0:00:02 > 0:00:03This show features professionals
0:00:03 > 0:00:07working with potentially dangerous and unpredictable animals.
0:00:07 > 0:00:10So please do not attempt anything you are about to see yourselves.
0:00:10 > 0:00:11BOTH: Uh-huh?
0:00:12 > 0:00:14Moo!
0:00:29 > 0:00:31Did you know that now, right now
0:00:31 > 0:00:33there are people all around the UK
0:00:33 > 0:00:36working their socks off to help wounded wildlife and poorly pets?
0:00:36 > 0:00:40And we've managed to get VIP passes for willing helpers to get stuck in
0:00:40 > 0:00:44at the busiest vets, wildlife sanctuaries and rescue centres.
0:00:44 > 0:00:46Rats!
0:00:46 > 0:00:49It's tough and dirty work, but somebody's got to do it.
0:00:49 > 0:00:53On today's show, Robbie and Reece face up to full-on donkey work.
0:00:53 > 0:00:54And it's not pretty.
0:00:54 > 0:00:57BOTH: Ooh!
0:00:57 > 0:01:01Immy and David handle the prickly challenge of wildlife welfare.
0:01:01 > 0:01:02SQUEAKS
0:01:02 > 0:01:04Every time!
0:01:06 > 0:01:09And Leah the falcon gets Dom in a bit of a spin.
0:01:09 > 0:01:13Wow! Just missed my head!
0:01:14 > 0:01:17Brilliant. I'm working with donkeys today.
0:01:17 > 0:01:19I asked to do donkeys.
0:01:19 > 0:01:22No! We're still paying for last time. The smashed-up ice-cream van
0:01:22 > 0:01:23on the beach?
0:01:23 > 0:01:26How was I supposed to know donkeys can't drive ice-cream vans?
0:01:26 > 0:01:30Well, listen, you're not going so you can go onto your next location.
0:01:30 > 0:01:31No problem. I've got a lift sorted.
0:01:31 > 0:01:34- Oh, right. - < EEH-ORE!
0:01:34 > 0:01:35Not again!
0:01:35 > 0:01:37VEHICLE SPEEDS OFF
0:01:41 > 0:01:44Today I'm in Sidmouth, Devon and this is the biggest donkey
0:01:44 > 0:01:48and mule care home in the whole wide world.
0:01:50 > 0:01:54The donkey sanctuary has been open for 40 years providing help
0:01:54 > 0:01:56and support for donkeys all over the world.
0:01:56 > 0:02:00Talking of help, I've got two eager beavers who can't wait to get going.
0:02:01 > 0:02:05And wheeling in today are Robbie and Reece.
0:02:05 > 0:02:09Wrestling nut Robbie is petless and would really love a dog.
0:02:09 > 0:02:12He doesn't get a kick out of horses though.
0:02:12 > 0:02:15I once seen a horse, but if you approach it from behind,
0:02:15 > 0:02:20they can tell something is coming behind it and then they go, bang.
0:02:20 > 0:02:22Bang... Ouch!
0:02:22 > 0:02:24Reece loves his pet pooch.
0:02:24 > 0:02:26But definitely does not dote on goats after
0:02:26 > 0:02:29- one butted him just like this.- Ow!
0:02:29 > 0:02:31It went right into my leg.
0:02:31 > 0:02:32But I didn't cry.
0:02:32 > 0:02:35So, both are not keen on hanging around hoofy animals...
0:02:37 > 0:02:39..but are big pet lovers.
0:02:39 > 0:02:40He loves his animals.
0:02:40 > 0:02:43He'll feed them, but he won't pick up their mess.
0:02:43 > 0:02:45BOTH: EW! Poo!
0:02:45 > 0:02:50OK. To a massive, mucky donkey sanctuary, boys.
0:02:50 > 0:02:53Reece. Robbie. How you doing?
0:02:53 > 0:02:55All right?
0:02:55 > 0:02:56BOTH: Yeah.
0:02:56 > 0:02:59Good. You guys don't like animals with hooves, is that right?
0:02:59 > 0:03:01- There might be a bit of a problem? - Yeah.
0:03:01 > 0:03:03Right, OK.
0:03:03 > 0:03:06- What about the messy side of animals? - No.- You don't like it?
0:03:06 > 0:03:09- But you've got dogs, haven't you? Do you not clean up after them?- No.
0:03:09 > 0:03:13Disgusting behaviour! You're at the right place. Here's your overalls.
0:03:13 > 0:03:17Take them, put them on and we'll go and get to work. Let's go.
0:03:20 > 0:03:23As you would expect at a donkey sanctuary there are donkeys,
0:03:23 > 0:03:25donkeys and, yep, donkeys.
0:03:25 > 0:03:29They have sorted out nearly 15,000 unwanted and poorly donkeys
0:03:29 > 0:03:32since opening over four decades ago.
0:03:33 > 0:03:35There's always a load of work here,
0:03:35 > 0:03:39so get out of your Sunday best fast, boys.
0:03:39 > 0:03:41Game on. Let's roll with it.
0:03:42 > 0:03:43Dawn!
0:03:43 > 0:03:46Good morning, Dom. Morning, boys.
0:03:46 > 0:03:48Here's your help. Have you got lots of jobs for them?
0:03:48 > 0:03:51Absolutely. I've got the perfect job just this way.
0:03:51 > 0:03:55Go on then, off you go. Canter.
0:03:57 > 0:04:00OK, boys, mind the poo.
0:04:00 > 0:04:03We're just going to go and find Ben and his mum, Linda.
0:04:04 > 0:04:07Check out this teeny tiny newborn donkey.
0:04:08 > 0:04:13This is our little foal, Ben, and he is two weeks old.
0:04:13 > 0:04:17This is his mum, Linda, who is a very good mummy.
0:04:17 > 0:04:19Linda's owner couldn't look after her
0:04:19 > 0:04:21and she ended up living here.
0:04:21 > 0:04:24So, today then we need to give Ben a little check over.
0:04:24 > 0:04:28We can have a look at his teeth and just generally have a good feel over
0:04:28 > 0:04:32him and make sure there's no lumps and bumps and see if he's OK.
0:04:32 > 0:04:33- How do you feel about that?- Good.
0:04:33 > 0:04:36- That be all right, to help me with that?- Yep.
0:04:36 > 0:04:40It's a steady start from the hoof haters.
0:04:40 > 0:04:41What do you think to him then?
0:04:41 > 0:04:47He's cute. He gets very protected by his mum, Linda.
0:04:47 > 0:04:49Yeah, she's a good mum, isn't she?
0:04:51 > 0:04:55Lovely! And later, Robbie and Reece get going on Ben's health check.
0:04:55 > 0:04:59Are you not scared of putting your hands right by his mouth?
0:04:59 > 0:05:00That's really good.
0:05:00 > 0:05:04Dick's dropped into one of the busiest animal sanctuaries
0:05:04 > 0:05:05in the south of England.
0:05:05 > 0:05:07Today on Dick & Dom Go Wild,
0:05:07 > 0:05:09I'll be hanging out in a house in Surrey.
0:05:09 > 0:05:13Fear not, my animal-loving friends, because this is no ordinary house.
0:05:13 > 0:05:17This house and its garage are full to the brim of injured animals
0:05:17 > 0:05:20and wounded wildlife wanting to be nursed back to health.
0:05:20 > 0:05:21I hope there's room for these two.
0:05:23 > 0:05:27Squaring up for action here are pals Immy and David.
0:05:27 > 0:05:31When it comes to creatures, Immy, well, she's into the lot.
0:05:31 > 0:05:35I love all animals and I think they're really cute.
0:05:36 > 0:05:41Whereas David is, well, shall we say, a lot less keen?
0:05:41 > 0:05:44I'm definitely wary of wild animals.
0:05:44 > 0:05:46You never know if you can trust them or not.
0:05:46 > 0:05:50While Immy is in tune with wildlife,
0:05:50 > 0:05:53she's not allowed anything animaly inside her house.
0:05:53 > 0:05:56With my disability, I can't have any pets.
0:05:56 > 0:05:59Immy has grown up in a household with a pet-free zone.
0:06:01 > 0:06:04Come on, you two, no point sticking around.
0:06:04 > 0:06:07To a packed, busy Harper Asprey rescue centre.
0:06:07 > 0:06:11- You've got different opinions when it comes to animals.- Yes.- Yes.
0:06:11 > 0:06:14Immy, you are the big fan. What is it you like about them so much?
0:06:14 > 0:06:17They're just so cute!
0:06:17 > 0:06:20- Snakes and frogs?- They're beautiful. - You like the lot.- Yep.
0:06:20 > 0:06:22But, David, you don't agree, do you?
0:06:22 > 0:06:27No. They're all slimy. Why would you like slimy, horrible objects?
0:06:27 > 0:06:29OK. Yeah. I'm with you on that one.
0:06:29 > 0:06:32Are you willing to help out with the wildlife today?
0:06:32 > 0:06:34- Yes.- Yes.
0:06:34 > 0:06:38Right, OK, well, you need to put these on and let's get to work.
0:06:40 > 0:06:43It might look like a normal detached house from the outside,
0:06:43 > 0:06:45but it's actually packed with
0:06:45 > 0:06:48hundreds of injured animals needing a helping hand.
0:06:52 > 0:06:56First up for our pair is the UK's only spiny mammal.
0:06:56 > 0:06:59This poor hedgehog was found alone and ill in a nearby garden
0:06:59 > 0:07:02and could really do with some TLC.
0:07:02 > 0:07:08If you touch him very gently, he jumps. That's what he does.
0:07:08 > 0:07:11If something's following him like a cat or a dog or a fox,
0:07:11 > 0:07:15when he does that, those spines go in the nose of the animal following him.
0:07:15 > 0:07:18They will usually yelp and disappear.
0:07:18 > 0:07:19Every time!
0:07:20 > 0:07:26Every year around 450 injured or orphaned hedgehogs are brought here.
0:07:26 > 0:07:28And they create a load of mess.
0:07:28 > 0:07:32First, we've got to get all those hedgehogs out. I've got a box here.
0:07:32 > 0:07:35If you can pick them up very gently and put them in the box.
0:07:38 > 0:07:39One.
0:07:41 > 0:07:44You're doing a really good job. That's fantastic.
0:07:44 > 0:07:48With the hogs out it's time for Immy and David to move in.
0:07:48 > 0:07:50This is going to be the worst part.
0:07:50 > 0:07:53We're going to get that dirty newspaper out and put it in here.
0:07:53 > 0:07:57Now hogs don't half poop a lot. So yes, this place stinks.
0:07:58 > 0:08:03- What do you think of the smell, David?- Definitely not pleasant.
0:08:03 > 0:08:04That's hedgehogs.
0:08:04 > 0:08:08You're doing a fantastic job there, guys.
0:08:08 > 0:08:10We've got some other cages you might like to tackle.
0:08:10 > 0:08:12- Thanks.- No, thank you!
0:08:13 > 0:08:16I can't blame you, David. Great effort, though.
0:08:17 > 0:08:20- Do you do this a lot? - They get done in the morning
0:08:20 > 0:08:23and then they get done after lunch and then last thing at night.
0:08:24 > 0:08:26They're ripping through this job.
0:08:26 > 0:08:30Look how clean that is in there for them now.
0:08:30 > 0:08:32They look quite happy, don't they?
0:08:32 > 0:08:34- Aren't you adorable? - Well done, guys.
0:08:34 > 0:08:36Spotless homes for these now happy hogs.
0:08:39 > 0:08:41And there's even more stink later
0:08:41 > 0:08:46when Immy and David get close to this slithery serpent.
0:08:46 > 0:08:49- It's quite an offensive smell, isn't it?- Yes.
0:08:51 > 0:08:53At the sanctuary, Robbie and Reece
0:08:53 > 0:08:57are helping give new arrival Ben the foal a health check.
0:08:57 > 0:09:00- Hello, rascal. - I'm being attacked by donkeys!
0:09:00 > 0:09:03They need to check his mouth now.
0:09:05 > 0:09:07Ben's a little nervous at first.
0:09:08 > 0:09:11But eventually settles.
0:09:11 > 0:09:15The team need to make sure Ben has healthy teeth and gums.
0:09:15 > 0:09:18Any problems can mean he will find it difficult to feed.
0:09:18 > 0:09:21Did you want to have a gentle look in his mouth for yourself?
0:09:21 > 0:09:25- You're not scared of putting your hand right by his mouth?- No.
0:09:25 > 0:09:27That's really good. That's donkeys for you.
0:09:27 > 0:09:30They've got a lovely character and a lovely temperament.
0:09:30 > 0:09:32We are with an expert -
0:09:32 > 0:09:35don't go putting your hands near animals' mouths.
0:09:35 > 0:09:37Ben's passed the dental examination.
0:09:37 > 0:09:41Now it's time to check mum Linda is able to give him milk properly.
0:09:41 > 0:09:44This is where we've got to be very quiet and gentle.
0:09:44 > 0:09:46We're looking to make sure that the teats
0:09:46 > 0:09:49and the area around it aren't hard and hot to touch.
0:09:51 > 0:09:52What's it feel like?
0:09:52 > 0:09:54- Soft, actually. - That's a really good sign.
0:09:54 > 0:09:58That means that Ben's getting some really good milk from his mum.
0:09:58 > 0:10:02He's just come to check us out now and see how the progress is going.
0:10:04 > 0:10:05Somebody's thirsty.
0:10:05 > 0:10:08With mum and son having passed our health check,
0:10:08 > 0:10:10it's time to give them a little peace.
0:10:10 > 0:10:13Hey, boys, what do you think about donkeys now?
0:10:13 > 0:10:17Now that I've met donkeys, I think they're really cute
0:10:17 > 0:10:20and I'm not that worried about them kicking me now.
0:10:20 > 0:10:22I was a bit scared of hooved animals.
0:10:22 > 0:10:26But now I've met donkeys, I'm not that scared of them any more.
0:10:26 > 0:10:29Perfect.
0:10:29 > 0:10:33Later, Robbie and Reece get kitted out to do donkey doo-doos.
0:10:33 > 0:10:37OK, so this is Davy's fresh poo from this morning.
0:10:41 > 0:10:44Back in Surrey, Immy and David
0:10:44 > 0:10:47are grafting like good 'uns at a busy rescue centre.
0:10:49 > 0:10:52And they're about to meet this slippery customer.
0:10:53 > 0:10:55It's a grass snake
0:10:55 > 0:10:58and it was found with an injured back by a member of the public.
0:10:58 > 0:11:00Now our team needs to check its progress.
0:11:00 > 0:11:04This grass snake was found in a pond and it was caught up in the netting.
0:11:04 > 0:11:06It had gone through it to find some food.
0:11:06 > 0:11:08and then it got stuck.
0:11:08 > 0:11:13If you look on her back here, there's some marks here, see?
0:11:13 > 0:11:16- There's a mark here.- Poor baby.
0:11:16 > 0:11:18Remember, don't go touching snakes yourselves -
0:11:18 > 0:11:20it's hard to tell the difference
0:11:20 > 0:11:22between a harmless one and a dangerous one.
0:11:22 > 0:11:26What you have to be careful of is they're very clever
0:11:26 > 0:11:28and when they get scared, they play dead.
0:11:28 > 0:11:31They give off a really strong smell, it smells a bit like garlic.
0:11:31 > 0:11:34It smells as if they're dead. So animals think they're dead.
0:11:34 > 0:11:37They lie on their side with their mouth open.
0:11:37 > 0:11:39Pick them up when they're like that, they'll bite you.
0:11:39 > 0:11:43They're at their most frightened, so they'll bite anything.
0:11:43 > 0:11:46A grass snake's bite isn't dangerous to humans,
0:11:46 > 0:11:48but they really do have a killer pong.
0:11:48 > 0:11:51- It's quite an offensive smell, isn't it?- Yes.
0:11:51 > 0:11:55It's not putting David off, though. He's all over this examination.
0:11:55 > 0:11:58It feels like leather.
0:11:58 > 0:12:02That's exactly what they feel like, a nice pair of shoes. Nice and soft.
0:12:02 > 0:12:06He's not afraid of asking a scientific question, either.
0:12:06 > 0:12:07How do they poo?
0:12:07 > 0:12:09They poo from back here,
0:12:09 > 0:12:14there's a little opening back here and that's where they go to the loo.
0:12:14 > 0:12:17And the best bit? This snake is close to a return to the wild
0:12:17 > 0:12:20and with a bit of luck, our pals might bag this fab job.
0:12:22 > 0:12:25There's more later. Immy and David deal with a duck
0:12:25 > 0:12:26that swallowed a hook.
0:12:26 > 0:12:29How are we going to get this hook out of the duck?
0:12:29 > 0:12:32We may be able to remove it using forceps,
0:12:32 > 0:12:33but if it's further down,
0:12:33 > 0:12:36we will probably have to perform an operation.
0:12:38 > 0:12:40But first, Dom gets in a flap
0:12:40 > 0:12:42when he has to exercise the wildest of animals.
0:12:45 > 0:12:48I've journeyed to a remote corner
0:12:48 > 0:12:52of deepest, darkest Hertfordshire in search of a creature
0:12:52 > 0:12:56that spends most of the day sleeping in thick undergrowth.
0:12:57 > 0:12:59This animal has a pot-bellied physique,
0:12:59 > 0:13:03which means it generally prefers all things meaty and piey.
0:13:11 > 0:13:13PANTING
0:13:14 > 0:13:16What you doing? Give us that back.
0:13:16 > 0:13:19Why are you waking me up from my bushy snooze?
0:13:19 > 0:13:20- I'm luring.- I bet you are.
0:13:20 > 0:13:24I'm luring. It's a very useful technique used to help some animals.
0:13:25 > 0:13:28Look, I'll show you...or he will.
0:13:28 > 0:13:31This is Mark Amey and he's an expert in luring.
0:13:31 > 0:13:34In the wild, Lanner falcons need to be in tip-top shape
0:13:34 > 0:13:38in order to hunt their preferred prey - small birds.
0:13:38 > 0:13:41But tame ones like Leah here need to be kept fit too.
0:13:41 > 0:13:44Mark is not just swinging a bit of dead bird on a rope,
0:13:44 > 0:13:46years of practice have gone into it.
0:13:46 > 0:13:50The aim of luring is to keep the falcon interested,
0:13:50 > 0:13:52but not let her snatch the tasty treat
0:13:52 > 0:13:53until she's had enough exercise.
0:13:54 > 0:13:56Nice job.
0:13:56 > 0:13:59- How did Leah come to be here? - This is a rescue bird.
0:13:59 > 0:14:01She has obviously been born and bred in captivity
0:14:01 > 0:14:04and very unfit when I first got her.
0:14:04 > 0:14:08She's fighting fit now, though. Come and get it, Leah.
0:14:08 > 0:14:11- Here she comes. - She's coming, Dom. At speed.
0:14:12 > 0:14:15Good lad. Good lad.
0:14:15 > 0:14:17How do you think he's doing, Mark?
0:14:17 > 0:14:20Um... Yeah, not bad.
0:14:20 > 0:14:23- The bird's very forgiving. - I think so.
0:14:23 > 0:14:26Wow. Literally just missed my head.
0:14:26 > 0:14:29- Let her have it this time.- Yeah?
0:14:30 > 0:14:34She missed it. Rubbish.
0:14:34 > 0:14:36Mark makes the swinging bit look easy.
0:14:36 > 0:14:39Getting Leah to catch the food is a real skill.
0:14:39 > 0:14:41So he shows us how it's done.
0:14:41 > 0:14:42Smart.
0:14:44 > 0:14:47I failed miserably luring Leah.
0:14:47 > 0:14:51Perhaps I can succeed with luring something a bit less challenging.
0:14:54 > 0:14:56Come on now. Come on.
0:14:56 > 0:14:58You beauty.
0:14:59 > 0:15:00Oh!
0:15:00 > 0:15:02We did it!
0:15:04 > 0:15:07A pie-eyed luring success.
0:15:13 > 0:15:15Robbie and Reece are working hard
0:15:15 > 0:15:19at the largest donkey sanctuary in the world.
0:15:20 > 0:15:23Right then, guys. This little donkey here is called Davy.
0:15:23 > 0:15:28One of the jobs we've got to do today is take a stool sample.
0:15:28 > 0:15:31If he's losing weight, it might mean worms in his tummy.
0:15:31 > 0:15:35The way we know if there's worms is if there's worms in his poo.
0:15:37 > 0:15:39Parasitic worms get in a donkey's tummy
0:15:39 > 0:15:43after they nosh hay and grass that has worm eggs on it.
0:15:43 > 0:15:46- So what do these worms look like? - Oh, wow!- Oh!
0:15:48 > 0:15:52Eurgh! Ah! Imagine having those living in your belly,
0:15:52 > 0:15:55eating all your food. Gross.
0:15:55 > 0:15:58You can see why these might cause discomfort to our donkeys.
0:15:58 > 0:16:01That's why it's important to monitor them for worms.
0:16:02 > 0:16:05Poor Davy has been feeling down in the dumps.
0:16:05 > 0:16:08It's now time for our lads to get down in HIS dumps
0:16:08 > 0:16:10and check for worms.
0:16:10 > 0:16:12- Do I have to do it with my hands? - Can we wear gloves?
0:16:12 > 0:16:17We wear some nice big gloves which I've got in this pocket.
0:16:17 > 0:16:19OK? They're really, really long.
0:16:19 > 0:16:21Magic!
0:16:21 > 0:16:23Gloves on and get to work, boys.
0:16:23 > 0:16:27OK, so this is Davy's fresh poo from this morning.
0:16:28 > 0:16:32What you need to do now is pick up a good handful of poo
0:16:32 > 0:16:35and maybe have a little rummage through and see if you can...
0:16:35 > 0:16:37Can you find a worm in there?
0:16:38 > 0:16:41Robbie and Reece need to look for tiny versions
0:16:41 > 0:16:43of what they saw in that jar earlier.
0:16:43 > 0:16:46If they find them, Davy will need special medication.
0:16:46 > 0:16:49This is a job our staff have to do regularly.
0:16:52 > 0:16:55Tough task, I know, but our boys aren't giving up.
0:16:57 > 0:17:00The lads haven't found any obvious signs of worms.
0:17:00 > 0:17:02The samples will now go to the lab for further tests,
0:17:02 > 0:17:05just to make sure.
0:17:05 > 0:17:09Meanwhile, we still have important work to do with Davy.
0:17:09 > 0:17:12- Hello there, boys.- Hi, Dom. - Hi, how you doing?
0:17:12 > 0:17:14So, Davy, what's the next job for Davy?
0:17:14 > 0:17:17Davy's got to go in here. If you could kindly open the gate.
0:17:17 > 0:17:20We need to check Davy's weight. This way, sir,
0:17:20 > 0:17:22to the very special weighing equipment.
0:17:24 > 0:17:27Whereabouts are the scales?
0:17:27 > 0:17:30They're here and it's just coming up on the little...
0:17:30 > 0:17:33Oh, the whole floor basically are the scales. OK.
0:17:33 > 0:17:36Once on the scales, the boys can record his weight.
0:17:36 > 0:17:39156.5.
0:17:39 > 0:17:42- Is that healthy? - It's not ideal.
0:17:42 > 0:17:46The average weight is about 180 kilos. So a little way to go,
0:17:46 > 0:17:50but he's definitely heading for the right end of the scales.
0:17:50 > 0:17:53Davy's on the mend and he's made a real impression on our boys.
0:17:53 > 0:17:58It was nice meeting Davy, because he was a really nice donkey
0:17:58 > 0:17:59and he's really cute.
0:17:59 > 0:18:01I wouldn't like to take a donkey home.
0:18:01 > 0:18:04You've got to clean up the poo and there's worms.
0:18:04 > 0:18:07You've got to check the poo, get special kinds of gloves.
0:18:07 > 0:18:10It would be just too much to do, we just couldn't handle it.
0:18:11 > 0:18:13And later, I play donkey
0:18:13 > 0:18:17in the strangest of animal training sessions.
0:18:18 > 0:18:20You can pipe down as well.
0:18:24 > 0:18:28In Surrey, Immy and David are working at an animal rescue centre.
0:18:28 > 0:18:33Their next job means travelling to a vet's for some specialised help.
0:18:33 > 0:18:35Hello, and what have we got here?
0:18:35 > 0:18:38We've got a duck that was caught by a fisherman this morning.
0:18:38 > 0:18:41The hook is still inside it somewhere.
0:18:42 > 0:18:45She's a young mallard, native to the UK.
0:18:45 > 0:18:48She looks very, very healthy. She looks very well.
0:18:48 > 0:18:51Unless we get the hook out, she won't feed properly.
0:18:51 > 0:18:54Will the hook in the throat be hurting the duck?
0:18:54 > 0:18:56Yeah, I imagine it will.
0:18:56 > 0:19:00It's likely to be stuck through the gullet or the intestines
0:19:00 > 0:19:03and that will be quite sore.
0:19:03 > 0:19:06How are we actually going to get this hook out of the duck?
0:19:06 > 0:19:09If the hook's just in the throat, we may be able to see it
0:19:09 > 0:19:11and just remove it using forceps.
0:19:11 > 0:19:12If it's further down,
0:19:12 > 0:19:16we will probably have to perform an operation to remove it.
0:19:16 > 0:19:19What we need to do is take an X-ray so that we can see
0:19:19 > 0:19:22where the hook is and if we can remove it safely.
0:19:22 > 0:19:23We need to act fast.
0:19:23 > 0:19:26Vet Gill puts the mallard to sleep under anaesthetic,
0:19:26 > 0:19:30while our dynamic duo transform themselves into able vet assistants.
0:19:32 > 0:19:35OK, we've got the duck asleep now.
0:19:35 > 0:19:38We've given her an anaesthetic, so we're going to take an X-ray.
0:19:38 > 0:19:40This is the X-ray film in here.
0:19:40 > 0:19:43We're going to position her on the X-ray, take a picture
0:19:43 > 0:19:45and see where the hook is. OK?
0:19:45 > 0:19:48The X-ray lets us see through the duck's feathers and flesh
0:19:48 > 0:19:51and helps locate that painful fishing hook.
0:19:51 > 0:19:56With one quick press of a button, we have an X-ray image to examine.
0:19:56 > 0:19:58And it doesn't take long for our team to spot
0:19:58 > 0:20:01what they're looking for - the swallowed hook.
0:20:03 > 0:20:07- There.- Yeah, it's right down here.
0:20:07 > 0:20:09It's come all the way down the neck and down the intestines
0:20:09 > 0:20:12and it's now in the main body of the stomach,
0:20:12 > 0:20:14along with these little bits of grit.
0:20:14 > 0:20:17So this stomach is going to grind away and scrunch the hook up
0:20:17 > 0:20:19and hopefully the duck will just pass it.
0:20:19 > 0:20:23Luckily for this particular duck, no operation is needed today.
0:20:23 > 0:20:25What will happen to the duck now?
0:20:25 > 0:20:27We're going to wake the duck up
0:20:27 > 0:20:29and send her back with Anne to Harper Asprey.
0:20:29 > 0:20:32Anne's going to look at her poo every day
0:20:32 > 0:20:33and make sure the hook is passed.
0:20:33 > 0:20:38What a result. The team had a full-on emergency case here,
0:20:38 > 0:20:41but it looks like our mallard might pull through.
0:20:41 > 0:20:43When I heard that the duck had a hook on its tummy,
0:20:43 > 0:20:48I was very worried, because you might have to rip open the chest.
0:20:48 > 0:20:52In the end, it wasn't too serious, it will come out anyway.
0:20:52 > 0:20:56I'm really happy that the duck didn't have to have an operation.
0:20:56 > 0:21:00It's good to know the duck will be OK within a week or two.
0:21:00 > 0:21:02Top job, team.
0:21:04 > 0:21:07And later, Immy and David's hard work pays off.
0:21:07 > 0:21:08It's wildlife release time.
0:21:08 > 0:21:12- Are you ready to release the grass snake?- No.
0:21:12 > 0:21:14- No? - I want to take the grass snake home.
0:21:14 > 0:21:17You've got to put it back into the wild, where it belongs.
0:21:21 > 0:21:24But first, Dick gets all wincy on spiders.
0:21:26 > 0:21:29Oh, who's the man? Who's the daddy?
0:21:34 > 0:21:37Who's the daddy now? It's only a plastic spider.
0:21:37 > 0:21:40What? Oh, that? Don't worry about that.
0:21:40 > 0:21:43That's Charlie, the Chilean Rose Tarantula. He's fine.
0:21:43 > 0:21:45He's fine? He's all big, fat and hairy.
0:21:45 > 0:21:48As tarantulas go, he's medium-sized.
0:21:48 > 0:21:50It's his hair you have to watch out for.
0:21:50 > 0:21:53- Why? Does he wear a wig? - No. If he feels threatened,
0:21:53 > 0:21:57he rubs his legs on his back end and then the little hairs fly out
0:21:57 > 0:22:00and stick in the throat, eyes and nose, that kind of thing.
0:22:00 > 0:22:03- So he's not venomous then?- All spiders are a little bit venomous,
0:22:03 > 0:22:06but you know, not that bad. Feels a bit like a bee sting.
0:22:06 > 0:22:09But tarantulas, if looked after properly, make a really good pet.
0:22:09 > 0:22:11- So a sting like a bee.- Yes.
0:22:11 > 0:22:14- It shoots hairs out its bum that sticks in your eyes.- Yes.
0:22:14 > 0:22:17- I think I'll stick to kittens. - Stick to kittens?
0:22:17 > 0:22:19I think that's a really good idea.
0:22:23 > 0:22:27Robbie and Reece are working behind the scenes at a sanctuary
0:22:27 > 0:22:29full of donkeys in Devon.
0:22:29 > 0:22:34Sadly, a lot of donkeys that come here have had a miserable past.
0:22:34 > 0:22:37Jack is one of them.
0:22:37 > 0:22:41He was nervous when he arrived here and would try to kick out at people.
0:22:41 > 0:22:44Experts use a technique called clicker training
0:22:44 > 0:22:48to help calm jumpy donkeys. The boys are going to clicker train Jack.
0:22:48 > 0:22:52First, a practice run with me as Jack's stand-in.
0:22:52 > 0:22:55Right, boys, are we ready to train Dom?
0:22:55 > 0:22:58So you've got the target and you're going to stand up there.
0:22:58 > 0:23:02You've got the clicker and the carrots and we know what to do.
0:23:03 > 0:23:05Clicker training is all about
0:23:05 > 0:23:07getting an animal to follow instruction.
0:23:07 > 0:23:10Here I must approach and touch a green sign.
0:23:10 > 0:23:13Successful completion of the task is rewarded with a treat
0:23:13 > 0:23:16and backed up by a loud click.
0:23:16 > 0:23:19Can I have the other end that isn't covered in brown schtuck?
0:23:19 > 0:23:22DONKEY SNORTS You can pipe down as well.
0:23:22 > 0:23:25These sessions help create a bond between donkey and trainer.
0:23:25 > 0:23:28- Shall we try it with Jack? - Yeah, let's do it.
0:23:28 > 0:23:31So you're going to stay here with me.
0:23:31 > 0:23:34You come here and stand this way and hold that target out.
0:23:36 > 0:23:38The moment of truth, wait for it.
0:23:40 > 0:23:43- Well done, Jack. - Go and give him his reward.
0:23:43 > 0:23:45Very good. Nice work, boys.
0:23:45 > 0:23:49Bit further away this time, let's really test him.
0:23:49 > 0:23:50Very good, these lads.
0:23:50 > 0:23:54They are pretty good, yeah. Jack's not doing too bad either.
0:23:54 > 0:23:57Was he quite rebellious when you first had him?
0:23:57 > 0:24:00- Not responding very well to you? - He just had had a difficult start
0:24:00 > 0:24:02and our job, using the clicker training,
0:24:02 > 0:24:04was to get him thinking,
0:24:04 > 0:24:06get him being able to solve a few puzzles
0:24:06 > 0:24:08and work a little bit more.
0:24:08 > 0:24:10Top donkey trainers, eh?
0:24:10 > 0:24:12- Pretty good.- Enjoy that?- Yeah.
0:24:13 > 0:24:15Reece and Robbie aren't finished yet.
0:24:15 > 0:24:17It's time to play a little game with the donkeys.
0:24:19 > 0:24:20We're hiding their food,
0:24:20 > 0:24:24making it as difficult as possible for them to find.
0:24:25 > 0:24:28No, we're not being mean to the animals.
0:24:28 > 0:24:30This helps them use their brains,
0:24:30 > 0:24:32kind of like hide and seek for donkeys.
0:24:32 > 0:24:34Hello, love.
0:24:34 > 0:24:37- Guys, well done. Have you enjoyed today?- Yeah.
0:24:37 > 0:24:40Reece, what's been your favourite moment?
0:24:40 > 0:24:42Hiding all the bits for the donkeys.
0:24:42 > 0:24:44- Robbie?- Hiding all the bits.
0:24:44 > 0:24:47Watching the donkeys trying to find it.
0:24:47 > 0:24:49You've done a great job. They're still looking!
0:24:49 > 0:24:52We'll leave them to it. Well done, guys. Brilliant job.
0:24:56 > 0:24:59Back in Surrey, Immy and David
0:24:59 > 0:25:02aren't half getting stuck in at the wildlife sanctuary.
0:25:02 > 0:25:04And they're in for a real treat now.
0:25:04 > 0:25:08Some of their patched-up critters are ready to taste freedom.
0:25:08 > 0:25:13First up is our now fully recovered grass snake.
0:25:13 > 0:25:16Anne, you release a lot of animals back into the wild.
0:25:16 > 0:25:19- How do you choose where you do it? - Sustainability is the main thing.
0:25:19 > 0:25:22We choose areas where the population can look after itself
0:25:22 > 0:25:24and there's enough food for it.
0:25:24 > 0:25:28The area we've come to here is particularly suited to grass snakes.
0:25:28 > 0:25:31These snakes love damp ditches and riverbanks,
0:25:31 > 0:25:33with lots of frogs and fish to feed on.
0:25:33 > 0:25:35This place is perfect.
0:25:35 > 0:25:37- What's going to happen? - He'll probably head for the stream.
0:25:37 > 0:25:42OK, Immy, it's time. Are you ready to release the grass snake?
0:25:42 > 0:25:43- No.- No?
0:25:43 > 0:25:46- I want to take the grass snake home. - You can't take it home.
0:25:46 > 0:25:49- You have to put it back into the wild, where it belongs.- I know.
0:25:50 > 0:25:54Good try, Immy, but this snake has a date with destiny.
0:25:56 > 0:25:59Oh, yeah. Straight into the river. Woo.
0:26:01 > 0:26:02- And back out again.- Back out again.
0:26:02 > 0:26:05- Is that usual, Anne?- I think so.
0:26:05 > 0:26:08This time of the day, they look for somewhere to sleep,
0:26:08 > 0:26:11somewhere safe to hide and that looks like a good spot.
0:26:11 > 0:26:14You've released your first animal back into the wild. How do you feel?
0:26:14 > 0:26:16- Happy.- You want to do some more? - Yeah.
0:26:16 > 0:26:20- Let's go and release some other animals, then.- Fantastic.
0:26:21 > 0:26:23There's no stopping these two.
0:26:23 > 0:26:25While our snake slithers free,
0:26:25 > 0:26:28we need to hot-foot it to our next release site...
0:26:29 > 0:26:33..where our now-mended spiky friends are ready to go wild.
0:26:33 > 0:26:37And now the turn of the hedgehogs. Why here, Anne?
0:26:37 > 0:26:39This is a great area for hedgehogs.
0:26:39 > 0:26:41We've got about 700 acres here that are totally organic.
0:26:41 > 0:26:44This is just about as perfect as it gets for them.
0:26:44 > 0:26:48Are the hedgehogs likely to stay here or will they migrate somewhere?
0:26:48 > 0:26:52Hedgehogs can travel up to two or three miles during one evening.
0:26:52 > 0:26:55Once they settle down and make a nest, they stay in one area.
0:26:55 > 0:26:57What a day.
0:26:57 > 0:27:00David wasn't that bothered about wildlife,
0:27:00 > 0:27:02but he's right in there with Immy now
0:27:02 > 0:27:05releasing recovered hogs back to the wild - cracking.
0:27:05 > 0:27:09Look, one of them's off. There he goes.
0:27:10 > 0:27:13Straight into the bush. Goodbye, my friend.
0:27:13 > 0:27:15Bye-bye.
0:27:15 > 0:27:17Immy, when you got here, you liked wildlife -
0:27:17 > 0:27:20- do you like it even more now? - Yeah.
0:27:20 > 0:27:23- What's been your best bit? - Freeing the grass snake.
0:27:23 > 0:27:26- David, you weren't so sure about wildlife.- Definitely not.
0:27:26 > 0:27:27How do you feel now?
0:27:27 > 0:27:30I feel like I'll be more in touch with nature.
0:27:30 > 0:27:32Good stuff. That means you two have gone wild,
0:27:32 > 0:27:34the grass snake's gone back to the wild
0:27:34 > 0:27:38and the four hedgehogs have gone wild. We've all gone wild.
0:27:40 > 0:27:42Caring for animals is very rewarding,
0:27:42 > 0:27:43don't get me wrong,
0:27:43 > 0:27:45but it is exhausting -
0:27:45 > 0:27:48unless you sit around eating pies all day, that is.
0:27:48 > 0:27:51Which reminds me, someone I know could do with some exercise.
0:27:54 > 0:27:55Pie!
0:28:09 > 0:28:12Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd