The Zoo

In this episode of Porcupine Blind Date, the Malayan tigers Suhanna and Rimba are facing difficulties when it comes to breeding, with their attempts to mate proving challenging and highlighting the complexities of conservation work within the zoo. Staff are monitoring their interactions closely, hoping to improve conditions that might encourage successful reproduction. Meanwhile, the porcupine known as Needles finds a fresh companion, signalling a new chapter for the animal. The zoo also inaugurates a dedicated facility for an endangered turtle species, expanding its commitment to protecting vulnerable wildlife. The new turtle enclosure includes specialised habitats designed to mimic the species' natural environment, aiming to boost its chances of survival.

Conservation staff have observed an endangered Chinese alligator exhibiting clear signs that it may be pregnant, a development that could boost the species' dwindling numbers. The finding has sparked cautious optimism among the team, who are closely monitoring the reptile for further indications of gestation. Meanwhile, the same team is getting ready to reintroduce a handful of rare New England cottontail rabbits back into their natural habitat. They're preparing carefully to give the elusive lagomorphs a better chance of thriving in the wild, marking another step in local wildlife restoration efforts. The release will take place under strict supervision to ensure the rabbits adapt safely.

In this instalment, three newly‑hatched penguin chicks are brought into the shared pool for their very first swim, where they tentatively paddle and explore the water together for the first time. At the same time, the mandrill monkey troop experiences a shift in its family structure when a newborn joins the group, prompting the monkeys to adjust their interactions and routines to accommodate the newest member. Both events introduce fresh dynamics to the respective communities, as the penguins learn to navigate the pool as a trio and the mandrills reorganise their social patterns around the baby. The scene captures the curiosity of the chicks as they splash gently, while the mandrills watch over the infant with attentive care.

Conservation staff have observed an endangered Chinese alligator exhibiting clear signs that it may be pregnant, a development that could boost the species' dwindling numbers. The finding has sparked cautious optimism among the team, who are closely monitoring the reptile for further indications of gestation. Meanwhile, the same team is getting ready to reintroduce a handful of rare New England cottontail rabbits back into their natural habitat. They're preparing carefully to give the elusive lagomorphs a better chance of thriving in the wild, marking another step in local wildlife restoration efforts. The release will take place under strict supervision to ensure the rabbits adapt safely.

In this instalment, three newly‑hatched penguin chicks are brought into the shared pool for their very first swim, where they tentatively paddle and explore the water together for the first time. At the same time, the mandrill monkey troop experiences a shift in its family structure when a newborn joins the group, prompting the monkeys to adjust their interactions and routines to accommodate the newest member. Both events introduce fresh dynamics to the respective communities, as the penguins learn to navigate the pool as a trio and the mandrills reorganise their social patterns around the baby. The scene captures the curiosity of the chicks as they splash gently, while the mandrills watch over the infant with attentive care.

In this episode, a turtle finds it hard to get on with the crocodiles, its attempts at coexistence constantly thwarted by their differing natures. Meanwhile, a grizzly bear is sidelined by a serious foot injury, leaving it unable to move about as it normally would. Adding to the mix, seven brand‑new penguins waddle their way into the existing colony, prompting a shift in the group’s dynamics. The story weaves these three threads together, showing the turtle’s struggle for acceptance, the bear’s coping with pain, and the newcomers’ integration into the penguin community. Each character’s predicament highlights the challenges of adapting to new circumstances within the colony.

In this episode, a turtle finds it hard to get on with the crocodiles, its attempts at coexistence constantly thwarted by their differing natures. Meanwhile, a grizzly bear is sidelined by a serious foot injury, leaving it unable to move about as it normally would. Adding to the mix, seven brand‑new penguins waddle their way into the existing colony, prompting a shift in the group’s dynamics. The story weaves these three threads together, showing the turtle’s struggle for acceptance, the bear’s coping with pain, and the newcomers’ integration into the penguin community. Each character’s predicament highlights the challenges of adapting to new circumstances within the colony.

Peaches, a two-month-old warthog, charms his keepers while training to become an animal ambassador. Willow, a red panda, shows signs of being pregnant

The keepers bring three gaur—big, nervous cattle—into the main herd, guiding the newcomers so the rest of the animals can get used to them. These gaur are noted for their size and skittish nature, so the staff handle the introduction carefully. Meanwhile, a young Sambar fawn that’s looking unwell is hurried to the health centre for treatment. The staff act quickly, transporting the sickly fawn to ensure it receives the care it needs. Both scenes highlight the routine care and monitoring that the keepers provide for the park’s diverse ungulate population. They keep a close eye on how the herd reacts, giving the newcomers time to settle. The health centre, staffed with veterinarians, is ready to address the fawn's condition.

Peaches, a two-month-old warthog, charms his keepers while training to become an animal ambassador. Willow, a red panda, shows signs of being pregnant

The keepers bring three gaur—big, nervous cattle—into the main herd, guiding the newcomers so the rest of the animals can get used to them. These gaur are noted for their size and skittish nature, so the staff handle the introduction carefully. Meanwhile, a young Sambar fawn that’s looking unwell is hurried to the health centre for treatment. The staff act quickly, transporting the sickly fawn to ensure it receives the care it needs. Both scenes highlight the routine care and monitoring that the keepers provide for the park’s diverse ungulate population. They keep a close eye on how the herd reacts, giving the newcomers time to settle. The health centre, staffed with veterinarians, is ready to address the fawn's condition.

When the keepers noticed a cut on the leg of a red‑ruffed lemur, they swiftly moved the animal to the health centre for treatment. The staff acted quickly, ensuring the lemur received the necessary care as soon as the injury was discovered. At the same time, a new exhibit is being built to house the Pallas cats, providing an environment that mirrors their natural surroundings while allowing visitors a closer look. The enclosure is designed to meet the cats' specific requirements, offering them space to behave naturally and giving the public an opportunity to observe these elusive felines. Work on the exhibit is progressing steadily, with the aim of completing it soon.

The Andean bear, Bouba, has returned from his stint at the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., travelling back to the reserve where he will once again be alongside his steadfast mate, Nicole. Their reunion, marked by familiar affection and shared routines, unfolds as Blanche, a feisty female alpaca, remains pregnant and is due to give birth soon, adding anticipation to the community. The pair's homecoming brings a sense of continuity to the landscape, with the impending arrival of Blanche's offspring promising a new chapter for the resident animals. The environment buzzes with quiet excitement as the animals prepare for the new addition, while Bouba and Nicole settle back into their familiar routines, reinforcing the bonds that define their community.

When the keepers noticed a cut on the leg of a red‑ruffed lemur, they swiftly moved the animal to the health centre for treatment. The staff acted quickly, ensuring the lemur received the necessary care as soon as the injury was discovered. At the same time, a new exhibit is being built to house the Pallas cats, providing an environment that mirrors their natural surroundings while allowing visitors a closer look. The enclosure is designed to meet the cats' specific requirements, offering them space to behave naturally and giving the public an opportunity to observe these elusive felines. Work on the exhibit is progressing steadily, with the aim of completing it soon.

The Andean bear, Bouba, has returned from his stint at the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., travelling back to the reserve where he will once again be alongside his steadfast mate, Nicole. Their reunion, marked by familiar affection and shared routines, unfolds as Blanche, a feisty female alpaca, remains pregnant and is due to give birth soon, adding anticipation to the community. The pair's homecoming brings a sense of continuity to the landscape, with the impending arrival of Blanche's offspring promising a new chapter for the resident animals. The environment buzzes with quiet excitement as the animals prepare for the new addition, while Bouba and Nicole settle back into their familiar routines, reinforcing the bonds that define their community.

The programme follows a giraffe as it makes its way to a fresh enclosure in the Bronx, showcasing the animal's relocation and adjustment to its new surroundings. At the same time, zoo staff devote themselves to nurturing a clutch of endangered ducklings, raising them by hand before ultimately setting them free at the Central Park Children’s Zoo. Both storylines highlight the care and effort invested by the keepers in moving the giraffe and in fostering the vulnerable ducklings, culminating in their release to the public space where visitors, especially children, can encounter the newly‑reintroduced birds. The episode captures the gentle interactions between the animals and the dedicated team, underscoring the importance of conservation efforts.

The programme follows a giraffe as it makes its way to a fresh enclosure in the Bronx, showcasing the animal's relocation and adjustment to its new surroundings. At the same time, zoo staff devote themselves to nurturing a clutch of endangered ducklings, raising them by hand before ultimately setting them free at the Central Park Children’s Zoo. Both storylines highlight the care and effort invested by the keepers in moving the giraffe and in fostering the vulnerable ducklings, culminating in their release to the public space where visitors, especially children, can encounter the newly‑reintroduced birds. The episode captures the gentle interactions between the animals and the dedicated team, underscoring the importance of conservation efforts.

In this episode, a team of cardiologists is working to uncover the cause behind a dangerous cardiac ailment afflicting the gelada population. Their investigations focus on pinpointing the underlying factors that could be triggering this fatal condition. The medical team conducts a series of examinations, analysing heart rhythms and blood samples to identify any underlying disease or environmental stressor. Meanwhile, the narrative shifts to the elephant shrews, whose reproductive efforts only get underway after an uncertain beginning, moving towards breeding. Their breeding phase, though initially fraught with uncertainty, eventually stabilises as the animals find suitable mates and begin to reproduce. Both storylines run in parallel, highlighting the medical team's quest for answers and animal group's tentative progress towards population growth.

In this episode, a team of cardiologists is working to uncover the cause behind a dangerous cardiac ailment afflicting the gelada population. Their investigations focus on pinpointing the underlying factors that could be triggering this fatal condition. The medical team conducts a series of examinations, analysing heart rhythms and blood samples to identify any underlying disease or environmental stressor. Meanwhile, the narrative shifts to the elephant shrews, whose reproductive efforts only get underway after an uncertain beginning, moving towards breeding. Their breeding phase, though initially fraught with uncertainty, eventually stabilises as the animals find suitable mates and begin to reproduce. Both storylines run in parallel, highlighting the medical team's quest for answers and animal group's tentative progress towards population growth.

Willow, a young red panda, is currently dealing with an unexplained problem affecting her feet, leaving those around her puzzled about the cause. Meanwhile, the bird department is on edge, eagerly anticipating the gender reveal for the pair of adjutant stork chicks that have just hatched. Both storylines run side by side, with Willow’s mysterious ailment and the birds’ anxious wait forming the core of the episode’s focus. The tension in each subplot stems purely from the uncertainty of what’s to come, whether it’s discovering the reason behind Willow’s foot issues or finding out whether the new stork chicks are male or female.

At the zoo, a freshly‑born bison calf is finding it difficult to keep pace with its mother as they move about their enclosure. The young animal lags behind, clearly exerting extra effort to match the adult's stride. Meanwhile, the staff at Central Park Zoo are working to integrate a new male snow monkey into the troop, hoping that the resident females will welcome him without resistance. The keepers are monitoring both situations closely, ensuring the calf receives the support it needs while also observing the dynamics among the snow monkeys as they adjust to the newcomer in a careful and patient manner.

Willow, a young red panda, is currently dealing with an unexplained problem affecting her feet, leaving those around her puzzled about the cause. Meanwhile, the bird department is on edge, eagerly anticipating the gender reveal for the pair of adjutant stork chicks that have just hatched. Both storylines run side by side, with Willow’s mysterious ailment and the birds’ anxious wait forming the core of the episode’s focus. The tension in each subplot stems purely from the uncertainty of what’s to come, whether it’s discovering the reason behind Willow’s foot issues or finding out whether the new stork chicks are male or female.

At the zoo, a freshly‑born bison calf is finding it difficult to keep pace with its mother as they move about their enclosure. The young animal lags behind, clearly exerting extra effort to match the adult's stride. Meanwhile, the staff at Central Park Zoo are working to integrate a new male snow monkey into the troop, hoping that the resident females will welcome him without resistance. The keepers are monitoring both situations closely, ensuring the calf receives the support it needs while also observing the dynamics among the snow monkeys as they adjust to the newcomer in a careful and patient manner.

In this episode, the zoo keepers talk about the relationships they develop with the creatures under their charge. They explain how these connections deepen their commitment, pushing them to provide the highest standard of care possible. By sharing personal anecdotes about trust and companionship, they illustrate that the stronger the bond, the more motivated they feel to look after each animal’s wellbeing. They also point out that this bond shapes routine tasks, from feeding to health checks, making every action feel more personal and purposeful. Ultimately, the keepers convey that their love for the animals is the driving force behind their relentless pursuit of excellence in zoo management.

After undergoing surgery, Olga the ostrich is now fit enough to be reunited with her flock, and the anticipation among the other birds is palpable. At the same time, a fresh face joins the group—a squirrel monkey that has just arrived, bringing a burst of curiosity and energy to the mix. Adding to the excitement, the beloved warthog that audiences have come to adore makes a return, ready to charm everyone once again. The episode weaves these three developments together, showing Olga's recovery, the newcomer’s introduction, and the warthog’s comeback, all set against the familiar backdrop of the sanctuary in the series.

In this episode, the zoo keepers talk about the relationships they develop with the creatures under their charge. They explain how these connections deepen their commitment, pushing them to provide the highest standard of care possible. By sharing personal anecdotes about trust and companionship, they illustrate that the stronger the bond, the more motivated they feel to look after each animal’s wellbeing. They also point out that this bond shapes routine tasks, from feeding to health checks, making every action feel more personal and purposeful. Ultimately, the keepers convey that their love for the animals is the driving force behind their relentless pursuit of excellence in zoo management.

After undergoing surgery, Olga the ostrich is now fit enough to be reunited with her flock, and the anticipation among the other birds is palpable. At the same time, a fresh face joins the group—a squirrel monkey that has just arrived, bringing a burst of curiosity and energy to the mix. Adding to the excitement, the beloved warthog that audiences have come to adore makes a return, ready to charm everyone once again. The episode weaves these three developments together, showing Olga's recovery, the newcomer’s introduction, and the warthog’s comeback, all set against the familiar backdrop of the sanctuary in the series.