0:00:02 > 0:00:08Longleat used to be home to a herd of five African elephants, but they were moved to a new home in France.
0:00:08 > 0:00:13Today a keeper will travel to see them for the first time since they left.
0:00:13 > 0:00:18The big question is does an elephant ever forget?
0:00:41 > 0:00:44Coming up on today's programme:
0:00:44 > 0:00:50Kate rolls out the barrel to find out how hard a monkey will work for its lunch.
0:00:50 > 0:00:52Look, look, look!
0:00:53 > 0:00:58Ben goes off to Wolf Wood to try to spot some very cute youngsters.
0:00:59 > 0:01:06And we struggle to even start identifying three tigers that to us look exactly the same.
0:01:06 > 0:01:10I spent long enough working out the last three tigers!
0:01:10 > 0:01:14- And they were all different! - This one fills me with horror!
0:01:14 > 0:01:19But first a tale that the keepers will never forget.
0:01:24 > 0:01:28While we've filmed at the park, there have been many dark days.
0:01:28 > 0:01:32The death of Samba the gorilla, Babs the arthritic rhino
0:01:32 > 0:01:36and, of course, this year dear old Kadu.
0:01:37 > 0:01:42But there's one event ingrained into the memories of all the keepers.
0:01:42 > 0:01:44But it wasn't a death.
0:01:45 > 0:01:48It was the day the elephants left.
0:01:50 > 0:01:54There had been elephants at the park since the 1970s,
0:01:54 > 0:01:59but it's the last herd that will always be most fondly remembered.
0:02:02 > 0:02:08The five elephants arrived in 1993 when they were young -
0:02:08 > 0:02:13Limbo, the male, and four females - Maj, Makali, Umbili and Undala.
0:02:13 > 0:02:18They were cared for from day one by Andy Heyton and Ryan Hotley
0:02:18 > 0:02:21who today run the giraffery.
0:02:21 > 0:02:25It's been five years now since the elephants left,
0:02:25 > 0:02:29but for Andy the pain hasn't gone away.
0:02:29 > 0:02:34This place holds quite a lot of fond memories for me.
0:02:34 > 0:02:40This is the elephants' sandpit. We'd bring them up here every day for a wallow, to play around.
0:02:40 > 0:02:47Elephants are one of the few animals you can really see doing fun things for the sake of fun.
0:02:47 > 0:02:50We had the privilege of watching them.
0:02:55 > 0:02:59You can see tusk marks. It's a bit of archaeology!
0:02:59 > 0:03:05These are tusk marks where the elephants came in here and hammered into this bank.
0:03:05 > 0:03:09All this was level ground. The elephants excavated all of it.
0:03:09 > 0:03:14I haven't been up here for a long time. There's a few ghosts up here.
0:03:15 > 0:03:21Over 10 years, he and Ryan built up an incredible relationship with the animals.
0:03:21 > 0:03:25but it was because they'd grown up so much that they had to go.
0:03:29 > 0:03:33Limbo, the big male, was reaching sexual maturity
0:03:33 > 0:03:41and would soon become far too dangerous to be handled. They'd have had to build a large bull enclosure
0:03:41 > 0:03:43surrounded by steel bars,
0:03:43 > 0:03:50but this wasn't an image that land agent Tim Moore was happy with at the safari park.
0:03:50 > 0:03:55Keeping the animal, and also the cows when they were with him,
0:03:55 > 0:04:00in an enclosure which is quite unlike the sort of safari park system
0:04:00 > 0:04:05where we manage the great majority of our animals.
0:04:05 > 0:04:07They're out in the wide open spaces.
0:04:09 > 0:04:15The decision had been made. The five elephants were being sent to a new home in France.
0:04:15 > 0:04:19Andy and Ryan found it very difficult to talk at the time,
0:04:19 > 0:04:24but their colleague Mark Tye knew just how much they were dreading it.
0:04:24 > 0:04:29Both of them are absolutely distraught about it.
0:04:30 > 0:04:33You just don't know what to say.
0:04:33 > 0:04:37It's so difficult. They've put more into those animals
0:04:37 > 0:04:42than probably most of the rest of the park put together.
0:04:42 > 0:04:44Come in line.
0:04:45 > 0:04:53- Good. Back.- I mean, you know quite well the bond I've built with Niko, the gorilla.
0:04:53 > 0:04:59And it pales into insignificance compared to the bond they have with their animals.
0:04:59 > 0:05:05They're hands on with them every single day. They've always called them the kids.
0:05:05 > 0:05:08To them, they're their babies.
0:05:08 > 0:05:15Even though they're pretty much well near to being fully grown up, they're still to them the kids.
0:05:15 > 0:05:18And it hurts like hell for them.
0:05:23 > 0:05:29But as the huge transporter trucks arrived, the keepers knew there was no going back -
0:05:29 > 0:05:33the elephants would be leaving.
0:05:47 > 0:05:54One of the most important things a keeper has to learn is the difference between their animals,
0:05:54 > 0:05:57but with some species it's not easy!
0:05:57 > 0:06:03It's vitally important should an animal get sick, but also to help predict behaviour,
0:06:03 > 0:06:07which with tigers can be quite dangerous.
0:06:07 > 0:06:14Each of the park's three tigers is an individual and the fingerprints are in their fur.
0:06:14 > 0:06:20Their keepers, Bob and Brian, know the difference, but so far we don't.
0:06:20 > 0:06:24This morning it's Ben and my turn to do exactly that.
0:06:24 > 0:06:29We've come to the tiger house to join Bob and Brian. Morning.
0:06:29 > 0:06:31It's noisy in here!
0:06:31 > 0:06:36Now trying to tell these three girls apart,
0:06:36 > 0:06:40they all look very, very similar on first glance.
0:06:40 > 0:06:44I spent long enough working out the last three tigers.
0:06:44 > 0:06:52We're starting all over again! I haven't done very well with other animal tests over the years.
0:06:52 > 0:06:58No. You always seem to win. I'm not sure how that happens. I think people take pity on you.
0:06:58 > 0:07:04- Let's see how we do. I'd like to suggest that Brian takes you... - Yeah.
0:07:04 > 0:07:09- ..and you can do it out in the... - That's completely not fair!
0:07:09 > 0:07:15If that means you're here with your face pressed against the bars looking at the differences,
0:07:15 > 0:07:22- that's totally not fair! - It's reasonable. I'm much braver than you so I'll be much closer.
0:07:22 > 0:07:28I'll let you have the much safer option of being out in the car with Brian.
0:07:28 > 0:07:34Luckily, me and Brian are so brilliant that it won't matter if they're three miles away!
0:07:34 > 0:07:38OK, you guys just get out. I don't want you getting any tips.
0:07:38 > 0:07:43- You carry on cheating... - We'll give you a bit more time.
0:07:43 > 0:07:47- We'll come back in six hours, seven hours(?)- Just go out!
0:07:47 > 0:07:52Right. Just as and the tigers. Right, where do we begin?
0:07:52 > 0:07:56- Who have we got down here? - This is Sindari.- Right.
0:07:56 > 0:08:03- The way I tell Sindari apart is if you look on that side of her eye...- Which she doesn't like!
0:08:03 > 0:08:07- ..she has an upside down exclamation mark.- Oh, look at that!
0:08:07 > 0:08:10You see the dot at the top and it goes down.
0:08:10 > 0:08:18- And this is...? Remind me. - This is Sindari.- You can't even...! - Go away, go away!
0:08:18 > 0:08:20She's cheating over there.
0:08:20 > 0:08:24So the upside-down exclamation mark is Sindari.
0:08:24 > 0:08:32In personality, she's normally closest to you. She's always the most adventurous one.
0:08:32 > 0:08:37- Anywhere there's trouble, she'll be there.- Sindari. OK.
0:08:37 > 0:08:41As you can see, the volume goes up a bit!
0:08:41 > 0:08:46- The volume goes up here. Who have we got in here who's...? - ROAR
0:08:46 > 0:08:50- Well, the one at the back is Svetli.- Svetli, yeah.
0:08:50 > 0:08:57- And if you go for the same side of the face...- Yes. - ..she's got two dashes.
0:08:57 > 0:09:01- Great. And now grumpy... - This is grumpy here.
0:09:01 > 0:09:04- She's going to move away.- Right.
0:09:04 > 0:09:11- With her, the same sort of principle.- Shall we move down and see whether, um...?
0:09:11 > 0:09:18With her, the same side of the face, she also has an exclamation mark,
0:09:18 > 0:09:23- but the dot is much nearer to the dash.- Oh, no, now you...
0:09:25 > 0:09:28- And she's quite angry!- She's angry.
0:09:28 > 0:09:34OK, Bob, I think I've got all of that. Shall we let them out so that Kate and Brian can have a go?
0:09:34 > 0:09:38If I can borrow your radio, I will let Kate know. Ben to Kate.
0:09:38 > 0:09:44I have finished my tiger identification lesson. You don't stand a chance!
0:09:44 > 0:09:50- Yeah, right, Fogle. There's no way you're going to win. Is there? - No, not a chance.
0:09:50 > 0:09:54Right. Oh, here they are. Crikey. We've got one running through.
0:09:54 > 0:10:00- Once they're out in the wider enclosure, the most likely to be on her own is Sindari.- Yes.
0:10:00 > 0:10:05So really we need to tell the difference between the other two.
0:10:05 > 0:10:11Well, they're miles away and one of them is completely hidden behind a tree!
0:10:11 > 0:10:16- How are we going to do this? I need binoculars.- I've got a trick.
0:10:16 > 0:10:21- Aha! OK, very good. - It might help us.- Right.
0:10:21 > 0:10:26We knew they would be far away because Bob and Ben had them in the house.
0:10:26 > 0:10:31- Cheating.- It's easier close up and we've got them far away.
0:10:31 > 0:10:38- We've got Svetli there, Showri, Sindari...- Let's not worry about Sindari.- These are the ones...
0:10:39 > 0:10:42Now looking immediately at those,
0:10:42 > 0:10:48Showri looks like she's got more black in that eyebrow area than Svetli.
0:10:48 > 0:10:53That's how I go for them normally - the more white here.
0:10:53 > 0:10:57- And that black bit there.- It is interesting looking at these.
0:10:57 > 0:11:01Although on the face of it they all look identical,
0:11:01 > 0:11:06these markings are actually completely unique to each animal.
0:11:06 > 0:11:09They are. Everyone's different.
0:11:09 > 0:11:13- It's like a thumbprint for us. - Yeah, a fingerprint.
0:11:13 > 0:11:20I would say the guess is that Showri is the one who is more clearly visible.
0:11:20 > 0:11:24No, Svetli, rather. The one with the whiter...
0:11:24 > 0:11:27Showri is hiding behind the tree.
0:11:27 > 0:11:33- The one who would normally be ready to pounce. She's always on alert.- Is she?
0:11:33 > 0:11:38- So that's another clue. So Sindari will be on her own.- Yeah.
0:11:38 > 0:11:44And Svetli will look a bit grumpier and will probably take your leg off.
0:11:44 > 0:11:50- Probably.- Brian, I think we're ready to take on the Fogle. What do you think?
0:11:50 > 0:11:56- I think so.- There's no way he'll be able to tell the difference once they're out in the open.
0:11:56 > 0:12:02- No, I don't think he will.- No. - Join us later in tiger territory
0:12:02 > 0:12:06when we find out who will earn their stripes.
0:12:08 > 0:12:12Ferocious tigers certainly keep the keepers on their toes,
0:12:12 > 0:12:19but there's an animal on the other side of the park they're excited about - the scimitar-horned oryx.
0:12:23 > 0:12:29These ultimate ungulates get their name from those incredible sword-like horns,
0:12:29 > 0:12:34but that's what they're hunted for. In Africa, they're on the brink of extinction.
0:12:34 > 0:12:41But captive breeding, then releasing back into the wild, could save the species.
0:12:41 > 0:12:45Longleat's pretty lucky to have a small herd of females,
0:12:45 > 0:12:51but without a male they've been unable to start breeding and send any animals back to Africa.
0:12:51 > 0:12:54But this is about to change
0:12:54 > 0:13:00as Deputy Head of Section Kevin Nibbs is nervously awaiting delivery of a young bull.
0:13:00 > 0:13:06We've got five females and two are fairly old, so we're not going to breed from them.
0:13:06 > 0:13:12Three youngsters came from Germany and are the fittest, so that's the three we're going to breed with.
0:13:12 > 0:13:18The best scenario is that all three get pregnant and deliver perfectly healthy females.
0:13:18 > 0:13:26That would be good for the population. If we get a male, we can send it on to another collection.
0:13:26 > 0:13:31As oryx numbers are so low, global stocks are strictly controlled
0:13:31 > 0:13:36so it's been a lengthy and difficult task for Head Warden Keith Harris
0:13:36 > 0:13:41to secure the arrival of a male with the right bloodline.
0:13:41 > 0:13:45When we first got the oryx, we knew that they were important.
0:13:45 > 0:13:49We've been patiently waiting for the chance to breed from them.
0:13:49 > 0:13:56The Endangered Species program have picked out a bull that is compatible with the females here
0:13:56 > 0:14:02and that allows us to breed, which is quite exciting.
0:14:02 > 0:14:07That stock which is bred you hope will go somewhere down the line
0:14:07 > 0:14:10to be part of a release program.
0:14:12 > 0:14:18We know that we're a very small part of a big picture. It's just nice to be a part of it.
0:14:18 > 0:14:20We'll see how it goes.
0:14:20 > 0:14:24Today the park is finally seeing the arrival of the new boy.
0:14:24 > 0:14:28I think Keith has been desperate to get a bull oryx here for a long time.
0:14:28 > 0:14:33Eventually, we finally got our male and he can breed with the females
0:14:33 > 0:14:38and that's good for us. A baby oryx for Longleat - we've never had one.
0:14:38 > 0:14:44It'll be pretty tough for us to learn very quickly, but I think we'll get there.
0:14:44 > 0:14:48I'm happy to be breeding any animal
0:14:48 > 0:14:53so oryx we've never done here and I've never bred oryx anywhere else,
0:14:53 > 0:14:57so for me this is a first as well. I'm looking forward to it.
0:14:57 > 0:15:02The new oryx, named Drew, has come from another collection
0:15:02 > 0:15:05and is being loaned for two years.
0:15:05 > 0:15:09Kev is hoping by the end of that period they could have six calves,
0:15:09 > 0:15:15but the most important thing for now is that he settles in quickly to his new environment.
0:15:15 > 0:15:21Any new animal coming to another collection, they've got to acclimatise to how the park runs.
0:15:21 > 0:15:24The bull oryx is in now.
0:15:24 > 0:15:28After a few days, we'll let him out into the small yard here
0:15:28 > 0:15:32and then introduce the girls to him through the fence, very slowly,
0:15:32 > 0:15:35so he sees them, they see him.
0:15:35 > 0:15:42Giving him a small area to start with gradually builds his confidence as he can explore it
0:15:42 > 0:15:47and then we can make it bigger until he goes out with the females later in the summer.
0:15:47 > 0:15:52We'll see how their relationship develops from there, really.
0:15:54 > 0:16:00OK, the gloves are off. It's Fogle versus Humble in a fight to the death.
0:16:00 > 0:16:05Who can name the three tigers successfully?
0:16:05 > 0:16:09I think what we should do, Ben, is each one of us...
0:16:09 > 0:16:13You do the three first, then I'll go second. The final challenge.
0:16:13 > 0:16:18- I've never seen them like this. - So you might get it wrong?
0:16:18 > 0:16:23I've never seen them acting like this. They're always in the corner.
0:16:23 > 0:16:30- This is new for me.- So their behaviour is changing still, day to day?
0:16:30 > 0:16:36- They're coming out of themselves. - So behind the vehicle... - You name the three first.- OK.
0:16:36 > 0:16:42I think we've got, over there, looking round at us now, I think that is Showri.
0:16:42 > 0:16:47Then I think standing up on the structure is Sindari.
0:16:47 > 0:16:51And over here... I've forgotten the other S name!
0:16:52 > 0:16:56Sunda... Showri, Sindari...
0:16:56 > 0:16:58Svetli! Svetli there. Svetli.
0:16:58 > 0:17:01- OK, Kate, your turn.- OK.
0:17:01 > 0:17:05I think you're right. That one is, um...
0:17:07 > 0:17:09- Come on!- OK.
0:17:09 > 0:17:13I think... Ooh!
0:17:13 > 0:17:17I think Svetli is the one with the frown marks.
0:17:17 > 0:17:22Showri is the one with the very white face and her bum to us now.
0:17:22 > 0:17:24And that's Sindari.
0:17:24 > 0:17:27Well, that time you didn't get any.
0:17:28 > 0:17:30But Ben got one.
0:17:30 > 0:17:32- Sindari's over there.- Sindari there.
0:17:32 > 0:17:37- That's Svetli and that's Showri.- Both losers!
0:17:37 > 0:17:40We are! Bob and Brian, thank you.
0:17:40 > 0:17:46- It just makes us realise how difficult your job is. - We need to go back to the classroom!
0:17:46 > 0:17:48Swot up. Here are the photos.
0:17:48 > 0:17:52We got all the names wrong and everything.
0:18:01 > 0:18:05Back now to one of the saddest tales we've ever followed -
0:18:05 > 0:18:10the day the elephants, looked after by Andy and Ryan, left forever.
0:18:11 > 0:18:18They were going to a new home at a zoo in France. Enormous lorries arrived
0:18:18 > 0:18:22to transport the five elephants and our cameras were asked to stay away
0:18:22 > 0:18:29because it could become very dangerous. It was a huge operation and keepers from all over the park
0:18:29 > 0:18:35helped out, including Mark, who did his bit by loading up a week's worth of food.
0:18:35 > 0:18:40A lot of animals get used to eating the same sort of food all the time.
0:18:40 > 0:18:44If you were just to change dramatically from one to another,
0:18:44 > 0:18:49it might upset their stomachs as it's something they're not used to.
0:18:49 > 0:18:55So obviously we'd like to do it over a gradual process so they get used to it gently.
0:18:56 > 0:19:03Any animal that has to be moved out of its normal environment, especially when put in a lorry
0:19:03 > 0:19:10and taken across on a ferry and stuff like that, it's going to be pretty stressful for them,
0:19:10 > 0:19:14so you don't want to give them too many stressful things at one go.
0:19:22 > 0:19:27Everybody is trying to lend moral support in any way they can.
0:19:27 > 0:19:31Even if it's just a little thing, collect this, do that, whatever.
0:19:31 > 0:19:36But I think if we're honest, nobody wants to be doing it at all.
0:19:50 > 0:19:56After 10 years and thousands of hours of hard work by Andy and by Ryan and all the other keepers,
0:19:56 > 0:20:02the elephants were loaded onto the transporters and left their home behind.
0:20:04 > 0:20:10They were put on an overnight ferry to France where Ryan, who was travelling with the herd,
0:20:10 > 0:20:15- had his first opportunity to check on the girls.- Hey, girls!
0:20:18 > 0:20:20They're good. Nice and steady.
0:20:20 > 0:20:25It's a good sign that they haven't tried to hit my head off!
0:20:25 > 0:20:31They're pretty calm, they're eating. It's a really good sign. If they were highly stressed, they wouldn't.
0:20:31 > 0:20:33They'd just throw it at me.
0:20:33 > 0:20:37So it's good. They're very calm in there.
0:20:38 > 0:20:43It was then a five-hour drive to Zoo Parc Beauval in the Loire Valley,
0:20:43 > 0:20:49the second biggest zoo in France and home to over 200 species.
0:20:50 > 0:20:57But they had never had elephants and had spent £9 million on their enclosure,
0:20:57 > 0:21:03which included a 9-acre paddock and the biggest elephant house in Europe.
0:21:03 > 0:21:08It had taken over 24 hours, but finally they were at their new home.
0:21:11 > 0:21:16Unloading the elephants was potentially very dangerous,
0:21:16 > 0:21:18as they may be disorientated,
0:21:18 > 0:21:23so the keepers had to work as a team to guide them into their new pens.
0:21:27 > 0:21:34All the animals were unloaded safely and even seemed to be getting into the French way of life.
0:21:34 > 0:21:38But for Andy it was still an anxious time.
0:21:38 > 0:21:42We're being careful around them. It's a strange environment.
0:21:42 > 0:21:49They're in a strange environment. We're tired, extremely tired. They're tired.
0:21:49 > 0:21:54It's a very stressful move for them and it's just totally different.
0:21:54 > 0:22:00You're careful around elephants. We're extra careful at the moment.
0:22:00 > 0:22:06The true test of how the elephants were settling in came with their first feed.
0:22:06 > 0:22:11- Stressed animals often refuse to eat.- They're all munching away.
0:22:11 > 0:22:16They're not tucking it away, like they do at Longleat,
0:22:16 > 0:22:23but I wouldn't have expected them to arrive here and immediately start eating the same amount of feed
0:22:23 > 0:22:29as we gave them at Longleat. This is Undala. She's always prepared to eat, no matter what's going on.
0:22:29 > 0:22:36But after a decade of caring for them, Andy and Ryan had to finally say goodbye.
0:22:36 > 0:22:41You spend six days a week around somebody for 10 years,
0:22:41 > 0:22:46since they were waist height, knee-high to a grasshopper,
0:22:46 > 0:22:52and not just the training, you know, the routine for their wash and their scrub,
0:22:52 > 0:22:55all the social skills...
0:22:55 > 0:23:01It creates that sort of bond that goes beyond the normal bond with an animal
0:23:01 > 0:23:05because we've done so much for them.
0:23:05 > 0:23:12You feel, in a way, like you are their parent. I'm sure they look at us in the same way.
0:23:12 > 0:23:16I'm very sad to be losing the elephants.
0:23:16 > 0:23:21Nobody's ever going to love these elephants like us.
0:23:31 > 0:23:35That devastating blow was five years ago.
0:23:35 > 0:23:40Now the keepers have the opportunity to visit the elephants.
0:23:40 > 0:23:47Time has helped heal some of the wounds, but for Andy the memories are still too painful to go back.
0:23:47 > 0:23:51There is no way that I would go down to see the elephants again.
0:23:51 > 0:23:56Some people may find that really strange,
0:23:56 > 0:24:02but they were completely and utterly my life when I worked with them, and my passion,
0:24:02 > 0:24:06and walking out on them, leaving them there, broke my heart.
0:24:06 > 0:24:09There's no way I'll do it again.
0:24:09 > 0:24:13But Ryan feels he is ready to make the trip
0:24:13 > 0:24:18as he hopes it will put his mind at ease that the kids are all right.
0:24:18 > 0:24:22There's a bit of nerves, but I'm also quite excited.
0:24:22 > 0:24:28It would be nice to take the moral high ground and say that they've lost condition
0:24:28 > 0:24:36and we looked after them better, but I hope they're looking just as good as when they were here.
0:24:36 > 0:24:41There's one elephant in particular he's looking forward to seeing.
0:24:41 > 0:24:47I got on particularly well with Undala. It sounds weird, but I do think of her a lot!
0:24:47 > 0:24:51That's probably one of my most ridiculously nervy things,
0:24:51 > 0:24:54her not remembering me.
0:24:54 > 0:25:00Deep down, of course, I want them to remember me. I'm going to be quite gutted
0:25:00 > 0:25:05if not even Undala gives me some sort of vague recognition,
0:25:05 > 0:25:07but if they don't, they don't.
0:25:07 > 0:25:12But deep down it will cut a little bit, I think.
0:25:19 > 0:25:24Over the years, we've tried a lot of things to keep the monkeys busy
0:25:24 > 0:25:27and some were a little unusual,
0:25:27 > 0:25:34but as they're some of the most intelligent animals at the park, you need to be quite inventive.
0:25:34 > 0:25:38Kate's involved with a new plan to keep them busy.
0:25:41 > 0:25:45There's something curious going on here in Monkey Jungle.
0:25:45 > 0:25:49Kevin, what's your plan with this bizarre looking bit of kit?
0:25:49 > 0:25:55- The plan is this barrel here has had holes drilled.- Right.
0:25:55 > 0:26:01- We'll put a little bit of monkey food inside, put the lid on and roll it down the hill.- Like dog toys!
0:26:01 > 0:26:03- That's right.- Chuck these in.
0:26:03 > 0:26:08- Presumably these are all things you would feed them anyway.- Yeah.
0:26:08 > 0:26:12- It's not rich treats.- It's their natural diet.- Chuck that in.
0:26:12 > 0:26:15OK, so lid on, presumably.
0:26:16 > 0:26:19And we've got to seal that up.
0:26:19 > 0:26:25- OK, I literally shove it down the hill?- Give it a damn good kick.
0:26:25 > 0:26:29There's a bit of a trail of stuff coming out here.
0:26:29 > 0:26:36- What do you think? That far? - Pretty good. Then we'll hide and they'll start munching on it.
0:26:36 > 0:26:42So they're going rather like humans would or, in fact, any animal,
0:26:42 > 0:26:48- going for easy pickings first. - That's exactly right. nearest to us is a young male.
0:26:48 > 0:26:55- Right.- He's one of the braver ones. He'll fill his face before a bigger male comes and chases him off.
0:26:55 > 0:26:57- He's like an opportunist.- OK.
0:26:57 > 0:27:02When they stand up like that, sometimes one is absolutely upright
0:27:02 > 0:27:07- and seeming to check out what the others are doing.- Yeah.
0:27:07 > 0:27:13They're very inquisitive and if one looks like he's got something nice, that's it.
0:27:13 > 0:27:18- They'll get hounded until they give it up.- Great. Look at that!
0:27:18 > 0:27:21It's fantastic!
0:27:22 > 0:27:27And, of course, Fruit Cam will show just how clever these monkeys are.
0:27:29 > 0:27:33That's amazing, isn't it? It's been five minutes.
0:27:33 > 0:27:39One of them has already worked out that if you roll it, stuff comes out.
0:27:39 > 0:27:44- That's fascinating.- Once it moves, they get a little wary of it.
0:27:44 > 0:27:48But once one works it out, that'll be it.
0:27:48 > 0:27:52- They all tell each other. - It's beginning to happen now.
0:27:52 > 0:27:58- This is a big male now. - Dipping his hand in. Brilliant! It's like a lucky dip.
0:27:58 > 0:28:02"Where's the yummy stuff at the bottom?"
0:28:02 > 0:28:05Oh, look. Look at the little one.
0:28:05 > 0:28:10Now I never expected they would bother to peel the banana.
0:28:10 > 0:28:14- I assumed they would eat the peel. - They'll sit and peel it properly
0:28:14 > 0:28:20and discard the skin later on. We'll come round later on and pick up the bits they left.
0:28:20 > 0:28:22Look at that.
0:28:22 > 0:28:28This has been a fantastic experiment. And a huge success as far as the monkeys are concerned,
0:28:28 > 0:28:34judging by the fun over there. Thank you very much indeed.
0:28:50 > 0:28:56'The two hippos are the most dangerous animals at the park, so vet checks are almost impossible.
0:28:56 > 0:29:02'So, a few days ago, their keeper Mark had a potential nightmare on his hands
0:29:02 > 0:29:07'when one of them got a very large rubber mat caught on her very big teeth.'
0:29:07 > 0:29:11- How are you gonna do anything about that?- We're not.
0:29:11 > 0:29:15- Unfortunately.- Could you not sedate her here?- Not in the water.
0:29:15 > 0:29:21Even if she was out in the field here, if we darted her, the first thing she'd do - run to the water.
0:29:21 > 0:29:24- I suppose if she's sedated... - Sedated in the water...
0:29:24 > 0:29:30- ..she's too floppy and she's not gonna breathe.- No. It's a big problem.- God, what a problem!
0:29:30 > 0:29:35'Well, Ben has gone up to meet Mark and get the latest.'
0:29:35 > 0:29:40We can see them both just creeping up towards us, Sonia and Spot. What's happened?
0:29:40 > 0:29:43Thank goodness, it's actually come off!
0:29:43 > 0:29:48Don't know how. As mysteriously as it appeared, it's now gone.
0:29:48 > 0:29:54A huge relief for you because these are two of the wildest animals here at Longleat.
0:29:54 > 0:29:57You don't do anything. You never get near them.
0:29:57 > 0:30:00No, they're as near wild as you can get, I should imagine.
0:30:00 > 0:30:05They have all this lake, the field, and we are really hands off with them.
0:30:05 > 0:30:10It's just the passing safari boat that goes anywhere near them basically?
0:30:10 > 0:30:15Yeah, the boats go near them, the sea lions annoy them and we leave them alone.
0:30:15 > 0:30:19What do you think happened to it? It came off on its own?
0:30:19 > 0:30:24From seeing it jammed very tightly on there, she must have rubbed it off on something.
0:30:24 > 0:30:30It's great she used her own initiative to remove it. It could have been a massive headache for us.
0:30:30 > 0:30:36What I find amazing is, over the years, the safari park vet has had to deal with almost every animal,
0:30:36 > 0:30:40- except these two.- Yeah, they can't go anywhere near them.
0:30:40 > 0:30:46The only time we could contemplate catching them would be in winter when we control their food.
0:30:46 > 0:30:51- But this time of year, no chance. - So a huge relief that they're fine? - Absolutely.
0:30:51 > 0:30:57Out in the wild and here indeed, the teeth are crucial for eating, to be able to graze on the grass.
0:30:57 > 0:31:01With a piece of plastic like that, it would inhibit their eating.
0:31:01 > 0:31:07Those teeth are used for fighting, those tusks that it was jammed over, not so much eating.
0:31:07 > 0:31:11But it could have crossed her throat and not let the grass go down.
0:31:11 > 0:31:17- It could have caused a massive problem.- Phew!- Big relief. - Mark, thanks very much.
0:31:17 > 0:31:21What a relief! Here's what's still to come on today's programme.
0:31:23 > 0:31:29'After five long years, the elephants are still always on the mind of their keeper.
0:31:29 > 0:31:31'But will they remember him?'
0:31:31 > 0:31:33Hey, Limbo.
0:31:33 > 0:31:39'And the six new arrivals in Wolf Wood are taking their toll on their poor old mum.'
0:31:39 > 0:31:42We did witness her jumping up a tree earlier on.
0:31:42 > 0:31:46- To get away from them?- Yeah, just to have a bit of peace and quiet.
0:31:47 > 0:31:52It's been a while now since Drew, the male scimitar-horned oryx,
0:31:52 > 0:31:56which are on the edge of extinction, arrived at the park.
0:31:56 > 0:32:00His mission? To play a major hand in saving his entire species
0:32:00 > 0:32:04by mating with the three young females that live at the park.
0:32:04 > 0:32:10So, no pressure then! But how will he react to his girls?
0:32:10 > 0:32:15We're hoping that things are gonna go quite smoothly.
0:32:15 > 0:32:22The difficulty that could arise is that the three girls have been born together, have always lived together,
0:32:22 > 0:32:26so introducing another animal to them, it may cause a few problems,
0:32:26 > 0:32:29a few fights, a lot of running about, things like that.
0:32:29 > 0:32:34The best case scenario is we let him out and they accept him straight away.
0:32:34 > 0:32:38The worst case is they all turn on him and chase him off.
0:32:38 > 0:32:41So it's time for Kev to make the introductions.
0:32:41 > 0:32:44Good girls. Good girls.
0:32:45 > 0:32:47Easy, easy, easy.
0:32:47 > 0:32:52Easy, easy, easy. Easy now. Easy...
0:32:52 > 0:32:56When he's happy that they're settled, he opens Drew's pen.
0:33:01 > 0:33:04These animals are incredibly nervous
0:33:04 > 0:33:08and with each one being literally priceless,
0:33:08 > 0:33:13one panicked oryx could bring the breeding programme to a disastrous end.
0:33:15 > 0:33:19But Drew appears to be a cool customer.
0:33:19 > 0:33:25It's going very well. He's not intimidated by them. They're not afraid of him.
0:33:25 > 0:33:32That's a positive step. And all it is now is time. The more we do it, the closer they should become.
0:33:32 > 0:33:34But it's not as simple as that.
0:33:34 > 0:33:39Any new births of such an endangered species are extremely precious,
0:33:39 > 0:33:42so timing is all-important.
0:33:42 > 0:33:48He's showing he's not afraid of them by walking around and then back in again cos it's his territory.
0:33:48 > 0:33:53If they wanted to upset him, they'd run around and if he was upset, he'd be running a lot more.
0:33:53 > 0:33:57The calmer he is, the better, and he does seem very relaxed.
0:33:57 > 0:34:01And he's starting to eat as well, so that's very good to see.
0:34:01 > 0:34:05He's relaxed enough to come out and have a bit of a feed there.
0:34:05 > 0:34:08Like humans, oryx are pregnant for nine months
0:34:08 > 0:34:13and Kev wants to be sure that breeding takes place at the right time of year.
0:34:13 > 0:34:19The girls have been rattling through the cage and he's not reacted to it, so he's not been aggressive to them.
0:34:19 > 0:34:25Everything has been very calm and quiet, which is very good. I'm very happy with this.
0:34:25 > 0:34:29The plan is now to keep them out here every day,
0:34:29 > 0:34:35then as time progresses, we can slowly let him out into the bigger, wider area
0:34:35 > 0:34:39with the three youngsters, and that's him integrated with our herd.
0:34:39 > 0:34:44The next step is he breeds with them and then babies in a few months' time.
0:34:45 > 0:34:52After a successful first meeting, Kev can let the females out to graze in the large enclosure.
0:34:55 > 0:34:58But for now, Drew must wait his turn.
0:35:01 > 0:35:07We'll be back when it's time for the big boy to meet the ladies without the bars.
0:35:15 > 0:35:21Today, we're updating one of the hardest times for the keepers that we've ever followed,
0:35:21 > 0:35:25the time when the elephants left the safari park.
0:35:25 > 0:35:30It's been five years since they were moved to their new home in France
0:35:30 > 0:35:35and head of the safari park Keith Harris is taking their former keeper Ryan to see the elephants
0:35:35 > 0:35:38he used to care for.
0:35:38 > 0:35:44I'm looking forward to coming here. I want to see the elephants. I've wanted to for a few years now.
0:35:44 > 0:35:51I don't know if "excited" is the right word. It's not excitement, but I just hope they're doing well.
0:35:51 > 0:35:54I hope they're in good condition
0:35:54 > 0:36:02and they've all, you know, grown and become the elephants that Andy and I thought that they would become.
0:36:04 > 0:36:08After a long drive, they arrive at Zoo Parc Beauval
0:36:08 > 0:36:11which is home to over 4,000 animals.
0:36:13 > 0:36:17But Ryan is really only here to see one thing - the elephants,
0:36:17 > 0:36:21and, in particular, his old favourite Undala.
0:36:21 > 0:36:24I do feel a bit nervous this morning.
0:36:24 > 0:36:30I've certainly been mulling over the whole "will they remember me or not" scenario
0:36:30 > 0:36:36and I've concluded that they probably won't because it's a long time, so we'll just have to see.
0:36:36 > 0:36:43But I feel nervous anyway because, emotionally, I don't know how I'm going to react to seeing them.
0:36:45 > 0:36:47I remember that smell.
0:36:55 > 0:36:57Thank you.
0:36:57 > 0:36:59Hey, Limbo.
0:37:01 > 0:37:03He's grown.
0:37:03 > 0:37:05Yeah, yeah.
0:37:05 > 0:37:09Yeah, his head is really nice and big.
0:37:09 > 0:37:11Hey, boy.
0:37:12 > 0:37:14You're a good boy.
0:37:16 > 0:37:19He looks really good, actually.
0:37:19 > 0:37:22I'm very pleased with the way he looks.
0:37:22 > 0:37:28It's like he hasn't really changed at all. He's just a much bigger version of what he used to be.
0:37:28 > 0:37:32I want to see them all, but... Undala especially.
0:37:39 > 0:37:41Hey, Undala.
0:37:42 > 0:37:44Hey, darling.
0:37:44 > 0:37:47Good girl. Good girl.
0:37:49 > 0:37:51Good girl.
0:37:57 > 0:37:59Do you want to smell?
0:37:59 > 0:38:01Good. Good.
0:38:01 > 0:38:03Good girl.
0:38:07 > 0:38:09All right, good girl.
0:38:10 > 0:38:12Good girl.
0:38:12 > 0:38:14Good.
0:38:14 > 0:38:16Good.
0:38:16 > 0:38:18Undala, trunk!
0:38:18 > 0:38:21Good girl. Good girl.
0:38:21 > 0:38:23She may remember the commands,
0:38:23 > 0:38:28but if there is a flicker of recognition, she's not really showing it.
0:38:28 > 0:38:31Ryan's worst nightmare may have come true.
0:38:31 > 0:38:32Trunk!
0:38:32 > 0:38:35Good girl.
0:38:36 > 0:38:39Good girl. Well done. Good.
0:38:39 > 0:38:44The French keepers stick to the routine that Ryan and Andy taught them,
0:38:44 > 0:38:48an important part of which is a daily morning shower.
0:38:48 > 0:38:51First to be washed is Limbo the male.
0:38:51 > 0:38:57The elephants had to leave Longleat as the keepers were worried that as Limbo got older and stronger,
0:38:57 > 0:39:03his behaviour would become more bullish and aggressive and he would be dangerous to work with.
0:39:03 > 0:39:07This elephant house is perfectly suited for that behaviour.
0:39:07 > 0:39:12I'm pleasantly surprised actually about how polite he's being.
0:39:12 > 0:39:16It's nice to see him getting straight in, stretched down.
0:39:16 > 0:39:19It's nice to see that that hasn't been lost.
0:39:19 > 0:39:26It just makes it so much easier to care for their skin in general when you can give them a good wash.
0:39:26 > 0:39:32Suddenly, the elephant house is full of noise as Undala acts entirely out of character.
0:39:34 > 0:39:36LOUD TRUMPETING
0:39:36 > 0:39:41Trumpeting and dancing around is typical of a greeting ceremony,
0:39:41 > 0:39:44which happens when family members are reunited.
0:39:44 > 0:39:46Good girl.
0:39:47 > 0:39:51It's taken a while, but she remembers Ryan.
0:39:53 > 0:39:55TRUMPETS LOUDLY
0:39:56 > 0:39:59I don't know if it's anything to do with me.
0:40:00 > 0:40:04She was always very easy to wind up anyway.
0:40:09 > 0:40:11In five years looking after Undala,
0:40:11 > 0:40:16the French keepers have never seen anything quite like this before.
0:40:16 > 0:40:18We never see her like that.
0:40:20 > 0:40:23She recognised you for sure.
0:40:23 > 0:40:27Yeah, but she always used to be like this. Very easy to wind up.
0:40:27 > 0:40:31I would go in and muck around with her.
0:40:31 > 0:40:33- Vous l'avez deja vu comme ca?- Non.
0:40:33 > 0:40:35Good girl.
0:40:40 > 0:40:44Really cool. It's making me want to go in there with her
0:40:44 > 0:40:47and really, you know, muck around, but, um...
0:40:47 > 0:40:55I mean, she's much bigger now and possibly she would have just bowled me over or something.
0:40:56 > 0:41:02It was quite cool when the vet said he had never seen her like that in the morning,
0:41:02 > 0:41:05but that's how she used to be.
0:41:05 > 0:41:09I felt like there was some recognition there. Very nice for me.
0:41:09 > 0:41:14And hopefully, very nice for her to know that you're still around.
0:41:14 > 0:41:20Because elephants are highly emotional animals and they understand, I think,
0:41:20 > 0:41:27so possibly from their point of view, it might be quite nice to know that we're around still as well.
0:41:27 > 0:41:31With bath time over, they're let out into their paddock.
0:41:32 > 0:41:37But how will Ryan cope when he has to say goodbye once again?
0:41:42 > 0:41:49Back at Longleat, we're heading straight to Wolf Wood because there is some amazing news.
0:41:49 > 0:41:54There's one place in the safari park where there is always something going on.
0:41:54 > 0:42:00We're in Wolf Wood and I'm with keeper Bob Trollope and just behind us is Freda with some of the cubs.
0:42:00 > 0:42:03We can't actually tell how many.
0:42:03 > 0:42:07There's six altogether, but I can't see how many there is with Mum.
0:42:07 > 0:42:14- She's been dotting about all over the place today.- She's been moving them around.- She has. Very much so.
0:42:14 > 0:42:19She was in the house a couple of days ago, then she's brought them out into the fresh air.
0:42:19 > 0:42:21They're all over the place.
0:42:21 > 0:42:25I'm amazed that she's allowing us to get this close to her.
0:42:25 > 0:42:29She hasn't picked them all off and moved them away.
0:42:29 > 0:42:34She is generally quite good. It's Two Tips and One Tip that will come over and chase us off.
0:42:34 > 0:42:38Maybe it's because they're not used to this Land-Rover.
0:42:38 > 0:42:42The stripy ones, as soon as you come anywhere near Mum or the cubs,
0:42:42 > 0:42:46they're there, just seeing us off and ripping off a few mud flaps.
0:42:46 > 0:42:49Who is that just behind your shoulder there?
0:42:49 > 0:42:51That is Dad. That is Two Tips.
0:42:51 > 0:42:55As you can see, he's keeping guard. He's keeping an eye on us.
0:42:55 > 0:42:59If we were to do anything silly like get out, he'd let us know.
0:42:59 > 0:43:02- Would he come up?- Very much so.
0:43:02 > 0:43:08- Presumably, he could be very dangerous?- Yeah, and the whole pack would join in. It's not just him.
0:43:08 > 0:43:13Their main aim is to look after these little ones and they do it very well.
0:43:13 > 0:43:19For many years, I've been coming up here and seeing the new litters each time they come out.
0:43:19 > 0:43:22- Does it still get you as excited as ever?- It does.
0:43:22 > 0:43:29This year, she gave birth to six and she's still got six. We haven't lost any. So, fingers crossed.
0:43:29 > 0:43:33And they look really, really bonnie. They do, honestly.
0:43:33 > 0:43:37- Just remind me their age now. - Just over four weeks.- Right.
0:43:37 > 0:43:41They've just got to the age where they're a bit more adventurous.
0:43:41 > 0:43:45They'll wander off and cause all sorts of mayhem for the pack.
0:43:45 > 0:43:50- And how long will they be suckling from Freda? - They've just got to that age now.
0:43:50 > 0:43:55I noticed they were nibbling on the meat, so they'll still be suckling for a few more weeks,
0:43:55 > 0:43:59going to the feed as well in a few weeks' time,
0:43:59 > 0:44:04then the whole pack will tend to regurgitate food for them as well, so they're getting well fed.
0:44:04 > 0:44:09- It's amazing that at four weeks, they're already turning into carnivores.- Yeah.
0:44:09 > 0:44:13- Do you think she's gonna keep moving them around?- Without a doubt.
0:44:13 > 0:44:16A lot of it is to do with cleanliness as well.
0:44:16 > 0:44:22If a den site gets a little bit dirty, then obviously it gives smells away to any predator,
0:44:22 > 0:44:25so they move them to a clean site every few days.
0:44:25 > 0:44:30Presumably, Freda's like any mum, pretty exhausted at this stage?
0:44:30 > 0:44:33Yes, we did witness her jumping up a tree earlier on.
0:44:33 > 0:44:37- To get away from them?- Just to have a bit of peace and quiet.
0:44:37 > 0:44:42They look like they're resting now and she's getting some well-earned rest.
0:44:42 > 0:44:46- I think we should leave her to her sleep. Thanks, Bob.- That's OK.
0:44:54 > 0:44:59This enclosure is home to some of the world's greatest scavengers,
0:44:59 > 0:45:04but as Kate is about to discover, it is also home to a whole lot more.
0:45:04 > 0:45:09I'm in the African white-backed vulture enclosure with head of section, Mark Tye.
0:45:09 > 0:45:13But today, we're not here to look at the birds.
0:45:13 > 0:45:17We're here to look at these.
0:45:17 > 0:45:20This is a common newt
0:45:20 > 0:45:23and it lives in this enclosure, in this pond.
0:45:23 > 0:45:27Mark, when did you discover that this pond was home to newts?
0:45:27 > 0:45:32We built this pond purely for the vultures to bathe in because they like washing,
0:45:32 > 0:45:35so it's a nice shallow-sided pond.
0:45:35 > 0:45:37And it's been here for two years.
0:45:37 > 0:45:41At the start of this year, it was looking particularly grubby,
0:45:41 > 0:45:44so we gave it a good wash-out.
0:45:44 > 0:45:50As we were cleaning it, we realised there were sort of tens of newts in here. We counted 60.
0:45:50 > 0:45:54- How amazing!- Yeah. - I'm gonna put this little one back.
0:45:54 > 0:46:00Although they don't mind being out of water, it is quite sunny and I don't want you to get too hot.
0:46:00 > 0:46:03I'll just pop you back. There you are.
0:46:03 > 0:46:09I see just from sitting on the side here, you've got some big water snails in the middle there,
0:46:09 > 0:46:16lots of pond skaters scooting along the top, lovely water boatmen, all rowing their way around the pond,
0:46:16 > 0:46:19but it is actually a perfect wildlife pond.
0:46:19 > 0:46:22- Was that your intention? - Not really, no.
0:46:22 > 0:46:26- It was literally a vulture bath? - It was a vulture bath.
0:46:26 > 0:46:30- But I'm very pleased it's turned into a wildlife habitat.- It's perfect.
0:46:30 > 0:46:36Shall we explore a little? I bet you've got more animals in this enclosure than you could imagine!
0:46:36 > 0:46:42Having reeds and stuff like this is good for one particular insect.
0:46:42 > 0:46:46Oh, yeah, look at this! This is brilliant. I can take this off.
0:46:46 > 0:46:49You must know what this is, don't you?
0:46:49 > 0:46:51- Is it a dragonfly?- It is.
0:46:51 > 0:46:53That is a dragonfly nymph...
0:46:54 > 0:46:59- ..case. Like, um, butterflies, they pupate.- Yeah.
0:46:59 > 0:47:04So they go into this nymph state once they hatch out of the eggs
0:47:04 > 0:47:07and they live in water for two years.
0:47:07 > 0:47:13They are absolutely voracious monsters and love eating tadpoles and stuff like that.
0:47:13 > 0:47:19They then come up and they climb out on to reeds like this and they'll hang on.
0:47:19 > 0:47:23You say the vultures bathe in it. Presumably, they drink here as well?
0:47:23 > 0:47:29Vultures don't drink very much. They get quite a lot of moisture from the food they eat.
0:47:29 > 0:47:34- I've never seen them drinking. - Really?- They do use it purely for bathing.
0:47:34 > 0:47:39- Yeah, they're not going to kind of go in and eat newts or anything like that.- No.
0:47:39 > 0:47:43So everything is going to be pretty safe. Well done, you.
0:47:43 > 0:47:49- Thank you.- You have created a perfect British wildlife habitat in the middle of your slice of Africa.- Yes.
0:47:49 > 0:47:52Well done.
0:47:57 > 0:48:04But now on the other side of the park, a very important rendezvous is about to happen.
0:48:04 > 0:48:08It's an exciting day in the safari park for head of section Tim Yeo
0:48:08 > 0:48:12because Drew the male oryx is about to be released for the first time.
0:48:12 > 0:48:16- Exactly, Ben. The very first time. - How long has he been here for now?
0:48:16 > 0:48:18For about a couple of months.
0:48:18 > 0:48:22- He's inside over there, isn't he? - That's right, Ben, yes.
0:48:22 > 0:48:26And we've got the two females, if the camera just pans around.
0:48:26 > 0:48:30- We've got two females there. Who are they?- This is Titch and Twist.
0:48:30 > 0:48:36- They're elderly animals, about 15 years old.- We're ready to release them out into the paddock.
0:48:36 > 0:48:41This is the first time he'll have been right in close proximity.
0:48:41 > 0:48:44- There's always been a gate or fence between them.- Right.
0:48:44 > 0:48:50- This is the first time they've been together, so anything can happen.- So there go the girls, just over there.
0:48:50 > 0:48:53And he can now come out as well.
0:48:53 > 0:48:57They've got these enormous horns which are surprisingly dangerous.
0:48:57 > 0:49:02They are, Ben. They really are a very, very good defence mechanism.
0:49:02 > 0:49:08Now he's looking... He hasn't quite seen the gate. He seems to be trying to go out the wrong way.
0:49:08 > 0:49:12Is that just scratching his head or is he...?
0:49:12 > 0:49:16He's always only known this, you see, since he's been here.
0:49:16 > 0:49:19So it's quite possible that he won't do an awful lot.
0:49:19 > 0:49:23He's coming over towards the area now.
0:49:23 > 0:49:26Julie, can we back up out of the way? Sorry.
0:49:26 > 0:49:29So we just need to...
0:49:29 > 0:49:34We're probably preventing him coming out a little bit. He might be a bit wary of all of us.
0:49:34 > 0:49:37In fact, as we move, there he goes.
0:49:39 > 0:49:45And he's decided to go, so maybe we were a little bit in the way. We've got lots of cars in the park today.
0:49:45 > 0:49:49And there he goes. So this is his first time out at Longleat.
0:49:49 > 0:49:55- That's right.- How does that make you feel?- It's great to see him come out. It really is.
0:49:55 > 0:49:57I mean, absolutely wonderful.
0:49:57 > 0:50:02- Has he seen the others? He has and he's running across.- There he goes.
0:50:02 > 0:50:06- So we want to follow?- Yeah. - Julie, could we start following?
0:50:06 > 0:50:08Mating straight away potentially?
0:50:08 > 0:50:15Not straight away, but I'm sure it will come in the near future, really, yes.
0:50:15 > 0:50:19They've already... Already the females have been stimulated
0:50:19 > 0:50:22to start a regular cycle.
0:50:22 > 0:50:28- Right.- Just with his presence alone.- Oh, really? - His presence here in the park.
0:50:28 > 0:50:32- He is keen on grass, isn't he? - Grazing straight away.
0:50:32 > 0:50:36The keepers have been giving him grass within the house.
0:50:36 > 0:50:40But to actually come out and get good... It's absolutely wonderful.
0:50:40 > 0:50:46And if they are successful together and you do get mating and then some baby oryx here,
0:50:46 > 0:50:50will they be able to stay here and remain within the herd?
0:50:50 > 0:50:55Ben, one of the wonderful things about this is if we're successful in breeding them,
0:50:55 > 0:50:59we can do our bit for these endangered species.
0:50:59 > 0:51:03We can help them to breed and hopefully look after the calves well.
0:51:03 > 0:51:09There's a possibility that some of these animals in the future may well be reintroduced into the wild
0:51:09 > 0:51:13because that's where they need to be, in the wild.
0:51:13 > 0:51:19And to increase the number that we have and get them breeding in the wild and back where they should be.
0:51:19 > 0:51:24It's almost like all the deer are looking on in the distance, I can see the rhino.
0:51:24 > 0:51:29They're almost all looking at the newest arrival, checking him out.
0:51:29 > 0:51:35- Tim, thanks for letting me share this experience and best of luck with Drew.- Thanks, Ben.
0:51:40 > 0:51:44Back now to France where at the end of an emotional day,
0:51:44 > 0:51:49Ryan is preparing to say goodbye to the elephants for the second time.
0:51:49 > 0:51:53He knows this may be difficult, but the trip has been worth it
0:51:53 > 0:51:56for the peace of mind it's given him.
0:51:56 > 0:51:59I am glad I came. Very, very glad I came.
0:51:59 > 0:52:03It would have been awful to leave today
0:52:03 > 0:52:09and think, "Oh, they've gone downhill in some way or in several ways."
0:52:09 > 0:52:11But they haven't.
0:52:11 > 0:52:15So that's great for me and great that I can pass that on to Andy,
0:52:15 > 0:52:20that their condition is definitely good still.
0:52:24 > 0:52:28The best moment for me has to be Undala going completely nut-nut
0:52:28 > 0:52:32in the house when I think she finally cottoned on who it was
0:52:32 > 0:52:39and she just slipped straight back into her old routine of haring around and trumpeting
0:52:39 > 0:52:43and making lots of noise which I used to encourage her to do.
0:52:43 > 0:52:46TRUMPETS LOUDLY
0:52:46 > 0:52:50I suppose Undala and I have just had a bit of a funny relationship
0:52:50 > 0:52:52where that's what we both enjoyed.
0:52:52 > 0:52:57We both got some sort of reward out of it and both knew where to draw the line.
0:52:57 > 0:53:03Today, she proved that because when it was her turn for a bath, she kept her manners and was well behaved.
0:53:03 > 0:53:06So I was immensely proud.
0:53:06 > 0:53:13As the elephants are brought in for the night and the moment to leave draws nearer,
0:53:13 > 0:53:15he knows it won't be easy.
0:53:18 > 0:53:20Good girl.
0:53:27 > 0:53:32I think possibly leaving them again is gonna be slightly emotional.
0:53:32 > 0:53:35But, hey, I knew when I came here
0:53:35 > 0:53:41that there was no chance of me sneaking one home with me or all five of them.
0:53:41 > 0:53:48So I just sort of had to, I suppose, be typically British about the whole thing
0:53:48 > 0:53:50and just keep my chin up.
0:53:50 > 0:53:55But last time I walked away, just assuming that their condition would go downhill,
0:53:55 > 0:54:00that they would become depressed, because it's the selfish thing to think.
0:54:00 > 0:54:03But I have to see the bigger picture.
0:54:04 > 0:54:09But now Ryan has to say goodbye and leave the elephants once again.
0:54:09 > 0:54:11Good lad.
0:54:25 > 0:54:30Thanks, Nicolas. You've done a good job. Excellent. Good stuff.
0:54:33 > 0:54:37Obviously, much easier to say goodbye to them this time
0:54:37 > 0:54:40because I'm not losing them.
0:54:40 > 0:54:46The last time I said goodbye, I was losing them, so it makes it easier for me to come back and see them.
0:54:46 > 0:54:48It'd be lovely to come back.
0:54:48 > 0:54:51Trunk! Good.
0:54:51 > 0:54:58Last, but by no means least, is the elephant he had the closest bond with - Undala.
0:54:59 > 0:55:01Good girl.
0:55:19 > 0:55:24Back at the safari park, Kate and I have some new friends to meet in Pets' Corner.
0:55:24 > 0:55:28You may have noticed there's something on my shoulder.
0:55:28 > 0:55:33It's a bearded dragon and in Kate's hand is a leopard gecko.
0:55:33 > 0:55:38We've joined Darren in Pets' Corner to find out more about these incredible creatures.
0:55:38 > 0:55:44Amazing. Both are members of the lizard family, but whilst they've got lots of similarities,
0:55:44 > 0:55:49they are very different in the way they behave, the way the act.
0:55:49 > 0:55:54Let's start with my bearded dragon. If I turn round, we can probably see the face there.
0:55:54 > 0:55:57- That's a much more handsome view! - Thank you(!)
0:55:57 > 0:56:02This is Bernard and Bernard is a wonderful bearded dragon from Australia.
0:56:02 > 0:56:07And the great thing about these, in fact, about both of these,
0:56:07 > 0:56:12is they can live up to quite high temperatures, well above 100 degrees.
0:56:12 > 0:56:16- Wow!- And this chap here is really an amazing creature.
0:56:16 > 0:56:18Looks dinosaur-like, doesn't he?
0:56:18 > 0:56:22- Look at this tail.- You can see where he gets his dragon name from.
0:56:22 > 0:56:28And all these spikes. But if you run your finger gently on those, they're quite soft.
0:56:28 > 0:56:30I thought they'd be much harder.
0:56:30 > 0:56:34Yes, they are. They look like rose thorns, but they're not at all.
0:56:34 > 0:56:40He's a faker. One of his main defences is puffing himself up, making himself look big and tough,
0:56:40 > 0:56:44pushing these spikes out, so he looks really like a...
0:56:44 > 0:56:48- Like a medieval club or something taken from Asterix.- Yeah.
0:56:48 > 0:56:52This one may be a little smaller and slightly less dramatic-looking,
0:56:52 > 0:56:55but certainly no less dramatic in colour.
0:56:55 > 0:57:00Presumably, this pattern gives it its name, the leopard gecko,
0:57:00 > 0:57:02but is this for camouflage?
0:57:02 > 0:57:05Totally. It's to break up that outline.
0:57:05 > 0:57:10Most animals have a camouflage to blend in to their surroundings.
0:57:10 > 0:57:16From a distance, against a mottled background of dirt and stones and rubbish on the floor,
0:57:16 > 0:57:22this is Afghanistan, northern India, again quite hot and arid areas, this would break up quite nicely.
0:57:22 > 0:57:27- I'm getting rather attached to Bernard.- Bernard's definitely attached to you!
0:57:27 > 0:57:32Darren, thank you very much for introducing us to these wonderful reptiles.
0:57:32 > 0:57:34It is a bit cold out here, Harry.
0:57:34 > 0:57:38I think it's perhaps time to go inside and get you warm
0:57:38 > 0:57:43and time for us to say goodbye because that's all we've got time for today.
0:57:43 > 0:57:46But here's what's coming up on the next Animal Park.
0:57:46 > 0:57:53After five long years, one of the park's most important animals could be pregnant.
0:57:53 > 0:57:57The lions do much more than go bump in the night.
0:58:04 > 0:58:08And the residents get restless as there's an invasion afoot.
0:58:24 > 0:58:28Subtitles by Subtext for Red Bee Media Ltd 2009
0:58:28 > 0:58:31Email subtitling@bbc.co.uk