The Wildlife Docs Season 5 Episode 9 A Family of Gorillas

The Wildlife Docs is an animal documentary series that takes viewers inside Busch Gardens in Tampa, Florida, to showcase the work of the veterinary team that cares for over 12,000 animals. In season 5 episode 9, "A Family of Gorillas," the focus is on the family of Western lowland gorillas living at the park.

The Western lowland gorilla is a critically endangered species, so the work that the team at Busch Gardens does to care for and protect these animals is especially important. In this episode, viewers get a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to keep this family of gorillas healthy and happy.

The episode starts with a check-up on a baby gorilla named Percy. Percy was born at Busch Gardens a few months ago, and the veterinary team has been monitoring his health closely. In this episode, they give him a physical exam to make sure he's growing and developing properly. They also check in on the mom, Mary, and make sure she's recovering well from giving birth.

Next, we meet the silverback gorilla, Bolingo. Bolingo is the leader of the gorilla family and is important to the park's breeding program. The team examines him to make sure he's in good health and discuss his potential as a breeding male.

The episode also features some of the enrichment activities that the team provides for the gorillas. Enrichment is important to keep the animals mentally stimulated and engaged, and the team uses a variety of methods to keep the gorillas entertained. This includes giving them toys, puzzles, and even ice treats on hot days.

One of the most interesting parts of the episode is when we learn about the training that the gorillas receive. The team uses positive reinforcement training to teach the gorillas basic behaviors that are necessary for their care. For example, the gorillas are trained to present their arms so the veterinary team can give them injections or draw blood. This makes it much easier and less stressful for everyone involved.

Throughout the episode, we also get to see some of the amazing relationships that have formed between the gorillas and their caretakers. The team clearly has a deep affection for these animals, and it's heartwarming to see how much they care for them.

Overall, "A Family of Gorillas" is a fascinating and informative episode of The Wildlife Docs. It's clear that the team at Busch Gardens is doing important work to care for these endangered animals, and it's inspiring to see their dedication and expertise in action.