
00:33:26,043 --> 00:33:26,843
These guys,
762
00:33:26,923 --> 00:33:28,843
they're eight weeks of age
when they go out there,
763
00:33:28,923 --> 00:33:30,883
and so they're close to that
at the moment.
764
00:33:31,523 --> 00:33:33,363
With feeding school almost done...
765
00:33:33,443 --> 00:33:35,443
Oh, that's excellent, Linds.
766
00:33:36,403 --> 00:33:37,723
Alright.
767
00:33:38,203 --> 00:33:39,603
Are you going to stay out? Yes.
768
00:33:39,683 --> 00:33:41,043
Oh, that's fantastic.
769
00:33:41,123 --> 00:33:42,123
Okay, back in.
770
00:33:42,203 --> 00:33:44,603
Swim school
is just around the corner,
771
00:33:45,283 --> 00:33:47,363
but they may need some convincing.
772
00:33:48,203 --> 00:33:49,243
Come on, little one.
773
00:33:52,203 --> 00:33:54,243
It's the day of the big move.
774
00:33:54,323 --> 00:33:55,523
How are we for time?
775
00:33:55,923 --> 00:33:57,963
Ten to. Yeah, we gotta move.
776
00:33:58,323 --> 00:34:00,443
Two platypus
are being transferred
777
00:34:00,523 --> 00:34:04,323
from Taronga Zoo
to San Diego Zoo in California.
778
00:34:04,403 --> 00:34:05,603
Because of the size of the crate,
779
00:34:05,683 --> 00:34:07,323
we actually have to come out
through the back way here.
780
00:34:07,403 --> 00:34:10,083
We have to come out
through the backdoor, unfortunately.
781
00:34:10,163 --> 00:34:12,203
Hopefully they're both
in their nest boxes already
782
00:34:12,283 --> 00:34:13,923
that they've had
a bit of time to get used to.
783
00:34:14,243 --> 00:34:16,123
Alright, so that's great.
So he's in there.
784
00:34:16,443 --> 00:34:19,843
For keeper Tony,
today is especially important
785
00:34:19,923 --> 00:34:21,843
as he'll travel with the platypus
786
00:34:21,923 --> 00:34:23,883
on their history-making journey.
787
00:34:25,003 --> 00:34:26,163
I'm feeling pretty good, actually.
788
00:34:26,243 --> 00:34:27,483
You know, obviously tense.
789
00:34:27,563 --> 00:34:28,803
There's always going to be tension,
790
00:34:28,883 --> 00:34:30,803
but I'm feeling quite confident.
791
00:34:30,883 --> 00:34:32,203
Just put this end forward.
792
00:34:32,803 --> 00:34:36,523
I'm actually more calm than
I expected to be, to be honest.
793
00:34:39,683 --> 00:34:41,403
Yeah, that's perfect.
794
00:34:41,483 --> 00:34:43,323
So she's just sitting
under the towel there.
795
00:34:43,643 --> 00:34:46,243
I won't overly disturb her,
but it's fantastic.
796
00:34:46,323 --> 00:34:49,123
I think, you know, she just
spent the night in the pool,
797
00:34:49,203 --> 00:34:50,843
she's eaten at least
three yabbies in there
798
00:34:50,923 --> 00:34:53,003
and I'm sure a whole heap of mealworms.
799
00:34:53,363 --> 00:34:56,043
So I think it's the best start
possible for this trip.
800
00:35:01,883 --> 00:35:02,683
You good?
801
00:35:03,483 --> 00:35:06,483
But packing the platypus is the easy part.
802
00:35:06,883 --> 00:35:08,203
Alright, mate,
let's get to the airport.
803
00:35:11,243 --> 00:35:15,523
NARRATOR: Now all the platypus have to do
is survive the flight.
804
00:35:15,603 --> 00:35:16,803
Lift up. Lift up.
805
00:35:17,123 --> 00:35:19,123
What we're going to do
is put the animals in the forward hold...
806
00:35:19,203 --> 00:35:20,283
- Yeah, yep.
- ...in the doorway,
807
00:35:20,363 --> 00:35:21,443
so we've got access to them.
808
00:35:21,523 --> 00:35:23,403
The animals will go in last,
so they'll be first off.
809
00:35:23,483 --> 00:35:25,523
First off. Yeah, that's perfect.
810
00:35:26,243 --> 00:35:30,003
It's absolutely fair to assume
that a platypus should be in water,
811
00:35:30,083 --> 00:35:34,963
but in actual fact, they'll spend 13 hours
easily asleep in a burrow
812
00:35:35,043 --> 00:35:36,083
as part of their normal day.
813
00:35:36,163 --> 00:35:38,923
So the fact that we're
extending that ever so slightly,
814
00:35:39,003 --> 00:35:40,363
we're not concerned about.
815
00:35:40,443 --> 00:35:43,563
We've set those transport crates
up for Eve and Bira
816
00:35:43,643 --> 00:35:46,203
exactly the same as their nest boxes are
817
00:35:46,283 --> 00:35:48,443
that they've been living in
for the last few years.
818
00:35:48,523 --> 00:35:49,563
Alright.
819
00:35:50,723 --> 00:35:52,203
Okay, that's good.
820
00:35:52,683 --> 00:35:54,083
I'm happy with it.
821
00:35:54,163 --> 00:35:56,203
While Nick says his goodbyes...
822
00:35:57,803 --> 00:35:59,683
on the other side of the globe,
823
00:35:59,763 --> 00:36:02,563
Lori and Savanna are waiting patiently
824
00:36:02,643 --> 00:36:04,563
to say "g'day."
825
00:36:04,643 --> 00:36:05,643
Oh, we can't wait.
826
00:36:05,723 --> 00:36:07,283
Yeah, we're getting
very excited for sure.
827
00:36:07,363 --> 00:36:08,643
Things are starting to come together,
828
00:36:08,723 --> 00:36:09,843
and our facility is looking good,
829
00:36:09,923 --> 00:36:12,083
and we're eager and ready to receive them.
830
00:36:12,923 --> 00:36:16,163
We've been designing a habitat
for over two years now,
831
00:36:16,243 --> 00:36:20,003
and we're very excited about having them
introduced to that habitat
832
00:36:20,083 --> 00:36:22,443
and make sure that they're
comfortable and enjoying it.
833
00:36:22,523 --> 00:36:24,003
And we can't wait to see them
834
00:36:24,083 --> 00:36:26,443
swimming in the area
that we have for them.
835
00:36:26,523 --> 00:36:29,443
We have food ready, temperatures are set,
836
00:36:29,523 --> 00:36:30,843
the lighting's all ready for them,
837
00:36:30,923 --> 00:36:32,843
so, yes, we just need the animals.
838
00:36:43,163 --> 00:36:45,203
Out you come
into the big wide world.
839
00:36:48,083 --> 00:36:51,563
It's been eight weeks
since the first little penguins hatched.
840
00:36:52,523 --> 00:36:55,523
So, Tasty and Haloumi
are our new chicks,
841
00:36:55,603 --> 00:36:57,123
and they're doing very, very well.
842
00:36:57,203 --> 00:36:58,203
Don't go back in.
843
00:36:58,643 --> 00:37:00,923
They're so used to being in the creche.
844
00:37:01,003 --> 00:37:02,043
It's their safe place.
845
00:37:02,123 --> 00:37:03,723
But it's time to grow up.
846
00:37:03,803 --> 00:37:04,683
Come on.
847
00:37:05,923 --> 00:37:07,443
They've lost their baby coat
848
00:37:07,523 --> 00:37:09,723
and are now fully waterproof.
849
00:37:09,803 --> 00:37:12,003
So, the next milestone
in their development
850
00:37:12,083 --> 00:37:14,363
is to go for their first swim.
851
00:37:14,443 --> 00:37:16,163
They're both
new chicks, first time out.
852
00:37:16,243 --> 00:37:17,803
So you can see they're looking around,
853
00:37:17,883 --> 00:37:20,043
and I'll just encourage them
into the water.
854
00:37:20,123 --> 00:37:21,363
They'll feel safe in there.
855
00:37:23,683 --> 00:37:25,243
Go on, little ones.
856
00:37:25,323 --> 00:37:27,123
So we'll really have to keep
a close eye on them today,
857
00:37:27,203 --> 00:37:29,683
just make sure that they're able
to get in and out of the pool,
858
00:37:29,763 --> 00:37:32,083
that they don't get picked on
by any of the other penguins,
859
00:37:32,163 --> 00:37:33,723
because they can do that sometimes.
860
00:37:35,363 --> 00:37:37,723
And when a penguin
hits eight weeks old,
861
00:37:37,803 --> 00:37:40,003
they're instinctively drawn to water.
862
00:37:40,803 --> 00:37:42,523
There's so much
for them to take in.
863
00:37:42,603 --> 00:37:44,283
I mean, this is the first time
they've seen the whole world,
864
00:37:44,363 --> 00:37:45,643
the big wide-open sky.
865
00:37:45,723 --> 00:37:47,323
So they're doing really well, though.
866
00:37:49,643 --> 00:37:51,523
While Haloumi is straight in,
867
00:37:51,603 --> 00:37:54,683
Tasty isn't quite as sure of himself.
868
00:37:54,763 --> 00:37:58,043
So Haloumi is speeding around,
having a great time.
869
00:37:58,123 --> 00:38:00,363
Tasty is a little bit more nervous.
870
00:38:02,283 --> 00:38:04,483
But with a gentle
bit of encouragement...
871
00:38:05,003 --> 00:38:06,203
Come on, little one.
872
00:38:06,963 --> 00:38:09,963
NARRATOR: ...Tasty finally
joins his sister in the water.
873
00:38:14,603 --> 00:38:15,963
First swim ever.
874
00:38:16,043 --> 00:38:18,683
It's amazing, isn't it,
how they just know what to do?
875
00:38:18,763 --> 00:38:20,723
Just instinct. Fantastic.
876
00:38:23,763 --> 00:38:26,203
So you can tell they're
a little bit more uncoordinated.
877
00:38:26,283 --> 00:38:28,523
It's their first time,
so they're just finding their flippers,
878
00:38:28,603 --> 00:38:31,323
getting used to the water,
getting used to diving deeply.
879
00:38:31,883 --> 00:38:34,123
Yeah, look at Haloumi go. Amazing.
880
00:38:34,203 --> 00:38:35,803
I think she's loving it.
881
00:38:35,883 --> 00:38:37,843
And Tasty is getting really into it.
Look at that.
882
00:38:38,603 --> 00:38:40,363
I love it when they go
for their first swim.
883
00:38:40,443 --> 00:38:42,883
Out on land, you know,
there's so many things going on
884
00:38:42,963 --> 00:38:45,843
and birds of prey and things,
so that water is their safety net,
885
00:38:45,923 --> 00:38:47,523
and of course in the wild,
that's what they do.
886
00:38:47,603 --> 00:38:49,643
So they come out of their burrows,
887
00:38:49,723 --> 00:38:52,763
straight to the ocean,
and they spend days out there.
888
00:38:53,963 --> 00:38:55,963
So it's been another really
successful breeding season
889
00:38:56,043 --> 00:38:57,443
here at Taronga.
890
00:38:57,523 --> 00:38:59,323
We've had eight chicks so far.
891
00:38:59,403 --> 00:39:01,683
We've got another
probably eight on the way.
892
00:39:01,763 --> 00:39:03,883
So a huge bumper season for us.
893
00:39:03,963 --> 00:39:07,043
Our parents have done
an amazing, amazing job.
894
00:39:08,683 --> 00:39:11,403
It's a great start
for these little penguins.
895
00:39:11,483 --> 00:39:13,883
Some will continue to call Taronga home
896
00:39:13,963 --> 00:39:16,043
and some will be sent to other zoos
897
00:39:16,123 --> 00:39:18,523
to boost their breeding programs.
898
00:39:24,203 --> 00:39:26,723
San Diego Zoo is a home away from home
899
00:39:26,803 --> 00:39:28,723
for many Australian animals.
900
00:39:28,803 --> 00:39:31,443
Now, after years of preparation,
901
00:39:31,523 --> 00:39:36,283
the only two platypus outside of Australia
are coming to join them.
902
00:39:36,363 --> 00:39:38,563
You want to set them
on top of that box?
903
00:39:38,643 --> 00:39:40,083
The fact that platypus are here
904
00:39:40,163 --> 00:39:43,123
and outside Australia
for the first time in 70 years
905
00:39:43,203 --> 00:39:46,083
is a pretty significant experience
906
00:39:46,163 --> 00:39:47,723
for all of us to be a part of.
907
00:39:48,523 --> 00:39:51,163
It's taken a lot of collaboration
between our facilities,
908
00:39:51,243 --> 00:39:53,803
and it's been a lot of
work to make it happen,
909
00:39:53,883 --> 00:39:55,323
but we're so thankful that it has
910
00:39:55,403 --> 00:39:58,363
and that they're here now
and enjoying this facility.
911
00:39:58,443 --> 00:40:00,843
Bira and Eve
have been in their travel packs
912
00:40:00,923 --> 00:40:04,483
for nearly 20 hours,
and vet Meredith is impressed
913
00:40:04,563 --> 00:40:06,883
with how well they've handled the journey.
914
00:40:06,963 --> 00:40:08,443
His condition is beautiful.
915
00:40:09,283 --> 00:40:11,203
Yeah? Excellent.
916
00:40:11,283 --> 00:40:14,443
And they quickly settled in
to their new surrounds.
917
00:40:19,723 --> 00:40:21,483
This is a species unlike any other
918
00:40:21,563 --> 00:40:24,283
that we've ever been able to
exhibit for folks in America,
919
00:40:24,363 --> 00:40:26,723
and this facility has a lot of features
920
00:40:26,803 --> 00:40:28,923
designed to kind of optimize their welfare
921
00:40:29,003 --> 00:40:30,483
and our ability to care for them.
922
00:40:30,563 --> 00:40:33,803
So we have a pretty state-of-the-art
life support system
923
00:40:33,883 --> 00:40:35,483
to maintain water qualities.
924
00:40:35,563 --> 00:40:38,363
We have a pretty elaborate
lighting system,
925
00:40:38,443 --> 00:40:40,763
so we're able to reverse cycle them
926
00:40:40,843 --> 00:40:44,083
so that we create a twilight
nighttime event for them
927
00:40:44,163 --> 00:40:45,203
during our daytime
928
00:40:45,283 --> 00:40:48,643
so that it enhances the opportunity
for people to be able to see them
929
00:40:48,723 --> 00:40:50,283
during their active hours.
930
00:40:50,763 --> 00:40:54,603
Bira really seems to love
being in here in this middle pool.
931
00:40:56,003 --> 00:40:58,243
Yeah, it's been a long, long effort,
932
00:40:58,323 --> 00:41:00,123
and it's great to be
on the other side of it now,
933
00:41:00,203 --> 00:41:03,443
to have them here,
to have them healthy and safe
934
00:41:03,523 --> 00:41:07,043
and happy in their environments,
and now the energy is definitely rising.
935
00:41:07,123 --> 00:41:09,123
You know, the anticipation is building
936
00:41:09,203 --> 00:41:10,603
that we're soon going
to be open to the public
937
00:41:10,683 --> 00:41:12,163
and able to share them with the world.
938
00:41:13,443 --> 00:41:16,923
But they didn't come
all this way just to be looked at.
939
00:41:17,003 --> 00:41:19,923
I've seen both of them
get up several times on the logs.
940
00:41:20,003 --> 00:41:22,123
You're right, the hollow-outs
are working perfectly.
941
00:41:22,563 --> 00:41:26,563
The entire platypus project
is part of a much bigger picture.
942
00:41:26,643 --> 00:41:30,283
It's an extraordinary, just, honor
and of course responsibility for us
943
00:41:30,363 --> 00:41:32,763
to be able to share
their conservation message
944
00:41:32,843 --> 00:41:35,243
and the conservation message of Australia
945
00:41:35,323 --> 00:41:36,643
and how comparable that is
946
00:41:36,723 --> 00:41:39,443
with the conservation message
that we have here in California,
947
00:41:39,923 --> 00:41:43,243
how we're facing similar threats,
even on opposite sides of the world.
948
00:41:43,323 --> 00:41:45,163
I think having the platypus here,
949
00:41:45,243 --> 00:41:47,483
they're going to be great
ambassadors for that message
950
00:41:47,563 --> 00:41:51,123
and to gain awareness and
to draw people in to learn about
951
00:41:51,203 --> 00:41:52,643
the threats that
all these animals are facing.
952
00:41:56,483 --> 00:41:58,443
Captioned by Visual Data Media Services