0:00:31 > 0:00:34Hello, and welcome to Animal Park.
0:00:34 > 0:00:37- I'm Kate Humble...- ..and I'm Ben Fogle, and we're beside the lake
0:00:37 > 0:00:40in the safari park, home to the magnificent pink-backed pelican.
0:00:40 > 0:00:47Longleat was the first place in the country to successfully breed these African birds and everyone is hoping
0:00:47 > 0:00:51that there may be the patter of tiny webbed feet a little later in the year.
0:00:51 > 0:00:56We'll be going behind the scenes to see a whole host of other animals, including...
0:00:57 > 0:01:01The rare Pere David stag has got its antlers in a twist.
0:01:03 > 0:01:04Oh, I hit him, did I?
0:01:04 > 0:01:08Tim Yeo has to take drastic action.
0:01:08 > 0:01:11We catch up with the new arrivals.
0:01:11 > 0:01:15'At the camel barn, Bactrian baby Elvis has bounced onto the scene.
0:01:15 > 0:01:19'While out in the paddock there are three new kids on the block.'
0:01:21 > 0:01:26And I have a rare opportunity to get a close look at the new wolf cubs.
0:01:26 > 0:01:29Too close for the wolf pack's comfort.
0:01:30 > 0:01:34- They're coming over. - Oh, yeah, they are coming back.
0:01:40 > 0:01:42But first...
0:01:44 > 0:01:50At the keeper's lodge, head of section Tim Yeo is preparing for a difficult task.
0:01:53 > 0:01:56It's not something he's looking forward to.
0:01:59 > 0:02:04This morning, on his rounds out in the enclosure, he spotted something worrying.
0:02:04 > 0:02:11Somehow the Pere David stag had managed to get a piece of fencing wire tangled in his antlers.
0:02:15 > 0:02:18Pere David deer are listed as critically endangered in the wild.
0:02:18 > 0:02:21With just a few thousand left in the world,
0:02:21 > 0:02:27the park's five females and one male are incredibly precious animals.
0:02:27 > 0:02:32Tim must act quickly or the stag could get badly hurt.
0:02:34 > 0:02:40The only way that we can remove the wire is to sedate him, which can
0:02:40 > 0:02:46be quite a difficult job because they're very difficult to get close to.
0:02:46 > 0:02:50But no other way of removing it, I mean, it's got to come off.
0:02:50 > 0:02:57If it stays, he's liable to get more and more tangled up in it and it's an enormous hazard to him.
0:02:58 > 0:03:01Darting is always stressful for an animal.
0:03:01 > 0:03:08It's a tricky procedure, but Tim is highly trained, and knows how to do it as safely as possible.
0:03:08 > 0:03:10There are risks to
0:03:10 > 0:03:16the animal, obviously, but in this instance there's no other way - we have to do this.
0:03:16 > 0:03:19It's crucial to get the amount of sedative right.
0:03:19 > 0:03:24Too small a dose and the stag won't go to sleep,
0:03:24 > 0:03:27but too large a dose could kill him.
0:03:33 > 0:03:37To get close to the stag, Tim's come up with a cunning plan.
0:03:37 > 0:03:40He's going to go with the film crew in their vehicle.
0:03:42 > 0:03:47I'm hoping that perhaps we can go in disguise somewhat, you know.
0:03:47 > 0:03:51This vehicle's very good because they do tend to get suspicious of
0:03:51 > 0:03:56certain vehicles and certainly mine they see a lot and they're very suspicious of it.
0:03:56 > 0:03:59They shouldn't be, and probably won't be, with this one.
0:04:02 > 0:04:09The Pere David are shy creatures and very quick on their feet, so they're extremely difficult to dart.
0:04:14 > 0:04:17Can we stop there, Will, please?
0:04:17 > 0:04:23Tim wants to get as close as possible to make sure his first shot is accurate.
0:04:24 > 0:04:29'You get really one good chance at this, and that's the first chance, because'
0:04:29 > 0:04:34if it goes wrong the first time, the stag we are trying to sedate is wary
0:04:34 > 0:04:40and presents a far more difficult target the second time and beyond.
0:04:40 > 0:04:44The Pere David are not cooperating.
0:04:46 > 0:04:49He doesn't really present a shot at the minute.
0:04:49 > 0:04:54Tim is still at quite a long range from the stag, but suddenly he sees a chance.
0:04:57 > 0:04:59No, I missed.
0:04:59 > 0:05:02Unfortunately, the dart went wide.
0:05:07 > 0:05:10Tim has to pick it up and start again.
0:05:11 > 0:05:14Having missed once it's going to be even harder now.
0:05:18 > 0:05:22Keep going, Will, just keep going as steady as you are.
0:05:22 > 0:05:26The Pere David are nervous, and even more wary than before.
0:05:26 > 0:05:30TIM WHISTLES SOFTLY
0:05:30 > 0:05:33But eventually Tim sees another opportunity.
0:05:35 > 0:05:38Oh, I hit him, did I? I don't know if I hit him.
0:05:41 > 0:05:42- You think you got him? - I don't know if I hit him.
0:05:42 > 0:05:45I swung through and...
0:05:47 > 0:05:49I'm not sure.
0:05:49 > 0:05:55The shot was good, but somehow the stag is still standing up.
0:05:55 > 0:06:03The last dart hit him, but he didn't receive the whole drug so its not been nearly enough to
0:06:03 > 0:06:07sedate him, get him into a state that we can actually deal with him.
0:06:07 > 0:06:09So I feel now
0:06:09 > 0:06:14we need to back off, leave it well alone for tonight.
0:06:14 > 0:06:16I think we need to
0:06:16 > 0:06:17start afresh tomorrow.
0:06:17 > 0:06:24We'll be back to see if Tim can sedate the stag before it gets badly injured by the wire.
0:06:28 > 0:06:31WOLVES HOWL
0:06:36 > 0:06:40# I see the bare moon rising
0:06:41 > 0:06:45# I see trouble on the way
0:06:47 > 0:06:53Safely separated from the deer in a nearby enclosure live the park's 18 Canadian Timber wolves.
0:06:53 > 0:06:5711 males and seven females.
0:06:57 > 0:07:01Two Tip is the alpha male,
0:07:01 > 0:07:04and Frieda is the alpha female.
0:07:04 > 0:07:11Wolf packs are strictly hierarchical, and usually only the alphas are allowed to breed.
0:07:12 > 0:07:19The other wolves contribute by helping to look after the cubs when they're born.
0:07:21 > 0:07:23Recently, keepers noticed that Frieda was expecting,
0:07:23 > 0:07:27so they built her a nice box to have the cubs in.
0:07:27 > 0:07:32But she ignored it and chose instead to have her cubs at the base of a large tree.
0:07:37 > 0:07:41It's lucky for us because now we have a rare opportunity to see the
0:07:41 > 0:07:45little cubs weeks before they would normally come out into the open.
0:07:47 > 0:07:52Oh, look at those. Well, I'm up in Wolf Wood with keeper Bob Trollope.
0:07:52 > 0:07:54What a fantastic moment, Bob.
0:07:54 > 0:07:56- Brilliant, innit? - Absolutely brilliant.
0:07:56 > 0:08:01Now the adults have all disappeared - they're being fed at the moment.
0:08:01 > 0:08:05This gives us an ample opportunity just to come over and check
0:08:05 > 0:08:07how many we've got. This is the first time we've got here.
0:08:07 > 0:08:12- It looks like there are, one, two, three, four, five...in there?- Yeah.
0:08:12 > 0:08:16Blind at the moment? It looks like they've got their eyes closed.
0:08:16 > 0:08:19Their eyes are closed and they'll be like that for a week or two,
0:08:19 > 0:08:22but we don't normally see them like this because they're in a den.
0:08:22 > 0:08:24Yeah, right underground.
0:08:24 > 0:08:27We only ever see them at about four weeks old when they're
0:08:27 > 0:08:30brave enough to venture out, so this is great.
0:08:30 > 0:08:32It's fantastic. It's absolutely fantastic.
0:08:32 > 0:08:36Obviously it's quite hard to tell from here, but all of them look
0:08:36 > 0:08:40a reasonable size, they look quite robust, they look pretty healthy.
0:08:40 > 0:08:43I mean, do you think this looks like a good litter?
0:08:43 > 0:08:45Well, it is early days.
0:08:45 > 0:08:48As you said, they do look really plump and healthy, um,
0:08:48 > 0:08:51and we know they have been suckling, but it is early days, and
0:08:51 > 0:08:56if the weather turns nasty, who knows what's going to happen?
0:08:56 > 0:08:59And how about the rest of the pack?
0:08:59 > 0:09:03They do bond much closer together at this time of year.
0:09:03 > 0:09:10One Tip, especially, is very quick at chasing our vehicles off...
0:09:10 > 0:09:14if we go anywhere near the tree.
0:09:14 > 0:09:17- So he's being a really protective dad.- He's not the dad!
0:09:17 > 0:09:22Two Tips is the dad and One Tip is the one that comes along and chases us off.
0:09:22 > 0:09:26He's doing his job. He's the foreman.
0:09:26 > 0:09:29- Right.- Two Tips is the boss and he's the foreman.
0:09:29 > 0:09:31Right. He's the heavy that gets in to do the bullying work.
0:09:31 > 0:09:34Yeah, he's the henchman.
0:09:35 > 0:09:37They're coming over. I don't know if you can see them.
0:09:37 > 0:09:40- Oh, yeah, they're coming back. - So we might have to move.
0:09:40 > 0:09:44We don't want to stress any of them too much, we'll pull away slightly.
0:09:44 > 0:09:45It is amazing.
0:09:45 > 0:09:48This is brilliant stuff, though, this is.
0:09:48 > 0:09:53It's extraordinary, because it just shows even though they're obviously used to vehicles
0:09:53 > 0:09:59and the public coming round here, that their wild instincts to protect the cubs are absolutely intact.
0:09:59 > 0:10:04It's incredible, and they will grab hold of something and they will not let go.
0:10:04 > 0:10:07So what they're doing now is what you would want them to do.
0:10:07 > 0:10:13- Absolutely.- It's brilliant. I think we're going to have to go further than I anticipated.
0:10:13 > 0:10:19Yeah, they're really having a go at us, aren't they? I have to say, I'm very glad I'm in the truck.
0:10:19 > 0:10:20I'm glad it's not my vehicle!
0:10:23 > 0:10:30That's amazing, isn't it? What we're seeing so well is this co-ordination between all of them as well.
0:10:30 > 0:10:32We're at a safe distance now and they've just left us.
0:10:32 > 0:10:37So we're no threat to the cubs, so we're obviously away enough for them
0:10:37 > 0:10:41to warrant going back to their food or going back and checking the cubs.
0:10:41 > 0:10:46Well, Bob, that was an amazing, amazing view of those tiny cubs.
0:10:46 > 0:10:48I mean, just fantastic.
0:10:48 > 0:10:52Hopefully, over the next few weeks we'll see them grow up and
0:10:52 > 0:10:56become healthy members of the pack, but congratulations.
0:10:56 > 0:11:01- I know it's always a worrying time for you, but you must be very relieved.- Yep.- Thanks.
0:11:07 > 0:11:10WOLVES HOWL
0:11:21 > 0:11:25Over at the East Africa Reserve live the park's ten African pygmy goats.
0:11:27 > 0:11:35Although they're famous for their fertility, it's been a long time since any kids were born here.
0:11:35 > 0:11:42But now keeper Bev Evans is hoping that's all about to change.
0:11:42 > 0:11:45At the moment, we've got seven female pygmy goats.
0:11:45 > 0:11:49About six years ago, we decided to castrate our males just to keep our numbers down.
0:11:49 > 0:11:54At one time we've had 35 pygmy goats here, so ten really is a much better number for us.
0:11:54 > 0:12:00But as our herd's getting a lot older we've brought in a billy to get a bit of fresh blood, really.
0:12:00 > 0:12:05We don't really now if he's going to take his time to get to know them as such, and find his feet cos it's
0:12:05 > 0:12:10different surroundings for him, or whether he's just going to carry on and get on with the job.
0:12:10 > 0:12:12Hey, Jon-Joe.
0:12:12 > 0:12:14Good boy.
0:12:14 > 0:12:19The lucky stud is a two-and-a-half year old goat named Jon-Joe.
0:12:19 > 0:12:22He's come here on loan from a safari park
0:12:22 > 0:12:26in West Glamorgan to carry out this special mission.
0:12:26 > 0:12:30I was expecting something a little bit bigger,
0:12:30 > 0:12:35but he is a proper pygmy so, yeah, he's a very good looking goat.
0:12:44 > 0:12:52Bev may be confident of Jon-Joe's credentials, but the female goats or does don't seem quite so impressed.
0:12:52 > 0:12:57Jon-Joe does seem quite interested, but to be honest, maybe some of the females aren't in season yet.
0:12:57 > 0:13:03A lot of them are quite old, so to be honest, they might not all conceive.
0:13:03 > 0:13:09And if they do they might just have single births, but we're hoping for twins from each.
0:13:11 > 0:13:16It might not be love at first sight, but given time the horny
0:13:16 > 0:13:18little billy goat manages to do what he came for.
0:13:18 > 0:13:23Two weeks after he arrived, Bev has good news.
0:13:23 > 0:13:28We've definitely seen Jon-Joe mating Sunflower and Allie, so we
0:13:28 > 0:13:32definitely know that he's been doing well with some of the girls.
0:13:32 > 0:13:39We imagine he's got on with it with the rest of the girls, but we're gonna have to wait and see.
0:13:39 > 0:13:43For Jon-Joe, it's mission accomplished.
0:13:43 > 0:13:45He's been an absolutely excellent goat.
0:13:45 > 0:13:50He has actually done his job, and he's done it really well, and, yeah, he's got to go back home.
0:13:50 > 0:13:56We'll be back to see if Jon-Joe's labours will bear fruit.
0:14:03 > 0:14:08Elsewhere in the park, the breeding season's already well underway.
0:14:08 > 0:14:11# Well, bless my soul, what's wrong with me?
0:14:11 > 0:14:18Just days ago, Bactrian camel Barley gave birth to a beautiful baby boy named Elvis.
0:14:18 > 0:14:23# I'm in love, I'm all shook up... #
0:14:26 > 0:14:31Elvis had a bit of a shaky start, as he was born with a weak hind leg.
0:14:31 > 0:14:34# I can't seem to stand on my own two feet... #
0:14:34 > 0:14:42Thankfully, within days the leg strengthened and Elvis was soon kicking up his heels in glee.
0:14:45 > 0:14:50I'm a big fan of Bactrian camels, so today I'm in for a treat.
0:14:52 > 0:14:57I am up in the new area with deputy head of section Kevin Nibbs, and one of the newest residents here.
0:14:57 > 0:15:00How old is this little fellow?
0:15:00 > 0:15:03- He is only a few days old at the moment.- He is exquisite.
0:15:03 > 0:15:05- He is a perfect little camel. - He is a miniature.
0:15:05 > 0:15:08Why have we got him out today? What's happening?
0:15:08 > 0:15:11We've got to give him a little calcium supplement.
0:15:11 > 0:15:16- Why are we giving him that? - When he was born he struggled for the first 24-48 hours,
0:15:16 > 0:15:22getting up, and we thought maybe it's a lack of vitamins and minerals so this is a calcium boost.
0:15:22 > 0:15:24So you just pour it into his mouth?
0:15:24 > 0:15:26- Yes.- Like a very strong milk?
0:15:26 > 0:15:30- Yes. He takes it quite nicely now. - How often does he get that?
0:15:30 > 0:15:33- He will get this every morning. - Shall I hold him anywhere in particular?
0:15:33 > 0:15:35Yes, just to stop him backing away.
0:15:35 > 0:15:38He will get this every morning, for a good few weeks, now.
0:15:38 > 0:15:41He's suckling from his mother as well at this time.
0:15:41 > 0:15:44Yes. He is getting lots of milk.
0:15:44 > 0:15:46- Almost in?- That's it.
0:15:46 > 0:15:50There we go. So that's going to help his bones and things, is it?
0:15:50 > 0:15:52Yes. Strong bones, strong teeth.
0:15:52 > 0:15:56A really powerful source of milk, that is all it is.
0:15:56 > 0:15:59He's got this rather different colour to the other camels.
0:15:59 > 0:16:01Is that mum there?
0:16:01 > 0:16:04- That's mum there, yes. - She's peering through us.
0:16:04 > 0:16:09- Is she quite protective?- Yes, mum is very protective which is why we have brought him out here away from her.
0:16:09 > 0:16:12That grey coat will fade away and it will turn brown.
0:16:12 > 0:16:14Just like mum and dad, they are quite dark.
0:16:14 > 0:16:19Obviously, by the fact that there are two humps, he's obviously
0:16:19 > 0:16:22a Bactrian. Are they quite rare in wild?
0:16:22 > 0:16:26- Yes. They are very endangered in the wild. There are less than 1,000 in the wild.- That is incredible.
0:16:26 > 0:16:29So it is a pretty important thing for the world.
0:16:29 > 0:16:31Yes, definitely.
0:16:31 > 0:16:34Not just for our breeding programme but for the worldwide programme.
0:16:34 > 0:16:36He's going to be a very important feature of it.
0:16:36 > 0:16:39It is exciting for you when you get a new arrival like this?
0:16:39 > 0:16:41It is. This is my first baby that I've seen.
0:16:41 > 0:16:46For me, it's quite a privilege to get hold of him and do things like this with him.
0:16:46 > 0:16:48Quite a frisky little baby as well!
0:16:48 > 0:16:51He is. You can see how powerful he is just after a few days.
0:16:51 > 0:16:54Give him a few weeks, he will be a nightmare.
0:16:54 > 0:16:58He's making a few noises now, we should probably start putting him back in.
0:16:58 > 0:17:01Shall I open that and let him back in? You want to go in there?
0:17:01 > 0:17:05- She is really waiting, isn't she? - He's off to get more milk now.
0:17:05 > 0:17:08Fantastic. Kevin, thank you very much for letting me help out
0:17:08 > 0:17:12and we will be following his progress through out the series.
0:17:24 > 0:17:27This morning, head of section Tim Yeo is up bright and early,
0:17:27 > 0:17:31preparing himself for an important mission.
0:17:40 > 0:17:44Today, he has a second chance to dart the rare Pere David stag
0:17:44 > 0:17:47who has managed to get fencing wire tangled in his antlers.
0:17:51 > 0:17:56Yesterday, Tim scored a hit on the stag but sadly, the dart malfunctioned.
0:17:56 > 0:18:01It failed to deliver the sedative drug and is still stuck in the Stag's thick hide.
0:18:04 > 0:18:08It is vital that the wire is removed as soon as possible,
0:18:08 > 0:18:11before the stag gets more tangled up and hurts himself.
0:18:11 > 0:18:15So today, the pressure is on to get it right.
0:18:18 > 0:18:24To get close to the stag without being recognised, Tim is going with our film crew in their car.
0:18:26 > 0:18:32He wants to be within 30 metres of his target when he takes the first shot.
0:18:32 > 0:18:35If he misses, as he did yesterday, the stag will become more skittish
0:18:35 > 0:18:39than usual and almost impossible to hit.
0:18:39 > 0:18:43But the other animals are not co-operating.
0:18:46 > 0:18:51Right all around. Oh, no. Give me a break. Give me a break.
0:18:54 > 0:18:59Good boy. Good boy. Come on, then. Come on, then.
0:18:59 > 0:19:05It's a waiting game as Tim stalks the stag around his favourite wallow.
0:19:06 > 0:19:09He's telling them to get out. I'm going in.
0:19:09 > 0:19:13It is not the ideal place to bring him down.
0:19:15 > 0:19:19The trouble is that shooting him down like that...
0:19:19 > 0:19:21I'm not happy about it.
0:19:21 > 0:19:25If sedated here, the stag might drown.
0:19:27 > 0:19:29Tim has got to be patient.
0:19:31 > 0:19:34HE WHISTLES
0:19:34 > 0:19:37But eventually, he sees his chance.
0:19:37 > 0:19:39Yes! CLICK
0:19:39 > 0:19:41Yes! Yes!
0:19:41 > 0:19:45As it is designed to, the dart falls out once the drug goes in.
0:19:47 > 0:19:50Thank God for that. That looked very good.
0:19:50 > 0:19:55It has gone well into muscle, right into the rump.
0:19:55 > 0:19:59So, fingers crossed, now, we will just wait and see what happens.
0:19:59 > 0:20:02It takes a few minutes for the drug to work.
0:20:03 > 0:20:08But soon, the entangled stag begins to drift off to sleep.
0:20:08 > 0:20:14I'm just giving it time for the drug to fully take effect.
0:20:14 > 0:20:19I know he has been down a little while but if we move in too quickly, he could get up.
0:20:19 > 0:20:22He's not likely to do that but we have had it in the past.
0:20:22 > 0:20:26If you move in too quickly, adrenalin, they're up and they're away.
0:20:26 > 0:20:30The less stimulation we give him now, the better.
0:20:33 > 0:20:36As soon as they're confident that the deer is out cold,
0:20:36 > 0:20:42the team can approach him. Deputy Head Warden Ian Turner is on hand to help.
0:20:42 > 0:20:45It will just come off Ian, I suppose, will it?
0:20:45 > 0:20:47It is, more or less.
0:20:51 > 0:20:53They want to do this quickly
0:20:53 > 0:20:56so the stag is sedated for as little time as possible.
0:20:56 > 0:20:58But they have to be gentle.
0:20:58 > 0:21:00Oh, I see.
0:21:05 > 0:21:09Just mind yourself because I am pulling his leg out.
0:21:13 > 0:21:15Shall we cut some of that?
0:21:26 > 0:21:28OK.
0:21:29 > 0:21:32Here you go, Ed.
0:21:32 > 0:21:35A side-effect of the drug is that the stag
0:21:35 > 0:21:39loses the ability to regulate his own body temperature.
0:21:39 > 0:21:43So Tim must make sure he doesn't overheat.
0:21:43 > 0:21:46That's it.
0:21:47 > 0:21:52Then it is time to administer the antidote to rouse him.
0:21:52 > 0:21:57OK, I think we could move off when we are ready, couldn't we?
0:21:57 > 0:22:00- Anybody who does not need to be here, get back.- Well done.
0:22:02 > 0:22:05We just pull away now and leave him.
0:22:07 > 0:22:10Now, Tim can only wait and hope that the stag will recover.
0:22:15 > 0:22:17Within minutes, the stag wakes up.
0:22:19 > 0:22:21He's a little groggy for a moment
0:22:21 > 0:22:26but then he trots off to rejoin the herd as if nothing had happened.
0:22:28 > 0:22:31The operation has been a success.
0:22:32 > 0:22:35I'm so happy that we've managed
0:22:35 > 0:22:40to catch him and remove this wire which is forever a hazard.
0:22:40 > 0:22:43It had begun to wrap around one of his hind legs.
0:22:43 > 0:22:47So it's a relief that we've removed it
0:22:47 > 0:22:50before it's been able to do any damage.
0:22:50 > 0:22:55He's back with the hinds now and life goes on.
0:23:02 > 0:23:04Back at the East Africa reserve,
0:23:04 > 0:23:09five months have passed since male African pygmy goat Jon-Joe
0:23:09 > 0:23:13met and mingled with the seven female goats.
0:23:16 > 0:23:20Now, the first of his kids have been born.
0:23:21 > 0:23:26Keeper Bev Evans has brought Safari Park vet Duncan Williams to check on them.
0:23:27 > 0:23:31Last night, she gave birth to twins, a boy and girl.
0:23:31 > 0:23:35It was amazing to find two little ones with her so that was really good.
0:23:38 > 0:23:43These two kids are doing well. But sadly, the news is not all good.
0:23:43 > 0:23:47Gee and Sunflower gave birth to stillborn babies.
0:23:47 > 0:23:49Now Gee is behaving strangely.
0:23:52 > 0:23:56Obviously, we have Duncan in looking at everybody today, making sure they are all right.
0:23:56 > 0:23:59But it is a bit of a worry, because it is possibly down to their age and
0:23:59 > 0:24:03the fact they've never had babies before they are having stillborns.
0:24:04 > 0:24:07She seems a little bit distressed and disturbed.
0:24:07 > 0:24:13That is probably because she has lost her babies and she's looking around for them.
0:24:13 > 0:24:19But Bev is delighted she has two healthy kids to add to the herd she looks after.
0:24:19 > 0:24:25It is my first experience with pygmy goats and it is quite a shock to see how small they are.
0:24:25 > 0:24:27They are absolutely tiny.
0:24:27 > 0:24:29But such a big voice as well!
0:24:29 > 0:24:32Really high pitched, really vocal.
0:24:32 > 0:24:37Especially when you take them and move them to their mums.
0:24:40 > 0:24:43Just days later, head of section Andy Hayton
0:24:43 > 0:24:49and the team move the mums and their kids back into the paddock to join the rest of the herd.
0:24:49 > 0:24:53Gee seems to have recovered well from her ordeal.
0:24:54 > 0:25:00For the two youngsters, it will be the first taste of the wide open enclosure.
0:25:00 > 0:25:02Just get them out and...
0:25:02 > 0:25:05we like our animals
0:25:05 > 0:25:08to be as normal as possible.
0:25:08 > 0:25:13Get them into a normal frame of mind and routine of doing things as quickly as we can. Yes.
0:25:13 > 0:25:16Get them out and let the kids see it.
0:25:19 > 0:25:21Goats are highly social animals.
0:25:21 > 0:25:27So Andy and the team want to introduce the kids to the rest of the herd as quickly as possible.
0:25:27 > 0:25:30But there is one potential problem.
0:25:30 > 0:25:32BLEATING
0:25:32 > 0:25:36You have to be careful. These three boys have never seen babies before
0:25:36 > 0:25:42and suddenly there's these new little weird bleaty things in there and it's freaky for them.
0:25:42 > 0:25:44They'll be fine. They'll get used to it.
0:25:47 > 0:25:51Thankfully, it doesn't take long for the herd to accept the new arrivals.
0:25:51 > 0:25:55Including a third kid, born it to mum, Prawn.
0:25:55 > 0:25:57They're using the shelter as a base.
0:25:57 > 0:26:01They're going in there at night to sleep, which is brilliant.
0:26:01 > 0:26:05We wouldn't want mums lining them up outside in the cold.
0:26:05 > 0:26:08But they seem to be doing really well.
0:26:08 > 0:26:11He's a little bit more of a quieter character.
0:26:11 > 0:26:13That is because he is a single.
0:26:13 > 0:26:15The other two are quite bolshy,
0:26:15 > 0:26:20running around all over the place but then they have an extra three days on him.
0:26:20 > 0:26:23Hopefully, he will get a bit more sprightly.
0:26:23 > 0:26:25When you see them play, they're doing all sorts.
0:26:25 > 0:26:30They're finding their feet, getting their balance and head-butting
0:26:30 > 0:26:35each other, which if you notice in the older goats, they do do a lot.
0:26:35 > 0:26:39So they are already showing, even on the second day, grown-up natural goat behaviour.
0:26:39 > 0:26:47Next year, we will bring in another billy to our seven females and try again and see what happens.
0:26:47 > 0:26:50So hopefully the second time, in the second year,
0:26:50 > 0:26:53they'll be a lot more used to it and we will be as well.
0:26:53 > 0:27:00We'll be keeping tabs on these new kids on the block throughout the series.
0:27:03 > 0:27:10We're up beside Half Mile Lake with keeper Val McGruther, and this wonderful swan family.
0:27:10 > 0:27:14I gather these two swans have lived on the lake for many years?
0:27:14 > 0:27:16They have. As long as we can remember, really.
0:27:16 > 0:27:18It's Albert and Victoria.
0:27:18 > 0:27:20They have seven cygnets this year.
0:27:20 > 0:27:23Every year, they have cygnets and they're very good parents.
0:27:23 > 0:27:26They do look after them. They're very protective.
0:27:26 > 0:27:31They need to be, because they live on the lake with sea lions.
0:27:31 > 0:27:35You say that every year these two have cygnets.
0:27:35 > 0:27:37Does that mean they mate for life?
0:27:37 > 0:27:39Yes. They will mate for life.
0:27:39 > 0:27:43If the mate dies perhaps they will look for another one, otherwise they will stay together.
0:27:43 > 0:27:45There is a royal connection to them, isn't there?
0:27:45 > 0:27:52Yes. They are royal birds. There isn't anybody allowed to kill a swan apart from the Royal Family.
0:27:52 > 0:27:55- I don't think they do it very often, do they?- I don't think they do!
0:27:55 > 0:27:57- I hope not, anyway. - When you see them like this, they are so beautiful.
0:27:57 > 0:28:00- Those cygnets are fantastic. - They are. They're lovely birds.
0:28:00 > 0:28:04Val, thank you very much. Sadly, that is all we have time for on today's programme.
0:28:04 > 0:28:08Here is what is coming up on the next Animal Park.
0:28:09 > 0:28:13The Park is home to more than 50 species from all over the world.
0:28:19 > 0:28:22While the keepers care for them all, they each have their favourite.
0:28:24 > 0:28:28On the next animal park, they battle it out to determine which is Longleat's ultimate animal.
0:28:32 > 0:28:34ROARS
0:28:54 > 0:28:56Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd - 2007