When Smokey the Giraffe goes berserk, the consequences exceed Simon Carter's worst fears. "The fact is, if Filson's death is a question of negligence, someone will have to pay". A clutch of fanatical old men, a power-hungry Press baron and an international crisis conspire to make his first day as Secretary of the National Zoo a most bizarre experience.

The death of a young keeper has not provoked the public enquiry Simon Carter had hoped for. The zoo's director can only think of his forthcoming television lecture.

As Godmanchester intended, the television lecture is a resounding success and he hands over his entire Welsh estate to the zoo for use as a wildlife reserve. It is Edwin Leacock's dream come true.

After the collapse of the nature reserve, Edwin Leacock is forced to resign and Simon Carter finds himself moving the zoo back to London as a triumphant Sir Robert Falcon flies in from the Amazon.

Simon Carter was badly injured in the nuclear attack, and two years passed before he recovered to learn that England has become a totalitarian state and Doctor Englander was now director of the zoo.