Series 3 Episode 2

19 May 2009

On 'The Zoo',  two giraffe go to sea, a Sea-lion goes into labour with her first pup, a lion is diagnosed with a deadly cancer and a tiny orphaned Feathertail Glider is brought to hospital to see of it can survive.

Tacker is going really well and was recently introduced to two other male Feathertail Gliders called Marko and Jacob.

When they were first introduced to each other they were very shy and stayed in their own little corners, and then slowly but surely they would work up the courage to venture closer to each other.

Since her mammoth operation to remove a melanoma from the tip of her ear, Njeri is now back on exhibit with her sister Shinyanga and male Lion, Jasiri and doing really well.  The wound has now healed and her fur is gradually growing over the area.

Now that the pup has graduated from her pupping crèche, Kira has introduced her new arrival  to the large Taronga Zoo Seal Cove Pool. The youngster is still quite uncoordinated in the water and just like a young chid, needs to learn the art of swimming.

After a long journey by boat from Auckland to Sydney and then by road from Sydney to Dubbo, Giraffe pair, Ntombi and travel partner Forrest arrived at Taronga Western Plains Zoo.  After travelling five days due to a delay because of the high seas, the pair were immediately unloaded into the night yards once they arrived in Dubbo.

How long have you been working as a zookeeper/vet/vet nurse?

I have been a vet for 8 years and have worked exclusively with zoo, wild and exotic animals for the last 4.5 years.

How did you get into zookeeping/vet/vet nursing as a profession?

After finishing high school, I completed a 3 year zoology degree which stimulated my interest

What animals do you work with?

I work with the Carnivores and Ungulate divisions

How long have you been working as a zookeeper/vet/vet nurse?

I have been a zoo keeper for around 7 years now (on and off)

Which animals do you work with?

I work in the Marine Mammals division where we have 5 seal species (Australian sea lion, Australian fur seal, New Zealand fur seal, California sea lion and Leopard seals), 2 species of penguins (Little and Fiordland crested) and 1 species of pelican.

What animals do you work with?

I work with large Ungulates mainly African hoof stock such as Giraffe, White rhino, Eland and Addax.

How long have you been working as a zookeeper/vet/vet nurse?

I have been working as a keeper for 20 years

What animals do you work with?

I have worked in many divisions including the Taronga Wildlife Hospital, Bird division, Australian mammals, Asian division and Reptile Division I have worked with so many different animals at the zoo during my career.

As a vet nurse I get to look after every thing from tiny native mice to elephants.