1
00:00:06,523 --> 00:00:08,603
A large part
of Taronga's activities
2
00:00:08,683 --> 00:00:11,643
are focused on
educating the public.
3
00:00:11,723 --> 00:00:13,123
But they are also dedicated
4
00:00:13,203 --> 00:00:16,443
to giving injured wildlife
a second chance.
5
00:00:16,523 --> 00:00:18,443
We have such
a great message
6
00:00:18,523 --> 00:00:22,003
about education
and conservation.
7
00:00:22,083 --> 00:00:24,523
Bondi! Hi, kiddo!
8
00:00:24,603 --> 00:00:25,483
I think it's really important
9
00:00:25,563 --> 00:00:27,523
that we give back
to the community
10
00:00:27,603 --> 00:00:29,763
and we give back to the animals
that we're looking after.
11
00:00:29,843 --> 00:00:33,203
So, making sure we put effort
into their wild cousins
12
00:00:33,283 --> 00:00:34,843
is really important.
13
00:00:34,923 --> 00:00:36,483
Hey, kiddo.
14
00:00:36,563 --> 00:00:38,963
Good.
15
00:00:39,043 --> 00:00:40,683
This is Bondi,
16
00:00:40,763 --> 00:00:43,123
and he is a six-year-old
New Zealand fur seal.
17
00:00:43,203 --> 00:00:44,483
Bondi is pretty special
18
00:00:44,563 --> 00:00:47,683
because he was found
on south Bondi Beach,
19
00:00:47,763 --> 00:00:49,683
pretty much split open
by a shark.
20
00:00:49,763 --> 00:00:51,643
So he ended up in
our wildlife hospital,
21
00:00:51,723 --> 00:00:54,363
and after that,
after a few months of rehab,
22
00:00:54,443 --> 00:00:56,643
he came down to
Seals for the Wild
23
00:00:56,723 --> 00:00:59,563
to help be an ambassador animal
for his species
24
00:00:59,643 --> 00:01:01,483
and help talk about education
25
00:01:01,563 --> 00:01:05,043
and conservation
for the species.
26
00:01:05,123 --> 00:01:07,003
Hey, up here!
27
00:01:07,083 --> 00:01:09,883
When an animal can't
be released back into the wild,
28
00:01:09,963 --> 00:01:13,523
Taronga will help them
adapt to zoo life.
29
00:01:13,603 --> 00:01:16,083
When we first start
working with an individual,
30
00:01:16,163 --> 00:01:18,643
we spend many, many
weeks and months
31
00:01:18,723 --> 00:01:19,923
gaining rapport with them.
32
00:01:20,003 --> 00:01:21,643
They really need to
be able to trust us
33
00:01:21,723 --> 00:01:24,363
in order to do what
we do with them.
34
00:01:24,443 --> 00:01:27,723
When we get our seals,
like Bondi from the wild,
35
00:01:27,803 --> 00:01:31,403
he started learning his
husbandry behaviors first.
36
00:01:31,483 --> 00:01:33,883
I can pat him all over his body
when he's in this position.
37
00:01:33,963 --> 00:01:36,283
I can also open his mouth
and check his teeth.
38
00:01:36,363 --> 00:01:38,803
Good boy. And most of
the behaviors we teach them
39
00:01:38,883 --> 00:01:40,563
are derivatives
of natural behaviors
40
00:01:40,643 --> 00:01:41,963
that they would be doing anyway.
41
00:01:42,043 --> 00:01:44,883
Woo!
42
00:01:48,763 --> 00:01:51,203
Seals are just one
of the many animals
43
00:01:51,283 --> 00:01:54,523
the marine team
take in each year.
44
00:01:54,603 --> 00:01:58,163
We are heading into
the penguin exhibit,
45
00:01:58,243 --> 00:02:01,123
and we are going to be weighing
46
00:02:01,203 --> 00:02:04,643
our four Fiordland
crested penguins.
47
00:02:04,723 --> 00:02:06,963
Native to
the New Zealand South Island,
48
00:02:07,043 --> 00:02:11,403
the elusive Fiordland crested
penguin is a bit of a mystery.
49
00:02:11,483 --> 00:02:13,763
They're actually one of
the rarest species in the world,
50
00:02:13,843 --> 00:02:15,883
and not many people have
ever even heard of them.
51
00:02:15,963 --> 00:02:18,963
So we get to showcase them
to our visitors
52
00:02:19,043 --> 00:02:21,603
and actually get them
a bit of a profile.
53
00:02:24,963 --> 00:02:26,443
Oh!
54
00:02:26,523 --> 00:02:29,883
So we weigh the Fiordland
penguins every fortnight,
55
00:02:29,963 --> 00:02:32,083
and that's just to keep a track
of how their weights are going.
56
00:02:32,163 --> 00:02:35,043
It's a really good indicator
of animal health generally.
57
00:02:35,123 --> 00:02:37,003
We train them to do it.
58
00:02:37,083 --> 00:02:38,923
So they're trained
to jump on these scales.
59
00:02:39,003 --> 00:02:41,323
It means that it's stress-free.
60
00:02:41,403 --> 00:02:43,523
They're very charismatic.
61
00:02:43,603 --> 00:02:46,763
In fact it's hard to
keep them off the scales.
62
00:02:46,843 --> 00:02:48,163
Hello, mister.
63
00:02:48,243 --> 00:02:50,403
Oh, he loves the scales.
64
00:02:50,483 --> 00:02:53,043
Of the four Fiordland
crested penguins here,
65
00:02:53,123 --> 00:02:55,963
there are three female
and one male,
66
00:02:56,043 --> 00:02:59,523
and like Bondi the seal, they
all share one thing in common.
67
00:02:59,603 --> 00:03:01,003
They're all rescues.
68
00:03:01,083 --> 00:03:04,203
They all came to Australia
sort of out of their range.
69
00:03:04,283 --> 00:03:07,883
And Dusky was actually
found in Perth.
70
00:03:07,963 --> 00:03:11,083
So she went all the way
back around.
71
00:03:11,163 --> 00:03:12,203
Here we go.
72
00:03:12,283 --> 00:03:13,803
And she was taken into care
73
00:03:13,883 --> 00:03:19,323
because she had quite a few
injuries on her underside.
74
00:03:19,403 --> 00:03:21,483
She'd obviously been
attacked by something
75
00:03:21,563 --> 00:03:24,843
and couldn't be released
back to the wild.
76
00:03:24,923 --> 00:03:27,083
And Taronga Zoo
is about to receive
77
00:03:27,163 --> 00:03:29,883
its fifth Fiordland penguin.
78
00:03:29,963 --> 00:03:31,643
A female with a broken flipper
79
00:03:31,723 --> 00:03:34,443
is being transferred
from Melbourne Zoo.
80
00:03:34,523 --> 00:03:36,883
We're going to be picking up
a new penguin.
81
00:03:36,963 --> 00:03:40,603
She has come from the wild,
injured in the wild,
82
00:03:40,683 --> 00:03:43,563
which of course is not
the best thing to happen,
83
00:03:43,643 --> 00:03:46,363
but it's going to be so awesome
to have another one
84
00:03:46,443 --> 00:03:50,923
to join that beautiful family
at the zoo.
85
00:03:51,003 --> 00:03:53,603
Woo-hoo! Looks grand.
That's our pet-pack.
86
00:03:53,683 --> 00:03:54,963
She's arrived!
She has.
87
00:03:55,043 --> 00:03:57,203
Alright. Hello.
Hello.
88
00:03:57,283 --> 00:03:58,643
How are you?
89
00:03:58,723 --> 00:04:00,003
Penguin off
the flight from Melbourne.
90
00:04:00,083 --> 00:04:02,203
Thank you very much.
91
00:04:02,283 --> 00:04:04,083
I can just see you
through there.
92
00:04:04,163 --> 00:04:07,403
Hello. Hello.
93
00:04:07,483 --> 00:04:08,963
Hello.
94
00:04:10,843 --> 00:04:13,043
Are you talking? Yes, you are.
95
00:04:15,323 --> 00:04:16,643
She looks really good.
96
00:04:16,723 --> 00:04:18,803
She looks like she's
had a great flight.
97
00:04:18,883 --> 00:04:20,963
Hello, beautiful.
98
00:04:21,043 --> 00:04:22,323
You going to say something?
99
00:04:24,603 --> 00:04:27,403
Alright, I think we should
get her into the van.
100
00:04:27,483 --> 00:04:28,883
Yes, you do.
101
00:04:28,963 --> 00:04:29,843
Alright.
102
00:04:29,923 --> 00:04:32,123
She's a very special bird.
103
00:04:32,203 --> 00:04:33,883
So I'm glad that everybody
104
00:04:33,963 --> 00:04:36,883
is really taking
excellent care of her,
105
00:04:36,963 --> 00:04:41,723
because she's going to get
five-star hotel treatment
106
00:04:41,803 --> 00:04:43,723
at Taronga Zoo,
I can assure you.
107
00:04:48,523 --> 00:04:50,683
All good, mate?
All good.
108
00:04:50,763 --> 00:04:53,803
Being away from the
water for too long isn't ideal,
109
00:04:53,883 --> 00:04:55,763
so Jo wants to get
back to the zoo
110
00:04:55,843 --> 00:04:58,243
before the penguin overheats.
111
00:04:58,323 --> 00:04:59,483
We'll get this bird
on the road,
112
00:04:59,563 --> 00:05:01,643
seeing we've got to
air condition the van up,
113
00:05:01,723 --> 00:05:03,403
it's been on the road a bit, so.
114
00:05:03,483 --> 00:05:05,203
All good?
Alright, mate.
115
00:05:05,283 --> 00:05:06,803
OK.
116
00:05:09,963 --> 00:05:13,443
In 2015, a mysterious
virus swept through
117
00:05:13,523 --> 00:05:17,923
the Bellinger River on the
New South Wales north coast.
118
00:05:18,003 --> 00:05:21,443
As it spread upstream,
it infected almost the entire
119
00:05:21,523 --> 00:05:24,483
Bellinger River snapping turtle
population.
120
00:05:24,563 --> 00:05:25,563
This is one
of the animals
121
00:05:25,643 --> 00:05:28,603
that had incredibly
swollen eyes.
122
00:05:28,683 --> 00:05:30,483
The turtles were
turning up blind,
123
00:05:30,563 --> 00:05:32,763
they were pawing at their eyes,
124
00:05:32,843 --> 00:05:36,763
some of them had the skin
ulcerated all around their eyes,
125
00:05:36,843 --> 00:05:39,523
so it was really
a grisly finding.
126
00:05:39,603 --> 00:05:42,603
Every animal that was infected
went on to die.
127
00:05:42,683 --> 00:05:46,283
Probably about 95% of
the population was lost.
128
00:05:46,363 --> 00:05:50,043
But the species was
about to be offered a lifeline.
129
00:05:50,123 --> 00:05:51,883
The last group
of adult animals
130
00:05:51,963 --> 00:05:53,723
from the last pond upstream
131
00:05:53,803 --> 00:05:56,403
were taken into
a captive breeding program
132
00:05:56,483 --> 00:06:00,603
before the virus swept through.
133
00:06:00,683 --> 00:06:03,203
And today those
adult turtles are housed
134
00:06:03,283 --> 00:06:06,363
at Taronga's purpose-built
breeding ponds.
135
00:06:06,443 --> 00:06:07,763
These are the hardest
ones to catch.
136
00:06:07,843 --> 00:06:09,643
In the wild,
there's no breeding,
137
00:06:09,723 --> 00:06:12,963
so we have the last 16
remaining breedable adults
138
00:06:13,043 --> 00:06:14,643
in this facility.
139
00:06:14,723 --> 00:06:17,643
This is it, this is the future
of this species.
140
00:06:17,723 --> 00:06:19,403
To date,
the breeding program
141
00:06:19,483 --> 00:06:21,683
has been a huge success.
142
00:06:21,763 --> 00:06:23,363
Yes. I knew it.
143
00:06:25,083 --> 00:06:27,563
And currently all six
of the female turtles
144
00:06:27,643 --> 00:06:30,363
of breeding age
are carrying eggs.
145
00:06:30,443 --> 00:06:31,563
So you can see, you know,
146
00:06:31,643 --> 00:06:34,203
the perfect structure
of the egg there.
147
00:06:34,283 --> 00:06:35,283
Her eggs look fantastic.
148
00:06:35,363 --> 00:06:36,523
Yeah.
149
00:06:41,683 --> 00:06:43,803
As they wait for
these latest eggs to hatch
150
00:06:43,883 --> 00:06:47,083
in a few months, the previous
breeding season's juveniles
151
00:06:47,163 --> 00:06:50,643
are about to begin
an epic journey of their own.
152
00:06:50,723 --> 00:06:52,523
Today's their
second health check,
153
00:06:52,603 --> 00:06:54,683
so if they pass
this health check,
154
00:06:54,763 --> 00:06:57,003
means that we can release them,
155
00:06:57,083 --> 00:07:00,803
which is exciting.
156
00:07:00,883 --> 00:07:02,403
So they look quite good.
157
00:07:02,483 --> 00:07:05,443
After two years of
care, the plan is to release
158
00:07:05,523 --> 00:07:09,243
10 juvenile turtles back
into the Bellinger River.
159
00:07:09,323 --> 00:07:10,763
They're just so striking
when they're little.
160
00:07:10,843 --> 00:07:12,243
Really pretty.
161
00:07:12,323 --> 00:07:14,283
It's an ambitious
repopulation plan
162
00:07:14,363 --> 00:07:15,763
that the zoo has
been working on
163
00:07:15,843 --> 00:07:19,603
since the turtles
first arrived.
164
00:07:19,683 --> 00:07:21,323
When we release these
around two years of age,
165
00:07:21,403 --> 00:07:24,363
you know, they've still got
another maybe 6 to 8 years
166
00:07:24,443 --> 00:07:26,883
of growing before they're even
going to be sexually mature.
167
00:07:26,963 --> 00:07:29,403
So, you know, we're starting
them off young.
168
00:07:29,483 --> 00:07:32,563
Hopefully they'll navigate the
river and learn it quite well
169
00:07:32,643 --> 00:07:34,723
and contribute back
to the population,
170
00:07:34,803 --> 00:07:37,483
which would be so amazing
to know in the future
171
00:07:37,563 --> 00:07:39,003
that, you know,
you're finding turtles
172
00:07:39,083 --> 00:07:45,843
that are from, from these guys,
that would be remarkable.
173
00:07:45,923 --> 00:07:47,283
Hello.
Are we on time or not?
174
00:07:47,363 --> 00:07:49,683
You're on time.
175
00:07:49,763 --> 00:07:51,483
Before they
release a turtle,
176
00:07:51,563 --> 00:07:55,883
they all need to be given
the all-clear by Larry.
177
00:07:55,963 --> 00:07:57,363
So just a quick exam.
178
00:07:57,443 --> 00:08:01,123
Check them over, make sure
eyes and mouth are OK.
179
00:08:01,203 --> 00:08:02,323
Nothing abnormal.
180
00:08:02,403 --> 00:08:03,643
Skin's good.
181
00:08:03,723 --> 00:08:05,243
Looks great, actually.
182
00:08:05,323 --> 00:08:07,523
So anything, you know,
abnormal, you know,
183
00:08:07,603 --> 00:08:10,483
whether it's a physical
abnormality or a skin lesion,
184
00:08:10,563 --> 00:08:12,963
skin infection, things like that
would be a problem,
185
00:08:13,043 --> 00:08:15,123
and we'd probably have
to reject the animal
186
00:08:15,203 --> 00:08:17,243
from the release cohort.
187
00:08:17,323 --> 00:08:18,563
You always know they're healthy
188
00:08:18,643 --> 00:08:22,083
because they've got
a permanent smile, these guys.
189
00:08:22,163 --> 00:08:23,803
Beautiful little face.
190
00:08:23,883 --> 00:08:25,083
122.
191
00:08:25,163 --> 00:08:26,923
That's the biggest one.
192
00:08:27,003 --> 00:08:29,923
The most important
hurdle to clear before release
193
00:08:30,003 --> 00:08:33,083
is to ensure that each turtle
is free of the virus
194
00:08:33,163 --> 00:08:35,803
that pushed the species
to the brink.
195
00:08:35,883 --> 00:08:39,123
So this swab we're
taking now is from the eye
196
00:08:39,203 --> 00:08:42,483
and the cloaca, or their bottom.
197
00:08:42,563 --> 00:08:45,243
Just gently rub this
over the eye.
198
00:08:45,323 --> 00:08:47,683
A positive result
will mean that the turtle
199
00:08:47,763 --> 00:08:50,203
will need to be removed
from the population
200
00:08:50,283 --> 00:08:53,043
for fear of contamination.
201
00:08:53,123 --> 00:08:55,003
All the turtles
that we were looking at
202
00:08:55,083 --> 00:08:56,843
have good weight.
203
00:08:56,923 --> 00:08:58,323
There's always
a little bit of worry
204
00:08:58,403 --> 00:09:00,923
what results might come back
from the swab test.
205
00:09:01,003 --> 00:09:03,843
There's always that doubt
that something could go wrong.
206
00:09:03,923 --> 00:09:05,003
What you doing?
207
00:09:14,403 --> 00:09:15,923
Taronga has just received
208
00:09:16,003 --> 00:09:19,483
an injured Fiordland crested
penguin from Melbourne Zoo.
209
00:09:19,563 --> 00:09:24,123
Alright, little birdie,
here we go.
210
00:09:24,203 --> 00:09:25,803
Alright!
211
00:09:25,883 --> 00:09:29,283
Hot and stressed
from her flight to Sydney,
212
00:09:29,363 --> 00:09:32,043
vet Frances is waiting
at the wildlife hospital
213
00:09:32,123 --> 00:09:35,603
to conduct a quick check on
the penguin's injured flipper
214
00:09:35,683 --> 00:09:39,323
before she's moved into
a much cooler quarantine area.
215
00:09:39,403 --> 00:09:41,683
Alright, here we are.
216
00:09:43,843 --> 00:09:46,723
How are you going, little girl?
217
00:09:46,803 --> 00:09:48,283
Hey.
218
00:09:48,363 --> 00:09:50,003
Yep, I know.
219
00:09:50,083 --> 00:09:51,923
Great, you're going to come out.
220
00:09:52,003 --> 00:09:53,563
Are you ready?
221
00:09:53,643 --> 00:09:55,923
I think she's going to come
bolting, so we might have to...
222
00:09:56,003 --> 00:09:58,923
I just want to make
sure she doesn't fall off here.
223
00:09:59,003 --> 00:10:00,163
I have her right here.
224
00:10:00,243 --> 00:10:01,603
Oh, baby.
225
00:10:01,683 --> 00:10:03,363
Straight down there.
226
00:10:03,443 --> 00:10:06,043
I'm concerned
that she's very hot,
227
00:10:06,123 --> 00:10:08,563
and we need to like spray her
down and just let her settle.
228
00:10:08,643 --> 00:10:11,003
Do we want to
spray her now, Frances?
229
00:10:11,083 --> 00:10:15,323
Yes.
We can just wet her down here.
230
00:10:15,403 --> 00:10:17,683
Good girl. That's better.
231
00:10:17,763 --> 00:10:18,923
Good girl.
232
00:10:19,003 --> 00:10:20,843
Yes, good girl.
233
00:10:20,923 --> 00:10:23,403
The trip has taken
a toll on the penguin,
234
00:10:23,483 --> 00:10:26,523
so to reduce stress
Frances wants to put her
235
00:10:26,603 --> 00:10:28,923
straight into
a quarantine pool.
236
00:10:29,003 --> 00:10:31,043
So, Jo,
shall we pop her in?
237
00:10:31,123 --> 00:10:32,243
Yeah, I think, yeah.
238
00:10:32,323 --> 00:10:33,243
We'll take her down.
239
00:10:33,323 --> 00:10:34,563
That would be really good.
240
00:10:34,643 --> 00:10:36,403
Make sure she
settles in OK.
241
00:10:36,483 --> 00:10:39,043
Good girl. Won't be long.
Promise. Promise. Promise.
242
00:10:41,363 --> 00:10:45,683
Alright. Aw, look at this,
it's brilliant. OK.
243
00:10:45,763 --> 00:10:47,283
They need to get her
into the water
244
00:10:47,363 --> 00:10:50,563
as soon as possible.
245
00:10:50,643 --> 00:10:55,243
I am going to let her out
because she really is hot,
246
00:10:55,323 --> 00:10:57,883
and we'll see how she goes.
247
00:10:57,963 --> 00:10:59,843
There we go, little girl.
248
00:10:59,923 --> 00:11:01,083
Coming out?
249
00:11:06,123 --> 00:11:08,283
Good girl. Come on.
250
00:11:08,363 --> 00:11:11,723
There's a girl. Yay.
Look where you are.
251
00:11:15,843 --> 00:11:17,323
Come and try it.
252
00:11:17,403 --> 00:11:18,763
Come and try this.
253
00:11:23,163 --> 00:11:24,963
Oh, go in the pool.
254
00:11:25,043 --> 00:11:26,883
The pool is good.
255
00:11:26,963 --> 00:11:30,483
So it may take her some time
to feel comfortable.
256
00:11:30,563 --> 00:11:32,643
No, Jo, I feel
much happier with her now.
257
00:11:32,723 --> 00:11:36,283
I think she was pretty keen
to get out of that pet-pack.
258
00:11:36,363 --> 00:11:38,603
But she looks quite settled.
259
00:11:38,683 --> 00:11:41,843
So she will be up here in
quarantine for roughly two weeks
260
00:11:41,923 --> 00:11:44,123
and during that time we'll be
just keeping an eye on her,
261
00:11:44,203 --> 00:11:45,763
we'll be feeding her.
262
00:11:45,843 --> 00:11:48,003
With her temperature
back to normal...
263
00:11:48,083 --> 00:11:50,483
And now we need
to give her some rest.
264
00:11:50,563 --> 00:11:53,643
...all attention
turns to her injured flipper.
265
00:11:56,243 --> 00:11:59,603
It's not only seals,
sea lions and penguins
266
00:11:59,683 --> 00:12:02,563
that need the water
at Taronga Zoo.
267
00:12:02,643 --> 00:12:05,923
There's also the pigmy hippos,
the otters,
268
00:12:06,003 --> 00:12:10,723
and the very obscure and
lesser-known fishing cat.
269
00:12:10,803 --> 00:12:12,923
Fishing cats are
quite an elusive species.
270
00:12:13,003 --> 00:12:15,363
Not much is known about them.
271
00:12:15,443 --> 00:12:17,563
They are found throughout
Southeast Asia,
272
00:12:17,643 --> 00:12:21,403
from Cambodia, all the way
through up to Pakistan even.
273
00:12:21,483 --> 00:12:23,523
Being a carnivore,
they primarily do eat meat,
274
00:12:23,603 --> 00:12:26,043
and it ranges from fish
to small birds
275
00:12:26,123 --> 00:12:28,603
or small mammals
that they can catch.
276
00:12:28,683 --> 00:12:30,203
Even reptiles as well.
277
00:12:30,283 --> 00:12:31,723
They're probably
one of the best swimmers
278
00:12:31,803 --> 00:12:34,243
in terms of when it
comes to cat species.
279
00:12:34,323 --> 00:12:37,723
And they're very much
built for the water.
280
00:12:37,803 --> 00:12:39,883
At Taronga Zoo Sydney
we have two fishing cats.
281
00:12:39,963 --> 00:12:42,963
We have our male Jalore
and our female Mao.
282
00:12:43,043 --> 00:12:44,883
Mao is a bit smaller
than Jalore.
283
00:12:44,963 --> 00:12:47,203
The male fishing cats are
a lot larger in size
284
00:12:47,283 --> 00:12:49,443
compared to the females.
285
00:12:49,523 --> 00:12:51,443
So Jalore and Mao
have been selected
286
00:12:51,523 --> 00:12:55,123
for our breeding program
here at Taronga Zoo.
287
00:12:55,203 --> 00:12:58,763
And Mao hopefully in the future
will have kittens of her own.
288
00:12:58,843 --> 00:13:02,203
But unfortunately for
Mao, the carnivore team keepers
289
00:13:02,283 --> 00:13:04,643
have noticed
a worrying problem.
290
00:13:04,723 --> 00:13:06,163
Fishing cats have
this amazing coat.
291
00:13:06,243 --> 00:13:08,683
So the coat is really
quite dense and packed.
292
00:13:08,763 --> 00:13:10,003
That kind of creates
that barrier
293
00:13:10,083 --> 00:13:13,043
between the skin and the air.
294
00:13:13,123 --> 00:13:14,843
One morning one of our keepers
did notice
295
00:13:14,923 --> 00:13:17,243
some fur thinning out
on her back.
296
00:13:17,323 --> 00:13:18,683
So we did keep
a close eye on Mao,
297
00:13:18,763 --> 00:13:20,443
and then we have reported
to the vets,
298
00:13:20,523 --> 00:13:23,323
and the vets have decided
to have a general anesthetic
299
00:13:23,403 --> 00:13:28,163
to find out what exactly is
going on with that fur loss.
300
00:13:28,243 --> 00:13:32,363
I'm not planning on
intubating her down there.
301
00:13:32,443 --> 00:13:34,363
That should all be fine. Yeah.
302
00:13:34,443 --> 00:13:36,523
This morning we're just
getting ready to go down
303
00:13:36,603 --> 00:13:39,083
and anesthetize
our female fishing cat.
304
00:13:39,163 --> 00:13:41,363
Skin conditions can be due
to an awful lot of things,
305
00:13:41,443 --> 00:13:44,843
and in order for us to know
why the skin is like that,
306
00:13:44,923 --> 00:13:46,523
we need to do some testing.
307
00:13:46,603 --> 00:13:48,803
So let's head out.
308
00:13:48,883 --> 00:13:50,243
We're taking this
fairly seriously,
309
00:13:50,323 --> 00:13:52,483
and we want to make sure
that we can keep her
310
00:13:52,563 --> 00:13:54,483
in the best possible health.
311
00:14:00,083 --> 00:14:02,843
Taronga Zoo is giving
the critically endangered
312
00:14:02,923 --> 00:14:06,083
Bellinger River turtle
a second chance at life.
313
00:14:06,163 --> 00:14:08,123
This one's never
going to scratch.
314
00:14:08,203 --> 00:14:10,203
All juvenile turtles
have come back clear
315
00:14:10,283 --> 00:14:13,923
of the virus that drove them
to the brink of extinction.
316
00:14:14,003 --> 00:14:17,203
So, Chelsea, if you want
to bring me over the last one.
317
00:14:17,283 --> 00:14:19,763
But there's one more
important step to complete
318
00:14:19,843 --> 00:14:23,003
before they can begin
their journey back home.
319
00:14:23,083 --> 00:14:24,723
Yeah, it's just
a little bit wet.
320
00:14:24,803 --> 00:14:26,163
So what I'm doing today
321
00:14:26,243 --> 00:14:29,043
is we've just attached
some trackers to the turtles.
322
00:14:29,123 --> 00:14:31,283
You know, we've bred these
turtles in captivity,
323
00:14:31,363 --> 00:14:33,683
we've raised them
for nearly two years,
324
00:14:33,763 --> 00:14:35,843
and we want to get them
back into the wild.
325
00:14:35,923 --> 00:14:39,643
So we want to make sure that
we can see what happens to them.
326
00:14:39,723 --> 00:14:42,563
Trackers are weighted
to their bodies.
327
00:14:42,643 --> 00:14:44,523
So they only weigh
a small portion of their body,
328
00:14:44,603 --> 00:14:47,003
so it doesn't affect
their swimming.
329
00:14:47,083 --> 00:14:48,363
When we first put them
in the water,
330
00:14:48,443 --> 00:14:49,963
the turtles sort of, you know,
331
00:14:50,043 --> 00:14:51,403
they feel, oh, OK,
what's that?
332
00:14:51,483 --> 00:14:53,003
Their sort of bodies
sort of move slightly,
333
00:14:53,083 --> 00:14:54,643
but then within
five, ten minutes
334
00:14:54,723 --> 00:14:57,163
it's not even like
they have anything on them.
335
00:14:57,243 --> 00:14:59,003
So they're all painted.
336
00:14:59,083 --> 00:15:00,923
They're all ready to go back,
so we're going to go now
337
00:15:01,003 --> 00:15:03,363
and take them and chuck them
back in the pond.
338
00:15:03,443 --> 00:15:05,603
If you have a look in the box,
Chelsea, it's like we've got
339
00:15:05,683 --> 00:15:09,443
a remote-control car race
ready to get going.
340
00:15:09,523 --> 00:15:11,163
Watch this little guy.
341
00:15:11,243 --> 00:15:12,603
Stick your head over there.
342
00:15:17,763 --> 00:15:19,403
See how they sort of just
hold them to that side?
343
00:15:19,483 --> 00:15:20,803
Yeah.
344
00:15:20,883 --> 00:15:22,883
So that's why we will do
the trackers, you know,
345
00:15:22,963 --> 00:15:24,643
a few days before we release
them, just to let them
346
00:15:24,723 --> 00:15:27,043
get used to the weight
before they go into the wild,
347
00:15:27,123 --> 00:15:29,683
because there's so much
new stuff's gonna go on.
348
00:15:29,763 --> 00:15:31,283
Yeah, absolutely.
349
00:15:31,363 --> 00:15:33,563
So by putting a tracker on
and sticking them back
350
00:15:33,643 --> 00:15:35,563
in their pond for
a period of time,
351
00:15:35,643 --> 00:15:39,003
it just lets them learn
to navigate with it on.
352
00:15:42,003 --> 00:15:43,163
They're all just going
to hang down there now.
353
00:15:43,243 --> 00:15:44,603
They're all really comfortable.
354
00:15:44,683 --> 00:15:46,083
They are all like, they don't
look stressed at all.
355
00:15:46,163 --> 00:15:48,323
They're moving quite calmly
in the water.
356
00:15:48,403 --> 00:15:49,883
They're not swimming erratic.
357
00:15:49,963 --> 00:15:52,203
They're not freaking out,
and that's what we want.
358
00:15:59,243 --> 00:16:02,763
They're the little things that
I mark as a win in our program
359
00:16:02,843 --> 00:16:04,883
is like, you're up here
every day,
360
00:16:04,963 --> 00:16:07,643
I'm feeding them or
I'm cleaning their tubs,
361
00:16:07,723 --> 00:16:10,443
and then, you know, now we're
getting ready to release them.
362
00:16:10,523 --> 00:16:13,323
It's pretty awesome.
363
00:16:13,403 --> 00:16:15,203
Next stop, Bellinger River.
364
00:16:15,283 --> 00:16:16,563
Amazing.
365
00:16:28,483 --> 00:16:31,243
The fishing cat is
one of the more obscure animals
366
00:16:31,323 --> 00:16:33,203
at Taronga Zoo.
367
00:16:33,283 --> 00:16:35,283
Unlike the majority of cats,
368
00:16:35,363 --> 00:16:38,043
this vulnerable species
has adapted to a life
369
00:16:38,123 --> 00:16:42,083
of living and hunting
in streams and rivers.
370
00:16:42,163 --> 00:16:45,083
But keepers have noticed that
their female fishing cat Mao
371
00:16:45,163 --> 00:16:48,723
has a problem with
her very important fur.
372
00:16:48,803 --> 00:16:51,043
She does have a bit of
fur loss in some certain areas
373
00:16:51,123 --> 00:16:53,443
on her back, so we are,
you know, wanting to make sure
374
00:16:53,523 --> 00:16:55,923
that's nothing too serious.
375
00:16:56,003 --> 00:16:58,603
Hopefully we'll find out
what's going on with Mao.
376
00:17:02,003 --> 00:17:04,283
Bring the intubation tray.
377
00:17:04,363 --> 00:17:05,803
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
378
00:17:05,883 --> 00:17:07,763
The vets have
arrived on site,
379
00:17:07,843 --> 00:17:10,323
but fishing cats,
like domestic cats,
380
00:17:10,403 --> 00:17:13,643
are very suspicious of changes
to their daily routine.
381
00:17:13,723 --> 00:17:15,163
Frances to Maz Boz.
382
00:17:15,243 --> 00:17:16,603
So they have
to hang back
383
00:17:16,683 --> 00:17:19,643
until keeper Maz
has her in position.
384
00:17:19,723 --> 00:17:21,643
I'll go ahead
and draw up my drugs,
385
00:17:21,723 --> 00:17:25,603
and you just give us a yell
when you're on to something.
386
00:17:25,683 --> 00:17:28,203
So Maz has gone up to the
holding area where the cat is,
387
00:17:28,283 --> 00:17:31,203
and he's going to get her
into a much smaller cage
388
00:17:31,283 --> 00:17:34,603
so that I can administer
the injection.
389
00:17:34,683 --> 00:17:38,883
So, luckily, it's only a very
small volume to inject,
390
00:17:38,963 --> 00:17:42,763
which is good, 'cause that will
make it easier to inject
391
00:17:42,843 --> 00:17:45,163
and better for the cat.
392
00:17:45,243 --> 00:17:46,643
Once we get the call from Maz,
393
00:17:46,723 --> 00:17:48,883
Liz and I will head up
to the holding area.
394
00:17:48,963 --> 00:17:50,443
I'll go in and do the injection,
395
00:17:50,523 --> 00:17:53,243
and then we'll wait
for her to go to sleep.
396
00:17:53,323 --> 00:17:55,003
Are you alright
walking backwards?
397
00:17:55,083 --> 00:17:57,003
And with
Mao anesthetized,
398
00:17:57,083 --> 00:18:00,803
Francis and her team can start
trying to solve this mystery.
399
00:18:00,883 --> 00:18:02,123
Yep.
400
00:18:08,523 --> 00:18:10,763
The Fiordland penguin
has been in quarantine
401
00:18:10,843 --> 00:18:14,003
for a week since being moved
from Melbourne.
402
00:18:14,083 --> 00:18:16,603
Hello!
403
00:18:16,683 --> 00:18:21,803
Yes, I know that's your sore,
that's your sore wing, isn't it?
404
00:18:21,883 --> 00:18:23,803
While the penguin
continues to get
405
00:18:23,883 --> 00:18:26,603
the very best care
Taronga staff can offer...
406
00:18:26,683 --> 00:18:28,003
Goodbye, gorgeous.
407
00:18:28,083 --> 00:18:29,683
Goodbye, beautiful.
408
00:18:29,763 --> 00:18:31,803
...the one thing
they haven't given her yet
409
00:18:31,883 --> 00:18:33,123
is a name.
410
00:18:33,203 --> 00:18:34,883
We're going to head
to the office, Mel,
411
00:18:34,963 --> 00:18:40,123
have our coffee at morning tea
and all will be revealed.
412
00:18:40,203 --> 00:18:42,523
Ready for the big
penguin reveal.
413
00:18:42,603 --> 00:18:44,203
Oh, thanks, mate.
So excited.
414
00:18:44,283 --> 00:18:46,483
Yeah, you excited?
415
00:18:46,563 --> 00:18:48,683
Alright.
416
00:18:48,763 --> 00:18:51,443
So our Fiordland crested penguin
417
00:18:51,523 --> 00:18:53,963
has been now with us
for one week.
418
00:18:54,043 --> 00:18:56,563
There has been a voting
going around, right?
419
00:18:56,643 --> 00:18:58,803
And today is the big day, right?
420
00:18:58,883 --> 00:19:01,803
Not everybody's here,
but let's go around the table
421
00:19:01,883 --> 00:19:03,603
and see who voted for what,
and that might give us
422
00:19:03,683 --> 00:19:05,923
a bit of an idea
before you let us know.
423
00:19:06,003 --> 00:19:06,883
Michelle.
424
00:19:06,963 --> 00:19:08,203
Um, I voted for Pio.
425
00:19:08,283 --> 00:19:09,403
Bad choice.
426
00:19:09,483 --> 00:19:11,243
Pio as well.
427
00:19:11,323 --> 00:19:12,923
Crystal?
Tahi.
428
00:19:13,003 --> 00:19:14,523
Yeah.
Potato.
429
00:19:15,563 --> 00:19:16,563
Mel.
430
00:19:16,643 --> 00:19:17,763
I can't remember
what I voted for,
431
00:19:17,843 --> 00:19:19,923
but I've been
calling her Denise.
432
00:19:21,963 --> 00:19:23,603
Liv?
Pio.
433
00:19:23,683 --> 00:19:24,803
Pio?
Yeah.
434
00:19:24,883 --> 00:19:26,243
Oh. Lindsay.
435
00:19:26,323 --> 00:19:28,163
I'm Pio, too, must be
all the Pio people here.
436
00:19:28,243 --> 00:19:29,563
It sounds like there's
a lot of Pio people here.
437
00:19:29,643 --> 00:19:30,843
What did you vote for?
438
00:19:30,923 --> 00:19:32,203
I voted for Tahi.
439
00:19:32,283 --> 00:19:33,763
Did you?
Yeah.
440
00:19:33,843 --> 00:19:37,643
Have you told them
what the full name is?
441
00:19:37,723 --> 00:19:39,603
I can't even pronounce it,
Lindsay.
442
00:19:39,683 --> 00:19:43,083
Can you pronounce it? OK, so.
Yeah, go on.
443
00:19:43,163 --> 00:19:48,643
So, Piopiotahi is
the Maori for Milford Sound,
444
00:19:48,723 --> 00:19:50,283
which is where, one of
the places that they're from.
445
00:19:50,363 --> 00:19:52,803
So it was, we can't
call her Piopiotahi
446
00:19:52,883 --> 00:19:55,923
for the rest of her life,
so it's either Pio or Tahi.
447
00:19:56,003 --> 00:19:58,483
Over the last week
the entire marine team
448
00:19:58,563 --> 00:20:01,283
have had their say
on the new penguin's name,
449
00:20:01,363 --> 00:20:03,403
and now the results are in.
450
00:20:03,483 --> 00:20:04,643
Come on.
451
00:20:04,723 --> 00:20:06,803
What shall we call her?
452
00:20:06,883 --> 00:20:09,603
Her name will be... Tahi.
453
00:20:15,803 --> 00:20:19,643
One, two, three.
454
00:20:19,723 --> 00:20:22,843
Anytime an animal
goes under general anesthetic,
455
00:20:22,923 --> 00:20:27,923
the vets take the opportunity
to do a complete health check.
456
00:20:28,003 --> 00:20:30,003
So what we're doing
right now is at the moment
457
00:20:30,083 --> 00:20:32,443
she's only had
injectable anesthetics,
458
00:20:32,523 --> 00:20:34,763
which will wear off
fairly quickly.
459
00:20:34,843 --> 00:20:36,923
But we want to make sure
she stays nice and stable
460
00:20:37,003 --> 00:20:40,123
and we have control of her
anesthetic during the procedure,
461
00:20:40,203 --> 00:20:42,683
so I'm going to put
a tube into her airway,
462
00:20:42,763 --> 00:20:46,643
and then we're going to manage
her with anesthetic gas.
463
00:20:46,723 --> 00:20:49,563
That's a good fit.
Nice.
464
00:20:49,643 --> 00:20:50,603
Do you want
just to move her up
465
00:20:50,683 --> 00:20:51,923
that end a little bit?
466
00:20:52,003 --> 00:20:53,643
Would that be easier or
you got enough room there?
467
00:20:53,723 --> 00:20:55,123
No, I'm fine.
468
00:20:55,203 --> 00:20:56,923
We're going to take
some screening x-rays.
469
00:20:57,003 --> 00:20:59,763
We're not expecting to find
anything abnormal with her,
470
00:20:59,843 --> 00:21:02,203
but that doesn't mean
there couldn't be things
471
00:21:02,283 --> 00:21:03,323
that we don't know about.
472
00:21:03,403 --> 00:21:05,443
So it's a good opportunity
473
00:21:05,523 --> 00:21:08,483
for us to get some
normal x-rays of her.
474
00:21:08,563 --> 00:21:09,643
We hope they're
going to be normal,
475
00:21:09,723 --> 00:21:11,923
and that way we have
got a comparison
476
00:21:12,003 --> 00:21:15,603
for, you know, if she ever were
to have something in the future.
477
00:21:19,803 --> 00:21:22,203
OK.
478
00:21:22,283 --> 00:21:24,403
Make sure we get full thorax.
479
00:21:24,483 --> 00:21:26,003
That should work.
480
00:21:26,083 --> 00:21:28,123
OK, right.
481
00:21:28,203 --> 00:21:31,323
Last one, we hope.
482
00:21:31,403 --> 00:21:35,003
So we've got a nice x-ray
here of her abdomen,
483
00:21:35,083 --> 00:21:38,123
the bottom half of her body,
which basically shows her liver
484
00:21:38,203 --> 00:21:41,283
and her digestive tract,
kidneys and so on,
485
00:21:41,363 --> 00:21:45,043
and this would have been
her last meal already gone.
486
00:21:45,123 --> 00:21:47,203
They've got
a very quick transit time
487
00:21:47,283 --> 00:21:48,843
through the gastrointestinal tract.
488
00:21:48,923 --> 00:21:53,083
So she's waiting to
politely poo that out for us.
489
00:21:55,603 --> 00:21:57,523
Get a whiff of that smell.
490
00:21:57,603 --> 00:21:59,723
Fishing cat smell.
How's she going?
491
00:21:59,803 --> 00:22:02,003
Alright. So, so far,
everything looks good.
492
00:22:02,083 --> 00:22:04,763
Now I'm going to look at the
reason why we anesthetized her
493
00:22:04,843 --> 00:22:08,803
and have a close look
at her skin.
494
00:22:08,883 --> 00:22:11,323
OK, so we can see here
that she's got,
495
00:22:11,403 --> 00:22:13,283
she's got a bit of fur missing.
496
00:22:13,363 --> 00:22:14,723
There's still some fur there,
497
00:22:14,803 --> 00:22:17,843
but she's missing mostly
these outer guard hairs.
498
00:22:17,923 --> 00:22:20,243
Some of them are
a bit broken off.
499
00:22:20,323 --> 00:22:22,163
Mao has probably one
of the most beautiful patterns
500
00:22:22,243 --> 00:22:23,643
you find on a fishing cat.
501
00:22:23,723 --> 00:22:26,283
She is an absolutely
amazing cat herself.
502
00:22:26,363 --> 00:22:28,163
She is a favorite with
a lot of us keepers,
503
00:22:28,243 --> 00:22:31,883
so just to see her obviously
close up is, is pretty cool
504
00:22:31,963 --> 00:22:34,483
and quite a privilege as well
to working with fishing cats.
505
00:22:34,563 --> 00:22:36,883
Not many institutions
around Australasian region
506
00:22:36,963 --> 00:22:39,683
have fishing cats,
so we're very lucky.
507
00:22:39,763 --> 00:22:42,363
The skin itself doesn't
look terribly irritated,
508
00:22:42,443 --> 00:22:46,363
but she's certainly got sort of
thinned hair over that area,
509
00:22:46,443 --> 00:22:48,963
so what I'm going to do is I'm
going to pluck some of the hairs
510
00:22:49,043 --> 00:22:52,043
out of her back and we'll
look at those in the lab.
511
00:22:52,123 --> 00:22:54,523
I'll take a little bit
of a skin scraping,
512
00:22:54,603 --> 00:22:57,523
and then just from this
worst affected area here
513
00:22:57,603 --> 00:22:59,163
I'm going to take
a small skin biopsy.
514
00:22:59,243 --> 00:23:00,763
Cool, yep.
515
00:23:00,843 --> 00:23:02,843
And we'll get our
pathologist to have a look
516
00:23:02,923 --> 00:23:06,643
at that and see if we can work
out why she's losing this hair.
517
00:23:14,363 --> 00:23:19,563
Taronga is home
to over 5,000 animals,
518
00:23:19,643 --> 00:23:23,083
and while the zoo regularly
welcomes newborns...
519
00:23:23,163 --> 00:23:25,963
How you going,
beautiful girl?
520
00:23:26,043 --> 00:23:29,283
...it also has its
fair share of elderly residents
521
00:23:29,363 --> 00:23:35,043
who all require very special
care, like Rin Tin Tin.
522
00:23:35,123 --> 00:23:36,443
Larry, we initially noticed
that his teeth
523
00:23:36,523 --> 00:23:37,883
weren't coming through.
524
00:23:37,963 --> 00:23:40,443
After he'd knocked a tooth off
after eating some food,
525
00:23:40,523 --> 00:23:42,283
you'd normally see a little tip
of a new tooth coming through.
526
00:23:42,363 --> 00:23:43,763
We didn't notice that,
527
00:23:43,843 --> 00:23:45,603
and that's why we decided
to give you a call.
528
00:23:45,683 --> 00:23:47,403
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
529
00:23:47,483 --> 00:23:49,803
Like little sort of black stuff
in the sockets,
530
00:23:49,883 --> 00:23:51,443
so, yeah, that's abnormal
531
00:23:51,523 --> 00:23:53,283
because they should be
coming through.
532
00:23:56,483 --> 00:23:59,323
Saltwater crocodiles
regularly lose teeth
533
00:23:59,403 --> 00:24:02,723
and can go through 3,000
in their lifetime.
534
00:24:06,803 --> 00:24:10,243
But they always have a second
tooth sitting underneath.
535
00:24:10,323 --> 00:24:14,443
Mysteriously, not Rin Tin Tin.
536
00:24:14,523 --> 00:24:16,163
Yeah, so, it's difficult
to know what's causing it.
537
00:24:16,243 --> 00:24:17,443
I mean, he's an older animal.
538
00:24:17,523 --> 00:24:18,883
It could be a nutrient problem,
we don't know.
539
00:24:18,963 --> 00:24:20,443
He's otherwise fine.
540
00:24:20,523 --> 00:24:23,923
He's eating well and everything,
it's not actually affecting him,
541
00:24:24,003 --> 00:24:26,043
but one option is to
give him some vitamins.
542
00:24:26,123 --> 00:24:28,723
Hopefully that'll boost
his immune system,
543
00:24:28,803 --> 00:24:30,563
just help him along a bit,
544
00:24:30,643 --> 00:24:35,323
maybe help promote
the growth of the teeth.
545
00:24:35,403 --> 00:24:37,923
So obviously he's a very large,
very dangerous animal,
546
00:24:38,003 --> 00:24:40,163
so getting the drug into him
is a bit of a challenge.
547
00:24:40,243 --> 00:24:42,643
So what I'm going to do
is use this pole syringe
548
00:24:42,723 --> 00:24:44,923
so we can inject him
from a bit of a distance,
549
00:24:45,003 --> 00:24:47,403
basically giving him
a short course of vitamins
550
00:24:47,483 --> 00:24:49,843
to just try and boost
his immunity,
551
00:24:49,923 --> 00:24:54,163
and hopefully it will help him
grow back some normal teeth.
552
00:24:54,243 --> 00:24:56,603
So it's a very concentrated
vitamin made for,
553
00:24:56,683 --> 00:24:59,123
made for large domestic animals,
actually, livestock.
554
00:24:59,203 --> 00:25:02,603
So the volume is actually
fortunately quite small.
555
00:25:02,683 --> 00:25:04,803
Quite a large needle, though.
556
00:25:04,883 --> 00:25:06,723
But they need
to create a diversion
557
00:25:06,803 --> 00:25:09,323
to administer the injection.
558
00:25:09,403 --> 00:25:10,723
So the positioning
in here of the food
559
00:25:10,803 --> 00:25:13,683
is really important to be able
to get the injection.
560
00:25:13,763 --> 00:25:17,283
So, so I reckon, yeah,
just about here.
561
00:25:17,363 --> 00:25:18,843
Just about here, yeah.
562
00:25:18,923 --> 00:25:21,003
About here, because
I will be standing at the door
563
00:25:21,083 --> 00:25:25,283
here with the bottom closed,
and so I just need to get,
564
00:25:25,363 --> 00:25:28,563
as he sort of grabs them and
presents his neck, I'll jab.
565
00:25:28,643 --> 00:25:30,083
And I'll just place
a few around as well.
566
00:25:30,163 --> 00:25:32,203
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
We're ready to go.
567
00:25:32,283 --> 00:25:34,443
Let's go.
So if you can do the gate
568
00:25:34,523 --> 00:25:36,523
and I'll stand here so I can
communicate with Larry.
569
00:25:36,603 --> 00:25:38,603
Yeah, because he'll
come over pretty quickly,
570
00:25:38,683 --> 00:25:40,283
and we don't want to miss
that opportunity.
571
00:25:40,363 --> 00:25:41,763
One second.
572
00:25:41,843 --> 00:25:43,323
What I'm going to do
is just take this lock off.
573
00:25:43,403 --> 00:25:44,083
Is he already
at the door?
574
00:25:44,163 --> 00:25:45,483
He's at the door.
575
00:25:47,803 --> 00:25:50,083
He'll have swallowed
that food in seconds,
576
00:25:50,163 --> 00:25:52,163
basically he does it
very quickly,
577
00:25:52,243 --> 00:25:53,763
and then he'll
start moving away.
578
00:25:53,843 --> 00:25:55,843
So I've got to pick that moment
that he's focusing on
579
00:25:55,923 --> 00:25:59,443
swallowing the food,
and jab him in the neck.
580
00:25:59,523 --> 00:26:00,963
Are you ready, Larry?
Yep.
581
00:26:01,043 --> 00:26:04,003
Yep, OK, Michael, open the
door. Opening the gate, Larry.
582
00:26:04,083 --> 00:26:06,443
Yeah.
583
00:26:06,523 --> 00:26:10,363
Gate's open.
584
00:26:10,443 --> 00:26:12,523
OK, so he's
coming in now.
585
00:26:20,083 --> 00:26:22,243
And it's all over
in a flash.
586
00:26:22,323 --> 00:26:24,483
There you go. Got him.
587
00:26:30,243 --> 00:26:31,403
Needle bent a little bit.
588
00:26:31,483 --> 00:26:33,283
I mean, their skin
is very thick,
589
00:26:33,363 --> 00:26:35,083
obviously a lot of muscles
in that area,
590
00:26:35,163 --> 00:26:36,683
and he was moving around,
591
00:26:36,763 --> 00:26:39,963
so, you know, it's reasonable
that the needle would blend.
592
00:26:44,403 --> 00:26:45,483
This is his third injection.
593
00:26:45,563 --> 00:26:47,643
So he's had
a course of injections.
594
00:26:47,723 --> 00:26:49,643
We're not going to
give him any more.
595
00:26:49,723 --> 00:26:52,283
So let's have a look there now,
just quickly.
596
00:26:55,403 --> 00:26:59,363
He's right at the door,
literally right there.
597
00:26:59,443 --> 00:27:00,963
Things happen very slowly
in reptiles,
598
00:27:01,043 --> 00:27:02,723
and it'll probably be
another couple of months
599
00:27:02,803 --> 00:27:05,363
before Rin Tin Tin
grows his teeth back
600
00:27:05,443 --> 00:27:07,083
if it is going to work.
601
00:27:18,123 --> 00:27:21,763
Fishing cat Mao has
fully recovered from her exam.
602
00:27:21,843 --> 00:27:23,603
It was awesome that Mao
was nice and calm.
603
00:27:23,683 --> 00:27:25,403
The whole procedure
went very smoothly
604
00:27:25,483 --> 00:27:27,243
and her recovery went
really, really well as well.
605
00:27:27,323 --> 00:27:30,203
So after an hour or so,
Mao's appetite came back up,
606
00:27:30,283 --> 00:27:32,883
and it was like
nothing has happened.
607
00:27:32,963 --> 00:27:35,883
But it's still
an absolute mystery to everyone
608
00:27:35,963 --> 00:27:39,763
what's been causing
her hair loss.
609
00:27:39,843 --> 00:27:42,563
So I'm just putting some
hairs from the fishing cat
610
00:27:42,643 --> 00:27:49,443
into some KOH just
to digest the hair.
611
00:27:49,523 --> 00:27:52,283
So we can have a look
under the microscope.
612
00:27:52,363 --> 00:27:53,723
So, Mao the fishing cat,
613
00:27:53,803 --> 00:27:57,003
we found that she had some
hair loss on her back today,
614
00:27:57,083 --> 00:27:59,163
so Nat and I have just been
looking at the hairs
615
00:27:59,243 --> 00:28:02,123
under the microscope,
Nat has been examining that
616
00:28:02,203 --> 00:28:03,483
to see if there's any evidence
617
00:28:03,563 --> 00:28:07,243
of in particular
some kinds of infection.
618
00:28:07,323 --> 00:28:10,523
So I've got a hair here,
just focusing up and down
619
00:28:10,603 --> 00:28:14,083
through the hair just to see if
I can see any fungal elements.
620
00:28:14,163 --> 00:28:15,963
So there are a whole
bunch of things that could cause
621
00:28:16,043 --> 00:28:18,123
hair loss in a fishing cat
like Mao,
622
00:28:18,203 --> 00:28:21,803
and they range from infectious
things like little mites
623
00:28:21,883 --> 00:28:24,043
and critters that are
climbing around on their fur,
624
00:28:24,123 --> 00:28:27,283
sometime fungus, ringworm,
that even people can get.
625
00:28:27,363 --> 00:28:30,923
I can't see any mites,
can't see any fungal elements.
626
00:28:31,003 --> 00:28:32,643
I can't see anything
through here.
627
00:28:32,723 --> 00:28:33,843
Yeah, no, I agree.
628
00:28:33,923 --> 00:28:35,323
They look nice and clean,
629
00:28:35,403 --> 00:28:38,443
those edges there
of the hair, don't they?
630
00:28:38,523 --> 00:28:41,043
I can't see any
fungal elements either.
631
00:28:41,123 --> 00:28:42,643
Certainly not any mites.
632
00:28:42,723 --> 00:28:44,043
Which is great.
633
00:28:44,123 --> 00:28:46,203
We don't want there to be
an infectious thing there.
634
00:28:46,283 --> 00:28:49,683
Great news is today absolutely
no evidence of any bugs
635
00:28:49,763 --> 00:28:51,403
or critters or fungus,
636
00:28:51,483 --> 00:28:54,723
so we can tell Mao
and Mao's doctor, Frances,
637
00:28:54,803 --> 00:28:57,363
that there's nothing to kind of
be really worried about
638
00:28:57,443 --> 00:28:59,283
in that regard at the moment.
639
00:29:02,843 --> 00:29:04,243
So great news about Mao,
640
00:29:04,323 --> 00:29:06,643
the pathologist and the vets
have come back with the results,
641
00:29:06,723 --> 00:29:09,643
that's kind of relieving,
but also still there's
642
00:29:09,723 --> 00:29:13,683
a bit of a mystery as to why
that fur was thinned out.
643
00:29:13,763 --> 00:29:15,963
She is still under observations
and close watches
644
00:29:16,043 --> 00:29:18,483
to see exactly what's happening,
but it's kind of a relief
645
00:29:18,563 --> 00:29:20,803
that there's nothing
kind of sinister
646
00:29:20,883 --> 00:29:22,323
or there's no complications
of her health,
647
00:29:22,403 --> 00:29:24,363
so, yeah, it was great news.
648
00:29:28,963 --> 00:29:30,603
I saw.
649
00:29:30,683 --> 00:29:33,323
Tahi the Fiordland
crested penguin has come
650
00:29:33,403 --> 00:29:37,123
to Taronga Zoo after she was
found injured on a beach.
651
00:29:37,203 --> 00:29:38,643
Do you want me to get
on the end of that?
652
00:29:38,723 --> 00:29:39,603
Give you a hand?
653
00:29:39,683 --> 00:29:40,523
One each side.
654
00:29:40,603 --> 00:29:42,883
Yeah, might be
easier for you.
655
00:29:42,963 --> 00:29:46,163
She has now finished
her quarantine period,
656
00:29:46,243 --> 00:29:48,203
but vets won't clear her
for release
657
00:29:48,283 --> 00:29:50,843
unless her injured flipper
is strong enough to handle
658
00:29:50,923 --> 00:29:54,963
any aggression she may face
when she joins her new flock.
659
00:29:55,043 --> 00:29:58,723
I might actually let her out
rather than have her contained,
660
00:29:58,803 --> 00:30:00,843
because when we picked her up
from the airport,
661
00:30:00,923 --> 00:30:03,123
she was really
super stressed in here.
662
00:30:03,203 --> 00:30:04,883
There you go, darling.
663
00:30:04,963 --> 00:30:09,283
Alright, and just let her wander
around, because she was panting.
664
00:30:09,363 --> 00:30:12,283
Most animals aren't
too fond of going to the vets,
665
00:30:12,363 --> 00:30:15,363
but Tahi is taking it all
in her stride.
666
00:30:15,443 --> 00:30:16,883
Come on!
667
00:30:16,963 --> 00:30:17,843
Come on!
668
00:30:20,523 --> 00:30:23,043
Good girl! Good girl!
669
00:30:23,123 --> 00:30:24,723
Come on. Up here.
670
00:30:24,803 --> 00:30:26,923
Come on.
671
00:30:27,003 --> 00:30:28,443
Good girl. Ready? Jump!
672
00:30:28,523 --> 00:30:30,963
Good girl.
673
00:30:31,043 --> 00:30:32,723
Two-eight.
674
00:30:32,803 --> 00:30:35,283
Good girl. Yes, good girl.
675
00:30:35,363 --> 00:30:37,283
Good birdie. Come on!
676
00:30:37,363 --> 00:30:39,683
Good girl. Good girl.
677
00:30:39,763 --> 00:30:41,603
Yay.
678
00:30:41,683 --> 00:30:43,243
Come on, Missy.
679
00:30:43,323 --> 00:30:46,323
So we're going to
wrap her up and mask her down.
680
00:30:46,403 --> 00:30:48,563
So she may object.
681
00:30:48,643 --> 00:30:52,323
Alright, well, she's
coming over to you, Liz.
682
00:30:52,403 --> 00:30:55,163
So we're inducing
anesthesia in her,
683
00:30:55,243 --> 00:30:58,043
and the way we do it is by mask,
684
00:30:58,123 --> 00:31:00,963
and no bird likes
to be restrained.
685
00:31:07,323 --> 00:31:09,963
So, turning her
up to three, Liz.
686
00:31:12,523 --> 00:31:14,923
Tahi is looking
very relaxed,
687
00:31:15,003 --> 00:31:17,083
and these guys are
going to check her out
688
00:31:17,163 --> 00:31:20,443
to have a look at
that injured wing,
689
00:31:20,523 --> 00:31:23,323
which is what was the reason
that she came into captivity
690
00:31:23,403 --> 00:31:25,443
in the first place.
691
00:31:28,043 --> 00:31:31,243
OK, so she's got
these kind of funny elbows
692
00:31:31,323 --> 00:31:35,243
that kind of lock in extension.
693
00:31:35,323 --> 00:31:37,403
That's amazing.
So, feel that.
694
00:31:37,483 --> 00:31:39,403
That's incredible.
So is that normal?
695
00:31:39,483 --> 00:31:41,563
Yep, that's normal.
696
00:31:41,643 --> 00:31:43,363
Turn her down to one and a half.
697
00:31:43,443 --> 00:31:45,003
Do you need to x-ray her?
698
00:31:45,083 --> 00:31:48,363
Yeah, I do.
699
00:31:48,443 --> 00:31:52,163
The lesions on the right wing
around her elbow
700
00:31:52,243 --> 00:31:53,803
is what we're looking at.
701
00:31:53,883 --> 00:31:55,643
Because she had
an infection there,
702
00:31:55,723 --> 00:31:58,043
and that looks like black holes
in the bones.
703
00:31:58,123 --> 00:31:59,563
Yeah, right.
704
00:31:59,643 --> 00:32:00,723
So what we're looking
for is the black holes
705
00:32:00,803 --> 00:32:04,123
shrinking in size and
filling in with bone
706
00:32:04,203 --> 00:32:05,043
so they won't be so black.
707
00:32:05,123 --> 00:32:06,003
Wow.
708
00:32:06,083 --> 00:32:08,323
X-ray. X-ray.
709
00:32:08,403 --> 00:32:12,043
So far, it's been
quite an ordeal for Tahi.
710
00:32:12,123 --> 00:32:14,003
Now her future at Taronga
711
00:32:14,083 --> 00:32:17,763
comes down to the results
of this x-ray.
712
00:32:17,843 --> 00:32:19,603
OK.
713
00:32:19,683 --> 00:32:21,643
Oh, what are you seeing?
714
00:32:26,963 --> 00:32:29,683
Five years after
a virus virtually wiped out
715
00:32:29,763 --> 00:32:32,083
the Bellinger River
turtle species,
716
00:32:32,163 --> 00:32:34,483
the big day has arrived.
717
00:32:34,563 --> 00:32:36,443
Oh, hello, kiddies.
718
00:32:36,523 --> 00:32:38,603
Emma and I are catching up
ten turtles
719
00:32:38,683 --> 00:32:42,763
to take to Bellinger
for our turtle release.
720
00:32:42,843 --> 00:32:44,163
There's one.
721
00:32:44,243 --> 00:32:46,243
Oh, you're trying to--
I'll hand them to you.
722
00:32:46,323 --> 00:32:48,003
Today is pretty massive,
actually.
723
00:32:48,083 --> 00:32:50,203
It's our second trial release.
724
00:32:50,283 --> 00:32:51,403
This is part of our work.
725
00:32:51,483 --> 00:32:53,323
This is what we've
sort of been aiming to do
726
00:32:53,403 --> 00:32:55,123
for the last several years.
727
00:32:55,203 --> 00:32:57,003
To breed these turtles
728
00:32:57,083 --> 00:32:58,563
and then finally get them
back into the wild.
729
00:32:58,643 --> 00:33:00,883
You know, so many people
are working together
730
00:33:00,963 --> 00:33:02,603
to get them out there,
and today is one of those days
731
00:33:02,683 --> 00:33:04,003
where we all come together
732
00:33:04,083 --> 00:33:07,283
and, you know, get to see
the fruits of all our labor.
733
00:33:07,363 --> 00:33:10,283
Oh, look at their
trackers, they're so cute.
734
00:33:10,363 --> 00:33:11,643
Look like little
remote-control cars.
735
00:33:11,723 --> 00:33:13,403
Amazing.
736
00:33:13,483 --> 00:33:17,523
To be able to release
animals back into the wild,
737
00:33:17,603 --> 00:33:22,723
it's pretty, um,
it's pretty awesome.
738
00:33:22,803 --> 00:33:25,203
So I've got B-A-F-F.
739
00:33:25,283 --> 00:33:27,803
Bellinger River
is over six hours' drive
740
00:33:27,883 --> 00:33:29,043
north of Sydney...
741
00:33:29,123 --> 00:33:30,843
They're going
to the country.
742
00:33:30,923 --> 00:33:32,883
...and Adam is going
the extra mile
743
00:33:32,963 --> 00:33:35,443
to make sure his precious cargo
will be comfortable
744
00:33:35,523 --> 00:33:38,203
during the long journey home.
745
00:33:38,283 --> 00:33:39,603
We're just bagging up
the turtles.
746
00:33:39,683 --> 00:33:43,443
We bag them up in a dry bag
to ensure their safety.
747
00:33:43,523 --> 00:33:45,443
If we were to transport them
in water,
748
00:33:45,523 --> 00:33:47,003
you know, you can drown them.
749
00:33:47,083 --> 00:33:49,643
It acts like a washing machine
when you're moving tubs around.
750
00:33:49,723 --> 00:33:53,163
So the idea is we just keep them
nice and cool in a dark place
751
00:33:53,243 --> 00:33:56,323
and they just relax
and stay safe.
752
00:34:02,003 --> 00:34:04,963
I'm contained because
it's early days yet.
753
00:34:05,043 --> 00:34:10,843
We've still got a six-hour trip,
and it's going to be a long day.
754
00:34:10,923 --> 00:34:12,243
We're off.
755
00:34:18,243 --> 00:34:20,603
Tahi has finished
her quarantine period,
756
00:34:20,683 --> 00:34:22,403
and all that's left now
757
00:34:22,483 --> 00:34:25,443
is to check whether her
injured flipper is healing,
758
00:34:25,523 --> 00:34:28,843
so Gabby can introduce her
to the rest of the flock.
759
00:34:28,923 --> 00:34:30,963
OK.
760
00:34:31,043 --> 00:34:33,363
Oh, what are you seeing?
761
00:34:33,443 --> 00:34:35,443
She had an infection
that affected the joint
762
00:34:35,523 --> 00:34:37,523
and the ends of these
two bones here,
763
00:34:37,603 --> 00:34:39,403
and when she came in
from the wild,
764
00:34:39,483 --> 00:34:43,323
she had a big swelling and
she couldn't bend her elbow.
765
00:34:43,403 --> 00:34:45,123
Whereas now she can
bend it nicely.
766
00:34:45,203 --> 00:34:46,443
The bone's filling in,
767
00:34:46,523 --> 00:34:49,163
and I think that
she should be just fine.
768
00:34:49,243 --> 00:34:50,123
She's cleared.
769
00:34:50,203 --> 00:34:51,483
Woo-hoo!
770
00:34:51,563 --> 00:34:54,523
Yay, quarantine is good. OK.
771
00:34:54,603 --> 00:34:56,723
Tahi has cleared
her quarantine today,
772
00:34:56,803 --> 00:34:58,483
and so the exciting thing
for her now
773
00:34:58,563 --> 00:35:00,763
is that she's going to go
and meet her mates,
774
00:35:00,843 --> 00:35:03,523
the other Fiordland
crested penguins.
775
00:35:03,603 --> 00:35:06,083
Oh, she is moving
a lot in there, Parnee.
776
00:35:06,163 --> 00:35:07,723
She's ready to go.
Yeah.
777
00:35:07,803 --> 00:35:09,603
When we're doing
any type of introduction,
778
00:35:09,683 --> 00:35:12,603
we don't want to have all the
birds put into the mix together.
779
00:35:12,683 --> 00:35:17,843
I need to be looking out for
aggression and certain things.
780
00:35:17,923 --> 00:35:19,723
There you go.
781
00:35:19,803 --> 00:35:23,963
She has been in quarantine in
Melbourne Zoo, then over here.
782
00:35:24,043 --> 00:35:26,243
She hasn't seen another
Fiordland for quite some time,
783
00:35:26,323 --> 00:35:29,603
so we don't know how
that's going to go.
784
00:35:29,683 --> 00:35:31,763
Going in the pool?
785
00:35:31,843 --> 00:35:33,923
Not yet.
786
00:35:34,003 --> 00:35:37,523
Come on, Missy.
787
00:35:37,603 --> 00:35:39,443
She's obviously
feeling a little bit,
788
00:35:39,523 --> 00:35:42,483
ohhh, a little bit concerned
about the area.
789
00:35:42,563 --> 00:35:45,483
She is checking out the whole
exhibit at the moment.
790
00:35:49,243 --> 00:35:51,963
Oh! Looks like she's
going to go in.
791
00:35:52,043 --> 00:35:53,603
Yay!
792
00:35:53,683 --> 00:35:55,363
It's a great start.
793
00:35:55,443 --> 00:35:57,163
She's taken the plunge.
794
00:35:57,243 --> 00:35:58,603
Oh. How did that feel?
795
00:35:58,683 --> 00:36:00,003
But the big question is
796
00:36:00,083 --> 00:36:02,723
will she mix with
the other penguins?
797
00:36:02,803 --> 00:36:03,883
Never seen
this exhibit before,
798
00:36:03,963 --> 00:36:05,963
so there's so much
for her to take in.
799
00:36:06,043 --> 00:36:08,163
Good girl! Yay!
800
00:36:08,243 --> 00:36:09,443
Is that good?
801
00:36:09,523 --> 00:36:11,083
Good girl.
802
00:36:11,163 --> 00:36:14,043
Good girl. Yay.
803
00:36:14,123 --> 00:36:18,563
She's come over to us and
she feels comfortable with us.
804
00:36:18,643 --> 00:36:21,643
Let's go and have a look
if we can see the others.
805
00:36:21,723 --> 00:36:24,203
Dusky! Garry!
806
00:36:24,283 --> 00:36:25,603
She's hanging to get in here,
807
00:36:25,683 --> 00:36:27,763
so I might let her in
and let's see what happens.
808
00:36:27,843 --> 00:36:29,603
Sure. OK, this is
a big moment.
809
00:36:29,683 --> 00:36:32,203
So, Jo is just about
to open this gate.
810
00:36:32,283 --> 00:36:34,083
She is going to be
letting Dusky in.
811
00:36:34,163 --> 00:36:35,603
Here we go.
812
00:36:35,683 --> 00:36:36,843
We don't know
what's going to happen.
813
00:36:36,923 --> 00:36:37,803
And they're
about to meet.
814
00:36:37,883 --> 00:36:39,283
This is their
very first meeting.
815
00:36:39,363 --> 00:36:41,283
Can you see another Fiord?
816
00:36:45,083 --> 00:36:46,843
Oh, my goodness.
817
00:36:46,923 --> 00:36:49,123
It seems like they're fairly
comfortable with each other,
818
00:36:49,203 --> 00:36:52,803
but we do have to just watch out
for any signs of aggression.
819
00:36:52,883 --> 00:36:56,683
One after the other,
new penguins are introduced.
820
00:36:56,763 --> 00:36:57,723
Off you go, Garry.
821
00:36:57,803 --> 00:36:59,123
Hello.
822
00:36:59,203 --> 00:37:00,123
Here we go.
823
00:37:00,203 --> 00:37:02,403
She's just spotted Tahi.
824
00:37:02,483 --> 00:37:04,163
And to the joy
of the keepers,
825
00:37:04,243 --> 00:37:07,723
it seems she's going
to fit in just fine.
826
00:37:07,803 --> 00:37:13,163
I'm going to bring Moey and
Mamhoe out into the mix now.
827
00:37:13,243 --> 00:37:15,323
Mamas, do you want to go in?
828
00:37:15,403 --> 00:37:18,123
I mean, it's been quite
a fast introduction so far,
829
00:37:18,203 --> 00:37:22,363
but because they're showing
such calm signs,
830
00:37:22,443 --> 00:37:24,163
why not give it a go?
831
00:37:25,843 --> 00:37:28,403
We will be doing more and more
and for longer times.
832
00:37:28,483 --> 00:37:31,243
We won't keep her out
in the pool overnight.
833
00:37:31,323 --> 00:37:33,523
We're going to put her
in another area,
834
00:37:33,603 --> 00:37:36,283
because we can't see how
she's going overnight,
835
00:37:36,363 --> 00:37:39,643
and we want to make sure
that everybody's safe.
836
00:37:39,723 --> 00:37:41,483
Yeah, Tahi's got
her new family now.
837
00:37:41,563 --> 00:37:44,483
So we'll monitor them really
closely, especially today,
838
00:37:44,563 --> 00:37:46,563
and over the next few days we'll
be watching really closely
839
00:37:46,643 --> 00:37:48,803
just to make sure there's
no signs of aggression.
840
00:37:48,883 --> 00:37:50,643
She loves testing that flow,
doesn't she?
841
00:37:50,723 --> 00:37:52,043
She's really enjoying that.
842
00:37:52,123 --> 00:37:53,483
I'm really happy.
843
00:37:53,563 --> 00:37:55,643
It's so nice to see
Tahi in the pool,
844
00:37:55,723 --> 00:37:57,923
getting to know
her new buddies now.
845
00:37:58,003 --> 00:37:59,403
It's fantastic.
846
00:38:05,963 --> 00:38:07,723
It's an historic road trip
847
00:38:07,803 --> 00:38:11,483
that may just save
a species from extinction,
848
00:38:11,563 --> 00:38:13,403
and the Bellinger River
snapping turtles
849
00:38:13,483 --> 00:38:15,683
are almost home.
850
00:38:15,763 --> 00:38:17,203
I'm really excited.
It's going to be perfect.
851
00:38:17,283 --> 00:38:18,563
Oh, you're going
to love this, hey.
852
00:38:18,643 --> 00:38:21,003
It'll blow your mind.
It's so pretty.
853
00:38:21,083 --> 00:38:22,483
Yeah.
854
00:38:22,563 --> 00:38:24,803
Today we've traveled
up to the Bellinger River.
855
00:38:24,883 --> 00:38:25,923
We're going to release ten
856
00:38:26,003 --> 00:38:28,563
of our Bellinger River
snapping turtles.
857
00:38:28,643 --> 00:38:29,923
Yeah, sweet.
They look good.
858
00:38:30,003 --> 00:38:31,723
I'm happy, you're happy.
Let's go.
859
00:38:31,803 --> 00:38:34,443
They've sat in the car for
six hours to get up here,
860
00:38:34,523 --> 00:38:36,163
and now we're going
to set them off
861
00:38:36,243 --> 00:38:38,403
and let them start
the rest of their lives
862
00:38:38,483 --> 00:38:40,883
in this beautiful location.
863
00:38:40,963 --> 00:38:42,563
Yeah, this looks
absolutely perfect.
864
00:38:42,643 --> 00:38:43,523
Yeah, look at that.
865
00:38:43,603 --> 00:38:45,163
It's beautiful.
866
00:38:45,243 --> 00:38:47,483
It's a bittersweet
moment for Adam
867
00:38:47,563 --> 00:38:49,243
as the Bellinger River
has become
868
00:38:49,323 --> 00:38:52,403
a place of mixed emotions.
869
00:38:52,483 --> 00:38:55,083
This is where the virus
went up and down
870
00:38:55,163 --> 00:38:59,363
this river system at speeds
that we've never seen before,
871
00:38:59,443 --> 00:39:02,603
just wiping out
turtle after turtle.
872
00:39:02,683 --> 00:39:06,563
We estimated we lost
close to 4,000-odd turtles
873
00:39:06,643 --> 00:39:09,603
in a matter of weeks; just gone.
874
00:39:09,683 --> 00:39:13,643
Thankfully, the deadly virus
has never returned.
875
00:39:13,723 --> 00:39:14,763
We know that
they're disease-free.
876
00:39:14,843 --> 00:39:17,483
We haven't detected any disease
in these locations.
877
00:39:17,563 --> 00:39:19,723
History showed us that there
are Bellinger River turtles
878
00:39:19,803 --> 00:39:21,843
in these particular locations,
879
00:39:21,923 --> 00:39:24,523
and these animals can just
go off and live their lives
880
00:39:24,603 --> 00:39:28,083
as natural as possible
without human disturbance.
881
00:39:28,163 --> 00:39:30,483
Five years on,
and Taronga's dream
882
00:39:30,563 --> 00:39:34,123
to rebuild the species
is one step closer.
883
00:39:34,203 --> 00:39:35,323
Do you want to let it go?
884
00:39:35,403 --> 00:39:37,043
No, you let it go.
You're already in there.
885
00:39:37,123 --> 00:39:38,563
Alright.
886
00:39:38,643 --> 00:39:40,923
I get anxiously nervous
for them,
887
00:39:41,003 --> 00:39:42,923
because I want them
to do so well,
888
00:39:43,003 --> 00:39:45,083
so as I let them go,
you just have this connection.
889
00:39:45,163 --> 00:39:46,163
Because I spend
so much time with them
890
00:39:46,243 --> 00:39:48,763
and now I'm letting them go
to the wild
891
00:39:48,843 --> 00:39:52,403
so they can repopulate
and live a life
892
00:39:52,483 --> 00:39:54,683
that we didn't think of
a few years ago.
893
00:39:54,763 --> 00:39:55,803
Go, buddy.
894
00:39:55,883 --> 00:39:57,323
He's going,
"No, I don't want to go.
895
00:39:57,403 --> 00:39:58,963
I want to stay with you."
896
00:39:59,043 --> 00:40:01,323
It's alright. You can do it.
897
00:40:03,323 --> 00:40:06,283
Amazing.
898
00:40:06,363 --> 00:40:08,523
That's it.
899
00:40:08,603 --> 00:40:09,523
This is really cool.
900
00:40:09,603 --> 00:40:11,083
He's looking around.
901
00:40:11,163 --> 00:40:14,563
He's just like edging in,
edging in, edging in.
902
00:40:14,643 --> 00:40:16,523
Imagine what's going
through its head.
903
00:40:16,603 --> 00:40:18,803
It's like, all this
new stuff around me.
904
00:40:18,883 --> 00:40:20,963
It's the biggest pond
you've ever been in, mate.
905
00:40:21,043 --> 00:40:21,963
It's amazing.
906
00:40:22,043 --> 00:40:24,203
Fend for yourself now.
907
00:40:24,283 --> 00:40:25,923
Look at him, he's so happy.
908
00:40:26,003 --> 00:40:26,883
That's it.
909
00:40:26,963 --> 00:40:27,803
That's way better,
isn't it?
910
00:40:27,883 --> 00:40:29,723
That's what I love to see.
911
00:40:29,803 --> 00:40:31,923
Look at him, and he's just like,
you know, if you didn't know
912
00:40:32,003 --> 00:40:33,443
he was there, you probably
wouldn't even notice him.
913
00:40:33,523 --> 00:40:36,843
He would blend in there so well.
914
00:40:36,923 --> 00:40:40,003
And that's why I like this hole
because there's a lot of life.
915
00:40:40,083 --> 00:40:41,283
Even just looking around
916
00:40:41,363 --> 00:40:43,403
there are so many
little fish and tadpoles.
917
00:40:43,483 --> 00:40:45,363
There is heaps of food
here for them.
918
00:40:52,243 --> 00:40:53,803
You know, this,
just think it's the first time
919
00:40:53,883 --> 00:40:57,723
they've seen, like, algae
like this and those rocks
920
00:40:57,803 --> 00:41:00,643
and little fish swimming
past them, you know,
921
00:41:00,723 --> 00:41:03,323
it's like tasting this water
would taste so different
922
00:41:03,403 --> 00:41:05,323
from the water back in Sydney,
you know.
923
00:41:05,403 --> 00:41:06,803
Absolutely.
924
00:41:06,883 --> 00:41:10,123
They've got to taste
and smell their home now.
925
00:41:10,203 --> 00:41:12,443
Oh, look, now he's
just disappearing.
926
00:41:12,523 --> 00:41:14,603
And you've got one over here
who's, like, foraging.
927
00:41:14,683 --> 00:41:18,403
He's like, looking,
having a bit of a go.
928
00:41:18,483 --> 00:41:21,683
And then remarkably,
right on cue,
929
00:41:21,763 --> 00:41:24,723
up swims a turtle
from last year's release.
930
00:41:24,803 --> 00:41:25,843
I'm stoked. It's unreal.
931
00:41:25,923 --> 00:41:27,603
This is what we all
work towards, you know.
932
00:41:27,683 --> 00:41:30,403
We've been working on
this project for so long
933
00:41:30,483 --> 00:41:32,883
and we're putting them out there
934
00:41:32,963 --> 00:41:35,003
and, you know, we're adding
to the wild.
935
00:41:35,083 --> 00:41:36,123
It's amazing.
936
00:41:36,203 --> 00:41:37,043
This is the last one.
937
00:41:37,123 --> 00:41:38,763
Lucky last.
938
00:41:38,843 --> 00:41:39,923
This is Taronga to me,
939
00:41:40,003 --> 00:41:42,363
and I'm so proud
of the work that we do.
940
00:41:42,443 --> 00:41:43,763
We always talk about
conservation;
941
00:41:43,843 --> 00:41:45,283
we are always talking about
942
00:41:45,363 --> 00:41:50,843
trying to, you know, do it for
the wild, and we literally are.
943
00:41:50,923 --> 00:41:53,883
To me it's like a privilege that
we actually get to give back,
944
00:41:53,963 --> 00:41:56,003
and you know,
as an animal person,
945
00:41:56,083 --> 00:41:57,643
you couldn't ask
for anything more.
946
00:41:57,723 --> 00:41:58,883
He's home.
947
00:41:58,963 --> 00:42:00,483
Look at that.
He's just hanging around.
948
00:42:00,563 --> 00:42:02,043
He doesn't want to go anywhere.
949
00:42:02,123 --> 00:42:04,203
I will miss them now
we've let them go,
950
00:42:04,283 --> 00:42:06,563
but now they're here,
it's a worthy miss.
951
00:42:06,643 --> 00:42:09,243
It's like that they've gone off
to live their lives,
952
00:42:09,323 --> 00:42:11,443
and that's a really good reason
to miss them.
953
00:42:11,523 --> 00:42:13,483
Prefer missing them because
they're now swimming around
954
00:42:13,563 --> 00:42:16,443
here in this,
just how it should be.
955
00:42:16,523 --> 00:42:18,203
Captioned by
Side Door Media Services