0:00:02 > 0:00:05With this thermal imaging camera we'll look the animals at Longleat
0:00:05 > 0:00:07in a way we have never done before.
0:00:07 > 0:00:12Look at these amazing images, this camera will reveal things about
0:00:12 > 0:00:14the animals we never normally see.
0:00:14 > 0:00:19So, stand by for a unique perspective of them and us on today's show.
0:00:41 > 0:00:43Coming up on today's Animal Park...
0:00:44 > 0:00:49Could the latest technology save the life of Longleat's largest resident?
0:00:50 > 0:00:54Shipwreck and catastrophe are only a whisker away
0:00:54 > 0:00:57when Ben takes control of one of the big boats.
0:00:57 > 0:00:59Hard over to me and forward gear.
0:00:59 > 0:01:03Forward gear! Don't have it out of gear because otherwise...
0:01:03 > 0:01:05Now, try and keep it straight.
0:01:05 > 0:01:06Don't panic.
0:01:06 > 0:01:10And Paul, the vet, faces a major problem.
0:01:10 > 0:01:12He can't find his patients.
0:01:12 > 0:01:16If they've decided they don't want to be seen, it's difficult to find them.
0:01:23 > 0:01:27But first, we're going to look at some hot new technology.
0:01:27 > 0:01:29Or, should that be cool new technology?
0:01:29 > 0:01:33Whichever it is, these images of animals
0:01:33 > 0:01:35are taken using a cutting edge camera
0:01:35 > 0:01:37which shows areas of heat in the body.
0:01:37 > 0:01:42For the very first time, this technology, otherwise known as thermal imaging,
0:01:42 > 0:01:48has been brought to the park to give the keepers and us and unique perspective on the park.
0:01:48 > 0:01:52This is no gimmick, these cameras are being increasingly used
0:01:52 > 0:01:56by the medical and veterinary worlds to help diagnose conditions
0:01:56 > 0:02:00ranging from sprains and arthritis to even cancer.
0:02:00 > 0:02:04We'll be using this amazing camera throughout today's show
0:02:04 > 0:02:07to reveal some of the animal's best kept secrets.
0:02:07 > 0:02:11We are tucked in the shelter at the East Africa Reserve,
0:02:11 > 0:02:14it is a little bit wet, but we are not deterred
0:02:14 > 0:02:17because we are here with a man called Dave Blain,
0:02:17 > 0:02:20who is a thermal imaging specialist.
0:02:20 > 0:02:24Dave, can you tell us what this piece of kit does?
0:02:24 > 0:02:29The thermal imaging camera is the latest technology.
0:02:29 > 0:02:34It is very much used in industry now, for medical purposes, military purposes
0:02:34 > 0:02:37and of course, the local police force, fire brigade use it.
0:02:37 > 0:02:39What does it actually show?
0:02:39 > 0:02:43It picks up heat and radiation,
0:02:43 > 0:02:48and we use it very much looking at body temperature in the medical field.
0:02:48 > 0:02:51You're then looking for hot spots,
0:02:51 > 0:02:55or it can be reverted to look at cold spots.
0:02:55 > 0:02:59So, the white areas are the hottest, closely followed by the red.
0:02:59 > 0:03:01While the blue and green colours
0:03:01 > 0:03:05indicate the coldest part of the animal.
0:03:05 > 0:03:08We're here with the head of section, Andy Hayton.
0:03:08 > 0:03:11Andy, how do you think this is going to be useful for you
0:03:11 > 0:03:14looking at the animals here in the East Africa Reserve?
0:03:14 > 0:03:17Possibly rheumatism, if an animal is lame
0:03:17 > 0:03:20we can possibly look to see if there is any heat in the muscles,
0:03:20 > 0:03:24heat in joints through rheumatism, arthritis, things like that.
0:03:24 > 0:03:27Andy, certainly a unique perspective for you, looking at that,
0:03:27 > 0:03:31on this camel we have a very hot head,
0:03:31 > 0:03:35but lots of the neck looks like... just near the head
0:03:35 > 0:03:38is actually a lot colder than the rest of the body?
0:03:38 > 0:03:43It's the thickness of the fur, so the blue is the hair, the body hair.
0:03:43 > 0:03:46If we look at the giraffes, that don't obviously have
0:03:46 > 0:03:51as much covering of hair. Lots and lots of heat?
0:03:51 > 0:03:54If you look from the head and down the neck, the neck is very hot.
0:03:54 > 0:03:57There is obviously a good blood supply going up there
0:03:57 > 0:04:01and like us, you have a lot of veins in your neck close to the surface,
0:04:01 > 0:04:04so possibly that's what's giving off that heat signature there.
0:04:04 > 0:04:11What is interesting is, clearly in the places where you haven't got a great blood supply going through,
0:04:11 > 0:04:15the horns and the very horny place on the front of their head
0:04:15 > 0:04:18- are giving off hardly any heat at all.- That's solid bone.
0:04:18 > 0:04:23If we look at the big female, that's Jolly and she's on arthritic drugs.
0:04:23 > 0:04:26- Look at that! - Look at the difference in the legs?
0:04:26 > 0:04:29You can clearly see her right leg is a lot hotter than the other.
0:04:29 > 0:04:33And presumably you can then use this evidence, if we can use that word,
0:04:33 > 0:04:36when the vet, Duncan comes along next time,
0:04:36 > 0:04:39you can say we saw this, could that reaffirm what you thought
0:04:39 > 0:04:42and help you with your diagnosis and treatment?
0:04:42 > 0:04:45This gives us another tool to help look after our animals better.
0:04:45 > 0:04:50The more tools we have to make their lives more comfortable is a good thing.
0:04:50 > 0:04:53Interestingly, vets are using this technique more and more,
0:04:53 > 0:04:56as indeed will we later in the programme
0:04:56 > 0:05:00when we go around the safari park with Dave and his camera.
0:05:06 > 0:05:10With around 900 animals at the park, there is always something being born,
0:05:10 > 0:05:14something sick or something needing urgent medical attention.
0:05:14 > 0:05:19So, one of the most important roles at Longleat is that of the vet.
0:05:19 > 0:05:23Duncan Williams has been the Longleat vet for the past 10 years.
0:05:23 > 0:05:27Visiting the park at least once a week to carry out everything
0:05:27 > 0:05:30from the routine checks to life-saving operations.
0:05:30 > 0:05:35But now, Duncan has vet, Paul Higgs, to share the workload.
0:05:36 > 0:05:40Paul came to work at Duncan's local practice less than a year ago,
0:05:40 > 0:05:43after graduating from vet school.
0:05:43 > 0:05:48So he's just in for having his nails cut, is he? Come on, Percy.
0:05:50 > 0:05:52BIRD SQUAWKS
0:05:55 > 0:05:59The small animal work is great, it's very rewarding.
0:05:59 > 0:06:02One minute I might be vaccinating a dog, the next we might be operating,
0:06:02 > 0:06:05or trying save a dog that's come in hit by a car.
0:06:05 > 0:06:08So, from my point of view it's fantastic,
0:06:08 > 0:06:11you never know what you'll be doing from one minute to the next.
0:06:11 > 0:06:14Joining the practice so close to Longleat
0:06:14 > 0:06:17meant his work wasn't just about cuddly cats.
0:06:17 > 0:06:22Fortunately, Paul already has experience with some slightly larger animals.
0:06:23 > 0:06:27When I was a veterinary student, I used to work at Longleat
0:06:27 > 0:06:30as a keeper during my holidays for couple of years.
0:06:30 > 0:06:35So, it was quite nice for me to be able to come into the practice
0:06:35 > 0:06:37and find there was a space available
0:06:37 > 0:06:40for somebody to help Duncan with the Longleat work.
0:06:44 > 0:06:48And now, once a week, Paul leaves the surgery behind and heads off to Longleat.
0:06:51 > 0:06:56It's great to be able to go from doing your basic small animal and farm animal work
0:06:56 > 0:07:01to come out here and work with exotic species such as giraffe and lions. It's fantastic.
0:07:03 > 0:07:10When I come here on my weekly routine visits, we're never quite sure exactly what were going to see.
0:07:10 > 0:07:13We could find we've got something we need to knock out, like a rhino,
0:07:13 > 0:07:15see what's going on if they are ill.
0:07:15 > 0:07:17Or maybe something as small as a ferret.
0:07:20 > 0:07:25Waiting for Paul today is a tiger with tangled fur, a lethargic eland,
0:07:25 > 0:07:28a weeping wallaby and an infected iguana.
0:07:28 > 0:07:31But first, it's a bongo with a bowed back.
0:07:31 > 0:07:36We're just off to go and see the new bongo.
0:07:36 > 0:07:41He was a bit lame on his back legs about two weeks ago.
0:07:41 > 0:07:45So, we've just come to see how he's getting on, give him a check over.
0:07:45 > 0:07:51But, finding a bongo in over 60 acres is not an easy task.
0:07:51 > 0:07:56If they've decided they don't want to be seen, it can be quite difficult to find them.
0:07:57 > 0:08:03In fact, the bongos might the outside of this area, potentially.
0:08:09 > 0:08:10They might be...
0:08:12 > 0:08:13They are there.
0:08:13 > 0:08:16We can't actually get near to a lot of the species here,
0:08:16 > 0:08:20so when they are sick, we prefer not to have to knock them out
0:08:20 > 0:08:22to get close enough to examine them.
0:08:22 > 0:08:28So a lot of what we do is over the fence kind of diagnosis,
0:08:28 > 0:08:30which in one sense is quite daunting,
0:08:30 > 0:08:34but it does make you rely more on your instincts and their behaviour
0:08:34 > 0:08:37to try and help you diagnose what's going on.
0:08:37 > 0:08:40He's still standing, I think, with a bit of a bowed back,
0:08:40 > 0:08:42more than I'd expect him to have.
0:08:42 > 0:08:46He probably has got some element of back pain.
0:08:46 > 0:08:51I think for the moment we are still just going to have to monitor and see what happens.
0:08:51 > 0:08:55That's different to the situations we have in the rest of our work
0:08:55 > 0:08:58in that most of the time we can get in there and step in
0:08:58 > 0:09:00before a problem gets too bad.
0:09:00 > 0:09:04But unfortunately here, we almost have to wait for the problems
0:09:04 > 0:09:08to get to a certain stage of severity before we can step in and do anything about it.
0:09:08 > 0:09:12It certainly does add an extra element of pressure
0:09:12 > 0:09:15and perhaps a little bit of anxiety around your treatment.
0:09:16 > 0:09:20We will catch up with Paul on his rounds later in the programme.
0:09:29 > 0:09:34One of the most popular sections in Pet's Corner is the collection of Siberian chipmunks.
0:09:34 > 0:09:37Recently, six new faces were introduced to the group
0:09:37 > 0:09:41with the hope they would kick-start a new breeding programme.
0:09:41 > 0:09:44And sure enough, the plan worked.
0:09:44 > 0:09:49Within a few weeks, some of the females were showing signs of pregnancy,
0:09:49 > 0:09:54so keeper, Holly made sure to check on the nesting box every morning
0:09:54 > 0:09:56to see if the babies had arrived.
0:09:56 > 0:10:00With the gestation period being about 30 days,
0:10:00 > 0:10:02she didn't have to wait for long.
0:10:02 > 0:10:08Really exciting stuff, I can see at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7...
0:10:08 > 0:10:12There must be 10 or more babies in here, which is brilliant
0:10:12 > 0:10:16because it just goes to show we have a really healthy, happy group of breeding chipmunks.
0:10:16 > 0:10:20It's brilliant news, I'm really over the moon, I'm really excited.
0:10:22 > 0:10:25When baby chipmunks are around seven weeks old,
0:10:25 > 0:10:27they moved on to solid food
0:10:27 > 0:10:29so head of section, Darren Beasley,
0:10:29 > 0:10:32took over the feeding duties from mum.
0:10:32 > 0:10:37But there was initial concern over whether they would take food off him.
0:10:37 > 0:10:40You have to watch where you step, of course,
0:10:40 > 0:10:42because they're very excitable. Come on.
0:10:42 > 0:10:45Look at this little fellow here. Hello.
0:10:45 > 0:10:48Because these youngsters, they are a bit unsure what is going on,
0:10:48 > 0:10:50we were a bit concerned they would stay away.
0:10:50 > 0:10:54But they learned from mum and dad, that's how animals learn,
0:10:54 > 0:10:57it's how we learn as humans. Look at that, how calm that is.
0:10:57 > 0:10:59Look at the baby out there, natural behaviour,
0:10:59 > 0:11:03exactly the same using their little front paws, just like little hands.
0:11:03 > 0:11:07That obviously proves it's weaned, it's happy, eating solids,
0:11:07 > 0:11:09so it's all success in here, that's what we like.
0:11:09 > 0:11:13So, with the new baby's settling into life at Pet's Corner,
0:11:13 > 0:11:17they are sure to keep Darren busy for months to come.
0:11:17 > 0:11:21Join me later when I'll get the chance to meet them.
0:11:30 > 0:11:33Amongst his many adventures and courageous exploits,
0:11:33 > 0:11:36you may remember that our Ben once rowed across the Atlantic
0:11:36 > 0:11:39along with Olympic oarsman James Cracknell.
0:11:39 > 0:11:45For someone to take on such a serious piece of water in such a tiny craft,
0:11:45 > 0:11:47they'd have to be pretty keen on boating.
0:11:47 > 0:11:51So when Ben heard that Longleat has got two new tour boats,
0:11:51 > 0:11:53we couldn't keep him away, though this time
0:11:53 > 0:11:56he has agreed to keep his clothes on.
0:11:56 > 0:11:59I love messy around in boats.
0:11:59 > 0:12:01And today, there's a real treat in store for me,
0:12:01 > 0:12:04because I'm going to learn to drive a boat
0:12:04 > 0:12:09in a lake filled with hippos, sea lions and an island with gorillas.
0:12:09 > 0:12:14Now, up here is head of boats... Morning, Bill.
0:12:14 > 0:12:16- Hello, Ben, my friend.- How are you?
0:12:16 > 0:12:19- Fine.- You're going to teach me how to drive the Lady Lenka.
0:12:19 > 0:12:23- This is one of the new boats here on Half Mile Lake, isn't it? - I'll do my best.
0:12:23 > 0:12:27I know you can row boats, but I'm not sure what you're like with powered boats.
0:12:27 > 0:12:31Very different sort of boat. I am itching to get out on the water. Shall we?
0:12:31 > 0:12:33What's the first thing to do?
0:12:33 > 0:12:35I'll show you the controls of the boat.
0:12:35 > 0:12:36- OK.- Up for forward.
0:12:36 > 0:12:41- Yup.- Down for reverse. Wheel for port and starboard,
0:12:41 > 0:12:44throttle for however many revs you want.
0:12:44 > 0:12:46So, we're waiting to cast away are we?
0:12:46 > 0:12:47Yes, so release the back strap.
0:12:47 > 0:12:50When I'm clear of the other boat I'll pass this to you.
0:12:53 > 0:12:56We are clear of everything, would you like to take it over?
0:12:56 > 0:12:57If you trust me, absolutely.
0:13:01 > 0:13:05Obviously, just want to avoid this island, this is where Nico lives?
0:13:05 > 0:13:07Yes, Nico is on here.
0:13:07 > 0:13:08Try and keep it straight.
0:13:10 > 0:13:14Push the throttle down to just give it a bit more power.
0:13:14 > 0:13:16Keep it down, don't take it off.
0:13:16 > 0:13:19You've taken all the revs off, we don't have any power at all.
0:13:19 > 0:13:21- I'm not doing well, am I? - You're OK.
0:13:21 > 0:13:25Watch your back as you go, you've got to keep at least 30 ft away from the island.
0:13:25 > 0:13:28There's so many things to think about.
0:13:28 > 0:13:31I've got the radio going, I am worried about... Is that OK?
0:13:31 > 0:13:33I want to turn it the other way now.
0:13:33 > 0:13:36The boat only goes in the direction you turn the wheel.
0:13:36 > 0:13:39- Whether it's forward or backwards. - So much to think about.
0:13:40 > 0:13:45Now, next thing is you've got Jo-Jo standing up on the tree.
0:13:45 > 0:13:48We call it a tree-lion at Longleat.
0:13:48 > 0:13:49A tree-lion!
0:13:49 > 0:13:53I want you to concentrate here, here is the tricky part.
0:13:53 > 0:13:58With any vessel, the most challenging manoeuvre is landing the boat.
0:13:58 > 0:14:01Take a few revs off, take it down one notch.
0:14:01 > 0:14:03That's it. Lovely.
0:14:03 > 0:14:06I imagine this is the hardest part.
0:14:06 > 0:14:11Very hard, and you don't do anything other than follow precisely what I tell you, please.
0:14:11 > 0:14:13Start your turn as if you're going down there.
0:14:13 > 0:14:16Keep turning, but keep going in that direction first.
0:14:16 > 0:14:19I want you to come further down, or you will land too high up the quay.
0:14:19 > 0:14:22Push some revs on it cos you're not going round fast enough.
0:14:22 > 0:14:24That's it.
0:14:26 > 0:14:28That's fine, that's fine.
0:14:28 > 0:14:30It's quite nerve-racking.
0:14:30 > 0:14:33- More revs?- Yeah. Right, take the revs off.
0:14:33 > 0:14:36Put it into reverse now.
0:14:36 > 0:14:39That has exactly the same effect, hold it in reverse.
0:14:39 > 0:14:40Wheel right over.
0:14:40 > 0:14:45Now in forward gear, hard over to me in forward gear. Forward gear! You're out of gear.
0:14:45 > 0:14:49Don't have it out of gear otherwise... Don't panic.
0:14:49 > 0:14:51- Just go slowly.- Hard over to you?
0:14:51 > 0:14:55Yeah, take the revs off. Right up the quay.
0:14:55 > 0:14:58- BEEPING - Oh, you've stopped the engine.
0:14:58 > 0:14:59Oh, dear.
0:15:01 > 0:15:04You took the revs right off.
0:15:04 > 0:15:05Keep the wheel hard to the left.
0:15:05 > 0:15:08- Hard to the left. - And just keep going.
0:15:08 > 0:15:10A little bit of forward motion.
0:15:10 > 0:15:14I want you to put the wheel hard over to the left.
0:15:14 > 0:15:16And put it into reverse.
0:15:16 > 0:15:19- Into reverse?- Just very gently.
0:15:19 > 0:15:23That's it. Hold it out of gear.
0:15:23 > 0:15:25Take the revs off. You've landed the boat.
0:15:28 > 0:15:30That's it. Leave it like that.
0:15:30 > 0:15:36What you've done is you've brought it to the point that when she's tied the boat up, we can open this gate
0:15:36 > 0:15:41and we're right opposite the entrance just like that.
0:15:41 > 0:15:44Not everybody can do what you've just done.
0:15:44 > 0:15:46They sometimes bang the quay.
0:15:46 > 0:15:48How would you rate me out of ten?
0:15:48 > 0:15:53I'd give that a nine out of ten instantly for your first go at landing it.
0:15:53 > 0:15:55So I could have a job here one day?
0:15:55 > 0:15:57Absolutely.
0:15:57 > 0:16:00Thank you very much.
0:16:00 > 0:16:04There's hope for me yet, even if I do have to wipe my brow.
0:16:04 > 0:16:06That was pretty scary.
0:16:11 > 0:16:15Earlier, we were looking at some of Longleat's animals
0:16:15 > 0:16:17in a whole new light -
0:16:17 > 0:16:19through a hi-tech thermal imaging camera.
0:16:19 > 0:16:22This provides a temperature map of the animals,
0:16:22 > 0:16:27revealing hot spots which could be cause for concern.
0:16:27 > 0:16:31It already showed up Jolly the giraffe's arthritic leg.
0:16:31 > 0:16:34So now, up in the new area, Head of Section, Tim Yeo,
0:16:34 > 0:16:37is keen to put it to the test on some of HIS animals.
0:16:37 > 0:16:42He's asked expert David Blaine to take a look at Winston,
0:16:42 > 0:16:46the elderly rhino who's a favourite with the keepers and the public.
0:16:46 > 0:16:50Winston's been with us here at the park for a good number of years.
0:16:50 > 0:16:53He's a very popular rhino with the staff
0:16:53 > 0:16:57and certainly the public that visit the park.
0:16:57 > 0:17:02He'll readily come up to the bars and he likes to be patted
0:17:02 > 0:17:05and have that close contact with people.
0:17:05 > 0:17:09In the wild, rhinos rarely live beyond the age of about 30.
0:17:09 > 0:17:15But Winston's easily surpassed that, reaching the grand old age of 38.
0:17:15 > 0:17:18The keepers have kept him well for many years,
0:17:18 > 0:17:21but sadly his age is catching up on him.
0:17:21 > 0:17:24His health is an increasing concern.
0:17:24 > 0:17:29For a number of years Winston has suffered with arthritic problems.
0:17:29 > 0:17:35He's getting on in years and has been increasingly a problem to him.
0:17:35 > 0:17:40It's been a rather upsetting thing to see over that period of time.
0:17:40 > 0:17:43He has good times and he has bad times
0:17:43 > 0:17:46and it's worrying because you don't know what's round the corner.
0:17:48 > 0:17:51Tim has good reason to be so worried.
0:17:51 > 0:17:55Sadly, Winston's condition is all too familiar.
0:17:55 > 0:18:00His long-time companion, Babs, also suffered with arthritis.
0:18:02 > 0:18:06Last year, at the age of 37, her condition worsened
0:18:06 > 0:18:08and her pain increased,
0:18:08 > 0:18:12so the decision was made to put her to sleep.
0:18:16 > 0:18:20Now there are signs that Winston is displaying similar symptoms
0:18:20 > 0:18:23of arthritis, which can be as crippling for animals
0:18:23 > 0:18:25as it is for humans.
0:18:25 > 0:18:28While he receives ongoing treatments,
0:18:28 > 0:18:31it's not always easy to tell how well they're working.
0:18:31 > 0:18:35It's very difficult by looking at the animal
0:18:35 > 0:18:37to see the severity of the problem.
0:18:37 > 0:18:43All sorts of remedies have been tried to ease the discomfort,
0:18:43 > 0:18:46but he still seems to suffer.
0:18:46 > 0:18:50So can thermal imaging provide an answer?
0:18:50 > 0:18:54If the arthritic areas can be accurately identified, it would be
0:18:54 > 0:18:58a massive help for Tim and his team to target their treatment.
0:19:00 > 0:19:03What we had hoped to see with arthritis
0:19:03 > 0:19:07is if you look at the joints, they'll be white cos it's warmer.
0:19:07 > 0:19:13What happens is it draws the blood to the surface to protect it.
0:19:13 > 0:19:17That's how you can determine, because the blood is warmer,
0:19:17 > 0:19:21you can see the problem areas.
0:19:21 > 0:19:23It just pinpoints it spot-on.
0:19:23 > 0:19:26Especially on the back leg, you can see it clearly.
0:19:26 > 0:19:30Thermal imaging has one other massive benefit -
0:19:30 > 0:19:34it is non-invasive which means Winston can be examined
0:19:34 > 0:19:39just by the use of a camera and without causing him any stress.
0:19:39 > 0:19:45It's very interesting looking at the pictures and seeing exactly
0:19:45 > 0:19:47whereabouts those heat sources are.
0:19:47 > 0:19:51It would be wonderful to be able to do it again
0:19:51 > 0:19:53after a period of time had elapsed
0:19:53 > 0:19:56to see if there were any changes.
0:19:56 > 0:19:59You can store the images.
0:19:59 > 0:20:04You can store the images and you can overlay them, place them side by side,
0:20:04 > 0:20:07and you can see if there's any deterioration
0:20:07 > 0:20:11or if it's got any better, if your medication's working.
0:20:12 > 0:20:15'It's incredible technology.'
0:20:15 > 0:20:20Surely it'll help our vet very much to see whether these treatments
0:20:20 > 0:20:23are having any effect at all.
0:20:23 > 0:20:27The hope is, of course, that that sort of technology could help
0:20:27 > 0:20:30in the future with these sort of conditions
0:20:30 > 0:20:35that are always going to be with us as animals advance in years.
0:20:35 > 0:20:38Thanks to this new technology,
0:20:38 > 0:20:41Tim has the opportunity to treat Winston's arthritis
0:20:41 > 0:20:46in a way they never could with Babs, and keep him happy and healthy.
0:20:52 > 0:20:54We've already seen great success
0:20:54 > 0:20:57with the chipmunks' breeding programme.
0:20:57 > 0:21:01But they're not the only ones to have had such luck.
0:21:01 > 0:21:06Over in the giraffery, Jessie the tapir has already had five babies,
0:21:06 > 0:21:09but the keepers were delighted to discover
0:21:09 > 0:21:11this super mum was pregnant again.
0:21:11 > 0:21:15Since these animals are facing the danger of extinction,
0:21:15 > 0:21:18every new birth is incredibly important,
0:21:18 > 0:21:23so it was keeper Bev Evans' job to keep an extra special eye on Jessie.
0:21:23 > 0:21:26We're just really waiting for her to give birth.
0:21:26 > 0:21:29She's a bit of a natural. She just pops them out.
0:21:29 > 0:21:31After months of anticipation
0:21:31 > 0:21:36there was finally good news as Jessie gave birth to a baby boy.
0:21:36 > 0:21:40Once the vet had given him a thorough check-over, all that
0:21:40 > 0:21:45was left was for mum and baby to be left alone for some quality bonding.
0:21:46 > 0:21:50Today I'm lucky enough to join keeper Bev Evans
0:21:50 > 0:21:52to catch up on his progress, which is great news,
0:21:52 > 0:21:56as these are some of the cutest babies around.
0:21:56 > 0:21:58This is Jess the tapir.
0:21:58 > 0:22:01This is Senior Warden Bev Evans.
0:22:01 > 0:22:06And this over here is Hugo the brand new tapir.
0:22:06 > 0:22:10- He's absolutely adorable, still with his stripes.- Yes, definitely.
0:22:10 > 0:22:12How long will he keep these for?
0:22:12 > 0:22:14Round about six to eight months
0:22:14 > 0:22:17and then he'll go all brown just like his mum.
0:22:17 > 0:22:20It's pretty amazing having tapirs born here at the safari park,
0:22:20 > 0:22:22cos they're endangered.
0:22:22 > 0:22:24They're quite badly endangered.
0:22:24 > 0:22:27These are Brazilian tapirs and they're from South America.
0:22:27 > 0:22:31The habitat out there is depleting quite a lot because it's rain forest.
0:22:31 > 0:22:35That is a problem for them. But they face a lot of problems in the wild.
0:22:35 > 0:22:39So it really is significant to the whole population that you've got a new tapir.
0:22:39 > 0:22:42We like to think so.
0:22:42 > 0:22:46This is her sixth baby, so here at Longleat we're doing quite well
0:22:46 > 0:22:49on the breeding of Brazilian tapirs.
0:22:49 > 0:22:50Bev, thank you very much.
0:22:50 > 0:22:52You really are sweet.
0:22:52 > 0:22:56And we've got plenty more animals just like Hugo still to come,
0:22:56 > 0:23:01including... an iguana loses its tail in an emergency op.
0:23:01 > 0:23:05Can Paul the vet keep his nerve?
0:23:05 > 0:23:10And Lord Bath heads into the park's most dangerous enclosures
0:23:10 > 0:23:11to meet its newest arrivals,
0:23:11 > 0:23:14just moments before one of them goes on the attack.
0:23:20 > 0:23:24Earlier, keeper Holly was delighted to find
0:23:24 > 0:23:28a new litter of baby chipmunks in the nesting box.
0:23:28 > 0:23:32And it fell to Darren to make sure they were well fed and watered.
0:23:32 > 0:23:35Now they're a little bigger, I've got the chance to meet them.
0:23:37 > 0:23:41I'm down at Pets' Corner with Head of Section Darren Beasley
0:23:41 > 0:23:47and we're entirely surrounded by chipmunks, none of whom I recognise.
0:23:47 > 0:23:50No, they've not long been born. They have just come out of their boxes.
0:23:50 > 0:23:55What pretty little creatures with these gorgeous stripes on.
0:23:55 > 0:24:00Aren't they smashing? They are called whites. You see this little chap here
0:24:00 > 0:24:03has got the faint brown stripes. So they're not albino.
0:24:03 > 0:24:05They do have colour pigment in them.
0:24:05 > 0:24:08But it's a recessive gene, so basically we can encourage
0:24:08 > 0:24:10this white colour to come forward
0:24:10 > 0:24:13by putting the right mums and dads in with the right colour.
0:24:13 > 0:24:18Presumably being this very pale colour in the wild wouldn't be a great survival mechanism?
0:24:18 > 0:24:23It would be so easy for the predators to pick them off.
0:24:23 > 0:24:26Naturally, these Siberian chipmunks as we know them
0:24:26 > 0:24:30are a brown colour with dark brown to black stripes.
0:24:30 > 0:24:33That is their camouflage.
0:24:33 > 0:24:36They're clearly very inquisitive, love getting into things.
0:24:36 > 0:24:41I absolutely adore this. Yeah, we've come in armed to the teeth with food,
0:24:41 > 0:24:43but they're just naturally playful.
0:24:43 > 0:24:46These animals are designed for going down holes in the ground
0:24:46 > 0:24:49and climbing up trees and they're naturally inquisitive,
0:24:49 > 0:24:51always looking for food.
0:24:51 > 0:24:54Any pocket... I'm surprised you've not got them in your pockets already.
0:24:54 > 0:24:57They like to have a good nosey, they really do.
0:24:57 > 0:25:00What about...? You've had babies, they've all grown up together.
0:25:00 > 0:25:05Can they stay in here together or do you start getting factions with males and females and fighting?
0:25:05 > 0:25:10Certainly you do have a dominancy and a bit of fighting.
0:25:10 > 0:25:13The name chipmunk is "chip-chip", the calling noise.
0:25:13 > 0:25:17It can be calling for a boyfriend or girlfriend, or it can be saying stay away.
0:25:17 > 0:25:20What we're hoping to do is expand. This is a very popular exhibit.
0:25:20 > 0:25:23We're going to expand this and spread our wings.
0:25:23 > 0:25:26We want loads more chipmunks, all with their own little area.
0:25:26 > 0:25:29They can all have a sock or a hay bale each.
0:25:29 > 0:25:31I think we're going to get lots of families in here.
0:25:31 > 0:25:35Socks have proved very popular in the past as little nests.
0:25:35 > 0:25:38Do these new ones like them as much as the old family did?
0:25:38 > 0:25:41The babies learn from Mum and Dad what's safe and what's good.
0:25:41 > 0:25:45They must see Mum and Dad and the others going in the socks.
0:25:45 > 0:25:47The little ones are in and out of them all day long.
0:25:47 > 0:25:51I'm sure when we look in there we'll find half a ton of peanuts.
0:25:51 > 0:25:53They use them as little store rooms.
0:25:53 > 0:25:57So they'll pick up food and hide it, keep it away from their brothers and sisters.
0:25:57 > 0:26:02Holly, who looks after the chipmunks, said I must be feeding rhinos in here
0:26:02 > 0:26:05because so much food comes in.
0:26:05 > 0:26:08Their natural instinct is to hoard for times of hardship.
0:26:08 > 0:26:11Putting them in the socks is something that they do.
0:26:11 > 0:26:14They'll save for a day when there's not much food around.
0:26:14 > 0:26:17I can't imagine there's never much food here at Pets' Corner.
0:26:17 > 0:26:20It's a good mixture of stuff,
0:26:20 > 0:26:23lots of seeds, monkey nuts and fresh fruit.
0:26:23 > 0:26:26What sort of stuff would they be eating in the wild?
0:26:26 > 0:26:29They're opportunists, they'll take leafy buds.
0:26:29 > 0:26:32They'll take flowers and small insects.
0:26:32 > 0:26:34We put a meat protein biscuit in here for that.
0:26:34 > 0:26:39You want to give them a big selection and they'll choose what they like.
0:26:39 > 0:26:43They're a complete delight, Darren. Thank you very much.
0:26:43 > 0:26:44And enjoy yourself, guys!
0:26:44 > 0:26:48I don't think there's any doubt that they're going to do that.
0:26:53 > 0:26:56On the other side of Pets' Corner, Paul the vet is dealing
0:26:56 > 0:27:01with an emergency call-out from Deputy Head of Section Bev Allen.
0:27:01 > 0:27:05A few weeks ago Paul operated on a wallaby with a sore below its eye.
0:27:05 > 0:27:09But Bev's worried the problem is flaring up again.
0:27:09 > 0:27:11Is there any swelling?
0:27:11 > 0:27:15I think there's a small bit of swelling but not a lot.
0:27:16 > 0:27:19He's got a little bit of a swelling there.
0:27:19 > 0:27:22- I'd really like you to grab him if you could, Bev.- Right, OK.
0:27:33 > 0:27:34Got him?
0:27:39 > 0:27:40All right, matey.
0:27:42 > 0:27:44I think he's all right, to be honest.
0:27:44 > 0:27:46- Loose?- Yes.
0:27:48 > 0:27:52I think, Bev, that there's no swelling there,
0:27:52 > 0:27:54- the wound looks great.- OK.
0:27:54 > 0:27:57There's no conjunctivitis, there's no reddening.
0:27:57 > 0:28:01He's probably got a bit of dust in there. We'll just see how he goes.
0:28:01 > 0:28:03All right, then. Thanks for that.
0:28:03 > 0:28:08Paul's next job is to check up on MY new friend, Hugo the baby tapir.
0:28:09 > 0:28:12TAPIR SQUEALS
0:28:14 > 0:28:16What we're doing today is microchipping.
0:28:16 > 0:28:18With mammals apart from dogs and cats,
0:28:18 > 0:28:21we try and put the chip in behind the left ear
0:28:21 > 0:28:24so that we've got some way of generalising everybody
0:28:24 > 0:28:27across the country so it's all in the same place.
0:28:27 > 0:28:29Just let him relax.
0:28:29 > 0:28:31There we go.
0:28:31 > 0:28:35That went pretty well, really, although he squealed quite a lot.
0:28:35 > 0:28:38He was squealing because he didn't want to be held.
0:28:38 > 0:28:41He didn't squeal that much more when we put the needle in.
0:28:41 > 0:28:43Once the needle's in, it's very quick to pull the trigger
0:28:43 > 0:28:46on the gun and it fires the microchip in.
0:28:46 > 0:28:50It's definitely in place cos we've scanned it, so it's gone well.
0:28:50 > 0:28:54With the tapir microchipped, Paul moves on to his next patient,
0:28:54 > 0:28:57but this turns out to be another emergency.
0:28:57 > 0:28:59Royce, the iguana, has a serious problem
0:28:59 > 0:29:01which needs urgent attention.
0:29:03 > 0:29:05She's got necrosis of the tail
0:29:05 > 0:29:09and it's stopped the blood flow to the end part of her tail.
0:29:09 > 0:29:13A couple of days ago she actually knocked the end of it off.
0:29:13 > 0:29:15It's getting worse.
0:29:15 > 0:29:16It's vital they operate immediately,
0:29:16 > 0:29:19so it's straight back to the emergency clinic
0:29:19 > 0:29:22as Paul makes the decision to amputate.
0:29:22 > 0:29:24This area looks nice and live,
0:29:24 > 0:29:27you can see all the stripes on it and the nice colour.
0:29:27 > 0:29:31And also the spines on the back of the tail as well.
0:29:31 > 0:29:33This is looking fairly normal.
0:29:33 > 0:29:36And then very suddenly we get this sort of dried out,
0:29:36 > 0:29:39hard, inflexible area.
0:29:39 > 0:29:42This is what's known as dry gangrene.
0:29:42 > 0:29:45What we're going to do first is just X-ray the tail,
0:29:45 > 0:29:48check and see that the bones are in good shape
0:29:48 > 0:29:53and then from that point decide where we're going to amputate the tail from.
0:29:53 > 0:29:55X-rays.
0:29:56 > 0:29:58This is the dead part of the tail here
0:29:58 > 0:30:01because you can see there's a little kink.
0:30:01 > 0:30:03I'm gonna aim to go in above that.
0:30:04 > 0:30:07But for Paul this is no routine procedure.
0:30:07 > 0:30:11He's never operated on an iguana before.
0:30:11 > 0:30:13We do lots of firsts in this practice,
0:30:13 > 0:30:15especially with the Longleat work.
0:30:15 > 0:30:19That's what makes the job more interesting than any other.
0:30:19 > 0:30:22Like all reptiles, iguanas are cold-blooded
0:30:22 > 0:30:25and can't regulate their own body temperature.
0:30:25 > 0:30:28So Paul prepares a makeshift hot-water bottle
0:30:28 > 0:30:31for Royce to rest on during the operation.
0:30:33 > 0:30:35It's not a very straight line,
0:30:35 > 0:30:38that's because you have to go around the scales
0:30:38 > 0:30:41and they don't go in a straight line.
0:30:43 > 0:30:47The plan now is to try and find our joint between the vertebrae.
0:30:56 > 0:31:00Having removed the tail, all that remains is to stitch up the wound.
0:31:00 > 0:31:02But even this is no formality.
0:31:03 > 0:31:07I'm trying to put the needle between scales rather than through them.
0:31:07 > 0:31:10It's not as flexible as a cat or a dog's skin,
0:31:10 > 0:31:13so you've got a lot less leeway to play with.
0:31:13 > 0:31:18But I'm pretty happy with how things have gone at the moment.
0:31:21 > 0:31:24OK, last stitch done.
0:31:24 > 0:31:26I'm happy with it.
0:31:26 > 0:31:30I think there are always things in any operation with hindsight
0:31:30 > 0:31:33you would have maybe done it a bit more like that,
0:31:33 > 0:31:36but it's gone very well.
0:31:36 > 0:31:39The tail has come off fine, very little bleeding
0:31:39 > 0:31:41and the skin has come together fine as well.
0:31:41 > 0:31:44I think it's gone as good as expected really.
0:31:48 > 0:31:52It's been a long day for Paul, but it's not over quite yet.
0:31:52 > 0:31:57After the exotic iguana, it's back to more familiar territory.
0:31:57 > 0:32:00We're just trying to find out whether or not she's pregnant.
0:32:00 > 0:32:04It does take experience and a number of times of doing it
0:32:04 > 0:32:07to make sure you know what you're feeling for.
0:32:07 > 0:32:11So although it's a dirty and smelly part of the job, it's not that bad.
0:32:14 > 0:32:16COW LOWS
0:32:22 > 0:32:26There are plenty of warm-blooded animals around the park,
0:32:26 > 0:32:30but it's the cold-blooded ones that need some extra special care.
0:32:30 > 0:32:34Since they can't control their internal body temperature
0:32:34 > 0:32:37they survive by absorbing heat from their surroundings.
0:32:37 > 0:32:40It's essential they're kept at the correct temperature.
0:32:40 > 0:32:43With David Blaine and his thermal imaging camera on hand,
0:32:43 > 0:32:46it's a great opportunity for keeper Kim Tucker
0:32:46 > 0:32:49to learn a little more about one special creature.
0:32:53 > 0:32:56- Who's this that you've got here, Kim?- This is Khan.
0:32:56 > 0:32:58Khan has just come out of the enclosure,
0:32:58 > 0:33:01so he's lovely and warm to the touch.
0:33:01 > 0:33:03Let's see what he looks like on the camera.
0:33:03 > 0:33:05- You can see.- He's very red.
0:33:05 > 0:33:08But what's really interesting is that he's particularly red
0:33:08 > 0:33:11around where your hand is, isn't he?
0:33:11 > 0:33:13He looks to be taking on my heat.
0:33:13 > 0:33:17I'm just wondering if we can take him away from you a bit
0:33:17 > 0:33:21and see if he starts losing heat.
0:33:21 > 0:33:24A little bit. He seems to be cooling off a little bit.
0:33:24 > 0:33:28It's a very warm day today, but this is interesting.
0:33:28 > 0:33:30He's got real warmth in the middle of his body.
0:33:30 > 0:33:34That's where all his organs are. So most of it'll produce the heat.
0:33:34 > 0:33:35Oh, right.
0:33:35 > 0:33:37That's fascinating.
0:33:37 > 0:33:40What is the mechanism of a cold-blooded animal like this
0:33:40 > 0:33:42to warm up?
0:33:42 > 0:33:44They take on the heat of their surroundings.
0:33:44 > 0:33:46If they're cold, they'll move to a warmer spot.
0:33:46 > 0:33:49If they're too warm, they'll move to a cooler spot.
0:33:49 > 0:33:52I know that it's not something that you would ever do,
0:33:52 > 0:33:54but do you think if he was put down on the ground,
0:33:54 > 0:33:57he'd cool off very quickly.
0:33:57 > 0:34:00Probably, because taking on the heat of his surroundings
0:34:00 > 0:34:03and at the moment he's taking on my heat as we saw before.
0:34:03 > 0:34:05The areas with my hands on him are very red.
0:34:05 > 0:34:07If I was to put him on the floor,
0:34:07 > 0:34:10I suppose, David, back me up on this, he should go quite...
0:34:10 > 0:34:13Shall we give it a go and see?
0:34:13 > 0:34:17- I hope he doesn't shoot up your trouser leg!- Let's hope not.
0:34:17 > 0:34:21That's amazing! Look at that! He's cooling almost instantly.
0:34:21 > 0:34:24Going yellow. You can see again around that organ area,
0:34:24 > 0:34:25still keeping warm.
0:34:25 > 0:34:29But the areas where my hands were, look, they've gone.
0:34:29 > 0:34:30- They have.- The redness has gone.
0:34:30 > 0:34:34If you were to pick him up again now, shall we just see if...
0:34:36 > 0:34:38- There you go.- Look at that.
0:34:38 > 0:34:40He instantly takes the heat from your hand.
0:34:40 > 0:34:43It's almost like a thermal fingerprint.
0:34:43 > 0:34:46- Look!- Look at that! That's amazing.
0:34:46 > 0:34:50- But his head is now completely cooling off.- Yep.
0:34:50 > 0:34:54How will this help you when you are doing 'Meet the Creatures'
0:34:54 > 0:34:57with these very delicate animals?
0:34:57 > 0:35:00Hopefully it can detect how long we can keep them out for,
0:35:00 > 0:35:02depending on the weather conditions.
0:35:02 > 0:35:06At the moment, on days like today, we will keep him out maybe an hour
0:35:06 > 0:35:09and on cooler days, not quite so long.
0:35:09 > 0:35:11We do use hot water bottles as well.
0:35:11 > 0:35:14Look at that instant change as soon as you pick him up.
0:35:14 > 0:35:17He completely changes colour again.
0:35:17 > 0:35:20That is absolutely fascinating.
0:35:20 > 0:35:22I can see he clearly loves you, Kim,
0:35:22 > 0:35:25because he blushes when he's in your arms.
0:35:25 > 0:35:28Dave, thank you very much. A fascinating afternoon.
0:35:28 > 0:35:35Kim, thank you and Khan, you are a perfect thermal imaging subject.
0:35:43 > 0:35:4740 years ago, Longleat was the first ancestral home
0:35:47 > 0:35:49to become a safari park.
0:35:49 > 0:35:52Henry Bath, the present Lord Bath's father,
0:35:52 > 0:35:56caused quite a stir by having a lion lounging in the drawing room.
0:35:58 > 0:36:01Luckily, the lion was a most well behaved guest.
0:36:01 > 0:36:04Nowadays, it is a very different story.
0:36:07 > 0:36:10The 900 safari animals live as wild a life as is possible
0:36:10 > 0:36:12in the Wiltshire countryside
0:36:12 > 0:36:15and that includes the three new tigers -
0:36:15 > 0:36:20potentially, the most dangerous cats in the world.
0:36:20 > 0:36:22The sisters took the park by storm earlier in the year
0:36:22 > 0:36:26when they arrived from Mulhouse Zoo in France.
0:36:26 > 0:36:28It didn't take long for the keepers to realise
0:36:28 > 0:36:31these youngsters were no cuddly kittens.
0:36:35 > 0:36:38But, despite their fearsome reputation,
0:36:38 > 0:36:41Lord Bath is still looking forward to meeting them
0:36:41 > 0:36:43for the first time today.
0:36:44 > 0:36:47I think they are very beautiful and the menace,
0:36:47 > 0:36:50this idea that they might suddenly show their fiercer side
0:36:50 > 0:36:56is something that keeps one's interest going.
0:36:56 > 0:36:59Although he'll be accompanied by head warden, Keith Harris,
0:36:59 > 0:37:02Lord Bath still has to visit the newcomers
0:37:02 > 0:37:06just like any other ordinary member of the public, in his car.
0:37:06 > 0:37:08Which is a bit of a worry,
0:37:08 > 0:37:12since the tigers have become rather fond of attacking cars.
0:37:20 > 0:37:22They may only be 18 months old,
0:37:22 > 0:37:27but their four-centimetre claws could tear a tyre apart in seconds.
0:37:27 > 0:37:30And their incredible speed and agility
0:37:30 > 0:37:32means no-one is safe from their path.
0:37:33 > 0:37:37Despite all this, Lord Bath is anxious to see them,
0:37:37 > 0:37:41but since his car is decked out in the park's black and gold colours,
0:37:41 > 0:37:45he is unlikely to blend into the crowd.
0:37:47 > 0:37:49Within seconds of entering tiger territory,
0:37:49 > 0:37:51the tigers have spotted their new boss.
0:37:52 > 0:37:56If you look now, there is one coming up on the left-hand side.
0:37:58 > 0:38:00There's another one over in the corner there
0:38:00 > 0:38:02sat watching what's going on.
0:38:02 > 0:38:06Do they have their favourite spots? Is that one usually in that corner?
0:38:06 > 0:38:07They will find their favourite spots.
0:38:07 > 0:38:12The one to our right, she is the calmest and quietest of them all.
0:38:12 > 0:38:13She is quite brave,
0:38:13 > 0:38:16she walks through the cars and doesn't care much.
0:38:16 > 0:38:18They love getting up high these tigers.
0:38:18 > 0:38:22They're quite snobbish, they like to look down on people.
0:38:22 > 0:38:24She's off!
0:38:24 > 0:38:25She's chasing that van.
0:38:25 > 0:38:27See the speed she goes.
0:38:28 > 0:38:30Just goes to show how quick they can be.
0:38:30 > 0:38:33She was off down there very quickly.
0:38:33 > 0:38:37Do they have moments when they get fed up with each other and lash out?
0:38:37 > 0:38:42No, they're sisters, so they actually get on very well.
0:38:42 > 0:38:43They may not attack each other,
0:38:43 > 0:38:46but Lord Bath is desperate to know what would happen
0:38:46 > 0:38:49if these ferocious predators were let loose
0:38:49 > 0:38:52on their equally powerful neighbours, the lions.
0:38:54 > 0:38:56If lions and tigers got in together
0:38:56 > 0:39:00and there was a scrap between two of them, which would win?
0:39:00 > 0:39:02I don't know where my money would go.
0:39:02 > 0:39:05I think you'd find the tigers have got speed and agility
0:39:05 > 0:39:07and the lions have got sheer power.
0:39:07 > 0:39:10Hopefully, it'll never happen, so we'll never find out.
0:39:10 > 0:39:13Neither would duck the fight, both spoiling for it.
0:39:13 > 0:39:15They will go for the fight very much.
0:39:15 > 0:39:19Because both animals are very territorial.
0:39:19 > 0:39:22It's something I don't think we'd like to find out.
0:39:22 > 0:39:26Thankfully today, the tigers have been on fairly good behaviour.
0:39:26 > 0:39:30Perhaps they knew the boss was in town, but unlike his father,
0:39:30 > 0:39:34Lord Bath still won't be having a tiger home for tea.
0:39:44 > 0:39:48Hi-tech thermal imaging has been a great success in the park.
0:39:48 > 0:39:51So far it has helped diagnosed Winston's arthritis,
0:39:51 > 0:39:53spotted Jolly the giraffe's bad leg
0:39:53 > 0:39:57and taught keeper, Kim Tucker about Khan the snake.
0:39:57 > 0:40:01But before we go, there is one more thing it can help with
0:40:01 > 0:40:05and that involves the often confusing question of gender.
0:40:05 > 0:40:08We are down in Pet's Corner with head of section, Darren Beasley.
0:40:08 > 0:40:13Darren, you have a theory which you think that Dave Blaine,
0:40:13 > 0:40:17on his thermal imaging camera, is going to be able to back up or not.
0:40:17 > 0:40:19It would be fantastic if he can.
0:40:19 > 0:40:22OK, tell us about this.
0:40:22 > 0:40:24Really, it's all about boys and girls.
0:40:24 > 0:40:28Parrots, most species of parrot all look the same,
0:40:28 > 0:40:30whether it be a boy or a girl.
0:40:30 > 0:40:33The issue we always have, the great mystery of the universe is,
0:40:33 > 0:40:36they know if the bird next to them is a boy or a girl.
0:40:36 > 0:40:37We can't do it visually.
0:40:37 > 0:40:39It's really odd.
0:40:39 > 0:40:41We're not sure what sense they use or how they do it.
0:40:41 > 0:40:43It might be the shape of face or something.
0:40:43 > 0:40:47We have to either surgically sex or use DNA nowadays
0:40:47 > 0:40:49- to find out if the bird is a boy or a girl.- Right.
0:40:49 > 0:40:53I just wondered whether there is something the birds see in their field of vision,
0:40:53 > 0:40:57whether it is some heat or some little hot spot or something,
0:40:57 > 0:41:00that says, "Hey, you're a boy, I'm gonna talk to you."
0:41:00 > 0:41:01Or "You're a girl, I'm gonna chase you,"
0:41:01 > 0:41:03whichever way round it would be.
0:41:03 > 0:41:07- So, shall we start. Who is this? - This is Archie.
0:41:07 > 0:41:11- Right. And Archie is definitely male, is he?- Definitely a boy.
0:41:11 > 0:41:16Is there a place Darren that Dave should concentrate on?
0:41:16 > 0:41:19Do you think there are any particular areas?
0:41:19 > 0:41:23Certainly the head, the face shots and around the beak area,
0:41:23 > 0:41:26but I also wondered around the tummy part.
0:41:26 > 0:41:29If I turn Archie round... Archie! Come up on there.
0:41:29 > 0:41:31ARCHIE SQUAWKS
0:41:31 > 0:41:34There is definitely a hot area around his tummy.
0:41:34 > 0:41:39It is very warm and very white on the legs.
0:41:39 > 0:41:41I've got Nelson here which we know is a girl.
0:41:41 > 0:41:42Despite the name!
0:41:42 > 0:41:44Despite the name! Always confuses me.
0:41:44 > 0:41:47Can we see any difference here?
0:41:47 > 0:41:50You're not getting the complete bleaching out
0:41:50 > 0:41:52- and actually the tummy is a lot cooler, isn't it?- It is.
0:41:52 > 0:41:56- There could be something in it, Darren.- There could be.
0:41:57 > 0:42:02Shall we try with Sunday, because Sunday is a mystery.
0:42:02 > 0:42:04This is an unsexed bird.
0:42:04 > 0:42:08I would say immediately, exactly the same as Archie.
0:42:08 > 0:42:11- Look at that! - Warm down at the bottom.
0:42:11 > 0:42:15The very completely bleached out head and the white legs.
0:42:15 > 0:42:18- It really is a mystery, isn't it? - It is a mystery.
0:42:18 > 0:42:22What we would probably have to do is later on, perhaps this year,
0:42:22 > 0:42:24we would follow up and perhaps have DNA tests.
0:42:24 > 0:42:26- You can take a feather, send it away...- HELLO!
0:42:26 > 0:42:30Hello! Sorry. Take the DNA and have a look,
0:42:30 > 0:42:33- so we can definitely get a sex. - Thank you very much indeed.
0:42:33 > 0:42:37Absolutely. Sadly, that's all we've got time for on today's programme.
0:42:37 > 0:42:40But here's what's coming up on the next Animal Park.
0:42:40 > 0:42:42Darcy the bongo has escaped,
0:42:42 > 0:42:46now one false move and he could break a leg.
0:42:46 > 0:42:49Head of section, Mark Tye, is feeling the pressure
0:42:49 > 0:42:52of 900 mouths which need feeding.
0:42:52 > 0:42:54Animals don't wait for anybody.
0:42:54 > 0:42:58They expect their food on time at the right time and in the right way.
0:42:58 > 0:43:01And just when there is cause for celebration,
0:43:01 > 0:43:05tragedy strikes Meerkat Mountain.
0:43:19 > 0:43:23Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:43:23 > 0:43:27E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk