WEBVTT

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We're off to California . . .

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where the San Diego Zoo and
Wild Animal Park

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is finding new ways to raise wild
animals.

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Here's a sight you're likely never
to see in the wild.

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A puppy and a lion cub playing
together, peacefully.

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Koza was separated from his
mother at birth . . .

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so keepers put him together with
a puppy named Cairo

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so he would have a companion.

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Randy Rieches works at the San
Diego Zoo.

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He says many wild animals are
social creatures . . .

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which means that when they are
young,

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they need to learn to get along
with others.

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In any instance where you have
a social animal,

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it's always better to pair
something specific with that
animal

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to actually help that animal
psychologically progress into
adulthood.

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For years now, the San Diego
Zoo and Wild Animal Park have
been pairing

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lone wild animals with different,
but compatible, species.

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Majani the cheetah and Clifford
the dog are old friends.

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They were put together as
youngsters years ago . . .

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and now the shy cat feels
comfortable

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when out in public with his
canine companion.

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This young Indian rhino liked to
play . . .

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so keepers found
him a playmate,

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a banteng, a type of large cow.

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Someday this rhino will grow to
be huge,

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weighing about 1800 kilos,

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while the ox will only be about
700.

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But keepers say animals like
these are kept together

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as long as they enjoy each
other's company.

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And the rhino will learn social
skills he'll need

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when it's time to be introduced
to other rhinos.

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On the other hand, Koza and
Cairo will soon be separated.

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Lion cubs grow quickly,

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and today's companion could be
tomorrow's prey.

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You have a lion which is a
predator, a very large predator,

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that at some point in time,
we will have to split them.

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Cross-species friendships don't
happen in the wild . . .

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but they are used sometimes in
zoos as a way to keep social
animals . . . social.