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Secrets of the Zoo: Down Under
2020 - 2024 7.6 (5 votes) 5 Seasons
Official Website
Genres
Documentary
Networks
Nat Geo Wild

Secrets of the Zoo: Down Under

Overview

A behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to run the Taronga Zoo Sydney, Australia's largest zoo, located on the shores of Sydney Harbour.

Seasons

Season 1 poster
Season 1 (2020)

No overview available.

10 episodes

Episodes
Episode 1: Project Platypus
2020-03-01

Zookeepers have noticed that their silverback gorilla Kibali, has been unwell. But giving a nearly two-hundred-kilogram gorilla an injection is not as straightforward as it sounds.

Runtime: 45 min
Episode 2: Red Panda-monium!
2020-03-08

Taronga Zoo’s keepers try to reign in a very randy red panda! Vets and keepers work together to attempt a procedure rarely done at Taronga and staff teach a injured owl how to fly again.

Runtime: 45 min
Episode 3: Oh Rhi-No You Don't!
2020-03-15

For the first time in ten years, Taronga vets get up close to a silverback gorilla.

Runtime: 45 min
Episode 4: Lemur Me Alone!
2020-03-22

A pregnant ringtail lemur is badly injured in a fight and Taronga's vets have grave concerns for her unborn baby.

Runtime: 45 min
Episode 5: Rin Tin Tooth Trouble
2020-03-29

A mysterious virus threatens to wipe out an entire species of snapping turtles.

Runtime: 45 min
Episode 6: 103-Year-Old Tortoise
2020-04-05

Taronga staff throw a surprise party for the zoo’s oldest resident, Esmerelda, the 103-year-old Giant Aldabra Tortoise.

Runtime: 45 min
Episode 7: Bush Fire Rescue
2020-04-12

As the largest bushfires on record devastate the country, Taronga Zoo vets take the battle to save Australian native wildlife to the front line.

Runtime: 45 min
Episode 8: Baby Bongo
2020-04-19

Taronga’s keepers get up close to their elephants at bath time.

Runtime: 45 min
Episode 9: Joey Ride
2020-04-26

Baby koala’s first ride on mum’s back doesn’t go according to plan.

Runtime: 45 min
Episode 10: Giraffe-Ic Park
2020-05-03

Keepers prepare to move their 3 giraffes to a brand-new enclosure.

Runtime: 45 min
Season 2 poster
Season 2 (2021)

No overview available.

22 episodes

Episodes
Episode 1: Chimp Change
2021-03-28

Zoo staff embark on an ambitious, year-long undertaking in an effort to help Naomi the chimpanzee overcome a complicated medical condition in the hope of finally becoming a mother.

Runtime: 45 min
Episode 2: New Neck of the Woods
2021-03-28

Taronga Zoo's new African Savannah Precinct welcomes its residents.

Runtime: 45 min
Episode 3: Once a Cheetah, Always a Cheetah
2021-04-04

Two squirrel monkeys arrive in Taronga with a clear goal - to mate with as many females as possible; unfortunately, it all ends with a broken jaw and a visit to the hospital; Keeper Jordan talks about his special bond with a cheetah.

Runtime: 45 min
Episode 4: Don't Bilby a Stranger
2021-04-04

Injured koala Malakai enters the zoo's breeding program; a baby crocodile enjoys some treats; a lesser-known Australian marsupial gets a second chance.

Runtime: 45 min
Episode 5: Hungry, Hungry Hippo
2021-04-11

A lemur's sunbathing leads to concerns about his health. A baby hippopotamus is born at the Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo.

Runtime: 45 min
Episode 6: Sealing The Deal
2021-04-11

The worldwide pandemic halts inter-zoo transfers, leaving Taronga with too many Sumatran tigers. An injured seal arrives at the wildlife hospital.

Runtime: 45 min
Episode 7: Pup, Pup And Away
2021-04-18

Nala, the Australian sea lion, gives birth to a healthy pup! The zoo prepares to welcome zebras to the African Savanna exhibit.

Runtime: 45 min
Episode 8: Monkey May I?
2021-04-18

After years away, the king of the jungle returns to Sydney Harbor. And Taronga's Wildlife Hospital treats injured green sea turtles.

Runtime: 45 min
Episode 9: Battle Of The Bellows
2021-04-25

Koalas, lions, siamangs, and others compete for the most boisterous bellow.

Runtime: 45 min
Episode 10: Lizard Bbq
2021-04-25

Taronga Zoo's rehab teams bring injured wildlife back from the brink.

Runtime: 45 min
Episode 11: Roo Can't Chew
2021-05-02

The red kangaroo alpha male Malu has trouble eating and gets help from the mobile hospital team; the expected shipment of baby animals arrives.

Runtime: 45 min
Episode 12: Major Cuteness
2021-05-02

Taronga Zoo's keepers care for some of the cutest critters in the park.

Runtime: 45 min
Episode 13: Rhi-Yes or Rhino?
2021-05-09

Vets use different methods to find out if two of Taronga rhinoceros are pregnant.

Runtime: 45 min
Episode 14: Slithery and Sweet
2021-05-09

Taronga Zoo's weird and wonderful creatures get the care they deserve.

Runtime: 45 min
Episode 15: The Devil You Know
2021-05-16

Taronga Zoo staff work to save the Tasmanian devil from a deadly disease.

Runtime: 45 min
Episode 16: Taronga to Go
2021-05-16

Taronga Zoo's animals travel to, from, and around the world-class facility.

Runtime: 45 min
Episode 17: A Bug's Life
2021-05-23

A celebration of the unsung heroes of Taronga Zoo: insects.

Runtime: 45 min
Episode 18: Triple Chimp Check-Up
2021-05-23

Veterinarians at Taronga Zoo's wildlife hospitals work to cure their furry friends.

Runtime: 45 min
Episode 19: Hide and Beak
2021-05-30

Pairing endangered parrots for breeding is more complicated than it seems.

Runtime: 45 min
Episode 20: Zooborns!
2021-06-06

Runtime: 45 min
Episode 21: Platypus Emergency
2021-06-13

Vets race to nurse a malnourished platypus back to health.

Runtime: 45 min
Episode 22: Gimme Shell-ter
2021-06-20

Keepers show off Taronga's terrific turtles.

Runtime: 45 min
Season 3 poster
Season 3 (2022)

No overview available.

16 episodes

Episodes
Episode 1: Five's a Crowd
2022-05-15

The keepers guess how many cubs Mayah the lioness will give birth to.

Runtime: 40 min
Episode 2: Hoofin' It
2022-05-22

Two of Taronga Zoo's gorillas will be anesthetized for their checkups.

Runtime: 40 min
Episode 3: X-Ray Marks the Spot
2022-05-29

After weeks of training, keepers prepare an elephant for x-ray imaging.

Runtime: 40 min
Episode 4: It's a Hoot
2022-06-05

An injured barn owl arrives at Taronga for treatment. Keepers say goodbye to beloved sun bear Mr. Hobbs.

Runtime: 40 min
Episode 5: What a Joey!
2022-06-13

Keepers learn that one of the bilbies has a joey in its pouch. Arrangements are made for the baby’s arrival.

Runtime: 40 min
Episode 6: Turkey Takeover
2022-06-20

Keepers and maintenance staff must make space for an uninvited resident that loves making a mess.

Runtime: 40 min
Episode 7: Red Panda Problems
2022-06-26

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?

Runtime: 40 min
Episode 8: Lion Cub Life
2022-07-03

Before Taronga’s five new lion cubs can make their public debut, they must pass their medical checks and meet their father, Atto.

Runtime: 41 min
Episode 9: Larry and Stitch
2022-07-10

An injured baby echidna is brought to Taronga for rehabilitation. Keepers hand-raise it for a year before releasing it to the wild.

Runtime: 40 min
Episode 10: Snake Snack
2022-07-17

Keepers hide tasty treats in puzzles for the snakes and lizards to discover. This type of enrichment showcases the reptiles’ natural behaviors.

Runtime: 42 min
Episode 11: Feeding the Zoo
2022-07-24

The complicated task of feeding all of Taronga’s residents falls on the zoo’s nutrition officers.

Runtime: N/A min
Episode 12: Bunny Boo Boo
2022-07-31

A dental dilemma for Daphne the bunny.

Runtime: N/A min
Episode 13: The Tweetest Thing
2022-08-07

Scientists teach a rare bird its natural mating song.

Runtime: N/A min
Episode 14: Meat the Butcher
2022-08-14

Taronga Zoo's only butcher goes through his busy day.

Runtime: N/A min
Episode 15: Penguin SOS
2022-08-21

A penguin with a serious leg injury is brought in for rehab.

Runtime: N/A min
Episode 16: Going Batty
2022-08-28

In order to ensure their survival, researchers study bats.

Runtime: N/A min
Season 4 (2023)

No overview available.

10 episodes

Episodes
Episode 1: Giraffe Jimiyu
2023-11-22

In one of the biggest vet procedures ever performed at Taronga Zoo nearly thirty staff and specialists are involved in the risky sedation of their 5.5 metre tall giraffe Jimiyu.

Runtime: 45 min
Episode 2: Lwasi's New Family
2023-11-29

Two gorillas are at the hospital as a pair of lions is getting acquainted.

Runtime: 45 min
Episode 3: King Hala
2023-12-06

A king cheetah has slowed down, and 97 turtle hatchlings return to the sea.

Runtime: 45 min
Episode 4: Monkey Business
2023-12-13

A takhi hoof trim takes a scary turn, and a male monkey needs some space.

Runtime: 45 min
Episode 5: Camel Lump
2023-12-20

A mystery lump on Ras the camel's ear has everyone stumped so it's time to investigate; the team find themselves in the middle of a life and death struggle to save an eastern long neck turtle with a fishhook stuck down its neck.

Runtime: 45 min
Episode 6: Wild Dog Masego
2023-12-27

Masego the wild dog needs surgery on a worrying lump on her chest; a little penguin comes in to the hospital after narrowly surviving an eagle attack; a mission to Norfolk Island to save one of the world's most endangered species from extinction.

Runtime: 45 min
Episode 7: A Perfect Storm
2024-01-10

A wild koala has an unknown illness, and a new sea lion arrives at the zoo.

Runtime: 45 min
Episode 8: What a Galah
2024-01-10

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.

Runtime: N/A min
Episode 9: Black Rhino Birth
2024-01-17

After a 16-month gestation, Kufara, the 13-year-old black rhino, has gone into labour with her second calf.

Runtime: 45 min
Episode 10: The Singing Gibbon
2024-01-24

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.

Runtime: 45 min
Season 5 (2025)

No overview available.

10 episodes

Episodes
Episode 1: Lion Toothache
2025-05-11

Lioness Maya has a fractured tooth, leading to a potentially life-threatening abscess. Taking a 160-kilogram cat to the dentist requires a team effort.

Runtime: N/A min
Episode 2: Saving Koalas
2025-05-18

A behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to run the Taronga Zoo Sydney, Australia's largest zoo, located on the shores of Sydney Harbour.

Runtime: N/A min
Episode 3: Raising Gracie
2025-05-25

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 a maternal flair.

Runtime: N/A min
Episode 4: Breaking the Ice
2025-06-01

Jacob learns about managing the coexistence of savannah animals; zoo staff face challenges during a health check of two kangaroos.

Runtime: N/A min
Episode 5: Platypus Emergency
2025-06-08

All-hands-on-deck to try and save a six-month-old platypus; a breeding pair of Galapagos tortoises; in a breeding attempt with a little more speed, cheetah Liberty is tested for ovulation after mating.

Runtime: N/A min
Episode 6: Chimp Challenge
2025-06-15

The team undertake one of their biggest challenges and do health checks on all 21 chimpanzees; in Dubbo, a lace monitor with a suspected head injury is brought to the wildlife hospital.

Runtime: N/A min
Episode 7: Carnivores Galore
2025-06-22

A behind-the-scenes look at running Taronga Zoo Sydney, Australia's largest zoo, located on Sydney Harbour's shores.

Runtime: N/A min
Episode 8: Episode 8

Runtime: N/A min
Episode 9: Episode 9

Runtime: N/A min
Episode 10: Episode 10

Runtime: N/A min

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