0:00:03 > 0:00:06The first years of a young animal's life are the most crucial.
0:00:07 > 0:00:10So, if they grow up without their mothers,
0:00:10 > 0:00:13these animals are going to need help.
0:00:13 > 0:00:15Good morning! Hello, darling.
0:00:16 > 0:00:20We're going to meet baby animals whose only hope of survival
0:00:20 > 0:00:23lies with some very dedicated people...
0:00:23 > 0:00:24What a clever girl.
0:00:26 > 0:00:29..and find out what it takes to get them back into the wild.
0:00:29 > 0:00:32This is about salvation for some little guys
0:00:32 > 0:00:35who've been through hell, who've been through trauma,
0:00:35 > 0:00:37who deserve a second chance.
0:00:37 > 0:00:40Hey, dude. Ah!
0:00:40 > 0:00:42'I'm biologist Patrick Aryee'
0:00:42 > 0:00:47and I'm in Central America, home to exotic and rare wildlife.
0:00:47 > 0:00:50'Here, I'll be visiting centres where the wildlife
0:00:50 > 0:00:52'gets incredible specialist care.'
0:00:52 > 0:00:56That is remarkable!
0:00:56 > 0:00:58'And I'm zoologist Lucy Cooke'
0:00:58 > 0:01:00and I'm in southern Africa,
0:01:00 > 0:01:04home to some of the most iconic animals in the world.
0:01:05 > 0:01:07'I'll be helping out at rescue centres
0:01:07 > 0:01:11'devoted to rehabilitation and release.'
0:01:11 > 0:01:13You're going to become a wild cheetah one day, aren't you,
0:01:13 > 0:01:15if you carry on being this good.
0:01:15 > 0:01:19'In this programme, I'll be meeting Manji, the baby rhino...
0:01:21 > 0:01:24'..who after a traumatic start to life
0:01:24 > 0:01:26'now has to learn the skills he needs
0:01:26 > 0:01:28'to return to the African savanna.'
0:01:28 > 0:01:32Look at these guys! They are ready to be wild rhinos.
0:01:32 > 0:01:35'And I'll be helping Mandi, the orphaned tapir...
0:01:37 > 0:01:39'..discover her wilder side...
0:01:40 > 0:01:44'..so she can be reintroduced to her own kind.'
0:01:45 > 0:01:46Oh, my God.
0:01:48 > 0:01:50Mandi.
0:01:50 > 0:01:54Join us as we follow these miracle orphans.
0:01:54 > 0:01:56Through their most crucial moments.
0:01:56 > 0:02:00On their long journeys back to the wild.
0:02:08 > 0:02:10South Africa...
0:02:14 > 0:02:17..home to some of the most loved and recognisable animals
0:02:17 > 0:02:19on the planet.
0:02:20 > 0:02:23But pressures are mounting on the wildlife here
0:02:23 > 0:02:26and many species are now under threat.
0:02:26 > 0:02:30None more high-profile than the African white rhino.
0:02:30 > 0:02:33These extraordinary ancient beasts
0:02:33 > 0:02:37have roamed our earth for 50 million years
0:02:37 > 0:02:39but due to a recent surge in poaching,
0:02:39 > 0:02:42there are only 20,000 left in the wild.
0:02:42 > 0:02:46Experts believe that they could completely disappear from the wild
0:02:46 > 0:02:48in the next five years,
0:02:48 > 0:02:52which means that every animal counts.
0:02:52 > 0:02:54This is four-month old Manji...
0:02:54 > 0:02:56There you go, my boy.
0:02:56 > 0:02:58..an orphaned baby white rhino
0:02:58 > 0:03:01that lives here at Care For Wild Africa...
0:03:02 > 0:03:03Oh!
0:03:03 > 0:03:06It's a nice, wonderful morning. Did you sleep well, my boy?
0:03:06 > 0:03:08Did you sleep well?
0:03:08 > 0:03:12..a rescue centre founded by Petronel Nieuwoudt.
0:03:14 > 0:03:19She has over 20 years' experience working with wildlife
0:03:19 > 0:03:23and is surrogate mum to over 20 rhinos.
0:03:24 > 0:03:28Hello, my girl, you're so big and so strong!
0:03:28 > 0:03:30Look at that!
0:03:31 > 0:03:36Petronel's rhinos are all at different stages of rehabilitation.
0:03:36 > 0:03:39Some are large enough to roam free in a wild reserve...
0:03:40 > 0:03:43..but rescued babies need care around the clock.
0:03:43 > 0:03:46Happy baby! Happy baby! Happy baby!
0:03:47 > 0:03:50And baby Manji is her biggest challenge yet.
0:03:50 > 0:03:53'Manji means place of the stars.'
0:03:54 > 0:03:57And he's a star, he's a star in my life.
0:03:57 > 0:04:01He is the youngest rhino that Petronel has ever rescued.
0:04:02 > 0:04:05OK, drips in first, drips in first.
0:04:05 > 0:04:09At just two days old, his mother was killed by poachers for her horn...
0:04:10 > 0:04:13..and he too was attacked with a machete,
0:04:13 > 0:04:16receiving near-fatal head injuries.
0:04:19 > 0:04:22In every rescue, the first 48 hours are crucial.
0:04:22 > 0:04:25Petronel didn't leave Manji's side.
0:04:25 > 0:04:30He was so small and so skinny, the blood loss was immense
0:04:30 > 0:04:32and I called everyone I know.
0:04:32 > 0:04:36I just know, "Hey, we're going to save this one."
0:04:36 > 0:04:41And after intense medical treatment, doctors managed to save him.
0:04:43 > 0:04:48Manji is the survivor of survivors, he's a brilliant little one.
0:04:48 > 0:04:51I'm very, very proud of him and I love him, I love him to bits.
0:04:53 > 0:04:57Manji now needs to learn how to be a wild rhino
0:04:57 > 0:05:01and Petronel is determined that he and all her orphans
0:05:01 > 0:05:03return to where they belong.
0:05:03 > 0:05:08There was never a choice for me in looking after these giants.
0:05:08 > 0:05:12It's a journey, it's a lifelong commitment.
0:05:12 > 0:05:15I want them to be free, I want them to be in the wild.
0:05:17 > 0:05:22On average, three rhinos a day are poached for their horns.
0:05:22 > 0:05:27'Unsurprisingly, Petronel will take on any orphan that needs her help.
0:05:28 > 0:05:32'The first stage of a rhino's rehabilitation is crucial
0:05:32 > 0:05:36'and she wants to show me where their recovery begins.'
0:05:36 > 0:05:39- So, this is the intensive care unit? - Yeah.
0:05:39 > 0:05:42This is where we have the babies, smaller babies
0:05:42 > 0:05:46or the animals that just came in after their rescue.
0:05:48 > 0:05:51'In this intensive care unit, the most important thing
0:05:51 > 0:05:55'is making sure orphans get the right nutrition.'
0:05:55 > 0:05:57Hello!
0:05:57 > 0:05:59Hello.
0:05:59 > 0:06:00There we go!
0:06:00 > 0:06:04'And nothing comes between a hungry rhino and its bottle.'
0:06:04 > 0:06:07Hello, is that good?
0:06:07 > 0:06:09So tiny!
0:06:12 > 0:06:14Wow, they drank that so fast
0:06:14 > 0:06:17and that's just one of seven bottles that they drink every day.
0:06:17 > 0:06:19But then these guys need to drink
0:06:19 > 0:06:22between 10 and 15% of their body weight
0:06:22 > 0:06:25every day, so it's a lot of milk.
0:06:25 > 0:06:28White rhinos are highly social mammals
0:06:28 > 0:06:32and babies depend on their mothers for the first three years.
0:06:32 > 0:06:36Come sit down. There we go, there we go.
0:06:36 > 0:06:38Having raised so many orphans,
0:06:38 > 0:06:42Petronel has a deep understanding of their emotions.
0:06:42 > 0:06:46They are these giant, wonderful creatures
0:06:46 > 0:06:51and to build the trust with these guys is of utmost importance.
0:06:51 > 0:06:56Really softly with a lot of emotion to make them feel safe,
0:06:56 > 0:06:59to make them feel that we look after their needs.
0:06:59 > 0:07:02What's the most important part of the process of rehabilitation
0:07:02 > 0:07:06- for Manji?- We want to release him back into the wild.
0:07:06 > 0:07:11They are herd animals, they like to socialise and they play.
0:07:11 > 0:07:13If I see him doing well in those stages,
0:07:13 > 0:07:15I know he will do well outside there.
0:07:15 > 0:07:19In order to be a wild rhino, he's got to join the herd basically
0:07:19 > 0:07:22- for survival?- Absolutely.- Yeah. - Absolutely so, yeah.
0:07:22 > 0:07:27Over the next few weeks, Manji needs to learn how to fend for himself.
0:07:28 > 0:07:32His whole world is about to change.
0:07:32 > 0:07:36His next step is to leave this intensive care unit -
0:07:36 > 0:07:39the only place he's known for the last four months -
0:07:39 > 0:07:43and with these other orphans, move to a bigger space.
0:07:43 > 0:07:46There, he'll practise the skills he'll need
0:07:46 > 0:07:48to prepare him for the wild.
0:07:51 > 0:07:56Over 7,500 miles away is Costa Rica.
0:07:56 > 0:08:01This meeting place of the Americas boasts a wealth of natural habitats.
0:08:02 > 0:08:06It's a small country, a quarter of the size of the UK.
0:08:08 > 0:08:13Bursting with wildlife, it's home to half a million species...
0:08:15 > 0:08:19..making it one of the most biodiverse places on earth.
0:08:21 > 0:08:24But with a growing human population,
0:08:24 > 0:08:28many of the extraordinary animals that live here are now under threat.
0:08:28 > 0:08:31I'm on my way to a very special wildlife sanctuary
0:08:31 > 0:08:33on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica.
0:08:33 > 0:08:35Now, it's in a really remote location and for good reason too,
0:08:35 > 0:08:39because the animals that it cares for are some of the most exotic
0:08:39 > 0:08:42and endangered in all of Central America.
0:08:43 > 0:08:49I'm heading to the Macaw Sanctuary, run by Rodolfo Orozco Vega.
0:08:49 > 0:08:53In his 15 years here, he's seen it expand
0:08:53 > 0:08:58and he now rescues and cares for many of Costa Rica's rarest animals,
0:08:58 > 0:09:02including majestic jaguars and these vocal characters.
0:09:02 > 0:09:04MACAWS SQUAWK
0:09:04 > 0:09:07What you can hear is the sound of great green macaws,
0:09:07 > 0:09:09what fabulous animals.
0:09:09 > 0:09:13There are only 300 or so left in Costa Rica.
0:09:13 > 0:09:17And they aren't the only endangered animals that he's protecting.
0:09:26 > 0:09:29This is Mandi.
0:09:29 > 0:09:31She's a Baird's tapir.
0:09:32 > 0:09:36These herbivores are known to be shy and timid creatures.
0:09:37 > 0:09:39Related to horses and rhinos,
0:09:39 > 0:09:45they're able to use their nose like a hand to pull leaves from branches
0:09:45 > 0:09:47and pick up food that's dropped to the ground.
0:09:51 > 0:09:54So, Rodolfo, this is...
0:09:54 > 0:09:58- This is Mandi.- ..the lovely Mandi.
0:09:58 > 0:09:59Hello, Mandi.
0:09:59 > 0:10:02This is the first time I've met a tapir.
0:10:02 > 0:10:03There you go, Mandi.
0:10:04 > 0:10:07She's lovely. I love how she's just resting on me.
0:10:07 > 0:10:12She seems very relaxed, very happy, content and quite tranquil.
0:10:12 > 0:10:14And you can see from Mandi's face,
0:10:14 > 0:10:17whilst I'm feeding her, her eyes are completely closed.
0:10:18 > 0:10:20'Mandi is an orphan.
0:10:21 > 0:10:24'She was rescued from poachers at just four weeks old.'
0:10:28 > 0:10:31'She was found tied up in a local village
0:10:31 > 0:10:34'and was close to starvation.'
0:10:34 > 0:10:36How big was she when she first came to the centre?
0:10:36 > 0:10:41She was very little, very sick, sad
0:10:41 > 0:10:45and covered with scratches all over her body,
0:10:45 > 0:10:50even a scar in her neck because she was tied up by people.
0:10:50 > 0:10:54So, the reason why she was so scarred and bruised
0:10:54 > 0:10:55was because of humans?
0:10:55 > 0:11:00Yeah, exactly. Humans were trying to eat Mandi, that simple.
0:11:00 > 0:11:05Hunters killed the mother and they take the baby to their houses to,
0:11:05 > 0:11:08you know, to grow up and to eat it later.
0:11:10 > 0:11:14'Tapirs are a protected species in Costa Rica
0:11:14 > 0:11:17'but being hunted and eaten by humans
0:11:17 > 0:11:20'is still one of the main threats they're facing.'
0:11:21 > 0:11:23Don't you find it surprising that,
0:11:23 > 0:11:27considering there are only 5,000 of these tapirs left in the wild,
0:11:27 > 0:11:29that people are still hunting them?
0:11:29 > 0:11:30Yeah, it is really surprising
0:11:30 > 0:11:33because that's why we are trying to save her.
0:11:33 > 0:11:38We have to do whatever we can to keep her safe and healthy.
0:11:38 > 0:11:42That's my role here, being Mandi's mum.
0:11:43 > 0:11:47In the wild, baby tapirs are camouflaged with stripes
0:11:47 > 0:11:48until around three months old
0:11:48 > 0:11:53and they're reliant on their mothers for milk and protection.
0:11:54 > 0:11:58Mandi is five months old, how do you think she's doing now?
0:11:58 > 0:11:59She's doing very well.
0:11:59 > 0:12:03She's now acting more like a tapir instead of being, you know,
0:12:03 > 0:12:07close to humans and begging for human company.
0:12:07 > 0:12:10Now, she's more independent, she's doing very well.
0:12:12 > 0:12:15And with her new-found confidence,
0:12:15 > 0:12:18Mandi is starting to become a bit of a handful.
0:12:20 > 0:12:21As if on cue!
0:12:21 > 0:12:26It's interesting seeing Mandi who, you know,
0:12:26 > 0:12:29seemed like a very relaxed creature...
0:12:31 > 0:12:33..but now she's getting a lot more active.
0:12:33 > 0:12:35That milk's finished and she wants to play.
0:12:38 > 0:12:42And her method of playing is head-butting,
0:12:42 > 0:12:47which actually can be quite painful considering how big she is.
0:12:49 > 0:12:53'Baby tapirs use playtime to learn survival skills.
0:12:54 > 0:12:57'It's not just humans that want to eat them.
0:12:57 > 0:13:02'In the wild, they have to avoid being eaten by predators.'
0:13:02 > 0:13:06Now, as much as she is the largest land mammal in Central America
0:13:06 > 0:13:09and South America, she does have predators
0:13:09 > 0:13:12and one of those predators is a jaguar.
0:13:12 > 0:13:15Now, there are several things that tapirs have to their advantage.
0:13:15 > 0:13:19One is their massive size and also they have a thick hide,
0:13:19 > 0:13:21especially around the neck. That is where the jaguar
0:13:21 > 0:13:23is going to try and target.
0:13:23 > 0:13:27So, all this activity, all this play, is really important
0:13:27 > 0:13:29for her to learn how to be a wild tapir.
0:13:32 > 0:13:35'This defensive play also signals that Mandi is ready
0:13:35 > 0:13:38'for the next stage in her rehabilitation.
0:13:38 > 0:13:41- She's showing us who's boss, that's for sure.- Yeah.
0:13:41 > 0:13:44I'm trying to stay light on my feet right now.
0:13:45 > 0:13:48'Rodolfo's plan is to introduce her gradually
0:13:48 > 0:13:52'to two other rescued tapirs in the sanctuary.
0:13:52 > 0:13:56'The challenge for Mandi now is to be accepted by her own kind.'
0:14:04 > 0:14:07Over 7,500 miles away,
0:14:07 > 0:14:09I'm in South Africa
0:14:09 > 0:14:12'helping Manji, the baby rhino.'
0:14:14 > 0:14:17This intensive care unit has been instrumental in helping Manji
0:14:17 > 0:14:20overcome the trauma of his past,
0:14:20 > 0:14:23but it's time for him to move on and discover the world
0:14:23 > 0:14:26beyond these four walls.
0:14:28 > 0:14:32Petronel's sanctuary is set in nearly 5,000 hectares
0:14:32 > 0:14:34of African bushveld.
0:14:34 > 0:14:38And Manji is moving to a purpose-built enclosure
0:14:38 > 0:14:40known as a boma.
0:14:40 > 0:14:44But he won't be moving alone.
0:14:44 > 0:14:47Since arriving here, he's formed a very strong bond
0:14:47 > 0:14:53with two other rhinos who, like him, had a traumatic start in life.
0:14:53 > 0:14:55Mia and Venus.
0:14:55 > 0:14:57Do you want to pick me up?
0:14:57 > 0:14:59SHE LAUGHS
0:14:59 > 0:15:03Petronel has spent so much time nursing and caring for this trio,
0:15:03 > 0:15:06she knows all their character traits.
0:15:06 > 0:15:10If you look at the personalities just in this camp here,
0:15:10 > 0:15:13you could clearly see who is the cheeky one
0:15:13 > 0:15:15and the feisty one and that's Venus.
0:15:15 > 0:15:19She will protect these guys and be a real matriarch,
0:15:19 > 0:15:21you know, a real leader.
0:15:21 > 0:15:27Mia is just such a softie, enjoy to be touched, very affectionate,
0:15:27 > 0:15:32where Manji, look at him playing there, brilliant boy, inquisitive.
0:15:32 > 0:15:37Not too bothered about what the girls are up to at all.
0:15:37 > 0:15:40Their new home is over 1km away
0:15:40 > 0:15:43and is ten times larger than their old one.
0:15:47 > 0:15:49DOG BARKS
0:15:49 > 0:15:52It's situated on the edge of the wild reserve,
0:15:52 > 0:15:55where a herd of rhinos roam free.
0:15:55 > 0:15:59Petronel's dream is that Manji will soon join them.
0:16:01 > 0:16:04She has designed every element of the boma
0:16:04 > 0:16:08and is making a final check to ensure everything is in order.
0:16:08 > 0:16:12A last inspection. Now, that's good.
0:16:12 > 0:16:14And then one in that corner.
0:16:14 > 0:16:17With experience and other animals,
0:16:17 > 0:16:19you can put them through the rehabilitation process
0:16:19 > 0:16:21so much quicker.
0:16:21 > 0:16:25So, for me it's quite important to make sure that this boma
0:16:25 > 0:16:27and their new home will be the best for them ever.
0:16:27 > 0:16:30It's like a palace, it's like a castle for a king,
0:16:30 > 0:16:33you know, and that's what I want for them.
0:16:33 > 0:16:35I think they will enjoy this immensely.
0:16:37 > 0:16:42Manji and his herd, Venus and Mia, have all had traumatic pasts,
0:16:42 > 0:16:46so Petronel wants to make this journey as easy as possible.
0:16:47 > 0:16:50Having years of experience moving rhinos,
0:16:50 > 0:16:53her plan is to transport them across the sanctuary
0:16:53 > 0:16:56while they are under sedation.
0:16:56 > 0:16:58Jump, jump, jump, jump, jump.
0:16:58 > 0:17:00Jump, jump. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah, yeah. Yeah.
0:17:00 > 0:17:03See here. Now, our pulse ox is working, thank you.
0:17:03 > 0:17:06We're just making sure all the equipment is working fine.
0:17:06 > 0:17:08You don't want to stand here
0:17:08 > 0:17:12and then the equipment is not doing what they're supposed to do.
0:17:12 > 0:17:15Giving anaesthetic to one young animal is worrying,
0:17:15 > 0:17:20but immobilising all three of them comes with even greater risks.
0:17:20 > 0:17:22Ja, it's a big day.
0:17:22 > 0:17:24Sitting with this headache just over my eyes here
0:17:24 > 0:17:29and it only lift when the animals are awake and happy
0:17:29 > 0:17:33and doing well and breathing fine again.
0:17:33 > 0:17:38With preparation complete, Manji is the first of his herd to be moved.
0:17:39 > 0:17:44And wildlife vet Dr Ferreira uses a pole syringe
0:17:44 > 0:17:46to inject him with a sedative.
0:17:46 > 0:17:49He's very used to be with Venus and Mia,
0:17:49 > 0:17:55so I can see it in his eyes as well the chemical...
0:17:55 > 0:17:57start working as well.
0:17:57 > 0:18:02Petronel uses a blindfold and earplugs to reduce the stress.
0:18:02 > 0:18:07While he's under sedation, there's one other routine job to do.
0:18:07 > 0:18:10Rhino horn is made of keratin,
0:18:10 > 0:18:14a protein composed of dead cells, like human hair and nails.
0:18:15 > 0:18:17With no nerves or feeling in it,
0:18:17 > 0:18:20Petronel believes that keeping it short
0:18:20 > 0:18:24is a painless and vital way to stop Manji being poached.
0:18:24 > 0:18:28I don't want to put Manji's life in danger,
0:18:28 > 0:18:32so if they go out to the wild where everyone want them
0:18:32 > 0:18:37and they have their horn on, they're going to be killed.
0:18:37 > 0:18:42They are going to be poached and we will find more carcasses.
0:18:42 > 0:18:44So if we can protect them,
0:18:44 > 0:18:49let's do everything in our power to protect them.
0:18:50 > 0:18:55Rhino horn is highly sought-after on the international black market,
0:18:55 > 0:18:58to be used in traditional Chinese medicine.
0:18:58 > 0:19:02It's the main reason that rhinos are killed in the wild.
0:19:04 > 0:19:06- You see.- One, two, three.
0:19:06 > 0:19:09Come to the front. Come to the front.
0:19:10 > 0:19:12With his horn trimmed, the team are confident
0:19:12 > 0:19:16that they have taken every precaution to protect him
0:19:16 > 0:19:19and he is on his way across the sanctuary to his new home.
0:19:22 > 0:19:26The vet team reverse the effects of the anaesthetic
0:19:26 > 0:19:28and Manji gets up quickly.
0:19:28 > 0:19:30You can clearly hear him sniffing.
0:19:30 > 0:19:33MANJI SNIFFS
0:19:33 > 0:19:35Smelling everything in the new house.
0:19:35 > 0:19:37It looks like it smells very nice.
0:19:39 > 0:19:41This is so great.
0:19:41 > 0:19:43Hey, my boy?
0:19:43 > 0:19:45This is so good.
0:19:45 > 0:19:49We're going to get Venus now, ja, ja.
0:19:49 > 0:19:53And then the two of you can discuss this crazy new house.
0:19:55 > 0:19:57The preparation for Venus is a little bit different.
0:19:57 > 0:20:00We need everyone away
0:20:00 > 0:20:02and it must be very quiet with Venus.
0:20:02 > 0:20:05She's a complete different animal than Manji.
0:20:05 > 0:20:09If she picks up on any movement, her adrenaline is going to kick in
0:20:09 > 0:20:12and then we won't be able to work with her at all.
0:20:14 > 0:20:17If Venus becomes too stressed, the anaesthetic
0:20:17 > 0:20:22won't be as effective and she could injure herself or the team.
0:20:30 > 0:20:33But with patience and the right conditions,
0:20:33 > 0:20:35Venus eventually goes to sleep.
0:20:38 > 0:20:40And with her horn trimmed,
0:20:40 > 0:20:43she too is ready to be taken to her new home.
0:20:47 > 0:20:50Mia gets the same treatment and is not far behind.
0:20:52 > 0:20:54It's an amazing feeling.
0:20:54 > 0:20:56- Look at this. - SHE LAUGHS
0:20:56 > 0:21:01Reunited, the herd begin to enjoy the boma's design features.
0:21:01 > 0:21:03Already eating, already very interested,
0:21:03 > 0:21:07this is their new Jacuzzi mud bath.
0:21:07 > 0:21:12A mud bath is not something that Manji has ever experienced.
0:21:12 > 0:21:15And he isn't quite sure what to make of it.
0:21:15 > 0:21:17Manji doesn't know what this is.
0:21:17 > 0:21:21So, we have to definitely try and teach Manji
0:21:21 > 0:21:27the enjoyment of the water and the mud.
0:21:27 > 0:21:31He's actually at the moment hiding away a little bit
0:21:31 > 0:21:34and scratching himself against the tyre.
0:21:34 > 0:21:37And that, for him, is what he knows.
0:21:37 > 0:21:41But herd leader Venus is keen to give the Jacuzzi mud bath a try.
0:21:41 > 0:21:47Oh-ooh, dis so lekker. Ohhh-ohhh-ohh.
0:21:47 > 0:21:51I can't tell you, the relief is amazing for me,
0:21:51 > 0:21:53the relief is just something else.
0:21:53 > 0:21:55SHE LAUGHS
0:21:57 > 0:21:59She wants to play.
0:21:59 > 0:22:01Following Venus' lead,
0:22:01 > 0:22:03Manji takes the plunge too.
0:22:03 > 0:22:05Ohh, there we go.
0:22:05 > 0:22:09This is Manji's first ever proper mud bath.
0:22:09 > 0:22:13Could never do it, the wound on his face
0:22:13 > 0:22:18and the previous area was just not suitable for this at all.
0:22:18 > 0:22:23In some places, rhino skin is nearly 100 times thicker than human skin,
0:22:23 > 0:22:28but they can still suffer from insect bites and sunburn.
0:22:28 > 0:22:31Wallowing in mud helps protect them.
0:22:31 > 0:22:36And seeing them enjoy it is a happy bonus for Petronel.
0:22:36 > 0:22:38I once asked myself,
0:22:38 > 0:22:41"What will happen if you have to give your life?"
0:22:41 > 0:22:46And moments like this make that decision easy.
0:22:46 > 0:22:52The world would be such a...such a sad place without these creatures.
0:22:52 > 0:22:55I will give my life to these guys in a blink.
0:22:57 > 0:23:01But Petronel will soon have less contact with Manji.
0:23:01 > 0:23:04She hopes to release him into her reserve -
0:23:04 > 0:23:075,000 hectares of African bush -
0:23:07 > 0:23:11where he'll live alongside the wild rhino herd.
0:23:12 > 0:23:14But before that can happen,
0:23:14 > 0:23:17Manji needs to learn how to find food for himself.
0:23:18 > 0:23:22And learning to graze in the outside area of the boma,
0:23:22 > 0:23:25will be the next step of his rehabilitation.
0:23:30 > 0:23:31Over in Costa Rica,
0:23:31 > 0:23:35Mandi the orphaned tapir is making good progress too.
0:23:37 > 0:23:39- Mandi. - HE WHISTLES
0:23:39 > 0:23:41As well as looking after her,
0:23:41 > 0:23:45Rodolfo is also responsible for over 600 other animals.
0:23:48 > 0:23:52And they certainly know how to keep him on his toes.
0:23:57 > 0:23:59This is a spider monkey.
0:23:59 > 0:24:02Sometimes they find a way to escape from the enclosure,
0:24:02 > 0:24:05they're very smart animals.
0:24:05 > 0:24:07To help with their development,
0:24:07 > 0:24:11Rodolfo likes to put animals of their own kind together.
0:24:12 > 0:24:15But sometimes this isn't possible
0:24:15 > 0:24:18and he ends up providing hands-on care.
0:24:18 > 0:24:23Sometimes I have to be a tapir, sometimes I have to be a cat.
0:24:23 > 0:24:28This is Gatita, she's a margay, a type of wild cat.
0:24:28 > 0:24:30She was rescued and brought to the centre
0:24:30 > 0:24:31when she was just three weeks old.
0:24:31 > 0:24:35Now over six months old, she's playing a little rough.
0:24:35 > 0:24:38- GATITA MEOWS - She was like half of the size,
0:24:38 > 0:24:41she was just a little, little kitten.
0:24:41 > 0:24:43It's amazing to see how she's improving, you know,
0:24:43 > 0:24:49growing very strong, playful and active all the time.
0:24:49 > 0:24:52Rodolfo is not the only one helping with her development.
0:24:54 > 0:24:59Gatita has found an unlikely friend in his rescue dog, Perrillo.
0:25:02 > 0:25:04Margay's are expert jungle climbers...
0:25:06 > 0:25:10..and at this age, use play to practise their hunting skills.
0:25:10 > 0:25:12She's doing great.
0:25:12 > 0:25:14I would like, in the future, to see her
0:25:14 > 0:25:20being in the wild for good, you know, forever.
0:25:21 > 0:25:25Gatita will return to the wild when she's old enough.
0:25:25 > 0:25:28But Rodolfo's biggest challenge is keeping on top
0:25:28 > 0:25:31of Mandi's development, and she's ready to take the next step.
0:25:33 > 0:25:37Every day, he takes her out for a walk.
0:25:37 > 0:25:40- Let's go, Mandi.- And there's one place she finds irresistible.
0:25:40 > 0:25:43They have a very good sense of smell
0:25:43 > 0:25:46and she knows that there are other tapirs here.
0:25:46 > 0:25:52The idea here is to introduce Mandi with them.
0:25:52 > 0:25:55Bribri is a seven-year-old tapir who came to the sanctuary
0:25:55 > 0:25:57after being rescued from hunters...
0:25:59 > 0:26:02..and she has a son, three-month-old Bubu.
0:26:05 > 0:26:08Mandi's curiosity is a clear indication to Rodolfo
0:26:08 > 0:26:12that she'd like to have contact with other tapirs.
0:26:12 > 0:26:15You know, she forget completely about me
0:26:15 > 0:26:18and then she's just looking, smelling around to see
0:26:18 > 0:26:22if she can find her own mum, but she's not here.
0:26:22 > 0:26:25Mandi might be keen to get to know them,
0:26:25 > 0:26:27but the feeling isn't mutual.
0:26:27 > 0:26:30Mother Bribri is very protective of her son Bubu.
0:26:30 > 0:26:33Now Mandi is trying to get some contact with the mother.
0:26:33 > 0:26:37And Rodolfo thinks she sees Mandi as a threat.
0:26:38 > 0:26:41The mother is mad.
0:26:41 > 0:26:45Bribri has a muscular jaw and a powerful bite.
0:26:45 > 0:26:48Her well-developed, chisel-like teeth
0:26:48 > 0:26:50could seriously injure a predator like a jaguar.
0:26:52 > 0:26:55So, even through the fence, Bribri could injure Mandi.
0:26:55 > 0:26:59She's not very happy and then she's just trying
0:26:59 > 0:27:03to attack anything that moves, including Mandi.
0:27:03 > 0:27:06Mandi is unable to read the situation
0:27:06 > 0:27:09and is unaware of the danger she's facing.
0:27:10 > 0:27:14This is really frustrating for me, you know, because every time
0:27:14 > 0:27:18that Mandi comes here, that's what she get, rejection. You know.
0:27:18 > 0:27:22And then she's just looking...begging for...for a mum,
0:27:22 > 0:27:24that's a normal behaviour.
0:27:24 > 0:27:27This is a set-back for Mandi.
0:27:27 > 0:27:31And for now, she's going back to the safety of her own enclosure.
0:27:31 > 0:27:32Mandi.
0:27:34 > 0:27:37It's really quite heartbreaking to know that Mandi
0:27:37 > 0:27:40is so close to getting the attention she needs,
0:27:40 > 0:27:42but if Mandi's going to be accepted,
0:27:42 > 0:27:44then she needs to start acting like a tapir.
0:27:44 > 0:27:48But lucky enough her, she has Rodolfo to give her a head start.
0:27:48 > 0:27:51Rodolfo's plan is to put Mandi through
0:27:51 > 0:27:53some serious jungle training.
0:27:53 > 0:27:56If she can start honing her wild tapir skills,
0:27:56 > 0:27:59she'll have a much better chance of being accepted
0:27:59 > 0:28:01by Bribri and Bubu.
0:28:05 > 0:28:08In Africa, Manji the baby rhino
0:28:08 > 0:28:12has already been accepted by his herd, Venus and Mia.
0:28:14 > 0:28:19Now settled into their new home, surrogate mum Petronel
0:28:19 > 0:28:23wants to make sure they continue in their development.
0:28:23 > 0:28:28Manji didn't get enough time with his mum to learn all the skills
0:28:28 > 0:28:31of how to be a rhino, even something simple like
0:28:31 > 0:28:35knowing how to graze grass and use those lips
0:28:35 > 0:28:37is completely foreign to him.
0:28:37 > 0:28:40And that is going to be his next challenge.
0:28:42 > 0:28:47White rhinos have a square mouth with wide, prehensile lips
0:28:47 > 0:28:50that can grab, enabling them to graze and eat grass
0:28:50 > 0:28:52more efficiently than a lawnmower.
0:28:54 > 0:28:58Until now, Manji's only eaten prepared, cut grass
0:28:58 > 0:29:02and has never had the opportunity to find his own food.
0:29:04 > 0:29:06With moral support from his herd,
0:29:06 > 0:29:10he's going to venture into the outside area of the boma.
0:29:10 > 0:29:14And it's a key part of Petronel's strategy.
0:29:14 > 0:29:17I've learned through years of experience -
0:29:17 > 0:29:21give them their space and give them time, don't try and rush them.
0:29:21 > 0:29:25Don't try and let them do the things you want them to do.
0:29:25 > 0:29:28We don't want prisoners, we want wild animals.
0:29:29 > 0:29:32Rhinos are incredibly sensitive
0:29:32 > 0:29:37and Petronel isn't sure how Manji will react.
0:29:37 > 0:29:38Another big day for Manji.
0:29:38 > 0:29:42Now he's going to come out and really smell
0:29:42 > 0:29:48and see natural-growing veld and grass for the first time.
0:29:48 > 0:29:51And his natural instinct will come out of grazing
0:29:51 > 0:29:54and he will definitely follow Venus' lead.
0:29:54 > 0:29:55So, let's see what they do.
0:29:57 > 0:29:59Hello.
0:30:00 > 0:30:02Kom, kom.
0:30:02 > 0:30:03Kom, kom.
0:30:03 > 0:30:07There...there's Manji first coming and...
0:30:07 > 0:30:10But Manji doesn't remember a world outside of an enclosure
0:30:10 > 0:30:14and lets Venus and Mia take the first steps.
0:30:14 > 0:30:17There we go. There we go.
0:30:17 > 0:30:18Kom, kom.
0:30:18 > 0:30:21- SHE GASPS - It's OK, it's OK.
0:30:21 > 0:30:23It's OK. Kom.
0:30:23 > 0:30:26This is the largest open space they've been in
0:30:26 > 0:30:29since they lost their mothers and their natural instincts kick in.
0:30:29 > 0:30:34Bit too much for Venus, you can see that clearly. A big step.
0:30:34 > 0:30:36Going back to their safe place.
0:30:36 > 0:30:39It's overwhelming and they all head back inside.
0:30:39 > 0:30:41It's wonderful,
0:30:41 > 0:30:46but also a little bit of our first day at school type of situation.
0:30:46 > 0:30:49But with encouragement, they give it another go.
0:30:49 > 0:30:50There we go.
0:30:50 > 0:30:52Kom, kom, kom.
0:30:52 > 0:30:56Rhinos rely heavily on their well-developed sense of smell
0:30:56 > 0:31:00and they use it in the wild to detect other animals
0:31:00 > 0:31:02from over a quarter of a mile away.
0:31:02 > 0:31:05This is a big, big, big step for them.
0:31:05 > 0:31:09This new space is packed full of new smells,
0:31:09 > 0:31:13and the unfamiliar triggers a defensive instinct.
0:31:13 > 0:31:17The way they're standing is also protecting each other.
0:31:17 > 0:31:20Very good behaviour for rhino.
0:31:20 > 0:31:23And there's Manji and Venus following me now.
0:31:25 > 0:31:27Manji's staying with Venus
0:31:27 > 0:31:30and they will just carry along and come more out
0:31:30 > 0:31:33and more out and test the waters more and more and more.
0:31:37 > 0:31:40With herd leader Venus at ease,
0:31:40 > 0:31:42Manji and Mia relax too.
0:31:46 > 0:31:47It's like a herd.
0:31:49 > 0:31:50Wow.
0:31:52 > 0:31:54It looks like they have been doing this forever.
0:31:54 > 0:31:56For me, that's so amazing, you know?
0:31:56 > 0:31:57They've been through hell.
0:31:57 > 0:32:01It's the first time, now, that they can be out in the open,
0:32:01 > 0:32:06and...it's good, it's...it's grazing and herd behaviour.
0:32:09 > 0:32:10It's good to see them like this -
0:32:10 > 0:32:13the way a white rhino must graze.
0:32:13 > 0:32:16And there's Manji, also trying.
0:32:17 > 0:32:19Manji needs to learn to...
0:32:19 > 0:32:23pluck the grass with his lips.
0:32:23 > 0:32:26So, I think he will have to learn to do that.
0:32:26 > 0:32:27At two months old,
0:32:27 > 0:32:31a rhino calf will start to graze on a range of vegetation,
0:32:31 > 0:32:36and Petronel knows how important this milestone is.
0:32:37 > 0:32:41I want them so badly out here and grazing,
0:32:41 > 0:32:44and it's a privilege for me to see this today,
0:32:44 > 0:32:46and just to be part of the herd.
0:32:46 > 0:32:50And them coming and going and being free -
0:32:50 > 0:32:52it's just the best day ever.
0:32:52 > 0:32:55Manji is on course with his rehabilitation,
0:32:55 > 0:32:57and if all goes to plan,
0:32:57 > 0:33:01his next step will be freedom into the wild reserve.
0:33:12 > 0:33:17In Costa Rica, Mandi the tapir is also about to learn survival skills.
0:33:18 > 0:33:20Hey, Mandi.
0:33:21 > 0:33:23Drink.
0:33:23 > 0:33:26To bring her closer to tapirs Bribri and Bubu,
0:33:26 > 0:33:30Rodolfo wants Mandi to develop more of the jungle traits
0:33:30 > 0:33:31essential to being a tapir.
0:33:33 > 0:33:37In the wild, tapirs will spend up to two years with their mothers.
0:33:37 > 0:33:39And you can see that little Bubu
0:33:39 > 0:33:43is watching his mother Bribri very carefully,
0:33:43 > 0:33:45everything that she does.
0:33:45 > 0:33:48And he can see that she's eating these bananas, and...
0:33:48 > 0:33:52There you go. This is the first time that he's eating bananas,
0:33:52 > 0:33:54and he's learnt that from his mum. He's watched her,
0:33:54 > 0:33:57he's seen that it's safe to eat, and he's copied her,
0:33:57 > 0:33:59and this is something that Mandi's missing out on.
0:34:01 > 0:34:04- Without her own kind to be with... - Let's go, Mandi.
0:34:04 > 0:34:07..Rodolfo has assumed the role of surrogate mum
0:34:07 > 0:34:11and is taking Mandi on a walk with a purpose.
0:34:11 > 0:34:15Today I am taking Mandi to the forest,
0:34:15 > 0:34:18giving her the opportunity to learn.
0:34:18 > 0:34:22At this age, baby tapirs would be chaperoned for protection.
0:34:24 > 0:34:26And Rodolfo is on hand to help Mandi
0:34:26 > 0:34:29learn how to stay safe in the forest.
0:34:29 > 0:34:32It takes time and a lot of patience.
0:34:32 > 0:34:34She has to learn to act like a tapir,
0:34:34 > 0:34:36and then that's why I'm here, for that.
0:34:36 > 0:34:38Right now she's eating a tree called guasimo.
0:34:38 > 0:34:42This tree's all over this area - it's a native tree.
0:34:42 > 0:34:44Oh, my God. I'm so proud of Mandi.
0:34:46 > 0:34:47Good girl, Mandi.
0:34:48 > 0:34:51But forest walks are not just about foraging.
0:34:51 > 0:34:54In the wild, if a tapir feels threatened,
0:34:54 > 0:34:55they seek safety in water.
0:34:57 > 0:34:59That was a normal reaction.
0:34:59 > 0:35:03They have to be always with their signs active,
0:35:03 > 0:35:08and she just heard something, and she just jump.
0:35:08 > 0:35:11But water plays another role for tapir safety.
0:35:12 > 0:35:15This is a vital lesson for Mandi,
0:35:15 > 0:35:18but a less glamorous one for her teacher.
0:35:20 > 0:35:23I'm trying to get Mandi poo,
0:35:23 > 0:35:26and then I just spray water on her body.
0:35:26 > 0:35:28Oh. Almost, Mandi.
0:35:28 > 0:35:32See? She poo! Finally. Look at that.
0:35:32 > 0:35:35You can see those bubbles. Oh, look at this.
0:35:35 > 0:35:37This is what...this is what we are waiting for.
0:35:39 > 0:35:42This is very good news. This is why I bring her here.
0:35:42 > 0:35:45She needs to use the river as a bathroom,
0:35:45 > 0:35:47and that's the idea -
0:35:47 > 0:35:50they have to hide their smell from the jaguars.
0:35:52 > 0:35:55They also have another strategy to escape jaguars.
0:35:57 > 0:36:01They are excellent divers and are agile underwater.
0:36:03 > 0:36:06And they can even hold their breath for several minutes.
0:36:09 > 0:36:14Now she's relaxed because she poo, and then now it's time to play.
0:36:14 > 0:36:18I have to be very careful with her bites.
0:36:19 > 0:36:23If they can't reach water, tapirs might need to defend themselves,
0:36:23 > 0:36:27and it's important that Mandi practises using her strength.
0:36:27 > 0:36:29She's trying to push me into the water.
0:36:30 > 0:36:33- Mm-mm. No! - HE LAUGHS
0:36:33 > 0:36:36These trips into the forest will continue
0:36:36 > 0:36:39until Mandi is ready for her next step,
0:36:39 > 0:36:40which is to meet Bubu,
0:36:40 > 0:36:44the other baby tapir that lives at the sanctuary.
0:36:54 > 0:36:55'Over in South Africa,
0:36:55 > 0:36:58'Manji and his herd have now settled into
0:36:58 > 0:37:00'a routine of grazing for themselves.
0:37:01 > 0:37:04'And that means they are now ready to be released
0:37:04 > 0:37:06'and to live with the wild herd.
0:37:09 > 0:37:11'But Manji is not the only animal
0:37:11 > 0:37:14'that Petronel is busy rehabilitating.
0:37:14 > 0:37:17'I'm about to feed two other orphans.
0:37:19 > 0:37:21'20-month-old hippo Emma...'
0:37:21 > 0:37:23She responds to her name.
0:37:23 > 0:37:26Ja. She's a very clever lady.
0:37:26 > 0:37:30'..and rescued six-month-old baby Molly.'
0:37:30 > 0:37:34- WHISPERS:- Look at this little thing. Oh, my word.
0:37:34 > 0:37:37'Molly's favourite food is this vegetables smoothie.'
0:37:37 > 0:37:40This is...this is quite something,
0:37:40 > 0:37:42to be this close to hippopotamuses,
0:37:42 > 0:37:46because they have a reputation for being extremely fearsome,
0:37:46 > 0:37:49so...can't quite believe I'm doing this.
0:37:50 > 0:37:54They're known as the deadliest mammals in Africa,
0:37:54 > 0:37:57but Emma, after escaping poachers at a young age,
0:37:57 > 0:37:59has been hand-raised by Petronel,
0:37:59 > 0:38:02and they still have a close bond.
0:38:03 > 0:38:06Emma seems to be quite imprinted and tame, right?
0:38:06 > 0:38:10I mean, it's not normal to be able to get that close to a hippo.
0:38:10 > 0:38:13Will she end up in the wild as well?
0:38:13 > 0:38:17A way of rehabilitation that's quite important for me
0:38:17 > 0:38:19is you have to know when you need to step back.
0:38:19 > 0:38:23Sometimes you're in the way of the rehabilitation process
0:38:23 > 0:38:24and the release process.
0:38:24 > 0:38:29Sometimes we, as humans, keep that connection and that bond,
0:38:29 > 0:38:32but that's a selfish bond for us.
0:38:32 > 0:38:37What will be good for her is for me to step out of the way.
0:38:37 > 0:38:41Baby Molly came here after her mother was shot.
0:38:41 > 0:38:45Left defenceless, Molly was attacked by bushpigs.
0:38:45 > 0:38:50Petronel has been treating her scars with moisturiser ever since.
0:38:50 > 0:38:53This is a very surreal experience -
0:38:53 > 0:38:56rubbing cream on a baby hippo.
0:38:56 > 0:38:59The scars on the outside was nothing.
0:38:59 > 0:39:03Emotionally, this animal was really nowhere.
0:39:03 > 0:39:08Has pairing Molly with Emma helped in her rehabilitation?
0:39:08 > 0:39:10Absolutely.
0:39:10 > 0:39:15I don't think I would've been able to save Molly without Emma.
0:39:15 > 0:39:16There was no way.
0:39:16 > 0:39:19Molly refused to drink, she refused to eat,
0:39:19 > 0:39:22she refused to react.
0:39:23 > 0:39:26You could see there's nothing to work with.
0:39:26 > 0:39:29She was in such a condition that there was no trust.
0:39:29 > 0:39:33- So Emma became a surrogate mum for Molly...- Absolutely.
0:39:33 > 0:39:36..and the two have become inseparable ever since,
0:39:36 > 0:39:37- I'm guessing.- Ja.
0:39:37 > 0:39:40But Molly's moisturiser is not on the menu.
0:39:40 > 0:39:42She's eating the cream! You can't eat that!
0:39:42 > 0:39:44- You can't eat that! Naughty girl! - PETRONEL GIGGLES
0:39:44 > 0:39:46No, no, no, no, no, no, no.
0:39:50 > 0:39:52So, what's the next stage for these guys?
0:39:52 > 0:39:56We're busy preparing an area for them near the river
0:39:56 > 0:39:58with much less human contact,
0:39:58 > 0:40:03and take Molly and basically wean her completely off human food
0:40:03 > 0:40:05and let them graze.
0:40:05 > 0:40:08For me, I can't wait to see them in the river. Yeah.
0:40:09 > 0:40:11Emma and Molly are proof that
0:40:11 > 0:40:14creating strong bonds between orphans
0:40:14 > 0:40:17is a successful way to rehabilitate wildlife.
0:40:20 > 0:40:24But with herd animals, if one of the group is suffering from trauma,
0:40:24 > 0:40:28that can hold up the future rehabilitation of the whole herd.
0:40:29 > 0:40:32'Today, Venus needs a medical examination,
0:40:32 > 0:40:34'and the results could put the brakes on
0:40:34 > 0:40:37'tomorrow's planned release for Manji.'
0:40:39 > 0:40:42Of course, it's important that all of Manji's herd
0:40:42 > 0:40:46are in tiptop condition for them to make it to the next level.
0:40:46 > 0:40:48Venus has a sore foot.
0:40:51 > 0:40:54A lingering injury from when she was rescued from the poachers.
0:40:56 > 0:40:59Petronel has helped the wounds to heal...
0:41:02 > 0:41:04..but Venus still occasionally limps,
0:41:04 > 0:41:06and so needs an X-ray to determine if
0:41:06 > 0:41:09there is an underlying medical problem.
0:41:09 > 0:41:11We have one here under the seat, so...
0:41:11 > 0:41:14So, we've brought all the medical equipment we need
0:41:14 > 0:41:15down here to the boma
0:41:15 > 0:41:19because when you're dealing with an animal the size of a rhino,
0:41:19 > 0:41:22the hospital has to come to the patient.
0:41:22 > 0:41:25A good result from this morning's test is vital,
0:41:25 > 0:41:28not just for Venus, but for Manji too.
0:41:32 > 0:41:35If we want to let them go, and she starts limping
0:41:35 > 0:41:39or there's infection starting in that foot again,
0:41:39 > 0:41:41I will have to bring the whole group back again.
0:41:43 > 0:41:46This would mean a big backwards step in their rehabilitation.
0:41:50 > 0:41:53This way. This way. This way, big girl.
0:41:53 > 0:41:55Venus is given a sedative,
0:41:55 > 0:41:58and Manji and Mia are led into the boma next door.
0:42:01 > 0:42:06Rhinos' feet have three toes that surround a soft elastic sole.
0:42:06 > 0:42:10This design is crucial to help balance their body weight evenly.
0:42:13 > 0:42:16I mean, you think about this, an animal this size, a rhino,
0:42:16 > 0:42:20and it's carrying this enormous weight on these four tiny points.
0:42:20 > 0:42:22For it to have a problem with its foot, a sore foot,
0:42:22 > 0:42:24it's going to make it lame really quickly,
0:42:24 > 0:42:28so it is really important that this gets fixed.
0:42:29 > 0:42:30To get to the root of the problem,
0:42:30 > 0:42:33we're going to use a mobile X-ray machine.
0:42:34 > 0:42:38So, I've got on a protective suit.
0:42:38 > 0:42:40This will mean that I don't get zapped.
0:42:40 > 0:42:43The resulting image will hopefully show the vet team
0:42:43 > 0:42:47why Venus is still experiencing pain.
0:42:47 > 0:42:49It is amazing what you can do today,
0:42:49 > 0:42:51that you can bring this kind of equipment
0:42:51 > 0:42:53and do this kind of a procedure in the field.
0:42:56 > 0:42:58The vets process the images,
0:42:58 > 0:43:02and Petronel is apprehensive about the diagnosis.
0:43:04 > 0:43:07I'm just waiting for the results to see,
0:43:07 > 0:43:10but without that visible wound, there was nothing -
0:43:10 > 0:43:12this was all just wound.
0:43:12 > 0:43:17Why is she sometimes limping and other times not limping?
0:43:17 > 0:43:19Is there something that we maybe missed?
0:43:21 > 0:43:23'The results are in...'
0:43:24 > 0:43:27We're concerned that there might be a bone infection. Erm...
0:43:27 > 0:43:30'..and it's not the good news they were hoping for.'
0:43:31 > 0:43:33- It's a bit...- Yeah, it's...
0:43:33 > 0:43:35- It's not as clear. - It's eroded, isn't it?
0:43:35 > 0:43:36Yeah, it's eroded.
0:43:38 > 0:43:40So, we've just found out that it looks like
0:43:40 > 0:43:44Venus has got infections in her bones in her foot,
0:43:44 > 0:43:46which is a lot more of a serious problem.
0:43:46 > 0:43:50Because she had such an incredibly large wound,
0:43:50 > 0:43:51the whole of her underside,
0:43:51 > 0:43:54that that's actually spread into the bones.
0:43:54 > 0:43:57- Yeah.- ..that's my concern.- Right.
0:43:57 > 0:44:01- How do you feel, Petronel? - I know, you know?
0:44:01 > 0:44:04My gut was telling me that there was something wrong.
0:44:04 > 0:44:06I wish I could see her running again,
0:44:06 > 0:44:09so what lies ahead,
0:44:09 > 0:44:11we will just blow through there,
0:44:11 > 0:44:13and we will make sure that she's fine.
0:44:13 > 0:44:16Let's make sure that she can run again.
0:44:16 > 0:44:20Fortunately, the vet team have got what they think will be a solution.
0:44:20 > 0:44:22They decide to administer an antibiotic
0:44:22 > 0:44:27that will boost Venus' immune system which will fight the infection.
0:44:27 > 0:44:30While we have her under sedation, that's the last treatment,
0:44:30 > 0:44:31and it will penetrate.
0:44:31 > 0:44:34We concentrate the antibiotic in that spot.
0:44:35 > 0:44:38The team will also be able to keep an eye on her
0:44:38 > 0:44:39when she's in the wild reserve
0:44:39 > 0:44:42to ensure she's healing properly.
0:44:45 > 0:44:47The effects of the sedation are reversed,
0:44:47 > 0:44:50and she is up and back to her normal self in no time.
0:44:50 > 0:44:53- WHISPERS:- Hey, Manji. How are you doing?
0:44:53 > 0:44:56'And Manji is reunited with his best friend.'
0:44:58 > 0:45:00- Can you see this?- Mm. - He's just comforting her.- I know.
0:45:00 > 0:45:05Isn't that sweet? Manji's comforting Venus.
0:45:05 > 0:45:07It's so sweet.
0:45:07 > 0:45:11Is Venus still on course to return with this herd
0:45:11 > 0:45:14into the next stage of her rehabilitation?
0:45:14 > 0:45:16We're going to fit the treatments in.
0:45:16 > 0:45:20I think it will be good for her if we not focus on that
0:45:20 > 0:45:21and we focus on the positive.
0:45:21 > 0:45:25And I know by separating her and Manji,
0:45:25 > 0:45:27- that's not going to help the process.- Mm.
0:45:27 > 0:45:29They have to stick together.
0:45:29 > 0:45:31This group will stick together in the next step.
0:45:31 > 0:45:34Now Manji is the stronger one, Mia's a very strong one,
0:45:34 > 0:45:37and they will just pull Venus through.
0:45:37 > 0:45:39So, no, they will be released.
0:45:39 > 0:45:40That's fantastic news.
0:45:43 > 0:45:45Venus has been given the all clear,
0:45:45 > 0:45:50and I'm beginning to see a hidden side to these giants.
0:45:50 > 0:45:51That's just incredibly touching,
0:45:51 > 0:45:57to see the...tenderness between these rhinos.
0:45:57 > 0:45:59The bonds that they have with each other,
0:45:59 > 0:46:02they are...they're really strong,
0:46:02 > 0:46:06and that togetherness and those bonds
0:46:06 > 0:46:11are clearly so important in their healing process.
0:46:13 > 0:46:16Tomorrow Manji and the whole of his herd
0:46:16 > 0:46:20will reach the final stage of their rehabilitation.
0:46:24 > 0:46:26MACAW SQUAWKS
0:46:28 > 0:46:29Over in Costa Rica,
0:46:29 > 0:46:32Mandi the tapir is about to take a huge leap forward
0:46:32 > 0:46:34in her rehabilitation.
0:46:37 > 0:46:39She's now learned enough wild behaviours
0:46:39 > 0:46:43to start the bonding process with another tapir,
0:46:43 > 0:46:46and Rodolfo wants to introduce her to baby Bubu.
0:46:50 > 0:46:53Today is a very, very big day for Mandi
0:46:53 > 0:46:56because we're going to introduce her with the other baby tapir
0:46:56 > 0:46:58we have we have here in the sanctuary.
0:46:58 > 0:47:01In order for Bubu to have a chance to make friends with Mandi,
0:47:01 > 0:47:06they temporarily put Mum, Bribri, in a nearby enclosure.
0:47:06 > 0:47:08INAUDIBLE RADIO MESSAGE
0:47:08 > 0:47:09Mandame en una carrerita
0:47:09 > 0:47:12algunas de... Unas cuatro bananas, por favor.
0:47:12 > 0:47:16This is the first time Bubu has met another tapir too,
0:47:16 > 0:47:19and Rodolfo wants their encounter to go well.
0:47:20 > 0:47:25The worst situation here is that he attack her suddenly.
0:47:25 > 0:47:27You know, he's still a baby,
0:47:27 > 0:47:31he just know how to behave with his mum,
0:47:31 > 0:47:35but we really need Mandi being close to him for the future plans.
0:47:37 > 0:47:41Rodolfo hopes Mandi will start a family in the future
0:47:41 > 0:47:44and thinks Bubu could be a perfect match.
0:47:44 > 0:47:48Tapirs aren't able to breed until they're at least a year old,
0:47:48 > 0:47:52but with the species under threat, Rodolfo is planning ahead.
0:47:52 > 0:47:54This situation make me feel very excited
0:47:54 > 0:47:56because if we have a positive result,
0:47:56 > 0:47:59oh, my God, that's what we are looking for, you know?
0:47:59 > 0:48:01That would be very awesome.
0:48:01 > 0:48:04Mandi is keen to get out on her daily walk...
0:48:07 > 0:48:08Ven. No se preocupe de eso.
0:48:08 > 0:48:12..but going into Bubu's enclosure is new to her.
0:48:13 > 0:48:15Mandi's just exploring,
0:48:15 > 0:48:18trying to see if the place is safe for her.
0:48:18 > 0:48:22They haven't met yet, but suddenly something can happen.
0:48:24 > 0:48:26Now she wants to swim in the same pool
0:48:26 > 0:48:29where the baby and the mummy was -
0:48:29 > 0:48:31she's trying to get inside.
0:48:31 > 0:48:32Just like being in the river,
0:48:32 > 0:48:35the water pool makes Mandi feel safe.
0:48:38 > 0:48:40Uh-oh! He's coming.
0:48:40 > 0:48:42Hey, big guy.
0:48:42 > 0:48:44Who is the girl?
0:48:44 > 0:48:46I want you to introduce Mandi. Come.
0:48:47 > 0:48:51This is a very important step for Mandi, a big, big step,
0:48:51 > 0:48:57because this is the first time she meets another tapir
0:48:57 > 0:49:00since her mother was killed.
0:49:00 > 0:49:04And it's their love of bananas that brings them closer together.
0:49:04 > 0:49:06Yes.
0:49:06 > 0:49:07Oh, my God.
0:49:07 > 0:49:10- HE LAUGHS - Mandi.
0:49:10 > 0:49:12This interaction might be fleeting,
0:49:12 > 0:49:15but for Rodolfo it's a great start.
0:49:17 > 0:49:19This is a really good moment for Mandi
0:49:19 > 0:49:23because since now the idea is to continue doing this exercise.
0:49:23 > 0:49:27The situation here is that Mandi's having so much fun
0:49:27 > 0:49:30that I don't know how to take her out.
0:49:32 > 0:49:35Rodolfo just about managed to persuade Mandi
0:49:35 > 0:49:36to leave her new friend.
0:49:38 > 0:49:41Rodolfo, tell me, what's the future for Mandi here?
0:49:41 > 0:49:42What's the next step?
0:49:42 > 0:49:46Well, the idea is that she might have babies with Bubu,
0:49:46 > 0:49:49and then we can have the chance to release their offspring
0:49:49 > 0:49:50back to the wild -
0:49:50 > 0:49:53that's the main purpose here.
0:49:53 > 0:49:54And how does that make you feel,
0:49:54 > 0:49:57knowing that she's undergone this huge journey
0:49:57 > 0:49:59from being tied up, battered and bruised
0:49:59 > 0:50:01to hopefully becoming a mother?
0:50:01 > 0:50:03Oh, that is a very nice feeling.
0:50:03 > 0:50:05It's something really amazing,
0:50:05 > 0:50:09to have the opportunity, me, as a human, to work with a tapir.
0:50:09 > 0:50:11After all that she passed through,
0:50:11 > 0:50:15seeing Mandi acting like a tapir and finally having her own babies,
0:50:15 > 0:50:19that would be a very special moment, definitely.
0:50:19 > 0:50:21Well, good luck, Mandi.
0:50:22 > 0:50:24It's a long road ahead for Mandi,
0:50:24 > 0:50:28but thanks to the dedicated work of Rodolfo,
0:50:28 > 0:50:30the future looks brighter for her,
0:50:30 > 0:50:33and hopefully, the survival of her species.
0:50:43 > 0:50:44It's early morning...
0:50:49 > 0:50:53..and it's a huge day ahead for Manji, Venus and Mia.
0:50:57 > 0:51:02They're going to be released into a wild area that is 5,000 hectares.
0:51:04 > 0:51:06This protected wilderness
0:51:06 > 0:51:10is home to seven other rehabilitated rhinos,
0:51:10 > 0:51:16and Manji will finally get the chance to be part of a wild herd.
0:51:16 > 0:51:18Do you think they've outgrown this boma
0:51:18 > 0:51:24and it's time for Manji and his herd to bust out into the wilder area?
0:51:24 > 0:51:27Absolutely. You know, they're kicking out of the nest a bit.
0:51:27 > 0:51:30You know, "Mum, we're ready to fly." They're ready.
0:51:30 > 0:51:32And definitely, you know,
0:51:32 > 0:51:34they're telling me, you know, that it's time.
0:51:34 > 0:51:36And how do you think Manji's going to react to
0:51:36 > 0:51:40this new wilder area and these new rhinos?
0:51:40 > 0:51:42Mia is the strong one in this group,
0:51:42 > 0:51:45so I think she will show the way,
0:51:45 > 0:51:48but let's see their personality, what's going to happen.
0:51:48 > 0:51:51But I think Manji can't do it.
0:51:51 > 0:51:53I think he will, at one stage, hang back
0:51:53 > 0:51:55and see what the big girls will do,
0:51:55 > 0:51:58and then he will say, "Ah, that's OK. Let's do this."
0:51:58 > 0:52:01White rhinos are incredibly social,
0:52:01 > 0:52:05and a wild herd can contain up to 14 individuals.
0:52:08 > 0:52:12This moment has been Petronel's dream from the very beginning.
0:52:12 > 0:52:15How do you feel about losing your baby boy?
0:52:15 > 0:52:18Erm...I think it will hit me at a stage.
0:52:18 > 0:52:21I... You know, I prepare psychological
0:52:21 > 0:52:23for days like this, you know?
0:52:23 > 0:52:26And I don't want him to get hurt.
0:52:26 > 0:52:28I think he went through enough, you know?
0:52:28 > 0:52:31I don't... I want it to go smooth.
0:52:31 > 0:52:32It's like bike riding, you know?
0:52:32 > 0:52:35At one stage, Mum is not there, you know,
0:52:35 > 0:52:37but Mum is also feeling...
0:52:37 > 0:52:39"I hope he doesn't fall," you know?
0:52:39 > 0:52:40So, yeah, mixed feelings.
0:52:43 > 0:52:45- SHE GASPS - Waar is julle?
0:52:45 > 0:52:48Manji, are you lying in the way?
0:52:48 > 0:52:50Hey! Hey, my boy.
0:52:50 > 0:52:52'Before they're released,
0:52:52 > 0:52:55'Petronel wants to make sure they feel as self-assured as possible...'
0:52:55 > 0:52:56Come, come, come.
0:52:56 > 0:53:01'..and knows exactly how to achieve the right frame of mind.'
0:53:01 > 0:53:03Is this a fun treat for them, a mud bath?
0:53:03 > 0:53:05It's such a treat.
0:53:05 > 0:53:07It's such an amazing treat for rhinos,
0:53:07 > 0:53:09and before we take them out,
0:53:09 > 0:53:13I would love them just to have a relaxed time a little bit
0:53:13 > 0:53:18and get their mood...set the mood for what must happen, you know?
0:53:18 > 0:53:21- Right.- And convince them that it's good, ja?
0:53:21 > 0:53:24- It's a mud bath confidence booster. - PETRONEL LAUGHS
0:53:24 > 0:53:27- They go just all silly in it, don't they?- Yeah.
0:53:27 > 0:53:29They just, like... It's like they're in a silly mood.
0:53:30 > 0:53:34The atmosphere changes as soon as this water's presented to them,
0:53:34 > 0:53:37and they just...they turn into silly rhinos.
0:53:37 > 0:53:40PETRONEL LAUGHS
0:53:40 > 0:53:42The Jacuzzi mud bath does the trick,
0:53:42 > 0:53:45and Manji and his herd are soon in high spirits.
0:53:45 > 0:53:48Woo! They're getting playful.
0:53:48 > 0:53:50It's slightly unnerving, if I'm honest...
0:53:51 > 0:53:54..cos these are big guys,
0:53:54 > 0:53:56but it's joyous.
0:53:57 > 0:54:02This display of confidence is proof to Petronel that Manji is ready.
0:54:02 > 0:54:07The last time he saw a big rhino was when his mum died.
0:54:07 > 0:54:09I think it will be a little bit stressful,
0:54:09 > 0:54:12there will be a little bit of trauma involved,
0:54:12 > 0:54:13and then as soon as he sees...
0:54:13 > 0:54:16"Oh, but they're settling down. they're eating,
0:54:16 > 0:54:19"they're greeting us in a good way.
0:54:19 > 0:54:21"I belong here! This is my home.
0:54:21 > 0:54:22"Wow! I love this."
0:54:24 > 0:54:28The time has come to walk Manji and his herd out of the boma.
0:54:30 > 0:54:33- Manji!- Kom, kom! Kom, julle!
0:54:33 > 0:54:36Come on. Come on, Manji. That's it. Good boy.
0:54:37 > 0:54:40That's it. Yeah.
0:54:40 > 0:54:44'They're so excited, we don't have time to open the gate.'
0:54:44 > 0:54:47THEY LAUGH
0:54:47 > 0:54:50'With their exit blocked...
0:54:50 > 0:54:51'they turn around
0:54:51 > 0:54:55'and suddenly, over a tonne of rhinos are heading straight for us.'
0:54:57 > 0:54:59Quick, quick, quick, quick, quick.
0:54:59 > 0:55:01This open.
0:55:01 > 0:55:04Kom, kom, kom, kom, kom, kom!
0:55:04 > 0:55:07- Kom, julle! - Kom, kom, kom, kom, kom, kom, kom.
0:55:07 > 0:55:09Mia is the first to be free.
0:55:10 > 0:55:13And Manji and Venus are not far behind.
0:55:15 > 0:55:17Look at that.
0:55:17 > 0:55:18Running into the new area.
0:55:18 > 0:55:20Look at these guys!
0:55:20 > 0:55:22They are ready to be wild rhinos.
0:55:24 > 0:55:26Amazing! None of us expected that.
0:55:26 > 0:55:29- They wanted to do this! - I know. They were jumping for joy.
0:55:29 > 0:55:32- They were just like... - Look at them, look at them.- Yeah.
0:55:32 > 0:55:35- PETRONEL LAUGHS - It's just...- This is amazing.
0:55:35 > 0:55:37It feels really emotional, actually,
0:55:37 > 0:55:39to see them just, like, run like that.
0:55:39 > 0:55:42It's really hugely exciting.
0:55:42 > 0:55:44Oh, yeah, I love it, I love it.
0:55:44 > 0:55:45Look at that beautiful gallop.
0:55:47 > 0:55:49Oh, it's absolutely astonishing.
0:55:49 > 0:55:54I mean, that is not an animal that is traumatised, antisocial.
0:55:54 > 0:55:57You know, that's...that, for all intents and purposes,
0:55:57 > 0:55:59he's a wild rhino right now, isn't he?
0:55:59 > 0:56:00Now they're meeting the group.
0:56:00 > 0:56:03- Have a look here. Come have a look here.- Oh!
0:56:03 > 0:56:05- So, how many are there in there? - Ten now.
0:56:05 > 0:56:08- Ten?- Ten.- Wow!
0:56:08 > 0:56:12- So, it's a proper size wild herd, isn't it?- Not a baby.
0:56:12 > 0:56:16- THEY CHUCKLE - Yeah, I'm a happy mum.
0:56:16 > 0:56:20This new group instinctively begin to bond as a herd,
0:56:20 > 0:56:25and Manji has finally made it back to where he belongs.
0:56:27 > 0:56:29It's as if they've been together forever.
0:56:29 > 0:56:33They're, like, moving as one, like a big rhino river.
0:56:33 > 0:56:35And Manji's right in the thick of it,
0:56:35 > 0:56:37right in the middle of his new herd.
0:56:39 > 0:56:41Petronel, I have to say,
0:56:41 > 0:56:44I don't think I've ever met anybody that works as hard as you.
0:56:44 > 0:56:47I just... It's amazing the dedication
0:56:47 > 0:56:50that you put in to saving his animals.
0:56:50 > 0:56:53Sometimes, like, yesterday, I didn't feel well about...
0:56:54 > 0:56:56- CRYING:- ..Venus, but now, looking at her...that's good.
0:56:56 > 0:56:58- Aw!- That's good.
0:56:58 > 0:57:02So great. So amazing what you've done.
0:57:02 > 0:57:04This species, the survival of this species
0:57:04 > 0:57:06is what we want to accomplish,
0:57:06 > 0:57:09and now, if these guys together
0:57:09 > 0:57:12and the stress of human contact is out,
0:57:12 > 0:57:14I think they'll breed.
0:57:14 > 0:57:18In the years to come, they will definitely breed, yeah.
0:57:18 > 0:57:19We must just protect them.
0:57:19 > 0:57:21- You're going to be a grandmother. - PETRONEL LAUGHS