Ep 7. Velcro the Incredible

In the sixth season of The Zoo, which follows the daily operations of the Bronx Zoo, episode 7 "Velcro the Incredible" introduces us to the story of an inspiring bird and a dedicated team of zookeepers. The episode focuses on the yellow-eyed penguin named Velcro, who arrived at the Bronx Zoo in 2019 and has captured the hearts of the staff and visitors alike.

Velcro belongs to an endangered species that is native to the coasts of New Zealand, and his arrival to the Bronx Zoo was part of a plan to establish a breeding program to help increase their numbers. However, when Velcro was first brought into the zoo's penguin exhibit, something was clearly wrong. He was having difficulty standing and walking properly, and it was unclear whether he would be able to survive.

The episode follows Velcro's journey as the team of zookeepers works relentlessly to help him regain his strength. They realize that Velcro has a congenital condition that affects his bones, making it difficult for him to move around. To address this issue, they create a custom suit for Velcro that helps support his body and enables him to stand and walk without pain.

The suit, made of neoprene material, fits snugly around Velcro's body and has straps that wrap around his wings. Velcro quickly adapts to wearing the suit and is able to move more easily than ever before. Watching him walk around the exhibit in his suit is a heartwarming sight, both for the zookeepers who put so much effort into helping him and for the visitors who come to see him.

The episode also tells the story of the other penguins in the exhibit, including Velcro's potential mate. Despite his physical limitations, Velcro shows an interest in the female penguins and tries to court them in his own way. The zookeepers are hopeful that the breeding program will be successful, but there are challenges involved in getting two penguins to successfully breed in captivity.

Overall, "Velcro the Incredible" is a touching and inspiring episode of The Zoo that showcases the dedication and perseverance of the Bronx Zoo's team of animal care professionals. It's a testament to the importance of zoological institutions in preserving endangered species and helping animals thrive in environments that are quite different from their natural habitats. Viewers who tune in to this episode are sure to be moved by the story of Velcro and the people who have worked to support him.