1 00:00:01,963 --> 00:00:04,883 ♪ ♪ 2 00:00:04,963 --> 00:00:06,243 NARRATOR: Gaining the animals' trust 3 00:00:06,323 --> 00:00:09,963 is an important part of every keeper's job. 4 00:00:10,043 --> 00:00:12,243 KEEPER: Come on, Jim, station. 5 00:00:12,323 --> 00:00:14,123 Come on. 6 00:00:15,483 --> 00:00:17,643 Good. 7 00:00:17,723 --> 00:00:19,563 NARRATOR: It's called conditioning, 8 00:00:19,643 --> 00:00:22,843 and it helps staff get up close and take care of animals 9 00:00:22,923 --> 00:00:24,923 if they're suffering from health problems. 10 00:00:25,003 --> 00:00:29,163 VET: Well, our male Komodo Naga is lame. 11 00:00:29,243 --> 00:00:33,163 We're going to try to take some x-rays 12 00:00:33,243 --> 00:00:37,323 to see if there's any orthopedic problems. 13 00:00:37,403 --> 00:00:39,603 NARRATOR: It's also used to help train animals 14 00:00:39,683 --> 00:00:42,683 to interact with keepers in a safe manner. 15 00:00:42,763 --> 00:00:44,123 LYNDSAY: Hello. 16 00:00:44,203 --> 00:00:45,923 Do you want to do a session? 17 00:00:46,003 --> 00:00:51,283 ♪ ♪ 18 00:00:51,363 --> 00:00:53,363 NARRATOR: And down at the seal enclosure, 19 00:00:53,443 --> 00:00:55,403 keepers are using these techniques 20 00:00:55,483 --> 00:00:58,923 to help with their important sea lion breeding program. 21 00:01:01,803 --> 00:01:04,043 LYNDSAY: Hello, Tani. 22 00:01:06,043 --> 00:01:07,723 Krystal has been working with Nala, 23 00:01:07,803 --> 00:01:08,883 our Australian sea lion, 24 00:01:08,963 --> 00:01:11,003 on training her for ultrasound 25 00:01:11,083 --> 00:01:14,803 so we can check on any potential pups. 26 00:01:14,883 --> 00:01:17,483 So Nala is already in. 27 00:01:17,563 --> 00:01:19,563 Nala, let's go. 28 00:01:20,283 --> 00:01:21,483 This is Nala, 29 00:01:21,563 --> 00:01:23,843 and she's a 10-year-old Australian sea lion. 30 00:01:23,923 --> 00:01:25,163 She was born here at the zoo. 31 00:01:25,243 --> 00:01:26,843 She's a bit of a favorite amongst us all. 32 00:01:26,923 --> 00:01:28,963 She's absolutely amazing. 33 00:01:29,043 --> 00:01:31,483 Australian sea lions are the only seal species 34 00:01:31,563 --> 00:01:33,003 that lives in Australia. 35 00:01:33,083 --> 00:01:36,203 They're found off the coast of southern and western Australia. 36 00:01:36,283 --> 00:01:37,683 And their numbers are really, really low. 37 00:01:37,763 --> 00:01:39,443 They're a highly endangered species, 38 00:01:39,523 --> 00:01:41,963 so the more we can have a lovely breeding population here, 39 00:01:42,043 --> 00:01:44,443 the better it is for the species as a whole. 40 00:01:47,123 --> 00:01:49,003 KRYSTAL: Good for us to start? Cheers. 41 00:01:49,083 --> 00:01:50,403 LYNDSAY: Her safe place is the water. 42 00:01:50,483 --> 00:01:52,483 So we always want to give her a lot of room. 43 00:01:52,563 --> 00:01:53,883 It makes her feel a bit safer. 44 00:01:53,963 --> 00:01:55,283 She can just go to the water 45 00:01:55,363 --> 00:01:57,003 if she feels uncomfortable at any time. 46 00:01:57,083 --> 00:01:59,163 And if she doesn't want to participate, 47 00:01:59,243 --> 00:02:00,923 we won't push it at all. 48 00:02:01,003 --> 00:02:03,323 We want this to be really positive. 49 00:02:03,403 --> 00:02:06,203 NARRATOR: Today Lyndsay's not only training Nala, 50 00:02:06,283 --> 00:02:09,723 she's also teaching keeper Krystal a few tricks. 51 00:02:09,803 --> 00:02:12,563 KRYSTAL: All right, Nas, begin. 52 00:02:12,643 --> 00:02:14,523 LYNDSAY: So you just let me know when you'd like me to come in. 53 00:02:14,603 --> 00:02:15,643 Yep. 54 00:02:15,723 --> 00:02:16,963 We have her up on here 55 00:02:17,043 --> 00:02:20,723 so that we can get this pretend ultrasound probe 56 00:02:20,803 --> 00:02:23,123 to simulate what the real one would be like. 57 00:02:23,203 --> 00:02:25,283 All right, Nala. 58 00:02:25,363 --> 00:02:26,883 KRYSTAL: All right, sit. 59 00:02:26,963 --> 00:02:28,203 You're all right to come in, Lynds. 60 00:02:28,283 --> 00:02:29,803 LYNDSAY: Yep, coming in, Nala. KRYSTAL: Coming in. 61 00:02:29,883 --> 00:02:30,803 LYNDSAY: Here I am. Touching. 62 00:02:30,883 --> 00:02:32,123 KRYSTAL: You gonna touch? 63 00:02:32,203 --> 00:02:33,963 NARRATOR: Monitoring any future pregnancy 64 00:02:34,043 --> 00:02:35,923 is an important requirement 65 00:02:36,003 --> 00:02:38,563 so vets can intervene should something go wrong. 66 00:02:38,643 --> 00:02:39,763 LYNDSAY: Excellent. 67 00:02:39,843 --> 00:02:41,723 KRYSTAL: Nice work, Nala. 68 00:02:41,803 --> 00:02:46,083 NARRATOR: Luckily for keepers, Nala is an excellent student. 69 00:02:46,163 --> 00:02:49,043 LYNDSAY: Nala absolutely loves to learn. 70 00:02:49,123 --> 00:02:51,563 She's very cooperative and very switched on, 71 00:02:51,643 --> 00:02:53,043 very intelligent. 72 00:02:53,123 --> 00:02:54,843 Umm, she's all comfortable on your end? 73 00:02:54,923 --> 00:02:56,403 KRYSTAL: She's really relaxed. 74 00:02:56,483 --> 00:02:59,363 LYNDSAY: So what we want to do is, maybe we'll bridge soon, 75 00:02:59,443 --> 00:03:00,723 do a short one. 76 00:03:00,803 --> 00:03:02,203 So as soon as you bridge, I'll pull away. 77 00:03:02,283 --> 00:03:03,643 KRYSTAL: Good girl. 78 00:03:03,723 --> 00:03:05,603 LYNDSAY: So that bridge just tells Nala 79 00:03:05,683 --> 00:03:08,203 that she's done the right thing and that fish is on the way. 80 00:03:08,283 --> 00:03:10,443 If you want to give her a break at anytime, too, 81 00:03:10,523 --> 00:03:13,523 that's quite okay. 82 00:03:13,603 --> 00:03:14,963 KRYSTAL: Good girl. 83 00:03:15,043 --> 00:03:16,123 LYNDSAY: One of the hardest things for seals 84 00:03:16,203 --> 00:03:18,323 is to stay still, so we like to break it up 85 00:03:18,403 --> 00:03:22,403 with a bit of energetic stuff as well. 86 00:03:22,483 --> 00:03:23,923 KRYSTAL: Ooh! 87 00:03:24,003 --> 00:03:25,363 Good girl. 88 00:03:25,443 --> 00:03:26,643 All right, I am going to bring her back if you're okay. 89 00:03:26,723 --> 00:03:28,363 That's good. 90 00:03:28,443 --> 00:03:30,123 LYNDSAY: And then we might just try for a bit of a longer one. 91 00:03:30,203 --> 00:03:33,683 Maybe not quite as long as what we were trying for before. 92 00:03:33,763 --> 00:03:34,683 KRYSTAL: Ready. That's it. 93 00:03:34,763 --> 00:03:36,443 LYNDSAY: Here we go. Touching. 94 00:03:36,523 --> 00:03:38,043 KRYSTAL: That's it. 95 00:03:38,123 --> 00:03:39,363 LYNDSAY: It's maybe sort of a decent length, 96 00:03:39,443 --> 00:03:41,963 but not as long as what we were pushing for before, 97 00:03:42,043 --> 00:03:43,443 and then we'll probably leave it at that, I think. 98 00:03:43,523 --> 00:03:44,443 KRYSTAL: Yep. 99 00:03:44,523 --> 00:03:45,763 LYNDSAY: She's done really well. 100 00:03:45,843 --> 00:03:47,443 KRYSTAL: Good girl. LYNDSAY: Excellent. 101 00:03:47,523 --> 00:03:49,483 KRYSTAL: Good job, sweetie. 102 00:03:49,563 --> 00:03:50,563 All right, might leave it there. 103 00:03:50,643 --> 00:03:51,763 LYNDSAY: Cool. 104 00:03:51,843 --> 00:03:52,843 NARRATOR: While the ultrasound training 105 00:03:52,923 --> 00:03:54,403 went off without a hitch, 106 00:03:54,483 --> 00:03:56,923 keepers are hopeful her upcoming introduction 107 00:03:57,003 --> 00:04:00,483 to the male sea lion Charlie goes just as smoothly. 108 00:04:00,563 --> 00:04:02,043 KRYSTAL: Stay there, Nala. 109 00:04:04,243 --> 00:04:06,123 Good girl. 110 00:04:06,203 --> 00:04:08,603 NARRATOR: The playful sea lions have a great relationship 111 00:04:08,683 --> 00:04:11,243 with their keepers. 112 00:04:11,323 --> 00:04:13,043 But on the other side of the zoo 113 00:04:13,123 --> 00:04:14,683 lives a collection of animals 114 00:04:14,763 --> 00:04:17,803 that could kill their keepers in a heartbeat. 115 00:04:20,363 --> 00:04:24,203 A fact never too far from keeper Chris's mind. 116 00:04:29,443 --> 00:04:31,043 CHRIS: So this is our off-display 117 00:04:31,123 --> 00:04:33,323 venomous snake holding room. 118 00:04:33,403 --> 00:04:35,603 This is where we keep all of our venomous snakes 119 00:04:35,683 --> 00:04:38,363 when we're not housing them on display. 120 00:04:38,443 --> 00:04:41,923 At the zoo we have about a dozen or so venomous snakes. 121 00:04:42,003 --> 00:04:43,963 Most of those are native Australian. 122 00:04:46,923 --> 00:04:49,523 NARRATOR: But the most recognizable snake 123 00:04:49,603 --> 00:04:51,523 comes from Southeast Asia. 124 00:04:51,603 --> 00:04:53,163 (hiss) 125 00:04:53,243 --> 00:04:57,963 CHRIS: So in this enclosure here we have a monocled cobra. 126 00:04:58,043 --> 00:04:59,203 (hiss) 127 00:04:59,283 --> 00:05:00,723 And they're quite a vocal snake. 128 00:05:00,803 --> 00:05:07,163 ♪ ♪ 129 00:05:07,243 --> 00:05:09,083 This species of snake could be responsible 130 00:05:09,163 --> 00:05:14,443 for hundreds, if not thousands of deaths every year. 131 00:05:14,523 --> 00:05:18,923 Their venom is quite toxic, and they're not afraid to inject it. 132 00:05:19,003 --> 00:05:22,883 But what it's made up of is largely neurotoxins 133 00:05:22,963 --> 00:05:26,203 that very quickly stop our neurons firing 134 00:05:26,283 --> 00:05:27,563 in our nervous system. 135 00:05:27,643 --> 00:05:31,763 So that can mean that the heart stops beating, 136 00:05:31,843 --> 00:05:33,683 the lungs stop breathing 137 00:05:33,763 --> 00:05:37,043 and all of those little neurological processes 138 00:05:37,123 --> 00:05:38,963 can break down very, very quickly. 139 00:05:42,883 --> 00:05:46,403 So I've got an interesting little snake in here. 140 00:05:46,483 --> 00:05:51,923 This is a species of snake that not many people know about. 141 00:05:52,003 --> 00:05:56,723 Now, this here is called a broad-headed snake. 142 00:05:56,803 --> 00:06:00,123 It is another venomous snake, 143 00:06:00,203 --> 00:06:04,603 and it just goes to show that in Australia 144 00:06:04,683 --> 00:06:06,603 it's not just the big dangerous snakes 145 00:06:06,683 --> 00:06:08,363 that we need to be aware of. 146 00:06:08,443 --> 00:06:12,003 It's these smaller cryptic ones that still pack a punch. 147 00:06:12,083 --> 00:06:16,363 The broad-headed snake has a few records of human death. 148 00:06:16,443 --> 00:06:19,723 There isn't a specific broad-headed snake antivenom, 149 00:06:19,803 --> 00:06:22,883 but tiger snake antivenom has shown to be effective 150 00:06:22,963 --> 00:06:26,723 to treat bites of this species. 151 00:06:26,803 --> 00:06:28,523 NARRATOR: But up the other end of the room 152 00:06:28,603 --> 00:06:31,323 lives the most venomous snake of all. 153 00:06:31,403 --> 00:06:33,243 CHRIS: So in here we've got a species of snake 154 00:06:33,323 --> 00:06:35,363 that plenty of people have heard of before 155 00:06:35,443 --> 00:06:37,163 and never had the privilege of seeing. 156 00:06:40,043 --> 00:06:42,243 But they're a very beautiful snake. 157 00:06:42,323 --> 00:06:43,923 These guys are at the top of their game. 158 00:06:44,003 --> 00:06:45,723 Inland taipan. 159 00:06:45,803 --> 00:06:48,443 Considered the world's most toxic land snake. 160 00:06:48,523 --> 00:06:50,283 We've got three in this enclosure. 161 00:06:50,363 --> 00:06:52,843 We've got two boys and a female. 162 00:06:52,923 --> 00:06:55,643 They're only found in western Queensland 163 00:06:55,723 --> 00:06:57,883 and parts of South Australia. 164 00:06:57,963 --> 00:07:02,603 So their venom is said to pack the punch 165 00:07:02,683 --> 00:07:06,763 whereby one bite can be enough 166 00:07:06,843 --> 00:07:10,043 to knock out 200,000 mice 167 00:07:10,123 --> 00:07:14,883 and approximately 100 full-grown men in an individual bite. 168 00:07:14,963 --> 00:07:16,763 Others right up there in the count 169 00:07:16,843 --> 00:07:18,043 would be the eastern brown snake 170 00:07:18,123 --> 00:07:19,563 and the tiger snake, 171 00:07:19,643 --> 00:07:22,483 and those two species have been attributed 172 00:07:22,563 --> 00:07:27,683 to probably most Australian snake bite envenomations, 173 00:07:27,763 --> 00:07:30,123 whereas this species is simply encountered 174 00:07:30,203 --> 00:07:32,883 far less frequently than the others. 175 00:07:32,963 --> 00:07:35,643 If you see any snake here in Australia, 176 00:07:35,723 --> 00:07:36,963 you are really best standing still, 177 00:07:37,043 --> 00:07:38,883 letting the snake pass you by. 178 00:07:38,963 --> 00:07:40,443 If you're far enough away from it, 179 00:07:40,523 --> 00:07:42,563 it's safe to walk away, 180 00:07:42,643 --> 00:07:44,243 but definitely don't try to catch a snake, 181 00:07:44,323 --> 00:07:46,243 definitely don't try to kill the snake. 182 00:07:46,323 --> 00:07:48,723 Just enjoy the moment that you've had with the snake 183 00:07:48,803 --> 00:07:52,043 if you can contain yourself enough to, 184 00:07:52,123 --> 00:07:53,083 and then as I said 185 00:07:53,163 --> 00:07:55,563 if it's in your house or in your yard 186 00:07:55,643 --> 00:07:57,283 to definitely call a trained professional 187 00:07:57,363 --> 00:08:01,603 to come and safely remove that snake. 188 00:08:01,683 --> 00:08:05,243 ♪ ♪ 189 00:08:05,323 --> 00:08:07,003 NARRATOR: Thankfully not all snakes 190 00:08:07,083 --> 00:08:10,243 at Taronga are stone cold killers. 191 00:08:10,323 --> 00:08:13,123 EMMA: Hello, darling. Hello. 192 00:08:13,203 --> 00:08:16,003 NARRATOR: Like Olive, the olive python. 193 00:08:16,083 --> 00:08:18,483 Found all across northern Australia, 194 00:08:18,563 --> 00:08:21,843 these gentle giants can grow up to 4 meters in length. 195 00:08:21,923 --> 00:08:23,843 EMMA: Oh, you're all right. 196 00:08:23,923 --> 00:08:25,323 You're okay. 197 00:08:25,403 --> 00:08:27,883 NARRATOR: But Olive has a history of chronic back pain 198 00:08:27,963 --> 00:08:29,803 which is getting worse, 199 00:08:29,883 --> 00:08:32,563 and when your back is more than 3 meters long, 200 00:08:32,643 --> 00:08:36,363 the question is, how do you find where it hurts? 201 00:08:38,243 --> 00:08:40,603 ♪ ♪ 202 00:08:40,683 --> 00:08:45,403 Every year Taronga welcomes new animals to their family. 203 00:08:45,483 --> 00:08:50,603 Some have just been born, while others have just arrived. 204 00:08:50,683 --> 00:08:53,083 But today they're celebrating an animal 205 00:08:53,163 --> 00:08:57,163 that has been around Taronga from almost the start. 206 00:08:57,243 --> 00:08:59,123 STU: Good morning, guys. 207 00:08:59,203 --> 00:09:01,843 Good morning, Ezzie. 208 00:09:01,923 --> 00:09:03,803 Hey, Lance, where are you going? 209 00:09:03,883 --> 00:09:05,403 Here, mate. 210 00:09:05,483 --> 00:09:07,443 Here at Taronga we have two giant tortoises. 211 00:09:07,523 --> 00:09:09,523 They are giant Aldabran tortoises. 212 00:09:09,603 --> 00:09:11,043 This is Lance. 213 00:09:11,123 --> 00:09:13,723 Lance is our male Aldabran tortoise. 214 00:09:13,803 --> 00:09:15,323 Just giving him a bit of a neck scratch at the moment. 215 00:09:15,403 --> 00:09:18,123 It is something that he appears to like, 216 00:09:18,203 --> 00:09:19,723 for use of a better term. 217 00:09:19,803 --> 00:09:22,283 You know, he really tends to stretch his neck out. 218 00:09:22,363 --> 00:09:25,363 We really like to get into all his nooks and crannies. 219 00:09:25,443 --> 00:09:27,803 The Aldabran tortoises are from the group of islands 220 00:09:27,883 --> 00:09:29,203 off the coast of Africa. 221 00:09:29,283 --> 00:09:31,883 A lot of people have heard of Galapagos tortoises. 222 00:09:31,963 --> 00:09:34,123 But these are the other existing giant tortoises 223 00:09:34,203 --> 00:09:36,443 that are found on the earth today. 224 00:09:36,523 --> 00:09:39,243 As an adult they don't have any predators really in the wild, 225 00:09:39,323 --> 00:09:40,723 but as a young tortoise 226 00:09:40,803 --> 00:09:42,923 there would be several animals that would take them. 227 00:09:43,003 --> 00:09:46,123 Lance would weigh about 180 kilos, 228 00:09:46,203 --> 00:09:47,723 but if he was to walk into any water 229 00:09:47,803 --> 00:09:49,683 he would float like a cork. 230 00:09:49,763 --> 00:09:51,083 The structure in their shell 231 00:09:51,163 --> 00:09:53,763 is a honeycomb that has air pockets. 232 00:09:53,843 --> 00:09:56,043 So they're able to actually bob in the ocean, 233 00:09:56,123 --> 00:09:58,843 and that's how they would have inhabited different islands. 234 00:09:58,923 --> 00:10:02,083 You might notice these lines that are over his shell. 235 00:10:02,163 --> 00:10:05,803 This is one what we refer to as a scute. 236 00:10:05,883 --> 00:10:09,003 Often in snakes and lizards we have individual scales. 237 00:10:09,083 --> 00:10:12,163 Tortoises and turtles, they have individual scutes. 238 00:10:12,243 --> 00:10:15,443 And these will shed off as the tortoise is growing larger. 239 00:10:15,523 --> 00:10:17,003 The skin on the Aldabran tortoise 240 00:10:17,083 --> 00:10:19,803 is so tough and so leathery. 241 00:10:19,883 --> 00:10:21,723 It's to make sure that it is not getting damaged 242 00:10:21,803 --> 00:10:23,643 by the harsh land that they're living in. 243 00:10:23,723 --> 00:10:25,443 It really is a very strong leather. 244 00:10:25,523 --> 00:10:28,923 It's just like, it's stronger than your boots. 245 00:10:29,003 --> 00:10:31,723 ♪ ♪ 246 00:10:31,803 --> 00:10:33,643 Are you hungry this morning? 247 00:10:33,723 --> 00:10:35,563 I tend to work a lot with snakes. 248 00:10:35,643 --> 00:10:37,363 It can be a bit, you know, a bit whippy, 249 00:10:37,443 --> 00:10:39,883 and these guys are very controlled. 250 00:10:39,963 --> 00:10:41,083 Good girl. 251 00:10:41,163 --> 00:10:42,923 And they just go about their business 252 00:10:43,003 --> 00:10:45,603 just slowly and steadily. 253 00:10:45,683 --> 00:10:47,243 They're not an aggressive animal, 254 00:10:47,323 --> 00:10:50,403 very easy to feed, and no real hazards when it comes to them. 255 00:10:50,483 --> 00:10:53,083 But if we think that the Aldabran is getting too close, 256 00:10:53,163 --> 00:10:55,043 you just take a step to the left or the right, 257 00:10:55,123 --> 00:10:56,723 and it takes them ten minutes to reach you anyway, 258 00:10:56,803 --> 00:10:58,123 so you're out of danger. 259 00:11:01,483 --> 00:11:03,123 Now, Lance is a sort of a young bloke. 260 00:11:03,203 --> 00:11:06,523 He's at approximately 70 years of age. 261 00:11:06,603 --> 00:11:11,523 And Esmeralda, she's the old dame of the zoo. 262 00:11:11,603 --> 00:11:13,283 She would have arrived here in the zoo in the forties, 263 00:11:13,363 --> 00:11:16,123 just after World War Two. 264 00:11:16,203 --> 00:11:18,283 They do guesstimate that some giant tortoises 265 00:11:18,363 --> 00:11:20,763 can live to be 200 years of age. 266 00:11:20,843 --> 00:11:22,643 So she might only be in that middle age, 267 00:11:22,723 --> 00:11:24,963 so she's right in her prime, really. 268 00:11:25,043 --> 00:11:27,443 NARRATOR: And with her birthday just around the corner, 269 00:11:27,523 --> 00:11:30,123 the keepers have a very special surprise 270 00:11:30,203 --> 00:11:33,723 for this 103-year-old dame. 271 00:11:40,683 --> 00:11:43,683 NARRATOR: Olive the python has a history of chronic back pain, 272 00:11:43,763 --> 00:11:45,443 which is getting worse. 273 00:11:45,523 --> 00:11:48,243 But when your back is more than three meters long, 274 00:11:48,323 --> 00:11:50,123 it's a hard thing to manage, 275 00:11:50,203 --> 00:11:51,763 so it's off to the animal hospital 276 00:11:51,843 --> 00:11:53,723 for some urgent x-rays. 277 00:11:53,803 --> 00:11:55,363 EMMA: She has had some x-rays in the past 278 00:11:55,443 --> 00:11:57,563 that have not looked great, 279 00:11:57,643 --> 00:11:59,003 but we just want to check 280 00:11:59,083 --> 00:12:01,883 that she is in the best condition possible 281 00:12:01,963 --> 00:12:03,563 and she's doing well for her age. 282 00:12:03,643 --> 00:12:06,203 So hopefully the x-rays come back good 283 00:12:06,283 --> 00:12:11,523 and there's no further spinal changes for her. 284 00:12:11,603 --> 00:12:13,803 GABRIELLE: Now, I don't know what her personality is like. 285 00:12:13,883 --> 00:12:16,123 I don't know if she's bitey. 286 00:12:16,203 --> 00:12:17,483 LIZ: I will just treat her like a wild snake. 287 00:12:17,563 --> 00:12:18,563 GABRIELLE: Yes. 288 00:12:18,643 --> 00:12:21,043 We've got a 17-year-old olive python, 289 00:12:21,123 --> 00:12:23,803 and Liz is going to restrain her while I inject her 290 00:12:23,883 --> 00:12:25,883 to start off her anesthetic. 291 00:12:25,963 --> 00:12:29,123 So that we can radiograph her. 292 00:12:29,203 --> 00:12:31,163 NARRATOR: Harmless or not, the team know 293 00:12:31,243 --> 00:12:33,883 whenever you're handling a snake of this size, 294 00:12:33,963 --> 00:12:36,203 you can never let your guard down. 295 00:12:36,283 --> 00:12:39,323 GABRIELLE: A ten-kilo python is extremely strong, 296 00:12:39,403 --> 00:12:42,803 so the way that they get their prey is they constrict them. 297 00:12:42,883 --> 00:12:45,123 She's just ten kilos of muscle. 298 00:12:45,203 --> 00:12:48,083 So, yeah, it's not so much her bitey bit, 299 00:12:48,163 --> 00:12:52,003 it's more her wrapping herself around. 300 00:12:52,083 --> 00:12:54,523 And ten kilos doesn't seem that big, 301 00:12:54,603 --> 00:12:57,163 but in a python it's quite hefty. 302 00:12:57,243 --> 00:12:59,723 Sorry, love. 303 00:12:59,803 --> 00:13:05,003 See how she's...quite strong. 304 00:13:05,083 --> 00:13:08,283 She's bending the needle. 305 00:13:08,363 --> 00:13:09,723 Okay, that will do for now. 306 00:13:09,803 --> 00:13:13,003 That will sedate her somewhat. 307 00:13:13,083 --> 00:13:17,683 So the time is 10:49. 308 00:13:17,763 --> 00:13:20,243 A couple of years ago she had her spine x-rayed, 309 00:13:20,323 --> 00:13:24,083 and in her neck region in a snake 310 00:13:24,163 --> 00:13:26,763 she had some changes on her x-rays 311 00:13:26,843 --> 00:13:31,403 where her spine was, ahh, had extra bone in it 312 00:13:31,483 --> 00:13:33,283 and it was quite stiff. 313 00:13:33,363 --> 00:13:35,443 NARRATOR: The team are hoping that today's x-rays 314 00:13:35,523 --> 00:13:38,003 show no further deterioration, 315 00:13:38,083 --> 00:13:40,603 but judging by Olive's recent behavior, 316 00:13:40,683 --> 00:13:43,043 they fear the worst. 317 00:13:48,523 --> 00:13:51,003 Esmerelda, the giant Aldabra tortoise, 318 00:13:51,083 --> 00:13:54,523 is the oldest resident of Taronga. 319 00:13:54,603 --> 00:13:59,243 She's been at the zoo since just after World War Two. 320 00:13:59,323 --> 00:14:01,123 STU: Being here at the zoo for over 70 years, 321 00:14:01,203 --> 00:14:03,203 I think Esmeralda would have met more people 322 00:14:03,283 --> 00:14:04,883 than any other animal here at the zoo. 323 00:14:04,963 --> 00:14:07,923 She's met politicians, movie stars, 324 00:14:08,003 --> 00:14:10,883 music stars, sports people. 325 00:14:10,963 --> 00:14:13,963 She's seen it all. She's met all the VIPs. 326 00:14:14,043 --> 00:14:15,923 I mean, I remember visiting the zoo as a young bloke, 327 00:14:16,003 --> 00:14:18,763 and I can specifically remember seeing Esmerelda 328 00:14:18,843 --> 00:14:20,683 because she always had a different shell 329 00:14:20,763 --> 00:14:22,763 to the other tortoises that were in the exhibit. 330 00:14:22,843 --> 00:14:24,843 So I, I have fond memories of Esmerelda 331 00:14:24,923 --> 00:14:26,523 as a young boy, definitely. 332 00:14:26,603 --> 00:14:31,243 NARRATOR: And today Esmerelda turns 103, 333 00:14:31,323 --> 00:14:34,163 so Stu has organized the nutritionist team 334 00:14:34,243 --> 00:14:38,843 to make something to celebrate the occasion. 335 00:14:38,923 --> 00:14:41,243 KEEPER: Quite a concoction, I think. 336 00:14:41,323 --> 00:14:42,603 Very colorful. 337 00:14:42,683 --> 00:14:43,963 Very full. 338 00:14:44,043 --> 00:14:45,963 Lots of green leafy vegetables. 339 00:14:46,043 --> 00:14:47,123 KEEPER: All the vegetable families here, 340 00:14:47,203 --> 00:14:51,643 tomatoes and açai, peas, broccoli, capsicums. 341 00:14:51,723 --> 00:14:53,003 KEEPER: Yeah, some beautiful squash 342 00:14:53,083 --> 00:14:55,443 and tomatoes shaped in flowers. 343 00:14:55,523 --> 00:14:58,443 Very, very exciting. 344 00:14:58,523 --> 00:15:00,883 NARRATOR: And head chef is Michelle Shaw, 345 00:15:00,963 --> 00:15:06,003 Australia's first, and only, zoo nutritionist. 346 00:15:06,083 --> 00:15:08,123 MICHELLE: Okay, final finishing touches. 347 00:15:08,203 --> 00:15:09,083 KEEPER: Does it look good? 348 00:15:09,163 --> 00:15:10,403 MICHELLE: It does. 349 00:15:10,483 --> 00:15:11,843 She's going to love it. 350 00:15:11,923 --> 00:15:15,603 So this is the birthday cake for a wonderful animal, 351 00:15:15,683 --> 00:15:17,043 a very special animal. 352 00:15:17,123 --> 00:15:19,483 This cake is based on her natural diet, 353 00:15:19,563 --> 00:15:22,243 but we've just designed it in a way that's special for her. 354 00:15:22,323 --> 00:15:25,483 So she might get this variety of vegetables three times a week, 355 00:15:25,563 --> 00:15:26,643 she gets meadow hay, 356 00:15:26,723 --> 00:15:29,683 which we've made the base of the cake for, 357 00:15:29,763 --> 00:15:32,603 and that's a really good high-fiber thing. 358 00:15:32,683 --> 00:15:34,443 We've got her carrots. 359 00:15:34,523 --> 00:15:35,643 Candles. 360 00:15:35,723 --> 00:15:37,283 KEEPER: Candles. Great idea. 361 00:15:37,363 --> 00:15:38,763 MICHELLE: Oh, look at that. 362 00:15:38,843 --> 00:15:40,843 Oh. Oh. 363 00:15:40,923 --> 00:15:43,563 Okay, we're ready to go. 364 00:15:43,643 --> 00:15:45,923 Oh, she's gonna be thrilled. I can't wait. 365 00:15:46,003 --> 00:15:48,163 I'm salivating just thinking about it. 366 00:15:48,243 --> 00:15:50,603 NARRATOR: And, like all great surprise parties, 367 00:15:50,683 --> 00:15:53,323 Esmerelda has no idea. 368 00:15:57,123 --> 00:15:59,123 ♪ ♪ 369 00:15:59,203 --> 00:16:01,883 Taronga Zoo is taking part in a breeding program 370 00:16:01,963 --> 00:16:03,643 designed to boost numbers 371 00:16:03,723 --> 00:16:07,203 of the endangered Australian sea lion, 372 00:16:07,283 --> 00:16:09,883 and the first female this season to be mated 373 00:16:09,963 --> 00:16:14,003 is one of the marine team's favorites, Nala. 374 00:16:14,083 --> 00:16:15,483 LYNDSAY: She's absolutely amazing. 375 00:16:15,563 --> 00:16:17,123 She loves learning new things. 376 00:16:17,203 --> 00:16:19,163 She's so playful. 377 00:16:19,243 --> 00:16:21,963 KRYSTAL: Wash. 378 00:16:22,043 --> 00:16:24,483 Hey, that's it. Keep going. 379 00:16:24,563 --> 00:16:26,483 Good girl, Nala. 380 00:16:26,563 --> 00:16:28,803 NARRATOR: Nala is being paired with Charlie, 381 00:16:28,883 --> 00:16:31,243 who's waiting patiently in another pool 382 00:16:31,323 --> 00:16:33,643 at the opposite end of the Marine Precinct. 383 00:16:33,723 --> 00:16:35,083 KRYSTAL: You did good. 384 00:16:35,163 --> 00:16:38,363 NARRATOR: And the two couldn't be more different. 385 00:16:38,443 --> 00:16:41,243 LYNDSAY: Nala here weighs about 60 kilos, um, 386 00:16:41,323 --> 00:16:47,363 whereas her boyfriend Charlie weighs about 260. 387 00:16:47,443 --> 00:16:49,563 JO: What would you like to check with Charlie today? 388 00:16:49,643 --> 00:16:51,363 BRAD: We will just do his general checks, 389 00:16:51,443 --> 00:16:53,043 but we'll just double check those gums 390 00:16:53,123 --> 00:16:54,723 where he had those little scratches 391 00:16:54,803 --> 00:16:56,443 and that scratch on his flipper. 392 00:16:56,523 --> 00:16:57,483 JO: Okay. 393 00:16:57,563 --> 00:16:59,083 BRAD: Just to make sure it's healing up. 394 00:16:59,163 --> 00:17:00,603 NARRATOR: Before they breed, 395 00:17:00,683 --> 00:17:03,203 animals at Taronga must be in good health, 396 00:17:03,283 --> 00:17:06,843 so Charlie needs to undergo a quick physical exam. 397 00:17:06,923 --> 00:17:08,443 JO: Are you going to unlock? 398 00:17:08,523 --> 00:17:09,523 Yep. 399 00:17:09,603 --> 00:17:13,123 ♪ ♪ 400 00:17:13,203 --> 00:17:15,803 Charlie, rock. 401 00:17:15,883 --> 00:17:17,323 Good boy. 402 00:17:17,403 --> 00:17:25,803 ♪ ♪ 403 00:17:25,883 --> 00:17:29,563 All right, Brad, what I might do is I'll put him in the water. 404 00:17:29,643 --> 00:17:31,163 In the water. 405 00:17:31,243 --> 00:17:33,243 Charlie, water, water. 406 00:17:35,883 --> 00:17:39,283 NARRATOR: Luckily Charlie is as well behaved as Nala, 407 00:17:39,363 --> 00:17:42,123 because you can't give a sea lion a health check 408 00:17:42,203 --> 00:17:44,323 if he doesn't want one. 409 00:17:44,403 --> 00:17:47,123 JO: Hello, big fella. 410 00:17:47,203 --> 00:17:48,483 Would you like to come out? 411 00:17:49,643 --> 00:17:51,283 Good. 412 00:17:51,363 --> 00:17:52,563 That's it. 413 00:17:52,643 --> 00:17:54,803 Come over here, big boy. 414 00:17:54,883 --> 00:17:57,363 I love everything about Charlie. 415 00:17:57,443 --> 00:17:59,643 Australian sea lions are one of my most favorite animals 416 00:17:59,723 --> 00:18:00,883 in the entire world. 417 00:18:00,963 --> 00:18:03,683 I've been working with them for 23 years. 418 00:18:03,763 --> 00:18:06,483 He's big. He's gorgeous. 419 00:18:06,563 --> 00:18:08,603 He's just like a big, wet dog. 420 00:18:08,683 --> 00:18:09,603 BRAD: Have a look at the gums first. 421 00:18:09,683 --> 00:18:13,243 JO: Check his mouth? Okay. 422 00:18:13,323 --> 00:18:15,403 BRAD: Just checking behind the two lower canines 423 00:18:15,483 --> 00:18:17,203 where he had a little rub mark. 424 00:18:17,283 --> 00:18:20,363 JO: Checking that has worn down a bit there, Brad. 425 00:18:20,443 --> 00:18:23,003 BRAD: Charlie plays quite rough with toys, 426 00:18:23,083 --> 00:18:25,403 and so we just keep an eye on his teeth. 427 00:18:25,483 --> 00:18:28,643 he had a little scratch on one of his gums earlier this week, 428 00:18:28,723 --> 00:18:31,163 but it's all healed up and pretty much gone. 429 00:18:31,243 --> 00:18:33,123 JO: Good. Down. 430 00:18:33,203 --> 00:18:34,443 Good boy. That's it. 431 00:18:34,523 --> 00:18:37,203 Over. That's it. 432 00:18:37,283 --> 00:18:38,483 BRAD: We want him to be comfortable 433 00:18:38,563 --> 00:18:39,883 being touched all over 434 00:18:39,963 --> 00:18:42,163 so if us or the vets need to have a look at them, 435 00:18:42,243 --> 00:18:43,963 but it also gives us the opportunity to see 436 00:18:44,043 --> 00:18:46,483 if there is any tenderness or if we see a different response 437 00:18:46,563 --> 00:18:48,043 from day to day, 438 00:18:48,123 --> 00:18:49,763 we know that potentially there could be a problem, 439 00:18:49,843 --> 00:18:52,363 but this is all part of their conditioning. 440 00:18:52,443 --> 00:18:54,043 We want them to be pretty much bomb-proof 441 00:18:54,123 --> 00:18:55,883 in all of their health care. 442 00:18:55,963 --> 00:18:57,323 JO: I think someone was mentioning 443 00:18:57,403 --> 00:19:00,763 he had some rake marks on his flippers, Brad. 444 00:19:00,843 --> 00:19:02,483 On the rear ones. 445 00:19:02,563 --> 00:19:05,443 BRAD: So his rear flippers here are unique in the fact they, 446 00:19:05,523 --> 00:19:06,483 a lot of people are surprised 447 00:19:06,563 --> 00:19:09,443 by these little nails that they have. 448 00:19:09,523 --> 00:19:12,003 And these are used for grooming that fur coat. 449 00:19:12,083 --> 00:19:14,483 So exposing them by bending their rear flippers over 450 00:19:14,563 --> 00:19:15,643 exposes them. 451 00:19:15,723 --> 00:19:17,043 They can groom and scratch 452 00:19:17,123 --> 00:19:20,123 pretty much most of their body with them. 453 00:19:20,203 --> 00:19:22,563 JO: Oh, nothing too bad? 454 00:19:22,643 --> 00:19:24,323 Good. 455 00:19:24,403 --> 00:19:26,283 NARRATOR: It's all good news for Charlie, 456 00:19:26,363 --> 00:19:29,403 and he's been given a clean bill of health. 457 00:19:29,483 --> 00:19:33,683 JO: So Nala, our beautiful female Australian sea lion, 458 00:19:33,763 --> 00:19:35,963 is about a quarter the size of Charlie. 459 00:19:36,043 --> 00:19:38,563 She is going to come down and have a play date with him. 460 00:19:38,643 --> 00:19:41,763 They will spend maybe the day, sometimes overnight, 461 00:19:41,843 --> 00:19:43,963 depending on how they're both feeling. 462 00:19:44,043 --> 00:19:46,443 Because we're hoping that they will contribute 463 00:19:46,523 --> 00:19:49,963 to our Australian sea lion breeding program. 464 00:19:50,043 --> 00:19:51,643 NARRATOR: With date night looming, 465 00:19:51,723 --> 00:19:56,203 the question is will Charlie and Nala find love? 466 00:20:05,603 --> 00:20:07,403 NARRATOR: Esmerelda the giant tortoise 467 00:20:07,483 --> 00:20:09,683 is turning 103, 468 00:20:09,763 --> 00:20:13,643 and Taronga staff have organized a surprise for her. 469 00:20:13,723 --> 00:20:15,563 MICHELLE: We're so happy to see you, Stu. 470 00:20:15,643 --> 00:20:17,163 STU: That looks amazing. 471 00:20:17,243 --> 00:20:19,243 I'll jump over if you guys want to pass it over to me. 472 00:20:19,323 --> 00:20:20,963 Just watch out where you're walking here. 473 00:20:21,043 --> 00:20:23,043 Esmerelda has been here the longest amount of time, 474 00:20:23,123 --> 00:20:25,403 more than any other animal here at Taronga, 475 00:20:25,483 --> 00:20:27,523 and so for that we are going to give her a special treat. 476 00:20:27,603 --> 00:20:29,403 We're gonna do something special for her. 477 00:20:33,003 --> 00:20:35,043 Here we go. 478 00:20:35,123 --> 00:20:37,963 Happy birthday, Esmerelda. 479 00:20:37,003 --> 00:20:37,883 MICHELLE: 480 00:20:37,963 --> 00:20:39,923 Happy 103rd birthday, Stewy? 481 00:20:40,003 --> 00:20:41,123 STU: 103rd birthday for Esmerelda. 482 00:20:41,203 --> 00:20:42,483 KEEPER: 103. 483 00:20:42,563 --> 00:20:44,643 STU: You know what, she doesn't look a day over 95... 484 00:20:44,723 --> 00:20:46,883 MICHELLE: She doesn't. STU: ...to be honest. 485 00:20:46,963 --> 00:20:48,843 STU: We do like to put on a special sort of celebration 486 00:20:48,923 --> 00:20:50,843 for these milestone times 487 00:20:50,923 --> 00:20:52,923 and especially for our very iconic animals, 488 00:20:53,003 --> 00:20:54,723 and Esmerelda is one of our most iconic species 489 00:20:54,803 --> 00:20:57,083 in the reptile department. 490 00:20:57,163 --> 00:20:58,643 A real variety today. 491 00:20:58,723 --> 00:21:02,363 MICHELLE: Oh, yeah, endive and broccoli and so many goodies. 492 00:21:02,443 --> 00:21:04,443 STU: Beautiful hibiscus flowers, one of their favorites. 493 00:21:04,523 --> 00:21:06,083 Which is one of the best foods for them as well, 494 00:21:06,163 --> 00:21:07,083 hibiscus flowers, yeah. 495 00:21:07,163 --> 00:21:08,763 KEEPER: Yeah. MICHELLE: Definitely. 496 00:21:08,843 --> 00:21:11,323 Esmerelda came to the zoo in 1947, 497 00:21:11,403 --> 00:21:13,363 and her diet previous to that would have been, you know, 498 00:21:13,443 --> 00:21:15,083 she would have had been having a natural diet, 499 00:21:15,163 --> 00:21:17,803 really high-fiber plants and things. 500 00:21:17,883 --> 00:21:19,363 Coming into a zoo environment, 501 00:21:19,443 --> 00:21:22,243 she would have received really high fruit diets in the past 502 00:21:22,323 --> 00:21:23,243 and they would love it, 503 00:21:23,323 --> 00:21:24,403 but it's like us eating chocolate 504 00:21:24,483 --> 00:21:26,043 every single day, right? 505 00:21:26,123 --> 00:21:29,003 So it causes them to have digestive upset, 506 00:21:29,083 --> 00:21:31,243 they get really gassy and bloated, 507 00:21:31,323 --> 00:21:32,763 but you know, we've learned a lot about nutrition 508 00:21:32,843 --> 00:21:34,643 in the last 100 years. 509 00:21:37,323 --> 00:21:38,883 STU: She's absolutely loving that celery, isn't she? 510 00:21:38,963 --> 00:21:40,163 KEEPER: Absolutely. Listen to that crunch. 511 00:21:40,243 --> 00:21:42,523 STU: Yeah. 512 00:21:42,603 --> 00:21:44,683 MICHELLE: Oh, it's a very happy day for her. 513 00:21:44,763 --> 00:21:46,043 But, you know, I don't think we can say 514 00:21:46,123 --> 00:21:47,803 this is the happiest birthday for her. 515 00:21:47,883 --> 00:21:49,563 Next year might be better. 516 00:21:49,643 --> 00:21:51,083 You know, we always think next year's going to be better. 517 00:21:51,163 --> 00:21:52,883 STU: See, but now you've set a standard. 518 00:21:52,963 --> 00:21:54,883 So next year we're gonna expect more, 519 00:21:54,963 --> 00:21:56,163 and the year after that, more. 520 00:21:56,243 --> 00:21:57,843 So just be careful. 521 00:21:57,923 --> 00:21:59,283 MICHELLE: Challenge accepted. 522 00:21:59,363 --> 00:22:01,483 STU: Okay, great. 523 00:22:01,563 --> 00:22:04,683 NARRATOR: Many happy returns, Esmerelda. 524 00:22:04,763 --> 00:22:07,803 ♪ ♪ 525 00:22:08,883 --> 00:22:11,563 ♪ ♪ 526 00:22:11,643 --> 00:22:13,763 Olive, the olive python, was brought 527 00:22:13,843 --> 00:22:17,403 to the animal hospital with chronic back pain. 528 00:22:17,483 --> 00:22:21,803 Now it's a waiting game, as the anesthetic takes effect. 529 00:22:21,883 --> 00:22:23,843 LIBBY: Let's have another look. 530 00:22:23,923 --> 00:22:28,243 So it's been 15, 16 minutes. 531 00:22:31,403 --> 00:22:32,843 Nice and still there. 532 00:22:32,923 --> 00:22:34,323 GABRIELLE: We are concerned about her, 533 00:22:34,403 --> 00:22:37,203 and we've had some other snakes with similar issues. 534 00:22:37,283 --> 00:22:42,283 So once they have this syndrome, it tends to progress 535 00:22:42,363 --> 00:22:46,683 and then to the point where they can't move very well at all. 536 00:22:46,763 --> 00:22:48,843 LIBBY: Oh, no, oh, no, oh. 537 00:22:48,923 --> 00:22:51,363 She's a little bit, yeah, she's quite sedated, 538 00:22:51,443 --> 00:22:55,083 but she can't support her own head, but she's trying to. 539 00:22:55,163 --> 00:22:58,483 So I reckon we can try and get her out. 540 00:22:58,563 --> 00:23:00,403 NARRATOR: As with any spinal injury, 541 00:23:00,483 --> 00:23:04,403 the staff know they must handle Olive with great care. 542 00:23:04,483 --> 00:23:06,083 LIBBY: Big girl. 543 00:23:06,163 --> 00:23:07,683 GABRIELLE: They feel heavier than ten kilos. 544 00:23:07,763 --> 00:23:13,003 LIBBY: Liz is gonna change sides and I'm gonna intubate her. 545 00:23:13,083 --> 00:23:15,123 GABRIELLE: That is a lot of snake. 546 00:23:15,203 --> 00:23:16,283 LIBBY: You may have to hang on to the back. 547 00:23:16,363 --> 00:23:20,203 Because she will probably start moving. 548 00:23:20,283 --> 00:23:23,083 You can see that there is lots of very, very fine teeth. 549 00:23:23,163 --> 00:23:25,003 GABRIELLE: Their teeth are quite sharp 550 00:23:25,083 --> 00:23:27,843 and they're all very fine, just like fish bones. 551 00:23:27,923 --> 00:23:32,283 So if you get bitten, it would be quite painful. 552 00:23:32,363 --> 00:23:33,523 There we go, beautiful. 553 00:23:33,603 --> 00:23:35,123 LIBBY: Very snug. 554 00:23:35,203 --> 00:23:38,643 NARRATOR: Every part of this procedure takes great skill. 555 00:23:38,723 --> 00:23:42,923 GABRIELLE: So what we're going to do now is connect her up 556 00:23:43,003 --> 00:23:46,923 to the anesthetic machine, put the anesthetic gas... 557 00:23:47,003 --> 00:23:47,723 LIBBY: I can see her tongue coming out. 558 00:23:47,803 --> 00:23:49,923 GABRIELLE: ...on. 559 00:23:50,003 --> 00:23:51,483 LIBBY: Shall we turn her just to find her heart 560 00:23:51,563 --> 00:23:52,643 and then we can put the Doppler on her? 561 00:23:52,723 --> 00:23:54,483 GABRIELLE: Yes. LIBBY: Yep. 562 00:23:54,563 --> 00:23:56,363 We're going to look along here, 563 00:23:56,443 --> 00:23:59,043 around this area to look for her heart, 564 00:23:59,123 --> 00:24:00,483 and then we're going to attach a Doppler to it 565 00:24:00,563 --> 00:24:04,363 because you can't use a stethoscope to hear it, 566 00:24:04,443 --> 00:24:06,243 and this is a good way of monitoring her anesthesia. 567 00:24:06,323 --> 00:24:08,203 So we need to make sure she's breathing, 568 00:24:08,283 --> 00:24:12,843 and we need to make sure her heart is of course going. 569 00:24:12,923 --> 00:24:16,203 LIBBY: I reckon it must be around here. 570 00:24:16,283 --> 00:24:17,603 GABRIELLE: Actually I'd turn her up. 571 00:24:17,683 --> 00:24:18,843 LIBBY: There you go. 572 00:24:18,923 --> 00:24:20,003 (whooshing) 573 00:24:20,083 --> 00:24:21,603 That's her heart beating. 574 00:24:21,683 --> 00:24:26,283 (whooshing) 575 00:24:26,363 --> 00:24:28,243 Her heart rate sounds really good. 576 00:24:28,323 --> 00:24:29,763 Nice and steady. 577 00:24:29,843 --> 00:24:31,203 Take that off. 578 00:24:31,283 --> 00:24:33,603 GABRIELLE: It's always nice to hear the heart. 579 00:24:33,683 --> 00:24:37,003 Okay, so we are going to take her in and weigh her. 580 00:24:37,083 --> 00:24:39,443 NARRATOR: It's rare that Olive has been sedated, 581 00:24:39,523 --> 00:24:43,083 so the team take full advantage while she sleeps. 582 00:24:43,163 --> 00:24:45,123 GABRIELLE: She is 10.9 kilos. 583 00:24:45,203 --> 00:24:47,643 LIBBY: And we will take her back and measure her. 584 00:24:47,723 --> 00:24:48,883 GABRIELLE: Yep, measure her. 585 00:24:48,963 --> 00:24:51,163 LIBBY: Straight out along the floor. 586 00:24:51,243 --> 00:24:53,483 GABRIELLE: We're measuring her just for the records 587 00:24:53,563 --> 00:24:55,563 because snakes keep growing. 588 00:24:55,643 --> 00:24:59,643 So for data, but also to assess her body condition 589 00:24:59,723 --> 00:25:03,523 compared to what a wild snake would be. 590 00:25:03,603 --> 00:25:05,403 LIBBY: Pretty long, isn't she? 591 00:25:05,483 --> 00:25:07,803 (laughing) 592 00:25:07,883 --> 00:25:10,803 GABRIELLE: 130 at her vent. 593 00:25:10,883 --> 00:25:12,963 NARRATOR: Importantly the team now know 594 00:25:13,043 --> 00:25:15,603 Olive's exact weight and length. 595 00:25:15,683 --> 00:25:17,083 What they don't know 596 00:25:17,163 --> 00:25:21,003 is which part of her three-meter spine is injured. 597 00:25:27,963 --> 00:25:29,243 NARRATOR: Like the huge collection 598 00:25:29,323 --> 00:25:31,163 of animals on display, 599 00:25:31,243 --> 00:25:34,603 Taronga's staff come from all walks of life. 600 00:25:34,683 --> 00:25:36,523 ADRIENNA: Oh, lost it. 601 00:25:36,603 --> 00:25:39,363 Come on, Miles, go get it. 602 00:25:39,443 --> 00:25:42,043 I never really liked seafood even from a young age. 603 00:25:42,123 --> 00:25:44,323 I absolutely hated the smell of it, 604 00:25:44,403 --> 00:25:47,843 and now here I am elbows deep in seafood every day. 605 00:25:47,923 --> 00:25:49,563 (laughs) 606 00:25:49,643 --> 00:25:50,643 But I am just really lucky. 607 00:25:50,723 --> 00:25:52,363 I feel really lucky to be able to work 608 00:25:52,443 --> 00:25:54,683 with these incredible animals every day 609 00:25:54,763 --> 00:25:57,003 and inspire visitors about how important they are 610 00:25:57,083 --> 00:25:59,483 in the ocean they live in. 611 00:25:59,563 --> 00:26:01,363 JIMMY: So for me, I'm an ungulate keeper. 612 00:26:01,443 --> 00:26:04,083 So an ungulate is just a fancy name for a hooved mammal. 613 00:26:04,163 --> 00:26:06,843 So here at Taronga Zoo I am looking after the bongo, 614 00:26:06,923 --> 00:26:11,123 I look after giraffes and I also look after pygmy hippos. 615 00:26:11,203 --> 00:26:12,923 I used to work, funny enough, as a butcher 616 00:26:13,003 --> 00:26:15,043 before I started as a zookeeper. 617 00:26:15,123 --> 00:26:16,883 A butcher to working at the zoo, but I tell you what, 618 00:26:16,963 --> 00:26:19,163 I know a cut of meat like you wouldn't believe. 619 00:26:19,243 --> 00:26:21,403 I am very green in regards to the environment, 620 00:26:21,483 --> 00:26:23,483 but at the end of the day I'm still a carnivore, 621 00:26:23,563 --> 00:26:26,723 I like to eat meat, so saying that I'm a butcher 622 00:26:26,803 --> 00:26:29,483 has no disrespect to the animals or the environment. 623 00:26:29,563 --> 00:26:31,883 It just means that I know them more inside and out 624 00:26:31,963 --> 00:26:33,883 than other keepers, you know. 625 00:26:33,963 --> 00:26:37,043 FRANCES: Erica, can you release that for us? 626 00:26:37,123 --> 00:26:38,603 I was one of those annoying little girls 627 00:26:38,683 --> 00:26:40,283 when I was sort of two or three years old 628 00:26:40,363 --> 00:26:41,763 was determined to be a vet, 629 00:26:41,843 --> 00:26:44,083 but I don't think, you know, certainly not at that stage, 630 00:26:44,163 --> 00:26:46,283 and not even through vet school, 631 00:26:46,363 --> 00:26:48,403 imagined that I will be lucky enough to work in a zoo, 632 00:26:48,483 --> 00:26:50,643 but I have always been interested in wildlife, 633 00:26:50,723 --> 00:26:52,363 so I feel really, really lucky 634 00:26:52,443 --> 00:26:54,083 to be working in an environment like this. 635 00:26:54,163 --> 00:26:56,723 It's such a great zoo, so very lucky. 636 00:26:56,803 --> 00:26:58,683 You wouldn't want those teeth sinking in 637 00:26:58,763 --> 00:27:02,843 to anything other than a nice piece of fruit. 638 00:27:02,923 --> 00:27:04,323 COURTNEY: Hi. 639 00:27:04,403 --> 00:27:06,963 What are you doing? 640 00:27:07,043 --> 00:27:08,603 Best job in the world, hands down. 641 00:27:08,683 --> 00:27:10,003 I guess most people, 642 00:27:10,083 --> 00:27:12,883 it's just a reaction of wow, that's so cool. 643 00:27:12,963 --> 00:27:14,563 Umm, people are, yeah, pretty impressed, 644 00:27:14,643 --> 00:27:16,003 but we're very lucky. 645 00:27:16,083 --> 00:27:18,123 This meerkat just here, his name is Kumho. 646 00:27:18,203 --> 00:27:19,803 So he's actually part of our largest litter. 647 00:27:19,883 --> 00:27:22,323 We had six meerkats in a litter, 648 00:27:22,403 --> 00:27:25,163 and he is what I call a pickpocketer. 649 00:27:25,243 --> 00:27:27,363 So any time you sit down in the exhibit, 650 00:27:27,443 --> 00:27:29,643 he loves to come up and explore what's in your pockets. 651 00:27:29,723 --> 00:27:31,083 If you ever have a pen, 652 00:27:31,163 --> 00:27:33,123 your pen will only last a few seconds in your pocket 653 00:27:33,203 --> 00:27:35,323 before he's scratched it out. 654 00:27:35,403 --> 00:27:36,643 He's pretty disappointed, I think, 655 00:27:36,723 --> 00:27:38,723 because I don't have a pen today. 656 00:27:38,803 --> 00:27:40,403 We have 18 meerkats. 657 00:27:40,483 --> 00:27:42,443 So we have a huge mob here. 658 00:27:42,523 --> 00:27:45,603 Um, I've worked with all but two since the day they were born. 659 00:27:45,683 --> 00:27:48,803 So to me they all look completely different, 660 00:27:48,883 --> 00:27:50,283 believe or not, but, um, yeah, 661 00:27:50,363 --> 00:27:53,043 to most people obviously they all look exactly the same. 662 00:27:53,123 --> 00:27:54,083 What are you doing? 663 00:27:54,163 --> 00:27:56,683 What is Louasi doing? 664 00:27:56,763 --> 00:27:58,283 He's so noisy. 665 00:28:01,123 --> 00:28:03,043 NARRATOR: But it's not only the living animals 666 00:28:03,123 --> 00:28:05,163 that the team at Taronga care for. 667 00:28:05,243 --> 00:28:08,043 LYDIA: This here is like Taronga's morgue, 668 00:28:08,123 --> 00:28:12,083 and what we do every day is conduct post mortems 669 00:28:12,163 --> 00:28:14,843 to find out cause of death of any animals in our care. 670 00:28:14,923 --> 00:28:16,083 I think there were some signs early on 671 00:28:16,163 --> 00:28:18,523 that I might have been cut out for this job. 672 00:28:18,603 --> 00:28:21,443 Always wanted to be a vet since a little kid. 673 00:28:21,523 --> 00:28:23,283 PHOEBE: I didn't think I'd end up working 674 00:28:23,363 --> 00:28:25,203 in the post mortem room here. 675 00:28:25,283 --> 00:28:26,563 I knew I was probably going to end up 676 00:28:26,643 --> 00:28:28,963 working with the zoo in some way. 677 00:28:29,043 --> 00:28:33,083 LYDIA: I think just having that fascination for animals 678 00:28:33,163 --> 00:28:34,763 and a bit of the morbid kind of gave the game away. 679 00:28:34,843 --> 00:28:36,203 PHOEBE: And how they work. 680 00:28:36,283 --> 00:28:37,803 Because you can't really determine how an animal works 681 00:28:37,883 --> 00:28:40,243 unless you get right in there. 682 00:28:40,323 --> 00:28:41,723 MICHAEL: Here at Taronga Zoo 683 00:28:41,803 --> 00:28:43,803 I'm the supervisor of the reptile amphibian department. 684 00:28:43,883 --> 00:28:47,283 And here in my hands is a little female southern corroboree frog. 685 00:28:47,363 --> 00:28:48,363 She's a gorgeous little frog. 686 00:28:48,443 --> 00:28:50,043 One of Australia's most iconic species 687 00:28:50,123 --> 00:28:51,803 and one of our most critically endangered, 688 00:28:51,883 --> 00:28:53,043 and at the moment they're on the, 689 00:28:53,123 --> 00:28:55,003 right at the brink of extinction. 690 00:28:55,083 --> 00:28:56,123 There's a lot of interesting quirks 691 00:28:56,203 --> 00:28:57,563 about the frogs and also about myself. 692 00:28:57,643 --> 00:28:59,403 But one of the interesting things about these little guys 693 00:28:59,483 --> 00:29:01,043 is how we survey for them. 694 00:29:01,123 --> 00:29:03,163 We actually yell at the habitat where the frogs are 695 00:29:03,243 --> 00:29:04,843 and if there's a male sitting in the nest, 696 00:29:04,923 --> 00:29:06,763 he calls back at us because he thinks we're another male. 697 00:29:06,843 --> 00:29:08,003 He is saying get away from my girls, 698 00:29:08,083 --> 00:29:09,763 get away from my pond, this is my area. 699 00:29:09,843 --> 00:29:12,683 So we give off, I guess, a real loud, deep "yeah," 700 00:29:12,763 --> 00:29:14,003 and then these little guys 701 00:29:14,083 --> 00:29:16,603 give of their little "rr, rr, rr, rr" back at us. 702 00:29:16,683 --> 00:29:18,323 Yeah! 703 00:29:18,403 --> 00:29:20,363 Rr, rr, rr, rr. 704 00:29:20,443 --> 00:29:22,403 And that's how we know how many there are in the wild, 705 00:29:22,483 --> 00:29:24,243 where they're positioned, and so forth. 706 00:29:30,643 --> 00:29:32,523 NARRATOR: Back at the wildlife hospital, 707 00:29:32,603 --> 00:29:35,403 vets are trying to find the exact position 708 00:29:35,483 --> 00:29:38,163 of Olive's chronic back pain 709 00:29:38,243 --> 00:29:40,443 and check if there's been any further damage 710 00:29:40,523 --> 00:29:42,963 to her already painful spine. 711 00:29:43,043 --> 00:29:44,963 GABRIELLE: She has some changes in her spine, 712 00:29:45,043 --> 00:29:47,643 so sort of like arthritis, 713 00:29:47,723 --> 00:29:49,163 and it makes the part of her spine 714 00:29:49,243 --> 00:29:52,403 quite stiff in the neck region, 715 00:29:52,483 --> 00:29:56,083 and so we're doing repeat x-rays on her today 716 00:29:56,163 --> 00:29:58,763 to ensure that it's not getting worse. 717 00:29:58,843 --> 00:30:01,523 NARRATOR: The reality is if it is worse, 718 00:30:01,603 --> 00:30:04,323 she may not be able to survive. 719 00:30:04,403 --> 00:30:05,803 LIBBY: Okay, so we are going to start the x-ray. 720 00:30:05,883 --> 00:30:07,083 GABRIELLE: Yep. 721 00:30:07,163 --> 00:30:09,003 LIBBY: And so you want to go from head first? 722 00:30:09,083 --> 00:30:10,443 LIBBY: And dorsal, ventral. 723 00:30:09,083 --> 00:30:12,043 GABRIELLE: Yes. 724 00:30:10,523 --> 00:30:12,043 LIBBY: Okay. 725 00:30:14,683 --> 00:30:16,003 GABRIELLE: X-ray. 726 00:30:16,083 --> 00:30:18,163 There's quite a lot of the animal to x-ray, 727 00:30:18,243 --> 00:30:22,083 so we have to do a lot more x-rays on snakes in particular. 728 00:30:22,163 --> 00:30:24,723 Do we want to put tape on there so you know where we are going? 729 00:30:24,803 --> 00:30:25,523 LIBBY: At 40 centimeters. 730 00:30:25,603 --> 00:30:26,923 GABRIELLE: At 40. 731 00:30:27,003 --> 00:30:28,763 If we just make sure we have our routine down 732 00:30:28,843 --> 00:30:32,243 and make sure we do it properly, it works out well. 733 00:30:32,323 --> 00:30:33,243 Number two. 734 00:30:33,323 --> 00:30:34,923 LIBBY: Yep. X-ray. 735 00:30:35,003 --> 00:30:35,883 GABRIELLE: We can turn her off at the neck. 736 00:30:35,963 --> 00:30:37,043 That's much better. 737 00:30:37,123 --> 00:30:39,003 We can go to the next one, number three. 738 00:30:39,083 --> 00:30:41,843 LIBBY: Well, we do in this job do a lot of radiographs. 739 00:30:41,923 --> 00:30:43,723 That's part of our diagnostic work. 740 00:30:43,803 --> 00:30:47,243 GABRIELLE: She's a bit twisted at the front. 741 00:30:47,323 --> 00:30:48,963 LIBBY: And that's how we determine, you know, 742 00:30:49,043 --> 00:30:50,163 what's wrong with the animal, 743 00:30:50,243 --> 00:30:51,803 if there is anything wrong or not 744 00:30:51,883 --> 00:30:53,403 and rule out certain things. 745 00:30:53,483 --> 00:30:55,643 LIBBY: Next x-ray. GABRIELLE: Yep. 746 00:30:55,723 --> 00:30:57,363 LIBBY: They are a really good diagnostic tool, 747 00:30:57,443 --> 00:31:01,283 so really taking them to me is quite interesting. 748 00:31:01,363 --> 00:31:03,603 GABRIELLE: Yep, that's... that's good. 749 00:31:03,683 --> 00:31:05,083 LIBBY: Good? Yep, all right. 750 00:31:05,163 --> 00:31:06,523 GABRIELLE: So we've finished taking 751 00:31:06,603 --> 00:31:08,603 our radiographs of the python, 752 00:31:08,683 --> 00:31:11,643 and so now is just the wait for her to recover. 753 00:31:11,723 --> 00:31:15,043 We've given her a reversal agent, 754 00:31:15,123 --> 00:31:17,803 but she has also had anesthetic gas, 755 00:31:17,883 --> 00:31:22,083 and so she just needs to metabolize those anesthetics 756 00:31:22,163 --> 00:31:25,163 until she wakes up, and it can be a number of hours, 757 00:31:25,243 --> 00:31:26,603 and we're giving her the heat 758 00:31:26,683 --> 00:31:29,723 because that will speed up her recovery. 759 00:31:29,803 --> 00:31:31,243 Being a reptile, 760 00:31:31,323 --> 00:31:34,083 they can't control their own body temperature, 761 00:31:34,163 --> 00:31:36,243 so this is a, it's called a bear hugger. 762 00:31:36,323 --> 00:31:37,883 It's full of hot air, 763 00:31:37,963 --> 00:31:40,763 and she's also on top of a heat mat as well, 764 00:31:40,843 --> 00:31:44,123 and that will maximize her recovery. 765 00:31:44,203 --> 00:31:46,403 She looks all snug under her little doona. 766 00:31:46,483 --> 00:31:47,603 Little blankie. 767 00:31:47,683 --> 00:31:49,763 Just got to get her a pillow. 768 00:31:49,843 --> 00:31:51,883 So today has gone really well. 769 00:31:51,963 --> 00:31:53,043 It's always a pleasure to work 770 00:31:53,123 --> 00:31:55,043 with a beautiful snake like an olive python 771 00:31:55,123 --> 00:31:57,083 because not many people get to do that. 772 00:31:57,163 --> 00:31:58,403 Just got to have a look through the radiographs 773 00:31:58,483 --> 00:32:03,403 to see what kind of changes she has in her spine, 774 00:32:03,483 --> 00:32:06,283 and if the changes she had from about four years ago 775 00:32:06,363 --> 00:32:08,443 are the same or if they've progressed. 776 00:32:08,523 --> 00:32:10,203 But all will be revealed shortly 777 00:32:10,283 --> 00:32:14,723 when I can have a look at her three meters of spine. 778 00:32:14,803 --> 00:32:17,243 NARRATOR: And as the first x-rays come through, 779 00:32:17,323 --> 00:32:19,323 it's not looking good for Olive. 780 00:32:27,163 --> 00:32:28,483 KRYSTAL: Today is a really exciting day. 781 00:32:28,563 --> 00:32:31,643 We're hoping to introduce Nala, our female Australian sea lion, 782 00:32:31,723 --> 00:32:34,723 with Charlie, our big male Australian sea lion. 783 00:32:34,803 --> 00:32:36,163 We are hoping that they are going 784 00:32:36,243 --> 00:32:38,643 to absolutely love each other from the get-go, 785 00:32:38,723 --> 00:32:41,523 but it's not always the case, so it's going to be exciting 786 00:32:41,603 --> 00:32:44,043 to see how they interact with each other and how things go, 787 00:32:44,123 --> 00:32:45,923 which is really exciting. 788 00:32:46,003 --> 00:32:48,203 NARRATOR: But first, Nala must get to the other end 789 00:32:48,283 --> 00:32:52,123 of the Marine Precinct, and the only way is to walk. 790 00:32:55,643 --> 00:32:57,763 KRYSTAL: Good girl. Ahh, what a good girl. 791 00:32:57,843 --> 00:32:59,843 Where are we gonna go? 792 00:32:59,923 --> 00:33:01,563 What are we doing? 793 00:33:01,643 --> 00:33:04,683 So, it's not a very easy task to get Nala down to Charlie. 794 00:33:04,763 --> 00:33:07,403 Nala's exhibit is at the top of a set of stairs 795 00:33:07,483 --> 00:33:09,363 on a completely different level. 796 00:33:09,443 --> 00:33:12,403 Thankfully Nala is trained to walk outside of her exhibit. 797 00:33:12,483 --> 00:33:15,603 We take her outside regularly for her own enrichment, 798 00:33:15,683 --> 00:33:17,083 something different for her to see, 799 00:33:17,163 --> 00:33:18,683 and she does that quite happily 800 00:33:18,763 --> 00:33:20,763 because she enjoys going out for walks. 801 00:33:20,843 --> 00:33:22,363 Good girl. 802 00:33:22,443 --> 00:33:23,843 What's out here? 803 00:33:23,923 --> 00:33:25,763 Eh? 804 00:33:25,843 --> 00:33:27,523 Who are we going to go see? 805 00:33:27,603 --> 00:33:29,163 She definitely will know what's happening 806 00:33:29,243 --> 00:33:31,163 when we get in the proximity of where Charlie is. 807 00:33:31,243 --> 00:33:33,803 She'll probably smell him before she sees him. 808 00:33:33,883 --> 00:33:36,403 Charlie probably has no idea what's about to happen. 809 00:33:36,483 --> 00:33:39,283 He's probably in his own mindset just enjoying a day in the pool 810 00:33:39,363 --> 00:33:40,923 and all of a sudden a female is going to arrive, 811 00:33:41,003 --> 00:33:44,243 so that's going to make him pretty excited. 812 00:33:44,323 --> 00:33:45,803 Nice work. Up you go. 813 00:33:45,883 --> 00:33:49,003 Good girl. 814 00:33:49,083 --> 00:33:50,483 So it's really important for us 815 00:33:50,563 --> 00:33:52,163 whenever we introduce two animals, 816 00:33:52,243 --> 00:33:53,883 we want to make sure both animals are happy 817 00:33:53,963 --> 00:33:56,523 and comfortable throughout the entire process. 818 00:33:56,603 --> 00:33:58,243 If they're not comfortable or happy, 819 00:33:58,323 --> 00:33:59,803 we simply separate them again 820 00:33:59,883 --> 00:34:01,643 and we try again at another date. 821 00:34:01,723 --> 00:34:08,403 ♪ ♪ 822 00:34:08,483 --> 00:34:10,763 NARRATOR: But fortunately for Charlie and Nala, 823 00:34:10,843 --> 00:34:13,523 love is definitely in the air 824 00:34:13,603 --> 00:34:17,283 and the water. 825 00:34:17,363 --> 00:34:19,163 KRYSTAL: The introduction between Charlie and Nala 826 00:34:19,243 --> 00:34:21,603 has been as fantastic as we could have imagined. 827 00:34:21,683 --> 00:34:25,843 They are both really comfortable in each other's presence. 828 00:34:25,923 --> 00:34:28,323 There's no aggressive behavior, 829 00:34:28,403 --> 00:34:30,163 anything to suggest that it's going to escalate, 830 00:34:30,243 --> 00:34:31,363 which is great. 831 00:34:31,443 --> 00:34:33,083 Definitely feeling the love. 832 00:34:33,163 --> 00:34:34,483 Charlie has even been clucking, 833 00:34:34,563 --> 00:34:37,883 with is a natural vocal or sound that the boys make 834 00:34:37,963 --> 00:34:40,043 to let the girls know they're very interested in them, 835 00:34:40,123 --> 00:34:42,363 which is really great for us to hear. 836 00:34:42,443 --> 00:34:44,203 (clucking) 837 00:34:44,283 --> 00:34:46,123 And Nala's been quite receptive to that. 838 00:34:46,203 --> 00:34:48,283 So a lot of the nose-to-nose touching 839 00:34:48,363 --> 00:34:51,243 that's really interesting and great for us to see. 840 00:34:51,323 --> 00:34:53,963 Absolutely stoked that this has gone so well. 841 00:34:54,043 --> 00:34:56,083 It's what we aim to do in the breeding program 842 00:34:56,163 --> 00:34:57,763 of this incredibly rare species. 843 00:34:57,843 --> 00:35:01,203 So to see two seals getting along so well with each other 844 00:35:01,283 --> 00:35:04,323 really gives us high hopes for our breeding season. 845 00:35:04,403 --> 00:35:06,883 NARRATOR: So the loved-up pair will be left overnight 846 00:35:06,963 --> 00:35:08,883 for some private time. 847 00:35:08,963 --> 00:35:10,523 KRYSTAL: Fingers crossed we'll be able to end up 848 00:35:10,603 --> 00:35:12,843 with an Australian sea lion pup, which is the ultimate goal here. 849 00:35:21,283 --> 00:35:22,763 NARRATOR: Yesterday Taronga's vets 850 00:35:22,843 --> 00:35:24,683 conducted a series of x-rays 851 00:35:24,763 --> 00:35:30,003 on the zoo's 17-year-old female olive python. 852 00:35:30,083 --> 00:35:31,283 FELICITY: She recovered from the anesthetic really well 853 00:35:31,363 --> 00:35:32,523 and she was awake. 854 00:35:32,603 --> 00:35:34,603 But there is a large water body in her enclosure, 855 00:35:34,683 --> 00:35:36,803 so we didn't want to send her back to her enclosure 856 00:35:36,883 --> 00:35:38,403 just in case she went swimming overnight 857 00:35:38,483 --> 00:35:40,123 and had a nap under water. 858 00:35:40,203 --> 00:35:41,963 So we allowed her to recover here in the hospital 859 00:35:42,043 --> 00:35:43,523 and she has stayed nice and warm, 860 00:35:43,603 --> 00:35:45,683 recovered really beautifully overnight. 861 00:35:45,763 --> 00:35:47,803 She is bright and alert now, 862 00:35:47,883 --> 00:35:50,443 and we're happy for her to go swimming if she chooses, 863 00:35:50,523 --> 00:35:52,243 and so the reptile keepers are going to come down, 864 00:35:52,323 --> 00:35:55,083 collect her and take her back to their collection. 865 00:35:55,163 --> 00:35:57,043 NARRATOR: But first, keeper Emma is keen 866 00:35:57,123 --> 00:35:58,803 to get the results of the x-ray, 867 00:35:58,883 --> 00:36:00,923 which Gabby has spent the night 868 00:36:01,003 --> 00:36:03,163 painstakingly stitching together. 869 00:36:03,243 --> 00:36:05,123 GABRIELLE: So here is Olive, her radiographs, 870 00:36:05,203 --> 00:36:06,603 and we're just going to go down her body, 871 00:36:06,683 --> 00:36:09,843 and I'll show you some of the changes that we've found. 872 00:36:09,923 --> 00:36:12,483 So you can see in this radiograph 873 00:36:12,563 --> 00:36:15,963 that you've got lots of detail of the individual vertebrae, 874 00:36:16,043 --> 00:36:19,043 so up here you can see a little space between each unit 875 00:36:19,123 --> 00:36:22,283 and then along here they all start to join together 876 00:36:22,363 --> 00:36:25,763 and you also get increased bone development underneath. 877 00:36:25,843 --> 00:36:29,123 And it's reflected on this view looking down on her back 878 00:36:29,203 --> 00:36:32,523 where you get these widening, which are called paddles. 879 00:36:32,603 --> 00:36:34,763 It is actually getting worse. 880 00:36:34,843 --> 00:36:36,003 EMMA: That's... 881 00:36:38,563 --> 00:36:40,883 GABRIELLE: No one really knows what causes this in snakes. 882 00:36:40,963 --> 00:36:42,643 It doesn't just happen in pythons. 883 00:36:42,723 --> 00:36:46,603 It happens in venomous snakes like rattlesnakes overseas. 884 00:36:46,683 --> 00:36:49,043 We used to think it was just from handling, 885 00:36:49,123 --> 00:36:50,763 but the fact that it's found often 886 00:36:50,843 --> 00:36:53,603 in venomous snakes that are not handled very often 887 00:36:53,683 --> 00:36:55,203 makes that unlikely. 888 00:36:55,283 --> 00:36:57,403 So what we are going to do with Olive 889 00:36:57,483 --> 00:37:00,123 is we're going to put her on a treatment trial 890 00:37:00,203 --> 00:37:03,043 of anti-inflammatories, which is essentially pain relief, 891 00:37:03,123 --> 00:37:04,803 and you are going to monitor where she, 892 00:37:04,883 --> 00:37:07,563 how she uses her enclosure. 893 00:37:07,643 --> 00:37:10,643 If she starts moving around with the pain relief on board, 894 00:37:10,723 --> 00:37:12,363 that tells me that she was painful. 895 00:37:12,443 --> 00:37:13,363 EMMA: Yeah. 896 00:37:13,443 --> 00:37:14,883 GABRIELLE: If there is no difference, 897 00:37:14,963 --> 00:37:17,643 then we may have to consider her quality of life 898 00:37:17,723 --> 00:37:20,563 because we can't help her move around more. 899 00:37:20,643 --> 00:37:23,203 If she's just spending all her life in one area 900 00:37:23,283 --> 00:37:25,323 and not doing anything, 901 00:37:25,403 --> 00:37:28,003 I think it's a welfare issue that we have to consider. 902 00:37:28,083 --> 00:37:31,443 So we'll reconvene in about a week 903 00:37:31,523 --> 00:37:33,723 when she's finished her medication. 904 00:37:33,803 --> 00:37:35,043 EMMA: Okay. GABRIELLE: Okay. 905 00:37:39,123 --> 00:37:41,163 EMMA: We're going to pop her back. 906 00:37:41,243 --> 00:37:43,563 NARRATOR: It's a sad result for Olive, 907 00:37:43,643 --> 00:37:47,283 who's called Taronga home for the last eight years. 908 00:37:47,363 --> 00:37:49,723 GABRIELLE: Prognosis for her is not great. 909 00:37:49,803 --> 00:37:53,363 The fact that it's deteriorated over the five years 910 00:37:53,443 --> 00:37:55,043 means it's probably gonna continue to do so 911 00:37:55,123 --> 00:37:57,923 no matter what we do, unfortunately, 912 00:37:58,003 --> 00:38:00,163 and with her welfare being our primary concern, 913 00:38:00,243 --> 00:38:03,283 if we think that her quality of life is poor 914 00:38:03,363 --> 00:38:05,483 or that she is in any kind of discomfort, 915 00:38:05,563 --> 00:38:08,803 then euthanasia will likely be the end result. 916 00:38:20,003 --> 00:38:21,083 NARRATOR: It's been two months 917 00:38:21,163 --> 00:38:22,883 since sea lions Charlie and Nala 918 00:38:22,963 --> 00:38:25,803 spent a quiet night together. 919 00:38:25,883 --> 00:38:27,483 KRYSTAL: So her rear flippers will be here, 920 00:38:27,563 --> 00:38:29,923 uh, front flippers will be here, rear flippers will be there. 921 00:38:30,003 --> 00:38:31,563 If possible it would be better for you 922 00:38:31,643 --> 00:38:33,963 to be on this side. 923 00:38:34,043 --> 00:38:35,483 We can shuffle that however you want. 924 00:38:35,563 --> 00:38:38,483 Just so she's got a clear, clear access to the water. 925 00:38:38,563 --> 00:38:40,923 NARRATOR: Vet Larry has come down to her enclosure 926 00:38:41,003 --> 00:38:43,203 to conduct the first ultrasound, 927 00:38:43,283 --> 00:38:47,283 to see if the mating encounter was successful. 928 00:38:47,363 --> 00:38:48,483 KRYSTAL: Sit. 929 00:38:48,563 --> 00:38:49,843 What is happening out here. 930 00:38:49,923 --> 00:38:51,523 LARRY: Hey, sweetie. KRYSTAL: Hey. 931 00:38:51,603 --> 00:38:53,243 Thankfully we've been doing some training sessions 932 00:38:53,323 --> 00:38:55,163 with Nala in preparation for this 933 00:38:55,243 --> 00:38:56,403 in the hopes that we are going 934 00:38:56,483 --> 00:38:58,483 to be potentially seeing a pup today. 935 00:38:58,563 --> 00:39:01,363 Fingers crossed, that's the dream. 936 00:39:01,443 --> 00:39:02,563 LARRY: Hey, beautiful girl. 937 00:39:02,643 --> 00:39:04,763 KRYSTAL: Come here. 938 00:39:04,843 --> 00:39:06,403 Good girl. 939 00:39:06,483 --> 00:39:08,483 Ready to go when you are, Larry. 940 00:39:08,563 --> 00:39:10,003 Good girl. 941 00:39:10,083 --> 00:39:14,003 ♪ ♪ 942 00:39:14,083 --> 00:39:15,603 LARRY: So we've got a really good scan 943 00:39:15,683 --> 00:39:16,483 of her whole abdomen here. 944 00:39:16,563 --> 00:39:17,643 KRYSTAL: Good job. 945 00:39:17,723 --> 00:39:18,843 Nice work, Nala. 946 00:39:18,923 --> 00:39:19,803 LARRY: She is an incredible animal. 947 00:39:19,883 --> 00:39:21,803 I mean, look at her, just perfect. 948 00:39:21,883 --> 00:39:23,803 KRYSTAL: That's it. Good girl. 949 00:39:23,883 --> 00:39:25,123 LARRY: Nothing obvious yet. 950 00:39:25,203 --> 00:39:27,563 I mean, I can see organs, her abdominal organs. 951 00:39:27,643 --> 00:39:30,323 I've got a great image of her bladder. 952 00:39:30,403 --> 00:39:31,923 So it would be good, actually, if we turn her around, so... 953 00:39:32,003 --> 00:39:33,403 KRYSTAL: Okay. 954 00:39:33,483 --> 00:39:34,403 LARRY: Just this whole set-up, so she's facing that way. 955 00:39:34,483 --> 00:39:35,563 KRYSTAL: Yep. All right. 956 00:39:35,643 --> 00:39:37,603 NARRATOR: With no luck on the right side, 957 00:39:37,683 --> 00:39:41,283 Larry is hoping the left-hand side gives him a better view. 958 00:39:41,363 --> 00:39:42,643 KRYSTAL: All right, Nala, sit. 959 00:39:42,723 --> 00:39:43,883 (laughing) 960 00:39:43,963 --> 00:39:44,883 Come on. 961 00:39:44,963 --> 00:39:47,123 Nala, that's it. That's it. 962 00:39:47,203 --> 00:39:49,163 LARRY: It might be handy if she is wetter, but let's see. 963 00:39:49,243 --> 00:39:50,763 KRYSTAL: Good girl. That's it. 964 00:39:50,843 --> 00:39:52,043 LARRY: It's always exciting. 965 00:39:52,123 --> 00:39:54,003 I mean, you know, and always hopeful, 966 00:39:54,083 --> 00:39:56,203 and I suppose, you know, when you don't see something, 967 00:39:56,283 --> 00:39:57,683 in the back of my mind, I'm going 968 00:39:57,763 --> 00:39:59,083 have I missed it, have I missed it? 969 00:39:59,163 --> 00:40:01,643 And you know, there is always hope that maybe I have. 970 00:40:01,723 --> 00:40:03,083 Oh, hang on a second. 971 00:40:03,163 --> 00:40:05,723 Just hold on. 972 00:40:05,803 --> 00:40:09,283 NARRATOR: And suddenly something catches Larry's eye. 973 00:40:09,363 --> 00:40:11,723 LARRY: So I'm just scanning her left side of her abdomen, 974 00:40:11,803 --> 00:40:13,283 the lower abdomen here, 975 00:40:13,363 --> 00:40:15,163 and just not far from the bladder 976 00:40:15,243 --> 00:40:20,363 I just spotted a sort of a circular vesicle. 977 00:40:20,443 --> 00:40:22,483 Okay, so that's a still image. 978 00:40:22,563 --> 00:40:26,283 So that there 979 00:40:26,363 --> 00:40:30,243 is very likely to be an embryonic vesicle 980 00:40:30,323 --> 00:40:32,003 with the little embryo in it. 981 00:40:32,083 --> 00:40:33,203 So this is very exciting. 982 00:40:33,283 --> 00:40:36,083 I think she's pregnant. 983 00:40:36,163 --> 00:40:37,803 KRYSTAL: Potentially we are seeing something? 984 00:40:37,883 --> 00:40:38,803 LARRY: Yeah, I'll show you guys. 985 00:40:38,883 --> 00:40:40,003 KEEPER: Are you kidding? Really? 986 00:40:40,083 --> 00:40:41,043 LARRY: No, I'm not kidding at all. 987 00:40:41,123 --> 00:40:44,123 KRYSTAL: Wow, that's incredible. Wow. 988 00:40:44,203 --> 00:40:46,523 LARRY: So, you know, that's very typical 989 00:40:46,603 --> 00:40:49,643 of what you would expect with an embryonic vesicle, 990 00:40:49,723 --> 00:40:53,403 and that little spot inside is probably the embryo. 991 00:40:53,483 --> 00:40:54,803 So I've just measured it there, 992 00:40:54,883 --> 00:40:58,923 and you can see it's only 2.4 by 3 centimeters. 993 00:40:59,003 --> 00:41:01,363 So it's only small, very early days. 994 00:41:01,443 --> 00:41:04,283 Pretty, pretty good evidence that she's pregnant. 995 00:41:04,363 --> 00:41:06,203 KRYSTAL: Yay. 996 00:41:06,283 --> 00:41:08,363 I definitely didn't expect it. 997 00:41:08,443 --> 00:41:11,243 Obviously we always hope, and being this early on 998 00:41:11,323 --> 00:41:14,243 we haven't seen any signs of her being potentially pregnant, 999 00:41:14,323 --> 00:41:16,643 and obviously you wouldn't because it's still so early, 1000 00:41:16,723 --> 00:41:18,843 um, but yeah, this is incredible news. 1001 00:41:18,923 --> 00:41:20,443 NARRATOR: Sea lion pregnancies 1002 00:41:20,523 --> 00:41:23,123 are just a few weeks shorter than a human's, 1003 00:41:23,203 --> 00:41:25,163 so it's still early days. 1004 00:41:25,243 --> 00:41:27,803 But Nala's pregnancy is a glimmer of hope 1005 00:41:27,883 --> 00:41:30,163 for an endangered species. 1006 00:41:30,243 --> 00:41:32,003 LARRY: It is fantastic news for, 1007 00:41:32,083 --> 00:41:34,683 obviously for Nala and the keepers and us, 1008 00:41:34,763 --> 00:41:37,163 and so having this pregnancy 1009 00:41:37,243 --> 00:41:39,203 and you know, hopefully a little pup in the future 1010 00:41:39,283 --> 00:41:41,803 is going to be a very, very important contribution 1011 00:41:41,883 --> 00:41:44,243 to the conservation program for the species. 1012 00:41:47,883 --> 00:41:49,563 Captioned by Side Door Media Services