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Taronga Zoo
is always investing in ways
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to improve how they care
for their animals,
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and this year Taronga
is finishing
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one of their most ambitious
undertakings ever.
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Re-creating
a savannah watering hole
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for the African animals.
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This is one
of the most exciting projects
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that we've worked on
as we redefine
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what a 21st century zoo
is all about.
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It's actually
a multi-species exhibit.
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We've got giraffe,
ostrich, zebra,
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and then tiny species
like meerkats,
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and you'll experience them
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just the way they live
in the savannah
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and they interact
with each other.
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The lions at the western end
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will look across
and see prey species,
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and I'm sure that will
stimulate them, of course.
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This project
has been in the pipeline
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for almost six years,
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the grand opening
now just months away.
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Quite a logistical exercise,
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and my hat's off to all the team
that are working on it.
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As the construction
phase draws to a close,
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the next challenge
is organizing
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the transportation of
the animals to their new home.
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Some, like the lions
and ostriches,
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will be relocating
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from Taronga's
Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo,
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and others will have it
a little easier
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and only need to travel
a few hundred meters.
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But one of the trickiest
animals to move
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are at the opposite end
of the zoo.
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And the months and months
of training
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needed to prepare them
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falls on the shoulders of Jimmy
and the giraffe team.
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So we have three giraffe,
two females and a male.
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This one here, he's our
youngest, his name is Jimmiu.
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He has only just turned
13 years of age.
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He's our biggest, so he's
quite an impressive male.
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So this is Nyota.
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She's the second oldest giraffe
in Australasia.
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She's 27.
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So she is quite an achievement
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to still be working with such
a magnificent animal her age.
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With her advanced age,
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Nyota has not been
in the best of health,
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so that's very much at
the front of mind for everyone.
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Good.
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As are all
the other challenges.
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Moving a 5 1/2-meter animal
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is a lot more problematic
than people might think.
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Focus, buddy.
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Giraffe as a rule
can be quite temperamental.
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They are quite flighty animals.
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Target. Good.
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Target.
Good.
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Hold, hold, hold.
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Target.
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Good boy!
Very nice.
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We often get told can't you
just put them in the trailer
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and walk them up, and hey, look,
that all sounds great in theory,
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but they're not pet dogs.
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They are still wild animals,
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and here at the zoo
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we try and keep them all
as wild as they can.
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We like them to display their
own natural wild behaviors.
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So we don't treat
anything here like a pet.
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Giraffes are easily spooked.
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So, the first step
in training the giraffes
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is getting them
used to the trailer
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they'll be transported in.
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Today is just
a first visual for us
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to see the trailer
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and for the giraffes to start
getting used to the trailer,
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and what we will do is
over the next couple of days
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is we're gonna start
driving the trailer
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in and out every morning,
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and they'll just get used to the
paddock having activity in it.
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But one thing's for sure--
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anything that sounds this easy
never is.
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Ahh, the pole.
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The pole is giving us nightmares
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because the way the fence
is built on a curve.
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We can't go straight
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because that,
that's sticking out.
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That's what's hitting the pole.
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I am worried
about backing up.
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We're going to get
more wedged into this corner.
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We are, yeah, we're stuck
against the pole.
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So now we have got to try to
figure out how to get it out.
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Can you imagine doing this
if we had a giraffe in there
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with the world watching?
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They wouldn't be happy.
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Jimmy wouldn't be happy.
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No pressure.
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Breathe, boys. Breathe.
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Let's all stay together
as a team.
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Let's breathe.
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Taronga Zoo is home
to a unique educational space,
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the Institute
of Science and Learning.
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So she has to come
where to my hand is,
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straight up onto the rock.
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We've got these incredible
immersive classrooms,
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different laboratories,
like science labs.
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We teach university degrees
out of it.
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So it's a whole space
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that science and education
is really brought together.
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But out the back,
off display,
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is its greatest asset.
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It's pretty much
a mini zoo within a zoo.
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We have a mix
of around 40 different species,
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around 200 animals.
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It's a very unique space.
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Every day is different, and that
is what I love about my job.
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But today is extra special,
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as one of the Institute's
residents is moving out.
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Hi, little one.
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Wednesday,
the short-beaked echidna.
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You ready?
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Along with the platypus,
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echidnas are one of only two
egg-laying mammals
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in the world,
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and just like the platypus,
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they are notoriously
hard to breed.
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They're so elusive
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that not a lot is known
about their breeding behavior.
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They also are very selective
with their mate.
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You can't just pair two.
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They have to choose their own.
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For 29 years
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there were no echidnas born
at Taronga Zoo,
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but three years ago
Wednesday changed all that,
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and now that he's matured,
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Wednesday will soon leave
the only home he's ever known
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to bunk in with
some other echidnas
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for his own chance to breed.
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Got a date
with the doctor.
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But before he
can start breeding,
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he needs to get a clean
bill of health from the vets.
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Shall we go and see them?
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What do you reckon?
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While all keepers at Taronga
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are passionate about
the animals they care for,
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it's hard to go past
reptile keeper Stu's
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infectious love
of all things scaly.
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So here at Taronga we're at
the back of the reptile house,
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and we're going to show you guys
a range of different lizards
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because we keep
all different lizards here,
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and our lizards range
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from the smallest little
dragons and skinks
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to the biggest iguanas,
monitor lizards,
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chameleons, Gila monster.
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So we've got the whole range,
from smallest to the biggest.
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The first one I want to show you
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is our little
shingleback lizard.
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Here we go.
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This one is
actually a sub-species
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from Western Australia,
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known as the goldfield
shingleback,
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and look at the coloration
on his head,
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that beautiful gold
or orange sort of coloring.
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And he's 100% herbivore.
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The next thing
I want to show you
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is an insectivore, or an animal
that loves to eat insects.
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So this is our
eastern spiny-tailed skink,
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and I mean look at the face
of that animal.
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Again found
from Western Australia.
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We're seeing a bit of a theme,
aren't we,
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the ones from Western Australia
have a bit of orange on them.
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This is one of the more unusual
lizards that you will see,
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spiky-tailed,
spikes all over his head.
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This is a defense,
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this is to stop an animal
trying to grab ahold of him.
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Any predator that bites that,
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it's going to get
a mouthful of these spines,
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spit him out and go "I want
nothing to do with that."
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I want to find something that's
juicier and softer to eat.
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They're not dangerous to us.
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I can pick him up,
I can pat them.
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They're not razor sharp, but
they're definitely a defense
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against a predator
that wants to chew on him.
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So if we come over here,
we've got our red-barred dragon,
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and these are probably
the fastest-moving little guys
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we've got in the reptile house.
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So we feed this guy insects.
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Only insects.
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They don't eat salad,
they don't eat worms.
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They're an insectivorous dragon.
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They're not dangerous to humans.
They're so small.
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Even if he was to give
a little chew on my finger
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I'd probably just have
a bit of a smile
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and go, oh, aren't you cute,
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look at you trying
to be a big lizard.
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As much as he loves them,
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Stu wouldn't offer his finger
to just any lizard.
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This is a Gila monster.
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These guys are found
in the southern United States
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and northern Mexico,
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and they're one of the only
true venomous lizards
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in the entire world,
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hence me wearing
this protective glove.
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It is not known to be
a fatal bite,
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but it would definitely
ruin my day.
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These guys have
great camouflage on,
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they live in the desert.
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So this coloration helps
blend into the sand,
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and these black markings
actually make them cryptic.
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Even though you think black
would stand out against the red,
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it's when they're moving it just
breaks up their body shape
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so a predator can't see them.
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Now, these guys, they've got
a very interesting diet.
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They tend to find the burrow
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of a ground-nesting bird
or a small mammal,
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go into that burrow,
eat whatever's in there,
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eat whatever babies or eggs
are in there,
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and then take that burrow on
as their own.
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But Stu's all-time,
number-one lizard
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won't be found
lazing around here.
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So even though he has
the name monster in his name,
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he's not the biggest one here.
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We do have,
we do have the big guy.
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His favorite lizard
takes center stage.
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Naga, our Komodo dragon,
the world's biggest lizard.
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Biggest lizard in the world.
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I spend almost every day
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with some form
of interaction with him,
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so I really do have a very close
affiliation to Naga.
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And it's because
of this closeness
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that Stu has noticed that Naga
may need some medical help.
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The grand opening
for one of the biggest projects
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in Taronga's history--
the African Savannah--
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is now only months away,
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and the first animal going in
is also one of the trickiest.
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Giraffes,
it's a big animal to move.
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You know, you want to make sure
everything's right.
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So we're doing trial runs
on this, in and out,
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so when the day comes for us
and the boys, it's all smooth.
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Straight.
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Am I right?
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It's only day one
of training
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and already they've hit a snag.
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Stop. Come back.
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The pole is
giving us nightmares
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because of the way the fence
is built on a curve.
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I think the pole will have to be
removed for us to get it out.
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But keepers know despite
these early difficulties
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they can't let on
to the giraffes
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that there may be some hiccups.
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Good.
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Oh, it is nerve-racking for us.
252
00:10:13,603 --> 00:10:14,843
It's nerve-racking for them.
253
00:10:14,923 --> 00:10:16,643
It's nerve-racking
for everyone involved, really,
254
00:10:16,723 --> 00:10:19,563
but the thing is around animals
they pick up on your behavior.
255
00:10:19,643 --> 00:10:21,483
So if we're nervous,
they'll be nervous.
256
00:10:21,563 --> 00:10:23,043
So it's sort of an acting game.
257
00:10:23,123 --> 00:10:25,003
We've got to come in here
and act as confident as we can
258
00:10:25,083 --> 00:10:28,403
to get them to be
as confident as they can.
259
00:10:28,483 --> 00:10:30,963
Am I hooked
out of the way of the poles?
260
00:10:35,043 --> 00:10:37,403
While the giraffe
look on curiously,
261
00:10:37,483 --> 00:10:42,083
the first test run comes
to an anticlimactic end.
262
00:10:42,163 --> 00:10:43,523
Good.
263
00:10:43,603 --> 00:10:45,203
But unfortunately
for the team
264
00:10:45,283 --> 00:10:47,163
they're about to be blindsided
265
00:10:47,243 --> 00:10:50,563
by something that will put
a halt to their training.
266
00:10:50,643 --> 00:10:52,603
Good.
267
00:10:58,483 --> 00:11:00,363
Naga, the Komodo dragon,
268
00:11:00,443 --> 00:11:02,683
has an injured shoulder.
269
00:11:02,763 --> 00:11:04,483
We noticed Naga's
right shoulder.
270
00:11:04,563 --> 00:11:06,483
He seemed a bit sore,
a bit lame.
271
00:11:06,563 --> 00:11:08,403
He wasn't lifting it
all the way.
272
00:11:08,483 --> 00:11:09,763
Whether he fell on it,
273
00:11:09,843 --> 00:11:11,363
he might have hyper-extended
the shoulder
274
00:11:11,443 --> 00:11:12,963
behind his back one day.
275
00:11:13,043 --> 00:11:14,843
We don't exactly know
how it happened.
276
00:11:14,923 --> 00:11:15,803
So we got our vets in.
277
00:11:15,883 --> 00:11:17,483
We have a team of amazing vets.
278
00:11:17,563 --> 00:11:19,043
They came down to assess it.
279
00:11:19,123 --> 00:11:22,643
And the vets decided to go ahead
with a laser treatment.
280
00:11:22,723 --> 00:11:24,603
So we've got
a specialized laser here
281
00:11:24,683 --> 00:11:28,203
that we have to treat him with.
282
00:11:28,283 --> 00:11:30,923
And our very fashionable
safety device.
283
00:11:31,003 --> 00:11:32,083
It's quite a small device.
284
00:11:32,163 --> 00:11:34,243
It emits
different colored lasers.
285
00:11:34,323 --> 00:11:36,603
The laser we're going to be
using is a red laser,
286
00:11:36,683 --> 00:11:39,243
and you'll see red light
emitting out of this laser.
287
00:11:39,323 --> 00:11:41,923
The way that it helps
to treat Naga's issues
288
00:11:42,003 --> 00:11:46,683
is it repairs individual cells
as we run it over Naga's body.
289
00:11:46,763 --> 00:11:48,803
This is something we hadn't done
with reptiles before,
290
00:11:48,883 --> 00:11:52,003
but it's a great, non-invasive
way of treating it.
291
00:11:52,083 --> 00:11:54,643
Even with ten years
of experience,
292
00:11:54,723 --> 00:11:58,923
Stu is well aware of the risks
of dealing with a wild animal.
293
00:11:59,003 --> 00:12:00,563
Naga is a dangerous animal,
294
00:12:00,643 --> 00:12:03,003
so whenever we are going to do
anything in his enclosure,
295
00:12:03,083 --> 00:12:05,203
whether it be cleaning
his exhibit in the morning,
296
00:12:05,283 --> 00:12:07,683
to treating him, to feeding him,
297
00:12:07,763 --> 00:12:09,763
we always have to go
off his behavior
298
00:12:09,843 --> 00:12:13,323
to dictate how we will
work around him.
299
00:12:13,403 --> 00:12:17,403
Stuart to Chris Driver.
300
00:12:17,483 --> 00:12:19,443
Go ahead.
301
00:12:19,523 --> 00:12:21,043
Chris, I'm just going
into Naga's exhibit
302
00:12:21,123 --> 00:12:23,363
to do his laser treatment
this morning.
303
00:12:23,443 --> 00:12:26,163
He's in a good spot,
he doesn't seem too active,
304
00:12:26,243 --> 00:12:29,323
so I'll let you know when I
am finished that procedure.
305
00:12:29,403 --> 00:12:31,163
Copy, mate.
306
00:12:31,243 --> 00:12:32,403
Copy that.
307
00:12:32,483 --> 00:12:33,643
Some days we walk in there
308
00:12:33,723 --> 00:12:35,443
and he is completely
oblivious to us.
309
00:12:35,523 --> 00:12:37,163
He doesn't even
raise an eyelid.
310
00:12:37,243 --> 00:12:39,003
Other days I'll walk in
through that door
311
00:12:39,083 --> 00:12:41,403
and he's straight on to me,
looks straight at me.
312
00:12:41,483 --> 00:12:43,123
I know that he is stimulated,
313
00:12:43,203 --> 00:12:44,443
so we just have to be
a little bit more careful
314
00:12:44,523 --> 00:12:45,843
working around him.
315
00:12:45,923 --> 00:12:47,923
It doesn't mean
that he wants to attack us.
316
00:12:48,003 --> 00:12:51,563
It means that he's in
a heightened state of awareness.
317
00:12:51,643 --> 00:12:53,243
So we just enter the exhibit,
318
00:12:53,323 --> 00:12:55,963
get Naga into position
and then start the therapy.
319
00:12:58,963 --> 00:13:00,563
Hey, big fella.
320
00:13:04,963 --> 00:13:07,123
I mean, we are always
precautious,
321
00:13:07,203 --> 00:13:09,483
but yeah, definitely
we go off his behavior
322
00:13:09,563 --> 00:13:13,963
to dictate what sort
of a mood he's in.
323
00:13:14,043 --> 00:13:15,963
The first step
is getting him
324
00:13:16,043 --> 00:13:17,963
into a good position,
325
00:13:18,043 --> 00:13:20,323
and like all animals
at the zoo,
326
00:13:20,403 --> 00:13:23,483
Naga is trained to follow
his keeper's signals.
327
00:13:23,563 --> 00:13:25,043
Here we go.
328
00:13:43,323 --> 00:13:45,203
Now that we've got Naga up
in the right position
329
00:13:45,283 --> 00:13:46,923
to commence the laser therapy,
330
00:13:47,003 --> 00:13:49,603
I am going to start doing that
on his right shoulder.
331
00:13:49,683 --> 00:13:51,883
Now the laser therapy
was decided to be used
332
00:13:51,963 --> 00:13:55,483
because it's a very non-invasive
way of treating it.
333
00:13:55,563 --> 00:13:57,723
We have to move
the laser very slowly.
334
00:13:57,803 --> 00:14:00,963
We move it at about
one centimeter per second.
335
00:14:03,803 --> 00:14:06,203
What the laser does--
I'm not a vet--
336
00:14:06,283 --> 00:14:09,763
but it was explained that
it repairs any damaged cell
337
00:14:09,843 --> 00:14:12,203
in the area that is
being treated.
338
00:14:12,283 --> 00:14:15,043
It doesn't seem to be really
producing any pain for him.
339
00:14:15,123 --> 00:14:16,963
The vets told us
that he would just feel
340
00:14:17,043 --> 00:14:18,363
a little bit of an increase
in temperature,
341
00:14:18,443 --> 00:14:22,963
a little bit of warmth,
and that's all he feels.
342
00:14:23,043 --> 00:14:24,963
Good on you, mate.
343
00:14:25,043 --> 00:14:28,243
The laser treatment with Naga
went fantastic today.
344
00:14:28,323 --> 00:14:29,483
Not over it yet, are ya?
345
00:14:29,563 --> 00:14:30,483
Nah.
346
00:14:30,563 --> 00:14:32,363
You are nice and comfy in here.
347
00:14:32,443 --> 00:14:33,803
He was quite relaxed,
348
00:14:33,883 --> 00:14:37,003
and he stayed in position
for the entire treatment.
349
00:14:37,083 --> 00:14:38,843
Since we've started
the treatment,
350
00:14:38,923 --> 00:14:41,923
we've seen a great improvement
in his mobility in the shoulder.
351
00:14:42,003 --> 00:14:43,923
I hope that with
the laser therapy for Naga,
352
00:14:44,003 --> 00:14:46,483
by the end of it, we have
completely healed any issue
353
00:14:46,563 --> 00:14:47,963
that he had with his shoulder
354
00:14:48,043 --> 00:14:50,083
and he uses it
at 100% effectiveness
355
00:14:50,163 --> 00:14:51,763
like he did from the beginning.
356
00:14:54,803 --> 00:14:56,963
Taronga Zoo's
Wildlife Hospital
357
00:14:57,043 --> 00:14:59,123
is one busy place.
358
00:14:59,203 --> 00:15:00,723
See her tongue coming out.
359
00:15:00,803 --> 00:15:03,123
With thousands
of animals to attend to
360
00:15:03,203 --> 00:15:05,723
and emergencies
that often crop up,
361
00:15:05,803 --> 00:15:08,803
it has to be run with
a military-like precision.
362
00:15:08,883 --> 00:15:10,563
Just hang on to him
and keep calm.
363
00:15:10,643 --> 00:15:13,163
So when an animal
is booked in for a check-up,
364
00:15:13,243 --> 00:15:14,963
the keepers have to make sure
365
00:15:15,043 --> 00:15:18,163
that the animal will make
their appointment,
366
00:15:18,243 --> 00:15:21,923
and that includes even
the most difficult to train.
367
00:15:22,003 --> 00:15:22,923
Hey, otters.
368
00:15:23,003 --> 00:15:24,923
How are you going?
369
00:15:25,003 --> 00:15:26,963
How are you going? Hello.
370
00:15:27,043 --> 00:15:28,323
Talk otters? Cool.
371
00:15:28,403 --> 00:15:29,603
Let's talk otters.
372
00:15:29,683 --> 00:15:31,723
So the Asian small-clawed otters
373
00:15:31,803 --> 00:15:35,283
are the species we have
here at Taronga.
374
00:15:35,363 --> 00:15:37,083
And they're the smallest
of the 13 species
375
00:15:37,163 --> 00:15:38,603
found around the world.
376
00:15:38,683 --> 00:15:40,243
They actually live
in family groups.
377
00:15:40,323 --> 00:15:41,563
So you've got Intern and Satsi.
378
00:15:41,643 --> 00:15:43,123
Satsi is the young one
on the right.
379
00:15:43,203 --> 00:15:44,163
You have got Intern
on the left.
380
00:15:44,243 --> 00:15:46,323
The one right
at the back is Mum.
381
00:15:46,403 --> 00:15:48,523
And you've got Dad saying,
all right, let's go out.
382
00:15:48,603 --> 00:15:50,723
And Mum and Dad
actually bond for life.
383
00:15:50,803 --> 00:15:52,403
You guys are ready,
ready to go outside?
384
00:15:52,483 --> 00:15:55,843
And otters are very playful,
very social carnivores.
385
00:15:55,923 --> 00:15:57,603
They're very, very hyperactive.
386
00:15:57,683 --> 00:15:59,443
Always going 100 miles an hour.
387
00:15:59,523 --> 00:16:01,203
They have webbed feet,
388
00:16:01,283 --> 00:16:04,083
which is perfect for swimming
and diving into the water,
389
00:16:04,163 --> 00:16:06,083
and they actually are called
small-clawed
390
00:16:06,163 --> 00:16:08,363
because they literally have
very small claws.
391
00:16:08,443 --> 00:16:11,043
They have very, very small
kind of fingernails.
392
00:16:11,123 --> 00:16:12,883
Almost looks like if someone's
chewed their fingernails a lot.
393
00:16:12,963 --> 00:16:15,123
It's that tiny.
394
00:16:15,203 --> 00:16:17,443
While they may be
amongst the smallest animals
395
00:16:17,523 --> 00:16:21,003
at the zoo, they do hold
one of the biggest records.
396
00:16:21,083 --> 00:16:23,363
Yes, so otters
are known to have
397
00:16:23,443 --> 00:16:25,923
probably the worst-smelling poo
here at the zoo.
398
00:16:26,003 --> 00:16:27,723
So if you can grab
the essential oils.
399
00:16:27,803 --> 00:16:29,443
What do we have today?
400
00:16:29,523 --> 00:16:30,883
Ahh, peppermint and basil.
401
00:16:30,963 --> 00:16:32,003
Awesome.
402
00:16:32,083 --> 00:16:33,843
Every time a guest
will either walk past
403
00:16:33,923 --> 00:16:35,803
on the rainforest trail,
walking past the otter exhibit,
404
00:16:35,883 --> 00:16:38,003
they do get
that unique otter smell.
405
00:16:38,083 --> 00:16:40,363
Yeah, they are notorious
for their poo.
406
00:16:40,443 --> 00:16:42,043
Otters, enter.
407
00:16:42,123 --> 00:16:44,603
But even
the smelliest animals
408
00:16:44,683 --> 00:16:47,363
need to have
a regular health check.
409
00:16:47,443 --> 00:16:49,563
Katut is due
for his health check-up,
410
00:16:49,643 --> 00:16:51,683
and previously we just used
to go in there with nets
411
00:16:51,763 --> 00:16:53,043
and we had to kind of
restrain them,
412
00:16:53,123 --> 00:16:54,963
and obviously very stressful
for that otter
413
00:16:55,043 --> 00:16:56,283
and also stressful
for that family
414
00:16:56,363 --> 00:16:58,083
and also for the keepers
as well.
415
00:16:58,163 --> 00:16:59,363
Hello.
416
00:16:59,443 --> 00:17:00,603
You're right, Katut.
417
00:17:00,683 --> 00:17:02,043
So we are trialing something
418
00:17:02,123 --> 00:17:04,363
that is quite revolutionary
for Taronga.
419
00:17:04,443 --> 00:17:05,723
Not quite sure.
420
00:17:05,803 --> 00:17:07,003
Good boy.
421
00:17:07,083 --> 00:17:09,483
We're going to voluntarily
hand-inject an otter.
422
00:17:09,563 --> 00:17:12,483
But to do that, you
need the otter to stay still
423
00:17:12,563 --> 00:17:16,123
long enough to receive
an anesthetic injection.
424
00:17:16,203 --> 00:17:17,923
What we are looking for
in terms of the behavior
425
00:17:18,003 --> 00:17:21,923
is for Katut to voluntarily
go into a pipe
426
00:17:22,003 --> 00:17:24,963
and to accept a needle
that I'll be administering.
427
00:17:25,043 --> 00:17:27,003
When we first started
stationing,
428
00:17:27,083 --> 00:17:28,963
he was probably in there
for a second and out he goes,
429
00:17:29,043 --> 00:17:30,203
so we had to condition him
430
00:17:30,283 --> 00:17:31,763
to stay in that pipe
for quite some time,
431
00:17:31,843 --> 00:17:33,843
umm, just to get him prepared,
432
00:17:33,923 --> 00:17:35,563
and then obviously
take little steps
433
00:17:35,643 --> 00:17:36,963
with that needle coming in.
434
00:17:37,043 --> 00:17:38,683
Katut, good boy.
435
00:17:38,763 --> 00:17:42,003
On this side.
436
00:17:42,083 --> 00:17:43,483
A few things that we had
to condition
437
00:17:43,563 --> 00:17:46,563
particularly in our otters
is to calm down and relax.
438
00:17:46,643 --> 00:17:47,843
I love to kind of put in context
439
00:17:47,923 --> 00:17:49,243
they're like
a three-year-old child
440
00:17:49,323 --> 00:17:50,443
on red cordial all the time,
441
00:17:50,523 --> 00:17:52,723
so they are always active,
very energetic,
442
00:17:52,803 --> 00:17:54,003
their attention focus
is very, very quick,
443
00:17:54,083 --> 00:17:56,363
so you have to keep up
to them all the time.
444
00:17:56,443 --> 00:18:00,163
Katut is living up
to his hyperactive reputation
445
00:18:00,243 --> 00:18:02,963
and is not interested
in the training.
446
00:18:03,043 --> 00:18:04,443
Training itself, you know,
447
00:18:04,523 --> 00:18:06,203
like us, we have
our ups and downs,
448
00:18:06,283 --> 00:18:07,683
and so do our otter family
as well.
449
00:18:07,763 --> 00:18:09,523
Katut.
450
00:18:09,603 --> 00:18:10,683
You know, some days he is great
451
00:18:10,763 --> 00:18:11,883
and he is really motivated
in training,
452
00:18:11,963 --> 00:18:14,243
and other days he doesn't,
and that's fine.
453
00:18:14,323 --> 00:18:15,923
We just kind of take it
day by day
454
00:18:16,003 --> 00:18:19,323
and just prepare him
for his general anesthetic.
455
00:18:19,403 --> 00:18:22,323
Yeah, he is a bit nervous
at the moment.
456
00:18:22,403 --> 00:18:24,923
So he is giving me the indicator
that he wants to go out,
457
00:18:25,003 --> 00:18:27,243
so I'll let him back out.
458
00:18:27,323 --> 00:18:29,883
So while today
can only be described
459
00:18:29,963 --> 00:18:31,923
as an otter failure,
460
00:18:32,003 --> 00:18:36,963
for keeper Maz
there's always tomorrow.
461
00:18:37,043 --> 00:18:39,723
It's all good.
We could try again another time.
462
00:18:46,123 --> 00:18:48,523
As 18 months'
worth of construction
463
00:18:48,603 --> 00:18:51,323
for Taronga's ambitious
new African Savannah
464
00:18:51,403 --> 00:18:52,923
draws to a close...
465
00:18:53,003 --> 00:18:55,003
The guests
can just look out
466
00:18:55,083 --> 00:18:59,723
and see an uninterrupted view of
our beautiful savannah exhibit.
467
00:18:59,803 --> 00:19:03,283
This is beautiful.
468
00:19:03,363 --> 00:19:05,963
...the giraffe, who
will be the first to move in,
469
00:19:06,043 --> 00:19:08,883
continue with their
painfully slow training
470
00:19:08,963 --> 00:19:10,963
in preparation for the move.
471
00:19:11,043 --> 00:19:12,443
Jim.
472
00:19:12,523 --> 00:19:14,403
Hello, buddy. Station.
473
00:19:14,483 --> 00:19:16,163
That's the boy.
Nice work.
474
00:19:16,243 --> 00:19:17,203
It's monotonous work...
475
00:19:17,283 --> 00:19:18,763
Nice work.
476
00:19:18,843 --> 00:19:20,523
...months of
intensive daily training.
477
00:19:20,603 --> 00:19:23,243
Good. Very good.
478
00:19:23,323 --> 00:19:25,083
And the giraffe
are no longer bothered
479
00:19:25,163 --> 00:19:26,363
by the trailer
480
00:19:26,443 --> 00:19:28,643
as the final dry runs
before the big day
481
00:19:28,723 --> 00:19:30,243
are being conducted.
482
00:19:30,323 --> 00:19:32,043
We are trying
to do this as often we can.
483
00:19:32,123 --> 00:19:33,843
On the day there will be
three giraffe we're moving.
484
00:19:33,923 --> 00:19:35,603
They'll be going one at a time.
485
00:19:35,683 --> 00:19:37,323
So what we want to do is
get them used to the trailer
486
00:19:37,403 --> 00:19:39,123
driving in and out
as much as possible.
487
00:19:39,203 --> 00:19:42,963
So on the day nothing's
out of ordinary for them.
488
00:19:43,043 --> 00:19:44,683
The trailer is about to leave
the exhibit at the moment
489
00:19:44,763 --> 00:19:46,203
and head to the new savannah.
490
00:19:46,283 --> 00:19:47,683
Every day that we move
this trailer
491
00:19:47,763 --> 00:19:48,683
or we work these giraffe,
492
00:19:48,763 --> 00:19:49,683
it feels like we're getting
493
00:19:49,763 --> 00:19:50,963
closer and closer
to the end goal.
494
00:19:51,043 --> 00:19:54,123
So the end goal
shouldn't be far away now.
495
00:19:54,203 --> 00:19:55,803
As you can see,
he doesn't really care.
496
00:19:55,883 --> 00:19:57,083
So this is perfect.
497
00:19:57,163 --> 00:19:58,763
But in saying that,
you cannot judge
498
00:19:58,843 --> 00:20:00,083
what's going to happen
on the day.
499
00:20:00,163 --> 00:20:02,483
There's going to be a giraffe
in here on the day.
500
00:20:02,563 --> 00:20:03,803
They might react
totally different,
501
00:20:03,883 --> 00:20:05,483
and when they lose
a member of their herd,
502
00:20:05,563 --> 00:20:07,363
even if it's only
for a couple of minutes,
503
00:20:07,443 --> 00:20:09,243
they're still going to start
to think what's that trailer,
504
00:20:09,323 --> 00:20:11,563
you go in that trailer,
where do you go?
505
00:20:11,643 --> 00:20:13,283
Until they get reunited
at the other end.
506
00:20:13,363 --> 00:20:15,203
Then they're all happy.
507
00:20:15,283 --> 00:20:17,043
We're not just looking
at where the trailer is going.
508
00:20:17,123 --> 00:20:18,283
You've got to account
509
00:20:18,363 --> 00:20:19,523
another couple of feet
on top of that trailer
510
00:20:19,603 --> 00:20:20,443
when their head's up there.
511
00:20:20,523 --> 00:20:21,843
So we're not just worrying
512
00:20:21,923 --> 00:20:23,163
that the trees are
hitting the trailer,
513
00:20:23,243 --> 00:20:24,603
we're worrying that there is
another two foot of giraffe
514
00:20:24,683 --> 00:20:26,203
on top of that as well.
515
00:20:26,283 --> 00:20:28,003
But while
the front of house moves
516
00:20:28,083 --> 00:20:30,883
are running smoothly for Jimmy
and the giraffe team...
517
00:20:32,723 --> 00:20:33,643
Howard.
518
00:20:33,723 --> 00:20:35,163
Early the next day
519
00:20:35,243 --> 00:20:38,443
Senior Vet Larry receives
a call about Nyota
520
00:20:38,523 --> 00:20:41,523
that could put the whole move
in jeopardy.
521
00:20:41,603 --> 00:20:42,843
For all
of our older animals,
522
00:20:42,923 --> 00:20:44,763
we monitor their quality of life
523
00:20:44,843 --> 00:20:46,963
and their welfare
very, very closely.
524
00:20:47,043 --> 00:20:50,323
As they get older,
arthritis, dental disease,
525
00:20:50,403 --> 00:20:52,763
other degenerative processes
are happening,
526
00:20:52,843 --> 00:20:55,283
and what you see when you are
looking at the animal
527
00:20:55,363 --> 00:20:58,363
doesn't indicate how bad
the changes are, actually.
528
00:20:58,443 --> 00:21:00,443
And unfortunately for Nyota,
529
00:21:00,523 --> 00:21:05,003
the sad reality is her health
is now in rapid decline.
530
00:21:05,083 --> 00:21:07,443
Sadly Nyota,
our 28-year-old giraffe,
531
00:21:07,523 --> 00:21:08,803
which is pretty old
for a giraffe,
532
00:21:08,883 --> 00:21:10,763
has deteriorated suddenly.
533
00:21:10,843 --> 00:21:13,283
Yesterday afternoon
she was very unwell.
534
00:21:13,363 --> 00:21:16,283
We've been monitoring her
very closely.
535
00:21:16,363 --> 00:21:17,363
That's it, darling.
536
00:21:17,443 --> 00:21:18,603
Come on.
537
00:21:18,683 --> 00:21:19,883
But yesterday afternoon
538
00:21:19,963 --> 00:21:21,323
she really took a turn
for the worst.
539
00:21:21,403 --> 00:21:24,123
She's really slowed down,
she's very vague,
540
00:21:24,203 --> 00:21:27,803
her nostrils are flared,
she just looks really unwell.
541
00:21:27,883 --> 00:21:30,003
Given Nyota's
advancing years
542
00:21:30,083 --> 00:21:32,363
and this dramatic development,
543
00:21:32,443 --> 00:21:34,643
it's very clear
some tough decisions
544
00:21:34,723 --> 00:21:37,923
need to be made and quickly.
545
00:21:42,043 --> 00:21:45,963
Katut, the short-clawed otter,
needs a health check,
546
00:21:46,043 --> 00:21:49,083
and it's up to keeper Maz
to make sure he's ready.
547
00:21:49,163 --> 00:21:50,523
All right, otters.
548
00:21:50,603 --> 00:21:52,563
By training
this hyperactive animal
549
00:21:52,643 --> 00:21:54,323
to sit still long enough
550
00:21:54,403 --> 00:21:56,803
to receive
an anesthetic injection.
551
00:21:56,883 --> 00:21:58,283
Katut.
552
00:21:58,363 --> 00:22:00,643
But it's been
a frustrating few weeks.
553
00:22:00,723 --> 00:22:02,283
Katut.
554
00:22:02,363 --> 00:22:04,523
As each day Maz has tried...
555
00:22:04,603 --> 00:22:06,003
Katut.
556
00:22:06,083 --> 00:22:07,203
...and tried...
557
00:22:07,283 --> 00:22:08,963
Stay.
558
00:22:09,043 --> 00:22:13,003
...and tried again
to get Katut to stay still.
559
00:22:15,963 --> 00:22:17,723
We might have to end it.
560
00:22:17,803 --> 00:22:19,283
Yeah, they're not that happy.
561
00:22:19,363 --> 00:22:20,723
Ahh.
562
00:22:20,803 --> 00:22:21,843
We'll just let him out
563
00:22:21,923 --> 00:22:25,123
and we can just regroup
and then try again.
564
00:22:25,203 --> 00:22:27,123
All right, guys.
565
00:22:27,203 --> 00:22:30,443
And with the vets
and operating theater booked,
566
00:22:30,523 --> 00:22:34,083
finally Maz has a breakthrough.
567
00:22:34,163 --> 00:22:35,563
Okay, Katut.
568
00:22:35,643 --> 00:22:38,883
Because Katut
is finally listening.
569
00:22:38,963 --> 00:22:41,163
All right,
can you feed them?
570
00:22:41,243 --> 00:22:44,283
Katut, across.
571
00:22:44,363 --> 00:22:47,283
Katut.
572
00:22:47,363 --> 00:22:49,483
Katut, touch.
573
00:22:49,563 --> 00:22:51,043
Good stuff, Katut.
574
00:22:51,123 --> 00:22:52,523
Nice.
575
00:22:52,603 --> 00:22:55,123
Him allowing me to touch
his body, it is great to see.
576
00:22:55,203 --> 00:22:56,563
He does trust me,
577
00:22:56,643 --> 00:22:58,603
and obviously I trust him
as well at the same time.
578
00:22:58,683 --> 00:23:00,483
All right, finished.
579
00:23:00,563 --> 00:23:02,003
And we're done.
580
00:23:02,083 --> 00:23:04,483
So with everything in place,
581
00:23:04,563 --> 00:23:07,483
vet Kimberly arrives
with the anesthetic needle.
582
00:23:07,563 --> 00:23:09,923
We've been working very,
very hard to get to this stage,
583
00:23:10,003 --> 00:23:11,763
but yeah, it is also
for his welfare
584
00:23:11,843 --> 00:23:13,603
and for the group as well,
585
00:23:13,683 --> 00:23:16,163
so we don't have to, you know,
physically restrain an animal
586
00:23:16,243 --> 00:23:18,083
or put them under
any pressure or stress.
587
00:23:18,163 --> 00:23:19,043
Maz, come here for a sec.
588
00:23:19,123 --> 00:23:20,683
Yep.
589
00:23:20,763 --> 00:23:23,283
Do you want
a small syringe with .4 in it
590
00:23:23,363 --> 00:23:24,723
or a thicker syringe?
591
00:23:24,803 --> 00:23:25,803
I don't know what you have been
practicing with.
592
00:23:25,883 --> 00:23:27,763
Um, yeah,
a small syringe is fine.
593
00:23:27,843 --> 00:23:30,003
One of these.
Yep.
594
00:23:30,083 --> 00:23:31,123
All right.
It's loaded, ready to go?
595
00:23:31,203 --> 00:23:32,123
Good to go.
596
00:23:32,203 --> 00:23:35,163
Cool. Perfect.
See you soon.
597
00:23:35,243 --> 00:23:39,843
And now it's
all up to Maz and Katut.
598
00:23:44,723 --> 00:23:46,843
Wednesday,
the short-beaked echidna,
599
00:23:46,923 --> 00:23:49,403
is about to join
the rest of the echidnas
600
00:23:49,483 --> 00:23:51,283
in the breeding pool.
601
00:23:51,363 --> 00:23:54,523
All right, Liz,
this is little Wednesday.
602
00:23:54,603 --> 00:23:56,763
Before he can join the females
603
00:23:56,843 --> 00:23:59,203
he needs the all-clear
from vet Larry,
604
00:23:59,283 --> 00:24:02,803
who is being assisted
by US vet Meredith.
605
00:24:02,883 --> 00:24:04,563
We have porcupines that exist
606
00:24:04,643 --> 00:24:07,723
in the United States and
North America with quills,
607
00:24:07,803 --> 00:24:09,003
somewhat similar,
608
00:24:09,083 --> 00:24:11,923
but nothing quite
like the echidna's body size
609
00:24:12,003 --> 00:24:14,443
or their little
protective abilities.
610
00:24:14,523 --> 00:24:15,883
But this
feisty little animal
611
00:24:15,963 --> 00:24:19,363
isn't too keen on being
a model patient.
612
00:24:19,443 --> 00:24:21,923
We're just putting
a little mask over his beak
613
00:24:22,003 --> 00:24:24,923
so that we can
induce the anesthetic.
614
00:24:25,003 --> 00:24:27,483
Little bit shy,
little Wednesday.
615
00:24:27,563 --> 00:24:30,083
When echidnas are threatened
by a predator
616
00:24:30,163 --> 00:24:32,683
or even when people try
and pick them up,
617
00:24:32,763 --> 00:24:37,163
they curl up into this ball and
they are almost impenetrable.
618
00:24:37,243 --> 00:24:38,403
You got it?
619
00:24:38,483 --> 00:24:40,883
I don't think it was,
it wasn't on.
620
00:24:40,963 --> 00:24:43,323
Little bugger.
621
00:24:43,403 --> 00:24:44,923
Okay, now we're on.
622
00:24:48,043 --> 00:24:50,083
They're very, very powerful
little animals.
623
00:24:50,163 --> 00:24:53,643
They've got powerful
claws and limbs
624
00:24:53,723 --> 00:24:56,443
to break down
and burrow and dig,
625
00:24:56,523 --> 00:25:02,483
and obviously this, this shield
of spines is for protection.
626
00:25:02,563 --> 00:25:05,123
So, we're going to take
some x-rays of Wednesday
627
00:25:05,203 --> 00:25:06,603
because we're also doing
a little study
628
00:25:06,683 --> 00:25:09,723
looking at the development
of their, their skeleton,
629
00:25:09,803 --> 00:25:12,363
because they're also
quite unusual.
630
00:25:12,443 --> 00:25:13,563
They have a very, you know,
631
00:25:13,643 --> 00:25:16,203
unique sort of anatomy
and physiology
632
00:25:16,283 --> 00:25:19,163
that's again a mixture of
mammals, birds and reptiles.
633
00:25:19,243 --> 00:25:21,923
Their skeleton is
pretty unique and crazy.
634
00:25:22,003 --> 00:25:24,723
Their bones are all sorts
of weird and wonderful shapes,
635
00:25:24,803 --> 00:25:29,163
so very, very unique
and very cool animal.
636
00:25:29,243 --> 00:25:31,443
But since he will
hopefully be breeding,
637
00:25:31,523 --> 00:25:36,563
the focus of this check
is on his ability to perform.
638
00:25:36,643 --> 00:25:38,323
Just depth, Liz.
639
00:25:38,403 --> 00:25:41,043
Just reduce the depth a little.
640
00:25:41,123 --> 00:25:43,003
Yeah, so, that's, umm,
641
00:25:43,083 --> 00:25:45,603
so we can see his bladder
perfectly on the image.
642
00:25:45,683 --> 00:25:48,643
But of course, like platypus,
643
00:25:48,723 --> 00:25:51,123
echidnas have
internal testicles.
644
00:25:51,203 --> 00:25:53,923
They're called testicond,
and we can,
645
00:25:54,003 --> 00:25:57,123
we've got a magnificent image
of his testicle.
646
00:25:57,203 --> 00:26:01,043
You might see, you might be able
to see this bulge here.
647
00:26:01,123 --> 00:26:05,603
So when we start
fiddling around here,
648
00:26:05,683 --> 00:26:08,163
we might get a bit
of a surprise.
649
00:26:11,483 --> 00:26:13,403
He's not gonna
disappoint us, is he?
650
00:26:16,643 --> 00:26:18,043
Hello.
651
00:26:18,123 --> 00:26:20,683
So this is
an echidna's penis.
652
00:26:20,763 --> 00:26:24,923
So a very, very bizarre
structure.
653
00:26:25,003 --> 00:26:28,563
You can see it's has got
four little heads there,
654
00:26:28,643 --> 00:26:30,643
almost look like little suckers.
655
00:26:30,723 --> 00:26:33,003
And it doesn't actually work
656
00:26:33,083 --> 00:26:36,443
like a penis
in other mammal species
657
00:26:36,523 --> 00:26:38,163
in that urine doesn't
come through it.
658
00:26:38,243 --> 00:26:39,563
So it's just
a reproductive organ?
659
00:26:39,643 --> 00:26:41,003
Yeah, yeah.
660
00:26:41,083 --> 00:26:42,803
So, but it's crazy, isn't it?
661
00:26:42,883 --> 00:26:47,243
Remarkable in its size comparison.
662
00:26:47,323 --> 00:26:49,883
Okay, we can wake him up.
663
00:26:49,963 --> 00:26:52,003
It's good news for Wednesday,
664
00:26:52,083 --> 00:26:54,203
as he's cleared his exam
665
00:26:54,283 --> 00:26:57,363
and is off to join the rest
of the echidna breeding pool.
666
00:26:57,443 --> 00:26:58,603
Wednesday is
in perfect health.
667
00:26:58,683 --> 00:27:00,203
He's got the all-clear,
668
00:27:00,283 --> 00:27:02,723
and good luck to him
with his future breeding.
669
00:27:02,803 --> 00:27:04,883
And hopefully
in the near future
670
00:27:04,963 --> 00:27:08,843
Wednesday can produce a little
echidna puggle of his own.
671
00:27:11,083 --> 00:27:14,923
Otter keeper Maz has been
training hyperactive dad Katut
672
00:27:15,003 --> 00:27:17,763
to receive
an anesthetic injection.
673
00:27:17,843 --> 00:27:19,643
Loaded and ready to go?
Good to go.
674
00:27:19,723 --> 00:27:21,763
Cool, perfect,
see you soon.
675
00:27:21,843 --> 00:27:24,323
After only one
successful training run
676
00:27:24,403 --> 00:27:27,843
and with vet Kimberly
waiting patiently outside,
677
00:27:27,923 --> 00:27:31,403
he's hoping that today
Katut will play ball.
678
00:27:31,483 --> 00:27:33,123
Otters, inside.
679
00:27:42,323 --> 00:27:43,363
Katut, pipe.
680
00:27:44,563 --> 00:27:46,963
Touch.
681
00:27:47,043 --> 00:27:50,043
And Katut did not disappoint.
682
00:27:50,123 --> 00:27:51,723
Good stuff, buddy.
683
00:27:54,723 --> 00:27:55,763
Great job.
684
00:27:55,843 --> 00:27:57,403
I'm so glad you got
that anesthetic
685
00:27:57,483 --> 00:28:01,323
because, like you said, we would
have to delay it to another day.
686
00:28:01,403 --> 00:28:04,963
That anesthetic we just did
with Katut went perfectly.
687
00:28:05,043 --> 00:28:07,163
Maz, the keeper, was able
to do the anesthesia.
688
00:28:07,243 --> 00:28:09,203
Anesthesia was very smooth.
689
00:28:09,283 --> 00:28:11,803
So with Katut
well and truly under,
690
00:28:11,883 --> 00:28:15,323
it's over to Kimberly and
her team for his health check.
691
00:28:15,403 --> 00:28:17,443
So essentially
we're just looking at Katut
692
00:28:17,523 --> 00:28:19,803
to make sure everything
is working okay.
693
00:28:19,883 --> 00:28:23,763
We'll get some blood, make sure
systemically he's looking fine.
694
00:28:23,843 --> 00:28:25,763
We'll just have a good feel
of the liver,
695
00:28:25,843 --> 00:28:29,403
try to feel the kidneys,
feel for any abdominal masses.
696
00:28:29,483 --> 00:28:31,363
We don't have too many
problems in our otters.
697
00:28:31,443 --> 00:28:33,403
Sometimes they have
dental problems,
698
00:28:33,483 --> 00:28:35,323
so we want to make sure
the teeth are okay.
699
00:28:35,403 --> 00:28:37,363
So while we have him
under anesthesia,
700
00:28:37,443 --> 00:28:39,683
it's a good opportunity
just to get that off
701
00:28:39,763 --> 00:28:43,123
so that it doesn't develop
into something more.
702
00:28:43,203 --> 00:28:46,683
He's a little cold,
so we'll warm him up a bit.
703
00:28:46,763 --> 00:28:47,683
Hello.
704
00:28:47,763 --> 00:28:48,683
Good timing, actually.
705
00:28:48,763 --> 00:28:51,203
We're just finishing.
706
00:28:51,283 --> 00:28:52,483
He looks perfect.
707
00:28:52,563 --> 00:28:53,763
He did have a bit of tartar,
708
00:28:53,843 --> 00:28:56,283
so Liz did a great job
cleaning his teeth.
709
00:28:56,363 --> 00:28:57,563
Amazing.
710
00:28:57,643 --> 00:28:59,283
Yeah.
Everything looks good.
711
00:28:59,363 --> 00:29:00,283
He is 3.8 kilos.
712
00:29:00,363 --> 00:29:01,483
3.8, cool.
713
00:29:01,563 --> 00:29:04,123
3.8, so I'm
really happy with him.
714
00:29:04,203 --> 00:29:05,203
He has had his vaccination.
715
00:29:05,283 --> 00:29:06,243
Perfect.
716
00:29:06,323 --> 00:29:07,203
So I think we're all set.
717
00:29:07,283 --> 00:29:08,923
Yes.
718
00:29:09,003 --> 00:29:11,243
Katut is an otter
that I do work closely with.
719
00:29:11,323 --> 00:29:13,283
Him and I have
a good relationship and rapport,
720
00:29:13,363 --> 00:29:14,763
so seeing him on the table
721
00:29:14,843 --> 00:29:16,803
and seeing him training up
to this point
722
00:29:16,883 --> 00:29:18,323
is a great success.
723
00:29:18,403 --> 00:29:20,963
This is quite a historic moment
for us here at Taronga Zoo.
724
00:29:21,043 --> 00:29:23,403
First time we ever voluntarily
hand-injected an otter.
725
00:29:23,483 --> 00:29:25,683
So this is an awesome day,
726
00:29:25,763 --> 00:29:27,883
and I'm very proud of Katut
and our otters here,
727
00:29:27,963 --> 00:29:29,603
so yeah, couldn't have been
a better outcome.
728
00:29:34,003 --> 00:29:36,803
The oldest giraffe
at Taronga, Nyota,
729
00:29:36,883 --> 00:29:38,603
has had a slow decline
of health
730
00:29:38,683 --> 00:29:41,163
over the past few months.
731
00:29:41,243 --> 00:29:45,403
But yesterday she took
a dramatic turn for the worse,
732
00:29:45,483 --> 00:29:49,403
leaving Taronga vets
in an unthinkable position.
733
00:29:49,483 --> 00:29:51,683
Given that sudden
deterioration in her health,
734
00:29:51,763 --> 00:29:54,483
her advanced age,
735
00:29:54,563 --> 00:30:00,043
we've decided we're going
to euthanize her this morning.
736
00:30:00,123 --> 00:30:03,323
It's always a hard decision
to euthanize any animal.
737
00:30:03,403 --> 00:30:05,723
We always prefer
to euthanize an animal
738
00:30:05,803 --> 00:30:08,083
before they're actually
really suffering.
739
00:30:11,083 --> 00:30:12,803
We'll fire a little dart
into her,
740
00:30:12,883 --> 00:30:16,843
and she'll go to sleep,
and then we'll euthanize her.
741
00:30:16,923 --> 00:30:20,083
Giraffe anesthesia is always
challenging, that's for sure.
742
00:30:20,163 --> 00:30:21,603
A very large, lanky animal,
743
00:30:21,683 --> 00:30:23,643
she weighs about 900 kilos,
744
00:30:23,723 --> 00:30:25,643
so you know,
there's always a risk
745
00:30:25,723 --> 00:30:27,923
that Nyota is going
to fall awkwardly
746
00:30:28,003 --> 00:30:29,763
or injure herself
on her way down,
747
00:30:29,843 --> 00:30:31,123
and we don't want that to happen
748
00:30:31,203 --> 00:30:33,403
regardless of what
the outcome is going to be.
749
00:30:33,483 --> 00:30:34,763
It's obvious
from the emotion
750
00:30:34,843 --> 00:30:37,683
in Larry's normally calm voice
751
00:30:37,763 --> 00:30:43,403
just how much this is
affecting everyone at Taronga.
752
00:30:43,483 --> 00:30:46,083
Larry to Gabe.
753
00:30:46,163 --> 00:30:48,723
Go ahead, Larry.
754
00:30:48,803 --> 00:30:50,083
Gabe, we are good
to come down now.
755
00:30:50,163 --> 00:30:53,443
Are you guys ready?
756
00:30:53,523 --> 00:30:54,443
Yeah.
757
00:30:54,523 --> 00:30:56,043
We, umm, can be ready.
758
00:30:56,123 --> 00:30:57,323
We're just waiting for you
759
00:30:57,403 --> 00:30:58,923
before we lock
the other two away
760
00:30:59,003 --> 00:31:03,723
just so she's not
on her own as long.
761
00:31:03,803 --> 00:31:05,723
Okay,
we'll head down now.
762
00:31:05,803 --> 00:31:07,563
There's so much
shared history
763
00:31:07,643 --> 00:31:11,003
between Nyota
and Taronga's staff.
764
00:31:11,083 --> 00:31:12,123
I mean, it's sad.
765
00:31:12,203 --> 00:31:13,603
Nyota is
a pretty special animal.
766
00:31:13,683 --> 00:31:16,603
I've been here 30 years
and she was born here in 1992,
767
00:31:16,683 --> 00:31:19,323
so I've known her
her whole life.
768
00:31:19,403 --> 00:31:21,643
Her parents were
wonderful giraffe.
769
00:31:21,723 --> 00:31:24,643
A male called Charity,
and her mother was called Hope.
770
00:31:24,723 --> 00:31:26,203
So Hope and Charity
were her parents,
771
00:31:26,283 --> 00:31:29,443
and I knew them well as well.
772
00:31:29,523 --> 00:31:32,563
She made the decision for us.
773
00:31:32,643 --> 00:31:34,003
It's hard for everybody
774
00:31:34,083 --> 00:31:35,963
when you lose any animal
in the zoo.
775
00:31:36,043 --> 00:31:38,443
But with an animal that's
been here such a long time
776
00:31:38,523 --> 00:31:40,803
and is quite iconic
like a giraffe,
777
00:31:40,883 --> 00:31:45,323
umm, yeah, it's
a really hard day, yeah.
778
00:31:45,403 --> 00:31:47,243
The other two
are locked away.
779
00:31:47,323 --> 00:31:49,643
So she's at the back pool fence.
780
00:31:49,723 --> 00:31:52,723
Okay, I'll just
get the gun.
781
00:31:52,803 --> 00:31:56,363
We're just about to start
the procedure for Nyota.
782
00:31:56,443 --> 00:32:00,563
Are you able to please put over
on all radios an announcement?
783
00:32:00,643 --> 00:32:03,883
I've worked with her closely
for the last three years.
784
00:32:03,963 --> 00:32:09,763
These long-lived iconic animals
have touched so many people,
785
00:32:09,843 --> 00:32:13,443
and because we work
so closely with them,
786
00:32:13,523 --> 00:32:16,603
there are so many
rich connections.
787
00:32:16,683 --> 00:32:17,843
Are you
gonna miss her?
788
00:32:17,923 --> 00:32:20,043
Yeah, very much so,
gonna miss her.
789
00:32:20,123 --> 00:32:25,483
She's a beautiful animal,
and we're gonna miss her a lot.
790
00:32:25,563 --> 00:32:27,803
The giraffe keepers
are about to start a procedure
791
00:32:27,883 --> 00:32:29,403
on one of their giraffes.
792
00:32:29,483 --> 00:32:31,403
We request that
you keep the area
793
00:32:31,483 --> 00:32:33,723
around the giraffe paddock
clear.
794
00:32:33,803 --> 00:32:35,963
If you are working
within the area,
795
00:32:36,043 --> 00:32:39,643
please keep all noise
to a minimum.
796
00:32:39,723 --> 00:32:41,683
It's a tough day.
It is a hard day for everyone.
797
00:32:41,763 --> 00:32:44,043
I mean, she was loved
by not just us
798
00:32:44,123 --> 00:32:45,523
but the rest of the zoo
and the public,
799
00:32:45,603 --> 00:32:47,763
so it's a massive loss for us,
800
00:32:47,843 --> 00:32:51,003
but she's definitely going
to a better place.
801
00:32:53,123 --> 00:32:54,723
Follow me.
802
00:32:54,803 --> 00:32:56,603
I'll just load
the dart in here.
803
00:32:56,683 --> 00:32:58,003
The reality is
804
00:32:58,083 --> 00:33:01,083
if Taronga did not take
this course of action,
805
00:33:01,163 --> 00:33:05,123
Nyota would have
no future quality of life.
806
00:33:10,763 --> 00:33:14,883
Sorry, guys,
we have to head away now.
807
00:33:14,963 --> 00:33:17,923
So as heartbreaking
as this is for everyone,
808
00:33:18,003 --> 00:33:21,123
sadly there's no other option.
809
00:33:37,803 --> 00:33:39,843
As the minutes pass,
810
00:33:39,923 --> 00:33:43,483
more and more of her
devastated Taronga family
811
00:33:43,563 --> 00:33:46,083
arrive to say their goodbyes.
812
00:33:46,163 --> 00:33:52,003
I've worked with Nyota
now for probably 13 years.
813
00:33:52,083 --> 00:33:55,003
I have a photo on my locker
of her when she was born here.
814
00:33:55,083 --> 00:33:57,643
She's such a strong character.
815
00:33:57,723 --> 00:34:02,403
She really, really made
her presence felt.
816
00:34:02,483 --> 00:34:07,203
It is always very hard
when you lose someone,
817
00:34:07,283 --> 00:34:08,403
because that's
what they are to us.
818
00:34:08,483 --> 00:34:11,363
They are someone that you love,
819
00:34:11,443 --> 00:34:15,603
but you have to recognize
the signs when it is time.
820
00:34:15,683 --> 00:34:17,643
Of course in a wild situation
821
00:34:17,723 --> 00:34:21,083
there will be a wild end
to their life,
822
00:34:21,163 --> 00:34:23,243
and so at least here
they're going out
823
00:34:23,323 --> 00:34:25,523
with the people
who love them around them.
824
00:34:25,603 --> 00:34:30,363
And I think that she does
take comfort from our presence.
825
00:34:30,443 --> 00:34:34,003
But I will miss
my friend Nyota very much.
826
00:34:39,603 --> 00:34:42,403
We darted Nyota about, ahh,
827
00:34:42,483 --> 00:34:44,123
it'd be about 15 minutes ago
now, actually,
828
00:34:44,203 --> 00:34:48,603
and, um, we're still waiting
for the drug to take effect.
829
00:34:48,683 --> 00:34:49,963
I think she is affected,
830
00:34:50,043 --> 00:34:53,523
but she hasn't moved at all
since she was darted
831
00:34:53,603 --> 00:34:55,003
and she is very drowsy,
832
00:34:55,083 --> 00:34:58,203
but the drug hasn't reached
a level in her system
833
00:34:58,283 --> 00:35:01,483
that it's enough
to knock her down.
834
00:35:01,563 --> 00:35:03,643
Umm, I suspect that maybe
her circulation,
835
00:35:03,723 --> 00:35:04,803
because she is not
moving around,
836
00:35:04,883 --> 00:35:06,163
her circulation
is a bit sluggish
837
00:35:06,243 --> 00:35:08,043
and, umm, it's just not
taking effect
838
00:35:08,123 --> 00:35:10,843
as, as quickly as you'd expect.
839
00:35:30,003 --> 00:35:31,203
Larry.
840
00:35:50,243 --> 00:35:52,443
Just come around
the back of her in case she--
841
00:35:52,523 --> 00:35:54,123
Do we have
another towel, guys?
842
00:35:54,203 --> 00:35:55,123
Yeah.
843
00:35:55,203 --> 00:35:56,563
Andy.
844
00:35:56,643 --> 00:35:58,723
It was a very peaceful ending
for her life,
845
00:35:58,803 --> 00:36:03,163
and, uh, this is part
of working in a zoo.
846
00:36:03,243 --> 00:36:06,443
Animals are born, animals die,
animals get very old in zoos,
847
00:36:06,523 --> 00:36:09,563
and, ahh, you know,
it's a circle of life in a zoo,
848
00:36:09,643 --> 00:36:12,243
and, and, you know,
she was a very healthy animal,
849
00:36:12,323 --> 00:36:14,963
and I think this
is just her time.
850
00:36:19,443 --> 00:36:20,683
Just everyone,
851
00:36:20,763 --> 00:36:22,323
we've just still got Jimmy
and Saratha over there
852
00:36:22,403 --> 00:36:23,803
to take into consideration,
853
00:36:23,883 --> 00:36:27,203
so we'll try and be
as quiet as possible.
854
00:36:27,283 --> 00:36:28,483
All right.
855
00:36:28,563 --> 00:36:30,683
The euthanasia
of Nyota here
856
00:36:30,763 --> 00:36:32,403
is going to have
a big impact on us
857
00:36:32,483 --> 00:36:35,803
moving the animals
up to their new exhibit.
858
00:36:35,883 --> 00:36:38,003
So we're going to have to
put the move on hold
859
00:36:38,083 --> 00:36:39,083
for a little bit.
860
00:36:39,163 --> 00:36:41,883
It's important
that we keep the welfare
861
00:36:41,963 --> 00:36:44,323
of the other giraffe in mind.
862
00:36:44,403 --> 00:36:48,323
They're really going to feel
the loss of Nyota from the herd.
863
00:37:05,843 --> 00:37:09,443
Beautiful giraffe,
and she was always feisty,
864
00:37:09,523 --> 00:37:13,923
happy, naughty giraffe
when she was young.
865
00:37:14,003 --> 00:37:20,043
So 28 years later,
she died today, so, sorry.
866
00:37:34,683 --> 00:37:36,603
The effects
of the last few days
867
00:37:36,683 --> 00:37:39,763
will be felt throughout Taronga
for a long time to come.
868
00:37:39,843 --> 00:37:41,043
Events like this
869
00:37:41,123 --> 00:37:42,563
are always very hard
for the vet team,
870
00:37:42,643 --> 00:37:43,923
but particularly the keepers.
871
00:37:44,003 --> 00:37:45,963
I mean, they spend a lot of time
with these animals.
872
00:37:46,043 --> 00:37:48,403
There will be a bit of grieving
time for the other giraffe.
873
00:37:48,483 --> 00:37:50,243
The giraffe team, of course.
874
00:37:50,323 --> 00:37:51,763
They have to regroup
875
00:37:51,843 --> 00:37:53,323
and just get that training
happening again.
876
00:37:53,403 --> 00:37:56,003
So a very sad day for them.
877
00:37:56,083 --> 00:38:01,283
But you can't have
death without life.
878
00:38:01,363 --> 00:38:05,403
And there are still more
animals at Taronga to care for.
879
00:38:05,483 --> 00:38:08,403
Is that sore to touch?
880
00:38:08,483 --> 00:38:09,923
As the African Savannah
881
00:38:10,003 --> 00:38:13,003
sits waiting for the animals
to move in,
882
00:38:13,083 --> 00:38:16,843
the rest of the zoo
will continue to move forward,
883
00:38:16,923 --> 00:38:20,963
and although Taronga may have
lost several animals this year,
884
00:38:21,043 --> 00:38:24,283
they've gained
a whole lot more.
885
00:38:24,363 --> 00:38:26,403
There is the endangered
black rhino
886
00:38:26,483 --> 00:38:30,683
out at Taronga's
Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo.
887
00:38:30,763 --> 00:38:32,043
We are the only institution
in Australia
888
00:38:32,123 --> 00:38:33,523
that's breeding black rhinos.
889
00:38:33,603 --> 00:38:35,203
We're currently one
of two institutions
890
00:38:35,283 --> 00:38:36,603
that have had the most success
891
00:38:36,683 --> 00:38:39,163
breeding this species
in the world.
892
00:38:39,243 --> 00:38:40,843
And a few paddocks over,
893
00:38:40,923 --> 00:38:46,043
some young giraffe calves are
finding their way in the herd.
894
00:38:46,123 --> 00:38:50,483
The baby bongo was a cause
for great celebration,
895
00:38:50,563 --> 00:38:52,243
shining a spotlight
896
00:38:52,323 --> 00:38:55,803
on one of Taronga's many
successful breeding programs
897
00:38:55,883 --> 00:38:57,563
for endangered animals.
898
00:38:57,643 --> 00:38:59,843
We are doing our best
to increase their numbers.
899
00:38:59,923 --> 00:39:01,763
Their numbers are really,
really low in the wild.
900
00:39:01,843 --> 00:39:03,643
So what we can do here
is increase them,
901
00:39:03,723 --> 00:39:06,083
increase the breeding program,
start to disperse them,
902
00:39:06,163 --> 00:39:07,443
get their genetics out there
903
00:39:07,523 --> 00:39:09,523
and just create a bigger,
bigger bongo population,
904
00:39:09,603 --> 00:39:11,403
and that's what we're doing.
905
00:39:11,483 --> 00:39:13,923
And a whole host
of baby primates
906
00:39:14,003 --> 00:39:17,563
are adding critical numbers
to declining species.
907
00:39:17,643 --> 00:39:18,843
I have never
seen them in the wild.
908
00:39:18,923 --> 00:39:20,963
I would love to go and see them.
909
00:39:21,043 --> 00:39:24,043
Then there are
the 1,400 wild animals
910
00:39:24,123 --> 00:39:25,723
brought in by the public
911
00:39:25,803 --> 00:39:29,123
that get rehabilitated
at Taronga each year.
912
00:39:29,203 --> 00:39:30,323
We certainly
have saved animals
913
00:39:30,403 --> 00:39:31,763
that actually even look
sicker than this,
914
00:39:31,843 --> 00:39:33,523
so we'll definitely
give it a go.
915
00:39:33,603 --> 00:39:36,763
Injured animals
that are treated, cared for
916
00:39:36,843 --> 00:39:40,083
and then released
back into the wild...
917
00:39:40,163 --> 00:39:44,283
all given a second chance
by Taronga's vets and nurses.
918
00:39:44,363 --> 00:39:45,483
There he goes.
919
00:39:45,563 --> 00:39:48,523
Woo-hoo! Woo!
920
00:39:48,603 --> 00:39:49,883
There are species
921
00:39:49,963 --> 00:39:52,683
that were once
on the brink of extinction.
922
00:39:52,763 --> 00:39:54,123
We don't have
any of these
923
00:39:54,203 --> 00:39:55,803
naturally breeding in the wild.
924
00:39:55,883 --> 00:39:59,683
Now back in the wild
and thriving.
925
00:39:59,763 --> 00:40:02,283
Look at him,
he's so happy.
926
00:40:02,363 --> 00:40:03,763
And with a team
927
00:40:03,843 --> 00:40:06,563
of dedicated pathologists
and scientists,
928
00:40:06,643 --> 00:40:08,283
they are leading a crusade
929
00:40:08,363 --> 00:40:11,203
to bring a halt
to animal smuggling.
930
00:40:11,283 --> 00:40:14,403
And what we're doing is
developing a non-invasive test
931
00:40:14,483 --> 00:40:16,843
that can tell you
with 100% accuracy,
932
00:40:16,923 --> 00:40:19,083
has that animal been bred
in a captive environment
933
00:40:19,163 --> 00:40:21,683
or has it been poached
from the wild?
934
00:40:21,763 --> 00:40:24,563
But all this
hasn't happened overnight.
935
00:40:24,643 --> 00:40:27,643
It's been 100 years
in the making.
936
00:40:27,723 --> 00:40:29,683
Being here at the zoo
for over 70 years,
937
00:40:29,763 --> 00:40:31,683
I think Esmerelda
would have met more people
938
00:40:31,763 --> 00:40:33,483
than any other animal
here at the zoo.
939
00:40:33,563 --> 00:40:35,443
From the Wildlife Hospital
940
00:40:35,523 --> 00:40:37,803
to saving lives in the wild...
941
00:40:37,883 --> 00:40:38,963
It's just like
a little human baby.
942
00:40:39,043 --> 00:40:41,563
I'm making a huge mess
with you, aren't I?
943
00:40:41,643 --> 00:40:44,443
...they are
much more than a zoo.
944
00:40:44,523 --> 00:40:46,283
Hey, it's Kimberly.
945
00:40:46,363 --> 00:40:49,723
I'm currently down
in Bairnsdale, Victoria,
946
00:40:49,803 --> 00:40:52,843
helping out
with wildlife rescue groups.
947
00:40:52,923 --> 00:40:55,883
Oh.
948
00:40:55,963 --> 00:40:59,283
Yeah, it's, umm...
949
00:40:59,363 --> 00:41:02,843
We're both actually
usually quite stoic.
950
00:41:02,923 --> 00:41:05,203
But we've been working
such long hours
951
00:41:05,283 --> 00:41:07,723
and so intensely
with these patients
952
00:41:07,803 --> 00:41:10,403
that we're exhausted.
953
00:41:10,483 --> 00:41:12,283
We're exhausted.
954
00:41:12,363 --> 00:41:13,803
We just have to remember
that we're trying
955
00:41:13,883 --> 00:41:16,923
to do the best that we can
for these animals.
956
00:41:17,003 --> 00:41:19,403
And every single day
957
00:41:19,483 --> 00:41:21,803
their staff show
their commitment
958
00:41:21,883 --> 00:41:27,683
to secure a shared future
for wildlife and people.
959
00:41:27,763 --> 00:41:29,323
Captioned by
Side Door Media Services