Episode overview
In the third episode of the season, you’ll follow the journey of two very special platypus as they travel from Taronga Zoo Sydney to San Diego Zoo in the US. You’ll see the immense amount of planning that went into this unique animal transfer and the ingenious methods invented to transport the platypus safely to the other side of the world. Also in this episode you’ll travel to Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo to learn the lengths ours keepers go to to keep the animals in their care cool (and entertained) in the warmer months.
Plus, you’ll go behind-the-scenes to watch an unusual grooming session that takes place with some of our eight-legged friends. And you’ll be introduced to the world of little penguins as their keepers do all that they can to create a comfortable breeding environment for the birds.
Air date - Saturday 29 February 2020 at 7pm on Channel 9.
An update from the USA
The episode features one of our favourite Aussie animals, the Platypus! These monotremes are so incredibly special and now visitors to San Diego safari Park in the USA can see them for themselves. The transfer of two Platypus from Taronga Zoo Sydney to San Diego was a huge task, and we were excited to catch up with Louis Ochoa, a Wildlife Care Specialist from San Diego Zoo Safari Park to see how they are doing.
Louis starts his day at 6am, and does everything from cleaning the Platypus exhibits – which involves wading in up to his chest – to watching video footage from their habitats to monitor their behaviour.
Also in this episode
Who knew that spiders had special needs, just like many of the other animals that call Taronga Zoo and Taronga Western Plains Zoo home?! In this episode we observe Taronga keeper Paul Hare and vet Kimberley Vinnette Herrin give a Sydney Funnel-web a health check before it enters the zoo collection. After discovering the spider has mites, Paul takes great care in removing them from the spider, ensuring it goes on to lead a healthy life.
Arguably the Little Penguins are some of Taronga Zoo Sydney’s cutest feathered residents, so it’s no surprise that their chicks are absolutely adorable. Creating comfortable breeding environments for the animals at our zoos is a big part of the role of our keepers, and in this episode you’ll get to see the lengths our Marine Team go to to ensure Taronga’s Little Penguins have a secure and healthy environment in which to breed and lay their eggs. You’ll also watch on as the adorable chicks head out for their first swim!
Visit Taronga in Sydney and Dubbo to meet the wide array of animals of all shapes and sizes that you'll see in this episode, from Funnel-web Spiders to Asian Elephants, and more!
SYDNEY - Buy tickets to Taronga Zoo Sydney.
DUBBO - Buy tickets to Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo.
You can also spend the night at our Zoos where your stay will support Taronga's many animal conservation programs.
