Series 4 Episode 6

A Black Rhino calf is born at Taronga Western Plains Zoo as staff at Taronga’s Wildlife hospital work to save two orphaned Powerful Owl chicks. A seal undergoes cataract surgery at Sea World while Adelaide Zoo awaits the arrival of some very special Giant Pandas.

After a couple of months of rehabilitation at Taronga’s Wildlife Hospital the Powerful Owls had put on enough weight and were confident in flying, so it was time for them to return to suburbia.

The owls were taken to Bayview golf course where they were found, local residents knew that a tree with a large hollow in it was their nest and had sighted the parents the night before.

Senior Panda Keeper, Adelaide Zoo

Section/animals worked with:

Currently working as Senior Panda Keeper at Adelaide Zoo.

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

Started working as a zookeeper in 2000.

They are both doing so well. Fu Ni is such a little princess and we have such a great relationship. She is such a character and loves to play!

Wang Wang is such a special guy as well. What a sweetheart.

Mum Bakhita the Black Rhinoceros gave birth without any problems in the early hours of the morning. Bakhita is being a great first time mum and she is bonding well with her calf.

The calf has been named Kufara meaning “happiness” in the African Shona language. Kufara is extreemly confident and now even takes bananas from keepers hands.

Black Rhinoceros Keeper, Taronga Western Plains Zoo

Section/animals worked with:

Most species in zoo I have worked with but have spent majority of time working with the Black Rhinos since 1995.  

How long have you been working as a zookeeper?

Senior Veterinarian, Taronga Western Plains Zoo

Before coming to Taronga Western Plains Zoo Benn began his veterinary career working with domestic animals for 8 years.

Where do you work at the zoo?

I work with all the different sections at Taronga Zoo: Wildlife Hospital, Australian Mammals, Birds, Ungulates.

Animals:  All bird species at Taronga Zoo and most bird species.  Rhinos, giraffes, hippos, eland, nocturnal animals, Australian fauna (platypus, echidnas, wombats, macropods, dasyurids etc) are all species that have been sick,

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

How long have you been working as a vet?

I have been a zoo vet since 1998.  I began my zoo career at Gladys Porter Zoo, Texas which is nicely nestled on the border of Mexico. During my 7 years there, I gradually worked my way up to head veterinarian.