Howard is hellbent on a career as a serious writer. He thinks it will also improve his chances with Mrs Gideon. When a famous publisher, Hamilton Cork, arrives at the Zoo-Niverse, it's Vince's literary efforts, in the shape of Charlie, a pink bubble gum character, which takes Cork's fancy. Meanwhile Bob Fossil has embarked on a new breeding programme for the pandas.

Bob Fossil has a big problem at the Zoo-niverse. Ivan, the bear has developed some very anti-social habits. The last straw is exposing himself to the visitors. Fossil arranges for a place for Ivan at an Animal Offenders Institute. All Fossil has to do is find a couple of idiots to drive the bear there in the clapped-out old Zoo-Niverse van. All Howard and Vince have to do is get Ivan there, in one piece, without falling foul of the Hitcher.