Meet the stars of Animal Planet's "The Zoo" season two

USA TODAY Published 7:45 a.m. ET March 6, 2018

Asian small-clawed otters are the smallest species of otter in the world. Julie Larsen Maher © WCS

They can be seen in both the Children’s Zoo and in JungleWorld at the Bronx Zoo. This is a species featured in season 2 of Animal Planet’s “The Zoo.” Julie Larsen Maher © WCS

Fullscreen

This female aardvark, Amani, is featured in season 2 of Animal Planet’s “The Zoo.” She lives in the Bronx Zoo’s Carter Giraffe Building. Julie Larsen Maher © WCS

Fullscreen

This snow leopard cub was born with a condition called swimmer’s syndrome. Julie Larsen Maher © WCS

Fullscreen

Season 2 of Animal Planet’s “The Zoo” tells the story of this cub and the physical therapy it received. The Bronx Zoo was the first to exhibit this species in 1903 and has successfully produced more than 70 cubs. Julie Larsen Maher © WCS

Fullscreen

The slow loris is a nocturnal primate species. The species is featured in Season 2 of Animal Planet’s “The Zoo.” Julie Larsen Maher © WCS

Fullscreen

They are on exhibit in JungleWorld at the Bronx Zoo. Julie Larsen Maher © WCS

Fullscreen

The Bronx Zoo currently has five juvenile western lowland gorillas in Congo Gorilla Forest. Admission to this state-of-the-art directly funds WCS’s field conservation programs in Africa. Julie Larsen Maher © WCS

Fullscreen

Since it opened in 1999, it has raised more than $14 million for conservation. Julie Larsen Maher © WCS

Fullscreen

American bison play a significant role in the history of the Bronx Zoo. In the early 1900s when bison were nearly extinct, The Bronx Zoo was instrumental in re-establishing the species in the American west. Season 1 of Animal Planet’s “THE ZOO” tells the story of how the Bronx Zoo is continuing its work with the species and using an embryo transfer technique to create a herd of pure bison. Julie Larsen Maher © WCS

Fullscreen

This is one of the two Malayan tiger cubs born at the Bronx Zoo in 2016. Julie Larsen Maher © WCS

Fullscreen

The cubs were hand raised by zoo staff because their mother was not providing adequate care. The story of these cubs was told in season 1 of Animal Planet’s “The Zoo” and viewers can see an update in season 2. Julie Larsen Maher © WCS

Fullscreen

The gelada species is native to the highlands of Ethiopia. The Bronx Zoo is the only U.S. zoo breeding the species and only one of two that exhibits them. This baby was born at the Bronx Zoo’s Baboon Reserve in 2017. Julie Larsen Maher © WCS

Fullscreen

The Komodo dragon is the largest monitor lizard in the world. They can be seen at the Bronx Zoo in the historic Zoo Center. This is a species featured in Season 2 of Animal Planet’s “The Zoo.” Julie Larsen Maher © WCS

Fullscreen

Little penguins are the smallest of the 17 species of penguins. Little penguins are also known as little blue penguins and fairy penguins. The species is native to Australia. They are part of storylines in both season 1 and season 2 of Animal Planet’s “The Zoo.” Julie Larsen Maher © WCS

Fullscreen

This male lesser bird of paradise has beautiful plumage that it uses to attract females. The Bronx Zoo is working to breed this species and that story is told in season 2 of Animal Planet’s “The Zoo.” Julie Larsen Maher © WCS

Fullscreen

Kihansi spray toads were declared extinct in the wild after the construction of a hydroelectric dam in Tanzania. The Bronx Zoo and the Toledo Zoo have been breeding this species for reintroduction to its native habitat. In season 1, Animal Planet followed Bronx Zoo staff to Tanzania to release toads back into the wild. Julie Larsen Maher © WCS

Fullscreen

Six American bison calves were born at the Bronx Zoo in 2017. The calves were born to a herd of seven females and one male that were gifted to “The Zoo” by the Assiniboine and Sioux tribes in Ft. Peck Montana. Julie Larsen Maher © WCS

Fullscreen

Slender-horned gazelles are an endangered species and threatened by poaching for their meat and horns. A handful of AZA accredited zoos, including the Bronx Zoo, started a breeding program for the species. Julie Larsen Maher © WCS

Fullscreen

Today, there are about 100 living in AZA zoos. This is a species featured in season 2 of Animal Planet’s “The Zoo.” Julie Larsen Maher © WCS

Fullscreen

Gaur are the world’s largest wild cattle. This species can be seen along with many other Asian animals from the Bronx Zoo’s Wild Asia Monorail, which takes riders through more than 40 acres of Asian-themed exhibits. Julie Larsen Maher © WCS

Fullscreen

The Indian gharial is an endangered crocodilian that can be seen in the Bronx Zoo’s river exhibit in JungleWorld. This is a species featured in season 2 of Animal Planet’s "The Zoo." Julie Larsen Maher © WCS

Fullscreen

The electric blue gecko can be seen in the Bronx Zoo’s Reptile House. The Bronx Zoo has a successful breeding program for these colorful geckos. Julie Larsen Maher © WCS

Fullscreen

Like this topic? You may also like these photo galleries:

Replay

Autoplay

Show Thumbnails

Show Captions

Last Slide Next Slide

Animal Planet's The Zoo series reveals what it's like running one of America's most famous zoos, the Bronx Zoo. The Zoo's first season took viewers behind the scenes to show how zookeepers interacted with the true stars of both the series and the zoo, the animals. Season two, debuting on March 10 at 9 PM ET/PT on Animal Planet, will introduce the stories of all new animal stars, seen in the gallery above, as well as update how season one's animals are getting along.

Looking for more reasons to visit your local zoo? These adorable zoo babies were born this past winter:

Family portrait: these eight cheetah cubs were born November 26 at the Saint Louis Zoo. Carolyn Kelly, Saint Louis Zoo

Fullscreen

The eight cheetah cubs born at the Saint Louis Zoo are awaiting their public debut. Carolyn Kelly, Saint Louis Zoo

Fullscreen

This cute face belongs to the little Angolan colobus monkey girl who was born on October 20, 2017 at Zoo Atlanta. Here, she’s two months old. Kathryn Scime, Zoo Atlanta

Fullscreen

These three meerkat pups were born at the Brevard Zoo in Melbourne, Florida on December 4. Elliot Zirulnik

Fullscreen

A proud mama with her meerkat pups at the Brevard Zoo. Elliot Zirulnik

Fullscreen

A Nile hippopotamus was born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018. This was the first hippo born at the park in 13 years, marking another success for the dedicated and highly trained team of Walt Disney World animal care experts. David Roark, Disney

Fullscreen

This Bennett's Wallaby, who was born in October 2017, can be seen in the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's Australian Adventure. Kyle Lanzer, Cleveland Metroparks

Fullscreen

Western grey kangaroos born in the Fall of 2017 at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo recently graduated from their mothers' pouches Kyle Lanzer, Cleveland Metroparks

Fullscreen

This little Hartmann's Mountain Zebra was born October 20, 2017 at B. Bryan Preserve in Point Arena, California. The preserve is open for tours. Judy Mello

Fullscreen

This little Gerenuk was born December 8, 2017 at the Phoenix Zoo. Phoenix Zoo

Fullscreen

Just before the end of 2017, this little boy, a colobus monkey, was born at the Saint Louis Zoo. Ethan Riepl, Saint Louis Zoo

Fullscreen

Azinza, a Western lowland gorilla, was born December 13, 2017 in Great EscApe at the Oklahoma City Zoo. Gillian Lang

Fullscreen

Azinza, a Western lowland gorilla, is ready for her closeup in Great EscApe at the Oklahoma City Zoo. Gillian Lang

Fullscreen

Llama Cria was born to a first-time mom in November 2017 at Animal Adventure Park in Harpursville, New York. Jordan Patch

Fullscreen

Anala and Jeda pounce on mom for a bit of playtime on a recent morning at Animal Kingdom. Susan B. Barnes

Fullscreen

Anala and Jeda at play in Animal Kingdom. Susan B. Barnes

Fullscreen

Jeda hides (or tries to) before pouncing on his sister. Susan B. Barnes

Fullscreen

Anala and Jeda’s caretakers say that Anala likes to stay close to mama. Here, she walks with Sohni. Susan B. Barnes

Fullscreen

This male aardvark named Winsol was born December 21, 2017, the Winter Solstice, at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. DJJAM Photo

Fullscreen

It’s nap time for Winsol at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. DJJAM Photo

Fullscreen

This male Dama gazelle calf, born on January 14, 2018, is the first of two calves born at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in January. Dama gazelles are critically endangered and the rarest of all gazelles. Grahm S. Jones, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

Fullscreen

Male Warthog RJ, born October 15, 2017 at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, is an animal ambassador making appearances with Jungle Jack Hanna. Grahm S. Jones, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

Fullscreen

RJ, a male warthog, lounges at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. Grahm S. Jones, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

Fullscreen

Take a look at these two Dama gazelles calves, born January 14 and 17, 2018, at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. Dama gazelles are critically endangered and are the rarest of all gazelles. Grahm S. Jones, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

Fullscreen

Forest, a male okapi calf, was born December 4, 2017 at Denver Zoo. He is one of five okapis at the zoo. Denver Zoo

Fullscreen

Happy New Year! This female Baird's Tapir calf was born January 1, 2018 at the Franklin Park Zoo in Boston. Zoo New England

Fullscreen

Mama Abby and her Baird’s Tapir calf, yet unnamed. The little girl was born January 1 at the Franklin Park Zoo in Boston. Zoo New England

Fullscreen

This penguin chick was born in December 2017 at the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta. Georgia Aquarium

Fullscreen

This sea lion pup was born October 30, 2017 at the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta. Georgia Aquarium

Fullscreen

Eleven green mantella froglets completed their transformation into frogs just after the new year in the Reptile and Amphibian House at the Houston Zoo. Stephanie Adams, Houston Zoo

Fullscreen

This female okapi calf was born November 10, 2017 at the Los Angeles Zoo. Los Angeles Zoo

Fullscreen

Maggie, a Nyala, was born in November 2017 at Memphis Zoo. Memphis Zoo

Fullscreen

This moon jelly was born on Thanksgiving 2017 at Mote Aquarium in Sarasota, Florida. Conor Goulding, Mote Marine Lab

Fullscreen

Isabel, a giant anteater pup, was born October 22, 2017 at Nashville Zoo. You can see Isabel and her mom, Praim, behind the scenes on the backstage pass tour. Dr. Margarita Colburn

Fullscreen

This little African penguin chick is a New Year’s baby, born on January 1, 2018 at the Northeastern Wisconsin Zoo (NEW Zoo). Tricia Schucart at NEW Zoo

Fullscreen

This New Caledonian Gecko can be spotted in the Herpetarium Nursssery at the Oklahoma City Zoo. Sabrina Heise

Fullscreen

This cotton top tamarin was born October 26, 2017 at the Phoenix Zoo. John Qoyawayma

Fullscreen

On December 26, 2017, this Dalmatian pelican chick was born at the Phoenix Zoo. Tara Sprankle

Fullscreen

A baby monster? This gila monster was born October 22, 2017 at the Phoenix Zoo. Matt Teitgen

Fullscreen

Can you spot the giant spiny stick baby that hatched January 1, 2018 at the Saint Louis Zoo? Saint Louis Zoo

Fullscreen

This little anteater, born October 9, 2017, hitches a ride at the San Antonio Zoo. San Antonio Zoo

Fullscreen

These two female lion cubs were born October 21, 2017 at Sedgwick County Zoo in Wichita, Kansas. Sedgwick County Zoo

Fullscreen

A mama Sumatran orangutan snuggles with her baby, born January 18, 2018 at the Sedgwick County Zoo in Wichita, Kansas. Sedgwick County Zoo

Fullscreen

Mom Dee Dee snuggles her baby Bornean orangutan girl who was born January 6, 2018 at Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo. Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo

Fullscreen

Mom Zsa Zsa with her baby female pygmy hippo, named Holly Berry, at Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo. Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo

Fullscreen

Holly Berry, a pygmy hippo, was born on December 1, 2017 at Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo. Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo

Fullscreen

Say hello to this little cheetah, born November 12, 2017 at Tanganyika Wildlife Park near Wichita, Kansas. Lucas Knauss

Fullscreen

This baby giraffe was born December 22, 2017 at Tanganyika Wildlife Park near Wichita, Kansas. Lucas Knauss

Fullscreen

This African penguin chick hatched on January 4 and is the 996th to hatch at The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore since 1967. Sinclair Miller

Fullscreen

Meet the 988th, 989th, 990th and 991st African penguin chicks to hatch at The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore since 1967. They hatched on October 14, November 2 (2) and November 5, 2017. Sinclair Miller

Fullscreen

A female sitatunga calf named Peggy was born October 16, 2017 to mom Lela at The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore. Sinclair Miller, Maryland Zoo

Fullscreen

Ruby, another female sitatunga calf, was born October 9, 2017 to mom Remy at The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore. Sinclair Miller, Maryland Zoo in Baltimore

Fullscreen

Meet Gordon, one of four Southern white rhino calves born at The Wilds between October and December 2017. He is the 20th rhino to be born at The Wilds in Cumberland, Ohio since 2004. Grahm S. Jones, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

Fullscreen

This male Dromedary camel, named Rupert, was born to mom Lucy in January 2018 at Animal Adventure Park in Harpursville, New York. Jordan Patch

Fullscreen

This male eland calf born at The Wilds on January 16, 2018 is the first eland born at The Wilds in 17 years. Grahm S. Jones, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

Fullscreen

Gilman, a Southern white rhino calf, was born November 16, 2017 at The Wilds in Cumberland, Ohio. Grahm S. Jones, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

Fullscreen

Tebogo, a Botswanan name meaning “we are thankful,” was born November 19, 2017. He is the third of four rhino calves born at The Wilds between October and December 2017. Grahm S. Jones, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

Fullscreen

Southern white rhino calf Faith, was born October 5, 20017, and is the first of four rhino calves born at The Wilds from October through December 2017. Grahm S. Jones, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

Fullscreen

Monkonzi, a male Western lowland gorilla, was born November 23, 2017 at the Toledo Zoo & Aquarium. Monkonzi means governor in Swahili. Toledo Zoo & Aquarium

Fullscreen