0:00:02 > 0:00:04This show features highly-trained professionals
0:00:04 > 0:00:08working with potentially dangerous and unpredictable animals.
0:00:08 > 0:00:11So do not, we repeat, do not try this at home.
0:00:24 > 0:00:27Did you know that now, right now, there are people
0:00:27 > 0:00:30all-round the country who are working their socks off
0:00:30 > 0:00:33to help wounded wildlife and poorly pets?
0:00:33 > 0:00:37And we have managed to get VIP passes for some willing helpers
0:00:37 > 0:00:41who are going to get stuck in at the busiest vets, wildlife sanctuaries
0:00:41 > 0:00:44and rescue centres. You're free!
0:00:46 > 0:00:48On today's show.
0:00:48 > 0:00:50Ada and Bianca watch a dog who smells of wee.
0:00:50 > 0:00:53I saw you trying to get out of it.
0:00:53 > 0:00:58- Go on.- And it is a wash out when they have to catch a real horse.
0:00:58 > 0:01:01- Elise and Abbie smell a rat. - I can see one.- He's looking.
0:01:01 > 0:01:03Yes, he's looking at me. Keep going.
0:01:03 > 0:01:06And a fox. And a badger too.
0:01:06 > 0:01:12- And Dick plays chicken as he falls - fowl- for a racing rooster.
0:01:12 > 0:01:14It's tough and dirty work.
0:01:14 > 0:01:17But someone's got to do it.
0:01:21 > 0:01:23Wildwood Trust in Herne Bay, Kent.
0:01:23 > 0:01:26It promises close encounters with British wildlife.
0:01:26 > 0:01:30Let's hope they are not too close or this could be a very short programme
0:01:30 > 0:01:31and a wasted trip for these two.
0:01:34 > 0:01:37Meet Elise and Abbie, two friends from Norwich
0:01:37 > 0:01:40with very different opinions when it comes to animals.
0:01:40 > 0:01:44Elise loves hanging around with all things furry.
0:01:44 > 0:01:50I like big cats, dogs, fish, gerbils, and I like kittens.
0:01:50 > 0:01:51She even has her own pet.
0:01:51 > 0:01:56I like to play with my dog in the garden and I like cuddling him.
0:01:56 > 0:02:01Whereas Abbie, well this keen first aider loves helping people,
0:02:01 > 0:02:04but she is not so keen on pets and wildlife.
0:02:04 > 0:02:06Oh, no, I don't like animals.
0:02:06 > 0:02:10They are just boring and nature like birds,
0:02:10 > 0:02:13foxes, owls, badgers, deer, nah.
0:02:13 > 0:02:16OK, so two friends who are up for a challenge.
0:02:16 > 0:02:18One loves animals, the other really doesn't.
0:02:18 > 0:02:20Will a day at a wildlife centre
0:02:20 > 0:02:23get them both hooking at our furry friends in the same way?
0:02:23 > 0:02:25Abbie and Elise, it is lovely to meet you,
0:02:25 > 0:02:28but Abbie, what's this problem you've got with animals.
0:02:28 > 0:02:32I think they are smelly, scuttly, stink and poo and everything.
0:02:32 > 0:02:33Just not very nice at all.
0:02:33 > 0:02:35Do you like going to zoos and wildlife parks,
0:02:35 > 0:02:39- have you done it before?- I've done it before, but it's boring.
0:02:39 > 0:02:42We're at Wildwood today. Hopefully, she'll enjoy it.
0:02:42 > 0:02:43- Do you think she will?- Yeah.
0:02:43 > 0:02:47But you are going to help Abbie along with her journey today.
0:02:47 > 0:02:50- Yeah, sure.- Right. Well, let's go and explore the wild wood.
0:02:50 > 0:02:55This place is home to more than 50 species of animals and, what's more,
0:02:55 > 0:02:57they can all be found living wild in
0:02:57 > 0:03:01Britain or could have been at some point in the past.
0:03:02 > 0:03:06Hi, Karen, these are our two willing volunteers, Abbie and Elise.
0:03:06 > 0:03:09Well, actually, one willing volunteer just here.
0:03:09 > 0:03:11They're dressed the part. What have they got to do?
0:03:11 > 0:03:14We've got lots of animals to look after here.
0:03:14 > 0:03:17Today we're going to start with some cleaning.
0:03:17 > 0:03:19If we just go this way, and we'll start.
0:03:19 > 0:03:22Cleaning, easy. It certainly niffs a bit. I think it needs a clean.
0:03:22 > 0:03:24So what are the animals? Tell the girls.
0:03:24 > 0:03:27Today we're going to be cleaning out the rats.
0:03:27 > 0:03:29THEY GROAN
0:03:29 > 0:03:32Not really the reaction we were looking for,
0:03:32 > 0:03:33- but are you going to do it?- OK.
0:03:33 > 0:03:35- I'll do it. I don't care.- Yes.
0:03:35 > 0:03:38Correct answer.
0:03:38 > 0:03:41And these are the rats that Abbie and Elise
0:03:41 > 0:03:43are going to be hanging out with.
0:03:43 > 0:03:45Cute, eh? Oh yeah, girls, liking the...
0:03:45 > 0:03:47So what kind of rats have we got in here?
0:03:47 > 0:03:50- They're brown rats.- Are they totally safe?- They are, yes.
0:03:50 > 0:03:52So what do the girls need to do then, Karen?
0:03:52 > 0:03:56Today we're going to be cleaning them out and giving them some food.
0:03:56 > 0:03:58So how are you feeling about this experience?
0:03:58 > 0:04:00Not too keen, but I'm sure I'll live.
0:04:00 > 0:04:05I'll do it, but it's just a bit - rats. They're a bit ratty.
0:04:05 > 0:04:11OK, girls, your moment of truth is here. Please meet the rats.
0:04:11 > 0:04:14Now, I'm allergic.
0:04:14 > 0:04:15Yes, I'm allergic to rats.
0:04:15 > 0:04:19Allergic to rats that need cleaning out, so I'll be staying out
0:04:19 > 0:04:22keeping guard in case anyone tries to break in.
0:04:22 > 0:04:24Yes, got it. That's it.
0:04:24 > 0:04:26It stinks in here.
0:04:26 > 0:04:29How will the girls do when they come face-to-face
0:04:29 > 0:04:32with the fearsome rodents?
0:04:32 > 0:04:35First, is Dom in a spot of bother in Lancashire?
0:04:37 > 0:04:40You know, some people are terrified of big scary animals.
0:04:46 > 0:04:50All animals are in need of help even the really,
0:04:50 > 0:04:53really big ones, which is why I've legged it here
0:04:53 > 0:04:56to the Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary where they do just that.
0:04:56 > 0:04:58OK, I know it's not that big and scary,
0:04:58 > 0:05:01but it is in need of a lot of care and attention,
0:05:01 > 0:05:06even if it is from two volunteers who are terrified of these big,
0:05:06 > 0:05:09terrifying, scary, horrible animals.
0:05:09 > 0:05:14So maybe it is time to get friends Ada and Bianca to swing into action.
0:05:14 > 0:05:17The girls love most animals, but Ada thinks horses are horrendous.
0:05:17 > 0:05:21I think it is because I don't know much about them.
0:05:21 > 0:05:24I just find horses a bit boring,.
0:05:24 > 0:05:26I don't see why they're considered a girl's animal
0:05:26 > 0:05:28and not a boy's animal.
0:05:28 > 0:05:31These girls are a dab hand in the kitchen, but for Bianca,
0:05:31 > 0:05:34any big animals are a recipe for disaster.
0:05:34 > 0:05:38I don't like the idea the way they leave waste everywhere
0:05:38 > 0:05:41and so no, I don't really like horses.
0:05:41 > 0:05:43So we've got all the ingredients.
0:05:43 > 0:05:46Let's see what's cooking when we head over to the animal sanctuary.
0:05:46 > 0:05:50Bianca, Ada, how are you doing, are you all right?
0:05:50 > 0:05:54- Good. What kind of animals do you most dislike?- Big animals.
0:05:54 > 0:05:55- Like horses, donkeys?- Yeah.
0:05:55 > 0:05:58Perfect, you have come to the right place
0:05:58 > 0:06:01because this place is teaming full of donkeys and horses.
0:06:01 > 0:06:04So the only way to get you involved and interested in them
0:06:04 > 0:06:07is by getting your hands dirty. Shall we do it?
0:06:07 > 0:06:09Yes is the answer you're looking for.
0:06:09 > 0:06:13Bleakholt in Lancashire rehomes thousands of animals every year,
0:06:13 > 0:06:17including some of the hoofed variety.
0:06:17 > 0:06:20First up, it is a date with the donkeys.
0:06:20 > 0:06:24They're highly sociable animals and if they decide they like you,
0:06:24 > 0:06:26you're in. Fingers crossed, girls.
0:06:26 > 0:06:30Right, so here we are.
0:06:30 > 0:06:31What jobs have you got for them?
0:06:31 > 0:06:33Well, what we need to do today,
0:06:33 > 0:06:36we need to get these donkeys fed, thank you, Jubilee.
0:06:36 > 0:06:38What we'll be doing is putting the donkey nuts,
0:06:38 > 0:06:42which is donkey feed, into wellies so they can play with the wellies,
0:06:42 > 0:06:44lift them up, tip out the feed and eat them.
0:06:44 > 0:06:46And what's the purpose of that?
0:06:46 > 0:06:48It is fun for them. It stimulates them.
0:06:48 > 0:06:49It means they're doing something
0:06:49 > 0:06:52rather than stood in a field all day chewing on grass.
0:06:52 > 0:06:54Fair enough. There you go.
0:06:54 > 0:06:56Great. Now you've got acquainted,
0:06:56 > 0:07:00it's time to take your donkey diners for their din-dins outside.
0:07:00 > 0:07:03Steady on, donkeys, there's plenty of food for everyone. Really.
0:07:03 > 0:07:06Where are your table manners?
0:07:06 > 0:07:08It just needs a bit of a wiggle.
0:07:11 > 0:07:15Donkeys like to spend up to 16 hours a day munching on grub, and after
0:07:15 > 0:07:20being stuck inside this lot look like they are up for another meal.
0:07:20 > 0:07:23Soon Ada and Bianca's dinner party guests are rounded up
0:07:23 > 0:07:26and there's only one more thing left to do.
0:07:26 > 0:07:30Well done, cheers. Right now, we just need to get the food ready for them.
0:07:30 > 0:07:34What's on the menu later when our chefs have to dish up dinner
0:07:34 > 0:07:36for these demanding donkeys?
0:07:38 > 0:07:40Meanwhile, Elise and Abbie are over in Kent
0:07:40 > 0:07:44where they have the terrible task of cleaning out a rat's nest.
0:07:44 > 0:07:47I can see one. There's supposed to be 15 in here
0:07:47 > 0:07:50and I can only see four which is kind of creepy.
0:07:50 > 0:07:53I don't know where they are.
0:07:53 > 0:07:55There could be one on your head right this minute.
0:07:55 > 0:07:57Please don't say that.
0:07:57 > 0:08:00Come on, girls, the sooner you get the place cleaned up,
0:08:00 > 0:08:02the sooner you can come out.
0:08:02 > 0:08:04- I can see one.- He's looking.
0:08:04 > 0:08:06He's looking at me. Keep going.
0:08:06 > 0:08:10I think he's looking at the food, actually. No, he is looking at you.
0:08:10 > 0:08:12Perhaps it is my good looks.
0:08:12 > 0:08:15Rats don't completely deserve their repulsive reputation.
0:08:15 > 0:08:19They are highly intelligent creatures and domestic rats
0:08:19 > 0:08:22make great pets, but it is best not to go near a wild one.
0:08:22 > 0:08:24They can bite and may have diseases.
0:08:24 > 0:08:26- Disgusting.- Are you stepping on poo?
0:08:26 > 0:08:28Of course I am!
0:08:28 > 0:08:30Oh, no.
0:08:30 > 0:08:34- Elise! - Now, if I was Abbie the last thing
0:08:34 > 0:08:38I would do in these circumstances is go looking under that cardboard box.
0:08:38 > 0:08:39You're not going to, please?
0:08:39 > 0:08:41Yes, she is, Elise.
0:08:49 > 0:08:51Oh, babies.
0:08:52 > 0:08:54They're like so cute.
0:08:54 > 0:08:56Yes, pretty cute, I have to agree.
0:08:56 > 0:09:00Incredibly mum rats can have up to 70 babies in a year.
0:09:02 > 0:09:05It seems that Elise and Abbie are actually
0:09:05 > 0:09:06starting to enjoy themselves.
0:09:06 > 0:09:09You do not know how disgusting this is.
0:09:09 > 0:09:11OK, maybe not then. Never mind, girls,
0:09:11 > 0:09:14you've done an amazing job in there.
0:09:15 > 0:09:18Ladies, you are finished.
0:09:18 > 0:09:22- I want to show you the babies. They're cute.- How was it? Tell me.
0:09:22 > 0:09:23Tell me. It stinks in there.
0:09:23 > 0:09:25- Was it bad? Was it good?- It was OK.
0:09:25 > 0:09:27- It was really, really fun.- Was it?
0:09:27 > 0:09:30It was one of the best things I've done.
0:09:30 > 0:09:32Rats right about there.
0:09:32 > 0:09:35The babies are really cute because they're like, that small.
0:09:35 > 0:09:37There was one about that big. Tiny.
0:09:37 > 0:09:41I didn't know there were babies in there. You're the first to see them.
0:09:41 > 0:09:44Abbie, considering you didn't like wildlife this morning,
0:09:44 > 0:09:48I think you're doing a grand job. Don't you, Karen? Very good. Spot on.
0:09:49 > 0:09:51'Spot on indeed, but how will the girls react
0:09:51 > 0:09:53'when they meet a bedridden badger?'
0:09:53 > 0:09:56- So this is Mouse.- BOTH: Aaaw!
0:09:58 > 0:10:01'Ada and Bianca are getting ready to host a donkey dinner in Lancashire.
0:10:01 > 0:10:04'But the menu's decidedly different.
0:10:04 > 0:10:09'For the first course, our chefs are rustling up a starter of hay.'
0:10:09 > 0:10:11What I need to do, bring it round here...
0:10:11 > 0:10:14and try and shake and scatter it into each one of these,
0:10:14 > 0:10:15so it separates up.
0:10:17 > 0:10:19Next up, it's the main course.
0:10:19 > 0:10:23- Right, girls, here's your wellies. - 'Nutty Wellingtons?!'
0:10:23 > 0:10:26What we need to do now, is take some of this feed out of here
0:10:26 > 0:10:29and fill each welly between half-way and three-quarters full.
0:10:29 > 0:10:32There's got to be a gap so they can pick it up.
0:10:32 > 0:10:34'The wellies are packed with donkey nuts
0:10:34 > 0:10:36'which the donkeys love to sniff out.'
0:10:36 > 0:10:38Smelly wellies.
0:10:38 > 0:10:41Once we've got them filled up, we need to put them in different places
0:10:41 > 0:10:43so they're not all in one bunch,
0:10:43 > 0:10:45so the donkeys actually have to find them.
0:10:48 > 0:10:51'Hiding food like this is called enrichment,
0:10:51 > 0:10:54'a way of getting the donkeys to use their brains to find food.'
0:11:00 > 0:11:02'Hey! Steady on, no barging, please.
0:11:04 > 0:11:06'There's enough donkey nuts to go round.'
0:11:09 > 0:11:12They seem to be enjoying it, don't they?
0:11:12 > 0:11:14Watch, they'll barge you out of the way.
0:11:14 > 0:11:17'Well done, girls, you gave the job plenty of welly!'
0:11:20 > 0:11:22And that was just the warm-up.
0:11:22 > 0:11:27Let's see how Ada and Bianca do when we wash down a dog who wets the bed.
0:11:27 > 0:11:29Eeew!
0:11:30 > 0:11:34First up, it's time to see if Dick is chicken.
0:11:37 > 0:11:38You seem nervous.
0:11:38 > 0:11:39Sorry, I was trying to hold it in.
0:11:39 > 0:11:42It's today's Animal Challenge, I think it's too much for you.
0:11:42 > 0:11:45- Don't be daft. - Look, it's man versus beast!
0:11:45 > 0:11:49- What kind of beast?- A feathery one. - A bird?- A feathery bird.
0:11:49 > 0:11:52- An eagle, a hawk?- No!
0:11:52 > 0:11:54- IN A CREEPY VOICE - Chickens.
0:11:54 > 0:11:59Aaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhh!
0:11:59 > 0:12:02I know, it's scary!
0:12:02 > 0:12:04No, you're standing on me toe!
0:12:04 > 0:12:06Oh, yes. Sorry, yes.
0:12:06 > 0:12:08I like chickens.
0:12:08 > 0:12:11'We've got to move these chickens to a brand new home.'
0:12:11 > 0:12:14Right, here goes.
0:12:16 > 0:12:19'Now, in theory, it should be a piece of cake
0:12:19 > 0:12:21- 'to catch the first one.'- And...
0:12:22 > 0:12:24There you go. Sorted.
0:12:24 > 0:12:26That was easy, wasn't it?
0:12:26 > 0:12:28It only took ten seconds.
0:12:28 > 0:12:31- I know, but Mildred is an ex-battery chicken with a broken leg.- Right.
0:12:31 > 0:12:34She's not the problem, but thanks anyway.
0:12:34 > 0:12:38You see that sleek black one over there with the long legs?
0:12:38 > 0:12:39That's Squash.
0:12:39 > 0:12:40- Good luck.- Ah.
0:12:40 > 0:12:43Not a problem. Observe.
0:12:48 > 0:12:51- Come on.- 'The feathered fiend that Dick is failing to keep up with
0:12:51 > 0:12:54'is a Rosecomb Bantam.' It's gone underneath!
0:12:54 > 0:12:57'These cheeky little chickens aren't great at laying eggs,
0:12:57 > 0:12:59'they are good at running...'
0:12:59 > 0:13:00Quick!
0:13:00 > 0:13:03'..Fast! Certainly a lot faster than Dick.'
0:13:03 > 0:13:06He's gone in the hutch. Get in there, through that little hole.
0:13:06 > 0:13:08Come on, Squash. Nah.
0:13:08 > 0:13:10Right...
0:13:10 > 0:13:12I'm going in.
0:13:12 > 0:13:14Step one, remove door.
0:13:14 > 0:13:16Step two, remove chicken.
0:13:21 > 0:13:24Come on! Get in!
0:13:26 > 0:13:29Well done, you're doing a really good job so far.
0:13:29 > 0:13:31Right, back in. This is it.
0:13:31 > 0:13:33I'm going to close the entrance off with my body.
0:13:33 > 0:13:36'You lot, don't go chasing any chickens at home, OK?
0:13:36 > 0:13:40- 'If you keep chickens at home. They won't like it.'- Aaah!
0:13:40 > 0:13:43HE LAUGHS
0:13:43 > 0:13:45Yes! Now how do I get out?
0:13:45 > 0:13:46Do you need a hand?
0:13:46 > 0:13:48Help!
0:13:48 > 0:13:51And that's how you catch a chicken named Squash.
0:13:51 > 0:13:54And this is how you release them into their new enclosure.
0:13:54 > 0:13:56Ladies first...
0:13:56 > 0:14:00- Hi, Mildred.- There you go.
0:14:00 > 0:14:04So there we are, Squash and Mildred in their new coup with less poop.
0:14:04 > 0:14:08- Well, you've got most of it on your jacket, to be fair.- Lovely.
0:14:08 > 0:14:09Come on, old bean.
0:14:09 > 0:14:12Let's hose you down, you chicken chaser!
0:14:12 > 0:14:14COCK-A-DOODLE-DOO!
0:14:19 > 0:14:21At the animal sanctuary in Lancashire,
0:14:21 > 0:14:25Ada and Bianca are assisting some animals who have had a hard time.
0:14:25 > 0:14:27Next is the doggies' retirement home,
0:14:27 > 0:14:30where one of the oldies is in need of a bath.
0:14:30 > 0:14:33- Who's this?- This is Tyson, he's one of our elderly dogs.
0:14:33 > 0:14:36- OK.- He's about nine or ten. - Is this like an old people's home?
0:14:36 > 0:14:40This is pretty much an old people's home just for dogs.
0:14:40 > 0:14:43- Do dogs get like humans? Do they get crankier with age?- Some of them.
0:14:43 > 0:14:45It is more the medical needs,
0:14:45 > 0:14:48arthritis, your typical old people's problems.
0:14:48 > 0:14:50'Ten-year-old Tyson's problem
0:14:50 > 0:14:53'is that he can't stop weeing all over himself, the poor lad.'
0:14:53 > 0:14:55- So he wets the bed every night.- Oh.
0:14:55 > 0:14:57And being a big hairy dog,
0:14:57 > 0:15:00it all gets in his fur, so we have to wash him quite a lot.
0:15:00 > 0:15:01It sounds like a nice job(!)
0:15:01 > 0:15:04So which of you two is going to wash the wee-smelling dog?
0:15:06 > 0:15:10- I think it's probably a team effort, don't you?- Yeah, definitely.
0:15:10 > 0:15:11'Without regular baths,
0:15:11 > 0:15:14'Tyson's fur would become matted and his skin would get sore.
0:15:14 > 0:15:18'By washing off the wee, the girls can get him comfortable and clean.'
0:15:18 > 0:15:20This doesn't look like a bath.
0:15:20 > 0:15:23It doesn't look like the bath that you or I would go in,
0:15:23 > 0:15:24but it is a doggy bath.
0:15:24 > 0:15:26- Girls, are you ready?- BOTH: Yeah.
0:15:26 > 0:15:29There's two of you, there's one dog. How difficult can it be?
0:15:29 > 0:15:33'Better get some protection on. It might get a "wee" bit wet in there!'
0:15:35 > 0:15:37The amount of gunk that came out.
0:15:37 > 0:15:40That must be quite acidic on the skin?
0:15:40 > 0:15:42So from about here...
0:15:42 > 0:15:47just put the line of shampoo down him and the other one has to rub it in.
0:15:49 > 0:15:52Bianca, you missed a spot. You've got to get where all the wee is.
0:15:52 > 0:15:55I saw you trying to get out of it. Go on!
0:15:55 > 0:15:58- Go on, the leg!- No!
0:15:58 > 0:16:01I need you to scrub in there and on the inside of his legs, please.
0:16:01 > 0:16:05Go on, Ada. Think of the poor doggy.
0:16:05 > 0:16:07'Come on, girls, get stuck in!'
0:16:07 > 0:16:10It's good that we do this for him because he'll feel better.
0:16:10 > 0:16:13I know it is not the nicest job, but it is good for him.
0:16:13 > 0:16:15'Finally, the job is nearly over.'
0:16:15 > 0:16:17The water's coming out nice and clean now.
0:16:17 > 0:16:20'Phew! I bet he feels better about that.
0:16:20 > 0:16:22'Towels at the ready.'
0:16:22 > 0:16:24Towel. Towel.
0:16:25 > 0:16:26Eeeew!
0:16:28 > 0:16:31It's a good job he did it when he was clean and not before.
0:16:32 > 0:16:36'Lots of gorgeous dogs like Tyson have problems with their health
0:16:36 > 0:16:40'and thanks to places like this, they have a better life. Great job.'
0:16:41 > 0:16:43Luke, what do we do now?
0:16:43 > 0:16:46Tyson's going to go back to his bed, a nice heated kennel
0:16:46 > 0:16:48- and probably have a sleep.- Great.
0:16:48 > 0:16:51Time for a little old man dose by the fire.
0:16:51 > 0:16:52Come on, girls, well done.
0:16:52 > 0:16:54Round, go that way!
0:16:54 > 0:16:56'But how will Ada and Bianca get on
0:16:56 > 0:16:59'when they have to giddy-up some very small gee-gees?'
0:16:59 > 0:17:02- Who'd have thought a tiny horse could cause so much trouble?- I know!
0:17:04 > 0:17:06At Wildwood Trust in Kent,
0:17:06 > 0:17:08animal lover Elise is trying to prove to her mate, Abbie,
0:17:08 > 0:17:10that animals are ace.
0:17:10 > 0:17:12And what better than one of Britain's finest?
0:17:13 > 0:17:17You're getting to do something that no members of the public get to do.
0:17:17 > 0:17:21You're behind the scenes, in one of the animals' enclosures.
0:17:21 > 0:17:24- But which animal is it, Karen? - It's a badger.- A badger.- Oh dear.
0:17:24 > 0:17:25Why, "Oh dear"?
0:17:25 > 0:17:28- I don't like them. - How can you not like a badger?
0:17:28 > 0:17:32- They go around and curl up in balls. - But they're cute and fluffy!
0:17:32 > 0:17:35- Why does she not like badgers, Elise? - I don't really know.
0:17:35 > 0:17:38Because they're like... pillows, kind of.
0:17:38 > 0:17:43They have teeth and they can snarl at you and...
0:17:43 > 0:17:47Badgers are nocturnal animals. How will we see one in the daytime?
0:17:47 > 0:17:50Our badger is hand-reared, so he'll come out when I call him.
0:17:50 > 0:17:54- So you're his mummy?- Yes.- Ready to meet the badger, girls?- Yeah.- OK.
0:17:54 > 0:17:57And here he is. Bore is a fully-grown male
0:17:57 > 0:17:59who's been living here since he was a cub
0:17:59 > 0:18:02and he's not fussy about what he eats.
0:18:02 > 0:18:05He's quite happy chomping away on earthworms, beetles,
0:18:05 > 0:18:09mice, frogs, acorns, bulbs and fruit.
0:18:09 > 0:18:11'Don't worry, Abbie, he won't chomp on you.
0:18:11 > 0:18:13'Bore is a very friendly badger.'
0:18:13 > 0:18:14What do you think, Abbie?
0:18:14 > 0:18:17It's OK because he's not hurting me or snorting.
0:18:17 > 0:18:20I don't know why you don't like them. Are you scared of it?
0:18:20 > 0:18:22I'm not scared of it.
0:18:22 > 0:18:24It's because I've heard stories that they've bit people
0:18:24 > 0:18:27and they can be snarly and aggressive.
0:18:27 > 0:18:29Badgers in the wild can be aggressive,
0:18:29 > 0:18:31but the ones in captivity are handled regularly
0:18:31 > 0:18:33so they're very tame.
0:18:33 > 0:18:35So this is a hand-reared badger. What does that mean?
0:18:35 > 0:18:38He was found when he was very young.
0:18:38 > 0:18:40His mum wasn't there so someone took him in
0:18:40 > 0:18:42and they bottle-fed him day and night
0:18:42 > 0:18:45until he was old enough to eat for himself.
0:18:45 > 0:18:49'Not all the animals here are as healthy as Bore though,
0:18:49 > 0:18:52'and Abbie and Elise are about to meet a very poorly badger
0:18:52 > 0:18:54'who's being examined by Sophie, the vet.'
0:18:54 > 0:18:59- So this is Mouse.- BOTH: Aaaww.
0:18:59 > 0:19:02She was brought to us by a member of the public.
0:19:02 > 0:19:06As you can see, she looks slightly different to the other badgers.
0:19:06 > 0:19:10She's got quite a shortened face and we've taken X-rays of her skull.
0:19:10 > 0:19:12She's grown up with a congenital defect
0:19:12 > 0:19:15and now what that's going to mean - sorry sweetheart -
0:19:15 > 0:19:20is that she's not going to do as well in the wild as we would hope.
0:19:20 > 0:19:24'Sadly, Mouse's deformities will also be causing her pain and discomfort
0:19:24 > 0:19:28'which means Sophie has had to make a very difficult decision.'
0:19:28 > 0:19:33Unfortunately, the best thing for her will be to put her to sleep.
0:19:33 > 0:19:35Is there anything you could do to help her?
0:19:35 > 0:19:39There's things we can do to make the quality of life better,
0:19:39 > 0:19:41but with Mouse, she's starting off on the back foot
0:19:41 > 0:19:47and unfortunately, there's nothing we can do to change that situation.
0:19:53 > 0:19:56Oh, that's so sad.
0:19:56 > 0:20:00Oh, she's very sweet and I've sort of changed my mind a bit...
0:20:00 > 0:20:05I kind of care for her a bit more.
0:20:05 > 0:20:09It's upsetting that Mouse won't make it back to the wild,
0:20:09 > 0:20:11but she's had the very best care there is
0:20:11 > 0:20:14and the staff here have done everything they can for her.
0:20:14 > 0:20:18Sadly, not every animal story has a happy ending.
0:20:20 > 0:20:21Bye, Mouse.
0:20:29 > 0:20:32'But, at least Abbie and Elise can do some more to help animals in need
0:20:32 > 0:20:36'when they become hairdressers to a fluffy fox later on.'
0:20:36 > 0:20:38There's loads coming off.
0:20:38 > 0:20:40Oooh!
0:20:42 > 0:20:46First, it's time to meet a fatherly fish.
0:20:49 > 0:20:52One, two, three.
0:20:52 > 0:20:56- What are you doing?- I'm keeping jelly babies in my mouth for Sophie.
0:20:56 > 0:21:02- What?- I'm keeping the jelly babies...
0:21:02 > 0:21:06Oh, yes, I see, just like the Cardinal Fish dad over here
0:21:06 > 0:21:07who's a mouthbrooding fish,
0:21:07 > 0:21:11who keeps the eggs and the babies in the mouth to keep them safe.
0:21:11 > 0:21:13DICK MUMBLES
0:21:13 > 0:21:15I'm glad you asked that
0:21:15 > 0:21:17because when they're ready to give birth,
0:21:17 > 0:21:20they spit all of the babies into this sea urchin here,
0:21:20 > 0:21:22with the nice sharp spiky spikes.
0:21:22 > 0:21:24That protects the little babies
0:21:24 > 0:21:29and the sea urchin feeds off the baby fish poo.
0:21:40 > 0:21:43'Ada and Bianca, who aren't the biggest fans of horses,
0:21:43 > 0:21:46'are trotting along nicely at the sanctuary in Lancashire.
0:21:46 > 0:21:49'Just one more job for the girls - putting the ponies to bed.'
0:21:49 > 0:21:52Right, then. What are we doing here?
0:21:52 > 0:21:56Two small ponies in here, Tweedledum and Tweedledee.
0:21:56 > 0:21:59We're going to get the girls to see if we can get hold of them,
0:21:59 > 0:22:02put some head collars on them and give them a walk.
0:22:02 > 0:22:04And if we've got time, give them a brushing.
0:22:04 > 0:22:06Are you up for that? BOTH: Yeah.
0:22:07 > 0:22:12These miniature ponies were found abandoned by the side of a motorway.
0:22:12 > 0:22:13They're a stubborn little pair
0:22:13 > 0:22:16who don't want to be told what to do and when to go to bed.
0:22:16 > 0:22:19Catching them is going to be easier said than done.
0:22:23 > 0:22:25Round, go that way.
0:22:25 > 0:22:29- Ada, quick!- We're going to have to follow them down, girls.
0:22:29 > 0:22:31'We're getting a right run-around here.'
0:22:31 > 0:22:34Once they're used to you, they'll be friendly.
0:22:35 > 0:22:40OK, you go over that way and we'll go over this way.
0:22:40 > 0:22:42'At last, the girls have got them cornered.'
0:22:47 > 0:22:49'To get those ponies into the stables,
0:22:49 > 0:22:51'they might have to try a new tactic.
0:22:51 > 0:22:53'These tempting treats might work.'
0:22:55 > 0:22:57We managed to catch our first one.
0:22:57 > 0:22:59We had to go to plan B and bribe them with a bit of food.
0:22:59 > 0:23:02So, I do believe this one is yours.
0:23:02 > 0:23:04It's just like holding a dog.
0:23:04 > 0:23:06Have you got the lead? Brilliant.
0:23:06 > 0:23:10'Ada tries the same trick with Tweedledee.'
0:23:10 > 0:23:13I don't think it's going to come.
0:23:13 > 0:23:14It's a clever horse.
0:23:19 > 0:23:21Come on.
0:23:24 > 0:23:26'Oh, so close!'
0:23:28 > 0:23:32- Who'd have thought a tiny horse could cause so much trouble?- I know!
0:23:32 > 0:23:34- Are you tired, girls? - Yeah.- Yeah, a bit.
0:23:34 > 0:23:36'Then, despite everyone's best efforts,
0:23:36 > 0:23:39'she just decides to trot into the stables on her own.'
0:23:43 > 0:23:45'Finally, a brush-down before they hit the hay.'
0:23:45 > 0:23:47Very knotty hair.
0:23:47 > 0:23:52It feels like...if you haven't washed your hair for a few days.
0:23:52 > 0:23:54It feels a bit greasy.
0:23:54 > 0:23:56You're doing a great job grooming them
0:23:56 > 0:23:59and you've had a fantastic day as well.
0:23:59 > 0:24:02You've done really good today. Ada, what's been your best bit?
0:24:02 > 0:24:04The best bit was probably...
0:24:04 > 0:24:09when we were chasing the horse for ages and ages and ages.
0:24:09 > 0:24:13- What about you, Bianca?- I liked preparing the food for the donkeys
0:24:13 > 0:24:14and letting them out and things.
0:24:14 > 0:24:16Good, so you've had a really good day
0:24:16 > 0:24:20- and has your view on these beautiful animals changed a bit?- Yeah.- Yeah.
0:24:20 > 0:24:22Well done, girls, you've done a fantastic job.
0:24:22 > 0:24:26Keep brushing, keep working and as soon as they've been well groomed,
0:24:26 > 0:24:28they're going to get some scrap.
0:24:28 > 0:24:31Two girls, who thought that horses were horrid
0:24:31 > 0:24:34are now tickled pink about ponies.
0:24:36 > 0:24:38Back in Kent, Elise, the animal lover,
0:24:38 > 0:24:41and Abbie, who wasn't bothered about beasts,
0:24:41 > 0:24:44are about to help feed a mystery creature.
0:24:46 > 0:24:48So what do you think this is?
0:24:48 > 0:24:50- A baby wolf.- Yeah, a baby wolf.
0:24:50 > 0:24:52- It's not. Another guess? - A skunk.- No.
0:24:52 > 0:24:55- Cat?- Is it some sort of dog?
0:24:55 > 0:24:57Dog family, yes.
0:24:57 > 0:24:58This is an Arctic fox.
0:24:58 > 0:25:01The Arctic foxes don't live in this country any more.
0:25:01 > 0:25:05They used to, about 10,000 years ago - the last Ice Age.
0:25:05 > 0:25:07They live in the Arctic now.
0:25:07 > 0:25:09- Is that why they're called Arctic fox?- That's it.
0:25:09 > 0:25:13And in the winter she goes really white and really fluffy
0:25:13 > 0:25:15and then she'll put on up to 30% of her body weight
0:25:15 > 0:25:18to keep her insulated through the winter.
0:25:18 > 0:25:20They can survive up to minus 50 degrees in the wild
0:25:20 > 0:25:22and they don't shiver.
0:25:22 > 0:25:24Did she say minus 50?
0:25:24 > 0:25:27That's three times colder than your kitchen freezer,
0:25:27 > 0:25:30but that doesn't mean that Fleck eats fish fingers and ice cream.
0:25:30 > 0:25:34No, no, she's much happier with raw meat.
0:25:34 > 0:25:37Are you kidding? You're not kidding me, are you?
0:25:37 > 0:25:41- I can't look. - Is it dead?- Yeah, they're dead.
0:25:41 > 0:25:44- Do they eat the whole thing? - Yes, the whole thing, head first.
0:25:44 > 0:25:47- She chews the head off and eats the rest.- And the bones?- Yes.
0:25:47 > 0:25:50- Do they eat fur? - They eat everything.- Eew!
0:25:52 > 0:25:54Do you want to put them around the place?
0:25:54 > 0:25:58Why is she moving the chickens around?
0:25:58 > 0:26:00She's burying them for later, so once we leave,
0:26:00 > 0:26:03she'll come back and dig them all up again.
0:26:03 > 0:26:07'Being an Arctic fox, you won't see Fleck or her friends
0:26:07 > 0:26:09wandering around the British countryside today.
0:26:09 > 0:26:13But, there are a number of native red foxes here too.
0:26:15 > 0:26:18- This is Mo.- Is this the kind of fox you would see in your city?
0:26:18 > 0:26:20Yep, she's a red fox.
0:26:20 > 0:26:21Mo's quite old now.
0:26:21 > 0:26:24I don't think she wants to be picked up from her lovely sleep.
0:26:24 > 0:26:26No, she doesn't really like it that much!
0:26:26 > 0:26:28She's quite tame, yeah?
0:26:28 > 0:26:30She is quite tame, yes.
0:26:30 > 0:26:33This is Mo and she's not moulted her winter coat properly
0:26:33 > 0:26:36so she needs to have a brush to give her a hand with moulting.
0:26:36 > 0:26:38Who's got the brush? Come on, Abbie.
0:26:38 > 0:26:43'In the wild, Mo would be groomed by other foxes and hunt her own food,
0:26:43 > 0:26:46'but foxes in captivity often need a little helping hand.
0:26:46 > 0:26:50'Don't you try brushing any foxes though! No, no, no.'
0:26:50 > 0:26:52Do they eat the same thing as Arctic foxes?
0:26:52 > 0:26:55Yes, they eat slightly more because they're bigger.
0:26:55 > 0:26:59- You're working it there, Abbie. There's loads coming off.- Oooh!
0:27:00 > 0:27:03'It's an amazing transformation for Abbie.
0:27:03 > 0:27:06'Earlier today, she didn't care for anything furry
0:27:06 > 0:27:09'and now here she is, gladly grooming old Mo.'
0:27:09 > 0:27:11So is that enough brushing now, Karen?
0:27:11 > 0:27:13Yes, I think we got most of it out.
0:27:13 > 0:27:18We're going to put her back into the main enclosure with all the others.
0:27:18 > 0:27:22'So there we have it. One freshly, beautifully, brushed fox,
0:27:22 > 0:27:24'providing the perfect end to the perfect day.'
0:27:24 > 0:27:28- What was your favourite animal? - Arctic fox.- I liked the badger.
0:27:28 > 0:27:33- He was cool. What about the rats? - Really funny.- That was quite fun.
0:27:33 > 0:27:36At the beginning of the day, Abbie, you weren't interested in wildlife,
0:27:36 > 0:27:38but we set out to prove that you could be
0:27:38 > 0:27:41by looking after some animals for the day.
0:27:41 > 0:27:44- Do you think we've done that, Elise? - Yeah.- Abbie?- Almost.- Almost.
0:27:44 > 0:27:48That will do, won't it? That's a result for me!
0:27:48 > 0:27:52Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
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