0:00:02 > 0:00:05Today on Roar, Nico the gorilla is 50 years old
0:00:05 > 0:00:08and we're up for a party.
0:00:08 > 0:00:13But will the birthday boy go bananas if he doesn't get what he wants?
0:00:13 > 0:00:14Oi!
0:00:40 > 0:00:42Welcome to Roar. I'm Johny.
0:00:42 > 0:00:45And I'm Rani and it's feed time in the grey wolf enclosure.
0:00:45 > 0:00:48You know what, Rani? I used to be a werewolf.
0:00:48 > 0:00:49- Really?- Yeah.
0:00:49 > 0:00:52- But I'm all right nooooooooooooooow! - Dear, oh, dear.
0:00:52 > 0:00:54Let's get on with the show.
0:00:57 > 0:00:58Coming up today...
0:00:58 > 0:01:01When she was born, the baby giraffe seemed to be struggling.
0:01:01 > 0:01:04I'll catch up now she's steady on her feet.
0:01:04 > 0:01:09Diego the tegu has a neat trick to keep his skin young and beautiful.
0:01:09 > 0:01:12We'll discover his secret later.
0:01:12 > 0:01:15And most people are scared of something.
0:01:15 > 0:01:18Sharp teeth, nasty sting, creepy legs.
0:01:18 > 0:01:21But why is our Roar Ranger frightened of a furry little face?
0:01:21 > 0:01:24All will be revealed.
0:01:29 > 0:01:32On one side of the safari park, there's a lake.
0:01:34 > 0:01:36And in that lake, there's an island.
0:01:39 > 0:01:41And on that island lives a gorilla.
0:01:43 > 0:01:47His name is Nico and today we're celebrating his birthday.
0:01:47 > 0:01:49He's 50 years old,
0:01:49 > 0:01:53which means he's one of the very oldest gorillas in the world.
0:01:54 > 0:01:58For the last 20 years, keeper Mark Tye has been looking after him.
0:01:58 > 0:02:01But Nico's been at the park longer than that.
0:02:01 > 0:02:03And he hasn't always lived alone.
0:02:04 > 0:02:07Nico's been here since about 1986.
0:02:07 > 0:02:11Erm, he came here with his partner, Samba.
0:02:11 > 0:02:14Erm, and they've been together all their lives.
0:02:14 > 0:02:18Samba was really nice. She was the complete opposite to Nico.
0:02:18 > 0:02:22He's always been a bolshie, stroppy individual.
0:02:22 > 0:02:23Oi!
0:02:25 > 0:02:27Despite their different personalities,
0:02:27 > 0:02:31Nico and Samba got on very well and were happy living together.
0:02:33 > 0:02:37But sadly, back in the spring of 2007, after a short illness,
0:02:37 > 0:02:38Samba died.
0:02:41 > 0:02:44Well, Samba lived to the ripe old age of 47,
0:02:44 > 0:02:47which is a fantastic age for a gorilla.
0:02:47 > 0:02:51Er, anything over 40 is considered really good for a gorilla.
0:02:51 > 0:02:54In the wild, they'd be lucky if they lived to 25.
0:02:54 > 0:02:57But that was no consolation to Nico.
0:02:57 > 0:03:02Having spent his life with her, he took Samba's death very badly.
0:03:02 > 0:03:05Mark was very worried about him. Here's what he said at the time.
0:03:05 > 0:03:10You know, you can tell he's upset. He's...he's very funny with us.
0:03:10 > 0:03:14You know, I think he thinks we've done something to her.
0:03:14 > 0:03:17And he, sort of, cries a bit for her and he's constantly looking.
0:03:17 > 0:03:20You know, he's always looking in the places where she was,
0:03:20 > 0:03:25like the large bamboo bush at the end of the island and things like that.
0:03:25 > 0:03:26It's...
0:03:27 > 0:03:29..tough for us all to deal with.
0:03:30 > 0:03:35After that, Nico was just too old to be mixed with any new companion.
0:03:35 > 0:03:37They would almost certainly fight
0:03:37 > 0:03:40and anyway, he doesn't seem to mind being on his own.
0:03:40 > 0:03:42As time goes on, you know,
0:03:42 > 0:03:45he got over it and seems back to his normal self, if not better.
0:03:45 > 0:03:48He's actually nicer than he was before.
0:03:50 > 0:03:52Which is just as well, as now he's elderly,
0:03:52 > 0:03:55Nico needs a little more care
0:03:55 > 0:03:58and it's easier to give him his medicine if he's cooperating.
0:03:58 > 0:04:01In fact, Mark and Nico are now closer than ever before.
0:04:03 > 0:04:05I've worked with him now for...
0:04:05 > 0:04:07hmm, 20 years.
0:04:07 > 0:04:09We know each other very well.
0:04:09 > 0:04:12It's a real...a real bond that you have with an animal like that.
0:04:12 > 0:04:15Different to other animals you look after.
0:04:15 > 0:04:18Sometimes, although they don't speak...
0:04:18 > 0:04:21it seems like they understand what you're saying.
0:04:21 > 0:04:23I talk to them as if they're a person
0:04:23 > 0:04:26and they sometimes respond with their grunts and grumbles,
0:04:26 > 0:04:28as if they know what you're saying.
0:04:28 > 0:04:29All right? You going to get up?
0:04:34 > 0:04:36Gorillas are very intelligent
0:04:36 > 0:04:40and they do understand more than most animals.
0:04:40 > 0:04:43Nico, for example, gets a lot out of watching TV.
0:04:43 > 0:04:45They respond to it, particularly Nico.
0:04:45 > 0:04:48Samba was never that bothered but Nico always enjoyed it.
0:04:48 > 0:04:51Particularly other animal programmes.
0:04:51 > 0:04:54So he does spend a lot of his time at night in front of the telly.
0:04:54 > 0:04:57He is an old man, he doesn't like to do a lot more.
0:04:59 > 0:05:02He's probably one of our oldest viewers!
0:05:02 > 0:05:04Let's hope he's up for a birthday bash later.
0:05:04 > 0:05:06It's going to be his 50th birthday,
0:05:06 > 0:05:10which is an absolute amazing figure to reach.
0:05:10 > 0:05:14He's the third-oldest gorilla in the country, apparently.
0:05:14 > 0:05:17He's the oldest male that there is in this country
0:05:17 > 0:05:19and I think he's the eighth oldest in the world.
0:05:19 > 0:05:23Well, I think it's going to be a big day, Nico reaching 50.
0:05:23 > 0:05:27Erm, I definitely think he'll be allowed a few treats.
0:05:27 > 0:05:32And I'm sure we'll manage a cake. I'm sure he'll love that.
0:05:32 > 0:05:36Cake, yes. But what about pressies? Stayed tuned, cos we're on our way.
0:05:44 > 0:05:47Earlier in the series, we brought you some amazing footage
0:05:47 > 0:05:51of the latest baby giraffe actually being born,
0:05:51 > 0:05:54outside, in broad daylight.
0:05:54 > 0:05:58The baby immediately started trying to stand up.
0:05:58 > 0:06:01She seemed to be struggling with the awkward, long legs
0:06:01 > 0:06:06but soon enough, she was up, suckling from Becky, her mum.
0:06:07 > 0:06:11And after that, the keepers' big worry was about Becky,
0:06:11 > 0:06:12because in the past,
0:06:12 > 0:06:17she's had a bad habit of licking and nibbling at her babies' ears,
0:06:17 > 0:06:19which can cause permanent damage.
0:06:19 > 0:06:23But now Johny's gone to find out the latest news.
0:06:24 > 0:06:27I've come to meet one of the biggest babies at the park
0:06:27 > 0:06:30and no, I'm not talking about Rani or keeper Ryan.
0:06:30 > 0:06:33I'm talking about the baby giraffe that's just over there.
0:06:33 > 0:06:36- Looking well, isn't she, Ryan? - Yeah, she's doing really well, Johny.
0:06:36 > 0:06:39She's three weeks old today, I think, so...
0:06:39 > 0:06:41Three weeks and already standing!
0:06:41 > 0:06:44Within about a hour, generally, you're likely to see them get up
0:06:44 > 0:06:47and she was textbook, in that respect.
0:06:47 > 0:06:49For the first, sort of, 30 to 45 minutes,
0:06:49 > 0:06:52she's just trying to find her feet, getting used to balancing herself.
0:06:52 > 0:06:55Then after about an hour or so, bang! For the next hour,
0:06:55 > 0:07:01generally, they're trying to get a drink off mum and er, which she did.
0:07:01 > 0:07:03So is she still drinking then, milk?
0:07:03 > 0:07:04Yeah, yeah.
0:07:04 > 0:07:08She'll drink milk for maybe about nine to 12 months,
0:07:08 > 0:07:09something like that.
0:07:09 > 0:07:11Incredible that she's only three weeks old
0:07:11 > 0:07:13and she's, like, already looking over six foot.
0:07:13 > 0:07:16- That's about two metres! - Yeah. Just under.
0:07:16 > 0:07:18And how tall was she when she was first born?
0:07:18 > 0:07:22Erm, probably about 1.5, 1.6 metres, something like that.
0:07:22 > 0:07:23That's very tall,
0:07:23 > 0:07:26Kind of like the average male size or something, isn't it?
0:07:26 > 0:07:28Yeah, sort of average for a giraffe calf.
0:07:28 > 0:07:31Some will be more towards, sort of, 1.8 metres
0:07:31 > 0:07:33but around 1.5, 1.6 is the average.
0:07:33 > 0:07:35How is she getting on? Is she healthy?
0:07:35 > 0:07:37Any concerns for her health?
0:07:37 > 0:07:40We haven't got any concerns whatsoever.
0:07:40 > 0:07:43Obviously, we've had trouble with Becky, her mum, with previous calves.
0:07:43 > 0:07:47Over-licking the ears and causing a bit of damage to the ears.
0:07:47 > 0:07:50But touch wood, at the moment, we haven't really seen any of that.
0:07:50 > 0:07:52Let's hope that continues.
0:07:52 > 0:07:55So why does Mum do that, then, with licking the ears?
0:07:55 > 0:07:57If it's bad for her babies.
0:07:57 > 0:07:59Obviously, it's important for a mother giraffe
0:07:59 > 0:08:03to lick her calf to just reaffirm that bond, constantly.
0:08:03 > 0:08:07- Erm, but I think Becky's just too over-mumsy, basically.- Really?
0:08:07 > 0:08:10- Yeah, yeah.- Loving them to death! - She doesn't mean any harm.
0:08:10 > 0:08:11It just happens.
0:08:11 > 0:08:13They seem to be near each other now.
0:08:13 > 0:08:15Is this Mum just behind her?
0:08:15 > 0:08:19- No, Mum's the furthest one at the back there.- Right, OK. Oh, OK! OK.
0:08:19 > 0:08:21So she's letting the little baby...
0:08:21 > 0:08:24By the way, I'm saying "little baby". Have we got a name for it?
0:08:24 > 0:08:28- Er, yes, we have.- Oh, OK. - Officially, her name is Kate.- Kate!
0:08:28 > 0:08:31- I thought you were going to say, "Munjabi" or something. Kate!- No!
0:08:31 > 0:08:33Lovely, so little Kate's there
0:08:33 > 0:08:36and her mum doesn't seem to be that hands-on at the minute.
0:08:36 > 0:08:41No, no. She's, um, pretty comfortable with the situation we've got up here.
0:08:41 > 0:08:44This is where Becky actually gave birth to Kate,
0:08:44 > 0:08:47so I think she feels particularly calm up here.
0:08:47 > 0:08:49And obviously, Kate feels calm up here as well,
0:08:49 > 0:08:51because this is her birthplace.
0:08:51 > 0:08:54It's a nice place for her to be right now.
0:08:56 > 0:08:58It's so, so beautiful out here, Ryan.
0:08:58 > 0:09:00You've got the look of a proud father,
0:09:00 > 0:09:03will you invite us to see how she's doing later in the series?
0:09:03 > 0:09:04- Love to, yep.- Brilliant.
0:09:13 > 0:09:15- When do mice need umbrellas? - I don't know.
0:09:15 > 0:09:18When it's raining cats and dogs!
0:09:18 > 0:09:19Ribbet.
0:09:22 > 0:09:26What do you get if you sit under a cow? A pat on the head!
0:09:26 > 0:09:27Boc-boc!
0:09:28 > 0:09:32- What do you call a flying skunk? - Dunno.- Dunno.
0:09:32 > 0:09:35A smelly-copter!
0:09:35 > 0:09:38- THEY LAUGH - That had to be a joke!
0:09:50 > 0:09:53Our Roar Rangers today are George and Nicole
0:09:53 > 0:09:58and, like most brothers and sisters, they're a bit competitive.
0:09:58 > 0:10:00I'm going to be a better Roar Ranger
0:10:00 > 0:10:03cos I'm crazy about animals and my sister isn't.
0:10:03 > 0:10:09I am a better Roar Ranger than George because he terrifies animals.
0:10:09 > 0:10:12Hmm. They're probably both exaggerating
0:10:12 > 0:10:15because, back home, they've got loads of pets -
0:10:15 > 0:10:18Angel the hamster, Eddie the dog and Socks the cat.
0:10:18 > 0:10:20And none of them look terrified.
0:10:20 > 0:10:24Still, we'll soon find out what they're really like with animals.
0:10:24 > 0:10:29"George and Nicole, today you will be keepers for all the furry folk.
0:10:29 > 0:10:31"It's time for some fluffy love."
0:10:31 > 0:10:32Don't know what it is yet,
0:10:32 > 0:10:36but it might be little furry animals, like hamsters and ferrets.
0:10:37 > 0:10:39If you're looking for furry folk,
0:10:39 > 0:10:43here's the place to go - the animal adventure area.
0:10:43 > 0:10:45- Hi, I'm Nicole.- Hi, I'm George.
0:10:45 > 0:10:48Hi, I'm Kat. I understand you're going to be helping me
0:10:48 > 0:10:51with some of the furry animals today. Yeah? Excellent.
0:10:51 > 0:10:54Here's some of the equipment that you're going to need.
0:10:54 > 0:10:58- Should we go and get started? - Yeah.- Yeah! Come this way.
0:10:58 > 0:11:03First up is the fluffiest thing in the place - the lionhead rabbits.
0:11:04 > 0:11:08They're a domestic breed of rabbit that comes from Belgium.
0:11:08 > 0:11:09They're called lionhead
0:11:09 > 0:11:13because they're absolutely ferocious and they eat people.
0:11:14 > 0:11:17No, sorry, just kidding.
0:11:17 > 0:11:21They're called lionhead because all the hair around their necks
0:11:21 > 0:11:22is like a lion's mane.
0:11:22 > 0:11:26OK, so these are some of our rabbits.
0:11:26 > 0:11:29What I would like you to do today is do a bit of grooming
0:11:29 > 0:11:31and a bit of a health check on them
0:11:31 > 0:11:34and also get your hands a bit more dirty and clean them out.
0:11:34 > 0:11:36Do I have to hold one? Cos I don't really...
0:11:36 > 0:11:38That's OK, we'll do it together.
0:11:41 > 0:11:45Sounds like Nicole has had a bad experience with a rabbit.
0:11:45 > 0:11:47Once I got... One bit me.
0:11:47 > 0:11:48By a little black one.
0:11:49 > 0:11:53You do have to be careful round any kind of animal.
0:11:53 > 0:11:56And even the tamest, cutest rabbit may bite
0:11:56 > 0:11:58if it's not handled properly.
0:11:58 > 0:12:01The rangers have got keeper Kat here
0:12:01 > 0:12:03to make sure they're doing things right.
0:12:03 > 0:12:06What to do for me is do a quick health check for me, OK?
0:12:06 > 0:12:11So have a look at his eyes. Can you tell me if they're nice and clear?
0:12:11 > 0:12:13Yeah.
0:12:13 > 0:12:14It's really important
0:12:14 > 0:12:17to do a regular health check on all pet rabbits.
0:12:17 > 0:12:21This means checking their coat, eyes, ears, nose and bottom area.
0:12:21 > 0:12:23Anything out of the ordinary
0:12:23 > 0:12:26could be a sign of illness or other problem.
0:12:26 > 0:12:29- OK, what about his ears?- His ears?
0:12:29 > 0:12:33- Nice and clean?- Yeah.- Fantastic. OK. Give him a bit of a brush.
0:12:33 > 0:12:36He's very soft and fluffy.
0:12:36 > 0:12:40The rabbit felt calm and I felt all warm inside.
0:12:41 > 0:12:44So, Nicole, it's your turn now.
0:12:44 > 0:12:46Are you ready to face your fear?
0:12:46 > 0:12:50Nicole, we'll get Thumbelina out together, shall we? Yeah.
0:12:50 > 0:12:55Thumbelina? With a name like that, she doesn't sound like a biter.
0:12:55 > 0:13:00OK. So Thumbelina is a bit fluffier than Merlin.
0:13:00 > 0:13:02So the same as what George did, Nicole.
0:13:02 > 0:13:05If you have a look at Thumbelina's eyes for me.
0:13:05 > 0:13:07Have a look at her nice blue eyes.
0:13:07 > 0:13:08Do you see them?
0:13:08 > 0:13:10They say once bitten, twice shy,
0:13:10 > 0:13:15but the best way to beat your fear is just to tackle it head-on.
0:13:15 > 0:13:17Do you want to give her a quick feel, then?
0:13:17 > 0:13:20Give her a quick feel down there. Go for it.
0:13:20 > 0:13:22Well done, you! Excellent.
0:13:23 > 0:13:26The first touch is the hardest,
0:13:26 > 0:13:30but soon Nicole is OK with brushing and everything.
0:13:30 > 0:13:32OK, so let's pop her in.
0:13:32 > 0:13:36Meanwhile, let's go and get our hands dirty, shall we?
0:13:36 > 0:13:39I think Kat's helped me get over my fear.
0:13:39 > 0:13:43I'm feeling a lot confident about rabbits now.
0:13:43 > 0:13:47The rabbit's hut is their bedroom and...their toilet.
0:13:47 > 0:13:49Smells a bit like...eurgh.
0:13:49 > 0:13:52Don't be shy, George - it smells of poo.
0:13:52 > 0:13:56I'm glad that my brother's got his hands mucky for a change.
0:13:59 > 0:14:02They're doing really, really well.
0:14:02 > 0:14:03They're getting stuck in there,
0:14:03 > 0:14:06not afraid of a bit of poo, which is always good.
0:14:10 > 0:14:12Fantastic.
0:14:12 > 0:14:14That's you!
0:14:14 > 0:14:19So, with the hutch all done, Merlin and Thumbelina can go back in.
0:14:19 > 0:14:22- There you are.- Well done. Do you want to have a touch?
0:14:22 > 0:14:26Have a touch, cos they're saying thank you. Go for it.
0:14:26 > 0:14:28Well done!
0:14:28 > 0:14:30Now, what do you think, guys,
0:14:30 > 0:14:33- do you think Thumbelina and Merlin are going to enjoy that?- Yeah.
0:14:33 > 0:14:34I enjoyed it very much.
0:14:34 > 0:14:37But there's more in store for the Roar Rangers.
0:14:37 > 0:14:39As soon as they've washed their hands,
0:14:39 > 0:14:42Kat has another job lined up for them.
0:14:42 > 0:14:43- Was that OK, yeah?- Yeah.
0:14:43 > 0:14:48- I think we'll go and see some of our ferrets now, shall we?- Yes!- Yeah?
0:14:48 > 0:14:52Now, you know how you take a dog for a walk? Well, later on,
0:14:52 > 0:14:56the Roar Rangers are going to try and take the ferrets out.
0:14:56 > 0:14:59It's not going to be easy.
0:15:05 > 0:15:09It's Nico the gorilla's birthday and we've got something for him.
0:15:09 > 0:15:12But first we need to meet keeper Mark to get things ready.
0:15:13 > 0:15:17Now, this is exciting. Nico the gorilla is turning 50.
0:15:17 > 0:15:19That's like one of us turning 100.
0:15:19 > 0:15:21The thought of you being 100, Rani, is very scary.
0:15:21 > 0:15:23I'll be very little, Johny.
0:15:23 > 0:15:25It really is a massive milestone for Nico,
0:15:25 > 0:15:29so we've popped over to give him some special treats.
0:15:29 > 0:15:33Hi! Here he is, the man who will make it all possible for us.
0:15:33 > 0:15:36Head of section Mark, how you doing?
0:15:36 > 0:15:40- Mark, how you doing?- And here is the birthday fella.- Oh, look at him.
0:15:40 > 0:15:43Listen, we have brought him some presents, Mark.
0:15:43 > 0:15:45Will this be all right? It's not for you, unfortunately!
0:15:45 > 0:15:48Well, if I can't have a bit, then he's not having a bit.
0:15:48 > 0:15:51I'm sure you'll get a bit, there's enough cake for everyone.
0:15:51 > 0:15:55Shall we place this down, cos I don't want to get Nico too excited.
0:15:55 > 0:15:57Bit of fruit cake, so it's kind of healthy.
0:15:57 > 0:15:59And we've got some fruit in here, Mark.
0:15:59 > 0:16:01Will that be all right for him?
0:16:01 > 0:16:04He'll love that, that'll be fantastic, yeah.
0:16:04 > 0:16:07We've got some grapes and strawberries. Has he got favourites?
0:16:07 > 0:16:10He loves grapes and he loves strawberries.
0:16:10 > 0:16:12Soft fruits, he's real keen on, because he's an old man.
0:16:12 > 0:16:15His teeth aren't as good as they used to be.
0:16:15 > 0:16:18All right, well, we've got all these soft fruits for him in a big box
0:16:18 > 0:16:21with a ribbon on top. What are we going to do with them?
0:16:21 > 0:16:24If we just throw a little bit of straw on top,
0:16:24 > 0:16:27just to make it a little bit more difficult...
0:16:27 > 0:16:29Hang on, you're ruining the fun!
0:16:29 > 0:16:32And why would you want to make it more difficult for him?
0:16:32 > 0:16:36It's just all part of the making him work a little harder for his food.
0:16:36 > 0:16:38He'll just sit there and pick it out otherwise.
0:16:38 > 0:16:41We'll put the straw in and he's got to find the food.
0:16:41 > 0:16:43We've got a piece of cake here, haven't we?
0:16:43 > 0:16:47Yeah, we've got a whole cake. Are we going to give him a little sample?
0:16:47 > 0:16:50- Let's give him a sample now. - Just a little slice!
0:16:50 > 0:16:52Just to see what he thinks.
0:16:52 > 0:16:55- Save a slice for me and Johny. - I'm sure he'll love it.
0:16:55 > 0:16:57- You're going to give it by hand?!- Yeah.
0:16:57 > 0:16:59Has he had anything like this before?
0:16:59 > 0:17:03He has had a few bits of cake now and again, only as treats.
0:17:03 > 0:17:05He has got a very sweet tooth.
0:17:05 > 0:17:09- Why's he eating the straw?- It all helps with digestion, I think.
0:17:09 > 0:17:11A bit of roughage to go with the sweetness.
0:17:11 > 0:17:13So, what's the plan with this box?
0:17:13 > 0:17:16Well, we'll just take it out to the island now and place it outside.
0:17:17 > 0:17:21So, Mark, has he got a favourite place? He's been here a few years.
0:17:21 > 0:17:23Yeah, normally out the way, hidden.
0:17:23 > 0:17:26But we want to see him, so we'll put it over here!
0:17:26 > 0:17:29Cos we're not going to be out here with Nico. Where are we going to be?
0:17:29 > 0:17:32We're going to be over there, on the pontoon.
0:17:32 > 0:17:34I'm so glad, cos I didn't bring my swimmers!
0:17:34 > 0:17:38So if we place this here, there is a duck there, so we better be careful.
0:17:38 > 0:17:41- Cos Nico doesn't like ducks.- I'm sure the duck will scamper away!
0:17:41 > 0:17:47- Just like us!- Cake?- Yeah. We won't leave the board.
0:17:47 > 0:17:51- Ah! So, tease him over with the fruit cake. Tease him in.- Very nice.
0:17:51 > 0:17:55You think he's going to come out and enjoy that?
0:17:55 > 0:17:56I think he'll come straight to that.
0:17:56 > 0:17:58Awesome. Join us later on
0:17:58 > 0:18:01to see what Nico makes of his special birthday treat.
0:18:08 > 0:18:14Today's cheat code for the Roar game on the CBBC website is "frost45".
0:18:14 > 0:18:17Don't forget, to make your park a success,
0:18:17 > 0:18:21you need to have as many of these cheat codes as possible,
0:18:21 > 0:18:23in order to unlock extra food,
0:18:23 > 0:18:26treats, new areas and even new animals.
0:18:26 > 0:18:31So look out for them on every show. Happy gaming!
0:18:43 > 0:18:45Back with the Roar Rangers,
0:18:45 > 0:18:49George and Nicole have finished sorting out the lionhead rabbits,
0:18:49 > 0:18:52and are about to tackle the ferrets.
0:18:52 > 0:18:54This is our ferret enclosure.
0:18:54 > 0:18:57We're going to go inside,
0:18:57 > 0:19:02and I have a feeling all our ferrets will be sleeping.
0:19:02 > 0:19:03They sleep an awful lot of the day,
0:19:03 > 0:19:06so I want you guys to go in and wake them up a bit.
0:19:06 > 0:19:09When we head in there, I want you to watch your hands.
0:19:09 > 0:19:11The minute we go down and fluff up that straw,
0:19:11 > 0:19:14these guys will think we're playing.
0:19:14 > 0:19:17We'll head down just now and see what they're up to.
0:19:19 > 0:19:23Ferrets are a domestic animal.
0:19:23 > 0:19:24They used to be used for hunting,
0:19:24 > 0:19:27but nowadays they're generally kept as pets.
0:19:29 > 0:19:34We're going to get our hands in and fluff up this straw.
0:19:34 > 0:19:37Now I can't really be bothered getting my hands dirty today,
0:19:37 > 0:19:39so I want you guys to do it, is that OK?
0:19:39 > 0:19:41- Yeah.- Yes, sounds good?
0:19:41 > 0:19:43OK, Nicole, you get down there.
0:19:46 > 0:19:47There's one in there.
0:19:49 > 0:19:51You're certainly waking them up now.
0:19:51 > 0:19:55There's one coming out your side, George. Under your armpit.
0:19:55 > 0:19:59There are ten ferrets here and they're all boys.
0:20:01 > 0:20:04Whilst some of them are ready to play,
0:20:04 > 0:20:07the others look like they're still pretty sleepy.
0:20:09 > 0:20:11Excellent. OK, so we've got our two,
0:20:11 > 0:20:14we've got Bandit here, which you found, George,
0:20:14 > 0:20:16and Nicole, you have Barney.
0:20:16 > 0:20:20- What do you think we're going to do now?- Take them for a walk.- Exactly.
0:20:22 > 0:20:24Ferrets love going for walks,
0:20:24 > 0:20:28but you can't train them to walk how you want them to on the lead.
0:20:28 > 0:20:30They have to do it their own way.
0:20:32 > 0:20:35These guys, it's not like walking a dog, OK?
0:20:35 > 0:20:37These guys take you guys for a walk, OK?
0:20:37 > 0:20:41So the ferrets like to explore and see what's going on.
0:20:41 > 0:20:45So you'll have to follow them. Shall we give them a walk then?
0:20:45 > 0:20:46Yeah? OK.
0:20:46 > 0:20:50So they're all set for walkies.
0:20:50 > 0:20:52But there's a problem with Barney.
0:20:54 > 0:20:57Barney's not too keen on going anywhere just now, is he?
0:20:57 > 0:21:01I think he's seeing what's going on and having a bit of a smell.
0:21:01 > 0:21:04- And he's probably sleepy still. - I think he's just tired.
0:21:04 > 0:21:08And because loads of people are around, it's crowded, I think.
0:21:13 > 0:21:16I think Barney just wants to go straight back to sleep.
0:21:16 > 0:21:19Meanwhile Bandit's having a great time.
0:21:19 > 0:21:22Very cool. I wish I had a pet one.
0:21:22 > 0:21:26I think he's taking me for a walk instead of me taking him.
0:21:26 > 0:21:30Now Barney's woken up a bit, but he's acting strangely.
0:21:30 > 0:21:33I can't, he's just... He keeps on going back, that's why.
0:21:34 > 0:21:37Perhaps he wants to go "back" to bed.
0:21:38 > 0:21:40But now Bandit's doing the same thing.
0:21:40 > 0:21:43He was shuffling backwards like this, watch.
0:21:43 > 0:21:45Any minute now he'll do it.
0:21:46 > 0:21:48Wow, looks like a street dance move.
0:21:49 > 0:21:51He's in a way quite hard to handle,
0:21:51 > 0:21:54but he's fun to handle, if you know what I mean?
0:21:54 > 0:21:56Hey, Bandit!
0:21:56 > 0:21:59I don't believe it, Barney's asleep again.
0:22:00 > 0:22:02I don't think it likes the camera.
0:22:02 > 0:22:05- HE YAWNS - Maybe he had a really late night.
0:22:05 > 0:22:07SNORING
0:22:07 > 0:22:12OK, guys, I think the ferrets have had enough exercise for today.
0:22:12 > 0:22:15You guys have been fantastic, very, very well done.
0:22:15 > 0:22:17CONTINUES SNORING
0:22:17 > 0:22:19The best part of being a rabbit and ferret keeper
0:22:19 > 0:22:24was the ferrets. We really love the ferrets
0:22:24 > 0:22:26and hopefully we'll be getting one soon.
0:22:26 > 0:22:28The rabbits were OK, but smelled a bit.
0:22:28 > 0:22:33Nicole and George were fantastic today.
0:22:33 > 0:22:35Overall I would give them two ferrets up!
0:22:35 > 0:22:38- BOTH:- Big thumbs up for the ferrets.
0:22:45 > 0:22:48Earlier on in the show, we met head of section, Mark,
0:22:48 > 0:22:51to present Nico with his 50th birthday present.
0:22:51 > 0:22:53Now it's time to see what he makes of it.
0:22:53 > 0:22:55Mark, what do you think he'll do?
0:22:55 > 0:22:59I'm hoping he'll go straight to it and rummage around looking for food.
0:22:59 > 0:23:03- Well, let's see then, let's bring out Nico.- OK, Lou.
0:23:08 > 0:23:11Is he going to be all right with that cardboard?
0:23:11 > 0:23:14- It won't harm him, will it? - He'll be fine. He won't eat that.
0:23:14 > 0:23:18There's other nice things in there to keep him amused.
0:23:18 > 0:23:21- He's having a good look. - I'm amazed how quickly he came out.
0:23:21 > 0:23:25- I expected him to run like an old man.- He's got a good turn of speed.
0:23:25 > 0:23:29- He's had the cake already! - He's got a sweet tooth.
0:23:29 > 0:23:32I love how he knows there's something in there.
0:23:32 > 0:23:34He's taking all the wrapping and the hay out.
0:23:34 > 0:23:37He didn't even care about my lovely pink bow.
0:23:37 > 0:23:40Now we've wrapped his present, but it's not just for a laugh,
0:23:40 > 0:23:42it's quite good for him, isn't it?
0:23:42 > 0:23:45Yes, we wouldn't normally do this, this is special,
0:23:45 > 0:23:49but we do that indoors, we wrap his food in bags, boxes,
0:23:49 > 0:23:52hide it in straw, or even use socks, put food in socks.
0:23:52 > 0:23:56- Clean socks, I hope.- Clean socks.
0:23:56 > 0:23:58We tie a knot in it so he has to break them out.
0:23:58 > 0:24:00Look at this!
0:24:00 > 0:24:02What do you think he's going to do now?
0:24:02 > 0:24:04You went, "Oh, here we go."
0:24:04 > 0:24:07He's probably going to take it in there out the way, look.
0:24:07 > 0:24:10Nico, we want to see what you make of it.
0:24:10 > 0:24:11He's throwing it round though.
0:24:11 > 0:24:14For such a ripe old age, he's doing really well.
0:24:14 > 0:24:16And it's been under your care.
0:24:16 > 0:24:20You must feel happy he's got to this nice old age?
0:24:20 > 0:24:23I'm delighted, he's done fantastically.
0:24:23 > 0:24:26He's still really fit for an old man, still really active.
0:24:26 > 0:24:28It was brilliant to see him open our present.
0:24:28 > 0:24:30Do you think he liked it?
0:24:30 > 0:24:34- Definitely, he went for that really well.- Congratulations, Mark.
0:24:34 > 0:24:37Here's to another 50 years for Nico the gorilla.
0:25:04 > 0:25:07Time flies when you're having fun,
0:25:07 > 0:25:10but we have just enough time to meet Sarah
0:25:10 > 0:25:14and find out how to bathe a four and a half foot tegu named Diego.
0:25:14 > 0:25:16- Hi, Sarah.- Hiya, Sarah.- Hello.
0:25:16 > 0:25:21It's warm today, Diego doesn't look too dirty.
0:25:21 > 0:25:25Why are we giving him a bath? Is it because it's warm?
0:25:25 > 0:25:28It's nice on a warm day to help him cool down.
0:25:28 > 0:25:31Also, as they shed their skin, large lizards like this,
0:25:31 > 0:25:35it just helps that skin come off if you put some moisture on there.
0:25:35 > 0:25:38And it's something different for him, it's enrichment.
0:25:38 > 0:25:41How often do they shed their skin?
0:25:41 > 0:25:43He'll do it every couple of months.
0:25:43 > 0:25:46It depends how fast they grow and if they're eating a lot,
0:25:46 > 0:25:50they'll do it a lot more because they'll be growing faster.
0:25:50 > 0:25:53- I'm not seeing any bath here. - I've come with this, can I help?!
0:25:53 > 0:25:55You can give him a little spray, yes.
0:25:55 > 0:25:58So this is it, you just spray it on.
0:25:58 > 0:26:01And spray over his face, it gives him a chance to drink.
0:26:01 > 0:26:04- His face as well? - Yes. He'll lap up the water.
0:26:04 > 0:26:07Does he like the water, does he like getting wet?
0:26:07 > 0:26:11I think he does, yes, occasionally I dribble water from a watering can
0:26:11 > 0:26:14over him and he laps it all up. I think he does enjoy it.
0:26:14 > 0:26:19That's handy, he likes this, plus it helps him shed his skin.
0:26:19 > 0:26:23Is shedding really that important?
0:26:23 > 0:26:26Is it just like putting on a new seasonal coat for us?
0:26:26 > 0:26:30He needs to get in his winter outfit. Or is it him growing bigger?
0:26:30 > 0:26:33They do it constantly throughout the year.
0:26:33 > 0:26:36And as they grow, their skin, it's tough on the outside,
0:26:36 > 0:26:40it doesn't grow with them. So in order for them to get bigger,
0:26:40 > 0:26:43they have to shed the top layer of skin off in large bits.
0:26:43 > 0:26:44That just helps them grow.
0:26:44 > 0:26:46It's not painful, is it?
0:26:46 > 0:26:48No, it's just the very top layer.
0:26:48 > 0:26:52It's just like us, our skin comes off, but it's all the time
0:26:52 > 0:26:55and it's very gradual, we don't notice it, but he does it in one go.
0:26:55 > 0:26:58I've got to say, I've learnt a shed-load today!
0:26:58 > 0:27:01And while I get over that incredibly bad joke,
0:27:01 > 0:27:05why don't you check out what's coming up in the next episode?
0:27:05 > 0:27:07You want to laugh, really.
0:27:08 > 0:27:11The tigers go wild about some funky smells,
0:27:11 > 0:27:14but which do they prefer, meat or poo?
0:27:15 > 0:27:17The keeper's for the high jump
0:27:17 > 0:27:21when the team want answers about the wallabies.
0:27:23 > 0:27:26And we'll find out who's got the biggest gob in the park.
0:27:26 > 0:27:30All that and more next time on Roar.
0:27:43 > 0:27:46Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:27:46 > 0:27:49E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk