Episode 2 Dick 'N' Dom Go Wild

Listen here you lot. This show features highly trained professionals

working with potentially dangerous and unpredictable animals.

So do not try this at home.

'Did you know that now, there's people all around the country

'who are working their socks off

'to help wounded wildlife and poorly pets?

'And we've managed to get VIP passes for some willing helpers

'who are going to get stuck in at the busiest vets, wildlife sanctuaries and rescue centres.

'You're free!

'On today's show -

'Nawal and Anne get down to business at a marine sanctuary.

'Will they be able to help an orphan seal pup return home to the open sea?'

-Look, she's smiling!

-She's smiling!

'Sam and Grace muck in and manage a right old mess at the dog rescue centre.'

It's disgusting!

'And Dick feels his way round a tricky animal assss-ignment.

'But will we get to the bottom of Simba the snake's sniffly health problems?'

'It's tough and dirty work, but someone's got to do it.'

It's six thirty in the morning

and anyone with an ounce of sense is tucked up in their bed.

But not the Dick and Dom Go Wild team.

We're here in Scarborough to do something extra special

and believe me, to get me out of bed this early, it does take something extra special.

'Scarborough Sea Life and Marine Sanctuary.

'It's crammed full of over 150 types of awesome aquatic animals.

'This place is also a sea life hospital

'and specialises in sorting out sick seals in need of human help.

'And we have a right pair of wannabe wildlife wardens up for helping out.'

'Backing each other up today are best friends Nawal and Anne.

-'Anne is a right animal lover.'

-Oh, there's a good dog.

'Lacking just one thing - a pet.'

My parents are allergic to animal fur and things.

But my neighbours have got a dog and I'm really close to her.

'Nawal is more into paperbacks than pooches.

'This busy girl has no time for animals

'but she's willing to turn over a new leaf.'

I wouldn't mind wildlife in other countries but in Britain it's dull.

I think that maybe Nawal could realise

that animals aren't that bad after all.

I think sea life's quite interesting.

There's lots of different types of fish

and how they adapt to where they live.

'Jackpot! A sea life lover!

'Come on girls, time for an oceanic opportunity of a lifetime.'

Ladies, how are you? Todd, this is Anne and Nawal, our Go Wild team for today.

-Anne, you like sea life.

-I find it really interesting.

Nawal, you once went to an aquarium and sat in the cafe all day!

-The aquarium wasn't that good.

-Well, this one is.

-Anne, do you think we'll be able to sway her opinion on sea life?

-Yes.

Let's give it a go.

'Anne and Nawal have a full-on day ahead.

'The North Yorkshire coast is a real seal hot-spot.

'Every year, around 30 injured and ill seals are found here.

'If they're lucky, they're brought to the marine sanctuary and patched up.'

We're here at the seal enclosure.

I'm a bit surprised to see there's no water in there. Any reason for that?

Absolutely. What we're hoping to do today

is release one of our seal pups back out into the wild.

'Four months ago, common seal pup Carmen

'was found alone on a beach without her mum.

'She was suffering from a kidney infection and only just survived.'

-Girls, how about that then?

-Cool.

-You might be helping to release a seal into the wild.

Nawal, you look a bit pensive. What are you thinking?

-Kind of exciting.

-Good.

What are we going to do first?

First off, we're going into the seal pool and give our little pup a good health check.

Girls, you heard the man. It's time to meet some seals.

'It's straight down to business for Anne and Nawal.

'But it has to be a cautious approach towards the nervy nine-month-old seal pup.'

-She's really cute.

-She is actually really cute.

She winked at me! She winked at me!

-Isn't she cute with her big eyes?

-She winked at me again!

'Those big eyes are spot on at finding food in murky water

'and seeing danger on dry land.

'She's keeping her distance.

'A great sign she's well enough to leave here.'

-She looks so scared.

-She will be.

When we try and rehabilitate them to put into the wild,

we want them to be wary of people.

She might get a little bit aggressive and that's a good thing.

We're wearing these bright overalls, so she knows something's about to happen.

'Now, Todd and the girls need to weigh up if Carmen is big enough to survive on her own.'

So is Carmen definitely ready to go today?

That's what we're about to find out.

'Time to weigh in and help Carmen later.

'But will they win the battle to get her safely to sea?

'But first, let's find out what Dom's team have ahead of them

'as they drop into a dog rescue centre in West Yorkshire.'

This week, we are at the Dogs Trust.

It's like an animal rescue centre but just for dogs.

So if you find a hound without a home or a collarless collie, this is the place to bring them.

BARKING Shut up!

'Meet Grace, a big fan of little puppies.'

Oh, that's really cute.

'But less impressed by big slobbery hounds.'

BARKING

'Yep, the dinkier the dog, the giddier Grace gets.'

I like handbag dogs because they're cute.

I wouldn't like it in a handbag because it might go to the toilet

and it would be covered in dog toilet.

But I'd like a little dog.

'So while Grace prefers her pooches teeny tiny,

'classmate Sam is happy to handle all kinds of creatures.'

Grrrrr!

'He'd love a pet at home but his family are not playing ball.'

My Mum is allergic to some cats

and the cat is the animal we want in our house.

'So, not allowed a cat and loves small dogs,

'we have the perfect place for these two.

'To Dogs Trust in Leeds.'

Here they come. Grace, Sam, you alright?

Welcome to the Dogs Trust. It's all about dogs here.

-Grace, what do you think about them?

-I don't like big dogs.

-Sam, what's your view on dogs?

-They're alright.

We're going to have to change that. Emma, what have we got lined up?

I hope you're ready to get your hands dirty and get stuck in.

Let's go.

'This place takes in dogs that have been abandoned and neglected

'and then does its best to find them a new home.

'It's straight down to business for our keen twosome.

'First up for their help is Blue, the big, friendly, but stinky cross breed.'

-This is Blue. Do you want to say hello to her?

-Yes.

Go and give her a pat.

'She may be a huge slobbering hound, but she's one of the gentlest on the block,

'as Sam and Grace quickly discover.

'12 month old Blue arrived here heavily pregnant.

'She was placed in a separate area to minimise the risk of infection.

'A week ago she gave birth to 11 beautiful pups.'

-Are you ready to meet the puppies?

-Yeah.

There's an important job to do first which involves this.

All that poo in the back there needs picking up.

-Do you want to do half a kennel each?

-Yeah.

'Busy mum, Blue, needs all the help she can find

-and our keen team get stuck in straight away.

-Nice.

It looks more like elephant poo than dog poo.

Yes, shovel it onto that brush.

That's it.

'With 16,000 dogs taken in each year...

Disgusting!

'..that's more than six million poos for staff and volunteers to clean.'

You missed a bit over there look. Can you get that bit?

'Ergh! Make than six million and one. Well done, Sam.'

That's it.

'At last, phew! Mum's living room is spick and span.

'Mean mopping you two!'

'OK, the hard, smelly bit is done.

'What will happen when Sam and Grace meet up with Blue's 11 busy pups?'

'Over at Scarborough Sea Life, Nawal and Anne are hoping to help

'common seal, Carmen, get back to the open sea.'

Right, if you guys could back up for a minute.

Andy if you want to get in. Don't bother with the ladders.

Just hop in.

How much did she weigh when she came here?

When she first came here she weighed only 14 kilos which is tiny.

She should have weighed probably about 50 or 60 kilos.

We think she had a problem with her kidneys

which meant she couldn't...she couldn't put any weight on.

'But a three kilo daily diet of mackereland a dose of antibiotics

'has done the trick.

'If she weighs in at over 30 kilos, she'll be fit and fat enough

'for the girls to set her free.'

Andy, if you want to take the scales, mate?

I'll hop on and grab her.

I know, baby. I know it's not fun.

'So it's out with the scales, on with the seal.

'It's time to ask the question one should never ask a lady.

-'How much does she weigh, Todd?'

-Thirty four kilos.

'Perfect! She's built up a layer of blubber

-'that will keep her warm in the cold sea.'

-That's more than me!

That weight is ideal for that size of seal.

Next thing to do is get her in a box and get her ready to be transported.

I'm not feeling too good about this

because I feel a bit awkward, trapping it in a box.

It feels exciting, but I feel a bit cruel at the same time.

I'm looking forward to releasing it.

I don't know how much we'll be able to interact with her,

-but it's going to be interesting.

-'You're not wrong there!'

'The capture team close in on Carmen later,

'but will her journey from sanctuary to sea go to plan?'

Give it the final heave-ho. Ready? Go!

'Back at the dog's home,

'Sam and Grace are finishing off cleaning up after busy mum Blue.

'Time to find out how they managed those messes.'

First job of the day done and dusted. How was it for you?

A bit smelly, but it wasn't that bad.

-Sam?

-Quite bad.

I never knew dogs like that could make that much mess in a day.

-First time you've cleaned up anything like that before?

-Yeah.

Emma, how did they get on?

They've done really well. I think they've done this before.

-They've done a really good job.

-Up to your standards?

-Nine out of ten, I'd say.

-There's room for improvement.

Your second job is a little bit nicer.

Now you get to check over these guys.

'How cute are mum's eleven cross-breed puppies?'

-Emma, eleven puppies from one dog.

-That is quite a lot.

It's more than average, eleven.

-How old are they?

-They're a week old today.

They're blind at the moment. Their eyes are closed.

Within the next week, we should see eyes opening.

I take it she's getting naturally protective.

Yeah, she just likes to check on them randomly.

'Blue might be a massive mutt, but she's also a big softie.

'Grace was unsure about big dogs

'but it looks like this new mum is winning her over.'

She's really soft

and, like, she mooches up to you like she's going to do something

and then she'll just look at you.

-A moocher?

-Yeah.

Emma, what on earth is Blue doing?

She's just cleaning the puppies up.

She stimulates them to wee and poo by licking them and then eats it.

-That stays in the animal world, doesn't it?

-Yes, obviously.

-Good!

Well, it looks like Blue has got her mouth... hands full.

Shall we leave her to it and then crack on with the next job?

'A cracking start!

'Sam and Grace have mucked out Blue and her eleven new-born pups.

'But there's no let-up here.

'How will our pair cope when the new mutts arrive at the rescue centre?'

He's just cool. I really like him.

'First, we help an unusual pet with a nasty cold.

'Or is that a nasty pet with an unusual cold?'

You told me we were doing something exciting.

Anyone could look after a pet with a runny nose.

-I could with my eyes closed!

-Just as well, really. Follow me.

'This is not your average pet.

'Simba the snake has arrived at vet Jason's surgery with a runny nose.

'Don't worry, we are going to help Jason.

'But, first, a little fun.'

Just stand there.

-I've got to guess what animal this is?

-Yes.

This animal is here because it's got a cold.

-Puppy dog. Why would I need a blindfold?

-Don't be stupid.

-Maybe if you touch the animal...

-Where abouts?

-It's just there.

-Is that a clue?

-A sausage dog.

-That's alright.

-It's a bloomin' snake, isn't it?

'Yep. Simba is a five-year-old boa constrictor.

'But, fear not, he ain't venomous so his bite ain't deadly.

'Boas kill by wrapping themselves around their prey's body and stopping it breathing.

'They can swallow wild pigs, deer and TV presenters whole.

'Right, enough of that. Let's work out what's wrong with Simba.'

-We need to weigh him now.

-He's going to be heavy.

'A fully-grown boa can reach a staggering 27 kilos.'

Stay back!

'Jason uses Simba's weight to work out how much medicine he might have to give him.

'After a careful once-over, Jason's got to the bottom of what's wrong with him.'

I've checked inside his mouth and there's no discharge there.

He has got a discharge from his nostrils.

Can you see the snot there? He's got a chest infection.

He's going to have a series of two or three injections every two days.

'We need to keep Simba under control

'while he's given his first antibiotic jab.

'It's easier said than done.'

Maybe he's feeling hungry.

He really does like you.

What are you doing?!

'Boas are incredibly strong...'

Don't wrap him around me, you plank.

'..and can grow up to four metres in the wild.'

Well held, boys!

Thank you very much.

'Yep, I've got Simba just where I want him. Honest!

'Now it's time for Jason to give him the jab.

'We have an expert with us so don't try this at home.

'Or anywhere, for that matter!

'Phew! Simba's first injection is sorted.

'Hopefully the next pet will be easier to handle.'

Dumbo next, please!

'Sam and Grace have been caring for canines at a dog rescue centre.

'Now they're at the new arrivals section.

'This is where rescue dogs come in and are checked out.

'Each year, around 100,000 strays are found on our streets.

'These two were discovered with no owner.

'Nobody even knows their names. At least they're safe now.'

There you go. Have you got hold of him?

-There you go. There he is.

-Thank you.

-Shall we take them to the compound and let them have a run about?

-Yes.

That would be best!

'The collection team have made sure they're not aggressive.

'Now Sam and Grace need to get to know them. First, some exercise.'

-There you go.

-Come on. Take this lead off.

I want to take her home. She's small, which is what I wanted.

She likes people so she'd love a little cuddle.

And she obviously loves toys.

She'll find a home really quickly because she's small and cute and it's what people look for in a dog.

'You'd never have thought Sam was more keen on cats before he arrived here.'

-Do you want to give her a name?

-I'll call her Ginger.

-Excellent choice.

'Greetings, Ginger.

'Let's see how Grace is getting along with her new friend.'

-Do you like him?

-Yes. He's energetic like me.

-What kind of home is he going to need?

-Someone that has got a lot of time for him.

He doesn't look very old and he needs training.

-Would you like to give him a name?

-Yes, please.

What have we though of?

I've got a few, but I've decided on Stevie.

That's a great name! Hello, Stevie.

'Time to lead the new arrivals to their kennels. Ginger's off, but Stevie's not finished yet!'

Come on. Come on.

Come on.

'This place takes around 40 dogs like Ginger and Stevie every day.'

This is their new kennel, where they're going to be staying.

I really liked Ginger a lot because she was really playful

and she had a side that was playful and then she'd just stop

and come and sit on your knees.

My dog's really lively, really energetic.

He really liked his toys but I think he could do with training classes.

He's just cool. I really, really like him.

'How much is that doggie in the window?

'Only a small adoption fee to a caring home.

'Good luck you two.'

'But Sam and Grace's work isn't over yet.

'Will Hughie, the last puppy of the litter

'pass his vital vet check?'

There we go. Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear.

'Nawal and Anne are helping out at the Sea Life Centre.

'Nine-month-old Carmen, the rescued common seal,

'is now back to full health and ready to leave the marine sanctuary.

'That's if the girls can help her into the transfer crate.'

Once me and Andy have popped her in the box and flipped it the right way

I want you to come in and start popping these cable ties in.

Okey dokey.

Try and herd you in.

OK? Ready?

'Easy, easy! Nice and steady there, chaps, the net's wide open!

'And...and...and she's in!

'It's a textbook seal into a box manoeuvre from Todd and Andy.

'Let's just take a look at that again.

APPLAUSE

'Into the box. Back of the net!

'And that seal's it!'

Start popping a few of these cable ties through the holes.

'Careful. Common seals have sharp teeth for tearing fish

'and a nervous seal can be a bit bitey.

'Carmen's about to set off on a two hour journey

'to where she's going to be released.

'It's important the girls make sure the net is nice and secure.'

This is the best way of moving seals.

We don't want them moving about too much.

If you gave her something big,

she'd slide around and it might damage her.

I know I said I wasn't comfortable with being so close before

but now I think I'm quite confident when I'm near seals.

'Yes, that's the spirit Nawal.

'Now, I reckon Todd has a high-tech lifting device

'to get the box out of the seal enclosure.'

Give it a final heave-ho. Ready? Go.

'Hmm, maybe not. Nice one, you lot.'

Right, let's get her into the van.

You did it, girl, you did it.

Sorted!

Good job, guys. That's Carmen ready for her first leg of the journey back into the wild.

'And what a journey it's going to be

'when our girls say goodbye to Carmen

'as her moment of freedom arrives.'

-Look, she's smiling.

-Oh, she's smiling.

'But first, I spy with my big eye something beginning with 'T'.

Now that is weird.

-What, this tape worm?

-No, your massive eye.

Don't know what you're talking about.

Oh, yes.

Look at it, it's brilliant.

-A tape worm is a parasite.

-That means it lives off other animals?

Yep, and inside them too.

Cats and dogs eat fleas and fleas have eaten tape worm eggs.

The eggs hatch inside the pets and when they're fully grown

they latch on to the intestines with their teeth.

So this unwanted parasite hangs on by the skin of its teeth?

-Yeah, yeah.

-For its entire life?

That is disgusting and horrible.

Actually...

..sounds quite familiar.

Can I take a closer look?

'Sam and Grace have had a busy day looking after some demanding dogs.

'But now there's a rewarding job to do for a top dog resident.'

-Who is this?

-Hughie.

What are we doing in Hughie's little kennel?

Well, Hughie is very lucky in he's about to go home, to his new home.

-His owners are on their way to pick him up.

-Great.

Before that we have to take him to the vet and give him the once over

to make sure he's healthy and the vet's happy for him to go home.

'Hughie is one of a litter of four puppies

'found abandoned in some woods.

'Nursed back to health, all of Hughie's brothers and sisters

'have found new homes. Now it's his turn.'

-How old is he?

-I think he's about 12 weeks.

If we can have a look at his teeth.

-See, he's got tiny baby teeth.

-Oh, yeah.

-Little needles.

So I'd say he's about 12 weeks old.

Right, I guess I'll see you once you've been to the vet's

with the new owners. Great. See you later. Bye, Hughie.

'At the vet's, Hughie is getting a thorough check over

'and a bit more than he bargained for.'

-Why are you sticking that up his bum?

-To check his temperature.

If we put it at the other end, he might chew it.

Right, this is his vaccinations.

It's a course that vaccinates him against seven diseases in all

but the main one's against distemper and parvovirus,

which are nasty diseases, particularly in puppies.

When he has these, hopefully, it'll stop him getting them.

Come on, little guy. Where are you going?

There we go. Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear.

'Ouch! Don't worry, the pain's over in seconds

-'and the jab could save Hughie's life.'

-There you go.

All done. All finished.

'Hughie is all clear to enjoy the rest of his days with a new family.

'Grace and Sam are in charge of the handover.'

-Hi, Phil, how are you?

-Fine, thank you.

-So, this is your brand new dog.

-It is.

-You've met Hughie a few times before.

-Yes.

We've had a bit of a play with him and done some stuff with him.

Do you want to hand him over, Grace? There you go, to Phil.

Enjoy. Look after him. I'm sure you will.

-We surely will, won't we kids?

-All right, see you later.

See you later, bye.

'Massive effort from trusty twosome, Sam and Grace.

'They've turned themselves into major league animal helpers.'

'Nawal and Anne have thrown themselves into their work

'at the marine sanctuary.

'They've helped to prepare a special patient for a journey

'back to freedom and there's a spectacular ending in sight.

'At a secret location somewhere on the east coast of England,

'Carmen the common seal is on her way back home to the North Sea.'

How do you choose where you're going to release her?

At this location, it's a massive seal colony.

Up to 3,000 grey seals come down here in winter to breed.

What we like to do is release our seals near an established colony.

Are there a lot of seals on the British coast?

It's a very large number, about 140,000 grey seals.

Then we've got 3,000 common seals on top of that.

'Yes, we're just a short digger ride away from releasing Carmen.

'Shortish anyway.

'The digger can't get any closer because it might sink in the sand

'so we have to carry Carmen the final 100 metres.'

Sharing sides. We'll just take her down to the water's edge.

How often do you release seals?

Well, it depends on how many we have in

but it could be anything up to 10 times a year.

We share it at the centre who goes because it is a privilege

to be able to do this and it's a big reward.

We see these seals come in really sick

and go back nice and healthy into the wild.

-Look, she's smiling.

-She's smiling.

Right, girls, are you ready for Carmen to go back into the sea?

-Yes, she looks prepared.

-Excited?

-Yep.

-Not many people get the privilege to do this.

-You are honoured, ladies.

-Here's some scissors.

Anne, if you'd like to start cutting the cable ties.

Get ready for release.

-All you need to do are these white ones.

-Exciting!

That's all of them. You can snip that one if you like.

-Tip and pull the net back and she'll disappear off.

-Here we go.

-Ready.

-There she goes.

You're free!

'It's been a long, hard journey for Carmen.

'Just four months ago she was alone and seriously underweight.

'She's fully recovered at the Sea Life Centre

'and is about to enjoy a taste of freedom once more.'

Oh, look, she's swimming!

She's going home.

'The team of dedicated carers have worked hard

'to bring her back to good health.

'Everything has built to this moment.

'Our girls, Nawal and Anne, have helped finish this job.'

That's it, Carmen's gone into the big ocean, off to the Bahamas.

How do you feel, Anne?

You liked sea life before you started the show.

It was really incredible to interactwith them properly

and see what they're really like.

You see them on TV and it's just not the same.

It's a once in a lifetime experience. What about you, Nawal?

I like sea life much better than before.

I felt like I had a connection with her so I'll remember her.

Well done, girls. Spot on.

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