Plot Synopsis

SECRETS OF THE ZOO is a one-hour docuseries that goes behind the scenes at The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in Ohio, one of the largest and most popular zoos in the country, with pristine land where 10,000 animals span 12,000 acres. In this one-hour series, veterinarian extraordinaire Dr. Priya Bapodra and the zoo staff provide medical care to animals, recover and rehabilitate rescued animals, work to preserve endangered species, and educate the public through its animal ambassador program. Featured animals include an orphaned baby manatee named Aqua rescued from the wild, an injured cheetah, 16 hyacinth and scarlet macaws rescued from Alabama, and much more. SECRETS OF THE ZOO premieres on Sunday, July 29, 2018 from 9-11pm ET/PT on Nat Geo Wild with back-to-back episodes, and the series moves to its regular timeslot -- Sundays at 9pm -- the following week through August 26.

On Sunday, June 2, 2019 at from 9-11pm ET/PT, Nat Geo Wild premiered the second season of SECRETS OF THE ZOO, debuting back-to-back new episodes immediately following a new one-hour special. In the special (8pm), "One Big, Happy Family," the Columbus Zoo keepers form extraordinary bonds with the animals in their charge. In the season opener (9pm), "Penguin's New 'Do," Barry, a penguin stuck in molt for almost a year, has hopefully seen the last of his bad-hair days, and the zoo welcomes their newest veterinarian. Then, in the night's second new episode (10pm), "Love Is a Cheetah Cub," the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium makes room for three adorable new cheetah cubs.

Season 3 of SECRETS OF THE ZOO premiered on Sunday, February 23, 2020 at 9pm ET/PT on Nat Geo Wild. With 2,000 employees, 10,000 animals, 6,000 veterinary cases and more than 100 animal births each year, The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium continues to opens its doors to viewers. In the season opener, "Dhole Lotta Love," a 44-year-old orangutan has the biggest birthday bash of the year at the zoo.

The fourth season of SECRETS OF THE ZOO debuted on October 10, 2020 at 9pm ET/PT on Nat Geo Wild, immediately after a one-hour special. In the season opener< "A Cheetah's Greatest Race," a cheetah fights for its life against a mysterious and debilitating illness, and an elephant is artificially inseminated.
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Season 5 of SECRETS OF THE ZOO premiered on Sunday, May 5, 2022 at 9pm ET/PT on Nat Geo Wild. In the season opener, "Flock Star," a flamingo fights for its life, a cheetah gets a biopsy and keeper love abounds.