♪♪
Nickens: EVERYBODY IS REALLY EXCITED.
BLANCHE IS PREGNANT, AND SHE'S READY TO GIVE BIRTH ANY DAY NOW.
AND SHE'S PUSHING.OH, WOW.
WHOA!
Boyer: KING COBRAS ARE THE LARGEST OF THE VENOMOUS SNAKES,
GETS UP TO ABOUT 18 FEET.
THEY HAVE A FAIRLY MASSIVE VENOM YIELD.
WE TRY NOT TO, LIKE, GET ON EACH OTHER'S NERVES TOO MUCH.
YOU NEED A LONGER CAN?
NEED A LONGER CAN.
Babuska: TODAY, WE ARE GOING TO BRING JUNE BUG INTO THE CLASSROOM.
LaMattina: WE SPENT A LOT OF TIME LAST YEAR TO GET HER ACCUSTOMED TO US.
HERE SHE COMES.
[ LAUGHTER ]
ISN'T SHE GREAT?
OH!
BOUBA IS RETURNING TO US.
HE HAS GROWN.YEAH.
THE GOAL, OF COURSE, TO BREED AGAIN.
WE HAVE NO CONTROL OF WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN
WHEN WE INTRODUCE HIM.
SEE WHAT HE'S GOING TO DO NOW.
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.
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
[ ROOSTER CROWS ]
[ GEESE HONKING ]
THERE YOU GO!
HEY, BUCKY.
OH, SHOWING OFF.[ LAUGHS ]
THE CHILDREN'S ZOO WAS DESIGNED TO BE AN INTIMATE EXPERIENCE.
WE HAVE DIFFERENT HABITATS.
WE HAVE WOODLAND'S EDGE.
WE HAVE THE SOUTH AMERICAN EXHIBIT.
WE HAVE DESERT. WE HAVE FOREST.
IT'S A NEAT WAY FOR KIDS TO START LEARNING
ABOUT WILDLIFE AT A VERY YOUNG AGE,
AND THE PAYOFF IS A DOMESTIC AREA.
HEY, MY LOVE.
HERE IN THE DOMESTIC AREA, WE PICK ANIMALS
THAT THE CHILDREN CAN INTERACT WITH.
YOU'RE UP CLOSE. YOU'RE SMELLING.
YOU'RE NOT JUST LOOKING AT THEM. THEY'RE LOOKING AT YOU.
THEIR SIZE IS MANAGEABLE.
IT'S REALLY NICE FOR THEM TO GET THAT INTIMATE CONTACT.
YOU DON'T GET THAT ANYPLACE ELSE IN THE ZOO.
THE ANIMALS HERE IN THE DOMESTIC AREA
WERE CHOSEN BECAUSE THEY EVOLVE WITH HUMANS.
THEY HAVE A HISTORY WITH US. THEY WERE DOMESTICATED.
YOU KNOW, WE CARE OF THEM, AND THEY HELPED US SURVIVE.
HI.
[ ROOSTER CROWS ]
HELLO, HELLO, HELLO.
Nickens: SO THIS IS AUDREY.
SHE'S 3 MONTHS OLD.
THE BABY ALPACA IS CALLED A CRIA,
AND ALPACA ARE A DOMESTICATED SPECIES OF CAMELID.
THEY ARE RELATED TO LLAMAS, AND THEY ARE FROM SOUTH AMERICA.
ALL OF OUR ADULTS ARE FEMALE.
THESE GIRLS ARE PRETTY SPECIAL TO ME.
I AM A BIG FAN OF "THE GOLDEN GIRLS,"
SO THEY ARE ALL NAMED AFTER SUCH.
SO OUR BIG LEADER IS DOROTHY.
SMALLER WHITE ONE THAT HANGS AROUND HER IS SOPHIA.
AND THEN OUR FEISTY FEMALE IS BLANCHE.
AND THEN OUR SHY, KIND OF SWEET, LOVABLE ONE IS ROSE,
AND SHE IS THE MOTHER OF AUDREY.
UNFORTUNATELY, WITH AUDREY, HER MOM,
SHE WASN'T ALLOWING HER TO NURSE,
WHICH RESULTED IN US HAVING TO BOTTLE-FEED HER.
IT CAN BE COMMON FOR FIRST-TIME MOMS
NOT TO CARE FOR THEIR BABIES,
AND SO THIS DOES HAPPEN FROM TIME TO TIME.
WE'RE VERY FORTUNATE THAT WE'RE ABLE TO STEP IN
AND HELP THESE BABIES OUT WITH THEIR OVERALL DEVELOPMENT.
HI, MAMA. I'M GETTING YOUR BOTTLE NOW, OKAY?
I KNOW. I KNOW. I KNOW.
ALL RIGHT. I'LL GET YOUR FOOD.
GOOD MORNING, HAYLEY.
HER BOTTLE JUST CONSISTS OF A GOAT MILK,
AND THEN WE ALSO THROW A LACTAID PILL IN THERE.
HEAT IT UP FOR ABOUT 2 MINUTES.
AND IT IS BETTER, IDEALLY, THAT THE BABY TAKE TO MOM
AND THEN THEY DO NURSE, BUT AUDREY IS DOING VERY WELL.
YEP, JUST LIKE YOUR HUMAN BABY, YOU KNOW, YOU GOT TO CHECK IT
AND MAKE SURE IT'S NICE AND WARM FOR THEM.
[ ROOSTER CROWS ]
HEY! YOU GOT TO LET ME WALK IN.
ALL RIGHT.
SO YOU JUST MAKE SURE IT'S LINED UP.
SOMETIMES, SHE HAS A LITTLE TROUBLE FINDING THE NIPPLE,
SO WE ALMOST HAVE TO KIND OF CLOSE HER EYES AND GUIDE HER IN,
AND THEN ONCE SHE FINDS IT, THE FUN STUFF.
GOT A LITTLE ON YOUR FACE.
DOROTHY, YOU DON'T NEED A BOTTLE.
♪♪
FINISH IT ALL UP.
[ ROOSTER CROWS ]
ALL RIGHT. GO PLAY.
COME EAT!
WITH AUDREY BEING BOTTLE-FED,
SHE HAS A REAL CLOSE CONNECTION TO PEOPLE,
WHICH IS ALWAYS GREAT BECAUSE PEOPLE LOVE BABIES AT THE ZOO.
EVERYBODY IS REALLY EXCITED.
ONE OF OUR FEMALE ALPACAS -- BLANCHE -- IS PREGNANT,
AND SHE'S READY TO GIVE BIRTH ANY DAY NOW.
BLANCHE IS NICE AND FUZZY.
BLANCHE DID MATE WITH A BREEDING MALE FROM QUEENS,
WHO IS ALSO THE FATHER OF AUDREY.
HERE!
TO HAVE A NEW BABY TO BE ANOTHER BROTHER OR SISTER FOR AUDREY,
IT'LL BE REALLY EXCITING.
♪♪
Breheny: THE QUEENS ZOO IS ONE OF THE SMALLER CITY ZOOS
THAT THE WILDLIFE CONSERVATION SOCIETY OPERATES.
I THINK IT'S A GREAT SETTING, AND THE ANIMALS ARE UNIQUE,
AND I TELL EVERYBODY, I THINK THIS IS
ONE OF OUR PRETTIEST PARKS.
Silver: I LIKE THE REGIONAL THEME.
IT GIVES US AN IDENTITY THAT I'M GLAD
WE NEVER ABANDONED OVER THE YEARS.
WHEN WCS TOOK OVER THE QUEENS ZOO IN THE LATE '80s,
WE CONCENTRATED ON NORTH AMERICAN ANIMALS.
SINCE THEN, WE'VE SPREAD OUT TO ANIMALS FROM BOTH
NORTH AND SOUTH AMERICA.
THE ANDEAN BEAR EXHIBIT IS A VERY POPULAR EXHIBIT.
OH, MY GOSH.
IT'S A VERY RICH ENVIRONMENT THAT ALLOWS THEM
TO BEHAVE LIKE BEARS, AS THEY WOULD IN THE WILD.
UH-OH!
THEY'RE NATURALLY INTELLIGENT.
SHE IS A PRETTY ANIMAL.
YEAH, SHE'S A GOOD-LOOKING BEAR.
AND IT'S GREAT THAT SHE'S THAT ACTIVE AND INQUISITIVE,
EVEN ON A DAY LIKE TODAY, WHEN IT'S REALLY WARM.
YEAH.
ANDEAN BEARS ARE CLASSIFIED AS VULNERABLE.
THEY'RE SUBJECT TO HABITAT LOSS.
THEY'RE ALSO HUNTED FOR BEAR PARTS.
♪♪
NICOLE IS OUR FEMALE ANDEAN BEAR,
AND IN NORTH AMERICAN ZOOS,
SHE'S ONE OF ONLY FIVE FEMALES THAT'S ABLE TO BREED.
IN ORDER FOR US TO GET THE IMPORTANT CONSERVATION MESSAGE
OUT ABOUT ANDEAN BEARS, WE HAVE TO HAVE BEARS TO EXHIBIT.
BECAUSE SHE'S ABLE TO BREED,
SHE'S ABLE TO SUSTAIN THAT POPULATION INTO THE FUTURE.
TODAY IS A SPECIAL DAY FOR US BECAUSE OUR MALE BEAR,
BOUBA, IS RETURNING TO US.
BOUBA AND NICOLE HAVE BRED BEFORE,
AND THEY PRODUCED A CUB, BJORN.
NOW, WE WANTED TO GIVE BJORN AND HIS MOTHER AS MUCH SPACE
AND AS MUCH TIME TOGETHER AS POSSIBLE.
THE EASIEST WAY FOR US TO DO THAT
WAS TO SEND BOUBA OUT TO NATIONAL ZOO IN WASHINGTON, D.C.
FOR THE PAST YEAR.
NOW THAT BJORN IS NO LONGER A SMALL CUB,
WE'VE SENT HIM OUT TO ANOTHER ZOO,
AND WE'RE BRINGING BOUBA BACK FROM THE NATIONAL ZOO.
HEY, LADY! NICOLE!
WORKING WITH THESE BEARS IS INCREDIBLE,
EVEN AFTER WORKING WITH THEM FOR 8 YEARS NOW.
HEY, WHAT'S GOING ON?
IT'S STILL SUCH A COOL SENSATION.
WE NEVER REALLY GET OVER IT.
WE'RE DEFINITELY VERY LUCKY
TO BE ABLE TO INTERACT WITH THESE ANIMALS SO CLOSELY.
GOOD GIRL!
THESE ANIMALS ARE VERY TACTILE AND HANDSY.
OPEN.
SO WE REALLY HAVE TO BE CAREFUL TO MAKE SURE WE DO HAVE A FENCE
BETWEEN US AND THE ANIMAL THAT WE'RE WORKING WITH.
TARGET. GOOD.
NICOLE IS AWESOME TO WORK WITH.
SHE'S SO TINY AND SO CUTE.
WITH BOUBA'S ARRIVAL TODAY,
WE ARE MOST LIKELY GOING TO DELAY NICOLE'S TRAINING
JUST FOR A FEW DAYS WHILE HE SETTLES IN
AND GETS USED TO BEING BACK HERE IN QUEENS.
WHAT'S UP, BUDDY?
YOU REMEMBER US, RIGHT?
YOU'RE HOME, BOUBA.
Snyder: SUPER, SUPER EXCITED TO HAVE BOUBA BACK.
WE MISSED HIM.
HE'S A GREAT BEAR.
♪♪
HE'S OUT.
Silver: HE'S A GOOD BOY.
WE WANT TO GIVE HIM A DAY TO SETTLE DOWN,
GET USED TO HIS SURROUNDINGS, AND IF HE'S DOING WELL,
THEN TOMORROW, WE'LL PUT HIM OUT ON EXHIBIT BY HIMSELF,
AND EVENTUALLY, WE'LL INTRODUCE THEM
BOTH TOGETHER IN THE EXHIBIT.
HOPE FOR THE BEST.
MAYBE NEXT YEAR, WE'LL BE ABLE TO TALK ABOUT SOME CUBS.
[ Chuckling ] OH, HELLO!
OH, HI, HANDSOME!
BIG BOUBA IS BACK.
Snyder: HOPEFULLY THEY'LL BE HAPPY TO SEE EACH OTHER.
HOPEFULLY THEY'LL RECOGNIZE EACH OTHER.
IDEALLY, IT WILL BE LIKE NO TIME HAS PASSED AT ALL.
LITTLE SLEEPY, BUT WE'RE HAPPY TO HAVE HIM BACK.
Torregrosa: DOOR IS OPEN.
I MEAN, IT LOOKS LIKE THERE'S SOME REDNESS AROUND.
SHE DOESN'T LIKE THAT.
Nickens: THE HEAD IS OUT NOW AND BOTH FRONT LEGS.
GOING TO BE A BIG SISTER?
BABY!
COME ON. COME ON.
OH!
♪♪
OH, IT'S AN ANACONDA.
Boy: WHOA!
Boyer: WE HAVE FIVE KING COBRAS IN THE BRONX ZOO COLLECTION.
WE HAVE TWO ADULTS, TWO OFFSPRING FROM A PREVIOUS PAIR,
AND ONE THAT CAME IN A CONFISCATION.
KING COBRAS ARE THE LARGEST OF THE VENOMOUS SNAKES.
THE KING GETS UP TO ABOUT 18 FEET
AND PROBABLY AS THICK AROUND THAN YOUR FOREARM.
THEY HAVE A FAIRLY MASSIVE VENOM YIELD,
CERTAINLY ENOUGH TO KILL AN ADULT HUMAN MANY TIMES OVER.
BUT THEY'RE AN IMPORTANT PREDATOR
IN THE ECOSYSTEMS THEY LIVE IN.
THE KING COBRA'S STATUS IS CONSIDERED VULNERABLE,
SO IT IS AT RISK FOR BEING ENDANGERED
IF CONSERVATION MEASURES ARE NOT IMPLEMENTED.
SO HAVING A GROUP OF KING COBRAS THAT WE CAN MANAGE
AND BREED IS IMPORTANT FOR OUR COLLECTION.
Bozeman: RIGHT NOW, WE'RE ABOVE THE PUBLIC FLOOR
OF THE WORLD OF REPTILES.
♪♪
THIS IS OUR FEMALE KING COBRA.
YOU CAN SEE SHE'S A SUPER-ACTIVE SNAKE.
SHE'S REALLY SMART.
WHENEVER YOU COME IN, SHE KIND OF CHECKS YOU OUT,
WANTS TO KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING, LIKE,
"IS IT TIME FOR FOOD? ARE YOU GOING TO SHIFT ME AROUND?"
LIKE, "AM I GETTING FRESH WATER?"
WE TRY NOT TO, LIKE, GET ON EACH OTHER'S NERVES TOO MUCH.
WORKING WITH A KING COBRA,
YOU HAVE TO KEEP YOUR WITS ABOUT YOU, BUT AT THE SAME TIME,
IT'S A PRIVILEGE TO BE ABLE TO HAVE THAT ACCESS.
TODAY, I CAME TO THE SPACE WHERE THE KING COBRA IS HELD,
AND WE FOUND BLOOD INSIDE THAT AREA, KIND OF LIKE A TRAIL,
SO OBVIOUSLY THAT'S A LITTLE STRANGE.
LOOKING CLOSER AT HER,
I WAS ABLE TO SEE SOME BLOOD ON HER CLOACA,
WHICH IS THE VENT WHERE REPRODUCTION HAPPENS
AND FECES ARE EXCRETED.
SO WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A VET COME IN
TO MAKE SURE THAT THINGS AREN'T GETTING ANY WORSE.
HELLO.Torregrosa: HELLO.
HEY, SUSIE.HI.
READY FOR OUR COBRA?
I AM. ALL RIGHT.
SAM, YOU READY?
Torregrosa: WHEN DEALING WITH MEDICAL ISSUES WITH VENOMOUS SNAKES,
IT'S HARDLY EVER REALLY SIMPLE, BECAUSE INEVITABLY,
YOU HAVE TO GET THE SNAKE RESTRAINED IN SOME WAY,
AND WITH A KING COBRA,
IT'S A VERY POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SNAKE,
SO IT'S NOT REALLY SIMPLE.
READY?
Bozeman: I'M READY.
DOOR IS OPEN.
I'M JUST TRYING TO STAY FOCUSED ON WHAT THE SNAKE IS DOING.
I'M TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHERE THE SNAKE WANTS TO GO,
READING THAT SNAKE'S BEHAVIOR.
YEP, SHE'S GOING IN.
JUST TRYING TO MAKE IT AS EASYGOING AS POSSIBLE
FOR BOTH OF US.
♪♪
OKAY.YOU GOOD?
YEP.
WE'RE JUST GOING TO TUBE HER REAL QUICK.
WE NEED TO USE A CLEAR CAPTURE TUBE
TO BE ABLE TO RESTRAIN HER BODY,
WHERE YOU'RE GOING TO BE PUTTING YOURSELF IN HARM'S WAY,
AND THEN ANOTHER PERSON HOLDS THE REST OF HER BODY
SO THAT THE VET CAN LOOK HER OVER
AND GIVE HER A GOOD LOOK-THROUGH.
SUSIE, YOU READY?Bartlett: OKAY.
HOW'S SHE LOOKING?
YEAH, IT'S SCABBING.
THE RED, IRRITATED TISSUE THAT I CAN SEE IN HER CLOACA
IS MAKING ME THINK THAT SHE HAS SOME SORT OF INFLAMMATORY
OR INFECTIOUS CONDITION THAT'S GOING ON.
I'M GOING TO PUT SOME TOPICAL ANTIBACTERIAL,
ANTIFUNGAL STEROID
TO TRY TO DECREASE ANY INFLAMMATION THAT...
SHE DOESN'T LIKE THAT.
NO. SORRY, HON.
IT'S POSSIBLE THERE'S A BACTERIA THAT'S INFECTING THE TISSUE,
SO WE'RE GOING TO WANT TO BRING HER TO THE CLINIC
SO THAT WE CAN ANESTHETIZE HER
AND GET A BETTER IDEA OF WHAT'S GOING ON.
MM-HMM.
♪♪
SO NOW, WE'RE GOING TO GO GET THE FEED AT THE COMMISSARY,
BOUBA AND NICOLE'S BREAKFAST.
HI, BARBARA.
SO RIGHT NOW, BARBARA HAS JUST PREPARED THEIR MORNING DIETS.
THESE ARE ALL THE MORNING DIETS FOR THE ANIMALS.
I'LL GRAB BOUBA AND NICOLE'S FOOD.
♪♪
[ SPEAKS SPANISH ]
ALL RIGHT, GUYS. BREAKFAST IS COMING.
MORNING, GUYS. WHAT'S UP, BIG GUY?
♪♪
I'M GOING TO MAKE SURE EVERYTHING IS SAFE AND SECURE.
THEY LOVE THIS CLIMBING STRUCTURE.
JUST PUTTING OUT SOME FEED FOR THEIR BREAKFAST.
JUST GET THEM GOING, GET THEM, YOU KNOW,
EXHIBITING NATURAL BEHAVIOR, FORAGING BEHAVIOR.
BEFORE WE EVEN REINTRODUCE BOUBA AND NICOLE,
WE MAKE SURE THAT HE GETS USED TO THE EXHIBIT AGAIN.
BOUBA HAS BEEN IN THIS EXHIBIT BEFORE.
HOPEFULLY HE'LL PICK UP WHERE HE LEFT OFF.
SO WE'RE GOOD.
ONE BEAR, BOUBA, READY FOR EXHIBIT.
10-4.
OKAY, BOUBA, ARE YOU READY TO GO OUT?
ATTABOY.
YOU LIKE THE SOUND OF THAT, RIGHT?
YOU GUYS SEE HIM YET?WE HAVEN'T SEEN HIM.
YEAH, I'M GOING TO TAKE A LOOK OVER HERE.
IT'S POSSIBLE THAT HE'S STILL BY THE HOLDING DOORS.
DO YOU SEE HIM IN THAT CORNER?
OH, THERE HE GOES, YEAH. HOW'S IT GOING, BOUBA?
WELCOME HOME.
BACK TO HIS OLD STOMPING GROUNDS.
HE'S A BIG BEAR.
YOU KNOW WHAT? HE'S GROWN.
YEAH, DEFINITELY.
WOW, HE LOOKS GOOD.YEAH, HE DOES.
HE LOOKS GREAT OUT THERE.
HE LOOKS REALLY RELAXED.
HE SEEMS JUST LIKE I REMEMBER HIM, ONLY A LITTLE BIT OLDER.
I THINK THE PLAN WILL BE TO GIVE HIM ABOUT A WEEK ON EXHIBIT,
GET A CHANCE TO EXPLORE THE EXHIBIT A LITTLE BIT,
AND THEN WE'LL INTRODUCE THEM AGAIN, WE'LL PUT THEM TOGETHER.
AND AFTER THAT,
HOPEFULLY THEY'LL GET ALONG WITH EACH OTHER PRETTY WELL.
THAT'S A GOOD-LOOKING BEAR, THOUGH,
SO WE'RE VERY HAPPY TO HAVE HIM BACK.
COME ON, PRETTY GIRL. LET'S GO.
TODAY, WE ARE GOING TO BRING JUNE BUG INTO THE CLASSROOM.
LaMattina: HERE SHE COMES.
Raul: THERE GOES NICOLE.Silver: OKAY, SHE'S OUT.
LET'S SEE WHAT HE'S UP TO.
Silver: EVEN THOUGH WE THINK WE KNOW HOW THEY'RE GOING TO BEHAVE,
YOU NEVER KNOW FOR SURE.
[ BEAR GRUNTS ]
♪♪
COME ON, GIRL.
COME ON, JUNEY.
COME HERE! HI.
YOU KNOW, PORCUPINES WILL RAISE THEIR QUILLS
WHEN THEY FEEL THREATENED OR ANY EXCITEMENT,
AND SHE'S ENJOYING BEING SCRATCHED,
SO I THINK SHE'S RAISED THE QUILLS.
COME ON. WANT TO COME UP?
I HAVE NO TREATS, JUST KISSES.
LAST YEAR, IN SEPTEMBER, WE PICKED UP JUNE BUG AND SNEEDY.
THEY CAME FROM THE MESKER PARK ZOO,
AND WE BROUGHT THEM HERE TO BE PART OF OUR
ANIMAL AMBASSADOR PROGRAM.
HEY, GIRL. HEY.
Woman: YOU'RE SO LITTLE.
YOU DOING THE PORCUPINE STOMP, TELLING US WHO'S BOSS?
SHE'S GOING TO BE A FEISTY ONE.
WHEN THEY FIRST GOT HERE, THEY SOUNDED LIKE LITTLE MOTORCYCLES.
OH, YOU SEE THAT, THAT LITTLE BUTT SHAKING?
THEY WERE NERVOUS. THEY WERE YOUNG.
THEY WERE IN NEW SURROUNDINGS.
IT'S A WARNING SIGN.
THEY ARE MUCH MORE CONFIDENT AND COMFORTABLE NOW,
AND THEY'VE GROWN INTO TWO VERY BIG ADULT PORCUPINES.
TODAY, WE ARE GOING TO BRING JUNE BUG INTO THE CLASSROOM.
COME ON, PRETTY GIRL. LET'S GO.
JUNE BUG IS A LOT MORE COMFORTABLE
BEING IN THE CLASSROOM.
SNEEDY IS GETTING THERE.
HE'S JUST NOT AT THE SAME LEVEL THAT JUNE BUG IS RIGHT NOW.
COME ON, JUNE. YOU GOT PEOPLE TO MEET.
OUR GOAL IS TO HAVE HER BE VERY COMFORTABLE
WITH VARYING AGE GROUPS -- WITH CHILDREN, WITH ADULTS.
ONCE IN A WHILE, WHEN THE SHOP GUYS ARE HERE,
WE'LL SAY, YOU KNOW, "HEY, STEVE, RAMONE, COME IN HERE,"
AND, "YOU WANT TO SEE THE CLOUDED LEOPARD?"
AND WE DO THAT WITH OUR STAFF
BECAUSE THEY GET TO SEE THE ANIMALS ALL THE TIME,
BUT THEY NEVER GET TO EXPERIENCE THEM IN SUCH A INTIMATE SETTING.
WE'RE HERE TODAY FOR ENRICHMENT FOR THE PORCUPINE.
[ LAUGHTER ]
LaMattina: HERE SHE COMES.
[ CHUCKLES ]
Babuska: SHE'S LIKE, "THESE ARE A LOT OF NEW FACES."
ISN'T SHE SWEET?
THIS IS DEFINITELY THE LARGEST GROUP
SHE'S BEEN IN THE ROOM WITH.YEAH.
SHE CAME RIGHT INTO THE MIDDLE OF THE ROOM,
SITS DOWN COMFORTABLY IN FRONT OF EVERYBODY, AND EATS.
THIS IS GREAT.
SHE DOESN'T SEEM TO BE BOTHERED BY HOW MANY PEOPLE
ARE IN THE ROOM.
LaMattina: NO, THIS IS GOOD.
MM-HMM. YEAH.
OKAY, GIRL, YOU COMING? [ SMOOCHES ]
Babuska: NOW THAT JUNE BUG DID REALLY WELL IN THE CLASSROOM TODAY
WITH ALL THE SHOP GUYS,
WE CAN START INTRODUCING HER TO SOME LARGER GROUPS
AND USING HER FOR OUR ANIMAL AMBASSADOR PROGRAM.
YOU DONE? [ SMOOCHES ]
WELL, THAT'S THE PORCUPINE.
♪♪
USUALLY WALK IN FRONT OF THE EXHIBIT
FIRST THING IN THE MORNING.
EVERYTHING LOOKS GOOD.
SEE THE ENTIRE EXHIBIT
RATHER THAN WHEN YOU'RE WALKING IN THERE.
♪♪
MORNING, GUYS.
TODAY, WE'RE GOING TO REINTRODUCE THESE GUYS.
THEY NEED TO BECOME MORE FAMILIARIZED WITH ONE ANOTHER
AND REACQUAINT THEMSELVES,
AND HOPEFULLY THEY'LL BREED AGAIN.
THAT'S THE PLAN.
ALL RIGHT.
FIRE EXTINGUISHER HERE.
WILD ANIMALS ARE UNPREDICTABLE.
YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.
THIS IS A CO2 FIRE EXTINGUISHER.
YOU USUALLY USE IT IN ZOOS
IF THERE'S SOME TYPE OF UNWARRANTED BEHAVIOR GOING ON.
THE EXTINGUISHERS WOULD NEVER BE USED TO SPRAY AN ANIMAL.
IT'S JUST A GOOD DISTRACTION.
ALL RIGHT. WE'RE READY TO GO.
ALL RIGHT, BABY. TODAY IS THE BIG DAY.
ONE BEAR, BOUBA, GOING ON EXHIBIT.
♪♪
ALL RIGHT. LET'S SEE WHAT HE'S UP TO.
SO FAR, SO GOOD. YEP.
WHAT A GOOD-LOOKING BOY.
HE IS.
WE WANT TO GIVE HIM A CHANCE TO SETTLE DOWN A LITTLE BIT
AND THEN LET HER COME OUT AT HER OWN PACE.
WHEN WE INTRODUCED THESE GUYS ABOUT THREE YEARS AGO,
IT REALLY TOOK WEEKS AND WEEKS
BEFORE WE FELT COMFORTABLE PUTTING THEM TOGETHER,
AND EVEN WHEN WE PUT THEM TOGETHER,
SHE DIDN'T WANT TO HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH HIM.
EVEN THOUGH WE THINK WE KNOW HOW THEY'RE GOING TO BEHAVE,
YOU NEVER KNOW FOR SURE.
♪♪
OKAY, SHE'S OUT.
♪♪
LOOK AT THAT. LOOK AT THAT.
GOOD STUFF.
THEY'RE GREETING EACH OTHER.
♪♪
I THINK SHE REMEMBERS HIM.YEAH, DEFINITELY. DEFINITELY.
YEAH. I MEAN, I THINK THAT SHE'S HAPPY TO SEE HIM BACK.
YEAH.
HE MISSED HER.
♪♪
Silver: THIS PART, IT'S NICE, AND IT'S HEARTWARMING.
WE REALLY WOULD LIKE TO SEE BREEDING.
♪♪
Venetsanos: IT'S COMING.
ALMOST IMMEDIATELY AFTER OPENING,
WE GOT THE CALL THAT BLANCHE WAS IN LABOR
AND SHE WAS STARTING TO GIVE BIRTH.
THERE IT IS!
[ GASPS ] MY GOODNESS!
LOOK AT HIM!
WHAT DO YOU THINK? GOING TO BE A BIG SISTER?
YEAH? YEAH?
LOT OF THE TIMES, WE'LL COME IN,
AND WE'LL FIND THE BABY IS BORN ALREADY.
HAVING BLANCHE GIVE BIRTH WHILE WE OPEN,
IT'S A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE, I THINK, FOR EVERYBODY INVOLVED.
Nickens: THE HEAD IS OUT NOW AND BOTH FRONT LEGS.
USUALLY ONCE THE SHOULDERS COME OUT,
IT'LL PROBABLY PLOP RIGHT OUT.
AND SHE'S PUSHING.
Venetsanos: THE SHOULDERS ARE OUT?
YEAH. SHOULDERS ARE OUT.GREAT.
THAT'S, LIKE, THE BIGGEST PART RIGHT THERE.
COME ON. COME ON.
♪♪
Children: OH!
THAT'S THE REACTION WE WERE WAITING FOR.
[ APPLAUSE ]
SHE FINALLY GAVE BIRTH! THE BABY IS OUT!
AW.
Nickens: PARENTS, SOMETIMES, THEY MAY NOT PLAN
TO DO A BIRDS-AND-BEES CHAT,
BUT IT HAPPENS.
Boy: SEE THAT?!
OKAY, LOOK AT THAT.
OH, MY GOD, IT'S SO TINY.
[ Laughing ] I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO SAY.
IT'S JUST, LIKE, VERY EMOTIONAL.
I DIDN'T THINK IT WOULD BE, BUT IT IS.
MOM, YOU KNOW, SHE'S VERY ATTENTIVE TO THE BABY.
IT'S GOT THREE OTHER AUNTS TO TAKE CARE OF HIM, TOO.
A BIG SISTER.
A BIG SISTER, YEAH.
AUDREY!
SHE IS POUTING.
SHE'S LIKE, "I'M NOT INTERESTED."
SHE'S LIKE, "I WANTED TO BE AN ONLY CHILD.
I'M SO NOT INTO THIS BABY."
Venetsanos: BLANCHE HAS BEEN DOING A GREAT JOB.
I'D RATHER BE HANDS-OFF, IF WE CAN BE HANDS-OFF.
YOU KNOW, LAST ONE, WE JUST -- WE HAD TO BE HANDS-ON.
ALREADY, BLANCHE LOOKS TO BE MUCH MORE BONDED WITH HER CRIA
THAN ROSE WAS WITH AUDREY.
SO ONE BIG HURDLE DOWN.
NOW, THE NEXT THING WE'RE GOING TO LOOK FOR
IS THE CRIA TO BE ABLE TO STAND
BECAUSE THAT'S GOING TO BE CRITICAL
TO SUCCESSFULLY NURSING FROM MOM.
IF THE CRIA WERE UNABLE TO STAND UP OR SUCCESSFULLY NURSE,
WE'D HAVE TO INTERVENE, AND IT'S JUST NOT IDEAL.
YOU CAN DO IT!
OH.
♪♪
Woman: KNOW WHAT I'M SAYING? SEE, HE'S GETTING ALL THE KISSES!
AW, LOOK AT THAT!
WOW! LOOK HOW TINY IT IS.
YOU SEE?
Watts: OH, MY GOD, THAT FACE.
Venetsanos: SO BLANCHE HAS JUST GIVEN BIRTH.
IT'S BEEN ABOUT AN HOUR, AND NOW,
WE'RE ALL JUST ANXIOUSLY WAITING FOR THE CRIA TO STAND UP,
THEN HOPEFULLY LATCH ON AND START NURSING.
IT'S BASICALLY THE FIRST 12 HOURS
YOU'RE LOOKING FOR THE ANIMAL TO NURSE,
AND IF IT DOESN'T, THEN WE'LL HAVE TO INTERVENE
JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT IT GETS THE PROPER ANTIBODIES EARLY ON.
ROSE, AUDREY'S MOTHER, WAS A FIRST-TIME MOM,
AND AUDREY DIDN'T NURSE,
AND SO WE ENDED UP HAVING TO PULL AUDREY,
AND SHE WAS RAISED AT THE HEALTH CENTER,
SO IT WOULD BE GREAT IF WE DIDN'T HAVE TO INTERVENE
AND MOM WAS THERE AND THE CRIA NURSED WELL.
THAT'S WHAT WE'RE WAITING FOR, AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE HOPING.
Watts: HE'S LIKE, "I'M HUNGRY."
YEAH, HE'S LIKE, "I NEED SOME MILK."
Nickens: HE'S GOING FOR IT.
DETERMINED. OH!
HE'S TRYING.
ALL RIGHT.
HE'LL GET THERE.
IT'S SO EXHAUSTING, THOSE EFFORTS.
NO ONE HAS LEFT, PROBABLY, IN THE PAST TWO HOURS.
NO ONE HAS GOTTEN WATER. NO ONE HAS EATEN ANYTHING.
THEY'RE ALL WORKING RIGHT THROUGH THEIR LUNCH
JUST 'CAUSE THEY WANT TO BE HERE AND THEY WANT TO SEE IT.
OH.
SOMETIMES, I KIND OF WONDER IF THEY KIND OF SIT
AND, AS THEY KIND OF STAND UP,
THE BABY IS KIND OF LOOKING AT HOW THEY STAND.
[ GASPS ] OH, MY GOD. OH, MY GOD. OH, MY GOD.
Woman: YOU GOT IT!OH, MY GOD!
COME ON!COME ON, LITTLE ONE!
IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE GRACEFUL.
THERE WE GO.THERE IT IS.
HE JUST STOOD UP.
♪♪
LOOKS REALLY GOOD.HE LOOKS SO GOOD.
ALL RIGHT. GREAT.
Watts: THAT'S AWESOME.
THE NEXT THING WE'LL SEE IS, HOPEFULLY, LATCHING.
Venetsanos: SO RIGHT NOW, WE'RE JUST GOING TO KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR NURSING,
AND THAT'S IMPORTANT FOR THAT CRIA
TO GET THE NUTRIENTS AND THE ANTIBODIES FROM THE MOM.
LOOK, SHE'S STOIC.
REMEMBER, WITH ROSE, ANYTIME AUDREY WOULD MAKE AN ATTEMPT,
SHE WAS JUST ALL OVER THE PLACE, SO...
Nickens: SHE'S VERY PATIENT.
HE'S PRETTY CLOSE NOW.YOU'RE RIGHT THERE, BUD.
THIS CAN BE WORSE THAN SPORTS SOMETIMES, LIKE,
THE SUSPENSE OF IT.
OH.
HE'S ON.HE'S ON.
OH, HE'S ON! HE'S ON, LOOK!
HE'S LATCHED.HE LATCHED.
OH.
AFTER HAVING TO KIND OF GO THROUGH THE TRIBULATIONS WITH AUDREY,
WITH MOM NOT REALLY TAKING CARE OF HER
AND HAVING TO BOTTLE-FEED,
IT'S REWARDING, YOU KNOW?
NOW WE DON'T HAVE TO PULL HER AND REINTRODUCE.
SHE CAN JUST STAY WITH HER FAMILY AND JUST BE AN ALPACA.
Venetsanos: WE'RE JUST GOING TO LET MOM BE MOM,
AND WHENEVER WE OPPORTUNISTICALLY CAN SEE
IF IT'S A MALE OR A FEMALE, WE'LL LOOK AT THAT.
Venetsanos: NOW THAT WE'VE SEEN SUCCESSFUL NURSING,
WE'LL STILL MONITOR MOM AND BABY
AND JUST MAKE SURE THAT
EVERYTHING STILL CONTINUES TO GO WELL.
♪♪
Boyer: SHE'S A BIG SNAKE.
YEAH, SHE CAN GET AROUND THAT ROOM PRETTY GOOD.
YOU NEED A LONGER CAN?
NEED A LONGER CAN.
SHE'S JUST A CURIOUS SNAKE.
THE VENT, OR CLOACA, OF THE SNAKE LOOKED INFLAMED
AND POSSIBLY HAD AN INFECTION GOING ON.
SO WE ARE TAKING THE FEMALE KING COBRA TO THE HOSPITAL
FOR A MORE THOROUGH EXAM OF THE INFECTED SITE.
GOT YOU A PRESENT.THANK YOU.
I THINK IF THEY'RE GOING TO DO ANYTHING EXPLORATORY,
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO GAS HER DOWN TO DO THAT.
OH, YEAH, THAT'S THE PLAN. THEY'RE GOING TO KNOCK HER DOWN.
♪♪
OKAY, LET'S SEE WHAT WE GOT.
♪♪
THERE SHE GOES.
IT'S OKAY.
♪♪
GO AHEAD, JUST START, SUSIE?
YES, PLEASE. YEAH, FIVE, YEAH.
♪♪
Bozeman: WE KEEP HANDS ON HER WHILE SHE'S UNDER ANESTHESIA
BECAUSE ANESTHESIA COULD WEAR OFF.
IT COULD NOT BE STRONG ENOUGH, SO IF SHE DOES START TO WAKE UP,
WE DON'T WANT THE VETS TO BE IN A SITUATION
WHERE THEY'RE IN DANGER.
DOES SEEM TO BE, LIKE, THE RIM OF THIS GLAND.
BUT IT'S JUST THE ONE SIDE AND NOT THE OTHER SIDE?
YEAH.
I CAN SEE THAT IT'S ACTUALLY ONE OF HER SCENT GLANDS
THAT IS IRRITATED AND ULCERATED, POTENTIALLY INFECTED.
PUTTING IN A PUMP CERTAINLY WOULD HELP
DELIVER ANTIBIOTIC CONSTANTLY.
SHE'LL HAVE ANTIBIOTIC ONBOARD.
THEN, IT REALLY IS JUST WEEKLY HANDLING.
WE WOULDN'T HAVE TO BE FUSSING WITH EVERY THREE DAYS.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
ALL RIGHT. YEAH. YEAH.
Bartlett: WITH AN INFECTION LIKE THIS, WE'D HAVE TO CATCH UP THE SNAKE
EVERY THREE TO FIVE DAYS IN ORDER TO GIVE ANTIBIOTICS,
BUT CONSIDERING THIS IS A LARGE VENOMOUS,
POTENTIALLY REALLY DANGEROUS SNAKE,
WE'D WANT TO AVOID THAT.
THE USE OF AN OSMOTIC PUMP
IS MORE ON THE CUTTING EDGE OF A MEDICAL TREATMENT.
AS THE PUMP SITS INSIDE THE SNAKE,
UNDERNEATH THE SKIN, FLUID FROM THE SNAKE
IS GOING TO PENETRATE INTO THE PUMP,
AND THAT WILL CAUSE AN INCREASED PRESSURE IN THE PUMP,
WHICH WILL THEN CAUSE MEDICATIONS
TO BE DELIVERED THROUGH A PORT IN THE TOP OF THE PUMP.
AND HOPEFULLY KEEP THE BACTERIA IN CHECK.
♪♪
YEAH, THAT'S HER HEART.Boyer: GOOD STRONG BEAT, HUH?
OKAY, I'M GONNA START CUTTING.
[ MONITOR WHIRRING ]
♪♪
I'M GOING TO CLOSE THIS IN A COUPLE SUTURES AND BE DONE.
OKAY. LOOKS GOOD.
PUT HER IN THE TUBE, YEAH. WE CAN TAKE THE E.T. TUBE OUT.
COME ON, YOU. TIME TO WAKE UP.
THE THING THAT MAKES IT A LITTLE DIFFERENT
THAN A MAMMAL PROCEDURE IS, KING COBRAS,
OR REPTILES IN GENERAL CAN HOLD THEIR BREATH,
SO YOU JUST HAVE TO BE PATIENT
AND WAIT FOR THE SNAKE TO WAKE UP.
THERE WE GO.YEAH.
HI. THERE SHE IS.
SHE'S LIKE, "FIVE MORE MINUTES."
[ CHUCKLES ]
Boyer: LET'S PUT THIS FEAR NOODLE BACK, HUH?
Bartlett: THE PUMP WILL LAST ABOUT 40 TO 50 DAYS.
I'M HOPING THAT OVER THE COURSE OF THE NEXT FEW WEEKS
THAT SHE WILL IMPROVE.
THANK YOU.
SEE YOU, GUYS.THANKS, SUSIE.
♪♪
Silver: IT'S BEEN A COUPLE OF HOURS
SINCE WE PUT NICOLE AND BOUBA TOGETHER,
AND THINGS ARE GOING VERY WELL,
BUT WE REALLY WANT TO SEE THEM ENGAGE IN REPRODUCTIVE BEHAVIOR.
SEE WHAT HE'S GOING TO DO NOW. [ LAUGHS ]
THIS ISN'T AGGRESSIVE-LOOKING AT ALL.
THIS IS SOCIAL INTERACTION.OH.
THEY'RE JUST GETTING TO KNOW EACH OTHER.
EVEN THOUGH SHE'S ONE-THIRD HIS SIZE, SHE CALLS THE SHOTS.
[ LAUGHS ]
♪♪
HERE WE GO.
WE'LL WATCH JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE'S BEEN BREEDING.
IF WE CAN SEE THAT THEY'RE SUCCESSFULLY BREEDING,
IT GIVES US A BETTER FEELING ABOUT IT.
MOST OF THE TIME, HE SEEMED LIKE
HE WAS A LITTLE BIT TOO FAR SCOOTED BACK.
NOW, THIS, ON THE OTHER HAND...
Silver: THERE WE GO. I MEAN, I EXPECTED IT TO BE EASYGOING,
BUT I DIDN'T EXPECT IT TO BE A LOVEFEST.
YOU KNOW?
THAT'S GREAT.
IT'S VERY EXCITING WHEN YOU PUT ALL THIS EFFORT
INTO SOMETHING LIKE THIS AND IT WORKS OUT.
Silver: HOPEFULLY IT'LL GO ON FOR A FEW DAYS,
JUST TO INCREASE THE CHANCES THAT WE HAVE CONCEPTION.
AFTER THIS WEEK, WE'LL PUT IN PLACE OUR PREGNANCY PROTOCOLS,
AND WE'LL ARRANGE TO DO AN ULTRASOUND.
♪♪
SO WE'LL GET HER IN A TUBE
AND LET YOU KNOW WHEN IT'S ALL CLEAR.
SOUNDS GOOD.
Bartlett: HERE TODAY TO RECHECK THE KING COBRA
TO SEE IF THE INFECTION IS GETTING WORSE OR BETTER.
♪♪
Boyer: IT'S ABOUT A WEEK SINCE WE'VE DONE THAT PROCEDURE,
AND THE PUMP HAS STAYED IN.
THERE'S BEEN NO ISSUES WITH THE SKIN SURROUNDING THAT.
SHE'S FEEDING, SHE'S ACTING VERY NORMAL,
SO WE'RE PLEASED WITH THAT WHOLE THING.
SHE'S GETTING A LITTLE WISE TO THAT, HUH?
YEAH. SHE KNOWS THE CAN FOR SURE.
ALL RIGHT. WELL, LET'S SEE.
COMING, SUSIE?
Bartlett: YES.
ALL RIGHT.
SAM? WANT TO SWITCH?
YEAH. ACTUALLY, YOU GUYS PROBABLY HAVE IT RIGHT THERE.
Bartlett: I'M HOPING TO SEE MAYBE SOME SCABBING.
I DON'T WANT TO SEE ANY BLEEDING.
RIGHT THERE.
DOESN'T LOOK TERRIBLE. YOU KNOW, I DON'T SEE ANY.
Boyer: IT'S NOT AS RED AROUND THE VENT, EITHER.
OH, THAT LOOKS GOOD.
Bartlett: IT'S PRETTY QUIET.
A SCAB THERE, BUT...
LOOKING AT THE CLOACA, I'M PLEASED.
REALLY, ALMOST ALL OF THE REDNESS IS GONE.
MAKE SURE THAT OUR INCISION SITE LOOKS GOOD, WHICH IT DOES.
PUMP LOOKS GOOD.
SO LOOKING AT OUR PUMP SURGICAL SITE,
THINGS LOOK GREAT.
WE ARE DONE.
THE SUTURES ARE HOLDING.
THERE'S NO DISCHARGE OR SWELLING,
SO I'M PLEASED WITH HOW SHE LOOKS.
I'M GOING TO STEP OUT, I GUESS.
YEAH.
JUST BE READY. SHE COMES OUT QUICK SOMETIMES.
Bozeman: YOU NEVER WANT YOUR ANIMAL TO BE INJURED OR NOT FEELING WELL.
SHE WAS ONE OF THE FIRST VENOMOUS SNAKES
THAT I WORKED WITH.
Woman: MM-HMM, SNEAKY SNAKE.
SHE'S A GREAT SNAKE.
I'M JUST HAPPY WHEN EVERYTHING IS FINE.
SHE'S FEISTY AND ACTIVE, SO I THINK SHE'S DOING WELL.
Torregrosa: THERE WE GO.SHE KNOWS HOME, HUH?
OH, YEAH.
Boyer: IT'S GREAT THAT WE WERE ABLE TO USE AN ANTIBIOTIC PUMP IN THIS.
I'M GLAD THAT SHE RESPONDED SO WELL.
THE PUMP WILL STAY IN FOR A FEW WEEKS BEFORE WE REMOVE IT,
AND BY THE NEXT BREEDING SEASON,
WE EXPECT SHE'LL BE FULLY RECOVERED
AND THERE WON'T BE ANY SIGN OF INFECTION.
ALL RIGHT. GOOD JOB, GUYS.
♪♪
Watts: CHECK YOU GUYS OUT!
WHAT YOU DOING?
HI, AUDREY.
HI.
I CAME TO SEE YOU, BUT I CAME TO SEE YOUR LITTLE BROTHER, TOO.
THE BABY ALPACA IS NOW 1 WEEK OLD.
IT'S OFFICIAL -- HE'S A BOY, SO WE'RE ALL VERY EXCITED ABOUT THAT.
HE LOOKS GOOD. THEY'RE SITTING IN THE SHADE.
HE WAS NURSING BEFORE.
WE'RE CALLING HIM CEVICHE.
CEVICHE IS A PERUVIAN DISH.
SINCE ALPACAS ARE FROM PERU,
WE WERE THINKING ABOUT STICKING WITH SOMETHING PERUVIAN.
LOOK AT THIS LITTLE GUY.
Nickens: THEY FEEL LIKE THE BABY LOOKS A LITTLE BIT
LIKE A SHRIMP, THEY TOLD ME.
SO I THINK "THE GOLDEN GIRLS" WAS, LIKE, MY ONE-HIT WONDER.
CEVICHE IS DOING VERY WELL. HE'S NURSING REGULARLY.
HE'S HANGING BY MOM, AND HIS WEIGHT IS STEADILY GOING UP.
AND BLANCHE IS AN AWESOME MOM.
SHE'S VERY ATTENTIVE TO HIM.
HERE AT THE CHILDREN'S ZOO,
THE GUESTS ARE ALLOWED TO GET VERY CLOSE TO OUR ANIMALS.
HI, BABY! HOW'S HE LOOK?
♪ LLAMA, LLAMA, CHICKEN-DAMA ♪
WE'RE HEARING THE OOHs, THE AHs. WE'RE HEARING THE AWs, YOU KNOW?
EVERYBODY LOVES TO SEE A BABY ANIMAL,
SO RIGHT NOW, HE'S A REALLY BIG HIT.
I SEE HAY IN HIS MOUTH. LOOK, LOOK, LOOK.
IT'S GOING TO BE A NEW EXPERIENCE FOR HIM,
SEEING EVERYBODY, BUT I THINK HE'LL BE OKAY.
AUDREY, AUDREY.
I GOT FOOD FOR YOU!
THAT'S WHO I WANT.
NOW, AUDREY, SHE STILL WILL GET A LOT OF ATTENTION
BECAUSE SHE STILL IS VERY CUTE,
BUT SHE'S GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE SOME ROOM
FOR HER NEW BABY BROTHER.
BUT IT'S REALLY GOOD THAT WE HAVE TWO CRIA
THAT CAN KIND OF GROW UP, AND THEY EACH HAVE, LIKE,
A LITTLE PLAYMATE WITH EACH OTHER.
♪♪
Snyder: WE'RE READY WHEN YOU ARE.
Silver: WE HAD SUCCESSFUL BREEDING.
THERE WE GO.
NOW WE HAVE OUR FINGERS CROSSED THAT SHE'S PREGNANT.
♪♪
WE'RE READY WHEN YOU ARE.
SHE'LL BE THE SAME AS LAST YEAR,
WHERE SHE'S KIND OF ON THE DOOR AND SHE'LL BE GRABBING --
SHE'S GOING TO BE FULLY UPRIGHT.
TODAY, WE HAVE DR. MOORE HERE WITH US,
AND HE IS GOING TO BE DOING AN ULTRASOUND ON NICOLE.
Silver: WE HAD SUCCESSFUL BREEDING.
NOW WE HAVE OUR FINGERS CROSSED THAT SHE'S PREGNANT.
Moore: FOR THIS YEAR, THIS IS OUR FIRST ULTRASOUND ATTEMPT WITH HER.
SHE HAS BEEN ULTRASOUNDED IN THE PAST, THOUGH,
BECAUSE SHE HAS HAD A PREVIOUS PREGNANCY.
AT THAT TIME, WE DID SEVERAL ULTRASOUNDS WITH HER.
DESPITE THE FACT THAT SHE WAS PREGNANT,
WE NEVER DID GET TO SEE HER FETUS
IN PLACE IN THE ULTRASOUND.
THE ANDEAN BEARS HAVE SOMETHING CALLED DELAYED IMPLANTATION.
BASICALLY, THAT MEANS THAT SHE CAN BREED
AND THE EMBRYO WON'T IMPLANT IN THE UTERUS
UNTIL CONDITIONS ARE RIGHT, WHICH IS WHY IT'S SO DIFFICULT
TO REALLY DETERMINE WHEN SHE ACTUALLY IS PREGNANT.
NICOLE!
COME ON, LADY!
HEY, MAMA.
ALL RIGHT, LADY.
Snyder: I GIVE HER PEANUT BUTTER,
WHICH IS ONE OF HER FAVORITE TREATS, WHILE SHE'S UP THERE
SO THAT DR. MOORE CAN HAVE BETTER ACCESS TO HER ABDOMEN.
Moore: THERE WE GO.COME ON UP!
DR. MOORE DOES HAVE HIS HANDS ON THE BEAR'S ABDOMEN,
SO WE REALLY NEED TO KEEP HER POSITIVE AND KEEP HER BUSY
TO KEEP EVERYBODY SAFE DURING THIS PROCEDURE.
YOU READY? YEP.
GOOD GIRL. HEY, COME HERE.
WHOO-HOO-HOO-HOO, COLD STUFF.
Moore: NICOLE, SO FAR, IS DOING REALLY WELL.
SHE'S POSITIONING REALLY WELL ON THE GATE.
FOR THIS BEING HER FIRST GO-AROUND,
SHE'S NICELY COMPLIANT WITH THE PROCEDURE.
SO FAR, I'M NOT SEEING A FETUS.
BUT I'M VERY OPTIMISTIC STILL,
GIVEN THAT THEY SAW HER BREEDING,
GIVEN THAT SHE WAS SUCCESSFUL TWO YEARS AGO,
SO I THINK THERE'S EVERY EXPECTATION
THAT SHE SHOULD BE PREGNANT AT SOME POINT THIS YEAR.
NO!
YOU'RE GOING TO STEAL THE WHOLE JAR.
Snyder: IT WOULD BE WONDERFUL IF NICOLE WAS PREGNANT AGAIN.
IN A COUPLE WEEKS, HOPEFULLY,
WE DO SEE SOMETHING IN THE ULTRASOUND.
Moore: ALL RIGHT. VERY GOOD FOR A FIRST STUDY.
THANK YOU.
AND IF SHE DOES HAVE A CUB, NOT ONLY WILL IT BE GOOD
FOR THE POPULATION AS A WHOLE,
BUT IT WILL BE A REAL DELIGHT FOR PEOPLE
TO COME AND HAVE A CHANCE TO SEE ANDEAN BEAR CUBS.