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Join us at Taronga Zoo in Sydney for a new documentary series narrated by Naomi Watts. The series provides a look behind the scenes at what it takes to run one of the world's most famous and magnificent zoos.
2021
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.
A celebration of the unsung heroes of Taronga Zoo: insects.
Pairing endangered parrots for breeding is more complicated than it seems.
Vets race to nurse a malnourished platypus back to health.
Sydney keepers get up close and personal with endangered turtles, while Dubbo keepers show off the amazing evolution of the world's largest tortoise.
2020
On this episode, for the first time in ten years Taronga vets get up close to a silverback gorilla and try to save an injured Albatross, the world's largest sea bird, after it is battered on rocks in a violent storm.
As the largest bushfires on record devastate the country, Taronga Zoo vets take the battle to save Australian Native Wildlife to the frontline.
Taronga attempts to create history by successfully exporting two platypuses to America; Taronga staff treat a sick Funnel Web, the world's most venomous spider; Will keepers find any eggs in the nests of their little penguins?
On 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.
Join us at Taronga Zoo in Sydney for a new documentary series narrated by Naomi Watts. The series provides a look behind the scenes at what it takes to run one of the world's most famous and magnificent zoos.
Introducing 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.
On this episode, vets and keepers work together as they attempt a procedure that is rarely done at Taronga, putting three chimpanzees on the hospital operating table on the same day; Taronga staff teach a badly injured owl how to fly again.
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.
2022
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.
Before Taronga’s five new lion cubs can make their public debut, they must pass their medical checks and meet their father, Atto.
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.
Keepers learn that one of the bilbies has a joey in its pouch. Arrangements are made for the baby’s arrival.
Keepers and maintenance staff must make space for an uninvited resident that loves making a mess.
To bring Amala the red panda to the animal hospital for treatment, vets must dart her from afar. But can they bring her down safely from the treetop?
An injured baby echidna is brought to Taronga for rehabilitation. Keepers hand-raise it for a year before releasing it to the wild.
Taronga Zoo's only butcher goes through his busy day.
In order to ensure their survival, researchers study bats.
2023
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.
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.
2025
In this special episode, we follow the relocation of Taronga Zoo Sydney’s last two Asian elephants - as they prepare to leave their long-time home and begin a new chapter at Monarto Safari Park, SA.
At Taronga, silverback Kibali faces challenges from his increasingly bold son MJ. A sea lion swap sees Moby return and Storm relocated, but getting Storm into his crate is tough. Plus, Taronga's elephants get new toys.
Aged Sumatran tigers face critical health checks. Sakti’s dental surgery goes into crisis. Separately, aged capybara Carlos gets a check-up, and a horticulturist hunts 10,000 termites for the echidnas.
Western Plains Zoo has a baby boom of quokkas, giraffes. Vets treat a sea eagle's fractured wing, and Uma the bush stone curlew trains for free flight.
The Taronga vet team races to give lioness Maya a contraceptive implant and full check-up before she wakes. Volunteers fail to perfect a turkey-proof red panda feeder.
Kayla is learning to feed the unpredictable python Rachel. The vet team carefully sedates cheetah Innes for a critical check. A keeper reveals the birthing process of a snail.
Taronga vets lead a koala rescue mission, using thermal drones to track them and testing for chlamydia. Three orphaned emu chicks are fattened up for release.
Sumatran tiger Mawa has a high-stakes health check for a US breeding program. Keeper Molly juggles feeding meerkats and finding a special piece of wood for sun bear Molly.
The Seal Team uses cutting-edge drone technology to conduct a seal survey on Sydney's northern beaches. Volunteers craft papier-mâché for a lion enrichment project.
Taronga attempts to breed endangered Asian elephant Anjalee with Gung as time runs out. Bongo antelope Ekundo undergoes training for a stress-free blood draw.
An injured koala and a complicated sea lion pregnancy are challenging the hospital team.
2024
Lioness Maya has a fractured tooth, which could lead to a potentially life-threatening abscess. Will entering the Lion's Den for some dentistry improve the sassy outlook of Taronga's Queen?
Joining forces to save an Australian icon, Senior Taronga Vet Larry and the team go out on Ngarigo land in New South Wales to assess the health of koala populations as part of the Koala Sentinel Project.
Stealing the hearts of all who meet her, abandoned koala joey Gracie proves to be the cutest possible housemate to foster mother and keeper Annii, who has taken on her 24-hour care with maternal flair.
Keeper Carolene shares a special bond with hippo Nile. Carolene notices a cloudiness in Nile's eyes, prompting urgent investigation. Platypus Mackenzie is being prepped for relocation to a Platypus Rescue HQ Facility in Dubbo
An insight into Sydney's Taronga Zoo and its conservation success story. Over a century old and nestled in Sydney Harbour, Taronga's home to more than 5000 creatures and hundreds of keepers
In one of the biggest undertakings ever attempted at the zoo, the vet team must complete health checks on all twenty-one chimpanzees.
Time for the male chimpanzees to receive health checks. In Dubbo we look backstage at 'The Sanctuary'. Keeper Molly introduces the less imposing members of the carnivore habitats
From the seaside savannah of Taronga zoo to the wilds of Dubbo, keeper Jacob heads to Taronga's Western Plains to learn how his colleagues manage their mixed species exhibit.
We follow the journey of a vulnerable little penguin through her progression from tiny to mighty. The monitoring systems that protect Taronga's fence lines have been triggered.
A keeper detects a potentially dangerous lump in a juvenile gorilla. In Dubbo, Seven Asian elephants and their enclosure receive a thorough cleaning.
Naomi Watts
Self - Narrator (voice)
