Episode 17

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0:00:02 > 0:00:03This show features highly skilled professionals,

0:00:03 > 0:00:05working with potentially dangerous and unpredictable animals.

0:00:05 > 0:00:09- So do not, I repeat, do not try this at home.- Hmm.

0:00:25 > 0:00:29Did you know that now, right now, there's people all around the country

0:00:29 > 0:00:31who are working their socks off

0:00:31 > 0:00:34to help wounded wildlife and poorly pets?

0:00:34 > 0:00:38And we've managed to get VIP passes for some willing helpers

0:00:38 > 0:00:43who are going to get stuck in at the busiest vets, wildlife sanctuaries and rescue centres.

0:00:47 > 0:00:49On today's show:

0:00:49 > 0:00:55Amelia and Crista are on a red fox alert, and get some giddy gulls ready for their return to the wild.

0:00:55 > 0:00:59Have you got a hold of it? Whoa, it's having a go at his camera!

0:00:59 > 0:01:02Heba and Michelle turn vet assistants and fix an itchy hound,

0:01:02 > 0:01:05sort a stinky Staffie

0:01:05 > 0:01:07and ogle a giant owl.

0:01:07 > 0:01:11- This is Einstein, the European eagle owl.- Whoa!

0:01:11 > 0:01:12That's big.

0:01:12 > 0:01:18And Dom does his best to get frantic ferrets flying through his very special assault course.

0:01:18 > 0:01:20Bye, Mark. Get in the tube.

0:01:20 > 0:01:23In the drain pipe. Go and have some fun.

0:01:23 > 0:01:26It's tough and dirty work...

0:01:26 > 0:01:27but someone's got to do it.

0:01:33 > 0:01:38Today on Dick and Dom Go Wild I'm at The Sanctuary Wildlife Centre in Northumberland.

0:01:38 > 0:01:42This is a place where they like to keep animal welfare in the family.

0:01:42 > 0:01:46It's owned by Kim Alton, who, with husband Alan, has spent

0:01:46 > 0:01:50the last 17 years rescuing and caring for domestic animals and wildlife

0:01:50 > 0:01:52in need of helping hands.

0:01:52 > 0:01:57That's a long time looking after animals. I bet they can do with extra help - we can fix that.

0:02:00 > 0:02:03Amelia and Crista are two chums from Leeds, who, as you can see,

0:02:03 > 0:02:07are very, very excited about their chance to work with wildlife.

0:02:07 > 0:02:09Amelia would love a pet of her own.

0:02:09 > 0:02:11I want a pet, but my mum won't let me have one.

0:02:11 > 0:02:15We're so frightened of them, dogs, anything, really, to be honest.

0:02:15 > 0:02:18- I don't like big dogs. - Crista has a house full of pets.

0:02:18 > 0:02:21She's got a pet snake, a hamster, and a friendly dog, Biff.

0:02:21 > 0:02:24But she's less wowed by wildlife.

0:02:24 > 0:02:26I really do like animals,

0:02:26 > 0:02:29but some of them I'm just a bit scared of.

0:02:29 > 0:02:33I'm pretty certain the animal sanctuary can sort all of that wildlife worry out.

0:02:33 > 0:02:36Watch, I'll prove it.

0:02:36 > 0:02:40- Amelia.- Hi.- How you doing? Crista, you all right?- Yeah.

0:02:40 > 0:02:42- Now, got your wellies? - Yeah.- Got your waterproofs?

0:02:42 > 0:02:44- Yeah.- Got your weird rubber gloves?

0:02:44 > 0:02:47- Yeah.- Ha-ha-ha! Let's do it.

0:02:48 > 0:02:52We are off to the wildfowl pen, where one of the ducks

0:02:52 > 0:02:55seems to be suffering from a real sinking feeling.

0:02:55 > 0:02:59He's lost the knack of staying afloat and now isn't keen on having a bath.

0:02:59 > 0:03:01Oh, I can see why!

0:03:01 > 0:03:05You wouldn't catch me in there. I'd go in it, you just wouldn't catch me!

0:03:05 > 0:03:07You see that pond there?

0:03:07 > 0:03:09You see it's full of brown, really muddy,

0:03:09 > 0:03:12very dirty water, full of poo.

0:03:12 > 0:03:15- I need help cleaning it out. - BOTH: Urgh!

0:03:15 > 0:03:17Can you do that?

0:03:17 > 0:03:20If the girls can get the bath scrubbed up clean,

0:03:20 > 0:03:26- they might be able to convince the dawdling duck to take the plunge again.- It's a bit smelly.

0:03:26 > 0:03:29- I officially don't like these birds! - I'm stuck, Amelia!

0:03:32 > 0:03:38- Careful!- I have to confess I'm a little surprised to see a duck that can't stay afloat.

0:03:38 > 0:03:42- What's that about, then, eh?- Not all ducks can manage in the water.

0:03:42 > 0:03:47So what they do is, in the wild, they've got lots of glands underneath their feathers,

0:03:47 > 0:03:51and they preen their feathers and they put all of this waxy oil

0:03:51 > 0:03:56on their feathers, and that's what stops them drowning.

0:03:56 > 0:04:01We need to put this Eider duck in the water and see if she can actually float.

0:04:01 > 0:04:04- Will she sink, though? - Well, that's the problem.

0:04:04 > 0:04:09If we actually release this duck and she's not waterproof, she would sink and she would drown.

0:04:10 > 0:04:12So it's sink or swim time later.

0:04:12 > 0:04:17Will our girls be able to get that mucky bath all lovely and clean?

0:04:17 > 0:04:23But first my old mate Dick is about to enjoy a vet's life just down the road from here.

0:04:23 > 0:04:26In this series, we're meeting some amazing animals

0:04:26 > 0:04:29and the amazing people who dedicate their lives to looking after them.

0:04:29 > 0:04:30And today, is no exception.

0:04:30 > 0:04:34Eden Hill vets. This place is always on the go,

0:04:34 > 0:04:39patching up pets from in and around the North East and beyond.

0:04:39 > 0:04:44Top dog here is Jason Atherton, and he's up for taking on two animal assistants today.

0:04:45 > 0:04:50- Jason.- How you doing?- Nice to meet you. So, why did you become a vet?

0:04:50 > 0:04:55My father bought me some hens when I was eight, and since then that's all I ever wanted to do,

0:04:55 > 0:04:57- work with animals. - Oh, what a lovely story.

0:04:57 > 0:05:02Well, today we've got two volunteers that are a bit unsure about animals. Take a look at this.

0:05:02 > 0:05:06Meet Heba and Michelle, two canny lasses from Newcastle,

0:05:06 > 0:05:08with very different interests.

0:05:08 > 0:05:11Michelle loves to break a move or two.

0:05:12 > 0:05:15Heba is more into books than boogieing.

0:05:16 > 0:05:23One thing they both have in common, they're not too fussed about animals. Dogs definitely don't move them.

0:05:23 > 0:05:27I've always wanted to, like, stroke them, but when I get close,

0:05:27 > 0:05:30kind of close to them I get really scared.

0:05:30 > 0:05:33- I just don't like them. - THEY SCREAM

0:05:34 > 0:05:36I don't like them.

0:05:36 > 0:05:41They bite, and if they don't have an owner start chasing you.

0:05:41 > 0:05:44So two girls who'd rather pass on pets, but I reckon

0:05:44 > 0:05:48we could be on a winner if we drop in at a busy vets' practice.

0:05:50 > 0:05:53Girls, all kitted out, certainly looking the part.

0:05:53 > 0:05:55Jason, please, tell them what they'll be doing today.

0:05:55 > 0:05:57We've got a very busy ops list today.

0:05:57 > 0:06:04- The first case is a dog with an itch, and we aim to try and find out why.- Enjoy your day. Off you go.

0:06:08 > 0:06:12Rocco, the big pup with a mystery itch, is patient number one.

0:06:12 > 0:06:14Right, girls, here we are. Here's Rocco.

0:06:14 > 0:06:18He is a big dog, but he's really soft.

0:06:18 > 0:06:23Remember, they're not doggie lovers so not doing a runner from big Rocco is a great start!

0:06:23 > 0:06:25Who's a lovely dog?

0:06:26 > 0:06:31Rocco is a Dogue de Bordeaux, and believe it or not, he's not even fully grown yet.

0:06:31 > 0:06:35- He's only nine months old.- How big will he be when he's fully grown?

0:06:35 > 0:06:38He'll be a bit bigger than this, maybe couple of stone heavier.

0:06:38 > 0:06:41I think he's going to be really big.

0:06:41 > 0:06:45In fact, when he grows up Rocco could easily weigh over eight stone,

0:06:45 > 0:06:50which is roughly the equivalent of 18 fully grown chihuahuas.

0:06:52 > 0:06:56It seems the girls appear to have forgotten their dog doubting ways,

0:06:56 > 0:06:58and are more than happy to stroke Rocco.

0:06:58 > 0:07:02Do you feel a bit more at ease with him now you've stroked him?

0:07:02 > 0:07:04- Yeah. - ROCCO BARKS

0:07:04 > 0:07:06Now they're comfortable in Rocco's company,

0:07:06 > 0:07:11they can help Jason get to the bottom of what's making this dog so itchy.

0:07:11 > 0:07:15That's if we can get his bottom on top of this examination area.

0:07:15 > 0:07:19- So you've got to try and get that up there?- We're going to try.- OK!

0:07:19 > 0:07:21Looks like a tall order to me.

0:07:24 > 0:07:29And the tasks get tougher later - will our girls scrub up to be top vet volunteers?

0:07:32 > 0:07:35At the sanctuary, Amelia and Crista are "quacking" on with the job

0:07:35 > 0:07:39of filling a pond for a poorly duck that's having a bit of a wobble.

0:07:39 > 0:07:42This one's struggling to stay afloat, and the girls have been preparing

0:07:42 > 0:07:45a safe place for her to try and swim again.

0:07:45 > 0:07:50We hope she stays in the pond, and we hope she preens herself, and we hope she floats.

0:07:50 > 0:07:55If she doesn't, it means we can't release her back to the wild.

0:07:55 > 0:07:59If a duck's feathers get waterlogged, they can get that sinking feeling.

0:07:59 > 0:08:03- Well, actually they just sink, to be honest.- Will she sink, though?

0:08:03 > 0:08:08Well, she could, so it's really, really important that we make sure she's waterproofed.

0:08:08 > 0:08:12This one's been springing a few leaks and it's time for the girls to find out where.

0:08:12 > 0:08:17Gently, drip some water on her back, and let's see if they form into droplets.

0:08:18 > 0:08:20- There. Did you see that?- Yeah!

0:08:20 > 0:08:23Just perfect droplets. Look at that.

0:08:23 > 0:08:27Do you see how the water is literally off a duck's back?

0:08:27 > 0:08:31You see, she can't get wet now because the water's just falling off, isn't it?

0:08:31 > 0:08:38The problem is it's not just the back that's got to be waterproofed, it's the chest, too.

0:08:38 > 0:08:42Try and put some drops of water on its chest and see what happens.

0:08:42 > 0:08:45Put lots of water on her chest. What's happening now?

0:08:45 > 0:08:48- It's soaking in. - It's soaking in. Exactly.

0:08:48 > 0:08:53If I put her in the water, she would get soaked on her chest

0:08:53 > 0:08:58and the feathers would get heavier and heavier, and they would pull her drown and she would drown.

0:08:58 > 0:09:01Thanks to Amelia and Crista,

0:09:01 > 0:09:04this duck has somewhere safe to practise swimming again,

0:09:04 > 0:09:09without fear of drowning, and hopefully she'll soon have waterproofed her feathers all over.

0:09:10 > 0:09:16And there's more ducking and diving later, as Sasha the cagey fox needs her toilet cleaning.

0:09:16 > 0:09:18It's stuck!

0:09:18 > 0:09:21Urgh, there's white worms!

0:09:21 > 0:09:23- It's maybe maggots.- Urgh!

0:09:26 > 0:09:30Heba and Michelle are doting on dogs at this North East vet's practice.

0:09:30 > 0:09:34First up is Rocco, the big pup with a mystery itch, and

0:09:34 > 0:09:38vet Jason thinks he's might know what's wrong with the big lad.

0:09:38 > 0:09:41I suspect he's probably got a mite that young puppies get,

0:09:41 > 0:09:43that make him very itchy.

0:09:43 > 0:09:45Because these mites live in burrows in the skin,

0:09:45 > 0:09:48we have to scrape the skin until we get blood.

0:09:48 > 0:09:52What would help me is if you could just talk to him and stroke him,

0:09:52 > 0:09:58- and that'll put him at ease and make it a lot less stressful for him. - They're handling this job like pros.

0:09:58 > 0:10:02Jason takes some tiny skin samples to study under the microscope.

0:10:02 > 0:10:07- And Rocco's free to go and have a lie down, and dream about chasing cats. - Good boy.

0:10:07 > 0:10:10There's no time to rest for Heba and Michelle, though.

0:10:10 > 0:10:14They've got to see if they can spot the mites that are causing the itchiness.

0:10:14 > 0:10:17And Professor Heba soon sees the culprits.

0:10:17 > 0:10:20It looks like a sausage with legs.

0:10:20 > 0:10:22- That's it. Well done. See the little legs?- Yeah.

0:10:22 > 0:10:26So we have a diagnosis, but what's next for Rocco the dog?

0:10:26 > 0:10:29We're going to give him a medicated shampoo.

0:10:29 > 0:10:33- So rinse and a shine. Ready, girls? - Yeah.- Come on, this way.

0:10:33 > 0:10:35Rocco!

0:10:35 > 0:10:37Does the dog enjoy being shampooed?

0:10:37 > 0:10:41Every dog's different. I suspect this dog will be a bit of a fidget.

0:10:41 > 0:10:46It's a big dog, and he's still a puppy, so I don't think he'll let us shampoo him.

0:10:46 > 0:10:52There's only one way to find out. Time to give Rocco a rub down and a rinse.

0:10:52 > 0:10:55If you just talk to him that'll put him at ease.

0:10:55 > 0:10:58With Heba and Michelle on hand to keep him calm,

0:10:58 > 0:11:00he's quite pleased to have a poochy pampering.

0:11:00 > 0:11:05Ooh, er, you have got a little something on your chin there, Rocco.

0:11:05 > 0:11:07- It's a bit of... Never mind. - Good boy.

0:11:07 > 0:11:13Hopefully after a few more canine cleansing sessions like this, Rocco's itching will be a thing of the past.

0:11:13 > 0:11:18- Do you think you like dogs more now?- Yeah.- You think you have helped him out?

0:11:18 > 0:11:20- Yeah.- You've been a great help. Thank you.

0:11:20 > 0:11:25Iit's to the operating theatre later, when the girls attempt to remove the stink from

0:11:25 > 0:11:29a pongy pooch's whiffy ear, but will the keyhole surgery get them bolting for the door?

0:11:29 > 0:11:35I don't want to see the blood, but except from that, I'm excited.

0:11:38 > 0:11:43Before all of that, Dom lifts the lid on rescued ferrets - and regrets it.

0:11:43 > 0:11:46Where have you been? It's your turn to help the animals.

0:11:46 > 0:11:50I've just been to collect the mustard lid that you told me to get.

0:11:50 > 0:11:55I said mustelids. Mustelids, as in weasels, pole cats, ferrets, otters.

0:11:55 > 0:11:57- Right.- Mustelids.

0:11:57 > 0:12:00Now these poor fellows were dumped by a river bank,

0:12:00 > 0:12:02so they've not had much human contact.

0:12:02 > 0:12:08So today it is your challenge to get them to socialise with each other, have a bit of exercise, bit of fun.

0:12:08 > 0:12:14- So you could build them an obstacle course.- You mean like the one I've already built over there?

0:12:14 > 0:12:17- Yes!- Good.- Important job, this, believe it or not.

0:12:18 > 0:12:23Ferrets love nothing more than adventure and exploration - they get all miserable without it.

0:12:23 > 0:12:25This is Mark. That's Mark.

0:12:25 > 0:12:29Hello, Mark. All right? Do you want to go in this tube?

0:12:29 > 0:12:31It's OK. It's all to do with socialising. Bye!

0:12:31 > 0:12:36Get in the tube. In the drain pipe. That's it, go and have some fun.

0:12:36 > 0:12:37There he is, there's Mark.

0:12:37 > 0:12:40Quick, let's put the rest in before he comes out the other end.

0:12:40 > 0:12:42Here's Jason. Get in.

0:12:44 > 0:12:47Here's Gary. Come on, Gary.

0:12:47 > 0:12:49And there's Howard.

0:12:49 > 0:12:52Go on, Howard, in you get.

0:12:52 > 0:12:57Ferrets aren't wild animals, they were domesticated by humans thousands of years ago.

0:12:57 > 0:13:02The Romans used them to catch rats and rabbits, and you can see why.

0:13:06 > 0:13:10They're usually crepuscular, which means they're only busy at dawn and dusk.

0:13:10 > 0:13:14They sleep the rest of the time - up to 18 hours a day.

0:13:16 > 0:13:19Talking of which, Dom looks shattered.

0:13:20 > 0:13:23Right then, I think I've completed this challenge.

0:13:23 > 0:13:25I think I've socialised all these ferrets.

0:13:25 > 0:13:27Very good. Let's go. Bye-bye.

0:13:27 > 0:13:29We're off for tea and cake at Auntie Maureen's.

0:13:34 > 0:13:40Heba and Michelle have been helping out hounds at a seriously busy County Durham vet's.

0:13:41 > 0:13:43Hello, girls.

0:13:43 > 0:13:48They're now with vet Nick, who has a Staffordshire bull terrier with a right pongy problem.

0:13:48 > 0:13:52This is Tammy and she's had a sore ear for quite a number of months.

0:13:52 > 0:13:57Tammy's ear is badly infected and to be blunt, it stinks.

0:13:57 > 0:14:01So she's going to need an operation to get rid of the problem.

0:14:01 > 0:14:06First Tammy is given a sedative and within minutes she's out for the count.

0:14:07 > 0:14:13Heba prepares the dozing dog by carefully shaving the side of her head with clippers.

0:14:14 > 0:14:20Then Michelle removes some of the yucky pus-like substance that's been making Tammy such a pongy pooch.

0:14:23 > 0:14:28Please don't go poking around in pets' ears or using hair clippers yourselves. We're with experts here.

0:14:28 > 0:14:32Over to the operating theatre now to fix that awful ear for good.

0:14:32 > 0:14:35How smelly can the ear get?

0:14:35 > 0:14:37It's quite common that people come in with their dogs

0:14:37 > 0:14:41and say, "I don't know what's wrong with the dog, but it smells."

0:14:41 > 0:14:47You just lift the ear up and you can see all the horrible stuff you were cleaning out of the ear.

0:14:47 > 0:14:48It smells absolutely horrible.

0:14:49 > 0:14:55Nick must remove the infected section inside Tammy's ear canal and carefully seal up the wound.

0:14:55 > 0:15:01I don't want to see the blood, but except for that, I'm excited.

0:15:01 > 0:15:03As the op kicks off,

0:15:03 > 0:15:06Heba and Michelle watch from the observation room.

0:15:06 > 0:15:12But there's no stopping these two. Within minutes they're up close and keen to get nearer to the action.

0:15:12 > 0:15:16I think you two are brilliant.

0:15:16 > 0:15:21You weren't even going to come in and look at you now, having a good look.

0:15:21 > 0:15:23Proper access all areas, this.

0:15:23 > 0:15:25Tammy needs intricate keyhole surgery

0:15:25 > 0:15:29to remove the infected part of the ear canal.

0:15:30 > 0:15:35Nick has to make sure he does this without damaging the nerves which can cause more serious problems.

0:15:35 > 0:15:42So, having been in our vet's, do you think you'd like to come and work with animals when you're older?

0:15:42 > 0:15:44I would like to,

0:15:44 > 0:15:48but I wouldn't like to be doing the surgeries.

0:15:48 > 0:15:50Nearly there.

0:15:50 > 0:15:57- So this is the last stitch going in and then we're done. That's going to make a lot of difference.- Yes.

0:15:57 > 0:16:00It will get rid of the horrible smell and hopefully

0:16:00 > 0:16:02she'll be as right as rain.

0:16:02 > 0:16:08When I first heard she was going to get surgery, I thought it would be

0:16:08 > 0:16:11really bad, but it's actually not as bad.

0:16:11 > 0:16:16It's interesting to watch, but I still wouldn't want to be a vet.

0:16:16 > 0:16:19Fair play. You can't knock a bit of honesty.

0:16:19 > 0:16:22And 1.5 hours later, Tammy's wide awake.

0:16:22 > 0:16:26There she is, looking just fine and she no longer pongs.

0:16:26 > 0:16:30- It's good to see her back, isn't it? - Yes, definitely.

0:16:30 > 0:16:35As for Heba and Michelle, when it comes to getting closer to canines, they're doing brilliantly.

0:16:35 > 0:16:38You'd have to be barking to disagree with that.

0:16:38 > 0:16:41TAMMY BARKS

0:16:41 > 0:16:47And the close-up experiences get bigger and better later as a giant of a problem arrives at the vet's.

0:16:49 > 0:16:53Urgh! That stinks, and that is a lot.

0:16:59 > 0:17:04Amelia and Crista have been making a big splash at the Sanctuary Wildlife Centre in Northumberland.

0:17:05 > 0:17:10Now it's time to help out a red fox that's kicked up a bit of a stink.

0:17:13 > 0:17:15- Do you see where the fox was lying? - Yeah.

0:17:15 > 0:17:21Do you see that big mound on top of that shelf? Do you know what it is?

0:17:21 > 0:17:22What?

0:17:22 > 0:17:25- Poo. It's poo. - We've got to go up there?

0:17:25 > 0:17:28That's right, girls, you're on poop patrol!

0:17:28 > 0:17:34- You need the right tools for this job.- She's having a look now. Can you see her?

0:17:34 > 0:17:36Straight over there. See her?

0:17:36 > 0:17:39Four-year-old Sasha has been here since

0:17:39 > 0:17:42she was two weeks old after being found trapped under a railway line.

0:17:42 > 0:17:48She's one of nine resident foxes here who have become too tame or too unwell to survive in the wild.

0:17:48 > 0:17:52The girls have to lure Sacha out before they can start spring-cleaning.

0:17:52 > 0:17:55Those tasty morsels should work.

0:17:55 > 0:17:58Sasha doesn't seem too keen on shifting.

0:17:58 > 0:18:01But the meaty morsels eventually do the trick and while Sasha

0:18:01 > 0:18:05is distracted, time to slip in and sort out her messy living area.

0:18:05 > 0:18:10There you go. Plastic bag for you. Plastic bag for you. Ready, girls?

0:18:10 > 0:18:12Going in there? Poo patrol.

0:18:16 > 0:18:22- And when it comes to bathroom business, foxes go about things in a highly unusual way.- It's stuck.

0:18:22 > 0:18:27You're probably wondering, girls, why all the poo is in one place.

0:18:27 > 0:18:31It's because foxes always do their business high up.

0:18:31 > 0:18:38Foxes find the highest place they can get and that's where they do their toilet.

0:18:38 > 0:18:41- It's called marking its territory. - Not as bad as I thought.

0:18:41 > 0:18:44- Poo fell on me! - LAUGHTER

0:18:46 > 0:18:49Urgh, there's white worms!

0:18:49 > 0:18:51Oh, it's maybe maggots.

0:18:51 > 0:18:53Urgh!

0:18:54 > 0:18:57Nice. Now it's time to feed the big fella next door.

0:18:57 > 0:19:01- This one's not too shy, is he? - Good girl.

0:19:02 > 0:19:05- Never been that close to a fox, have you?- No.

0:19:05 > 0:19:11Ten-year-old Sam's jaw was smashed after being hit by a car and he can't hunt for himself.

0:19:12 > 0:19:15He gets well looked after here, as you can see.

0:19:15 > 0:19:17Sam?

0:19:18 > 0:19:23He was operated on, but the vet said he can't be released back to the wild

0:19:23 > 0:19:29because he's not strong enough to kill rabbits. You see his jaw? It's actually quite squint, isn't it?

0:19:29 > 0:19:34Sam wouldn't survive without help like this, but feeding wild foxes is a definite no-no.

0:19:35 > 0:19:39The more you feed wild foxes, the tamer they get.

0:19:39 > 0:19:42The tamer they get, the less frightened they are of people.

0:19:42 > 0:19:46That's when you get problems with foxes going into people's houses.

0:19:52 > 0:19:57The girls have a go at gull getting later. But can they box them up and get them flapping to freedom?

0:19:59 > 0:20:01Don't let it fly away!

0:20:03 > 0:20:08Before all of that, Dick homes in on a wiggly and rather batty snack.

0:20:08 > 0:20:10Are you OK?

0:20:10 > 0:20:13OK, Steve the long-eared bat, I'll tell him to shut up.

0:20:13 > 0:20:17- We are listening out for his din-dins.- Oh.

0:20:17 > 0:20:20Anyway, how can anything HEAR dinner?

0:20:20 > 0:20:23Well, he uses his echo location.

0:20:23 > 0:20:25- Echo location?- Echo location.

0:20:25 > 0:20:31Yes, bats send out sonar squeaks which are high-pitched little noises to find their way round

0:20:31 > 0:20:35- and to find their din-dins. - How does that work?

0:20:35 > 0:20:37The sonar squeaks bounce off things and the bat

0:20:37 > 0:20:41hears the returning of the bouncy-off-things sound.

0:20:41 > 0:20:46Oh, so that's how he can HEAR for his din-dins and he doesn't bang into walls in the dark.

0:20:46 > 0:20:49- Exactly.- Eek, eek, eek!

0:20:49 > 0:20:53Rubbish bat impression, Dick, deserving of a fitting reward.

0:20:54 > 0:20:57Do not try this at home.

0:21:02 > 0:21:06Heba and Michelle have been doing up dogs at the vet practice in County Durham.

0:21:06 > 0:21:09You'd never have thought these two didn't care for dogs before today.

0:21:09 > 0:21:14So dog's done. Now how's about this for an animal assignment?

0:21:14 > 0:21:18This is definitely not your run-of-the-mill vet job, is it?

0:21:20 > 0:21:22Hi, girls.

0:21:22 > 0:21:24- Whoa.- This is Einstein.

0:21:24 > 0:21:26He's a European eagle owl.

0:21:26 > 0:21:29Whoa, that's big.

0:21:29 > 0:21:33You can say that again, Heba. With its huge beak and enormous talons,

0:21:33 > 0:21:37the European eagle owl is considered the largest on the planet.

0:21:37 > 0:21:39They're usually found living in rocky and mountainous parts

0:21:39 > 0:21:45of mainland Europe, but amazingly a small number of them do live wild in Britain.

0:21:45 > 0:21:48Right, what we do now is micro-chip him.

0:21:48 > 0:21:52So if he was ever lost or stolen, it's got his ID on.

0:21:52 > 0:21:58It's something we do on cats and dogs all the time, but more so now in eagles and large animals.

0:21:58 > 0:22:02Having a micro chip fitted will mean if Einstein does go astray,

0:22:02 > 0:22:09any vet anywhere in the world can find out who his owner is, assuming they can catch him first.

0:22:09 > 0:22:11Inserting the chip is a straightforward enough job

0:22:11 > 0:22:15for Jason, and for Einstein it's a bit like having an injection.

0:22:15 > 0:22:17- Good lad.- There we go. Job done.

0:22:17 > 0:22:22- So, girls, would you like to touch Einstein?- Yes.

0:22:25 > 0:22:29- What do you think of that? - It's nice and soft.

0:22:29 > 0:22:32You feel like hugging her all the time.

0:22:32 > 0:22:36Owl touching is something you should never do yourself. Want to know why?

0:22:36 > 0:22:40In the wild, Einstein could use those massive talons to catch

0:22:40 > 0:22:45and crush hedgehogs, rabbits and even small deer. Painful.

0:22:45 > 0:22:49But remember, ladies, what goes in must come out

0:22:49 > 0:22:51any time...now.

0:22:51 > 0:22:53Urgh!

0:22:53 > 0:22:57It stinks, and that is a lot.

0:22:57 > 0:23:02Girls, if you only learn one thing from today's experience, please make it this.

0:23:02 > 0:23:05Never stand behind a bird of prey. Either stand to the left or the right.

0:23:05 > 0:23:10They can fire their poo up to six feet and it's not pleasant.

0:23:10 > 0:23:13You're not wrong there! I can smell that from here.

0:23:13 > 0:23:15An amazing animal.

0:23:15 > 0:23:20Michelle, when you got here this morning you liked hip-hop dancing and weren't into animals. Heba, likewise.

0:23:20 > 0:23:24- But do you like animals now?- Yes. - Do you want to be vets' assistants?

0:23:24 > 0:23:26- Yes!- We have done it.

0:23:26 > 0:23:30And there's just one last thing these two wannabe vets need to do.

0:23:30 > 0:23:32Remember Rocco from earlier?

0:23:32 > 0:23:35We've now ditched his itch and he's ready to go home.

0:23:35 > 0:23:39- Thank you.- 'Before I came I didn't like dogs at all,'

0:23:39 > 0:23:41but now I really like dogs.

0:23:43 > 0:23:49My favourite thing of the day was probably meeting the owl because he was just fabulous.

0:23:49 > 0:23:55- I had a really great day today. - It's been great.- Nice one, girls. Job done and dusted!

0:23:58 > 0:24:03Friends Amelia and Crista have been flying through their day at the animal sanctuary in Northumberland.

0:24:03 > 0:24:06Now it's time to sort out two herring gull orphans

0:24:06 > 0:24:09who have recovered from injuries and are game for a return to the wild.

0:24:09 > 0:24:11But first the catchy bit.

0:24:11 > 0:24:17The two that you need to catch are the ones on the top of that green house.

0:24:17 > 0:24:19- Watch out for the heron.- OK.

0:24:22 > 0:24:27I know, I know. At the seaside these birds can behave like chip-guzzling bullies,

0:24:27 > 0:24:30but some types of seagulls are under threat in the wild

0:24:30 > 0:24:37- and it's important any healthy ones are set free.- Don't let it fly away!

0:24:37 > 0:24:39That's it, Crista. Nice netting.

0:24:39 > 0:24:411-0 to us.

0:24:41 > 0:24:43- Get it!- That's it. Well done. OK.

0:24:45 > 0:24:47Now it's my go!

0:24:47 > 0:24:51You must keep its wings really, really tightly together.

0:24:51 > 0:24:54Keep it away from your face.

0:24:54 > 0:25:00- Have you got hold of it? It's having a go at his camera.- Make that 1-1.

0:25:00 > 0:25:02Not camera shy, this one.

0:25:02 > 0:25:04Keep his wings together. Well done.

0:25:04 > 0:25:06- OK.- Shut the door!

0:25:06 > 0:25:10Excellent. Well done. One down.

0:25:10 > 0:25:13- Now mine's go.- You did really well.

0:25:13 > 0:25:19Quick as a flashy thing, Amelia strikes with gull number two.

0:25:19 > 0:25:23- They're all over this job. - I've got it.- OK.

0:25:23 > 0:25:25It's quite hard because it tries to fly away.

0:25:25 > 0:25:30If you corner it, it's easy because all you do is put the net on it.

0:25:30 > 0:25:32We've netted a youngster.

0:25:32 > 0:25:35When they're adults, all their brown speckles grow out.

0:25:35 > 0:25:39He's pretty strong and he's not going to let go of the net.

0:25:39 > 0:25:43Oh, dear. This toddler seems to be having a tantrum!

0:25:43 > 0:25:48- Better get him in the box before he does any harm to himself. - All right, all right.

0:25:49 > 0:25:54So with the gull safely shut in, it's time to start thinking about setting them free.

0:25:54 > 0:25:59And there's a huge lake a few miles away where our gulls will be safe to soar.

0:25:59 > 0:26:01Are you going to have a look?

0:26:03 > 0:26:06- They look OK, don't they? - They look fine.

0:26:06 > 0:26:08They survived the journey here.

0:26:08 > 0:26:11Shall we set them on the journey back to the big wide world?

0:26:13 > 0:26:16- Ever done anything like this before? - No.- It's cool, hey?

0:26:17 > 0:26:19Obviously, they're really trying to get out.

0:26:19 > 0:26:21How long have they been in captivity?

0:26:21 > 0:26:24Probably six months. It's definitely time for them to go.

0:26:24 > 0:26:30It can go either way - they will either shoot off or be nervous because this is a big step for them.

0:26:30 > 0:26:36- It must be the best bit about the job.- Absolutely. It's all about getting animals back to the wild.

0:26:36 > 0:26:38Fingers crossed that they'll go.

0:26:38 > 0:26:40OK, open it.

0:26:41 > 0:26:43Wow, freedom at last!

0:26:43 > 0:26:48The big man looks chuffed to be strutting his stuff. Then the youngster decides to wing it, too.

0:26:48 > 0:26:50Here we go.

0:26:51 > 0:26:53Straight off. Look at that.

0:26:55 > 0:27:02- Look at the other ones in the water. - Mine went straight in and had a bath. Woo!

0:27:02 > 0:27:03Bye-bye.

0:27:04 > 0:27:08Mine keeps putting its head under like that.

0:27:08 > 0:27:13We dabbled with ducks, fed foxes and finally allowed feathered friends to fly free.

0:27:13 > 0:27:15- Does it feel good?- Yes.

0:27:15 > 0:27:17You've been fantastic today.

0:27:17 > 0:27:20What's been the best bit?

0:27:20 > 0:27:22- Releasing them. - Yeah, it's been nice, hasn't it?

0:27:22 > 0:27:24Do you think they'll stay together?

0:27:24 > 0:27:27- Yeah.- Like best mates?- Yeah.- Good.

0:27:38 > 0:27:41Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd