Ep 4. Herd Time's a Charm

In Secrets of the Zoo: Tampa season 3 episode 4, titled "Herd Time's a Charm," viewers get an inside look at the workings of the zoo as the staff faces new challenges. With over 1300 animals at the zoo, ensuring their care and safety is a top priority.

The episode begins with a focus on the elephants at Tampa's zoo. The staff is working hard on training and creating a bond with the herd. While they are magnificent creatures, elephants can also be very dangerous if not properly cared for. The keepers work with the elephants to create a trust-based relationship, which helps them do their jobs more effectively.

Next, the episode moves on to the manatees at the zoo. The manatees are a beloved species, as they are endangered and only about 7,500 remain in the wild. The zoo has a dedicated manatee hospital, which is the largest non-profit facility of its kind in the world. Sick or injured manatees are brought into the hospital and nursed back to health.

One of the key focuses of this episode is a baby gorilla that was recently born at the zoo. The baby, named Kazi, is the first gorilla born at the zoo in nearly 15 years. The episode takes the viewers through the process of raising Kazi, which includes monitoring her health and behavior, introducing her to the rest of the gorilla troop, and teaching her important skills, like climbing and playing.

Another exciting moment in the episode is the arrival of a new giraffe. Rein is a young male Rothschild's giraffe, a critically endangered subspecies. Rein is being introduced to the rest of the giraffe herd, which includes two females and a young male. The keepers carefully monitor Rein's behavior as he gets used to his new surroundings and meets the other giraffes.

One of the unique things about Secrets of the Zoo: Tampa is that it not only focuses on the animals but also shows the relationships that develop between the keepers and the animals. In this episode, we get to see the special bond between a pair of orangutans and their keeper. The keeper has been working with the orangutans for years, and they have formed a deep connection. The episode shows how they play and interact, including a moment where one of the orangutans shares a piece of fruit with the keeper.

The episode ends with a focus on the African penguins at the zoo. The keepers need to collect data from each of the penguins to ensure they are all healthy. This involves weighing each penguin, checking their wings and flippers for any injuries or abnormalities, and examining their overall appearance.

Overall, "Herd Time's a Charm" is a fascinating episode that showcases the hard work and dedication of the zoo staff as they care for a wide variety of animals. It's an engaging and informative look at the inner workings of a modern zoo and the many challenges that come with maintaining a safe, healthy, and happy environment for all its inhabitants.