0:00:02 > 0:00:05It's a boiling hot day in the parks, and some animals are heading
0:00:05 > 0:00:08for the pool, while others are enjoying a picnic,
0:00:08 > 0:00:11and a few are just... well, sunbathing!
0:00:40 > 0:00:42- Argh!- Hello and welcome to Roar. I'm Rani.
0:00:42 > 0:00:45And I'm Johny, and today we're down at the bachelor gorilla enclosure
0:00:45 > 0:00:48- putting our green fingers to the test.- We certainly are.
0:00:48 > 0:00:51We're actually planting a whole range of plants
0:00:51 > 0:00:54that have been donated by visitors to the park.
0:00:54 > 0:00:56That's right. And this is pampas.
0:00:56 > 0:00:59We've also got of lavender, all of which, when it gets a little bigger,
0:00:59 > 0:01:02will provide shade, shelter and a place to hide.
0:01:02 > 0:01:06Well, knowing those gorillas, they'll probably munch it all away.
0:01:06 > 0:01:08What - after all our hard work?
0:01:08 > 0:01:11They'd better not or they'll have me to contend with. Grrr!
0:01:11 > 0:01:12I will warn you,
0:01:12 > 0:01:16one silverback is as strong as eight men, so good luck, muscles!
0:01:16 > 0:01:18OK, well, I'll send you instead then.
0:01:18 > 0:01:20Join us later, find out how the gorillas get on
0:01:20 > 0:01:24and what they think of our plants, but let's get on with today's show.
0:01:25 > 0:01:30We'll find out why a giraffe's front legs are longer than the back ones.
0:01:30 > 0:01:32What reason could there possibly be
0:01:32 > 0:01:37to smear a perfectly clean rhino with gooey, sticky mud?
0:01:37 > 0:01:39And our Roar Rangers are very excited
0:01:39 > 0:01:43when they find out which animal they'll be working with.
0:01:46 > 0:01:50All the keepers down at the hoofstock section are delighted,
0:01:50 > 0:01:54because there's going to be a new arrival in the bongo house.
0:01:54 > 0:01:58One of our female bongos is expecting another baby any minute now,
0:01:58 > 0:02:01so we've been observing her every morning, checking she's OK.
0:02:01 > 0:02:04But we're hoping it should be any day soon.
0:02:04 > 0:02:09Eastern or mountain bongos come from the forests of Kenya in East Africa.
0:02:09 > 0:02:12Bongo are famously shy and elusive,
0:02:12 > 0:02:15but nowadays they're also endangered,
0:02:15 > 0:02:18so it's vital that these beautiful antelopes
0:02:18 > 0:02:23are bred in captivity, and any pregnancy is very good news.
0:02:23 > 0:02:26This is Libby. As you can see she's got a big belly.
0:02:26 > 0:02:30She's been here probably just over a year now. We had a few problems
0:02:30 > 0:02:33when she first came. She was very nervous - all the other girls
0:02:33 > 0:02:38had to get used to her, and the male of course, and she was very shy,
0:02:38 > 0:02:40and the male was a bit funny towards her.
0:02:40 > 0:02:44Ever since we got over that hurdle, she's been really, really good.
0:02:44 > 0:02:46The group have accepted her quite nicely.
0:02:47 > 0:02:52But Libby isn't the only pregnant bongo this year, or even the first.
0:02:52 > 0:02:56Rowena had a little baby about four weeks ago now.
0:02:56 > 0:02:59She's doing really well. We were a bit worried to begin with.
0:02:59 > 0:03:02She had a few problems, and we did think we would lose her,
0:03:02 > 0:03:05so fingers crossed nothing like that will happen
0:03:05 > 0:03:06and we'll have two new babies.
0:03:06 > 0:03:09But first, Libby has to have that baby.
0:03:09 > 0:03:12The only thing we are worried about is she is a first-time mum,
0:03:12 > 0:03:16but when we see more signs that she might be about to give birth
0:03:16 > 0:03:19we'll separate her off, so she hasn't got any worries,
0:03:19 > 0:03:21and we'll just keep close observation.
0:03:22 > 0:03:26And rest assured, when the news breaks, we'll be there.
0:03:26 > 0:03:28Look out for Libby again later in the show.
0:03:38 > 0:03:42We're back at the bachelor gorilla enclosure to see what Oundi
0:03:42 > 0:03:46and Oudiki make of the lavender, pampas and wild grass we planted.
0:03:46 > 0:03:49That's right. We're here with head keeper Phil.
0:03:49 > 0:03:52Phil, they're in there at the minute having some breakfast,
0:03:52 > 0:03:55but what do you think they'll do when they see our plants?
0:03:55 > 0:03:57Well, there's a possibility
0:03:57 > 0:03:59they may just rip them up and throw them around.
0:03:59 > 0:04:02- No!- Some of them they may eat, especially the lavender,
0:04:02 > 0:04:05cos they have tried that and they quite like it.
0:04:05 > 0:04:07They've completely ignored the plants so far.
0:04:07 > 0:04:09Do they normally notice new things?
0:04:09 > 0:04:12Generally, but at the moment their priority's breakfast.
0:04:12 > 0:04:14They've got to fill their bellies.
0:04:14 > 0:04:16And so you reckon that when they see it,
0:04:16 > 0:04:19they'll eat it and smash it all up, but why don't we just
0:04:19 > 0:04:22put some food in there? Why did we plant plants?
0:04:22 > 0:04:25Well, ideally, we put plants in there to...
0:04:25 > 0:04:29It kind of enlivens the enclosure up a bit, you know, varies it a bit.
0:04:29 > 0:04:31Especially with this pampas. It grows quite big,
0:04:31 > 0:04:34so it'll sort of make things a little bit more interesting.
0:04:34 > 0:04:38We could hide food IN that if it grows, provided they pull it out.
0:04:38 > 0:04:41Just generally makes the enclosure look a bit different.
0:04:41 > 0:04:43So the ideal situation would be
0:04:43 > 0:04:46for Oundi and Oudiki to ignore our plants for now -
0:04:46 > 0:04:49because they were of course donated very kindly
0:04:49 > 0:04:50by visitors to the park.
0:04:50 > 0:04:52He's completely ignoring our plants,
0:04:52 > 0:04:55but he is going on these tubes. Is there food in there?
0:04:55 > 0:04:58Yeah, there's some seeds and a bit of cabbage,
0:04:58 > 0:04:59and he's helping himself.
0:04:59 > 0:05:02Would you ever think of planting things like cabbages
0:05:02 > 0:05:05so they could have a snack when you're not around?
0:05:05 > 0:05:07We haven't done, but they wouldn't just eat one or two -
0:05:07 > 0:05:09they'd just eat the lot.
0:05:09 > 0:05:11- Really?- They'd just eat it till it's gone.
0:05:11 > 0:05:13They can be quite greedy, can they?
0:05:13 > 0:05:17- So best not to plant them then, or we'll have tubby gorillas.- Yeah.
0:05:17 > 0:05:20Lavender's got a lovely smell. Are the gorillas attracted to that?
0:05:20 > 0:05:24Gorillas' sense of smell is probably slightly more refined than ours.
0:05:24 > 0:05:28We can't smell it from here, so they'd have to get pretty close
0:05:28 > 0:05:30to smell it, and when they smell they pick a thing up
0:05:30 > 0:05:33or go down to it and sniff it right up to their faces.
0:05:33 > 0:05:36We can see a gorilla there, I'm not sure if that's Oundi...
0:05:36 > 0:05:39- Yeah, that's Oundi. - Is he smelling the grass?
0:05:39 > 0:05:42No, he's actually... he's actually eating some of the food.
0:05:42 > 0:05:45There's a little line of seeds there,
0:05:45 > 0:05:48and it's easier for him to pick them up in his mouth
0:05:48 > 0:05:49than it is with his fingers.
0:05:49 > 0:05:52- I mean, they are very dextrous anyway.- Yeah.
0:05:52 > 0:05:54But it's just easier. It's quicker.
0:05:54 > 0:05:58You know what, I hope they don't eat our plants that we've planted.
0:05:58 > 0:06:00And I hope you get the desired effects.
0:06:00 > 0:06:03If you need any more help you know who to call... Rani.
0:06:10 > 0:06:15Today's Roar Rangers are twins James and Emily from Essex.
0:06:15 > 0:06:19- BOTH:- We're Roar Rangers, we're Roar Rangers!
0:06:20 > 0:06:23This talented twosome can dance in perfect harmony -
0:06:23 > 0:06:26but which will be the best Roar Ranger?
0:06:26 > 0:06:29She ain't going to be good at shovelling up the poo.
0:06:29 > 0:06:32Cos she ain't strong enough.
0:06:32 > 0:06:34Hey, that's fighting talk, that is!
0:06:34 > 0:06:37With hundreds of different animals in the park,
0:06:37 > 0:06:40our Roar Rangers could be looking after any one of them...
0:06:40 > 0:06:43- Where is it? - ..but what will it be?
0:06:43 > 0:06:46- Found it.- You found it? Great.
0:06:46 > 0:06:47I'll open it.
0:06:54 > 0:06:56- Yeah! - Whoo-hoo!
0:07:00 > 0:07:05But can they agree on what a snow leopard actually looks like?
0:07:05 > 0:07:09It's a kind of leopard, same as a leopard, but it's just in white.
0:07:09 > 0:07:11And...black.
0:07:12 > 0:07:16- Same as a tiger. - But with spots, though.
0:07:17 > 0:07:19Well, James has got it spot on.
0:07:19 > 0:07:22Snow leopards are distinguished by
0:07:22 > 0:07:24their beautiful pale coats with dark spots,
0:07:24 > 0:07:28which helps to camouflage them in their natural habitat
0:07:28 > 0:07:31high up in the frozen mountains of Central Asia.
0:07:31 > 0:07:36Sadly there may be no more than 5,000 of them left in the wild,
0:07:36 > 0:07:38making them an endangered species.
0:07:40 > 0:07:42- Hello. You're my Roar Rangers, are you?- Yes.
0:07:42 > 0:07:44- I'm Emily.- And I'm James.
0:07:44 > 0:07:46I'm Ben, I look after the snow leopards.
0:07:46 > 0:07:48- Shall we go and see her?- Yeah.
0:07:48 > 0:07:52Snow leopards are naturally very elusive, and much quieter
0:07:52 > 0:07:56than other big cats like lions and tigers, because they don't roar.
0:07:56 > 0:07:59They can mew, hiss and growl...
0:07:59 > 0:08:01SNOW LEOPARD GROWLS
0:08:01 > 0:08:03..but they never, ever roar.
0:08:03 > 0:08:05- Look, there she is.- Oh - steady.
0:08:05 > 0:08:09Marta's quietly checking out her new visitors.
0:08:09 > 0:08:12She's really cute. They're lovely creatures.
0:08:12 > 0:08:14She's looking at me.
0:08:14 > 0:08:18It's really fun actually, cos you can see all her spots.
0:08:18 > 0:08:21- Are they endangered? - Yeah, they're very endangered.
0:08:21 > 0:08:24- People kill them for their skins. - That's cruel.- It's very cruel.
0:08:24 > 0:08:26Just for their skin.
0:08:26 > 0:08:29With so few surviving in the wild, it's essential
0:08:29 > 0:08:31to breed them in captivity.
0:08:31 > 0:08:33Apart from when they come together to mate,
0:08:33 > 0:08:36snow leopards are used to living alone,
0:08:36 > 0:08:38but Ben works hard to keep Marta occupied.
0:08:40 > 0:08:43Basically, we're going to do some scent enrichment,
0:08:43 > 0:08:46to see if that entertains her a little bit.
0:08:46 > 0:08:48- Shall we go off and do that? - That'll be fun!
0:08:48 > 0:08:51Most cats have a fantastic sense of smell,
0:08:51 > 0:08:54and just love checking out new aromas.
0:08:54 > 0:08:58The keepers have used many things in the past, including animal skins,
0:08:58 > 0:09:02but Ben's trying something a bit different today.
0:09:02 > 0:09:06Well, basically we've got some scents here, and herbs.
0:09:06 > 0:09:09We've got some Savanna tea, pepper,
0:09:09 > 0:09:12and some bedding out of an ocelot.
0:09:12 > 0:09:14Can you smell that?
0:09:14 > 0:09:15Ohhh!
0:09:15 > 0:09:19Let's have a ranger replay on that!
0:09:20 > 0:09:22I feel like I want to be sick.
0:09:22 > 0:09:25- It's horrible, isn't it? - Oh, that stinks!
0:09:25 > 0:09:28The ocelot is famously the stinkiest cat in the park,
0:09:28 > 0:09:30and its bedding absolutely reeks.
0:09:32 > 0:09:36But what us humans find revolting can be a heavenly smell to a cat.
0:09:37 > 0:09:40What we're going to do is pick a scent each
0:09:40 > 0:09:44- and see which one she likes the most. - I reckon she'd like that.
0:09:44 > 0:09:45- The pepper?- Oi, that's mine!
0:09:45 > 0:09:49- Er, I'll go for...Savanna tea.- OK.
0:09:49 > 0:09:52Well, I'm going to go for the ocelot pee.
0:09:53 > 0:09:56That's that decided, then. Or is it?
0:09:56 > 0:09:59- You can have it if you want. - Yeah, I will.- There you go.
0:09:59 > 0:10:02- I think that's cheating! - I'll have the pepper now!
0:10:02 > 0:10:04- I'll have the pepper. - What shall I have...?
0:10:04 > 0:10:06I'M going to go for the Savanna tea.
0:10:06 > 0:10:07At last!
0:10:07 > 0:10:11- So, what we're going to do... - Can I swap it?- If you want.
0:10:11 > 0:10:14- Thank you! - I think I'm being done out here!
0:10:15 > 0:10:19So, after all those swaps, who ended up with what for Marta?
0:10:19 > 0:10:21I've got ocelot bedding.
0:10:21 > 0:10:23I was left with pepper.
0:10:23 > 0:10:24I've got Savanna tea.
0:10:26 > 0:10:28It's time to bag it all up.
0:10:28 > 0:10:30Each scent is put into a hessian sack,
0:10:30 > 0:10:34which is then bulked out with shredded paper.
0:10:34 > 0:10:35That should be enough.
0:10:36 > 0:10:38It's a safe material,
0:10:38 > 0:10:42in case snow leopard Marta decides to rip into them.
0:10:42 > 0:10:46- Right, shall we go and see which one she likes, then?- Yeah.
0:10:48 > 0:10:51- So that's the ocelot's up there. Where do you want yours?- Up there.
0:10:53 > 0:10:54And...reach up!
0:10:55 > 0:10:57- There it is.- Rightio.
0:10:57 > 0:11:00Putting the bag up high is a clever idea,
0:11:00 > 0:11:04as these powerful pussycats are keen jumpers.
0:11:04 > 0:11:06Their short front legs and large paws
0:11:06 > 0:11:08are really good for walking on snow,
0:11:08 > 0:11:10but their long back legs give them power
0:11:10 > 0:11:12to leap and climb.
0:11:13 > 0:11:17They can even jump up to six metres high - that's four times
0:11:17 > 0:11:22their own body length - and it's their unusually long furry tail
0:11:22 > 0:11:24which helps to keep them balanced.
0:11:24 > 0:11:28But there might be an even cleverer place to put a bag than up high.
0:11:28 > 0:11:32I'm going to cheat. I'm going to put mine right by the slide.
0:11:34 > 0:11:36So it's the first one she smells when she comes through.
0:11:36 > 0:11:38Right, let's get out of here.
0:11:38 > 0:11:41Marta's being kept in the enclosure next door,
0:11:41 > 0:11:44and she's keen to know what they've been up to.
0:11:44 > 0:11:47- I'll have to take the lock out. - Can we both do it together?- Yeah.
0:11:47 > 0:11:52Take this out. Got to make sure she doesn't try and open it.
0:11:52 > 0:11:55Right, just open it very slowly. MARTA GROWLS
0:11:55 > 0:11:57Come on, girly. Hey...
0:11:58 > 0:12:01Oh, are you grumpy? Yeah, she's grumpy.
0:12:01 > 0:12:03This is Marta.
0:12:03 > 0:12:04She's going to eat you.
0:12:04 > 0:12:07She just wants to go through the slides, find our bags.
0:12:07 > 0:12:10Do you want to slowly open it, cos it makes a lot of noise
0:12:10 > 0:12:12and you don't want to scare her.
0:12:12 > 0:12:14Pull it backwards...
0:12:14 > 0:12:16I'm too scared, just in case I'll frighten her.
0:12:16 > 0:12:18There you go...
0:12:18 > 0:12:21- And she's through. - She's smelling yours!
0:12:23 > 0:12:27So, she smelled Ben's pepper first, but will she go on to prefer
0:12:27 > 0:12:31James' pongy ocelot bedding or Emily's Savanna tea?
0:12:31 > 0:12:33Go over there! Go over there!
0:12:33 > 0:12:35No, ignore that, go over there!
0:12:37 > 0:12:39- Emily, mine is going to win. - No, mine is.
0:12:39 > 0:12:40No, mine.
0:12:40 > 0:12:43Looks like she's yawning and none of us are going to win.
0:12:43 > 0:12:45True.
0:12:45 > 0:12:47But she smelt mine, so I win!
0:12:47 > 0:12:50No! No, she just went near it.
0:12:50 > 0:12:52- She just went near it. - She sniffed it, come on!
0:12:52 > 0:12:55I'm sure she'll have a little wander round later,
0:12:55 > 0:12:58give them a smell and maybe rip the odd one apart.
0:12:59 > 0:13:03And sure enough, a few hours later when everybody's back was turned,
0:13:03 > 0:13:07crafty Marta demolished Emily's bag of Savanna tea.
0:13:07 > 0:13:11I won the snow leopard competition, and my bag won it.
0:13:11 > 0:13:14I won, I won. Na-na-na-na-na!
0:13:14 > 0:13:16Hold on, didn't Ben win?
0:13:16 > 0:13:19But anyway, how did our Roar Rangers find the day
0:13:19 > 0:13:21as snow leopard keepers?
0:13:21 > 0:13:24It was wonderful seeing the leopard right up close.
0:13:24 > 0:13:26Being near something you've always wanted to see
0:13:26 > 0:13:29feels really amazing so you feel special.
0:13:29 > 0:13:31It's just been the bestest day of my life.
0:13:34 > 0:13:39- Why do cats like other cats to make noise?- I don't know.
0:13:39 > 0:13:43Because it's MIAOW-SIC to their ears.
0:13:43 > 0:13:45HE IMITATES A MONKEY
0:13:46 > 0:13:50- What's as big as an elephant, but weighs nothing?- I don't know.
0:13:50 > 0:13:53An elephant's shadow.
0:13:53 > 0:13:55ELEPHANT TRUMPETING
0:13:55 > 0:13:58Roar! Quack-quack-quack!
0:13:58 > 0:14:00Roar! Quack-quack-quack!
0:14:00 > 0:14:03- Why won't oysters share? - I don't know.
0:14:03 > 0:14:06Because they're SHELLFISH.
0:14:07 > 0:14:09ALL: Boo!
0:14:12 > 0:14:15Helen's in a hurry, and she's got good reason
0:14:15 > 0:14:19to squeeze every last ounce of speed from the delivery truck.
0:14:19 > 0:14:21We're just heading up to the bongo house.
0:14:21 > 0:14:25We've had some really good news. Our female bongo Libby has given birth.
0:14:26 > 0:14:29The baby was born sometime during the night,
0:14:29 > 0:14:33and by the time the keepers came in he was already standing.
0:14:33 > 0:14:37Now the vet, Jane Hopper, has stopped by to take a look.
0:14:41 > 0:14:44I've just seen Libby the bongo's new baby.
0:14:44 > 0:14:47Apparently he's a boy - I could see that he's very large.
0:14:47 > 0:14:50I think Libby has been quite lucky delivering him normally.
0:14:50 > 0:14:53He is very big and also it was her first calf -
0:14:53 > 0:14:56first deliveries can also be more difficult because it is the first.
0:14:56 > 0:14:58But everything has gone well,
0:14:58 > 0:15:01and hopefully she'll do well and I'll check on her tomorrow.
0:15:01 > 0:15:05In the meantime, Helen will keep an eye on both mum AND her giant calf.
0:15:07 > 0:15:09The baby is absolutely huge.
0:15:09 > 0:15:13It's certainly the biggest bongo kid that I've ever seen.
0:15:13 > 0:15:15It's really nice for this section to have a new baby.
0:15:15 > 0:15:19Rowena's just had a baby a few months ago,
0:15:19 > 0:15:21and hopefully this one'll join them soon.
0:15:21 > 0:15:23Mum staring at me. She knows I'm here,
0:15:23 > 0:15:27and she's actually putting her head down a little bit
0:15:27 > 0:15:29so maybe we should just move on.
0:15:29 > 0:15:32Well, we'll come back when Helen lets the big baby boy
0:15:32 > 0:15:36out to play with the others for the very first time.
0:15:42 > 0:15:45With the sun beating down like this out on the African Experience,
0:15:45 > 0:15:47you could easily imagine
0:15:47 > 0:15:50that you're actually on safari in Africa.
0:15:50 > 0:15:54There are loads of interesting animals roaming around up here,
0:15:54 > 0:15:57but keeper Clare has promised to tell me some amazing facts
0:15:57 > 0:15:59about one species in particular.
0:15:59 > 0:16:02The mammals with the longest necks in the world -
0:16:02 > 0:16:04giraffes.
0:16:04 > 0:16:08- They're extraordinary, aren't they? - They certainly are, yeah.
0:16:08 > 0:16:11They're amazing. Tell me something about their necks.
0:16:11 > 0:16:14They must be very strong and very kind of, I guess, agile as well
0:16:14 > 0:16:17cos they can reach low down and high up in the trees.
0:16:17 > 0:16:20Yeah, they can reach all the best browse at the top
0:16:20 > 0:16:21which some animals can't,
0:16:21 > 0:16:24and they can get right into the bushes,
0:16:24 > 0:16:28pick the nice green leaves and nice browse from in there as well.
0:16:28 > 0:16:30Clare, you don't see this often,
0:16:30 > 0:16:34but this one's sort of splaying its legs to try and get to the ground.
0:16:34 > 0:16:37Yes, when they're going to drink water
0:16:37 > 0:16:39or take something from the ground, they'll
0:16:39 > 0:16:42put their legs at a 45 degree angle because their front legs
0:16:42 > 0:16:44are 10% longer than their back legs,
0:16:44 > 0:16:46and obviously with the length of the neck
0:16:46 > 0:16:50they have to position themselves to get their head to the ground.
0:16:50 > 0:16:52So they're bending down to have their food,
0:16:52 > 0:16:55but I understand it's a little bit different out in the wild.
0:16:55 > 0:17:00Yeah, they're very vulnerable when they bend down to drink water.
0:17:00 > 0:17:05Say a group of giraffes - one'll drink while the rest watch out
0:17:05 > 0:17:07for predators, such as lions.
0:17:07 > 0:17:10I can't imagine a lion could take one of those down. They're massive.
0:17:10 > 0:17:13No, they generally won't hunt them,
0:17:13 > 0:17:18but obviously when they go down to drink that's the only time the lion
0:17:18 > 0:17:22knows they're vulnerable so will try and get them. Their calves, though,
0:17:22 > 0:17:26are quite vulnerable because they can't really defend themselves.
0:17:26 > 0:17:29So will the calves usually stick with their mum and dad?
0:17:29 > 0:17:31Yeah, they'll stick right by the mother.
0:17:31 > 0:17:33So does it not make them dizzy
0:17:33 > 0:17:36if they're putting their neck all the way down and then up again...
0:17:36 > 0:17:38It must make them pretty dizzy.
0:17:38 > 0:17:41They have special valves in the jugular vein in their neck,
0:17:41 > 0:17:45so when they bend down the blood gets slowed down.
0:17:45 > 0:17:48And they've also got blood vessels above their brain to also
0:17:48 > 0:17:52- slow the blood flow into the brain. - So they've got a special brain.
0:17:52 > 0:17:55They've got pretty special big hearts as well, haven't they?
0:17:55 > 0:17:56Yeah, they do.
0:17:56 > 0:17:59- Huge hearts, yeah.- How big would you say a giraffe's heart is?
0:17:59 > 0:18:02Are we talking kind of that big, do you reckon?
0:18:02 > 0:18:07- I think it's about two foot wide, so...- Two foot wide, for the heart.
0:18:07 > 0:18:10- So you're talking about that by that.- Yeah, it's...
0:18:10 > 0:18:12That is pretty big. Amazing animals.
0:18:12 > 0:18:14So do they use their necks
0:18:14 > 0:18:18for anything else other than, eating food and drinking?
0:18:18 > 0:18:21The male giraffes actually use it to fight, so they wrap their necks
0:18:21 > 0:18:23round each other like this,
0:18:23 > 0:18:26and then the strongest one will generally win
0:18:26 > 0:18:28and then they'll get to mate the females.
0:18:28 > 0:18:30What happens to the one that loses -
0:18:30 > 0:18:35- is it left with a broken neck? That sounds vicious!- No, not usually, no.
0:18:35 > 0:18:38Clare, how long would you say the average giraffe's neck is?
0:18:38 > 0:18:42- It's about 1.8 metres long. - 1.8, so that's...
0:18:42 > 0:18:46You're talking about six foot which is about the same size as me.
0:18:46 > 0:18:48- That's impressive, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:18:48 > 0:18:51They've got so many special adaptations to help them survive,
0:18:51 > 0:18:54so thank you for letting us get close to them. What a wicked animal!
0:18:57 > 0:19:01The competition's hotting up to attract the most visitors
0:19:01 > 0:19:03to your own wildlife park in the Roar online game.
0:19:03 > 0:19:07So, type in today's cheat code, rain10, and make sure that
0:19:07 > 0:19:11your animals are getting all the food and treats they deserve.
0:19:11 > 0:19:13Happy gaming!
0:19:21 > 0:19:26It's usually hot out in Africa, which is where rhinos come from,
0:19:26 > 0:19:29so they're used to sunny days like today.
0:19:29 > 0:19:33But they still enjoy a dip in the pool, just like we do,
0:19:33 > 0:19:36and all the rhinos here use mud wallows.
0:19:36 > 0:19:40If one dries out, though, the keepers make use of the full ones,
0:19:40 > 0:19:43and Kiera's invited me to come down and help her.
0:19:43 > 0:19:46Whose enclosure is this, and where are they?
0:19:46 > 0:19:49This is Quinto's, but he's locked out at the moment.
0:19:49 > 0:19:52Oh, I was expecting him to run in and go, "Yay! Wallow!"
0:19:52 > 0:19:53and big mud bomb on me.
0:19:53 > 0:19:59OK. So we're now gathering mud, I see, into a bucket. Why?
0:19:59 > 0:20:02- Well, Quinto already has this wallow so he uses this daily.- Right.
0:20:02 > 0:20:05But across the road, Arusha has a wallow
0:20:05 > 0:20:08but it hasn't rained for so long that the wallow's dry.
0:20:08 > 0:20:11So we're just going to put some mud into this bucket for her.
0:20:11 > 0:20:13I guess you want me to get my hands dirty.
0:20:13 > 0:20:16- Of course, we've still got to fill it.- Yeah.
0:20:16 > 0:20:18Watch me get my hands dirty. Look at that!
0:20:18 > 0:20:21I'm joking, I'll get in here, get some mud for Arusha, you say?
0:20:21 > 0:20:23- It's lovely and cool.- Really cool.
0:20:23 > 0:20:26Because it's absolutely boiling today,
0:20:26 > 0:20:29but the mud stays cool, so she's going to love this, isn't she?
0:20:29 > 0:20:31Now, do you do this often for her?
0:20:31 > 0:20:35When we've got time it's nice to give the rhinos who don't have a wallow
0:20:35 > 0:20:36to give them a bit of a mud pack.
0:20:36 > 0:20:39They love the attention as well. So it's really good for her.
0:20:39 > 0:20:42Now, Kiera, I've come down, I've got my hands dirty.
0:20:42 > 0:20:46- Can I actually help you give Arusha the mud bath?- Of course you can.
0:20:46 > 0:20:49Well, let's get our mud and let's get out of here!
0:20:52 > 0:20:55OK, we've got our big bucket of mud, and we've got Arusha here
0:20:55 > 0:20:59who looks like she's patiently waiting to be slathered in the mud.
0:20:59 > 0:21:03Now is there a way I should be doing this not to scare her off?
0:21:03 > 0:21:05Well, she's quite chilled out.
0:21:05 > 0:21:09Just kind of gently put it on her... on her forehead. Go in front of me.
0:21:09 > 0:21:11Hello, darling.
0:21:11 > 0:21:14- Good girl, Rush! - Now, the mud is lovely and cool,
0:21:14 > 0:21:18but I have to admit, Arusha, your skin is very, very dry.
0:21:18 > 0:21:22Is that her skin or is it lots of dry, cracked mud?
0:21:22 > 0:21:26It's lots of dry, cracked mud. Her skin underneath is quite dry anyway,
0:21:26 > 0:21:31so the more mud we put on it, the more, like, nice mud pack it will be.
0:21:31 > 0:21:34So we mentioned about it protecting from the sun,
0:21:34 > 0:21:37especially on days like today where it's absolutely scorchio,
0:21:37 > 0:21:40but does it work like a moisturiser as well and soften the skin?
0:21:40 > 0:21:44Yeah, well, it just acts like a barrier between her skin and, like,
0:21:44 > 0:21:47the elements outside. You can see the mud is quite thick,
0:21:47 > 0:21:49so no sun's going to get through.
0:21:49 > 0:21:52Also, parasites - there's lots of horseflies around.
0:21:52 > 0:21:55They can't get through that layer and bite her skin,
0:21:55 > 0:21:56so she's quite well protected.
0:21:56 > 0:21:59Because some of the rhinos before have had
0:21:59 > 0:22:02really bad little bites and they end up bleeding.
0:22:02 > 0:22:04- Yeah.- So, with tough guys like this, does it hurt them?
0:22:04 > 0:22:07I don't think it hurts them, it irritates them more,
0:22:07 > 0:22:09but it's just nice to
0:22:09 > 0:22:12cover them in this and it doesn't bother them so much.
0:22:12 > 0:22:14The weather's just suddenly changed, hasn't it?
0:22:14 > 0:22:17Yeah, so now it's really good for them.
0:22:17 > 0:22:19It gets rid all of the old skin when it dries and falls off.
0:22:19 > 0:22:22It just gets rid of all the old horrible skin.
0:22:22 > 0:22:25Well, we've got a whole load of rhino to cover with mud,
0:22:25 > 0:22:29so I think you should get cracking and I should get out of here.
0:22:29 > 0:22:31Cool, cool.
0:22:34 > 0:22:38It's a week now since the big baby bongo was born, and Helen's decided
0:22:38 > 0:22:43that the weather's perfect for him to have his first adventure.
0:22:43 > 0:22:47Today we're going to let Libby and her new kid go in with
0:22:47 > 0:22:49the other bongo. This will be the first time
0:22:49 > 0:22:52we've let them in all together, so it'll be nice.
0:22:52 > 0:22:55We've got three youngsters in there at the moment.
0:22:55 > 0:22:58Two of a similar age, so it'll be really nice.
0:22:59 > 0:23:02All right then, Libs, are you going to meet the girlies?
0:23:02 > 0:23:07Libby doesn't look too sure. Helen will have to persuade them to leave.
0:23:07 > 0:23:10What's this? Ooh, Libs...!
0:23:10 > 0:23:12They've been kept away from the others for a week,
0:23:12 > 0:23:16and it looks as though Libby was enjoying the peace and quiet.
0:23:16 > 0:23:18Libs, good girl. Come on, then!
0:23:18 > 0:23:22At first, they show no sign of going anywhere -
0:23:22 > 0:23:24but then Libby makes a move.
0:23:25 > 0:23:29- And the baby doesn't want to be left behind.- All right, then.
0:23:29 > 0:23:33But what will the little bongo make of the big wide world outside?
0:23:40 > 0:23:43The other youngster comes straight over,
0:23:45 > 0:23:47while Libby heads off for the freshest grass
0:23:47 > 0:23:50at the other end of the paddock.
0:23:52 > 0:23:56So, when the baby looks for her, he can't see his mother anywhere.
0:23:57 > 0:23:59Are you going to go back to your mum?
0:23:59 > 0:24:03Luckily, Helen's here to point him in the right direction.
0:24:04 > 0:24:05Steady, then...
0:24:05 > 0:24:07Good lad. Are you going to go and see your mum?
0:24:07 > 0:24:09That's it.
0:24:09 > 0:24:13We've been out here about 15 minutes now, and they're all quite calm
0:24:13 > 0:24:16and just grazing now, and the little 'uns look so nice together.
0:24:16 > 0:24:19They're sort of communicating with noises and sort of playing,
0:24:19 > 0:24:22so it's really nice. They look really good.
0:24:23 > 0:24:26The next big step for the baby will be to meet his dad, Rath.
0:24:26 > 0:24:29We'll leave Rath separate for a couple of weeks.
0:24:29 > 0:24:32There is a fence in between his paddock and this paddock,
0:24:32 > 0:24:35so that's a good introduction for them.
0:24:35 > 0:24:39So we'll give it two weeks, and then let him through to meet his new boy.
0:24:39 > 0:24:42Well, Helen's clearly pleased with how today's gone.
0:24:42 > 0:24:47We'll catch up with her big bouncing baby bongo later in the series.
0:25:03 > 0:25:06Well, we've come to the end of another Roar,
0:25:06 > 0:25:09but we've just enough time to see head of carnivores Jim Vassey
0:25:09 > 0:25:11and find out more about these guys.
0:25:11 > 0:25:14- They're amazing. - Oh, Jim, I've got to say,
0:25:14 > 0:25:17last year we saw these guys - little tiny cubs...
0:25:29 > 0:25:31They're looking massive now!
0:25:31 > 0:25:34- How old are they? - Yeah, they're 10 months old now.
0:25:34 > 0:25:3610 months. That's very impressive.
0:25:36 > 0:25:39And to grow so quickly, I guess they must need a lot of food.
0:25:39 > 0:25:40How often do you feed them?
0:25:40 > 0:25:42We feed them twice a week here.
0:25:42 > 0:25:46So it's not as much as people would expect, but they eat a lot
0:25:46 > 0:25:47at each sitting.
0:25:47 > 0:25:48There's Dad there, look.
0:25:48 > 0:25:52- He will eat 30 kilos easily in one sitting.- In one sitting!
0:25:52 > 0:25:55The cubs are a bit smaller, so they'll probably get
0:25:55 > 0:25:58about 30 kilos for the week. So it's about 15 kilos per food.
0:25:58 > 0:26:02And so when you feed these guys... Oh, look at them just rolling round.
0:26:02 > 0:26:04- Big stretch there! - They're so chilled out.
0:26:04 > 0:26:06Dad eats double the amount.
0:26:06 > 0:26:09So do you have to get Dad to go away somewhere, will he steal their food?
0:26:09 > 0:26:12No - when we feed them he's always first in.
0:26:12 > 0:26:15So he'll come in, grab his bit, which will be the biggest bit,
0:26:15 > 0:26:17and he'll wander off and
0:26:17 > 0:26:20- maybe even hide it and come back for another bit.- Cheeky!
0:26:20 > 0:26:23Sometimes he'll take it in the shed you won't see him again
0:26:23 > 0:26:26- the rest of the day.- But he leaves stuff for the little ones.
0:26:26 > 0:26:29When will the little ones be able to compete with their dad
0:26:29 > 0:26:32for food, and how do you expect them to develop?
0:26:32 > 0:26:36Well, within the next 12 months they're going to double in size.
0:26:36 > 0:26:38- Double?- Double in size.
0:26:38 > 0:26:39- Oh, man!- That is unbelievable.
0:26:39 > 0:26:43Now, I've got to point out this little fella down here,
0:26:43 > 0:26:44just lazing around...
0:26:44 > 0:26:47Now, we talk about tigers being lazy.
0:26:47 > 0:26:49What DO they do when they're not being fed?
0:26:49 > 0:26:52- You know, what do they do for the rest of the time?- Sleep.
0:26:52 > 0:26:56Sounds like a perfect life, doesn't it? Eat and sleep, Johny!
0:26:56 > 0:26:58Definitely. I reckon we should feed them now.
0:26:58 > 0:27:01I do think so, so then they can have a nap!
0:27:01 > 0:27:04And you check out what's on the next episode of Roar.
0:27:04 > 0:27:06Here, kitty-kitty!
0:27:07 > 0:27:11There's great excitement down in the De Brazza enclosure -
0:27:11 > 0:27:15but while the adults are enjoying a feeding frenzy, we get to meet
0:27:15 > 0:27:18the extremely cute new baby.
0:27:18 > 0:27:21There's an emergency in the carnivore section.
0:27:21 > 0:27:23An elderly serval needs an operation,
0:27:23 > 0:27:28so they have to put her to sleep. But will she ever wake up again?
0:27:29 > 0:27:33And I'm very conscious of the wolf pack closing in
0:27:33 > 0:27:37- while we make improvements to their enclosure.- Don't miss it!
0:27:39 > 0:27:41Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:27:41 > 0:27:43E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk