0:00:30 > 0:00:33Hello and welcome to Animal Park. I'm Ben Fogle.
0:00:33 > 0:00:38And I'm Kate Humble. We're here with one of Longleat's newest arrivals.
0:00:38 > 0:00:42This tiny little thing is a baby tapir,
0:00:42 > 0:00:46the fifth calf born to proud parents Jessie and Jethro.
0:00:46 > 0:00:49- Isn't he just so adorable? - I can't tell you how sweet he is.
0:00:49 > 0:00:53He's still got all his spots and stripes that tapirs are born with.
0:00:53 > 0:00:56This is to help camouflage them in the wild
0:00:56 > 0:00:58and protect them from predators.
0:00:58 > 0:01:01It's extremely tempting to stay here with him all day,
0:01:01 > 0:01:06but we've got lots of other animals coming up on today's programme.
0:01:06 > 0:01:10This rare Pere David calf is the most precious baby in the park.
0:01:10 > 0:01:14But can she survive with a broken leg?
0:01:14 > 0:01:17Longleat's littlest lions are coming to dinner.
0:01:17 > 0:01:19But who taught them their table manners?
0:01:21 > 0:01:24And young Gertie's in danger of catching a fatal infection.
0:01:26 > 0:01:29So now the keepers must take desperate measures.
0:01:36 > 0:01:39In the heart of the Wiltshire countryside,
0:01:39 > 0:01:43the Longleat Safari Park is home to over 50 different species.
0:01:49 > 0:01:52But of all the exotic animals in the park,
0:01:52 > 0:01:55none are more rare than these Pere David deer,
0:01:55 > 0:01:58listed as critically endangered.
0:02:01 > 0:02:02In the 1980s,
0:02:02 > 0:02:07the species declined to just 18 animals living in captive herds in Britain.
0:02:07 > 0:02:11Thanks to breeding programmes, numbers are rising
0:02:11 > 0:02:15but there are still just a few thousand Pere David deer in the whole world.
0:02:18 > 0:02:22The park is home to six of them, five does and one stag.
0:02:22 > 0:02:24To help sustain the species,
0:02:24 > 0:02:28keepers have been trying their best to expand the herd.
0:02:34 > 0:02:37Last year saw the successful birth of one healthy calf
0:02:37 > 0:02:40and, to Head of Section Tim Yeo's delight,
0:02:40 > 0:02:42this year they've had another.
0:02:47 > 0:02:50But just days after the baby was born,
0:02:50 > 0:02:53Tim saw something which gave him cause for concern.
0:02:53 > 0:02:57The calf was lying down by itself and not moving.
0:02:58 > 0:03:01Immediately, he called in vet Duncan Williams.
0:03:05 > 0:03:08The baby Pere David
0:03:08 > 0:03:12has got a really serious fracture of its left foreleg.
0:03:12 > 0:03:16It's not just a simple break, which would heal really easily,
0:03:16 > 0:03:20it's a split and a segment and it's a bit loose.
0:03:21 > 0:03:25In the wild, a broken leg would mean certain death.
0:03:25 > 0:03:27But with Duncan's veterinary care,
0:03:27 > 0:03:30this calf has a chance of recovery.
0:03:31 > 0:03:33We've stabilised it as best I could
0:03:33 > 0:03:38and put a plaster cast on it, a very lightweight one.
0:03:38 > 0:03:41The question is, these young animals heal up really quickly
0:03:41 > 0:03:44so long as there's not too much complications.
0:03:44 > 0:03:47It's a question of how many complications we've got.
0:03:49 > 0:03:52Tim and Duncan have done their best for her.
0:03:52 > 0:03:54Now they must leave her alone
0:03:54 > 0:03:58and hope that her mother will quickly return to look after her.
0:03:58 > 0:04:01But Pere David are shy creatures
0:04:01 > 0:04:04and so far, the mother seems to be keeping her distance.
0:04:05 > 0:04:09Do you think the calf's too close to the road?
0:04:09 > 0:04:12Will it go that close to the road when it's so busy?
0:04:14 > 0:04:18It's a good question, really. I think...
0:04:18 > 0:04:22- Those rhinos are there. Everyone's stopped to see them.- Exactly.
0:04:22 > 0:04:25- That might be holding her back a bit, Tim.- Yeah.
0:04:30 > 0:04:33Tim is worried that the mother might abandon the calf altogether.
0:04:33 > 0:04:38It's important to reunite the family as soon as possible.
0:04:38 > 0:04:41The cars are putting the mother off coming to the calf.
0:04:41 > 0:04:43I think she desperately wants to.
0:04:43 > 0:04:46So I'll move the calf. I didn't want to,
0:04:46 > 0:04:50but I feel the time's come where we need to get mum and calf together.
0:04:50 > 0:04:54So I'll move the calf deeper into the park there
0:04:54 > 0:04:57and hope she comes over to it then.
0:05:01 > 0:05:04Tim wears gloves to handle the calf
0:05:04 > 0:05:08because if the mother detects the scent of humans on her baby,
0:05:08 > 0:05:10she may not accept it as her own.
0:05:11 > 0:05:15No-one knows how the leg was broken so badly.
0:05:15 > 0:05:19But with each calf being so important to the survival of the Pere David species,
0:05:19 > 0:05:22Tim's taking every precaution.
0:05:26 > 0:05:29The slight worry is when you move a calf,
0:05:29 > 0:05:35does Mum know where it is when you move it? Can she still find it?
0:05:35 > 0:05:38Hopefully it's on the same line that it was.
0:05:38 > 0:05:41I haven't diverted from that.
0:05:41 > 0:05:45The quicker that Mum and calf can be together, the better, I think.
0:05:48 > 0:05:52We'll be back to find out if the calf recovers from her broken leg
0:05:52 > 0:05:55and if the mother accepts her back into the herd.
0:06:06 > 0:06:10No animal is more emblematic of Longleat than its famous lions.
0:06:13 > 0:06:15Dominant male Barbary lion, Kabir,
0:06:15 > 0:06:18arrived at the park in 2005.
0:06:18 > 0:06:22He quickly mated and sired two beautiful female cubs,
0:06:22 > 0:06:24Malaika and Jasira.
0:06:29 > 0:06:32At 12 weeks old, the cubs were given their inoculations.
0:06:36 > 0:06:39Then they were finally allowed out into the open together.
0:06:42 > 0:06:45At first, Kabir was a bit of a grumpy father.
0:06:48 > 0:06:51But soon, the whole family were getting on famously.
0:06:54 > 0:06:59The cubs have been growing stronger and more adventurous every day,
0:06:59 > 0:07:02learning the crucial skills of hunting and fighting
0:07:02 > 0:07:05through playing with each other and their parents.
0:07:07 > 0:07:11Now the cubs have almost as much of an appetite as their father
0:07:11 > 0:07:14when the feeding truck comes round.
0:07:16 > 0:07:20But there's one crucial rite of passage they have yet to experience.
0:07:22 > 0:07:26I'm out in the lion enclosure with Head of Section Brian Kent
0:07:26 > 0:07:28and deputy head, Bob Trollope.
0:07:28 > 0:07:30Bob, today we're feeding the lions
0:07:30 > 0:07:32but it's not a normal, typical feed.
0:07:32 > 0:07:34It's slightly different.
0:07:34 > 0:07:39Normally we drive around with the tractor and cage and throw chunks out the back.
0:07:39 > 0:07:42We're gonna go back as far as we can as a normal feed
0:07:42 > 0:07:43but use a carcass instead.
0:07:43 > 0:07:47Of course, in the wild, they wouldn't get little chunks each.
0:07:47 > 0:07:51No, they would hunt something this size or maybe bigger.
0:07:51 > 0:07:54And the whole pride would feed off it in one go
0:07:54 > 0:07:56as opposed to dotted about all over.
0:07:56 > 0:08:01Brian, this is just as important for you guys to see how they eat.
0:08:01 > 0:08:04It not only keeps them on their toes
0:08:04 > 0:08:06but it's good for you to observe.
0:08:06 > 0:08:09It's nice to see the whole pride having a carcass.
0:08:09 > 0:08:12With chunks of meat it's completely different.
0:08:12 > 0:08:16It's better to see them all on the carcass and what they're doing.
0:08:16 > 0:08:19- The cub's going in for food.- Because this is Kabir's pride.- Yes.
0:08:19 > 0:08:22- So the two young cubs. - Two youngsters, yes.
0:08:22 > 0:08:26It's new to them. They might even go inside the carcass. You never know.
0:08:26 > 0:08:29What we have actually done as well,
0:08:29 > 0:08:33is with the carcass we've hidden a very small camera.
0:08:33 > 0:08:35It's within the carcass there.
0:08:35 > 0:08:41- They can't swallow the camera? It's in a box.- A wooden box. It's safe.
0:08:41 > 0:08:46What we've also done is hidden some wires from there to here.
0:08:46 > 0:08:50There's our Animal Park truck. Everyone's busy putting cameras up
0:08:50 > 0:08:53so we have lots of ways of observing the lions as they eat.
0:08:53 > 0:08:57We've got to finish covering this pipe that hides the wires.
0:08:58 > 0:09:02Are you pretty confident that as soon as they're let out
0:09:02 > 0:09:04they'll go straight to this carcass?
0:09:04 > 0:09:05I imagine they will.
0:09:05 > 0:09:09They may have a sniff round first, where we've been walking round.
0:09:09 > 0:09:14What amount of meat would the lions here consume per year?
0:09:14 > 0:09:17At Longleat, over 40 tonnes a year, easily.
0:09:17 > 0:09:20- Over 40 tonnes?- The equivalent of six double-decker buses!
0:09:20 > 0:09:23That is incredible. How much do we have here?
0:09:23 > 0:09:25- Many kilos!- Something like that!
0:09:25 > 0:09:26A minibus!
0:09:26 > 0:09:29We'll get into the safety of the vehicles.
0:09:29 > 0:09:31Join us a little later
0:09:31 > 0:09:34when we'll find out just how the lions of Longleat
0:09:34 > 0:09:37consume 40 tonnes of meat every year!
0:09:43 > 0:09:48The East Africa Reserve is home to some of the park's most striking residents.
0:09:49 > 0:09:51The Rothschild giraffe.
0:09:53 > 0:09:58Over the years, the park has had a tremendously successful record of breeding the giraffes
0:09:58 > 0:10:01with more than 100 calves born here in the past.
0:10:05 > 0:10:10Last year, 13-year-old Becky had a beautiful calf named Evelyn.
0:10:12 > 0:10:15Giraffes bond with their calves by licking them
0:10:15 > 0:10:19but Becky would not stop licking Evelyn's ears
0:10:19 > 0:10:21and the calf developed an infection.
0:10:24 > 0:10:27Because the ears were so badly affected,
0:10:27 > 0:10:29mother and calf had to be separated.
0:10:32 > 0:10:34Vet Duncan Williams was called in
0:10:34 > 0:10:38and gave the baby giraffe a course of antibiotics.
0:10:43 > 0:10:45But despite all their efforts,
0:10:45 > 0:10:47Head of Section Andy Hayton came in one morning
0:10:47 > 0:10:50to find his worst nightmare.
0:10:50 > 0:10:52Little Evelyn had died.
0:10:52 > 0:10:55It's a disaster, really.
0:10:55 > 0:10:57It's a shame.
0:10:57 > 0:11:00It is such a crying shame
0:11:00 > 0:11:04that we had a lovely female giraffe that would give us calves in future
0:11:04 > 0:11:08and she was a nice addition to the group.
0:11:08 > 0:11:10And you lose her.
0:11:10 > 0:11:15You question what you've done, whether you've done the right thing.
0:11:15 > 0:11:18Vet Duncan carried out a post-mortem
0:11:18 > 0:11:21to find out exactly what had killed the baby giraffe.
0:11:21 > 0:11:24Basically, we found out what we'd expected.
0:11:24 > 0:11:25She died from septicaemia.
0:11:25 > 0:11:28It probably got into her body, into her heart and stuff
0:11:28 > 0:11:31before the antibiotics were first administered.
0:11:31 > 0:11:35So while we kept her alive for a week with the antibiotics,
0:11:35 > 0:11:36it just caught up with her
0:11:36 > 0:11:42and unfortunately, that's what finished her off, really.
0:11:43 > 0:11:46To lose a two-month-old giraffe is very abnormal.
0:11:46 > 0:11:50Once they get past the first week, you generally think they'll be OK.
0:11:50 > 0:11:53So it's very abnormal to lose one of that age.
0:11:53 > 0:11:55I'm disappointed, really, yeah.
0:11:58 > 0:12:00This year brought better news in the girafferie.
0:12:00 > 0:12:02Becky was pregnant again.
0:12:06 > 0:12:09Staff kept a close watch throughout her pregnancy
0:12:09 > 0:12:12and were on hand with a camera to film the first few hours
0:12:12 > 0:12:14of her new baby's life.
0:12:19 > 0:12:22Now Gertie is three weeks old.
0:12:22 > 0:12:23To make sure all's well,
0:12:23 > 0:12:27keeper Ryan Hockley monitors her progress every day.
0:12:29 > 0:12:34The last thing we want is to go back into that boat we were in before
0:12:34 > 0:12:40because it really did annoy us that we lost that calf.
0:12:40 > 0:12:45We don't like, certainly wouldn't like to fail a second time along the same lines.
0:12:47 > 0:12:52The only other option we've got, if we find her starting to mummy away at those ears
0:12:52 > 0:12:55is to take the calf away and hand-rear it.
0:12:55 > 0:12:59That's not really our ethos here in the girafferie or at Longleat.
0:12:59 > 0:13:03We like mother-reared animals. They're much better adjusted.
0:13:03 > 0:13:08Hand-reared animals never really seem to be the full ticket!
0:13:08 > 0:13:12So, yeah, we want her to rear it.
0:13:15 > 0:13:17But despite Ryan's best efforts,
0:13:17 > 0:13:21he's now spotted some swelling on the calf's ears.
0:13:21 > 0:13:25Because last time the infection was fatal so quickly,
0:13:25 > 0:13:28Head of Section Andy Hayton immediately calls in vet Duncan.
0:13:32 > 0:13:35- It's slightly swollen. - When did the swelling come up?
0:13:37 > 0:13:40In the past three or four days, I guess.
0:13:42 > 0:13:46From a personal point of view, I'd like to have a closer look.
0:13:48 > 0:13:50If Gertie's ears have become infected,
0:13:50 > 0:13:53her life, too, could be in danger.
0:13:53 > 0:13:56We'll be back later in the programme.
0:14:04 > 0:14:08Over at the aviary, alongside the Chilean flamingos
0:14:08 > 0:14:10and African spoonbills,
0:14:10 > 0:14:13these Sacred Ibis from Egypt are thriving.
0:14:16 > 0:14:20There were just 12 birds initially but last year saw the arrival of three new chicks.
0:14:24 > 0:14:26Now keepers are hoping for more
0:14:26 > 0:14:28because the nesting season is here again.
0:14:30 > 0:14:33I'm out in the aviary with keeper Michelle Stevens.
0:14:33 > 0:14:37This seems to be a very strange thing to be doing, Michelle,
0:14:37 > 0:14:40throwing out sticks! Why?
0:14:40 > 0:14:44These are lime twigs. We scatter them in the enclosure for the ibis.
0:14:44 > 0:14:48- It's really good nesting material. - Oh, right!
0:14:48 > 0:14:50What does an ibis nest look like?
0:14:50 > 0:14:54It's just a big gathering of lots of twigs and things.
0:14:54 > 0:14:57Grasses, leaves, anything they can find.
0:14:57 > 0:14:59They interweave it. It's a compact nest
0:14:59 > 0:15:01but a complete mess at the same time.
0:15:01 > 0:15:04- To anyone else, it looks like a compost heap.- Yes!
0:15:04 > 0:15:09Do they nest on the ground or do they build this up in the trees?
0:15:09 > 0:15:13- How does it work?- They will nest on the ground, on rocks, in trees,
0:15:13 > 0:15:15anywhere they think is suitable.
0:15:15 > 0:15:18I'm just looking across at them now.
0:15:18 > 0:15:21To my eyes, looking at these black-and-white birds,
0:15:21 > 0:15:23they all look identical.
0:15:23 > 0:15:26Do you know which is male and which is female?
0:15:26 > 0:15:29It is very difficult. Males can be slightly bigger than females.
0:15:29 > 0:15:33However, to be really sure, we DNA sex them.
0:15:33 > 0:15:37We take a feather, and at the root is some DNA, or blood.
0:15:37 > 0:15:41The laboratory will process that and tell us whether it's a male or female.
0:15:41 > 0:15:46How does it work? Will the males build the nest or the females?
0:15:46 > 0:15:49The male will pick up any nesting materials
0:15:49 > 0:15:52- and the female will make the nest. - Right.
0:15:52 > 0:15:56Do you get that lovely behaviour you see sometimes with birds
0:15:56 > 0:16:00where a male will present nesting material and say "Is this good enough?"
0:16:00 > 0:16:05Part of the courtship is to present nesting material to make sure he's good enough for her
0:16:05 > 0:16:09and it's quite a complex courtship ritual as well.
0:16:09 > 0:16:10How amazing!
0:16:10 > 0:16:14You had a successful year last year. How many chicks did you end up with?
0:16:14 > 0:16:19We had three chicks altogether and the parents incubated really well.
0:16:19 > 0:16:24Great parents. They swap over so the female can get food.
0:16:24 > 0:16:26So they'll both brood,
0:16:26 > 0:16:30the male will go on so the female can feed and then swap over.
0:16:30 > 0:16:35And when the chicks are born, are both responsible for feeding?
0:16:35 > 0:16:37- Yes, it's a partnership.- Right.
0:16:37 > 0:16:41Flamingos and spoonbills you've also got here.
0:16:41 > 0:16:45What's happening with regards to their breeding?
0:16:45 > 0:16:48- The flamingos are still too young. - Right.
0:16:48 > 0:16:50Most are not quite ready.
0:16:50 > 0:16:52It might be a couple more years yet.
0:16:52 > 0:16:54Right. And the spoonbills?
0:16:54 > 0:16:57The spoonbills, we sexed them as well.
0:16:57 > 0:17:00Unfortunately, they're all male!
0:17:00 > 0:17:03So you're on the lookout for a female!
0:17:03 > 0:17:06Anyone got a female spoonbill, send it in!
0:17:06 > 0:17:10We hoped it was two and two, but someone tricked us!
0:17:10 > 0:17:14Let's hope all this twig spreading really works with the ibis
0:17:14 > 0:17:18and you get another good year. Come on, guys! Get your nests!
0:17:18 > 0:17:20Thanks, Michelle.
0:17:32 > 0:17:34Back in the deer park,
0:17:34 > 0:17:38keeper Adrian Lamfear is on tractor patrol with the rhinos.
0:17:41 > 0:17:45He's also keeping an eye on the Pere David calf with the broken leg.
0:17:47 > 0:17:49She's still lying down by herself,
0:17:49 > 0:17:52at some distance from her mother and the rest of the herd.
0:17:53 > 0:17:57It seems as though they're not interested in the calf at all,
0:17:57 > 0:18:00but this is natural protective behaviour.
0:18:00 > 0:18:02It's precisely what they'd do in the wild
0:18:02 > 0:18:05to keep a newborn baby safe from predators.
0:18:09 > 0:18:13It's very normal behaviour not to draw predators to the baby.
0:18:13 > 0:18:17If the predator's there and can smell maybe the afterbirth
0:18:17 > 0:18:20then the closeness of the herd
0:18:20 > 0:18:22would give its presence away.
0:18:22 > 0:18:26Its camouflage will hide the baby, it's lying low.
0:18:26 > 0:18:30A couple of times mother will come and the baby will put its head up
0:18:30 > 0:18:32then put its head back down again
0:18:32 > 0:18:34so Mum's keeping an eye on it.
0:18:34 > 0:18:37Off she goes again, grazing, but she's very watchful,
0:18:37 > 0:18:39keeping an eye on what's going on.
0:18:40 > 0:18:43With the mother showing so much interest,
0:18:43 > 0:18:45the calf has got over its first big hurdle.
0:18:48 > 0:18:51It is early days, but we're very hopeful.
0:18:51 > 0:18:55Mother and the group are showing protective signs towards the baby
0:18:55 > 0:18:57so that's very good.
0:18:57 > 0:19:01We're very hopeful. Fingers crossed!
0:19:04 > 0:19:08Head of Section Tim Yeo oversees the Pere David breeding programme.
0:19:08 > 0:19:11He's not concerned to see the calf still lying down.
0:19:11 > 0:19:14It's almost instinctive, to a degree,
0:19:14 > 0:19:19that the calf knows that it needs to go away
0:19:19 > 0:19:23and stay still and not draw attention to itself.
0:19:23 > 0:19:26Because obviously it could be preyed on.
0:19:26 > 0:19:28It's more vulnerable at that stage.
0:19:30 > 0:19:33There might not be any predators in the enclosure,
0:19:33 > 0:19:37but Tim's concerned that other animals could interfere with the injured baby.
0:19:43 > 0:19:47Because the calf has this cast on its leg,
0:19:47 > 0:19:51a lot of the animals, if they spot anything different,
0:19:51 > 0:19:53it draws attention to an animal
0:19:53 > 0:19:55and they'll come and investigate.
0:19:55 > 0:19:59We certainly do have to watch out for other species in the park
0:19:59 > 0:20:04because at this stage the calf is very vulnerable.
0:20:06 > 0:20:11Now a herd of massive Ankole cattle have surrounded the young calf.
0:20:11 > 0:20:16Seeing the threat, the Pere David herd move towards the baby deer.
0:20:16 > 0:20:18But her mother is way ahead of them
0:20:18 > 0:20:21and bravely tries to protect her offspring.
0:20:24 > 0:20:26Sensing she's in danger of being trampled,
0:20:26 > 0:20:29the calf struggles to her feet.
0:20:31 > 0:20:35It's a good sign, but still no-one knows how well the leg is healing.
0:20:35 > 0:20:38We'll come back to find out.
0:20:46 > 0:20:49Still to come on today's programme:
0:20:51 > 0:20:55We'll be helping to move a couple of giants,
0:20:55 > 0:20:57Tommy and Michelle.
0:20:57 > 0:21:00Trevor and Honey have been very busy
0:21:00 > 0:21:02and now they've got a lot of eggs.
0:21:02 > 0:21:04Twenty-two?! Wow!
0:21:05 > 0:21:08And the lion cubs are going to get their first taste of dinner
0:21:08 > 0:21:10on the wild side.
0:21:16 > 0:21:18But now, back over at the girafferie,
0:21:18 > 0:21:22Head of Section Andy Hayton has called in vet Duncan Williams
0:21:22 > 0:21:24to examine Gertie.
0:21:25 > 0:21:28They're worried because the baby's ears are swollen
0:21:28 > 0:21:30from being licked by her mother, Becky.
0:21:30 > 0:21:33Without treatment, they could become infected.
0:21:35 > 0:21:38Nobody's really seen Becky nibbling the ears.
0:21:38 > 0:21:42We think she's coming in at night and when the calf sits down
0:21:42 > 0:21:44she's licking the calf's ears then.
0:21:44 > 0:21:49Because if she does go for them when she's upright and we're all here,
0:21:49 > 0:21:53the calf walks away unceremoniously and doesn't want it done to her.
0:21:53 > 0:21:56I think Becky's taking her opportunity when she can
0:21:56 > 0:21:58which is even more annoying.
0:22:01 > 0:22:04This is the first time Gertie has been handled.
0:22:04 > 0:22:07It takes five keepers to restrain her
0:22:07 > 0:22:10so that vet Duncan can examine her
0:22:10 > 0:22:12and administer treatment.
0:22:13 > 0:22:16I'm going to spray that and give her an antibiotic.
0:22:16 > 0:22:20She's split the two sides of the cartilage.
0:22:20 > 0:22:23There's a gap in it. At the moment it's just leaking serum.
0:22:23 > 0:22:27It's not infected yet, but that'll be the next stage.
0:22:27 > 0:22:30OK, I've finished.
0:22:30 > 0:22:32On three. One, two, three.
0:22:32 > 0:22:35We cleaned it up as best we could,
0:22:35 > 0:22:37put some local antibiotic on it
0:22:37 > 0:22:41and given her a long-acting antibiotic injection.
0:22:41 > 0:22:44Her last baby, Evelyn, she did the same with her.
0:22:44 > 0:22:46Both ears we lost the tips of them
0:22:46 > 0:22:50and it got so infected, she went into septicaemic shock and died.
0:22:50 > 0:22:53It's a real nightmare. We can't take the baby off her
0:22:53 > 0:22:59because she's got a natural bond there with her mother.
0:22:59 > 0:23:02But if her mother keeps doing this, we could have problems.
0:23:03 > 0:23:07At the moment we're being very, very vigilant.
0:23:07 > 0:23:09It's a big worry. It's history repeating itself.
0:23:09 > 0:23:14It's infuriating more than worrying.
0:23:14 > 0:23:17"Why do you have to do this to your baby?"
0:23:17 > 0:23:21We're going to treat it far more intensively than we did last time.
0:23:21 > 0:23:24We're just gonna really go for it.
0:23:24 > 0:23:28The unfortunate circumstances that happened last time
0:23:28 > 0:23:30when we lost the baby,
0:23:30 > 0:23:32we held back cos we didn't want to stress the calf
0:23:32 > 0:23:37by constantly grabbing it and pulling her around. It didn't work.
0:23:42 > 0:23:46During the day, the giraffes live outside in the East Africa Reserve,
0:23:46 > 0:23:49where keeper Kathryn Kendal is on patrol.
0:23:49 > 0:23:53Becky takes every opportunity to try to lick the calf's ears
0:23:53 > 0:23:55with her 18-inch tongue.
0:23:55 > 0:23:59But Gertie is learning to be nervous of her mother's attentions.
0:23:59 > 0:24:02She's really feisty. She's very headstrong.
0:24:02 > 0:24:05She'll only do what she wants to do when she wants to do it.
0:24:05 > 0:24:09It's brilliant. She's put Mum in her place already.
0:24:09 > 0:24:12Mum will try to groom her and maybe lick her ears
0:24:12 > 0:24:16and she'll shake her off straight away. Brilliant.
0:24:17 > 0:24:20At night, the giraffes move back into their house.
0:24:20 > 0:24:25The staff want to keep mother and calf together, if at all possible,
0:24:25 > 0:24:28but this is when Gertie is in most danger.
0:24:31 > 0:24:36We'll be back to see if she can escape her mother's unwanted attentions.
0:24:47 > 0:24:50Over in lion country, Kabir's pride are getting hungry.
0:24:54 > 0:24:58It's very important when caring for animals in captivity
0:24:58 > 0:25:02to enrich their lives with experiences they'd have in their natural environment.
0:25:02 > 0:25:06That's why the lions are usually fed from a moving vehicle.
0:25:06 > 0:25:09It simulates the experience of the hunt.
0:25:12 > 0:25:17But in the wild, a pride of lions would always feed together,
0:25:17 > 0:25:20something that reinforces family ties and social bonds.
0:25:20 > 0:25:24So today, Kabir's pride are going to get the chance of a communal feed.
0:25:24 > 0:25:27For the youngsters, Malaika and Jasira,
0:25:27 > 0:25:30this will be an important educational experience.
0:25:30 > 0:25:35And, so that we can observe the group dynamics close up,
0:25:35 > 0:25:38we've installed a miniature camera in the carcass.
0:25:38 > 0:25:40Now it's dinner time
0:25:40 > 0:25:42and the lions have been let out.
0:25:43 > 0:25:47I'm with Head of Section Brian Kent and deputy head, Bob Trollope.
0:25:47 > 0:25:49They're surrounding us.
0:25:49 > 0:25:52Who's this first to the carcass?
0:25:52 > 0:25:55- This is Luna. - Look at her pulling at it.
0:25:55 > 0:25:58We've got here a little monitor
0:25:58 > 0:26:02that's picking up the camera. Here's Kabir. He's not sure about us being here.
0:26:02 > 0:26:05They're a little worried about us.
0:26:07 > 0:26:10We can just see his nose creeping in.
0:26:10 > 0:26:15Is there a strict hierarchy within the pride about who goes in first?
0:26:15 > 0:26:18You normally find that the male will get prime position
0:26:18 > 0:26:20purely because of his size.
0:26:20 > 0:26:24What's she doing at the back with the tree? Is it excitement?
0:26:24 > 0:26:26She's sharpening her claws, I think.
0:26:26 > 0:26:29- Now we've got one of the cubs. - This is little Jasira.
0:26:29 > 0:26:34- A tentative look.- Not really sure what to make of it.
0:26:34 > 0:26:37It's very interesting because the cub has gone in from behind.
0:26:37 > 0:26:40It's a soft spot as well.
0:26:40 > 0:26:44- Right.- Now you've got the male in a typical position
0:26:44 > 0:26:47where he'll get all the best parts, all the offal.
0:26:47 > 0:26:50Also by the time the others have broken through the hide
0:26:50 > 0:26:52- all he'll do is...- There you go.
0:26:52 > 0:26:57You can see the tongue. Is it true that the tongue is like sandpaper?
0:26:57 > 0:27:01- Is that how they get the meat? - There's a roughness to it.
0:27:01 > 0:27:02Like a rasp.
0:27:02 > 0:27:07They're literally ripping the meat off the bones. Is that how they consume it?
0:27:07 > 0:27:11The teeth aren't designed for chewing, as you'd imagine.
0:27:11 > 0:27:13They're basically cutting teeth.
0:27:13 > 0:27:19And they will obviously have to puncture the carcass.
0:27:19 > 0:27:23Then, with the other teeth, bite through the flesh.
0:27:23 > 0:27:27When they get to the bones, they'll use their tongue to strip the meat.
0:27:27 > 0:27:29Just an extraordinary image.
0:27:29 > 0:27:32Have you ever seen a perspective like this?
0:27:32 > 0:27:36- I can't say I have. - This is absolutely brilliant.
0:27:36 > 0:27:39I know that they're a pride and they do live together,
0:27:39 > 0:27:42but they're happy to eat side-by-side like that.
0:27:42 > 0:27:46They're very content with it, to be honest.
0:27:46 > 0:27:50In the wild, where they don't get fed as often,
0:27:50 > 0:27:53you'd find the cubs would be the last ones to feed.
0:27:53 > 0:27:56- The survival of the pride... - Look at that!
0:27:56 > 0:27:59I think that's a youngster eating from...
0:27:59 > 0:28:02No, it's still pulling on the hide.
0:28:02 > 0:28:04There's three or four there now.
0:28:04 > 0:28:05Look at the claws going in.
0:28:07 > 0:28:11With this camera we've got a microphone hidden.
0:28:11 > 0:28:14You can hear, even from here, the crunching of the bones.
0:28:14 > 0:28:17Are they eating the bones as well as the meat?
0:28:17 > 0:28:19They'll get a certain amount.
0:28:19 > 0:28:22The bones have marrowbone inside.
0:28:22 > 0:28:26But with the skin and the hide,
0:28:26 > 0:28:29they'll eat a certain amount of that as well.
0:28:29 > 0:28:34Basically, they get the hair to help digestion
0:28:34 > 0:28:37- and also to clean the pipes after feeding.- Really?
0:28:37 > 0:28:42Incredible. So they really are using every single part of the carcass.
0:28:42 > 0:28:44They'll get all the goodness from that.
0:28:44 > 0:28:48Because they don't produce their own vitamins, they get it from the carcass.
0:28:48 > 0:28:50As with water, as well.
0:28:50 > 0:28:54They get water from the carcass? Is that through the blood?
0:28:54 > 0:28:58Well, if the animal had been drinking recently,
0:28:58 > 0:29:02it would still be in the system and they could get it from there.
0:29:02 > 0:29:06They can live for ages on solely getting it from the carcasses.
0:29:06 > 0:29:10Occasionally they will eat grass to make themselves sick
0:29:10 > 0:29:12and get any badness out of them.
0:29:12 > 0:29:16- Just like a domestic...- A bit like a domestic cat will do that.
0:29:17 > 0:29:21Hasn't taken them long to get through half this carcass.
0:29:21 > 0:29:24We may have to wait some time to retrieve our camera.
0:29:24 > 0:29:28It's safe to say that carcass-cam was a success! Thanks, guys!
0:29:47 > 0:29:52Three days have passed since the Pere David calf was found with a broken leg.
0:29:55 > 0:29:57Before the park opens to the public,
0:29:57 > 0:29:59Head of Section, Tim Yeo,
0:29:59 > 0:30:00heads out to check on her.
0:30:02 > 0:30:05The first job I have in the morning
0:30:05 > 0:30:09is to go out and have a look and see if I can find the calf
0:30:09 > 0:30:14because we don't know what's happened during the night
0:30:14 > 0:30:17so it's very important for me to find the calf
0:30:17 > 0:30:21and then see if things are looking OK or not.
0:30:21 > 0:30:23Over the years,
0:30:23 > 0:30:27you find that the deer like to leave their calves
0:30:27 > 0:30:31in certain sites in the park.
0:30:31 > 0:30:36So year in, year out, there are likely places that you would look.
0:30:36 > 0:30:40Sometimes it's very obvious - it could be close to the road,
0:30:40 > 0:30:42it could be extremely obvious to you.
0:30:42 > 0:30:44But if I don't see anything then,
0:30:44 > 0:30:49then I will walk the boundary of the park
0:30:49 > 0:30:54along the park fence and it's going to be somewhere.
0:30:57 > 0:31:00Finally, Tim spots the young calf.
0:31:01 > 0:31:04She's well concealed from the other animals.
0:31:06 > 0:31:09It's certainly better than being out in the middle of the park.
0:31:09 > 0:31:13Less animals walk the fence. Less animals do that
0:31:13 > 0:31:19so hopefully it won't get disturbed today.
0:31:21 > 0:31:24At night time, the Pere Davids have the run of the park
0:31:24 > 0:31:28while the rhinos and most other animals go into their houses.
0:31:30 > 0:31:33For two nights in a row, the calf has moved position.
0:31:33 > 0:31:38So Tim assumes she must be using the leg to stand and follow her mother.
0:31:41 > 0:31:44Mum's overcome her fear of the cast
0:31:44 > 0:31:49and the mucking about that we humans have done to the calf,
0:31:49 > 0:31:52which we tried to limit, but she's got over that.
0:31:52 > 0:31:56I'm very pleased that she's actually rearing it.
0:31:56 > 0:31:59Everything looks good in that way.
0:32:00 > 0:32:05Now the keepers can only wait and hope that underneath the cast
0:32:05 > 0:32:07the broken leg is healing well.
0:32:08 > 0:32:13We're hoping that the healing process is going to happen.
0:32:13 > 0:32:16We feel there's going to be lameness,
0:32:16 > 0:32:19possibly for the rest of its life.
0:32:19 > 0:32:24How severe that is, we've yet to see,
0:32:24 > 0:32:27but we're taking each day as it comes, really.
0:32:27 > 0:32:32But sadly, there's no guarantee that the young Pere David will recover.
0:32:32 > 0:32:35We'll update you on her progress later in the series.
0:32:43 > 0:32:45Across the park in the East Africa Reserve,
0:32:45 > 0:32:48Trevor and Honey have a new clutch of eggs.
0:32:50 > 0:32:53A few weeks ago, I was helping to make a nest
0:32:53 > 0:32:57to fill it with the eggs that Honey had been laying all over the park.
0:32:58 > 0:33:03But when we'd finished, there was no guarantee the ostriches would sit.
0:33:03 > 0:33:06Now Kate's gone up to find out the latest.
0:33:08 > 0:33:12I'm in the East Africa Reserve with Head of Section, Andy Hayton.
0:33:12 > 0:33:16We've come to see Honey the ostrich. She doesn't look very well, Andy!
0:33:16 > 0:33:19She's sat on about 22 eggs.
0:33:19 > 0:33:21Twenty-two?! Really?
0:33:21 > 0:33:24- She's been laying like crazy. We get an egg every other day.- Wow!
0:33:24 > 0:33:30She's sat on them properly now and starting to incubate them.
0:33:30 > 0:33:33How long does that incubation take?
0:33:33 > 0:33:3440 days.
0:33:34 > 0:33:37But 22 chicks. That sounds like a lot.
0:33:37 > 0:33:42No, I think in the wild it's five or ten per cent hatch out
0:33:42 > 0:33:47and five or ten per cent of those chicks that hatch survive.
0:33:47 > 0:33:49So it's a very high mortality rate.
0:33:49 > 0:33:54But even here where there aren't any predators, or are there dangers for them here?
0:33:54 > 0:33:58You'll get the giraffes coming here and occasionally get an egg smashed
0:33:58 > 0:34:00where the giraffes paddle round in the nest
0:34:00 > 0:34:04and Trev and Honey are demented trying to protect their eggs.
0:34:04 > 0:34:08These two are doing all the proper stuff
0:34:08 > 0:34:10and it's lovely to watch.
0:34:10 > 0:34:15It seems strange looking at her lying that way.
0:34:15 > 0:34:18You can understand her body being spread out to cover the eggs,
0:34:18 > 0:34:21but why the neck down?
0:34:21 > 0:34:23You'd think she'd want to look around.
0:34:23 > 0:34:27It's where the myth of ostriches hiding their head in the sand comes from.
0:34:27 > 0:34:29If we ever have to shove eggs in
0:34:29 > 0:34:33cos she stirs all the eggs up and turns them round and so on,
0:34:33 > 0:34:35and kicks eggs out from underneath her,
0:34:35 > 0:34:40when you go to shove them back, she'll lay her neck straight out across the floor.
0:34:40 > 0:34:43So if there's anything she perceives as a threat,
0:34:43 > 0:34:45she'll lay her head flat out
0:34:45 > 0:34:47so it doesn't make a silhouette.
0:34:47 > 0:34:52- From a distance, she...- It just looks like a rock or bush.- Absolutely.
0:34:52 > 0:34:58It's a kind of defence thing. That's where the thing of burying their head in the sand comes from.
0:34:58 > 0:35:00So they don't actually do that at all.
0:35:00 > 0:35:02Not even an ostrich is that daft!
0:35:03 > 0:35:08Now, it looks like Honey does all the sitting
0:35:08 > 0:35:11and Trevor, who was right here,
0:35:11 > 0:35:14disappears completely uninterested over there.
0:35:14 > 0:35:17Does he not do any of the brooding of the eggs?
0:35:17 > 0:35:19Yeah, the males do the night shift
0:35:19 > 0:35:21cos that's the really dangerous time.
0:35:21 > 0:35:24It's dark and predators may come to take them.
0:35:24 > 0:35:27So you have the big bad lad sat on the eggs at night.
0:35:27 > 0:35:30He's more protective and far more of a threat
0:35:30 > 0:35:32cos he can defend himself better.
0:35:32 > 0:35:35So they swap over around five o'clock every evening.
0:35:35 > 0:35:40Trevor does the night shift and Honey wanders off and starts feeding.
0:35:40 > 0:35:43Nice to hear chivalry isn't dead!
0:35:43 > 0:35:45Trev's a modern man. He takes his turn.
0:35:45 > 0:35:48And the males, when the eggs hatch,
0:35:48 > 0:35:51they do most of the protection and looking after the chicks.
0:35:51 > 0:35:55The females are done then. When the eggs hatch, it's mid summer
0:35:55 > 0:36:00so you've got these bumble bees, almost, running round.
0:36:00 > 0:36:03A couple of years ago we had two baby giraffes and two baby ostrich
0:36:03 > 0:36:07and there were more cars for the ostriches than the giraffes.
0:36:07 > 0:36:10People absolutely love them. They're fantastic.
0:36:10 > 0:36:15We'll keep our fingers crossed that there are more this year. Thank you.
0:36:15 > 0:36:19While Andy's optimistic about Honey's progress,
0:36:19 > 0:36:22it's been a different story back at the girafferie.
0:36:24 > 0:36:28Over-affectionate mum Becky is still licking her calf too much.
0:36:30 > 0:36:32Gertie's ears are swollen
0:36:32 > 0:36:34and they risk becoming infected.
0:36:36 > 0:36:39Now Andy's been forced to take a difficult decision.
0:36:40 > 0:36:45We've actually split her away from her mum in the evenings now.
0:36:45 > 0:36:48They're separated. She's in the next box to Becky.
0:36:48 > 0:36:52We believe Becky was doing most of the ear nibbling at night.
0:36:52 > 0:36:55So we have to come in every night at ten
0:36:55 > 0:36:58and let Mum in with the baby for half an hour.
0:36:58 > 0:37:03Baby feeds and fills up and Becky's happy to come away from the calf.
0:37:03 > 0:37:06It seems to be working really well.
0:37:06 > 0:37:09Last time we did that too late.
0:37:10 > 0:37:13To make sure the ear doesn't get worse,
0:37:13 > 0:37:16vet Duncan Williams needs to give her more antibiotics.
0:37:16 > 0:37:18But the staff must be careful.
0:37:18 > 0:37:22A fully-grown giraffe can kill a lion with one kick.
0:37:22 > 0:37:24Even a baby can cause a nasty injury.
0:37:30 > 0:37:33Being restrained might be stressful for Gertie,
0:37:33 > 0:37:35but it is necessary.
0:37:35 > 0:37:38Every member of staff knows exactly what they have to do.
0:37:38 > 0:37:41- Are you all right? - Yeah, we're happy.
0:37:41 > 0:37:45Her nostrils are flaring. Did anyone get caught by the front legs?
0:37:45 > 0:37:46No, not too bad.
0:37:46 > 0:37:50- I wrapped mine around her. - You've all got steel toe-caps.
0:37:51 > 0:37:54I'll do this under the skin behind her shoulder.
0:37:54 > 0:37:58I can do it where you are if you move back a wee bit.
0:37:58 > 0:38:00Hold her up.
0:38:00 > 0:38:03Did you get any swelling after the last one?
0:38:03 > 0:38:05That's it. Done.
0:38:05 > 0:38:08OK. Ready to let her go?
0:38:08 > 0:38:09OK.
0:38:10 > 0:38:15After the injection, Gertie is allowed back with Mum to feed.
0:38:15 > 0:38:19Now that Duncan's had a closer look, he's pleased with her progress.
0:38:19 > 0:38:24I gave her antibiotics against the infection
0:38:24 > 0:38:27but the biggest thing is the change in management.
0:38:27 > 0:38:30No-one's seen her licking it during the day, so it happens at night.
0:38:30 > 0:38:35So what they're doing is by separating them at night
0:38:35 > 0:38:39and in the middle of the night letting the baby feed,
0:38:39 > 0:38:42it's making a big difference.
0:38:42 > 0:38:46It's preventing the constant trauma
0:38:46 > 0:38:48which is what happened with the last baby,
0:38:48 > 0:38:52which we were unable to prevent. It caused her death.
0:38:52 > 0:38:54But if things carry on as they are,
0:38:54 > 0:38:58she'll have a slightly gnarled, thickened ear,
0:38:58 > 0:39:01but it'll be virtually imperceptible.
0:39:01 > 0:39:04And obviously we've got a healthy baby.
0:39:06 > 0:39:09It's the news keepers have been waiting to hear.
0:39:09 > 0:39:11Gertie is out of danger.
0:39:11 > 0:39:14It's a relief to know we're doing the right thing.
0:39:14 > 0:39:18None of us like splitting babies from mums at this early age.
0:39:18 > 0:39:21It's infuriating that Becky does this to her calves
0:39:21 > 0:39:24and you have to take measures like this.
0:39:24 > 0:39:26After last year's tragedy,
0:39:26 > 0:39:29all the staff are delighted that Gertie is doing so well.
0:39:33 > 0:39:34Evelyn was so quiet.
0:39:34 > 0:39:41This one, she's a real fighter. She's got real attitude, this one.
0:39:41 > 0:39:42The next one may be different.
0:39:42 > 0:39:46Everybody takes illness and pain differently.
0:39:46 > 0:39:49I think Evelyn kind of almost gave up.
0:39:49 > 0:39:53This one's better. We're doing well.
0:40:12 > 0:40:15Kate and I are out and about in the safari park
0:40:15 > 0:40:17with senior warden Bev Evans.
0:40:17 > 0:40:19And two very, very heavy tortoises!
0:40:19 > 0:40:22I can't believe how heavy they are, Bev!
0:40:22 > 0:40:25- How much do they weigh? - About 20 kilograms.
0:40:25 > 0:40:30Really? What are we actually doing with them today?
0:40:30 > 0:40:32We're bringing them down to their summer paddock.
0:40:32 > 0:40:36- The weather's a lot better now. You can put them down now.- Yes?
0:40:38 > 0:40:39Crikey!
0:40:39 > 0:40:44There. Is this a particular breed of tortoise that grows very big
0:40:44 > 0:40:47or are they just the familiar tortoises that we see,
0:40:47 > 0:40:50pet tortoises that have been well fed?
0:40:50 > 0:40:55These are African Spurred tortoises, the third largest tortoise in the world.
0:40:55 > 0:40:58- They get bigger than this?- These are only a third of their size.
0:40:58 > 0:41:02- These are?- Yes.- You'd need a tractor to move them!
0:41:02 > 0:41:04How did they end up here?
0:41:04 > 0:41:07They were donated by people, both from London.
0:41:07 > 0:41:11They had them as pets and didn't realise how big they'd get.
0:41:11 > 0:41:15They're very expensive to look after. They need heat and light all winter
0:41:15 > 0:41:18- because they don't hibernate. - Don't they?
0:41:18 > 0:41:22So you've got to set up tropical African conditions in your garden.
0:41:22 > 0:41:26- Yes.- They'll be out all summer now?
0:41:26 > 0:41:29- They will, yes.- Bearing in mind we have a lot of rain in England,
0:41:29 > 0:41:32- they have some shelter? - They have a little house
0:41:32 > 0:41:34and shelters round the paddock.
0:41:34 > 0:41:37- And they graze?- 70% of the time they graze.
0:41:37 > 0:41:40but we add broccoli, melon, apple and things.
0:41:40 > 0:41:43You've got a male and female here.
0:41:43 > 0:41:45- This one is...- Tommy. - Tommy and...- Michelle.
0:41:45 > 0:41:49- Michelle!- I get it!- Very good! Very good!
0:41:49 > 0:41:51Are you hoping they'll breed?
0:41:51 > 0:41:54They might breed and she might even lay eggs
0:41:54 > 0:41:57but in this weather they won't incubate naturally
0:41:57 > 0:42:01and we wouldn't take them away because there are so many surplus tortoises
0:42:01 > 0:42:03and people trying to re-home them.
0:42:03 > 0:42:07So you don't want any more out on the pet market.
0:42:07 > 0:42:10Not at all. We'd rather have them come to us.
0:42:10 > 0:42:13They look a bit stunned to be outside.
0:42:13 > 0:42:15"Wow, look at all this space!"
0:42:15 > 0:42:19We should leave them to explore. You enjoy your new paddock.
0:42:19 > 0:42:20Bev, thanks very much.
0:42:20 > 0:42:23That's all we've got time for today.
0:42:23 > 0:42:26But we've got lots more on the next Animal Park.
0:42:27 > 0:42:31This baby Bactrian camel was born with a dodgy leg.
0:42:31 > 0:42:33Will he learn to stand up for himself?
0:42:34 > 0:42:38The lions are released for their smelly surprise.
0:42:38 > 0:42:41But will our camera survive to tell the tale?
0:42:41 > 0:42:44I wonder if he could hear the camera rolling?
0:42:45 > 0:42:49And it's the moment of truth for the rare Pere David calf.
0:42:49 > 0:42:51Oh! Oh, right.
0:42:51 > 0:42:55We'll find out if she's managed to recover from her broken leg.
0:42:57 > 0:43:00That's all coming up on the next Animal Park.
0:43:15 > 0:43:18Subtitles by Moira Diamond Red Bee Media - 2006
0:43:22 > 0:43:25E-mail us at subtitling@bbc.co.uk