Zoo Juniors

Today in Berlin, baby giraffe Jule is giving her keeper the run around, while hand-reared capuchin monkey Sina just wants her family to accept her and young Akili experiences her first trip outside to the rhinos' private enclosure.

It takes all sorts to make a zoo. The hippos enjoy a coolling swim in their Olympic-sized pool while across the city the keepers search for an orphaned aardvark born during the night. In the Animal Park, a bambi look-alike makes a starring appearance.

Getting to know the rules of zoo life takes some animals longer than others. The young elephants are particularly mischievous and the capybaras give their keepers a tough time but in the indoor stalls, keeper Thomas is working with his favourite species, the calm and gentle okapis.

Zoo Juniors need to be independent, like orphaned capuchin monkey Sina. They need to obey the rules, which the elephants just cannot understand and, most importantly, they have to treat their keepers with respect.

Living together has its ups and downs. The two newborn male giraffes cannot be let out together so one has to remain indoors. The tamarins are happy to welcome their latest offspring to the troupe and the coatis are learning that climbing trees should come with an instruction manual.

Climbing trees is second nature to the American black bear cubs but their antics make their keepers nervous. The hippos enjoy an afternoon snack in the pool and Evita the anteater is bottle fed, which takes two keepers and hours of patience.

Play is a big part of growing up for most species. Today, the dingo family plays rough and tumble together while Zamuco the peccary pig and Xena the Diana monkey get first class attention from their personal keepers.

Zoo Juniors come in all shapes and sizes from the rare Chinese leopard twins who are part of the Zoo's international breeding programme, to the shy okapi infant at the Animal Park. There are even long-eared goats and Hungarian sheep. It takes all sorts to make a zoo.

Every Zoo Junior is special. The langurs and their beautiful orange fur always attract visitors. Leopard cub Timang is a big character for a tiny cat and Xena, the Diana monkey is so special she gets to go home with her keeper.

Zoo Juniors enjoy first class meals and personal service, like Zamuco who is bottle fed in the keepers' staff room, the hippos who have the enormous swimming pool all to themselves, or the capuchins who receive 5-star pampering.