The Secret Life of the Zoo: Season 3, Episode 5

3 - 5: Episode 5

Rhino Kifaru is attempting to mate, despite his arthritic knees, tapir Jenny falls ill, widowed porcupine Roxy meets a new, younger mate, and a flamingo chick goes missing. At 32, Kifaru is the oldest eastern black rhino at Chester Zoo. The species has been hunted to near-extinction, with only 600 left in the wild, but Chester has a successful breeding programme. Kifaru is introduced to younger female Malindi, in the hope that they will produce offspring. But Malindi is taller and 150kg heavier than Kifaru, so mating with her is challenging. Lowland tapir Jenny has been with her partner Cuzco for 25 years: one of the longest relationships in the zoo. The couple live with their most recent offspring, two-year-old male Zathras, and 18-month-old Inca. But Jenny has been plagued by a troublesome cough, and seems to be losing weight.