Episode 4

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0:00:05 > 0:00:11There hasn't been a new tiger wandering around the safari park here at Longleat for 18 years now.

0:00:11 > 0:00:13All that is about to change.

0:00:13 > 0:00:16For the past six months, three brand new tigers

0:00:16 > 0:00:20have been spending quarantine time in this building over here.

0:00:20 > 0:00:25But now their bedding is being destroyed, the quarantine has been lifted and, for the very first time,

0:00:25 > 0:00:29these tigers are going to be released into the park - today.

0:00:50 > 0:00:56Coming up on today's Animal Park - the tigers try to make friends.

0:00:57 > 0:00:59Oh, my gosh!

0:00:59 > 0:01:02'Meet Vlad, Attila and Genghis.

0:01:02 > 0:01:07'They're hard as nails, but how will they react when Kate heads into their enclosure?'

0:01:08 > 0:01:12'And Ben makes an alarming move in the great house.'

0:01:12 > 0:01:14ALARM SOUNDS

0:01:14 > 0:01:17I feel really naughty!

0:01:23 > 0:01:30It's been six months since the three young tigers arrived at Longleat from a zoo in Alsace, France.

0:01:30 > 0:01:35They came to join old favourite 22-year-old Kadu.

0:01:35 > 0:01:38But these youngsters have a little more bite.

0:01:38 > 0:01:44Although they're sisters from the same litter, they have very different personalities.

0:01:44 > 0:01:47While the one named Soundari is a real pussycat,

0:01:47 > 0:01:54Svetli and Shouri are fierce as anything and as wild as can be.

0:01:54 > 0:01:56ROARS

0:02:02 > 0:02:04Because the girls came from abroad,

0:02:04 > 0:02:07they have been kept in quarantine since arriving.

0:02:07 > 0:02:11Finally their time in isolation is up.

0:02:11 > 0:02:15In just a few hours, they will be let loose into the safari park.

0:02:15 > 0:02:20So, at long last, we have been given permission to visit them.

0:02:20 > 0:02:24It's a very exciting day for Kate and I,

0:02:24 > 0:02:29cos we have come up to the tiger house to meet Longleat's three new resident tigers.

0:02:29 > 0:02:32Keepers Bob and Brian are on hand.

0:02:32 > 0:02:34Wow! Look at these! Who's this, Bob?

0:02:34 > 0:02:39This is Soundari. Very impressive. Welcome, Soundari!

0:02:39 > 0:02:45I can't believe that you are putting your hand right up against the bars.

0:02:45 > 0:02:48She's like, dare I say it, a younger Kadu.

0:02:48 > 0:02:52Very, very much so. She obviously trusts us.

0:02:52 > 0:02:55I'm not stupid enough to put my finger in. As you can see!

0:02:55 > 0:03:00There are various opportunities obviously she would take.

0:03:00 > 0:03:04She's a darling, isn't she? Absolutely gorgeous. So where is Kadu? She's out.

0:03:04 > 0:03:06Is she? Brian, can we go and check up on Kadu?

0:03:06 > 0:03:09I'll come back and get a sneak preview of these later.

0:03:09 > 0:03:12She's very impressive. An absolute darling, isn't she?

0:03:14 > 0:03:16Come on, girl!

0:03:16 > 0:03:19Come and see us. Here she is, Brian.

0:03:19 > 0:03:23Looking, well, a little bit raggedy around the edges

0:03:23 > 0:03:27compared to those other three, but she's looking OK.

0:03:27 > 0:03:32She's doing well, considering her age. She's 22 this year.

0:03:32 > 0:03:33That's remarkable, isn't it?

0:03:33 > 0:03:36It's old for a tiger.

0:03:36 > 0:03:40When the other three came in, how did she react?

0:03:40 > 0:03:43She was a bit surprised at first.

0:03:43 > 0:03:44Who were these new tigers?

0:03:46 > 0:03:50But straightaway, as soon as they came up near her in the cage,

0:03:50 > 0:03:54they were fine with each other, talking and everything.

0:03:54 > 0:03:55She's out here on her own.

0:03:55 > 0:03:59She's had problems with arthritis in recent years,

0:03:59 > 0:04:04so she's obviously not as mobile as those three youngsters.

0:04:04 > 0:04:10Is it too much of a risk to mix her with young, feisty cats?

0:04:10 > 0:04:14I have been racking my brain about that, thinking about it for ages.

0:04:14 > 0:04:20Do we risk it or do we just leave her as she is where she can see them anyway?

0:04:20 > 0:04:26Because of her age, she hasn't got a lot of weight on her or muscle,

0:04:26 > 0:04:28and we're talking three young tigers.

0:04:28 > 0:04:32They could probably do a lot of damage if they jumped on her.

0:04:32 > 0:04:35And it's not something you could easily go in and break up.

0:04:35 > 0:04:38You can't pick them up by the scruff of the neck and separate them!

0:04:38 > 0:04:41That's the thing. She looks fantastic.

0:04:41 > 0:04:44It is just great that she is going to live out her days here,

0:04:44 > 0:04:48where she has been so happy and spoilt rotten by you and Bob.

0:04:48 > 0:04:50Yes, apparently!

0:04:50 > 0:04:52My wife tells me too much!

0:04:54 > 0:04:56I spend more time here than with her!

0:04:56 > 0:04:59She's worth it. Aren't you?

0:04:59 > 0:05:04So Kadu's companions in her latter years will be her adoring keepers.

0:05:04 > 0:05:07But back inside, the three new tigers

0:05:07 > 0:05:10aren't so keen on making friends with us.

0:05:10 > 0:05:13Who have we got in here? This is Shouri.

0:05:13 > 0:05:15Oh, my...!

0:05:15 > 0:05:17This is Shouri.

0:05:17 > 0:05:19Hey, hey, hey! Wow!

0:05:19 > 0:05:22She is probably the angriest one out of the three. Right.

0:05:22 > 0:05:26Then we've got Svetli. They are magnificent.

0:05:26 > 0:05:30How are you getting on in terms of bonding with them? Really well.

0:05:30 > 0:05:34There have been a few days when we were able to feed all of them off a stick.

0:05:34 > 0:05:37You know how we do with the chunks of meat?

0:05:37 > 0:05:40That was fine, bearing in mind that

0:05:40 > 0:05:44they probably didn't have a lot of human contact where they were before.

0:05:44 > 0:05:48Coming in from France, there is a language barrier as well.

0:05:48 > 0:05:51I can't speak French and they probably don't understand English.

0:05:51 > 0:05:54Can we just go and see...? ROAR

0:05:56 > 0:05:58See what I mean? She's quite feisty!

0:05:58 > 0:06:00Oh, my gosh.

0:06:00 > 0:06:04That is amazing. That certainly keeps you on your guard, doesn't it?

0:06:04 > 0:06:09It is very nice to have that because for the past 18 years

0:06:09 > 0:06:13we've been very used to Kadu and Sona and Shandi.

0:06:13 > 0:06:17They weren't like that. Having youngsters that you know will,

0:06:17 > 0:06:21given the first opportunity, kill you, keeps you on the edge a bit!

0:06:23 > 0:06:26We'll be back later to see just what happens

0:06:26 > 0:06:28when these ferocious youngsters

0:06:28 > 0:06:32are let loose in the park for the very first time.

0:06:38 > 0:06:44Tapirs have lived in the rainforests of South America for the last 20 million years.

0:06:44 > 0:06:48But, as their habitat disappears, they're facing the danger of extinction.

0:06:48 > 0:06:54That's why the park's breeding programme is so important, and so far it has been a success.

0:06:56 > 0:07:00Supermum Jessie has already given birth to five babies,

0:07:00 > 0:07:04and there's fabulous news as, once again, she's expecting.

0:07:04 > 0:07:08Keeper Bev Evans is giving her a little extra TLC.

0:07:08 > 0:07:13Jessie is quite heavily pregnant at the moment and getting hormonal.

0:07:13 > 0:07:19Gomez was her fifth and her sixth is due very, very soon.

0:07:19 > 0:07:23Apart from Gomez, Jessie's previous offspring have been sent to zoos

0:07:23 > 0:07:28and parks across Europe to help the international breeding programme.

0:07:28 > 0:07:30And Bev hopes Jessie keeps up the good work.

0:07:31 > 0:07:34I think six babies at her time of life -

0:07:34 > 0:07:36she's just turned ten - is pretty good.

0:07:36 > 0:07:41She could carry on till she's 15, maybe even 20 years old. It depends.

0:07:41 > 0:07:45But the pairing that Jethro and Jessie have is a perfect pairing.

0:07:45 > 0:07:50They get on really well. He's very quiet, she's quite bolshy,

0:07:50 > 0:07:51and it works.

0:07:51 > 0:07:56The gestation period for a baby tapir is 13 months,

0:07:56 > 0:08:00which is one of the longest in the animal kingdom.

0:08:00 > 0:08:05At the moment, we're just really waiting for her to give birth.

0:08:05 > 0:08:09The only things we tend to do prior to the birth is keep an eye on her,

0:08:09 > 0:08:11what food she takes.

0:08:11 > 0:08:16We don't want her to take on too much food and put on too much weight,

0:08:16 > 0:08:18for herself or the baby.

0:08:18 > 0:08:21But also we are going to start setting up a birthing pen,

0:08:21 > 0:08:24where we'll separate her from the two boys at night

0:08:24 > 0:08:28so when she does give birth, it's just her and the baby

0:08:28 > 0:08:30and no outside influences.

0:08:30 > 0:08:35She tends to tell us when she's going into labour. She's incredibly vocal.

0:08:35 > 0:08:37She runs around the paddock and won't settle.

0:08:37 > 0:08:41You let her in the house and the birthing pen. She won't settle.

0:08:41 > 0:08:43She paces in and out.

0:08:43 > 0:08:46You kind of know she is going to do it and then you just wait

0:08:46 > 0:08:49and come in in the morning and there it is, the baby running around.

0:08:49 > 0:08:52She's a bit of a natural. She just pops them out.

0:08:52 > 0:08:57With the birthing pen set up, Jessie is let indoors for some peace and quiet.

0:08:57 > 0:09:00Since she could give birth any moment now,

0:09:00 > 0:09:04dad Jethro and her son Gomez are left waiting nervously outside.

0:09:04 > 0:09:08But can Jessie manage another problem-free birth?

0:09:08 > 0:09:11We'll be back later to find out.

0:09:19 > 0:09:22The keepers at the giraffery look after, well, giraffes -

0:09:22 > 0:09:27amongst other things - and are able to get pretty close to most of their animals.

0:09:27 > 0:09:32That was, of course, until these three boys arrived at the park.

0:09:32 > 0:09:33Their names?

0:09:34 > 0:09:35Vlad...

0:09:35 > 0:09:38Attila...

0:09:38 > 0:09:40and Genghis.

0:09:40 > 0:09:43African warthogs are seriously tough.

0:09:43 > 0:09:45A combination of solid muscle,

0:09:45 > 0:09:50tusks that can grow as long and as pointy as a carving knife,

0:09:50 > 0:09:54and a top speed of 30 mph.

0:09:54 > 0:09:57But the most dangerous thing is that they're practically blind.

0:09:57 > 0:10:02The slightest noise could spook them so the keepers rarely head into their enclosure,

0:10:02 > 0:10:06but occasionally it must be done, and even more occasionally,

0:10:06 > 0:10:10with a strimmer running on a two-stroke engine.

0:10:10 > 0:10:12I am up in the warthog enclosure

0:10:12 > 0:10:15with all the guys from the giraffery.

0:10:15 > 0:10:20I feel extremely well protected. I feel I've got my own little army in here.

0:10:20 > 0:10:24Mark, you're keeper here looking armed and dangerous.

0:10:24 > 0:10:25What do you need to do today?

0:10:25 > 0:10:29Today we've got to take some of the nettles and longer grass out

0:10:29 > 0:10:33cos, as you can see, it's getting a bit overgrown in this paddock.

0:10:33 > 0:10:38Mainly so the public can actually see the animals and also so we can keep an eye on them as well.

0:10:38 > 0:10:43OK. Why do you, Andy, and you, Ryan, need to be here as well?

0:10:43 > 0:10:46Surely Mark can just strim by himself, can't he?

0:10:46 > 0:10:50It's just a safety thing. These guys, when they first got here,

0:10:50 > 0:10:54were extremely agitated and upset about being here.

0:10:54 > 0:10:56They are dangerous.

0:10:56 > 0:11:00We're still learning about them.

0:11:00 > 0:11:05Right. So we will go overboard on safety on everything we do until we're happy how we do it.

0:11:05 > 0:11:09It's just a safety precaution. Mark can't really see or hear

0:11:09 > 0:11:13and keep an eye out for the warthogs while he's strimming

0:11:13 > 0:11:15so we're his eyes and ears at the moment. OK.

0:11:15 > 0:11:17Mark, you can go and get started, presumably,

0:11:17 > 0:11:21and Andy, do we then stay up here and just watch Mark

0:11:21 > 0:11:25and watch the warthogs which are just down there?

0:11:25 > 0:11:29Sunbathing at the moment... Yeah, we'll stay here

0:11:29 > 0:11:32and get ourselves in between the warthogs and Mark. OK.

0:11:32 > 0:11:35Mark will kind of keep an eye on us and if we start jumping up and down

0:11:35 > 0:11:39and telling him to move then he'll move out the way. All right. Good luck, Mark.

0:11:39 > 0:11:41We'll protect you, we promise.

0:11:41 > 0:11:43Mark's just started up the strimmer.

0:11:43 > 0:11:47They're looking fairly relaxed so far, Ryan,

0:11:47 > 0:11:51not too bothered about the noise of it.

0:11:51 > 0:11:55Have they got more relaxed the longer they've been here at Longleat?

0:11:55 > 0:11:58Gosh, yeah, yeah... In the last year

0:11:58 > 0:12:01they were very flighty and nervous to start with

0:12:01 > 0:12:07but we come in here from time to time and strim and come in and mow.

0:12:07 > 0:12:11So you've got machinery, a lot of noise and also down in this corner,

0:12:11 > 0:12:15they're happy down there but they're very close to the first cattle grid into the giraffe reserve.

0:12:15 > 0:12:19Which makes a good old rattle, doesn't it? Cars, coaches,

0:12:19 > 0:12:22on the busy days make a lot of noise. So they're really calm now.

0:12:22 > 0:12:27They're magnificent animals, even though we have to look at them from a distance.

0:12:27 > 0:12:30Tell me a little bit about warthogs?

0:12:30 > 0:12:33Are they pig-like or are they a completely different animal?

0:12:33 > 0:12:37They are part of the pig species,

0:12:37 > 0:12:39very well-armoured and hardcore.

0:12:39 > 0:12:42One of these guys would see off a leopard. Really?

0:12:42 > 0:12:47Oh, yeah. You really wouldn't want to mess around with a mummy warthog

0:12:47 > 0:12:49when she's got piglets with her.

0:12:49 > 0:12:54They have these quite fearsome-looking tusks

0:12:54 > 0:12:58coming up around the side of their jaws.

0:12:58 > 0:13:02They have two big tusks on the top and two smaller ones on the lower jaw. Right.

0:13:02 > 0:13:06And the warts, as well, that's what makes them look really scary.

0:13:06 > 0:13:08The warts are the lumps on the side of the head?

0:13:08 > 0:13:12They're just actually thick pads. Protection for when they're fighting. Right.

0:13:12 > 0:13:16So big, thick skin pads, that's what they are, they're not warts as such.

0:13:16 > 0:13:20And the tusks, are they used for fighting? Are they used for digging?

0:13:20 > 0:13:22What are they used for? Digging and fighting.

0:13:22 > 0:13:26Some of the holes that we've got in here are quite horrendous when they get going.

0:13:26 > 0:13:30I was looking around, there are a few craters around the enclosure.

0:13:30 > 0:13:31Is this all their work?

0:13:31 > 0:13:33Absolutely! All their own work.

0:13:33 > 0:13:39But you must be really worried because, presumably, they could dig out under the fence, couldn't they?

0:13:39 > 0:13:42Theoretically, Kate, yes! LAUGHTER

0:13:42 > 0:13:45Right. Thanks for putting us on the spot there.

0:13:45 > 0:13:47But no inclination to do that?

0:13:47 > 0:13:50If we started to see them digging close to the fence line

0:13:50 > 0:13:54we'd have to take measures, really, to prevent that.

0:13:54 > 0:13:56We've got like a double skin of fences for a start.

0:13:56 > 0:14:00So if they dig under one fence there's a second fence there.

0:14:00 > 0:14:05So, hopefully, that would afford you enough time to notice what they're doing and sort the problem.

0:14:05 > 0:14:10They're being well-behaved and it's lovely to be able to able to stand here

0:14:10 > 0:14:16and look at three very relaxed, very content-looking animals in a beautiful reserve.

0:14:16 > 0:14:19It's nice for us because they're the total flipside of what they were.

0:14:19 > 0:14:25We'd started questioning whether we'd made the right move getting them here when they first arrived.

0:14:25 > 0:14:27Now, looking at them, it's lovely.

0:14:27 > 0:14:30It's really nice. They're great. I really like them.

0:14:30 > 0:14:35Well, Andy, Ryan, thank you very much and we better keep an eye on Mark.

0:14:42 > 0:14:45On the other side of the park, the time has come.

0:14:45 > 0:14:48After six months, the three new tigers

0:14:48 > 0:14:52are about to be released from their small, temporary paddock

0:14:52 > 0:14:56into tiger territory, where they'll really be able to stretch their legs.

0:14:56 > 0:15:00Head of big cats Brian Kent is standing by

0:15:00 > 0:15:03and is, understandably, a little tense.

0:15:03 > 0:15:05They're gonna be lively.

0:15:05 > 0:15:10They're not just gonna amble around, they're gonna be running and they're gonna be after the vehicles.

0:15:10 > 0:15:13They will go to places where they've got to be moved.

0:15:13 > 0:15:16So we've got to be very careful.

0:15:16 > 0:15:20Deputy head of section Bob Trollope is also on hand in case they run into problems.

0:15:20 > 0:15:25Although they're only two years old, these cats are hardly kittens.

0:15:25 > 0:15:30They are wild animals. They are as dangerous as any other animals we've got here,

0:15:30 > 0:15:33maybe more so because they're gonna be frightened.

0:15:33 > 0:15:36Something like Soundari, who's a lively animal,

0:15:36 > 0:15:39it'd be nothing to her to break your neck with one bite.

0:15:39 > 0:15:41So everyone's gonna have to be careful

0:15:41 > 0:15:46and you've got to respect the fact that they are killing machines.

0:15:46 > 0:15:50And now the moment has come to let the killing machines loose.

0:15:50 > 0:15:52Craig, if you want to let them out, please.

0:15:52 > 0:15:55The only way for the sisters to get from their paddock

0:15:55 > 0:16:01out into the park of tiger territory is through a small gate.

0:16:01 > 0:16:03Suddenly, Svetli makes a break for it.

0:16:09 > 0:16:12Just a few minutes later Shouri heads out,

0:16:12 > 0:16:15and Bob urgently warns the other keepers.

0:16:15 > 0:16:20One of the tigers is out in the section now and is following the fence line around.

0:16:20 > 0:16:23Just bear in mind when you're opening the gates, please.

0:16:23 > 0:16:27The number one danger point is where the cars drive in.

0:16:27 > 0:16:30Now only is it a potential escape route for the tigers,

0:16:30 > 0:16:34but also someone has to stand there to work the mechanism,

0:16:34 > 0:16:37and to a tiger, that someone might look like dinner.

0:16:39 > 0:16:43So, should one of them come down this way, it's incredibly important

0:16:43 > 0:16:47for keeper Rob Maltby to close that gate as quickly as possible.

0:16:48 > 0:16:53Well, hopefully I'll get good warning on the radio to say that the tiger will be coming down.

0:16:53 > 0:16:58As soon as that happens, I'd release the motor at the bottom, like so.

0:16:58 > 0:17:02Release it like that and then I can close it a lot quicker...

0:17:04 > 0:17:06..and then go in my hut and hide.

0:17:09 > 0:17:14They're just following the fence line round, which is quite normal.

0:17:14 > 0:17:19We've just got to be careful now on how we approach any situation

0:17:19 > 0:17:22because we don't want to frighten them into

0:17:22 > 0:17:24running straight towards the gates

0:17:24 > 0:17:27cos, obviously, they're manned and we don't want any accidents.

0:17:27 > 0:17:31Safety is everyone's first concern as Shouri and Svetli

0:17:31 > 0:17:35settle into a corner of the enclosure to size up their surroundings.

0:17:37 > 0:17:41They're actually looking around, taking everything in.

0:17:41 > 0:17:44Maybe they're looking for the best way out.

0:17:44 > 0:17:47They're going to be able to see lions, I presume, through the fencing.

0:17:47 > 0:17:51That's going to be new to them.

0:17:51 > 0:17:52It's looking good.

0:17:52 > 0:17:57They're not looking at fences, panicking. You've just got to give them time.

0:17:57 > 0:18:01It takes a few hours before Soundari comes out of the compound.

0:18:01 > 0:18:06Everyone thinks she's the nice, friendly one.

0:18:06 > 0:18:09Later on we'll find out just how wrong they are.

0:18:22 > 0:18:25While the tigers settle into the safari park,

0:18:25 > 0:18:28we're heading inside the great house,

0:18:28 > 0:18:33just as over nine million visitors have done since the doors were opened in 1949.

0:18:35 > 0:18:38With 300,000 visitors a year coming in

0:18:38 > 0:18:41there is a fair amount of general wear and tear,

0:18:41 > 0:18:45but some mischievous visitors actually touch the exhibits.

0:18:45 > 0:18:48Ben's with Longleat's curator of historic collections,

0:18:48 > 0:18:53Kate Harris, to assess the damage to a pair of drapes near the front door.

0:18:53 > 0:18:58Curtains must be one of the biggest problems in the house because you must have so many?

0:18:58 > 0:19:00We have a lot and they are very vulnerable.

0:19:00 > 0:19:03Usually they're in light, directly.

0:19:03 > 0:19:06They're in the heat, directly. Because they're functional?

0:19:06 > 0:19:08Yes, and ours are 19th-century curtains,

0:19:08 > 0:19:11and the fashion was that they'd be long and they'd sit on the floor.

0:19:11 > 0:19:16That's fine in a private house but when there's thousands of feet around them it's a problem.

0:19:16 > 0:19:19These are going out this year and one of the things

0:19:19 > 0:19:23we're contemplating is hanging them a bit higher when they go back.

0:19:23 > 0:19:25OK, cos we're very near the entrance here.

0:19:25 > 0:19:29This is where everyone passes through the house. Yes. And that does a lot of damage.

0:19:29 > 0:19:33Yes. We want to restore them to functionality which means they can be used as draught excluders.

0:19:33 > 0:19:36These are big, impressive draught excluders.

0:19:36 > 0:19:40They were made for the 4th Marquis in 1874 in Rome, with his arms.

0:19:40 > 0:19:43So it's the coat of arms on them, is it? Yes.

0:19:43 > 0:19:48They're made in Rome in 1874, as I say and they've even got trompe l'oeil fringes.

0:19:48 > 0:19:53They're tapestry curtains, so they're woven, and they've got fringes woven into the bottoms.

0:19:53 > 0:19:58We're going to send them out for serious conservation, which will include wet cleaning.

0:19:58 > 0:20:03You can imagine the struggle when you've got objects that are 3.5 metres tall and they are wool.

0:20:03 > 0:20:05Really heavy when they're wet.

0:20:05 > 0:20:07That's a specialist job, but when they come back

0:20:07 > 0:20:11they'll be relaxed and rectangular for the first time in ages.

0:20:11 > 0:20:14We should be able to draw them across so that people

0:20:14 > 0:20:19can really see them in all their splendour with the Marquis's arms and beautiful colours.

0:20:19 > 0:20:24So everyone will be able to see them in their splendour, but how are you going to keep grubby paws off them?

0:20:24 > 0:20:30One of the things we're thinking of doing is to make sure some of the textiles are alarmed.

0:20:30 > 0:20:34The guys do their absolute best to make sure that people don't touch,

0:20:34 > 0:20:39but when we're busy it's difficult to make sure that nobody gets too close to things.

0:20:39 > 0:20:44One of the ideas is to have alarms on these. Have you got any in yet?

0:20:44 > 0:20:47We're trying them out. Really?

0:20:47 > 0:20:51Can I be really naughty and try it? Let's see if they work.

0:20:51 > 0:20:54Here we go. PIERCING ALARM

0:20:54 > 0:20:57I feel really naughty! Do you think that will deter people?

0:20:57 > 0:21:03That would definitely deter me. It just goes to show, fabric should be seen and not heard!

0:21:04 > 0:21:08'This seems like a very good time t head off to the peaceful sanctuary

0:21:08 > 0:21:12'of the Deer Park, which is home to four different species of deer.

0:21:12 > 0:21:16'It's never easy getting close to them.

0:21:16 > 0:21:21'But one is friendlier than most, so I've gone to find out more.'

0:21:21 > 0:21:24I'm in the deer park with head of section Tim Yeo

0:21:24 > 0:21:29and the very soppy red deer female 028.

0:21:29 > 0:21:33Is that her name? That's right. You couldn't have thought of a better name?

0:21:33 > 0:21:35We could have done a little bit better.

0:21:35 > 0:21:37Why is she particularly affectionate?

0:21:39 > 0:21:42Well I think she's been hand-reared, this animal.

0:21:42 > 0:21:46Not here, but I think she's been hand-reared,

0:21:46 > 0:21:52hence the complete no fear whatsoever of us.

0:21:52 > 0:21:56It's a huge treat to get close to a red deer.

0:21:56 > 0:22:00Red deer are native to Britain, is that right? That's right, Kate.

0:22:00 > 0:22:05I guess that most famously Scotland.

0:22:05 > 0:22:09When people think of red deer they think of the Highlands of Scotland.

0:22:09 > 0:22:13They're quite big animals when you get up close to them, aren't they?

0:22:13 > 0:22:19They certainly are, and these are our largest land mammals.

0:22:19 > 0:22:24Are they? You're very pretty. How do they work?

0:22:24 > 0:22:31Do you tend to have females grouped together, males grouped together, all of them as a family?

0:22:31 > 0:22:34No, they're very much, as you say -

0:22:34 > 0:22:40for large parts of the year the males go off and do their own thing,

0:22:40 > 0:22:44and spend time together and the hinds, the females,

0:22:44 > 0:22:51they're also collected in herds with calves of the previous year

0:22:51 > 0:22:53and that sort of thing.

0:22:53 > 0:22:58Again it's the breeding season that brings them all together.

0:22:58 > 0:23:03That's when you get the famous clashes, the males battling it out for supremacy.

0:23:03 > 0:23:06It's lovely to see her as always.

0:23:06 > 0:23:11Thank you, Tim, and we've got lots more coming up on today's programme.

0:23:11 > 0:23:15The tigers are released, but now they're on the rampage.

0:23:15 > 0:23:17Go on, you naughty girl.

0:23:19 > 0:23:23And what you get when you cross a cat scratching post

0:23:23 > 0:23:26with a family of ferrets - mayhem, by the looks of it.

0:23:33 > 0:23:36The keepers of Pets Corner were over the moon

0:23:36 > 0:23:41when the first baby otters in 30 years were born a few months ago.

0:23:41 > 0:23:43Imagine head keeper Darren Beasley's delight

0:23:43 > 0:23:47when a second litter was born just a few months later.

0:23:47 > 0:23:49I'm never gonna understand it.

0:23:49 > 0:23:51In all the years I've worked with animals

0:23:51 > 0:23:54it's odd you go for such a long time without anything at all,

0:23:54 > 0:23:58and we really wanted baby otters, and lo and behold

0:23:58 > 0:24:02we've got two complete beautiful litters in quick succession.

0:24:02 > 0:24:06What's going to happen now? Is she gonna have two litters every year?

0:24:06 > 0:24:09We're going to have to expand! We're going to need rubber walls.

0:24:09 > 0:24:13But it's a wonderful position to be in and we're really happy.

0:24:13 > 0:24:17The four youngest pups are now eight months old and nearly fully-grown,

0:24:17 > 0:24:20though they're still learning some basic skills -

0:24:20 > 0:24:23like getting to grips with their food.

0:24:23 > 0:24:25We're feeding them some guinea-fowl eggs.

0:24:25 > 0:24:29They're surplus from the draft reserve.

0:24:29 > 0:24:32We boil them up and they've all got very good appetites,

0:24:32 > 0:24:34and are very playful, and they'll juggle.

0:24:34 > 0:24:37They all like to play.

0:24:37 > 0:24:40Darren is hoping the family will keep on growing.

0:24:40 > 0:24:45Obviously the plans now really are all for the future.

0:24:45 > 0:24:50We've heard of groups of Asian otters living in groups of up to 20. We're going to try and do that.

0:24:50 > 0:24:54We've got to try and increase the space of the pool and plan for the future.

0:24:54 > 0:24:57If mum has another two litters, at what point do we stop it?

0:24:57 > 0:25:00What point do we stop her having babies?

0:25:00 > 0:25:03Can we keep supplying enough food to keep them going?

0:25:03 > 0:25:05They're eating machines.

0:25:05 > 0:25:11Otter keeper Rob Savin is happy to oblige by spending more time feeding them.

0:25:11 > 0:25:14I'll get them mussels from the lake occasionally.

0:25:14 > 0:25:17We've got some scallops for them right now,

0:25:17 > 0:25:18which they open very easily.

0:25:18 > 0:25:21They use their skills on them, especially the adults.

0:25:21 > 0:25:25The youngsters will learn off Mum and Dad and the older children.

0:25:25 > 0:25:28When they're searching for their food they've got very nimble paws.

0:25:28 > 0:25:34If they've got any gaps in rocks or logs or branches, they'll put their paws down and they'll feel around.

0:25:34 > 0:25:38They can't see what they're doing. They just feel for their food.

0:25:38 > 0:25:40It's great.

0:25:40 > 0:25:46Now there are so many, it's getting harder for Rob to know which is which.

0:25:46 > 0:25:48These four are really tricky.

0:25:48 > 0:25:52I'm going to take lots of ID photos and scroll through on a computer

0:25:52 > 0:25:55and try and find little differences in their faces.

0:25:55 > 0:25:57But all of them by Dad have got a big nose.

0:25:57 > 0:26:00At least two of the little ones look like their mum.

0:26:00 > 0:26:04I was looking at it the other day and I thought, you look like your mum.

0:26:04 > 0:26:07It's going to be very difficult to tell you apart.

0:26:07 > 0:26:10They are at the moment very slightly smaller.

0:26:10 > 0:26:12They've just recently been named.

0:26:12 > 0:26:16We've got Gourmet, Roogan, Tikka,

0:26:16 > 0:26:22and somewhere over the back we've got Malaya as well.

0:26:23 > 0:26:27'Understandably, the otter family a proving a favourite in Pets Corner,

0:26:27 > 0:26:31'not just with the public, but also with the keepers.'

0:26:31 > 0:26:34This really to be honest is one of the many bonuses.

0:26:34 > 0:26:37My hobby is my job, and I've said that before.

0:26:37 > 0:26:40It's great fun coming here. This is what we do.

0:26:40 > 0:26:44You have so many sad things working with animals sometimes

0:26:44 > 0:26:48and these are what keep you going for the next day and the next day.

0:26:48 > 0:26:53Seeing this happy family group of otters this really is well worth it.

0:26:53 > 0:26:56It's worth getting out of bed every morning just to see this.

0:27:05 > 0:27:09At the tapir house, there has been some good news.

0:27:09 > 0:27:13Super mum Jesse has given birth to a baby boy.

0:27:13 > 0:27:15She instinctively gave birth in the night,

0:27:15 > 0:27:19as that's the safest time for the young to be born in the wild.

0:27:19 > 0:27:25Head of section Andy has already been down to check on the new arrival.

0:27:25 > 0:27:29We don't know what time it was born. It was there at 8.30 this morning.

0:27:29 > 0:27:31She's such an old hand, Jess.

0:27:31 > 0:27:33She just fires them out now.

0:27:33 > 0:27:38The baby is a little bit wobbly, it's a newborn,

0:27:38 > 0:27:40but it's moving around and standing up.

0:27:40 > 0:27:43They're like a little watermelon on legs.

0:27:43 > 0:27:46There are quite a nice little animal.

0:27:47 > 0:27:52The watermelon-like spots and stripes are an essential camouflage for babies in the wild.

0:27:52 > 0:27:55It helps them blend into the rainforest undergrowth

0:27:55 > 0:27:59and protects them from natural predators such as jaguars and pumas.

0:27:59 > 0:28:06She's just such a great mum. She gets on and does it and away you go.

0:28:08 > 0:28:12Because the baby has wobbly legs, Andy has called in

0:28:12 > 0:28:15new vet Paul Hicks to give him a thorough check over.

0:28:17 > 0:28:20Very cute, Bev. He's not bad, is he?

0:28:21 > 0:28:25He's still a little bit nervous and a little bit jumpy. Yeah.

0:28:25 > 0:28:28He was a bit wobbly on his back legs to begin with.

0:28:28 > 0:28:32But generally we've not had any problems with him at all.

0:28:32 > 0:28:35Is she protective of him?

0:28:35 > 0:28:40In the sense that she'll stand over him, but she's not showing any aggression to us or anyone else.

0:28:40 > 0:28:43Let's listen to his heart.

0:28:43 > 0:28:46He panics sometimes if you have to restrain him.

0:28:48 > 0:28:51Great. I've never listened to a tapir's heart before.

0:28:51 > 0:28:55But it sounds nice and healthy. He looks great.

0:28:55 > 0:28:58After looking after Jessie throughout this pregnancy,

0:28:58 > 0:29:01the arrival of the baby is an exciting time for Bev.

0:29:03 > 0:29:09Obviously I've been here for three tapir births now, but it doesn't really lose its edge, to be honest.

0:29:09 > 0:29:15It's always incredibly exciting to pop in in the morning and find him wandering around.

0:29:15 > 0:29:18Jessie and her new baby will have some quality time together

0:29:18 > 0:29:21for the first few days, but we'll be back later

0:29:21 > 0:29:23when I get a chance to meet

0:29:23 > 0:29:28possibly the cutest animal in the safari park for the first time.

0:29:38 > 0:29:41I'm down at Pets Corner with deputy head warden Ian Turner

0:29:41 > 0:29:43and this extraordinary bit of kit.

0:29:43 > 0:29:46Which is what? It's a scratching post.

0:29:46 > 0:29:52It started... We had lion cubs up the yard which I used to look after and we got this scratching post.

0:29:52 > 0:29:55When they got bigger, they went away. Yeah. Took it home. Yeah.

0:29:55 > 0:29:56For my six cats...

0:29:56 > 0:30:00and it's been at home for 20 years. Right.

0:30:00 > 0:30:04I've just lost the last cat now and we're donating it to Pets' Corner for the ferrets.

0:30:04 > 0:30:08It's got a lot of cat's smell on it, so it should be good for them.

0:30:08 > 0:30:11OK, do you want me to help you get it in? Is it heavy?

0:30:11 > 0:30:13It's not that bad, but it's quite bulky.

0:30:13 > 0:30:16Where shall I put it? Right at the front here?

0:30:16 > 0:30:20Put it there, then the public can get a view of them.

0:30:20 > 0:30:22I'll just move one from underneath.

0:30:22 > 0:30:25There we are, already inquisitive ferrets.

0:30:25 > 0:30:29Why is it important to bring new things into the enclosure?

0:30:29 > 0:30:34It's not short of stuff. They have all sorts of things to play with.

0:30:34 > 0:30:38Just to keep them active. They're a very inquisitive animal, intelligent.

0:30:38 > 0:30:43They like playing and having new smells. It's environmental enrichment for them. Shall I get one?

0:30:43 > 0:30:45There's one just over there.

0:30:45 > 0:30:50Let's have a look and see what you think of this.

0:30:50 > 0:30:54Are they climbers, ferrets? They're good at climbing down drainpipes,

0:30:54 > 0:30:56which is why we've got pipes in here.

0:30:56 > 0:30:59They're having a good old sniff. It's all the new smells.

0:30:59 > 0:31:04Ferrets aren't a wild animal, are they? No, they're domesticated.

0:31:04 > 0:31:06Aren't you? There you go, look.

0:31:06 > 0:31:08That's quite interesting.

0:31:08 > 0:31:11So the closest wild relative of the ferret would be what?

0:31:11 > 0:31:17Like mink. But these were bred specifically for hunting, mainly?

0:31:17 > 0:31:19Yeah, yeah, for going after rabbits.

0:31:19 > 0:31:24Do they make good pets? Are they high maintenance animals to keep?

0:31:24 > 0:31:27They make good pets if you look after them properly.

0:31:27 > 0:31:30You need to handle them a lot or they can be quite aggressive.

0:31:30 > 0:31:33They've got a nasty bite when they want to.

0:31:33 > 0:31:35And they like lots of space, presumably.

0:31:35 > 0:31:37Lots of space, lots of playing stuff to do.

0:31:37 > 0:31:41And they like to be handled a lot. The more you handle them, the better.

0:31:41 > 0:31:45They're good at climbing. They're incredibly agile, aren't they?

0:31:45 > 0:31:48And, as you say, very athletic.

0:31:48 > 0:31:51They love to move around to get into things.

0:31:51 > 0:31:53These amazing lithe bodies.

0:31:53 > 0:31:57I'm just going to pick you up, sorry. I know you're just exploring.

0:31:57 > 0:32:02But look at this. They do literally bend in half, don't they? Yeah.

0:32:02 > 0:32:07Any little nooks and crannies they go down - your jumpers, anything.

0:32:07 > 0:32:08They'll crawl anywhere.

0:32:08 > 0:32:14We've brought in this scratching post, but if you look at Gary, our sound man here,

0:32:14 > 0:32:18he seems to be much more interesting than the scratching post!

0:32:18 > 0:32:21Gary, you're being besieged over there!

0:32:21 > 0:32:25The scratching post isn't nearly as interesting as the crew. But all new smells.

0:32:25 > 0:32:30They've all got different smells from their wives and families.

0:32:30 > 0:32:34It's all new. I think they'll be very happy ferrets with their new toy.

0:32:34 > 0:32:38Ian, thank you very much. We'll leave these ferrets to explore.

0:32:49 > 0:32:51Back in tiger territory,

0:32:51 > 0:32:55the three feisty sisters are exploring their new home.

0:33:00 > 0:33:04Head of section Brian is trying to keep a close eye on them.

0:33:04 > 0:33:07It's a bit awkward when they're all split up.

0:33:07 > 0:33:11We've got a vehicle down that end and someone up here with another one.

0:33:11 > 0:33:15I'm a bit worried what the general public will get up to with them.

0:33:15 > 0:33:20To make sure everyone is safe, Ian Turner has left the ferrets behind

0:33:20 > 0:33:23and is now down at Tiger Territory to keep an eye on the visitors.

0:33:23 > 0:33:29You've got to watch the cars. If people have windows down like this, she'll have 'em. No danger.

0:33:29 > 0:33:34We've put extra signs on the gates now, five more signs, warning people about windows.

0:33:34 > 0:33:37They still leave windows open. I shouted three people today.

0:33:37 > 0:33:42The public just don't read the signs, "Please keep your windows closes."

0:33:42 > 0:33:45Cos they don't realise how fast they can move.

0:33:45 > 0:33:48But some people are about to find out.

0:33:50 > 0:33:53It's a tiger's natural instinct to stalk and chase.

0:33:53 > 0:33:55When the pheasants have all flown,

0:33:55 > 0:33:57Soundari turns her attention to bigger prey.

0:34:10 > 0:34:13It's down to the patrol vehicles

0:34:13 > 0:34:16to intervene and make Soundari back off.

0:34:19 > 0:34:23But now she's really got interested in the cars.

0:34:29 > 0:34:32With one swipe of her four-centimetre claws,

0:34:32 > 0:34:36she could easily shred a tyre and do some serious damage.

0:34:40 > 0:34:44And even large buses aren't too big for her to take on.

0:34:46 > 0:34:48This may be just a game for her,

0:34:48 > 0:34:52but it's proven just how dangerous these tigers could be.

0:34:54 > 0:34:58It's certainly been an eventful day for the spirited three.

0:34:59 > 0:35:03Soundari's been all over the place. It's been a good day for her.

0:35:03 > 0:35:05I imagine she'll sleep very well tonight.

0:35:05 > 0:35:10And the next step, or the next challenge, is getting them back in.

0:35:10 > 0:35:15It's a two-vehicle operation to herd the tigers back to their house.

0:35:16 > 0:35:18Go in, you naughty girl!

0:35:22 > 0:35:27It's a little big boggy over here, so we'll have to be a bit careful.

0:35:27 > 0:35:31She's aware, I think she knows what's going on.

0:35:31 > 0:35:33We'll just have to make sure...

0:35:35 > 0:35:37Come on, darling.

0:35:37 > 0:35:38Good girl!

0:35:38 > 0:35:39Come on!

0:35:39 > 0:35:41That's it.

0:35:41 > 0:35:44Minimum of fuss, look.

0:35:44 > 0:35:47The main thing we don't want to do is frighten her.

0:35:49 > 0:35:51So far, so good.

0:35:53 > 0:35:55She's in, she's in the compound.

0:35:57 > 0:36:01And Soundari, hopefully, is going to follow.

0:36:01 > 0:36:03Go on, good girl!

0:36:03 > 0:36:05Good girl!

0:36:07 > 0:36:10Come on, all the way!

0:36:12 > 0:36:16Finally, the keepers can breathe a sigh of relief.

0:36:16 > 0:36:20Today has been...you know, excellent, really.

0:36:20 > 0:36:25Er...Soundari has been quite fun to watch, actually.

0:36:25 > 0:36:28We haven't had this sort of action for years in here.

0:36:35 > 0:36:40It's been some time since the young male tapir we met earlier was born.

0:36:42 > 0:36:46'Now, Bev's invited me up to get a proper look at him.'

0:36:46 > 0:36:50He's still got all these fantastic stripes that Mum doesn't have.

0:36:50 > 0:36:53They're all born with stripes, aren't they? Yep.

0:36:53 > 0:36:56And how long...? Oh, look at this!

0:36:56 > 0:36:59How long will he keep these stripes?

0:36:59 > 0:37:05They'll fade over the next few months, but by six months, definitely eight, he'll be brown all over.

0:37:05 > 0:37:08I have to say, having seen other tapirs over the years,

0:37:08 > 0:37:11I've never seen one quite so chilled out as this.

0:37:11 > 0:37:14Yeah, he's born the right time of year.

0:37:14 > 0:37:18We've been able to play with him a lot and get him quite friendly.

0:37:18 > 0:37:21Sometimes, in the winter, when we're very busy mucking out,

0:37:21 > 0:37:24we haven't had the chance with some of the babies,

0:37:24 > 0:37:26but this one's been born the right time of year.

0:37:26 > 0:37:29Wow! This is amazing. I don't want to leave.

0:37:29 > 0:37:31I want to stay all night and just play with them.

0:37:31 > 0:37:34So, how long will he keep suckling from Mum for?

0:37:34 > 0:37:37That is probably about six to eight months as well.

0:37:37 > 0:37:42And how long till he gets to that size cos she's big?

0:37:42 > 0:37:44Females generally are larger than males

0:37:44 > 0:37:47but they are probably 2 to 2.5 years....quite big.

0:37:47 > 0:37:51And we keep talking about "it", is there a name?

0:37:51 > 0:37:54No, not yet. So, how do you come up with a name?

0:37:54 > 0:37:56We go from letters...

0:37:56 > 0:38:01Just wants to get in on the act as well.

0:38:01 > 0:38:05Letters... 2000 is A, so 2008 is H this year.

0:38:05 > 0:38:11OK. So, all... Last year you had Gomez who we can see there with Dad.

0:38:11 > 0:38:16Yes, with Jethro. Gomez is 18 months and as you can see, he's getting really big.

0:38:16 > 0:38:20If H is the letter, how do you come up with one name?

0:38:20 > 0:38:23Basically, it's the whole pick a name out of the hat kind of thing.

0:38:23 > 0:38:26All keepers come up with their best ideas for H,

0:38:26 > 0:38:28you have to be a male as well,

0:38:28 > 0:38:30we need to choose one of those names really.

0:38:30 > 0:38:35Is that is what Jess is trying to find?

0:38:35 > 0:38:38We have got all the names on the pieces of paper,

0:38:38 > 0:38:41can I draw the name?

0:38:41 > 0:38:42Go for it.

0:38:42 > 0:38:46Whatever name I pick out, this will be his new name. Yeah.

0:38:46 > 0:38:49Right, let's go for this one here. Ready? Go on.

0:38:49 > 0:38:51This is very exciting.

0:38:51 > 0:38:53And the new name...

0:38:53 > 0:38:55for the new little tapir is...

0:38:55 > 0:38:57Hugo!

0:38:57 > 0:38:59What do you think of that?

0:38:59 > 0:39:01That is good, that was one of mine.

0:39:01 > 0:39:03That was one of your suggestions? It was.

0:39:03 > 0:39:06I think he looks like a Hugo.

0:39:06 > 0:39:08Don't you think he looks like a Hugo?

0:39:08 > 0:39:11I that's gonna suit him very well.

0:39:11 > 0:39:13Well, Bev, thank you very much

0:39:13 > 0:39:16and what an honour to be able to pick the name out.

0:39:16 > 0:39:22And we will keep you posted one the progress of Hugo throughout the series. Thanks, Bev.

0:39:28 > 0:39:31It's nearly the end of the programme but before we go,

0:39:31 > 0:39:35Kate and I have come down to Pet's Corner, with keeper John Ovens

0:39:35 > 0:39:38and some of the magnificently coloured parrots they've got here.

0:39:38 > 0:39:42This is Jake, the blue and gold macaw.

0:39:42 > 0:39:45John, will you tell us about the fantastic beaks?

0:39:45 > 0:39:50One of the things a parrot is most famous for is that big, powerful beak.

0:39:50 > 0:39:53One of their main tools, they use it for breaking into tough nuts,

0:39:53 > 0:39:55into tough fruits as well.

0:39:55 > 0:39:59And also, they do a lot of climbing as well, in the trees in the Amazon,

0:39:59 > 0:40:01so they use their beak like a third foot.

0:40:01 > 0:40:05They use it to climb onto trees and help them climb using their feet as well.

0:40:05 > 0:40:11Looking at Jake's beak here, that it grows constantly down.

0:40:11 > 0:40:14It does, very much like our fingernails.

0:40:14 > 0:40:19It is always growing so, one important thing we must provide is these logs.

0:40:19 > 0:40:22It helps them file down their beak. They pretty much take care of themselves.

0:40:22 > 0:40:25They are quite good animals for grooming and taking care of themselves.

0:40:25 > 0:40:28They'll rub beak up against the logs and that files it down.

0:40:28 > 0:40:30For the claws, it acts like a nail file.

0:40:30 > 0:40:34Is there a way that we can see how powerful the beak is?

0:40:34 > 0:40:36There is indeed.

0:40:36 > 0:40:38If I can just... Do you want me to take him?

0:40:38 > 0:40:40Here we are. There we go.

0:40:40 > 0:40:43One of the parrot's favourite foods is one of these.

0:40:43 > 0:40:47We might get jealousy from the other birds but a favourite food is a walnut.

0:40:47 > 0:40:50Everyone wants one!

0:40:50 > 0:40:54You'll see how powerful his beak is. He'll break straight into that nut.

0:40:54 > 0:40:56Have a little go, Jake.

0:40:56 > 0:40:59Go on, Jake. Show us how clever you are.

0:40:59 > 0:41:01He's shy. Go on, let's have a little look.

0:41:01 > 0:41:03Look at that!

0:41:03 > 0:41:05Incredible, isn't it?

0:41:05 > 0:41:07Very powerful. So powerful.

0:41:07 > 0:41:11Really good co-ordination as well between claws and beak.

0:41:11 > 0:41:16It must be frightening for you to know that you're looking after

0:41:16 > 0:41:19birds that are highly intelligent,

0:41:19 > 0:41:22do exactly what they want do and they're very well armed.

0:41:22 > 0:41:26Very, very well armed. A parrot is never going to bite you for no reason.

0:41:26 > 0:41:28There is a reason for everything they do.

0:41:28 > 0:41:31Treat them well, you respect them, they're not gonna bite you.

0:41:31 > 0:41:34On a bad day, you come in on a Sunday morning when they are grumpy,

0:41:34 > 0:41:38you've gotta watch out. They are like us, get out of the wrong side of the bed.

0:41:38 > 0:41:40Presumably, they do have a soft side. Very, very soppy.

0:41:40 > 0:41:42I think Gunner's going to demonstrate.

0:41:42 > 0:41:46We just saw how powerful Jake's big beak can be,

0:41:46 > 0:41:49but it's also very gentle as well. Would you like a kiss?

0:41:49 > 0:41:52Never one to turn down a kiss from a bird!

0:41:52 > 0:41:54Little kiss on the cheek.

0:41:54 > 0:41:57Go on, little kiss on the cheek.

0:41:57 > 0:41:59There we go.

0:41:59 > 0:42:00It was more like a punch.

0:42:00 > 0:42:05Little kiss on the cheek. There you go.

0:42:05 > 0:42:07A very soppy bird.

0:42:07 > 0:42:11A very sensible girl, she knows which man is going to feed her.

0:42:11 > 0:42:13She knows who's got the peanuts.

0:42:13 > 0:42:15John, thank you very much.

0:42:15 > 0:42:17Sadly, that's all we've got time for on today's programme,

0:42:17 > 0:42:20but here's what's coming up on the next Animal Park.

0:42:24 > 0:42:30They call them the king of the beasts but just how strong are these majestic animals?

0:42:30 > 0:42:32We'll be putting the lions to the test.

0:42:32 > 0:42:35This may look like a muddy quagmire

0:42:35 > 0:42:40but keeper Andy Hayton hope it will soon become a scene out of Africa.

0:42:42 > 0:42:47And down in Pet's Corner, a plan is afoot to give the bats some bling.

0:42:47 > 0:42:50We'll have all this and more on the next show.

0:43:02 > 0:43:05Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd

0:43:05 > 0:43:08E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk