Ep 8. Mandrill of the House

In this episode of Secrets of the Zoo season 3, titled "Mandrill of the House", the staff at the Columbus Zoo are getting ready for a big event – the arrival of a new baby mandrill. The mandrill troop at the zoo is one of the largest in the United States, and they’re always up to something interesting.

The episode begins with some exciting news – one of the mandrills is pregnant and due to give birth at any moment. The staff is on high alert, watching closely for any signs of labor. As they wait, they talk about the importance of mandrills in the wild and the conservation efforts being made to protect these amazing animals. Mandrills are critically endangered, so every new birth is cause for celebration.

As the day progresses, the staff grows increasingly anxious as the mandrill shows no signs of going into labor. They decide to take her to the vet for an ultrasound, but the mandrill doesn’t seem to want to go. The staff members have to use all their tricks to get her to come with them, including offering her snacks and playing her favorite music. But eventually, they manage to get her into a transport crate and off to the vet.

At the vet, the ultrasound reveals some surprising news – the mandrill isn’t actually pregnant! The staff is shocked and confused, but the vet explains that mandrills can sometimes display pregnancy symptoms even when they’re not actually carrying a baby. The staff is relieved, but also a little disappointed – they were looking forward to another cute and cuddly addition to the troop.

Despite the false alarm, there’s still plenty to do at the zoo. One of the mandrills has been diagnosed with a heart condition, so the staff is taking extra measures to keep him healthy, including giving him medication and monitoring his activity levels. They also have to find a new home for one of the younger mandrills, who has outgrown her current enclosure and needs more space to roam.

As the day comes to a close, the staff reflects on everything they’ve learned about mandrills and the important role they play in the ecosystem. They talk about how much they love working with these amazing animals and how lucky they feel to be able to do so. And even though there was no new baby mandrill to celebrate, there’s still a sense of joy and satisfaction in the knowledge that they’re doing meaningful work to help protect these critically endangered animals.

Overall, "Mandrill of the House" is a fascinating look at life behind the scenes at the Columbus Zoo. Between the unexpected twist with the phantom pregnancy, the careful monitoring of the sick mandrill, and the challenges of finding a new home for the young one, there’s never a dull moment. And throughout it all, the staff’s passion and dedication to these animals shines through. It’s sure to be a hit with animal lovers and fans of Secrets of the Zoo alike.