Miss Tica Parade Pony

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0:00:02 > 0:00:06Hey, Animals At Work watchers. Welcome to another great episode.

0:00:06 > 0:00:10All over the planet, there are millions of animals that have jobs.

0:00:10 > 0:00:11Wah!

0:00:11 > 0:00:16This is the show that brings you the funniest, coolest and most bizarre

0:00:16 > 0:00:18Animals At Work.

0:00:18 > 0:00:20Coming up...

0:00:20 > 0:00:25A small pony with a big dream to perform in a very important parade.

0:00:25 > 0:00:30An incredibly patient pooch who teaches kids to read.

0:00:30 > 0:00:31Thank you, Scotts...

0:00:31 > 0:00:34And the Fanimals search for the best birdie banker.

0:00:34 > 0:00:38If you're a banker and you're eating flowers, you'd probably get fired.

0:00:38 > 0:00:39But now it's...

0:00:39 > 0:00:41show-time!

0:00:56 > 0:00:58Hi, everybody, and welcome to the show.

0:00:58 > 0:01:00- This is... - HE LAUGHS

0:01:00 > 0:01:03This is Animals At Work and we're heading off to see our first

0:01:03 > 0:01:05animal at work in South America,

0:01:05 > 0:01:08where there are a lot of horses with long faces.

0:01:08 > 0:01:10This is a story of a passionate pony

0:01:10 > 0:01:13who dreams of some exciting times ahead of her,

0:01:13 > 0:01:16so let's saddle up and head on down to the ranch.

0:01:18 > 0:01:21We're off to Tamarindo in Costa Rica.

0:01:28 > 0:01:29HORSE NEIGHS

0:01:29 > 0:01:30Meet Miss Tica.

0:01:32 > 0:01:36She's four, and getting ready for the biggest challenge of her life.

0:01:36 > 0:01:38MOTORBIKE REVS

0:01:38 > 0:01:41SAMBA MUSIC

0:01:41 > 0:01:45Miss Tica's dream is to find fame and fortune as a parade pony.

0:01:45 > 0:01:48For a Costa Rican horse,

0:01:48 > 0:01:51being a parade pony is as big-time as it gets.

0:01:51 > 0:01:52Parades are massive street parties

0:01:52 > 0:01:56and a huge part of Costa Rica's culture.

0:01:56 > 0:01:59One of the most important parts of the parades is the tope.

0:01:59 > 0:02:04Tope is a tradition in Costa Rica of the ranchers and city folks

0:02:04 > 0:02:07coming out with their horses and showing off in the parade.

0:02:08 > 0:02:10To succeed in the tope,

0:02:10 > 0:02:13Miss Tica needs to learn some very special moves

0:02:13 > 0:02:15that all the parade ponies have to do.

0:02:15 > 0:02:19These are side steps

0:02:19 > 0:02:23and the all important - and most difficult - high steps.

0:02:23 > 0:02:26And if learning these steps in time for the tope

0:02:26 > 0:02:30wasn't enough pressure for this young horse, it gets worse.

0:02:30 > 0:02:33Miss Tica comes from a family of parade ponies.

0:02:33 > 0:02:35Her parents are both champion high-steppers

0:02:35 > 0:02:39and she's expected to take over the family business.

0:02:39 > 0:02:40Miss Tica has two special parents -

0:02:40 > 0:02:43Squanto, who's going to ride in the tope with her...

0:02:47 > 0:02:50..and also her mother, Chilendrina.

0:02:50 > 0:02:54Although she's an older mare right now, in her heyday she was

0:02:54 > 0:02:57one of the prize horses for her high-stepping ability.

0:02:57 > 0:03:00# What would my mama do... #

0:03:00 > 0:03:04She was once the star of the tope. You know, very favoured.

0:03:04 > 0:03:06Everybody liked the way she pranced.

0:03:06 > 0:03:09So, Miss Tica is going to learn those things

0:03:09 > 0:03:11and take her mother's place.

0:03:11 > 0:03:12HORSE NEIGHS

0:03:12 > 0:03:16Right now, appearing in the tope and following in her parents' footsteps

0:03:16 > 0:03:18is a distant dream for Miss Tica.

0:03:18 > 0:03:20Her current day job as a trekking pony

0:03:20 > 0:03:24hasn't prepared her for such a massive challenge.

0:03:24 > 0:03:26If she's got any chance of giving up trekking

0:03:26 > 0:03:29for a day in the limelight,

0:03:29 > 0:03:32then she must convince her parents and her bosses that

0:03:32 > 0:03:36she's got what it takes and can kick the high step.

0:03:36 > 0:03:39- # Can I kick it? - Yes, you can

0:03:39 > 0:03:41- # Can I kick it? - Yes, you can... #

0:03:42 > 0:03:45Let's hope she can. With such successful parents,

0:03:45 > 0:03:48Miss Tica is feeling the pressure to live up to them

0:03:48 > 0:03:52and cut the mustard as a parade pony.

0:03:52 > 0:03:55Pride and a lifelong ambition. There's a lot at stake.

0:03:55 > 0:03:58Can Miss Tica fulfil her destiny?

0:03:58 > 0:04:00DRAMATIC MUSIC

0:04:00 > 0:04:02Later, Miss Tica goes to training school.

0:04:02 > 0:04:05But will she have what it takes to be selected for the parade?

0:04:05 > 0:04:06HORSE NEIGHS

0:04:12 > 0:04:16We've surfed the net to see what animals get up to on their days off.

0:04:16 > 0:04:19Check out this skitty kitty

0:04:19 > 0:04:23playing a little invisible xylophone.

0:04:23 > 0:04:28CAT JUMPS IN TIME TO NOTES PLAYING ON XYLOPHONE

0:04:30 > 0:04:35- And now those kids who love animals, it's the...- Fanimals, yes!

0:04:36 > 0:04:39Let's meet the Fanimals, our animal detectives.

0:04:43 > 0:04:47These Fanimals have been challenged to pick through the parrot facts

0:04:47 > 0:04:51and decide which bird would make the best banker.

0:04:51 > 0:04:55The three feathered candidates are Lori the chattering lorikeet...

0:04:56 > 0:04:58..Bubba the amazing parrot...

0:04:58 > 0:05:01Fred the green-winged macaw.

0:05:01 > 0:05:04Successful bankers need to be good at handling money,

0:05:04 > 0:05:06work well with customers

0:05:06 > 0:05:09and also be able to stick to regular bankers' hours.

0:05:09 > 0:05:11No parrots will be good with money.

0:05:11 > 0:05:15Well, it'd be a bit crazy if a parrot was in the bank

0:05:15 > 0:05:17because there's normally just people.

0:05:17 > 0:05:22Don't be so sure, Fanimals. Let's check out their CVs.

0:05:24 > 0:05:28Banker candidate one is Lori, the chattering lorikeet.

0:05:28 > 0:05:33Lorikeets are noisy, active birds from Australasia who eat A LOT.

0:05:33 > 0:05:35They eat as much as 650 flowers a day!

0:05:38 > 0:05:40- BURPING - Excuse me.

0:05:40 > 0:05:43Surely this isn't going to be good in a bank?

0:05:43 > 0:05:46If you're a banker and you're eat flowers, you'd probably get fired.

0:05:46 > 0:05:50You'd just be eating and eating, and then when people want their money,

0:05:50 > 0:05:52you might give them flowers, not money.

0:05:52 > 0:05:54- BIRD:- Oh, dear!

0:05:54 > 0:05:56I think you're right, Fanimals.

0:05:56 > 0:05:59But when lorikeets poo out the seeds, they help new plants grow,

0:05:59 > 0:06:01but no-one can spend flowers in shops.

0:06:01 > 0:06:04I don't think Lori would be a very good banker.

0:06:04 > 0:06:06That's true. He wouldn't be.

0:06:06 > 0:06:10OK, candidate two - Bubba the Amazon parrot.

0:06:10 > 0:06:12Amazon parrots are medium-sized birds

0:06:12 > 0:06:15from the rainforests of South America and Mexico.

0:06:15 > 0:06:20They like to imitate sounds and they can be very, very loud.

0:06:21 > 0:06:24Is a noisy banker a good idea?

0:06:24 > 0:06:29If he makes lots of noise, he'd probably repeat lots of PINs.

0:06:29 > 0:06:33Also, Amazon parrots need a lot of sleep - more than ten hours a day.

0:06:33 > 0:06:36LULLABY MUSIC

0:06:36 > 0:06:39Could Bubba keep up with the nine-to-five hours?

0:06:39 > 0:06:41He does need a load of sleep.

0:06:41 > 0:06:44The bank would probably shut down.

0:06:44 > 0:06:47"Hello, I just finished my nap. Oh, look, look at the time.

0:06:47 > 0:06:50"It's time to go back for my nap. Goodnight."

0:06:50 > 0:06:53The final candidate is Fred the green-winged macaw.

0:06:53 > 0:06:56Macaws are brightly coloured, intelligent birds

0:06:56 > 0:06:58from Mexico and South America.

0:07:00 > 0:07:04Would his lurid look help Fred be a good banker?

0:07:04 > 0:07:06Everybody would like a colourful banker.

0:07:07 > 0:07:10People would give him money cos he's colourful,

0:07:10 > 0:07:14but I'm not sure if he would be able to count money.

0:07:14 > 0:07:17Good point, Fanimals. And what would Fred do in his lunch break?

0:07:17 > 0:07:21Like all macaws, he can't eat chocolate and coffee.

0:07:21 > 0:07:23In fact, he's allergic to them.

0:07:23 > 0:07:26What if a customer brought them into a bank?

0:07:26 > 0:07:29They'd have a sign outside saying "no chocolate".

0:07:29 > 0:07:32# Don't you know that you're toxic... #

0:07:32 > 0:07:34It might be poisonous to Fred, our dear banker.

0:07:34 > 0:07:39OK, Fanimals. You've had the facts. Now it's time for your answer.

0:07:39 > 0:07:42Who do you think would make the best banker?

0:07:42 > 0:07:44ALL: We think it's Fred.

0:07:44 > 0:07:46Let's see if you're right, Fanimals.

0:07:46 > 0:07:49Here's Lori the lorikeet's attempt at banking.

0:07:49 > 0:07:52Lori sniffing the floor. He looks at the money.

0:07:55 > 0:07:57- He's just running away from the money.- Hard luck, Lori.

0:07:57 > 0:07:59It's looking good for the Fanimals.

0:07:59 > 0:08:02It's now between Bubba and Fred.

0:08:02 > 0:08:04The best banker is...

0:08:07 > 0:08:08Fred, the green macaw!

0:08:08 > 0:08:11MUSIC: "Money Money Money" by ABBA

0:08:11 > 0:08:13- Fred is the best banker. - Clever Fred.

0:08:13 > 0:08:17You were right, Fanimals! Fred the green macaw is the best banker.

0:08:17 > 0:08:18Even though Fred is a gentle chap,

0:08:18 > 0:08:21he has a beak strong enough to break a broomstick.

0:08:21 > 0:08:24Green macaws also have a bone in their tongue, which is

0:08:24 > 0:08:26great for pushing into fruit.

0:08:26 > 0:08:31These skills help Fred pick up money and put it in the piggy bank.

0:08:31 > 0:08:34And as well as this, Fred has managed to collect so far

0:08:34 > 0:08:36over £20,000 and has given it all to charity.

0:08:36 > 0:08:40You can definitely bank on Fred being a nice guy!

0:08:40 > 0:08:42ALL: Well done, Fred.

0:08:42 > 0:08:45- Take a banker bow, Fred! - APPLAUSE

0:08:49 > 0:08:53Welcome back to Tamarindo, Costa Rica.

0:08:56 > 0:08:59Miss Tica, a four-year-old Criollo horse,

0:08:59 > 0:09:01is on the brink of the biggest challenge of her life -

0:09:01 > 0:09:03to perform in a tope.

0:09:05 > 0:09:08The pressure is especially on for Miss Tica

0:09:08 > 0:09:11as her parents, Squanto and Chilendrina,

0:09:11 > 0:09:13are champion parade ponies.

0:09:13 > 0:09:15For Miss Tica to fulfil her dream,

0:09:15 > 0:09:18she needs to master some tricky moves.

0:09:18 > 0:09:20- They are the side step... - CROWD OOHS

0:09:23 > 0:09:24..and the high step.

0:09:24 > 0:09:26Doesn't it look difficult?

0:09:30 > 0:09:33Fortunately, help is on hand in form of an old pro at this game.

0:09:33 > 0:09:36REGAL MUSIC

0:09:39 > 0:09:44The one and only parade prince, Nevado, a fellow Criollo horse.

0:09:44 > 0:09:47Nevado is very popular because

0:09:47 > 0:09:50he's a very good temperament in tope.

0:09:55 > 0:09:58He makes the hard task of doing the tricky high step

0:09:58 > 0:10:00look like a doddle. What a guy!

0:10:02 > 0:10:04SIGHING

0:10:04 > 0:10:08Miss Tica seems a little bashful around Nevado.

0:10:08 > 0:10:11Could there be a pony crush here?

0:10:11 > 0:10:16# And I need you now tonight... #

0:10:16 > 0:10:17Ah, love's young dream.

0:10:17 > 0:10:22Come on, snap out of it, Miss Tica! Remember, you're a Criollo horse.

0:10:26 > 0:10:29Your strong muscles,

0:10:29 > 0:10:34short legs and high endurance make you destined to perform in the Tope.

0:10:34 > 0:10:38You have to focus. You can't let your family down.

0:10:40 > 0:10:44Keen for Miss Tica to succeed, her legendary dad, Squanto,

0:10:44 > 0:10:45shows his daughter how it's done.

0:10:45 > 0:10:48# Pap's got a brand-new bag... #

0:10:48 > 0:10:51Wow! Dad's a hard act to follow.

0:10:51 > 0:10:54It's getting closer to Miss Tica's turn in the ring,

0:10:54 > 0:10:57but first, mum Chilendrina wants to say a few words

0:10:57 > 0:11:00of encouragement for her daughter.

0:11:00 > 0:11:02"Neigh need to worry, Miss Tica".

0:11:02 > 0:11:07Mum won't be in this year's Tope because, at 25, she is retiring.

0:11:07 > 0:11:12She's an old lady. She can't go to topes any more like you.

0:11:12 > 0:11:15You'll take her place. She used to be the queen of the tope.

0:11:15 > 0:11:19Miss Tica is determined to follow in her horseshoes, though.

0:11:19 > 0:11:23# Mama, I love you... #

0:11:23 > 0:11:27We don't know what Mum said to her, but let's hope it helps,

0:11:27 > 0:11:30as the pressure is truly on for Miss Tica.

0:11:33 > 0:11:37A pal of Miss Tica's is on hand to offer plenty of encouragement.

0:11:37 > 0:11:42Hey, what's this? Even the cattle are queuing up for a front-row seat.

0:11:42 > 0:11:48That's a pretty impressive side step you're doing there, Miss Tica.

0:11:48 > 0:11:51Looks like Dad approves too. "That's my girl!"

0:11:51 > 0:11:55But it's the all-important high step she has to master

0:11:55 > 0:11:57before she can be in the parade.

0:11:57 > 0:12:00Come on, Miss Tica. Best foot forward!

0:12:00 > 0:12:05Sorry. I mean, hoof forward. Get those knees up!

0:12:05 > 0:12:08She's almost there. Come on, Miss Tica!

0:12:08 > 0:12:09Not quite.

0:12:13 > 0:12:16Maybe she's too shy to do it in front of Nevado.

0:12:16 > 0:12:20But her boss Esteban seems happy with her progress.

0:12:20 > 0:12:23Miss Tica was working very good today.

0:12:23 > 0:12:26Miss Tica still has a lot of work to do

0:12:26 > 0:12:30if she's going to master the high step in time for the Tope.

0:12:30 > 0:12:33Stay tuned to see if Miss Tica makes the grade,

0:12:33 > 0:12:37performs in the parade and continues the family tradition.

0:12:45 > 0:12:51I'm setting up my own animal employment agency. Yeah.

0:12:51 > 0:12:53I'm going to make a fortune!

0:13:00 > 0:13:04Hello. Welcome to John's Animal Employment Agency. Come on in.

0:13:07 > 0:13:12Things at my animal employment agency have been going really well.

0:13:14 > 0:13:17ANSWERING MACHINE: 'You have no new messages.

0:13:17 > 0:13:19'Your business is rubbish.'

0:13:20 > 0:13:21DIAL TONE

0:13:23 > 0:13:27So far no-one has phoned me wanting animals to work.

0:13:28 > 0:13:29DIAL TONE

0:13:29 > 0:13:32But I've just had this genius idea.

0:13:32 > 0:13:34Advertising!

0:13:34 > 0:13:37Hello. I'm John Barrowman and I'm here to tell you

0:13:37 > 0:13:41about my new amazing animal employment agency.

0:13:41 > 0:13:43Help me get rich.

0:13:43 > 0:13:51Call 555-MAKE-JOHN-RICH and I'll find you any animal for the job.

0:13:51 > 0:13:54Order now and get a free paperclip.

0:13:54 > 0:13:56SMALL BELL TINGS

0:13:58 > 0:14:02And now we're off to Wellingborough in the UK.

0:14:10 > 0:14:14This is a tale about a dog that's always got his head in a book.

0:14:14 > 0:14:18That's because the wonderdog, greyhound Scotts,

0:14:18 > 0:14:22is teaching children to learn to read. Scotts is known as a READ dog.

0:14:22 > 0:14:26That stands for a Reading Education Assistance Dog. Clever, huh?

0:14:26 > 0:14:29Scotts was the first of this kind of dog in the UK,

0:14:29 > 0:14:31which makes what he does extra special.

0:14:31 > 0:14:35So much so that Scotts has also been given the task

0:14:35 > 0:14:39of training up another dog to take over from him when he retires.

0:14:39 > 0:14:41That dog is this fella, Danny.

0:14:41 > 0:14:45Problem is, Danny's still a pup, and pups like bouncing around,

0:14:45 > 0:14:49barking and tearing things up. So there's a lot of work to do.

0:14:58 > 0:15:01READ dogs like Scotts are required to be calm and quiet

0:15:01 > 0:15:03as they listen to the children read.

0:15:03 > 0:15:06There's no-one calmer and more patient than Scotts.

0:15:06 > 0:15:10Almost a bit too mellow in fact. Ahh, it's a dog's life!

0:15:10 > 0:15:13Maybe Scotts is daydreaming about his former glory

0:15:13 > 0:15:16as a champion greyhound racer.

0:15:16 > 0:15:19In his past life as a champion racing greyhound,

0:15:19 > 0:15:22his full name was Scotts Kelly. He won the Arc Trophy

0:15:22 > 0:15:25in 2001 and even went to Downing Street.

0:15:25 > 0:15:28What a glamorous life he had.

0:15:28 > 0:15:31Despite having a reputation for being speedy,

0:15:31 > 0:15:34greyhounds like Scotts make for perfect reading tutors,

0:15:34 > 0:15:38as by nature they're gentle and affectionate around children.

0:15:38 > 0:15:40So Scotts is such a really nice dog.

0:15:40 > 0:15:42I actually haven't heard him bark ever

0:15:42 > 0:15:45because I think that is just his character, he's so laid-back.

0:15:49 > 0:15:50Are we keeping you up, Scotts?

0:15:50 > 0:15:53Come on, we've got to go and listen to kids read.

0:15:53 > 0:15:56And today he's taking his apprentice Danny with him.

0:15:56 > 0:15:59Best behaviour in school today, please, Danny.

0:15:59 > 0:16:02It's Scotts' reputation at stake here.

0:16:04 > 0:16:06You've got to do this job by the book.

0:16:07 > 0:16:11An important dog like Scotts obviously deserves a uniform

0:16:11 > 0:16:13befitting a superhero.

0:16:13 > 0:16:15Check out that waistcoat and bandana.

0:16:17 > 0:16:20Danny, that's something you aim for. No pressure, buddy!

0:16:23 > 0:16:26But today all you need is to be calm and gentle for the kids.

0:16:26 > 0:16:30That doesn't sound too hard, does it? Danny, we're talking to you!

0:16:30 > 0:16:35Just make sure you follow Scotts' lead. This guy's an old pro.

0:16:35 > 0:16:36Come on.

0:16:43 > 0:16:46The READ team arrive at the school and it's straight to work.

0:16:46 > 0:16:50There are lots of children who want to read to the dogs.

0:16:50 > 0:16:53Er, Scotts? You've got a lot of listening to do today.

0:16:55 > 0:16:59Super-cool Scotts isn't hurrying. Always time to do some sunbathing!

0:16:59 > 0:17:02Come on, Scottsy.

0:17:03 > 0:17:06But in superhero style Scotts answers the call of duty.

0:17:06 > 0:17:09- Scotts!- Scotts!

0:17:09 > 0:17:11Hello, Scottsy?

0:17:11 > 0:17:15There are lots of poems to listen to and Scotts is your dog to hear them.

0:17:15 > 0:17:19It's easier for the children to read to Scotts than to a person,

0:17:19 > 0:17:22with a person they feel like you're judging them.

0:17:22 > 0:17:24With Scotts they know he's not going to say,

0:17:24 > 0:17:29"That wasn't good enough," and he's just there to listen.

0:17:29 > 0:17:31And it's Danny's lucky day.

0:17:31 > 0:17:33He gets to hear some of the children's poems as well.

0:17:33 > 0:17:39# These words are my own From my heart flow... #

0:17:39 > 0:17:43Danny settles down to listen. Quite the bookworm, aren't you, Danny?

0:17:43 > 0:17:45Do you want to read first?

0:17:45 > 0:17:49Flashing white water. Frosty, snowy...

0:17:49 > 0:17:52But when Scotts turns his back for a split-second...

0:17:52 > 0:17:55Danny lets his concentration slip and starts eating a poem.

0:17:57 > 0:18:00# Rip it up and start again... #

0:18:00 > 0:18:01He's a hooligan!

0:18:03 > 0:18:05Danny ate my poem, Scottsy.

0:18:05 > 0:18:09I've heard of someone eating their own words, but this is ridiculous.

0:18:09 > 0:18:10What were you thinking, Danny?

0:18:10 > 0:18:14I think Danny will get much better. He's doing really well.

0:18:14 > 0:18:18Obviously he did rip up someone's poem but it was enthusiasm.

0:18:18 > 0:18:23He obviously liked the poem and the children saw the funny side. It didn't upset them.

0:18:23 > 0:18:25Read my lips, Danny, you need to grow up!

0:18:25 > 0:18:27Whoever heard of a book-eating dog?

0:18:27 > 0:18:30An embarrassed Scotts will have to continue his amazing work

0:18:30 > 0:18:33as a reading tutor to the children.

0:18:40 > 0:18:45ALL: Thank you, Scottsy, for listening to my story.

0:18:45 > 0:18:48After all, there's plenty of life in the old dog yet.

0:18:48 > 0:18:49LAUGHS

0:18:55 > 0:18:57It's not just today that animals have had jobs.

0:18:57 > 0:19:00In fact, history reveals that in the past

0:19:00 > 0:19:03they've had even more amazing jobs than today

0:19:03 > 0:19:06and here are those History's Heroes.

0:19:06 > 0:19:10I, Professor John Bumbleman, am the greatest animal historian

0:19:10 > 0:19:13of all time and my contribution to mankind's knowledge

0:19:13 > 0:19:15has been truly world-changing.

0:19:15 > 0:19:19Anyway, amazingly there are some animals that have changed things

0:19:19 > 0:19:21even more than I have.

0:19:21 > 0:19:24Let's take a look at history's world-changing animals.

0:19:25 > 0:19:30Our first animal to change the world is the spotty farm cow, Blossom.

0:19:30 > 0:19:32Blossom was covered in red blisters

0:19:32 > 0:19:35after catching a disease called cowpox.

0:19:35 > 0:19:38Blossom's milkmaid, Sarah, caught cowpox from Blossom

0:19:38 > 0:19:41and felt so sick she went to see Dr Edward Jenner.

0:19:43 > 0:19:46This doctor specialised in trying to cure another

0:19:46 > 0:19:48more deadly disease, smallpox.

0:19:50 > 0:19:53He infected a young boy with Blossom's cowpox

0:19:53 > 0:19:54and after he recovered,

0:19:54 > 0:19:58Dr Jenner exposed him to the deadly smallpox, and what do you know?

0:19:58 > 0:20:00The boy didn't catch smallpox.

0:20:00 > 0:20:02In fact, he didn't get even a little bit ill.

0:20:02 > 0:20:04CRYING

0:20:04 > 0:20:06The doctor had discovered a vaccination...

0:20:06 > 0:20:08APPLAUSE

0:20:08 > 0:20:11..meaning that millions of people across the world

0:20:11 > 0:20:13had been saved from the nasty smallpox.

0:20:14 > 0:20:18All thanks to the one and only Blossom!

0:20:22 > 0:20:26Our next animal that changed the world is a Newfoundland dog.

0:20:26 > 0:20:27DOG BARKS

0:20:27 > 0:20:28In 19th-century Europe,

0:20:28 > 0:20:31a French emperor called Napoleon was always starting wars

0:20:31 > 0:20:34with nearby countries until eventually he was defeated

0:20:34 > 0:20:37and imprisoned on a small, remote island

0:20:37 > 0:20:40and for a while, peace was restored to Europe.

0:20:41 > 0:20:45That is until Napoleon escaped by hitching a ride on a boat.

0:20:45 > 0:20:47His cunning escape plan almost backfired

0:20:47 > 0:20:50when he fell off the boat and started to drown.

0:20:50 > 0:20:53Amazingly, a Newfoundland dog leapt into the sea

0:20:53 > 0:20:57and rescued Napoleon from an almost-certain death.

0:20:57 > 0:21:01Napoleon then returned to France and once again went to war with Britain,

0:21:01 > 0:21:03losing at the Battle of Waterloo.

0:21:03 > 0:21:05If the Newfoundland pup hadn't rescued Napoleon,

0:21:05 > 0:21:08this great battle would never have occurred,

0:21:08 > 0:21:11firmly earning the pooch his place in History's Heroes.

0:21:11 > 0:21:15And if that wasn't enough, here's another world-changing animal.

0:21:15 > 0:21:18Our final animals that changed the world are the tortoises,

0:21:18 > 0:21:21who unknowingly worked as research assistants.

0:21:21 > 0:21:24In 1835, the scientist Charles Darwin

0:21:24 > 0:21:26went to the Galapagos Islands,

0:21:26 > 0:21:30which is populated by amazing and unique animals.

0:21:30 > 0:21:34Mr Darwin met one of the island's residents, Mr Nicholas Lawson

0:21:34 > 0:21:38who had noticed something incredible about the local tortoises.

0:21:38 > 0:21:42He could tell exactly which island a particular tortoise had come from,

0:21:42 > 0:21:46simply by the shape of its shell. Tortoises who lived

0:21:46 > 0:21:48where they could feed from the ground

0:21:48 > 0:21:50had low shells across their backs,

0:21:50 > 0:21:53while tortoises who had reached upwards to feed

0:21:53 > 0:21:55had a saddle-shaped shell.

0:21:55 > 0:21:57Darwin studied more animals

0:21:57 > 0:22:00and discovered it wasn't just the tortoises.

0:22:00 > 0:22:03Every island had slightly different versions of the same animal.

0:22:03 > 0:22:07He concluded that since the very first life form appeared,

0:22:07 > 0:22:09animals and humans had changed and evolved

0:22:09 > 0:22:11by adapting to their environment.

0:22:11 > 0:22:13Controversially for the times,

0:22:13 > 0:22:16this meant that man had descended from early apes.

0:22:16 > 0:22:20This idea is known as natural selection, and is one of the most

0:22:20 > 0:22:24important scientific theories for helping us understand the world.

0:22:24 > 0:22:27Thank you, tortoise, you've been one shell of a world-changer!

0:22:27 > 0:22:30That's it for history's world-changing heroes.

0:22:30 > 0:22:31Goodbye, animal lovers.

0:22:36 > 0:22:38We've been surfing the net to see

0:22:38 > 0:22:40what your animals get up to on their days off.

0:22:40 > 0:22:43Check out these cool meerkats.

0:22:43 > 0:22:46Hey, you fancy hanging out today?

0:22:46 > 0:22:50Yeah, sounds like fun. I'll swing by and pick you up in a bit.

0:22:50 > 0:22:52Don't you mean, "drop by"?

0:22:53 > 0:22:57Easily amused, aren't they? Huh, the clowns.

0:22:57 > 0:23:02Hey, watch your feet. That hurts!

0:23:02 > 0:23:05Get out of here, get out of my box, get out of here!

0:23:12 > 0:23:15It's now time for a parade in Tamarindo, Costa Rica.

0:23:17 > 0:23:19Miss Tica, a four-year-old Criollo horse,

0:23:19 > 0:23:22is getting ready for her first ever Tope,

0:23:22 > 0:23:25the most important and prestigious parade for horses in Costa Rica.

0:23:25 > 0:23:28Miss Tica has the added pressure

0:23:28 > 0:23:31of living up to her parents' expectations.

0:23:31 > 0:23:34Both of them were high-stepping stars and Miss Tica

0:23:34 > 0:23:37must master the high step today.

0:23:37 > 0:23:41Miss Tica's going to have a big day today cos she's going to the tope

0:23:41 > 0:23:45and she'll have a very exciting day with a lot of horses.

0:23:45 > 0:23:47# Wow wow wow wow... #

0:23:47 > 0:23:52So what's left for a girl to do but take a trip to the beauty parlour...

0:23:52 > 0:23:54to have her tail brushed...

0:23:56 > 0:23:58- ..and hooves polished. - # Wow! #

0:24:00 > 0:24:05Ahh, bliss. What better way to chill out than a good old pamper?

0:24:05 > 0:24:08She's relaxed, as you can see.

0:24:08 > 0:24:12When a horse is chewing and chomping like that, very relaxed,

0:24:12 > 0:24:15that's a very good sign. She's not nervous yet.

0:24:15 > 0:24:19Miss Tica's horsey hero Nevado looks pretty chilled out too

0:24:19 > 0:24:20judging by his stance.

0:24:21 > 0:24:25A horse raising its hoof like this is a sign it's relaxed.

0:24:25 > 0:24:27Or is he just looking cool for Miss Tica?

0:24:27 > 0:24:29You have to be good.

0:24:29 > 0:24:30And here she comes.

0:24:32 > 0:24:34Stay cool, Nevado, stay cool.

0:24:36 > 0:24:38Doesn't she look spectacular?

0:24:39 > 0:24:43And here's the carriage to take our princess to the ball...

0:24:43 > 0:24:44Sorry, parade.

0:24:50 > 0:24:53But it's not all about glamour. It's now time

0:24:53 > 0:24:56to saddle up and attend to the job in hand.

0:24:58 > 0:25:01Miss Tica is in the presence of some accomplished

0:25:01 > 0:25:03and confident parade ponies.

0:25:03 > 0:25:06She'd better not let her nerves get to her.

0:25:12 > 0:25:15Esteban takes Miss Tica for a warm-up walk.

0:25:15 > 0:25:17Her big moment is almost here.

0:25:19 > 0:25:22Miss Tica's getting a little too excited and nervous.

0:25:22 > 0:25:26Parade Prince Nevado gives her some tips and she quickly calms down.

0:25:28 > 0:25:33I expect her to be very, very good. She's calm now. She's ready.

0:25:34 > 0:25:38She'll learn how to high step. She'll be prancing like that too.

0:25:41 > 0:25:44It's time for the main event, the parade.

0:25:44 > 0:25:47OK, Miss Tica, this is it.

0:25:47 > 0:25:50It's your big chance to make everyone proud.

0:25:50 > 0:25:53She's sticking close to Nevado but she looks great.

0:25:53 > 0:25:55She's working so well with Esteban

0:25:55 > 0:25:57that she's not noticing the cars and noises.

0:25:58 > 0:26:00The crowds really love her!

0:26:03 > 0:26:07With the spotlight well and truly on her, Miss Tica goes for the big one.

0:26:10 > 0:26:15Effortlessly, our parade princess pulls off the tricky high step

0:26:15 > 0:26:17for her adoring public. What a class act!

0:26:25 > 0:26:28Man, her bosses must be really proud of her.

0:26:28 > 0:26:34Miss Tica is perfect today, mm-hmm. It's a wonderful job.

0:26:34 > 0:26:36Our whole family today was proud.

0:26:36 > 0:26:40Her father, her best friends, her auntie.

0:26:40 > 0:26:45Nevado gives the shiny newcomer a special big nod of approval.

0:26:45 > 0:26:47Swoon!

0:26:47 > 0:26:50Looks like this story might have a classic fairytale ending.

0:26:50 > 0:26:53Could Nevado and Miss Tica be sharing a post-parade nuzzle?

0:26:53 > 0:26:56Wonder if they'll be "bridle" and groom soon, ha!

0:26:57 > 0:26:59Well done, Miss Tica.

0:26:59 > 0:27:03You really have put on a show-stopping performance today

0:27:03 > 0:27:06and continued the family tradition of appearing in the tope.

0:27:06 > 0:27:09A high-stepping star is well and truly born.

0:27:09 > 0:27:11And she's going to be a star, I can tell.

0:27:13 > 0:27:16What are you looking at? Look over here. The show's over.

0:27:18 > 0:27:22Over? Whatever, O-F-W-U-U-R.

0:27:29 > 0:27:32Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd

0:27:32 > 0:27:36Email subtitling@bbc.co.uk