About this season
"The Wildlife Docs" takes viewers inside the work of zoological professionals -- including veterinarians, technicians and trainers -- at Busch Gardens Tampa, as they care for thousands of exotic animals whose home is the popular tourist destination. The series showcases everything from preventive care to ground-breaking medical procedures, giving viewers the opportunity to observe what the millions of people who visit Bush Gardens each year rarely get to see. The hostess of the weekly half-hour series is actress Rachel Reenstra.
Episodes (26)
1. A Chimp Off the Old Flock
Aired 1 October 2016 • 30 min
The team brings in a cardiologist and a dentist to assist in an aging chimpanzee’s check-up. Plus, a myriad of macaws visit the Animal Care Center.
2. Cheetah with a Tummy Issue
Aired 8 October 2016 • 30 min
A normally speedy cheetah is slowing down, and it’s up to The Wildlife Docs to find out why. Plus, the antelope herds are expanding!
3. Sloth Baby Miracle
Aired 15 October 2016 • 30 min
Join us as two adorable sloth babies are born at the park, and watch the team go to great lengths to make sure the babies get the care they need.
4. Hyena Cub Arrives, Plus Venomous Snakes!
Aired 22 October 2016 • 30 min
An adorable hyena cub joins the Busch Gardens clan! Follow along as he explores his exciting new world… and his first doctor’s appointment. Then, witness teamwork in action as a snake-inspired, spin roller coaster opens at the park.
5. Saving Our Planet's Sharks
Aired 29 October 2016 • 30 min
Join Dr. Dominique as she journeys to Mexico on a shark research expedition with world famous conservationist and artist, Guy Harvey. Follow along as she dives with Guy to help study the fastest shark in the water… the mako!
6. Global Rescue Efforts in Cambodia
Aired 5 November 2016 • 30 min
The Wildlife Docs travel to Cambodia to support wild animal rescue and emergency care efforts for tigers and elephants. Join the Docs as they study exotic Asian tigers, and then provide expertise as an orphaned elephant baby receives a prosthetic leg.
7. Rarely Seen Cambodian Wildlife
Aired 12 November 2016 • 30 min
Cambodia has a high success rate in returning rescued wildlife back to the jungle. Join The Wildlife Docs as they visit this exotic land and assist in saving animals that are rarely seen, like pangolins and langurs.
8. Sun Bear's Secret
Aired 19 November 2016 • 30 min
Cambodian school children discover new ways to save wild animals. The Wildlife Docs visit their enchanting country and help the kids identify gibbons, sun bears, tigers and different types of monkeys.
9. What Do Armadillos, Sloths & Anteaters Have in Common
Aired 14 January 2017 • 30 min
Discover what an armadillo, a sloth and an anteater all have in common. Follow along as they go into training to participate in their own health care. Plus, witness a ground dwelling bird take flight.
10. Tuxedo Turk & Two Bobcats
Aired 21 January 2017 • 30 min
A penguin with breathing issues needs a CT scan to find out what’s causing the problem. Then, two wild bobcats are rescued, but in need of help from The Wildlife Docs.
11. Hopping Around the South Pacific
Aired 28 January 2017 • 30 min
A female, red kangaroo needs a root canal. Plus, we’ll introduce you to some cute, colorful and camouflaged birds from the South Pacific.
12. Amazing Surgeries
Aired 4 February 2017 • 30 min
When a female cheetah fractures her hip, a specialist is called in to perform surgery. Then, a young flamingo requires surgery to repair a leg injury while a hyena needs a hysterectomy. Plus, a delicate procedure is performed on a kudu to remove cancer from her eye.
13. Leapin' Lemurs
Aired 11 February 2017 • 30 min
Follow along as we visit The Duke Lemur Center to find out about the important work being done to save this endangered species. Plus, meet three baby lemurs!
14. Three Lions and a Bush Baby
Aired 18 February 2017 • 30 min
Witness how fast lions grow up, and then, a lioness needs to visit The Wildlife Docs. Plus, we’ll introduce you to the park’s newest bush baby!
15. Caring for Cambodian Wildlife
Aired 25 February 2017 • 30 min
On an expedition to the jungles of Cambodia, The Wildlife Docs witness the conservation work being done to save wild elephants, bears, snakes, gibbons, monkeys and other endangered wildlife.
16. From One Baby Gorilla to Another
Aired 4 March 2017 • 30 min
There’s a new baby gorilla at the park! Witness family dynamics, as a two year old, male gorilla meets the new addition. Plus, a giant anteater is having issues with his heart.
17. The Primate and the Frog
Aired 11 March 2017 • 30 min
Samantha, one of the chimps at the park, has a wound that won’t heal so the Docs must perform surgery. Then, discover all kinds of frog facts. Plus, a smokey jungle frog has a leg issue.
18. Wildlife Rescues
Aired 1 April 2017 • 30 min
The Wildlife Docs are called on to help with some local, Tampa wildlife. First, the team assists in the rescue and care of a mother bear and her two cubs. Then, a wild emu with an injured neck and a loon with a fishing hook stuck in its throat, both need emergency surgery.
19. Busch's Baby Buggy Bumpers
Aired 8 April 2017 • 30 min
Follow along as we investigate the digestive differences between a meat-eating hyena cub and baby sloth that prefers a leafy green diet. Plus… a tarantula, a scorpion and a millipede visit The Wildlife Docs.
20. Giraffe and Flamingos: A Tall Order
Aired 15 April 2017 • 30 min
Witness the unique ways the team trains the giraffe herd in order to keep them healthy. Plus, meet the three new Chilean flamingo chicks that are on their way to becoming animal ambassadors for their species.
21. Two Lemurs and a Cuscus
Aired 22 April 2017 • 30 min
A red ruffed lemur visits The Wildlife Docs for her annual exam while a mongoose lemur needs a root canal. Then, we’ll introduce you to “Berko,” a ground cuscus.
22. 100th Episode
Aired 29 April 2017 • 30 min
Celebrate 100 episodes of The Wildlife Docs as we look back on the births of baby tigers, gorillas, lemurs, cheetahs and more. Relive conservation expeditions with the team as they help elephants, lions, sloths and even sharks!
23. Doc's Favorites
Aired 6 May 2017 • 30 min
The Wildlife Docs each share a memorable animal procedure. First, Dr. Pete performs a dental exam on a large hippo, while Dr. Dominique deals with a much smaller patient in a lesser bush baby. Then Dr. Mike makes a house call to the elephant herd, and Dr. Maria assists in a wildebeest calf delivery.
24. A Tiger's Tale
Aired 13 May 2017 • 30 min
A 350-pound Malayan tiger visits the Animal Care Center for his annual exam. Plus, we’ll introduce you to a slow loris and find out what’s being done to save them from extinction.
25. Great Apes & Great Rescues
Aired 20 May 2017 • 30 min
Meet the orangutans at the park, and follow a young orangutan on his voyage from New Zealand to Tampa. Then, a wild falcon has been hit by a car and needs surgery. Plus, witness the journey of an orphaned bobcat from rescue and rehab, to his return to the wild.
26. On a Wing & a Predator
Aired 27 May 2017 • 30 min
A young hyena cub has injured her elbow so the Docs must perform surgery. Plus, several species of water-dwelling birds visit The Wildlife Docs for their annual exams.