0:00:31 > 0:00:35- Hello and welcome to Animal Park. I'm Ben Fogle.- And I'm Kate Humble.
0:00:35 > 0:00:40And as you can see, we're in Monkey Jungle with the rhesus macaque monkeys.
0:00:40 > 0:00:43There are even little babies like this one just here!
0:00:43 > 0:00:48They are amongst the most entertaining animals here at the safari park,
0:00:48 > 0:00:53although you might have to donate a bit of your car to keep the show on the road!
0:00:53 > 0:00:57We will of course bring you stories from all over the safari park today,
0:00:57 > 0:01:00- including...- It is time
0:01:00 > 0:01:04to declare the venue...open!
0:01:04 > 0:01:10The vultures are gathering at Longleat. We'll see how they settle in to their new home.
0:01:12 > 0:01:16The lion cubs have been playing rough...
0:01:16 > 0:01:22Now little Jasira's been injured. We'll find out if her romping days are over.
0:01:22 > 0:01:25Ben fulfils a boyhood dream
0:01:25 > 0:01:30with a full head of steam out on Longleat's narrow-gauge railway.
0:01:33 > 0:01:38And Jessie the South American tapir's due to give birth any day now.
0:01:38 > 0:01:41But will she deliver on schedule?
0:01:47 > 0:01:53But first, the park boasts many colourful birds among its residents
0:01:53 > 0:01:55including Chilean flamingos,
0:01:55 > 0:01:59sacred ibis and African spoonbill.
0:02:01 > 0:02:06But now a new species with a heavyweight reputation has come to the park.
0:02:09 > 0:02:15These African white-backed vultures are nature's ultimate airborne scavengers.
0:02:15 > 0:02:18But, sadly, they are now classed as vulnerable in the wild.
0:02:21 > 0:02:27There are five males and five females, which the team hope will breed.
0:02:27 > 0:02:30For now, they're being kept in temporary winter quarters
0:02:30 > 0:02:35while, outside, feverish work is going on to finish their enclosure.
0:02:35 > 0:02:38Head of section Mark Tye is in charge of the birds.
0:02:38 > 0:02:42He wants to make sure they have enough space to fly freely.
0:02:42 > 0:02:47For ten birds with wingspans of up to ten feet, that's a lot of space.
0:02:47 > 0:02:51In just over a week, we've managed to put up all the line wires
0:02:51 > 0:02:55that will hold up the roof and the supports for the main nets.
0:02:55 > 0:03:01We've put all the nets up around the back of the enclosure and now we're finishing off along the front.
0:03:01 > 0:03:04The only thing after that is the roof.
0:03:04 > 0:03:07The roof is one big section that has to be pulled up and over,
0:03:07 > 0:03:10which will be quite tedious and time-consuming.
0:03:16 > 0:03:23The new enclosure is going to be the size of six tennis courts and as tall as a three-storey building.
0:03:23 > 0:03:27With the sides finished, it's time to heave the roof into place.
0:03:30 > 0:03:35Keepers from all sections of the park have come together to help.
0:03:35 > 0:03:41The netting weighs almost a tonne - more than all the construction team put together.
0:03:41 > 0:03:44It's made using heavy-duty fishing net,
0:03:44 > 0:03:49heavy enough, Mark hopes, to resist the vultures' sharp beaks.
0:03:49 > 0:03:53Until we let them out, we won't know what's going to happen.
0:03:53 > 0:03:55The net's thicker than the flamingo net.
0:03:55 > 0:04:00But they've got a big, hooked beak - if they want to chew through it, they will.
0:04:00 > 0:04:02So it's going to be a bit of an experiment.
0:04:02 > 0:04:04If they want out, they'll get out.
0:04:04 > 0:04:09So we'll just hope they'll be happy enough in there and they won't attempt it.
0:04:09 > 0:04:13One of the challenges for Mark is to provide the vultures with a home that's as close
0:04:13 > 0:04:19to their natural habitat as possible and full of interesting features to keep them occupied.
0:04:19 > 0:04:22Trees in there, with perches. We're going to put a lot more up.
0:04:22 > 0:04:26This is not the finished product as regards perching just yet.
0:04:26 > 0:04:30A pond for them to bathe in. They like washing and sunning themselves afterwards.
0:04:30 > 0:04:35And the only other thing, really, is a house we're going to have built over there
0:04:35 > 0:04:37which will double up as a winter quarters.
0:04:37 > 0:04:41If weather gets bad, we can hopefully get them into there.
0:04:41 > 0:04:45Also, when we first bring them up, we'll be able to put them in there
0:04:45 > 0:04:48and let them out a couple at a time.
0:04:48 > 0:04:53I'm looking forward to seeing them out in a big enclosure like this.
0:04:53 > 0:04:56I just hope they use it and fly around a lot in it.
0:04:56 > 0:05:00We'll be back to see what the vultures make of their new home.
0:05:11 > 0:05:14The last few weeks in Lion Country
0:05:14 > 0:05:18have been full of fun for the two young cubs, Malaika and Jasira.
0:05:21 > 0:05:24With the warmer weather, they've been out exploring the enclosure
0:05:24 > 0:05:29and testing their own limits. They learn the key skills
0:05:29 > 0:05:32of hunting and fighting by playing with each other
0:05:32 > 0:05:35and with their parents.
0:05:35 > 0:05:41But sometimes the playful rough and tumble takes its toll.
0:05:41 > 0:05:45A few days ago, the keepers noticed something wrong.
0:05:45 > 0:05:52Young Jasira had developed a limp and everyone was worried that she might be badly hurt.
0:05:52 > 0:05:53Oh, shush!
0:05:53 > 0:05:59Safari park vet Duncan Williams was called out to see if she'd broken any bones.
0:05:59 > 0:06:02She's pretty lame on her left fore.
0:06:02 > 0:06:09I think it is probably just a soft-tissue injury, as opposed to a fractured leg or anything like that.
0:06:09 > 0:06:13To stop the limp becoming worse, Duncan prescribed a course
0:06:13 > 0:06:16of anti-inflammatory medicine for the little cub.
0:06:17 > 0:06:19Come on. Oh, yeah. Good girl.
0:06:19 > 0:06:21That's it. Way-hey!
0:06:21 > 0:06:26Now the injury has had time to heal, I wanted to see how Jasira is getting on.
0:06:26 > 0:06:28And when better than at feeding time?
0:06:28 > 0:06:33So, this is Kabir, just out here. I'm also with keeper Bob Trollope.
0:06:33 > 0:06:37We've come to check up, mainly, on the the cubs, Bob.
0:06:37 > 0:06:41- I can see one cub behind us, pattering along.- They're both there.
0:06:41 > 0:06:45There they are, they're both there, tearing along!
0:06:45 > 0:06:49Well, that really answers my question.
0:06:49 > 0:06:53Just remind me what happened. One of them had a problem with a paw.
0:06:53 > 0:06:58Jasira, running alongside us now, had some soft-tissue damage.
0:06:58 > 0:07:01As you can see, she's a lot better now.
0:07:01 > 0:07:05- It was most probably through a bit of boisterous play.- Right.
0:07:06 > 0:07:08- Look!- Wa-hey!
0:07:08 > 0:07:11Kabir trying to get at the camera tied to the top.
0:07:11 > 0:07:18You don't think that it could have been him that caused the damage to Jasira, the cub, do you?
0:07:18 > 0:07:19It's possible.
0:07:19 > 0:07:23They are extremely boisterous, as cubs.
0:07:23 > 0:07:30I would have thought it was more so tumbling about with Malaika. Because they do have some little scraps.
0:07:30 > 0:07:32- But it's all playful. - Typical cub play?
0:07:32 > 0:07:36Yeah, just playing. And it's all to do with learning, I suppose.
0:07:36 > 0:07:38Here you are, mate. There you go.
0:07:40 > 0:07:43- Are the cubs taking any meat at the moment?- Oh, yeah.
0:07:43 > 0:07:46They've got quite a voracious appetite.
0:07:46 > 0:07:48Going after Dad, look.
0:07:48 > 0:07:50- Look at that!- Hooray!
0:07:50 > 0:07:53That is something, presumably, Dad wouldn't tolerate -
0:07:53 > 0:07:59- a young whippersnapper taking his meat?- No, he's very much a foodie, is Kabir.
0:07:59 > 0:08:04He'll normally grab something and run off with it, as you can see.
0:08:04 > 0:08:09I'm quite surprised... That's Malaika, isn't it, the bigger cub?
0:08:09 > 0:08:15She's got her piece before this adult female here.
0:08:15 > 0:08:17Yeah. They tend to sort of...
0:08:17 > 0:08:24Mum will go and grab a piece and if cubby's run up, they'll relinquish it to them quite often.
0:08:24 > 0:08:28Really and truly, they can't be bothered with cubby pestering them.
0:08:28 > 0:08:33So they let them have it, get another piece and go off and peacefully eat it.
0:08:33 > 0:08:38I suppose the difference here from in the wild is that they know there's plenty to go round.
0:08:38 > 0:08:41Yeah, we're lucky in the way that we can cut it into chunks
0:08:41 > 0:08:46so that Kabir or one of the females doesn't sit on it and not let any of the others have it.
0:08:46 > 0:08:48That's why we do it like this.
0:08:48 > 0:08:51- Look at him running across. - He is a foodie.- He looks like...
0:08:51 > 0:08:54That is the absolute epitome of a happy lion, isn't it?
0:08:54 > 0:08:58- He's a bit of a hoarder, this one. - And so what happens now, Bob?
0:08:58 > 0:09:02You've got two healthy cubs,
0:09:02 > 0:09:07two obviously successful mothers - will they breed again this year?
0:09:07 > 0:09:11They shouldn't do. But it's not impossible.
0:09:11 > 0:09:14Really and truly, the female shouldn't come into season
0:09:14 > 0:09:20- much before the cubs are about 18 months old.- So nature, basically, prevents
0:09:20 > 0:09:23having too many young cubs at once?
0:09:23 > 0:09:26Yeah. At 18 months, though, young males or young females
0:09:26 > 0:09:30may be pushed out of the pride and then you get the next generation coming up.
0:09:30 > 0:09:36Well, I'm delighted that Jasira is obviously doing so well and that both the cubs are thriving.
0:09:36 > 0:09:39Great to see them, Bob. Thank you very much indeed.
0:09:50 > 0:09:53Spring is a special time of year all over the park,
0:09:53 > 0:10:00as the animals come out to enjoy the sunnier weather and the breeding season gets underway.
0:10:02 > 0:10:06The park's two South American tapirs, Jessie and Jethro,
0:10:06 > 0:10:11have been here for nine years, and over that time have produced four calves.
0:10:15 > 0:10:21Recently, park staff were delighted to discover Jessie was pregnant again.
0:10:21 > 0:10:27Ben joined vet Duncan Williams, Head of Section Andy Hayton and keeper Bev Evans as they gave Jessie
0:10:27 > 0:10:31an ultrasound scan to make sure all was going well.
0:10:31 > 0:10:34Duncan, I know you're busy doing that.
0:10:34 > 0:10:38You're looking for movement with the machine?
0:10:38 > 0:10:44Yeah, we're just trying to have a look at the baby
0:10:44 > 0:10:48through the abdominal wall with the ultrasound scanner,
0:10:48 > 0:10:51much as you would do when you go to hospital.
0:10:51 > 0:10:53You put some jelly on it. Why do you do that?
0:10:53 > 0:10:56The jelly is basically just to get a good contact
0:10:56 > 0:10:58between the skin and the scanner.
0:10:58 > 0:11:01I can't quite make it out. Is it there on the screen?
0:11:01 > 0:11:03Yes, that's it, there.
0:11:03 > 0:11:06And what sort of signs are you looking for, Duncan?
0:11:06 > 0:11:11We're just basically making sure everything's OK, making sure there's a bit of movement,
0:11:11 > 0:11:14and she's pretty imminent - she's got a huge udder.
0:11:14 > 0:11:17- She's already showing signs of restlessness.- Yeah!
0:11:17 > 0:11:22I would be surprised if it does drag on more than a day or two.
0:11:22 > 0:11:28With the birth due any time now, Bev is in charge of getting everything ready for Jessie's new arrival.
0:11:28 > 0:11:35Since Jess is getting close to a due date, we've started to separate them.
0:11:35 > 0:11:39Normally, we wouldn't. They love being in a pair.
0:11:39 > 0:11:43But with a week to go, it's one of our procedures before the birth.
0:11:45 > 0:11:50It's not just for the baby's benefit that Jessie and Jethro are apart.
0:11:50 > 0:11:53Hey, Jeth, what you doing? Being a good boy?
0:11:53 > 0:11:57'He's quite a laid-back adult male. He wouldn't do anything to the baby.
0:11:57 > 0:12:02'But he's being overprotective and beating him round, and we don't want that.'
0:12:02 > 0:12:08And it's nice for the mum and baby to bond before we do any mixing.
0:12:08 > 0:12:10He can see them, so it should be fine.
0:12:10 > 0:12:13Tapirs carry their young for 13 months.
0:12:13 > 0:12:18With such a long gestation period, it's almost impossible to predict
0:12:18 > 0:12:24when Jessie'll give birth, but Bev suspects it'll happen tonight.
0:12:24 > 0:12:28Her udder's dropping quite a lot, and there's a lot of change.
0:12:28 > 0:12:33We've got to look out for behaviour changes, cos she will tell us when she's starting.
0:12:36 > 0:12:39Now all Bev can do is wait.
0:12:39 > 0:12:44We'll be back to see if Jessie delivers on schedule.
0:12:49 > 0:12:54Over in Pets' Corner live some of the park's most reliable performers.
0:12:54 > 0:12:56The 17 parrots.
0:12:56 > 0:13:03Experts believe that parrots have the intelligence of a 4-year-old child.
0:13:03 > 0:13:08So to keep them stimulated, keepers teach them interesting tricks.
0:13:08 > 0:13:12Parrots also love being the centre of attention,
0:13:12 > 0:13:16so every day during the summer, they put on shows for the visitors.
0:13:16 > 0:13:22Another spin? Very nice! Give her a little round of applause!
0:13:22 > 0:13:28Performances will be starting soon, so time to get the stage ready for the squawking superstars.
0:13:30 > 0:13:33I'm down at Pets' Corner with keeper Rob Saving, helping out
0:13:33 > 0:13:37- with a changeover of the perches for the parrots.- Absolutely.
0:13:37 > 0:13:39- SQUAWK! - The very noisy parrots!
0:13:39 > 0:13:44- Yes, we are re-perching.- So, why are we doing this?- Couple of reasons we do this, really.
0:13:44 > 0:13:49When they get worn, we need to replace them for the birds' sake, for many reasons.
0:13:49 > 0:13:53Basically, their beaks and their claws are always growing,
0:13:53 > 0:13:55a bit like our fingernails, very slightly.
0:13:55 > 0:14:00So the birds need to rough them and wear them down on bark.
0:14:00 > 0:14:05That's why it's ideal to get really rough bark - usually oak's quite a good one.
0:14:05 > 0:14:09- This one's been redone, has it? - We've done all of these. We've got two left here.
0:14:09 > 0:14:12And what parrot have we got here?
0:14:12 > 0:14:17Bobby, getting quite excited because his perch desperately needs doing.
0:14:17 > 0:14:21So, all that bark that's been taken off, has he taken that off with his beak?
0:14:21 > 0:14:23That's all him.
0:14:23 > 0:14:27And it didn't take him long to do. We are constantly doing this.
0:14:27 > 0:14:29Before we put the next one on, I just want...
0:14:29 > 0:14:35- It's important to keep it clean, so we just want to give that a scrub. - So how often would you do this?
0:14:35 > 0:14:37As often as needed, really.
0:14:37 > 0:14:41It's very good for them, not only for their beaks, but also for enrichment.
0:14:41 > 0:14:46They love chewing it, Bobby especially. He rips his up in probably the space of a week.
0:14:46 > 0:14:50Ideally, if I can, I'll do it every couple of weeks.
0:14:50 > 0:14:53- Presumably, you get all the wood from the estate.- Yeah.
0:14:53 > 0:14:59If we hear something's fallen down, an old tree, ideally we want to find some nice rough oak,
0:14:59 > 0:15:01or even things like apple.
0:15:01 > 0:15:04The rougher the better. That bark, if it's really rough
0:15:04 > 0:15:08and they can get their claws right into it, it's like a nail file.
0:15:08 > 0:15:12Unfortunately, some of these perches... We'll scrub these as well.
0:15:12 > 0:15:17- Are we going to scrub the wood? - Just lightly. Because, when we get them from the woods,
0:15:17 > 0:15:21it might have a little bit of muck and a little bit of bird poo on it.
0:15:21 > 0:15:26We want to make sure they're not going to get anything off the wood.
0:15:26 > 0:15:31We'll move on to Bobby now. If I just move him out the way, because he's a bit grumpy this morning.
0:15:31 > 0:15:36- Do you want to just try and get that one off for me?- Yeah.
0:15:36 > 0:15:40The thing with Bobby, part of his show - you'll see in a moment if I can show you -
0:15:40 > 0:15:43he likes perches with a nice long, thin piece.
0:15:43 > 0:15:47I was talking about the different sizes and the different shapes we can get.
0:15:47 > 0:15:51Because he does this little thing where he hangs upside down.
0:15:51 > 0:15:56- Can we see that? - We'll see it in a minute. He started doing it on his own.
0:15:56 > 0:16:01I was doing a show once and I looked behind me and all of a sudden, Bobby was upside down.
0:16:01 > 0:16:07- Right.- It was quite funny. It got such a reaction, such a laugh, I encouraged him to do it.
0:16:07 > 0:16:11- Just come over here.- Is he a little bit...?- He's all right.
0:16:11 > 0:16:13But he's a bit grumpy this morning.
0:16:13 > 0:16:16Bobby, do your bat impression. Will you show us your bat?
0:16:16 > 0:16:20That's it. So he always loves a perch where he's able to do it.
0:16:20 > 0:16:22- Brilliant!- Well done, boy.
0:16:22 > 0:16:25He's always able to do that and he likes a perch he can do that on.
0:16:25 > 0:16:28I know what we're looking for now.
0:16:28 > 0:16:32Bobby, I will try to do the same again with some proper wood.
0:16:32 > 0:16:35We haven't got the best here, but we'll have a go.
0:16:35 > 0:16:41- Excellent.- There is a thin piece. - Rob, thank you very much. Let's crack on with this.
0:16:57 > 0:17:02Longleat's ten African white-backed vultures are waiting to be transferred
0:17:02 > 0:17:08to their brand-new enclosure, which has finally been completed.
0:17:08 > 0:17:13But first, they have to be rounded up. It could be a dangerous job.
0:17:13 > 0:17:17The enclosure's all finished. Nothing more needs to be done.
0:17:17 > 0:17:21It's just now the dodgy task of catching hold of them and putting them in boxes.
0:17:21 > 0:17:24So it's look out for your fingers time.
0:17:24 > 0:17:28Once the birds are released into the enclosure, it won't be easy to get hold of them,
0:17:28 > 0:17:34so Mark has asked vet Duncan Williams to give them a final health check.
0:17:34 > 0:17:37We'd just like Duncan to give them a visual check -
0:17:37 > 0:17:43check their feet, because they are prone to feet problems, through perching for too long.
0:17:43 > 0:17:49We're also going to leg-band them and worm them at the same time.
0:17:49 > 0:17:53They're tetchy things and they don't like being grabbed hold of.
0:17:53 > 0:17:55So, you know, we do have to be a bit careful.
0:17:58 > 0:18:03The task of catching them falls to keeper Luke Priddle,
0:18:03 > 0:18:06using a net and special lightproof bag.
0:18:08 > 0:18:10He takes a nip for his trouble.
0:18:10 > 0:18:14In the dark, they tend to just stay still.
0:18:14 > 0:18:17That's the main reason we use the black net.
0:18:17 > 0:18:20Trying to keep their head in it isn't always easy!
0:18:20 > 0:18:24It's hard to tell a male vulture from a female vulture.
0:18:24 > 0:18:27One of the only ways to know for sure is to test a feather sample.
0:18:27 > 0:18:34Vet Duncan also administers the worming injection and takes a close look at the birds' condition.
0:18:34 > 0:18:37We've had a couple of problems with their feet.
0:18:37 > 0:18:41So I'm making sure their feet are nice and healthy - there's no bumblefoot infections
0:18:41 > 0:18:46or anything going on before they're released into the big pen.
0:18:46 > 0:18:49When the birds are out and flying free,
0:18:49 > 0:18:54Mark will need to know who's who, so they fit each with a leg band.
0:18:54 > 0:18:58It's important for us to be able to identify which bird's which,
0:18:58 > 0:19:01particularly out in a big enclosure.
0:19:01 > 0:19:07If you saw one that perhaps was a bit off-colour, without that kind of identification, it's going to be
0:19:07 > 0:19:12very difficult the next day, maybe, to see which one it was or whatever.
0:19:12 > 0:19:16It's always useful to be able to positively ID your animals.
0:19:18 > 0:19:22Next, it's into the crate and ready for transport.
0:19:22 > 0:19:25One down, nine to go.
0:19:27 > 0:19:33The vulture's beak is powerful enough to rip into any African animal carcass it finds.
0:19:33 > 0:19:38With so many birds to handle, the team must not let their guard down.
0:19:38 > 0:19:41As you can see, one wrong move and the beak's out
0:19:41 > 0:19:45and you're going to lose a finger.
0:19:45 > 0:19:47If they grab hold of you, they won't let go.
0:19:51 > 0:19:54He's caught on the net.
0:19:54 > 0:19:56Hang on, don't put your hand in there.
0:19:56 > 0:19:58I've got the tail up here.
0:20:00 > 0:20:04Thankfully, the staff survive with all their fingers intact.
0:20:06 > 0:20:10Now the birds are taken to the vulture house inside the new enclosure.
0:20:10 > 0:20:16They'll be kept there for a little while to settle in, before being allowed out into the open.
0:20:16 > 0:20:20They've been comfortable in the house and now they've been
0:20:20 > 0:20:25shoved in a box and unceremoniously driven up the road and pushed out in a new environment.
0:20:25 > 0:20:29Initially they're going to be very stressed, very unaware of what's going on.
0:20:29 > 0:20:33We just want to get them out of the box and come away and let them take
0:20:33 > 0:20:37their surroundings in in their own time without any disturbance.
0:20:37 > 0:20:44This is just going to be pretty much a sick bay and a shelter in case of bad weather.
0:20:44 > 0:20:48The majority of the time, they're going to actually be out in the enclosure.
0:20:48 > 0:20:52This is purely just somewhere we can segregate birds if they're ill,
0:20:52 > 0:20:57or if we need to get them in through adverse weather, then that's where they'll go.
0:20:57 > 0:21:01Soon, these mighty birds will be ready to take flight.
0:21:01 > 0:21:05We'll be back to see if the net holds up.
0:21:18 > 0:21:22Part of the park's mission is to educate the public about the whole animal kingdom.
0:21:22 > 0:21:27At Pets' Corner, staff encourage visitors to get as close as possible
0:21:27 > 0:21:33to the residents, even some of the more scary-looking ones.
0:21:33 > 0:21:36I tell you, this is the thing to do on a cold day.
0:21:36 > 0:21:40You have to hold a snake, you have to have a hot-water bottle to keep it warm
0:21:40 > 0:21:45- and it's keeping me beautifully warm! I'm here with Jo Hawthorn. Who's this?- This is Khan.
0:21:45 > 0:21:47- Khan.- He's a royal python.
0:21:47 > 0:21:51- And he's one of your Meet The Creatures, isn't he?- Yes, he is.
0:21:51 > 0:21:53How does Meet The Creatures work?
0:21:53 > 0:22:00Basically, what we do, Kate, when the weather's nice and sunny, we bring him outside and we kind of,
0:22:00 > 0:22:06we use him for the children and the adults to meet them and let them have an opportunity to have a stroke,
0:22:06 > 0:22:12you know, have a touch, have a hold and learn that, really, these guys are not out to get you.
0:22:12 > 0:22:15They're beautiful to touch, as you can probably feel.
0:22:15 > 0:22:19- Yeah.- And they're not scary at all. - No. And do you find that it works?
0:22:19 > 0:22:22Do people come here who really are very scared of snakes?
0:22:22 > 0:22:26Definitely. Everyone has this preconceived idea that they're slimy,
0:22:26 > 0:22:30you know, they're wet and cold and they're horrible, you know.
0:22:30 > 0:22:34When they touch them, they're really surprised and shocked at how they feel.
0:22:34 > 0:22:38- They are incredibly silky and smooth...- They are.
0:22:38 > 0:22:42..and not at all slimy. Totally dry.
0:22:42 > 0:22:43- Beautiful feel.- That's right.
0:22:43 > 0:22:49And what about snakes as pets? Does it then encourage people to think, "I'd really like a snake as a pet"?
0:22:49 > 0:22:53Well, hopefully, what we're trying to do is we're trying to let people
0:22:53 > 0:22:56have the opportunity to get a feel for them
0:22:56 > 0:23:03- but, at the same time, making them realise that this is going to grow to about 5ft long.- Wow!
0:23:03 > 0:23:07They do need the correct heating, lighting, correct food.
0:23:07 > 0:23:09They're a big maintenance, you know.
0:23:09 > 0:23:14So we're trying to give them the opportunity of having a touch and a hold without...
0:23:14 > 0:23:17and maybe realising that they do need specialist care.
0:23:17 > 0:23:21- So not the ideal pet to have. - Well, Jo,
0:23:21 > 0:23:25it's a huge privilege to be this close to such a gorgeous animal,
0:23:25 > 0:23:30and we've got lots more gorgeous animals coming up on today's programme.
0:23:30 > 0:23:35Beautiful they may be, but these white rhino have a case of the trots.
0:23:35 > 0:23:38Maybe a lump of charcoal will help.
0:23:40 > 0:23:47We'll take off with these grim reapers in the new vulture venue. But will the net be strong enough?
0:23:47 > 0:23:51And I'll be putting on cap and overalls for the trip of a lifetime
0:23:51 > 0:23:53out on the Longleat line.
0:23:53 > 0:23:56- Fantastic, isn't it?- Yeah!
0:24:01 > 0:24:05But first, up at the tapir house, there's some happy news.
0:24:07 > 0:24:11Overnight, Jessie delivered a healthy baby boy.
0:24:17 > 0:24:20Keeper Bev Evans was up at dawn to check on the pair,
0:24:20 > 0:24:26and captured this amazing footage of the tapir calf at just a few hours old.
0:24:34 > 0:24:37We did expect he was coming,
0:24:37 > 0:24:42as Jess had shown all the signs - labour signs - the pacing around,
0:24:42 > 0:24:45so we all kind of knew,
0:24:45 > 0:24:50but I was sent up on morning check specially just to check,
0:24:50 > 0:24:53but he was already there, and really cool. Good to see.
0:24:53 > 0:24:57Did you have something to eat this morning?
0:24:59 > 0:25:01Little stripes!
0:25:01 > 0:25:04A lovely coat. Yes!
0:25:04 > 0:25:07'There is always a worry. She's had four really good births,
0:25:07 > 0:25:13'so probability is something might go wrong.
0:25:13 > 0:25:15'You never know. Nothing's always 100%.'
0:25:15 > 0:25:22But we do have that faith in her. She's such a good mum. Such a natural, just gets on with it,
0:25:22 > 0:25:24so, you know. There is that worry, but everything went well.
0:25:24 > 0:25:29Unlike his parents, this little boy has striking markings,
0:25:29 > 0:25:36which would be camouflage in the wild. His coat will fade to brown as he gets bigger.
0:25:38 > 0:25:40To be honest, he looks really small,
0:25:40 > 0:25:43but I think it's that we haven't had a baby for 1.5 years,
0:25:43 > 0:25:47and you forget how small they are.
0:25:47 > 0:25:53Yeah, he's very lively, actually, and very strong on his feet. We're pleased.
0:25:53 > 0:25:57After a few days in the house to build his strength,
0:25:57 > 0:26:02the youngster's ready to take his first tentative steps outside.
0:26:04 > 0:26:07It's a whole new world of sights and smells.
0:26:07 > 0:26:11He's feeding all the time, doing really well.
0:26:11 > 0:26:17That will last till 6 months old. And that's when he's weaned and his stripes and spots fade as well.
0:26:17 > 0:26:22It's cold for him, but we need to get him out and about,
0:26:22 > 0:26:25sunshine, exercise his legs.
0:26:29 > 0:26:34We'll be following the progress of this new tapir toddler
0:26:34 > 0:26:36throughout the series.
0:26:58 > 0:27:01I'm up at the rhino house with keepers Kevin Nibbs
0:27:01 > 0:27:06and Adrian Lanfear and, er, well, I'm a little bit confused.
0:27:06 > 0:27:09We've got a barrow full of charcoal
0:27:09 > 0:27:14and three rhinos. What has this, Kevin, got to do with them?
0:27:14 > 0:27:19This time of year, we're coming from giving them hay throughout the day to let the grass come through.
0:27:19 > 0:27:23The new grass tends to upset their tummies a little bit.
0:27:23 > 0:27:26- Yeah.- They get a little bit... poor digestion, really.- OK.
0:27:26 > 0:27:31- A lot of wind and stuff.- They get a slightly... All this rich grass coming through. A bit of diarrhoea?
0:27:31 > 0:27:36Diarrhoea, yeah. It's not very good in rhinos, because there's a lot to shovel up.
0:27:36 > 0:27:39- We want to contain it as much as we can.- So, why charcoal?
0:27:39 > 0:27:43Well, actually, the idea came from my dad.
0:27:43 > 0:27:46He used to farm the land here and he used to give it to the cows.
0:27:46 > 0:27:51- The ground's very poor in the elements...- Right.- ..charcoal being one of the natural elements.
0:27:51 > 0:27:55So there's not really good nutrients in this land.
0:27:55 > 0:27:58No, it's very clay-ey and so it's very poor.
0:27:58 > 0:28:03- We've checked with Duncan and he said it's very good...- Duncan the vet.- Duncan the vet, yes.
0:28:03 > 0:28:07And he says it can't do no harm and it's good for absorbing toxins
0:28:07 > 0:28:09in the body and good for the digestion.
0:28:09 > 0:28:14- So, a bit of a rhino detox.- Exactly. The thing is, we've never done it before, so this is a first.
0:28:14 > 0:28:20- All right. What do you think we should do?- Just post it through and see what happens.
0:28:20 > 0:28:25- Have you been busily making this charcoal?- Yeah.- Yeah.
0:28:25 > 0:28:27All winter, we've had lots of fires.
0:28:27 > 0:28:30All the boys have been really happy, standing around.
0:28:30 > 0:28:36Would white rhinos like these normally eat wood anyway?
0:28:36 > 0:28:40Would they chew at wood and kind of...?
0:28:40 > 0:28:45A lot of the trees in Africa, when they rot down, they'll take some of the bark off and eat the rotten pulp.
0:28:45 > 0:28:50- Now, who's this coming up here? - This is the bull... - Right.- ..showing some interest.
0:28:50 > 0:28:54Having a sniff there. He's sort of suspicious of it, isn't he?
0:28:54 > 0:28:55It's a new thing for him.
0:28:55 > 0:28:59He's maybe not seen it before. He's a bit curious.
0:28:59 > 0:29:03He'll give it a good sniff and then, hopefully, he'll start chewing on it.
0:29:03 > 0:29:04The girls are coming up.
0:29:04 > 0:29:06Do they tend to follow his lead?
0:29:06 > 0:29:10Do you see them kind of working like that?
0:29:10 > 0:29:13With these three, it's normally the other way round.
0:29:13 > 0:29:17- So the girls will lead him, will they?- In this situation, yeah.
0:29:17 > 0:29:20Normally, the boys are solitary.
0:29:20 > 0:29:22They're very suspicious of it.
0:29:22 > 0:29:29When you put something new in a rhino enclosure, do you find that they are naturally curious, Adie?
0:29:29 > 0:29:31Do they tend to kind of explore things?
0:29:31 > 0:29:36They are naturally curious but I expected them to be a bit more stand-offish to start with.
0:29:36 > 0:29:41- But they've come straight over. I think the throwing of it in freaked them a little bit.- Freaked them out.
0:29:41 > 0:29:45- They've come right in.- We did expect the girls to come over.
0:29:45 > 0:29:49Especially Razina, she's the most curious and playful and inquisitive.
0:29:49 > 0:29:52But Njanu was the first one over. That was a surprise.
0:29:52 > 0:29:54- It seems to be going down well, doesn't it?- Yes.
0:29:54 > 0:29:56They're eating it quite nice.
0:29:56 > 0:29:59That's really good, really positive.
0:29:59 > 0:30:01So, I suppose, really,
0:30:01 > 0:30:05we've got to wait and see if it has the desired result for you.
0:30:05 > 0:30:08We'll check in the morning and see what they leave with us.
0:30:08 > 0:30:10But hopefully, that'll settle their tummies.
0:30:10 > 0:30:16As spring progresses and more grass comes through, does that mean
0:30:16 > 0:30:19you feed them less hay and less of the hard food?
0:30:19 > 0:30:24Exactly. We'll knock the hard food down by maybe half and maybe cut out
0:30:24 > 0:30:29a lot of the hay during the day and they'll rely mainly on the grass.
0:30:29 > 0:30:35But this time of year, it's nice and green, very lush, and it's going to really upset their tummies.
0:30:35 > 0:30:37They're just loving this.
0:30:37 > 0:30:40I think your dad might have come up with a great solution here.
0:30:40 > 0:30:43- I think he has, yes. - They're really enjoying it.
0:30:43 > 0:30:46This is great. This is really good.
0:30:46 > 0:30:49- This is what we wanted.- Well, I'm delighted that it's been such a...
0:30:49 > 0:30:54Well, we'll keep our fingers crossed that it's a successful experiment.
0:30:54 > 0:30:57Kev, Adie, thank you. You've got three extremely happy rhinos,
0:30:57 > 0:31:00hopefully with more settled stomachs.
0:31:00 > 0:31:01Hopefully.
0:31:06 > 0:31:12The safari park is home to more than 400 animals, but that's not all.
0:31:12 > 0:31:15It also has its very own narrow-gauge steam railway.
0:31:15 > 0:31:20And today, I'm going to fulfil a boyhood dream.
0:31:20 > 0:31:26I've come down to Longleat Central for a lesson in steam train driving
0:31:26 > 0:31:29from railway manager John Hayton. Morning, John, can I step aboard?
0:31:29 > 0:31:31You can indeed. Hello, Ben.
0:31:31 > 0:31:33OK. Now, I've got all my gear.
0:31:33 > 0:31:35I've got my hat, I've got my top.
0:31:35 > 0:31:37So, how do we drive a steam train?
0:31:37 > 0:31:44Right, OK. Well, briefly, we've got a nice big boiler full of water, which gives us all the steam we want.
0:31:44 > 0:31:50- Right.- That's our gauge to tell us how much water's in the boiler at any one time.
0:31:50 > 0:31:54- We mustn't let that get down, otherwise, big problems. - We'll run out of steam.
0:31:54 > 0:31:56Er, fairly simple to get going.
0:31:56 > 0:32:02We put it into forward gear, we open that gently, making sure the brakes are off, and away we go.
0:32:02 > 0:32:04OK. And do we need to stoke her up?
0:32:04 > 0:32:09- Is that the furnace in there? - Yeah, you can chuck a couple of rounds on there.
0:32:09 > 0:32:11OK. So this is just coal, is it?
0:32:11 > 0:32:16- It's coal, yeah.- OK. I'll pop a few of those on there so that we, um, can pick up some speed.
0:32:16 > 0:32:18We'll need that for a bit more steam.
0:32:18 > 0:32:20And to pull all these carriages.
0:32:20 > 0:32:26- Yeah, we've got eight coaches and 150 people on.- OK.- Right,
0:32:26 > 0:32:30- we're almost ready to go.- All set. I'll put my hat on.- That was a bit
0:32:30 > 0:32:36of a quicker lesson than you would normally have had. But never mind. Let's see if we're ready.
0:32:36 > 0:32:38OK, off we go, then.
0:32:39 > 0:32:41WHISTLE BLOWS
0:32:45 > 0:32:48Pull that gently towards you.
0:32:48 > 0:32:49How much? All the way?
0:32:49 > 0:32:51Not all the way, no. No.
0:32:51 > 0:32:54- A bit more?- That's enough.
0:33:10 > 0:33:17So, basically, the heat from the furnace heats up the water to create steam.
0:33:17 > 0:33:20How does steam then move the train?
0:33:20 > 0:33:24Well, the steam... Once you open this regulator, the steam collects.
0:33:24 > 0:33:30When you open the valve, the steam then goes down to the cylinders which then move the wheels back and forth.
0:33:30 > 0:33:35- It pumps the wheels so they go back and forth.- Exactly that. - It's quite a simple technique.
0:33:35 > 0:33:39Very simple. Yeah. You can't get anything more simple than steam.
0:33:39 > 0:33:42Fantastic. Is this the sort of speed we do?
0:33:42 > 0:33:45We're going downhill now. We don't want to go too fast.
0:33:45 > 0:33:47Give a whistle - we're coming to a crossing.
0:33:47 > 0:33:50- Do I pull it?- No, just turn it over. - Turn it.
0:33:50 > 0:33:53WHISTLE BLOWS TWICE
0:33:53 > 0:33:56Is it two whistles for a...?
0:33:56 > 0:34:00- Just a gentle rub on the brake, just to about there.- Is that enough?
0:34:00 > 0:34:02Yes. You can feel us slowing down now.
0:34:02 > 0:34:06That's when we go downhill, just to slow us down a little bit.
0:34:06 > 0:34:08- That's right, yeah. - What's her top speed?
0:34:08 > 0:34:12- I don't know. We've never tried. - You've never opened her up totally.
0:34:12 > 0:34:16- I should imagine it would do 30-40 miles an hour. - Really?- Oh, yeah.
0:34:16 > 0:34:18Oh, yeah.
0:34:18 > 0:34:23John, what is it about steam trains that is so romantic to people?
0:34:23 > 0:34:26- Well, you're giving it life, aren't you?- Yeah.
0:34:26 > 0:34:28When you light the fire in the morning,
0:34:28 > 0:34:30you're giving it life.
0:34:32 > 0:34:37- A couple of toots on the whistle as we go into the tunnel.- OK.
0:34:37 > 0:34:40TOOT! TOOT!
0:34:56 > 0:34:57That's fantastic, isn't it?
0:34:57 > 0:35:00- Yeah, you're enjoying this.- I am.
0:35:00 > 0:35:03John, how many more rides today?
0:35:03 > 0:35:05Er, we'll be very busy today.
0:35:05 > 0:35:08Probably another 20, something like that.
0:35:08 > 0:35:13- Yeah.- 20 more, wow!- Not for me. I've got some paper to push around. - OK. Not for you.
0:35:13 > 0:35:17I think I could be quite busy.
0:35:37 > 0:35:43Back at the East African Reserve, the big day arrives for the park's new African white-backed vultures.
0:35:43 > 0:35:47They're about to be released into their purpose-built aviary.
0:35:49 > 0:35:53Well, we're really chuffed to say that the enclosure's ready and it's the big release day.
0:35:53 > 0:35:55We're all really looking forward to it.
0:35:55 > 0:35:59The birds have been kept indoors for a while now.
0:35:59 > 0:36:02We have to let them out and see what happens.
0:36:02 > 0:36:08We're a little bit concerned, because when they've been kept in a confined area, if you like,
0:36:08 > 0:36:13and all of a sudden they're going to go out the door and see freedom,
0:36:13 > 0:36:18they may well crash into the fence, which we don't know how it's going to stand up to a vulture hitting it.
0:36:18 > 0:36:24It's quite strong, but they've got sharp beaks, as well, and we're worried they might chew through it.
0:36:27 > 0:36:30To mark the occasion, a distinguished guest has come down
0:36:30 > 0:36:34to help with the release - Lord Bath himself.
0:36:34 > 0:36:36Hello.
0:36:39 > 0:36:43- Do they like each other or hate being put in together? - They bicker and squabble.
0:36:43 > 0:36:49- They have their spots on the perches, and if someone moves too close, they're a bit...- Quite human!
0:36:49 > 0:36:51They do flap about a bit.
0:36:53 > 0:37:00I've been to places where vultures are flapping around the road, in Colombia and Venezuela and things,
0:37:00 > 0:37:05so I have seen, but whether they were this kind, that I'm not sure.
0:37:05 > 0:37:09Building the enclosure was a team effort, so keepers from different sections
0:37:09 > 0:37:13have come to take part in Lord Bath's grand opening.
0:37:13 > 0:37:17The special thing about this one is it was conceived by
0:37:17 > 0:37:23those who actually work here, and constructed by, so it's a home-made product.
0:37:23 > 0:37:28The official name for the aviary will be The Venue.
0:37:28 > 0:37:33So it is time it to declare The Venue...
0:37:33 > 0:37:35open.
0:37:37 > 0:37:40That's a relief! I thought it wasn't going to open.
0:37:42 > 0:37:47The vultures need no encouragement to take to the air.
0:37:55 > 0:38:00Happily for Mark, they head straight for the perches he's built.
0:38:01 > 0:38:05So which part of Africa do these come from? Is it Africa?
0:38:05 > 0:38:08Yes, they are an African species. Mainly a plains bird.
0:38:08 > 0:38:11Will you find a mass of them, or...?
0:38:11 > 0:38:15Yeah, probably. They're nature's scavenger.
0:38:15 > 0:38:16They're the cleaner, if you like.
0:38:16 > 0:38:21Wherever there's dead animals, there'll be vultures in their hundreds.
0:38:21 > 0:38:25When I was in South America, I remember seeing a dead donkey,
0:38:25 > 0:38:32and driving by, suddenly a flock of these great big vultures were taking to the air.
0:38:32 > 0:38:36What about an amorous vulture? How do they behave?
0:38:36 > 0:38:40That's something I know nothing about, because they're new to us.
0:38:40 > 0:38:45Until they establish themselves and we see some sort of mating and pairing up,
0:38:45 > 0:38:48I don't really know what to expect for that.
0:38:48 > 0:38:54Despite their fearsome looks, Lord Bath hopes they'll be an asset to the park.
0:38:54 > 0:38:57We want to give everyone nice dreams at night.
0:38:57 > 0:39:02I'm not sure if this is the right way but, anyway, we must do this as an experiment to see.
0:39:02 > 0:39:08And there's plenty of things to have nice dreams about, so a little blend of both -
0:39:08 > 0:39:13the spice of excitement as well as the cuddly ones.
0:39:13 > 0:39:18Mark Tye helped design the enclosure and supervised the build.
0:39:18 > 0:39:21Now he can enjoy watching the vultures settle in.
0:39:21 > 0:39:27It's been nice to see them actually get up and get control of their wings and see them moving around.
0:39:27 > 0:39:33They look so much bigger when they're actually out flying around than when they're up on the perch.
0:39:33 > 0:39:35They've got a very nice character.
0:39:35 > 0:39:40They're not just a bird that sits there and looks a bit bland.
0:39:40 > 0:39:44They have got a facial expression, if you like. They do look different.
0:39:44 > 0:39:47They're enjoyable to watch, especially when they feed.
0:39:47 > 0:39:49It's quite something else.
0:39:49 > 0:39:56We'll be back later in the series to see what happens when the vultures are given their first full feed.
0:40:01 > 0:40:04Kate and I have come up to the giraffe house
0:40:04 > 0:40:08to meet two of Longleat's dromedary camels, Vera and Caroline.
0:40:08 > 0:40:15Not forgetting head of section Andy Hayton. Andy, they're fantastic, these camels.
0:40:15 > 0:40:18What are we feeding them now?
0:40:18 > 0:40:23This is just their evening feed - bran and some nuts that we feed the majority of the hoof stock here.
0:40:23 > 0:40:28- How are you getting on over there, Kate?- I've got a very hungry camel. Which one's this?- This is Vera.
0:40:28 > 0:40:34- Dromedaries differ from the Bactrian camels because they've got one hump.- That's right.
0:40:34 > 0:40:37- What are the other differences? - Basically, where they live.
0:40:37 > 0:40:42- The Bactrians will come from Asia, really cold climes.- Yeah.
0:40:42 > 0:40:45These - Arabia, North Africa.
0:40:45 > 0:40:49These are the ones that are used for racing and things like that.
0:40:49 > 0:40:54Am I right in thinking there are actually no camels left in their indigenous places?
0:40:54 > 0:41:00No, all the dromedaries are pretty much domesticated now,
0:41:00 > 0:41:04apart from the Australian ones that were taken out there when they were trekking around Australia.
0:41:04 > 0:41:07These were the best things to take around there.
0:41:07 > 0:41:12Animals escaped or were released, and now there's a good wild population out in Australia.
0:41:12 > 0:41:15- But they wouldn't have occurred in Australia naturally?- No, no.
0:41:15 > 0:41:19They're just one of those things that gets dumped on Australia.
0:41:19 > 0:41:22Cane toads and camels!
0:41:22 > 0:41:27They're clearly incredibly adaptable and cope amazingly well with very, very dry conditions.
0:41:27 > 0:41:30Yeah, absolutely. And they do really well here.
0:41:30 > 0:41:33You don't want them having too much food because,
0:41:33 > 0:41:36like most of our animals, they're designed to live on not a lot.
0:41:36 > 0:41:39But these two are a real couple of characters.
0:41:39 > 0:41:44Vera is pretty soppy, and Caroline's like the bully out of the two.
0:41:44 > 0:41:46I love their eyelashes.
0:41:46 > 0:41:49- Huge!- Yeah. They're just totally adapted for sand.
0:41:49 > 0:41:51They've got a third eyelid.
0:41:51 > 0:41:55These things can live out in sandstorms and stuff like that.
0:41:55 > 0:42:00These eyelashes would protect the eye from getting any sand in them if there was sand blowing about?
0:42:00 > 0:42:05Yeah, there's a third eyelid, as well, which acts a bit like your windscreen wiper.
0:42:05 > 0:42:07You're about to be invaded by a rogue llama.
0:42:07 > 0:42:11I'm sorry, this isn't for you. Andy, thank you very much indeed.
0:42:11 > 0:42:13We shall leave these two girls to their dinner.
0:42:13 > 0:42:19That's all we've got time for today, but here's what's coming up on the next Animal Park.
0:42:20 > 0:42:24White rhino bull Winston becomes a sperm donor.
0:42:24 > 0:42:28Will artificial insemination allow him to become a father at last?
0:42:28 > 0:42:33At the giraffery, Becky is giving birth all by herself.
0:42:35 > 0:42:40The bat cave needs a make-over, but first Darren and his troops must round up the bats.
0:42:40 > 0:42:43Oh! Dropped it!
0:42:45 > 0:42:49And the lion cubs are keen to play with their new toy,
0:42:49 > 0:42:51but Kabir's got there first.
0:42:51 > 0:42:55Jasira's thinking, "I want a go, but my dad won't let me!"
0:43:03 > 0:43:06Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd - 2006
0:43:06 > 0:43:10E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk