Episode 14

Download Subtitles

Transcript

0:00:04 > 0:00:08It's a tense day in tiger territory, because one of the oldest

0:00:08 > 0:00:11and most-loved animals in the park is due for an operation.

0:00:11 > 0:00:13Kadu has a severely ingrown claw

0:00:13 > 0:00:16which needs to be operated on immediately.

0:00:16 > 0:00:19It's an operation she's had before, but, at 22 years old,

0:00:19 > 0:00:22the risks from the anaesthetic are greater than ever.

0:00:22 > 0:00:26We'll be bringing you all of the news on today's show.

0:00:48 > 0:00:51Today on Animal Park...

0:00:51 > 0:00:55There's a hair-raising experience lined up for one young keeper

0:00:55 > 0:00:58who has to give three large llamas a short back and sides.

0:00:58 > 0:01:02He may be lord of the manor, but which are the current Marquis

0:01:02 > 0:01:06of Bath's favourite corners of the estate? We'll find out today.

0:01:06 > 0:01:10And the wallabies are eating all their greens,

0:01:10 > 0:01:12but it's destroying their enclosure.

0:01:12 > 0:01:15I'll be on hand for a little garden makeover.

0:01:15 > 0:01:18- In that clump.- Put that to see what it's going to look like.

0:01:19 > 0:01:21Now, however, we're off to tiger territory,

0:01:21 > 0:01:24where it's been a very exciting season.

0:01:24 > 0:01:29Just a few months ago, three young sisters arrived from a zoo in France.

0:01:29 > 0:01:34They're almost two years old now and they haven't completely settled down yet.

0:01:34 > 0:01:37TIGER ROARS

0:01:37 > 0:01:41The sisters may have been grabbing the headlines, but in no way have

0:01:41 > 0:01:45they replaced Longleat's most-loved tiger, dear Kadu.

0:01:45 > 0:01:49Wild tigers would rarely live over 15 years, so at 22,

0:01:49 > 0:01:52she's doing remarkably well.

0:01:52 > 0:01:56But as she's aged, her health has faltered.

0:01:56 > 0:01:58I've come up to the tiger house to meet up with

0:01:58 > 0:02:01deputy head of section Bob Trollope.

0:02:01 > 0:02:05Bob, I gather that there's some not great news about Kadu this morning.

0:02:05 > 0:02:08No. I was in here earlier on and I was given her some chunks.

0:02:08 > 0:02:11And I got her to stand up just to check her nails and there's

0:02:11 > 0:02:13one growing into the pad again.

0:02:15 > 0:02:19'This isn't the first time that Kadu has suffered from this problem.

0:02:19 > 0:02:21'Three years ago, she had to

0:02:21 > 0:02:23'be put under anaesthetic in order to sort it out.'

0:02:23 > 0:02:28Aw, this is really deeply embedded. That's really nasty.

0:02:28 > 0:02:31'I was there when it all went horribly wrong.'

0:02:31 > 0:02:33Is she breathing?

0:02:33 > 0:02:35She isn't breathing, is she?

0:02:35 > 0:02:41'Kadu had a bad reaction to the drug and she stopped breathing.'

0:02:41 > 0:02:44Just keep doing that every five seconds, all right?

0:02:45 > 0:02:51'Luckily, she did survive, but you can see why it's such a worry now.'

0:02:51 > 0:02:55Why are these claws going into the pads?

0:02:55 > 0:02:59Cos she's so old now, she's not scratching on things.

0:02:59 > 0:03:01We've got logs in there for her to do it,

0:03:01 > 0:03:04but she doesn't scratch as a younger tiger would.

0:03:04 > 0:03:07And they're not getting any shorter.

0:03:07 > 0:03:10They're just growing and, unfortunately, because she's old,

0:03:10 > 0:03:13she doesn't bother and they just grow into the pad.

0:03:13 > 0:03:14Now, presumably...

0:03:14 > 0:03:19I mean, she's looking quite good and it doesn't look like she's limping.

0:03:19 > 0:03:21Well, she was walking very gingerly

0:03:21 > 0:03:24and she didn't want to put any weight on it.

0:03:24 > 0:03:27I got her up and you can see...

0:03:27 > 0:03:31I'll get her up now. I've got some chunks. Kaduse!

0:03:31 > 0:03:35- If you look at the pad on her left leg...- So the one nearest you?

0:03:35 > 0:03:37You can see...

0:03:37 > 0:03:42It's a bit too high, but that's growing into the pad.

0:03:42 > 0:03:47Now, the last time this happened, I know that Duncan the vet

0:03:47 > 0:03:50- had to come and put her under general anaesthetic.- Yeah.

0:03:50 > 0:03:52I know that Duncan is preparing outside.

0:03:52 > 0:03:57Is he going to have to go down the general anaesthetic route again?

0:03:57 > 0:04:01I think so, cos on a couple of occasions that we've done it since,

0:04:01 > 0:04:04we've been able to get her to stand up here and just trim them

0:04:04 > 0:04:06- with big nail nippers.- Right.

0:04:06 > 0:04:08But, unfortunately, from what I can see...

0:04:08 > 0:04:10It looks like it's gone right into the pad.

0:04:10 > 0:04:13I don't think you could actually get in there to...

0:04:13 > 0:04:18You want to be able to get to it properly and trim it up.

0:04:18 > 0:04:24Now, I hate to say it cos I know we're probably all feeling the same thing. She is 22 years old.

0:04:24 > 0:04:27She doesn't have a great history under general anaesthetic.

0:04:27 > 0:04:29She worried us all sick last time...

0:04:29 > 0:04:36The thing we're all worried about now is the fact she's even older now

0:04:36 > 0:04:38and she ain't in the best of health.

0:04:38 > 0:04:40She's got problems with her kidneys.

0:04:40 > 0:04:43So it's going to be a bit of a problem.

0:04:43 > 0:04:46We keep our fingers crossed, we honestly do.

0:04:46 > 0:04:50Well, we are going to stay up at the tiger house today and

0:04:50 > 0:04:55we will be following the progress of Kadu's operation and, of course,

0:04:55 > 0:04:57we'll bring you any news as soon as we get it.

0:05:05 > 0:05:08Now we know you'd never find a llama in Africa,

0:05:08 > 0:05:11but back in Longleat's East Africa reserve,

0:05:11 > 0:05:13three South American friends

0:05:13 > 0:05:17have lived happily alongside the giraffe, ostrich and zebra for years.

0:05:17 > 0:05:23Llamas Debbie, Lavina and Foggy are hardy animals and spend most

0:05:23 > 0:05:28of their time grazing, so require little hands-on attention.

0:05:28 > 0:05:31But keeper Dan Gray has developed something of a soft spot for them

0:05:31 > 0:05:34and has noticed they could do with a grooming.

0:05:34 > 0:05:36During the summer months it gets really hot.

0:05:36 > 0:05:41They've got really, really thick coats, adapted for cold weather and stuff,

0:05:41 > 0:05:45so there's a slight risk of heat exhaustion.

0:05:45 > 0:05:49So it's nice to shear them just for their sake, really.

0:05:49 > 0:05:51Really looking forward to it actually.

0:05:51 > 0:05:54It'll be nice to learn how to sear them properly.

0:05:54 > 0:05:56Then we can do it every year.

0:05:56 > 0:06:01Good intentions, but the reality is that Dan has never actually sheared

0:06:01 > 0:06:02a llama before.

0:06:02 > 0:06:04I have clipped dogs before,

0:06:04 > 0:06:07but obviously slightly smaller, slightly less fur.

0:06:07 > 0:06:10It's the first time they've ever had it, so we don't know

0:06:10 > 0:06:12how they're going to react.

0:06:12 > 0:06:16Hopefully, they're going to be fine and just let us get on with it.

0:06:16 > 0:06:18It's possible they might struggle.

0:06:18 > 0:06:22So, since this is a first for both Dan and the llamas, he's called in

0:06:22 > 0:06:26some serious back-up - professional shearer Jamie Dickson's

0:06:26 > 0:06:29travelled halfway round the world to be here.

0:06:29 > 0:06:33I actually met some of the breeders from England when I was back in Oz,

0:06:33 > 0:06:37and about three years ago they lost their previous shearer.

0:06:37 > 0:06:40And I was sitting eating my tea one night and

0:06:40 > 0:06:43got a phone call saying would you come shear in England?

0:06:43 > 0:06:46Last year, between over here and back home, I reckon I would have

0:06:46 > 0:06:50gone through about 10,000 or 11,000 alpacas and llamas,

0:06:50 > 0:06:52with a few sheep thrown in as well,

0:06:52 > 0:06:54so it's enough to keep you out of trouble.

0:06:54 > 0:06:55Calm down, easy.

0:06:55 > 0:06:58The most important thing is to be confident around the animal

0:06:58 > 0:07:01and let them know that you know what you're doing.

0:07:01 > 0:07:03That will keep them as calm as possible.

0:07:03 > 0:07:07Well, I think what we should do, first up, try and get them in.

0:07:07 > 0:07:11We'll get some sheep nuts and we'll get them into the pen over there

0:07:11 > 0:07:14and from then on, it should be relatively calm.

0:07:16 > 0:07:17Come on, llamas!

0:07:17 > 0:07:19Come on, Debbie. Good girls.

0:07:19 > 0:07:23- Well, done.- They are by nature a very defensive animal and so when

0:07:23 > 0:07:25you do catch them, they can have a bit of a squirl,

0:07:25 > 0:07:29a bit of a spit, maybe a bit of kick if we're lucky.

0:07:29 > 0:07:32- But, generally, it's all a bit of bluff.- Very good.

0:07:32 > 0:07:35Too easy. So long as we can make Dan nice and calm about the whole affair,

0:07:35 > 0:07:38I'm sure he'll do fine. Okey-doke.

0:07:38 > 0:07:44But first, they've got to grab them. And the lucky llama they're after is Debbie.

0:07:44 > 0:07:46Into this corner.

0:07:46 > 0:07:48Any corner's a good one.

0:07:48 > 0:07:50They'll usually stay calm if they're with a mate.

0:07:50 > 0:07:54OK, come up here with your mate.

0:07:54 > 0:07:56The llamas are not used to being restrained.

0:07:56 > 0:08:00Holding them by the ears is the best way to keep them still and, while it

0:08:00 > 0:08:05causes them no pain, the llamas do like to make some noise to complain.

0:08:05 > 0:08:07LLAMA BRAYS AND GRUNTS

0:08:07 > 0:08:10OK, basically, we'll start just above the tail, here.

0:08:10 > 0:08:12Put the comb in there once it's running.

0:08:12 > 0:08:15And just breeze along that side of her back line.

0:08:15 > 0:08:18OK? We'll get going while Debbie's nice and calm.

0:08:38 > 0:08:41Debbie's being a bit vocal about the whole experience,

0:08:41 > 0:08:44but she's staying nice and calm.

0:08:49 > 0:08:53And that's about her done. She was very well behaved.

0:08:53 > 0:08:58Most of their herd recognition, how they know each other, is based on scent.

0:08:58 > 0:09:01After you shear them, they don't smell the same.

0:09:01 > 0:09:03They smell a bit of the shears, a bit of me.

0:09:03 > 0:09:07And so you'll see them sniffing each other, saying, "Who are you?"

0:09:07 > 0:09:10At worst, it will take them a day or two to kind of re-establish what the

0:09:10 > 0:09:14herd hierarchy used to be and they're all happy with each other again.

0:09:14 > 0:09:16If we get her up in one of these corners,

0:09:16 > 0:09:18just like we did with Debbie.

0:09:18 > 0:09:21Next up, it's Lavina's turn.

0:09:21 > 0:09:23She may not be as noisy as Debbie,

0:09:23 > 0:09:27but prefers to stage a more peaceful protest.

0:09:27 > 0:09:30Here we go. They do feel a bit tense.

0:09:30 > 0:09:33I usually just run my hand along their back line.

0:09:33 > 0:09:36That's the first place we're going to put the shears,

0:09:36 > 0:09:40so they're getting used to feeling something alien on their back.

0:09:43 > 0:09:47But after the initial resistance, Lavina is perfectly behaved.

0:09:47 > 0:09:48Push a bit harder.

0:09:48 > 0:09:52You'll find that the llamas that get a bit touchier when you're trying to

0:09:52 > 0:09:56handle them or trying to get them in - once you've got them held,

0:09:56 > 0:09:58they're actually the best behaved.

0:09:58 > 0:10:01It's the ones that are nice and calm and come up and

0:10:01 > 0:10:05give you a kiss in the paddock that you've gotta watch out for.

0:10:05 > 0:10:08But she's being lovely and well behaved.

0:10:10 > 0:10:14- You were not trouble at all, were you?- Yeah, she was really good.

0:10:14 > 0:10:16I'm shocked at that.

0:10:16 > 0:10:18Went quite well. She was the one we were

0:10:18 > 0:10:22expecting to be a bit of trouble, but she stood there good as gold.

0:10:22 > 0:10:26Really surprised actually. Thought she was going to be a complete

0:10:26 > 0:10:28nightmare and she was really good.

0:10:28 > 0:10:31- Fingers crossed, the last one behaves for you.- Hopefully.

0:10:31 > 0:10:35Having shown him how it's done, it's up to Dan to shear the final llama,

0:10:35 > 0:10:38Foggy. But, like the others,

0:10:38 > 0:10:42she's not going to give in easily to a haircut, as we find out later on.

0:10:43 > 0:10:47Jamie the llama shearer isn't the only Antipodean at the safari park

0:10:47 > 0:10:51today, as down in Pets' Corner live a family of wallabies.

0:10:51 > 0:10:56The West Country is obviously a long way from Australia,

0:10:56 > 0:10:59but Ben has popped down to help them feel a little bit more at home.

0:10:59 > 0:11:05I've come down to Pets' Corner with deputy head-of-section Bev Allen and

0:11:05 > 0:11:06a number of plants.

0:11:06 > 0:11:09Bev, what are we doing with these today then?

0:11:09 > 0:11:12We're going to plant some native Australian plants

0:11:12 > 0:11:14in this enclosure for the wallabies.

0:11:14 > 0:11:15The wallabies - I can just see one.

0:11:15 > 0:11:19- Specifically Parma wallabies? - Yeah, Parma wallabies.

0:11:19 > 0:11:22We just thought it would be nice, cos there isn't a lot of grass in

0:11:22 > 0:11:26- here where they've eaten it all.- It is looking a little bare and brown!

0:11:26 > 0:11:30Yeah, so put a bit of greenery in for them, which will be quite nice.

0:11:30 > 0:11:33So what have we got? I recognise this. This looks like eucalyptus.

0:11:33 > 0:11:36It is, yes. A very popular one in Australia.

0:11:36 > 0:11:40And these two, I've been assured that they come from Australia.

0:11:40 > 0:11:43I'm not quite sure on the names of these two I'm afraid.

0:11:43 > 0:11:47- OK.- But we're going to put some of these in these two pots here.

0:11:47 > 0:11:51OK, so do you know which ones you want where? And I'll be your labour.

0:11:51 > 0:11:55- Shall I do some shovelling?- Yeah. - Tell me a bit more.

0:11:55 > 0:11:59Do you think we've terrified them away while we're doing this?

0:11:59 > 0:12:02- Can we get them to come... - Hopefully, in a minute.

0:12:02 > 0:12:04If I put some food around, they might come over.

0:12:04 > 0:12:05Wallabies are quite shy.

0:12:05 > 0:12:09- Right.- They come from New South Wales in Australia.- OK.

0:12:09 > 0:12:12And of course, they nearly was extinct, actually.

0:12:12 > 0:12:15- Were they?- Yes, a lot of it was because of hunting reasons -

0:12:15 > 0:12:17for the fur and the meat trade as well.

0:12:17 > 0:12:21But they've actually made a comeback now, which is brilliant.

0:12:21 > 0:12:25And sometimes you see them sort of...moving their tail,

0:12:25 > 0:12:28and shaking their heads. That's cos they're communicating,

0:12:28 > 0:12:32by showing they know you're there. They've got a very good sense of smell, they have.

0:12:32 > 0:12:37So that's how they communicate - with little kind of tail movements?

0:12:37 > 0:12:40Yeah. Movements to each other to show aggression.

0:12:40 > 0:12:42Little noises as well with each other.

0:12:42 > 0:12:45- And you've got two in here, did you say?- We've got three.

0:12:45 > 0:12:46What are their names?

0:12:46 > 0:12:49We've got Alice, which is the young one, who's about a year and a half.

0:12:49 > 0:12:52Then we've got Sydney, the male. And Adelaide as well.

0:12:52 > 0:12:55- So Australian names. - Do you think that's enough?

0:12:55 > 0:12:59Yeah, that's brilliant. So we'll pop that in, like that.

0:12:59 > 0:13:01Then we want to put some more soil around the sides?

0:13:01 > 0:13:04- Yeah.- And are you hoping that by adding all of these plants

0:13:04 > 0:13:08they'll feel a little bit happier, I suppose, with all their native plants?

0:13:08 > 0:13:10- Not that they were born in Australia.- No.

0:13:10 > 0:13:12Are you hoping...?

0:13:12 > 0:13:15Yeah, it's just nice to get something from, like, Australian

0:13:15 > 0:13:19plants in here. It's just nice to sort of bring it together, actually.

0:13:19 > 0:13:22And I'm sure they'll come over and have a sniff of the plants,

0:13:22 > 0:13:24maybe try and eat a few.

0:13:24 > 0:13:25I'm sure! What is their diet?

0:13:25 > 0:13:30Do they tend to eat everything green that goes in here?

0:13:30 > 0:13:32They are vegetarians, so they eat lots of grass.

0:13:32 > 0:13:35Also shoots, off of young plants as well.

0:13:35 > 0:13:38Bark off of trees as well they would eat.

0:13:38 > 0:13:42Right. So do you anticipate these plants actually lasting any amount of time in here?

0:13:42 > 0:13:45I think they will, hopefully, yeah!

0:13:45 > 0:13:46- OK. Pat that down.- Yeah.

0:13:46 > 0:13:49I think we've done some pretty good gardening.

0:13:49 > 0:13:51- Yeah!- Even if I say so myself.

0:13:51 > 0:13:54And... They're still kind of loitering in the background,

0:13:54 > 0:13:57but do you think they'll come back in here once we've planted these?

0:13:57 > 0:14:00I think they will. They're quite inquisitive animals,

0:14:00 > 0:14:04so I'm sure they'll come over in a minute and have a smell and see what's new.

0:14:04 > 0:14:08Well, we've certainly brightened up the enclosure already.

0:14:08 > 0:14:10- Two more plants to go then.- Oh, yes.

0:14:10 > 0:14:12- A lot of work!- Thank you very much.

0:14:12 > 0:14:13You'd better leave us to it.

0:14:13 > 0:14:16We've got lots more planting to do.

0:14:27 > 0:14:32Earlier in the series, Lord Bath gave us an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour

0:14:32 > 0:14:37of his legendary wardrobe, showing us some of his favourite pieces.

0:14:37 > 0:14:40Well, today, we're heading out with him for a tour of his

0:14:40 > 0:14:45favourite parts of the 9,000-acre estate that he calls home.

0:14:52 > 0:14:58Getting to the first stop means a trip down his rather spectacular mile-long front drive.

0:14:58 > 0:15:03These rhododendrons were brought from the Himalayas by the fourth

0:15:03 > 0:15:05marquis, back in Victorian times,

0:15:05 > 0:15:09when they were the fashionable, must-have plant for any aristocratic estate.

0:15:13 > 0:15:16Well, I love the rhododendrons

0:15:16 > 0:15:19and it gets better and better every year.

0:15:20 > 0:15:23The gateway at the end of the drive is a new feature,

0:15:23 > 0:15:26added by Lord Bath in 2004.

0:15:26 > 0:15:31I felt there wasn't a significant statement of, "You are now entering

0:15:31 > 0:15:35"Longleat Park", so that we needed to put up a monument of some kind.

0:15:35 > 0:15:37The arch was designed and built

0:15:37 > 0:15:41by world-famous water sculptress Angela Conner.

0:15:41 > 0:15:45It constantly opens and shuts with the ebb and flow of the water.

0:15:45 > 0:15:50It was named the Janus Arch, after a god with two heads.

0:15:50 > 0:15:55Janus was a Roman god for the beginning of the year

0:15:55 > 0:15:58and the end of the year, or the beginning of the seasons,

0:15:58 > 0:16:01the end of the seasons, and here we have the opening

0:16:01 > 0:16:06to your visit to the park, and when you go out

0:16:06 > 0:16:12that's your season over, you've seen it all. That sort of thinking.

0:16:12 > 0:16:15Janus is also responsible for getting the sun up in the morning

0:16:15 > 0:16:17and putting it to bed.

0:16:17 > 0:16:21Fortunately, today, Janus has done his job well.

0:16:21 > 0:16:24To judge which of his favourite places is best,

0:16:24 > 0:16:28Lord Bath has brought along his faithful companion, Boudica.

0:16:28 > 0:16:32Well, Boudy likes somewhere where when you stop she can drink a little water.

0:16:32 > 0:16:38It's rather like there being a bar to stop for a beer or cider.

0:16:43 > 0:16:45Next on Lord Bath's list of favourite places

0:16:45 > 0:16:51is one that was originally spotted by England's most famous landscape gardener.

0:16:51 > 0:16:54Heaven's Gate was the first bit in the park where

0:16:54 > 0:17:01Capability Brown set that should be panoramic views and a spot to visit.

0:17:06 > 0:17:11For Wessex, this is a very fine view indeed.

0:17:12 > 0:17:17At Heaven's Gate, Lord Bath has erected a modern ring of stones to

0:17:17 > 0:17:22commemorate the fallen beech trees lost in the great storm of 1987.

0:17:22 > 0:17:28The circle is known as Heaven's Henge, but what does Boudy think?

0:17:28 > 0:17:32She can find lots of places where other dogs have been and she can run

0:17:32 > 0:17:36round smelling her way round all what friends have been up there

0:17:36 > 0:17:38and what friends she's still got to meet.

0:17:38 > 0:17:41But there's no time to loiter.

0:17:41 > 0:17:45There's one more secret spot away from the main estate.

0:17:49 > 0:17:53Sheerwater is three miles from Longleat House.

0:17:53 > 0:17:55It was built over 200 years ago,

0:17:55 > 0:17:58by constructing a dam across the valley.

0:18:00 > 0:18:05And a finer picnicking spot you'd be hard pushed to find.

0:18:06 > 0:18:09Lord Bath likes to come here for the birds.

0:18:09 > 0:18:13I'm fairly sure that is a grebe. There are other grebes.

0:18:13 > 0:18:18The ones we have here, I think, it's the greater-crested grebe.

0:18:20 > 0:18:23Finding it a tongue-twister to say!

0:18:23 > 0:18:28No better congregating place for wild fowl than here.

0:18:28 > 0:18:31Lord Bath has been coming here all his life.

0:18:31 > 0:18:35I have memories of it from swimming here.

0:18:35 > 0:18:39I've actually swum the full length,

0:18:39 > 0:18:43but I think I probably had frog feet on,

0:18:43 > 0:18:46so I don't know that it was such an impressive feat.

0:18:46 > 0:18:50But how is Boudy going to cast her vote?

0:18:52 > 0:18:54She jumped in!

0:18:54 > 0:18:58It looks like this could be her favourite place.

0:18:58 > 0:19:01She does show off when she gets in the water.

0:19:01 > 0:19:05She has a swim and shakes herself all over everyone.

0:19:08 > 0:19:12But there's one more spot on the estate very close to Lord Bath's heart.

0:19:12 > 0:19:15We'll find out later where that is,

0:19:15 > 0:19:18and which is the top beauty spot of them all.

0:19:32 > 0:19:34We are up at the tiger house and

0:19:34 > 0:19:38there's been a little bit of worrying news with Kadu this morning.

0:19:38 > 0:19:43She has a claw that has grown into the pad. It's a recurring problem.

0:19:43 > 0:19:46Duncan, the safari park vet, is here.

0:19:46 > 0:19:48Duncan, about three years ago,

0:19:48 > 0:19:52I was with you when you operated on her before to remove this claw.

0:19:52 > 0:19:56The big worry with Kadu is that she doesn't ever react terribly

0:19:56 > 0:19:57well to general anaesthetic.

0:19:57 > 0:20:01Yeah. I think the problem was then, she was actually very ill,

0:20:01 > 0:20:05because the claw was infected where it had been growing in,

0:20:05 > 0:20:06the pad was infected.

0:20:08 > 0:20:12This time we're doing it a bit earlier. She's nice and healthy.

0:20:12 > 0:20:14She's eating well. She's not sick.

0:20:14 > 0:20:16And also, because of her age,

0:20:16 > 0:20:19we've reduced the dose of anaesthetic quite a bit.

0:20:19 > 0:20:24Is it literally just a matter of clipping the claw, making sure the wound's cleaned and getting out?

0:20:24 > 0:20:28Yeah. Bob thinks one's possibly just touching the pad there,

0:20:28 > 0:20:31so we'll probably have to sort of spray that up.

0:20:31 > 0:20:34But it will be a case of checking all the claws.

0:20:34 > 0:20:36Trim them all back, really. I want

0:20:36 > 0:20:40to take a blood sample as well, cos we're worried about kidney function.

0:20:40 > 0:20:46She's lost a lot of weight. She's on medication which reduces her blood pressure,

0:20:46 > 0:20:50so that she can absorb more of the protein out of her blood stream

0:20:50 > 0:20:52when it goes through her kidneys.

0:20:52 > 0:20:55I just want to see what level that's at really.

0:20:55 > 0:21:01She's 22 years old. She has had, many would say, a charmed life here

0:21:01 > 0:21:05at Longleat, been looked after beautifully and a firm favourite

0:21:05 > 0:21:09with, of course, Bob and Brian and all of us.

0:21:09 > 0:21:14I hate to say it, but do you think the outcome today...

0:21:14 > 0:21:18I mean, could things go wrong?

0:21:18 > 0:21:21Well, possibly things could go wrong.

0:21:21 > 0:21:24The biggest problem I think is probably her kidneys,

0:21:24 > 0:21:28but if we reduce the time of the anaesthesia as much as possible,

0:21:28 > 0:21:30she's not going to become dehydrated.

0:21:30 > 0:21:32If it was a long procedure,

0:21:32 > 0:21:35- we'd put her on fluids and give her stuff like that.- Right.

0:21:35 > 0:21:37But it's going to be as quick as possible.

0:21:37 > 0:21:41Hopefully, she'll be back up on her feet within an hour, I would hope.

0:21:41 > 0:21:46Great. OK, Duncan. We'll let you carry on and we will keep you posted.

0:21:49 > 0:21:54I always thought of the giraffe as one of nature's gentlest giants,

0:21:54 > 0:21:58but, apparently, these herbivores can be really rather dangerous.

0:21:58 > 0:22:02I'm out in the East Africa reserve with head-of-section Andy Haton

0:22:02 > 0:22:06and we've come to have a look at the incredibly graceful-looking giraffes.

0:22:06 > 0:22:08Andy, they look quite passive,

0:22:08 > 0:22:11but actually they can be quite powerful, can't they?

0:22:11 > 0:22:16Oh, yeah. The kick from a giraffe it's been said - I've read -

0:22:16 > 0:22:18can decapitate a lion.

0:22:18 > 0:22:21And they'll kick with their front feet and their back feet.

0:22:21 > 0:22:25I've had a couple of them kick out at me and it's quite scary.

0:22:25 > 0:22:27- And they kick very fast. - That's just incredible.

0:22:27 > 0:22:31And I suppose they have to learn to protect themselves, cos they are so

0:22:31 > 0:22:34tall and vulnerable really, especially out in the wild.

0:22:34 > 0:22:37Yeah, yeah. There are predators that would take a young animal.

0:22:37 > 0:22:40You look at the size of the calf out here, Henry.

0:22:40 > 0:22:42He's quite a small animal. He would

0:22:42 > 0:22:48be no problem for a lion, so you need to be able to defend your youngsters.

0:22:48 > 0:22:51And could little Henry give you a good kick?

0:22:51 > 0:22:54Yeah, it's quite amusing, because the first couple of times

0:22:54 > 0:22:57we go over to them to spray the navel, the cord and everything,

0:22:57 > 0:23:01they do try and kick out at you and they kind of just bounce off you.

0:23:01 > 0:23:05But you certainly wouldn't want it from one of these bigger guys.

0:23:05 > 0:23:07It would really spoil your afternoon, I think!

0:23:07 > 0:23:12They'll swing their heads at you as well. Those horns on the top.

0:23:12 > 0:23:14- They are solid bone.- Are they?

0:23:14 > 0:23:16Yeah. Just covered in hair.

0:23:16 > 0:23:19They'll actually come down and swing their heads. Males will use that.

0:23:19 > 0:23:24That's the method they use to fight for the females. And they will really slam into each other.

0:23:24 > 0:23:27It's awesome to see when they start swinging their heads around.

0:23:27 > 0:23:30- I bet you don't want to be in the way?- Absolutely not.

0:23:30 > 0:23:32Andy, thank you very much.

0:23:32 > 0:23:34Here's what's still to come on today's programme.

0:23:36 > 0:23:41Kadu's out cold, but her claw is worse than anyone thought.

0:23:44 > 0:23:48Lord Bath gets set upon... By a butterfly.

0:23:48 > 0:23:51And we're used to tales of life and death from meerkat mountain,

0:23:51 > 0:23:56but there's breaking news and Ben will be there to get the latest.

0:23:59 > 0:24:03Back over in the East Africa reserve, keeper Dan Gray is about

0:24:03 > 0:24:06to give Foggy the llama a haircut.

0:24:06 > 0:24:09She's actually the most confident of the three, but

0:24:09 > 0:24:14just cos she's the most confident, she's not necessarily the calmest.

0:24:14 > 0:24:18She's got trust issues, so she's a little bit wary of us.

0:24:18 > 0:24:23Removing her heavily-matted fleece will make her much cooler and more

0:24:23 > 0:24:25comfortable during the summer.

0:24:25 > 0:24:27Professional shearer Jamie Dickson

0:24:27 > 0:24:31has shown Dan how it should be done on Debbie and Lavina.

0:24:31 > 0:24:36But Foggy is not exactly keen on the idea. It's a first for her and Dan.

0:24:36 > 0:24:40So, understandably, they're both a little anxious.

0:24:40 > 0:24:43OK, Dan, are you ready to have a go yourself?

0:24:43 > 0:24:45Erm, yeah, possibly. I think so.

0:24:45 > 0:24:49OK, the main thing is not to be nervous.

0:24:49 > 0:24:53The shears are designed so they're not going to hurt the animal.

0:24:53 > 0:24:55- You'll be fine, mate. - Yeah, it'll be fine.

0:24:58 > 0:25:02She's going to go into the same corner she did before.

0:25:02 > 0:25:06But Foggy just isn't in the mood for a short back and sides,

0:25:06 > 0:25:09and refuses to stand up.

0:25:11 > 0:25:15So Dan has no option but to shear her sitting down.

0:25:18 > 0:25:22Now, remember to go in just above the tail there.

0:25:22 > 0:25:25So if you bring in the comb...

0:25:25 > 0:25:29Be nice and easy. So if you just start it up.

0:25:29 > 0:25:30There you go.

0:25:34 > 0:25:35That's it. Anywhere will do.

0:25:41 > 0:25:45You seem to be getting a feel for it. No worries.

0:25:54 > 0:25:57I think that's enough for her.

0:25:59 > 0:26:02- There you go.- Sorry about that.

0:26:02 > 0:26:05That's a pretty good job. I think you should be proud of yourself.

0:26:05 > 0:26:09- Hopefully better with practice. - Well, that's what it's all about.

0:26:09 > 0:26:11You don't start off being an expert.

0:26:11 > 0:26:13Well, that's for sure.

0:26:13 > 0:26:16This may not be quite the look that Foggy was after.

0:26:16 > 0:26:20- Go on.- Come on, Debs. Good girl.

0:26:21 > 0:26:22I think Dan did really well.

0:26:22 > 0:26:26From this distance, you can't tell which one was done by who.

0:26:26 > 0:26:29- So that's the main thing. - I'll get better at it hopefully.

0:26:29 > 0:26:33Hopefully, it will continue from there.

0:26:33 > 0:26:36After all their moaning, the girls seem rather grateful of their new

0:26:36 > 0:26:41crewcut and, for the first time ever, can scratch those parts

0:26:41 > 0:26:43other llamas just can't reach.

0:26:53 > 0:26:56'We're heading straight back to the tiger house now

0:26:56 > 0:27:01'because Kadu needs a minor operation to sort out an ingrowing claw.

0:27:01 > 0:27:06'The only way to do it is to put her under anaesthetic, and it looks like

0:27:06 > 0:27:08'the drug has just taken effect.'

0:27:08 > 0:27:12So this is the hi-tech way of checking that she's asleep(!)

0:27:12 > 0:27:16Just tap her on the head with a broom handle.

0:27:16 > 0:27:19She's looking fairly sleepy.

0:27:19 > 0:27:21Do you want to open this one a little bit?

0:27:21 > 0:27:23- I think we can crack on now.- Yeah?

0:27:31 > 0:27:34Are you happy for us to come in, Duncan? Thank you.

0:27:34 > 0:27:38Well, we'll just make sure she's fully asleep, first.

0:27:38 > 0:27:39- OK.- Get this out the way.

0:27:43 > 0:27:45- Do you want me to take that, Brian?- Thank you.

0:27:46 > 0:27:48Me and Chris can do the blood.

0:27:48 > 0:27:51OK, so Duncan's just having a look here...

0:27:51 > 0:27:54This is the problem one, look.

0:27:54 > 0:27:56Yes.

0:27:56 > 0:28:01Use that swab, Chris. That's nasty, that.

0:28:01 > 0:28:06- See how deep?- Do they have a quick, like...?

0:28:06 > 0:28:08Yeah, they have. Can't really see them there.

0:28:08 > 0:28:12I've taken quite a chunk out.

0:28:12 > 0:28:14Ah, that's coming.

0:28:14 > 0:28:17It's just starting to get a bit infected. That's pretty bad.

0:28:17 > 0:28:21It's amazing, actually, she wasn't showing more signs of that sooner.

0:28:21 > 0:28:24I know. That's what I mean. She hadn't really complained.

0:28:25 > 0:28:29I really want to take as much as possible off to try and...

0:28:29 > 0:28:32And will you clip all the others while you're here, just to...?

0:28:32 > 0:28:36Yeah. That hasn't got a claw. That's totally lost.

0:28:36 > 0:28:38Right. Is that a sign of old age?

0:28:38 > 0:28:42I dunno, really. I think she probably lost that through

0:28:42 > 0:28:44the years at some stage or other.

0:28:44 > 0:28:46Astonishingly thick, aren't they?

0:28:46 > 0:28:49These look like the sort of things you would use to trim horses' hooves with.

0:28:49 > 0:28:51Yeah, that's what they are, exactly.

0:28:55 > 0:28:58I think you can just about see the quick in that one.

0:28:58 > 0:29:00Just a little bit, yeah.

0:29:02 > 0:29:05You can see her teeth while we're here, look.

0:29:05 > 0:29:08Quite worn down. She is an old cat.

0:29:08 > 0:29:10She's not got a lot of them missing there.

0:29:10 > 0:29:13Pre-molars. That canine's been missing for years.

0:29:13 > 0:29:15Incisors.

0:29:15 > 0:29:16These canines are all right.

0:29:16 > 0:29:18Yeah, that's right, she had...

0:29:18 > 0:29:21I might just give the Antisedan.

0:29:23 > 0:29:26- And that's the thing that will bring her round, is it?- Yeah.

0:29:28 > 0:29:34Cos I'm pretty sure we've got enough time

0:29:34 > 0:29:37to get the blood sample and get out.

0:29:37 > 0:29:40Yes, this is a slightly nervous time for Chris!

0:29:40 > 0:29:44Duncan's just given her the injection that will start to bring her round.

0:29:44 > 0:29:47But they still want to get more blood samples.

0:29:47 > 0:29:51So the case is, will she start coming round too quickly?

0:29:51 > 0:29:54I'm going to give her antibiotics as well. This is a long-acting

0:29:54 > 0:29:59- penicillin, just to help clear up the infection in her pad.- Right.

0:29:59 > 0:30:03I think you've probably got enough EDTA there anyway, haven't we?

0:30:03 > 0:30:05Yeah, I would have thought so.

0:30:05 > 0:30:08You're a very special girl, you are, aren't you? Mm?

0:30:10 > 0:30:16I think what we'll do then now... is sit her up...

0:30:16 > 0:30:19on to her sternum.

0:30:19 > 0:30:22- Can we trim that up?- Oh, yeah. Have you got scissors, Tom?

0:30:22 > 0:30:25I'll go and get scissors.

0:30:25 > 0:30:28- Give her a bit of a haircut while we're here.- Yeah.

0:30:28 > 0:30:30There you go, Duncan. There's one there.

0:30:30 > 0:30:33Dreadlocks.

0:30:33 > 0:30:36I might have to ask you to do me after this!

0:30:36 > 0:30:39I could do with a nail cut and hair cut!

0:30:39 > 0:30:43She's just starting to show a few twitches and stuff.

0:30:43 > 0:30:47She's blinking. I think we probably need to leave her alone soon.

0:30:47 > 0:30:48OK.

0:30:48 > 0:30:50That's surprisingly quick this time.

0:30:50 > 0:30:54That was very quick, wasn't it? Very good.

0:30:54 > 0:30:57I've got a nice collection of... darts and matted hair.

0:30:57 > 0:31:00Do you want a toenail, Bob, as a souvenir?

0:31:00 > 0:31:03Thank you. I'll treasure that for the rest of my days.

0:31:03 > 0:31:08Well, we will be keeping a close eye on Kadu for the rest of the day

0:31:08 > 0:31:13and hope that we will be able to come and see her when she comes round.

0:31:13 > 0:31:15But, Bob, Brian, thank you very much indeed.

0:31:15 > 0:31:18Kadu, sleep it off and we look forward to seeing you later.

0:31:24 > 0:31:27Lord Bath has offered to take us on a tour

0:31:27 > 0:31:31of his favourite four places on the 9,000-acre estate.

0:31:31 > 0:31:36So far, we've visited the new Janus arch at the entrance to the park,

0:31:36 > 0:31:40Heaven's Gate, looking down over a spectacular view,

0:31:40 > 0:31:43and Sheerwater, a fishing lake a couple of miles

0:31:43 > 0:31:44off the beaten track.

0:31:46 > 0:31:51But the last beauty spot is almost on Lord Bath's back doorstep.

0:31:51 > 0:31:53It's the butterfly house.

0:32:06 > 0:32:11The butterfly house is one of the attractions open to the public.

0:32:11 > 0:32:13The climate is hot and steamy,

0:32:13 > 0:32:15to make the large tropical butterflies feel at home.

0:32:21 > 0:32:22What, love?

0:32:22 > 0:32:24What's your favourite butterfly?

0:32:24 > 0:32:31Ooh, I think in England, a swallowtail or a purple emperor.

0:32:31 > 0:32:36And when you go abroad, those lovely ones which are a metallic blue,

0:32:36 > 0:32:39or any ones with long tails.

0:32:39 > 0:32:40I like long tails.

0:32:42 > 0:32:44Do they land on you?

0:32:44 > 0:32:47- The butterflies, do they land on you?- I'm hoping,

0:32:47 > 0:32:50but it's not to their taste. They avoid me.

0:32:50 > 0:32:52They're attracted to the colours!

0:32:52 > 0:32:54In his youth, Lord Bath enjoyed

0:32:54 > 0:32:59chasing butterflies out in the open, but now, with his very own butterfly

0:32:59 > 0:33:04house, he can sit and let these beautiful creatures come to him.

0:33:15 > 0:33:18It quite liked my nose!

0:33:18 > 0:33:22Well, I do like it when they pay personal attention

0:33:22 > 0:33:25and come and perch on my nose. That little...

0:33:25 > 0:33:27You know, giving a butterfly kiss.

0:33:27 > 0:33:30I always associate that with great affection.

0:33:33 > 0:33:38So which of the four delightful spots on the estate has Lord Bath

0:33:38 > 0:33:40decided is his favourite?

0:33:40 > 0:33:44The Janus Arch, Heaven's Gate, Sheerwater Lake,

0:33:44 > 0:33:48or, of course, the butterfly house?

0:33:53 > 0:33:58I would import the butterflies and probably sit at Sheerwater, I think.

0:34:00 > 0:34:04But I'd like it to be different each day. Not too much of a routine.

0:34:04 > 0:34:08But I'd like there always to be butterflies.

0:34:08 > 0:34:13But, of course, when you are lord of the manor, anything is possible.

0:34:25 > 0:34:28The safari park has an excellent track record

0:34:28 > 0:34:30when it comes to breeding.

0:34:30 > 0:34:34Over the years, there have been countless animals born, from highly

0:34:34 > 0:34:38endangered Rothschild giraffes to the iconic lions.

0:34:38 > 0:34:43But there is one little corner that hasn't always enjoyed success.

0:34:45 > 0:34:48Meerkats are one of the park's most-loved creatures,

0:34:48 > 0:34:52but following their progress has often been a tale of tragedy.

0:34:52 > 0:34:56Only this year, keeper John Reynolds lost several to

0:34:56 > 0:35:01a mysterious disease, leaving a dark cloud hanging over meerkat mountain.

0:35:03 > 0:35:06But things could be looking up.

0:35:06 > 0:35:08I'm down at meerkat mountain, where

0:35:08 > 0:35:12there's been some really exciting news. The meerkats have had pups.

0:35:12 > 0:35:15So this is where the meerkats live?

0:35:15 > 0:35:18It is. This is their little burrow inside the mountain, as it were.

0:35:18 > 0:35:21- And where are the pups? - The pups, they're just down here.

0:35:21 > 0:35:26Dad's looking after them now. Some are underneath these tubes.

0:35:26 > 0:35:30- I can just see a little tail sticking out.- Yep, yep.

0:35:30 > 0:35:32So that's Dad looking after them?

0:35:32 > 0:35:35Yeah, there's Mum behind him now.

0:35:35 > 0:35:37They're just extraordinary.

0:35:37 > 0:35:39Remind me, how many pups are there?

0:35:39 > 0:35:43We had five pups born just four or five days ago now.

0:35:43 > 0:35:48And they're still obviously in that fragile stage

0:35:48 > 0:35:51where the parents are being very protective looking after them.

0:35:51 > 0:35:54Exceedingly, yeah. They're very, very protective parents.

0:35:54 > 0:35:57They're looking after them, making sure they're all right.

0:35:57 > 0:36:00There's always one checking up, babysitting, as it were,

0:36:00 > 0:36:04making sure they're OK. Every so often she'll come over, feed them.

0:36:04 > 0:36:06Dad's very good at looking after them.

0:36:06 > 0:36:11He's always watching them, making sure that none get into trouble or anything like that.

0:36:11 > 0:36:13And that extraordinary noise going on there,

0:36:13 > 0:36:16is that because the pups are around, or are meerkats always very vocal?

0:36:16 > 0:36:19When they're babies, they make as much noise as possible.

0:36:19 > 0:36:23You walk in in the morning, you know they're born just by the noise they make.

0:36:23 > 0:36:26It's just amazing. How long will they be suckling,

0:36:26 > 0:36:30- taking milk from the mother?- They'll probably suckle for about a month,

0:36:30 > 0:36:33then they'll start to ween on to solid food.

0:36:33 > 0:36:36They'll still carry on suckling a bit after that, but it's not long

0:36:36 > 0:36:39until they're fully weened. It doesn't take long at all.

0:36:39 > 0:36:42And obviously, I can't really, cos they're really hidden away

0:36:42 > 0:36:47at this moment, but have they got the same stripes and colourings as a fully grown meerkat?

0:36:47 > 0:36:51- No, right now, they're really quite...- We can just see a little face sticking out.

0:36:51 > 0:36:54They're very pale - It's only when they get to about nine, ten weeks,

0:36:54 > 0:36:57they'll start to get their stripes and their markings.

0:36:57 > 0:37:02And it must be really exciting for you as a keeper to see

0:37:02 > 0:37:05this addition to your collection.

0:37:05 > 0:37:08It really is absolutely incredible for us.

0:37:08 > 0:37:11It's taken us a long time to be able to get them to be comfortable

0:37:11 > 0:37:13enough to start breeding.

0:37:13 > 0:37:16So now that they're having a real go at breeding

0:37:16 > 0:37:20and trying to get their colony up, it's really, really good for us.

0:37:20 > 0:37:23It's so fantastic to watch them when they're outside bounding

0:37:23 > 0:37:25around, playing and learning.

0:37:25 > 0:37:29You watch them when they're so young and they're just going around exploring everything.

0:37:29 > 0:37:31It's really fun to watch.

0:37:31 > 0:37:33Now, these pups are just a few day's old - how long

0:37:33 > 0:37:36before they can venture out into meerkat mountain?

0:37:36 > 0:37:39What will happen normally is that it'll be about three weeks or so.

0:37:39 > 0:37:42They'll come out. They won't go too far from the tunnel.

0:37:42 > 0:37:45There'll always be someone watching them.

0:37:45 > 0:37:48One of the adults there will be making sure they're OK.

0:37:48 > 0:37:50And as they get braver, they'll move further out.

0:37:50 > 0:37:54But it doesn't take much to make them scarper back into the tunnel.

0:37:54 > 0:37:58I bet. I bet. But eventually, they'll have the run of the place

0:37:58 > 0:38:02and feel very at home.

0:38:02 > 0:38:06With these special new births, everyone now has their fingers

0:38:06 > 0:38:12crossed that meerkat mountain's run of bad luck may finally be at an end.

0:38:16 > 0:38:19On the other side of the safari park,

0:38:19 > 0:38:24Foggy, Lavina and Debbie are enjoying the cool breeze

0:38:24 > 0:38:28on their freshly shorn coats for the first time in years, but what's going

0:38:28 > 0:38:31to happen to their discarded coats?

0:38:31 > 0:38:33Well, you're about to find out,

0:38:33 > 0:38:36as we let you in on a little Animal Park secret.

0:38:37 > 0:38:41This is exactly what I'm looking for to stop wind

0:38:41 > 0:38:43coming across the microphone.

0:38:43 > 0:38:47Stewart, our sound man, has been working on Animal Park since the

0:38:47 > 0:38:51first series eight years ago, and on his travels around the

0:38:51 > 0:38:55park, he's discovered animal hair makes an excellent wind-gag

0:38:55 > 0:38:57for his microphones.

0:38:57 > 0:39:02OK. Well, this is fur that these Bactrian camels have moulted.

0:39:02 > 0:39:07These guys live in Mongolia, so they're used to extreme weather conditions.

0:39:07 > 0:39:10Very, very cold temperatures and high winds. So this is ideal.

0:39:10 > 0:39:17This is very thick, soft, wind-insulating fur, so it's great for the radio mikes.

0:39:17 > 0:39:21It keeps all the wind off them, so you can hear what someone's saying.

0:39:21 > 0:39:22And at this time of the year,

0:39:22 > 0:39:25they're all moulting and you can find it anywhere over the park.

0:39:25 > 0:39:30This camel fur - it is much, much better than any commercial wind-gag you can buy.

0:39:30 > 0:39:33So Stewart has come up with his own range of mufflers,

0:39:33 > 0:39:35foraged from all over the park.

0:39:35 > 0:39:38That is from a wolf.

0:39:38 > 0:39:41I've got camel. Now that's very, very soft.

0:39:41 > 0:39:43That's like cotton wool.

0:39:43 > 0:39:45And that's goat.

0:39:45 > 0:39:47That's not bad.

0:39:47 > 0:39:50This is what it sounds like across a microphone. I'll just...

0:39:50 > 0:39:52HE BLOWS ON THE MICROPHONE

0:39:52 > 0:39:55See? So you couldn't hear anyone's voice above that.

0:39:55 > 0:39:58So if I wrap a bit of camel's hair round there...

0:39:58 > 0:40:03Now that will keep all the wind out.

0:40:03 > 0:40:05Now, when that's on someone...

0:40:06 > 0:40:08HE BLOWS ON THE MICROPHONE

0:40:08 > 0:40:09That's much better.

0:40:11 > 0:40:15So the next time you're watching the programme and you see a little tuft

0:40:15 > 0:40:18of white hair - just a little bit sticking outside someone's shirt,

0:40:18 > 0:40:20you might know what it is...

0:40:20 > 0:40:26llama, wolf, camel or goat.

0:40:34 > 0:40:38Earlier, we were all extremely worried as Kadu had to undergo an

0:40:38 > 0:40:41operation to remove an ingrown claw.

0:40:41 > 0:40:45We've come up to see keeper Bob Trollope and Kadu, and look at this!

0:40:45 > 0:40:47Oh, Bob, she's completely come round.

0:40:47 > 0:40:51- That's fantastic.- Still layed down, but she's completely round.

0:40:51 > 0:40:53She's been over having a fuss before you come over.

0:40:53 > 0:40:57- Oh, really?- Yeah.- So is she fully up on her feet and moving around?

0:40:57 > 0:41:00- Yeah, she's much more agile than she was, let's say.- Good.

0:41:00 > 0:41:03You can just see, Ben, there's a bit of green on that front paw.

0:41:03 > 0:41:08- Of course.- That's where the antibiotic spray was put on.

0:41:08 > 0:41:13And, as you say, she's lying down, but she's looking quite alert.

0:41:13 > 0:41:16There's been no bad effects after the anaesthetic?

0:41:16 > 0:41:19No, no. She was a little wobbly, which is understandable,

0:41:19 > 0:41:22but I think she's looking forward to something to eat now.

0:41:22 > 0:41:24That's fantastic news!

0:41:24 > 0:41:27So a really quick recovery, cos I know that you were worried.

0:41:27 > 0:41:29- She's, how old? 23?- She's 22, yeah.

0:41:29 > 0:41:33- So we're happy that she come round reasonably quick.- Yeah.

0:41:33 > 0:41:36I wonder if she'll just come over and see...

0:41:36 > 0:41:39What do you think? Come on, Bob, you're the tiger whisperer here.

0:41:39 > 0:41:43And is this something that would happen often out in the wild, that

0:41:43 > 0:41:45they might get something like that, an ingrowing...?

0:41:45 > 0:41:49Probably not, because they wouldn't live this long out in the wild.

0:41:49 > 0:41:52- It's probably age-related because of her arthritis.- Right.

0:41:52 > 0:41:56Still likes scratching on the trees or the wood that we put in with her

0:41:56 > 0:42:01and they're not being cleaned, so it's just age, I'm afraid.

0:42:01 > 0:42:03Well, it is great news that she's come round and...

0:42:03 > 0:42:07Oh, look at that! I mean, it's hard to believe that they are,

0:42:07 > 0:42:10you know, big, very dangerous cats when you see her like that.

0:42:10 > 0:42:17I know, we were all very worried, Bob, but we're delighted that she has made such a good recovery.

0:42:17 > 0:42:19Sadly, that's all we've got time for today,

0:42:19 > 0:42:22but here's what's coming up on the next Animal Park.

0:42:24 > 0:42:27This man is a legend of African conservation and used to play with

0:42:27 > 0:42:30big cats like they were big softies,

0:42:30 > 0:42:36but what will he make of Longleat's pride and what will they make of him?

0:42:36 > 0:42:39There's a very big day for the keepers in Pets' Corner,

0:42:39 > 0:42:43as one of the most at-risk creatures they've ever had arrives.

0:42:43 > 0:42:45But what's in the box?

0:42:46 > 0:42:51And there's a disaster in the great house as one of the ceilings

0:42:51 > 0:42:53has started to signs of collapse.

0:43:13 > 0:43:16Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd

0:43:16 > 0:43:20E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk