Episode 6

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0:00:31 > 0:00:34Hello and welcome to Animal Park. I'm Ben Fogle.

0:00:34 > 0:00:38And I'm Kate Humble and we're out in the safari park here at Longleat.

0:00:38 > 0:00:41Last year, over three quarters of a million people

0:00:41 > 0:00:43came here to see the animals that live here.

0:00:43 > 0:00:48We'll bring you all the stories about the animals and the people that look after them.

0:00:48 > 0:00:50Here's what's coming up in today's programme.

0:00:50 > 0:00:55Lion cubs Malaika and Jasira face their biggest challenge yet

0:00:55 > 0:00:58as they prepare to meet their father, Kabir.

0:00:58 > 0:01:01Will he greet them, or eat them?

0:01:02 > 0:01:04The otter pups are three months old,

0:01:04 > 0:01:06but still don't know how to swim.

0:01:06 > 0:01:09Will they finally take the plunge?

0:01:09 > 0:01:13And five lucky keepers are going to Kenya,

0:01:13 > 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 > 0:01:24to see wildlife as it should be - absolutely perfect.

0:01:29 > 0:01:33But first, we're off to Longleat's lion country.

0:01:34 > 0:01:38For years, the park has successfully bred lions.

0:01:40 > 0:01:43Now the keepers are trying to bring together a new group,

0:01:43 > 0:01:45under the new male, Kabir.

0:01:47 > 0:01:49For months after they were born,

0:01:49 > 0:01:53lion cubs Jasira and Malaika stayed inside the lion house

0:01:53 > 0:01:56with their mothers in separate enclosures.

0:01:56 > 0:02:00After completing their inoculations,

0:02:00 > 0:02:04the cubs took their first big step - they were allowed outside together.

0:02:06 > 0:02:07I'm really happy with that.

0:02:07 > 0:02:10They've been next to each other for such a long time,

0:02:10 > 0:02:13and all of a sudden they can actually meet each other and play,

0:02:13 > 0:02:16it's like all their Christmases in one, I should imagine.

0:02:18 > 0:02:21Now the cubs are ready for their next big challenge.

0:02:21 > 0:02:26It's time for them to meet their father, Kabir, for the first time.

0:02:31 > 0:02:33It's a dangerous moment for the little lions.

0:02:33 > 0:02:39In the wild, male lions sometimes kill the cubs of competing males.

0:02:40 > 0:02:43Kabir has lived next door to the cubs for most of their lives,

0:02:43 > 0:02:48so he should recognise Malaika and Jasira as his own.

0:02:48 > 0:02:51But if he doesn't, or if they annoy him, he could become vicious.

0:02:51 > 0:02:54We don't know how he's going to react to them.

0:02:54 > 0:02:57As you can see down here now,

0:02:57 > 0:03:00the cubs are fine with him between the cages

0:03:00 > 0:03:05and they're not too fazed when he starts roaring and growling at us.

0:03:05 > 0:03:07But it might be a little bit different,

0:03:07 > 0:03:11if one of these cubs tries to jump on him and play with him.

0:03:11 > 0:03:15It's an anxious time for keepers Bob and Brian.

0:03:15 > 0:03:17They've spent months raising the cubs,

0:03:17 > 0:03:20now they have to let nature take its course.

0:03:20 > 0:03:23The only precautions we can take when they're on the outside

0:03:23 > 0:03:30is to be in our vehicles and be ready to step in if - as and when.

0:03:33 > 0:03:35Come on then, mate. Come on.

0:03:35 > 0:03:36They don't want to go.

0:03:41 > 0:03:43Are you ready then?

0:03:43 > 0:03:44Go on.

0:03:46 > 0:03:48Come on, cubby.

0:03:48 > 0:03:50No, you're supposed to go out.

0:03:50 > 0:03:53At last, the whole pride is together.

0:03:55 > 0:03:56Go on. Good girl.

0:04:01 > 0:04:05So far, Kabir is showing no interest in the cubs,

0:04:05 > 0:04:08perhaps because he has other things on his mind.

0:04:11 > 0:04:13With things going to plan,

0:04:13 > 0:04:17Bob can now let the pride out of the controlled confines of the compound

0:04:17 > 0:04:23and into the much larger main enclosure for the first time.

0:04:23 > 0:04:27This is uncharted territory for the two cubs.

0:04:29 > 0:04:31They've both got to learn new smells,

0:04:31 > 0:04:33not just one of them at a time.

0:04:33 > 0:04:37So they'll both be learning together ultimately.

0:04:37 > 0:04:40And this is a much bigger area so they can wander off

0:04:40 > 0:04:44and run around and they could very well lose sight of mum

0:04:44 > 0:04:46if they want to run off.

0:04:46 > 0:04:49They'll find all the best places to cuddle up when it's cold.

0:04:49 > 0:04:54When it's hot, they'll find the places that are in the shade.

0:04:54 > 0:04:55All things like that.

0:04:57 > 0:04:59Everything seems to be going well.

0:04:59 > 0:05:03But Jasira is getting a little bit too cocky for her own good.

0:05:08 > 0:05:11Luckily, Kabir just tells her off.

0:05:11 > 0:05:13He's a grumpy father, but a good one.

0:05:16 > 0:05:18If everything carries on as it is,

0:05:18 > 0:05:22I think we're gonna have a nice display this summer.

0:05:28 > 0:05:31I've come down to Sea Lion Beach with head of section Mark Tye

0:05:31 > 0:05:33and keeper Michelle Stevens

0:05:33 > 0:05:36to help with the feeding and to find out who's pregnant.

0:05:36 > 0:05:38So are you expecting some little sea lions?

0:05:38 > 0:05:40Yes, we are, hopefully.

0:05:40 > 0:05:45Um, we're expecting two, one from Celia and one from Jo-Jo.

0:05:45 > 0:05:47OK. Where shall I go?

0:05:47 > 0:05:50If you just go past those rocks there, Ben.

0:05:50 > 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 > 0:05:59Yeah, that's fine.

0:05:59 > 0:06:01That's Buster's fish there.

0:06:01 > 0:06:04I recognise Buster, the big chap.

0:06:04 > 0:06:06Who's this you're feeding now? This is Celia.

0:06:06 > 0:06:08Right. Is she expecting?

0:06:08 > 0:06:11Yes, she is. She's fairly fat now.

0:06:11 > 0:06:15There's another couple of months to go before she'll be due.

0:06:15 > 0:06:17Right. But she is looking quite big.

0:06:17 > 0:06:20And who have we got over here on the right?

0:06:20 > 0:06:22On the right there's Jo-Jo.

0:06:22 > 0:06:24She's hopefully the other female that's expecting.

0:06:24 > 0:06:28And on the left next to her? That's Nancy.

0:06:28 > 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 > 0:06:39for her to become pregnant any more.

0:06:39 > 0:06:42So we put her on contraceptives every year now.

0:06:42 > 0:06:46I know there's always a pretty strict hierarchy

0:06:46 > 0:06:47amongst the female sea lions.

0:06:47 > 0:06:50Has that changed in the last year?

0:06:50 > 0:06:53Well, obviously, last year we lost Lindy

0:06:53 > 0:06:57who was our dominant female at the time.

0:06:57 > 0:07:00And...since then,

0:07:00 > 0:07:06Celia's had ideas of grandeur that she wants to be top female.

0:07:06 > 0:07:08Unfortunately, Jo-Jo doesn't quite agree with her.

0:07:08 > 0:07:12So that presumably creates its own problems.

0:07:12 > 0:07:14Yes, there's a little bit of friction between the two.

0:07:14 > 0:07:16Particularly at feeding times,

0:07:16 > 0:07:19which is why I try to keep Celia up here on this rock.

0:07:19 > 0:07:21So you can keep an eye on her?

0:07:21 > 0:07:24So I can keep her away - if they start trying to eat together,

0:07:24 > 0:07:26they end up pulling lumps out of each other,

0:07:26 > 0:07:28which is a bit unfriendly.

0:07:28 > 0:07:31It's not good, especially when you're pregnant. No.

0:07:31 > 0:07:34So, remind me of the gestation period for a sea lion.

0:07:34 > 0:07:38The gestation period is just over 11 months.

0:07:38 > 0:07:41It's about 11 months, two weeks.

0:07:41 > 0:07:44So, literally, once they've given birth,

0:07:44 > 0:07:46two weeks after that, they've mated again.

0:07:46 > 0:07:48And it starts again?

0:07:48 > 0:07:51They are literally pregnant all year round.

0:07:51 > 0:07:54I know last year - cos obviously, Sea Lion Beach here,

0:07:54 > 0:07:57you've had it for about a year now.

0:07:57 > 0:08:01Last year was the first successful birthing on the beach, wasn't it?

0:08:01 > 0:08:04Are you hoping... Oh, be quiet, Buster!

0:08:04 > 0:08:07Are you hoping that it will be successful again this year

0:08:07 > 0:08:10and that they'll give birth here again?

0:08:10 > 0:08:14Yes, I am. They have got used to it now.

0:08:14 > 0:08:17Obviously, in the past, we've had silly situations

0:08:17 > 0:08:20where they gave birth in boats and on Gorilla Island,

0:08:20 > 0:08:22and things like that.

0:08:22 > 0:08:25So they have got used to this beach area and the pen next door.

0:08:25 > 0:08:28And there's no reason why they shouldn't give birth here again.

0:08:28 > 0:08:31They were quite comfortable with it last year.

0:08:31 > 0:08:35So I'm sure that will happen again. Do you still look forward to it?

0:08:35 > 0:08:39Absolutely. It's what we're here for, to breed these animals.

0:08:39 > 0:08:41It's great for us.

0:08:41 > 0:08:43It's great to see these animals giving birth

0:08:43 > 0:08:45and living a natural, healthy life.

0:08:45 > 0:08:48You're doing the right thing if the animals are happy.

0:08:48 > 0:08:51If they weren't happy, they probably wouldn't breed.

0:08:51 > 0:08:54So, you know, it's great for us.

0:08:54 > 0:08:56It's also nice to have new additions in the lake.

0:08:56 > 0:09:01Well, Mark, thank you very much for letting me help.

0:09:01 > 0:09:04That's OK, you're very welcome. Thank you.

0:09:06 > 0:09:09Go on, Buster.

0:09:09 > 0:09:11SEA LIONS BARK

0:09:14 > 0:09:18The safari park is home to more than 400 animals,

0:09:18 > 0:09:22representing 50 different species drawn from every corner of the world.

0:09:25 > 0:09:28They are cared for by more than 100 dedicated staff,

0:09:28 > 0:09:33but few of them have ever seen these animals in their natural habitats.

0:09:33 > 0:09:39Soon, however, some of them will get the chance to go to Africa.

0:09:39 > 0:09:42AFRICAN MUSIC

0:09:45 > 0:09:49The park is closely involved with the Tusk Trust,

0:09:49 > 0:09:53a charity dedicated to conserving the wildlife and habitats of Africa.

0:09:53 > 0:09:59The trust runs 25 conservation projects in 15 countries.

0:09:59 > 0:10:02This year, Deputy Head Warden, Ian Turner

0:10:02 > 0:10:06will take a select group of staff to see their work in Kenya.

0:10:06 > 0:10:10This is a lifetime opportunity, to go out to Africa.

0:10:10 > 0:10:12I mean, OK, we're working,

0:10:12 > 0:10:15but you're getting to do stuff you want to do.

0:10:15 > 0:10:16It's a job,

0:10:16 > 0:10:19but you're going to Africa to see wildlife as it should be.

0:10:24 > 0:10:28So what do you think I'll enjoy most out in Kenya, Andy?

0:10:28 > 0:10:32The lucky four who will join Ian are Andy Hayton and Bev Evans,

0:10:32 > 0:10:33from the East Africa Reserve,

0:10:33 > 0:10:38along with Darren Beasley and Jo Hawthorne from Pets' Corner.

0:10:38 > 0:10:42For head of section, Andy Hayton, it will be the second trip to Kenya,

0:10:42 > 0:10:45and a chance to build on his experience.

0:10:45 > 0:10:47It's not gonna be a bit scary? No.

0:10:47 > 0:10:49Natural behaviour -

0:10:49 > 0:10:52seeing what the animals out there behave like naturally.

0:10:52 > 0:10:55If we see our animals exhibiting that behaviour,

0:10:55 > 0:10:57we know we are going down the right road.

0:10:57 > 0:11:00So anything like that is always helpful.

0:11:00 > 0:11:04Darren Beasley will also be on his second visit to Kenya.

0:11:04 > 0:11:06He'll be looking for the kind of animals

0:11:06 > 0:11:08he is used to keeping at Pets' Corner.

0:11:08 > 0:11:11These are some things hopefully we'll see next week.

0:11:11 > 0:11:14Something that really whetted my appetite last time

0:11:14 > 0:11:16was the amount of small animals.

0:11:16 > 0:11:20We talk about biodiversity - the little ones and the big ones are all needed. It's crucial.

0:11:20 > 0:11:23I'm hoping now, with Jo coming with us this year,

0:11:23 > 0:11:27we can find the small animals - the tortoises, the mongoose,

0:11:27 > 0:11:31the bugs, the beetles - and all the things that really get me going.

0:11:33 > 0:11:36For keepers Bev and Jo, it will be their first chance

0:11:36 > 0:11:39to see their favourite animals in the wild.

0:11:39 > 0:11:43I'm definitely looking forward to seeing giraffe and zebra out there,

0:11:43 > 0:11:45just to compare them to our lot, really.

0:11:45 > 0:11:47But elephants...

0:11:47 > 0:11:49As a child, I just loved elephants.

0:11:49 > 0:11:53So, definitely, seeing that in the wild, that would be just amazing.

0:11:53 > 0:11:56Jo's interests are rather more down to earth.

0:11:58 > 0:12:01Tortoises is what I'm really interested in.

0:12:01 > 0:12:05Just the chance to see one of the two species out there would be amazing.

0:12:08 > 0:12:10But this will not be a sightseeing trip.

0:12:10 > 0:12:14Seeing these animals in their natural environment,

0:12:14 > 0:12:16exhibiting their natural behaviour,

0:12:16 > 0:12:19will allow the keepers to increase their knowledge

0:12:19 > 0:12:22and care even better for the animals they keep back home.

0:12:24 > 0:12:27Looking at the giraffe and seeing the way they feed,

0:12:27 > 0:12:31at what height, and all the different types of diet they have,

0:12:31 > 0:12:33we could bring something back for ours,

0:12:33 > 0:12:36and have an idea of an enrichment idea and things like that.

0:12:36 > 0:12:39The keepers will also be able to share

0:12:39 > 0:12:42what they learn about conservation with park visitors.

0:12:42 > 0:12:45Last year, we had over 700,000 people at Longleat

0:12:45 > 0:12:49and I reckon, personally, we talked to most of them in Pets' Corner!

0:12:49 > 0:12:51And we can pass that message on.

0:12:51 > 0:12:54You can be depressed about the world and say life's hard

0:12:54 > 0:12:57and everything is being extinct, it's not. There is hope out there.

0:13:03 > 0:13:05ELEPHANT TRUMPETS

0:13:10 > 0:13:14Longleat House has been in daily use for over 450 years now,

0:13:14 > 0:13:19and never more so than today, as a major tourist attraction.

0:13:19 > 0:13:23Considering its age, the house is in remarkably good condition,

0:13:23 > 0:13:26but it's increasingly difficult for house steward Ken Windess

0:13:26 > 0:13:28to keep it that way.

0:13:29 > 0:13:32We've had a record year of visitors this year.

0:13:32 > 0:13:33It's been good news.

0:13:33 > 0:13:38We've had something like between 2,000 and 3,500 people a day,

0:13:38 > 0:13:40and that's just within the house.

0:13:40 > 0:13:43It's good news, obviously, because we need people to come

0:13:43 > 0:13:45for the upkeep of the house, etc.

0:13:45 > 0:13:49But it's also got its down side as far as the house is concerned,

0:13:49 > 0:13:52because it does cause a certain amount of damage.

0:13:52 > 0:13:55Many of the furnishings in the house are very valuable.

0:13:55 > 0:13:59Some of the 24 chairs in the state dining room

0:13:59 > 0:14:02date from the reign of King George I.

0:14:02 > 0:14:04So they're nearly 300 years old.

0:14:04 > 0:14:08But now, with so many visitors walking by on a daily basis,

0:14:08 > 0:14:11the chairs have started to fall to pieces.

0:14:11 > 0:14:15A lot of these knees, what we call knees, here,

0:14:15 > 0:14:19they were literally falling off daily.

0:14:19 > 0:14:22I was getting handfuls given to me by the cleaners.

0:14:22 > 0:14:28Again, a lot of it was with visitors actually moving up against them,

0:14:28 > 0:14:31touching them, kicking the legs,

0:14:31 > 0:14:35children running in amongst them, and all this sort of business.

0:14:35 > 0:14:38Apart from the damage to furnishings,

0:14:38 > 0:14:43the sheer number of visitors causes wear and tear to the house itself.

0:14:43 > 0:14:48Up to 3,500 pairs of feet a day put enormous strain on floors

0:14:48 > 0:14:49and the ceilings beneath them.

0:14:49 > 0:14:54Ken is worried that the ceiling in the lower dining room may collapse.

0:14:54 > 0:14:58I remember vividly in the army where you had to break step

0:14:58 > 0:15:00if you were marching over a bridge,

0:15:00 > 0:15:04because the bridge could have broken

0:15:04 > 0:15:08because of the soldiers actually marching in step.

0:15:08 > 0:15:10Of course, you can't stop people,

0:15:10 > 0:15:13or at least you can't march them through the house,

0:15:13 > 0:15:16but where you have got this incessant footfall,

0:15:16 > 0:15:21you get vibration. You set up this sort of movement.

0:15:23 > 0:15:25Now we have the lower dining room.

0:15:25 > 0:15:27This used to be the family dining room.

0:15:27 > 0:15:30A magnificent ceiling,

0:15:30 > 0:15:33which is, again, 22 carat gold leaf.

0:15:33 > 0:15:37You can see it's reflection in the beautiful George III mirrors.

0:15:37 > 0:15:40The ceiling was created in the 1800s.

0:15:40 > 0:15:44It's a priceless example of Renaissance Italianate design,

0:15:44 > 0:15:46and extremely fragile.

0:15:46 > 0:15:49This is one of the ceilings that we've got problems with.

0:15:49 > 0:15:50It's a very ornate ceiling.

0:15:50 > 0:15:56The problems that we've had is that some of the decoration

0:15:56 > 0:16:00has actually fallen from the ceiling and landed on the floor.

0:16:00 > 0:16:03One or two of the roundels are loose.

0:16:03 > 0:16:07So I do need to get the experts in to check it out

0:16:07 > 0:16:10and obviously, we need it to be safe for people to walk through.

0:16:10 > 0:16:13We want to catch it before it actually falls down.

0:16:13 > 0:16:15We don't want have to replace it.

0:16:15 > 0:16:17If it hits the deck and smashes,

0:16:17 > 0:16:20then obviously you've got no chance of replacing it.

0:16:20 > 0:16:24Martin Watchurst is a specialist ceiling restorer,

0:16:24 > 0:16:27who personally worked on Windsor Castle's state dining rooms

0:16:27 > 0:16:30after the fire there in 1992.

0:16:30 > 0:16:32He's been called in to do a structural survey,

0:16:32 > 0:16:37which should reveal whether the whole thing is about to fall down.

0:16:37 > 0:16:40By the end of today we'll be able to work out

0:16:40 > 0:16:43whether there are more missing pieces

0:16:43 > 0:16:44and whether there is a problem.

0:16:46 > 0:16:49In order to find out how badly damaged the ceiling is,

0:16:49 > 0:16:53Martin looks inside it using a boroscope.

0:16:53 > 0:16:58We've just found discreet places to make an 8mm hole

0:16:58 > 0:17:02to pass the tube through.

0:17:06 > 0:17:10It's basically an illuminated periscope...

0:17:10 > 0:17:13so that we can...

0:17:13 > 0:17:15..see inside and safely say

0:17:15 > 0:17:17we know how this is put together

0:17:17 > 0:17:22and that things aren't coming apart or separating.

0:17:23 > 0:17:27If the priceless 150 year old ceiling were to collapse,

0:17:27 > 0:17:30it would be a loss to the nation as well as to Longleat.

0:17:31 > 0:17:34We'll come back to hear the results of the survey

0:17:34 > 0:17:37and what urgent repairs may need to be carried out.

0:17:37 > 0:17:40It will be quite good once we get our bearings.

0:17:41 > 0:17:44Lord Bath is not the only one at Animal Park

0:17:44 > 0:17:46to allow people into his house.

0:17:46 > 0:17:48At Pets' Corner, some of the animals

0:17:48 > 0:17:51can be trained to accept visitors of their own.

0:17:51 > 0:17:55I'm in the chipmunk enclosure with keeper Val McGruther,

0:17:55 > 0:17:58and I gather that it's been all change, some for good, some for bad.

0:17:58 > 0:18:02Yes. It's a little bit sad. Our favourite little chipmunk Garston,

0:18:02 > 0:18:04he was the one that always used to come to us,

0:18:04 > 0:18:07I'm afraid he sadly died back in the winter.

0:18:07 > 0:18:10He was quite an age, though, wasn't he? He was about seven.

0:18:10 > 0:18:12For a male chipmunk, that is really good.

0:18:12 > 0:18:18He seems, though, to have a worthy successor. Who's this?

0:18:18 > 0:18:23We've been training some new chipmunks to come and take the food.

0:18:23 > 0:18:25He's been really good. He's amazing.

0:18:25 > 0:18:29He's the one that comes most. He's taken over Garston's job, really.

0:18:30 > 0:18:34So, when you say train them, how do you do that?

0:18:34 > 0:18:37Is it just a matter of sitting in the enclosure

0:18:37 > 0:18:39and letting them get used to you? It is a lot.

0:18:39 > 0:18:42It's a bit like training other animals, to be honest.

0:18:42 > 0:18:45They like their food and they have particular things they like.

0:18:45 > 0:18:48Like some of these things we have here.

0:18:48 > 0:18:51Nuts, blueberries, nice little bits of fruit and stuff like that.

0:18:51 > 0:18:55So, we'll sit in here and then they get used to being in here.

0:18:55 > 0:18:56They get used to coming

0:18:56 > 0:18:59and perhaps taking a little bit of food every now and again.

0:18:59 > 0:19:02Gradually, we'll increase it so more people come in.

0:19:02 > 0:19:06And then, hopefully, we'll have children coming in here again.

0:19:06 > 0:19:10Which they would love. They are absolutely adorable and lovely,

0:19:10 > 0:19:12although they have all disappeared now.

0:19:12 > 0:19:15Where are you? Come out and show us how adorable you are.

0:19:15 > 0:19:16He's hiding over there.

0:19:16 > 0:19:19Oh, there he is! Look! He's saving it for later.

0:19:19 > 0:19:22Do they bury things like squirrels? Yes, they do.

0:19:22 > 0:19:24Are they better at remembering where they put them than squirrels?

0:19:24 > 0:19:26They're about the same, I think.

0:19:26 > 0:19:28What's interesting, it's the same with squirrels,

0:19:28 > 0:19:32you'll get another one looking seeing where he's put it. Really?

0:19:32 > 0:19:34If he gets the chance, he'll nick it.

0:19:34 > 0:19:37What I was going to say - obviously, they're very adorable.

0:19:37 > 0:19:40It must be very tempting to keep them as pets.

0:19:40 > 0:19:43Are they good pets? They don't really make good pets.

0:19:43 > 0:19:47They're interesting animals to keep, rather than a pet, if you see what I mean.

0:19:47 > 0:19:49You need a nice bit of space for them.

0:19:49 > 0:19:51An aviary the size of this would be great.

0:19:51 > 0:19:53And you need to spend time with them.

0:19:53 > 0:19:56Because you won't get this if you don't spend time with them.

0:19:56 > 0:19:58You need to be in with them.

0:19:58 > 0:20:01Just watching here, we're just being very slow and careful.

0:20:01 > 0:20:05This is amazing to see how he's cracking into that almond

0:20:05 > 0:20:06without any problem at all.

0:20:06 > 0:20:09They've obviously got very sharp teeth.

0:20:09 > 0:20:10They have got sharp teeth,

0:20:10 > 0:20:14and chewing into the nut like that is very good for their teeth,

0:20:14 > 0:20:16because their teeth are constantly growing,

0:20:16 > 0:20:18and it trims them a bit as they go along.

0:20:18 > 0:20:21Like all rodents, they've got constant growing teeth,

0:20:21 > 0:20:25so is it important, as well, to have things in the enclosure

0:20:25 > 0:20:27that they can wear their teeth down on?

0:20:27 > 0:20:29Yes, it is, very important.

0:20:29 > 0:20:33They've got all the branches here and everything, which are good,

0:20:33 > 0:20:36and hard food to eat, like nuts and a bit of biscuit in there,

0:20:36 > 0:20:39hard seeds and things like that, that's all really good.

0:20:39 > 0:20:43Now, he's actually taking far more than he can eat all at once.

0:20:43 > 0:20:48It seems like... Is he stuffing it into a cheek pouch?

0:20:48 > 0:20:51Yeah, they've got these cheek pouches on either side,

0:20:51 > 0:20:55same as little hamsters have, and they will fill their cheek pouch.

0:20:55 > 0:20:58Sometimes they'll eat at the same time, they'll save some,

0:20:58 > 0:21:03they take it and they'll bury it, as we saw earlier, for later so that...

0:21:03 > 0:21:07I think I've made a friend here as well. He's great!

0:21:07 > 0:21:10Well, Val, I'm very sad to hear the news about Garston,

0:21:10 > 0:21:14but this little feller is an absolute delight,

0:21:14 > 0:21:17and I hope that all of them continue to thrive

0:21:17 > 0:21:20and give the visitors as much pleasure as they have in the past.

0:21:20 > 0:21:22Thank you very much. Thank you very much.

0:21:31 > 0:21:35Working with Val at Pets' Corner is keeper Jo Hawthorne.

0:21:35 > 0:21:40Her passion is caring for some of the park's smaller and cuter inhabitants.

0:21:40 > 0:21:43But now she's preparing to go to Kenya,

0:21:43 > 0:21:47where she'll see some really big game in the wild.

0:21:47 > 0:21:49Kenya is a world leader

0:21:49 > 0:21:53in the conservation of both black and white rhino,

0:21:53 > 0:21:56so Jo will definitely come across these animals during her visit.

0:21:58 > 0:22:00I've read lots about them and, you know,

0:22:00 > 0:22:03actually done a bit of kind of assignment work on them

0:22:03 > 0:22:06but never really actually had the time to spend with them.

0:22:08 > 0:22:12To gain some expertise before she meets them in the wild,

0:22:12 > 0:22:14she's come to the rhino house

0:22:14 > 0:22:18to see what she can learn from her colleague Kevin Nibbs.

0:22:18 > 0:22:22Hopefully, he can give me insights in how they're kept in captivity,

0:22:22 > 0:22:26and then of course I can go out and maybe pick up a few little pointers,

0:22:26 > 0:22:29behaviouralisms, things like that, when I get out to Kenya.

0:22:29 > 0:22:31So who have we got here, Kev?

0:22:31 > 0:22:33In the first pen is Razina, she's five.

0:22:33 > 0:22:36Then we've got Anjani, the little male. OK.

0:22:36 > 0:22:38He's nearly seven, he'll be seven this year.

0:22:38 > 0:22:41In the far pen there we've got Marashi, the oldest one,

0:22:41 > 0:22:44who's seven as well. She's seven, right.

0:22:44 > 0:22:47At the moment she kind of leads these three youngsters,

0:22:47 > 0:22:50she's the biggest one, pushes them around. She's the boss.

0:22:50 > 0:22:51She kind of takes charge, yeah.

0:22:51 > 0:22:56When they say the white rhino is the gentlest, they definitely are...

0:22:56 > 0:23:00Yeah, they are the more sort of chilled out, relaxed.

0:23:00 > 0:23:05They only get upset over little things. Right.

0:23:05 > 0:23:07Last time Ben was in Africa,

0:23:07 > 0:23:11he saw just how unpredictable wild rhino can be.

0:23:11 > 0:23:14It was touch and go for a moment.

0:23:16 > 0:23:18He now wants to have a go at us.

0:23:21 > 0:23:24Are we in trouble? Possibly, yeah.

0:23:41 > 0:23:44LAUGHTER

0:23:48 > 0:23:51That was close, it was like about a couple of inches.

0:23:52 > 0:23:54After what happened last time,

0:23:54 > 0:23:59Jo's keen to learn as much as she can about how rhino behave outdoors,

0:23:59 > 0:24:02so Kevin has brought her to the enclosure

0:24:02 > 0:24:04where bull Winston is grazing.

0:24:06 > 0:24:11Winston is normally very placid, but he weighs at least two tonnes,

0:24:11 > 0:24:15and in the past he has been known to throw his weight around.

0:24:18 > 0:24:20Is he expecting us or...?

0:24:20 > 0:24:23I think he is now, he's probably heard us coming all the way up,

0:24:23 > 0:24:27we'll jump out in a minute and chuck some hay to him. OK, brilliant.

0:24:27 > 0:24:30Before we get out, we'll just go through a few safety things.

0:24:30 > 0:24:32Basically, we leave both doors open,

0:24:32 > 0:24:35so if we do need to get in, it's really quick to jump in.

0:24:35 > 0:24:37And we won't go very far from the vehicle. OK.

0:24:37 > 0:24:41But that's basically it, and the tractor will keep an eye on us,

0:24:41 > 0:24:43so we should be OK. So are you ready?

0:24:43 > 0:24:44After you, then! Are you ready?

0:24:48 > 0:24:50Rhinos have poor eyesight,

0:24:50 > 0:24:54but make up for it with an excellent sense of smell and hearing.

0:24:54 > 0:24:57Amazingly, they're also very fast -

0:24:57 > 0:25:01from a standing start they can accelerate within seconds

0:25:01 > 0:25:04to a charging speed of up to 30mph.

0:25:04 > 0:25:06So is this a safe distance, Kev?

0:25:06 > 0:25:10With him, yeah, this is a very good distance,

0:25:10 > 0:25:13but with the younger guys we would be maybe twice this,

0:25:13 > 0:25:15just to make sure, doubly sure.

0:25:15 > 0:25:16They'd be a lot quicker, I suppose.

0:25:16 > 0:25:20Absolutely, they'd cover this in maybe a couple of seconds.

0:25:21 > 0:25:26The sight of a bull rhino up close is an awesome experience.

0:25:26 > 0:25:30It's quite daunting, cos you see him from far away,

0:25:30 > 0:25:32and he's doing his thing, and he's just feeding,

0:25:32 > 0:25:36but, like Kev said, until they start getting closer to the vehicle,

0:25:36 > 0:25:39you become so aware that they're getting bigger as they come nearer,

0:25:39 > 0:25:42and you can see the power, you know?

0:25:42 > 0:25:46And you know, just the width and breadth of his chest and his legs,

0:25:46 > 0:25:48you could actually see why if it broke into a trot,

0:25:48 > 0:25:50it would be quite scary.

0:25:50 > 0:25:54He's obviously aware we're here, but he's quite calm, isn't he?

0:25:54 > 0:25:56He is, actually, yeah, very calm.

0:25:56 > 0:25:58This is good for him. He loves it out here.

0:25:58 > 0:26:02You can see how one could turn, I mean...

0:26:02 > 0:26:05You wouldn't actually be able to do a lot, really,

0:26:05 > 0:26:07if one decided he was gonna come along and...

0:26:07 > 0:26:10"oof" you out of the way with his horn there.

0:26:10 > 0:26:14I wouldn't want to be in front of one if he was making a run at me,

0:26:14 > 0:26:15that's for sure.

0:26:15 > 0:26:19They really are like a bulldozer, aren't they? Definitely.

0:26:19 > 0:26:22Armed with more knowledge about their behaviour,

0:26:22 > 0:26:27Jo can look forward to interacting safely with wild rhinos in Kenya.

0:26:27 > 0:26:31It's good to get a few kind of pointers from Kev

0:26:31 > 0:26:33to see how they act and what I can pick up on -

0:26:33 > 0:26:37behavioural signs and that, so it'll be great to study them out there,

0:26:37 > 0:26:38I can't wait to see them.

0:26:51 > 0:26:54Recently the park scored a triumph

0:26:54 > 0:26:58when Asian short-clawed otters Rosie and Romeo became parents.

0:27:03 > 0:27:07Their two otter pups emerged from the nest a couple of months ago.

0:27:12 > 0:27:16Since then, keeper Rob Savin has been waiting patiently

0:27:16 > 0:27:19for the pups to get in the water for the first time.

0:27:23 > 0:27:25They're three months old now,

0:27:25 > 0:27:28and they should be ready to take the plunge.

0:27:29 > 0:27:33But surprisingly, swimming is not a talent otters are born with.

0:27:33 > 0:27:36It's a skill the pups will have to learn.

0:27:36 > 0:27:39Parents Rosie and Romeo have to keep a close eye on them

0:27:39 > 0:27:41to keep them out of danger.

0:27:41 > 0:27:46Potentially, if they jumped in a big pool of water very early on,

0:27:46 > 0:27:50if they were uneducated swimmers, the chances are they might drown.

0:27:50 > 0:27:54But the idea that mum and dad are around,

0:27:54 > 0:27:57especially mum, is to drag them out.

0:27:57 > 0:27:59And if there's a problem, what she should do -

0:27:59 > 0:28:01if they're swimming and then struggling -

0:28:01 > 0:28:05she'll go and and bring them back out again, that's hopefully the idea.

0:28:09 > 0:28:12Asian short-clawed otters are less aquatic

0:28:12 > 0:28:14than any other breed of otters.

0:28:14 > 0:28:17Nevertheless, they're powerful, graceful swimmers

0:28:17 > 0:28:19and at their most agile in the water.

0:28:28 > 0:28:31Their enclosure is well adapted to adult otters -

0:28:31 > 0:28:34it has a stream running through it and several plunge pools -

0:28:34 > 0:28:37but so far the youngsters are hanging back.

0:28:37 > 0:28:39So Rob has come up with a plan

0:28:39 > 0:28:42to make water a little less frightening.

0:28:42 > 0:28:44He's making them a paddling pool.

0:28:46 > 0:28:48Otters need to be taught...

0:28:48 > 0:28:51I mean they needed to know where their food was coming from.

0:28:51 > 0:28:56They also needed to know which parent was gonna provide the food.

0:28:56 > 0:28:58All animals learn from mum and dad, usually,

0:28:58 > 0:29:01and it's partly learned behaviour,

0:29:01 > 0:29:04and you've got instincts as well, things that they're born with.

0:29:04 > 0:29:08Swimming, you would think with an otter, it comes quite natural,

0:29:08 > 0:29:10and I suppose, when they see water,

0:29:10 > 0:29:12they should know roughly what to do with it.

0:29:12 > 0:29:14It's not really enough, nowhere near enough

0:29:14 > 0:29:17for them to swim in properly, they're far too big.

0:29:20 > 0:29:22They're sniffing, sniffing the sides,

0:29:22 > 0:29:24but I don't know if they're gonna go in.

0:29:24 > 0:29:27Oh, what's this?

0:29:28 > 0:29:32Rosie leads by example and climbs in first.

0:29:32 > 0:29:36Eventually, curiosity gets the better of the pups.

0:29:37 > 0:29:39One's in!

0:29:39 > 0:29:42And...yeah, they're both in now. That's lovely, yeah.

0:29:42 > 0:29:45It's more mum than dad, I don't think dad's too bothered.

0:29:45 > 0:29:49Romeo, he's not interested at all, not at the moment,

0:29:49 > 0:29:53but mum's definitely taking them in there, that's really good.

0:29:53 > 0:29:56They've managed to just all fit in there briefly,

0:29:56 > 0:29:59but I think it was more of a playful roll-around.

0:29:59 > 0:30:01It's fantastic to watch when they're like that,

0:30:01 > 0:30:04and especially the little ones getting in on the act.

0:30:04 > 0:30:07I've seen Romeo and Rosie playing like that before,

0:30:07 > 0:30:09but with the little ones rolling around,

0:30:09 > 0:30:11there's nothing left of that clean water now.

0:30:11 > 0:30:14It's just a big bowl of mud, but it's fantastic.

0:30:14 > 0:30:18They've certainly had a wash, if nothing else. They've had a bath.

0:30:18 > 0:30:21In the wild, otters would find most of their food in water.

0:30:21 > 0:30:23As well as being fun,

0:30:23 > 0:30:27this swimming lesson will teach the pups vital survival skills.

0:30:28 > 0:30:32Very intelligent animals, otters.

0:30:32 > 0:30:37They're playful, very social, especially this particular species.

0:30:37 > 0:30:41And when animals play, they use play as a learning process as well.

0:30:41 > 0:30:44I mean, mum's diving in there. They're not following.

0:30:44 > 0:30:47They're not quite ready just for that big leap into that bit yet,

0:30:47 > 0:30:49but when they do, it'll be a learning process.

0:30:49 > 0:30:52It'll be quite a shock to the system,

0:30:52 > 0:30:54it'll probably look quite funny,

0:30:54 > 0:30:57but if there's a problem, mum should leap in and save them.

0:30:57 > 0:30:59The pups liked the paddling pool,

0:30:59 > 0:31:03but they're still unwilling to throw themselves in at the deep end.

0:31:03 > 0:31:07We'll come back later to see if they take the plunge.

0:31:18 > 0:31:21To keep their animals happy and interested,

0:31:21 > 0:31:25all the keepers try to give them stimulating new activities.

0:31:25 > 0:31:28I'm back with Val McGruther to see what she has in mind

0:31:28 > 0:31:31for the Chinese pot-bellied pigs.

0:31:31 > 0:31:35You've come up with an inventive way of keeping the pigs occupied, haven't you?

0:31:35 > 0:31:39Yeah, we've got this nice ball here with a few holes in it.

0:31:39 > 0:31:41We stick some pig nuts in there, these little things.

0:31:41 > 0:31:44These things here? I'll just pop them in there.

0:31:44 > 0:31:47So what's the idea? Well, they'll roll the ball along,

0:31:47 > 0:31:50the pig nuts'll come out, they'll have nice little snack

0:31:50 > 0:31:52at the same time as having a bit of fun.

0:31:52 > 0:31:54Which one's this one? This is Bruno.

0:31:54 > 0:31:57Oh, yeah, you can see from the tusks at the front.

0:31:57 > 0:32:01OK, well, he's looking very keen, ready for kick-off.

0:32:01 > 0:32:02Go for it, Bruno!

0:32:02 > 0:32:04MATCH OF THE DAY THEME

0:32:06 > 0:32:08Well, Bruno's gone straight for it.

0:32:08 > 0:32:11He has, hasn't he? Yeah, he's quite a dab hand at football.

0:32:13 > 0:32:15Do you find... Do you find that, er...

0:32:15 > 0:32:19that Bruno does tend to be the more inventive of the two?

0:32:19 > 0:32:22Do they have very different characters? They do a bit, really.

0:32:22 > 0:32:26He's the one that tends to be more like this, chasing the ball about.

0:32:26 > 0:32:28Well, he looks very happy.

0:32:28 > 0:32:31Blossom might be going in for a bit of a tackle. Go for it, Blossom!

0:32:33 > 0:32:38Oh, yes! And she's won, brilliant, absolutely... One for the ladies!

0:32:38 > 0:32:42Exactly! Who said that girls can't play football?

0:32:42 > 0:32:43Val, thank you very much indeed,

0:32:43 > 0:32:47and we've still got lots more coming up on today's programme.

0:32:49 > 0:32:53Rob sets up a spy-camera, in case the otter pups decide to take a dip.

0:32:53 > 0:32:56We'll see the results.

0:32:56 > 0:32:59The kids at Longleat's local school

0:32:59 > 0:33:02do their bit to save African wildlife.

0:33:02 > 0:33:05Well, because people are killing other animals,

0:33:05 > 0:33:10so they make jewellery and different clothings of them.

0:33:10 > 0:33:13I don't think that's very nice to other animals.

0:33:15 > 0:33:16But first...

0:33:16 > 0:33:18LION ROARS

0:33:18 > 0:33:22..the lion cubs have just met their father Kabir for the first time.

0:33:22 > 0:33:25Now they must cope with another new experience.

0:33:26 > 0:33:30I've come up to the Lion House to meet head of section Brian Kent.

0:33:30 > 0:33:33Morning, Brian - and deputy, Bob Trollope.

0:33:33 > 0:33:36And just have a look over here, look at these young cubs.

0:33:36 > 0:33:41Today Malaika and Jasira are going to be taught an important new skill.

0:33:43 > 0:33:46If the keepers need to give the lions any kind of medicine,

0:33:46 > 0:33:50they do so by hiding it in a piece of meat,

0:33:50 > 0:33:53so now the cubs must learn to eat off a stick.

0:33:54 > 0:33:57Can I help you with the...administration as such?

0:33:57 > 0:34:00So there's no medication now, is there?

0:34:00 > 0:34:02This is purely just some little meat chunks.

0:34:02 > 0:34:04These are little placebo chunks, I suppose.

0:34:04 > 0:34:07We hold it up to the bars, shall I do one and you do one?

0:34:07 > 0:34:09They take it straight off the stick.

0:34:09 > 0:34:11I'm amazed they're eating meat already.

0:34:11 > 0:34:14Are they still suckling as well from their mums?

0:34:14 > 0:34:18You'll find that Jasira, the smaller one, she goes back occasionally,

0:34:18 > 0:34:21but they are gradually sort of weaning themselves off.

0:34:21 > 0:34:25Look at their claws, their claws are already enormous.

0:34:25 > 0:34:29They must be very sharp. There you go, sorry. Tremendously sharp.

0:34:29 > 0:34:32And their teeth, have they still got their baby teeth as such?

0:34:32 > 0:34:35Yeah, they've still got their milk teeth,

0:34:35 > 0:34:37and they'll keep them for the best part of a year.

0:34:37 > 0:34:40As you can see, Malaika here is very greedy.

0:34:40 > 0:34:42Is she? Is she the greedier of... Very much like dad.

0:34:42 > 0:34:45Dad is over there. What's dad doing, actually?

0:34:45 > 0:34:47Kind of scraping away at the...

0:34:47 > 0:34:49He's realised we've got some meat over here.

0:34:50 > 0:34:52Because we do it to all the lions here,

0:34:52 > 0:34:55just so they get used to taking it off the stick.

0:34:55 > 0:34:58He's getting frustrated that he's not getting meat as well.

0:34:58 > 0:35:01We can pop along later on and give him a few chunks.

0:35:01 > 0:35:04And are you pleased with their progress? Oh, gosh, what's that?

0:35:04 > 0:35:06Is that just a little squabble?

0:35:06 > 0:35:08Malaika being a bit greedy. Is it?

0:35:08 > 0:35:10Malaika is two months older,

0:35:10 > 0:35:13so she's slightly bigger and a bit more boisterous.

0:35:13 > 0:35:15Hence slightly more dominant?

0:35:15 > 0:35:18Slightly more dominant, and that's basically because of her size,

0:35:18 > 0:35:22she can overpower the little one. Look at that.

0:35:22 > 0:35:26She's a little bit stroppy but, you know, it's all part of learning.

0:35:26 > 0:35:28They're learning their hierarchy here.

0:35:28 > 0:35:33And they're gobbling through this meat here, do they eat a lot?

0:35:33 > 0:35:36It's an incredible amount. You know, as we were saying...

0:35:36 > 0:35:37GROWLING

0:35:37 > 0:35:38Hey-hey-hey!

0:35:40 > 0:35:43Down!

0:35:43 > 0:35:46They're surprisingly aggressive for young pups.

0:35:46 > 0:35:50You imagine what sort of damage that will do, these are designed...

0:35:50 > 0:35:53The claws really are ferocious looking.

0:35:53 > 0:35:57They are, but they're designed to take punishment, as you can see.

0:35:57 > 0:35:59And the noises that are going on here,

0:35:59 > 0:36:04is this just a sort of..."Give me that meat as soon as you can"?

0:36:04 > 0:36:07It's just basically trying to warn off little Jasira here

0:36:07 > 0:36:09and hurry us up by giving her another chunk.

0:36:09 > 0:36:13Well, Bob and Brian, thank you very much.

0:36:13 > 0:36:16What a...joy, to be feeding these young cubs.

0:36:16 > 0:36:20Of course, we'll keep up with their progress throughout the series.

0:36:20 > 0:36:22Calm down!

0:36:30 > 0:36:35The unique gold-leaf ceiling in the lower dining room is in danger of collapsing

0:36:35 > 0:36:40because of the unending stamp of visitors' feet in the room above.

0:36:40 > 0:36:42We do need to be aware of the amount of people

0:36:42 > 0:36:45that's coming through at any one time,

0:36:45 > 0:36:48because if we were gonna have this -

0:36:48 > 0:36:52as I say, 3,000, 3,500 people through per day,

0:36:52 > 0:36:57then it's on its way, you know, so we do need to be aware of that

0:36:57 > 0:37:00and to try and handle the situation.

0:37:00 > 0:37:03You could have anything... especially in the room above,

0:37:03 > 0:37:08anything up to 200 people in there at one time, which is the problem.

0:37:08 > 0:37:12Fortunately, the experts have been brought in just in time.

0:37:16 > 0:37:20You would expect a number of cracks in a ceiling of this age,

0:37:20 > 0:37:23but hopefully, from the look of the first...

0:37:25 > 0:37:27..access point we made into the ceiling,

0:37:27 > 0:37:32it should turn out to be a nice, solid, sound ceiling.

0:37:33 > 0:37:38Martin Watchurst's survey revealed that the ceiling is basically sound,

0:37:38 > 0:37:42but should be monitored for signs of stress.

0:37:42 > 0:37:46Luckily, it was possible to replace the bits that had fallen off.

0:37:48 > 0:37:52The ceiling has been here since the great days of the British Empire

0:37:52 > 0:37:54and provides a real sense of history,

0:37:54 > 0:37:58which both Ken and Lady Bath are keen to preserve.

0:37:58 > 0:38:02So this is the one here, is it? That's it, milady.

0:38:02 > 0:38:04That's the one here that has been repaired,

0:38:04 > 0:38:07and you frankly would not know a thing, would you?

0:38:07 > 0:38:09You wouldn't know the difference at all.

0:38:09 > 0:38:11He's are a good craftsman. Certainly is.

0:38:11 > 0:38:12It's heart-warming, yes.

0:38:12 > 0:38:16Mainly because none of these craftsmen are cheap, obviously,

0:38:16 > 0:38:19but it's lovely to see they do a good job.

0:38:19 > 0:38:23It was a one-man band, actually, doing the plaster and the gilding,

0:38:23 > 0:38:24and he's done a darn good job of it.

0:38:24 > 0:38:27And it's nice to know that there are still people

0:38:27 > 0:38:29able to do that sort of thing, you see?

0:38:29 > 0:38:33Well, it's the crux of the matter, it's the heart of the battle, isn't it?

0:38:33 > 0:38:35It's the main thing, really, isn't it?

0:38:35 > 0:38:38With a house that is 400 and some years old...

0:38:38 > 0:38:40that's the main battle, to preserve it.

0:38:40 > 0:38:43That's what we, my husband and myself, try to do -

0:38:43 > 0:38:46we try to hand over something to my son

0:38:46 > 0:38:48that's coherent and in good stead,

0:38:48 > 0:38:51then it's his vision afterwards, you see?

0:38:51 > 0:38:54But at least we will have done our best, our very best,

0:38:54 > 0:38:56and our duty to the house, to the family.

0:38:56 > 0:38:58That's what it's all about.

0:39:13 > 0:39:16All around the house, the park is constantly evolving

0:39:16 > 0:39:19as new animals are brought in to live here.

0:39:19 > 0:39:24When these rare African bongo arrived at the park not so long ago,

0:39:24 > 0:39:27keepers thought that they might have a hard time settling in.

0:39:27 > 0:39:30Now I'm off to see how they're getting on.

0:39:30 > 0:39:33I'm out with the keeper Kevin Nibbs, and we've come to feed the bongos.

0:39:33 > 0:39:35Hello, boys!

0:39:35 > 0:39:38It must be about a year, is it, Kevin, since they arrived here?

0:39:38 > 0:39:41It is pretty much spot on a year ago they arrived.

0:39:41 > 0:39:44Wow! Well, they're looking incredibly well.

0:39:44 > 0:39:47I mean, given that when they arrived, they were pretty shy,

0:39:47 > 0:39:51weren't they, and kind of nervy, they seem much more confident now.

0:39:51 > 0:39:54When they arrived, we hardly ever saw them.

0:39:54 > 0:39:56You put your head round the door,

0:39:56 > 0:39:58they'd just go and hide in the darkest corner,

0:39:58 > 0:40:00but now they've seen your face all the time.

0:40:00 > 0:40:04Now, you've got a bucket full of bread here. Is this what they like?

0:40:04 > 0:40:08They do actually love it. They love it to pieces.

0:40:08 > 0:40:10It's a good filler for them in the morning.

0:40:10 > 0:40:13A bit of digestion, but it just fills their bellies

0:40:13 > 0:40:15so they've got something warm in their tummies.

0:40:15 > 0:40:18OK, so what do you do? Just throw it over the top?

0:40:18 > 0:40:20Just throw it over and they'll help themselves.

0:40:20 > 0:40:24Here you are, boys! When you say they are more confident,

0:40:24 > 0:40:27I mean, obviously, they're standing here and seem very happy with us.

0:40:27 > 0:40:31But what other things have you noticed when they're out in the park?

0:40:31 > 0:40:34What sort of things do they get up to?

0:40:34 > 0:40:37Well we were told when we got them from a number of sources,

0:40:37 > 0:40:40that they wouldn't mix with other animals very well.

0:40:40 > 0:40:41That they were solitary animals,

0:40:41 > 0:40:44a solitary species that didn't like to mix.

0:40:44 > 0:40:47But we've found that they mix with our eland very well.

0:40:47 > 0:40:49They lay out with the eland quite happily.

0:40:49 > 0:40:52Because eland are also antelope, also from Africa,

0:40:52 > 0:40:56but from a different part of Africa, is that right? Exactly, yes.

0:40:56 > 0:40:59A different area altogether. These are more forest dwelling.

0:40:59 > 0:41:02Mainly nocturnal as well, these are.

0:41:02 > 0:41:05Whereas the eland, dry scrubland, out during the day.

0:41:05 > 0:41:08So they are very different characteristics.

0:41:08 > 0:41:11But they get on amazingly well. That's incredible.

0:41:11 > 0:41:14The eland are a lot bigger than these three, aren't they?

0:41:14 > 0:41:15They are, they are huge.

0:41:15 > 0:41:18But yeah, they don't seem to take any notice whatsoever.

0:41:18 > 0:41:20They're just so confident.

0:41:20 > 0:41:23You've got three males here. Three males, yes.

0:41:23 > 0:41:26I mean, again, that seems unusual.

0:41:26 > 0:41:29I mean, do you see them fighting with each other?

0:41:29 > 0:41:31We haven't, not very often.

0:41:31 > 0:41:33They even get on well over food.

0:41:33 > 0:41:36We can put all the food in one bowl and they'll take it in turns

0:41:36 > 0:41:38putting their heads in to take the food.

0:41:38 > 0:41:42For three bongo, they get on tremendously well, it's brilliant.

0:41:42 > 0:41:47Is one of them - I mean this one here, closest to us,

0:41:47 > 0:41:50seems to be the biggest one by the looks of things.

0:41:50 > 0:41:53Is this the one that's sort of the boss, in charge?

0:41:53 > 0:41:56You'd have thought so, wouldn't you? No, it's actually the little guy.

0:41:56 > 0:41:59This one in the middle? Really? The smallest one.

0:41:59 > 0:42:02He tends to lead them around. He'll head off and they'll follow him.

0:42:02 > 0:42:06But that said, if one did spook or turn round and go away,

0:42:06 > 0:42:08then they would follow that one as well.

0:42:08 > 0:42:10So they do follow each other wherever they go.

0:42:10 > 0:42:13And they are just beautiful looking things.

0:42:13 > 0:42:17I've heard a rumour that there's possibly another one coming?

0:42:17 > 0:42:20We hope so. Fingers crossed. We're hoping to get a female very soon.

0:42:20 > 0:42:22Wow! That would be really exciting.

0:42:22 > 0:42:26Will that change the dynamic, do you think, between the three of them?

0:42:26 > 0:42:28Will they suddenly start being a bit kind of,

0:42:28 > 0:42:30"I'm more handsome than you, I want her"?!

0:42:30 > 0:42:32Well, it could do. We hope it won't.

0:42:32 > 0:42:36We hope that this will be a nucleus for any new bongo that come.

0:42:36 > 0:42:37These'll be a nucleus.

0:42:37 > 0:42:40We'll put the new guys with these just to calm them down.

0:42:40 > 0:42:42They'll show them the ropes.

0:42:42 > 0:42:44Hopefully in the future we could have maybe eight bongo

0:42:44 > 0:42:48that are this calm and this confident. That would be amazing.

0:42:48 > 0:42:51Well Kevin, keep us posted with any news of new arrivals.

0:42:51 > 0:42:55And I'm just delighted to see these three looking so well and happy.

0:42:57 > 0:43:00# King of the bongo King of the bongo

0:43:01 > 0:43:03# Hear me when I come, baby

0:43:03 > 0:43:07# King of the bongo King of the bongo bong

0:43:07 > 0:43:09# Hear me when I come. #

0:43:12 > 0:43:14At Pets' Corner,

0:43:14 > 0:43:17Rosie the Asian short-clawed otter is enjoying a swim.

0:43:17 > 0:43:20Her pups are three months old,

0:43:20 > 0:43:23but they have yet to pluck up the courage to join her.

0:43:23 > 0:43:27Keeper Rob Savin knows it's time for them to start swimming,

0:43:27 > 0:43:30so he's decided to bribe them.

0:43:30 > 0:43:32We are gonna try with a bit of food.

0:43:32 > 0:43:34We've had a little go already, actually.

0:43:34 > 0:43:36It's not really worked, to be honest.

0:43:36 > 0:43:39We've thrown a bit of egg in there, boiled egg,

0:43:39 > 0:43:41and they all love boiled egg.

0:43:41 > 0:43:46And they'll all eat it, including the little ones, but only Rosie -

0:43:46 > 0:43:49she's the only gannet around here at the minute - she's going in!

0:43:49 > 0:43:51She's getting every bit of egg!

0:43:51 > 0:43:54I have actually seen her - it's a little bit of a cheat -

0:43:54 > 0:43:57she's going up and she's actually giving it to them.

0:43:57 > 0:43:59The little ones are screaming at her on the land.

0:43:59 > 0:44:03They're not bothering going in the water, they don't want to know.

0:44:03 > 0:44:05They just wait till she gets there - "I'll have that, Mum" -

0:44:05 > 0:44:07and mum's going back and getting more!

0:44:07 > 0:44:08So I've got a bit of cat biscuit

0:44:08 > 0:44:12and I'm gonna try throwing that in a little bit now

0:44:12 > 0:44:14and we'll have a little go with that.

0:44:14 > 0:44:15And she will eat this.

0:44:15 > 0:44:18I mean, cat biscuits, really, we use it as a treat food.

0:44:18 > 0:44:22When you see them jumping around on land, that tail - brilliant balance.

0:44:22 > 0:44:29And different animals under water, they are very elegant.

0:44:29 > 0:44:32The tail is used as a rudder and they can spin and turn and dive.

0:44:32 > 0:44:34I love watching it.

0:44:34 > 0:44:38But we don't see it as often as you perhaps would with other otters.

0:44:38 > 0:44:40It's fantastic.

0:44:42 > 0:44:46The pups still aren't ready to join their mum in the deep-water.

0:44:46 > 0:44:49But in their natural habitat, they usually stick to the shallows.

0:44:49 > 0:44:53The Asian short-clawed otters are not so partial

0:44:53 > 0:44:55to going into deeper areas of water.

0:44:55 > 0:44:59They like the paddy rice fields and areas like that

0:44:59 > 0:45:04where there's lots of shallow, almost marshy water.

0:45:04 > 0:45:08And they'll weave in and out of the different grasses and plant life.

0:45:08 > 0:45:12They'd find all sorts of different crustaceans

0:45:12 > 0:45:17and even perhaps little frogs and things inside all of that.

0:45:17 > 0:45:19And they use their paws quite a lot,

0:45:19 > 0:45:23so they'd almost feel in from the shallower parts into the deeper mud,

0:45:23 > 0:45:25and they'd use their nimble little paws.

0:45:25 > 0:45:27So very agile little creatures.

0:45:27 > 0:45:30Rob has one more plan.

0:45:30 > 0:45:33He thinks the pups might take the plunge

0:45:33 > 0:45:35if they think no-one is watching them.

0:45:35 > 0:45:38So he's set up a camera to spy on them.

0:45:38 > 0:45:40They're still a bit wary of us,

0:45:40 > 0:45:43still a bit wary of the movement and different objects,

0:45:43 > 0:45:48new objects, I think it's best we try to get them used to something

0:45:48 > 0:45:49that's steady and still.

0:45:49 > 0:45:52So it should be aimed at the right point, but hopefully -

0:45:52 > 0:45:55I'll just set it recording now - we'll catch something.

0:45:55 > 0:45:57We can walk away, they've got a bit of peace and quiet -

0:45:57 > 0:45:59that's the plan!

0:46:01 > 0:46:05Now there's nothing Rob can do but wait and hope.

0:46:13 > 0:46:16I've come down to Pets' Corner to meet keeper Bev Allen,

0:46:16 > 0:46:19who has a bit of a problem here. Bev, what's actually going on?

0:46:19 > 0:46:22We had an animal escape, one of the wallabies.

0:46:22 > 0:46:25One of these guys just behind us? One of these guys here.

0:46:25 > 0:46:29Look very innocent at the moment! Yeah, our female, Adelaide, escaped.

0:46:29 > 0:46:32I've got some footage here if you'd like to have a look.

0:46:32 > 0:46:36So you rushed out and filmed the escapee, did you?

0:46:36 > 0:46:38Yeah, we filmed it and as you can see -

0:46:38 > 0:46:40I'll press that there - look, you can see!

0:46:40 > 0:46:43Hopping around Pets' Corner! Not a care in the world!

0:46:43 > 0:46:46She doesn't care - look, she's loving it! All the different smells.

0:46:46 > 0:46:48She looks very at ease.

0:46:48 > 0:46:50But we did manage to get her back into the enclosure.

0:46:50 > 0:46:53How did you get her back in?

0:46:53 > 0:46:57A bit of food, and coaxing her, sort of rounding her up gently.

0:46:57 > 0:46:59We managed to get her back into the enclosure.

0:46:59 > 0:47:01So this is your very own Houdini here?

0:47:01 > 0:47:03Yeah, she's very clever. Yeah!

0:47:03 > 0:47:06So how on earth are you trying to stop this happening again?

0:47:06 > 0:47:09If you'd like to come and help, and see what we're doing.

0:47:09 > 0:47:11It sounds like hard work to me!

0:47:11 > 0:47:14So presumably you found out where she's escaping from.

0:47:14 > 0:47:16Cos we're extending the pen, you see,

0:47:16 > 0:47:19so they're coming out into this area as well.

0:47:19 > 0:47:21And we think that she either got scared at night,

0:47:21 > 0:47:23and she managed to run up towards the wall.

0:47:23 > 0:47:26Cos to be honest, they can usually get out of this, you see.

0:47:26 > 0:47:28How high can a wallaby jump?

0:47:28 > 0:47:31Quite high, I imagine about maybe two metres.

0:47:31 > 0:47:35So we're putting this trellis up and it will make it a bit difficult.

0:47:35 > 0:47:40When we haven't got the ledge here as well,

0:47:40 > 0:47:44Shall I give you a hand while I'm here? If you tell me what to do.

0:47:44 > 0:47:45I'm not very good at DIY!

0:47:45 > 0:47:49Presumably this has to be put into the wall?

0:47:49 > 0:47:52Yes, just screw it in.

0:47:52 > 0:47:53Oh - that's not too bad!

0:47:53 > 0:47:57Is it just the one - cos you've got two wallabies here, don't you?

0:47:57 > 0:47:59Yeah, we have the two - Palmer wallabies.

0:47:59 > 0:48:01Smaller than the ones we have at the top.

0:48:01 > 0:48:05And it is the female, Adelaide, getting out both times.

0:48:05 > 0:48:07Sydney just tends to sit there and not bother.

0:48:07 > 0:48:11Can we just have a look? They're over here kind of munching away.

0:48:11 > 0:48:12So which is the escapee?

0:48:12 > 0:48:16That's Adelaide at the front, eating. She's the one that got out.

0:48:16 > 0:48:19And of course Syd behind, but he doesn't seem to bother.

0:48:19 > 0:48:20It's just the female!

0:48:20 > 0:48:23So what is it do you think that encourages her out?

0:48:23 > 0:48:24She might have been scared?

0:48:24 > 0:48:28Something might have spooked her, that's why she decided to get out,

0:48:28 > 0:48:30found the weakest bit of the pen and jumped out.

0:48:30 > 0:48:33Or maybe she just realised, "That's the easiest way out"

0:48:33 > 0:48:36and just wanted to have a wander round. Just curiosity? Yeah.

0:48:36 > 0:48:38Different smells and things.

0:48:38 > 0:48:42Obviously you can't really have them just wandering around here?

0:48:42 > 0:48:43No, it's for their safety as well.

0:48:43 > 0:48:46It's not safe for them to be wandering around.

0:48:46 > 0:48:48Especially at night when no-one's here to supervise them.

0:48:48 > 0:48:50Is there anything around here

0:48:50 > 0:48:53that would predate one of these wallabies, for example?

0:48:53 > 0:48:57It's probably like a badger that may have scared them.

0:48:57 > 0:48:59Foxes, they probably would go for them.

0:48:59 > 0:49:02So we've got to keep them nice and secure.

0:49:02 > 0:49:05OK, Bev, thank you very much for roping me into this!

0:49:05 > 0:49:07That's OK! We've got some work to do, I think.

0:49:07 > 0:49:10Hopefully the wallabies won't be escaping again.

0:49:10 > 0:49:13Right, up a bit, there we go.

0:49:17 > 0:49:22The safari park exists to protect endangered wild animals

0:49:22 > 0:49:26and to spread the word about the need for wildlife conservation.

0:49:27 > 0:49:31Just down the road from the park is Horningsham primary school.

0:49:31 > 0:49:36The children have all had the chance to see the animals for themselves

0:49:36 > 0:49:38and it's made an impact.

0:49:38 > 0:49:42So, who can tell me what we've been learning about?

0:49:42 > 0:49:44Tom, what have we been learning about?

0:49:44 > 0:49:47About these animals.

0:49:47 > 0:49:50That's right, what else have we been doing? Lucy?

0:49:50 > 0:49:52We've been learning about conservation.

0:49:52 > 0:49:55Right, conservation. Who can tell me what conservation means?

0:49:55 > 0:50:02Anita? Conservation is when zoos have endangered species

0:50:02 > 0:50:08and breed them so that they can put them back in the wild,

0:50:08 > 0:50:12so that they will still be there for future generations.

0:50:12 > 0:50:17How are other animals in other countries becoming endangered?

0:50:17 > 0:50:21Well, because people are killing other animals,

0:50:21 > 0:50:25so they make jewellery and different clothing.

0:50:25 > 0:50:27I don't think that's very nice to other animals.

0:50:27 > 0:50:30Now head teacher, Carol Andrews,

0:50:30 > 0:50:35has invited Darren Beasley and Jo Hawthorn to come to the school.

0:50:35 > 0:50:38Hello. Hello! All right?

0:50:38 > 0:50:42They are going to talk to the kids about their upcoming adventure.

0:50:42 > 0:50:46D'you know that Jo and I tomorrow are going to Africa?

0:50:46 > 3:22:28Yeah, have you heard that? Africa, a long way away.

3:22:28 > 3:22:28And we're going to one country in particular, called...? Kenya!

3:22:28 > 3:22:28Kenya, well done!

3:22:28 > 3:22:28They've got lots of animals we'd really like.

3:22:28 > 3:22:28We only get to see them in Longleat, don't we?

3:22:28 > 3:22:28In places like safari parks.

3:22:28 > 3:22:28Imagine, if in your back garden, you had a giraffe?

3:22:28 > 3:22:28That would be a bit good, wouldn't it?

3:22:28 > 3:22:28And I've brought some pictures Jo's got here, look.

3:22:28 > 3:22:28They're quite small so I'll pass them round.

3:22:28 > 3:22:28Jo will bring them around in a minute.

3:22:28 > 3:22:28There's a picture of some men that look like soldiers.

3:22:28 > 3:22:28They do a really good job. They mean that when you grow up,

3:22:28 > 3:22:28you should still be able to see things like rhinos in the wild.

3:22:28 > 3:22:28'I think in this day and age, you can't keep yourself in your village

3:22:28 > 3:22:28'and just know what's within the borders of your home.

3:22:28 > 3:22:28'It's important we have the TV, the internet and books and things.

3:22:28 > 3:22:28'It's important you know what goes on.

3:22:28 > 3:22:28'Because what these children do here

3:22:28 > 3:22:28'is gonna affect what happens in Africa. These are our future.'

3:22:28 > 3:22:28What happens if it's really hot for nearly the whole year?

3:22:28 > 3:22:28What happens to all the grass?

3:22:28 > 3:22:28It dies out. It dies out. What do the animals eat?

3:22:28 > 3:22:28They eat nothing!

3:22:28 > 3:22:28Can't they go down the supermarket and buy some dinner?

3:22:28 > 3:22:28No!

3:22:28 > 3:22:28They don't have money! They don't have money! Oh, no!

3:22:28 > 3:22:28They're too big to get through the supermarket door.

3:22:28 > 3:22:28The children aren't just interested in the animals of Africa.

3:22:28 > 3:22:28They're keen to get involved with the local community

3:22:28 > 3:22:28where Darren and Jo are going.

3:22:28 > 3:22:28What they're gonna do is try and twin themselves

3:22:28 > 3:22:28with one of the village schools out in Kenya where we're going.

3:22:28 > 3:22:28They're gonna support each other and pass information.

3:22:28 > 3:22:28Kids there often can't afford basic things we all take for granted.

3:22:28 > 3:22:28So the children have decided to do what they can to help.

3:22:28 > 3:22:28So we have a box of books here

3:22:28 > 3:22:28that we are hoping that you're going to take over.

3:22:28 > 3:22:28Oh, that's fantastic! That is really, really kind.

3:22:28 > 3:22:28I promise you, they really will get a lot out of those.

3:22:28 > 3:22:28Thank you very much. And thank you.

3:22:28 > 3:22:28We have another book that Imogen's going to give you.

3:22:28 > 3:22:28This is a book the class have made. Oh, that's beautiful! Well done.

3:22:28 > 3:22:28It's lovely. I know the children in Kenya will love this very much.

3:22:28 > 3:22:28Give yourself a round of applause, because you've earned that.

3:22:28 > 3:22:28Well done.

3:22:28 > 3:22:28Thank you. We've got to go, because we've got to pack our cases and go!

3:22:28 > 3:22:28We'll see you later. Bye! Thank you! Bye!

3:22:28 > 3:22:28'It's really exciting.

3:22:28 > 3:22:28'The children here know so much about conservation in this country

3:22:28 > 3:22:28'and abroad because they've given us some fantastic books.

3:22:28 > 3:22:28'And I know the children in Kenya are gonna adore them.

3:22:28 > 3:22:28'They have no resources out there so it's fantastic.

3:22:28 > 3:22:28'And to see the faces in there,

3:22:28 > 3:22:28'I know it's going to be matched by the happy faces in Kenya next week.'

3:22:28 > 3:22:28Tomorrow, Darren and Jo are off to Kenya.

3:22:28 > 3:22:28And of course, when they get back, they'll update the kids.

3:22:28 > 3:22:28Keeper, Rob Savin is trying to catch the young otters

3:22:28 > 3:22:28as they take the plunge and decide to go for their first swim.

3:22:28 > 3:22:28He's set up a camera. Now all he can do is wait patiently.

3:22:28 > 3:22:28For hours the young otters played close to the bank,

3:22:28 > 3:22:28but they just won't get in.

3:22:28 > 3:22:28Then, at last...

3:22:28 > 3:22:28It's a breakthrough.

3:22:28 > 3:22:28Got them on tape. They can't deny it!

3:22:28 > 3:22:28We saw definitely one of the little ones go for a swim.

3:22:28 > 3:22:28After all his patience and hard work, it's a proud moment for Rob.

3:22:28 > 3:22:28They were chasing after, I think it was a bit of food.

3:22:28 > 3:22:28But they dived straight in, it was more like a belly flop to be honest!

3:22:28 > 3:22:28And it was in the shallow part of the pool,

3:22:28 > 3:22:28but they came straight back out, seemed quite happy about it.

3:22:28 > 3:22:28So hopefully, that's it now.

3:22:28 > 3:22:28We're up at the Giraffe House with head of section, Andy Hayton

3:22:28 > 3:22:28and behind us is Jolly with her beautiful calf, Century.

3:22:28 > 3:22:28The 100th calf born at Longleat, I gather?

3:22:28 > 3:22:28Yes, the 100th calf in our 40th year and Jolly's tenth baby as well. Wow!

3:22:28 > 3:22:28So, Jolly really deserves that one.

3:22:28 > 3:22:28And looking extremely healthy and fit.

3:22:28 > 3:22:28He's a monster! He really is!

3:22:28 > 3:22:28He's very tall! How old is he now?

3:22:28 > 3:22:28He's about two months old now. And he's just huge! He really is.

3:22:28 > 3:22:28Now Andy I want to -

3:22:28 > 3:22:28just over here is another of your pregnant giraffes, isn't it?

3:22:28 > 3:22:28This is Becky, is that right?

3:22:28 > 3:22:28This is Becky, yeah, and that's the 101st baby in there.

3:22:28 > 3:22:28And how imminent is that birth?

3:22:28 > 3:22:28Oh, she's due in the next week or so, so very imminent.

3:22:28 > 3:22:28Last time she really messed us around.

3:22:28 > 3:22:28She was late, quite considerably late.

3:22:28 > 3:22:28But they can go quite a way over their...

3:22:28 > 3:22:28Because she's actually had quite a few giraffes?

3:22:28 > 3:22:28She's an old hand. She knows what she's doing.

3:22:28 > 3:22:28What are the signs that she's about to give birth?

3:22:28 > 3:22:28You know, what tells you it's about to happen?

3:22:28 > 3:22:28She will be restless and give us little signs.

3:22:28 > 3:22:28But, these animals instinctively, they won't give anything away.

3:22:28 > 3:22:28Because if they give things away where they naturally come from,

3:22:28 > 3:22:28they become a target.

3:22:28 > 3:22:28So a lot of the time, you won't actually see real, clear-cut signs.

3:22:28 > 3:22:28So it's very, very tricky.

3:22:28 > 3:22:28You think something's going on but no, you won't get it.

3:22:28 > 3:22:28Especially her and Jolly, they're real cagey.

3:22:28 > 3:22:28New mums, you might get a bit more, because it's a new experience -

3:22:28 > 3:22:28"Ow, that really hurts, what's going on?"

3:22:28 > 3:22:28They jump around a bit more. But these guys don't...

3:22:28 > 3:22:28Just absolutely calm, then...

3:22:28 > 3:22:28Will you literally turn up in the morning and find a calf?

3:22:28 > 3:22:28That would be nice. It's nice when you come in.

3:22:28 > 3:22:28Jolly did exactly that for us -

3:22:28 > 3:22:28we came in and there was a calf in there stood up.

3:22:28 > 3:22:28When you're watching a birth you start stressing about it.

3:22:28 > 3:22:28It's taking too long and she's looking upset and it's distressed...

3:22:28 > 3:22:28It's harder.

3:22:28 > 3:22:28So just walking in and there's a healthy baby stood up

3:22:28 > 3:22:28that's drunk, that's great.

3:22:28 > 3:22:28Fantastic. Andy, thank you very much.

3:22:28 > 3:22:28Of course, we'll keep an eye out for Becky.

3:22:28 > 3:22:28Sadly, that's all we've got time for today.

3:22:28 > 3:22:28But here's what's coming up on the next Animal Park.

3:22:28 > 3:22:28We're off to Kenya with the staff from Longleat.

3:22:28 > 3:22:28We go on a mission with the men

3:22:28 > 3:22:28at the frontline of the war against animal poachers.

3:22:28 > 3:22:28Stop!

3:22:28 > 3:22:28We'll meet these baby black rhino and give them their bottle.

3:22:28 > 3:22:28And one of Longleat's largest lions gets a little too close for comfort.

3:22:28 > 3:22:28Oh! I think we've got someone biting the tyre.

3:22:28 > 3:22:28LAUGHTER

3:22:28 > 3:22:28So don't miss the next Animal Park.

3:22:28 > 3:22:28Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd 2006

3:22:28 > 3:22:28E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk