Facing the worst crisis in the Zoological Society of London's 166-year history, a new management team believes it must cut costs drastically and somehow attract more visitors. Keepers who have worked devotedly with the animals all their lives apply for their own jobs.

Cost-cutting turns to the animals, one-third of whom must go.

As visitors flock to see the new panda Ming Ming, the very fabric of the zoo is crumbling. Health and Safety may shutter part of the aquarium. Unprofitable animal breeding programmes are scrutinized. Meanwhile, an alliance of keepers and Zoological Society Fellows plan a coup.

A rebel group of keepers and Fellows calls a special general meeting, aiming to topple the present management. Director general David Jones and his leading opponent work out their plans while a keeper nurses a sick koala named Midgie, one of two at the zoo.