0:00:29 > 0:00:33- Hello, and welcome to Animal Park. I'm Kate Humble.- And I'm Ben Fogle,
0:00:33 > 0:00:38and these are Tommy and Michelle, Longleat's two sulcata tortoises.
0:00:38 > 0:00:42They are incredible. They are also known as spurred tortoises,
0:00:42 > 0:00:44and they're Africa's largest mainland tortoise.
0:00:44 > 0:00:47- They look almost prehistoric. - They really do.
0:00:47 > 0:00:51Well, there are plenty more amazing animals in the safari park,
0:00:51 > 0:00:52more than 50 species, in fact,
0:00:52 > 0:00:55and we'll be bringing you plenty of stories, including...
0:00:55 > 0:00:57Up at Wolf Wood,
0:00:57 > 0:01:01these fearsome hunters try their paw at a spot of fishing.
0:01:01 > 0:01:03Oh, that was a good 'un!
0:01:03 > 0:01:07The park has ordered two new safari boats for Half Mile Lake,
0:01:07 > 0:01:09but unless it rains soon they'll be left high and dry.
0:01:12 > 0:01:14And, at Pets' Corner,
0:01:14 > 0:01:17keeper John Ovens is making his stage debut.
0:01:17 > 0:01:19Very nice! Give her a little round of applause!
0:01:19 > 0:01:21But his co-stars are acting up.
0:01:21 > 0:01:24You got a piece of rubbish for me? No, don't look at them!
0:01:24 > 0:01:28PARROT SQUAWKS No, Archie. Archie, I want a piece of rubbish, please.
0:01:33 > 0:01:36But first...
0:01:37 > 0:01:42Up at Wolf Wood lives the park's pack of 20 timber wolves.
0:01:43 > 0:01:47Wolves once roamed through most of Europe,
0:01:47 > 0:01:50but today, the wild population is found mainly in the forests
0:01:50 > 0:01:52of Canada and Eastern Russia.
0:01:55 > 0:01:58Their pelts are thick enough to keep them warm
0:01:58 > 0:02:01through the bitterly cold winters, so as the weather gets hotter,
0:02:01 > 0:02:05wolves often enjoy a dip in the water to cool down.
0:02:07 > 0:02:10Thanks, Bob. Phew! Wow, that was a bit noisy!
0:02:10 > 0:02:12We're up at Wolf Wood, and, as you can see,
0:02:12 > 0:02:15we are busy cleaning out their...well, swimming pool,
0:02:15 > 0:02:19I suppose this is, really, isn't it? It's rather grand, for the wolves.
0:02:19 > 0:02:22- Yeah, it is.- Is it important for them to have somewhere to come
0:02:22 > 0:02:24and cool off on hot days like this?
0:02:24 > 0:02:26They love water, they really do.
0:02:26 > 0:02:30If this was emptied, then they'd jump in their little drinker.
0:02:30 > 0:02:32- Really?- Yeah, they love it that much.
0:02:32 > 0:02:34So they're quite like domestic dogs in that way,
0:02:34 > 0:02:38a lot of domestic dogs love jumping into anything - ponds, the sea.
0:02:38 > 0:02:40- So wolves would be the same? - Very much so.
0:02:40 > 0:02:42They are extremely strong swimmers.
0:02:42 > 0:02:44If they had to cross a fast-moving river,
0:02:44 > 0:02:47- they are capable of doing that. - That's amazing.
0:02:47 > 0:02:51We are planning to put fish in here,
0:02:51 > 0:02:54which seems a little odd for wolves because, you know,
0:02:54 > 0:02:56you think of wolves hunting in packs,
0:02:56 > 0:02:59going after small deer, or something like that.
0:02:59 > 0:03:03- Would they actually eat fish in the wild?- They would do.
0:03:03 > 0:03:05When the salmon are spawning, that's easy food,
0:03:05 > 0:03:08because, as you see with the bears on telly,
0:03:08 > 0:03:10- they will grab them as soon as they can.- Of course.
0:03:10 > 0:03:15Wolves are opportunists, and if they see a free meal then they'll take it.
0:03:15 > 0:03:19So the idea is that we're going to try and put fish in here,
0:03:19 > 0:03:22and see their fishing technique.
0:03:22 > 0:03:26Presumably, they're not all gonna be sitting round the edge with a rod!
0:03:26 > 0:03:27What will they do?
0:03:27 > 0:03:30Will they try and bring it out with their feet?
0:03:30 > 0:03:33- The water will be a lot clearer than it is now.- Yes.
0:03:33 > 0:03:36They'll be able to see it, they'll be able to smell it,
0:03:36 > 0:03:37and what they'll do is,
0:03:37 > 0:03:40some of the braver ones stick their heads in and grab it,
0:03:40 > 0:03:43others, like Freda, tend to sit and hook it back to a shallow bit,
0:03:43 > 0:03:46- and then go in after it. - ..and then go in after it.
0:03:46 > 0:03:49Well, we are gonna be able to see exactly what technique
0:03:49 > 0:03:52each wolf employs - I'll put this down -
0:03:52 > 0:03:54with this clever little piece of kit.
0:03:54 > 0:03:57This is an underwater camera.
0:03:57 > 0:04:00It's all sealed up, so that the water can't get in,
0:04:00 > 0:04:03but we can get fantastic images, hopefully.
0:04:03 > 0:04:06So what we're going to do is, once this is all cleaned out
0:04:06 > 0:04:09and less green and murky, this camera will go in the bottom,
0:04:09 > 0:04:11we'll put fish in the pond,
0:04:11 > 0:04:14and we'll be able to see the wolves fishing.
0:04:14 > 0:04:18WOLVES HOWL
0:04:26 > 0:04:31Across the park are some rather larger stretches of water.
0:04:31 > 0:04:33Half Mile Lake may seem natural,
0:04:33 > 0:04:36but in fact it's as artificial as the wolf pool.
0:04:38 > 0:04:42It was designed by Capability Brown in the 1700s
0:04:42 > 0:04:45and painstakingly dug out by hand.
0:04:45 > 0:04:50Today, the park's two safari boats carry around 300,000 visitors a year
0:04:50 > 0:04:54out onto the lake to see the hippos and sea lions,
0:04:54 > 0:04:57pelicans and gorillas who live there.
0:05:02 > 0:05:04The Lady Sylvie and Lady B
0:05:04 > 0:05:07have been plying these waters for over 30 years.
0:05:07 > 0:05:10But now passenger numbers are growing,
0:05:10 > 0:05:13and the two vessels are struggling to keep up with demand.
0:05:13 > 0:05:15Safari park boss Keith Harris
0:05:15 > 0:05:18has decided that it's time to replace them.
0:05:18 > 0:05:22On a really busy day you could be queuing for, you know,
0:05:22 > 0:05:25anything up to a couple of hours with these two boats.
0:05:25 > 0:05:28And this is why we are looking at two bigger boats altogether.
0:05:28 > 0:05:32Loading, unloading will be quicker, we'll get more people round the lake,
0:05:32 > 0:05:35and they'll be more enjoyable for everybody.
0:05:37 > 0:05:40The new boats will be almost twice the size
0:05:40 > 0:05:44of the pair they're replacing, with seats for 102 passengers.
0:05:44 > 0:05:47But the bigger boats will have a deeper draft.
0:05:47 > 0:05:49To allow them to operate,
0:05:49 > 0:05:52the shallow landing area will have to be dredged.
0:05:52 > 0:05:54We've got to get a digger into the lake.
0:05:54 > 0:05:57We've got to empty the lake out, get a digger in there,
0:05:57 > 0:06:00and flatten this area out, so these new boats don't hit it.
0:06:02 > 0:06:04The sluice gates are opened.
0:06:04 > 0:06:09Thousands of gallons of water an hour flood out of Half Mile Lake.
0:06:13 > 0:06:15By the next day,
0:06:15 > 0:06:19the shallow end of the lake is reduced to a soggy patch of mud.
0:06:19 > 0:06:24Now water bailiff Nick Robbins must get a ten ton digger out
0:06:24 > 0:06:28onto the lake bottom, to dredge out the landing area for the new boats.
0:06:28 > 0:06:32The hardest job will be getting to the area where the problem is,
0:06:32 > 0:06:34because all round the edges it's silt,
0:06:34 > 0:06:37and at the moment, we don't know how deep the silt is.
0:06:38 > 0:06:43Plant operator John Miles has the tricky job of operating the digger.
0:06:43 > 0:06:46He hopes it won't just sink into the mud.
0:06:46 > 0:06:48Shouldn't be too deep, though.
0:06:48 > 0:06:51According to Nick, it's only about a foot deep,
0:06:51 > 0:06:53but then, you can't rely on Nick!
0:06:53 > 0:06:56They're right to be worried -
0:06:56 > 0:07:01in 1990, a similar operation led to a sticky situation.
0:07:01 > 0:07:03The digger driver that we had in them days
0:07:03 > 0:07:05decided just to drive into the lake,
0:07:05 > 0:07:07and, literally, that's what he did -
0:07:07 > 0:07:10he drove into the lake, and he stayed there.
0:07:10 > 0:07:11He went in at 8.30 in the morning,
0:07:11 > 0:07:14and he was still in the lake at 7.30 in the evening.
0:07:17 > 0:07:19Everyone holds their breath
0:07:19 > 0:07:23as John inches the huge machine out onto the slippery mud.
0:07:27 > 0:07:30Luckily, the lake bed proves firm enough.
0:07:30 > 0:07:32Work can now go ahead.
0:07:35 > 0:07:38Meanwhile, the deeper end of the lake has water left in it,
0:07:38 > 0:07:40for the residents to play in.
0:07:40 > 0:07:43The hippos are loving the muddy wallow,
0:07:43 > 0:07:45and the sea lions are taking advantage
0:07:45 > 0:07:48of the concentrated stock of fish.
0:07:48 > 0:07:51Keeper Michelle Stevens has been keeping an eye on them.
0:07:51 > 0:07:54They're disorientated, especially the pup.
0:07:54 > 0:07:56She's sort of wondering where all the water's gone.
0:07:56 > 0:08:01It's not that deep, but, you know, they seem to be coping pretty well.
0:08:01 > 0:08:05There's lots of fishing going on. If you look at the seagulls,
0:08:05 > 0:08:08the sea lions are actually rounding up all the fish in there.
0:08:08 > 0:08:11They're not eating the fish that we provide for them,
0:08:11 > 0:08:14they're simply doing their own fishing at the moment.
0:08:14 > 0:08:16The birds are helping themselves.
0:08:16 > 0:08:20This sort of scenario makes it a lot harder to feed the animals,
0:08:20 > 0:08:23and to keep a check on them, because you can't get as close to them.
0:08:23 > 0:08:26So normally we feed the sea lions on the beach,
0:08:26 > 0:08:28so that we can get a good health check on them,
0:08:28 > 0:08:32and see who's feeding, just general things like that,
0:08:32 > 0:08:36so when the water levels do go back up, it will be much better,
0:08:36 > 0:08:38you know, we can get back to normal.
0:08:38 > 0:08:42The digging work is almost completed,
0:08:42 > 0:08:45and the animals are happy enough, for now.
0:08:45 > 0:08:50But the lake must be refilled soon or they could become distressed.
0:08:50 > 0:08:54Some water can be let in from the upper lakes,
0:08:54 > 0:08:56but to bring the level back to normal
0:08:56 > 0:08:59will require a good few hours of rain.
0:09:03 > 0:09:06Across the park live a group of animals who have evolved
0:09:06 > 0:09:12to survive in very dry conditions - the park's seven Bactrian camels.
0:09:12 > 0:09:15The latest arrival in the herd is little Elvis,
0:09:15 > 0:09:18who's now just two weeks old.
0:09:18 > 0:09:20# I'm all shook up! #
0:09:24 > 0:09:29Elvis had a bit of a shaky start, as he was born with a weak hind leg.
0:09:29 > 0:09:33# I can't seem to stand on my own two feet
0:09:33 > 0:09:35# Who do you thank when you have such luck? #
0:09:35 > 0:09:39Thankfully, within days, the leg strengthened.
0:09:43 > 0:09:48Now Elvis is enjoying his excursions into the wider enclosure.
0:09:48 > 0:09:51I'm out in the new area with keeper Adie Lanfear,
0:09:51 > 0:09:53and the new camel is going out
0:09:53 > 0:09:56for one of its first trips out here, isn't it?
0:09:56 > 0:09:58Yes, he's been out a few times,
0:09:58 > 0:10:00but it's still a very new experience for him.
0:10:00 > 0:10:04He's in a mixed reserve, and he will encounter very different species,
0:10:04 > 0:10:06that he wouldn't normally encounter.
0:10:06 > 0:10:11We've got the rhinos down over there, we've got the Ankole cattle...
0:10:11 > 0:10:15And all these cars, which, presumably for a young camel,
0:10:15 > 0:10:17is actually a bit of an issue,
0:10:17 > 0:10:20because he doesn't know what's dangerous and what isn't.
0:10:20 > 0:10:26He's got to learn a lot from his mum out here. She's been brilliant.
0:10:26 > 0:10:30And is that mum that he's standing under the neck of?
0:10:30 > 0:10:32That's Barley protecting there.
0:10:32 > 0:10:35She's been an excellent mother, protecting.
0:10:35 > 0:10:37She's using her body as a shield.
0:10:37 > 0:10:38She's shepherding him around.
0:10:38 > 0:10:42She is. She's guarding him where she thinks the threat is,
0:10:42 > 0:10:46and she'll put herself in between him and the threat.
0:10:46 > 0:10:49So they're kind of chasing after him,
0:10:49 > 0:10:52is that to stop him getting into trouble?
0:10:52 > 0:10:57In the distance, we can see the rhino, which is where he's heading,
0:10:57 > 0:10:59so I suppose Mum is really nervous for him.
0:10:59 > 0:11:02Mum is very nervous, and you've got Khan there chasing.
0:11:02 > 0:11:05- He's still a very young boy. - Khan is Dad, isn't he?
0:11:05 > 0:11:09Khan's Dad. He's obviously trying to get the smells, get to know Baby.
0:11:09 > 0:11:13But when Baby starts to run, that's fun, that's a big game.
0:11:13 > 0:11:18He's still very young, and he will run and chase after the baby.
0:11:18 > 0:11:21Have you noticed a real character forming with the young camel?
0:11:21 > 0:11:24He's very playful. I mean, Mum's been very good.
0:11:24 > 0:11:26We're able to actually handle him.
0:11:26 > 0:11:29We have a play with him. Mum's brilliant.
0:11:29 > 0:11:31Because you look after them every day,
0:11:31 > 0:11:34and you must really recognise individual characters
0:11:34 > 0:11:35between all of them.
0:11:35 > 0:11:39Yeah, the biggest character is Babs. She's got the saggy humps.
0:11:39 > 0:11:43They are so saggy, it doesn't look like she has any humps whatsoever.
0:11:43 > 0:11:45She's flattened them.
0:11:45 > 0:11:48Well, the humps are actually stored fat,
0:11:48 > 0:11:51which they use for energy, and through a process of oxidation,
0:11:51 > 0:11:53they can actually produce water.
0:11:53 > 0:11:56Really? So that's how they can live in an arid area?
0:11:56 > 0:11:58They can live up to 17 days without water,
0:11:58 > 0:12:03but because she's got a ready supply of food and water,
0:12:03 > 0:12:05her body's adapted, got a little bit lazy,
0:12:05 > 0:12:09and there's no need to store so much fat, so they've sagged over.
0:12:09 > 0:12:14Are you confident that this youngster is happily blending in,
0:12:14 > 0:12:17mixing with the camels that already exist here?
0:12:17 > 0:12:20He's mixing very well with the other camels.
0:12:20 > 0:12:22They've all got to learn their place.
0:12:22 > 0:12:25They discipline each other with biting,
0:12:25 > 0:12:28and that's what they use their teeth for, fighting, also.
0:12:28 > 0:12:31But they're going to encounter the other animals.
0:12:31 > 0:12:34We've got horns in here, the Ankole.
0:12:34 > 0:12:37The oryx are our biggest worry. The five girls up there.
0:12:37 > 0:12:41- Are they particularly aggressive? - They're very inquisitive.
0:12:41 > 0:12:43They come over, and they circle the young one,
0:12:43 > 0:12:45and they will try and test it with their horns,
0:12:45 > 0:12:48and it's a little bit frightening at the moment.
0:12:48 > 0:12:50Until he gets a little bit bigger,
0:12:50 > 0:12:53we've always got somebody watching him out here.
0:12:53 > 0:12:54Adie, thank you very much.
0:12:54 > 0:12:58We'll keep you posted on Elvis's progress throughout the series.
0:12:58 > 0:13:02# Hey, I'm all shook up. #
0:13:04 > 0:13:09Back across the park, Half Mile Lake is still a muddy puddle.
0:13:09 > 0:13:11It's been drained to allow dredging work,
0:13:11 > 0:13:14so that the park's new and larger safari boats
0:13:14 > 0:13:17will be able to navigate without scraping the bottom.
0:13:19 > 0:13:21While waiting for the lake to refill,
0:13:21 > 0:13:25safari park boss Keith Harris has come to Warwickshire,
0:13:25 > 0:13:30to Dom Cole's boatyard to check on the construction of his new boats.
0:13:30 > 0:13:34Bill Lord and Darren Beasley will operate the new vessels,
0:13:34 > 0:13:35so they've come along with him.
0:13:35 > 0:13:39- Have we got some boats to look at? - Yep, come and see the progress.
0:13:39 > 0:13:41I was actually very lucky.
0:13:41 > 0:13:44At an early stage, Keith involved us in looking at the plans,
0:13:44 > 0:13:47and also thinking what we require from a boat,
0:13:47 > 0:13:50because obviously, a boat's got to work on our lake,
0:13:50 > 0:13:53and our lake requires certain things.
0:13:53 > 0:13:56It's very shallow, for instance, and the number of people.
0:13:56 > 0:13:58So we were privy to that fairly early on.
0:13:58 > 0:14:01But we have only seen drawings, and a few weeks ago,
0:14:01 > 0:14:05I got a couple of glossy photographs of some metal being welded together
0:14:05 > 0:14:07which whetted the appetite, so I'm excited.
0:14:07 > 0:14:09I don't know what we're going to see,
0:14:09 > 0:14:12but hopefully it's come on, and I can't wait.
0:14:14 > 0:14:17The yard has ten men working at fever pitch
0:14:17 > 0:14:19to get the boats finished on time.
0:14:19 > 0:14:21There's still a long way to go,
0:14:21 > 0:14:23but this is the first time that Keith and the team
0:14:23 > 0:14:26can get a good look at the true scale of their new vessels.
0:14:28 > 0:14:32It looks huge. Whether they'll look that big on the lake, I don't know,
0:14:32 > 0:14:33and how they'll handle.
0:14:34 > 0:14:36And the fact that we've still got that clear view,
0:14:36 > 0:14:39and we're above the level of the water now,
0:14:39 > 0:14:41so people can see all the sea lions
0:14:41 > 0:14:43and the hippos from that elevated view. Fantastic.
0:14:43 > 0:14:47To prevent injury to the animals,
0:14:47 > 0:14:51boats using Half Mile Lake must have a host of special features built in.
0:14:51 > 0:14:56It's an extra challenge for marine architect Tony Tucker.
0:14:56 > 0:14:59We've had to put in special guards around the propellers,
0:14:59 > 0:15:01and the propellers are a special type,
0:15:01 > 0:15:04so that they can be lifted up out of the water.
0:15:04 > 0:15:09We've got special guards and protective bars around the screws,
0:15:09 > 0:15:11to stop injury to any animals.
0:15:11 > 0:15:14Bill Lord has worked on the safari boats for a decade.
0:15:14 > 0:15:20This is my first time in the cabin. I like the look of this.
0:15:20 > 0:15:24He and Darren are keen to give the boats a thorough inspection,
0:15:24 > 0:15:28to make sure everything is up to their exacting specifications.
0:15:28 > 0:15:33So you've got the tank, you've got pre-filters, a water separator,
0:15:33 > 0:15:35and a filter on the engine.
0:15:36 > 0:15:40Everything will be on this boat that we require, even fold-down seats,
0:15:40 > 0:15:44so you can get easily to the sides and so forth. Loading, discharging.
0:15:44 > 0:15:47We can get 100 people on and off very, very quickly.
0:15:47 > 0:15:49So I'd say, perfect design.
0:15:49 > 0:15:52The visitors will get such a fantastic view of the animals.
0:15:52 > 0:15:54They'll feel safe.
0:15:54 > 0:15:57We can get everybody on board, no matter what shape, size.
0:15:57 > 0:16:00They can come on this boat, and it's going to be really good.
0:16:00 > 0:16:03To see the way they've been working on it,
0:16:03 > 0:16:05really professional,
0:16:05 > 0:16:07and everything's to a very high standard,
0:16:07 > 0:16:11so I am really pleased, and now a lot more confident with the boats.
0:16:11 > 0:16:16At the boatyard, everything is passing muster.
0:16:16 > 0:16:18But back at the park, there's a problem.
0:16:18 > 0:16:21The lake is still half empty.
0:16:21 > 0:16:26Deputy Head Warden Ian Turner is getting worried.
0:16:26 > 0:16:31We've got two foot of water missing, and we've got no rain,
0:16:31 > 0:16:33so we're praying like mad for rain,
0:16:33 > 0:16:36because it's only coming at two inches per day at the moment.
0:16:36 > 0:16:40They can't let more water in than that because of the top lakes
0:16:40 > 0:16:41and the fish, so we need rain.
0:16:41 > 0:16:45So I'm probably the only person in the park who's praying for rain.
0:16:45 > 0:16:47The holiday season,
0:16:47 > 0:16:50when thousands of visitors will be passing through the park,
0:16:50 > 0:16:51is just days away.
0:16:51 > 0:16:55But will the park get the rain it needs to fill the lake in time?
0:17:03 > 0:17:06Across the park, we've managed to fill up the wolf pool
0:17:06 > 0:17:09rather more quickly.
0:17:09 > 0:17:13Now it's time to see if the wolves are any good at fishing.
0:17:19 > 0:17:22I'm up at Wolf Wood with keeper Bob Trollope,
0:17:22 > 0:17:25and earlier we cleaned out the pond and put some fish in,
0:17:25 > 0:17:29- and we've already got... Is that Zeva, Bob?- Yes.- Look at her.
0:17:29 > 0:17:31We've got a monitor set up,
0:17:31 > 0:17:36running to the little camera which you can see under the water there.
0:17:36 > 0:17:43Zeva, the apparently omega member of the wolf pack is the first in,
0:17:43 > 0:17:45and being the bravest.
0:17:45 > 0:17:48As I said earlier, she's very food orientated.
0:17:48 > 0:17:52Zeva used to be the alpha, or dominant female,
0:17:52 > 0:17:55until she was deposed by Freda.
0:17:55 > 0:17:58Now she has the lowest status of all the wolf pack,
0:17:58 > 0:18:00and normally would be one of the last to feed.
0:18:00 > 0:18:03The fish are an opportunity not to be missed.
0:18:03 > 0:18:06Something like this is just a rare treat for her.
0:18:06 > 0:18:11And she's having no problem with putting her face right in the water.
0:18:11 > 0:18:12No, she hasn't got a problem.
0:18:12 > 0:18:15And the others are very much hanging back.
0:18:15 > 0:18:18Yeah, well, I think it's cos we've been about there,
0:18:18 > 0:18:20and there are a lot of our smells around.
0:18:20 > 0:18:23Zeva is really up for it. This is her feet.
0:18:23 > 0:18:24Absolutely, as you said,
0:18:24 > 0:18:26that she'll claw the fish up into her mouth,
0:18:26 > 0:18:32but she has no problem with actually submerging her whole face, as well.
0:18:32 > 0:18:34Oh, that's lovely.
0:18:34 > 0:18:38As you say, clearly, I thought that they were just meat eaters,
0:18:38 > 0:18:39but they're loving fish.
0:18:39 > 0:18:44Yeah, it's as good for them as it would be for us.
0:18:44 > 0:18:48Plus the fact that they've come to an age where they're moulting now,
0:18:48 > 0:18:49this time of year,
0:18:49 > 0:18:52and they love getting into the water and getting wet,
0:18:52 > 0:18:54and then they come out and have a good shake.
0:18:54 > 0:19:00So that's getting all that itchy, dry, dead fur out.
0:19:00 > 0:19:04It's interesting, I mean, she's constantly on the lookout.
0:19:04 > 0:19:08She's not just gorging herself.
0:19:08 > 0:19:10No... Oh, that was a good 'un!
0:19:10 > 0:19:13A bit of water down her ear that time, I think.
0:19:13 > 0:19:16Yes, she's going to be on the guard anyway,
0:19:16 > 0:19:20because when her head is under water, obviously the back end is vulnerable,
0:19:20 > 0:19:22and with all the others around,
0:19:22 > 0:19:25then I suppose she feels a little bit vulnerable.
0:19:25 > 0:19:27She's going to be checking out,
0:19:27 > 0:19:31cos that's Freda behind, the alpha female.
0:19:31 > 0:19:33Bob, that was a fascinating experiment,
0:19:33 > 0:19:36and wonderful shots here of Zeva's face right in there.
0:19:36 > 0:19:38Thank you, girl, very much indeed.
0:19:38 > 0:19:42And thank you, Bob. We'll leave them to finish off the fish, I think.
0:19:55 > 0:19:58Over at Half Mile Lake, to everyone's relief,
0:19:58 > 0:20:01a good couple of rainy days has allowed the water level
0:20:01 > 0:20:05to be brought back to normal, just in time for peak season.
0:20:08 > 0:20:11The residents are all delighted to have their lake back,
0:20:11 > 0:20:14none more so than the Californian sea lions.
0:20:19 > 0:20:23Now the big day is finally here, as one of the new safari boats
0:20:23 > 0:20:25arrives at the park.
0:20:28 > 0:20:3265 feet long, and seating over 100 passengers,
0:20:32 > 0:20:36the boat is purpose-built to suit conditions on the lake,
0:20:36 > 0:20:39and crammed with state-of-the-art features.
0:20:39 > 0:20:44Getting the 26 ton vessel safely into the water is a big operation.
0:20:44 > 0:20:47Safari park boss Keith Harris is glad
0:20:47 > 0:20:50that all the commotion isn't upsetting the residents.
0:20:50 > 0:20:52Nico the gorilla has been watching,
0:20:52 > 0:20:56but they're used to seeing us getting boats in and out the water.
0:20:58 > 0:21:01It's just lovely to see it going off up the lake now.
0:21:03 > 0:21:06As with all boats, this one will need extensive trials
0:21:06 > 0:21:09before the public can be allowed on board.
0:21:09 > 0:21:14But soon, both new boats will be ready to make their maiden voyages.
0:21:28 > 0:21:32Over at Pets' Corner live the park's 17 parrots,
0:21:32 > 0:21:34but there's not a bird-brain among them.
0:21:35 > 0:21:38Experts believe that parrots have the intelligence
0:21:38 > 0:21:40of a four-year-old child.
0:21:40 > 0:21:43To make sure they are properly stimulated,
0:21:43 > 0:21:46keepers teach them how to perform interesting tasks.
0:21:48 > 0:21:51The parrots also love being the centre of attention,
0:21:51 > 0:21:52so every day in the summer,
0:21:52 > 0:21:56the keepers put on a parrot show for the visitors.
0:21:56 > 0:22:00Keeper Rob Savin's been doing the shows for years now,
0:22:00 > 0:22:03but today he's handing over to his successor.
0:22:03 > 0:22:06I'm down at Pets' Corner with keeper John Ubans and Rob Savin.
0:22:06 > 0:22:09- Hello there.- This is a very big day for you, John, isn't it?
0:22:09 > 0:22:11- It is indeed.- What's happening?
0:22:11 > 0:22:14I'm just about to do my first bird show.
0:22:14 > 0:22:16Rob, I know you've been doing this for...
0:22:16 > 0:22:19- You're a veteran of the bird shows here.- Five or six years, so...
0:22:19 > 0:22:21You've been training John up?
0:22:21 > 0:22:24I have indeed, and he's doing very, very well.
0:22:24 > 0:22:29- How did you feel on your first day? - I was terribly nervous.
0:22:29 > 0:22:32It went OK, I was happy with the result, but...
0:22:32 > 0:22:37- Any last minute advice for John? - Just take your time.
0:22:37 > 0:22:41Honestly, take your time, and think it through as you go.
0:22:41 > 0:22:43It's all about timing, but timing will come.
0:22:43 > 0:22:46- Timing comes into it eventually. - John, who have we got here?
0:22:46 > 0:22:49This is Matilda. Matilda's going to start the show.
0:22:49 > 0:22:52I'm not worried about standing in front of those people,
0:22:52 > 0:22:54it's how the birds will react.
0:22:54 > 0:22:56That's what's going to be interesting.
0:22:56 > 0:22:59They say never work with children or animals.
0:22:59 > 0:23:01And I'm about to do both.
0:23:01 > 0:23:04Exactly. Are you looking forward to it?
0:23:04 > 0:23:07- Do you like performing in front of a crowd?- Yeah, I do.
0:23:07 > 0:23:10It's good to get the reaction off the people,
0:23:10 > 0:23:12and from the animals as well,
0:23:12 > 0:23:15but it will be very interesting to see what happens. Very excited.
0:23:15 > 0:23:17We both wish you lots of luck.
0:23:17 > 0:23:20We're going to be standing here watching you. It's about time.
0:23:20 > 0:23:24- Two o'clock, on the dot. We'll let you go, John. Good luck.- Thank you.
0:23:24 > 0:23:26OK, good afternoon, everybody.
0:23:26 > 0:23:29Welcome to Longleat, welcome to the bird show.
0:23:29 > 0:23:31My name's John and this is Matilda.
0:23:31 > 0:23:34This afternoon, we'll teach you a few things about the birds,
0:23:34 > 0:23:38about the environment, but most of all, just have a little bit of fun.
0:23:38 > 0:23:40What Matilda's going to do first,
0:23:40 > 0:23:43she's actually got her very own pair of parrot roller-skates.
0:23:43 > 0:23:47Oh, yeah. She's got a nice tight grip, onto the skates there.
0:23:47 > 0:23:48Very nice, Matilda.
0:23:48 > 0:23:51Shall we have a spin to finish off, Til? Very nice.
0:23:51 > 0:23:54Give her a round of applause. Thank you, Matilda.
0:23:54 > 0:23:58John's off to a flying start, and the audience are loving it.
0:23:58 > 0:24:02Thank you, Jake, and once he gets all the way to the end of the table,
0:24:02 > 0:24:04make sure you give him a big round of applause.
0:24:04 > 0:24:07All the way to the end, Jake. Are you going to stop?
0:24:07 > 0:24:10I don't want an accident. Very nice. Give him a round of applause.
0:24:13 > 0:24:16Come on, Bobby. Yes!
0:24:16 > 0:24:19Give them a wave in the middle as well.
0:24:19 > 0:24:23Give him a little round of applause. He is a very good boy.
0:24:23 > 0:24:26So far so good, but when performing with parrots,
0:24:26 > 0:24:29you can never be sure what they'll do next.
0:24:29 > 0:24:31PARROT SQUAWKS
0:24:31 > 0:24:33He's going to select a piece of rubbish.
0:24:33 > 0:24:36Are you going to get a piece of rubbish? Don't look at them.
0:24:36 > 0:24:38I know they're all very interesting,
0:24:38 > 0:24:40but can we concentrate on the matter at hand?
0:24:40 > 0:24:44You're not going to do it for me? No? Oh, Archie's gone all shy.
0:24:44 > 0:24:47Archie, are you going to come up for me?
0:24:47 > 0:24:50There we go. I tell you what, I'll use my substitute parrot.
0:24:50 > 0:24:53But, no, Sunday doesn't want to play either.
0:24:53 > 0:24:54Let's go to Bobby...
0:24:54 > 0:24:55Thankfully for John,
0:24:55 > 0:24:59soon, the parrot prima donnas manage to get their act together.
0:24:59 > 0:25:01Nine bell rings.
0:25:01 > 0:25:03Nine, go! Nine, go!
0:25:03 > 0:25:07BELL RINGS EIGHT TIMES
0:25:11 > 0:25:15There we go! Very nice, Matilda. She got there in the end.
0:25:15 > 0:25:18The audience have clearly enjoyed the show.
0:25:18 > 0:25:21John's first performance has been a success.
0:25:23 > 0:25:24Overall, are you happy?
0:25:24 > 0:25:27- I'm fairly happy, yes.- I'm happy.
0:25:27 > 0:25:29Can we give John marks out of ten, do you think?
0:25:29 > 0:25:32- I think a good nine out of ten. - Nine out of ten. That's not bad.
0:25:32 > 0:25:34- Thank you very much.- Well done.
0:25:34 > 0:25:36You did very well. You've got a good protege there.
0:25:36 > 0:25:38As far as he goes, no problem.
0:25:38 > 0:25:41We need to get them about a three out of ten though.
0:25:41 > 0:25:45Well, John, congratulations. Rob, thank you very much.
0:25:45 > 0:25:48It looks like the parrot show will be a success for many years to come.
0:26:09 > 0:26:11We're up at Half Mile Lake
0:26:11 > 0:26:14on the brand new boat and we've come to meet head warden, Keith Harris.
0:26:14 > 0:26:17You must be feeling very proud of yourself, Keith.
0:26:17 > 0:26:19I feel like the Admiral this morning.
0:26:19 > 0:26:22- Admiral of the fleet, I think. - It is a fantastic boat.
0:26:22 > 0:26:27Very quiet, much, much bigger than the last ones, with a great view.
0:26:27 > 0:26:30That's right. Of course, until they get here,
0:26:30 > 0:26:35I've been seeing them built, but I didn't realise just how good a view we were going to get
0:26:35 > 0:26:39from these boats and how good they are, compared to the old ones.
0:26:39 > 0:26:42It is different being so high up on the water.
0:26:42 > 0:26:47- What do you think the animals, the sea lions, the gorillas... - Samba's right there.
0:26:47 > 0:26:51Are they going to kind of say, "Oh, there's a new boat on the lake!"
0:26:51 > 0:26:56When we unloaded yesterday, certainly Nico, he was running up and down investigating quite clearly.
0:26:56 > 0:26:59He was quite interested in what we were doing.
0:26:59 > 0:27:02And even just getting the boat down to the key, the sea lions
0:27:02 > 0:27:05started chasing it, so I don't think they're going to have any worries.
0:27:05 > 0:27:08Are you hoping this will enhance your visitors experience?
0:27:10 > 0:27:15Yes. It takes twice the amount of people, it's a lot quieter, so being
0:27:15 > 0:27:19able to talk to the public will be a lot easier, so hopefully,
0:27:19 > 0:27:24fingers crossed, it'll be a better trip round the lake for the public.
0:27:24 > 0:27:27Most important thing, obviously, this is it's inaugural voyage.
0:27:27 > 0:27:30We feel very honoured to be the first people on it.
0:27:30 > 0:27:32Does it have a name yet?
0:27:32 > 0:27:36This particular boat is going to be called the Lady Bath.
0:27:36 > 0:27:40And the other one is going to be called the Lady Lenka.
0:27:40 > 0:27:42So it's mother and daughter.
0:27:42 > 0:27:44Lovely. Absolutely lovely.
0:27:44 > 0:27:47Well, we hope that the Lady Bath and the Lady Lenka sail well
0:27:47 > 0:27:49for many years to come. Absolutely.
0:27:49 > 0:27:51Keith, thank you very much.
0:27:51 > 0:27:54Sadly, that's all we've got time for on today's programme,
0:27:54 > 0:27:57but here's what's coming up on the next Animal Park.
0:27:57 > 0:28:00It's the safari park's 40th anniversary,
0:28:00 > 0:28:04so we've gone to the archives to dig up some extraordinary footage from
0:28:04 > 0:28:09the early days, and to find out why setting it up was so controversial.
0:28:12 > 0:28:15Lord Bath will be sharing some of his memories,
0:28:15 > 0:28:19as he serves supper to Longleat's most famous residents.
0:28:19 > 0:28:22And in the Gorilla House, we've set up spy cameras to find out
0:28:22 > 0:28:27just what Nico and Samba get up to when no-one's around.
0:28:27 > 0:28:31That's all coming up on the next Animal Park.
0:28:36 > 0:28:40Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:28:40 > 0:28:43Email subtitling@bbc.co.uk