0:00:30 > 0:00:32Hello, and welcome to Animal Park.
0:00:32 > 0:00:35- I'm Ben Fogle.- And I'm Kate Humble, and if you ever needed to be
0:00:35 > 0:00:39convinced that spring is on the way, then surely this will do it.
0:00:39 > 0:00:44Thousands of yellow daffodils making this one of the most colourful walks around Longleat.
0:00:44 > 0:00:49And we're going to be bringing you stories from the house, the estate, and of course the safari park.
0:00:49 > 0:00:52Here's what's coming up on today's programme.
0:00:52 > 0:00:55This baby Bactrian camel was born with a dodgy leg.
0:00:55 > 0:00:58Will he ever learn to stand up for himself?
0:01:00 > 0:01:06It's breeding time in the aviary, and not an ugly duckling in sight.
0:01:06 > 0:01:10And the injured Pere David deer needs urgent medical attention.
0:01:13 > 0:01:16But the keepers have to catch her first.
0:01:27 > 0:01:32But first, alongside Ankole cattle and deer, scimitar horned oryx
0:01:32 > 0:01:37and white rhino, live Longleat's six Bactrian camels.
0:01:39 > 0:01:44Native to the Gobi desert and plains of central Asia,
0:01:44 > 0:01:49Bactrian camels have evolved to withstand one of the most extreme climates in the world.
0:01:49 > 0:01:54Their shaggy coats protect them from driving winds and extreme cold,
0:01:54 > 0:01:59allowing them to survive in temperatures as low as -30 degrees.
0:02:02 > 0:02:07Sadly, Bactrians are now critically endangered in the wild, and so keepers are eager to
0:02:07 > 0:02:10breed them in the park.
0:02:10 > 0:02:16There are five females living here, and one adolescent male called Khan.
0:02:16 > 0:02:21Khan joined the herd just two years ago as a calf, and keepers
0:02:21 > 0:02:26thought it would be a few years yet before he reached sexual maturity.
0:02:26 > 0:02:31But today, to the keepers' surprise, one of the females has started
0:02:31 > 0:02:35showing some unusually broody behaviour.
0:02:35 > 0:02:38What we've noticed this morning is that Bhali,
0:02:38 > 0:02:44one of our Bactrian camels, has been going away from the group and showing an enormous amount of restlessness.
0:02:44 > 0:02:50She goes right away and she appears to be looking for somewhere to
0:02:50 > 0:02:52give birth.
0:02:52 > 0:02:59That, coupled with the size of her udder, is suggesting to me that she's very close to calving.
0:03:01 > 0:03:05The baby could arrive any time now, so Tim and deputy head of section
0:03:05 > 0:03:11Kevin Knibbs set to work turning the stable into a comfy nursery.
0:03:12 > 0:03:17With an imminent birth, we have to make sure we can get the pens prepared for her for comfort
0:03:17 > 0:03:20and then we have to keep watching her all the time to make sure that,
0:03:20 > 0:03:24when she gives birth, she will actually look after it properly.
0:03:24 > 0:03:27If she doesn't, we can step in and help her in any way we need to.
0:03:27 > 0:03:30We're talking hours rather than anything else.
0:03:30 > 0:03:32It's imminent really.
0:03:32 > 0:03:38Once the pen is ready, Bhali is brought into the house with her mum, Mrs Bruce, for company.
0:03:38 > 0:03:43Now all we do is leave her and let nature take its course.
0:03:43 > 0:03:51Now all Tim and Kevin can do is wait and see if tomorrow will bring a brand new Bactrian baby.
0:04:02 > 0:04:09All over the park, the breeding season is underway and baby animals are emerging into the sunshine.
0:04:12 > 0:04:17Over at the aviary, the sacred ibis are getting broody.
0:04:17 > 0:04:22Last year they successfully raised four chicks, even though they made their
0:04:22 > 0:04:27nests on the ground and ignored the specially-built nesting platforms.
0:04:27 > 0:04:31Come on, guys, come and get your nests.
0:04:31 > 0:04:34'Not long ago, I went down with keeper Michelle Stevens to make
0:04:34 > 0:04:39'sure that they had enough sticks to make their nests again this year.'
0:04:41 > 0:04:47A few weeks have passed and now I want to see if our hard work has encouraged the ibis to breed.
0:04:47 > 0:04:52So, on a windy spring day, I've come down to check up on their progress.
0:04:52 > 0:04:56I'm in the aviary with head of section Mark Tye.
0:04:56 > 0:04:58Spring has definitely come now.
0:04:58 > 0:05:02- It's peak breeding season, so have they done anything?- Yes, definitely.
0:05:02 > 0:05:07Up in the tree up there, we have two ibis nests.
0:05:07 > 0:05:11- Fantastic!- They have sensibly this year built up in the tree.
0:05:11 > 0:05:14I suppose it's difficult to tell whether they have got eggs or not.
0:05:14 > 0:05:18I've seen two eggs in the lower nest, so I should imagine there are two eggs in
0:05:18 > 0:05:24the other. They both reared successfully last year so I don't see why they shouldn't this year.
0:05:24 > 0:05:26That's great news.
0:05:26 > 0:05:31I feel quite proud of my hand in their nest-building then.
0:05:31 > 0:05:35What about the others? Obviously the spoonbills are not going to be breeding.
0:05:35 > 0:05:38No, four males, that won't be happening.
0:05:38 > 0:05:42No, but you have got some really
0:05:42 > 0:05:46- pretty little ducks.- We've got the white-faced whistling ducks.
0:05:46 > 0:05:49Those are the ones that really do make a lovely whistling call.
0:05:49 > 0:05:51Yes.
0:05:51 > 0:05:55They're from South America through to Africa below the Sahara.
0:05:55 > 0:05:59- It's a duckling! - That's the Carolina duckling.
0:05:59 > 0:06:01The Carolinas, which ones are they?
0:06:01 > 0:06:04The females are,
0:06:04 > 0:06:06for want of a better word, the boring brown one.
0:06:06 > 0:06:12- Always the way. - The male is the fancy black with white stripes on his head.
0:06:12 > 0:06:15It's beautiful. Just one duckling?
0:06:15 > 0:06:17Just the one, yes, unfortunately.
0:06:17 > 0:06:22Quite a lot of water birds do pair up, it's thought, for life.
0:06:22 > 0:06:26Do you see evidence of that amongst this collection?
0:06:26 > 0:06:31I've seen it with the whistlers. They definitely seem to have picked mates and stayed with the same ones so far.
0:06:31 > 0:06:35The ring teal have definitely stayed together.
0:06:35 > 0:06:40It's difficult to know with the Carolinas, they are a bit of a mob. We have got too many males.
0:06:40 > 0:06:43We can't obviously leave out the flamingos.
0:06:43 > 0:06:48They've gone from being - I hate to say it - but slightly dowdy, not terribly exciting looking birds,
0:06:48 > 0:06:53to really magnificent proper pink flamingos now.
0:06:53 > 0:06:56Yes. When we first brought them in, most of them were
0:06:56 > 0:06:59between one and three years old so they are all juveniles.
0:06:59 > 0:07:05They had this browny colour to them, but now they are coming up to sexual maturity, they are adult birds now.
0:07:05 > 0:07:07They look beautiful.
0:07:07 > 0:07:11It is the most joyous thing to sit in here, in the sunshine,
0:07:11 > 0:07:14looking at birds, with eland in the background.
0:07:14 > 0:07:17You do actually have the nicest section in the park, don't you?
0:07:17 > 0:07:20- I think I do. - Well, thank you very much.
0:07:39 > 0:07:44Many of the animals housed in the safari park are under threat in the wild.
0:07:44 > 0:07:50Part of the park's purpose is to breed them so that they never become extinct.
0:07:50 > 0:07:54Every birth is crucial, which is why Head of Section
0:07:54 > 0:07:59Tim Yeo is eagerly awaiting the arrival of a new Bactrian camel.
0:07:59 > 0:08:02But he's already had exciting news this spring
0:08:02 > 0:08:07with some of his most endangered animals, the Pere David deer.
0:08:07 > 0:08:10These are the rarest residents of the park.
0:08:10 > 0:08:16There are just a few thousand Pere Davids left in the world, six of them here at Longleat.
0:08:16 > 0:08:22Tim was delighted to find one of the does had given birth to a beautiful calf.
0:08:23 > 0:08:29But just days after the baby was born, Tim saw something which gave him cause for concern.
0:08:33 > 0:08:37The calf was lying down by itself and not moving.
0:08:39 > 0:08:43Immediately, he called in vet Duncan Williams.
0:08:45 > 0:08:52The baby Pere David has got a really serious fracture of its left foreleg.
0:08:52 > 0:08:56It's not just a simple break, which would heal really easily,
0:08:56 > 0:09:01it's a split and there is a segment bit loose.
0:09:03 > 0:09:09No-one knows how the leg was broken so badly, but keepers think it was caused by an adult deer.
0:09:11 > 0:09:17In the wild, the calf would surely have died, but with Duncan's treatment she has a chance.
0:09:17 > 0:09:22We stabilized it as best I could and put a plaster cast on it, which
0:09:22 > 0:09:27is a very lightweight one made out of plastic rather than plaster of paris.
0:09:27 > 0:09:31It sets really hard but it's nice and light,
0:09:31 > 0:09:35and will also be waterproof so it can stay outside.
0:09:35 > 0:09:38It's just a question of how many complications we've got now.
0:09:40 > 0:09:47In the 1970s the Pere David species dwindled to just 18 animals in one captive herd.
0:09:50 > 0:09:52Since then, breeding programmes have brought the
0:09:52 > 0:09:56species back from the brink and some have been reintroduced to the wild.
0:09:56 > 0:10:03But there are still only a few thousand Pere David in the world, and every single baby is precious.
0:10:05 > 0:10:09Two weeks have passed and the calf seems to be doing well.
0:10:09 > 0:10:12Now it's time for the cast to be changed...
0:10:14 > 0:10:19..but even a lame deer will be hard to catch.
0:10:19 > 0:10:24The calf is growing at such a rate that Duncan feels he really must take this cast off.
0:10:24 > 0:10:27We're here to try to catch it this morning.
0:10:27 > 0:10:29It's very mobile, this little one,
0:10:29 > 0:10:36and it can move surprisingly well on three legs really so it could be interesting.
0:10:40 > 0:10:46Even though being captured will cause stress to the calf, it's vital that the cast is taken off.
0:10:49 > 0:10:53Tim's hoping that a flanking movement will take her by surprise.
0:11:03 > 0:11:04Down to the fence then.
0:11:04 > 0:11:06Run him along the fence.
0:11:09 > 0:11:16Even on three legs, the baby deer is much faster than her pursuers,
0:11:16 > 0:11:17and rather more nimble.
0:11:25 > 0:11:31Finally, keeper Ross Ellis manages to corner her near the fence and catch hold of her safely.
0:11:35 > 0:11:37If you sit down, then...
0:11:37 > 0:11:39just shovel yourself back...
0:11:39 > 0:11:44We're going to take it down to Rhino House, take the cast off, have a look down there.
0:11:44 > 0:11:47We have got electricity and stuff.
0:11:47 > 0:11:50I have never run like that in my life!
0:11:53 > 0:11:55She looks all right.
0:11:57 > 0:12:00We'll be back when the cast comes off.
0:12:12 > 0:12:16Earlier this year, up in Lion County, Barbary lion Kabir
0:12:16 > 0:12:21fathered two beautiful female cubs - Malaika and Jasira.
0:12:23 > 0:12:30Over the spring, the cubs have been growing up fast, testing their own limits by exploring their enclosure.
0:12:32 > 0:12:36The keepers make the surroundings stimulating for the lions.
0:12:36 > 0:12:43Recently they gave them a new set of ropes to play with, which was real hit with the cubs.
0:12:43 > 0:12:45The cubs are more than
0:12:45 > 0:12:49six months old now, and they're ready for another
0:12:49 > 0:12:52new experience.
0:12:52 > 0:12:55I'm out in the lion enclosure with head of section Brian Kent,
0:12:55 > 0:13:00and keeper Bob Trollope, who are constantly coming up with ways of enriching the lions' lives here.
0:13:00 > 0:13:05Today, guys, we have a bag of rhino dung. Is that right?
0:13:05 > 0:13:07- Yes.- What on earth are we going to do with this?
0:13:07 > 0:13:10Basically it's for enrichment.
0:13:10 > 0:13:13We come across different smells as we would in the wild.
0:13:13 > 0:13:17We've got rhinos in here with them, so we thought we'd bring some rhino
0:13:17 > 0:13:22dung to see what they would do, how they would react to different smells.
0:13:22 > 0:13:24Bob, what do you think they will make of it?
0:13:24 > 0:13:27I should imagine they'll be a bit cautious.
0:13:27 > 0:13:34- I would have thought maybe Luna would be the one who'd come up first.- We'll see what happens.
0:13:34 > 0:13:39We're going to take full advantage of this opportunity. Just over here
0:13:39 > 0:13:42is specialist wildlife cameraman Andy Milk. Hi, Andy.
0:13:42 > 0:13:44What have we got here then?
0:13:44 > 0:13:46Just a small remotely controlled camera.
0:13:46 > 0:13:50Being very low on the ground, we can get a point of view we don't
0:13:50 > 0:13:52normally get when you are in a hide.
0:13:52 > 0:13:58So if we spread the rhino dung all around here, we will be able to track a shot all the way round?
0:13:58 > 0:14:00Yes.
0:14:00 > 0:14:02It will be a nice low shot looking up at them.
0:14:02 > 0:14:05A shot you don't normally see.
0:14:05 > 0:14:10Absolutely. You've cleverly camouflaged it to blend in with the Wiltshire countryside.
0:14:10 > 0:14:14I know you've used similar cameras out in Africa.
0:14:14 > 0:14:16Has it always survived?
0:14:16 > 0:14:18Yes. We've not had a problem.
0:14:18 > 0:14:21Brian thinks we may have a problem here.
0:14:21 > 0:14:23Apparently their lions are very inquisitive.
0:14:23 > 0:14:26We'll leave you to it and join you later.
0:14:26 > 0:14:28Guys, you've heard what Andy's said.
0:14:28 > 0:14:32- Do you think this is going to survive the lions of Longleat?- No!
0:14:32 > 0:14:37I think they're going to maybe have a pull on it, it's possible.
0:14:37 > 0:14:44Time will tell. Join us later in the programme when we see what the lions make of the dung and our camera.
0:14:57 > 0:15:01Back at the camel barn, there's excitement in the air.
0:15:01 > 0:15:06Yesterday Bactrian Bhali started showing signs that she was ready to give birth.
0:15:06 > 0:15:10First thing this morning head of section Tim Yeo went to check,
0:15:10 > 0:15:14and found what he was hoping for.
0:15:14 > 0:15:19I sort of heard, as I was approaching.
0:15:19 > 0:15:25And looked in and there was the little one, mum standing over him.
0:15:25 > 0:15:29I think he was actually sucking the wall at the time.
0:15:29 > 0:15:33The little boy looks healthy, but there's a problem.
0:15:33 > 0:15:36I don't think he wants to get up.
0:15:36 > 0:15:40He should be on his feet and feeding by now.
0:15:40 > 0:15:44That animal has to drink the vital colostrum,
0:15:44 > 0:15:49the first milk that comes through from the mother.
0:15:49 > 0:15:55That milk holds the antibodies which help to build up an immunity to
0:15:55 > 0:15:59different ailments that the camel may be subjected to.
0:15:59 > 0:16:02So it's vitally important that they do.
0:16:02 > 0:16:06I think it is probably within the first three hours,
0:16:06 > 0:16:08they need to have that colostrum.
0:16:08 > 0:16:13Worryingly, Tim notices a weakness in one of the calf's hind legs,
0:16:13 > 0:16:16which is making him unsteady on his feet.
0:16:16 > 0:16:22The calf, having been folded up miraculously inside the uterus,
0:16:22 > 0:16:25it's rather crooked when it comes out.
0:16:25 > 0:16:27It's not fully straightened up.
0:16:27 > 0:16:32That can hamper the calf from actually standing up properly.
0:16:32 > 0:16:39Tim wants to interfere as little as possible, but the baby must get up and feed soon.
0:16:39 > 0:16:42He decides to support the leg with a bandage.
0:16:47 > 0:16:52Tim tries again to encourage the calf to suckle, but even with the support
0:16:52 > 0:16:57the little camel is just not steady enough on his feet to manage it.
0:17:02 > 0:17:05It's still going out a bit.
0:17:05 > 0:17:09With the calf still unsteady on his feet and weak from hunger,
0:17:09 > 0:17:14Tim decides he's going to have to take matters into his own hands.
0:17:14 > 0:17:18I'll just try and take some milk off her. See if I can.
0:17:18 > 0:17:25If the calf does not begin to suckle, keepers may have to step in and hand-rear him.
0:17:25 > 0:17:30But the baby will need to be fed every three hours for months to come.
0:17:30 > 0:17:34Hand-rearing would be a huge task, and could lead to more problems
0:17:34 > 0:17:38down the road, as Tim knows from bitter experience.
0:17:40 > 0:17:42The last calf born at the park was a lima.
0:17:42 > 0:17:46She had to be hand-reared because her mother rejected her.
0:17:49 > 0:17:55Although she grew up strong and healthy, she was a bit confused about her identity.
0:17:55 > 0:18:00For a while, she bonded with the Ankole cattle and used to follow them around.
0:18:03 > 0:18:09Tim's done all he can to help the young camel bond with his mother and begin to feed by himself.
0:18:09 > 0:18:15Now he can only hope that hand-rearing won't be necessary.
0:18:15 > 0:18:17Now we just leave her alone.
0:18:17 > 0:18:23But I would like to see very much a situation where we look in and we see
0:18:23 > 0:18:26the little one feeding from mum.
0:18:26 > 0:18:30We know then that everything we've done this morning has been
0:18:30 > 0:18:35OK and we haven't mucked anything up, and it's helped.
0:18:35 > 0:18:39And that's it. I'll be happy then.
0:18:43 > 0:18:46We'll be back to see if the new baby Bactrian
0:18:46 > 0:18:50will begin to feed from mum, or whether he'll end up on the bottle.
0:18:59 > 0:19:05Every animal at the park, whether large or small, has a place to shelter from the elements.
0:19:05 > 0:19:10Many of the shelters are specially adapted for the animals that use them.
0:19:10 > 0:19:14Over at Pets Corner, Kate's introducing some of the
0:19:14 > 0:19:19park's smallest residents to their new "des res".
0:19:19 > 0:19:20It's moving day at the guinea house.
0:19:20 > 0:19:24I'm here with Bev Allen at Pets Corner.
0:19:24 > 0:19:26And all sorts of things going on.
0:19:28 > 0:19:33We've got a new house which was made for us.
0:19:33 > 0:19:38And we've got quite a few guinea pigs, 26 guinea pigs altogether.
0:19:38 > 0:19:42- Crikey. - Plus we've got four babies down there who are moving in as well today.
0:19:42 > 0:19:44Yes, look, tiny little things.
0:19:44 > 0:19:47Very sweet. What do we need to do?
0:19:47 > 0:19:51We need to get all the guinea pigs out of the basket and put them in the house.
0:19:51 > 0:19:54I know this is going to be chaotic.
0:19:54 > 0:19:57Right. Now what does a guinea pig need?
0:19:57 > 0:19:59These are quite elaborate houses.
0:19:59 > 0:20:06What are the important things to make sure your guinea pig is fat and happy like you?
0:20:06 > 0:20:09They need a nice secure house.
0:20:09 > 0:20:12We put wood shavings in for them on the floor.
0:20:12 > 0:20:16Also lots of hay which they like to bed down in and eat.
0:20:16 > 0:20:19It's important to give them hay to eat.
0:20:19 > 0:20:24And it's got to be warm and dry as well.
0:20:24 > 0:20:27And of course they've got room to go outside and exercise.
0:20:27 > 0:20:31They can sleep in here, go out and run around.
0:20:31 > 0:20:32It's guinea pig heaven basically!
0:20:32 > 0:20:35Yes, they love it here.
0:20:35 > 0:20:40Just looking at all these, they come in every colour and shape and size.
0:20:40 > 0:20:42They're amazingly varied.
0:20:42 > 0:20:45It's nice to see all the different colours together as well.
0:20:45 > 0:20:47It is, they all look extremely content.
0:20:47 > 0:20:51I've got the babies round here.
0:20:51 > 0:20:53Let's have a look at you.
0:20:53 > 0:20:56Look how sweet you are. How old are these?
0:20:56 > 0:20:59They're about 13 weeks old now.
0:20:59 > 0:21:01What sort of age would you wean them?
0:21:01 > 0:21:04They can actually start
0:21:04 > 0:21:09eating solid food within 24 hours of being born.
0:21:09 > 0:21:12But they still need mum's milk.
0:21:12 > 0:21:16Usually they want be with mum for about five weeks, six weeks.
0:21:16 > 0:21:18Then they are ready to be separated.
0:21:18 > 0:21:20And be independent.
0:21:20 > 0:21:23So these look like they've all come from the same litter.
0:21:23 > 0:21:26It's fantastic colouring.
0:21:26 > 0:21:28- Wonderful colouring. - Where are these going?
0:21:28 > 0:21:32- They will go in this little house. - They get the new house,
0:21:32 > 0:21:34lucky you! Let's see.
0:21:34 > 0:21:37They're going to be very scampery.
0:21:37 > 0:21:41Got you. I'll give you that one. Little bundles of fluff, these.
0:21:41 > 0:21:43There you go. Next.
0:21:43 > 0:21:46So you would have to, with a long-haired guinea pig
0:21:46 > 0:21:50like these, you would actually have to brush them.
0:21:50 > 0:21:53Would they end up looking like me if you didn't?
0:21:53 > 0:21:55You've got to give them lots of hairbrushes.
0:21:55 > 0:21:58It's really good to do it because it gets them used to being handled.
0:21:58 > 0:22:00So it's quite good.
0:22:00 > 0:22:03It gives you a chance to give them a health check when you're doing this,
0:22:03 > 0:22:08to feel for lumps and bumps, check the nails and make sure you check the teeth as well.
0:22:08 > 0:22:10They're all settled in.
0:22:10 > 0:22:14I know you've got a bit of clearing up to do around here before they go.
0:22:14 > 0:22:18I hope you're very happy in your new homes, guineas.
0:22:18 > 0:22:22And we have got lots more for coming up on today's programme.
0:22:22 > 0:22:26It's the moment of truth for the baby Pere David deer.
0:22:29 > 0:22:32- Oh, right.- We find if she'll recover from her broken leg.
0:22:35 > 0:22:39The lions are released for their smelly surprise.
0:22:39 > 0:22:42But will our camera survive to tell the tale?.
0:22:42 > 0:22:45I wonder whether he can hear the camera moving?
0:22:45 > 0:22:49And in Longleat House, conserving a precious work of art
0:22:49 > 0:22:52has accidentally uncovered a hidden family secret.
0:23:03 > 0:23:06But now, up in the Deer Park,
0:23:06 > 0:23:11the injured Pere David calf has been brought inside so vet Duncan Williams
0:23:11 > 0:23:14can remove the cast and check on the broken leg.
0:23:14 > 0:23:19I think what we'll do is take the cast off, see how the leg is.
0:23:19 > 0:23:22See if it's going to be any use. It was really badly broken.
0:23:22 > 0:23:26And then if necessary we can stick another cast on.
0:23:29 > 0:23:33This is the moment of truth for the young Pere David.
0:23:35 > 0:23:42Head of section Tim Yeo and the team are desperate to find out if the leg has actually healed.
0:23:42 > 0:23:45Just hold that up out of the way.
0:23:48 > 0:23:50Have you got the leg, Kev? Support it under there.
0:23:52 > 0:23:54Ooh, right.
0:23:54 > 0:23:56You see what's happened there.
0:23:56 > 0:24:01It's actually, since we casted it,
0:24:01 > 0:24:03the bones have gone through, it's stinking, it's really rotten.
0:24:03 > 0:24:07This is going to fall off and die.
0:24:07 > 0:24:09The leg is going to die.
0:24:09 > 0:24:12The news could not be worse.
0:24:12 > 0:24:15All the best efforts of the team have been in vain.
0:24:17 > 0:24:21Unfortunately the fracture's not healed at all.
0:24:21 > 0:24:28The bone ends where the fracture is, has actually broken through the skin.
0:24:28 > 0:24:30Because it's been out in the mud, it's all infected.
0:24:30 > 0:24:37The bottom end of the leg is actually dead now, gangrenous really.
0:24:37 > 0:24:41Unfortunately we will have to put the calf to sleep.
0:24:43 > 0:24:49Putting the calf out of its misery is the kindest thing to do, but Tim is devastated.
0:24:51 > 0:24:55This is the worst kind of news that we could have really.
0:24:55 > 0:24:59A female calf, I'd been wanting to build up the numbers up.
0:24:59 > 0:25:04So it's a real setback.
0:25:04 > 0:25:08It's a female calf, a hind calf.
0:25:08 > 0:25:10But, accidents happen.
0:25:11 > 0:25:14They're big animals. If a calf
0:25:14 > 0:25:21is around its mother trying to drink and the others, you have a jealous female hind next to this.
0:25:21 > 0:25:28My hunch is that that was somewhere along the lines what befell this animal.
0:25:28 > 0:25:30Then these accidents happen.
0:25:30 > 0:25:34You've got to take it, a bitter pill to take.
0:25:34 > 0:25:37But that's the way it goes.
0:25:38 > 0:25:41Although the treatment failed to save the calf,
0:25:41 > 0:25:46Duncan hopes his efforts will have some benefits for the herd.
0:25:46 > 0:25:50By casting it, and giving it these two weeks,
0:25:50 > 0:25:58we've helped the mother maintain or develop her rearing instincts.
0:25:58 > 0:26:01If we'd put the calf down straightaway she would never have done that.
0:26:01 > 0:26:08So it's good for the future in that if she has a calf next year, she'll know what to do with it.
0:26:08 > 0:26:15Now the staff can only hope the Pere David will breed again next year.
0:26:26 > 0:26:31Over in lion country, Kabir's pride are hot on the trail of a brand new scent.
0:26:32 > 0:26:35Lions have very keen sense of smell,
0:26:35 > 0:26:40which they use for hunting, and also for reading territorial markings.
0:26:40 > 0:26:43Any new odour is a trigger for them to investigate.
0:26:46 > 0:26:50I'm out in the lion enclosure with keeper Bob Trollope and head of section Brian Kent who
0:26:50 > 0:26:54earlier on spread some rhino dung to see what the lions would make of it.
0:26:54 > 0:26:59We've taken advantage of the situation, and wildlife cameraman hidden back there,
0:26:59 > 0:27:03Andy Milk, has set up a little camera he is concentrating on now.
0:27:03 > 0:27:08If we move around, the lions have come straight up to the dung.
0:27:08 > 0:27:12It's amazing how quickly they have moved up. They're a bit more interested in the camera.
0:27:12 > 0:27:17They're smelling our scents as well as the rhino dung that's there.
0:27:17 > 0:27:18They've got an amazing sense of smell.
0:27:18 > 0:27:20They are interested in the rhino dung.
0:27:20 > 0:27:22The youngsters more than anything.
0:27:22 > 0:27:25Wow, look at Kabir.
0:27:25 > 0:27:28He is really curious about everything.
0:27:28 > 0:27:32The young ones, what are they doing to the dung? They seem to be eating it.
0:27:32 > 0:27:36Yes. It's a new smell to them, they've got to test whether it's palatable for them or not.
0:27:36 > 0:27:38It's curiosity.
0:27:38 > 0:27:41A lion can smell with more than just the nose.
0:27:41 > 0:27:47In the roof of the mouth is the olfactory gland, which can detect minute traces of scent.
0:27:47 > 0:27:50And Kabir is actually rolling in it.
0:27:50 > 0:27:54Is that much like a dog would like want to roll in fox poo for example?
0:27:54 > 0:27:57Very much so. It's a new smell to them.
0:27:57 > 0:28:00They want to get it on them.
0:28:00 > 0:28:04I suppose if there was another rival male in here, it would put them off.
0:28:04 > 0:28:08Look at that, he's being territorial, he doesn't want anyone else to come near it.
0:28:08 > 0:28:11Curiosity killed the cat!
0:28:11 > 0:28:14Isn't it amazing! Did you think they were going to do that straight away?
0:28:14 > 0:28:18No, I thought they'd sniff round at it. But to actually roll in it...
0:28:18 > 0:28:21I thought the youngsters would play with it.
0:28:21 > 0:28:25'In the wild, lions sometimes use dung to disguise their own smell,
0:28:25 > 0:28:27'which helps them sneak up on their prey.'
0:28:27 > 0:28:32And is the idea that he wants to mask his real sense with what surrounds him?
0:28:32 > 0:28:37Yes, to make him smell even worse than what he already does.
0:28:37 > 0:28:39- And is he pretty smelly anyway? - He does pong a bit.
0:28:39 > 0:28:42I'm interested, the youngsters have started rolling in it as well.
0:28:42 > 0:28:44Are they copying dad?
0:28:44 > 0:28:45It's born into them.
0:28:45 > 0:28:48They obviously are copying him.
0:28:48 > 0:28:55But it's pure curiosity, something new, a completely different smell to what they've ever been used to.
0:28:55 > 0:28:58Oh, he's off, he's coming to investigate.
0:28:58 > 0:29:01I wonder whether he can hear the camera moving.
0:29:04 > 0:29:06He's trying to find it. Look at that.
0:29:06 > 0:29:09It was fantastic while it worked!
0:29:09 > 0:29:12Andy, Bob, Brian, thank you very much.
0:29:12 > 0:29:16I think we need to rescue that camera before Kabir really does go off with it.
0:29:30 > 0:29:34Longleat's Great House was built in the late 16th century
0:29:34 > 0:29:38by Sir John Thynne, an ancestor of the current Lord Bath.
0:29:40 > 0:29:45For more than 400 years since then, the Thynne family have collected
0:29:45 > 0:29:48an astonishing array of antiques and artwork.
0:29:48 > 0:29:51There are more than 500 paintings here, including
0:29:51 > 0:29:59portraits of many of the great and the good throughout English history who had connections with the house.
0:29:59 > 0:30:03I'm on the grand staircase with curator Kate Harris.
0:30:03 > 0:30:07We've come to look at a portrait which has recently come back from restoration.
0:30:07 > 0:30:12- This is the portrait here. - It's a portrait of Ambrose Dudley, Earl of Warwick.
0:30:12 > 0:30:14- It's been away for just over two years.- Wow.
0:30:16 > 0:30:23The Dudleys were one of the most important families in England during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.
0:30:23 > 0:30:25Ambrose Dudley was Earl of Warwick.
0:30:25 > 0:30:30The young man is his brother's illegitimate son.
0:30:30 > 0:30:34As neither of the Dudleys had surviving legitimate sons, it was
0:30:34 > 0:30:39decided that this boy would be heir to the family title and fortunes.
0:30:43 > 0:30:50The Earl and his young successor are portrayed standing on a battlefield, ready for action.
0:30:50 > 0:30:54So this painting is saying, I'm big, I'm brave.
0:30:54 > 0:31:01Is it also recognising this boy as a potential heir rather than hiding him away?
0:31:01 > 0:31:06Very true. He's got an absolutely stunning state of-the-art little wheel lock pistol there.
0:31:06 > 0:31:09This is not just a page, this is the heir.
0:31:09 > 0:31:10It's very patriarchal.
0:31:10 > 0:31:15- It is.- You said the way the portrait is now.
0:31:15 > 0:31:17What do you mean by that?
0:31:17 > 0:31:21In the course of restoration, we made several major discoveries about it.
0:31:21 > 0:31:28X-ray showed us the major figure, Ambrose himself, was very differently presented in the original picture.
0:31:28 > 0:31:29You had the whole painting X-rayed?
0:31:29 > 0:31:33Yes, we had 24 X-rays done during restoration.
0:31:33 > 0:31:37- If you like we can go upstairs and have a look at some of them. - That would be great.
0:31:37 > 0:31:38Now we're uncovering a mystery..
0:31:38 > 0:31:40Indeed.
0:31:42 > 0:31:46The painting came to Longleat in the 17th century,
0:31:46 > 0:31:49when heirs of the Dudleys married into the Thynne family.
0:31:49 > 0:31:56It's hung here for centuries, but until recently no-one suspected it might have hidden secrets.
0:31:58 > 0:32:03The key thing about the restoration and the X-rays
0:32:03 > 0:32:07is to show this major change in the picture.
0:32:08 > 0:32:11'The X-rays reveal that underneath the surface
0:32:11 > 0:32:16'is another layer of paint, which made up an earlier image.'
0:32:16 > 0:32:21Basically what you've discovered is that there was an original portrait
0:32:21 > 0:32:26of Dudley, and this is a new one painted over the top.
0:32:26 > 0:32:33Not entirely new but an adapted version to present a very different much stronger image.
0:32:33 > 0:32:37Here you've got a third hand and a stick.
0:32:37 > 0:32:44Rather than holding the boar spear in this very strong aggressive fashion,
0:32:44 > 0:32:50he was actually shown with the boar spear in the background originally, leaning on a stick.
0:32:50 > 0:32:56The background has also been changed from an interior scene, to show Ambrose Dudley and his heir standing
0:32:56 > 0:33:00in front of a military tent, probably at the siege of Newhaven,
0:33:00 > 0:33:03a battle at which Ambrose had been injured.
0:33:03 > 0:33:07He was gravely wounded at Newhaven at the siege.
0:33:07 > 0:33:10He was actually shot in the leg and was never right afterwards.
0:33:10 > 0:33:12He never commanded in the field again.
0:33:12 > 0:33:15So he is shown leaning on the stick. It's quite realistic as well.
0:33:15 > 0:33:23That's quite unusual, don't people usually try to make themselves look more beautiful or more grand?
0:33:23 > 0:33:25That's what they decided do in the second version.
0:33:25 > 0:33:30He is then the sole representative of the Dudley dynasty, with his younger
0:33:30 > 0:33:35brother's illegitimate son next to him as their sole hope now.
0:33:35 > 0:33:38So he is shown in this much more what we might call gung-ho fashion.
0:33:38 > 0:33:43Wouldn't it have been more sensible for somebody as noble and clearly as
0:33:43 > 0:33:48rich as this to have thrown that old portrait away and had a completely new one done?
0:33:48 > 0:33:50We're trying to make up our mind about that.
0:33:50 > 0:33:53There's two possibilities we're playing with.
0:33:53 > 0:33:56One is they needed the picture very quickly,.
0:33:56 > 0:34:00- They had the bare bones of it. - So they needed for some occasion to have this new dynastic picture.
0:34:00 > 0:34:06Or that Ambrose was so ill he was not available to sit for a new version.
0:34:06 > 0:34:09So they had to make it up.
0:34:09 > 0:34:11They are only hypotheses.
0:34:11 > 0:34:13We don't know. There must be some explanation.
0:34:13 > 0:34:16Kate, that was absolutely fascinating.
0:34:16 > 0:34:22Incredible to think that after all these years you have discovered this whole new story about this painting.
0:34:22 > 0:34:24Thank you very much indeed.
0:34:37 > 0:34:42Earlier in the show I was out with keeper Bob Trollope in the lion enclosure.
0:34:42 > 0:34:48Bob remained with the film crew to pick up a few shots of the lions.
0:34:48 > 0:34:49But now, there's a problem.
0:34:52 > 0:34:55Bob's vehicle is refusing to start.
0:34:55 > 0:34:56This is all very embarrassing.
0:34:59 > 0:35:06Yeah, we're in a situation where anywhere else we would be able to get out and push start it.
0:35:06 > 0:35:09But with our neighbours just here, you don't really want to do that.
0:35:09 > 0:35:11You could end up as lunch.
0:35:14 > 0:35:17Even though Bob works with the lions every day, he knows that
0:35:17 > 0:35:24if he were out in their enclosure they could well attack and kill him, as they would any other prey.
0:35:24 > 0:35:28The safest thing is for us to stay in here and let someone else get out!
0:35:28 > 0:35:33Within minutes, head of section Brian Kent spots that Bob is in trouble.
0:35:33 > 0:35:38But to get a tow rope on Bob's vehicle, someone is going to have to get out.
0:35:38 > 0:35:42Bob and Brian have practised the emergency procedure for this situation many times,
0:35:42 > 0:35:46in case they had to rescue visitors.
0:35:46 > 0:35:51But they didn't expect to have to rescue each other.
0:35:51 > 0:35:54First Brian drives the lions into a corner.
0:35:54 > 0:35:59Then, with Craig Faggoter standing look out, there's a chance to get the rope on.
0:35:59 > 0:36:02I take it all the lions are over that side, are they?
0:36:02 > 0:36:05All the lions are over there?
0:36:05 > 0:36:07All right.
0:36:07 > 0:36:12With the rope safely in place, the keepers manage to jump-start the jeep.
0:36:12 > 0:36:15The emergency procedure has worked perfectly.
0:36:17 > 0:36:20That's the boogy. Now we're fine.
0:36:20 > 0:36:23I shall keep the engine running for a little while.
0:36:23 > 0:36:26The lions didn't even notice.
0:36:26 > 0:36:32It looks like the lions will have to wait a little longer for their lunch.
0:36:39 > 0:36:42Back at the camel barn, a week has passed since the first Bactrian
0:36:42 > 0:36:48calf born here for three years came into the world with a weak hind leg.
0:36:48 > 0:36:52The calf couldn't feed properly, and head of section Tim Yeo
0:36:52 > 0:36:56was worried that his mother Bhali might reject him.
0:37:01 > 0:37:09But with plenty of TLC from Tim, the situation has improved dramatically for the young camel.
0:37:09 > 0:37:13Mother and calf have been allowed outside into a temporary paddock,
0:37:13 > 0:37:18and to his keepers' delight the baby has been seen suckling properly.
0:37:19 > 0:37:27Today, it's time for safari park vet Duncan Williams to give him his first check-up.
0:37:27 > 0:37:29Why did you put the bandage on?
0:37:29 > 0:37:31Just to give it that support, yes.
0:37:31 > 0:37:34She was flicking over on her fetlock?
0:37:34 > 0:37:35She was actually right over.
0:37:35 > 0:37:37- Sorry, he.- He, yes.
0:37:37 > 0:37:41- Shall we take it off?- Yep.
0:37:43 > 0:37:44Let me hold you, come on.
0:37:44 > 0:37:47CAMEL BLEATS
0:37:47 > 0:37:51What Tim is describing is a weakness in the ligaments.
0:37:51 > 0:37:55I think this joint was collapsing forward
0:37:55 > 0:37:58as the baby was putting weight on it.
0:38:00 > 0:38:04That tends to strengthen as the calf get stronger,
0:38:04 > 0:38:08the ligaments and tendons firm up a bit as the calf get stronger.
0:38:08 > 0:38:14Thankfully, the calf's leg has healed well and otherwise he's fit and healthy.
0:38:18 > 0:38:25Now that he's survived the tricky first week, the keepers have decided to give him a name.
0:38:25 > 0:38:29I understand you're going to call him Elvis?
0:38:29 > 0:38:34Well, the other members of staff certainly are keen on the name.
0:38:34 > 0:38:39- I am not quite sure.- You're not an Elvis novice find yourself?- I am.
0:38:39 > 0:38:44Young Elvis is already showing a different character to the shaky newborn of a week ago.
0:38:44 > 0:38:50Now the little calf is ready for his next big step.
0:38:50 > 0:38:54He's making his debut in the enclosure.
0:38:54 > 0:39:00Once the baby goes out, he's going to be extremely inquisitive of other animals.
0:39:00 > 0:39:02He's going to want to approach them.
0:39:02 > 0:39:05Some of those animals may not want to be approached.
0:39:05 > 0:39:10So it's going to be a pretty hair-raising events I think.
0:39:12 > 0:39:15Tim will have to keep a close eye on the calf so he doesn't try to get
0:39:15 > 0:39:22too friendly with the heavyweights of the enclosure like the White Rhino or the Ankole cattle.
0:39:23 > 0:39:25Come on, then. Girls, come on.
0:39:28 > 0:39:36Once the baby is out, Tim takes up his position nearby, ready to intervene if he heads into danger.
0:39:36 > 0:39:41It really is a serious matter when he goes in amongst them.
0:39:41 > 0:39:44Particularly as he takes off into the middle of those cattle.
0:39:44 > 0:39:46All that one's got to do is
0:39:46 > 0:39:48give a sharp hook with a horn.
0:39:48 > 0:39:52We've actually had it happen before when the baby took them into trouble.
0:39:52 > 0:39:55The mother tried to...
0:39:55 > 0:39:57protect the baby.
0:39:57 > 0:40:04One of the bull Ankole, as the mother went by, flicked his horn, and he disembowelled her literally.
0:40:04 > 0:40:08She did survive I have to say miraculously.
0:40:08 > 0:40:11But it was nasty.
0:40:13 > 0:40:20Suddenly young Elvis heads straight towards the Ankole herd, forcing his mum to follow.
0:40:20 > 0:40:22Tim jumps into action.
0:40:34 > 0:40:35It's a nightmare.
0:40:35 > 0:40:37You don't know where he's going to go next.
0:40:37 > 0:40:44To manoeuvre a vehicle, you often don't get it right the first time and you're praying that nothing happens.
0:40:44 > 0:40:46The scare is over.
0:40:46 > 0:40:50It has been a bumpy first week for Elvis, but now he is safely out in
0:40:50 > 0:40:54the enclosure with the herd, Tim can look forward to watching him grow up.
0:40:58 > 0:41:05It's just a joy to see them out on a day like this. The weather makes everything, the time of year.
0:41:05 > 0:41:08All in all, it's absolutely fine.
0:41:08 > 0:41:10It's a good picture at the moment.
0:41:10 > 0:41:14We will catch up with Elvis later in the series.
0:41:27 > 0:41:32We're down in Pets Corner with head of section Darren Beasley and one of
0:41:32 > 0:41:35the enormous African couch rats that we're trying to take for a walk.
0:41:35 > 0:41:41But he wants to walk me rather than the other way round.
0:41:41 > 0:41:43They're amazing-looking animals.
0:41:43 > 0:41:46This is fairly new for them, this walking.
0:41:46 > 0:41:50We've only done this a few times before.
0:41:50 > 0:41:55We will start bringing them out and get the visitors walking them around as well. That's the plan.
0:41:55 > 0:41:59And this one, is this the one that seems to be responding better?
0:41:59 > 0:42:02Or are they both equally good?
0:42:02 > 0:42:05We've got one who is very feisty, this fella.
0:42:05 > 0:42:10It's all very new coming out. They're not exactly particularly friendly at the moment.
0:42:10 > 0:42:12- They've got massive teeth. - They could give you a nasty bite.
0:42:12 > 0:42:15I've got a special gloves.
0:42:15 > 0:42:18- We need to keep our feet and legs clear of him.- Totally.
0:42:18 > 0:42:21Darren, thank you very much.
0:42:21 > 0:42:24- Kate, shall I have a go? - There you go.
0:42:24 > 0:42:26Sadly, that's all we've got time for on today's programme.
0:42:26 > 0:42:28Here's what's coming up next time.
0:42:28 > 0:42:31Come on, ratty, this way.
0:42:33 > 0:42:40The time has come for Seanna the sea lion pup to leave mum, and start her further education..
0:42:41 > 0:42:46I'll be getting friendly but one of the biggest creepy-crawlies I've ever seen.
0:42:46 > 0:42:48I'm supposed to hold this!
0:42:48 > 0:42:52And when we try to help a lima with her spring makeover,
0:42:54 > 0:42:58I'll discover why Bactrian camels are famous for their bad manners.
0:43:01 > 0:43:05That's all coming up on the next Animal Park.
0:43:05 > 0:43:07Subtitles by Red Bee Media 2007
0:43:07 > 0:43:09E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk