Ep 2. The Great Turtle Comeback

The Zoo season 6 episode 2, titled "The Great Turtle Comeback," follows the staff at the Bronx Zoo as they work to save endangered species of turtles and tortoises.

The episode focuses on three different species of turtles: the Bog turtle, the Radiated tortoise, and the Asian giant pond turtle. Each of these species faces different threats to their survival, from habitat loss to poaching, but all are in need of help if they are to survive.

At the start of the episode, we meet Eric, a herpetologist at the Bronx Zoo who is leading the effort to save the Bog turtle. This small, shy turtle is native to the northeast United States and is threatened by habitat loss due to development and agriculture. Eric and his team are working to breed Bog turtles in captivity and then release them into protected habitats in the wild.

Next, we meet Kathleen, a veterinary technician who is part of the team working to save the Radiated tortoise. This beautiful tortoise is native to Madagascar and is critically endangered due to habitat loss and poaching for their meat and shells. Kathleen and her team are caring for several Radiated tortoises at the zoo and are working to breed them in captivity in order to boost their population numbers.

Finally, we meet Jim, a senior keeper who is in charge of several species of Asian turtles, including the Asian giant pond turtle. This turtle is one of the largest freshwater turtles in the world and is native to Southeast Asia. It is critically endangered due to habitat loss and poaching for its meat and its use in traditional Chinese medicine. Jim and his team are working to breed the Asian giant pond turtle in captivity and then release them into protected habitats in the wild.

Throughout the episode, we follow each of these stories as the staff at the zoo works tirelessly to save these endangered species. We see baby Bog turtles hatch from their eggs and, once they are old enough, released into the wild. We see Kathleen and her team caring for the delicate Radiated tortoises, carefully monitoring their health and working to breed them. And we see Jim and his team at work, carefully tending to the Asian giant pond turtles and working to ensure their survival in the wild.

As we watch these dedicated staff members at work, we can't help but be moved by their passion for these animals and for conservation. We see the importance of zoos not just as places to see animals, but as important players in the fight to save endangered species from extinction.

Overall, "The Great Turtle Comeback" is a fascinating and inspiring look at the work being done at the Bronx Zoo to save endangered turtles and tortoises. It's a reminder that even in the face of difficult challenges, there is hope for the future of these amazing animals.