Ep 1. Dhole Lotta Love

In Dhole Lotta Love, the season 3 premiere of Secrets of the Zoo, viewers are introduced to a new cast of animal characters at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. The episode focuses on the conservation efforts for the endangered dhole, also known as the Asiatic wild dog.

The episode kicks off with the arrival of two dholes, a male named Gopal and a female named Sita. The pair are introduced to their new exhibit and immediately start to explore their surroundings. However, their immediate curiosity turns to tension as they begin to assert their dominance over one another.

Meanwhile, a team of veterinarians is brought in to perform a health check on the zoo's resident rhinoceros, Rosie. The vets discover that Rosie has an infection and must be brought in for surgery. The team quickly mobilizes to transport the large mammal to the veterinary hospital on-site, where she undergoes a successful procedure.

Back at the dhole exhibit, Gopal and Sita's tension turns to aggression, and zookeepers must intervene to separate the two. Over the course of the episode, the dholes must adjust to their new living situation and learn to coexist peacefully.

Elsewhere in the zoo, a young giraffe named Fahari is being hand-raised by the animal care team. Fahari was born prematurely and requires extra attention to thrive. The zookeepers must bottle-feed her and monitor her progress closely to ensure that she grows up happy and healthy.

The episode also highlights the work being done to conserve a species of frog native to Costa Rica. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is partnering with a local university to breed the frogs in captivity and ultimately release them into the wild to bolster their population.

Throughout the episode, viewers are given a behind-the-scenes look at the day-to-day operations of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. From performing health checks on animals to designing and managing exhibits, the dedicated staff works tirelessly to ensure the wellbeing of the animals under their care.

With stunning footage of the animals in their natural habitat and informative interviews with the zookeepers and veterinarians, Secrets of the Zoo season 3 episode 1 offers a captivating look at the inner workings of one of the country's most beloved zoos.