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My name is Grey Fisher.
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I'm a senior keeper here
at the bird show at Taronga Zoo.
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But originally I'm a hillbilly
from West Virginia.
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My history with birds started
when I was really young.
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My grandfather raised birds.
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As I was growing up
I started keeping birds myself.
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At one point I had 47 birds
in my bedroom,
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which my mother wasn't
very happy with.
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I love being a bird keeper.
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When you're ready, Brendan.
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Birds are my passion.
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There she is.
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Birds are my favorite animals,
bar none.
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Andean condors are
one of the largest
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flying birds in the world.
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They're so amazing, such an
incredible diversity of birds.
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There are birds that fill
pretty much every niche
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that any other type
of animal can fill.
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Grey may be an expert
on all things feathered,
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but one Australian bird
in particular
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has a special place
in his heart.
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I absolutely have
a favorite bird.
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I'm an owl geek.
Owls are my favorite.
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Griffin is a sooty owl,
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he is one of the members
of the collection
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here at the institute.
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His senses are so much
more acute than ours are.
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His hearing, his eyesight.
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He is able to pick up
on so many different things
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in his environment,
because as a wild animal,
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he needs to be able
to identify those things.
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Is this a threat to me?
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Do I need to be afraid of this?
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And if I don't,
is that something I could eat?
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Griffin is special to me
for a lot of reasons.
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One of them is obviously
because I love owls,
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but another reason is
because I actually have
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a bit of history
with his family.
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This is his sister, Dragon,
who sadly passed away
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just before her fifth birthday.
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I raised her
from eight days old.
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So she was only about that big.
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She was an amazing bird
to work with
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and very, very, very
special to me,
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and so I wanted to be able
to memorialize her
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and have her with me
for all times.
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When you work with animals
as closely as we do,
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when they do pass away,
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you're losing somebody
very close to you,
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whether it's a friend
or a family member,
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and we do take it very hard.
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I still get emotional
thinking about it.
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It's probably one of the most
difficult parts of what we do.
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As Grey and his team
prepare for today's bird show,
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a badly injured owl has just
been brought to Kimberly
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and her team
at the animal hospital.
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Found on the side of the road
by a passing motorist,
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the male owl has
a broken pelvis
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and a badly damaged tail.
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So we'll just do
a physical exam on him,
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check him, want to feel his leg.
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The pelvis is still going
to need some time to heal.
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Okay.
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But hopefully
it will do that down below.
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Yep.
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And maybe in about
a week or two we can x-ray him
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and see how that
healing is going.
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If there's
no improvement,
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he'll never be able
to survive in the wild.
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The views from every
vantage point at Taronga Zoo
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are simply breathtaking.
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Good boy! Up we go!
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But right at
the top of the hill,
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one species undoubtedly
gets the best view of all.
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The chimpanzees.
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We've got a nice big
group of chimps here at Taronga.
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We've got 21 chimps
in our community all up.
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Six different families
within that group.
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They range in age
from 59 years old,
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and our youngest
is little Safiri
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who is almost
six months old now.
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They're actually one of
the largest and most successful
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groups of chimpanzees in zoos
anywhere in the world.
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And with
so many chimpanzees
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it's a full-time job just
keeping them challenged.
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So we're just
in the chimp kitchen
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and we're making some
enrichment for the chimps.
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This is part of
their daily food.
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Chimps are incredibly
intelligent,
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so part of our job is to keep
them mentally stimulated
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throughout the day.
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So by putting their food
in the cubes,
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they have to work out
how to get to it.
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And yeah, the chimps, um,
are very good at using tools,
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so we also give them sticks.
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Chimps in the wild
will use a stick
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to stick into the termite mound,
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and the termites latch on to
the stick to protect their nest,
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and then they pull it out
and they eat the termites.
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Here we don't want termites
running around the enclosure,
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obviously, so instead
we use some pureed fruit.
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One of the reasons we are so
successful with their behavior
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is that we actually allow them
to manage themselves.
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So, chimps naturally sort
disputes out using aggression.
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That's how it is out in the wild
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and that's how it is
here at the zoo as well.
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So what you see happening in
our group here today at Taronga
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is very similar to
what you would see
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if you were lucky enough to be
trekking through the forests
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in Kibale National Park
over in Uganda.
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But unfortunately
seeing chimpanzees in Uganda
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is becoming
increasingly difficult.
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So breeding at Taronga Zoo
is taken very seriously.
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They historically
have bred really well.
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Our oldest chimp is Spinner,
she is 59 years old,
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and she was one
of the first chimps
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to be born here at Taronga
on the 1st of July 1960.
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Over the years we've had
a lot of babies grow up
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in the community,
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and they have been sent to zoos
all over the world.
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And as some
animals leave,
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Taronga also welcomes
new chimpanzees in.
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Naomi is 17 years old.
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We imported her a couple
years ago from Denmark.
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And she came over
with her sister Ceres
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to bring new genetics
into our community.
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She currently has
a two-year-old niece,
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her sister Ceres
had a little baby.
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She carries her around on
her tummy, she gives her food.
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She is always
looking out for her.
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She is very maternal.
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Just like humans,
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chimpanzees can have
problems conceiving.
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Naomi hasn't been
successful in having a baby yet.
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Reproductively she is in
her prime at the moment.
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She has had two pregnancies.
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Unfortunately, both those
pregnancies resulted
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in a stillborn where
they were born pre-term.
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Genetically we really
want her to reproduce
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because she is so valuable.
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So we want to take Naomi
to the vet block
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to investigate what's causing
these miscarriages.
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We're also going to bring Ceres,
Naomi's sister, up,
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to have a look at her as well
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and examine her
reproductive system.
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But you can't separate a chimp
from its child,
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so vets will also use this time
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to conduct the first
examination of young Cebele.
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It's an ambitious plan.
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Three chimpanzees in
the wildlife hospital
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on the same day.
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We need to get answers
so we can help Naomi.
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We need to do everything we can
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and get as much
information as we can
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so that we can help her
be successful
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at the end of the day.
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Not only genetically,
but for Naomi as well;
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she is very maternal and
she has shown a lot of signs
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that she really wants
to be a mother.
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What the zoo
is about to embark on
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will require absolute teamwork
from all of Taronga's staff.
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One of the cutest animals
at Taronga are the red pandas.
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Red pandas are
found in places
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near the Himalayan region, so,
like Nepal, even parts of China.
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But being cute
doesn't mean
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they don't face problems
in the wild.
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Unfortunately,
they are endangered
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just due to population growth,
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a lot of logging
and deforestation.
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So Taronga launched
a red panda breeding program,
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and it's been a huge success.
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Here at Taronga
we have a red panda family
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that consists of mum,
her name is Amawa,
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then we have dad, his name
is Paboo, and triplets,
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yeah, first time we've had
triplets here at Taronga Zoo.
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So we do call them
our treetop trio.
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Two boys and one girl.
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The two boys' names
are Ishwar and Rohan,
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and our young girl
is called Mishri.
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So they all have Nepalese names,
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and that's obviously to the
origin that they're found from.
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But breeding
red pandas is very different
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to raising them,
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so while dad Paboo needs
to be there from birth...
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He does play
an important role
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in terms of teaching the young
cubs some social behaviors.
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The zoo doesn't
have the space
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to support any more red pandas.
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We don't want to have
another round of cubs
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at this stage.
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We are giving mum time
to focus on the new cubs,
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but potentially next year
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he may get the opportunity
to breed again.
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So to prevent
any unexpected pregnancies,
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Paboo is moving next door to
a newly renovated bachelor pad.
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So, yeah, so we
put the last logs in,
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made sure they were all
at a good height,
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so you guys can get
underneath them,
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but still gives the pandas
good access to all the trees.
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That's perfect in terms
of making Paboo work a bit
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on his balance and using
all those muscles, so, awesome.
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Definitely.
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I think once Paboo
gets into the enclosure
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with the refurbishment
that we did,
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I think he is going to be
pretty excited.
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You can definitely tell
it's always fun
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when you see the first time
that they come back out
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into the exhibit,
checking out all the new stuff.
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You know, getting up
to the high points,
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getting out to the points
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that they're hanging out
a little bit further.
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You can see that there is just
more enjoyment in the animal.
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This is going
to be amazing.
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So, I'm even keen to climb
around if I could,
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00:09:51,363 --> 00:09:52,843
but yeah, it's pretty cool.
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Keeper Maz has
finished his final inspection.
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00:10:00,203 --> 00:10:01,963
Morning, Paboo.
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00:10:02,043 --> 00:10:04,403
And it's time
for Paboo to pack his bags
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and move to his new home.
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As the sun breaks
over Sydney,
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00:10:15,763 --> 00:10:17,803
across the harbor
at Taronga Zoo,
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it's the start of what
will be a very busy day.
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Patty, are you good
for us to come up?
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Inside the animal hospital
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00:10:25,843 --> 00:10:29,043
there's excitement and tension
in the air.
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00:10:29,123 --> 00:10:31,843
Larry, can you
just give us ten minutes
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00:10:31,923 --> 00:10:33,283
and I'll radio you?
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Okay, no worries.
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As the team of vets
and handlers prepare
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for a procedure that is
rarely done at Taronga.
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We do need to bring
our A game today,
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and every day in fact
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when we're dealing
with dangerous animals,
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but, yeah, chimps, I think,
are a nice challenge for us.
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But nothing
is more challenging
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than working on three
chimpanzees at a time.
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Two adult females, and
then one of the adult females
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has a little baby about
just over one year old.
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Definitely got our A game on
and the A team.
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00:11:04,283 --> 00:11:06,803
Okay, shall we head off
up the hill?
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Undo your top button, mate.
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Oh.
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00:11:12,723 --> 00:11:13,883
Unless that's
the look you're after.
244
00:11:13,963 --> 00:11:15,883
No, absolutely not.
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A big part of today's
procedure on Naomi
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00:11:18,003 --> 00:11:19,883
is to assess her
reproductive system,
247
00:11:19,963 --> 00:11:21,803
and then when
she falls pregnant again
248
00:11:21,883 --> 00:11:23,923
we manage her
through the pregnancy,
249
00:11:24,003 --> 00:11:26,643
ultimately with the goal
of having a successful birth.
250
00:11:26,723 --> 00:11:29,083
Chimpanzees are one
of the most dangerous animals
251
00:11:29,163 --> 00:11:31,003
kept at Taronga,
252
00:11:31,083 --> 00:11:34,803
due to a combination of their
intelligence and raw strength.
253
00:11:34,883 --> 00:11:37,803
So Senior Vet Larry
briefs the team
254
00:11:37,883 --> 00:11:41,323
to ensure this operation
goes off without a hitch.
255
00:11:41,403 --> 00:11:42,643
So in terms of safety,
256
00:11:42,723 --> 00:11:44,723
obviously the usual
sorts of things.
257
00:11:44,803 --> 00:11:47,283
Umm, you know, obviously
she'll have the usual
258
00:11:47,363 --> 00:11:50,443
secondary restraints on her,
the cargo net,
259
00:11:50,523 --> 00:11:53,483
her feet will be shackled,
chained to the table,
260
00:11:53,563 --> 00:11:55,363
the usual sort of situation.
261
00:11:55,443 --> 00:11:57,363
Everyone in the room
at least has to wear masks,
262
00:11:57,443 --> 00:12:01,083
but anyone touching the chimps
has to wear gloves as well.
263
00:12:01,163 --> 00:12:04,803
So, apart from that, let's go.
264
00:12:04,883 --> 00:12:07,083
Okay, I'll get the dart ready.
265
00:12:11,523 --> 00:12:12,603
It's been
a nervous wait
266
00:12:12,683 --> 00:12:14,563
for Kimberly and her team...
267
00:12:14,643 --> 00:12:15,603
Are you ready for me
to go in and get him?
268
00:12:15,683 --> 00:12:16,883
I am.
269
00:12:16,963 --> 00:12:18,123
...as they race to save
270
00:12:18,203 --> 00:12:20,723
a badly injured boobook owl.
271
00:12:24,003 --> 00:12:25,803
Have you got him?
You got him restrained?
272
00:12:25,883 --> 00:12:27,403
Yep, yep, yep.
273
00:12:27,483 --> 00:12:28,443
We'll let you out.
274
00:12:28,523 --> 00:12:30,163
Okay. I've got the bird.
275
00:12:30,243 --> 00:12:31,523
Have you?
Yep.
276
00:12:31,603 --> 00:12:33,843
Alright, come on out.
277
00:12:33,923 --> 00:12:35,723
Oh, good.
278
00:12:35,803 --> 00:12:37,203
Looks very calm.
279
00:12:37,283 --> 00:12:38,363
Was he hard to catch?
280
00:12:38,443 --> 00:12:39,723
A bit flighty.
281
00:12:39,803 --> 00:12:41,603
A little bit.
282
00:12:41,683 --> 00:12:43,763
Alright.
283
00:12:43,843 --> 00:12:46,123
I think we can
take him next door.
284
00:12:46,203 --> 00:12:48,323
See how he fares.
285
00:12:48,403 --> 00:12:51,603
A week on, there's
small signs of improvement,
286
00:12:51,683 --> 00:12:53,643
but he still has
a long way to go.
287
00:12:53,723 --> 00:12:55,603
We'll get you
down there soon.
288
00:12:55,683 --> 00:12:58,083
Alright, we'll have
a look at his wings.
289
00:12:58,163 --> 00:12:59,843
He flies okay in there,
doesn't he?
290
00:12:59,923 --> 00:13:03,083
Yeah. He is missing
a few little tail feathers.
291
00:13:03,163 --> 00:13:04,803
Oh, that's right.
Happy to weigh him?
292
00:13:04,883 --> 00:13:05,763
I am happy
to weigh him.
293
00:13:05,843 --> 00:13:07,043
Okay.
294
00:13:13,163 --> 00:13:17,203
He weighs 265, which I think is
the weight that he came in on,
295
00:13:17,283 --> 00:13:18,483
which has been good.
296
00:13:18,563 --> 00:13:19,803
That's really good.
297
00:13:19,883 --> 00:13:20,963
And you said he's
eating well, so.
298
00:13:21,043 --> 00:13:22,643
Yep.
299
00:13:22,723 --> 00:13:24,923
Be good to see him
in that large den.
300
00:13:25,003 --> 00:13:26,563
Give him some exercise.
301
00:13:26,643 --> 00:13:27,723
Well, let's,
it's the moment of truth
302
00:13:27,803 --> 00:13:29,163
when we release him, we'll see.
303
00:13:31,123 --> 00:13:33,163
The end game
is to release the owl
304
00:13:33,243 --> 00:13:37,403
back into the wild, but first
they need to see how he flies
305
00:13:37,483 --> 00:13:41,963
in a controlled environment.
306
00:13:42,043 --> 00:13:45,363
This is one of the
wildlife rehabilitation yards.
307
00:13:45,443 --> 00:13:48,563
So we are going to release
the boobook into this area
308
00:13:48,643 --> 00:13:51,603
to see how he manipulates
the environment.
309
00:13:51,683 --> 00:13:54,043
We want to make sure
he can fly okay.
310
00:13:54,123 --> 00:13:57,323
We want to make sure that
his lameness doesn't recur.
311
00:13:57,403 --> 00:13:58,803
Are you happy
for me to...
312
00:13:58,883 --> 00:13:59,643
I am happy
for you to release him
313
00:13:59,723 --> 00:14:01,323
and we'll see how he goes.
314
00:14:01,403 --> 00:14:02,923
Well, he is looking
a little bit bedraggled
315
00:14:03,003 --> 00:14:06,443
at the moment, but he has just
come out of a bag, so.
316
00:14:06,523 --> 00:14:08,683
Oh, there he goes.
317
00:14:08,763 --> 00:14:11,603
Well, he's using his left leg
really well.
318
00:14:11,683 --> 00:14:14,523
And for only
having half a tail,
319
00:14:14,603 --> 00:14:17,603
that's pretty good to be able
to get up onto that log.
320
00:14:17,683 --> 00:14:20,123
It's a great
first flight.
321
00:14:20,203 --> 00:14:21,323
Alright, well,
we'll just let him settle in
322
00:14:21,403 --> 00:14:22,923
for the next day or two,
323
00:14:23,003 --> 00:14:24,923
and then we can start
exercising a little more,
324
00:14:25,003 --> 00:14:26,123
as long as his leg is okay.
325
00:14:26,203 --> 00:14:27,603
He looks good.
326
00:14:27,683 --> 00:14:28,963
He's holding his left leg
a little bit in,
327
00:14:29,043 --> 00:14:31,203
but we'll see how
he goes with that.
328
00:14:35,363 --> 00:14:37,683
Paboo the red panda
is being separated
329
00:14:37,763 --> 00:14:40,963
from his family to stop him
breeding anymore.
330
00:14:41,043 --> 00:14:43,043
Yeah, so, Paboo is about
to go into his new home,
331
00:14:43,123 --> 00:14:46,003
and we are quite nervous but
also quite excited for him, too,
332
00:14:46,083 --> 00:14:48,883
to just to ensure
that he does like it.
333
00:14:48,963 --> 00:14:50,243
Good boy.
334
00:14:50,323 --> 00:14:52,883
Bringing down Paboo
is a challenge.
335
00:14:52,963 --> 00:14:54,563
There you go.
336
00:14:54,643 --> 00:14:57,003
Pandas naturally feel a lot more
comfortable being up high.
337
00:14:57,083 --> 00:15:00,123
So having them to come down is
quite vulnerable for them.
338
00:15:00,203 --> 00:15:02,443
Good boy.
339
00:15:02,523 --> 00:15:04,043
Do you want to come down?
340
00:15:04,123 --> 00:15:06,483
I've got a lot of apple for you.
341
00:15:06,563 --> 00:15:09,443
Come on down.
342
00:15:09,523 --> 00:15:10,563
They do have natural instincts
343
00:15:10,643 --> 00:15:12,323
of where predators
may come about.
344
00:15:12,403 --> 00:15:13,843
Paboo.
345
00:15:13,923 --> 00:15:16,203
So it's always taking
little steps to ensure
346
00:15:16,283 --> 00:15:20,043
that Paboo is nice
and comfortable.
347
00:15:20,123 --> 00:15:22,763
Here you go. Good boy.
348
00:15:22,843 --> 00:15:24,643
Alright, Pabs, pet pack.
349
00:15:29,243 --> 00:15:31,283
Good boy.
350
00:15:31,363 --> 00:15:32,883
Alright, Paboo,
shutting pet pack.
351
00:15:32,963 --> 00:15:33,843
Watch your tail.
352
00:15:33,923 --> 00:15:35,123
Good boy.
353
00:15:40,003 --> 00:15:41,683
Good stuff, buddy.
354
00:15:41,763 --> 00:15:43,723
Hey, Louise, just letting
you know Paboo is pet-packed
355
00:15:43,803 --> 00:15:46,363
and he is en route
to the panda exhibit.
356
00:15:46,443 --> 00:15:48,763
Brilliant.
Well done, Maz.
357
00:15:54,643 --> 00:15:56,843
Chimps, of course, as you
can imagine, are very clever
358
00:15:56,923 --> 00:15:58,723
and they know exactly
what's happening,
359
00:15:58,803 --> 00:16:00,523
so they know how to avoid
the dart as well.
360
00:16:00,603 --> 00:16:03,163
So it's quite a challenge
361
00:16:03,243 --> 00:16:05,363
making sure that
we pick the moment
362
00:16:05,443 --> 00:16:07,003
when the chimp's sort of still
363
00:16:07,083 --> 00:16:08,483
and we try and aim
for a good muscle group
364
00:16:08,563 --> 00:16:10,683
in the upper arm or in the leg.
365
00:16:10,763 --> 00:16:13,723
So I will just go in
on my own to dart her.
366
00:16:13,803 --> 00:16:15,523
So if they are bouncing around,
367
00:16:15,603 --> 00:16:17,763
of course it can take a little
while to pick that moment
368
00:16:17,843 --> 00:16:20,123
to make sure we hit
the right spot.
369
00:16:30,443 --> 00:16:31,923
Hey, come on.
370
00:16:32,003 --> 00:16:33,843
Come on, sweetie.
371
00:16:33,923 --> 00:16:35,243
Come on.
372
00:16:35,323 --> 00:16:36,883
Don't follow me.
373
00:16:36,963 --> 00:16:38,523
Ah-ah.
374
00:16:38,603 --> 00:16:40,203
One of the challenges
with these guys of course
375
00:16:40,283 --> 00:16:42,883
is there is a sort of
a metal mesh,
376
00:16:42,963 --> 00:16:46,843
and the end of the barrel
has to be like through the mesh
377
00:16:46,923 --> 00:16:49,323
to be able to avoid
hitting the mesh.
378
00:16:49,403 --> 00:16:51,763
Naomi.
379
00:16:51,843 --> 00:16:53,563
Might need a distraction,
I think.
380
00:16:53,643 --> 00:16:55,443
But they know that
we have got to do that,
381
00:16:55,523 --> 00:16:58,363
so they're continually there
putting their fingers through,
382
00:16:58,443 --> 00:17:00,043
and we've had several occasions
383
00:17:00,123 --> 00:17:03,203
where of course the chimp grabs
the barrel of the pistol.
384
00:17:03,283 --> 00:17:05,563
So, which doesn't end well
usually for the barrel,
385
00:17:05,643 --> 00:17:07,163
because they would break it.
386
00:17:07,243 --> 00:17:09,123
But there are
no such problems today.
387
00:17:09,203 --> 00:17:10,683
She's done.
388
00:17:10,763 --> 00:17:13,403
Naomi is
the perfect patient.
389
00:17:13,483 --> 00:17:15,243
Come on.
Give us the dart.
390
00:17:15,323 --> 00:17:16,483
Come.
391
00:17:16,563 --> 00:17:19,443
Drop the dart.
392
00:17:19,523 --> 00:17:21,283
Oh, good girl, good girl.
393
00:17:21,363 --> 00:17:23,003
Oh, she is so clever.
394
00:17:23,083 --> 00:17:26,483
Unbelievable.
395
00:17:26,563 --> 00:17:27,643
And then she just
handed the dart back.
396
00:17:29,283 --> 00:17:31,083
Now Larry
and the team are hoping
397
00:17:31,163 --> 00:17:34,483
that the rest of this procedure
goes as smoothly.
398
00:17:34,563 --> 00:17:35,643
I mean, she just knew.
399
00:17:35,723 --> 00:17:37,083
Oh, my God.
400
00:17:44,043 --> 00:17:46,323
Oh, it's raining.
401
00:17:46,403 --> 00:17:48,563
A badly injured
boobook owl has spent
402
00:17:48,643 --> 00:17:50,923
the last four weeks
at Taronga recovering
403
00:17:51,003 --> 00:17:53,203
after being hit by a car,
404
00:17:53,283 --> 00:17:55,603
and Libby and the team
are hoping he'll soon be
405
00:17:55,683 --> 00:17:58,483
well enough to return
to the wild.
406
00:18:00,643 --> 00:18:02,603
Hello.
407
00:18:05,043 --> 00:18:06,683
Look at you.
408
00:18:10,483 --> 00:18:12,043
So the rehab period
for this bird
409
00:18:12,123 --> 00:18:13,843
would probably be
quite extensive.
410
00:18:13,923 --> 00:18:15,483
We need to get it right,
411
00:18:15,563 --> 00:18:17,443
because when the bird goes
back out into the wild,
412
00:18:17,523 --> 00:18:21,523
it has to be able to catch food
and survive in the wild.
413
00:18:21,603 --> 00:18:26,163
Flying very well today.
414
00:18:26,243 --> 00:18:29,083
Encouraging the bird to move
around is an important part
415
00:18:29,163 --> 00:18:31,923
of watching the way that
the wings are moving.
416
00:18:32,003 --> 00:18:34,563
You need to be able to see that
both wings are moving evenly,
417
00:18:34,643 --> 00:18:36,443
and you need to be able to watch
418
00:18:36,523 --> 00:18:39,883
that the bird is grabbing on
to the perch properly as well.
419
00:18:42,483 --> 00:18:43,883
I've just left the enclosure,
420
00:18:43,963 --> 00:18:45,923
because birds behave
very differently
421
00:18:46,003 --> 00:18:47,563
when you are actually present.
422
00:18:47,643 --> 00:18:49,483
They will even
look sick sometimes
423
00:18:49,563 --> 00:18:51,163
when they think
you're not there
424
00:18:51,243 --> 00:18:53,763
and look well when
you're looking at them.
425
00:18:53,843 --> 00:18:56,723
Yeah, so today's check-up's
been really favorable.
426
00:18:56,803 --> 00:18:59,683
He's landing quite well on
the perch, which is really good.
427
00:18:59,763 --> 00:19:01,603
Quite even when he's landing.
428
00:19:01,683 --> 00:19:03,363
Which he wasn't doing before,
429
00:19:03,443 --> 00:19:06,083
and he's a little bit crooked
in his pelvis.
430
00:19:06,163 --> 00:19:07,603
He's dropping one wing.
431
00:19:07,683 --> 00:19:10,803
So he's probably still
a little bit sore.
432
00:19:10,883 --> 00:19:13,363
Next we need to make sure
that both wings
433
00:19:13,443 --> 00:19:14,683
are functioning properly,
434
00:19:14,763 --> 00:19:17,763
that the pelvis is
restored to normal,
435
00:19:17,843 --> 00:19:20,723
and then he needs to go
on a fitness regime,
436
00:19:20,803 --> 00:19:24,483
making sure that he is
as fit as he needs to be
437
00:19:24,563 --> 00:19:26,723
to catch his food in the wild.
438
00:19:33,883 --> 00:19:35,443
Larry, do you want
all these in the car?
439
00:19:35,523 --> 00:19:37,043
You got
a stethoscope, Liz?
440
00:19:37,123 --> 00:19:39,523
It's a massive day
for Taronga's vets.
441
00:19:39,603 --> 00:19:41,443
Okay.
442
00:19:41,523 --> 00:19:43,803
They're examining
three chimpanzees in a morning,
443
00:19:43,883 --> 00:19:47,243
and Naomi is the first
to be sedated.
444
00:19:47,323 --> 00:19:48,523
Part of
the procedure today
445
00:19:48,603 --> 00:19:50,363
is to do an ultrasound
examination
446
00:19:50,443 --> 00:19:52,323
of Naomi's reproductive tract,
447
00:19:52,403 --> 00:19:53,683
and we'll do that
with Ceres as well.
448
00:19:53,763 --> 00:19:55,363
One, two, three.
449
00:19:55,443 --> 00:19:56,803
Naomi is having
trouble carrying
450
00:19:56,883 --> 00:19:59,603
her unborn babies to term,
451
00:19:59,683 --> 00:20:02,403
and the team is desperate
to find out why.
452
00:20:02,483 --> 00:20:04,123
She is
a very important animal
453
00:20:04,203 --> 00:20:05,643
in terms of genetics
of our group.
454
00:20:05,723 --> 00:20:07,723
We brought her in
specifically from Europe
455
00:20:07,803 --> 00:20:10,963
for genetic management
of our group.
456
00:20:11,043 --> 00:20:13,923
So we've got 62.2, okay.
457
00:20:14,003 --> 00:20:16,323
Most of the great apes,
as we are great apes as well,
458
00:20:16,403 --> 00:20:19,363
and we are all very similar
in our anatomy and physiology.
459
00:20:19,443 --> 00:20:21,123
One, two, three.
460
00:20:21,203 --> 00:20:23,243
So we do call on
human specialists quite often
461
00:20:23,323 --> 00:20:25,803
to help us out with great apes.
462
00:20:25,883 --> 00:20:27,723
One, two, three, lift.
463
00:20:27,803 --> 00:20:29,963
Dr. Paul Fowler
has been called in
464
00:20:30,043 --> 00:20:34,043
to solve the mystery of
Naomi's failed pregnancies.
465
00:20:34,123 --> 00:20:37,763
It's as fascinating
for them as it is for us.
466
00:20:37,843 --> 00:20:43,083
I'm an obstetrician and
I deal with humans, obviously.
467
00:20:43,163 --> 00:20:45,843
Just slide her down and
we're going to slide her down.
468
00:20:45,923 --> 00:20:47,123
Okay.
469
00:20:47,203 --> 00:20:48,043
It's a little bit different,
470
00:20:48,123 --> 00:20:49,603
but should be interesting.
471
00:20:49,683 --> 00:20:53,723
Yeah, it will be
a new experience, basically.
472
00:20:53,803 --> 00:20:57,803
So she may move a little
bit, so don't be too alarmed.
473
00:20:57,883 --> 00:21:00,283
She's gotten pregnant
474
00:21:00,363 --> 00:21:03,203
and then when she has been
close to delivering,
475
00:21:03,283 --> 00:21:05,403
the baby has died.
476
00:21:05,483 --> 00:21:09,203
One of them died a number
of weeks before she was due.
477
00:21:09,283 --> 00:21:13,403
Both of them were stillborn
and they were small as well.
478
00:21:13,483 --> 00:21:14,683
A bit of local
anesthetic spray.
479
00:21:14,763 --> 00:21:16,363
So what we're
trying to do today
480
00:21:16,443 --> 00:21:19,403
is try and investigate why
that may have happened.
481
00:21:19,483 --> 00:21:20,843
Get her on her back.
482
00:21:20,923 --> 00:21:24,323
And we're sort of taking
a human slant on it
483
00:21:24,403 --> 00:21:26,723
and we're transferring
some of the investigations
484
00:21:26,803 --> 00:21:29,003
that we would perform
in a human person
485
00:21:29,083 --> 00:21:30,923
who has a growth-restricted baby
486
00:21:31,003 --> 00:21:34,563
and trying to transfer that
in relationship to the chimps.
487
00:21:34,643 --> 00:21:36,283
Vaginal tissue all looks fine.
488
00:21:36,363 --> 00:21:38,323
We're just going
to do a high swab, yeah.
489
00:21:38,403 --> 00:21:40,843
Today they are hoping
to get the answers they need
490
00:21:40,923 --> 00:21:41,923
by gathering samples.
491
00:21:42,003 --> 00:21:43,643
Cervix as well.
492
00:21:43,723 --> 00:21:45,123
Have we got a little
sample pot there for the urine?
493
00:21:45,203 --> 00:21:47,283
And performing
an ultrasound.
494
00:21:47,363 --> 00:21:49,363
Do you mind if we
just go dark for a moment?
495
00:21:49,443 --> 00:21:51,483
Just so I get my bearings.
496
00:21:51,563 --> 00:21:53,843
And helping Dr. Fowler is
one of his colleagues,
497
00:21:53,923 --> 00:21:56,723
sonographer Petrina Rucell.
498
00:21:56,803 --> 00:22:00,923
Blood vessels.
That's the aorta.
499
00:22:01,003 --> 00:22:04,363
You'd think the uterus
would just jump out.
500
00:22:04,443 --> 00:22:05,763
I mean,
in the non-pregnant,
501
00:22:05,843 --> 00:22:06,923
it's only quite small.
502
00:22:07,003 --> 00:22:08,323
Yeah.
503
00:22:10,563 --> 00:22:12,043
Oh, beautiful.
504
00:22:12,123 --> 00:22:14,683
That is gorgeous. Look at that.
505
00:22:14,763 --> 00:22:16,363
Oh, yeah,
that's beautiful, yeah.
506
00:22:16,443 --> 00:22:18,643
The similarities
with the human anatomy
507
00:22:18,723 --> 00:22:20,403
are astounding.
508
00:22:20,483 --> 00:22:25,163
So, cervix,
this little area here.
509
00:22:25,243 --> 00:22:28,483
And then this is the uterus here
with the little follicles on it.
510
00:22:28,563 --> 00:22:30,043
Little follicles, yeah.
511
00:22:30,123 --> 00:22:32,003
Lovely follicles
on there, lots of follicles.
512
00:22:32,083 --> 00:22:33,683
That's a big follicle.
Is that a follicle?
513
00:22:33,763 --> 00:22:35,883
A little bit of fluid
around there.
514
00:22:35,963 --> 00:22:39,003
The ovaries were of
normal size and texture.
515
00:22:39,083 --> 00:22:41,403
Everything under ultrasound, you
couldn't really see a difference
516
00:22:41,483 --> 00:22:43,163
between a human or a chimpanzee.
517
00:22:43,243 --> 00:22:46,043
I found that
very, very surprising.
518
00:22:46,123 --> 00:22:47,283
Gosh, she's really lovely.
519
00:22:47,363 --> 00:22:48,723
That looks good.
520
00:22:48,803 --> 00:22:50,203
There was nothing
under ultrasound
521
00:22:50,283 --> 00:22:52,123
that is causing
her miscarriages.
522
00:22:52,203 --> 00:22:53,843
So we can say that
she's healthy.
523
00:22:53,923 --> 00:22:56,683
She should be able to fall
pregnant again easily.
524
00:22:56,763 --> 00:22:58,403
She has got plenty of follicles
on her ovaries,
525
00:22:58,483 --> 00:23:01,523
so she's, you know,
perfectly fertile.
526
00:23:01,603 --> 00:23:04,763
With the ultrasound
not showing anything unusual,
527
00:23:04,843 --> 00:23:08,043
the team run a comprehensive
series of tests
528
00:23:08,123 --> 00:23:12,363
and take the rare opportunity
to conduct a full health check.
529
00:23:12,443 --> 00:23:14,163
So this is a vaccine
we're giving her
530
00:23:14,243 --> 00:23:17,323
for encephalomyocarditis virus.
531
00:23:17,403 --> 00:23:19,603
Of course with a chimp
we have limited opportunity
532
00:23:19,683 --> 00:23:22,523
to do any of that
without anesthesia.
533
00:23:22,603 --> 00:23:24,563
Look at that. Full service.
534
00:23:24,643 --> 00:23:26,243
It was a great
anesthetic procedure.
535
00:23:26,323 --> 00:23:28,443
And we've got full
investigation,
536
00:23:28,523 --> 00:23:30,483
a thorough health check,
got all the samples we needed.
537
00:23:30,563 --> 00:23:32,323
One, two, three.
538
00:23:32,403 --> 00:23:33,763
There you go.
539
00:23:33,843 --> 00:23:35,883
That will help us
then formulate a plan
540
00:23:35,963 --> 00:23:39,243
to manage her next pregnancy
when she falls pregnant.
541
00:23:39,323 --> 00:23:40,763
This is actually probably
the trickiest part
542
00:23:40,843 --> 00:23:42,443
is taking her back,
543
00:23:42,523 --> 00:23:44,323
because a lot of the anesthetic
drug would have worn off.
544
00:23:44,403 --> 00:23:45,803
But she is nice and fast asleep,
545
00:23:45,883 --> 00:23:47,843
so we'll move swiftly
to the chimp house.
546
00:23:47,923 --> 00:23:49,563
But for
the Taronga vets,
547
00:23:49,643 --> 00:23:52,283
Naomi is only the first
of three chimps
548
00:23:52,363 --> 00:23:54,323
to be examined today.
549
00:23:54,403 --> 00:23:55,243
This is
a great opportunity,
550
00:23:55,323 --> 00:23:57,203
because to have Naomi,
551
00:23:57,283 --> 00:24:02,163
who we're investigating
her reproductive problems,
552
00:24:02,243 --> 00:24:04,563
and having a normal,
healthy animal
553
00:24:04,643 --> 00:24:07,323
that has bred successfully
as a comparison,
554
00:24:07,403 --> 00:24:08,763
so it's a perfect opportunity
555
00:24:08,843 --> 00:24:10,563
for the obstetrician/
gynecologist
556
00:24:10,643 --> 00:24:13,843
to examine another chimpanzee
as a comparison.
557
00:24:13,923 --> 00:24:16,083
It's now Ceres's turn.
558
00:24:16,163 --> 00:24:18,603
Ceres and Cebele
are in Suzie's den.
559
00:24:18,683 --> 00:24:19,683
Okay, so we are going
right next to them.
560
00:24:19,763 --> 00:24:21,643
Yeah.
561
00:24:21,723 --> 00:24:23,843
Hopefully her
examination will help explain
562
00:24:23,923 --> 00:24:26,723
what's happening
to her sister Naomi.
563
00:24:38,443 --> 00:24:41,563
Red panda Paboo is
moving to his new enclosure
564
00:24:41,643 --> 00:24:46,483
right next door to his partner
and three cubs.
565
00:24:46,563 --> 00:24:49,163
Ready to see
your new exhibit?
566
00:24:49,243 --> 00:24:50,523
There is never a dull moment
here at the zoo.
567
00:24:50,603 --> 00:24:52,723
We're always moving animals,
568
00:24:52,803 --> 00:24:57,243
and Paboo here is going to
his newly renovated exhibit.
569
00:24:57,323 --> 00:24:59,443
Animal transfers and movements
is something that happens
570
00:24:59,523 --> 00:25:01,883
throughout the day
here at Taronga Zoo.
571
00:25:01,963 --> 00:25:03,483
And that's from our tigers
572
00:25:03,563 --> 00:25:05,563
how we move them around
to different exhibits.
573
00:25:05,643 --> 00:25:08,603
It's all part of
our enrichment program as well.
574
00:25:08,683 --> 00:25:10,803
Although he's only
moving next door,
575
00:25:10,883 --> 00:25:14,363
a completely new environment
offers a world of enrichment
576
00:25:14,443 --> 00:25:18,003
for a curious animal
like Paboo.
577
00:25:18,083 --> 00:25:20,083
So, yeah, we're just about
to place him into the exhibit,
578
00:25:20,163 --> 00:25:22,563
so we'll watch how he goes.
579
00:25:22,643 --> 00:25:25,483
Alright.
580
00:25:25,563 --> 00:25:29,083
Ready, buddy? Here we go.
581
00:25:36,883 --> 00:25:38,163
There we go.
582
00:25:48,923 --> 00:25:51,483
Typical male panda,
scent-marking everywhere.
583
00:25:57,803 --> 00:26:01,123
Maz to Louise Ginman.
584
00:26:01,203 --> 00:26:02,763
Go ahead, Maz.
585
00:26:02,843 --> 00:26:04,363
Hey, Louise,
just letting you know
586
00:26:04,443 --> 00:26:07,243
Paboo has safely returned
to the panda exhibit.
587
00:26:07,323 --> 00:26:09,723
Wonderful.
588
00:26:09,803 --> 00:26:11,523
It's pretty cool
to see an animal,
589
00:26:11,603 --> 00:26:13,123
like, trying to figure out
all the new logs,
590
00:26:13,203 --> 00:26:15,643
and it's like a maze almost.
591
00:26:15,723 --> 00:26:17,963
So he's problem solving, trying
to figure out all the routes
592
00:26:18,043 --> 00:26:21,283
of how to, you know, come down
or how to cross over.
593
00:26:21,363 --> 00:26:23,243
So, all very stimulating for
him, which is amazing to see.
594
00:26:23,323 --> 00:26:24,683
As you can see as well,
595
00:26:24,763 --> 00:26:26,803
he's scent-marking it
while he does it,
596
00:26:26,883 --> 00:26:28,523
and that's him just, you know,
597
00:26:28,603 --> 00:26:33,843
establishing his area,
which is typical male panda.
598
00:26:33,923 --> 00:26:35,763
There you go, bud.
599
00:26:35,843 --> 00:26:37,563
You want some apple? No?
600
00:26:37,643 --> 00:26:39,883
He's more focused
on the scent-marking,
601
00:26:39,963 --> 00:26:41,523
and you can see
he is quite busy.
602
00:26:41,603 --> 00:26:43,923
So this is all exciting.
603
00:26:44,003 --> 00:26:45,883
He might actually go and
check out that pipe actually
604
00:26:45,963 --> 00:26:47,563
to see next door.
605
00:26:47,643 --> 00:26:51,203
They can sometimes talk
to one another.
606
00:26:51,283 --> 00:26:54,163
Paboo was so prolific
at reproducing,
607
00:26:54,243 --> 00:26:56,483
Taronga had to separate him
from his partner
608
00:26:56,563 --> 00:26:59,243
because they simply couldn't
fit anymore cubs
609
00:26:59,323 --> 00:27:00,803
in the panda pad.
610
00:27:00,883 --> 00:27:02,763
We do have a tunnel
between the two exhibits
611
00:27:02,843 --> 00:27:04,323
that has kind of a mesh
through it,
612
00:27:04,403 --> 00:27:06,483
so that both pandas
from either end
613
00:27:06,563 --> 00:27:08,563
can still come in and still
interact with one another.
614
00:27:08,643 --> 00:27:10,843
But obviously they can't
go through to each side.
615
00:27:10,923 --> 00:27:12,443
So Paboo will sometimes
go in there
616
00:27:12,523 --> 00:27:15,403
just to see how the,
how the wife and kids are.
617
00:27:21,163 --> 00:27:23,523
They are still socializing,
which is an important part,
618
00:27:23,603 --> 00:27:26,443
particularly with
the cubs' development.
619
00:27:26,523 --> 00:27:28,443
So, yeah, so Paboo has
now got this amazing,
620
00:27:28,523 --> 00:27:30,923
or what we call
a tszuj'd palace.
621
00:27:31,003 --> 00:27:33,443
It's awesome that to see he is
very active and enjoying it.
622
00:27:33,523 --> 00:27:35,203
He's walking around,
623
00:27:35,283 --> 00:27:37,083
and you can see a lot of
problem solving there as well,
624
00:27:37,163 --> 00:27:39,723
because all those tracks
have been changed up for him,
625
00:27:39,803 --> 00:27:42,243
which is great, and that's part
of our job here at the zoo
626
00:27:42,323 --> 00:27:44,003
is to ensure that these
animals that we have
627
00:27:44,083 --> 00:27:47,923
are always being challenged
and also enriched day to day.
628
00:27:55,043 --> 00:27:57,603
Just brought the owl up
to have another x-ray.
629
00:27:57,683 --> 00:27:58,963
This is the owl that
we were looking at
630
00:27:59,043 --> 00:28:01,203
with the fractured pelvis.
631
00:28:01,283 --> 00:28:04,963
And I was really impressed with
the way it was flying yesterday
632
00:28:05,043 --> 00:28:07,243
and the way it was perching
633
00:28:07,323 --> 00:28:10,043
and maneuvering
around the enclosure.
634
00:28:10,123 --> 00:28:13,123
Now Kimberly is going
to take another x-ray,
635
00:28:13,203 --> 00:28:16,243
which she took an x-ray earlier,
and as we're going to see,
636
00:28:16,323 --> 00:28:20,003
hopefully, some improvement
in the owl and the pelvic area.
637
00:28:23,363 --> 00:28:25,803
So one of my concerns is
the lack of tail feathers.
638
00:28:25,883 --> 00:28:29,083
There's three tail feathers
remaining.
639
00:28:29,163 --> 00:28:31,643
Tails are critical
for maneuverability.
640
00:28:31,723 --> 00:28:34,243
So they get the lift and
the power from the wings,
641
00:28:34,323 --> 00:28:36,443
but the maneuverability
is from the tail.
642
00:28:36,523 --> 00:28:39,603
So when they are snatching
at moths or beetles
643
00:28:39,683 --> 00:28:42,763
or coming in to land, they're
using their tail feathers.
644
00:28:42,843 --> 00:28:45,603
So that's why they're
so important for this owl.
645
00:28:45,683 --> 00:28:47,563
I think they've been pulled out,
which is a good thing.
646
00:28:47,643 --> 00:28:49,483
It means they'll grow out
647
00:28:49,563 --> 00:28:52,643
and he'll have a tail
before he's released.
648
00:28:52,723 --> 00:28:53,603
Are you happy
with the anesthesia?
649
00:28:53,683 --> 00:28:55,163
Yep.
650
00:28:55,243 --> 00:28:56,803
Alright,
let's put her on the plate.
651
00:28:56,883 --> 00:29:00,363
Okay, well, I'm gonna
leave you to it. So, see ya.
652
00:29:00,443 --> 00:29:03,643
As Libby departs,
another bird lover, Grey,
653
00:29:03,723 --> 00:29:07,483
drops by to check on the
progress of his precious owl.
654
00:29:07,563 --> 00:29:08,523
Just peek over
your shoulder.
655
00:29:08,603 --> 00:29:10,163
You can.
656
00:29:10,243 --> 00:29:12,043
It's always hard to see
an animal come in
657
00:29:12,123 --> 00:29:13,843
that's been injured.
658
00:29:13,923 --> 00:29:15,963
Particularly for me the owls,
because they're the animal
659
00:29:16,043 --> 00:29:18,643
that I really feel
the strongest about.
660
00:29:18,723 --> 00:29:20,323
But it is part of the job,
661
00:29:20,403 --> 00:29:22,323
and the thing that's
really great here,
662
00:29:22,403 --> 00:29:25,243
they have such an amazing team
of vets and vet nurses
663
00:29:25,323 --> 00:29:28,283
and wildlife carers that really
help look after these guys
664
00:29:28,363 --> 00:29:29,643
to make sure that they are
going to be able to make it
665
00:29:29,723 --> 00:29:31,323
out into the wild
and be successful.
666
00:29:31,403 --> 00:29:32,963
Thanks, Grey.
667
00:29:33,043 --> 00:29:34,923
That's the sweetest thing
you've ever said to me.
668
00:29:36,083 --> 00:29:37,283
And you've got it on tape.
669
00:29:37,363 --> 00:29:38,363
Yeah.
670
00:29:40,563 --> 00:29:42,243
Okay, so let's take
that radiograph.
671
00:29:42,323 --> 00:29:45,603
Can everybody step out
so we don't expose you?
672
00:29:57,963 --> 00:30:00,643
So we've just taken
a radiograph again
673
00:30:00,723 --> 00:30:04,403
of the boobook owl
that had the fracture
674
00:30:04,483 --> 00:30:06,643
of the left side of the pelvis,
675
00:30:06,723 --> 00:30:10,043
and I can see here
there is some bony change
676
00:30:10,123 --> 00:30:11,803
in the area of the pelvis,
677
00:30:11,883 --> 00:30:15,403
so it looks like it's healed but
it's definitely not straight.
678
00:30:15,483 --> 00:30:18,323
This pelvis is not
perfectly symmetrical.
679
00:30:18,403 --> 00:30:20,163
I can see that
the bone has healed
680
00:30:20,243 --> 00:30:22,443
in a bit of
an irregular pattern.
681
00:30:22,523 --> 00:30:24,403
In such a way that
it's not allowing
682
00:30:24,483 --> 00:30:26,643
that leg to fully extend.
683
00:30:26,723 --> 00:30:28,803
Which is crucial
if the owl is to be released
684
00:30:28,883 --> 00:30:31,163
into the wild.
685
00:30:31,243 --> 00:30:33,323
We're going to have
to see how he can eat
686
00:30:33,403 --> 00:30:35,523
in his rehabilitation yard.
687
00:30:35,603 --> 00:30:37,483
It will probably take
another few weeks
688
00:30:37,563 --> 00:30:40,243
just to see how he can
get his own food
689
00:30:40,323 --> 00:30:42,043
and if he's going
to be suitable
690
00:30:42,123 --> 00:30:43,883
for release to the wild.
691
00:30:43,963 --> 00:30:46,163
I'm hopeful that he'll
get back out to the wild,
692
00:30:46,243 --> 00:30:49,443
but I'm not sure.
693
00:30:49,523 --> 00:30:53,163
Yeah, we'll see.
694
00:30:53,243 --> 00:30:55,003
I really don't know.
695
00:31:02,163 --> 00:31:03,803
At Taronga's
wildlife hospital,
696
00:31:03,883 --> 00:31:05,563
vet Larry and his team
697
00:31:05,643 --> 00:31:09,403
have two more female chimps
to examine today.
698
00:31:09,483 --> 00:31:11,363
So we've just finished
Naomi's procedure.
699
00:31:11,443 --> 00:31:13,923
She is back at the chimp house
waking up,
700
00:31:14,003 --> 00:31:17,843
and now we're going to
anesthetize two other chimps,
701
00:31:17,923 --> 00:31:20,603
a mother and baby actually,
Ceres and Cebele.
702
00:31:20,683 --> 00:31:23,243
Come through.
Pet pack on the scales quickly.
703
00:31:23,323 --> 00:31:26,043
To anesthetize
three chimps in one day
704
00:31:26,123 --> 00:31:28,763
is extremely rare at the zoo.
705
00:31:28,843 --> 00:31:30,283
Cebele is one year
and eight months old.
706
00:31:30,363 --> 00:31:31,683
Just bring her in.
707
00:31:31,763 --> 00:31:33,243
She's still
dependent on Ceres,
708
00:31:33,323 --> 00:31:34,603
so when we anesthetize
the mother,
709
00:31:34,683 --> 00:31:36,843
we will have to anesthetize
the baby as well.
710
00:31:36,923 --> 00:31:37,923
What does she weigh?
711
00:31:38,003 --> 00:31:40,163
6.4.
6.4.
712
00:31:40,243 --> 00:31:43,043
So, great opportunity
to do a full examination
713
00:31:43,123 --> 00:31:45,523
on little Cebele as well.
714
00:31:45,603 --> 00:31:47,563
The little chimps
always lose a lot more heat
715
00:31:47,643 --> 00:31:51,323
than the bigger chimps
when they're anesthetized.
716
00:31:51,403 --> 00:31:54,083
So we're just trying to keep
the Bair Hugger on her
717
00:31:54,163 --> 00:31:56,563
all the time to try and maintain
her body temperature
718
00:31:56,643 --> 00:31:58,883
where we want it.
719
00:31:58,963 --> 00:32:02,003
I'm just going to take
this x-ray and see how we go.
720
00:32:02,083 --> 00:32:04,483
We want to make sure that we can
pretty well do everything
721
00:32:04,563 --> 00:32:06,443
that we need to do
to keep her healthy
722
00:32:06,523 --> 00:32:08,803
in the way of vaccinations
and things like that
723
00:32:08,883 --> 00:32:10,163
in one go for her.
724
00:32:10,243 --> 00:32:11,963
So this is just a vaccination,
725
00:32:12,043 --> 00:32:16,643
similar to what a child would
have, particularly for tetanus.
726
00:32:16,723 --> 00:32:18,683
And then she doesn't have
to have anything else done
727
00:32:18,763 --> 00:32:21,523
for quite some time.
728
00:32:21,603 --> 00:32:25,403
But she looks so far like
a beautiful healthy little baby.
729
00:32:25,483 --> 00:32:27,123
In an adjoining theater,
730
00:32:27,203 --> 00:32:31,323
Cebele's mother Ceres
is also healthy.
731
00:32:31,403 --> 00:32:34,883
It's hoped the examination of
Ceres will help explain why
732
00:32:34,963 --> 00:32:37,763
her sister Naomi has
twice fallen pregnant
733
00:32:37,843 --> 00:32:40,683
but both times
delivered stillborns.
734
00:32:40,763 --> 00:32:42,043
There is
a great opportunity,
735
00:32:42,123 --> 00:32:45,203
because to have Naomi,
who we are investigating
736
00:32:45,283 --> 00:32:49,523
her reproductive problems, and
having a normal, healthy animal
737
00:32:49,603 --> 00:32:52,123
that has bred successfully
as a comparison.
738
00:32:52,203 --> 00:32:53,923
So it's a perfect opportunity
739
00:32:54,003 --> 00:32:56,403
for the obstetrician/
gynecologist Dr. Fowler
740
00:32:56,483 --> 00:33:01,723
to examine another chimpanzee
as a comparison.
741
00:33:01,803 --> 00:33:03,083
So we are going
to do the same tests
742
00:33:03,163 --> 00:33:05,443
on the second chimpanzee
743
00:33:05,523 --> 00:33:07,163
to see if there is any
differences in them,
744
00:33:07,243 --> 00:33:11,683
because we're still trying to
sort out why Naomi's placenta
745
00:33:11,763 --> 00:33:13,483
hasn't worked very well
during the pregnancy.
746
00:33:13,563 --> 00:33:15,363
Because we know that
the second chimpanzee
747
00:33:15,443 --> 00:33:17,763
has successfully breeded.
748
00:33:17,843 --> 00:33:19,523
So across the tummy.
749
00:33:19,603 --> 00:33:21,643
That's what we usually see
is the uterus bulging into...
750
00:33:21,723 --> 00:33:24,843
Yes, that's exactly--
it's so human.
751
00:33:24,923 --> 00:33:27,203
Exactly like a human.
752
00:33:27,283 --> 00:33:29,163
It's amazing.
753
00:33:29,243 --> 00:33:31,243
It's similar,
very similar.
754
00:33:31,323 --> 00:33:33,723
The position of the womb
was the same.
755
00:33:33,803 --> 00:33:36,643
The lining of the womb
all looked the same.
756
00:33:36,723 --> 00:33:39,923
This is a full bladder,
and this is an ovary here,
757
00:33:40,003 --> 00:33:42,883
and the little black dots
are the follicles
758
00:33:42,963 --> 00:33:45,003
that contain the eggs.
759
00:33:45,083 --> 00:33:48,523
So, uterus was identical,
so was the lining.
760
00:33:48,603 --> 00:33:51,523
I mean, one was, one chimp
is actually on the pill,
761
00:33:51,603 --> 00:33:53,003
so her lining's exactly like
762
00:33:53,083 --> 00:33:57,763
what a human's lining
is like on the pill.
763
00:33:57,843 --> 00:33:59,963
They need a sample of
urine anyway, which they've got.
764
00:34:00,043 --> 00:34:01,603
With no obvious
differences
765
00:34:01,683 --> 00:34:04,843
between Ceres and Naomi's
reproductive organs,
766
00:34:04,923 --> 00:34:08,163
the team will rely on the
extensive tests and samples
767
00:34:08,243 --> 00:34:10,163
collected today for clues
768
00:34:10,243 --> 00:34:14,803
to why Naomi's been unable
to carry a baby to full term.
769
00:34:14,883 --> 00:34:17,523
That will take a few days
to get all those results back.
770
00:34:17,603 --> 00:34:20,763
When we do, we will regroup
with Dr. Fowler
771
00:34:20,843 --> 00:34:23,763
and the rest of the team to
come up with a plan for Naomi
772
00:34:23,843 --> 00:34:26,363
when she falls pregnant next.
773
00:34:26,443 --> 00:34:28,043
You need
a bigger gauge, don't you?
774
00:34:28,123 --> 00:34:29,363
Yeah, we could easily
775
00:34:29,443 --> 00:34:31,403
probably put a bigger one
in there.
776
00:34:31,483 --> 00:34:33,763
When I was studying
to become an obstetrician,
777
00:34:33,843 --> 00:34:36,643
there is no way I thought I
would be working at Taronga Zoo
778
00:34:36,723 --> 00:34:39,403
helping out with the chimps
or the apes or the gorillas,
779
00:34:39,483 --> 00:34:41,363
but it's been
a great experience.
780
00:34:41,443 --> 00:34:42,843
I'm angling
up to her tummy
781
00:34:42,923 --> 00:34:44,763
and I'm angling towards
her back there.
782
00:34:44,843 --> 00:34:46,243
It's a bit different
to my day job.
783
00:34:46,323 --> 00:34:47,563
There's not so many people
in the room
784
00:34:47,643 --> 00:34:50,483
and my patients
are always awake.
785
00:34:50,563 --> 00:34:53,283
But, yeah, it was
a wonderful experience,
786
00:34:53,363 --> 00:34:58,083
and I wish her all the best
for her future pregnancies.
787
00:34:58,163 --> 00:34:59,803
Were we ready
to take her up?
788
00:34:59,883 --> 00:35:02,723
Are they almost done? Okay.
789
00:35:02,803 --> 00:35:04,563
A huge day,
huge morning,
790
00:35:04,643 --> 00:35:07,603
to knock out three chimps in
one morning is a big deal.
791
00:35:07,683 --> 00:35:10,363
Look at that face.
792
00:35:10,443 --> 00:35:12,083
She's pretty cute.
793
00:35:12,163 --> 00:35:14,763
Everyone did a fantastic
job and it's great teamwork,
794
00:35:14,843 --> 00:35:16,883
great to have
specialists involved
795
00:35:16,963 --> 00:35:22,163
and all the keepers involved
and, yeah, very successful.
796
00:35:22,243 --> 00:35:24,563
But as successful
as the day has been,
797
00:35:24,643 --> 00:35:27,483
Larry and the team won't
really be satisfied
798
00:35:27,563 --> 00:35:31,843
until Naomi is cradling
a baby in her arms.
799
00:35:35,723 --> 00:35:38,643
So today we're going to
band and release a boobook owl.
800
00:35:38,723 --> 00:35:40,603
Sarah, we're just going
to catch the owl
801
00:35:40,683 --> 00:35:42,443
and come back out and band it.
802
00:35:42,523 --> 00:35:44,923
This owl came to us
with a pelvic injury,
803
00:35:45,003 --> 00:35:47,363
so, quite a severe injury.
804
00:35:47,443 --> 00:35:49,603
And it's been in care at
Taronga Wildlife Hospital
805
00:35:49,683 --> 00:35:51,083
for two months,
806
00:35:51,163 --> 00:35:53,403
which is enough time
for the injury to heal
807
00:35:53,483 --> 00:35:55,683
and enough time
for physiotherapy.
808
00:35:55,763 --> 00:36:01,043
Now we're really happy and
the owl is ready to go home.
809
00:36:01,123 --> 00:36:02,523
Yeah.
Isn't he?
810
00:36:02,603 --> 00:36:05,443
That's fantastic.
811
00:36:05,523 --> 00:36:06,803
So I'm just
going to wrap him up
812
00:36:06,883 --> 00:36:09,723
in what we call a burrito.
813
00:36:09,803 --> 00:36:13,683
Just so that we can weigh him,
so he is contained in the towel.
814
00:36:13,763 --> 00:36:17,483
Pop him in there, so we can get
an accurate weight on him.
815
00:36:17,563 --> 00:36:20,403
He weighs 276 grams.
816
00:36:20,483 --> 00:36:21,883
So before release,
817
00:36:21,963 --> 00:36:24,443
the bird needs to be
in perfect condition.
818
00:36:24,523 --> 00:36:26,883
Not only has its weight
got to be perfect,
819
00:36:26,963 --> 00:36:28,723
for a bird of that age,
820
00:36:28,803 --> 00:36:32,883
it needs to be able to fly very
well so it can catch its food.
821
00:36:32,963 --> 00:36:35,803
He looks so cute, Sarah.
822
00:36:35,883 --> 00:36:37,803
It's been a long road
to get to the point
823
00:36:37,883 --> 00:36:39,243
where it can go out for release,
824
00:36:39,323 --> 00:36:42,363
but we're happy
with his progress.
825
00:36:42,443 --> 00:36:44,803
As part of
a worldwide monitoring system,
826
00:36:44,883 --> 00:36:47,843
a band is placed
on the owl's leg.
827
00:36:47,923 --> 00:36:48,963
Just got to
tighten it up.
828
00:36:49,043 --> 00:36:50,843
This is stainless steel.
829
00:36:50,923 --> 00:36:53,403
The bird will have that band
for the rest of its life.
830
00:36:53,483 --> 00:36:56,443
And it will enable us
to monitor its progress
831
00:36:56,523 --> 00:36:58,323
after it's released.
832
00:36:58,403 --> 00:37:01,043
And we have really good
success rates.
833
00:37:01,123 --> 00:37:03,603
The return of this
boobook owl to the wild
834
00:37:03,683 --> 00:37:07,403
isn't just a victory for
the carers at Taronga Zoo.
835
00:37:07,483 --> 00:37:09,763
It's so important to get
them back out into the wild,
836
00:37:09,843 --> 00:37:13,683
but its also a community effort
for the people that found him,
837
00:37:13,763 --> 00:37:16,923
the families involved,
the rescue group,
838
00:37:17,003 --> 00:37:19,883
the vet that he was taken to,
and then us.
839
00:37:19,963 --> 00:37:21,683
It's not just
this one little owl.
840
00:37:21,763 --> 00:37:23,443
It is about spreading education
841
00:37:23,523 --> 00:37:26,963
about urban wildlife
out into the world.
842
00:37:27,043 --> 00:37:28,963
He's in perfect condition,
which is what we want.
843
00:37:29,043 --> 00:37:31,483
Not too fat, not too thin.
844
00:37:31,563 --> 00:37:35,043
Sarah gave him a lovely meal
and he's nice and ready to go.
845
00:37:35,123 --> 00:37:36,963
He has got a little bit
of feathers missing
846
00:37:37,043 --> 00:37:38,803
just on his forehead here,
847
00:37:38,883 --> 00:37:41,443
which sort of makes him
even cuter really.
848
00:37:41,523 --> 00:37:43,563
It's like he's got a bit of
beard here, happening here.
849
00:37:45,643 --> 00:37:50,003
He's really cute and, yeah,
very happy with his pelvis,
850
00:37:50,083 --> 00:37:51,523
and we're really happy
with his flight,
851
00:37:51,603 --> 00:37:53,803
so we're going to put him
in the box now,
852
00:37:53,883 --> 00:37:56,043
'cause he's ready to go.
853
00:37:56,123 --> 00:37:58,203
Bye-bye, Mr. Boobook.
854
00:37:58,283 --> 00:38:00,603
It's got
ventilation holes in it.
855
00:38:00,683 --> 00:38:03,243
As you can see, it's got
a stick for it to perch in,
856
00:38:03,323 --> 00:38:05,003
and the reason
I like to use cardboard
857
00:38:05,083 --> 00:38:07,083
is because it's very soft,
858
00:38:07,163 --> 00:38:09,123
and that way the bird
won't hurt its feathers
859
00:38:09,203 --> 00:38:10,563
while it's being transported.
860
00:38:10,643 --> 00:38:12,283
Because it might jump around,
861
00:38:12,363 --> 00:38:14,643
and there is obviously going
to be noise in the car.
862
00:38:14,723 --> 00:38:17,563
It's a very stressful time
for animals to be transported
863
00:38:17,643 --> 00:38:19,883
to release, so he will be
happy in there,
864
00:38:19,963 --> 00:38:21,843
can hopefully settle down
in a minute,
865
00:38:21,923 --> 00:38:23,603
sit on the perch,
866
00:38:23,683 --> 00:38:26,843
and it needs to be after dark
that we release the owl.
867
00:38:28,963 --> 00:38:31,683
You can hear him jumping around
in there at the moment.
868
00:38:31,763 --> 00:38:33,363
Alright. Let's do this.
869
00:38:33,443 --> 00:38:35,163
Let's do this thing.
870
00:38:35,243 --> 00:38:38,123
The months of rehab
have all paid off.
871
00:38:38,203 --> 00:38:41,043
Okay, so finally
going home, yeah.
872
00:38:41,123 --> 00:38:43,363
I know. Good luck.
Yay. Fantastic.
873
00:38:43,443 --> 00:38:44,923
Have fun! Bye.
Thanks.
874
00:38:45,003 --> 00:38:46,723
And now there's
just one more step
875
00:38:46,803 --> 00:38:48,883
in the owl's journey home.
876
00:38:56,203 --> 00:38:59,083
Libby has driven
to a nearby national park
877
00:38:59,163 --> 00:39:03,363
to finally release
the now healthy boobook owl.
878
00:39:03,443 --> 00:39:06,163
So I've just come down
to a walk in the bush,
879
00:39:06,243 --> 00:39:07,323
just walking around a little bit
880
00:39:07,403 --> 00:39:10,483
to find the perfect release site
for this owl.
881
00:39:10,563 --> 00:39:13,683
For a boobook owl, the best
release site is a site
882
00:39:13,763 --> 00:39:17,403
with lots of trees,
and this area has lots of trees
883
00:39:17,483 --> 00:39:19,323
and lots of understory as well.
884
00:39:19,403 --> 00:39:21,163
So there will be lots
of insects here.
885
00:39:21,243 --> 00:39:25,043
So this is a really
good spot here.
886
00:39:25,123 --> 00:39:27,203
The boobook owl was found
very close to here,
887
00:39:27,283 --> 00:39:29,363
less than a kilometer
up the road.
888
00:39:29,443 --> 00:39:30,883
We don't want to release him
near the road,
889
00:39:30,963 --> 00:39:33,123
but he will know
this area very well,
890
00:39:33,203 --> 00:39:34,363
'cause this is where he lives.
891
00:39:34,443 --> 00:39:36,163
So he's coming home.
892
00:39:39,523 --> 00:39:41,563
So I'm always anxious
transporting animals.
893
00:39:41,643 --> 00:39:43,563
You know, you never know
what's going to happen,
894
00:39:43,643 --> 00:39:46,443
in the transport box,
they get really nervous,
895
00:39:46,523 --> 00:39:49,083
and then at release you never
know what's going to happen.
896
00:39:49,163 --> 00:39:52,043
Perfect, not too much wind
and it's very dark.
897
00:39:52,123 --> 00:39:54,323
You want it to be very dark
when you release owls.
898
00:39:54,403 --> 00:39:55,283
Not dusk.
899
00:39:55,363 --> 00:39:57,603
Dusk is a very busy time,
900
00:39:57,683 --> 00:40:00,283
and then also
the nocturnal animals get up
901
00:40:00,363 --> 00:40:04,003
and they're very hungry,
so it needs to be pitch black
902
00:40:04,083 --> 00:40:07,323
and a little bit quieter time,
which is perfect now.
903
00:40:07,403 --> 00:40:10,803
It's really dark now
and I'm happy with this.
904
00:40:10,883 --> 00:40:12,603
So it might be a good time
905
00:40:12,683 --> 00:40:14,723
to switch to
the night vision camera now,
906
00:40:14,803 --> 00:40:17,363
because owls don't
like bright lights.
907
00:40:20,843 --> 00:40:22,203
I'm going to put the towel in
908
00:40:22,283 --> 00:40:25,163
and try and grab him
just by feel.
909
00:40:28,523 --> 00:40:30,083
Ahh. Ah!
910
00:40:30,163 --> 00:40:31,363
He's biting me.
911
00:40:33,523 --> 00:40:34,483
Okay, I've got him now.
912
00:40:34,563 --> 00:40:36,683
Have you?
Yeah.
913
00:40:36,763 --> 00:40:40,243
Oh, sweetie, that was
a bit tough, wasn't it?
914
00:40:40,323 --> 00:40:42,923
Oh, look at his feathers.
915
00:40:43,003 --> 00:40:45,443
Oh, sweetheart.
916
00:40:45,523 --> 00:40:48,683
He is looking a bit shocked
at the moment.
917
00:40:48,763 --> 00:40:52,683
Just been in a box traveling,
wondering where he is,
918
00:40:52,763 --> 00:40:54,123
but pretty soon I'm sure
919
00:40:54,203 --> 00:40:56,523
he's going to be
really glad to be home.
920
00:40:56,603 --> 00:40:57,923
How are you?
921
00:40:58,003 --> 00:40:59,283
What's happening?
922
00:40:59,363 --> 00:41:01,603
I'm excited now.
923
00:41:01,683 --> 00:41:04,603
I get so excited when they're
just about to be released.
924
00:41:04,683 --> 00:41:07,003
Just the best feeling.
925
00:41:07,083 --> 00:41:09,043
This is what it's all about.
926
00:41:09,123 --> 00:41:11,443
Have to say goodbye now though.
927
00:41:11,523 --> 00:41:12,803
Okay?
928
00:41:12,883 --> 00:41:13,923
Safe travels.
929
00:41:14,003 --> 00:41:15,883
No more cars.
930
00:41:15,963 --> 00:41:17,443
Okay?
931
00:41:19,723 --> 00:41:22,083
He's just trying to focus.
932
00:41:22,163 --> 00:41:24,723
I think it's a bit bright
for him at the moment.
933
00:41:29,323 --> 00:41:30,563
Gone.
934
00:41:30,643 --> 00:41:32,523
Just like that.
935
00:41:32,603 --> 00:41:34,883
That was good, though.
He flew into the tree.
936
00:41:34,963 --> 00:41:38,043
Oh, there he goes.
937
00:41:38,123 --> 00:41:39,963
There he is,
he's up in the tree,
938
00:41:40,043 --> 00:41:42,123
right on the edge of the branch.
939
00:41:42,203 --> 00:41:43,883
So, perfect.
940
00:41:43,963 --> 00:41:48,963
Oh. Cute. Aw, look at that.
941
00:41:49,043 --> 00:41:50,323
Amazing.
942
00:41:50,403 --> 00:41:52,763
So now he's home.
943
00:41:52,843 --> 00:41:55,123
Nursing animals and getting them
back out into the wild
944
00:41:55,203 --> 00:41:56,963
is just a great achievement.
945
00:41:57,043 --> 00:42:00,643
And what an amazing veterinary
team we have at Taronga.
946
00:42:00,723 --> 00:42:02,723
Yay.
947
00:42:02,803 --> 00:42:04,083
I'm happy now.
948
00:42:07,443 --> 00:42:09,323
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