8 May 2026
An extra-special episode of Blue Peter featuring Whipsnade Zoo airs this evening.
Come behind the scenes with press officer Anna McConachie for a look at the action, and learn what it takes to film at night in a zoo!
Behind the Scenes
Combining two iconic institutions, the UK’s largest Zoo and the world’s longest-running children’s television programme, this special “Zoo Peter” episode celebrates ZSL’s 200th anniversary with a closer look at life here at Whipsnade Zoo. Tune in to see Blue Peter presenters Shini and Abby take on exciting animal care challenges with a hand from our expert keepers and vets.
Tusk trimming
First up, we set Shini the task of trimming the tusks of the Zoo’s largest animal – Ming Jung, the Asian elephant.
Here at the zoo, we take a really proactive approach to our animal’s health care – so they get regular health checks to make sure we spot anything that might require our help before it gets serious. As part of Ming Jung’s health and wellbeing upkeep, we trim his tusks to stop them becoming overgrown.
Just like our nails, Ming’s tusks grow continuously. Trimming them every so often helps to keep them nice and healthy, as they grow thicker and stronger after each trim.
What’s special about this health check, is that Ming Jung chooses whether to participate or not! Ming Jung is the largest animal at Whipsnade Zoo, so it’s important that everyone is kept safe while he has a tusk-check. His keepers work closely with him every day, so that he’s super comfortable standing still and presenting his tusks to them or the veterinary team - meaning he doesn’t need to be sedated while it takes place. It also means that if he doesn’t fancy it that day, we wait until he’s ready.
Shini got stuck in, and saw that before any trimming can begin, the keepers and vets X-ray the tusk to find out where it’s safe to cut. While the X-rays are taken, the keepers and vets are suited up in protective clothing, and Shini and the crew had to stand well back.
Once the X-ray has been examined by the vets and vet nurses, the trimming could begin!
Shini saw how Ming Jung’s keepers work with him to make sure he is comfortable, and as they know him so well, they can see when he wants a break. Shini helped to reward Ming Jung with tasty snacks while he was having his tusk trimmed, and even helped cut the last part of the tusk off!
Shini holds up the trimmed length of tusk
Veterinary expertise
Back at the vet hospital, Shini put her new animal knowledge to the test with an X-ray guessing game, guided by our vets. Shini examined a variety of X-rays of different creatures, great and small, and she had to do her best to identify who she was looking at. Although it's tough to tell an aye-aye from a squirrel monkey, the vets were impressed that Shini got so many correct.
Shini discovered lots about the important healthcare work that takes place at the Zoo every day, like training a tiger to present their tail for a blood draw, or checking the teeth of a rhino.
After hours night-patrol
As the sun went down, presenter Abby experienced a very different side of the Zoo, embarking on a special night-time patrol equipped with red-filter torches for spotting the animals.
Abby saw first-hand how animal care and conservation is a 24-hour commitment, and she helped to set up activities for the Zoo’s crepuscular animals – these are the species that are more active at dawn and dusk.
As part of the patrol, Abby fed Pembe the bongo some late-evening dinner, stopped by to give Nacho and Tafari the aardvarks some puzzle feeders filled with mealworms to keep them occupied through the night, and checked in on the lions – who were still as active as ever.
To complete the night, Abby learnt about the importance of conservation breeding programmes, stopping to check in on a sleepy Mick, the baby southern white rhino - and the 60th rhino calf to be bred here at our conservation Zoo! Born as part of the conservation breeding programme for his species, Mick is an important boost to the insurance population of white rhinos in zoos; this means that conservation zoos are working together around the world to preserve a strong and healthy population of white rhinos, that can be reintroduced to the wild if needed. Mick is also a bit like a Blue Peter presenter – he’ll help to inspire and educate everyone who comes to see him, helping us raise awareness about the threats wild rhinos are facing, and what you can do to help.
With the help of her trusty ukulele, Abby sang Mick a lullaby to send him off to sleep, completing her night time shift at the Zoo.
Celebrating 200 years of ZSL
The very special ‘Zoo Peter’ episode was filmed to celebrate ZSL’s 200th birthday – two centuries of understanding, protecting and caring for wildlife.
The presenters also visited London Zoo – ZSL’s other conservation zoo, based at ZSL’s headquarters in Regent’s Park in London.
Get Involved
Our episode airs on CBBC at 5pm on Friday 8th May, or can be watched on BBC iPlayer.
Have your own badge? Whipsnade Zoo is one of over 200 attractions around the UK that Blue Peter badge holders can visit for free, enabling families to explore our conservation work first-hand.