Returning: Taronga: Who’s Who in the Zoo?

Nine observational series Taronga: Who’s Who in the Zoo?, which had previously been screening on Saturdays before COVID-19 disruption, returns tonight with new episodes.

Produced by McAvoy Media and narrated by Naomi Watts it goes behind-the-scenes at the famed Sydney Zoo and Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo.

This is the first of 4 new episodes.

No part of Taronga’s sprawling 28 hectares – set on spectacular Sydney Harbour – is off limits in this gripping series which tracks the 240 keepers and vets who care for more than 4500 animals.

The zoo story resumes with new stars: a chimpanzee who really needs to have a baby – and a very randy panda who has just fathered three!

Meet Naomi, a 17-year-old chimpanzee from Denmark who has resided at the zoo since 2015. Naomi is a very maternal female who has been unsuccessful in her attempts at giving birth despite falling pregnant twice. With her genetics vital to this endangered species, Taronga Zoo must find out what is preventing her from having a baby.

Meanwhile back at the “Panda Pad”, keepers are faced with the opposite problem. Pabu, an endangered red panda, has just fathered a family of three. Although he is part of a breeding program his partner must be given time to raise their young – but Pabu doesn’t want to wait. The team need to find a way to stop this randy boy from breeding again.

We also take viewers into the Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre where a badly injured boobook owl needs to learn to fly again. The veterinarian and the zoo keepers will attempt to do everything they can to help this patient soar in the wild once more.

Wednesday, May 20, at 7.30pm on Nine.