The Wildlife Docs Season 1, Episode 9: Spikes & Stripes

1

A Tale of Two Tigers

The tiger team at Busch Gardens® Tampa is asked to help start a new bloodline of Malayan tigers. They are ecstatic when Bzui gives birth to three cubs. But the excitement is short-lived when one of the male cubs comes down with a potentially life-threatening condition. Preview this episode:

30 min

2

Well Wishes

A trio of lions has just joined the Busch Gardens family. Animal Care Specialists are hand raising these cubs starting with bottle-feeding, playtime and even a doctor’s visit. Then, two critically endangered wattled crane chicks hatch… one is healthy, but the other is on the operating table fighting for his life.

30 min

3

High & Lows

Giraffe’s Cupid and Teesa are both pregnant! We’ll experience the first hours of a baby giraffe’s life. Plus, Dr. Pete makes an alligator house call while the Animal Care specialists help some younger alligators find their way home.

30 min

4

Lemur Island

The lemurs who live on Lemur Island at Busch Gardens are jumping for joy during a series of enrichment programs while Kita, the hippo, keeps a close eye on them as she swims around the island. Meanwhile, a family of Mongoose Lemurs wait while mom, Rosalita, needs to go to the Animal Care Center for xrays… discover what happens when mom is away… how do her twin daughters, Dahlia and Leena react to her absence… and what does their dad, Guillermo, do in return?

30 min

5

Elephants Fancy Footwork

The female elephants at Busch Gardens have been trained with a revolutionary new style of positive reinforcement. Witness how they are part of their health checkups, including blood draws, trunk examinations and a pedicure. Plus, discover how a new laser treatment helps heal Eva, one of the oldest elephant’s in the park.

30 min

6

Meet the New Babies

The Wildlife Docs introduce the newest additions at the park. First, it’s a big day in the lion’s den as three lion cubs enjoy a special treat in honor of World Lion Day. Then it’s off to the Serengeti Plain to meet Jasiri, the baby rhino and Kishana the baby zebra, plus not one but two giraffe calfs are introduced to the herd. Preview this episode:

30 min

7

Pretty in Pink

Witness the Animal Care Specialists teach the Hippo’s behaviors to help the Wildlife Docs give check ups, examine teeth and even take x-rays, all in the name of hippo health! And… why do flamingos stand on one leg? Why are they pink? Do they really fall in love? You’ll get the answers to those and many more questions when the flamingos come marching in on The Wildlife Docs.

30 min

8

Dogs Best Friend

We’ll try and catch up with the world's fastest land animal, the cheetah! More than a dozen cheetahs have moved into their new home, and an unlikely pair becomes fast friends. Then, Antlers, the muntjac, is not eating so he’s brought into the ACC where The Wildlife Docs diagnose his condition. Plus, Philip the Hedgehog is an Animal Ambassador at the park, helping to educate the public about wildlife conservation. Lately, Philip hasn't been feeling well, so the Animal Care Specialists call on the Wildlife Docs to find out why.

30 min

9

Spikes & Stripes

The Busch Gardens Tampa employees offer insight on the Echidna and shares the unique traits that really set this creature apart. In addition, Bengal Tiger Jafari and many more exotic animal check ups.

30 min

10

Hop, Skip & Slither

Wallabies; rattlesnakes and eyelash vipers.

30 min

11

Hoots & Hooves

The Busch Gardens Tampa employees team up with The National Audubon Society to save hundreds of wild birds a year. In this episode, the Doctors are working on a barred owl that ruptured his air sack. In addition, they encourage the lives rhinos, giraffes, antelope, impala, and many more exotic animals for conservation.

30 min

12

The Miracle of Bolingo

A gorilla goes into labor early and must have a C-section.

30 min

13

Lions & Tigers & Cheetahs, Oh My!

Three baby lion cubs arrive from South Africa and are being hand raised by the Animal Care Specialists. Much similar to people, these babies eat a lot, crave attention and love playtime, and it is time for their vaccinations.

30 min

14

Big & Quick

It is moving day for Spike the Asian elephant. He and the Calgary Zoo employees embark on a 3,000-mile journey from Alberta, Canada to his new home at Busch Gardens, Tampa where he will breed as a herd with five female Asian elephants already residing there.

30 min

15

Hook, Line & Blinkers

A bush baby has a cyst; a common loon ingests a fishing hook.

30 min

16

Best of the Big Three

Five Asian elephants enjoy mental exercises, treats and pedicures.

30 min

17

Eat, Prey, Roar

A giant anteater gets a checkup; two lesser anteaters; the crested caracara.

30 min

18

The Fast and the Furriest

A two-toed sloth; keeping gazelles healthy.

30 min

19

A Hoppy Ending

A Malayan tiger cub has a life-threatening disease never seen in tigers before.

30 min

20

Grin & Bear It

An older chimp undergoes medical treatment and has a birthday party with the other chimps.

30 min

21

Mother's Day and Tooth Decay

An otter needs dental work; alligators' maternal instinct.

30 min

22

A Really Big Day at BGT

Animal ambassadors educate the public about wildlife conservation.

30 min

23

A Shell Game of Thrones

African lion sisters undergo medical examinations and training; turtles and tortoises.

30 min

24

Big Day at Busch Gardens

A day in the life of Busch Gardens Tampa; feeding and training animals; a kangaroo; an orangutan.

30 min

25

Meerkat's Manners

An orangutan needs a crucial procedure; feisty meerkat medical checkups and a new habitat.

30 min

26

Baby Update

Updates on a baby zebra, a baby rhino and two giraffe calves, three tiger cubs and two lion cubs.

30 min