Mickey Cray was taken aback when he found out that Derek Badger didn't want any of his captured animals on the filming location. This was surprising to Mickey because he had only worked with wildlife shows that showcased free and wild animals, not trained or captive ones. It was unusual for him to meet someone who was so hesitant about using the creatures he knew and cared for.

Furthermore, Mickey thought Derek's lack of experience and knowledge made him unfit to manage real wildlife. Mickey believed that handling untamed animals required expertise, and he doubted Derek possessed the necessary skills. This created a sense of concern for Mickey about how the animals' safety and welfare would be managed on the show.