The Zoo Season 4 Episode 102 A Turtle Isn't Making Friends
- March 15, 2021
- 7 min
The Zoo is an American documentary television series that chronicles the daily operations and behind-the-scenes action of the Bronx Zoo in New York City. In season 4 episode 102, titled "A Turtle Isn't Making Friends," viewers follow the staff as they work to solve a complex problem involving two of the zoo's newest residents.
The episode begins with a look at the zoo's Indian star tortoises, a critically endangered species that the facility is working to conserve. However, despite the best efforts of the staff, one of the tortoises, named Minnie, isn't thriving in her new habitat. While the other tortoises are active and social, Minnie seems to want to avoid them at all costs. This is a major concern for the staff, as the social dynamics of the group are important for their overall health and well-being.
Over the course of the episode, the staff tries a number of different methods to encourage Minnie to socialize with her fellow tortoises. They attempt to introduce her to other species, including a group of Madagascar spider tortoises, in the hopes that she'll find a friend. However, this proves to be unsuccessful, as Minnie remains largely disinterested in the other animals.
The staff also tries to adjust the temperature and lighting in the tortoise habitat to better suit Minnie's needs. They increase the temperature of her basking spot and add additional overhead lighting to simulate the conditions of her natural habitat. While this seems to make her more comfortable, it doesn't do much to encourage her socialization.
As the episode progresses, tensions rise as the staff tries to figure out the best way to help Minnie. They worry that her reluctance to socialize could be a sign of a larger issue, such as an underlying health condition. However, they're also hesitant to intervene too much, as they don't want to disrupt the natural order of the group.
Ultimately, the staff turns to a consultant for guidance on how to proceed. They work with the consultant to create a plan that involves gradually introducing Minnie to different members of the group, starting with the most social tortoise and working their way down. They also experiment with different feeding methods, providing Minnie with her own food bowl rather than having her compete with the others for resources.
As the episode draws to a close, viewers are left to wonder whether or not their efforts will pay off. Will Minnie finally make friends with her fellow tortoises? Or will she remain a loner, content to live out her days in solitude? Only time will tell, and viewers will have to tune in to future episodes of The Zoo to find out.