.svg){kind=logo}
Transcript: Lemurs
Text reads “TVO Kids” and “Fifth Ground Entertainment.” “Original.”
[Upbeat music plays]
A child says, WHEE!
[Giggling]
Text reads “Leo’s Pollinators.”
Leo, an animated fish with a blue back and red stomach, floats in front of a screen that reads, “Leo’s Polinators Explorer Club. TVOkids Presents.” A boy with short brown hair wears a grey shirt with blue sleeves. He smiles as he leans forward. A girl wears her red hair pinned away from her face. She wears a red shirt.
[Energetic music plays, whoosh, buzzing]
Leo says, IT'S ME, LEO!
THE EXPLORER CLUB
IS ON A NEW MISSION.
WE'RE HELPING THE POLLINATORS,
THOSE AMAZING CREATURES
WHO MOVE POLLEN FROM ONE
PLANT, TO ANOTHER.
POLLEN IS THE STUFF THAT
HELPS MAKE OUR FRUITS,
VEGETABLES, AND FLOWERS.
[Whoosh, buzzing]
Leo says, WITHOUT OUR POLLINATORS,
FLYING, BUZZING, SLITHERING
AROUND, WE'D ALL BE GOING
HUNGRY. EVEN ME!
HOUSTEN AND CHLOE ARE IN THE
FIELDS HELPING THE EXPERTS.
SO, GRAB YOUR BOOTS AND YOUR
NET, AND YOU CAN BE A
POLLINHEAD, TOO.
Text reads, “Leo’s Pollinators Explorer Club.”
A voice says, COME ONE, COME ALL!
Leo says, THE POLLINATOR AT THE
TOP OF THE 'NATOR NAVIGATOR
IS A REAL SHOW-STOPPER!
NOT ONLY IS IT THE LARGEST
POLLINATOR IN THE WORLD,
IT'S FROM AN ISOLATED
AFRICAN ISLAND.
I DARE YOU TO GUESS!
White question marks appear on a blue background.
[Popping]
Leo says, DRUM ROLL, PLEASE!
[Cymbal dings, cheering, applause]
A black and white lemur has bright yellow eyes. Text beneath the lemur reads, “Lemur.”
Leo says, THAT'S RIGHT!
IT'S THE TRULY AMAZING LEMUR!
An orange circle shows Madagascar on a map.
Leo says, THESE FASCINATING
POLLINATING PRIMATES
ONLY LIVE IN MADAGASCAR,
THE VERY SPECIAL ISLAND
OFF OF EAST AFRICA.
[Camera clicks]
Leo says, LEMURS HELP WITH
POLLINATION ACROSS THE
ISLAND. MEET THE MOUSE LEMUR,
WHO'S THE SIZE OF A MOUSE.
A small grey lemur clings to a branch. Two black and white lemurs stand on a branch.
Leo says, AND THEN, THERE'S THE
BLACK AND WHITE RUFFED LEMUR,
WHO'S THE LARGEST POLLINATOR
IN THE WORLD!
Leo says, AND THEN, THERE'S THE
FAMOUS RING-TAILED LEMUR. THE
POLLINHEADS ARE HELPING
DAINA LIEPA, AT THE STORY BOOK
FARM SANCTUARY CARE FOR THESE
ENDANGERED POLLINATORS.
Daina smiles. She wears her grey hair loose. She wears a white tee-shirt with the text, “Born to be wild” on the front.
Housten says, HI, LITTLE BUDDY!
Leo says, AND WE KNOW
THAT ENDANGERED MEANS
THAT THE NUMBER OF ANIMALS
REMAINING IS DECREASING,
OR BECOMING EXTINCT!
WE WANNA KNOW WHAT WE CAN
DO TO PREVENT THEIR EXTINCTION.
SO, LET'S LEMUR!
[Whoosh]
Chloe ask, DAINA, HOW COME
THE STORY BOOK FARM ENDED
UP TAKING CARE OF LEMURS?
Daina says, UNFORTUNATELY,
THERE'S SOMETHING CALLED
THE EXOTIC PET TRADE AND
LEMURS, PARTICULARLY
RING-TAILED LEMURS,
ARE VERY MUCH A PART OF THAT.
Housten says, THEY CERTAINLY
ARE CUTE!
Daina says, THEY ARE VERY CUTE,
AND THAT'S PART OF THE REASON
THAT THEY'RE SO POPULAR,
BUT THEY'RE WILD ANIMALS,
AND WHEN PEOPLE REALIZE
THAT THEY DON'T MAKE GOOD
PETS THEN THEY'RE BROUGHT
HERE TO THE SANCTUARY.
Housten asks, SO, WHAT WOULD
HAPPEN IF THESE LEMURS
MADE IT BACK TO THE WILD?
Daina explains, THEY WOULDN'T
DO VERY WELL BECAUSE WHEN
THEY ARE BRED IN CAPTIVITY,
THEY NEVER LEARN HOW TO LOOK
AFTER THEMSELVES. FORTUNATELY,
WE CAN GIVE THEM A GOOD LIFE
HERE - THEY CAN BE OUT CLIMBING
IN THE TREES, BUT THEY'RE NOT
ABLE TO DO THE POLLINATING, AND
THE WORK THAT THEY'RE SUPPOSED
TO DO IN THE WILD.
Chloe says, SO, NOT ONLY WOULD
THEY BE MISSED BY THEIR FAMILY,
BUT THEY WOULDN'T BE ABLE
TO HELP KEEP THE PLANTS IN THE
AREA POLLINATED.
Daina says, EXACTLY.
Daina, Housten and Chloe stand by a fence.
[Camera clicking]
Daina says, HERE THEY ALL ARE.
COLETTE. MARWOOD. AND BOB.
Three lemurs move in the enclosure. Text beneath Colette reads, “Colette. Leader. Protector.” “Marwood. Playful. Carefree.” “Bob. Curious. Adventurous.”
Housten says, WOW!
HE'S JUST SITTING DOWN
ON HIS CHAIR.
[Housten chuckles]
Daina says, LEMURS ARE VERY
OFTEN SEEN SITTING IN THIS
YOGA POSE IN THE SUN, WHICH
THEY LOVE TO DO.
[Camera clicks]
Housten says, CUTE!
Daina says, COLETTE IS AT THE
BACK THERE, SHE'S THE FEMALE,
AND IN THE LEMUR WORLD,
THE FEMALE IS THE BOSS.
Housten says, WOW.
[Chloe giggles, chittering]
Daina says, SHE WOULD, IN THE
WILD, DETERMINE WHERE THE
TROOP WILL MOVE, AND THE BOYS
LISTEN TO HER.
ALSO, WHEN IT COMES TO FOOD,
SHE GETS FIRST DIBS.
Chloe says, OH, WELL, I UNDERSTAND.
I MEAN, I'M KINDA THE BOSS OF MY
BROTHERS, SO.
[Laughter]
Chloe says, I ALSO NOTICE THAT
YOU'VE GOT A BUNCH OF THE
TOYS HERE.
Daina says, YES, SO IN THE WILD,
THEY WOULD BE CLIMBING TREES
OR FORAGING IN THE GROUND
SO, WE GIVE THEM OPPORTUNITIES
LIKE THAT. IT'S CALLED ENRICHMENT.
ENRICHMENT IS ANYTHING
THAT WE PROVIDE FOR THEM
TO MAKE THEIR LIVES A LITTLE
MORE INTERESTING.
Housten and Chloe put on blue gloves. They stand by a table with vegetables scattered across it.
Daina says, BECAUSE IN THE WILD,
THEY WOULDN'T BE HANDED
A PLATE OF FOOD, WOULD THEY?
Chloe shakes her head and says,NO.
Daina says, SO, INSTEAD,
WE'LL TAKE A PINE CONE
AND STICK DRIED CRANBERRIES
AS FAR AS YOU CAN, ONE THING
TO REMEMBER ABOUT ENRICHMENT,
IT'S NOT DINNER, IT'S A TREAT.
SO, WE DON'T WANT TO PUT IN
TOO MUCH, BECAUSE WE DON'T
WANT THEM TO GET FAT, OR
GET DIABETES.
[Birds chirp]
Housten, Chloe, and Daina push cranberries into the openings in pine cones. Daina ties a string around a pine cone.
Daina says, ANOTHER KIND OF
ENRICHMENT, IS SOMETHING
LIKE THIS.
Daina holds an empty brown paper towel roll with long grass poking out of both ends.
Chloe says, COOL!
Daina says, AND WE COULD USE
THESE FLOWERS WHICH WOULD
HELP WITH THE POLLINATING
THAT THEY WOULD DO IN THE
WILD. ALSO LOOKS PRETTY.
[Housten and Chloe laugh]
Chloe says, YEAH.
I LIKE MAKING MINE
LOOK PRETTY, TOO.
[Whoosh]
Housten says, I READ
THAT LEMURS MOSTLY LIVE
ON FRUIT AND NECTAR IN
THE WILD.
AND SOME ALSO EAT INSECTS,
SPIDERS, GRASSHOPPERS,
SMALL BIRDS, AND CHAMELEONS!
Daina says, WOW, I'M REALLY
IMPRESSED. YOU'VE REALLY
DONE YOUR HOMEWORK.
THIS OTHER PIECE OF ENRICHMENT
WE'LL JUST ADD SOME TREATS IN
THE BOTTLES AND THEN, THE LEMURS
WILL SPIN THE BOTTLE SO THAT THE
TREATS WILL FALL OUT, LIKE THAT.
Daina spins a bottle. Chloe puts a treat in one of the bottles.
[Thump]
Daina says, IF IT'S SOMETHING NEW
IN THEIR ENCLOSURE THAT THEY
HAVEN'T SEEN BEFORE, THEY WILL
DEFINITELY CHECK IT OUT.
[Upbeat music plays, whooshing]
Chloe asks, HOW MANY TYPES OF
LEMURS ARE THERE IN MADAGASCAR?
Daina says, THERE ARE ABOUT
A HUNDRED AND TEN DIFFERENT
KINDS ALTOGETHER.
AND THERE USED TO BE ONE
THAT WAS THE SIZE OF A GORILLA.
Chloe asks, A KING KONG LEMUR?
[Grunting, scream]
Chloe says, NOW, THAT'S AN ACTION
MOVIE I WANNA SEE.
Housten says, ME TOO!
[Laughter]
Chloe exclaims, WOW!
Housten says, IT LOOKS SO GOOD!
Daina hangs the pink cones by the enclosure fence. She places the hanging bottles in the enclosure.
Chloe says, THEY'RE GONNA
LOVE THESE.
[Housten gasps]
Housten says, LOOK AT THE LEMURS!
Chloe says, OH, NOW THEY'RE ALL
COMING IN.
Housten says, LOOK, COLETTE IS
RIGHT THERE.
Chloe says, OH, SHE'S EATING MINE!
[Giggles]
Chloe says, OH, THERE'S MARWOOD!
Housten says, OH, HE'S DIGGING IN.
[Giggling]
Chloe says, IT'S SO CUTE.
Housten says, I KNOW!
He asks, IS IT TRUE THAT
LEMURS HAVE TWO TONGUES?
Daina says, YES, IT IS!
THEY HAVE ONE TONGUE
THAT THEY USE TO EAT WITH,
AND THEN, THEY HAVE ANOTHER
TONGUE, CALLED AN UNDER
TONGUE, TO CLEAN THE HAIR
AND DEBRIS OUT OF THEIR
FRONT TEETH.
Chloe says, WOW, THEY TAKE
GROOMING VERY SERIOUSLY.
Daina says, GROOMING IS VERY
IMPORTANT FOR THEM.
IT SHOWS HOW MUCH THEY
RESPECT EACH OTHER, AND HOW
MUCH THEY CARE FOR EACH OTHER.
[Birds chirp]
Housten asks, CAN LEMURS GRIP
AND GRASP WITH THEIR TAIL,
LIKE MONKEYS DO?
Text beneath a photograph of a monkey holding a branch with its tail reads, “Prehensile tail.”
Daina says, NOT ALL MONKEYS HAVE
WHAT'S CALLED A PREHENSILE TAIL,
WHICH IS LIKE AN EXTRA ARM
FOR THEM.
Housten says, OH.
Daina says, AND LEMURS DON'T
HAVE THAT. BUT THEY DO HAVE
HANDS, LIKE WE DO, THEY CAN
GRIP THINGS BECAUSE THEY HAVE
AN OPPOSABLE THUMB AND ALSO,
THEY HAVE OPPOSABLE BIG TOES,
WHICH REALLY HELPS WHEN
YOU'RE CLIMBING UP A TREE
OR WALKING THROUGH THE FOREST.
SO, NOW THAT WE'VE GIVEN THEM
THEIR APPETIZER, SHOULD WE MAKE
THEM THEIR DINNER?
[Upbeat music plays]
Housten says, YEAH.
Chloe says, YEAH! I'M SO READY.
Daina says, OKAY, LET'S GO.
Leo says, I WISH SOMEONE WOULD
PREPARE AND BRING THIS
RINGMASTER YUMMY MEALS.
OH, A CATFISH CAN DREAM.
[Whoosh]
Housten, Chloe, and Daina stand by a table with food on top of it. Three bright pink create pink reflections on the shiny tabletop.
Daina says, OKAY, SO FOR THE
LEMUR'S DINNER, WE GIVE THEM
A COMBINATION OF FRUITS AND
VEGETABLES AND WE ALSO GIVE
THEM A LITTLE BIT OF
MONKEY CHOW.
Chloe asks, WHY MONKEY CHOW?
Daina says, IT JUST GIVES THEM
EXTRA NUTRIENTS THAT THEY
MIGHT NOT GET IN THEIR FOOD.
IF THERE ARE SOME THINGS
THAT THEY DON'T LIKE, AND
IT'S JUST NICE AND CRUNCHY,
SO, THEY REALLY LIKE TO EAT IT.
SO, WE HAVE PEA SHOOTS. WE
HAVE CELERY, SOME GRAPES.
EVERYBODY LOVES GRAPES.
[Rattling]
[Housten laughs]
Daina says, THAT'S THE BIG
FAVOURITE. GIVE THE OTHERS
SOME MONKEY CHOW AS WELL.
[Rattling]
Daina says, IN GENERAL, WE TRY
NOT TO GIVE THEM TOO MUCH
FRUIT, EVEN THOUGH IN THE WILD,
THEY WOULD EAT MAINLY FRUIT,
BECAUSE IN CAPTIVITY, THEY DON'T
MOVE AS MUCH AS THEY WOULD
IN THE WILD, SO WE TRY NOT TO
GIVE THEM TOO MUCH SUGAR.
Chloe asks, IS THIS GOOD?
Daina says, THAT'S PERFECT.
DO YOU THINK THIS IS A
HEALTHY DINNER?
Housten says, OH YEAH!
Chloe says, YEAH! I'M SO EXCITED!
Daina says, OKAY, I BET THEY ARE, TOO.
[Chuckling]
Leo says, POLLINHEADS,
THIS IS AN EXTRA SPECIAL
EDITION OF "WHAT'S THE BUZZ?"
Text reads, “What’s the Buzz? With Leo.”
[Whoosh]
Leo says, I'VE LANDED AN EXCLUSIVE
INTERVIEW WITH DR. MARNI, A
LEADING RESEARCHER
AND FOUNDER OF LEMUR LOVE.
WELCOME, DR. MARNI.
Dr. Marni wears her long brown hair llose over the shoulders of her black, red, and yellow blouse. Text beneath her reads, “Dr. Marni Lafleur. Lemur Love Founder.”
Dr. Marni says, THANKS VERY MUCH
FOR HAVING ME, LEO.
[Birds chirp]
Leo says, LEAPING LEMURS!
LOSING THIS VERY IMPORTANT
POLLINATOR, COULD SPELL
TROUBLE FOR THE WHOLE FOREST!
Dr. Marni says, THAT'S RIGHT, LEO.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IS REALLY
IMPORTANT ABOUT LEMURS IS THAT
THEY ARE POLLINATORS IN THE FOREST.
[Camera clicks]
She says, SO, THEY LIKE TO EAT
BITS OF FLOWERS, AND LITTLE
BITS OF POLLEN GET STUCK IN
THEIR FUR AND SO, THEY CARRY
POLLEN FROM ONE TREE TO
ANOTHER TREE, SO THAT THE TREES
CAN FLOWER AND HAVE FRUITS,
AND ALSO, THEY ARE SEED DISPERSERS,
SO THEY EAT THE FRUITS OF
THOSE TREES,
AND THEN, AS THEY GO ABOUT
THEIR BUSINESS IN THE FOREST
THEY POOP OUT THE SEEDS, SO THAT
THOSE SEEDS CAN GROW UP AND BE
THE NEXT GENERATION OF TREES.
[Birds chirp]
She says, BUT LEMURS ARE ACTUALLY
THE MOST THREATENED ANIMALS
IN THE WORLD. OVER NINETY-SIX
PERCENT OF THE SPECIES OF LEMUR
ARE AT RISK OF EXTINCTION.
[Rustling branches]
[Upbeat music plays]
Leo says, WOW, THAT'S ONE LIST
YOU DON'T WANT TO BE AT THE
TOP OF.
BUT YOU'VE FOUND A GREAT WAY
TO LOVE LEMURS! GET IT? LEMUR LOVE?
TELL US ABOUT THE WORK YOU DO.
Dr. Marni says, LEMUR LOVE IS A
NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT
I STARTED AND OUR MISSION IS TO
PROTECT LEMURS, EMPOWER WOMEN,
AND FURTHER SCIENCE. AND ALL OF
OUR WORK IS DONE IN MADAGASCAR.
[Whooshing, upbeat music plays]
Leo says, YOUR ORGANIZATION
DOESN'T JUST HELP THE LEMURS
BUT THEIR HUMAN NEIGHBOURS, TOO?
Dr. Marni says, YOU BET.
SO, ANY KIND OF CONSERVATION
IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO ADDRESS
THE NEEDS OF THE LOCAL PEOPLE,
BECAUSE WITHOUT DOING THAT,
IF THEY DON'T HAVE AN ALTERNATIVE
MECHANISM FOR SURVIVAL, IT'S JUST
NOT GONNA WORK BECAUSE THEY NEED
TO USE THE TREES AND THE FOREST
PRODUCTS IN ORDER TO SURVIVE.
Leo says, LEMURS AND PEOPLE LIVING
HAPPILY TOGETHER IN MADAGASCAR,
JUST LIKE MOTHER NATURE INTENDED.
THANKS, DR. MARNI!
Dr. Marni syas, THANKS VERY MUCH,
LEO. I'M SO GLAD THAT YOU'RE
GETTING THE WORD OUT ABOUT
LEMURS TO YOUR FELLOW
POLLINHEADS, THROUGHOUT
THE WORLD.
Leo says, POLLINHEAD EXPLORER
CLUB IS ALWAYS HERE TO HELP.
AND THAT'S THE REAL BUZZ.
Daina plays the pink plates inside an indoor enclosure. She, Housten, and Chloe stand outside the enclosure fence.
Daina says, SO, NOW WE GET
TO SEE THEM COME IN AND
ENJOY THEIR DINNER.
Housten says, COOL!
Daina says, LET'S GO!
Lemurs enter the enclosure. They eat the fruit and vegetables they find on the plates.
[Screeching, grunting]
Chloe says, THOSE LEMURS WERE
SO HUNGRY.
[Insects chitter]
Housten says, JUST ANOTHER
REMINDER THAT THESE GUYS ARE
ANIMALS, AND NOT ONLY VERY
IMPORTANT POLLINATORS, BUT
THEY'RE MEANT TO BE WITH THEIR
FRIENDS AND FAMILIES.
Daina says, EXACTLY.
Chloe says, WE'RE HAPPY TO HELP
THESE LEAPING LEMUR FRIENDS.
THIS CALLS FOR A "HIGH FLY".
SO, YOU PUT YOUR HANDS IN,
LIKE THIS, THREE, TWO, ONE...
Daina, Chloe, and Housten hold their hands out in front of them. They wiggle their fingers as they slowly lift their arms over their heads.
All say, HIGH FLY!
[Chloe giggles]
Text in a spinning animated flower reads, “Pollinheads Alert.” Text beside Leo reads, “Leo’s Pollinators Explorer Club.”
[Upbeat music plays]
Leo says, POLLINHEADS ALERT!
OUR LEMUR FRIENDS NEED
EVERYONE'S HELP.
LEMURS SHOULDN'T BE PETS
AS THEY NEED TO BE IN TROOPS
TO LIVE HAPPY LIVES.
AND IF WE'RE GOING TO VISIT
LEMURS, DR. MARNI HAS A
FEW TIPS.
Dr. Marni says, IF YOU'RE GOING
TO VISIT A LEMUR IN A CAPTIVE
LOCATION YOU CAN LOOK UP
THE FACILITY FIRST, TO SEE IF
THEY HAVE A GOOD REPUTATION.
AND TO SEE THE WAYS THAT THE
ANIMALS LOOK.
DO THEY LOOK HEALTHY?
DO THEY LOOK HAPPY?
IF THEY ALLOW PEOPLE TO TOUCH
AND HOLD AND FEED THE ANIMALS,
THAT'S AN INDICATION THAT THEY'RE
PUTTING THE EXPERIENCE OF THE
VISITOR BEFORE THE WELLBEING
OF THE ANIMAL.
PLEASE, NO SELFIES WITH LEMURS.
Leo says, SPREAD THE WORD,
MY FELLOW POLLINHEADS!
SO, TOGETHER, WE CAN SAVE
THE GREATEST POLLINATING
SHOW ON EARTH.
[Upbeat music plays]
End Credits Roll.
“Directed by Reem Morsi.
Written by Kim Saltarski.
Produced by Christopher Szarka & Raj Panikkar.
With Naomi Melvine as ‘Leo’
& Chloe Drayton
Housten Daghighi.
Produced in Association with TVOkids.
Fifth Ground Enterainment.
TVOkids.”
[Upbeat music plays]
A child says, WHEE!
[Giggling]
Text reads “Leo’s Pollinators.”
Leo, an animated fish with a blue back and red stomach, floats in front of a screen that reads, “Leo’s Polinators Explorer Club. TVOkids Presents.” A boy with short brown hair wears a grey shirt with blue sleeves. He smiles as he leans forward. A girl wears her red hair pinned away from her face. She wears a red shirt.
[Energetic music plays, whoosh, buzzing]
Leo says, IT'S ME, LEO!
THE EXPLORER CLUB
IS ON A NEW MISSION.
WE'RE HELPING THE POLLINATORS,
THOSE AMAZING CREATURES
WHO MOVE POLLEN FROM ONE
PLANT, TO ANOTHER.
POLLEN IS THE STUFF THAT
HELPS MAKE OUR FRUITS,
VEGETABLES, AND FLOWERS.
[Whoosh, buzzing]
Leo says, WITHOUT OUR POLLINATORS,
FLYING, BUZZING, SLITHERING
AROUND, WE'D ALL BE GOING
HUNGRY. EVEN ME!
HOUSTEN AND CHLOE ARE IN THE
FIELDS HELPING THE EXPERTS.
SO, GRAB YOUR BOOTS AND YOUR
NET, AND YOU CAN BE A
POLLINHEAD, TOO.
Text reads, “Leo’s Pollinators Explorer Club.”
A voice says, COME ONE, COME ALL!
Leo says, THE POLLINATOR AT THE
TOP OF THE 'NATOR NAVIGATOR
IS A REAL SHOW-STOPPER!
NOT ONLY IS IT THE LARGEST
POLLINATOR IN THE WORLD,
IT'S FROM AN ISOLATED
AFRICAN ISLAND.
I DARE YOU TO GUESS!
White question marks appear on a blue background.
[Popping]
Leo says, DRUM ROLL, PLEASE!
[Cymbal dings, cheering, applause]
A black and white lemur has bright yellow eyes. Text beneath the lemur reads, “Lemur.”
Leo says, THAT'S RIGHT!
IT'S THE TRULY AMAZING LEMUR!
An orange circle shows Madagascar on a map.
Leo says, THESE FASCINATING
POLLINATING PRIMATES
ONLY LIVE IN MADAGASCAR,
THE VERY SPECIAL ISLAND
OFF OF EAST AFRICA.
[Camera clicks]
Leo says, LEMURS HELP WITH
POLLINATION ACROSS THE
ISLAND. MEET THE MOUSE LEMUR,
WHO'S THE SIZE OF A MOUSE.
A small grey lemur clings to a branch. Two black and white lemurs stand on a branch.
Leo says, AND THEN, THERE'S THE
BLACK AND WHITE RUFFED LEMUR,
WHO'S THE LARGEST POLLINATOR
IN THE WORLD!
Leo says, AND THEN, THERE'S THE
FAMOUS RING-TAILED LEMUR. THE
POLLINHEADS ARE HELPING
DAINA LIEPA, AT THE STORY BOOK
FARM SANCTUARY CARE FOR THESE
ENDANGERED POLLINATORS.
Daina smiles. She wears her grey hair loose. She wears a white tee-shirt with the text, “Born to be wild” on the front.
Housten says, HI, LITTLE BUDDY!
Leo says, AND WE KNOW
THAT ENDANGERED MEANS
THAT THE NUMBER OF ANIMALS
REMAINING IS DECREASING,
OR BECOMING EXTINCT!
WE WANNA KNOW WHAT WE CAN
DO TO PREVENT THEIR EXTINCTION.
SO, LET'S LEMUR!
[Whoosh]
Chloe ask, DAINA, HOW COME
THE STORY BOOK FARM ENDED
UP TAKING CARE OF LEMURS?
Daina says, UNFORTUNATELY,
THERE'S SOMETHING CALLED
THE EXOTIC PET TRADE AND
LEMURS, PARTICULARLY
RING-TAILED LEMURS,
ARE VERY MUCH A PART OF THAT.
Housten says, THEY CERTAINLY
ARE CUTE!
Daina says, THEY ARE VERY CUTE,
AND THAT'S PART OF THE REASON
THAT THEY'RE SO POPULAR,
BUT THEY'RE WILD ANIMALS,
AND WHEN PEOPLE REALIZE
THAT THEY DON'T MAKE GOOD
PETS THEN THEY'RE BROUGHT
HERE TO THE SANCTUARY.
Housten asks, SO, WHAT WOULD
HAPPEN IF THESE LEMURS
MADE IT BACK TO THE WILD?
Daina explains, THEY WOULDN'T
DO VERY WELL BECAUSE WHEN
THEY ARE BRED IN CAPTIVITY,
THEY NEVER LEARN HOW TO LOOK
AFTER THEMSELVES. FORTUNATELY,
WE CAN GIVE THEM A GOOD LIFE
HERE - THEY CAN BE OUT CLIMBING
IN THE TREES, BUT THEY'RE NOT
ABLE TO DO THE POLLINATING, AND
THE WORK THAT THEY'RE SUPPOSED
TO DO IN THE WILD.
Chloe says, SO, NOT ONLY WOULD
THEY BE MISSED BY THEIR FAMILY,
BUT THEY WOULDN'T BE ABLE
TO HELP KEEP THE PLANTS IN THE
AREA POLLINATED.
Daina says, EXACTLY.
Daina, Housten and Chloe stand by a fence.
[Camera clicking]
Daina says, HERE THEY ALL ARE.
COLETTE. MARWOOD. AND BOB.
Three lemurs move in the enclosure. Text beneath Colette reads, “Colette. Leader. Protector.” “Marwood. Playful. Carefree.” “Bob. Curious. Adventurous.”
Housten says, WOW!
HE'S JUST SITTING DOWN
ON HIS CHAIR.
[Housten chuckles]
Daina says, LEMURS ARE VERY
OFTEN SEEN SITTING IN THIS
YOGA POSE IN THE SUN, WHICH
THEY LOVE TO DO.
[Camera clicks]
Housten says, CUTE!
Daina says, COLETTE IS AT THE
BACK THERE, SHE'S THE FEMALE,
AND IN THE LEMUR WORLD,
THE FEMALE IS THE BOSS.
Housten says, WOW.
[Chloe giggles, chittering]
Daina says, SHE WOULD, IN THE
WILD, DETERMINE WHERE THE
TROOP WILL MOVE, AND THE BOYS
LISTEN TO HER.
ALSO, WHEN IT COMES TO FOOD,
SHE GETS FIRST DIBS.
Chloe says, OH, WELL, I UNDERSTAND.
I MEAN, I'M KINDA THE BOSS OF MY
BROTHERS, SO.
[Laughter]
Chloe says, I ALSO NOTICE THAT
YOU'VE GOT A BUNCH OF THE
TOYS HERE.
Daina says, YES, SO IN THE WILD,
THEY WOULD BE CLIMBING TREES
OR FORAGING IN THE GROUND
SO, WE GIVE THEM OPPORTUNITIES
LIKE THAT. IT'S CALLED ENRICHMENT.
ENRICHMENT IS ANYTHING
THAT WE PROVIDE FOR THEM
TO MAKE THEIR LIVES A LITTLE
MORE INTERESTING.
Housten and Chloe put on blue gloves. They stand by a table with vegetables scattered across it.
Daina says, BECAUSE IN THE WILD,
THEY WOULDN'T BE HANDED
A PLATE OF FOOD, WOULD THEY?
Chloe shakes her head and says,NO.
Daina says, SO, INSTEAD,
WE'LL TAKE A PINE CONE
AND STICK DRIED CRANBERRIES
AS FAR AS YOU CAN, ONE THING
TO REMEMBER ABOUT ENRICHMENT,
IT'S NOT DINNER, IT'S A TREAT.
SO, WE DON'T WANT TO PUT IN
TOO MUCH, BECAUSE WE DON'T
WANT THEM TO GET FAT, OR
GET DIABETES.
[Birds chirp]
Housten, Chloe, and Daina push cranberries into the openings in pine cones. Daina ties a string around a pine cone.
Daina says, ANOTHER KIND OF
ENRICHMENT, IS SOMETHING
LIKE THIS.
Daina holds an empty brown paper towel roll with long grass poking out of both ends.
Chloe says, COOL!
Daina says, AND WE COULD USE
THESE FLOWERS WHICH WOULD
HELP WITH THE POLLINATING
THAT THEY WOULD DO IN THE
WILD. ALSO LOOKS PRETTY.
[Housten and Chloe laugh]
Chloe says, YEAH.
I LIKE MAKING MINE
LOOK PRETTY, TOO.
[Whoosh]
Housten says, I READ
THAT LEMURS MOSTLY LIVE
ON FRUIT AND NECTAR IN
THE WILD.
AND SOME ALSO EAT INSECTS,
SPIDERS, GRASSHOPPERS,
SMALL BIRDS, AND CHAMELEONS!
Daina says, WOW, I'M REALLY
IMPRESSED. YOU'VE REALLY
DONE YOUR HOMEWORK.
THIS OTHER PIECE OF ENRICHMENT
WE'LL JUST ADD SOME TREATS IN
THE BOTTLES AND THEN, THE LEMURS
WILL SPIN THE BOTTLE SO THAT THE
TREATS WILL FALL OUT, LIKE THAT.
Daina spins a bottle. Chloe puts a treat in one of the bottles.
[Thump]
Daina says, IF IT'S SOMETHING NEW
IN THEIR ENCLOSURE THAT THEY
HAVEN'T SEEN BEFORE, THEY WILL
DEFINITELY CHECK IT OUT.
[Upbeat music plays, whooshing]
Chloe asks, HOW MANY TYPES OF
LEMURS ARE THERE IN MADAGASCAR?
Daina says, THERE ARE ABOUT
A HUNDRED AND TEN DIFFERENT
KINDS ALTOGETHER.
AND THERE USED TO BE ONE
THAT WAS THE SIZE OF A GORILLA.
Chloe asks, A KING KONG LEMUR?
[Grunting, scream]
Chloe says, NOW, THAT'S AN ACTION
MOVIE I WANNA SEE.
Housten says, ME TOO!
[Laughter]
Chloe exclaims, WOW!
Housten says, IT LOOKS SO GOOD!
Daina hangs the pink cones by the enclosure fence. She places the hanging bottles in the enclosure.
Chloe says, THEY'RE GONNA
LOVE THESE.
[Housten gasps]
Housten says, LOOK AT THE LEMURS!
Chloe says, OH, NOW THEY'RE ALL
COMING IN.
Housten says, LOOK, COLETTE IS
RIGHT THERE.
Chloe says, OH, SHE'S EATING MINE!
[Giggles]
Chloe says, OH, THERE'S MARWOOD!
Housten says, OH, HE'S DIGGING IN.
[Giggling]
Chloe says, IT'S SO CUTE.
Housten says, I KNOW!
He asks, IS IT TRUE THAT
LEMURS HAVE TWO TONGUES?
Daina says, YES, IT IS!
THEY HAVE ONE TONGUE
THAT THEY USE TO EAT WITH,
AND THEN, THEY HAVE ANOTHER
TONGUE, CALLED AN UNDER
TONGUE, TO CLEAN THE HAIR
AND DEBRIS OUT OF THEIR
FRONT TEETH.
Chloe says, WOW, THEY TAKE
GROOMING VERY SERIOUSLY.
Daina says, GROOMING IS VERY
IMPORTANT FOR THEM.
IT SHOWS HOW MUCH THEY
RESPECT EACH OTHER, AND HOW
MUCH THEY CARE FOR EACH OTHER.
[Birds chirp]
Housten asks, CAN LEMURS GRIP
AND GRASP WITH THEIR TAIL,
LIKE MONKEYS DO?
Text beneath a photograph of a monkey holding a branch with its tail reads, “Prehensile tail.”
Daina says, NOT ALL MONKEYS HAVE
WHAT'S CALLED A PREHENSILE TAIL,
WHICH IS LIKE AN EXTRA ARM
FOR THEM.
Housten says, OH.
Daina says, AND LEMURS DON'T
HAVE THAT. BUT THEY DO HAVE
HANDS, LIKE WE DO, THEY CAN
GRIP THINGS BECAUSE THEY HAVE
AN OPPOSABLE THUMB AND ALSO,
THEY HAVE OPPOSABLE BIG TOES,
WHICH REALLY HELPS WHEN
YOU'RE CLIMBING UP A TREE
OR WALKING THROUGH THE FOREST.
SO, NOW THAT WE'VE GIVEN THEM
THEIR APPETIZER, SHOULD WE MAKE
THEM THEIR DINNER?
[Upbeat music plays]
Housten says, YEAH.
Chloe says, YEAH! I'M SO READY.
Daina says, OKAY, LET'S GO.
Leo says, I WISH SOMEONE WOULD
PREPARE AND BRING THIS
RINGMASTER YUMMY MEALS.
OH, A CATFISH CAN DREAM.
[Whoosh]
Housten, Chloe, and Daina stand by a table with food on top of it. Three bright pink create pink reflections on the shiny tabletop.
Daina says, OKAY, SO FOR THE
LEMUR'S DINNER, WE GIVE THEM
A COMBINATION OF FRUITS AND
VEGETABLES AND WE ALSO GIVE
THEM A LITTLE BIT OF
MONKEY CHOW.
Chloe asks, WHY MONKEY CHOW?
Daina says, IT JUST GIVES THEM
EXTRA NUTRIENTS THAT THEY
MIGHT NOT GET IN THEIR FOOD.
IF THERE ARE SOME THINGS
THAT THEY DON'T LIKE, AND
IT'S JUST NICE AND CRUNCHY,
SO, THEY REALLY LIKE TO EAT IT.
SO, WE HAVE PEA SHOOTS. WE
HAVE CELERY, SOME GRAPES.
EVERYBODY LOVES GRAPES.
[Rattling]
[Housten laughs]
Daina says, THAT'S THE BIG
FAVOURITE. GIVE THE OTHERS
SOME MONKEY CHOW AS WELL.
[Rattling]
Daina says, IN GENERAL, WE TRY
NOT TO GIVE THEM TOO MUCH
FRUIT, EVEN THOUGH IN THE WILD,
THEY WOULD EAT MAINLY FRUIT,
BECAUSE IN CAPTIVITY, THEY DON'T
MOVE AS MUCH AS THEY WOULD
IN THE WILD, SO WE TRY NOT TO
GIVE THEM TOO MUCH SUGAR.
Chloe asks, IS THIS GOOD?
Daina says, THAT'S PERFECT.
DO YOU THINK THIS IS A
HEALTHY DINNER?
Housten says, OH YEAH!
Chloe says, YEAH! I'M SO EXCITED!
Daina says, OKAY, I BET THEY ARE, TOO.
[Chuckling]
Leo says, POLLINHEADS,
THIS IS AN EXTRA SPECIAL
EDITION OF "WHAT'S THE BUZZ?"
Text reads, “What’s the Buzz? With Leo.”
[Whoosh]
Leo says, I'VE LANDED AN EXCLUSIVE
INTERVIEW WITH DR. MARNI, A
LEADING RESEARCHER
AND FOUNDER OF LEMUR LOVE.
WELCOME, DR. MARNI.
Dr. Marni wears her long brown hair llose over the shoulders of her black, red, and yellow blouse. Text beneath her reads, “Dr. Marni Lafleur. Lemur Love Founder.”
Dr. Marni says, THANKS VERY MUCH
FOR HAVING ME, LEO.
[Birds chirp]
Leo says, LEAPING LEMURS!
LOSING THIS VERY IMPORTANT
POLLINATOR, COULD SPELL
TROUBLE FOR THE WHOLE FOREST!
Dr. Marni says, THAT'S RIGHT, LEO.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IS REALLY
IMPORTANT ABOUT LEMURS IS THAT
THEY ARE POLLINATORS IN THE FOREST.
[Camera clicks]
She says, SO, THEY LIKE TO EAT
BITS OF FLOWERS, AND LITTLE
BITS OF POLLEN GET STUCK IN
THEIR FUR AND SO, THEY CARRY
POLLEN FROM ONE TREE TO
ANOTHER TREE, SO THAT THE TREES
CAN FLOWER AND HAVE FRUITS,
AND ALSO, THEY ARE SEED DISPERSERS,
SO THEY EAT THE FRUITS OF
THOSE TREES,
AND THEN, AS THEY GO ABOUT
THEIR BUSINESS IN THE FOREST
THEY POOP OUT THE SEEDS, SO THAT
THOSE SEEDS CAN GROW UP AND BE
THE NEXT GENERATION OF TREES.
[Birds chirp]
She says, BUT LEMURS ARE ACTUALLY
THE MOST THREATENED ANIMALS
IN THE WORLD. OVER NINETY-SIX
PERCENT OF THE SPECIES OF LEMUR
ARE AT RISK OF EXTINCTION.
[Rustling branches]
[Upbeat music plays]
Leo says, WOW, THAT'S ONE LIST
YOU DON'T WANT TO BE AT THE
TOP OF.
BUT YOU'VE FOUND A GREAT WAY
TO LOVE LEMURS! GET IT? LEMUR LOVE?
TELL US ABOUT THE WORK YOU DO.
Dr. Marni says, LEMUR LOVE IS A
NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT
I STARTED AND OUR MISSION IS TO
PROTECT LEMURS, EMPOWER WOMEN,
AND FURTHER SCIENCE. AND ALL OF
OUR WORK IS DONE IN MADAGASCAR.
[Whooshing, upbeat music plays]
Leo says, YOUR ORGANIZATION
DOESN'T JUST HELP THE LEMURS
BUT THEIR HUMAN NEIGHBOURS, TOO?
Dr. Marni says, YOU BET.
SO, ANY KIND OF CONSERVATION
IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO ADDRESS
THE NEEDS OF THE LOCAL PEOPLE,
BECAUSE WITHOUT DOING THAT,
IF THEY DON'T HAVE AN ALTERNATIVE
MECHANISM FOR SURVIVAL, IT'S JUST
NOT GONNA WORK BECAUSE THEY NEED
TO USE THE TREES AND THE FOREST
PRODUCTS IN ORDER TO SURVIVE.
Leo says, LEMURS AND PEOPLE LIVING
HAPPILY TOGETHER IN MADAGASCAR,
JUST LIKE MOTHER NATURE INTENDED.
THANKS, DR. MARNI!
Dr. Marni syas, THANKS VERY MUCH,
LEO. I'M SO GLAD THAT YOU'RE
GETTING THE WORD OUT ABOUT
LEMURS TO YOUR FELLOW
POLLINHEADS, THROUGHOUT
THE WORLD.
Leo says, POLLINHEAD EXPLORER
CLUB IS ALWAYS HERE TO HELP.
AND THAT'S THE REAL BUZZ.
Daina plays the pink plates inside an indoor enclosure. She, Housten, and Chloe stand outside the enclosure fence.
Daina says, SO, NOW WE GET
TO SEE THEM COME IN AND
ENJOY THEIR DINNER.
Housten says, COOL!
Daina says, LET'S GO!
Lemurs enter the enclosure. They eat the fruit and vegetables they find on the plates.
[Screeching, grunting]
Chloe says, THOSE LEMURS WERE
SO HUNGRY.
[Insects chitter]
Housten says, JUST ANOTHER
REMINDER THAT THESE GUYS ARE
ANIMALS, AND NOT ONLY VERY
IMPORTANT POLLINATORS, BUT
THEY'RE MEANT TO BE WITH THEIR
FRIENDS AND FAMILIES.
Daina says, EXACTLY.
Chloe says, WE'RE HAPPY TO HELP
THESE LEAPING LEMUR FRIENDS.
THIS CALLS FOR A "HIGH FLY".
SO, YOU PUT YOUR HANDS IN,
LIKE THIS, THREE, TWO, ONE...
Daina, Chloe, and Housten hold their hands out in front of them. They wiggle their fingers as they slowly lift their arms over their heads.
All say, HIGH FLY!
[Chloe giggles]
Text in a spinning animated flower reads, “Pollinheads Alert.” Text beside Leo reads, “Leo’s Pollinators Explorer Club.”
[Upbeat music plays]
Leo says, POLLINHEADS ALERT!
OUR LEMUR FRIENDS NEED
EVERYONE'S HELP.
LEMURS SHOULDN'T BE PETS
AS THEY NEED TO BE IN TROOPS
TO LIVE HAPPY LIVES.
AND IF WE'RE GOING TO VISIT
LEMURS, DR. MARNI HAS A
FEW TIPS.
Dr. Marni says, IF YOU'RE GOING
TO VISIT A LEMUR IN A CAPTIVE
LOCATION YOU CAN LOOK UP
THE FACILITY FIRST, TO SEE IF
THEY HAVE A GOOD REPUTATION.
AND TO SEE THE WAYS THAT THE
ANIMALS LOOK.
DO THEY LOOK HEALTHY?
DO THEY LOOK HAPPY?
IF THEY ALLOW PEOPLE TO TOUCH
AND HOLD AND FEED THE ANIMALS,
THAT'S AN INDICATION THAT THEY'RE
PUTTING THE EXPERIENCE OF THE
VISITOR BEFORE THE WELLBEING
OF THE ANIMAL.
PLEASE, NO SELFIES WITH LEMURS.
Leo says, SPREAD THE WORD,
MY FELLOW POLLINHEADS!
SO, TOGETHER, WE CAN SAVE
THE GREATEST POLLINATING
SHOW ON EARTH.
[Upbeat music plays]
End Credits Roll.
“Directed by Reem Morsi.
Written by Kim Saltarski.
Produced by Christopher Szarka & Raj Panikkar.
With Naomi Melvine as ‘Leo’
& Chloe Drayton
Housten Daghighi.
Produced in Association with TVOkids.
Fifth Ground Enterainment.
TVOkids.”
You are now leaving TVOKids.com
TVOKids doesn't have control over the new place you're about to visit, so please make sure you get your Parent or Guardian's permission first!
Do you have permission from your Parents / Guardian to go to other websites?