Taronga: Who's Who in the Zoo?
7.1/10
Nine Network Running Nature
6 Seasons · 77 Episodes · Premiered March 1, 2020
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.
Where to Watch:
Nine Network
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Seasons & Episodes
Season 1
10 episodes
E01
Project Platypus
Mon, Mar 2 2020 3:00 AM GMT+0000
60 min
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.
E02
Red Panda-monium!
Mon, Mar 9 2020 2:00 AM GMT+0000
60 min
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.
E03
Oh Rhi-No You Don't!
Mon, Mar 16 2020 2:00 AM GMT+0000
60 min
For the first time in ten years, Taronga vets get up close to a silverback gorilla.
E04
Lemur Me Alone!
Mon, Mar 23 2020 2:00 AM GMT+0000
60 min
A pregnant lemur is badly injured in a fight and Taronga's vets have grave concerns for her unborn baby. Meanwhile, Taronga welcomes a brand-new species to the zoo, as 5 of the world's largest rodents arrive from New Zealand.
E05
Rin Tin Tooth Trouble
Mon, Mar 30 2020 2:00 AM GMT+0000
60 min
A virus threatens to wipe out an entire species of snapping turtles. Meanwhile, Taronga vets are stumped by an animal's mysterious health problem.
E06
103-Year-Old Tortoise
Mon, Apr 6 2020 2:00 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Taronga staff throw a surprise party for the zoo's oldest resident, Esmerelda, the 103-year-old Giant Aldabra Tortoise.
E07
Bush Fire Rescue
Mon, Apr 13 2020 2:00 AM GMT+0000
60 min
As the largest bushfires on record devastate the country, Taronga Zoo vets take the battle to save Australian native wildlife to the front line.Â
E08
Baby Bongo
Mon, Apr 20 2020 2:00 AM GMT+0000
60 min
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.
E09
Joey Ride
Mon, Apr 27 2020 2:00 AM GMT+0000
60 min
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.
E10
Giraffe-ic Park
Mon, May 4 2020 2:00 AM GMT+0000
60 min
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.
Season 2
17 episodes
E01
Chimp Change
Mon, Mar 29 2021 12:00 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Get a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to run one of the world's most famous and magnificent zoos.
E02
New Neck of the Woods
Mon, Mar 29 2021 1:00 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Get a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to run one of the world's most famous and magnificent zoos.
E03
Once a Cheetah, Always a Cheetah
Mon, Apr 5 2021 12:00 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Taronga Zoo's hand-raised cheetah bonds with an unexpected furry friend.
E04
Don't Bilby a Stranger
Mon, Apr 5 2021 1:00 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Taronga Zoo's staff release endangered bilbies to their natural habitat.
E05
Hungry, Hungry Hippo
Mon, Apr 12 2021 12:00 AM GMT+0000
60 min
A lemur's sunbathing leads to concerns about his health. A baby hippopotamus is born at the Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo.Â
E06
Sealing the Deal
Mon, Apr 12 2021 1:00 AM GMT+0000
60 min
The worldwide pandemic halts inter-zoo transfers, leaving Taronga with too many Sumatran tigers. An injured seal arrives at the wildlife hospital.Â
E07
Pup, Pup and Away
Mon, Apr 19 2021 12:00 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Nala, the Australian sea lion, gives birth to a healthy pup! The zoo prepares to welcome zebras to the African Savanna exhibit.Â
E08
Monkey May I?
Mon, Apr 19 2021 1:00 AM GMT+0000
60 min
After years away, the king of the jungle returns to Sydney Harbor. And Taronga's Wildlife Hospital treats injured green sea turtles.Â
E09
Battle of the Bellows
Mon, Apr 26 2021 12:00 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Taronga Zoo's residents welcome guests with a symphony of sounds. And after years away, the king of the jungle returns to Sydney Harbor.Â
E10
Roo Can't Chew
Mon, May 3 2021 12:00 AM GMT+0000
60 min
A routine procedure for kangaroo, Malu, takes a sudden turn for the worse.
E11
Rhi-yes or Rhino?
Mon, May 10 2021 12:00 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Vets use different methods to find out if two of Taronga's rhinoceros are pregnant.
E12
The Devil You Know
Mon, May 17 2021 12:00 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Taronga Zoo staff work to save the Tasmanian devil from a deadly disease.
E13
A Bug's Life
Mon, May 24 2021 12:00 AM GMT+0000
60 min
A celebration of the unsung heroes of Taronga Zoo: insects.
E14
Hide and Beak
Mon, May 31 2021 12:00 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Pairing endangered parrots for breeding is more complicated than it seems.
E15
Zooborns!
Mon, May 31 2021 1:00 AM GMT+0000
60 min
It's springtime at Taronga Zoo, and the yearly baby boom is in full swing.
E16
Platypus Emergency
Mon, Jun 7 2021 12:00 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Vets race to nurse a malnourished platypus back to health.
E17
Gimme Shell-ter
Mon, Jun 7 2021 1:00 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Sydney keepers get up close and personal with endangered turtles, while Dubbo keepers show off the amazing evolution of the world's largest tortoise.
Season 3
19 episodes
E01
Five's a Crowd
Mon, May 16 2022 2:15 AM GMT+0000
60 min
E02
Hoofin' It
Mon, May 23 2022 12:00 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Two of Taronga Zoo's gorillas will be anesthetized for their checkups.
E03
X-Ray Marks the Spot
Mon, May 30 2022 12:00 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Zoo staff undertake the painstaking process of x-raying their much-loved Asian Elephant, Tang Mo's feet. Keepers have to be on their game, as one wrong step, could destroy some seriously expensive medical equipment.
E04
Tigers and Monkeys and Birds, Oh My!
Fri, Jun 3 2022 12:00 AM GMT+0000
60 min
E05
It's a Hoot
Mon, Jun 6 2022 12:00 AM GMT+0000
60 min
E06
What a Joey
Mon, Jun 13 2022 12:00 AM GMT+0000
60 min
E07
Turkey Takeover
Mon, Jun 20 2022 2:15 AM GMT+0000
60 min
E08
Red Panda Problems
Mon, Jun 27 2022 12:00 AM GMT+0000
60 min
E09
Lion Cub Life
Mon, Jul 4 2022 2:00 AM GMT+0000
60 min
E10
Larry and Stitch
Mon, Jul 11 2022 2:00 AM GMT+0000
60 min
E11
Snake Snack
Mon, Jul 18 2022 2:00 AM GMT+0000
60 min
E12
Feeding the Zoo
Mon, Jul 25 2022 2:00 AM GMT+0000
60 min
E13
Bunny Boo Boo
Mon, Aug 1 2022 2:00 AM GMT+0000
60 min
E14
The Tweetest Thing
Mon, Aug 8 2022 2:00 AM GMT+0000
60 min
E15
Meat the Butcher
Mon, Aug 15 2022 2:00 AM GMT+0000
60 min
E16
Penguin SOS
Mon, Aug 22 2022 2:00 AM GMT+0000
60 min
E17
Going Batty
Mon, Aug 29 2022 2:00 AM GMT+0000
60 min
E18
A Lemur in the Sun
Mon, Sep 5 2022 1:00 AM GMT+0000
60 min
E19
Brawling Brothers
Mon, Sep 5 2022 2:00 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Season 4
10 episodes
E01
Giraffe Jimiyu
Wed, Nov 22 2023 8:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
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.
E02
Lwasi's New Family
Wed, Nov 29 2023 8:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
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.
E03
King Hala
Wed, Dec 6 2023 8:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
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.
E04
Monkey Business
Wed, Dec 13 2023 8:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
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.Â
E05
Camel Lump
Wed, Dec 20 2023 8:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
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.
E06
Wild Dog Masego
Wed, Dec 27 2023 8:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
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.
E07
A Perfect Storm
Wed, Jan 10 2024 8:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
It's an emotional farewell as the Taronga marine keepers wave goodbye to 5-year-old Australian Sea Lion, 'Moby'. He's being swapped for another sea lion at a marine park 6 hours' drive north of Sydney, to strengthen the genetic diversity at both zoos.
E08
What a Galah
Fri, Feb 2 2024 8:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
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.
E09
Black Rhino Birth
Fri, Feb 9 2024 8:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
After a 16-month gestation, Kufara the 13-year-old Black Rhino has gone into labour with her second calf.
E10
The Singing Gibbon
Fri, Feb 23 2024 8:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
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.
Season 5
10 episodes
E01
Lion Toothache
Wed, Nov 13 2024 8:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Lioness Maya has a fractured tooth that, if untreated, could lead to a serious abscess—a potentially life-threatening issue. At the newly unveiled Nguwing Nura experience, also known as ‘Night Country,' guests can meet a few surprise stars, AND over at Taronga's Seal Cove, Eve, a New Zealand fur seal pup, is diving into her swimming lessons.
E02
Saving Koalas
Wed, Nov 20 2024 8:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
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
E03
Raising Gracie
Wed, Nov 27 2024 8:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
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.
E04
Healing Hippos
Wed, Dec 4 2024 8:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Keeper Carolene shares a special bond with hippo Nile, having cared for her since birth. Carolene notices a cloudiness in Nile's eyes, prompting an urgent investigation. Platypus Mackenzie is being prepped for relocation to a Platypus Rescue HQ Facility in Dubbo.
E05
Platypus Emergency
Wed, Dec 11 2024 8:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
A six-month-old platypus has been brought in after being found in a children's playground. Emaciated and laden with ticks, it's all hands on deck to try and save him. Unit Supervisor Jake is doing the rounds and observing that sometimes love can take its time - in the form of a breeding pair of Galapagos tortoises.
E06
Chimp Challenge
Wed, Dec 18 2024 8:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
In one of the biggest undertakings ever attempted at the zoo, the vet team must complete health checks on all twenty-one chimpanzees. In Dubbo, a lace monitor is brought to the wildlife hospital with a suspected head injury.
E07
Carnivore Galore
Thu, Jan 2 2025 8:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Time for the three senior male chimpanzees to receive their health checks. In Dubbo we get a backstage pass to 'The Sanctuary'. Keeper Molly introduces some of the less imposing members of the carnivore habitats.
E08
Breaking the Ice
Wed, Jan 8 2025 8:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
From the seaside savannah of Taronga's harbour side zoo to the wilds of Dubbo, keeper Jacob heads to Taronga's Western Plains to observe and learn how his colleagues manage their savanna-based mixed species exhibit.
E09
Little Penguin Rescue
Fri, Jan 31 2025 8:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
We follow the journey of an underweight and vulnerable little penguin through her progression from tiny to mighty. The monitoring systems that protect Taronga's fence lines have been triggered - can they correct the breach?Â
E10
Savannah Elephants
Fri, Feb 7 2025 8:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
A keeper detects a potentially dangerous lump in a juvenile gorilla named Mwamba. In Dubbo, Seven Asian elephants and their enclosure receive a thorough cleaning, and they certainly make their presence known.
Season 6
11 episodes
E01
Elephant Special
Tue, Nov 4 2025 8:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
We follow the monumental relocation of Taronga Zoo Sydney's last two Asian elephants as they prepare to leave their long-time home and begin a bold new chapter.
E02
Toothless Tiger
Tue, Nov 11 2025 8:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Aged Sumatran tigers face critical health checks. Sakti's dental surgery goes into crisis when he suffers cardiac arrest. Separately, aged capybara Carlos gets a check-up, and a horticulturist hunts 10,000 termites for the echidnas.
E03
Seal Survey
Tue, Nov 18 2025 8:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
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. Meanwhile, Keeper and Vet Luke drops his duties to treat an injured pelican.
E04
Gorilla Warfare
Tue, Nov 25 2025 8:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
At Taronga, silverback Kibali faces challenges from his increasingly bold son MJ, disrupting the gorilla troop. A sea lion swap sees Moby return and Storm relocated, but getting Storm into his crate is tough. Plus, Taronga's elephants get new, large enrichment toys.Â
E05
Baby Boom
Tue, Dec 2 2025 8:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Paul gets elephant treats. Red panda cubs are trained for breeding. 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.
E06
Red Panda-monium
Tue, Dec 9 2025 8:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
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. Plus, aging Galápagos tortoises get an ultrasound to check their health.
E07
Chatty Cheetah
Tue, Dec 16 2025 8:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Trainee Kayla is in the deep end, learning to feed the unpredictable python Rachel. At Dubbo, the vet team carefully sedates cheetah Innes for a critical dental check. Plus, a keeper reveals the fascinating, rare birthing process of the Norfolk Island snail.
E08
Emu Rescue
Tue, Dec 23 2025 8:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Taronga vets lead a koala rescue mission, using thermal drones to track them and testing for chlamydia. Sea lion Charlie is treated for kidney stones. The elephants get their annual health checks, and three orphaned emu chicks are fattened up for release.
E09
It's Tiger Time
Tue, Dec 30 2025 8:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Sumatran tiger Mawa has a high-stakes health check for a US breeding program. Potoroo Spud attempts quirky courtship to win Penny's heart. Keeper Molly juggles feeding meerkats and finding a special piece of wood for sun bear Molly.
E10
Bongo Blood Draw
Tue, Jan 13 2026 8:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
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. Plus, two pairs of Fiordland penguins face a tough breeding season to hatch their eggs.Â
E11
Sea Lion Surprise
Fri, Feb 27 2026 8:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Dubbo's Wildlife Hospital treats a car-struck koala and a declining wombat joey. At Sydney, a sea lion, Tarni, gets an ultrasound to check her unborn pup after a past loss. In Dubbo, the team closely monitors Mesi, a pregnant black rhino, ready for any complications.
Cast
Naomi Watts
as Narrator
Virginia Gay
as Narrator