Monkey Life

Orangutan Hsiao‑Ning moves into her new enclosure at Rostock Zoo, where her lively temperament proves a little too much for her suitor Sabas. Meanwhile, the boisterous Bachelor chimps throw a playroom party, filling the area with noise and activity today.

The episode is a short programme that follows the arrival of an orangutan called Hsiao‑Ning at Rostock Zoo. It documents her first days as she settles into the new enclosure, giving viewers a glimpse of life for a newly transferred primate in a European zoo environment, for the audience. Once settled, Hsiao‑Ning quickly shows a spirited side, proving a little too feisty for her would‑be suitor, Sabas. Their interactions highlight the challenges of forming bonds when personalities clash, and the segment captures the playful tension that arises between the two orangutans as they navigate their budding relationship and humour. Meanwhile, the episode shifts focus to a group of Bachelor chimps who are anything but subdued. The boisterous males turn their playroom for visitors into a lively party, romping around and engaging in energetic antics that provide a stark contrast to the more measured introductions of Hsiao‑Ning and Sabas. Together, the two storylines showcase the varied social dynamics at Rostock Zoo, from the tentative courtship of an orangutan pair to the exuberant revelry of a chimp bachelor group. The programme paints a picture of the zoo’s vibrant primate community, illustrating both the gentle and the raucous sides of animal life and curiosity.