Meet 18-year-old Kibali, Taronga Zoo’s silverback western lowland gorilla. Kibali has been unwell, so staff must perform a full health check for the first time in 10years. You’ll be glued to your seat as you watch their dramatic efforts to anaesthetise, then perform a thorough examination on the dangerous 200kg gorilla. We’ll also take viewers inside the rehabilitation hospital as its expert staff try to save two shy albatross who have been injured in a bad storm. Plus, we travel to Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo to see a baby white rhino and its protective mother as it joins the herd for the first time.
We follow Taronga Zoo vet Kimberly as she travels to the bushfire frontline in Bairnsdale, Victoria in a desperate effort to save injured wildlife. Working from a mobile animal hospital, Kimberly becomes concerned over a koala whose body starts to give up. Back at the zoo, keepers prepare to home 12 koalas who have been rescued from the line of fire. See how Taronga plans to house and feed their new guests. Meanwhile, head vet Larry makes a house call to 16-year-old Murphy, a 300kg California sea lion who is in pain with a bad limp. Plus, see what happens when a goat and a gorilla come face-to-face.
Platypus are native to the east coast rivers of Australia and are common in our zoos. However, not one platypus exists outside of Australia. In this captivating episode, Taronga Zoo attempts to make history by transporting a male and female to world-renowned San Diego Zoo. With critical requirements to keep them alive, the zoo must work out how to make this tricky platypus export fly. With their feet firmly planted on the ground, we also visit Taronga’s penguins during breeding season. It is up to zoo keepers Lindsay and Crystal to track how many eggs have been laid and how many chicks have hatched. Plus, see how the Asian elephants at Taronga Western Plains Zoo cool down on a scorching summer day with an elephant-sized ice block.
This episode, a pregnant ringtail lemur is badly injured in a fight and Taronga's vets have grave concerns for her unborn baby; Taronga's staff fight to save an entire species from extinction.
In the fifth episode of the season, you’ll meet one very adorable wombat. From the moment he emerged from his mum’s pouch, Waru has held a special place in all of our hearts. Following the sad passing of his mum, he was adopted by two of Taronga’s keepers, and they have been devoted surrogate parents ever since. You’ll get to follow them at work and at home to see what it takes to raise a wombat joey. We’ll also pay a visit to the Taronga Wildlife Hospital as Waru undergoes a check-up and out vets discover that something isn’t quite right…
In the sixth episode of the season, you’ll be introduced to the beautiful Nala, an Australian Sea-Lion born at Taronga 10 years ago. Taronga is part of a regional breeding program for the Australian Sea-Lion, an endangered species that is declining in the wild. The main threats to Sea-Lions are dangerous floating debris and overfishing of oceans, which is a huge threat to their food source as well as disruption to breeding areas. In this episode, Nala is introduced to Charlie, a 13-year old Australian Sea-Lion who was rescued as an orphan. Keepers hope that Nala and Charlie will make a good match, and that a Sea-Lion pup won’t be too far away. Also in this episode you’ll go behind-the-scenes of Taronga’s incredible Reptile House. As well as laying eyes on some very dangerous and poisonous snakes, you’ll get to meet Olive, an Olive Python. This gentle, non-venomous species is found across northern Australia. Olive has been suffering from back problems, and so reptile keeper Emma takes her to the Taronga Wildlife Hospital so the veterinary team can investigate. Plus, you’ll be invited to join a special birthday celebration for one of the zoos oldest residents!
In the seventh episode of the season, we’ll take you back to the Taronga Wildlife Hospital and behind-the-scenes of a unique health check. Naomi, a female Chimpanzee at Taronga, has had trouble carrying her young to full-term, and after two unsuccessful pregnancies, our vet team and Chimpanzee keepers are looking to find out why. We’ve called on some reproductive experts to assist with the investigations in the hope that whatever is standing in the way of Naomi becoming a mum can be fixed. Also at the hospital, we’re introduced to a gorgeous Boobook Owl who has been brought in from the wild. Our two Wildlife Hospitals treat more than 1400 wild animals each year, and rehabilitating injured wildlife so they can be released back to their homes is a big part of the job. Also in this episode, we visit our adorable Red Panda family. It’s time for Dad, Pabu, to move out on his own, and we get a close-up view of his new home!
Giraffe Move On this episode, keepers prepare to move their 3 giraffes to a brand-new enclosure. But the entire move is put on hold, as Taronga staff are shocked by the rapid decline of Nyota, one of the zoo's favourite giraffes.
A mysterious virus threatens to wipe out an entire species of snapping turtles; an injured Fiordland crested penguin arrives from Melbourne Zoo, but will it settle in and call Taronga home?
Vets have to perform emergency surgery on a Tree Goanna, after a member of the public brought it into the wildlife hospital with a particularly unusual injury.
Zoo staff embark on an ambitious, year-long undertaking, in an effort to help Naomi the chimpanzee, overcome a complicated medical condition.
After five years of planning and construction, and at a cost of over 60 million dollars, Taronga Zoo's African Savannah Precinct is finally finished, and ready for the first residents to move in.
Two male Squirrel Monkeys arrive at Taronga for a very important mission - to breed with as many of the females as possible. Unfortunately, one frisky fellows' advances are not well received, and lands him in the Hospital with a broken jaw
Malakai the koala is injured just as he enters the zoo's breeding programme, a baby croc snaps up some yummy treats, and a lesser known Australian marsupial gets a second chance.
Trainee keeper Harmony learns how to care for the most dangerous bird in the world, while keepers out at Dubbo welcome a baby hippopotamus to the herd.
When tiger Kartika starts to act aggressively towards her cubs, zoo staff step in and plan a risky procedure to restore family peace. Meanwhile, Aldabra tortoise Lance puts two very patient keepers to the test as they try to weigh him.
Zoo staff and vets guide a newborn Australian sea lion pup through her first few months of life. Meanwhile, Sydney prepares to receive a pair of zebra, but will their new housemates, the giraffes, lay out the welcome mat?
The red panda exhibit is at capacity. Due to COVID-19, staff are unable to create space by moving these cute animals to another zoo, but luckily there is another way to keep this family of five all together.
The red kangaroo is a true Australian icon, but when keepers notice the alpha male of the mob, Malu, is having problems eating, it's time to call in the mobile hospital to set him right again
While Taronga is closed to the public, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, it's the perfect time for staff to take Charlie, the 300kg Australian sea lion, for an enriching walk around the zoo.
The Tasmanian Devil is facing unprecedented challenges in the wild, as facial tumours decimate the wild population. But closer to home, Taronga's Western Plains Zoo welcomes the latest batch of feisty devil babies.
The unsung heroes of Taronga Zoo: a tribute to the insects that serve as a meal for the insectivores. Meanwhile, vet Kimberly tries to put an end to the fighting between the capybara brothers.
The breeding program of the swift parrot is successful. But mating poses challenges for vets. And what are the differences between urban and rural vets?
A new zoo resident: a platypus that fell victim to the Australian bushfires needs to be nursed back to health. Meanwhile, a Californian sea lion complains of dental problems.
The zookeepers get up close and personal with one of the rarest species of tortoise, while new intern Klay goes through her orientation week at the zoo.
A historic moment for Taronga as Lioness Maya, gives birth. It's Sydney's first lion cub birth in nearly 20 years and it's the gift that just keeps on giving.
Taronga's entire hospital staff is put to the test, as two Western Lowland Gorillas are brought to the hospital. The pressure is on, as things don't exactly go to plan.
Enrichment of animals and the sustainable use of resources come together, as Taronga Zoo aims to reduce, reuse, and recycle their way to net zero.
New to Nine in 2020 comes the exciting behind-the-scenes documentary series Taronga: Who’s Who In The Zoo. In this series viewers will get to see just what it takes to run one of the world’s most famous and magnificent zoos, with no area off limits. Taronga: Who’s Who In The Zoo is produced by McAvoy Media for Nine.
An exclusive, behind the scenes look at Sydney’s Taronga Zoo and its unique residents, making it one of the world’s most famous zoos.
At Taronga Western Plains Zoo, a dedicated team spends days preparing the meals for the thousands of animals in their care, but the task of delivering the food is almost as big as the zoo itself.
Taronga Zoo's wildlife hospital is in a flap, as three injured birds suddenly arrive. Senior vet Larry is particularly worried about a barn owl that has serious head injuries after being hit by a car.
Zookeeper Paul is one of the very few keepers employed across all divisions of the zoo, and over the course of a day, his work takes him from some of the most exotic animals in the world, to some of his favourite locals.
It's a well-known saying, that what goes in, must come out, and Taronga's keepers and scientists depend on the valuable information that can be learned through a humble pile of animal poop.
Zoo staff undertake the painstaking process of x-raying their much-loved Asian Elephant, Tang Mo's feet. One wrong step, could destroy some seriously expensive medical equipment.
There is a rush when a white-bellied sea eagle is brought to Taronga with serious injuries. Meanwhile, the keepers are trying to pair up two endangered proboscis monkeys.
Baby boom: baby monkeys see the light of day at Taronga Zoo. Meanwhile, Lulu poses a puzzle for the zookeepers. The leader of the kangaroo herd has problems eating.
Christmas in Taronga: Santa Claus is also out and about at the zoo, diligently handing out presents. The female quokka also has a surprise in her bag: a little cub.
A baby echidna is brought to Taronga after being dropped by a bird of prey. The young animal needs the keepers' help. And are there any offspring among the river snapping turtles?
Where does all the meat for feeding the predators come from? Karlin, the zoo's only butcher, shows us his day-to-day work. There's also a celebration at Taronga, it's chimpanzee Niambi's birthday.
The Taronga Zoo team is joined by vet Jess. Meanwhile, Dr. John Martin begins a three-month rescue mission for colonies of fruit bats in the wild.
In one of the biggest vet procedures ever performed at Taronga Zoo nearly 30 staff and specialists are involved in the risky sedation of their 5 1/2 metre tall giraffe Jimiyu.
Lwasi the male lion has left brother Ato, lioness Maya and their 5 cubs behind at Taronga Sydney and moved to Western Plains Zoo to start a family of his own.
Hala is finding it increasingly hard to get up in the morning, so time for a health check to find out what's going on.
He may live on an idyllic island habitat, but life isn't always easy for Vampeer the lone male squirrel monkey. Outside of breeding season the females often attack him, so the keepers have devised a cunning escape plan to his own bachelor pad.
A mystery lump on Ras the camel's ear has everyone stumped, so its time to investigate. But sedating a camel weighing half a tonne is not the simplest procedure to undertake.
Out at Taronga Western Plains Zoo, Masego the wild dog, needs surgery on a worrying lump on her chest. Not only are her keepers worried about what the vets might find, but whether the pack will reject Masego when she returns.
It's an emotional farewell as the Taronga marine keepers wave goodbye to five-year-old Australian Sea Lion, 'Moby'.
Taronga's free flight bird experience is a favourite with visitors, but it can take months of training to ensure the birds are happy to take part and don't fly away when they have the option to.
After a 16-month gestation, Kufara the 13-year-old Black Rhino has gone into labour with her second calf.
The mating song between a White cheeked gibbon pair was a joy to hear, but when Taronga's female gibbon, Nellie died six months ago, the male, Kayak went silent.
Pregnant Lemur Noah has come out of a fight worse for wear. On the frontlines of a devastating bushfire, Vet Kimberly works tirelessly to help injured wildlife at a mobile clinic.
Taronga's African savannah exhibit is ready for its first residents, and in a rather 'tall' order, it's the Giraffes up first. For the first time in Taronga's history, they are welcoming five South American Capybara.
