0:00:02 > 0:00:06This show features professionals working with dangerous animals.
0:00:06 > 0:00:08So, do not try this at home.
0:00:24 > 0:00:28'Did you know that now, right now, there's people across the country
0:00:28 > 0:00:33'who are working to help wounded wildlife and poorly pets?
0:00:33 > 0:00:37'We've managed to get VIP passes for some willing helpers
0:00:37 > 0:00:42'to get stuck in at vets, wildlife sanctuaries and rescue centres.'
0:00:42 > 0:00:44You're free!
0:00:46 > 0:00:51'On today's show, Dom and Simran put an otter in a bath.
0:00:51 > 0:00:55'And Winnie the weasel winds herself back to the wild.
0:00:58 > 0:01:03'Daniel and Aaron gather goats, spy spiders and ogle owls
0:01:03 > 0:01:05'at a seriously busy sanctuary.'
0:01:05 > 0:01:08Very...very...hard!
0:01:09 > 0:01:14'And I become a warm-up act to a comedy donkey. No joking!'
0:01:14 > 0:01:16DONKEY BRAYS
0:01:17 > 0:01:22'It's tough and dirty work, but someone's got to do it.'
0:01:27 > 0:01:30Today, I'm in Somerset, at the Secret World Wildlife Centre.
0:01:30 > 0:01:34Each year, they look after 4,000 sick, injured or orphaned animals.
0:01:34 > 0:01:38From hurt hedgehogs to bashed up badgers, they've seen it all.
0:01:38 > 0:01:41I'm not sure about the name - it's the world's worst kept secret.
0:01:41 > 0:01:43They even have a big sign!
0:01:45 > 0:01:48'This place is a hospital and orphanage for wildlife
0:01:48 > 0:01:51'set up in a converted farmhouse.
0:01:51 > 0:01:55'Animals in need of assistance are brought here for emergency help
0:01:55 > 0:02:00'and given time and space to recover after injury or illness.
0:02:00 > 0:02:02'Helping hands are always welcome.
0:02:03 > 0:02:07'Meet Dominic and Simran, two pals from London.
0:02:09 > 0:02:12'Dominic is fighting for the right to have a pet.
0:02:12 > 0:02:14'And he's not winning!'
0:02:14 > 0:02:18I have no pets, mainly because my mum doesn't have the time.
0:02:18 > 0:02:21'Mum, is this true?'
0:02:21 > 0:02:26I don't mind animals, they're just messy and the expense of it.
0:02:26 > 0:02:31'Luckily, Simran has a dog, but one dog between them
0:02:31 > 0:02:33'is about as good as it gets.'
0:02:34 > 0:02:37Around here, we don't get to see much wildlife.
0:02:37 > 0:02:41And now there's a chance to go and check out some.
0:02:41 > 0:02:45'You said it, so let's get up and running at a Somerset sanctuary.'
0:02:46 > 0:02:50- Sim, Dom, Dom, Sim, Dick, how are you?- Fine.- Good.
0:02:50 > 0:02:53I know a Dom, he's nearly as tall as you!
0:02:53 > 0:02:58- So, Dom, you're not allowed animals. - No. My mum's quite against them.
0:02:58 > 0:03:02And, Sim? Got any experience with wildlife? Anything you don't like?
0:03:02 > 0:03:06Tarantulas, cobras and...scorpions.
0:03:06 > 0:03:11Creepy crawlies. You don't like spiders. Well, it just so happens
0:03:11 > 0:03:15that what we've got here in this box is a very rare species.
0:03:15 > 0:03:20If you'd like to just have a look inside...there!
0:03:21 > 0:03:23Ah, it's my breakfast. Lovely!
0:03:23 > 0:03:28- It's a croissant! What's the problem? Want some?- No, thanks.
0:03:28 > 0:03:31'With breakfast in the bag, it's time to help some animals.'
0:03:31 > 0:03:35Look at this. Not many people get to come in here. This is Pauline.
0:03:35 > 0:03:39- This is Sim and Dom.- Hello. - What are we doing first?
0:03:39 > 0:03:43- It's going to be hedgehogs.- Aw! - I'll let you start with that.
0:03:44 > 0:03:47'Hedgehogs - Britain's only spiney mammal
0:03:47 > 0:03:51'who help out gardeners by snacking on slugs and insects.
0:03:51 > 0:03:55'They're often accidentally injured by lawnmowers and hedge trimmers.
0:03:55 > 0:03:58'Each year, over 500 end up here.
0:03:58 > 0:04:00'And all need constant daily care.'
0:04:00 > 0:04:04These were found out during the day yesterday. They came in last night.
0:04:04 > 0:04:07We've got to find out about them.
0:04:07 > 0:04:10- Can you catch one and pop it in there?- Come on.
0:04:12 > 0:04:15- That's it. Just run your fingers underneath. Well done.- Hello.
0:04:15 > 0:04:18- Dom, you can get the next one out. - OK. Come on.
0:04:18 > 0:04:23'Stage one done, the hedgehogs have left the cage. Now the dirty bit.'
0:04:23 > 0:04:27Can you just use your finger to get the food and put it on the paper?
0:04:27 > 0:04:32- How often do you have to clean this and feed them?- Three times a day.
0:04:32 > 0:04:37We clean them at the same time. There's food and poo everywhere,
0:04:37 > 0:04:38which you've seen.
0:04:38 > 0:04:42- Did you think you'd be doing this this morning?- Not really!
0:04:43 > 0:04:47'OK, Operation Clean-up is complete.'
0:04:47 > 0:04:50- What we want to do now is weigh them. - Why do they have to get weighed?
0:04:50 > 0:04:54We need to know how much they're putting weight on.
0:04:54 > 0:04:57We need to know how much they weigh.
0:04:57 > 0:05:00'Look at that, Dom's straight in there. Good man!'
0:05:00 > 0:05:03- How much does that one weigh?- 0.30.
0:05:03 > 0:05:0630 grams, that's hardly anything, isn't it?
0:05:06 > 0:05:11And we're seeing it walk. We can check it's using its feet properly,
0:05:11 > 0:05:13which it is, isn't it?
0:05:13 > 0:05:18'He needs to increase his weight by ten times before he can run free.'
0:05:18 > 0:05:23If I can show you, these are old enough to curl into a ball.
0:05:23 > 0:05:24If we try that...
0:05:24 > 0:05:26BOTH: Aw!
0:05:27 > 0:05:32Feel how sharp he is now, compared to when you picked him up.
0:05:32 > 0:05:35He's got all his spines up to protect himself, really.
0:05:35 > 0:05:39- So how many spines do you think there is over a hedgehog?- 500.
0:05:39 > 0:05:42- No, more than that.- 1,000? - Even more than that.
0:05:42 > 0:05:48- 5,000, they reckon. 5,000 spines on a hedgehog's body.- That's a lot.
0:05:48 > 0:05:52They're a little under weight, so the sooner we feed them, the better.
0:05:54 > 0:05:59'Dom and Sim must move on to Operation Feed-up later,
0:05:59 > 0:06:03'but will the hogs be up for eating and getting up to target weight?
0:06:03 > 0:06:08'Dom is learning what sanctuary life is like the other end of England.'
0:06:09 > 0:06:13Today, I'm at the Sanctuary Wildlife Centre in Northumberland.
0:06:15 > 0:06:20'It may not be big but to the wildlife here, it's beautiful.
0:06:20 > 0:06:25'From docile donkeys to delinquent ducks and terrifying tarantulas,
0:06:25 > 0:06:28'the staff do their best to turn these animals' lives around.
0:06:28 > 0:06:32'And this place needs its fair share of volunteers.
0:06:34 > 0:06:39'Which is what we have here - Aaron and Daniel.
0:06:39 > 0:06:42'These guys are gamers and think animals are a switch-off.'
0:06:43 > 0:06:47- Sheeps.- Boring. I'm bored!
0:06:47 > 0:06:49- Chickens.- Boring.- Brilliant!
0:06:51 > 0:06:55- Cows are good. They give milk. I like milk.- No...beef.
0:06:55 > 0:06:59'It's not just farmyard animals the boys aren't bothered about.'
0:07:00 > 0:07:02I am scared of snakes.
0:07:02 > 0:07:05'Ah, so on paper, things ain't looking too good.
0:07:05 > 0:07:09'Let's see what the headlines at the sanctuary are.'
0:07:09 > 0:07:12Boy, boys. Aaron, Daniel, how are you doing?
0:07:12 > 0:07:15Aaron, I know that you're scared of snakes,
0:07:15 > 0:07:19but controversially, you wouldn't mind a pet lion.
0:07:19 > 0:07:22- Lions protect you. - Lions protect you, yeah,
0:07:22 > 0:07:26they could also go for your jugular, but I see where you're coming from.
0:07:26 > 0:07:30- So you don't like snakes. What are you scared of?- Spiders.
0:07:30 > 0:07:33We'll try and stay clear of them today.
0:07:33 > 0:07:36- Also, you find British wildlife dull. - Yes.
0:07:36 > 0:07:40Today, I can promise you it will be the complete opposite of dull.
0:07:40 > 0:07:43It's going to be...un-dull. Un-dull!
0:07:43 > 0:07:48Or it's going to be dulless... The opposite of dull - "llud".
0:07:48 > 0:07:49Forget it, come on.
0:07:51 > 0:07:57'First, goats. These would be homeless without this place.'
0:07:57 > 0:08:01- Eileen, how are you doing? - I'm fine, thank you.- Hello, goat.
0:08:01 > 0:08:04This is Aaron and Daniel. What can they do to help?
0:08:04 > 0:08:07Today, what we need to do is trim the goats' hooves.
0:08:07 > 0:08:11They grow constantly, so they have to be trimmed.
0:08:11 > 0:08:14Today, we have Alan, and he's going to show you
0:08:14 > 0:08:19how to trim goats' hooves, but first you've got to catch them.
0:08:19 > 0:08:23And that's your job. You have to go in there with a lead,
0:08:23 > 0:08:26as if you were catching a dog, but you're catching a goat.
0:08:26 > 0:08:29Safety first, put this on. And this one.
0:08:29 > 0:08:32Good. And there's yours.
0:08:32 > 0:08:34Perfect. All right, boys? Ready?
0:08:34 > 0:08:37'No kidding! Go for those goats!'
0:08:38 > 0:08:42Put that round the neck and then grab the goats.
0:08:44 > 0:08:48'Chasing goats is not something you lot should be doing.
0:08:48 > 0:08:50'We're with experts, OK?'
0:08:51 > 0:08:55It looks like the goats remember having their hooves clipped
0:08:55 > 0:08:57and they're off!
0:08:57 > 0:08:59How do you think they're doing?
0:08:59 > 0:09:02Do you think they're doing a decent job?
0:09:05 > 0:09:08Very...very...hard!
0:09:09 > 0:09:13To prevent infection, their hooves need clipping eight times a year.
0:09:13 > 0:09:15Keep up the good work, boys!
0:09:15 > 0:09:19Will the boys be left chasing their tales,
0:09:19 > 0:09:22or will the goat finally give up the game?
0:09:24 > 0:09:30Dom and Sim are up to their elbows in hedgehogs at a rescue centre.
0:09:30 > 0:09:34The lightweight hogs need to fatten themselves up for freedom.
0:09:34 > 0:09:37Bring some food over for us. Move that out the way.
0:09:37 > 0:09:40Breakfast is served, my babies! Not you two, them!
0:09:40 > 0:09:44'So what delicious delights have we got in store for these fellas?
0:09:44 > 0:09:50'Porridge and a dollop of cat food?! A meal fit for a...hedgehog.'
0:09:50 > 0:09:54- Are you getting hungry?- No.- Want some porridge and cat food? Mmm!
0:09:54 > 0:09:58- Do you want some?- Yeah... No!
0:10:00 > 0:10:05'If these two don't eat soon, they could get quite...prickly.'
0:10:05 > 0:10:09Pop him in as well. Let's see if they come round to where the food is.
0:10:09 > 0:10:11Tuck in, chaps!'
0:10:11 > 0:10:14- When can they return to the wild? - We keep them
0:10:14 > 0:10:17until they're a good size, about 3-400 grams,
0:10:17 > 0:10:20before we'd take them to a new release site
0:10:20 > 0:10:23'Lovely work, and I'm sure they'll be back in the wild,
0:10:23 > 0:10:26'hogging some hedges, in no time.'
0:10:28 > 0:10:31Later, there's an otter needing to get fitter,
0:10:31 > 0:10:35but will our boys make it as swimming instructors?
0:10:35 > 0:10:38Oh, look at that. There's a clever boy!
0:10:39 > 0:10:42At the sanctuary in Northumberland,
0:10:42 > 0:10:46Aaron and Daniel are being given the run-around by some goats.
0:10:46 > 0:10:49They're trying to catch them so their hooves can be clipped.
0:10:51 > 0:10:54Careful! He's got big horns, that one!
0:10:54 > 0:10:58And hey presto! They find one that doesn't give them the slip.
0:10:58 > 0:11:02Time to ram home your advantage and give the goat its pedicure.
0:11:02 > 0:11:04What are the goat's hooves made of?
0:11:04 > 0:11:08They're made of the same kind of material as our fingernails.
0:11:08 > 0:11:12It's keratin, which is in your hair. It's just the same as our nails.
0:11:12 > 0:11:16'You stay at the sharp end, boys, while Alan trims its hooves.'
0:11:16 > 0:11:18Good. Good girl!
0:11:19 > 0:11:23- Does it hurt the goat when you trim its hooves?- No, not at all.
0:11:23 > 0:11:27- Would you say you're enjoying your goat experience?- I like goats!
0:11:27 > 0:11:30'Time to leave the goats and their beauty treatment.
0:11:30 > 0:11:33'There's loads more animal antics.'
0:11:34 > 0:11:38Aaron and Daniel open owl boxes and smell a stinker of a job later,
0:11:38 > 0:11:41but can they stomach the stench?
0:11:41 > 0:11:45- How does it look up there, Daniel? - Disgusting!- Eurgh!
0:11:46 > 0:11:50Before that, Dick attempts to be the first ever person
0:11:50 > 0:11:54to make a donkey laugh out loud with a bad joke.
0:11:54 > 0:11:57Dick, this is Callum, Callum, this is Dick.
0:11:57 > 0:12:01Between you and I, he's been a bit down, a bit depressed,
0:12:01 > 0:12:04and your challenge is to try and cheer him up, make him laugh.
0:12:04 > 0:12:07- Told you it was difficult. - We'll see about that.
0:12:15 > 0:12:18'Yeah, all about the warm-up, comedy, you know?'
0:12:18 > 0:12:20Ahem!
0:12:20 > 0:12:22'And the delivery.'
0:12:37 > 0:12:39'Wow! That's...bad.'
0:12:43 > 0:12:45'Really bad.'
0:12:45 > 0:12:47Wait for it.
0:12:49 > 0:12:51DONKEY BRAYS
0:12:59 > 0:13:03'He did it. I don't know how, but he did it!'
0:13:05 > 0:13:06I told you!
0:13:06 > 0:13:08HE LAUGHS
0:13:12 > 0:13:17You cheated. I don't know how, but I think you cheated.
0:13:17 > 0:13:20I know, I'll looking in the Donkey Facts.
0:13:21 > 0:13:23Yes, here we are.
0:13:23 > 0:13:26When donkeys meet other donkeys, even people,
0:13:26 > 0:13:30they often curl back their top lips and breathe in and out.
0:13:30 > 0:13:33- That sounds interesting. Why's that? - I'll tell you why.
0:13:33 > 0:13:38They use an organ in their mouths, not a mouth organ,
0:13:38 > 0:13:41that allows them to get to know donkeys or people
0:13:41 > 0:13:43by smelling and tasting them at the same time.
0:13:43 > 0:13:47He was just getting to know you. He didn't find your joke funny.
0:13:47 > 0:13:50DONKEY BRAYS That's him having the last laugh!
0:13:54 > 0:13:58Aaron and Daniel are hoofing it from one important animal job
0:13:58 > 0:14:00to the next at the sanctuary.
0:14:00 > 0:14:03Now they're moving to the owl enclosure,
0:14:03 > 0:14:06where another assignment is winging its way in.
0:14:06 > 0:14:10Today is cleaning out owl box day,
0:14:10 > 0:14:14so lots of nasty unmentionable things going on in those boxes.
0:14:14 > 0:14:18- Poo and dead chickens. Does that sound good?- No!
0:14:18 > 0:14:22Eileen, how often do you usually clean out these boxes?
0:14:22 > 0:14:26- About every two or three months. - That's a lot of...build-up!
0:14:26 > 0:14:30Good luck. It's an important job and you'll love the owls afterwards!
0:14:31 > 0:14:36Believe it or not, many of the barn owls here are abandoned pets.
0:14:36 > 0:14:40They look great in films, but they're not easy to keep.
0:14:40 > 0:14:43- Is it mucky?- It stinks. - Here's the shovel.
0:14:43 > 0:14:46And try to dig out as much as you can.
0:14:47 > 0:14:50- How does it look up there, Daniel? - Disgusting!
0:14:50 > 0:14:55I tell you what, you can smell it, now you've disturbed it.
0:14:55 > 0:14:58- Really smelly!- That's it, there you go.- Eurgh!
0:15:03 > 0:15:07- Look at that!- It smells!- A big bucket, full of it. Well done!
0:15:07 > 0:15:09Great, that's the mucky bit over,
0:15:09 > 0:15:13owls about something a bit more exciting?
0:15:13 > 0:15:16Now, we have to catch the barn owls
0:15:16 > 0:15:21and work out which is male and which is female?
0:15:21 > 0:15:26- How do we tell?- Well, a male barn owl has a pure white chest.
0:15:26 > 0:15:31Right? And the female has brown spots, like little pretty freckles.
0:15:32 > 0:15:35The male and female barn owls need to be separated
0:15:35 > 0:15:38to prevent unwanted youngsters appearing.
0:15:38 > 0:15:40Good luck!
0:15:42 > 0:15:45But owls are the beadiest eyed creatures in the business
0:15:45 > 0:15:48and trying to get the better of these guys is tough.
0:15:48 > 0:15:52No. There's another one in there. Too late!
0:15:53 > 0:15:56- There's one in the box!- Well done!
0:15:56 > 0:15:58Oh!
0:15:58 > 0:16:01Oh, these are causing a pain for me.
0:16:03 > 0:16:05Be careful with these wings, you see?
0:16:05 > 0:16:09- OK?- Looks like a female
0:16:09 > 0:16:13because it's got, like, spots there.
0:16:13 > 0:16:18- Yes.- It's got spots. That has to be a girl.- She's a female.
0:16:18 > 0:16:21See the talons? You have to be careful.
0:16:21 > 0:16:25- Look at the sharp edges.- They'll fly at you with their talons first.
0:16:25 > 0:16:29Not the beak, they'll come in with their talons first.
0:16:31 > 0:16:33There we go.
0:16:33 > 0:16:35We've got three!
0:16:35 > 0:16:36Four!
0:16:36 > 0:16:39'Well done, boys. You've hit the jackpot!
0:16:39 > 0:16:41'A bulging bag full of barn owls!'
0:16:41 > 0:16:45- Yeah.- Yeah, it's a male.- He's nice and white there, isn't he?
0:16:45 > 0:16:50Right, boys. That's it. Now Alan and I know who has to go next door
0:16:50 > 0:16:52and who has to stay here.
0:16:52 > 0:16:54Barn owls, done!
0:16:55 > 0:16:59But it's creepy critters for Aaron and Daniel later.
0:16:59 > 0:17:02Can they handle the hiss and hair of these beauts?
0:17:02 > 0:17:07Stay still. Very calm. Do not panic and do not shake your hand.
0:17:08 > 0:17:13Dom and Sim are on the lookout for more British wildlife in Somerset.
0:17:13 > 0:17:17Time to check on the otters. They won't find them in the enclosure.
0:17:18 > 0:17:20Try Pauline's kitchen.
0:17:20 > 0:17:23This is Geraint. He's about eight weeks old.
0:17:23 > 0:17:26He's sucking his blanket cos he wants his lunch!
0:17:27 > 0:17:31- I think we ought to give him something to eat.- Yeah!
0:17:31 > 0:17:34Geraint was found on a riverbank a month ago,
0:17:34 > 0:17:36after his holt was flooded.
0:17:36 > 0:17:39Pauline has been playing mother to him ever since.
0:17:39 > 0:17:41Why do you hold it from the neck?
0:17:41 > 0:17:45I always use the scruff. It's how his mother would carry him.
0:17:45 > 0:17:49It's a natural way to pick him up. Let's take him to the feeding chair.
0:17:49 > 0:17:54I can show him to you. He's really excited because he's hungry.
0:17:54 > 0:17:58First thing to notice is that really long, thick tail.
0:17:58 > 0:18:02He can use it like a rudder. Feel how strong he is.
0:18:02 > 0:18:04It makes him quite a big animal.
0:18:04 > 0:18:08The other thing to notice is those lovely front claws
0:18:08 > 0:18:12that, if we spread them, see how webbed they are?
0:18:12 > 0:18:14- Aw!- So he can swim really well.
0:18:14 > 0:18:18OK, guys, down to you two to get the fish lunch.
0:18:19 > 0:18:23- This is disgusting.- I know, it's slimy and everything!
0:18:27 > 0:18:30Hang it over his head. See if he's interested.
0:18:30 > 0:18:34Yeah. Let him have it, once he's got it in his mouth.
0:18:34 > 0:18:36That's it. He's got it.
0:18:36 > 0:18:38Nice work, Sim.
0:18:38 > 0:18:43- How often does he eat fish?- This is the very first time he's had fish.
0:18:43 > 0:18:45He's certainly keen, isn't he?
0:18:45 > 0:18:48But Geraint has a lot of growing up to do
0:18:48 > 0:18:50before he can fend for himself.
0:18:50 > 0:18:53A lot of people don't realise how big otters are.
0:18:53 > 0:19:00He's only eight weeks old. An adult would be, sort of, that length.
0:19:00 > 0:19:01Wow!
0:19:01 > 0:19:04- Is Geraint a good swimmer? - We're about to find out.
0:19:04 > 0:19:07His first swimming lesson is in my bath.
0:19:07 > 0:19:11Geraint's first ever swimming lesson!
0:19:11 > 0:19:15Right. Well, that's just right. Just the right depth.
0:19:15 > 0:19:19But we don't exactly know whether he's going to like it.
0:19:19 > 0:19:23In the wild, the mother drags him down and teaches him,
0:19:23 > 0:19:25so we'll have to see what he thinks.
0:19:25 > 0:19:29Right then, in we go! Do the honours, Pauline.
0:19:29 > 0:19:34- There, let's see what you think of that.- Slowly does it.- Aw!
0:19:36 > 0:19:40- He's got his nose under.- Aw! - Oh, look at that!
0:19:40 > 0:19:44There's a clever boy! He's putting his head underwater.
0:19:44 > 0:19:48What he's got to learn to do is close his nostrils
0:19:48 > 0:19:52and close his ears, as well. He's busy, chasing his tail.
0:19:54 > 0:19:57How long until he can go back into the wild?
0:19:57 > 0:19:59It's 18 months before we released them,
0:19:59 > 0:20:03which is the same time they'd stay with their mother.
0:20:03 > 0:20:08'But for now, Geraint's happy to be splashing about in Pauline's bath.
0:20:08 > 0:20:11'It's not every day you feed an otter his first fish
0:20:11 > 0:20:14'and give him his first swim.'
0:20:17 > 0:20:20It's not the end of Dom and Sim's day, oh no.
0:20:20 > 0:20:23There's a weasel that needs to go wild later.
0:20:23 > 0:20:26There she goes! Blink and you'll miss it.
0:20:27 > 0:20:30First, Dom gets his rabbit food awfully wrong.
0:20:32 > 0:20:36- What's going on here?- Me and Rolly are just catching up.
0:20:36 > 0:20:40- We've found these chocolatey treats. - You can't feed a rabbit chocolate!
0:20:40 > 0:20:45- It's not good for him! He only eats grass.- They can't eat chocolate?
0:20:45 > 0:20:49- Not at all.- Let's feed him grass. - You can't feed him grass either
0:20:49 > 0:20:53as he's having his teeth removed. His owner didn't look after him.
0:20:53 > 0:20:57But he can eat soft grass with his gums, but he'll need help.
0:20:57 > 0:21:00Isn't grass quite difficult to swallow?
0:21:00 > 0:21:03It's easy to swallow, just not very easy to digest.
0:21:03 > 0:21:07Some animals, like cows, have different parts of their stomach
0:21:07 > 0:21:10- that can help the process move along.- I get it.
0:21:10 > 0:21:15- So how does Rolly do it?- In stages. Ingenious, really.
0:21:15 > 0:21:17They actually eat their own poo.
0:21:17 > 0:21:20Second time round, it's easier to digest.
0:21:20 > 0:21:22Where did you find them?
0:21:22 > 0:21:24About, um...
0:21:24 > 0:21:26About here.
0:21:26 > 0:21:28Ah.
0:21:32 > 0:21:35Daniel and Aaron have been wowed by the wonderful wildlife
0:21:35 > 0:21:37at a sanctuary in the north east.
0:21:37 > 0:21:42Next, onto the more unusual residents. Not you!
0:21:42 > 0:21:46Working here can be hard graft. You've done a cracking job so far.
0:21:46 > 0:21:50What are you smiling about? It's time for a proper challenge.
0:21:50 > 0:21:53The boys have been given special permission
0:21:53 > 0:21:57to get some close-up critter experience. Snakes and spiders.
0:21:57 > 0:22:00There are plenty of people who think they make perfect pets.
0:22:00 > 0:22:04Sadly, a few change their minds and every few months,
0:22:04 > 0:22:07an unwanted exotic pet is brought here.
0:22:07 > 0:22:09This is...what?
0:22:09 > 0:22:11- A tarantula.- A tarantula.
0:22:11 > 0:22:14Tarantulas like Rose here have a terrifying reputation,
0:22:14 > 0:22:18but if handled gently, they're not a threat to humans.
0:22:18 > 0:22:21- Does it bite and is it poisonous? - It is poisonous
0:22:21 > 0:22:25and they do bite, but they're unlikely to bite.
0:22:25 > 0:22:29If harassed, they'll nip and it hurts like a hornet sting,
0:22:29 > 0:22:33so don't think about touching them without expert supervision.
0:22:34 > 0:22:36There she is.
0:22:37 > 0:22:40- What type of tarantula is it? - It's a Chilean Rose.
0:22:40 > 0:22:44It's quite pretty, isn't it? Grey and hairy.
0:22:44 > 0:22:47And these are one of the most calm spiders.
0:22:47 > 0:22:51A lot of people who keep spiders start with these
0:22:51 > 0:22:54because they're one of the easier ones to keep.
0:22:54 > 0:22:56Rose is a chilled Chilean tarantula,
0:22:56 > 0:22:58who's not out to harm anyone.
0:22:58 > 0:23:02Still, Daniel's very brave to let her go walkabout on his arm.
0:23:02 > 0:23:07Just stay still. Very calm. Do not panic and do not shake your hand
0:23:07 > 0:23:10because we don't want her to fall.
0:23:10 > 0:23:13Good! Excellent! Is it that bad?
0:23:16 > 0:23:19Wow! Daniel, taran-tastic! If that's a word.
0:23:19 > 0:23:23Well, if it's not, well done! The tarantula is returned to the tank
0:23:23 > 0:23:27and it's time to take a closer look at one of the snakes.
0:23:27 > 0:23:31This is Zeus. OK? Zeus is an American corn snake.
0:23:31 > 0:23:35He's actually tasting you because, see, he's got nostrils,
0:23:35 > 0:23:39but he can't smell, he only uses his nostrils to breathe.
0:23:39 > 0:23:41Everything is done by taste.
0:23:41 > 0:23:44Another creepy but non-dangerous crawly, this.
0:23:44 > 0:23:48Corn snakes snack on lizards and rodents in the wild.
0:23:50 > 0:23:54These snakes are constrictors, they squash their prey to death.
0:23:54 > 0:23:57His bite isn't harmful to humans and there's no chance
0:23:57 > 0:24:00he'll put the squeeze on anyone here.
0:24:00 > 0:24:04- You're fine with him. How do you feel?- A bit nervous.- A bit nervous.
0:24:04 > 0:24:08You want the non-business end, do you? OK, there you go.
0:24:08 > 0:24:12I'll keep the head away from you.
0:24:13 > 0:24:15What he's doing is,
0:24:15 > 0:24:20what it's looking for is somewhere dark to hide.
0:24:22 > 0:24:25Now, the good news is, as well as conquering your fears,
0:24:25 > 0:24:27I've done something as well.
0:24:28 > 0:24:31I'm no longer scared of ducks.
0:24:34 > 0:24:39Dominic and Simran are having a top time at the animal rescue centre.
0:24:39 > 0:24:42And it's the best till last bit now.
0:24:42 > 0:24:45The pals are about to release an animal back into the wild,
0:24:45 > 0:24:47but what will it be?
0:24:48 > 0:24:51Say hello to Winnie the weasel.
0:24:51 > 0:24:53She was brought here with an injured leg,
0:24:53 > 0:24:56probably as a result of being hit by a car.
0:24:56 > 0:25:00After a short stay with Pauline, she's ready to be released,
0:25:00 > 0:25:03but as the guys are about to discover, she's a handful.
0:25:03 > 0:25:07- Are weasels quite vicious? - They can bite, yes.
0:25:07 > 0:25:12That's why we've got Simon in. If anyone gets bitten, who better!
0:25:13 > 0:25:15'One, two, three, four and a thumb.
0:25:15 > 0:25:20'Let's hope Simon still has the same number of fingers later on.'
0:25:21 > 0:25:24When does a weasel come out? Day or night?
0:25:24 > 0:25:29They're what we call diurnal, they come out in the day and at night.
0:25:29 > 0:25:35- How old can they grow up to get? - Things in the wild don't live long.
0:25:35 > 0:25:38A weasel would only live on average 18 months.
0:25:38 > 0:25:41- Is it a grown-up or a baby? - It's fully grown.
0:25:41 > 0:25:45- That's a fully grown weasel. - That's small.- Very tiny.
0:25:45 > 0:25:50All we've got to do now is catch it. So over to you, Simon.
0:25:50 > 0:25:52Right. Should be easy.
0:25:52 > 0:25:54WEASEL SPITS
0:25:54 > 0:25:59Ooh, she sounds angry. You might say goodbye to a finger, Simon!
0:26:02 > 0:26:05Put that in there. OK?
0:26:05 > 0:26:06'Nicely done.'
0:26:06 > 0:26:09Pass the box up for us.
0:26:09 > 0:26:13OK, we'll do the top up so it can't get out and there we go.
0:26:13 > 0:26:15And off we go to release it.
0:26:16 > 0:26:20All fingers intact, and at a location a few miles away,
0:26:20 > 0:26:23so it's time to welease a weasel(!)
0:26:24 > 0:26:29- Are you excited about this?- Yes. - Not many people get to do this
0:26:29 > 0:26:33in the wild. We're going to let the weasel go back home.
0:26:33 > 0:26:36Why have we chosen this cricket ground?
0:26:36 > 0:26:40It's perfect really. There's lots of food, good shelter, good cover.
0:26:40 > 0:26:45- She'll make a nice home here.- Let's release Winnie back into the wild.
0:26:46 > 0:26:51- Which way do you think it's going to go?- That way!- That way, OK.
0:26:51 > 0:26:53Let's see if we're right.
0:26:53 > 0:26:54WEASEL SQUEAKS
0:26:56 > 0:27:01- There we go.- There we are. There she goes.- Yes!
0:27:01 > 0:27:02- Blink and you'd miss it!- Brilliant!
0:27:02 > 0:27:06'And in case you did blink, here it is again in slow motion.
0:27:06 > 0:27:09'Go, Winnie!'
0:27:12 > 0:27:15- So what's been your favourite part of the day?- Otter.- Why?
0:27:15 > 0:27:21Because we taught it how to swim, gave it food, erm...
0:27:21 > 0:27:26- held it.- Cool. Dom, your mum won't let you have a pet at home.
0:27:26 > 0:27:29- Are you thinking you should try and change her mind?- Yes.
0:27:29 > 0:27:33- I'm going to try and convince her. - To get an otter?- Yes!
0:27:33 > 0:27:38- There you go. Tell your mum, go on! - Mum, I'm going to get an otter!- Yes!
0:27:41 > 0:27:44Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:27:44 > 0:27:47E-mail us at subtitling@bbc.co.uk