Real Life in the Zoo - Season 8

First aired: 9/20/2025 6 episodes

A behind the scenes look at Wildlands Zoo in Emmen

Episodes

1. Episode 1

Aired: 9/20/2025

The lemurs' peaceful existence is shaken by the arrival of two colorful ruffed lemur brothers, Rufus and Owen. But how will the lemurs react to their new neighbors? The short but impressive life of the Atlas moth Apollo is followed: from egg to voracious caterpillar and finally a beautiful butterfly. But will he manage to reproduce before his time is up? The polar bears dig a den for winter shelter. The women are critical and start over again and again. There's love news for the asian small-clawed otters: Ronnie dreams of a family, but is his young partner Petronella ready for motherhood?

2. Episode 2

Aired: 9/27/2025

Tension is mounting in the lion enclosure. The newborn cub, Zola, has been roughly handled by her aunt and appears paralyzed. Will she ever walk again? The sea lions are once again battling for the rock: who will win the coveted spot in the sun this year? And for the crested ibises, it's a party every day. Rafiki and Nya have their usual "crazy fifteen minutes," during which they raise their crests, spread their wings, and run around as if they have no idea where they're going. But why are they even doing this?

3. Episode 3

Aired: 10/4/2025

Completely unexpectedly, the two youngest elephants in the herd die one after the other from the herpes virus. This also brings great concern for the other two young bulls in the herd. The vicunas are uneasy: after the death of harem leader Kiano, a new male, Rico, is ready to replenish the group. But female vicunas Belita and Uyuni first need to reset, otherwise things could turn out badly for Rico. Thando, the golden teal, has been on his own since the death of his partner. So it's high time to make some friends among the other birds. But who's right for him?

4. Episode 4

Aired: 10/11/2025

Things get exciting on the penguin rock when four-year-old Noa sets her sights on the older penguin Kraaltje. But where do they know each other from? Kunekune pigs Ed and Fred have only one dream: to eat, eat, and eat more. Their favorite dish is endive. Unfortunately for Fred and Ed, their neighbors, the goats, also like it. Will they manage to employ the right tactics and secure their favorite dish? On the savanna, survival of the fittest prevails, and rhinos Diederik, Rolf, and Zimba know this all too well. Is their self-assured behavior natural, or is there something else going on with the three rhinos?

5. Episode 5

Aired: 10/18/2025

The Edwards's pheasant is extinct in the wild, so it's particularly good news when the picky Linh accepts her new mate, Khai, and love blossoms. It's a celebration when, after more than 15 years, another baby hippo is born. Gerard, the oldest baboon male in the Netherlands, lives in Emmen and is celebrating his 25th birthday. How does Gerard manage to survive in this dynamic community where survival of the fittest prevails and fights are commonplace? Raccoon Poes is new to the raccoon enclosure and is having a hard time adjusting to all the other raccoons around him.

6. Episode 6

Aired: 10/25/2025

Black lemurs Lova and Rivo are completely crazy about each other and complement each other in every way. Having offspring would be the icing on the cake of their special relationship, but will it work? Things get tense when giraffe Abidemi, who has arthritis, has to undergo an X-ray to determine the severity of his condition. But with a giraffe, that's not so easy. Young bull elephants Mauk and Manoa live with the large and wise elephant Timber and are apprenticed to him. But then Timber has to leave, and a new male named Yadanar arrives. Will they be able to build such a strong bond with Yadanar?