0:00:31 > 0:00:33Hello and welcome to Animal Park.
0:00:33 > 0:00:34- I'm Ben Fogle.- And I'm Kate Humble.
0:00:34 > 0:00:38We're up at the East Africa Reserve with the pygmy goats.
0:00:38 > 0:00:41Earlier this year, some of the females had a liaison
0:00:41 > 0:00:45with a rather frisky billy goat, and this is just one of the results.
0:00:45 > 0:00:47There were three kids born this year,
0:00:47 > 0:00:52the first time there have been any babies at Longleat for seven years, so it's a great success story.
0:00:52 > 0:00:58We've got lots of other stories for you coming from the safari park and the state, including:
0:00:58 > 0:01:05The eland antelope are having a baby boom, so now they've organised a nursery school.
0:01:05 > 0:01:12'We'll be meeting the world's largest rats, who can grow up to a whopping two and a half feet long.'
0:01:12 > 0:01:16- It looks like a cross between a rat and a kangaroo! - And, up at the lion house,
0:01:16 > 0:01:20everyone's in for a big surprise.
0:01:28 > 0:01:32But first, there are new arrivals expected any day now down in Half Mile Lake.
0:01:34 > 0:01:38Mark Tye, the keeper in charge of the sea lions, is pretty sure that
0:01:38 > 0:01:42two of them, Jo Jo and Celia, are about to have pups.
0:01:42 > 0:01:44They're normally very accurate.
0:01:44 > 0:01:51They normally give birth within a day or two of their previous birth dates that they've had before.
0:01:51 > 0:01:59Cos they're pregnant for 350 days of the year, and they have basically two weeks where they're not.
0:01:59 > 0:02:02Literally as soon as they've given birth, within the next two weeks,
0:02:02 > 0:02:06they will be back in the water, mated by Buster, and then they'll be pregnant again.
0:02:06 > 0:02:12Just before going into labour, sea lions usually come onto dry land to lie up,
0:02:12 > 0:02:16but so far there's been no sign of that from either Jo Jo or Celia.
0:02:18 > 0:02:20They're out following the boats.
0:02:20 > 0:02:25They'll still do that right up until normally a day, two days before.
0:02:25 > 0:02:30Then Mother Nature takes over and they physically can't be bothered
0:02:30 > 0:02:34to do anything and they have to lie up and get ready to give birth.
0:02:34 > 0:02:36Up until that point, they will still follow the boats.
0:02:36 > 0:02:42Jo Jo's baby last year was stillborn and Mark's concerned that might
0:02:42 > 0:02:45affect how she reacts to the new one.
0:02:45 > 0:02:51The only worry is that they won't take to it and they won't look after it. That's where we'd have to step in
0:02:51 > 0:02:58and obviously try and hand-rear it, which is not something we'd like to do. It's very difficult.
0:02:58 > 0:03:02We have tried it with one other in the past and it didn't survive.
0:03:02 > 0:03:06In fact, the breeding record of the sea lions here is very good.
0:03:06 > 0:03:14Ozzy, for example, has had over a dozen pups, though now, at 27 years old, her breeding days are over.
0:03:14 > 0:03:18Both of this year's mums-to-be are her daughters.
0:03:18 > 0:03:20This is Celia.
0:03:20 > 0:03:23She's due next Tuesday.
0:03:23 > 0:03:28This one here is Jo Jo, the other female, who should be due before.
0:03:28 > 0:03:33One of the things is at the moment they're not that bothered for food,
0:03:33 > 0:03:37which is a sign that they're slowing down a little bit.
0:03:40 > 0:03:44And, two days later, it happened.
0:03:44 > 0:03:48Mark found them on his morning rounds, not on Sea lion Beach
0:03:48 > 0:03:51but on the jetty across from Gorilla Island.
0:03:51 > 0:03:58This morning, Jo Jo there gave birth to her third baby,
0:03:58 > 0:04:00a little boy, I believe.
0:04:02 > 0:04:04So far, all is well.
0:04:04 > 0:04:06She's really bonded with it.
0:04:06 > 0:04:11She's left it a few times, just for a quick wash up, but she's come back straight away.
0:04:11 > 0:04:17The pup has been suckling. They've generally been bonding as mother and son should.
0:04:17 > 0:04:20They seem to quite like lying on wood.
0:04:20 > 0:04:23They seem to find it comfortable and warm.
0:04:23 > 0:04:26She's obviously quite happy,
0:04:26 > 0:04:31happy for it to be here. It's not the first time we've had one give birth on this bridge.
0:04:31 > 0:04:34It is actually quite a safe place.
0:04:34 > 0:04:37But there are more developments yet to come with the sea lions,
0:04:37 > 0:04:41and the tranquillity of Jo Jo's nursery isn't going to last.
0:04:41 > 0:04:44We'll be back later to see what happens.
0:04:51 > 0:04:54All over Longleat, the breeding season is under way,
0:04:54 > 0:05:02and new baby animals are emerging into the sunshine, beginning to find their feet in their new environment.
0:05:03 > 0:05:07I'm out in the park with deputy head of section Kevin Knibbs.
0:05:07 > 0:05:11- We've come to see the eland herd, which has grown enormously this year.- It has.
0:05:11 > 0:05:14It's gone from eight up to about 13.
0:05:14 > 0:05:19So five babies - we can see them all here - a really great success story.
0:05:19 > 0:05:21You haven't had any for long time.
0:05:21 > 0:05:26It's been about eight years since the last babies. Five in one year is absolutely fantastic for us.
0:05:26 > 0:05:29I gather you weren't quite expecting them so soon.
0:05:29 > 0:05:31We were a little bit surprised.
0:05:31 > 0:05:35We thought our male was maybe a year too young to start breeding, but he showed us wrong.
0:05:35 > 0:05:38He absolutely did, proved you completely wrong.
0:05:38 > 0:05:41What's interesting about them
0:05:41 > 0:05:47is that they all seem to stay very much together as a little group.
0:05:47 > 0:05:51I would have thought that they would be more sticking with their individual mothers.
0:05:51 > 0:05:57With this species, the mums hide them behind the trees, or in a bit of nettles, behind a bush or something,
0:05:57 > 0:06:00just for a few days, visit them during the day to feed them,
0:06:00 > 0:06:05then, after three or four days, they all start coming out and grouping up.
0:06:05 > 0:06:08We're calling it a school of eland.
0:06:08 > 0:06:12So when they hide them away for those first few days,
0:06:12 > 0:06:16is that simply just for protection when they're at their most vulnerable?
0:06:16 > 0:06:20Pretty much. They're pretty small, as you can see, when they're born.
0:06:20 > 0:06:23It's more for protection from predators.
0:06:23 > 0:06:26The mums feed them once or twice a day.
0:06:26 > 0:06:29Now they've got a bit bigger, they tend to stick together.
0:06:29 > 0:06:32You actually witnessed one of the births, didn't you?
0:06:32 > 0:06:33I was very lucky, yeah.
0:06:33 > 0:06:38The film crew gave me a camera and I was lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time.
0:06:38 > 0:06:41We kind of knew she was ready to give birth first
0:06:41 > 0:06:46thing in the morning, but being her first birth, we were quite worried, so we wanted to keep an eye on her.
0:06:46 > 0:06:50She already had feet poking out, so we grabbed the camera quick and got what I could.
0:06:50 > 0:06:53It was really amazing to see it.
0:06:57 > 0:06:59She was very calm, very relaxed.
0:06:59 > 0:07:04For a first-time mum, she did really well, turned around, cleaned it up straight away.
0:07:04 > 0:07:07Then she hid it behind a tree and left it for the day,
0:07:07 > 0:07:10which was amazing for a first-time mum to know exactly what to do.
0:07:10 > 0:07:14That natural instinct is absolutely engrained in all of them.
0:07:14 > 0:07:17- Absolutely, yeah. - Well, they are gorgeous.
0:07:17 > 0:07:21It's just lovely to see young ones out in the grass here.
0:07:21 > 0:07:27- It couldn't be a prettier setting. Congratulations, Kevin, and thank you very much indeed.- No worries.
0:07:38 > 0:07:42Kabir the Barbary lion has had a good year.
0:07:42 > 0:07:45Both of his lionesses have each had a daughter.
0:07:45 > 0:07:52Just seven months ago, Yendi had Malaika, and then a few weeks later Luna had Jaseira.
0:07:52 > 0:07:57Now the youngsters are well settled and head of section Brian Kent and keeper Bob Trollope thought the next
0:07:57 > 0:08:03few months would be a quiet time for the pride, but recently they had a bit of a surprise.
0:08:07 > 0:08:12Me and Brian came on check about a week ago,
0:08:12 > 0:08:19and came in to do a head count in the house, and there was some extra ones to count.
0:08:21 > 0:08:27Yendi had given birth to four cubs and no-one suspected she was even pregnant.
0:08:27 > 0:08:32After all, she was still nursing her first cub, Malaika, until quite recently.
0:08:34 > 0:08:36Malaika is...
0:08:36 > 0:08:38seven months old.
0:08:38 > 0:08:42So it's not long.
0:08:42 > 0:08:45That's the unusual part of it,
0:08:45 > 0:08:49really, the fact that she's given birth so soon after having the last ones.
0:08:49 > 0:08:51She's following in the footsteps of her mum.
0:08:51 > 0:08:53Amy used to do the same.
0:08:55 > 0:08:59You find one like that very rarely,
0:08:59 > 0:09:01but they do come along.
0:09:03 > 0:09:09When the cubs are this small, it's best to disturb them and their mother as little as possible.
0:09:09 > 0:09:14But their pen must be cleaned out, so Yendi has been separated from her babies.
0:09:14 > 0:09:18Bob and Brian are working quickly to minimise her distress.
0:09:18 > 0:09:25The cubs aren't worried because they're still too little to know what's going on.
0:09:25 > 0:09:29They've only just opened their eyes.
0:09:29 > 0:09:36They're quite big, and they really look well, really look fit and healthy.
0:09:36 > 0:09:38And mum is doing a good job.
0:09:38 > 0:09:41She's very protective.
0:09:41 > 0:09:44Just chilled out, basically.
0:09:44 > 0:09:47That's what they do best, innit?
0:09:47 > 0:09:50- Sleep, feed...- And sleep again.
0:09:50 > 0:09:52Sleep again.
0:09:52 > 0:09:55Well looked after by Yendi.
0:09:55 > 0:09:58I think it's really great.
0:09:58 > 0:10:01While mum and cubs are indoors, the rest of the pride are out in
0:10:01 > 0:10:05the enclosure, including Yendi's young daughter, Malaika.
0:10:05 > 0:10:10Malaika is out with Jazzy and Luna and Kabir.
0:10:10 > 0:10:13Unfortunately, if we were to put
0:10:13 > 0:10:17Malaika in with them, she'd most probably maybe be over-playful
0:10:17 > 0:10:25with the cubs, so we've separated them for the cubs' sake, just to get them a bit of a head start in life.
0:10:25 > 0:10:30She'll be kept in now for another... ten weeks,
0:10:30 > 0:10:36which sounds horrible, but it's to give the cubs a good chance,
0:10:36 > 0:10:41because when they go out and meet big sister and big cousin,
0:10:41 > 0:10:45they're gonna get quite a bit of stick, because...
0:10:45 > 0:10:47baby lions play rough.
0:10:49 > 0:10:52The cubs each weighed less than one kilogram when they were born.
0:10:52 > 0:10:58They're still almost blind and can barely walk, so Yendi knows it's up to her to keep them safe.
0:11:01 > 0:11:04SHE GROWLS
0:11:04 > 0:11:06She's just basically
0:11:06 > 0:11:10putting herself in between me and the cubs.
0:11:11 > 0:11:15She's just fully alert on what's going on.
0:11:15 > 0:11:18She's just gonna keep an eye on me.
0:11:18 > 0:11:24If I was to make any sudden movements or whatever, she'd obviously go for me.
0:11:24 > 0:11:27If you stay here quite calm, she sort of chills out.
0:11:27 > 0:11:30She knows I'm not gonna hurt those cubs.
0:11:30 > 0:11:35The main problem is, if she sort of stands on one as she's sort of charging at us.
0:11:35 > 0:11:36But we do have to come in here.
0:11:36 > 0:11:43We do have to still do our jobs and come in and check on her and give her fresh water, fresh food.
0:11:43 > 0:11:48She will do her job, which is protecting the cubs, and charge at us.
0:11:48 > 0:11:50Up until now,
0:11:50 > 0:11:53touch wood, she's been fine.
0:11:53 > 0:11:59They tend to stay in the corner out of the way, which is brilliant.
0:11:59 > 0:12:04Maybe it's when they're a little bit bigger, a bit more adventurous,
0:12:04 > 0:12:11and coming up to the front of the cage, that she'll find it harder to control them, I suppose.
0:12:11 > 0:12:15But it's gonna be a testing time for all.
0:12:15 > 0:12:17But so far, so good.
0:12:17 > 0:12:21It looks like Kabir the Barbary lion is destined to have a very big family.
0:12:38 > 0:12:45- I'm up in the tapir paddock with senior warden Bev Evans, and here, this is...- Jessie.- This is Jessie.
0:12:45 > 0:12:48That must be Gomez behind.
0:12:48 > 0:12:49He's still got all his stripes.
0:12:49 > 0:12:51- Definitely.- How is he getting on?
0:12:51 > 0:12:55He's doing really well. He's getting bigger and bigger every week.
0:12:55 > 0:12:58I can't get over how big he is. We've bought some browse for them.
0:12:58 > 0:13:01Is this a speciality for the tapirs?
0:13:01 > 0:13:08Yeah. We like to bring it down every other day, as we do for the giraffes as well.
0:13:08 > 0:13:11It's good for their teeth, really, if they chew at the bark.
0:13:11 > 0:13:14But this is lime today, which is not necessarily a tapir's favourite.
0:13:14 > 0:13:17Is it not? We're not sure if Jessie's going to want it.
0:13:17 > 0:13:20I'm holding some up.
0:13:20 > 0:13:22- What's their favourite? - They like beech and sycamore.
0:13:22 > 0:13:27That's presumably through trial and error that you've worked out what they like and don't like.
0:13:27 > 0:13:31- We can see if Gomez wants to have something.- Gomez? Is he very shy?
0:13:31 > 0:13:34He's obviously sticking with mum.
0:13:34 > 0:13:37- If the camera just goes around, there is dad.- That's Jethro.
0:13:37 > 0:13:40What does Jethro think of the lime?
0:13:40 > 0:13:44Hopefully he should be a bit keener then Jess, but we'll see.
0:13:44 > 0:13:49Jess, I think, did a little circle around us to see if there was anything else on offer.
0:13:49 > 0:13:52Now she's decided that maybe she'll have a little go at it.
0:13:52 > 0:13:55So the bark is good for all the teeth, is it?
0:13:55 > 0:13:57Yes, keeps them clean.
0:13:57 > 0:14:01It's very easy for tapirs to get dirty teeth.
0:14:01 > 0:14:04So anything they can chew on will keep them clean.
0:14:04 > 0:14:07How is Gomez with eating?
0:14:07 > 0:14:11- Is he on solids?- He is still suckling a lot but, you know,
0:14:11 > 0:14:16when we do our food scatter feed, he'll pick up bits and bobs, softer banana.
0:14:16 > 0:14:19He'll mouth at some leaves and play with some of the bark.
0:14:19 > 0:14:21He's not eating a lot.
0:14:21 > 0:14:24How long will he have these fantastic stripes?
0:14:24 > 0:14:27Until six months old and then they'll start to fade.
0:14:27 > 0:14:29He'll be twice as big by then.
0:14:29 > 0:14:33When you say start to fade, it's not as if his gonna moult his coat.
0:14:33 > 0:14:36Is it just that they fade over time?
0:14:36 > 0:14:41It's a gradual process. If you work with them every day you don't notice it as much.
0:14:41 > 0:14:46Just over there, we can see the water. Has Gomez been in yet? We've had some pretty hot days.
0:14:46 > 0:14:50He has been in but it's normally when there's quite heavy rain.
0:14:50 > 0:14:53They get over-excited and jump on him.
0:14:53 > 0:14:55But yes, he's doing really well. He's a strong swimmer.
0:14:55 > 0:15:00Is he developing a specific character and personality? Are there any traits you've noticed?
0:15:00 > 0:15:02He's actually quite nervous. He's quite shy.
0:15:02 > 0:15:05He doesn't really want to come near us. He's keeping to himself.
0:15:05 > 0:15:09Our older tapirs, Ernie and Dolores,
0:15:09 > 0:15:13our other youngsters we have had, they used to love the camera.
0:15:13 > 0:15:17He's a little bit shy. Do you think you might improve with time?
0:15:17 > 0:15:22- Yeah, a bit more.- A bit like mum and dad, the two old show tapirs.
0:15:22 > 0:15:25They're very used to it, so they take it in their stride.
0:15:25 > 0:15:27I don't know this was successful.
0:15:27 > 0:15:29Next time, birch, we'll have to bring?
0:15:29 > 0:15:32- Beech and sycamore. - Next time, I promise.
0:15:32 > 0:15:34Thank you very much.
0:15:38 > 0:15:42Over in Pets Corner live some of the park's most popular residents.
0:15:45 > 0:15:49But it's also home to some species that are not so immediately lovable.
0:15:49 > 0:15:55The latest arrivals are from a family of rodents with an unfairly bad reputation.
0:15:57 > 0:16:02I'm up at Pets Corner with head of section, Darren Beasley and the mystery cage.
0:16:02 > 0:16:05- It's exciting, isn't it. - It's like a lucky dip in here.
0:16:05 > 0:16:08I can see movement under the newspaper. But what is it?
0:16:08 > 0:16:12It's my brand new babies, Kate. Shall I move the newspaper?
0:16:12 > 0:16:13You're dying to see it, aren't you?
0:16:13 > 0:16:16I am!
0:16:16 > 0:16:17- Goodness me!- How about that?
0:16:17 > 0:16:21It looks like a cross between a rat and a kangaroo. It's enormous!
0:16:21 > 0:16:25They're giant African pouch rats or Gambian pouch rats
0:16:25 > 0:16:30from Africa. They're just about one of the biggest rats you're ever going to come across.
0:16:30 > 0:16:35They're still youngsters. Would you believe they're only about 17 weeks old now.
0:16:35 > 0:16:37Isn't it just incredible?
0:16:37 > 0:16:39How big will they grow when they're adults?
0:16:39 > 0:16:43Easily over two foot - 45cm, perhaps a bit more than that.
0:16:43 > 0:16:44That's like the size of a cat.
0:16:44 > 0:16:46Yes, a big tom cat.
0:16:46 > 0:16:49All feet, ears and teeth.
0:16:49 > 0:16:51- Fantastic animals.- They're amazing!
0:16:51 > 0:16:54These two are brand new to us. They're very timid animals.
0:16:54 > 0:16:57They're actually fairly nocturnal animals, as well.
0:16:57 > 0:17:02This one looks a little bit sleepy and the other one's got his back resolutely to us.
0:17:02 > 0:17:04I'm just hand-feeding them.
0:17:04 > 0:17:08I'm putting on my gloves because I'm going in. They actually still bite and nip a bit.
0:17:08 > 0:17:10They're a bit nervous. Shall I get one out?
0:17:10 > 0:17:12- Oh yes, can we?- Put your gloves on.
0:17:12 > 0:17:18Let's have a look. Come on mate. Hey, hey, hey, come on, honey.
0:17:18 > 0:17:20Just going for your friend here.
0:17:20 > 0:17:24Let's go for the sleepiest one of the two. Look at the size of that.
0:17:24 > 0:17:26You've got to support him the best way he feels comfortable.
0:17:26 > 0:17:29I've got him there now.
0:17:29 > 0:17:32If you think that in Africa, these guys are eaten.
0:17:32 > 0:17:36I'm afraid so, they can be farmed. But there's good news.
0:17:36 > 0:17:41Because they have a fantastic sense of smell...this is Phil,
0:17:41 > 0:17:43by the way. This is Phil.
0:17:43 > 0:17:45Phil wants to go back with his mates.
0:17:45 > 0:17:52Because they have a fantastic sense of smell, they're being trained to find land mines. Absolutely amazing.
0:17:52 > 0:17:57They put little halties on them and teach them to recognise explosives and away they go.
0:17:57 > 0:18:01They go and find these grotty land mines that rotten human beings have left lying around.
0:18:01 > 0:18:04You said they were called pouch rats.
0:18:04 > 0:18:08They haven't got a marsupial-style pouch, have they?
0:18:08 > 0:18:10No, the pouch is under their jaw.
0:18:10 > 0:18:14It's like an extended cheek pouch.
0:18:14 > 0:18:16- So it would work a bit like a hamster?- Just like a hamster.
0:18:16 > 0:18:18They can put huge amounts of food...
0:18:18 > 0:18:20Shall we let him back in because I don't want...
0:18:20 > 0:18:23I know you're a bit new and this is a bit scary.
0:18:23 > 0:18:26You wait, you'll be a TV star before you know it.
0:18:26 > 0:18:32They will take lots of different types of cereals, fruit and nuts and things they find.
0:18:32 > 0:18:35Also a bit of meat product. They'll catch and eat bugs and things.
0:18:35 > 0:18:38And a lot of it's stored in these massive great pouches.
0:18:38 > 0:18:43They just literally walk along...there you are, he's taking a grape. Can you see that?
0:18:43 > 0:18:49If he doesn't eat it straight away, in it will go in his pouch for later on. I love it.
0:18:49 > 0:18:54That's very similar to your normal rats that I'm used to.
0:18:54 > 0:18:57Very much holding with the hands.
0:18:57 > 0:19:00They're very dextrous, aren't they?
0:19:00 > 0:19:05Quite amazing creatures. The fact that animals from Africa are putting
0:19:05 > 0:19:08right the mess that us humans have done with the land mines and things.
0:19:08 > 0:19:13If they can be taught. All rats are intelligent and these have got size on their side, as well.
0:19:13 > 0:19:15We get them on the end of a halty and that's their next step.
0:19:15 > 0:19:19If we can get them a bit friendlier and tamer, which is happening.
0:19:19 > 0:19:25- We will get them out showing our visitors wonderful animals these really are.- They really are.
0:19:25 > 0:19:29They are fantastic. Thank you very much for introducing us.
0:19:39 > 0:19:45Back by Half Mile Lake, Mark Tye is still waiting for Celia to give birth.
0:19:45 > 0:19:48But her sister, Jo Jo, having decided that the
0:19:48 > 0:19:52jetty would make a good nursery, is now well settled with her new baby.
0:19:54 > 0:19:57He is five days old now,
0:19:57 > 0:20:00doing really well, as you can see.
0:20:00 > 0:20:04Well bonded with mum.
0:20:04 > 0:20:06No problems at all.
0:20:08 > 0:20:10She's taken to it really well.
0:20:10 > 0:20:12The baby's actually been for a swim.
0:20:12 > 0:20:15A bit of an unenforced fall off the side, I think.
0:20:15 > 0:20:18But it's got back out.
0:20:18 > 0:20:22So no worries. Everything's cool, apart from I'm going to get bitten!
0:20:26 > 0:20:31But calm returned as soon as Mark is all the way off Jo Jo's jetty.
0:20:31 > 0:20:33That's just Jo being protective.
0:20:33 > 0:20:38This is her spot and she felt we were a bit close, so she saw us off.
0:20:38 > 0:20:41Standard stuff. Angry mother.
0:20:41 > 0:20:44Jo Jo can be quite a bolshie personality.
0:20:44 > 0:20:48She can be a bit pushy which is why when she goes for you like that you don't actually stop.
0:20:48 > 0:20:52You do actually get out of the way. She might keep coming.
0:20:53 > 0:20:57Newborn pups spend their first few days very close to mum.
0:20:57 > 0:21:02They're pretty helpless, so it's hardly surprising that Jo Jo is rather territorial.
0:21:08 > 0:21:11But, two days later, the nursery's getting crowded
0:21:11 > 0:21:17because her older sister, Celia, has also decided that the jetty is a good place to have a new baby.
0:21:22 > 0:21:24We've had a really exciting week.
0:21:24 > 0:21:31First Jo Jo gave birth down here and a week later, Celia's followed suit and given birth, too.
0:21:31 > 0:21:36It has caused a few problems, but nothing insurmountable.
0:21:36 > 0:21:38New baby looks fine. Nothing to worry about.
0:21:38 > 0:21:40Celia's an excellent mother.
0:21:40 > 0:21:43Can be a little bit protective.
0:21:47 > 0:21:52Jo Jo has just started taking her baby for little swims.
0:21:52 > 0:21:54But, while they're both off the jetty,
0:21:54 > 0:21:58Celia keeps getting the idea that she's got rights to the whole space.
0:21:58 > 0:22:02Which, of course, leads to arguments when Jo Jo returns.
0:22:04 > 0:22:07SEAL BARKS
0:22:13 > 0:22:15SEAL BARKS
0:22:18 > 0:22:24Most of that was really just threats. It's not nasty.
0:22:24 > 0:22:27It's not out and out aggressive fighting.
0:22:27 > 0:22:30It's just really handbags at dawn, if you like.
0:22:30 > 0:22:34Celia's the most dominant of the females in the lake
0:22:34 > 0:22:38and Jo Jo's probably the next most senior member, if you like.
0:22:38 > 0:22:45Because they have given birth quite close to each other, they do just get a bit fractious sometimes
0:22:45 > 0:22:49that they're going to be too near each other's babies. It's not too much to worry about.
0:22:50 > 0:22:54Jo Jo will become less protective as her pup becomes more independent.
0:22:54 > 0:22:59And that may be very soon because the youngster seems to be a fast learner.
0:23:01 > 0:23:05The older one has now been swimming quite competently by itself.
0:23:05 > 0:23:07It's spent a lot of time in the water.
0:23:07 > 0:23:12Whenever mum leaves it, it's straight in the lake playing and snouting about.
0:23:12 > 0:23:17But because Celia hasn't left hers yet, the other one hasn't had a chance to follow suit.
0:23:17 > 0:23:21As soon as she starts leaving it for longer, that one will find its feet pretty quickly.
0:23:21 > 0:23:26I'm sure they're itching to get together, the pair of them.
0:23:26 > 0:23:31Buster, the big bull sea lion, has also been itching to get together with the females.
0:23:31 > 0:23:35They come into season shortly after giving birth.
0:23:35 > 0:23:38Jo Jo's now two weeks since she's given birth.
0:23:38 > 0:23:41So she should be pregnant already.
0:23:41 > 0:23:45Buster's obviously hanging around for Celia to jump into the water.
0:23:45 > 0:23:50Her pup's now coming up to a week old, so in the week after that,
0:23:50 > 0:23:54he will start mating with her and she will hopefully become pregnant again, too.
0:23:54 > 0:23:56Then it all starts again.
0:23:59 > 0:24:03But, for a whole year, these two pups will be the babies of Half Mile Lake.
0:24:11 > 0:24:14Still to come on today's programme:
0:24:14 > 0:24:17There are more youngsters up in Wolf Wood,
0:24:17 > 0:24:22but will they all survive when mum brings them outside?
0:24:22 > 0:24:27We'll find out what the marmoset family make of some very strange smells.
0:24:29 > 0:24:33And, the otter pups have finally learnt to swim.
0:24:33 > 0:24:37So why do they still like it best in the shallow end?
0:24:39 > 0:24:44But first, the peace and quiet of the ferret enclosure is about to be disturbed.
0:24:44 > 0:24:48There could be trouble because there's a new gang in town.
0:24:50 > 0:24:56I'm down at Pets Corner with keeper Bev Allen and handfuls of ferrets. Bev, what are we doing today?
0:24:56 > 0:24:59These are actually some new ferrets that we've been given.
0:24:59 > 0:25:04We don't usually take any ferrets on, but we're going to mix them in with our group.
0:25:04 > 0:25:09OK, how are your group going to take to six brand new ferrets?
0:25:09 > 0:25:14There could be a bit of fighting going on to begin with.
0:25:14 > 0:25:16You're not too concerned though?
0:25:16 > 0:25:18Not really. Usually they do a bit of fighting.
0:25:18 > 0:25:22They grab hold of each other's neck area and there is a lot of noise involved.
0:25:22 > 0:25:26They scream a lot. But once they get over that, they're fine.
0:25:26 > 0:25:28So how are we going to do this?
0:25:28 > 0:25:30Where are yours, by the way?
0:25:30 > 0:25:31- There's one down there on the floor. - They're all asleep.
0:25:31 > 0:25:35- They're going to have a rather rude awakening.- They are!
0:25:35 > 0:25:37But this is the most sensitive way of doing it?
0:25:37 > 0:25:42We've actually cleaned the enclosure out this morning and also disinfected the place down.
0:25:42 > 0:25:45So it's not too smelly. It's not their smell too much.
0:25:45 > 0:25:49- They're quite territorial, to be honest.- Shall we put them all down?
0:25:49 > 0:25:50Yes, see what happens.
0:25:50 > 0:25:54Now six strikes me as a huge number to be introduced here.
0:25:54 > 0:25:58Is that a good amount of ferrets to introduce to your existing...
0:25:58 > 0:26:04Yeah, to be honest, we feel it's probably better to mix an existing group with another group.
0:26:04 > 0:26:09If we have 10 ferrets of our own here and we pop one in, usually those 10 will gang up on the one.
0:26:09 > 0:26:13So now we've got six and 10, it's a bit better.
0:26:13 > 0:26:15It's not just one ferret going in.
0:26:15 > 0:26:18They seem very interested in our cameraman's shoes.
0:26:18 > 0:26:23How are they in terms of biting and inquisitiveness?
0:26:23 > 0:26:27They've been handled quite a lot. They used to be someone's pets.
0:26:27 > 0:26:29So they've been handled all the time.
0:26:29 > 0:26:33Also, when you're mixing new animals with new animals, you've got to be careful.
0:26:33 > 0:26:36Their characters may change. They might get a bit more aggressive.
0:26:36 > 0:26:38So we've got to be careful we don't get bitten ourselves.
0:26:38 > 0:26:42Can I say, that your ferrets are distinctly unimpressed.
0:26:42 > 0:26:45Yes, they're not impressed at all.
0:26:45 > 0:26:51We know they're here because I've seen them sticking their heads up. So you've got 10 here.
0:26:51 > 0:26:57- Yes. I think a lot of them are all asleep together. - They like the body heat, don't they?
0:26:57 > 0:27:00They do, they keep each other warm and everything.
0:27:00 > 0:27:03The new ones seem quite interested with all the different smells.
0:27:03 > 0:27:07You've got a pretty big area here and lots of things to...
0:27:07 > 0:27:10- Is that a new one going up?- That's a new one.
0:27:10 > 0:27:13Do they make good pets?
0:27:13 > 0:27:16If you've got a lot of time for them, then they can be.
0:27:16 > 0:27:21They can be quite good pets. But they do take a lot of time and space.
0:27:21 > 0:27:24Usually you can have them in a cage inside the house, but you need to
0:27:24 > 0:27:28supervise them when they run around the house.
0:27:28 > 0:27:31You can take them for walks on little leads and things.
0:27:31 > 0:27:34They're becoming quite popular as a pet now, rather than a working ferret.
0:27:34 > 0:27:40I am amazed at how unfazed the existing ferrets here are.
0:27:40 > 0:27:43If you did that with a dog, there would be lots of hackles up and...
0:27:43 > 0:27:47- But they don't seem bothered at all. - No, they don't seem bothered at all.
0:27:47 > 0:27:52I'm sure later on when they wake up, I'm sure there will be a bit of aggression to begin with.
0:27:52 > 0:27:55But once they've sorted out who's boss and who's lower down in the
0:27:55 > 0:27:58hierarchy, then they should get on really well, hopefully.
0:27:58 > 0:28:03Fantastic. Well Bev, wishing you the best of luck with your new ferrets.
0:28:03 > 0:28:06Let's hope that they settle in here very well.
0:28:10 > 0:28:13HOWLING
0:28:23 > 0:28:28Up in Wolf Wood lives the park's pack of Canadian timber wolves.
0:28:28 > 0:28:34Two-tip is the alpha or dominant male and Freda is the alpha female.
0:28:34 > 0:28:38Wolf packs are strictly hierarchical and to make sure the pack doesn't
0:28:38 > 0:28:45outgrow the amount of food available, usually only the alphas are allowed to breed.
0:28:45 > 0:28:49The other wolves contribute by helping to look after the cubs when they're born.
0:28:51 > 0:28:54Recently, keepers noticed that Freda was expecting.
0:28:54 > 0:28:59So they made her a comfy den inside the wolf house to have the cubs in.
0:28:59 > 0:29:02We fitted the wolf house with cameras
0:29:02 > 0:29:06hoping to capture the actual moment of birth
0:29:06 > 0:29:10and the first weeks of the cubs lives for the first time.
0:29:12 > 0:29:17Sadly, Freda ignored the comfy den and chose instead to have her cubs outdoors,
0:29:17 > 0:29:22despite the best efforts of keeper Bob Trollope.
0:29:22 > 0:29:26We noticed that she had laid up in a bed of nettles.
0:29:26 > 0:29:30We could hear some whimpering noises
0:29:30 > 0:29:35and it was obvious that she had started to give birth.
0:29:35 > 0:29:39When we heard, she actually picked one up and wandered off with it.
0:29:39 > 0:29:41So we knew she had given birth.
0:29:41 > 0:29:45It was an amazing sight to see something that had just been born.
0:29:47 > 0:29:50The newborn wolf cubs are very vulnerable.
0:29:52 > 0:29:58As the weather turned nasty, Bob was concerned they might not survive outdoors.
0:30:00 > 0:30:06Fortunately Freda has now sought refuge, bringing the cubs into the warmth of the wolf house.
0:30:06 > 0:30:08The rest of the wolves have followed her.
0:30:08 > 0:30:12So now the whole pack is in sight of our cameras.
0:30:14 > 0:30:18It's a relief for Bob to see the cubs indoors.
0:30:18 > 0:30:23They've put the cubs in and they've stuck them in the corner,
0:30:23 > 0:30:25which obviously...
0:30:25 > 0:30:32is a safety thing as well. Because there's two wolves there that are protecting them.
0:30:32 > 0:30:36Now they're into a nice dry, warm house.
0:30:36 > 0:30:43There is fresh bedding. Plus the fact that we've got the monitors and cameras set up so that we can
0:30:43 > 0:30:44hopefully keep a better eye on them.
0:30:44 > 0:30:48In all his years of looking after the wolves,
0:30:48 > 0:30:53Bob's never had the chance to see cubs up close at such a young age.
0:30:53 > 0:30:59When they're in the den, you don't see sight or sound of them much before for five weeks old.
0:30:59 > 0:31:04So you don't see how the pack bond with the pups.
0:31:04 > 0:31:09So this is ideal. This is an ideal opportunity for us to monitor
0:31:09 > 0:31:12which wolves are doing nanny duty,
0:31:12 > 0:31:19which ones are closer to the mum. All sorts of things like that.
0:31:19 > 0:31:23The cubs are just a week old now and still completely helpless.
0:31:23 > 0:31:29Mum can't leave them for long, but she needs plenty to eat so that she can suckle them.
0:31:29 > 0:31:35The rest of the pack help out by bringing food back to the wolf house for her.
0:31:37 > 0:31:43When the cubs are older, the wolves will regurgitate partially digested meat for them.
0:31:43 > 0:31:47But now Bob's amazed to see them regurgitating for mum Freda.
0:31:50 > 0:31:56We've known them to take lumps of meat back to the den and mum and grab it and eat.
0:31:56 > 0:32:00But I think that's the first time we've actually seen
0:32:00 > 0:32:02another wolf regurgitate for the mum.
0:32:03 > 0:32:10Bob's delighted with his privileged view of wolf pack behaviour at this crucial time.
0:32:10 > 0:32:14The fact that she's finally brought him into the house and we can
0:32:14 > 0:32:19watch them without them even knowing that we're there is just brilliant.
0:32:19 > 0:32:24The one thing that surprises me more than anything is the fact that the cubs are so lively.
0:32:24 > 0:32:26They move about
0:32:26 > 0:32:29quite freely.
0:32:29 > 0:32:34All seems to be going well until Freda decides to move the cubs again.
0:32:34 > 0:32:37They're not out of the woods yet.
0:32:37 > 0:32:41We'll find out if they survive later in the programme.
0:33:01 > 0:33:07Down in Pets Corner, Jo Hawthorn is preparing a new kind of enrichment,
0:33:07 > 0:33:13aimed at stimulating what is for many animals, the most interesting of all the senses - smell.
0:33:13 > 0:33:17Jo is putting some of our favourite scents, various herbs and spices,
0:33:17 > 0:33:22into a basket to say what the marmosets make of them.
0:33:22 > 0:33:27They've got three Geoffroy's tufted-eared marmosets here, a rare species from Brazil.
0:33:27 > 0:33:30Mike and Michelle came to Longleat four years ago
0:33:30 > 0:33:35and now have their two-year-old daughter Mandu living with them.
0:33:35 > 0:33:37Marmosets are part of the monkey family.
0:33:37 > 0:33:41So having something new to keep their minds busy is very important.
0:33:41 > 0:33:45Kate's gone to see if Jo's basket gets them thinking.
0:33:45 > 0:33:47We've got lavender here.
0:33:47 > 0:33:49We've got that growing in Pets Corner.
0:33:49 > 0:33:51That's got, as you know, quite a strong smell.
0:33:51 > 0:33:56Nutmeg, which obviously we use for cooking and things.
0:33:56 > 0:34:00I've tried to stick to things that aren't too, you know...
0:34:00 > 0:34:03You know, that would put them off.
0:34:03 > 0:34:06A peppery thing that would make them sneeze or something?
0:34:06 > 0:34:11That you and me wouldn't really want to get a nose full of, I've tried to stay away from. Ginger.
0:34:11 > 0:34:13Again, that's quite a nice smell.
0:34:13 > 0:34:15To you and me. I mean, I don't know.
0:34:15 > 0:34:21Cinnamon, another really nice natural smell. And sage, which again is natural from plants.
0:34:21 > 0:34:24- Who knows?- Who's this?
0:34:24 > 0:34:25- That's Dad.- That's dad Mikey?
0:34:25 > 0:34:28He's having a good look at the sage on the end there.
0:34:28 > 0:34:30He is, isn't he?
0:34:30 > 0:34:34Yeah. He can obviously smell it because he's having a good look.
0:34:34 > 0:34:37Do you think he's rejecting it because there is no food in there?
0:34:37 > 0:34:40It's literally just the powders, isn't it?
0:34:40 > 0:34:41He might well do.
0:34:41 > 0:34:44Because there's nothing visibly edible there.
0:34:44 > 0:34:47- So it might be that he's thinking, "Hmm."- Who's this coming up now?
0:34:47 > 0:34:49This is Mandu.
0:34:49 > 0:34:51Mandu always comes in after Dad.
0:34:53 > 0:34:55- She's having a look. - She's definitely having a sniff.
0:34:55 > 0:34:58She's taking the paper.
0:34:58 > 0:35:00Oh no, she's...
0:35:00 > 0:35:02She is definitely curious, isn't she?
0:35:02 > 0:35:05Much more than Dad, actually.
0:35:05 > 0:35:07Oh, she's got some on her nose!
0:35:07 > 0:35:09Oh, she's licking it.
0:35:09 > 0:35:11What's that? That is the ginger.
0:35:15 > 0:35:17She's trying to get that off her nose.
0:35:17 > 0:35:19- Poor little thing.- Oh, bless her.
0:35:19 > 0:35:22- She's had a taste.- She's tasting it.
0:35:22 > 0:35:23Oh she's going back for more.
0:35:23 > 0:35:25Nope. Leapt it.
0:35:25 > 0:35:28Oh, no. She is, she's having a look.
0:35:28 > 0:35:31She's definitely intrigued by this, isn't she?
0:35:31 > 0:35:34Mum is staying resolutely inside.
0:35:34 > 0:35:37- Not interested at all. - She's a bit of a grump.
0:35:37 > 0:35:40She's kind of, "Whatever they're doing, I don't want to know."
0:35:40 > 0:35:46- It doesn't surprise me actually that she hasn't gone anywhere near it to be honest.- Well...
0:35:46 > 0:35:48- Bit of a result. - It was a bit of a result.
0:35:48 > 0:35:51As I say, it was very interesting.
0:35:51 > 0:35:56Mikey having a look but not having a taste.
0:35:56 > 0:35:58Mandu pushing her face right in it.
0:35:58 > 0:36:00OK, I'll just do it." No, that's it.
0:36:00 > 0:36:03Well, Jo, thank you very much. That was a fascinating morning.
0:36:03 > 0:36:05Go on, Michelle! You can have a go.
0:36:05 > 0:36:08The scent basket may not have been an instant hit
0:36:08 > 0:36:14with the whole family, but it has given the marmosets something new to investigate.
0:36:14 > 0:36:16And that's what enrichment is all about.
0:36:28 > 0:36:32Back up at Wolf Wood, alpha female Freda has left the comfort of a house
0:36:32 > 0:36:36with her four newborn cubs and brought them outside.
0:36:39 > 0:36:43In the wild, wolves often move their litters to protect them from predators.
0:36:43 > 0:36:45But with the rest of the pack guarding the new den site,
0:36:45 > 0:36:49it's not difficult for keeper Bob Trollope to find.
0:36:52 > 0:36:56She's actually brought them back to
0:36:56 > 0:37:01one of the original den sites that she was born under.
0:37:01 > 0:37:03So it's...
0:37:03 > 0:37:05turned full circle, I suppose.
0:37:07 > 0:37:11Now the cubs are back outside, and hidden underground,
0:37:11 > 0:37:16they're harder to monitor and Bob can't be sure that all four are still alive.
0:37:16 > 0:37:21We don't know how many we've got. Because she moved them while we weren't here.
0:37:21 > 0:37:24So whether we've got four or not, I don't know.
0:37:24 > 0:37:27It's just another waiting game, I suppose.
0:37:27 > 0:37:30They should be coming out of that hole any day, you know.
0:37:30 > 0:37:33They should be quite mobile.
0:37:33 > 0:37:36So it's just a case of waiting.
0:37:36 > 0:37:40We know they're in there, because if they come anywhere near this tree
0:37:40 > 0:37:42then the hole pack just descends on
0:37:42 > 0:37:47the vehicle and bites pieces and things like that.
0:37:47 > 0:37:50So we don't tend to stay here very long.
0:37:55 > 0:37:59After a few days, the cubs begin to emerge from the den.
0:38:01 > 0:38:05Sadly, one cub is missing and Bob fears the worst.
0:38:07 > 0:38:11Obviously something wasn't quite right with it.
0:38:11 > 0:38:15We've just presumed it died.
0:38:15 > 0:38:20We haven't seen it. Whether it's still under the den and not brave enough to come out yet...
0:38:20 > 0:38:26But I would imagine that it's long gone and we've only got the three left.
0:38:26 > 0:38:30You want everything to survive, but it doesn't always work.
0:38:30 > 0:38:35Nature is a wonderful thing but also it's a cruel thing as well.
0:38:35 > 0:38:39The three remaining cubs are growing up fast.
0:38:39 > 0:38:43They're now four weeks old and with the whole pack helping Mum,
0:38:43 > 0:38:46they've come through their most vulnerable period.
0:38:48 > 0:38:51The pack dynamic changes immensely.
0:38:51 > 0:38:55Because now the pups are born and out and about,
0:38:55 > 0:38:58everyone wants to look after them.
0:38:58 > 0:39:03It's all part of the pack dynamic to make sure those pups survive.
0:39:05 > 0:39:08Within a few weeks, these cubs will be weaned
0:39:08 > 0:39:11and well on their way to becoming fully-fledged members of the pack.
0:39:15 > 0:39:18WOLVES HOWL
0:39:21 > 0:39:25Earlier this year, there was great excitement in Pets Corner when
0:39:25 > 0:39:29Rosie and Romeo, the Asian short clawed otters had two little babies.
0:39:29 > 0:39:33They were the first otter pups to be born at Longleat in 30 years.
0:39:33 > 0:39:38So, needless to say, we've been following their progress pretty closely.
0:39:42 > 0:39:46I'm down at Pets Corner with keeper Rob Savin to catch up with Longleat's
0:39:46 > 0:39:49four resident Asians short clawed otters. How are they getting on?
0:39:49 > 0:39:54They're doing really well. You can see the two little ones actually look the same size as Mum and Dad now.
0:39:54 > 0:39:57It's almost impossible to tell the difference.
0:39:57 > 0:40:01- What's this hose?- We're doing a little bit of a clean-out.
0:40:01 > 0:40:03Once or twice a week we clean the pond out here.
0:40:03 > 0:40:05It gives them some nice fresh water.
0:40:05 > 0:40:07Obviously it makes a nice and visible for the visitors.
0:40:07 > 0:40:11But I was noticing when I was filling up the last few times,
0:40:11 > 0:40:15they're all playing when it got to this sort of level, just in the water.
0:40:15 > 0:40:19- In the shallows?- Yeah. I mean, we fill it up a lot higher than this.
0:40:19 > 0:40:21Otters obviously associate with swimming.
0:40:21 > 0:40:24And they are very agile swimmers.
0:40:24 > 0:40:28But they do prefer, and it confirms that this
0:40:28 > 0:40:32particular type of otter, the Asian otter, prefer shallower water.
0:40:32 > 0:40:36Shall we see if we can entice them into the water?
0:40:36 > 0:40:37One of their treats, yeah.
0:40:37 > 0:40:41Some shrimps. What we've also got, hidden in the water, is a little camera.
0:40:41 > 0:40:44So we might just get...
0:40:44 > 0:40:46a slightly different sort of perspective.
0:40:46 > 0:40:49Who's that gobbling them all up, being very greedy?
0:40:49 > 0:40:52That's actually Mum and Dad. The two little ones are just holding back.
0:40:52 > 0:40:55You've got the feeling they are a little bit scared of the cameras.
0:40:55 > 0:40:59- Are they a little bit shy? I think they're hiding back. - They're hiding back.
0:40:59 > 0:41:04I wonder if I can entice them out if I throw some of those up there.
0:41:04 > 0:41:07Now the youngsters, how old are they now?
0:41:07 > 0:41:09- They are just over nine months now. - Have we got names for them?
0:41:09 > 0:41:16We have indeed. They're called, we got a local school to name them. We went for some Asian names.
0:41:16 > 0:41:19They had a big list of Asian names to chose from.
0:41:19 > 0:41:23So I dug up some names off of the internet.
0:41:23 > 0:41:29And they were all really cracking names. But they chose Emiko and Arun.
0:41:29 > 0:41:32And Arun means of the dawn.
0:41:32 > 0:41:35And Emiko means beautiful. And I think we should call them all beautiful.
0:41:35 > 0:41:38Very appropriate names. Rob, thank you very much.
0:41:38 > 0:41:43I think you are on to a winner with the shallow water in here.
0:41:43 > 0:41:46They are good swimmers in the deep, but they prefer the shallows.
0:41:46 > 0:41:50They love the shallow water. Especially on a hot day like this.
0:42:17 > 0:42:22It's the end of the day here at the giraffery and we've come down to give the giraffes their final feed.
0:42:22 > 0:42:25Sadly, we've reached the end of the current series of Animal Park.
0:42:25 > 0:42:29- But what a time we've had.- It has been amazing, absolutely amazing.
0:42:29 > 0:42:33It really has. I can't forget that arrival of Century, the hundredth giraffe born here.
0:42:33 > 0:42:39We also had lion cubs, Jaseira and Malaika, who were Kabir's first cubs.
0:42:39 > 0:42:42And of course where they were rivals, there was also the sad
0:42:42 > 0:42:45loss of Babs the rhino who had been here for many years.
0:42:45 > 0:42:47Poor old Babs, we do miss her.
0:42:47 > 0:42:52But we did also have otter cubs for the very first time in 30 years.
0:42:52 > 0:42:56So it was an incredibly exciting year. Good moments, sad moments...
0:42:56 > 0:42:58And funny moments!
0:42:58 > 0:43:01Sadly, that's all we have got time for today.
0:43:01 > 0:43:05- But we look forward to seeing you again soon. Bye bye.- Bye bye.
0:43:05 > 0:43:07Subtitles by Red Bee Media 2007
0:43:07 > 0:43:09E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk