[ WHISTLE ]
-ALL RIGHT, HOLD ON TIGHT. -IT'S LIKE THE PARTY STARTS
WHEN THE CAMELS COME OUT.
THIS IS MAX. HE JUST DEVELOPED AN ABSCESS ON HIS HEAD.
Iannuzzi: TIME FOR THE HAIRPIECE.
Gonzalez: I THINK THE LAST ONE I DID WAS A LITTLE BIT BETTER.
[ CAMEL EXHALES DEEPLY ][ LAUGHS ]
Castro: SO ADORABLE WHEN SHE EATS.
MOT-MOT IS A YELLOW-BELLIED MARMOT.
SHE CHOSE ME TO BE HER BUDDY.
WE JUST HAPPEN TO CLICK.
LaMattina: WE WANT HER TO FEEL COMFORTABLE AROUND THE PUBLIC.
[ MARMOT SHRIEKS ]THAT'S WHAT I WANT TO AVOID.
THE POLICE DEPARTMENT BROUGHT US THIS PEREGRINE FALCON.
[ FALCON CRIES ]
Calle: THERE'S A LITTLE BIT OF BLOOD,
SO HE MIGHT HAVE HAD SOME TRAUMA.
Man: GET HER LEG TO EXTEND.
Thomas: LAST SEASON, HER HIND LEGS WERE SPRAWLED OUT.
MAYBE A LITTLE SUPPORT.
SHE'S GROWN QUITE A BIT.
Breheny: IF YOU ASK A CHILD TO DRAW A PICTURE OF A ZOO,
CHANCES ARE THEY'LL DRAW AN ANIMAL BEHIND BARS.
WE'VE GOT TO TAKE THAT IMAGE AND CHANGE IT.
♪♪
[ HONKING ]
I REALLY ENJOY THIS.
IT STRENGTHENS THE BOND THAT WE HAVE WITH THESE GUYS.
COME ON.
I KNOW -- YOU DON'T LIKE DOORS.
Woman: GO ON, LADIES.
Breheny: IT'S NOT ENOUGH TO KEEP ANIMALS IN EXHIBITS
JUST FOR PEOPLE TO LOOK AT.
THERE HAS TO BE A HIGHER PURPOSE.
AND FOR US, IT'S CONSERVATION OF SPECIES IN THE WILD.
Man: ARE WE ROLLING?
THE GENERAL PUBLIC WOULD NEVER GET THE ACCESS
THAT YOU ARE GONNA GET, WHICH IS TO SEE
WHAT GOES ON BEHIND THE SCENES EVERY DAY.
THAT'S HOW WE DO IT HERE IN THE BOOGIE DOWN BRONX.
[ LAUGHTER ]
--Captions by VITAC-- www.vitac.com
CAPTIONS PAID FOR BY DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS
♪♪
EVER SINCE I USED TO WORK WITH THEM,
THAT'S HOW I ALWAYS GREET THEM.
I SPENT MOST OF THE FIRST EIGHT YEARS
THAT I WORKED AT THE ZOO WORKING WITH CAMELS.
AND IN THAT TIME, I REALLY DEVELOPED
AN APPRECIATION FOR THEM AS A SPECIES AND ALSO AS INDIVIDUALS.
HOW ARE YOU?
CAMEL RIDES ARE REALLY POPULAR AT THE BRONX ZOO.
IT'S THE ULTIMATE CONTACT EXPERIENCES.
YOU GET TO TOUCH IT. YOU GET TO FEEL IT.
YOU GET TO SMELL IT.
WE USE DROMEDARY CAMELS FOR THE RIDES.
THAT'S THE ONE-HUMP CAME.
THE OTHER TYPE OF CAMEL IS THE BACTRIAN,
AND THEY HAVE TWO HUMPS.
IT'S REALLY A LOT OF HARD WORK FOR THEM.
THEY'RE DOMESTIC ANIMALS, JUST LIKE HORSES.
HAVING THE CAMEL COME OUT, INTERACT WITH PEOPLE,
AND GIVE RIDES IS ANOTHER FORM OF STIMULUS AND ENRICHMENT.
♪♪
[ CAMEL LOWS ]OH, MY BABY.
[ WHISTLES ]
GOOD MORNING, YOU GUYS. HEY.
♪♪
I NEED SOME ROPES. YEAH.
THE MORNING ROUTINE CONSISTS OF US COMING OUT,
AND THE FIRST THING WE DO IS PUT HALTERS ON THEM.
[ GRUNTING ]
OH! WE HAVE SO MUCH TO SAY.
SHE'S A TALKING CAMEL.
AND WE PROCEED WITH BRUSHING THEM.
SOME CAMELS LIKE TO BE GROOMED MORE THAN OTHERS.
RUBY GOES INTO A TRANCE WHEN YOU BRUSH HER.
CAMELS ADAPT VERY WELL TO ROUTINE.
THEY LEARN THINGS QUICKLY.
AND SO, AS YOU SEE, WE HAVE A ROUTINE THAT'S REALLY RELIABLE.
♪♪
Gonzalez: THEY ALL HAVE THEIR OWN PERSONALITY.
THEY'RE ALL DIFFERENT.
AND THEN ONCE YOU GET TO WORK WITH THEM,
YOU GET TO LEARN WHAT THEY LIKE, WHAT THEY DON'T LIKE.
HEY, ROSEY.
OH, NO?
IT JUST DEPENDS ON THEIR MOOD OF THE DAY.
THIS IS MAX.
HE'S TRYING TO UNTIE HIMSELF.
[ CHUCKLES ] HE KNOWS HOW TO DO IT.
THEY'RE SO SMART. LIKE, IT BAFFLES ME SOMETIMES.
LIKE, WE HAVE A SINK IN ONE OF OUR YARDS,
AND THEY KNOW HOW TO TURN ON THE FAUCETS.
HELLO, MAX.
MAX HAS BEEN WORKING ON THE TRACK FOR TWO YEARS NOW.
HE IS PROBABLY ONE OF OUR BIGGEST CAMELS HERE.
Iannuzzi: ISN'T HE HANDSOME?
HE JUST STANDS THERE SO REGAL SOMETIMES,
WITH HIS HEAD UP HIGH.
BUT HE JUST DEVELOPED AN ABSCESS ON HIS HEAD.
DO YOU WANT TO SEE HIS LITTLE SITUATION.
ABSCESS IS LIKE A PIMPLE.
ABSCESSES ARE PRETTY COMMON IN CAMELS,
BUT WE'VE NEVER SEEN AN ABSCESS ON THE TOP OF A CAMEL'S HEAD.
THE AREA'S A LITTLE BIT SWOLLEN RIGHT NOW.
WE'RE JUST LIKE, "OKAY, WE HAVE TO COVER THIS."
OKAY, TIME FOR THE HAIR PIECE.
THAT'S WHY WE DEVELOPED THE TOUPEE TECHNIQUE.
IT KEEPS THE BUGS AWAY FROM HIS OPEN ABSCESS.
WE'RE MAKING MAX'S TOUPEE OUT OF THEIR WOOL
THAT WE'VE COLLECTED FROM THEIR SHEDDING.
[ LAUGHS ]
YEAH.
[ CAMEL LOWING ]
TALKATIVE TODAY.
THIS CREAM IS A FLY REPELLENT
WE'RE GONNA BE PUTTING AROUND HIS ABSCESS.
IT ALSO HELPS US KEEP THE HAIR ON.
PUT IT AROUND.
THE TOUPEE THAT WE PUT ON MAX DOESN'T SEEM TO BOTHER HIM.
GOOD BOY, MAX.
AND THAT'S BASICALLY IT.
I THINK THE LAST ONE I DID WAS A LITTLE BIT BETTER,
BUT I GUESS THAT'S OPEN TO ARGUMENT.
HE'S LIKE, "LET'S GO."
♪♪
[ INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS ]
HELLO!
IT'S GREAT. IT'S LIKE THE PARTY STARTS WHEN THE CAMELS COME OUT.
♪♪
HE'S LOOKING GOOD.
THE ABSCESS DOESN'T APPEAR TO BE AFFECTING MAX'S HEALTH OVERALL.
HE'S EATING WELL.
HIS BEHAVIOR IS NORMAL.
ENERGY IS GOOD.
ALL RIGHTY. MAX, STEP UP.
BUT BECAUSE OF THE LOCATION, BEING ON THE TOP OF HIS HEAD,
THE VETS ARE CONCERNED,
AND THEY'D LIKE TO RUN SOME MORE TESTS.
♪♪
[ BIRDS HONKING ]
♪♪
Castro: THIS IS RODENT CHOW.
♪♪
AND DANDELION GREENS.
JUST A HEALTHY SNACK.
I'M GOING TO TAKE THIS TO ONE OF MY FAVORITE ANIMALS
IN THE BUILDING.
♪♪
HEY, MOT-MOT!
MOT-MOT IS A YELLOW-BELLIED MARMOT
THAT WE GOT FROM A WILDLIFE REHABILITATOR IN UTAH.
LOOK OUTSIDE.
A YELLOW-BELLIED MARMOT IS A TYPE OF RODENT
FOUND IN THE WESTERN UNITED STATES.
IT GETS A LITTLE BIT COLDER THERE,
SO THEY NEED ALL THE FUR AND, LIKE, THE FAT.
YELLOW-BELLY MARMOTS ARE KNOWN FOR, LIKE,
STANDING UP ON THEIR HIND LEGS, LIKE, LOOKING AROUND,
AND THAT'S HOW THEY NORMALLY EAT.
♪♪
GOOD GIRL.
SO ADORABLE THE WAY SHE EATS IT.
♪♪
THEY LIKE TO CLIMB A LOT.
♪♪
MOT-MOT IS SHY AT FIRST.
SHE DOESN'T TRUST EVERYONE.
♪♪
Woman: BYE!
MOT-MOT IS ORPHANED.
WE DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO HER SIBLINGS, TO HER MOTHER.
SHE WAS FOUND VERY SICK.
SHE HAD TO BE PLACED INTO AN EDUCATION PROGRAM,
OR ELSE SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN EUTHANIZED.
♪♪
I DIDN'T WANT HER TO BE EUTHANIZED.
I WANTED TO BRING HER HERE.
MOT-MOT WAS ABOUT 5 MONTHS OLD WHEN SHE CAME HERE.
WE SPENT SOME TIME WITH HER, AND THIS LITTLE ANIMAL
WENT FROM BARELY SURVIVING TO BEING THIS BEAUTIFUL ANIMAL.
GOOD GIRL, HUH?
I FEEL LIKE SHE'S HAPPY.
SHE LIKES WHEN I SCRATCH HER ON HER NECK AND HER BACK.
LaMattina: JASON AND HER HAVE A REALLY SPECIAL BOND.
WHERE YOU GOING, HUH?
SHE CHOOSES ME TO, LIKE, BE HER BUDDY.
I DON'T KNOW WHY.
WE JUST HAPPENED TO CLICK. [ LAUGHS ]
♪♪
WE WANT TO USE HER FOR OUR AMBASSADOR PROGRAM.
ANYONE KNOW WHAT BUCKLEY IS?
-YES. -A WALLABY.
AWESOME! BUCKLEY IS A WALLABY.
AMBASSADOR ANIMALS OPEN PEOPLE'S EYES TO DIFFERENT SPECIES
AND DIFFERENT STORIES.
A LOT OF THE ANIMALS HERE AT THE TRACTABLE ANIMAL BUILDING
HAVE COME FROM WILDLIFE REHABILITATION CENTERS.
MOT-MOT IS GONNA BE A GREAT EXAMPLE
OF HOW ZOOS HELP ANIMALS THAT WERE REHABILITATED
AND EDUCATE THE PUBLIC.
Castro: WHERE YOU GOING?
READY TO GO TO THE CLASSROOM?
TO BECOME AN AMBASSADOR ANIMAL,
WE WANT HER TO FEEL COMFORTABLE AROUND THE PUBLIC.
SO JASON IS BRINGING HER INTO THE CLASSROOM...
GOOD GIRL.
...SO SHE GETS USED TO THE SOUNDS, DIFFERENT SMELLS.
HI, MOT.
I WOULDN'T HAVE PEOPLE TOUCH HER RIGHT AWAY.
OKAY.
YOU WANT TO SEE WHAT SHE DOES ON THE GROUND?
YEAH. PUT HER DOWN?
YEAH, SEE WHERE SHE GOES.
HEY, BUDDY. GO EXPLORE.
HEY, MOT.
MOT-MOT-MOT.
♪♪
HI. OH, SORRY.
I'M NOT SUPPOSED TO BE PETTING HER.
[ LAUGHTER ]IT'S HARD TO NOT.
MOT-MOT'S CLIMBING BEHAVIOR IS NORMAL FOR HER
BECAUSE SHE'S A YOUNG ANIMAL.
MARMOTS NORMALLY LIKE TO CLIMB.
I LIKE THAT SHE CLIMBS, BUT A VISITOR MIGHT NOT.
[ SHRIEKS ]
YEAH, THAT'S WHAT I WANT TO AVOID, YOU KNOW,
HER JUMPING DOWN.
Castro: THE PUBLIC, MAYBE THEY WOULDN'T LIKE IT.
SO WE WILL PROBABLY JUST -- MAYBE JUST HAVE HER IN HAND
THE WHOLE TIME WE HAVE HER IN THE CLASSROOM.
SHE'S JUST FAST.
LaMattina: KEEP HER IN HERE A FEW MORE MINUTES,
AND THEN WE'LL DO THIS A COUPLE OF TIMES.
OKAY.
FOR MOT-MOT, WE'RE JUST GONNA BRING HER
INTO THE CLASSROOM AGAIN, MAYBE BRING MORE PEOPLE IN.
HOPEFULLY, LET PEOPLE PET HER WITHOUT HER GETTING SCARED.
IT'S GONNA TAKE TIME.
WE WANT MOT-MOT TO BE AS COMFORTABLE
WITH OTHER PEOPLE AS SHE IS WITH ME.
♪♪
FEEL PRETTY STRAIGHT TO YOU?
IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO LOOK AT ALL OF THE BONES AND JOINTS.
HERE COME THE MONKEYS.
LaMattina: MOT-MOT NOT ONLY HAS TO GET USED TO
THIS NEW CLASSROOM, SHE HAS TO GET USED TO OTHER ANIMALS
LOOKING IN ON HER THROUGH THE WINDOWS.
♪♪
Calle: THE NEW YORK POLICE DEPARTMENT
BROUGHT AN INJURED YOUNG PEREGRINE FALCON CHICK TO US
THAT WAS FOUND ON THE FDR DRIVE NEAR WALL STREET.
AND THE POLICE DEPARTMENT BROUGHT IT TO US
SO THAT WE COULD FIND OUT WHAT WAS WRONG
'CAUSE OBVIOUSLY THAT'S NOT A PLACE
A PEREGRINE FALCON SHOULD BE.
AND ESPECIALLY NEAR A HIGHWAY, ONE OF THE CONCERNS IS TRAUMA.
I THINK THE PUBLIC'S REALLY WELL AWARE THAT WE TAKE CARE
OF THE ANIMALS THAT WE HAVE HERE IN OUR ZOOS AND AQUARIUMS,
BUT THEY PROBABLY DON'T REALIZE THAT WE DO STEP IN SOMETIMES
TO HELP NATIVE WILDLIFE.
PEREGRINE FALCONS ARE NOT UNCOMMON IN NEW YORK,
AND THEY REALLY DO WELL HERE.
IN THE WILD, IN UNDISTURBED HABITAT,
THEY NEST IN THESE STEEP, HIGH CLIFFS.
SO THE TALL BUILDINGS AND THE SKYSCRAPERS IN NEW YORK,
THEY PROVIDE A GREAT SUBSTITUTE FOR NESTING SPOTS
FOR THESE FALCONS.
♪♪
THE VETS ARE TRYING TO EXAMINE IT
TO DETERMINE, IF IT IS INJURED, WHAT'S WRONG WITH IT,
AND WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO TO TREAT IT.
[ BIRD SHRIEKING ]
ALL THAT SCREAMING IS BECAUSE IT DOESN'T LIKE TO BE RESTRAINED.
IT'S A WILD ANIMAL.
AND FORTUNATELY, IT'S HEALTHY ENOUGH
THAT IT CAN OBJECT TO WHAT WE'RE DOING.
LIKE MAGIC. LIKE MAGIC.
SO, BY COVERING THE EYES,
SOMETIMES EVEN COVERING THE EARS,
THERE'S LESS STIMULATION, AND SO WILD ANIMALS WILL BE,
IN MOST CASES, CALMER.
♪♪
HE DOES HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF BLOOD IN HIS CHOANA,
SO HE MIGHT HAVE HAD SOME TRAUMA.
AS PART OF OUR EXAM, WE NOTICED THAT THERE WERE BANDS
ON THIS YOUNG BIRD'S LEGS.
THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION,
THEY IDENTIFY AND BAND WILD PROTECTED SPECIES
LIKE THIS YOUNG PEREGRINE FALCON CHICK.
YOU'LL BE ABLE TO SEE THAT HE'S STANDING
IN A VERY DEFENSIVE, WINGS OUT, POSTURE,
AS WELL HE SHOULD BE.
Calle: NOW THAT WE HAVE THESE BAND NUMBERS AND COLORS,
WE'LL BE ABLE TO CALL
THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
AND REALLY FIND OUT ABOUT THIS YOUNG BIRD.
IT'S RIGHT SILVER 1947.
SAUNDERS: That is one of our fledglings.
In fact, she probably took her first flight today.
OKAY. SHE DID HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF BLOOD IN HER MOUTH,
AND SO SHE MIGHT HAVE HAD A LITTLE BIT OF TRAUMA.
WE'LL PERFORM RADIOGRAPHS TO CHECK THE BONES
AND TO CHECK FOR FOREIGN BODIES
OR ANY SORT OF INTERNAL INJURIES.
BUT HOPEFULLY, WE'LL BE ABLE TO RETURN HER
TO YOU FAIRLY QUICKLY.
That would be great.
♪♪
[ INTERCOM BEEPS ]
KAREN AND BRITTANY, PLEASE COME TO ANIMAL RECEIVING.
TODAY, WE'RE GONNA TAKE A LOOK AT MAX,
WHO HAS SWELLING ON THE TOP OF HIS HEAD.
WE'VE GOT A BLOOD GRIP. WE HAVE STUFF FOR BIOPSY.
WE'RE HOPING THAT THIS IS JUST A SIMPLE ABSCESS,
AND WE CAN OPEN IT UP, CLEAN IT OUT,
AND THEN IT WILL HEAL ON ITS OWN.
CULTURE, SWABS, VARIETY OF SIZES.
Sykes: WE'RE PACKING ALL OF THIS EQUIPMENT UP
SO THAT WE CAN TAKE EVERYTHING THAT WE NEED TO THE BARN.
MAX IS A PRETTY BIG ANIMAL,
AND SO YOU CAN'T JUST PICK HIM UP,
LIKE A DOG CAN COME UP ON THE TABLE.
WE'RE HOPING THAT MAX IS GONNA LAY DOWN,
AND THEN WE'RE GONNA GIVE HIM A SEDATIVE
TO KIND OF TAKE THE EDGE OFF
AND SEE IF WE CAN GET EVERYTHING DONE THAT WE'D LIKE TO GET DONE.
♪♪
HI, HONEY.
ARE YOU...?
HE'S IN THE YARD BY HIMSELF RIGHT NOW.
SO, YOU KNOW, THEY'RE --
THEY'RE AWARE OF THE SLIGHT CHANGES,
SO THEY'RE A LITTLE WORRIED.
Iannuzzi: IT'S OKAY, MAX. IT'S OKAY.
I'M ALWAYS UPTIGHT A LITTLE BIT
WHEN THESE THINGS ARE GONNA GO DOWN
'CAUSE IT'S STRESSFUL
WORRYING ABOUT ANYTHING THAT CAN GO WRONG.
I'M JUST GONNA BRUSH HIM A LITTLE BIT.
♪♪
GOOD MORNING.
THE THINGS THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO DO --
WE'D LIKE TO GET A BLOOD SAMPLE.
WE DEFINITELY WANT A CULTURE.
WE DEFINITELY WANT BIOPSIES.
WE'LL SEE HOW MUCH HE LETS US DO.
I MEAN, YOU'LL KNOW RIGHT AWAY WHAT HE'S WILLING TO DO
AND IF YOU HAVE TO GO HEAVIER WITH THE SEDATION.
BUT, HOPEFULLY, HE'LL BE LIGHT,
AND HE'LL JUST LET YOU DO WHAT YOU GOT TO DO.
OKAY.
♪♪
IT'S OKAY. IT'S OKAY.
♪♪
DIDN'T EVEN NOTICE IT.
THERE YOU GO.YEAH.
WE'LL WAIT.
WE'RE NOT GONNA GO IN UNTIL HE'S DOWN.
HE'S A GOOD CAMEL.
Sykes: WE'RE NOT EXPECTING HIM TO BE
COMPLETELY ASLEEP WITH THIS MEDICATION.
WE'RE HOPING THAT HE STILL IS A LITTLE BIT AWARE.
BUT I'D LIKE TO SEE HIS LIP DROOPING.
I'D LIKE TO SEE HIS EYES DROOPING.
I'D LIKE TO SEE HIM NOT PAYING ATTENTION
TO WHAT'S GOING ON AROUND HIM.
AND WE GAVE HIM A LOCAL ANAESTHETIC
SO HE'S NOT FEELING WHAT WE'RE DOING.
Breheny: CAMELS ARE BIG ANIMALS, AND MAX IS ESPECIALLY TALL.
SO TO LOOK AT THE ABSCESS ON THE TOP OF HIS HEAD,
IT'S GONNA BE WAY EASIER FOR US TO SEE
WHAT'S GOING ON IF MAX LAYS DOWN.
MAX, CUSH.
WHEN YOU WANT A CAMEL TO LAY DOWN,
YOU GOT TO GIVE HIM THE UNIVERSAL COMMAND OR REQUEST,
WHICH IS TO "CUSH," AND THAT MEANS TO LAY DOWN.
GOOD BOY! GOOD BOY!
GOOD. GOOD. GOOD.WHAT A GOOD CAMEL!
EXCELLENT.VERY GOOD, MAX.
WHO'S A GOOD BOY?!
Iannuzzi: HE FEELS DOPEY.
IT'S OKAY.
HOW YOU DOING, CHAMP?
ALL RIGHT. ALL RIGHT.
THAT'S GOOD.
♪♪
JUST KIND OF GO LIKE THAT.
WE'RE GONNA GET A DEEPER PIECE OF THIS, AS WELL.
THERE'S A LOT OF TISSUE IN HERE.
♪♪
OOH!
IT'S NOT A TYPICAL ABSCESS.
THIS IS REALLY ALL FULL OF SOMETHING THAT'S FIRM,
AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT TISSUE IS.
GIVE THAT A SECOND.
TRY TO GET SOME X-RAYS.
MAYBE TAKE A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT ANGLES OF THAT.
IT'S OKAY. Shh, Shh, Shh, Shh, Shh.
WE'RE GONNA SHOOT, SHOOT, SHOOT. SO, TELL US WHEN IT'S READY.
-WE'RE READY. -GOOD.
[ BUZZER ]
10 cc's OF PROPOFOL.
♪♪
SO, THIS IS MY CONCERN -- THAT THERE'S A BIG DIVOT.
THE X-RAYS SHOW US THAT THIS MASS
IS CREATING A DIVOT IN THE BONE.
IT'S ACTUALLY EATING THAT BONE AWAY.
AND I'M REALLY CONCERNED THAT IT MIGHT BE CANCER
BECAUSE CANCER WILL OFTEN DO THAT.
IT WILL EAT AWAY AT THE NORMAL PARTS OF THE BODY.
I THINK WE NEED TO TRY TO CLEAN STUFF OUT
AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE HERE, GET OUR BIOPSIES,
AND MAKE DECISIONS GOING FORWARD FROM THERE.
WHAT WE TOOK OUT OF THAT MASS WE'RE GONNA SEND IT
TO OUR PATHOLOGIST.
THAT'LL HELP GUIDE THE NEXT STEPS FOR MAX.
Iannuzzi: IT'S OKAY. IT'S OKAY.
[ CAMEL SNORTING ]
Gonzalez: IT'S VERY STRESSFUL THINKING ABOUT
SITUATIONS LIKE THIS BECAUSE WORKING WITH THESE GUYS
FOR AS LONG AS I HAVE, THEY'RE LIKE FAMILY, YOU KNOW?
LIKE A FAMILY DOG.
I CARE ABOUT THEM.
Breheny: YOU DIDN'T FUSS OR MUSS OR COMPLAIN AT ALL.
Sykes: WE'RE READY TO GIVE THE REVERSAL.
Iannuzzi: EASY, MAX. GOOD BOY.
FOR NOW, WE'RE GONNA KEEP MAX OFF THE RIDING TRACK,
BUT HOPEFULLY, WE'LL GET RESULTS IN,
AND WE CAN FIGURE OUT HOW TO TREAT IT.
HE'S ALL RIGHT.
NICE AND EASY, BABE.
♪♪
COME ON, KHYBER!
LOOK AT HIS FEET! AWW!
KHYBER'S STORY HAS BEEN A HUGE SUCCESS.
♪♪
OKAY. YOU READY?
MOT-MOT'S DOING GOOD WITH THE TRAINING.
HEY, MOT-MOT.
TODAY WE'RE GONNA TAKE MOT-MOT TO THE CONGO CLASSROOM
SO SHE CAN SEE SOMETHING NEW IN A CLASSROOM
THAT SHE'S NEVER SEEN BEFORE.
♪♪
IT'S IMPORTANT TO TAKE THESE ANIMALS TO DIFFERENT CLASSROOMS
BECAUSE LATER ON, THE INSTRUCTORS
THAT WE HAVE IN OUR EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
ARE GONNA START TAKING THE ANIMALS OVER THERE, TOO.
SO WE HOPE THAT SHE'S CALM AND RELAXED.
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO?
DO YOU WANT TO WALK AROUND LIKE YOU DO IN A CLASS?
YEAH.
SOMETIMES AN ANIMAL NEEDS MORE TIME TO ACCLIMATE.
SO IF SHE STARTS SHOWING SIGNS OF,
"HEY, I'M NOT SO SURE," IF SHE STARTS VOCALIZING
OR FIDGETING, WE'LL BRING HER BACK.
I'M SO DIFFERENT NOW THAN WHEN I STARTED.
LIKE, I'D BE SO NERVOUS, AND THE ANIMALS PICK UP ON THAT.
SO I TELL YOU, I KNOW IT SOUNDS SILLY,
BUT IF YOU GO INTO THE ROOM
AND YOU THINK IT'S GONNA GO WELL, IT'S GONNA GO WELL.
♪♪
GOOD. HUH, MOT? IS THAT IT?
THE CONGO CLASSROOM IS DIFFERENT BECAUSE IT HAS ANIMALS,
LIKE, SURROUNDING THE CLASSROOM.
LaMattina: SO, MOT-MOT NOT ONLY HAS TO GET USED TO
THIS NEW CLASSROOM, SHE HAS TO GET USED TO OTHER ANIMALS
LOOKING IN ON HER THROUGH THE WINDOWS.
IT'S ENRICHING FOR THEM.
ENRICHMENT ISN'T JUST A FOOD REWARD.
ENRICHMENT IS KEEPING THE ANIMAL MENTALLY STIMULATED.
HERE COME THE MONKEYS.
WHAT IS THAT OVER THERE?
MOT-MOT IS DOING WELL WITH ME HOLDING HER IN MY HAND.
SHE LOOKS REALLY CALM AND RELAXED.
WHAT IS THAT?SHE'S STAYING ON MY HAND, LIKE,
JUST LOOKING OUT THE WINDOWS AT THE MONKEYS.
[ CHUCKLES ] WHAT DO YOU THINK, BUDDY?
SHE'S SO COMFORTABLE WITH YOU.
IT'S SO SWEET.
IF SHE'S UNSURE, SHE'LL LOOK TO JASON, AND HE REASSURES HER.
AND YOU CAN ALMOST SEE HER BREATHE, YOU KNOW, LIKE,
"OH, EVERYTHING'S OKAY. JASON'S HERE." [ CHUCKLES ]
HI, BUDDY.
HI, GIRL.
YEAH, SHE'S OKAY.
SHE'S SO GOOD.YEAH.
OKAY, NOW, WHY DON'T WE REWARD THAT?
LET HER RUN AROUND AND EXPLORE SOME MORE.
YOU'RE OKAY, MOT.
HEY, GIRL.
[ CHUCKLES ]
♪♪
Castro: BECAUSE SHE'S, LIKE, VERY CURIOUS,
WE LET HER EXPLORE THE WHOLE CLASSROOM.
♪♪
LaMattina: SHE'S NOT STRESSED.
MARMOTS USUALLY FIND CORNERS.
SOMETIMES THEY WANT TO HIDE THERE.
BUT SHE'S RUNNING AROUND.
SO, LIKE, SHE'S COMFORTABLE WITH THAT.
SO, THAT'S PERFECT.
LOOK HOW GOOD SHE IS.
MOT-MOT HAS A FEW MORE WEEKS OF TRAINING LEFT.
AFTER THAT, WE'RE GONNA BE INTRODUCING MOT-MOT
TO THE PUBLIC IN OUR AMBASSADOR ANIMAL CLASSROOM.
THAT IS AWESOME. GOOD JOB, JASON.
SHE'S GONNA BE AN AMAZING PROGRAM ANIMAL.
YEAH, I CAN'T WAIT TO SHOW HER TO NEW GUESTS.
SEE THOSE MONKEYS ALL WATCHING HER LEAVE?
[ LAUGHS ]
♪♪
GET THE DOOR.
ON THE FIRST DAY THIS YOUNG PEREGRINE FALCON CHICK
ARRIVED HERE, WE JUST DID A BRIEF EXAM.
SHE LOOKS VERY ALERT AND ACTIVE THIS MORNING.
WE ARE A LITTLE CONCERNED THAT THERE MAY BE
SOME INJURIES OR ILLNESSES THAT ARE NOT OBVIOUS,
SO WE NEED TO DO AN X-RAY.
SHE'S GETTING THE ANESTHESIA NOW.
I'LL TURN THAT ON. OKAY.
♪♪
GOOD MORNING, PAT.
HOW ARE YOU?GOOD. HOW ARE YOU?
HER MOUTH LOOKS GOOD.
THERE WAS A LITTLE BIT OF BLOOD YESTERDAY.
-OKAY. NO TRACE OF ILLNESS? -NO.
THAT WAY WE CAN GET ELBOW TO ELBOW.
THEY LOOK PRETTY STRAIGHT TO YOU?
YEP.
♪♪
SHE'LL BE OPERATING THE CONTROL PANEL HERE.
[ BEEP ]
♪♪
SO, PEREGRINE FALCONS ARE REALLY ULTIMATE ATHLETES.
WHEN THEY HUNT, THEY CAN HIT 200 MILES PER HOUR.
IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO LOOK AT ALL OF THE BONES
AND JOINTS OF THE WING.
THEY REALLY HAVE TO HAVE NORMAL ANATOMY STRUCTURE
AND NO LITTLE BREAKS OR BONE INJURIES OF ANY KIND.
AND EVERYTHING LOOKS GREAT.
I'M VERY HAPPY TO REPORT
THAT THIS YOUNG FEMALE PEREGRINE FALCON CHICK,
WHOSE NAME IS JOHNNY 55, CHECKS OUT MEDICALLY,
AND WE DIDN'T FIND ANYTHING THAT WOULD PREVENT HER
FROM GOING BACK OUT TO REJOIN HER FAMILY.
YEAH, AS SOON AS SHE'S AWAKE ENOUGH AND STRONG ENOUGH,
WE CAN BRING HER BACK.
SOMETIMES THE HARDEST THING IS KNOWING WHEN TO DO NOTHING,
AND IN THIS CASE, DETERMINING THAT THERE WAS
NO SIGNIFICANT ILLNESS IN HER INJURY,
OUR BEST COURSE OF ACTION WAS ACTUALLY TO NO ACTION.
♪♪
SO, BARBARA SAUNDERS FROM THE NEW YORK DEPARTMENT
OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION IS HERE TO PICK HER UP.
LOOK AT YOU!
AND HOW OLD WAS SHE WHEN SHE WAS BANDED?
SHE WAS 18 DAYS WHEN SHE WAS BANDED,
AND SHE WAS 42 DAYS OLD WHEN SHE FLEDGED.
WELL, WE'RE VERY HAPPY TO SEE HER
GO BACK OUT WHERE SHE BELONGS.
AND HOPEFULLY SHE'LL STAY UP THIS TIME.
YES!
AND I'M GOING TO BELT HER IN.
WE HAVE ABOUT AN HOUR DRIVE TO GET OUT TO NEW JERSEY
TO THE RAPTOR TRUST,
WHERE THEY HAVE A NICE BIG FLIGHT CAGE,
AND WE'LL FLIGHT-TEST HER JUST TO MAKE SURE
ALL OF THE ANESTHESIA IS OUT OF HER SYSTEM.
IF SHE FLIES WELL, THEN WE'LL TAKE HER BACK TO THE NEST SITE
AND THEN RELEASE HER ON A LEDGE NEARBY.
Calle: THE FIRST FLIGHT SHE EVER TOOK IN HER LIFE
IS WHEN SHE LANDED DOWN BY THE FDR DRIVE.
AND SO, SHE MAY BE A LITTLE INTIMIDATED.
THE BIG QUESTION IS HER SECOND FLIGHT.
HOPEFULLY, SHE'LL DO BETTER THAN SHE DID ON HER FIRST FLIGHT.
♪♪
Gonzalez: GOOD BOY, MAX.
♪♪
GOOD MORNING.
A FEW DAYS AGO, WE DID A SURGERY ON THE TOP OF MAX'S HEAD
TO REMOVE A MASS THAT'S BEEN GROWING THERE.
AND TODAY I'M HERE TO CHANGE THE BANDAGE.
SO, I GUESS THE FIRST THING IS
THAT THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT, ON THE BIOPSY,
IT DIDN'T LOOK LIKE CANCER.
I WAS PRETTY CONCERNED THAT IT WAS GONNA BE CANCER.
-SO, IT'S ALL GOOD? -YEAH.
Gonzalez: GOOD BOY, MAX. I AM RELIEVED.
I AM RELIEVED IT ISN'T CANCER AND RELIEVED
HE'S GONNA BE OKAY, AND IT'S TREATABLE.
Sykes: MOST OF THE STUFF WE GOT OUT OF THERE WAS DEAD TISSUE
THAT'S INFECTED WITH BACTERIA, AND IT'S INFECTED WITH FUNGUS.
IT'S A MUCH BETTER OUTCOME THAN I THOUGHT WE WERE GONNA HAVE.
BUT WE STILL DO HAVE TO TREAT IT REGULARLY,
AND WE HAVE TO TRY TO GET ALL THAT INFECTION OUT OF HIS HEAD
SO THAT IT CAN REALLY HEAL.
♪♪
COME ON, MAX.
WE'RE GONNA TRY TO CHANGE HIS BANDAGE
WITHOUT GIVING HIM ANY SEDATION.
THAT'S A LOT HEALTHIER FOR HIM
BECAUSE THE SEDATIVE MEDICATIONS WE USE,
THEY ALL HAVE SOME SIDE EFFECTS.
HE'S WATCHING.
Gonzalez: CUSH.
GOOD BOY, MAX!
THE PLAN FOR TODAY IS TO TAKE MAX'S SPONGE OUT OF HIS ABSCESS
AND REPLACE IT WITH A NEW ONE.
Sykes: SO, WE'RE PUTTING TWO THINGS IN THERE.
ONE IS THE ANTIBACTERIAL, AND THEN THIS IS ANTIFUNGAL.
OKAY.
ALL RIGHTY.
ME DOING IT IS A GREAT BENEFIT
JUST 'CAUSE BEING A FAMILIAR FACE, YOU KNOW, HELPS.
ALL RIGHT, I'M GOING FOR IT.
♪♪
-WHOO! -THAT'S IT.
HE'S, LIKE, THE EASIEST-GOING CAMEL I'VE EVER SEEN.
HE'S SO GREAT.
KIND OF SHOCKING HOW FAST HE'S WILLING TO JUST LAY --
"OKAY, WHATEVER. YOU CAN DO WHATEVER.
GIVE ME FOOD, AND I'M FINE."
HE'S LIKE ME WITH THOSE CHOCOLATE-PEANUT-COATED M&M's.
Sykes: TAKE YOUR FINGER AND JUST SEE
IF YOU CAN WIPE AROUND INSIDE OF IT.
GOOD BOY, MAX.
[ CAMEL LOWING ]
JUST GIVE HIM A MINUTE. JUST GIVE HIM A MINUTE.
CLOSE THAT DOOR.
Breheny: FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT ACCUSTOMED TO CAMELS
AND THEY HEAR THEM ROAR LIKE THAT AND THINK,
YOU KNOW, WE'RE REALLY DOING SOMETHING BAD TO THEM --
I MEAN, CAMELS PROTEST EVERYTHING.
CUSH. CUSH.
GOOD BOY. ALL THE WAY DOWN.
Breheny: YOU KNOW, WE HAD TO RESTRAIN HIM A LITTLE BIT.
BUT WE NEED TO BE IN CONTROL OF THE ANIMAL AND ANTICIPATE
THE ANIMAL'S THOUGHTS AND MOVEMENTS AS BEST WE CAN
BECAUSE WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE ANIMAL DOESN'T GET HURT
AND THE VETERINARIAN DOESN'T GET HURT.
IF HE TRIES TO GET UP, AND HE TESTS THOSE ROPES,
PULL STRAIGHT -- STRAIGHT BACK.
♪♪
THAT'S IT. THAT'S IT.
GOOD BOY! GOOD BOY, MAX!
I THINK THAT'S AS --
THAT'S AS GOOD AS YOU'RE GONNA GET IT.
-YOU'RE GOOD. -GET BACK.
GIVE HIM SLACK.
Sykes: MAX'S BANDAGE NEEDS TO BE CHANGED PRETTY FREQUENTLY.
I AM WORRIED THAT HE'S GONNA GET MORE AND MORE STRESSED
AND JUST NOT LET US DO ANYTHING
WITHOUT HAVING TO GIVE HIM MEDICATIONS.
QUESTION IS WHETHER WE THINK THAT WE CAN GET AWAY
WITH EVERY OTHER DAY BANDAGE CHANGES WITH NO SEDATIVES,
OR IF WE WANT TO START PLAYING WITH SOME SEDATIVES.
I WOULD LIKE TO DO IT ONE MORE TIME
THE WAY WE DID IT TODAY.RIGHT.
I MEAN, HE EVEN MIGHT GET BETTER WITH THIS EVERY OTHER DAY.
YOU NEVER KNOW. RIGHT.
I MEAN, THEY ARE ROUTINE ANIMALS.
LIKE, THE MORE YOU DO SOMETHING WITH THEM,
THE MORE THEY GET USED TO IT, YEAH.
EVEN THOUGH IT SEEMED LIKE HE WAS IN DISCOMFORT
OR HE WAS A LITTLE AFRAID OF WHAT WE WERE DOING...
GOOD BOY.
...WHEN IT WAS ALL OVER, HE WENT RIGHT BACK TO EATING.
SO, THIS IS WHERE THE KEEPER'S RELATIONSHIP
WITH THE CAMEL REALLY COMES INTO PLAY
BECAUSE THERE'S A LEVEL OF TRUST.
AND IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT WHENEVER YOU DO SOMETHING,
ESPECIALLY NEW, THAT YOU END ON A POSITIVE NOTE.
VERY FORGIVING.
HE SAYS, "ALL THAT, AND ALL I GET IS STALKS?"
I'M GUESSING THAT HE'S GONNA BE MORE ACCEPTING
WITH EACH SUCCESSIVE BANDAGE CHANGE,
BUT WE'LL HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE HOW HE REACTS.
♪♪
Castro: GOOD GIRL.
THIS IS, LIKE, THE CULMINATION OF EVERYONE'S HARD WORK.
♪♪
OOH, I SEE YOU.
COME ON, KHYBER.
WE'RE ALL SET.
GOOD GIRLS.
HEY, KIDS, THERE'S A BABY OVER HERE.
-WHERE? -WHERE IS IT?
Thomas: KHYBER IS A SNOW-LEOPARD CUB,
WHO, LAST SEASON, AS A VERY YOUNG CUB,
SUFFERED FROM WHAT'S KNOWN AS SWIMMER SYNDROME.
HER HIND LEGS WERE SPRAWLED OUT TO THE SIDE.
Man: WE'RE JUST TRYING TO GET HER LEG TO EXTEND
IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
THAT NECESSITATED ABOUT FIVE OR SIX WEEKS
OF REALLY INTENSIVE DAILY THERAPY.
IT'S ALWAYS A BIG RISK TO PULL ANY ANIMAL FROM ITS MOTHER,
ESPECIALLY A WILD ANIMAL.
BUT HER MOTHER'S VERY TOLERANT.
MAYBE A LITTLE SUPPORT ON THE BACK.
Woman: YOU GOT IT? THERE YOU GO.
♪♪
-THAT'S PRETTY GOOD RIGHT THERE. -YEAH.
KHYBER'S STORY HAS BEEN A HUGE SUCCESS.
-BACK THERE. -OHHH!
Kramer: WELL, KHYBER IS STILL HOUSED WITH HER MOTHER.
IT'S SO CUTE! SHE'S LOOKING AT US!
Trainer: KHYBER AND K2 -- THROUGHOUT THE DAY,
YOU'LL SEE THEM CHASING EACH OTHER, WHICH IS REALLY CUTE.
Woman: OH, HE'S PLAYING.
Kramer: SHE'S GROWN QUITE A BIT.
SHE STILL HAS THAT ROLY-POLY DEMEANOR. [ LAUGHS ]
Woman: IT'S SO CUTE! SHE'S LOOKING AT US.
-OHH! -OHH! LOOK AT HIS FACE!
Thomas: OUR VISITORS WHO SEE KHYBER TODAY WOULD NEVER KNOW
THAT SHE HAD THIS REALLY SIGNIFICANT PHYSICAL ISSUE
AS A VERY YOUNG CUB.
IT'S NOT EVEN NOTICEABLE, AND SHE'S, YOU KNOW,
A HEALTHY YOUNG CAT NOW.
Thomas: IT REALLY IS SURPRISING PEOPLE THAT THIS WAS
THE SAME LITTLE, TINY CUB THEY SAW, YOU KNOW,
WITH HER HIND LEGS SPRAWLED OUT ON EITHER SIDE OF HER.
♪♪
THERE HE GOES.
HEY, BUDDY.
GOOD BOY!
LaMattina: TODAY, WE HAVE ONE OF OUR ANIMAL AMBASSADOR PROGRAMS,
SO WE HAVE FOUR ANIMALS.
THIS IS KEVIN.
AND WE'RE GONNA END WITH MOT,
AND THIS WILL BE HER FIRST PUBLIC PRESENTATION.
YEAH.SO, THIS IS, LIKE,
THE CULMINATION OF EVERYONE'S HARD WORK.
GOOD GIRL!
I AM PRETTY EXCITED.
MOT-MOT'S GONNA BE GREAT.
YEAH. YEAH.
♪♪
SUCCESS FOR MOT-MOT WOULD BE JUST HER LOOKING AROUND
AND NOT REALLY MOVING MUCH IN MY HAND.
AS LONG AS SHE JUST STAYS STILL IN MY HAND, THAT'S PERFECT.
HER NAME IS MOT-MOT.All: MOT-MOT.
MOT-MOT, YEAH. THEY FOUND HER IN A HORSE CORRAL,
BUT SHE WAS TOO YOUNG TO BE, LIKE,
RELEASED BACK INTO THE WILD, SO WE ENDED UP TAKING HER.
WE WANTED HER TO GET HEALTHY AND BE COMFORTABLE,
AND I THINK SHE'S DOING GREAT.
Castro: SHE'S LOOKING AROUND AT THE KIDS.
SHE'S BEING RELAXED IN MY HAND JUST LIKE WE'VE BEEN PRACTICING.
SO, WE GIVE HER KALE, DANDELION, YAMS.
SHE LIKES BANANA, TOO.
SHE DOES.SHE DOES.
THE NICEST PART ABOUT THIS JOB IS TO HEAR
AND SEE THE STUDENTS REACT TO THESE ANIMALS.
AND WITH MOT, SHE'S LOOKING AROUND.
SHE'S ENGAGING, MAKING EYE CONTACT.
I THINK SHE LOOKS CALM.
SHE DOES.
THE BRONX ZOO IS ABLE TO PROVIDE A HOME FOR MOT-MOT.
SHE WAS NOT RELEASABLE.
SHE WOULD HAVE HAD TO HAVE BEEN EUTHANIZED.
WE BROUGHT HER HERE,
WE TOOK CARE OF HER MEDICAL CONDITIONS,
AND NOW SHE'S A GREAT ADDITION
TO OUR ANIMAL AMBASSADOR PROGRAM.
YOU GUYS ARE AWESOME.
THANK YOU FOR HELPING US GET HER USED TO OUR PROGRAMS.
WE GAVE HER A SECOND CHANCE AT LIFE,
SO, YEAH, IT'S A WONDERFUL FEELING.
LaMattina: SHE DID REALLY GOOD.
GOOD JOB, MOT!
YEAH.
♪♪
Saunders: WE'RE GONNA LET HER GO ON THE NEST LEDGE.
Calle: THIS YOUNG PEREGRINE FALCON,
SHE'S COMING BACK TO DOWNTOWN MANHATTAN
TO BE REUNITED WITH HER FAMILY.
Gonzalez: TODAY'S GONNA BE THE SECOND TIME WE REPLACE MAX'S GAUZE.
HOPING THAT IT'S GONNA GO BETTER THAN THE FIRST TIME.
-OKAY, LET'S GET READY TO GO. -EASY DOES IT.
♪♪
Iannuzzi: HI, DOOPIE!
SO, TODAY IS GONNA BE THE SECOND TIME WE REPLACE MAX'S GAUZE.
WE'RE HOPING THAT IT'S GONNA GO BETTER THAN THE FIRST TIME.
I THINK TODAY'S GONNA BE THE BAROMETER.
EITHER HE'S GONNA BE OKAY WITH IT,
OR HE'S GONNA SAY, "YOU KNOW, I'M GETTING TIRED OF THIS."
SO, I THINK WE GO IN THERE,
AND THEN WE DECIDE WHAT THE NEXT STEP IS.
OKAY.
Sykes: WE NEED TO CHANGE THE BANDAGE
AND KEEP THIS WOUND REALLY CLEAN
TO TRY TO CLEAR THE INFECTION IN HIS HEAD SO THAT IT CAN HEAL.
GOOD BOY, MAX.
Breheny: DID YOU ASK HIM TO CUSH?
HE ALREADY -- I DIDN'T ASK HIM. HE ALREADY KNOWS.
GOOD BOY!
♪♪
WHAT I'M HOPING IS THAT THIS TREATMENT OF THIS WOUND
ACTUALLY BECOMES ROUTINE TO HIM
BECAUSE WE HAVE TO DO IT SO FREQUENTLY.
OKAY, LET'S GET READY TO GO, OKAY?
FAUSTO'S RUNNING THE SHOW.
-GOOD BOY. -GOOD BOY, MAX.
GET READY. DON'T LET HIM UP.
-ALL RIGHT. -THAT'S IT.
-GOOD BOY. -GOOD BOY, MAX.
Shh. GOOD BOY.
[ CAMEL LOWING ]
WELL, THERE'S YOUR ANSWER.
HE'S WAY MORE TOLERANT THIS TIME.
GOOD BOY.OH, WHAT A GOOD PET.
I FEEL GREAT. I KIND OF HAVE A LITTLE
ADRENALINE RUSHING RIGHT NOW.
SO, A LITTLE JITTERY, BUT IT'S BECAUSE HE WAS JUST SO GOOD.
IT HAPPENED SO FAST.
YOU'RE DONE.
[ CAMEL LOWS ]MM-HMM.
GOOD BOY!
Sykes: I THINK MAX IS GETTING USED TO WHAT WE'RE DOING,
AND IT ACTUALLY MEANS WE CAN CHANGE THE BANDAGE
MORE FREQUENTLY AND GET IT TO HEAL EVEN THAT MUCH FASTER.
THAT'S A GOOD BOY.
Iannuzzi: WE'D LIKE TO GET HIM BACK OUT ON THE RIDING TRACK
AND GET BACK INTO OUR ROUTINE AS QUICKLY AS WE CAN.
GOOD BOY, MAX.
♪♪
Calle: EVEN THOUGH THIS YOUNG PEREGRINE FALCON CHICK
HAS LEFT OUR CARE HERE AT THE BRONX ZOO HOSPITAL,
WE'VE BEEN KEEPING IN TOUCH WITH BARBARA
FROM DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION.
I'M IN THE LOADING DOCK.
WE HEARD THE GREAT NEWS THAT THE PEREGRINE FALCON CHICK
HAS BEEN CLEARED TO BE RELEASED.
SO, WE'RE REALLY EXCITED THAT SHE'S COMING BACK
TO DOWNTOWN MANHATTAN TO BE REUNITED WITH HER FAMILY.
♪♪
PEREGRINE FALCONS ACTUALLY DO QUITE WELL IN CITIES.
THEY TYPICALLY NEST ON CLIFFS,
AND SO THEY FIND SKYSCRAPER LEDGES GREAT NESTING AREAS.
Saunders: THE NEST IS OFF THE 14th FLOOR.
SHE'S GONNA GO BACK WITH HER SIBLINGS AND HER PARENTS.
WE'RE GONNA LET HER GO ON THE NEST LEDGE.
SHE MAY STAY AT THE NEST LEDGE. SHE MAY FLY OFF IMMEDIATELY.
IT'S HARD TO JUDGE, YOU KNOW?
FALCONS HAVE THEIR OWN PERSONALITIES.
Calle: WHEN RELEASING A YOUNG FALCON LIKE THIS
BACK INTO THE WILD, YOU WANT TO BE AS HANDS-OFF AS POSSIBLE
AND NOT BE HOVERING OVER THEM
BECAUSE THAT CAN STARTLE THEM OR MAKE THEM NERVOUS.
SHE DID GREAT. [ CHUCKLES ]
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU COULD SEE HER FROM OUTSIDE,
BUT WE LET HER GO, AND THEN SHE'S UP ON THE NEST AREA.
AFTER A FEW MINUTES, THE ADULT MALE CAME.
SO, FAMILY IS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REUNITED.
EXCELLENT!
♪♪
Saunders: SHE LOOKED GOOD OUT ON THAT NEST LEDGE.
YOU KNOW, CROSS OUR FINGERS AND HOPE FOR THE BEST.
EXCELLENT!
♪♪
Breheny: IN SO MANY INSTANCES, WILD-ANIMAL POPULATIONS
AND EVEN INDIVIDUAL WILD ANIMALS
ARE NEGATIVELY AFFECTED BY LIVING IN CLOSE PROXIMITY
TO PEOPLE OR THE ACTIONS OF PEOPLE.
IN THIS CASE, HERE WAS AN INDIVIDUAL ANIMAL
THAT WAS IN DISTRESS, NEEDED HELP,
AND A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT PEOPLE
WITH A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT SKILLS
FROM A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT AGENCIES
CAME TOGETHER ALL TO MAKE SURE
THAT THIS BIRD WAS TAKEN CARE OF,
GOT THE ATTENTION THAT IT NEEDED,
AND EVENTUALLY RELEASED BACK INTO THE WILD.
♪♪
Gonzalez: COME ON, JOSH. LET'S GO.
♪♪
Iannuzzi: SO, THIS IS MY MOTHER'S SEWING MACHINE.
I MAKE HEADDRESSES FOR THEM.
I MAKE THEIR BLANKETS, WHICH HAVE TO BE CUSTOM-FITTED.
MAXIMUS THE CAMEL --
HE KEEPS LOOKING OVER THE FENCE AT HIS GROUP.
HE WANTS TO GO OUT TO THE RIDING TRACK.
I ASKED DR. SYKES FOR CLEARANCE, AND WE'RE GOOD TO GO.
BUT BANDAGES ARE OF CONCERN, EVEN THOUGH
THEY'RE JUST TO COVER SOMETHING UP THAT'S HEALING.
SO, THERE IS A SUCH THING AS A FLY NET.
I HAPPEN TO HAVE ONE THAT WAS FOR THE MUZZLE OF A HORSE.
AND THIS IS GONNA BE GREAT FOR HIM
BECAUSE IT'S GONNA BREATHE FOR THAT WOUND.
AND WE WANT TO KEEP FLIES AWAY FROM IT.
THE CONCEPT IS STILL INCORPORATING THE TOUPEE.
AND I'M THINKING OF SEWING IT INSIDE.
♪♪
I THINK THAT'LL WORK.
HI, MAX. HOW ARE YOU?
♪♪
GOOD BOY. YOU'RE SO GOOD, MAX.
I LOVE YOU.
LET ME SEE HOW THAT LOOKS.
A LITTLE CONSPICUOUS,
BUT I THINK IT'S BETTER THAN THE BANDAGE SHOWING.
♪♪
HE'S READY FOR THE TRACK.
MM-HMM.
ARE WE READY TO GO?
"I'M BACK." YEAH.
GOOD BOY, MAX.
HOW ARE YOU, MY FRIEND?
ARE YOU GOOD?
I'M REALLY HAPPY TO SEE THAT MAX IS PROGRESSING REALLY WELL,
AND HE'S HEALING UP.
ALL RIGHT, HOLD ON TIGHT.
CAMEL'S NAME IS MAX.
HEY, MAX.
♪♪
MAX IS ACTING LIKE HE'S BEEN OUT THERE FOR DAYS.
HE'S ACTING NORMAL, LIKE NOTHING EVER HAPPENED,
AND HE'S JUST BACK INTO THE ROUTINE.
♪♪
-HE LOOKS REALLY GOOD. -YEAH.
Breheny: ALL THE KEEPERS HAVE A GREAT RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CAMELS.
THE ANIMALS JUST TRUST THEM.
THAT RELATIONSHIP, THAT'S WHAT'S REALLY AIDED
AND HELPED IN THE HEALING PROCESS.
Gonzalez: GOOD BOY, MAX.
WELCOME BACK, MAX.
[ LAUGHS ] WELCOME BACK.
YEAH. I'M HAPPY. YEAH.
I'M SO HAPPY TO HAVE HIM BACK INTO THE ROTATION.
YEAH. YEAH.
YOU WERE MISSED.
[ CAMEL LOWS ]