Thomas: AMUR TIGERS ARE MASSIVE ANIMALS.
THEY'RE BEAUTIFUL, THEY'RE POWERFUL.
NAKITA'S RIDE TO D.C.
TODAY'S GONNA BE DAY ONE OF OUR CRATE TRAINING
WITH OUR TIGER NAKITA IN PREPARATION FOR HER MOVE.
-[ GROWLS ] -REALLY?
Cartusciello: THIS IS CALISTO.
SHE IS A TWO-TOED SLOTH. SHE'S ONE OF MY...[LAUGHS]
SHE'S ONE OF MY FAVORITES.
PEOPLE THINK THEY'RE LAZY.
AND IT'S NOT THAT THEY'RE LAZY, THEY'RE JUST SLOW.
Shuter: THIS IS THE FIRST YEAR
THAT WE'RE TRYING TO BREED CHINESE ALLIGATORS.
WE'RE FAIRLY HOPEFUL THAT SHE'S GONNA LAY EGGS.
ALL RIGHT.
Silver: THE BIGGEST THREAT
TO THE NEW ENGLAND COTTONTAIL RABBIT IS A LOSS OF HABITAT.
WE BREED RABBITS...
Dr. Bartlett: YOU'RE THE CUTEST ONE YET.
Silver: ...PROTECT THEM WHEN THEY'RE REAL YOUNG...
I HOPE I DON'T START TO CRY.
...AND THEN INTRODUCE THEM INTO THE WILD.
ALL RIGHT, YOU CAN GO.
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
IN ADDITION TO THE BRONX ZOO,
THE WILDLIFE CONSERVATION SOCIETY
OPERATES THREE OTHER ZOOS IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK.
I REALLY LIKE THE QUEENS ZOO
BECAUSE WE FEATURE ANIMALS FROM THE AMERICAS.
THIS IS ONE OF THE TWO HOLDING AREAS
THAT WE HAVE FOR THE NEW ENGLAND COTTONTAILS.
TODAY I CAME OUT TO THE QUEENS ZOO
'CAUSE I REALLY AM INTERESTED IN THIS NEW ENGLAND
COTTONTAIL RABBIT BREEDING PROJECT THAT THEY HAVE.
-WANT TO TAKE A LOOK? -SURE.
Breheny: WE HAVE A RELATIVELY LARGE GROUP
OF NEW ENGLAND COTTONTAIL RABBITS AT THE QUEENS ZOO,
BUT THEY'RE NOT ON EXHIBIT.
THEY'RE HERE FOR CONSERVATION PURPOSES.
Silver: THE NEW ENGLAND COTTONTAIL CONSERVATION INITIATIVE
IS TRYING TO RESTORE A NATIVE COTTONTAIL RABBIT
TO NEW ENGLAND AND PARTS OF NEW YORK.
WE WORK WITH THE ROGER WILLIAMS PARK ZOO,
THE U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE,
THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
SO IT'S REALLY A VERY WIDE-RANGING PROGRAM,
AND WE'RE HAPPY TO BE A PART OF IT.
PEOPLE THINK THAT THERE ARE COTTONTAIL RABBITS EVERYWHERE,
BUT WHAT PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE
IS THE EASTERN COTTONTAIL RABBIT REPLACED AND OUT-COMPETED
THE NEW ENGLAND COTTONTAIL RABBIT.
THE NEW ENGLAND COTTONTAIL IS A SPECIES OF CONCERN
BECAUSE ITS POPULATION HAS BEEN DECREASING
OVER THE LAST 50 YEARS TREMENDOUSLY.
HOW YOU DOING?
HERE AT THE QUEENS ZOO, WE BREED YOUNGSTERS
AND PROTECT THEM WHEN THEY'RE REAL YOUNG
UNTIL THEY GET A LITTLE BIT OLDER
AND THEN INTRODUCE THEM INTO THE WILD.
THE QUEENS ZOO, AT THIS POINT,
HAS RAISED OVER 51 RABBITS THAT ARE SLATED FOR RELEASE
OR HAVE BEEN RELEASED INTO THE WILD ALREADY,
AND WE'RE HOPING TO ADD TO THAT NUMBER THIS YEAR.
Butcher: TODAY I'M BRINGING ONE OF THE MALE COTTONTAIL RABBITS
OVER TO JOIN THE FEMALE IN HOPES THAT THEY WILL BREED.
MY ROLE IN THIS, I THINK IT'S SORT OF
IN BETWEEN CARETAKER/MATCHMAKER.
THAT AGE-OLD SAYING "BREEDING LIKE RABBITS" --
NOT EVERY RABBIT EXHIBITS THIS BEHAVIOR.
IT'S NOT JUST SIMPLE -- PUTTING TWO RABBITS TOGETHER,
AND THEY'RE GONNA BREED, VOILà, END OF STORY, YOU KNOW.
IT TAKES A LOT OF FIGURING OUT WHAT MAKES THEM COMFORTABLE.
I'M GONNA PUT THE MALE INSIDE.
HE'S GONNA JOIN THE FEMALE.
PUT AN EXTRA BOWL OF GRAIN SO THEY'RE NOT COMPETING.
Silver: WILD COTTONTAIL RABBITS
LIKE TO BE UNSEEN AND UNDISTURBED,
SO HERE IN THE ZOO, WE MAKE A POINT
OF TRYING TO MINIMIZE ANY SORT OF STIMULI AROUND
WHERE THESE RABBITS ARE.
HE'S COMING OUT.
IT'S ALL YOU, BUDDY.
HE'S LIKE, "I'VE DONE THIS BEFORE,
SO THERE'S A GIRL IN HERE WAITING FOR ME."
HE SHOULD COME RIGHT -- HE SHOULD COME OUT.
IT'S A COMPLETELY HANDS-OFF PROGRAM.
THEY STAY TOGETHER FOR FIVE DAYS.
THE ONLY THING WE WILL GO IN THERE TO DO
IS REPLENISH FOOD, WATER, JUST TAKE A QUICK LOOK
AND MAKE SURE THERE ARE NO SIGNS OF STRESS...
...AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS NEXT.
ONCE HE LOCATES THE FEMALE,
THERE'LL JUST BE A LOT OF CHASING GOING ON.
IT'S SORT OF LIKE A SUPERHERO MOVIE
WHERE YOU'LL SEE, LIKE, A FLASH.
IT'S QUICK.
I CAN'T EVEN PUT IT INTO WORDS AS TO HOW QUICK IT IS.
Silver: THIS IS OUR FOURTH SEASON BREEDING RABBITS.
THE BREEDING SEASON IS REALLY ONLY FOR ABOUT THREE MONTHS.
IF WE DON'T GET RABBITS, I GET VERY NERVOUS.
Butcher: CROSS YOUR FINGERS.
IT'S UP TO HIM NOW.
LET THE MAGIC BEGIN. [ LAUGHS ]
♪♪
ALL RIGHT, SHE'S OUT FRONT.
MAYBE WE CAN JUST GO TAKE A LOOK,
SEE IF SHE'S DONE ANYTHING WITH THE NEST.
YEAH, FOR SURE.
WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THE CHINESE ALLIGATORS RIGHT NOW
IS ACTUALLY PRETTY EXCITING BECAUSE IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME
SINCE WE'VE ACTUALLY WORKED WITH A PAIR HERE AT THE BRONX ZOO
WITH THE HOPES OF REPRODUCTION.
BUT NO EGGS YET.
SHE STILL LOOKS PRETTY BIG.
Boyer: CHINESE ALLIGATORS ARE FOUND
IN ANHUI PROVINCE IN CHINA.
CHINESE ALLIGATORS ARE MUCH SMALLER
THAN AMERICAN ALLIGATORS.
IT'S LIKE A MINIATURE ALLIGATOR SPECIES.
THEY'RE SOMEWHAT OF A SHY SPECIES,
SO THEY'RE QUICK TO TRY AND HIDE AND DISAPPEAR FROM VIEW
IF THEY FEEL THREATENED.
CHINESE ALLIGATORS ARE CRITICALLY ENDANGERED.
THEIR WILD POPULATION IS PROBABLY LESS THAN 500 ANIMALS.
AND WE HAVE A GENETICALLY VIABLE PAIR
THAT WE ARE HOPING TO REPRODUCE.
Torregrosa: THE FEMALE CHINESE ALLIGATOR
LOOKS LIKE SHE'S HOLDING ONTO SOME EGGS.
SHE'S BIGGER TOWARDS HER HIND LEGS,
WHICH IS KIND OF WHAT WE LOOK FOR.
SO AT THIS POINT, WE'RE FAIRLY HOPEFUL
THAT'S SHE'S GONNA LAY EGGS.
Shuter: CROCODILIANS DON'T EAT EVERY DAY.
THEIR METABOLISMS ARE A LOT SLOWER THAN OURS.
WE HAVE BEEN INCREASING THE AMOUNT OF FOOD
THAT WE'RE FEEDING HER.
WE USUALLY FEED THEM ONCE A WEEK,
BUT SINCE WE'RE HEADING INTO THE TIME
WHERE SHE MIGHT BE LAYING EGGS,
WE BUMPED IT UP TO TWO OR THREE TIMES A WEEK.
WE'RE GONNA BE GIVING THEM A MIX OF FOODS,
AND WE'RE ALSO GONNA SUPPLEMENT THAT FOOD TO MAKE SURE
THAT THE FEMALE HAS ALL THE DIFFERENT NUTRIENTS SHE NEEDS.
SO SHE'S RIGHT HERE. SHE LOOKS HUNGRY.
WE'LL SEE HOW IT GOES.
CALCIUM IS REALLY IMPORTANT FOR CROCODILIANS
THAT MIGHT LAY EGGS
BECAUSE THE EGGS ARE SHELLED WITH CALCIUM.
RELAX, ALLIGATOR.
THERE WE GO.
SO WE'LL JUST GIVE HER SOME RODENTS, ALSO,
JUST TO BALANCE IT OUT.
THERE YOU GO.
HER SHAPE IS EXACTLY RIGHT.
IF YOU FOLLOW DOWN HER LATERAL LINE,
YOU CAN SEE SHE KIND OF PUFFS UP
DOWN IN THE LOWER HALF OF HER ABDOMEN.
THAT'S EXACTLY THE KIND OF LOOK WE'RE GOING FOR
WHEN WE'RE TRYING TO SEE WHETHER A CROCODILIAN IS GRAVID,
WHICH MEANS THEY MIGHT HAVE EGGS.
EVERY DAY, WE'RE WAITING EXCITEDLY,
AND WE'LL SEE HOW IT GOES.
♪♪
NAKITA!
COME ON, NAKITA!
I'VE BEEN WORKING WITH TIGERS HERE AT THE BRONX ZOO
FOR CLOSE TO 18 YEARS.
HEY, SWEET PEA! YOU GONNA COME INSIDE?
BEING FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO WORK CLOSELY WITH THESE ANIMALS,
THAT'S REALLY SPECIAL.
THEY'RE SO IMPRESSIVE -- THEIR SIZE --
AND AMURS ARE THE LARGEST OF ALL THE TIGER SUBSPECIES.
THIS IS JOSIE.
JOSIE IS 8 YEARS OLD AND ONE OF OUR MALE AMUR TIGERS.
HE WAS BORN HERE IN THE PARK.
HE'S A VERY CHILL CAT.
OHP, NOW HE'S AWAKE.
Thomas: AMUR TIGER AND SIBERIAN TIGER ARE TWO COMMON NAMES
FOR THE SAME SUBSPECIES OF TIGER.
THEY'RE FOUND IN THE RUSSIAN FAR EAST AND NORTHERN CHINA.
RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE 10 AMUR TIGERS AT THE BRONX ZOO,
FOUR OF THEM ARE HERE AT WILD ASIA.
AMUR TIGERS ARE MASSIVE ANIMALS.
THEY'RE BEAUTIFUL, THEY'RE POWERFUL,
AND THEY'RE A LITTLE BIT MYSTERIOUS.
HOW'S THINGS WITH EVERYBODY IN THE BUILDING?
GOOD.
BECAUSE ONE OF OUR ELEPHANTS TESTED POSITIVE FOR TB,
ALL STAFF HAVE TO WEAR MASKS WHENEVER THEY'RE IN THE BUILDING
BECAUSE TB CAN BE TRANSMITTED FROM ANIMALS TO PEOPLE.
HEY, PRETTY GIRL. -[ GROWLS ]
I KNOW. YOU DON'T KNOW ME VERY WELL.
THE AMUR TIGER IS CLASSIFIED AS AN ENDANGERED SPECIES,
SO IT'S ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL THAT ZOOS COOPERATE
TO MAINTAIN A HEALTHY POPULATION OF TIGERS.
Medina: HEY, SWEET PEA.
NAKITA IS A 6-YEAR-OLD AMUR TIGER THAT WAS BORN HERE.
THERE ARE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR HER TO MOVE
TO ANOTHER ZOO FOR BREEDING,
AND IN THIS CASE, NAKITA'S GONNA BE
GOING TO THE NATIONAL ZOO IN WASHINGTON, D.C.
HAVE YOU GUYS GOTTEN A WEIGHT ON HER RECENTLY?
THE LAST WEIGHT WE HAVE, SHE'S ABOUT 280.
OKAY, WELL, THAT'S HEAVIER THAN I WOULD'VE GUESSED.
YEAH.
I GOT A BOX AND A KNUCKLEBONE IN THE KITCHEN
I FIGURED I'D GET FOR HER.
Medina: I GUESS WHAT'S SPECIAL ABOUT WORKING WITH NAKITA
IS THAT I HAVE A BIT OF HISTORY WITH HER FAMILY.
I HAD A VERY GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH HER FATHER,
I HAD A GOOD TRAINING RELATIONSHIP
WITH HER GRANDMOTHER.
I THINK SHE LIKES THE HAY JUST LIKE THAT.
SO WHEN I COME UP TO NAKITA AND SHE'S CHUFFING AT ME,
WHICH IS A GREETING, IT FEELS REALLY SPECIAL.
Thomas: YOU KNOW, THE NATIONAL ZOO
IS PRETTY EAGER TO GET HER,
SO I IMAGINE WE'D BE SHIPPING HER OUT FAIRLY SOON.
Thomas: BEFORE WE TRANSFER NAKITA,
WE'RE GONNA NEED TO DO SOME PRE-SHIP TESTING
AND ALSO ACCLIMATE HER TO HER SHIPPING CRATE.
Medina: POOR PHIL SLAVED ON THAT BOX ALL DAY.
Reiser: I KNOW.
COME ON.
OPEN IT.
YOU MADE HER FEEL BAD.
COME ON.
YOU KNOW THERE'S SOMETHING IN THERE.
THERE YOU GO.
NOPE.
I'D RATHER TEAR UP THE BOX THAN EAT THE BONE.
-THANKS, GUYS. -GOOD.
SEE YOU, PAT.
THAT'LL BE HER SNACK LATER.
ENJOY, NAKITA.
ALL RIGHT, SHE'S LIKING IT TODAY.
SOMETIMES SHE ENJOYS IT, SOMETIMES SHE DOESN'T.
SHE'LL LET ME KNOW PRETTY QUICKLY.
Butcher: UNDER THAT TUNNEL, THAT'S WHERE SHE'LL GIVE BIRTH,
AND SHE'LL TUCK THEM AWAY.
YOU SEE THEM?
♪♪
-HELLO. -GOOD MORNING.
GOOD MORNING.
HEY, SILLY GIRL. COME ON.
Dr. Paré: TODAY, WE'RE GONNA IMMOBILIZE NAKITA.
GOOD GIRL.
WE'RE JUST DOING WHAT'S CALLED A PRE-SHIP EXAM,
WHICH MEANS A GENERAL PHYSICAL EXAM -- MAKE SURE SHE'S OKAY.
I'M GONNA DO THE DARTING,
AND THEN WE'RE GONNA GET SOME BLOOD, WE'RE GONNA EXAMINE HER.
WE DO PRE-SHIP EXAM MOSTLY
TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE IN GOOD SHAPE.
WE DON'T WANT ANY ANIMAL
TO BRING ANY INFECTIOUS DISEASE TO ANOTHER ZOO.
[ GROWLS SOFTLY ]
IT'S OKAY.
THAT'S ALL GOOD.
Medina: BECAUSE FOR THIS IMMOBILIZATION SHE'S GONNA BE DARTED,
I'M STANDING AWAY SO THAT SHE DOESN'T SEE ME
BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO BE ASSOCIATED
WITH ANY NEGATIVE EXPERIENCE THAT SHE MAY HAVE HAD TODAY.
Dr. Paré: HEY, NAKITA.
THAT'S A GOOD DART. LEFT THIGH.
'CAUSE THEY'RE BIG AND STRONG AND DANGEROUS,
IT'S A LITTLE BIT MORE COMPLICATED FOR A TIGER.
WE NEED TO BE CAREFUL,
BOTH FOR HER SECURITY AND FOR OUR OWN SECURITY.
YOU WANT TO COME IN WITH ME, BRIAN?
YOU CAN TRY IF YOU WANT TO WITH THE POLE
AND JUST SEE WHAT SHE DOES.
♪♪
Reiser: THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS SAFETY.
DESPITE THE FACT THAT SHE KNOWS US,
A 278-POUND TIGER IS A PRETTY FORMIDABLE ANIMAL.
-WHAT DO YOU THINK? -I THINK WE CAN GO IN,
Dr. Paré: AND WE'LL GET AN I.V. LINE INTO HER, TOO, OKAY.
Dr. Chaney: I HAVE A LOT OF RESPECT
FOR LARGE CATS IN GENERAL,
AND SO TO BE ABLE TO BE IN AN ENCLOSURE
WITH A TIGER IS AMAZING.
WE WANT A GOOD EXAM BEFORE WE DO X-RAYS.
YEP.
Dr. Paré: WE'RE LOOKING FOR A GOOD BODY CONDITION.
WE'RE LOOKING FOR A NICE COAT -- YOU KNOW, NO PARASITES.
-WHAT DO YOU THINK? -YEAH, SHE LOOKS GOOD.
SHE'S IN GOOD CONDITION.
GUYS, WE'RE GONNA NEED TO LIFT HER.
BRANDON? YEP.
OKAY.
NOW, WE CAN SLIDE THAT BOX UNDERNEATH HER CHEST.
ONE, TWO, THREE.
-IT SAYS READY. -SHOOTING.
Dr. Chaney: WE'RE DOING RADIOGRAPHS TO SEE
IF WE CAN FIND EVIDENCE OF DISEASE IN HER LUNGS.
OKAY. -THAT'S BEAUTIFUL.
GREAT.
WE'LL MOVE HER FOR THE TRACH WASH.
YES.
PERFECT!
I'M READY.
WE'RE DOING A TRACHEAL WASH TO MAKE SURE
THAT SHE DOESN'T HAVE TUBERCULOSIS
BECAUSE ONE OF THE ELEPHANTS IN THE SAME AREA
THAT SHE'S HOUSED IN HAS TUBERCULOSIS.
IT COULD BE SPREAD IN THE AIR.
AND SO, IF SHE INHALED IT, SHE COULD HAVE THIS DISEASE.
OKAY, READING RESISTANCE.
A TRACHEAL WASH IS A PROCEDURE
IN WHICH A TUBE IS PLACED THROUGH THE MOUTH
INTO THE LUNGS AND FLUID -- STERILE --
IS PUT INTO THE LUNGS.
-OKAY. GOING IN. -YEP.
-ALL RIGHT, I'M GONNA SUCK. -AND PULL BACK.
ONCE WE PUT THE FLUID INTO THE LUNG,
WE'RE GOING TO SUCK THAT SAME FLUID
STRAIGHT BACK OUT WITH THE SYRINGE
SO THAT WE CAN USE THAT TO DO SOME TESTING.
WE GOT OUR SAMPLE.
WE'RE DONE WITH FLUIDS.
Dr. Paré: OKAY, REVERSAL IS IN.
NAKITA LOOKS GREAT. SHE LOOKS REALLY HEALTHY.
EVERYTHING THAT WE LOOKED AT TODAY
ON HER PHYSICAL EXAM LOOKS LIKE SHE'S IN TIP-TOP SHAPE.
WE ANTICIPATE HAVING NAKITA'S RESULTS IN ABOUT SIX WEEKS.
HEAD MOVEMENT. DID YOU SEE THAT?
WELL, WELCOME BACK.
Medina: SOON WE CAN START CRATE-TRAINING HER
AND HAVE HER ON HER WAY TO NATIONAL ZOO IN WASHINGTON, D.C.
ALL RIGHT, YOU REST, GIRL, OKAY?
♪♪
[ RADIO CHIRPS ]
Butcher: I'M GONNA TURN MY RADIO DOWN.
TAKE CALLS FOR ME, PLEASE.
-THIS IS THE MOMENT. -YES. IT'S GONNA BE FINE.
Silver: WE'RE LOOKING AT ONE OF OUR HOLDING FACILITIES
FOR THE NEW ENGLAND COTTONTAIL RABBITS.
WE HAVE FOUR FEMALES THAT HAVE BEEN PUT IN WITH MALES
ABOUT 30 DAYS AGO.
THEY'RE BUILDING NESTS, THEY'RE EATING A LOT OF FOOD.
IT MAKES US HOPEFUL THAT THERE ARE YOUNGSTERS IN THERE.
A LOT OF THE RABBITS DON'T SURVIVE
THE FIRST TWO OR THREE DAYS.
AS MUCH AS IT HURTS US, SOMETIMES WE HAVE TO RESIST
THE TEMPTATION TO GO IN THERE AND SEE HOW THEY'RE DOING
BECAUSE WE WANT THEM TO GET THROUGH THOSE FIRST THREE DAYS
BEFORE WE DISTURB THEM IN ANY WAY.
I'M GONNA LOCK THE FEMALE IN THE BOX.
Butcher: THE FIRST THING I DO IS CLOSE THE MOM IN THE BOX
SO I'M NOT STRESSING HER OUT.
SHE'S HAPPY IF SHE'S IN THE BOX.
YOU WANT TO GO IN THERE AND TREAD GINGERLY
BECAUSE THEY'RE SO TINY.
WE CALL BABY RABBITS "KITS".
IT'S EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TELL IF THERE ARE KITS.
GENERALLY, WHAT THE FEMALE RABBITS DO
IS THEY'LL MAKE SEVERAL TUNNELS OUT OF THE HAY THAT WE PROVIDE.
UNDER THAT TUNNEL, THAT'S WHERE SHE'LL GIVE BIRTH,
AND SHE'LL TUCK THEM AWAY.
THEN YOU'LL KNOW THAT THAT'S WHERE THE BABIES ARE.
IT'S VERY NERVE-RACKING.
I JUST HAVE TO BE CAREFUL PUTTING MY FOOT IN HERE.
JUST TAKE YOUR TIME.
♪♪
I'LL TAKE A FLASHLIGHT AND JUST FLASH IT ON THE MOUND.
IF THAT MOUND SHUFFLES A LITTLE BIT, WE'RE LUCKY.
♪♪
YOU SEE THEM?
[ CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKS ]
♪♪
I HOPE I DON'T START TO CRY.
OKAY, I'M CRYING.
Butcher: THERE ARE PROBABLY THREE OR MORE IN THERE.
♪♪
THESE GUYS LOOK LIKE THEY COULD BE...
...FIVE?
THAT'S WHAT I WAS GONNA SAY -- ABOUT FIVE DAYS.
THEY'VE GOT HAIR, AND THEY'VE GOT THEIR EYES OPEN.
-EYES ARE OPEN, YEAH. -OKAY, GOOD.
[ SIGHS ]
OKAY, SO THAT'S GOOD STUFF.
THAT'S GOOD. THAT'S AWESOME.
I AM A HAPPY CAMPER. I AM, REALLY.
I'M REALLY THRILLED.
Silver: AFTER THE RABBITS ARE ABOUT A MONTH OLD,
THEY'LL START TO EAT ON THEIR OWN.
AND IN ABOUT ANOTHER TWO WEEKS,
THEY'LL BE OLD ENOUGH TO BE RELEASED INTO THE WILD.
I LIKE HOW YOU'RE COOL AND CALM UNTIL YOU SEE THE BABIES,
AND THEN YOU START TO GET TEARY-EYED.
-THEY'RE SO COOL. -SO THAT'S GOOD.
WE'RE WELL ON OUR WAY.
Reiser: SO THE CRATE TRAINING IS GONNA BE NEW.
SHE'S GONNA BE NERVOUS.
YOU CAN TAKE IT FROM HERE.
YOU DON'T EVEN HAVE TO GO ALL THE WAY IN.
WHAT?
♪♪
Woman #2: HEY, LITTLE ONE.
IT'S BATH TIME.
SOMETIMES SHE ENJOYS IT, SOMETIMES SHE DOESN'T.
SHE'LL LET ME KNOW PRETTY QUICKLY.
HEY, MAMA.
CALISTO IS OUR SLOTH THAT WE HAVE HERE
AT THE WILDLIFE AMBASSADOR CENTER.
Lamattina: SLOTHS ARE FOUND IN CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA.
THERE ARE SIX SPECIES.
TWO ARE TWO-TOED SLOTHS, AND FOUR ARE THREE-TOED SLOTHS.
CALISTO IS A TWO-TOED SLOTH.
ALL RIGHT, SHE'S LIKING IT TODAY.
NO MATTER WHAT WE HAVE PLANNED FOR CALISTO DURING THE DAY,
THERE'S GONNA BE A LOT OF SLEEPING INVOLVED.
SHE'LL SLEEP UP TO 18 HOURS A DAY.
Nickens: THEY ARE FROM THE RAINFOREST.
THEY'RE USED TO HAVING A LOT OF HUMIDITY,
SO JUST TO MAINTAIN HER COAT,
WE WILL MIST CALISTO ABOUT THREE TIMES A DAY.
SHE'S 16 YEARS OLD.
IN THE WILD, SLOTHS TYPICALLY LIVE FOR ABOUT 20 YEARS.
IN ZOOS, THEY HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO GO 30, EVEN 40 YEARS.
GOOD JOB.
YOU DID VERY, VERY WELL.
WE GOT HER FROM ANOTHER ZOO.
WE'VE HAD HER FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW, AND SHE'S BEEN NOTHING
BUT AN AMAZING AMBASSADOR ANIMAL FOR US.
OKAY, WE'RE GONNA START BRINGING OUR FRIENDS IN.
Nickens: WHEN THE PUBLIC IS ABLE TO SHARE A ROOM WITH AN ANIMAL
LIKE CALISTO, IT BRINGS THEM CLOSER TO WILDLIFE.
EVEN THOUGH CALISTO, HER SPECIES OF TWO-TOED SLOTH
IS LEAST-CONCERN RIGHT NOW,
WE STILL HAVE TO GET THE CONSERVATION MESSAGE OUT.
Children: BYE, CALISTO!
Lamattina: WE HAVE TO EDUCATE PEOPLE
AND MAKE THEM WANT TO SAVE THE RAINFOREST.
WHEN YOU SAVE THE RAINFOREST,
YOU SAVE ALL THESE BEAUTIFUL SPECIES,
THE SLOTH BEING ONE OF THEM.
OH, GOOD JOB, BIG GIRL.
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF CALISTO DEPENDS ON THE SEASON.
IN THE NICE WEATHER, THE CHILDREN ZOO IS OPEN,
SHE GOES OUT ON EXHIBITS, SO THAT'S REALLY NICE.
♪♪
OH, MY GOODNESS, SHE'S ONE OF MY...[LAUGHS]
SHE'S ONE OF MY FAVORITES.
YOU KNOW, I WAKE HER UP EVERY MORNING,
AND I BRING HER OUT HERE,
AND I UNDERSTAND IF SHE'S A LITTLE GROUCHY.
I'M A LITTLE GROUCHY, TOO.
SO, I THINK I RELATE TO HER.
ALSO, SHE'S JUST REALLY PRETTY.
LIKE, LOOK AT THAT FACE.
PEOPLE THINK THEY'RE LAZY.
AND IT'S NOT THAT THEY'RE LAZY, THEY'RE JUST SLOW.
LIKE, SHE'S GONNA FIND HER OWN FOOD.
IF THEY WERE IN THE WILD,
THEY'RE GONNA MATE WHEN THEY NEED TO,
THEY GO TO THE BATHROOM WHEN THEY NEED TO.
OKAY, I HAVE FOOD, BUT I'M SHORT,
SO YOU NEED TO COME DOWN.
SHE LIKES THE SWEET STUFF.
RIGHT, MA'AM?
OH, GOOD JOB.
I THINK SHE'S PRETTY GOOD HERE.
WE'RE GONNA LET HER RELAX AND HAVE THE REST OF HER DAY.
BYE, PRETTY GIRL.
♪♪
AFTER YOU.
Torregrosa: I HOPE IT'S NOT TOO WET FOR FANCY EQUIPMENT.
Shuter: THIS IS THE FIRST YEAR WE'RE TRYING TO BREED
CHINESE ALLIGATORS WITH THIS SPECIFIC PAIR.
THEY HAD HIBERNATED SUCCESSFULLY OVER THE WINTER,
AND THEN SHE STARTED PUTTING ON SOME FAT IN ALL THE RIGHT PLACES
THAT WOULD BE INDICATIVE OF A GRAVID ALLIGATOR.
THE REASON WE DECIDED TO CATCH HER AND TAKE X-RAYS
TO SEE IF THERE WERE EGGS IS BECAUSE WE'RE REALLY
ON THE TAIL END OF THAT NESTING/LAYING SEASON.
ALL SET.
IF I CAN HAVE THE TAPE, YOU CAN GET SUITED UP.
-OKAY. -I'LL GRAB THE GATOR.
-ALL RIGHT. -I WILL HAND HER OFF TO YOU.
IT'S ABOUT TO GET SWEATY IN HERE.
I'LL TRY TO CATCH HER QUICKLY FOR YOU.
YEAH.
Torregrosa: I'VE BEEN WORKING WITH ALLIGATORS AND CROCODILES
FOR A LONG TIME.
IT'S ALWAYS SOMETHING YOU HAVE TO BE CAREFUL WITH
WHEN HANDLING CROCODILIANS,
EVEN SMALLER ONES LIKE CHINESE ALLIGATORS.
SHE'S GONNA COME OVER. WHAT A GOOD GIRL.
THEY ARE SMALLER, BUT THEY'RE STILL VERY POWERFUL...
OKAY.
...AND THEY CAN INFLICT SOME DAMAGE,
SO YOU STILL HAVE TO BE MINDFUL OF WHAT YOU'RE DOING.
Shuter: I'M TAPING HER MOUTH SHUT...
-GOT IT? -YEAH.
...SO THAT EVEN IF SHE SWINGS AROUND,
SHE CAN'T ACTUALLY BITE ANYBODY.
OKAY.
AND THEN WE'RE MOVING HER OVER,
AND WE'RE PUTTING HER ON THE X-RAY PLATE.
I'M GONNA PUT HER DOWN WHEN YOU'RE READY.
GOT HER? -WE'RE A GREEN LIGHT?
-WE'RE READY. -ALL RIGHT. READY?
YEAH, WE CAN GO. -OKAY.
Woman #3: SHOOTING.
[ X-RAY BEEPS ]
LET'S SEE HOW THAT -- OH.
Torregrosa: ON RADIOGRAPHS, YOU CAN TELL PRETTY QUICKLY
IF THEY HAVE EGGS OR NOT.
ONCE IT POPS UP, IT'S PRETTY OBVIOUS
WHETHER OR NOT THEY HAVE EGGS.
I DON'T SEE ANY EGGS, GUYS.
CAN I TAKE A LOOK?
♪♪
ALL RIGHT.
IT'S DISAPPOINTING THAT IT APPEARS THAT THERE'S NO EGGS.
ALL RIGHT.
ALL RIGHT, WE READY?
I'M READY.
Shuter: WE WERE REALLY HOPEFUL,
BUT IT JUST ENDED UP NOT BEING WHAT WE WANTED.
YOU JUST WANT TO TAKE HER SINCE YOU HAVE HER THERE?
SURE.
ALL RIGHT, RELEASING HER IN THREE, TWO, ONE.
GOOD GIRL.
WELL, THAT'S A GUT PUNCH.
YEAH.
AH. I REALLY THOUGHT WE HAD IT.
WE WERE REALLY HOPING THAT WE WERE GONNA HAVE
CHINESE ALLIGATOR EGGS THIS YEAR,
BUT I GUESS WE'LL HAVE TO TRY AGAIN NEXT YEAR.
I MEAN, SHE'S THE RIGHT SHAPE.
YEAH.
Torregrosa: SHE STILL LOOKS PRETTY BIG,
SO SHE PROBABLY JUST HAD --
YOU KNOW, MAYBE GOT SOME EXTRA FOOD BECAUSE --
MORE FOOD WAS BEING OFFERED TO HER
BECAUSE WE THOUGHT SHE WAS GRAVID.
SHE ALSO DID START TO CONSTRUCT A NEST.
SHE DIDN'T GO VERY FAR WITH IT,
AND IT'S BEEN A FEW WEEKS SINCE SHE'S REALLY WORKED ON IT.
SO, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT SHE DID START,
SHE DID DEVELOP SOME FOLLICLES, BUT THEN REABSORBED THEM.
ALL RIGHT.
ALL RIGHT, WELL, BETTER LUCK NEXT YEAR.
YEAH.
Man #2: YEAH, DOESN'T GET CUTER THAN THAT, DOES IT?
-OKAY, READY. -READY?
Butcher: THEY ARE RIDICULOUSLY CUTE. THEY ARE.
Woman #4: HELLO.
♪♪
Man #3: OH, HE'S RIGHT HERE. LOOKIT, HE'S RIGHT HERE.
THAT'S GOOD. THAT'S NOT TOO MUCH.
Reiser: TODAY'S GONNA BE DAY ONE OF OUR CRATE TRAINING
WITH OUR TIGER NAKITA
IN PREPARATION FOR HER EVENTUAL MOVE TO THE NATIONAL ZOO.
IT'S NAKITA'S RIDE TO D.C.
WATCH YOUR FINGERS.
THE IDEA IS TO DEVELOP A COMFORT ZONE
AND CREATE A POSITIVE EXPERIENCE
WHERE SHE'S WILLING TO COME INTO THAT CRATE.
SO WHEN THE DAY OF THE MOVE COMES,
WE CAN SHUT THE DOOR BEHIND HER
AND SEND HER ON HER TRIP TO HER NEW HOME.
TRICK IS TO HAVE IT SNUG ENOUGH
BUT NOT TOO SNUG
WHERE IT INTERFERES WITH THE SHIFT DOOR.
WE'VE GOT NAKITA IN HER REGULAR STALL WITH A SHIFT DOOR.
ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THAT SHIFT DOOR IS A CRATE.
THERE WE GO.
SO, WHEN WE OPEN UP THAT DOOR, SHE'S WALKING INTO A CRATE.
WE'RE READY TO GO.
GOT A SHANK BONE, SOME SOLID STEAK...
HI, NAKITA.
HOW YOU DOING, KIDDO?
SO THE CRATE TRAINING IS GONNA BE NEW.
THE LIKELIHOOD IS THAT SHE'S GONNA BE NERVOUS.
AND USUALLY, THE FIRST TIME, THEY DON'T GO IN THE CRATE.
THERE YOU GO.
WELL, SHE'S GOING UP TO IT.
GOOD GIRL.
WANT TO COME IN?
COME HERE, KIDDO.
WANT TO COME IN?
I LIKE WORKING WITH NAKITA.
SHE'S A NICE, PLEASANT, LAID-BACK CAT.
GOOD GIRL.
I HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF A SENTIMENTAL THING FOR HER
'CAUSE I KNEW HER DAD VERY WELL.
WANT TO TAKE IT FROM HERE?
HERE YOU GO. YOU CAN TAKE IT FROM HERE.
YOU DON'T EVEN HAVE TO GO ALL THE WAY IN.
WHAT?
COME ON, NAKITA.
SHE WAS MORE INTERESTED IN SEEING
WHAT WAS GOING ON WITH THE CRATE THAN EATING,
BUT EVERY CAT IS DIFFERENT, EVERY ONE REACTS DIFFERENTLY.
GOOD GIRL.
THAT'S GOOD, NAKITA.
I WASN'T EVEN EXPECTING YOU TO COME THIS FAR TODAY.
THIS IS EVENTUALLY GONNA BE YOUR RIDE TO YOUR NEW HOME.
EACH TIME, SHE'S COMING IN A LITTLE CLOSER,
WALKING AWAY, GETTING HER NERVE UP AGAIN.
WANT TO COME IN AGAIN?
OR NO?
WE GOT A LOT OF WORK TO DO BECAUSE SHE NEEDS TO BE
VERY SOLID AND VERY COMFORTABLE IN THERE
BEFORE WE EVEN GET TO THE POINT
OF BEING ABLE TO CLOSE THE DOOR BEHIND HER.
GOOD JOB, NAKITA.
GOOD GIRL.
♪♪
Butcher: OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF WEEKS,
THE NEW ENGLAND COTTONTAIL KITS HAVE ALL BEEN WEANED,
THEY'VE BEEN SEPARATED FROM THEIR MOM,
AND THEY'RE DOING GREAT.
WHAT WE'RE GONNA DO TODAY IS BRING ALL THE KITS
OVER TO OUR HEALTH CENTER SO THEY CAN BE EXAMINED
BY DR. BARTLETT
BEFORE I'M GONNA DRIVE THEM UP TO NEW HAMPSHIRE
TO EVENTUALLY BE RELEASED INTO THE WILD.
EXCELLENT.
YEAH, DOESN'T GET CUTER THAN THAT, DOES IT?
♪♪
HELLO. WE ARE READY.
HEY, DOC. HOW ARE YOU?
Dr. Bartlett: GOOD.
OKAY, READY.
READY?
OKAY. GOT HIM.
Woman #4: HELLO.
-THAT'S A CUTE-LOOKING BUNNY. -YEAH.
Butcher: THEY ARE RIDICULOUSLY CUTE. THEY ARE.
FOR ME, HOW IT FEELS LIKE WHEN I FINALLY CAN GET MY HANDS
ON THEM IS LIKE, "YES"
BECAUSE I'VE GOTTEN THEM TO THE STEP THAT I NEED THEM
TO BE, YOU KNOW, BEFORE THEY'RE RELEASED.
SO THIS IS GREAT.
Dr. Bartlett: CAN WE START NOW?
-YEP. -YEP.
Dr. Bartlett: WE NEED TO ANESTHETIZE THEM,
AND SO WE DO THAT
BY PUTTING A LARGE FACE MASK OVER THE ENTIRE ANIMAL.
WE'RE GONNA RELEASE THESE GUYS OUT INTO THE WILD,
SO I WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE HEALTHY --
CHECK THE VITAL SIGNS, MAKE SURE THE HEART RATE
IS GOING APPROPRIATELY, THE ANIMAL'S BREATHING OKAY,
MAKE SURE THE JOINTS ALL FEEL GOOD,
AND GO ON TO SEX THEM.
OKAY, MOMENT OF TRUTH.
I'D SAY MALE. -YEP.
SEXING THESE GUYS CERTAINLY CAN BE CHALLENGING.
I'M GOING FEMALE.
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT SMALL ANIMALS
WITH VERY SMALL, LITTLE PARTS.
-THAT IS A FEMALE. -I'D GO GIRL.
-YEAH, OKAY, I'M ON THAT BOAT.
SAY FEMALE.
Silver: WE TAG THEM.
WE GIVE THEM LITTLE TRANSPONDERS
SO THAT AFTER WE RELEASE THEM, IF ANY OF THEM ARE RECAPTURED,
WE CAN IDENTIFY WHICH ANIMAL IT IS,
AND WE KNOW A LITTLE BIT ABOUT ITS AGE, ITS HISTORY,
ET CETERA.
-YOU GOT IT? -GOT IT.
Dr. Bartlett: COME ON. HEY, SWEETIE.
HELLO. I WOKE UP AND I GOT AN EARRING.
THESE KITS LOOK GREAT.
THEY REALLY LOOK IN GOOD HEALTH.
I THINK THEY'RE GONNA DO VERY WELL AS THEY GET RELEASED
AND HOPEFULLY BUILD UP THE POPULATION OUT IN THE WILD.
YOU'RE THE CUTEST ONE YET.
Medina: YOU'RE CLEAR.
10-4, I'M GONNA OPEN IT.
Medina: AND WE'RE CLEAR TO SHIP NAKITA OUT TODAY.
SHOULD GO PRETTY SMOOTHLY, BUT WE'LL SEE HOW IT GOES.
HEY, BABY.
♪♪
Shuter: CATCH POLE'S OVER THERE. READY?
YOU GOT THE TAPE? -TAPE. GOT TAPE.
TAPE MEASURER, RAGS, GLOVE.
THEN WE HAVE EVERYTHING WE NEED.
Shuter: UNFORTUNATELY, OUR FEMALE CHINESE ALLIGATOR
IS NOT GRAVID,
SO WE'RE GONNA BE MOVING OUR PAIR
OVER TO THE ANIMAL AMBASSADOR BUILDING
SO THAT THEY CAN HIBERNATE FOR THE WINTER.
POOL IS DRAINED.
OH, SHE'S IN PRETTY GOOD POSITION.
WE JUST GOT TO GET HER DOWN INTO THE POOL.
THE ANIMAL AMBASSADOR BUILDING HAS A ROOM THAT THEY COOL DOWN.
THEY'LL BE IN A TUB IN THAT ROOM FOR THE DURATION.
Torregrosa: SO PLAN "A"?
SO PLAN "A", GIVEN HOW THE ALLIGATORS ARE SITTING,
IS GONNA BE TO GET THE POLE ON HER,
BRING HER DOWN INTO THE POOL,
AND QUICKLY RESTRAIN HER
AND TAPE HER MOUTH AND PASS HER OUT.
ALL RIGHT, SO, I'LL STAY OUT.
AND YOU CAN HAND THE ALLIGATOR OFF TO ME.
SO YOU HAVE IT. -SOUNDS GOOD.
-OKAY. -ALL RIGHT.
BE CAREFUL.
-YEAH, I GO IN FIRST. -I'LL GO BEHIND YOU.
Boyer: HIBERNATION IS ESSENTIAL
FOR THEIR SUCCESSFUL REPRODUCTION.
IN ORDER FOR MALES TO PRODUCE VIABLE SPERM
IN THE EARLY SUMMER, THEY'LL NEED TO HAVE THAT COLD
RESTING PERIOD DURING HIBERNATION.
-YOU READY TO GO? -YEP.
THERE YOU GO.
COME ON.
OKAY.
-YOU GOT HER? -GOT HER.
OH, YOU'RE ALL RIGHT, CUTIE.
-HE KNOWS. -THERE YOU GO.
Shuter: OH, GOOD BOY.
HERE HE COMES.
Torregrosa: CALVIN, I DON'T REALLY KNOW
IF THAT COUNTS AS YOU CATCHING HIM.
-YOU GOT HIM ALL RIGHT? -GOT HIM.
ALL RIGHT, BUDDY. YOU'RE OKAY.
Shuter: WE'RE PUTTING THE ALLIGATORS INTO DUFFEL BAGS
BECAUSE IT RESTRAINS THEM,
BUT THE DUFFEL BAGS ARE ALSO SOFT,
SO THEY'RE NOT BANGING INTO ANYTHING IF THEY THRASH AROUND,
BUT IT KEEPS THEM IN ONE PLACE FOR THEIR TRIP
TO THE AMBASSADOR BUILDING.
Calvin: EVERYTHING'S READY OVER THERE?
Shuter: EVERYTHING SHOULD BE READY.
WE SHOULD BE GOOD TO GO.
♪♪
-IT'S NICE AND CHILLY IN HERE. -YEAH.
Boyer: CHINESE ALLIGATORS HIBERNATE
IN A BURROW THAT THEY'VE DUG.
THEY'RE HIBERNATING IN THE WILD,
THEY'RE IN A KIND OF A RESTRICTED SPACE.
THEY DON'T REALLY MOVE AROUND VERY MUCH.
-ALL RIGHT, YOU GOOD? -YEP. WE'RE GOOD.
WHERE IS MY LADY?
GOOD JOB.
-ALL RIGHT. -ALL RIGHT.
THE GOAL IS TO KEEP THE ALLIGATORS INACTIVE AND CALM
AND REALLY AS LITTLE DISTURBANCE AS POSSIBLE.
Shuter: WE'RE GONNA COOL THEM DOWN
TO IMITATE WINTER IN CHINA.
SO THE HOPE IS THAT AFTER THEY'RE DONE HIBERNATING
AND WE WARM THEM BACK UP,
THAT WILL CUE THEIR REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEMS,
AND WE'LL EVENTUALLY GET EGGS.
ALL RIGHT, GUYS.
♪♪
COME ON, BUBBY. COME ON.
WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON CRATE TRAINING NAKITA
AND INTRODUCING HER TO THE CRATE.
SHE QUICKLY BECAME VERY COMFORTABLE IN THE CRATE
AND ACTUALLY KIND OF REALLY LIKES
AND ENJOYS BEING IN THE CRATE A LOT.
GOOD GIRL.
AND WE GOT HER TRACHEAL RESULTS BACK FROM THE VET,
SO WE'RE CLEAR TO SHIP NAKITA OUT TODAY.
Reiser: HEY, NAKITA.
WHEN WE, AS KEEPERS, WORK WITH THE ANIMALS IN OUR CARE,
WE OBVIOUSLY END UP DEVELOPING A RELATIONSHIP WITH THEM.
THEY GET TO KNOW US, AND WE GET TO KNOW THEM.
BUT IN THE END, THERE'S A BIGGER PICTURE FOR THEIR WELFARE,
FOR THE WELFARE OF THEIR SPECIES,
AND SOMETIMES WE HAVE TO LET THEM GO.
Woman #5: HEY, EVERYONE.
I THINK WE CAN PROBABLY GET STARTED.
♪♪
THAT'S LOCKED, THAT'S LOCKED,
I GOT THE TWO LOCKS I NEED OVER HERE...
OKAY. THIS IS LOCKED, RIGHT?
I GOT THE KEY FOR THOSE LOCKS ON MY BELT.
OKAY, MARY, YOU'RE CLEAR.
10-4, I'M GONNA OPEN IT.
HEY, BABY.
HI, SWEETIE!
HERE. THERE YOU GO.
SO, SHE'S IN.
OKAY.
BUT SHE'S GOING BACK OUT.
I DON'T SEE HER.
NAKITA!
HEY.
SHE'S COMING BACK IN.
SO, HER TAIL'S IN THE WAY.
IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE TAKE OUR TIME
TO MAKE SURE THAT NAKITA IS CLEAR OF THE DOOR
THAT'S GONNA COME DOWN.
GOOD GIRL. SWEET PEA, COME HERE.
NOPE, COME HERE.
I NEEDED LIKE ANOTHER INCH, TWO INCHES.
♪♪
SHE'S COMING BACK.
EACH TIME THAT SHE'S COMING IN,
I'M SEEING THAT SHE'S GETTING A LITTLE CLOSER.
COME HERE.
SHUT IT!
Reiser: UGH, SHE KICKED SOME OF THE HAY IN HERE.
[ NAKITA GROWLING ]
IT'S OKAY.
Medina: WE'VE BEDDED DOWN THE CRATE WITH SOME STRAW,
SO WE MADE A NICE BED FOR HER IN THERE.
SHE HAS PLENTY OF ROOM TO LAY DOWN,
SO SHE'LL BE PLENTY COMFORTABLE IN THERE.
WE GOT HER.
♪♪
SO THE WHEELS -- ALL RIGHT.
THANKS AGAIN FOR COMING TO GET HER.
FABULOUS.
Medina: I'M A LITTLE SAD THAT NAKITA'S LEAVING TODAY.
WHEN I SAW THE TRUCK TAKING THAT TURN AND LEAVING,
I GOT A LITTLE SAD TO SEE HER GO.
I'M THRILLED SHE'S GETTING A BREEDING REC.
IT'S NICE. IT'S REALLY NICE.
BUT ALL THIS IS THE END OF HER STORY HERE AT THE BRONX ZOO.
SHE HAS A NEW CHAPTER AHEAD OF HER AS SHE GOES DOWN
TO NATIONAL ZOO AT WASHINGTON, D.C.
♪♪
ALL RIGHT, LET'S GET THEM IN THE CAR.
YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT'S GOING ON,
BUT IT'S A GOOD THING.
ALL RIGHT, YOU CAN GO.
-THIS IS THE BEST PART. -IT IS.
♪♪
WE HAVE THEIR MICROCHIP NUMBERS.
THE MALE AND FEMALE EAR TAGS.
MALE AND FEMALE -- YEAH, TAGS.
SO WE HAVE ALL THEIR IDENTIFICATION.
THERE YOU GO.
THIS MORNING, WE ARE BOXING UP THREE LITTERS
OF THE NEW ENGLAND COTTONTAIL KITS --
13 OF THEM ALTOGETHER.
I KNOW. HI, GUYS. EVERYBODY JUST RELAX.
JUST GO EASY...
AND THEY'LL SORT IT OUT.
I KNOW.
TODAY IS WHAT WE'VE WORKED SO HARD FOR --
THE FINAL STAGE, WHICH IS I'M GETTING THE RABBITS
TO THEIR SOFT RELEASE PEN
TO LEARN TO FEED ON THEIR OWN AND GET USED TO OUTSIDE.
ALL RIGHT, LET'S GET THEM IN THE CAR.
YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT'S GOING ON,
BUT IT'S A GOOD THING.
THEY HAVE A COUPLE OF WEEKS OF DOING THAT,
AND THEN THEY'RE RELEASED INTO THE WILD.
♪♪
Breheny: IN OUR EFFORTS WITH THE NEW ENGLAND COTTONTAIL,
THE FIRST STEP IS TO REALLY HAVE A RESTORED
AND SAFE ENVIRONMENT TO RELEASE THE ANIMALS INTO.
WE'RE WORKING WITH THE ROGER WILLIAMS PARK ZOO,
PRIVATE LANDOWNERS, UNIVERSITY, STATE,
AND FEDERAL AGENCIES -- ALL TO ACCOMPLISH THIS GOAL
OF REESTABLISHING NEW ENGLAND COTTONTAIL RABBITS IN THE WILD.
-HI. -HELLO.
GOOD TO SEE YOU. -NICE TO SEE YOU, AS WELL.
SO, WE HAVE 13? -WE HAVE 13.
Holman: THIS IS GONNA BE OUR RELEASE SITE --
THIS 1-ACRE FACILITY --
BECAUSE IT MIRRORS WHAT WE'D LIKE TO SEE IN THE WILD.
IT'S HIGH-QUALITY HABITAT.
Silver: THIS IS THE MOST-SUCCESSFUL YEAR WE'VE HAD,
RAISING NEW ENGLAND COTTONTAIL RABBITS.
WE'RE GONNA LET THEM EDUCATE THEMSELVES HOW TO SURVIVE,
YOU KNOW, A LARGE, OPEN FIELD AS OPPOSED TO A ZOO SITUATION.
IT'S A FINISHING SCHOOL FOR NEW ENGLAND COTTONTAIL RABBITS.
I ALWAYS FIND IT INTERESTING -- SOME OF THEM BOLT,
AND SOME OF THEM DON'T MOVE.
Butcher: ALL RIGHT, YOU CAN GO.
YOU ALWAYS WORRY ABOUT THEM BECAUSE THEY'RE SO TINY,
BUT THIS IS THE EXCITING PART,
OUR REWARD FOR ALL THE BLOOD, SWEAT, AND TEARS.
-THIS IS THE BEST PART. -IT IS.
♪♪
Butcher: THIS IS VERY MUCH LIKE WATCHING MY CHILDREN
LEAVE THE NEST FOR THE FIRST TIME.
YOU KNOW, IT'S LIKE DROPPING THEM OFF TO COLLEGE...
ALL RIGHT.
...AND GOING, "OKAY, GUYS, YOU KNOW,
I'VE BROUGHT YOU THIS FAR.
THE REST IS NOW UP TO YOU."
IT'S HARD.
Breheny: PROJECTS LIKE THIS ARE GREAT BECAUSE THEY ILLUSTRATE
THAT CONSERVATION IS TOO BIG FOR ANY ONE PERSON,
IT'S TOO BIG FOR ANY ONE GROUP.
I LIKE THAT ONE.
THE ONLY WAY WE CAN SIGNIFICANTLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE
FOR SPECIES IN THE WILD IS IF WE ALL WORK TOGETHER.
WHEW.