0:00:31 > 0:00:34Hello and welcome to Animal Park. I'm Ben Fogle.
0:00:34 > 0:00:37And I'm Kate Humble and we're out in the safari park here at Longleat.
0:00:37 > 0:00:40Last year, over three quarters of a million people
0:00:40 > 0:00:42came here to see the animals that live here.
0:00:42 > 0:00:47We'll bring you all the stories about the animals and the people that look after them.
0:00:47 > 0:00:49Here's what's coming up in today's programme.
0:00:49 > 0:00:54Lion cubs Malaika and Jasira face their biggest challenge yet
0:00:54 > 0:00:57as they prepare to meet their father, Kabir.
0:00:57 > 0:01:00Will he greet them, or eat them?
0:01:02 > 0:01:04The otter pups are three months old,
0:01:04 > 0:01:05but still don't know how to swim.
0:01:05 > 0:01:08Will they finally take the plunge?
0:01:08 > 0:01:12And five lucky keepers are going to Kenya,
0:01:12 > 0:01:17to learn more about how the animals they look after behave in the wild.
0:01:17 > 0:01:20This is a lifetime opportunity to go out to Africa
0:01:20 > 0:01:23to see wildlife as it should be - absolutely perfect.
0:01:29 > 0:01:32But first, we're off to Longleat's lion country.
0:01:34 > 0:01:37For years, the park has successfully bred lions.
0:01:39 > 0:01:42Now the keepers are trying to bring together a new group,
0:01:42 > 0:01:44under the new male, Kabir.
0:01:46 > 0:01:48For weeks after they were born,
0:01:48 > 0:01:52lion cubs Jasira and Malaika stayed inside the lion house
0:01:52 > 0:01:56with their mothers in separate enclosures.
0:01:56 > 0:01:59After completing their inoculations,
0:01:59 > 0:02:03the cubs took their first big step - they were allowed outside together.
0:02:05 > 0:02:07I'm really happy with that.
0:02:07 > 0:02:09They've been next to each other for such a long time,
0:02:09 > 0:02:12and all of a sudden they can actually meet each other and play,
0:02:12 > 0:02:15it's like all their Christmases in one, I should imagine.
0:02:17 > 0:02:20Now the cubs are ready for their next big challenge.
0:02:20 > 0:02:25It's time for them to meet their father, Kabir, for the first time.
0:02:30 > 0:02:32It's a dangerous moment for the little lions.
0:02:32 > 0:02:38In the wild, male lions sometimes kill the cubs of competing males.
0:02:39 > 0:02:43Kabir has lived next door to the cubs for most of their lives,
0:02:43 > 0:02:47so he should recognise Malaika and Jasira as his own.
0:02:47 > 0:02:50But if he doesn't, or if they annoy him, he could become vicious.
0:02:50 > 0:02:53We don't know how he's going to react to them.
0:02:53 > 0:02:56As you can see down here now,
0:02:56 > 0:03:00the cubs are fine with him between the cages
0:03:00 > 0:03:04and they're not too fazed when he starts roaring and growling at us.
0:03:04 > 0:03:07But it might be a little bit different,
0:03:07 > 0:03:10if one of these cubs tries to jump on him and play with him.
0:03:10 > 0:03:14It's an anxious time for keepers Bob and Brian.
0:03:14 > 0:03:16They've spent months raising the cubs,
0:03:16 > 0:03:19now they have to let nature take its course.
0:03:19 > 0:03:23The only precautions we can take when they're on the outside
0:03:23 > 0:03:29is to be in our vehicles and be ready to step in if - as and when.
0:03:32 > 0:03:34Come on then, mate. Come on.
0:03:34 > 0:03:35They don't want to go.
0:03:40 > 0:03:42Are you ready then?
0:03:42 > 0:03:44Go on.
0:03:45 > 0:03:47Come on, cubby.
0:03:47 > 0:03:50No, you're supposed to go out.
0:03:50 > 0:03:53At last, the whole pride is together.
0:03:54 > 0:03:56Go on. Good girl.
0:04:00 > 0:04:04So far, Kabir is showing no interest in the cubs,
0:04:04 > 0:04:07perhaps because he has other things on his mind.
0:04:10 > 0:04:12With things going to plan,
0:04:12 > 0:04:16Bob can now let the pride out of the controlled confines of the compound
0:04:16 > 0:04:22and into the much larger main enclosure for the first time.
0:04:22 > 0:04:26This is uncharted territory for the two cubs.
0:04:28 > 0:04:31They've both got to learn new smells,
0:04:31 > 0:04:32not just one of them at a time.
0:04:32 > 0:04:36So they'll both be learning together ultimately.
0:04:36 > 0:04:39And this is a much bigger area so they can wander off
0:04:39 > 0:04:43and run around and they could very well lose sight of Mum
0:04:43 > 0:04:45if they want to run off.
0:04:45 > 0:04:49They'll find all the best places to cuddle up when it's cold.
0:04:49 > 0:04:53When it's hot, they'll find the places that are in the shade.
0:04:53 > 0:04:54All things like that.
0:04:56 > 0:04:58Everything seems to be going well.
0:04:58 > 0:05:03But Jasira is getting a little bit too cocky for her own good.
0:05:08 > 0:05:10Luckily, Kabir just tells her off.
0:05:10 > 0:05:12He's a grumpy father, but a good one.
0:05:15 > 0:05:17If everything carries on as it is,
0:05:17 > 0:05:22I think we're gonna have a nice display this summer.
0:05:27 > 0:05:30I've come down to Sea Lion Beach with head of section Mark Tye
0:05:30 > 0:05:32and keeper Michelle Stevens
0:05:32 > 0:05:35to help with the feeding and to find out who's pregnant.
0:05:35 > 0:05:38So are you expecting some little sea lions?
0:05:38 > 0:05:39Yes, we are, hopefully.
0:05:39 > 0:05:44Um, we're expecting two, one from Celia and one from Jo-Jo.
0:05:44 > 0:05:46OK. Where shall I go?
0:05:46 > 0:05:49If you just go past those rocks there, Ben.
0:05:49 > 0:05:54I'm still always amazed, Mark, at how you can recognise
0:05:54 > 0:05:57all the different sea lions. Am I OK standing here?
0:05:57 > 0:05:58Yeah, that's fine.
0:05:58 > 0:06:00That's Buster's fish there.
0:06:00 > 0:06:03I recognise Buster, the big chap.
0:06:03 > 0:06:06- Who's this you're feeding now? - This is Celia.
0:06:06 > 0:06:07Right. Is she expecting?
0:06:07 > 0:06:11Yes, she is. She's fairly fat now.
0:06:11 > 0:06:14There's another couple of months to go before she'll be due.
0:06:14 > 0:06:17- Right.- But she is looking quite big.
0:06:17 > 0:06:20And who have we got over here on the right?
0:06:20 > 0:06:21On the right there's Jo-Jo.
0:06:21 > 0:06:24She's hopefully the other female that's expecting.
0:06:24 > 0:06:27- And on the left next to her? - That's Nancy.
0:06:27 > 0:06:29She's not gonna have a baby,
0:06:29 > 0:06:33because two years ago after she gave birth she had a prolapse.
0:06:33 > 0:06:36So the vet decided it wouldn't be a good idea
0:06:36 > 0:06:38for her to become pregnant any more.
0:06:38 > 0:06:41So we put her on contraceptives every year now.
0:06:41 > 0:06:45I know there's always a pretty strict hierarchy
0:06:45 > 0:06:47amongst the female sea lions.
0:06:47 > 0:06:49Has that changed in the last year?
0:06:49 > 0:06:52Well, obviously, last year we lost Lindy
0:06:52 > 0:06:56who was our dominant female at the time.
0:06:56 > 0:06:59And...since then,
0:06:59 > 0:07:05Celia's had ideas of grandeur that she wants to be top female.
0:07:05 > 0:07:08Unfortunately, Jo-Jo doesn't quite agree with her.
0:07:08 > 0:07:11So that presumably creates its own problems.
0:07:11 > 0:07:14Yes, there's a little bit of friction between the two.
0:07:14 > 0:07:15Particularly at feeding times,
0:07:15 > 0:07:19which is why I try to keep Celia up here on this rock.
0:07:19 > 0:07:20So you can keep an eye on her?
0:07:20 > 0:07:23So I can keep her away - if they start trying to eat together,
0:07:23 > 0:07:25they end up pulling lumps out of each other,
0:07:25 > 0:07:27which is a bit unfriendly.
0:07:27 > 0:07:30- It's not good, especially when you're pregnant.- No.
0:07:30 > 0:07:34So, remind me of the gestation period for a sea lion.
0:07:34 > 0:07:37The gestation period is just over 11 months.
0:07:37 > 0:07:40It's about 11 months, two weeks.
0:07:40 > 0:07:43So, literally, once they've given birth,
0:07:43 > 0:07:46two weeks after that, they're mated again.
0:07:46 > 0:07:47And it starts again?
0:07:47 > 0:07:50They are literally pregnant all year round.
0:07:50 > 0:07:54I know last year - cos obviously, Sea Lion Beach here,
0:07:54 > 0:07:56you've had it for about a year now.
0:07:56 > 0:08:00Last year was the first successful birthing on the beach, wasn't it?
0:08:00 > 0:08:03Are you hoping...? Oh, be quiet, Buster!
0:08:03 > 0:08:06Are you hoping that it will be successful again this year
0:08:06 > 0:08:09and that they'll give birth here again?
0:08:09 > 0:08:13Yes, I am. They have got used to it now.
0:08:13 > 0:08:16Obviously, in the past, we had silly situations
0:08:16 > 0:08:19where they gave birth in boats and on Gorilla Island,
0:08:19 > 0:08:21and things like that.
0:08:21 > 0:08:24So they have got used to this beach area and the pen next door.
0:08:24 > 0:08:28And there's no reason why they shouldn't give birth here again.
0:08:28 > 0:08:30They were quite comfortable with it last year.
0:08:30 > 0:08:34- So I'm sure that will happen again. - Do you still look forward to it?
0:08:34 > 0:08:38Absolutely. It's what we're here for, to breed these animals.
0:08:38 > 0:08:40It's great for us.
0:08:40 > 0:08:42It's great to see these animals giving birth
0:08:42 > 0:08:44and living a natural, healthy life.
0:08:44 > 0:08:47You're doing the right thing if the animals are happy.
0:08:47 > 0:08:50If they weren't happy, they probably wouldn't breed.
0:08:50 > 0:08:53So, you know, it's great for us.
0:08:53 > 0:08:56It's also nice to have new additions in the lake.
0:08:56 > 0:08:58Well, Mark, thank you very much for letting me help.
0:08:58 > 0:09:00You're very welcome. Thank you.
0:09:00 > 0:09:02Go on, Buster.
0:09:06 > 0:09:11Across the park at Pets Corner, keepers were delighted recently
0:09:11 > 0:09:14when Asian short-clawed otters Rosie and Romeo became parents.
0:09:20 > 0:09:25Their two otter pups emerged from the nest a couple of months ago.
0:09:30 > 0:09:33Since then, keeper Rob Savin has been waiting patiently
0:09:33 > 0:09:36for the pups to get in the water for the first time.
0:09:40 > 0:09:42They're three months old now,
0:09:42 > 0:09:45and they should be ready to take the plunge.
0:09:47 > 0:09:51But surprisingly, swimming is not a talent otters are born with.
0:09:51 > 0:09:54It's a skill the pups will have to learn.
0:09:54 > 0:09:57Parents Rosie and Romeo have to remain vigilant
0:09:57 > 0:09:59to keep them out of danger.
0:09:59 > 0:10:04Potentially, if they jumped in a big pool of water very early on,
0:10:04 > 0:10:08if they were uneducated swimmers, the chances are they might drown.
0:10:08 > 0:10:11But the idea that Mum and Dad are around,
0:10:11 > 0:10:14especially Mum, is to drag them out.
0:10:14 > 0:10:17And if there's a problem, what she should do -
0:10:17 > 0:10:19if they're swimming and then struggling -
0:10:19 > 0:10:22she'll go and and bring them back out again, that's hopefully the idea.
0:10:27 > 0:10:30Asian short-clawed otters are less aquatic
0:10:30 > 0:10:31than any other breed of otters.
0:10:31 > 0:10:34Nevertheless, they're powerful, graceful swimmers
0:10:34 > 0:10:37and at their most agile in the water.
0:10:45 > 0:10:48Their enclosure is well adapted to adult otters -
0:10:48 > 0:10:51it has a stream running through it and several plunge pools -
0:10:51 > 0:10:55but so far the youngsters are hanging back.
0:10:55 > 0:10:56So Rob has come up with a plan
0:10:56 > 0:10:59to make water a little less frightening.
0:10:59 > 0:11:01He's making them a paddling pool.
0:11:03 > 0:11:06Otters need to be taught...
0:11:06 > 0:11:09I mean, they needed to know where their food was coming from.
0:11:09 > 0:11:13They also needed to know which parent was gonna provide the food.
0:11:13 > 0:11:16All animals learn from Mum and Dad, usually,
0:11:16 > 0:11:18and it's partly learned behaviour,
0:11:18 > 0:11:22and you've got instincts as well, things that they're born with.
0:11:22 > 0:11:26Swimming, you would think with an otter, it comes quite natural,
0:11:26 > 0:11:27and I suppose, when they see water,
0:11:27 > 0:11:30they should know roughly what to do with it.
0:11:30 > 0:11:32It's not really enough, nowhere near enough
0:11:32 > 0:11:35for them to swim in properly, they're far too big.
0:11:37 > 0:11:40They're sniffing, sniffing the sides,
0:11:40 > 0:11:42but I don't know if they're gonna go in.
0:11:42 > 0:11:45Oh, what's this?
0:11:46 > 0:11:49Rosie leads by example and climbs in first.
0:11:49 > 0:11:53Eventually, curiosity gets the better of the pups.
0:11:54 > 0:11:56One's in!
0:11:56 > 0:12:00And...yeah, they're both in now. That's lovely, yeah.
0:12:00 > 0:12:03It's more Mum than Dad, I don't think Dad's too bothered.
0:12:03 > 0:12:07Romeo, he's not interested at all, not at the moment,
0:12:07 > 0:12:11but Mum's definitely taking them in there, that's really good.
0:12:11 > 0:12:14They've managed to just all fit in there briefly,
0:12:14 > 0:12:16but I think it was more of a playful roll-around.
0:12:16 > 0:12:19It's fantastic to watch when they're like that,
0:12:19 > 0:12:21especially the little ones getting in on the act.
0:12:21 > 0:12:26I've seen Romeo and Rosie playing like that, but with the little ones rolling around,
0:12:26 > 0:12:28there's nothing left of that clean water now.
0:12:28 > 0:12:31It's just a big bowl of mud, but it's fantastic.
0:12:31 > 0:12:35They've certainly had a wash, if nothing else. They've had a bath.
0:12:35 > 0:12:39In the wild, otters would find most of their food in water.
0:12:39 > 0:12:40As well as being fun,
0:12:40 > 0:12:44this swimming lesson will teach the pups vital survival skills.
0:12:46 > 0:12:48Very intelligent animals, otters.
0:12:49 > 0:12:54They're playful, very social, especially this particular species.
0:12:54 > 0:12:59And when animals play, they use play as a learning process as well.
0:12:59 > 0:13:02I mean, Mum's diving in there. They're not following.
0:13:02 > 0:13:05They're not quite ready for that big leap into that bit yet,
0:13:05 > 0:13:07but when they do, it'll be a learning process.
0:13:07 > 0:13:10It'll be quite a shock to the system,
0:13:10 > 0:13:12it'll probably look quite funny,
0:13:12 > 0:13:15but if there's a problem, Mum should leap in and save them.
0:13:15 > 0:13:17The pups liked the paddling pool,
0:13:17 > 0:13:21but they're still unwilling to throw themselves in at the deep end.
0:13:21 > 0:13:24We'll come back later to see if they take the plunge.
0:13:32 > 0:13:36The safari park is home to more than 400 animals,
0:13:36 > 0:13:41representing 50 different species drawn from every corner of the world.
0:13:44 > 0:13:48They are cared for by more than 100 dedicated staff,
0:13:48 > 0:13:52but few of them have ever seen these animals in their natural habitats.
0:13:53 > 0:13:59Soon, however, some of them will get the chance to go to Africa.
0:13:59 > 0:14:02AFRICAN MUSIC
0:14:05 > 0:14:09The park is closely involved with the Tusk Trust,
0:14:09 > 0:14:13a charity dedicated to conserving the wildlife and habitats of Africa.
0:14:13 > 0:14:19The trust runs 25 conservation projects in 15 countries.
0:14:19 > 0:14:22This year, Deputy Head Warden, Ian Turner
0:14:22 > 0:14:26will take a select group of staff to see their work in Kenya.
0:14:26 > 0:14:30This is a lifetime opportunity, to go out to Africa.
0:14:30 > 0:14:32I mean, OK, we're working,
0:14:32 > 0:14:34but you're getting to do stuff you want to do.
0:14:34 > 0:14:36It's a job,
0:14:36 > 0:14:39but you're going to Africa to see wildlife as it should be.
0:14:44 > 0:14:48So what do you think I'll enjoy most out in Kenya, Andy?
0:14:48 > 0:14:52The lucky four who will join Ian are Andy Hayton and Bev Evans,
0:14:52 > 0:14:53from the East Africa Reserve,
0:14:53 > 0:14:58along with Darren Beasley and Jo Hawthorne from Pets Corner.
0:14:58 > 0:15:02For head of section, Andy Hayton, it will be the second trip to Kenya,
0:15:02 > 0:15:05and a chance to build on his experience.
0:15:05 > 0:15:07- It's not gonna be a bit scary?- No.
0:15:07 > 0:15:09Natural behaviour -
0:15:09 > 0:15:12seeing what the animals out there behave like naturally.
0:15:12 > 0:15:15If we see our animals exhibiting that behaviour,
0:15:15 > 0:15:17we know we are going down the right road.
0:15:17 > 0:15:20So anything like that is always helpful.
0:15:20 > 0:15:24Darren Beasley will also be on his second visit to Kenya.
0:15:24 > 0:15:26He'll be looking for the kind of animals
0:15:26 > 0:15:28he is used to keeping at Pets Corner.
0:15:28 > 0:15:30These are some things that hopefully you'll see.
0:15:30 > 0:15:33Something that really whetted my appetite last time
0:15:33 > 0:15:35was the amount of small animals.
0:15:35 > 0:15:40We talk about biodiversity - the little ones and the big ones are all needed. It's crucial.
0:15:40 > 0:15:43I'm hoping now, with Jo coming with us this year,
0:15:43 > 0:15:47we can find the small animals - the tortoises, the mongoose,
0:15:47 > 0:15:51the bugs, the beetles - and all the things that really get me going.
0:15:53 > 0:15:56For keepers Bev and Jo, it will be their first chance
0:15:56 > 0:15:59to see their favourite animals in the wild.
0:15:59 > 0:16:03I'm definitely looking forward to seeing giraffe and zebra out there,
0:16:03 > 0:16:05just to compare them to our lot, really.
0:16:05 > 0:16:07But elephants...
0:16:07 > 0:16:09As a child, I just loved elephants.
0:16:09 > 0:16:13So, definitely, seeing that in the wild, that would be just amazing.
0:16:13 > 0:16:16Jo's interests are rather more down to earth.
0:16:18 > 0:16:21Tortoises is what I'm really interested in.
0:16:21 > 0:16:25Just the chance to see one of the two species out there would be amazing.
0:16:28 > 0:16:30But this isn't a sightseeing trip.
0:16:30 > 0:16:33Seeing these animals in their natural environment,
0:16:33 > 0:16:36exhibiting their natural behaviour,
0:16:36 > 0:16:39will allow the keepers to increase their knowledge
0:16:39 > 0:16:42and care even better for the animals they keep back home.
0:16:43 > 0:16:47Looking at the giraffe and seeing the way they feed,
0:16:47 > 0:16:50at what height, and all the different types of diet they have,
0:16:50 > 0:16:52we could bring something back for ours,
0:16:52 > 0:16:56and have an idea of an enrichment idea and things like that.
0:16:56 > 0:16:59The keepers will also be able to share
0:16:59 > 0:17:02what they learn about conservation with park visitors.
0:17:02 > 0:17:05Last year, we had over 700,000 people at Longleat
0:17:05 > 0:17:09and I reckon, personally, we talked to most of them in Pets Corner!
0:17:09 > 0:17:10And we can pass that message on.
0:17:10 > 0:17:14You can be depressed about the world and say life's hard
0:17:14 > 0:17:17and everything is being extinct, it's not. There is hope out there.
0:17:23 > 0:17:25ELEPHANT TRUMPETS
0:17:32 > 0:17:35I'm in the chipmunk enclosure with keeper Val McGruther,
0:17:35 > 0:17:39and I gather that it's been all change, some for good, some for bad.
0:17:39 > 0:17:43Yes. It's a little bit sad. Our favourite little chipmunk Garston,
0:17:43 > 0:17:45he was the one that always used to come to us,
0:17:45 > 0:17:48I'm afraid he sadly died back in the winter.
0:17:48 > 0:17:51- He was quite an age, though, wasn't he?- He was about seven.
0:17:51 > 0:17:53For a male chipmunk, that is really good.
0:17:53 > 0:17:59He seems, though, to have a worthy successor. Who's this?
0:17:59 > 0:18:04We've been training some new chipmunks to come and take the food.
0:18:04 > 0:18:06- He's been really good.- He's amazing.
0:18:06 > 0:18:10He's the one that comes most. He's taken over Garston's job, really.
0:18:11 > 0:18:15So, when you say train them, how do you do that?
0:18:15 > 0:18:18Is it just a matter of sitting in the enclosure
0:18:18 > 0:18:20- and letting them get used to you?- It is a lot.
0:18:20 > 0:18:23It's a bit like training other animals, to be honest.
0:18:23 > 0:18:26They like their food and they have particular things they like.
0:18:26 > 0:18:29Like some of these things we have here.
0:18:29 > 0:18:32Nuts, blueberries, nice little bits of fruit and stuff like that.
0:18:32 > 0:18:36So, we'll sit in here and then they get used to being in here.
0:18:36 > 0:18:37They get used to coming
0:18:37 > 0:18:40and perhaps taking a little bit of food every now and again.
0:18:40 > 0:18:43Gradually, we'll increase it so more people come in.
0:18:43 > 0:18:47And then, hopefully, we'll have children coming in here again.
0:18:47 > 0:18:51Which they would love. They are absolutely adorable and lovely,
0:18:51 > 0:18:53although they have all disappeared.
0:18:53 > 0:18:56Where are you? Come out and show us how adorable you are.
0:18:56 > 0:18:57He's hiding over there.
0:18:57 > 0:19:00- Oh, there he is! Look! - He's saving it for later.
0:19:00 > 0:19:03- Do they bury things like squirrels? - Yes, they do.
0:19:03 > 0:19:05Are they better at remembering where they put them?
0:19:05 > 0:19:07They're about the same, I think.
0:19:07 > 0:19:09What's interesting, as with squirrels,
0:19:09 > 0:19:13- you'll get another one looking and seeing where he's put it.- Really?
0:19:13 > 0:19:15If he gets the chance, he'll nick it.
0:19:15 > 0:19:18What I was going to say - obviously, they're very adorable.
0:19:18 > 0:19:21It must be very tempting to keep them as pets.
0:19:21 > 0:19:24- Are they good pets? - They don't really make good pets.
0:19:24 > 0:19:27They're interesting animals to keep, rather than a pet, if you see what I mean.
0:19:27 > 0:19:29You need a nice bit of space for them.
0:19:29 > 0:19:32An aviary the size of this would be great.
0:19:32 > 0:19:34And you need to spend time with them.
0:19:34 > 0:19:37Because you won't get this if you don't spend time with them.
0:19:37 > 0:19:38You need to be in with them.
0:19:38 > 0:19:42Just watching here, we're just being very slow and careful.
0:19:42 > 0:19:46This is amazing to see how he's cracking into that almond
0:19:46 > 0:19:47without any problem at all.
0:19:47 > 0:19:49They've obviously got very sharp teeth.
0:19:49 > 0:19:51They have got sharp teeth,
0:19:51 > 0:19:55and chewing into the nut like that is very good for their teeth,
0:19:55 > 0:19:57because their teeth are constantly growing,
0:19:57 > 0:19:59and it trims them a bit as they go along.
0:19:59 > 0:20:02Like all rodents, they've got constant growing teeth,
0:20:02 > 0:20:05so is it important, as well, to have things in the enclosure
0:20:05 > 0:20:08that they can wear their teeth down on?
0:20:08 > 0:20:09Yes, it is, very important.
0:20:09 > 0:20:13They've got all the branches here and everything, which are good,
0:20:13 > 0:20:17and hard food to eat, like nuts and a bit of biscuit in there,
0:20:17 > 0:20:20hard seeds and things like that, that's all really good.
0:20:20 > 0:20:24Now, he's actually taking far more than he can eat all at once.
0:20:24 > 0:20:28It seems like... Is he stuffing it into a cheek pouch?
0:20:28 > 0:20:32Yeah, they've got these cheek pouches on either side,
0:20:32 > 0:20:36same as little hamsters have, and they will fill their cheek pouch.
0:20:36 > 0:20:39Sometimes they'll eat at the same time, they'll save some,
0:20:39 > 0:20:44they'll take it and bury it, as we saw earlier, for later so that...
0:20:44 > 0:20:48I think I've made a friend here as well. He's great!
0:20:48 > 0:20:51Well, Val, I'm very sad to hear the news about Garston,
0:20:51 > 0:20:54but this little fella is an absolute delight,
0:20:54 > 0:20:57and I hope that all of them continue to thrive
0:20:57 > 0:21:00and give the visitors as much pleasure as they have in the past.
0:21:00 > 0:21:03- Thank you very much. - Thank you very much.
0:21:12 > 0:21:16Working with Val at Pets Corner is keeper Jo Hawthorne.
0:21:16 > 0:21:21Her passion is caring for some of the park's smaller and cuter inhabitants.
0:21:21 > 0:21:23But now she's preparing to go to Kenya,
0:21:23 > 0:21:28where she'll see some really big game in the wild.
0:21:28 > 0:21:30Kenya is a world leader
0:21:30 > 0:21:33in the conservation of both black and white rhino,
0:21:33 > 0:21:37so Jo will definitely come across these animals during her visit.
0:21:39 > 0:21:41I've read lots about them and, you know,
0:21:41 > 0:21:44actually done a bit of assignment work on them
0:21:44 > 0:21:47but never really actually had the time to spend with them.
0:21:49 > 0:21:53To gain some experience before she meets them in the wild,
0:21:53 > 0:21:55she's come to the rhino house
0:21:55 > 0:21:59to see what she can learn from her colleague Kevin Nibbs.
0:21:59 > 0:22:03Hopefully, he can give me insights in how they're kept in captivity,
0:22:03 > 0:22:06and then of course I can go out and maybe pick up a few little pointers,
0:22:06 > 0:22:09behaviouralisms, things like that, when I get out to Kenya.
0:22:09 > 0:22:11So who have we got here, Kev?
0:22:11 > 0:22:14In the first pen is Razina, she's five.
0:22:14 > 0:22:17- Then we've got Anjani, the little male.- OK.
0:22:17 > 0:22:19He's nearly seven, he'll be seven this year.
0:22:19 > 0:22:22In the far pen there we've got Marashi, the oldest one,
0:22:22 > 0:22:25- who's seven as well. - She's seven, right.
0:22:25 > 0:22:27At the moment she kind of leads these three youngsters,
0:22:27 > 0:22:32- she's the biggest one, pushes them around.- She's the boss. - She kind of takes charge, yeah.
0:22:32 > 0:22:37When they say the white rhino is the gentlest, they definitely are...
0:22:37 > 0:22:41Yeah, they are the more sort of chilled out, relaxed.
0:22:41 > 0:22:45- They only get upset over little things.- Right.
0:22:46 > 0:22:50If a wild rhino does get upset, it's best to keep well out of the way,
0:22:50 > 0:22:53as I found out when I was in Africa last year.
0:22:53 > 0:22:54For a moment, it was touch and go.
0:22:57 > 0:22:59He now wants to have a go at us.
0:23:02 > 0:23:05- Are we in trouble?- Possibly, yeah.
0:23:21 > 0:23:24LAUGHTER
0:23:28 > 0:23:32That was close, it was like about a couple of inches.
0:23:33 > 0:23:35After what happened last time,
0:23:35 > 0:23:40Jo's keen to learn as much as she can about how rhino behave outdoors,
0:23:40 > 0:23:43so Kevin has brought her to the enclosure
0:23:43 > 0:23:45where bull Winston is grazing.
0:23:46 > 0:23:51Winston is normally very placid, but he weighs at least two tonnes,
0:23:51 > 0:23:56and in the past he has been known to throw his weight around.
0:23:58 > 0:24:00Is he expecting us or...?
0:24:00 > 0:24:04I think he is now, he's probably heard us coming all the way up,
0:24:04 > 0:24:08- we'll jump out in a minute and chuck some hay to him.- OK, brilliant.
0:24:08 > 0:24:10Before we get out, we'll go through a few safety things.
0:24:10 > 0:24:12Basically, we leave both doors open,
0:24:12 > 0:24:15so if we do need to get in, it's really quick to jump in.
0:24:15 > 0:24:18- And we won't go very far from the vehicle.- OK.
0:24:18 > 0:24:21But that's basically it, and the tractor will keep an eye on us,
0:24:21 > 0:24:23so we should be OK. So are you ready?
0:24:23 > 0:24:25- After you, then!- Are you ready?
0:24:29 > 0:24:31Rhinos have poor eyesight,
0:24:31 > 0:24:35but make up for it with an excellent sense of smell and hearing.
0:24:35 > 0:24:38Amazingly, they're also very fast -
0:24:38 > 0:24:41from a standing start they can accelerate within seconds
0:24:41 > 0:24:45to a charging speed of up to 30mph.
0:24:45 > 0:24:47So is this a safe distance, Kev?
0:24:47 > 0:24:51With him, yeah, this is a very good distance,
0:24:51 > 0:24:54but with the younger guys we would be maybe twice this,
0:24:54 > 0:24:55just to make sure, doubly sure.
0:24:55 > 0:24:57They'd be a lot quicker, I suppose.
0:24:57 > 0:25:00Absolutely, they'd cover this in maybe a couple of seconds.
0:25:02 > 0:25:07The sight of a bull rhino up close is an awesome experience.
0:25:07 > 0:25:10It's quite daunting, cos you see him from far away,
0:25:10 > 0:25:13and he's doing his thing, and he's just feeding,
0:25:13 > 0:25:17but, like Kev said, until they start getting closer to the vehicle,
0:25:17 > 0:25:20you become so aware that they're getting bigger as they come nearer,
0:25:20 > 0:25:22and you can see the power, you know?
0:25:22 > 0:25:26And you know, just the width and breadth of his chest and his legs,
0:25:26 > 0:25:29you could actually see why if it broke into a trot,
0:25:29 > 0:25:31it would be quite scary.
0:25:31 > 0:25:34He's obviously aware we're here, but he's quite calm, isn't he?
0:25:34 > 0:25:37He is, actually, yeah, very calm.
0:25:37 > 0:25:39This is good for him. He loves it out here.
0:25:39 > 0:25:42You can see how one could turn, I mean...
0:25:42 > 0:25:45You wouldn't actually be able to do a lot, really,
0:25:45 > 0:25:48if one decided he was gonna come along and...
0:25:48 > 0:25:51"oof" you out of the way with his horn there.
0:25:51 > 0:25:55I wouldn't want to be in front of one if he was making a run at me,
0:25:55 > 0:25:56that's for sure.
0:25:56 > 0:25:59- They really are like a bulldozer, aren't they?- Definitely.
0:25:59 > 0:26:03Armed with more knowledge about their behaviour,
0:26:03 > 0:26:08Jo can look forward to interacting safely with wild rhinos in Kenya.
0:26:08 > 0:26:12It's good to get a few kind of pointers from Kev
0:26:12 > 0:26:14to see how they act and what I can pick up on -
0:26:14 > 0:26:18behavioural signs and that, so it'll be great to study them out there,
0:26:18 > 0:26:19I can't wait to see them.
0:26:27 > 0:26:30To keep the animals happy and interested,
0:26:30 > 0:26:34the keepers are constantly coming up with new activities and games for them.
0:26:34 > 0:26:38I'm back with Val McGruther to see the latest treat she's developed
0:26:38 > 0:26:40for the Chinese pot-bellied pigs.
0:26:42 > 0:26:46You've come up with an inventive way of keeping the pigs occupied, haven't you?
0:26:46 > 0:26:49Yeah, we've got this nice ball here with a few holes in it.
0:26:49 > 0:26:52We stick some pig nuts in there, these little things.
0:26:52 > 0:26:54These things here? I'll just pop them in there.
0:26:54 > 0:26:58- So what's the idea?- Well, they'll roll the ball along,
0:26:58 > 0:27:01the pig nuts'll come out, they'll have nice little snack
0:27:01 > 0:27:03at the same time as having a bit of fun.
0:27:03 > 0:27:04- Which one's this one?- This is Bruno.
0:27:04 > 0:27:08Oh, yeah, you can see from the tusks at the front.
0:27:08 > 0:27:11OK, well, he's looking very keen, ready for kick-off.
0:27:11 > 0:27:13Go for it, Bruno!
0:27:13 > 0:27:14MATCH OF THE DAY THEME PLAYS
0:27:16 > 0:27:18Well, Bruno's gone straight for it.
0:27:18 > 0:27:21He has, hasn't he? Yeah, he's quite a dab hand at football.
0:27:23 > 0:27:26Do you find...? Do you find that, er...
0:27:26 > 0:27:29that Bruno does tend to be the more inventive of the two?
0:27:29 > 0:27:32- Do they have very different characters?- They do a bit, really.
0:27:32 > 0:27:37He's the one that tends to be more like this, chasing the ball about.
0:27:37 > 0:27:38Well, he looks very happy.
0:27:38 > 0:27:42Blossom might be going in for a bit of a tackle. Go for it, Blossom!
0:27:43 > 0:27:49- Oh, yes! And she's won, brilliant, absolutely...- One for the ladies!
0:27:49 > 0:27:52Exactly! Who said that girls can't play football?
0:27:52 > 0:27:54Val, thank you very much indeed,
0:27:54 > 0:27:57and we've still got lots more coming up on today's programme.
0:27:59 > 0:28:04Rob sets up a spy-camera, in case the otter pups decide to take a dip.
0:28:04 > 0:28:07We'll see the results.
0:28:07 > 0:28:09The kids at Longleat's local school
0:28:09 > 0:28:12do their bit to save African wildlife.
0:28:12 > 0:28:16Well, because people are killing other animals,
0:28:16 > 0:28:21so they make jewellery and different clothings of them.
0:28:21 > 0:28:23I don't think that's very nice to other animals.
0:28:25 > 0:28:27But first...
0:28:27 > 0:28:28LION ROARS
0:28:28 > 0:28:32..the lion cubs have just met their father Kabir for the first time.
0:28:32 > 0:28:35Now they must tackle another new challenge.
0:28:37 > 0:28:41I've come up to the Lion House to meet head of section Brian Kent.
0:28:41 > 0:28:43Morning, Brian - and deputy, Bob Trollope.
0:28:43 > 0:28:46And just have a look over here, look at these young cubs.
0:28:46 > 0:28:51Today Malaika and Jasira are going to be taught an important new skill.
0:28:53 > 0:28:56If the keepers need to give the lions any kind of medicine,
0:28:56 > 0:29:00they do so by hiding it in a piece of meat,
0:29:00 > 0:29:03so now the cubs must learn to eat off a stick.
0:29:04 > 0:29:08Can I help you with the...administration as such?
0:29:08 > 0:29:10So there's no medication now, is there?
0:29:10 > 0:29:12This is purely just some little meat chunks.
0:29:12 > 0:29:15These are little placebo chunks, I suppose.
0:29:15 > 0:29:17We hold it up to the bars, shall I do one and you do one?
0:29:17 > 0:29:19They take it straight off the stick.
0:29:19 > 0:29:22I'm amazed that they're eating meat already.
0:29:22 > 0:29:24Are they still suckling as well from their mums?
0:29:24 > 0:29:29You'll find that Jasira, the smaller one, she goes back occasionally,
0:29:29 > 0:29:31but they are gradually sort of weaning themselves off.
0:29:31 > 0:29:35Look at their claws, their claws are already enormous.
0:29:35 > 0:29:39- They must be very sharp. There you go, sorry.- Tremendously sharp.
0:29:39 > 0:29:43And their teeth, have they still got their baby teeth as such?
0:29:43 > 0:29:45Yeah, they've still got their milk teeth,
0:29:45 > 0:29:48and they'll keep them for the best part of a year.
0:29:48 > 0:29:50As you can see, Malaika here is very greedy.
0:29:50 > 0:29:53- Is she? Is she the greedier of... - Very much like Dad.
0:29:53 > 0:29:55Dad is over there. What's Dad doing, actually?
0:29:55 > 0:29:57Kind of scraping away at the...
0:29:57 > 0:29:59He's realised we've got some meat over here.
0:30:01 > 0:30:03Because we do it to all the lions here,
0:30:03 > 0:30:05just so they get used to taking it off the stick.
0:30:05 > 0:30:08He's getting frustrated that he's not getting meat as well.
0:30:08 > 0:30:11We can pop along later on and give him a few chunks.
0:30:11 > 0:30:15And are you pleased with their progress? Oh, gosh, what's that?
0:30:15 > 0:30:16Is that just a little squabble?
0:30:16 > 0:30:19- Malaika being a bit greedy.- Is it?
0:30:19 > 0:30:21Malaika is two months older,
0:30:21 > 0:30:23so she's slightly bigger and a bit more boisterous.
0:30:23 > 0:30:25Hence slightly more dominant?
0:30:25 > 0:30:29Slightly more dominant, and that's basically because of her size,
0:30:29 > 0:30:32- she can overpower the little one. - Look at that.
0:30:32 > 0:30:36She's a little bit stroppy but, you know, it's all part of learning.
0:30:36 > 0:30:39They're learning their hierarchy here.
0:30:39 > 0:30:43And they're gobbling through this meat here, do they eat a lot?
0:30:43 > 0:30:46It's an incredible amount. You know, as we were saying...
0:30:46 > 0:30:48GROWLING
0:30:48 > 0:30:49Hey-hey-hey!
0:30:51 > 0:30:53Down!
0:30:53 > 0:30:57They're surprisingly aggressive for young pups.
0:30:57 > 0:31:00You imagine what sort of damage that will do, these are designed...
0:31:00 > 0:31:03The claws really are ferocious looking.
0:31:03 > 0:31:08They are, but they're designed to take punishment, as you can see.
0:31:08 > 0:31:10And the noises that are going on here,
0:31:10 > 0:31:14is this just a sort of..."Give me that meat as soon as you can"?
0:31:14 > 0:31:17It's just basically trying to warn off little Jasira here
0:31:17 > 0:31:20and hurry us up by giving her another chunk.
0:31:20 > 0:31:23Well, Bob and Brian, thank you very much.
0:31:23 > 0:31:27What a joy, to be feeding these young cubs.
0:31:27 > 0:31:31Of course, we'll keep up with their progress throughout the series.
0:31:39 > 0:31:41At Pets Corner,
0:31:41 > 0:31:44Rosie the Asian short-clawed otter is enjoying a swim.
0:31:44 > 0:31:46Her pups are three months old,
0:31:46 > 0:31:49but they have yet to pluck up the courage to join her.
0:31:49 > 0:31:53Keeper Rob Savin knows it's time for them to start swimming,
0:31:53 > 0:31:56so he's decided to bribe them.
0:31:56 > 0:31:59We are gonna try with a bit of food.
0:31:59 > 0:32:01We've had a little go already, actually.
0:32:01 > 0:32:03It's not really worked, to be honest.
0:32:03 > 0:32:06We've thrown a bit of egg in there, boiled egg,
0:32:06 > 0:32:08and they all love boiled egg.
0:32:08 > 0:32:12And they'll all eat it, including the little ones, but only Rosie -
0:32:12 > 0:32:16she's the only gannet around here at the minute - she's going in!
0:32:16 > 0:32:17She's getting every bit of egg!
0:32:17 > 0:32:21I have actually seen her - it's a little bit of a cheat -
0:32:21 > 0:32:24she's going up and she's actually giving it to them.
0:32:24 > 0:32:26The little ones are screaming at her.
0:32:26 > 0:32:29They're not bothering going in the water, they don't want to know.
0:32:29 > 0:32:32They wait until she gets it - "I'll have that, Mum," -
0:32:32 > 0:32:33so Mum goes back for more!
0:32:33 > 0:32:35I've got a bit of cat biscuit
0:32:35 > 0:32:38and I'm gonna try throwing that in a little bit now
0:32:38 > 0:32:40and we'll have a little go with that.
0:32:40 > 0:32:41And she will eat this.
0:32:41 > 0:32:45I mean, cat biscuits, really, we use it as a treat food.
0:32:45 > 0:32:49When you see them jumping around on land, that tail - brilliant balance.
0:32:49 > 0:32:52And different animals under water,
0:32:52 > 0:32:55they are very elegant.
0:32:55 > 0:32:59The tail is used as a rudder and they can spin and turn and dive.
0:32:59 > 0:33:01I love watching it.
0:33:01 > 0:33:05But we don't see it as often as you perhaps would with other otters.
0:33:05 > 0:33:07It's fantastic.
0:33:08 > 0:33:12The pups still aren't ready to join their mum in the deep water.
0:33:12 > 0:33:16But in their natural habitat, they usually stick to the shallows.
0:33:16 > 0:33:20The Asian short-clawed otters are not so partial
0:33:20 > 0:33:22to going into deeper areas of water.
0:33:22 > 0:33:26They like the paddy rice fields and areas like that
0:33:26 > 0:33:30where there's lots of shallow, almost marshy water.
0:33:30 > 0:33:35And they'll weave in and out of the different grasses and plant life.
0:33:35 > 0:33:38They'd find all sorts of different crustaceans
0:33:38 > 0:33:44and even perhaps little frogs and things inside all of that.
0:33:44 > 0:33:46And they use their paws quite a lot,
0:33:46 > 0:33:50so they'd almost feel in from the shallower parts into the deeper mud,
0:33:50 > 0:33:52and they'd use their nimble little paws.
0:33:52 > 0:33:54So very agile little creatures.
0:33:54 > 0:33:57Rob has one more plan.
0:33:57 > 0:34:00He thinks the pups might take the plunge
0:34:00 > 0:34:02if they think no-one is watching them.
0:34:02 > 0:34:05So he's set up a camera to spy on them.
0:34:05 > 0:34:07They're still a bit wary of us,
0:34:07 > 0:34:10still a bit wary of the movement and different objects,
0:34:10 > 0:34:14new objects, I think it's best we try to get them used to something
0:34:14 > 0:34:15that's steady and still.
0:34:15 > 0:34:19So it should be aimed at the right point, but hopefully -
0:34:19 > 0:34:22I'll just set it recording now - we'll catch something.
0:34:22 > 0:34:26We can walk away, they've got peace and quiet - that's the plan!
0:34:27 > 0:34:31Now there's nothing Rob can do but wait and hope.
0:34:40 > 0:34:44The safari park exists to protect endangered wild animals
0:34:44 > 0:34:48and to spread the word about the need for wildlife conservation.
0:34:49 > 0:34:53Just down the road from the park is Horningsham Primary School.
0:34:53 > 0:34:58The children have all had the chance to see the animals for themselves
0:34:58 > 0:35:00and it's made an impact.
0:35:00 > 0:35:05So, who can tell me what we've been learning about?
0:35:05 > 0:35:07Tom, what have we been learning about?
0:35:07 > 0:35:10About these animals.
0:35:10 > 0:35:12That's right, what else have we been doing? Lucy?
0:35:12 > 0:35:14We've been learning about conservation.
0:35:14 > 0:35:18Right, conservation. Who can tell me what conservation means?
0:35:18 > 0:35:25- Anita?- Conservation is when zoos have endangered species
0:35:25 > 0:35:31and breed them so that they can put them back in the wild,
0:35:31 > 0:35:35so that they will still be there for future generations.
0:35:35 > 0:35:40How are other animals in other countries becoming endangered?
0:35:40 > 0:35:44Well, because people are killing other animals,
0:35:44 > 0:35:48so they make jewellery and different clothing.
0:35:48 > 0:35:50I don't think that's very nice to other animals.
0:35:50 > 0:35:52Now head teacher, Carol Andrews,
0:35:52 > 0:35:58has invited Darren Beasley and Jo Hawthorn to come to the school.
0:35:58 > 0:36:01- Hello.- Hello!- All right?
0:36:01 > 0:36:05They are going to talk to the kids about their upcoming adventure.
0:36:05 > 0:36:08D'you know that Jo and I tomorrow are going to Africa?
0:36:08 > 0:36:12Yeah, have you heard that? Africa, a long way away.
0:36:12 > 0:36:15- And we're going to one country in particular, called...?- Kenya!
0:36:15 > 0:36:17Kenya, well done!
0:36:17 > 0:36:19They've got lots of animals we'd really like.
0:36:19 > 0:36:23We only get to see them in Longleat, in places like safari parks.
0:36:23 > 0:36:25Imagine if, in your back garden, you had a giraffe.
0:36:25 > 0:36:27That would be a bit good, wouldn't it?
0:36:27 > 0:36:31And I've brought some pictures Jo's got here, look.
0:36:31 > 0:36:34They're quite small so I'll pass them round.
0:36:34 > 0:36:36Jo will bring them round in a minute.
0:36:36 > 0:36:39There's a picture of some men that look like soldiers.
0:36:39 > 0:36:42They do a really good job. They mean that when you grow up,
0:36:42 > 0:36:45you should still be able to see things like rhinos in the wild.
0:36:45 > 0:36:49'I think in this day and age, you can't keep yourself in your village'
0:36:49 > 0:36:51and just know what's around your home.
0:36:51 > 0:36:55It's important we have the TV, the internet and books and things.
0:36:55 > 0:36:57It's important you know what goes on.
0:36:57 > 0:36:59Because what these children do here
0:36:59 > 0:37:02is gonna affect what happens in Africa. These are our future.
0:37:02 > 0:37:05What happens if it's really hot for nearly the whole year?
0:37:05 > 0:37:07What happens to all the grass?
0:37:07 > 0:37:10- It dies out.- It dies out. What do the animals eat?
0:37:10 > 0:37:11They eat nothing!
0:37:11 > 0:37:14Can't they go down the supermarket and buy some dinner?
0:37:14 > 0:37:16No!
0:37:16 > 0:37:19- They don't have money! - They don't have money! Oh, no!
0:37:19 > 0:37:21They're too big to get in the supermarket door.
0:37:21 > 0:37:24The children aren't just interested in the animals of Africa.
0:37:24 > 0:37:27They're keen to get involved with the local community
0:37:27 > 0:37:29where Darren and Jo are going.
0:37:29 > 0:37:31What they're gonna do is try and twin themselves
0:37:31 > 0:37:35with one of the village schools out in Kenya where we're going.
0:37:35 > 0:37:38They're gonna support each other and pass information.
0:37:38 > 0:37:41Kids there often can't afford basic things we all take for granted.
0:37:41 > 0:37:46So the children have decided to do what they can to help.
0:37:46 > 0:37:47So we have a box of books here
0:37:47 > 0:37:50that we are hoping that you're going to take over.
0:37:50 > 0:37:53Oh, that's fantastic! That is really, really kind.
0:37:53 > 0:37:56I promise you, they really will get a lot out of those.
0:37:56 > 0:37:58Thank you very much. And thank you.
0:37:58 > 0:38:01We have another book that Imogen's going to give you.
0:38:01 > 0:38:05- This is a book the class have made. - Oh, that's beautiful! Well done.
0:38:05 > 0:38:10It's lovely. I know the children in Kenya will love this very much.
0:38:10 > 0:38:13Give yourself a round of applause, because you've earned that.
0:38:13 > 0:38:15Well done.
0:38:15 > 0:38:20Thank you. We've got to go, because we've got to pack our cases and go!
0:38:20 > 0:38:23- We'll see you later. - Bye! Thank you!- Bye!
0:38:23 > 0:38:25'It's really exciting.
0:38:25 > 0:38:27'The children know a lot about conservation
0:38:27 > 0:38:31'in this country and abroad. They've given us some fantastic books.'
0:38:31 > 0:38:33The children in Kenya are gonna adore them.
0:38:33 > 0:38:36They have no resources out there so it's fantastic.
0:38:36 > 0:38:38And to see the faces in there,
0:38:38 > 0:38:42I know it's going to be matched by the happy faces in Kenya next week.
0:38:42 > 0:38:45Tomorrow, Darren and Jo are off to Kenya.
0:38:45 > 0:38:49And of course, when they get back, they'll update the kids.
0:38:57 > 0:38:58Back at Pets Corner,
0:38:58 > 0:39:01it's time for Rob Savin to check his camera.
0:39:01 > 0:39:06Has he caught the otter pups going for their first swim?
0:39:06 > 0:39:09For hours the young otters played close to the bank,
0:39:09 > 0:39:11but they just wouldn't get in.
0:39:16 > 0:39:18Then, at last...
0:39:22 > 0:39:25It's a breakthrough.
0:39:31 > 0:39:33Got them on tape. They can't deny it!
0:39:33 > 0:39:37We saw definitely one of the little ones go for a swim.
0:39:37 > 0:39:42After all his patience and hard work, it's a proud moment for Rob.
0:39:42 > 0:39:45They were chasing after, I think it was a bit of food.
0:39:45 > 0:39:49But they dived straight in, it was more like a belly flop to be honest!
0:39:49 > 0:39:52And it was in the shallow part of the pool,
0:39:52 > 0:39:55but they came straight back out, seemed quite happy about it.
0:39:55 > 0:39:58So hopefully, that's it now.
0:40:06 > 0:40:12Across the park, the giraffery has also been enjoying a fruitful year.
0:40:12 > 0:40:15We're up at the Giraffe House with head of section, Andy Hayton
0:40:15 > 0:40:20and behind us is Jolly with her beautiful calf, Century.
0:40:20 > 0:40:23The 100th calf born at Longleat, I gather?
0:40:23 > 0:40:28- Yes, the 100th calf in our 40th year and Jolly's tenth baby as well.- Wow!
0:40:28 > 0:40:31So, Jolly really deserves that one.
0:40:31 > 0:40:33And looking extremely healthy and fit.
0:40:33 > 0:40:35He's a monster! He really is!
0:40:35 > 0:40:37He's very tall! How old is he now?
0:40:37 > 0:40:41- He's about two months old now. And he's just huge!- He really is.
0:40:41 > 0:40:42Now Andy I want to -
0:40:42 > 0:40:46just over here is another of your pregnant giraffes, isn't it?
0:40:46 > 0:40:47This is Becky, is that right?
0:40:47 > 0:40:52This is Becky, yeah, and that's the 101st baby in there.
0:40:52 > 0:40:54And how imminent is that birth?
0:40:54 > 0:40:57Oh, she's due in the next week or so, so very imminent.
0:40:57 > 0:40:59Last time she really messed us around.
0:40:59 > 0:41:02She was late, quite considerably late.
0:41:02 > 0:41:04But they can go quite a way over their...
0:41:04 > 0:41:07Because she's actually had quite a few giraffes?
0:41:07 > 0:41:09Yeah, she's an old hand as well.
0:41:09 > 0:41:13What are the signs that she's about to give birth?
0:41:13 > 0:41:16You know, what tells you it's about to happen?
0:41:16 > 0:41:18She will be restless and give us little signs.
0:41:18 > 0:41:22But, these animals instinctively, they won't give anything away.
0:41:22 > 0:41:25Because if they give things away where they naturally come from,
0:41:25 > 0:41:27they become a target.
0:41:27 > 0:41:30So a lot of the time, you won't actually see real, clear-cut signs.
0:41:30 > 0:41:32So it's very, very tricky.
0:41:32 > 0:41:34You think something's going on but no, you won't get it.
0:41:34 > 0:41:37Especially her and Jolly, they're real cagey.
0:41:37 > 0:41:40New mums, you might get a bit more, because it's a new experience -
0:41:40 > 0:41:43"Ow, that really hurts, what's going on?"
0:41:43 > 0:41:45They jump around a bit more. But these guys...
0:41:45 > 0:41:47Just absolutely calm, then...
0:41:47 > 0:41:50Will you literally turn up in the morning and find a calf?
0:41:50 > 0:41:53That would be nice. It's nice when you come in.
0:41:53 > 0:41:57Jolly did exactly that for us - we came in and there was a calf in there stood up.
0:41:57 > 0:41:59When you're watching a birth it's stressful.
0:41:59 > 0:42:03It's taking too long and she's looking upset and it's distressed...
0:42:03 > 0:42:05It's harder.
0:42:05 > 0:42:09So just walking in and there's a healthy baby stood up that's drunk is great.
0:42:09 > 0:42:11Fantastic. Andy, thank you very much.
0:42:11 > 0:42:15We'll keep an eye out for Becky. Sadly, that's all we've got time for today.
0:42:15 > 0:42:18But here's what's coming up on the next Animal Park.
0:42:18 > 0:42:21We're off to Kenya with the staff from Longleat.
0:42:23 > 0:42:26These brave men and their faithful hounds
0:42:26 > 0:42:29risk their lives to protect endangered species.
0:42:29 > 0:42:31Stop!
0:42:31 > 0:42:35We go out on patrol with the anti-poaching unit.
0:42:35 > 0:42:39After a boisterous dust bath, it's time for baby's bottle.
0:42:40 > 0:42:45And one of Longleat's largest lions gets a little too close for comfort.
0:42:45 > 0:42:48Oh! I think we've got someone biting the tyre.
0:42:52 > 0:42:54LAUGHTER
0:42:54 > 0:42:57So don't miss the next Animal Park.
0:43:04 > 0:43:07Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd 2006
0:43:07 > 0:43:10E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk