0:00:02 > 0:00:05This is Kruger National Park in South Africa,
0:00:05 > 0:00:11home to some of the biggest, fastest and deadliest animals on the planet.
0:00:12 > 0:00:16CBBC have brought four British and four South African children
0:00:16 > 0:00:20to spend a month here training to be rookie game rangers.
0:00:20 > 0:00:21Incredible!
0:00:21 > 0:00:26Leading on this adventure will be their mentors, trails ranger Rudi...
0:00:26 > 0:00:28It's taken me years to learn to be a ranger.
0:00:28 > 0:00:31- They've only got one month to do it in.- ..and guide Frankie.
0:00:31 > 0:00:34In the bush, danger can be around any corner,
0:00:34 > 0:00:38so the Safari 8 needs to be alert and has to be ready at any time.
0:00:38 > 0:00:42Eight kids, two mentors and one massive challenge
0:00:42 > 0:00:46to lead two celebrity guests on a safari experience of a lifetime.
0:01:06 > 0:01:08Last time on Safari 8
0:01:08 > 0:01:11the team got suited and booted...
0:01:11 > 0:01:14It has our names on it. How cool is that? My hat has it too!
0:01:14 > 0:01:17..ranger training began and lesson number one
0:01:17 > 0:01:20- was identifying number twos. - Guys, what animal?- Elephant.
0:01:20 > 0:01:23And for some, a ranger initiation
0:01:23 > 0:01:26- was more than a mouthful. - Put it in your mouth and...
0:01:26 > 0:01:30Ugh! I'm not putting any poo in my mouth!
0:01:30 > 0:01:31Today, the team track down
0:01:31 > 0:01:34one of Africa's most dangerous inhabitants...
0:01:34 > 0:01:37I thought the buffalo was just like a cow with horns.
0:01:37 > 0:01:39I never knew it was really scary.
0:01:39 > 0:01:42..get involved in some seriously dirty work..
0:01:42 > 0:01:43Just push it in there.
0:01:43 > 0:01:44I'm going to be sick.
0:01:44 > 0:01:47..and a bush emergency leads to tragedy.
0:01:47 > 0:01:48Every one of us
0:01:48 > 0:01:51was sad and hurt by it, because it's such an amazing animal.
0:01:53 > 0:01:56It's early morning in Kruger,
0:01:56 > 0:01:59and with just four days' training under their belts,
0:01:59 > 0:02:02mentors Rudi and Frankie are taking the rookies to the river bed
0:02:02 > 0:02:05for a serious lesson.
0:02:05 > 0:02:08In their first week of training, the Safari 8 have learnt
0:02:08 > 0:02:12to be on the lookout for dangerous wildlife at all times.
0:02:12 > 0:02:15Wild animals can be unpredictable
0:02:15 > 0:02:18and they may charge or attack if they feel threatened.
0:02:18 > 0:02:22If that happens, a ranger has to act quickly to save lives.
0:02:22 > 0:02:24One of the most vital things
0:02:24 > 0:02:26that you must remember at all times in the bush -
0:02:26 > 0:02:28YOU can't outrun an animal.
0:02:28 > 0:02:32Lions travel at 85kph,
0:02:32 > 0:02:34which is about 60mph.
0:02:34 > 0:02:36Kids your age - 15mph,
0:02:36 > 0:02:39so that lion will be on top of you before you can blink.
0:02:39 > 0:02:42And if lives are in danger,
0:02:42 > 0:02:46a ranger will have to make the hard decision to shoot a wild animal.
0:02:46 > 0:02:49You've got one chance to save your life and those of your clients.
0:02:49 > 0:02:53So what you do is you wait for the animal to be right in front of you
0:02:53 > 0:02:56and that's usually when you pull the trigger.
0:02:56 > 0:03:00So the Safari 8 can see how quick a ranger's reactions need to be,
0:03:00 > 0:03:03Rudi and Frankie have rigged up a demonstration.
0:03:03 > 0:03:05With the team a safe distance away,
0:03:05 > 0:03:08Rudi shows how rangers practise
0:03:08 > 0:03:10to make sure their reactions are fast enough...
0:03:10 > 0:03:12to save lives.
0:03:12 > 0:03:16- Whoa!- The Safari 8 will hopefully never face this situation,
0:03:16 > 0:03:19but being prepared is all part of their training.
0:03:19 > 0:03:21Lions are obviously a dangerous animal.
0:03:21 > 0:03:24It's one of the big five dangerous animals
0:03:24 > 0:03:25you have to look out for in the bush,
0:03:25 > 0:03:28but it's not nearly as dangerous as a buffalo.
0:03:28 > 0:03:31There's been more deaths by buffalo than there has by lion.
0:03:31 > 0:03:35It definitely makes you change the way you look at buffalo
0:03:35 > 0:03:39because now you know they're as aggressive as a lion, you think,
0:03:39 > 0:03:40"those are dangerous animals,
0:03:40 > 0:03:42"and you must be careful."
0:03:42 > 0:03:44If a buffalo decides he's going to come,
0:03:44 > 0:03:46he's going to come with speed.
0:03:46 > 0:03:48This is the worst-case scenario.
0:03:48 > 0:03:50It's not that it's going to happen to us,
0:03:50 > 0:03:52but we need to prepare you for that,
0:03:52 > 0:03:54so if it happens to let you guys know what to do.
0:03:54 > 0:03:56Until even now,
0:03:56 > 0:03:59I thought the buffalo was just a cow with horns.
0:03:59 > 0:04:01I never knew it was really scary or anything,
0:04:01 > 0:04:03but now I'm quite scared!
0:04:03 > 0:04:06The Safari 8 are training in a wild environment,
0:04:06 > 0:04:08but they're in safe hands,
0:04:08 > 0:04:10because both Rudi and Frankie
0:04:10 > 0:04:13deal with ferocious and deadly animals every day.
0:04:13 > 0:04:18With 15 years' ranger experience between them, they've seen it all,
0:04:18 > 0:04:21from rhinos with attitude to cranky crocodiles.
0:04:21 > 0:04:24Helping to look after the welfare of all the park's inhabitants,
0:04:24 > 0:04:27no matter how big or small, is a key part of their job.
0:04:29 > 0:04:31And if the Safari 8 want to make it as rangers,
0:04:31 > 0:04:36they're going to have to take the bull by the horns, quite literally.
0:04:36 > 0:04:37Now the serious work starts.
0:04:37 > 0:04:39Tomorrow morning at four o'clock,
0:04:39 > 0:04:43you need to get up and be ready at quarter past four.
0:04:43 > 0:04:45We are going to go and assist the wildlife vets
0:04:45 > 0:04:47on a buffalo capture.
0:04:47 > 0:04:48Oh, my gosh!
0:04:48 > 0:04:51The Safari 8 will spend the day with the Kruger vets
0:04:51 > 0:04:55who will be examining wild buffalo as part of ongoing research.
0:04:55 > 0:04:57I'm really pumped up.
0:04:57 > 0:04:59It's going to be a new experience.
0:04:59 > 0:05:01You don't go out every day to catch a buffalo.
0:05:01 > 0:05:04Buffaloes can weigh as much as a small car
0:05:04 > 0:05:08and have deadly horns, so how do the vets get close enough to study them?
0:05:08 > 0:05:10When mobilising buffalo,
0:05:10 > 0:05:12you use a dart gun containing sedative
0:05:12 > 0:05:15that puts the animal into a deep sleep so you can perform tests on it,
0:05:15 > 0:05:17causing no stress to the animal.
0:05:17 > 0:05:19Unfortunately, the Safari 8
0:05:19 > 0:05:21won't be doing any darting
0:05:21 > 0:05:23as it requires specialist training.
0:05:23 > 0:05:27But to give the team an idea of the skills needed,
0:05:27 > 0:05:29Rudi and Frankie set them a challenge
0:05:29 > 0:05:31to test focus and concentration.
0:05:33 > 0:05:35And first to step up to the mark is Manya.
0:05:37 > 0:05:40Ah, that's a good one! Good shot!
0:05:40 > 0:05:43- Get your mark. - Can Kushal get any closer?
0:05:44 > 0:05:47Blue one. Brilliant. Excellent.
0:05:47 > 0:05:50Let's see if Tomas can hit the red dot. See what Wales can do.
0:05:50 > 0:05:52I thought it would push you back.
0:05:52 > 0:05:53Get the red dot, on the red dot.
0:05:53 > 0:05:55It just releases the dart.
0:05:55 > 0:05:59Tomas's concentration is rewarded with a bull's-eye
0:05:59 > 0:06:01Ashleigh eyes up the target.
0:06:01 > 0:06:02Just outside.
0:06:02 > 0:06:04Just pull the trigger.
0:06:04 > 0:06:06I was just thinking
0:06:06 > 0:06:08probably go completely off.
0:06:09 > 0:06:11But I didn't! I was so good.
0:06:11 > 0:06:13Next up, Sifiso.
0:06:15 > 0:06:16Ooh, just outside! Good shot.
0:06:16 > 0:06:19And last up is Caroline.
0:06:19 > 0:06:23It seems that the buffalo capture is starting to play on her mind.
0:06:23 > 0:06:26I didn't realise how dangerous they were.
0:06:26 > 0:06:29I know nothing will go wrong but there's always the chance.
0:06:29 > 0:06:32I'd rather it'd be lions than buffalo.
0:06:32 > 0:06:37Coming up, the team come face to face with three of the big five.
0:06:37 > 0:06:40It's absolutely amazing. They're coming closer.
0:06:40 > 0:06:43An injured rhino leads to a heart-breaking decision,
0:06:43 > 0:06:46and it's girls versus boys in the team challenge.
0:06:54 > 0:06:57Next morning, and it's 4am at the tree house.
0:06:57 > 0:06:59Time to go and find some buffalo.
0:06:59 > 0:07:02I'm really excited about seeing buffalo,
0:07:02 > 0:07:04but I'm not good in the morning,
0:07:04 > 0:07:07so it'll be tough, but I'll try my hardest.
0:07:07 > 0:07:09I'm so excited to see real buffalo today.
0:07:09 > 0:07:11I know, so am I. It's going to be so cool!
0:07:11 > 0:07:14Apparently, there's always lions near them,
0:07:14 > 0:07:17so I'm hoping there will be lions.
0:07:17 > 0:07:18It's still dark outside,
0:07:18 > 0:07:21but the buffalo capture is making me very excited.
0:07:21 > 0:07:25With a long drive ahead and a very hot day forecast,
0:07:25 > 0:07:26there's no time to waste.
0:07:26 > 0:07:28- Morning, kids. - KIDS: Morning!
0:07:30 > 0:07:35And the Safari 8 are not the only ones having an early start.
0:07:35 > 0:07:38With most of the animals in the park on the hunt for some breakfast,
0:07:38 > 0:07:41- it's a great time to spot wildlife. - Rhino!
0:07:41 > 0:07:44- Such a cool rhino. Was that a white rhino?- Yes!
0:07:44 > 0:07:46- That's my favourite animal. - Oh, yeah!
0:07:46 > 0:07:48Whoa, that is big!
0:07:53 > 0:07:55Wow!
0:07:59 > 0:08:03Waiting to meet the Safari 8 is Kruger vet, Dr Peter, and his team.
0:08:03 > 0:08:07Our rookie rangers will be assisting them today
0:08:07 > 0:08:09to learn the important role rangers have to play
0:08:09 > 0:08:11during an animal capture.
0:08:11 > 0:08:13When we do captures and we go into the field,
0:08:13 > 0:08:15usually it's a small veterinary team.
0:08:15 > 0:08:18So we need help in just securing the animal once it's been darted
0:08:18 > 0:08:21and often they help us with getting the necessary samples
0:08:21 > 0:08:24and stuff that we need while we're doing the work.
0:08:24 > 0:08:27The other really important thing they'll do for us
0:08:27 > 0:08:30is protect us from the animals out there in the field.
0:08:30 > 0:08:33So they'll patrol on the perimeter with their rifles
0:08:33 > 0:08:35and make sure nothing comes in,
0:08:35 > 0:08:37like the other buffalo and the herd or predators.
0:08:37 > 0:08:41The vets in the park don't just look after sick and injured animals.
0:08:41 > 0:08:43They also carry out research.
0:08:43 > 0:08:47The problem here in Kruger is we have TB in our buffalo population,
0:08:47 > 0:08:51where roughly 40% to 50% of the buffalo
0:08:51 > 0:08:53actually now have the disease.
0:08:53 > 0:08:55What is tuberculosis?
0:08:55 > 0:08:58Tuberculosis is a bacterial disease. Bacteria gets into their lungs
0:08:58 > 0:09:02and it starts to grow and causes the disease.
0:09:02 > 0:09:06The Safari 8 are going to help test the buffaloes today.
0:09:06 > 0:09:09and one member of the team is going to be taking the lead on this task.
0:09:09 > 0:09:11I'm going to give the first opportunity
0:09:11 > 0:09:14to show his leadership skills to Manya.
0:09:14 > 0:09:17There's only one space in the darting vehicle.
0:09:17 > 0:09:20I'm really happy I've been chosen to go in the darting vehicle.
0:09:20 > 0:09:23It's going to be an extraordinary experience,
0:09:23 > 0:09:26being so close to all the action. I'm really happy about it.
0:09:26 > 0:09:3213-year-old Manya is certainly not one to shy away from the challenge.
0:09:32 > 0:09:37- I've got a parrot, his name's Alex. - Who Manya's teaching to sing opera.
0:09:37 > 0:09:39MANYA SINGS
0:09:39 > 0:09:42PARROT IMITATES HIM
0:09:42 > 0:09:45I've got Jesse, he's my dog and he's a little whippet.
0:09:45 > 0:09:46Who Manya's teaching agility.
0:09:46 > 0:09:48Next one, next one!
0:09:48 > 0:09:51And then I've got my horse. His name's Dennis.
0:09:51 > 0:09:53Who Manya's teaching to show jump.
0:09:53 > 0:09:55I started riding when I was six.
0:09:55 > 0:09:58The partnership you build between you and the horse
0:09:58 > 0:10:00is something I really love.
0:10:00 > 0:10:02And if that wasn't enough to keep him busy...
0:10:02 > 0:10:03There's two babies in here.
0:10:03 > 0:10:06They should grow up and then form part of the aviary.
0:10:06 > 0:10:09Manya is incredibly enthusiastic,
0:10:09 > 0:10:12has a keen interest and excitement in most things.
0:10:15 > 0:10:17I would say...sporty.
0:10:19 > 0:10:22I'd like to be a professional cricketer,
0:10:22 > 0:10:24and play on the international level.
0:10:24 > 0:10:27Training as a game ranger will have its challenges
0:10:27 > 0:10:29but it's stuff that you've got to work with
0:10:29 > 0:10:32and it's a great thing to do and to try and achieve.
0:10:32 > 0:10:36There's a lot happening there and his relationship with animals -
0:10:36 > 0:10:38it's going to be fantastic to see what the bush does.
0:10:38 > 0:10:41I'd really like to see a buffalo and how big and how dangerous
0:10:41 > 0:10:44they can actually be and how territorial they are.
0:10:44 > 0:10:47I would be nervous, but it would be a great experience.
0:10:48 > 0:10:51And he doesn't have long to wait.
0:10:51 > 0:10:54With Manya leading from the darting truck,
0:10:54 > 0:10:57the rest of the team follows with Rudi and Frankie.
0:10:57 > 0:11:00Today Dr Peter will be darting two buffaloes
0:11:00 > 0:11:03from a herd he's been monitoring recently,
0:11:03 > 0:11:05but with over 27,000 buffalo in Kruger,
0:11:05 > 0:11:09finding the right herd can sometimes prove tricky.
0:11:09 > 0:11:10To help locate them,
0:11:10 > 0:11:13the vets have fitted some of the buffalo with radio collars
0:11:13 > 0:11:15that send out a signal.
0:11:15 > 0:11:17This point shows you your direction.
0:11:17 > 0:11:22- Yeah.- So you hold it in different directions
0:11:22 > 0:11:24and then see which one's the strongest.
0:11:24 > 0:11:28I think she's maybe got a trace of where they are, looks likely,
0:11:28 > 0:11:30so she's just standing a bit higher
0:11:30 > 0:11:34to see if she can get another sound and hopefully find them.
0:11:34 > 0:11:36As they head off to find the buffalo,
0:11:36 > 0:11:39they spot its main predator.
0:11:39 > 0:11:42Almost on the horizon, look through the trees, over that way.
0:11:42 > 0:11:43Lion.
0:11:43 > 0:11:47Almost a whole herd. You see him moving to the left there.
0:11:47 > 0:11:48Oh, wow!
0:11:48 > 0:11:51It's absolutely amazing. They come in closer.
0:11:51 > 0:11:55It's really cool to see them for the first time on this trip.
0:11:55 > 0:11:57Much bigger than I expected them to be.
0:11:57 > 0:12:01There's a male at the back and there's a few females at the front.
0:12:01 > 0:12:04Really, really cool to be able to experience them so close
0:12:04 > 0:12:08and for real this time, not just on the TV.
0:12:08 > 0:12:11The team are amazed to see the pride of lions
0:12:11 > 0:12:14but it's another member of the big five the Safari 8 are after,
0:12:14 > 0:12:18and with the day hotting up, so does their search.
0:12:18 > 0:12:21Are the buffalo going to be in this kind of terrain?
0:12:21 > 0:12:23Here they are. Here's the buffalo.
0:12:23 > 0:12:24- Oh, wow.- One o'clock.
0:12:25 > 0:12:27They're massive.
0:12:27 > 0:12:30With the 500-strong herd now located,
0:12:30 > 0:12:34the vets look for a female buffalo to dart and sedate.
0:12:34 > 0:12:39No, she's directly right, Robert. Three o'clock.
0:12:39 > 0:12:40'With all wildlife,'
0:12:40 > 0:12:43in a natural situation, won't let you near them.
0:12:43 > 0:12:46So the only way we can get hold of them is to dart them.
0:12:46 > 0:12:49Dr Peter will dart the buffalo with a sedative,
0:12:49 > 0:12:51which will send it into a deep sleep.
0:12:51 > 0:12:55This is the only possible way to examine wild animals.
0:12:56 > 0:12:58See this one that's looking at us?
0:12:58 > 0:13:00What about this one?
0:13:02 > 0:13:04Once the dart is in,
0:13:04 > 0:13:07the tranquiliser takes a few minutes to take effect.
0:13:07 > 0:13:09You can see the dart's just went in,
0:13:09 > 0:13:13causes the buffalo to go into a deep sleep,
0:13:13 > 0:13:16so we can work on it without him actually being aware of us.
0:13:16 > 0:13:19So the vets keep a watchful eye.
0:13:19 > 0:13:23- Here she goes.- There, she's going to the right, eh? You see her there?
0:13:23 > 0:13:24OK, she's gone down.
0:13:24 > 0:13:27- WHISPERS:- I'm really excited. It's so cool to be so close,
0:13:27 > 0:13:30but I'm a bit nervous about if we can actually get out of the car
0:13:30 > 0:13:33to go and look at her with the whole herd around us.
0:13:33 > 0:13:36The vets move in to check the animal is fully sedated
0:13:36 > 0:13:38before anyone gets out the vehicles.
0:13:38 > 0:13:41With the buffalo down, the rest of the herd move on.
0:13:41 > 0:13:44The vets blindfold the buffalo to help keep her calm.
0:13:46 > 0:13:50It's now safe for the Safari 8 to come and help.
0:13:51 > 0:13:55The most important job during the research
0:13:55 > 0:13:57is to monitor the buffalo's breathing
0:13:57 > 0:13:58and this is down to Caroline.
0:13:58 > 0:14:00Put your finger in her nose. OK?
0:14:00 > 0:14:03- I'll just put it underneath. - You can stick it in.- No!
0:14:03 > 0:14:06OK? Just make sure she breathes all the time.
0:14:07 > 0:14:11The sedative we use in darts slows the heart rate down
0:14:11 > 0:14:14and you have to monitor them to keep them safe.
0:14:14 > 0:14:17While Caroline keeps an eye on the buffalo's breathing,
0:14:17 > 0:14:20the others keep an eye out for wild animals.
0:14:20 > 0:14:23Look down, just above the tree, just below the tree line.
0:14:23 > 0:14:25Rangers need to keep the team safe,
0:14:25 > 0:14:28so Frankie takes the rookie rangers out on patrol.
0:14:28 > 0:14:32Safety, as you know, in the bush is the most important aspect.
0:14:32 > 0:14:33Not just the safety of yourself,
0:14:33 > 0:14:36but also for the crew and the animal.
0:14:36 > 0:14:40It's quite common for buffaloes to come back after it was darted.
0:14:40 > 0:14:42What we're doing, the buffaloes,
0:14:42 > 0:14:45probably about 50m-100m, just behind that tree line there,
0:14:45 > 0:14:49and all we're doing is now just to make sure they don't come back.
0:14:49 > 0:14:52With time ticking, the team needs to be hands on
0:14:52 > 0:14:54to check over the health of the buffalo.
0:14:54 > 0:14:59The first test they need to do is find out if the buffalo is pregnant.
0:14:59 > 0:15:02And there's only one way to discover that.
0:15:02 > 0:15:04Is that how far I'm going in?
0:15:04 > 0:15:07No, it's just so you don't get poo all up your arm.
0:15:07 > 0:15:11Ella will have to feel inside the buffalo to see if there's a calf.
0:15:11 > 0:15:13You can push quite hard.
0:15:13 > 0:15:15Oh, it's all warm.
0:15:15 > 0:15:17- Oh!- Push hard.- I'm going to be sick.
0:15:17 > 0:15:19Oh, my God, I'm going to be sick!
0:15:19 > 0:15:23Putting my hand up her bum wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.
0:15:23 > 0:15:26'It was quite warm, so that was OK.'
0:15:26 > 0:15:28What do you feel in there?
0:15:28 > 0:15:32- Nothing much. It's sort of tight on my hand.- Yes, it's quite tight.
0:15:32 > 0:15:35- But, um...- Nice and warm. - ..it's pressure.
0:15:35 > 0:15:39- It's just like soft, gooey stuff. - Gooey stuff, yes, exactly.
0:15:39 > 0:15:43Just feel down on the bottom and to the right slightly.
0:15:43 > 0:15:45You might be able to feel two things.
0:15:45 > 0:15:49- Keep your fingers together.- Are they hard?- Yes, two little knobby things.
0:15:49 > 0:15:51- That's the uterus.- I can feel it!
0:15:51 > 0:15:55It was really horrible because...
0:15:55 > 0:15:58poo all up this big glove.
0:15:58 > 0:16:00You didn't hurt her.
0:16:00 > 0:16:03- It wasn't so bad.- No, it's fine.
0:16:03 > 0:16:06It was empty, she's not pregnant. It was a lot of fun.
0:16:06 > 0:16:08Next is the TB health check.
0:16:08 > 0:16:11The buffalo is dewormed with a large pill called a bolus.
0:16:11 > 0:16:15This helps build up their naturally weak immune system.
0:16:15 > 0:16:17And last is the radio collar.
0:16:17 > 0:16:19- Will it hurt her.- No, not at all.
0:16:19 > 0:16:23It's just like having a necklace round your neck.
0:16:23 > 0:16:25Putting a collar on the buffalo
0:16:25 > 0:16:27was probably one of the scariest things
0:16:27 > 0:16:30I've ever done. The buffalo was moving a lot.
0:16:30 > 0:16:35I was scared he'd wake up because every ten seconds it'd go, "Aarrgh!",
0:16:35 > 0:16:37then down again.
0:16:37 > 0:16:39The health check is over.
0:16:39 > 0:16:43Caroline, is my buffalo still alive? Is she still breathing?
0:16:43 > 0:16:47- Yeah, but we need to wake her up soon.- Yeah, I think we do too.
0:16:47 > 0:16:49Back home in Scotland,
0:16:49 > 0:16:5213-year-old Caroline is more used to the cute and fluffy.
0:16:53 > 0:16:56I have a cat and a hamster.
0:16:57 > 0:17:02My cat's called Max and we got him about two years ago now.
0:17:02 > 0:17:06Our hamster, we called him Theodore, off a movie.
0:17:06 > 0:17:10I have two brothers. One's called Andrew, he's my twin.
0:17:10 > 0:17:12And Grant, my little brother.
0:17:14 > 0:17:19Being a twin has brought me up to like who I am today
0:17:19 > 0:17:22because I've learned to share and co-operate more easily.
0:17:22 > 0:17:24Being Caroline's twin,
0:17:24 > 0:17:28it certainly puts a kick into life.
0:17:28 > 0:17:31They've even got a secret handshake.
0:17:33 > 0:17:35So this is my room.
0:17:35 > 0:17:37This here is my Java Lava lamp.
0:17:37 > 0:17:41It's probably the thing I love most in my whole entire room.
0:17:41 > 0:17:43These here are my mirrors,
0:17:43 > 0:17:47which I use a lot to pose and look cool and stuff.
0:17:47 > 0:17:51She may be into pink, but don't let that fool you.
0:17:51 > 0:17:57I like Scouts because it's the type of thing I'm into, more adventurous.
0:17:57 > 0:17:59Tents - no problem.
0:17:59 > 0:18:02I quite like camping because it's nice to get outdoors.
0:18:02 > 0:18:04I like putting up tents, making fires.
0:18:04 > 0:18:07Sleeping in a tent for Caroline will be
0:18:07 > 0:18:10one of the easier things, it's something she's done a lot of.
0:18:10 > 0:18:13I'd really like to see an elephant.
0:18:13 > 0:18:16You don't get that many big animals in Scotland.
0:18:16 > 0:18:21Boys tend to think they're better than girls in a lot of things,
0:18:21 > 0:18:23but I've proved them wrong.
0:18:23 > 0:18:24Whoo!
0:18:26 > 0:18:27Back on the capture,
0:18:27 > 0:18:32and the team have started the TB health check on the second buffalo.
0:18:32 > 0:18:33The pregnancy diagnosis.
0:18:33 > 0:18:36While Tomas takes the plunge...
0:18:36 > 0:18:40- Oh, it's warm.- Ja. Warm and mushy.- Yeah.
0:18:40 > 0:18:43..it's off on patrol for Manya, Ella, Caroline and Ashleigh.
0:18:43 > 0:18:46You can see the buffalo are inquisitive.
0:18:46 > 0:18:48They would look up, watch us all the time,
0:18:48 > 0:18:50making sure we don't come closer.
0:18:50 > 0:18:53- Will there be lions in this area? - Ja, definitely.
0:18:53 > 0:18:56Lions often follow buffalo herds
0:18:56 > 0:19:00because they can always pick up the weak and sick ones at the back.
0:19:00 > 0:19:04So you very often get that lions will associate themselves
0:19:04 > 0:19:07around the area close to a buffalo herd.
0:19:07 > 0:19:09And even follow them.
0:19:09 > 0:19:12As part of their research,
0:19:12 > 0:19:14the vets need to record how old the buffalo is.
0:19:14 > 0:19:16Sifiso is learning how you find out.
0:19:16 > 0:19:18That's his baby teeth
0:19:18 > 0:19:21- and this is the new teeth coming out.- Yeah.
0:19:21 > 0:19:25We just measure the first incisor, and then he's about...
0:19:25 > 0:19:27between 3½-4 years.
0:19:27 > 0:19:31Next, Kushal steps in to help out with the tissue samples
0:19:31 > 0:19:33for DNA testing.
0:19:33 > 0:19:36- This won't hurt her?- No.
0:19:36 > 0:19:41All that's left is to photograph the animal for identification.
0:19:41 > 0:19:45Health check complete, the buffalo is given an injection to wake it up.
0:19:47 > 0:19:51The Safari 8 have retreated to the safety of the game viewer,
0:19:51 > 0:19:54as buffaloes aren't known for their friendly nature.
0:19:54 > 0:19:57This one's likely to be grumpy as she wakes up.
0:19:57 > 0:20:01Can't find her herd, it's that way.
0:20:01 > 0:20:03Bye!
0:20:04 > 0:20:07And just as they finish the research,
0:20:07 > 0:20:10Dr Peter gets called to an emergency.
0:20:10 > 0:20:14The helicopter is here cos they've found a rhino with a snare on it.
0:20:14 > 0:20:18They've just located it, so we're going to immobilise the animal,
0:20:18 > 0:20:21take the snare off, treat the wounds and hopefully it'll be fine.
0:20:21 > 0:20:23There's no time to waste.
0:20:23 > 0:20:26For the rhino to have any chance of survival,
0:20:26 > 0:20:29Dr Peter must get there as quickly as possible.
0:20:29 > 0:20:33The injured white rhino was spotted while rangers were doing
0:20:33 > 0:20:36their yearly count of black rhino in the park.
0:20:36 > 0:20:39With only about 350 black rhinos in Kruger,
0:20:39 > 0:20:43this critically endangered animal is closely monitored by park rangers.
0:20:43 > 0:20:47While Dr Peter rushes to the aid of the rhino,
0:20:47 > 0:20:49the Safari 8 follow on the ground.
0:20:49 > 0:20:53We were all excited to see the rhino
0:20:53 > 0:20:56because they told us it had a snare on its foot.
0:20:56 > 0:21:00When we were racing the helicopter to go and see it, it was really cool.
0:21:00 > 0:21:02Before the Safari 8 arrive,
0:21:02 > 0:21:05the rhino is tranquillised to keep it calm.
0:21:08 > 0:21:10The rangers quickly realise
0:21:10 > 0:21:13it's not a poacher's snare that's caused the problem.
0:21:13 > 0:21:14Rudi, why is he shaking?
0:21:14 > 0:21:19Dr Peter injects the rhino with some medicine to stop it feeling pain.
0:21:19 > 0:21:24When we got there and saw it shaking and moving, it was quite sad.
0:21:24 > 0:21:28But it was under anaesthetic, so it wasn't feeling anything.
0:21:28 > 0:21:32Dr Peter and the vets can see there's something seriously wrong.
0:21:32 > 0:21:36The bone's grating, but I'm not sure where it is.
0:21:36 > 0:21:39When we got there, we found that it wasn't a snare,
0:21:39 > 0:21:41that the animal had broken its leg.
0:21:41 > 0:21:43It was a big bull rhino.
0:21:43 > 0:21:48So we darted it and confirmed that its right leg was broken.
0:21:48 > 0:21:51- Did the poachers try to kill him? - No, I don't think so.
0:21:51 > 0:21:56I think it was just an accident. It might have walked into a deep hole.
0:21:56 > 0:21:59Or something else hit him on the side.
0:21:59 > 0:22:04It's unfortunate because the rhino's scapula, or shoulder blade, broke,
0:22:04 > 0:22:07so it's probably either from a fight
0:22:07 > 0:22:11or he stepped into a hole and fell onto his shoulder.
0:22:11 > 0:22:13But we can't leave it to suffer like this.
0:22:15 > 0:22:19So the vets have a hard decision to make.
0:22:19 > 0:22:23There's no way an animal of that size can survive in this environment
0:22:23 > 0:22:27so the kindest thing was to put it to sleep.
0:22:27 > 0:22:31For the Safari 8, this is devastating news.
0:22:32 > 0:22:37We were all sad and hurt by it because it's such an amazing animal.
0:22:37 > 0:22:41Ella really didn't like it and she was crying
0:22:41 > 0:22:43and really had a hard time.
0:22:43 > 0:22:46With just enough time for a final goodbye...
0:22:48 > 0:22:51..they leave the vets to end its suffering.
0:22:55 > 0:22:58As a guide or ranger, a lot of things we do is fun.
0:22:58 > 0:23:00But there's also the harsh reality
0:23:00 > 0:23:03of an animal suffering what just happened.
0:23:03 > 0:23:06We can't let that animal just lie in the bush and suffer.
0:23:06 > 0:23:13Basically, the rhino that we saw now is being put to sleep.
0:23:13 > 0:23:15We didn't want to do that.
0:23:15 > 0:23:18The problem with rhinos is they need to feed.
0:23:18 > 0:23:20They need to eat a lot.
0:23:20 > 0:23:23And for him to be able to feed, he needs to walk around.
0:23:23 > 0:23:26You can't keep a rhino immobile,
0:23:26 > 0:23:30let it lie down for six months so the bone will heal
0:23:30 > 0:23:34because that's how long it will take. It's impossible to do that.
0:23:34 > 0:23:38Ella, I know this was very hard for you. Are you all right?
0:23:38 > 0:23:43- Yeah.- And you understand why they did what they did today?
0:23:43 > 0:23:46'I was really surprised at how upset I got.'
0:23:46 > 0:23:50I didn't think I would because, um...
0:23:50 > 0:23:54you don't really know the rhino and you've just seen it
0:23:54 > 0:23:56and it has to be put down
0:23:56 > 0:24:00because I wanted to try my best to help them to keep it alive.
0:24:00 > 0:24:03But I don't think I understood how much pain it was
0:24:03 > 0:24:05and how much they needed to put it down.
0:24:05 > 0:24:09The Safari 8 are beginning to learn how tough a ranger's job can be.
0:24:09 > 0:24:14Every task the team are given over the month will help them achieve
0:24:14 > 0:24:16their goal of becoming rookie game rangers
0:24:16 > 0:24:19and leading guests on a two-day safari experience
0:24:19 > 0:24:23to track the big five for their final challenge.
0:24:27 > 0:24:30Before ranger training finishes for the day,
0:24:30 > 0:24:33Rudi and Frankie have a challenge to lift the team's spirits.
0:24:33 > 0:24:36And this time, it's the girls versus the boys.
0:24:36 > 0:24:40Right, guys, today's challenge is to test your senses -
0:24:40 > 0:24:43how to approach game quietly.
0:24:43 > 0:24:47The aim is to get as close to Rudi and Frankie without making a sound.
0:24:47 > 0:24:49This will help the team learn to walk quietly
0:24:49 > 0:24:51when tracking animals in the bush.
0:24:51 > 0:24:53Approach me as if I'm an animal.
0:24:53 > 0:24:57So you'll come from a distance away and if I hear you,
0:24:57 > 0:24:59I'll point to you.
0:24:59 > 0:25:02The one who's closest to me wins.
0:25:02 > 0:25:05- All right, guys, shall we get going? - ALL: Yes!
0:25:05 > 0:25:09The winners will all get a postcard each to send home,
0:25:09 > 0:25:13while the losers have two pairs of dirty boots to polish.
0:25:14 > 0:25:18Blindfolded, Rudi will only have his hearing
0:25:18 > 0:25:20to spot the approaching rookie rangers.
0:25:20 > 0:25:24The slightest sound will give the game away.
0:25:24 > 0:25:26Your time has started now.
0:25:26 > 0:25:28First up, it's the girls.
0:25:33 > 0:25:35CRUNCH
0:25:35 > 0:25:39And Caroline tiptoes straight out of the game.
0:25:44 > 0:25:48Noma's sure footing doesn't get her much further.
0:25:50 > 0:25:53And the smallest member of Safari 8 is out next...
0:25:54 > 0:25:57..leaving Ashleigh to sneak into the lead.
0:26:00 > 0:26:05With all the girls caught out, Frankie puts on the blindfold
0:26:05 > 0:26:07to see if the boys can get any closer.
0:26:09 > 0:26:11Your time starts now.
0:26:20 > 0:26:21CRUNCH
0:26:21 > 0:26:25And it doesn't take long before Kushal's size 11s give him away.
0:26:29 > 0:26:32Sifiso's next to creep out of the game
0:26:32 > 0:26:35and Tomas's stride leaves him no place to hide.
0:26:36 > 0:26:39Manya steps up the pace,
0:26:39 > 0:26:42but will his sly tactics give him away?
0:26:46 > 0:26:49- CHEERING - And it's victory to the girls,
0:26:49 > 0:26:51as they got the closest.
0:26:51 > 0:26:54For the girls, it's a chance to send a message home,
0:26:54 > 0:26:57while the boys get scrubbing.
0:26:57 > 0:27:01Tomas, you're going to polish my left boot. Sifiso, my right boot.
0:27:01 > 0:27:05Kushal, you'll polish Frankie's left boot, and Manya, his right boot.
0:27:05 > 0:27:08I'm glad we won, to just shove it in their faces.
0:27:08 > 0:27:11They can clean boots and then they can clean ours.
0:27:11 > 0:27:15Their boots are in a mess, so we needed to help them anyway.
0:27:15 > 0:27:16Our prize is brill! I love it.
0:27:16 > 0:27:20- Put your back into it. - How does it feel, polishing boots?
0:27:20 > 0:27:21The girls are so lucky.
0:27:23 > 0:27:25Next time on Safari 8,
0:27:25 > 0:27:28the rookie rangers leave the tree house for good,
0:27:28 > 0:27:31replacing luxury for camping.
0:27:31 > 0:27:34I'm not sleeping here, I liked it where we were.
0:27:34 > 0:27:37The team experiences an unforgettable sighting.
0:27:37 > 0:27:40It was the most incredible experience ever.
0:27:40 > 0:27:42And there's tension brewing in camp.
0:27:42 > 0:27:45- No, don't do that! Let me finish this one.- Sorry.
0:27:45 > 0:27:46Ow!