0:00:05 > 0:00:09If this gate wasn't here these tigers could kill us in an instant.
0:00:09 > 0:00:13It would take just one bite from those incredible jaws to finish us off.
0:00:15 > 0:00:18But just how powerful are the jaws of a big cat?
0:00:18 > 0:00:21On today's show we are going to attempt to find out,
0:00:21 > 0:00:26but who, or what, will these tigers be sinking their teeth into?
0:00:52 > 0:00:54Coming up on today's Animal Park.
0:00:54 > 0:00:57Lords-a-leaping is one thing but hurling oneself
0:00:57 > 0:00:59out of an aircraft is quite another.
0:00:59 > 0:01:04Find out if Lord Bath held his nerve at 4,000 metres.
0:01:04 > 0:01:06I hope I do it.
0:01:06 > 0:01:09Raisha the camel gets the hump.
0:01:11 > 0:01:13Wow, that's a powerful kick.
0:01:13 > 0:01:16And with all the exotic creatures down in Pets' Corner
0:01:16 > 0:01:19we find out why a pig, that thinks is a dog...
0:01:19 > 0:01:22Sit, Bruno, sit!
0:01:22 > 0:01:25..is keeper Darren Beasley's all-time favourite.
0:01:29 > 0:01:33Last series on Animal Park we attempted
0:01:33 > 0:01:36to discover just how powerful a lion is.
0:01:36 > 0:01:39We used a unique pull-o-meter device and it turned out
0:01:39 > 0:01:43that they're ten times stronger than their keepers.
0:01:43 > 0:01:47But now, we've decided to get even closer to the big cats
0:01:47 > 0:01:50and measure the power of their bite.
0:01:52 > 0:01:55The mouth and their teeth are the most terrifying part of any big cat,
0:01:55 > 0:02:00designed to catch, kill and rip through raw flesh.
0:02:00 > 0:02:03Here at Longleat keeper Bob Trollope
0:02:03 > 0:02:07sometimes finds himself staring straight into their awesome jaws
0:02:07 > 0:02:11and he'd like to know how much power is harnessed in their bite.
0:02:11 > 0:02:14The whole idea of these powerful teeth here
0:02:14 > 0:02:18is to actually bite on their prey and pierce the hide
0:02:18 > 0:02:22but we don't know how powerful their bite is.
0:02:22 > 0:02:24So we're going to do a test.
0:02:24 > 0:02:27So that we can get a really close-up shot
0:02:27 > 0:02:32what I'm going to do with Adam, the cameraman, here,
0:02:32 > 0:02:38is to fix this stick just underneath the lens, put a chunk of meat on it,
0:02:38 > 0:02:41and get a really close-up shot of her mouth.
0:02:43 > 0:02:47And if you do get this close to a tiger's mouth
0:02:47 > 0:02:51you can see just how perfectly designed they are.
0:02:51 > 0:02:55They've got four canines that you can see here at the front but
0:02:55 > 0:03:00the most powerful teeth are at the back and they cut through the flesh.
0:03:00 > 0:03:05These canines are for piercing and holding on,
0:03:05 > 0:03:08the actual back teeth are where all the pressure is
0:03:08 > 0:03:11and that's the ones that will bite clean through bone.
0:03:11 > 0:03:14They are incredibly strong and powerful.
0:03:19 > 0:03:23Not surprisingly the meat stick hasn't lasted too long.
0:03:23 > 0:03:27OK, its only a bit of wood but seeing the ease with which it
0:03:27 > 0:03:31was snapped off has whetted Bob's appetite for gauging their bite.
0:03:31 > 0:03:33We've never had the opportunity to measure
0:03:33 > 0:03:37the bite pressure of any of our big cats so we will
0:03:37 > 0:03:40be very interested to find out what it will be.
0:03:40 > 0:03:43Whatever method we use, it's going to have
0:03:43 > 0:03:46to be extremely strong, without a doubt.
0:03:46 > 0:03:48The big question is,
0:03:48 > 0:03:51how do you harness the biting power of a big cat?
0:03:51 > 0:03:56One way is to be attacked by a lion and find out for yourself.
0:03:59 > 0:04:02The other, more preferable option, is to join forces
0:04:02 > 0:04:06with a team of experts in the world of pressure gauges.
0:04:06 > 0:04:09In charge of the project is engineer, Len Baker.
0:04:09 > 0:04:12Our pressure gauges are normally used in industry.
0:04:12 > 0:04:14This one is unusual
0:04:14 > 0:04:17we haven't had experience of animals biting our gauges.
0:04:17 > 0:04:22So this is very new to us, because these aren't controlled conditions
0:04:22 > 0:04:25they might be biting and snatching, doing all sorts of things,
0:04:25 > 0:04:29so we could get anything from really good results to biting straight
0:04:29 > 0:04:33through our gauge and it not working at all. It's really quite exciting.
0:04:35 > 0:04:41Len and his team have designed a brand new and unique piece of kit,
0:04:41 > 0:04:43the big cat bite-o-meter.
0:04:43 > 0:04:46The principle we're working on is we're going to have
0:04:46 > 0:04:49a sealed piece of tube, and then on the end of that tube
0:04:49 > 0:04:52we're going to have a pressure gauge. Because it is
0:04:52 > 0:04:56completely sealed when you squeeze the tube you will generate pressure.
0:04:56 > 0:05:00But what we don't know is how much pressure we're going to generate,
0:05:00 > 0:05:03how big the tube needs to be, we have no experience of this
0:05:03 > 0:05:05and it's really quite exciting.
0:05:05 > 0:05:10Without a lion or a tiger on hand in the workshop Len and his team
0:05:10 > 0:05:14have been road testing their pressure gauges in a vice
0:05:14 > 0:05:17to simulate the closing jaws of a big cat.
0:05:17 > 0:05:20So this is what we've come up with. This tube has steel on the inside
0:05:20 > 0:05:23of it, so hopefully they won't bite through it,
0:05:23 > 0:05:25and rubber on the outside to protect the lion.
0:05:25 > 0:05:29However the vice doesn't have the big cats' razor sharp teeth
0:05:29 > 0:05:32that could potentially pierce the tubing.
0:05:33 > 0:05:36If this happens the cat would get a mouthful of glycerine,
0:05:36 > 0:05:41a sweet, syrupy liquid not at all dangerous to the animal,
0:05:41 > 0:05:42just not to their taste.
0:05:45 > 0:05:51Big cats have incredible jaw power. You can hear them crunching through
0:05:51 > 0:05:56bones on a feed, two or three inches in width, it's nothing to them.
0:05:56 > 0:06:00This bite-o-meter, it's going to have to be something pretty special,
0:06:00 > 0:06:02it would have to be quite strong. I'd like to see
0:06:02 > 0:06:03how they're going to do it
0:06:03 > 0:06:07We will be back with the big cats later in the programme
0:06:07 > 0:06:12when the day to put the experimental bite-o-meter to the test arrives.
0:06:17 > 0:06:22Keeping the parks 900 plus animals fed is no mean feat
0:06:22 > 0:06:25and they don't get served up any old leftovers.
0:06:25 > 0:06:29It's cordon bleu, top quality nosh bursting with goodness
0:06:29 > 0:06:32to ensure the animals thrive.
0:06:32 > 0:06:35They have organic oats and plenty of exotic fruit.
0:06:35 > 0:06:40However, down in Pets' Corner today keeper Jo Hawthorne has whisked up
0:06:40 > 0:06:44a dish that would make most people's stomachs churn.
0:06:44 > 0:06:48Mealworm porridge, yum, my favourite, Jo,
0:06:48 > 0:06:50what are we doing with this now?
0:06:50 > 0:06:55Basically we've got a lovely mixture here, Kate, of organic oats,
0:06:55 > 0:06:58mushed-up banana, and of course the mealworms.
0:06:58 > 0:07:01Yum. It all sounded great until you got to the mealworms.
0:07:01 > 0:07:04What are we doing with this here?
0:07:04 > 0:07:07What we are going to do is we're going to make some dumplings
0:07:07 > 0:07:10and I've got this fantastic tree I found a couple of weeks ago.
0:07:10 > 0:07:13- I thought it'd be great for marmosets?- Perfect!
0:07:13 > 0:07:17So what are we doing, stuffing those into these different knots?
0:07:17 > 0:07:21We stuff some of this in. We've got some fruit there as well.
0:07:21 > 0:07:24- Fruit to go on top of it? - You can put some separate,
0:07:24 > 0:07:27you can put some in with it, whatever you want to do.
0:07:27 > 0:07:29- If I just take a bit of that. - It's very sticky.
0:07:29 > 0:07:33- It is. Just shove it in there like that?- Yeah, put it in the holes.
0:07:33 > 0:07:38OK, now why bother to do this for three little marmosets,
0:07:38 > 0:07:43because, A, there looks like a lot of food here and, B, its quite
0:07:43 > 0:07:46a complicated enclosure here, will they ever find it?
0:07:46 > 0:07:49OK, basically it's going to stop them from getting bored
0:07:49 > 0:07:52and make them work for their food which in the natural world
0:07:52 > 0:07:56we wouldn't have to worry about but in here it's nice to give them
0:07:56 > 0:08:00- the choice to actually look and work for their food.- Oh, hello.
0:08:00 > 0:08:03And look, Michelle's coming down as well.
0:08:03 > 0:08:06Yep, This is Michelle, she's coming down.
0:08:06 > 0:08:09There you go, I knew they'd be interested.
0:08:09 > 0:08:12It's the mixture of the fruit, the banana and the mealworms.
0:08:12 > 0:08:15You've obviously thought quite carefully about this mixture,
0:08:15 > 0:08:17it's not you being beastly
0:08:17 > 0:08:20and slipping mealworms into their porridge?
0:08:20 > 0:08:24Why this particular mixture? They wouldn't find porridge in the wild.
0:08:24 > 0:08:29No, exactly. Basically what we have got in this mixture...the oats,
0:08:29 > 0:08:36in captivity primates can get into trouble with the intestines,
0:08:36 > 0:08:39they can get blocked. They haven't got anything to naturally
0:08:39 > 0:08:46stimulate the intestine walls. So the fibre and the roughage
0:08:46 > 0:08:49they get from the oats is going to help stimulate the intestinal walls.
0:08:49 > 0:08:52That helps them go to the toilet,
0:08:52 > 0:08:57- and do all the things that we have to do.- Right. Keeps things moving!
0:08:57 > 0:09:03Exactly! The banana gives them potassium which is great
0:09:03 > 0:09:06for blood circulation, as it is for you and me.
0:09:06 > 0:09:10- The mealworms are protein.- Right
0:09:10 > 0:09:14So they've got an all-over good mixture.
0:09:14 > 0:09:17It's like a nice muesli, if you like.
0:09:17 > 0:09:21Yeah. Now they're trying to eat off my fingers which,
0:09:21 > 0:09:26that's not really stimulating you, you're supposed to work hard for it,
0:09:26 > 0:09:29you're not supposed to just take it off me now. Come on!
0:09:29 > 0:09:32Jo, thank you very much indeed. Enjoy your porridge!
0:09:32 > 0:09:35Come on, now, work a little bit harder for it, guys. Come on!
0:09:50 > 0:09:53With a family tree that goes back to Alfred the Great himself,
0:09:53 > 0:09:56it's fair to say that the blood of Kings flows through the veins
0:09:56 > 0:10:01of Alexander Thynne, the 7th Marquis of Bath.
0:10:01 > 0:10:05Nevertheless, over the years we've been there to discover Lord Bath
0:10:05 > 0:10:10isn't everyone's idea of a blue blood card-carrying aristocrat.
0:10:14 > 0:10:18He's certainly a colourful character who's always defied convention
0:10:18 > 0:10:23and stereotyping. For example, a few years ago we followed what
0:10:23 > 0:10:26happened after he accidentally bought himself
0:10:26 > 0:10:28the adventure of a lifetime.
0:10:30 > 0:10:36I went to a charity lunch and they were auctioning off promises
0:10:36 > 0:10:41for the charity, and I thought I've just go to do something
0:10:41 > 0:10:45that would be possible when I put up my hand. The other things were
0:10:45 > 0:10:47holidays in Ibiza, I don't want to go to Ibiza,
0:10:47 > 0:10:54all this sort of thing, or a lovely slap-up dinner at a restaurant.
0:10:54 > 0:10:59None of it, did I think, was something I wanted to do
0:10:59 > 0:11:04in anyway at all so when this one came up, I thought
0:11:04 > 0:11:09if I fling up my hand for the first bid then others will take it over
0:11:09 > 0:11:12and then I've still done something.
0:11:12 > 0:11:15But I flung up my hand and nobody bid after that.
0:11:15 > 0:11:19So I suddenly ended up, what, I've got to jump out of plane?
0:11:19 > 0:11:21That's how it happened.
0:11:21 > 0:11:24So Lord Bath had bought himself a parachute jump.
0:11:24 > 0:11:27But not just any old parachute jump,
0:11:27 > 0:11:31this was the ultimate skydiving experience.
0:11:33 > 0:11:37With extended freefall at terminal velocity from three miles high,
0:11:37 > 0:11:40in the company of the Parachute Regiment's
0:11:40 > 0:11:43world-beating display team, the Red Devils.
0:11:43 > 0:11:48Do parachutes always open? The answer is, apparently, no!
0:11:50 > 0:11:54It think it's a, "good-to-have-done,"
0:11:54 > 0:11:57but we're not there in the situation of having done it.
0:12:00 > 0:12:04Lord Bath had never done a parachute jump before but then the Red Devils
0:12:04 > 0:12:10had never had a 71 year old Peer of the Realm jumping with them either.
0:12:10 > 0:12:14So captain Ed Paxton, and Ian McAuliffe, came along to discuss
0:12:14 > 0:12:18the practicalities of the jump with Lord Bath and land agent, Tim Moore.
0:12:18 > 0:12:21Have you got any questions for us?
0:12:21 > 0:12:27Roughly what happens, you fly up to what height to jump me?
0:12:27 > 0:12:3113,000 feet, round about three miles.
0:12:35 > 0:12:39Once we're more than 50 feet off the ground its all the same.
0:12:39 > 0:12:41- I've flown a micro light. - We've heard about that.
0:12:41 > 0:12:44- We'll give you 15 minutes of ground training.- On that day?
0:12:44 > 0:12:48- Yes. It's very simple stuff. - And as we come down,
0:12:48 > 0:12:50am I doing a forward roll or a backward roll?
0:12:50 > 0:12:53You won't be doing any rolling, hopefully.
0:12:53 > 0:12:55- I'll just be holding on! - If you've got visions
0:12:55 > 0:12:58of the old round parachutes, the way they used to do
0:12:58 > 0:13:01the old military rolls, it's nothing like that.
0:13:01 > 0:13:04- Its more of a tiptoe landing. - Like stepping off a kerb.
0:13:04 > 0:13:07- I'm strapped to whoever, I'm in front of them.- Yes.
0:13:07 > 0:13:13And I suddenly have second thoughts? I don't have second thoughts!
0:13:13 > 0:13:16- Who pulls the ripcord? - Your instructor will.
0:13:16 > 0:13:21He will allow me to pull the ripcord if I'm pleading to?
0:13:21 > 0:13:25- Actually no.- It's actually out of your reach from on the front there.
0:13:25 > 0:13:27Oh, I can't pull the ripcord, then.
0:13:27 > 0:13:32- No.- A double tap on the shoulder means the ripcords coming.
0:13:32 > 0:13:35How many have been lost on this exercise?
0:13:35 > 0:13:39Tell me afterwards and not before!
0:13:39 > 0:13:41Lord Bath had hoped to do the jump over his home,
0:13:41 > 0:13:44but that wasn't allowed, so it was set to take place
0:13:44 > 0:13:47at nearby Netherhaven, the Red Devils' base.
0:13:47 > 0:13:50Hope I don't disgrace the regiment.
0:13:50 > 0:13:52No, you won't. Nice to meet you.
0:13:52 > 0:13:57We will find out how Lord Bath got on later in the programme.
0:14:01 > 0:14:04At this time of year the camels are not looking
0:14:04 > 0:14:07their best they're moulting, so huge clumps of their coat
0:14:07 > 0:14:11are just hanging off them. Normally this isn't a problem
0:14:11 > 0:14:14but there's been a rather unpleasant outbreak of diarrhoea
0:14:14 > 0:14:18and they need treatment fast, so keeper, Kevin Nibbs, has called in
0:14:18 > 0:14:23Paul, the vet, and Ben is lucky enough to be lending a hand.
0:14:23 > 0:14:27- We're up at the camel house today. - That's right.- So what's going on?
0:14:27 > 0:14:32We've had some problems with these camels for quite a long time really
0:14:32 > 0:14:38and they just have sort of mild, squitty diarrhoea. It's not terrible,
0:14:38 > 0:14:42they're not losing any weight over it, but, you'll see in a minute,
0:14:42 > 0:14:45they have got quite a bit of a mess around their back end.
0:14:45 > 0:14:48Kevin, you're their keeper, so you've obviously noticed
0:14:48 > 0:14:50- this out in the field?- That's right.
0:14:50 > 0:14:53Normally at this time of year they'd be living outside but because
0:14:53 > 0:14:56these have got bad tummies, through eating too much lush grass,
0:14:56 > 0:15:00we've brought them in overnight to try and dry them out.
0:15:00 > 0:15:04So the idea is to get the camels into this area, is that right?
0:15:04 > 0:15:09- That's right.- Is this easy, or is it a difficult task, Kevin?
0:15:09 > 0:15:14- It depends...- Who's this coming in now?- This is Jasmine.
0:15:14 > 0:15:17Oh, look, that's clever, basically you've just got a small area
0:15:17 > 0:15:21- where you can control the camel. - That's right. Unfortunately
0:15:21 > 0:15:24she's not not quite long enough so it's going to make it
0:15:24 > 0:15:27a little bit tricky for us. I'm going to swap places with you
0:15:27 > 0:15:29and go in through the back.
0:15:29 > 0:15:33We are going to find a nice bit of rumpy muscle.
0:15:34 > 0:15:38Just while he's doing that, Kevin, the coat's looking a bit straggly.
0:15:38 > 0:15:42That's right. At the moment they are moulting, they do this every year.
0:15:42 > 0:15:46Actually what we could do is probably pull some of this out.
0:15:46 > 0:15:49- It just pulls out in your hand.- So eventually they'll almost be bald.
0:15:49 > 0:15:52They will. They've got a nice sort of downy hair underneath.
0:15:52 > 0:15:56Once this has all gone they'll have very fine wispy hair underneath
0:15:56 > 0:15:59- and they'll grow a new coat for next year.- Right. You're going to...?
0:16:00 > 0:16:04I am going to try and go in there, but she's managing to get a bit
0:16:04 > 0:16:07far away from me. We might have to shove this closed a bit, Kevin,
0:16:07 > 0:16:10if that's all right. she might knock that against us.
0:16:10 > 0:16:16I can try to get in on some muscle on her front, we'll try that.
0:16:16 > 0:16:19We are risking her face...spitting. You've just popped the needle in.
0:16:19 > 0:16:22- Popped the needle in. - And remind me what this is?
0:16:22 > 0:16:26This is steroid injection, she is not liking that.
0:16:26 > 0:16:28You have to stay still, darling.
0:16:28 > 0:16:32It's a steroid injection. It's designed just to take
0:16:32 > 0:16:37any inflammation away and works particularly well against any
0:16:37 > 0:16:40times when the body is attacking itself, in a way.
0:16:41 > 0:16:46- particularly in these cases... - Well, done, you've done it.
0:16:46 > 0:16:48- Thank you.- I'm very impressed.
0:16:48 > 0:16:52..where we're not sure exactly what's going on.
0:16:52 > 0:16:56The steroid does have an action, and it's likely because the body's
0:16:56 > 0:16:58set up an immune reaction to the gut.
0:16:58 > 0:17:01- So that's why its not working properly.- So who is mum then?
0:17:01 > 0:17:03Mum is called Raisha.
0:17:03 > 0:17:05Come on, Raisha. How old is she?
0:17:05 > 0:17:08She's middle-aged for a camel,
0:17:08 > 0:17:11camels live up to about 50 years so she's kind of middle aged.
0:17:11 > 0:17:15She's not sure about going in sees all of us hanging around
0:17:15 > 0:17:17which probably doesn't bode well.
0:17:17 > 0:17:19- No.- She's looking at us, she's counting us,
0:17:19 > 0:17:21saying, there's far too many of you.
0:17:21 > 0:17:24- Gosh, she is a big girl, isn't she? - She is.
0:17:24 > 0:17:30and her coat, if I may say so, is looking particularly bad, wow.
0:17:30 > 0:17:32That's comes out really easy.
0:17:32 > 0:17:35That just comes away, doesn't it, that's incredible.
0:17:35 > 0:17:37Same problem here, same injection?
0:17:37 > 0:17:40She's a bit bigger, so I think we might find it a little bit easier
0:17:40 > 0:17:43to get her in the rump which is safer for us
0:17:43 > 0:17:45from the spitting point of view.
0:17:45 > 0:17:48- Wow, that was her kicking? - That's her kicking.
0:17:48 > 0:17:50Wow, that's a powerful kick that she's got there.
0:17:50 > 0:17:53That's why she's in a restraint. So that she can't do that.
0:17:53 > 0:17:56She knows what's coming because she's had a few of these.
0:17:56 > 0:18:00She really doesn't like that but it's for her own good, isn't it?
0:18:00 > 0:18:05She's got thick skin, there. So we'll just give her another.
0:18:05 > 0:18:07Well, done. So, that's just in...
0:18:07 > 0:18:11That's just in and put that on, there we go.
0:18:11 > 0:18:14Good Raisha.
0:18:14 > 0:18:16I can't get over the power of that kick.
0:18:16 > 0:18:19Is that what they do in the wild if there's a predator?
0:18:19 > 0:18:23They do, what normally happens is when the males are feeling
0:18:23 > 0:18:24a little bit frisky they'll..
0:18:24 > 0:18:26- BANG - There we go again!
0:18:26 > 0:18:29.. bite the back legs to make the females lie down,
0:18:29 > 0:18:32and then mate them. They've got a massive powerful kick and when
0:18:32 > 0:18:35the boys are round their ankles, if she's not wanting anything,
0:18:35 > 0:18:38she'll kick out and push them away with that.
0:18:38 > 0:18:40OK, Raisha, we can let her out now. You've been very good,
0:18:40 > 0:18:44don't spit at us please, you can see all the foam around the mouth.
0:18:44 > 0:18:47OK, certainly very different to cattle and sheep.
0:18:47 > 0:18:49Thanks very much, thanks, Kevin.
0:18:58 > 0:19:01As head of Pets' Corner, Darren Beasley is responsible
0:19:01 > 0:19:05for hundreds of animals and most of them are exotic.
0:19:05 > 0:19:08However, Darren's biggest love is a couple of slightly
0:19:08 > 0:19:10more down to earth animals.
0:19:10 > 0:19:15Bruno and Blossom joined us at Longleat back in 1996.
0:19:15 > 0:19:18They were litter-mates. They were actually
0:19:18 > 0:19:21brother and sister from the same parents.
0:19:21 > 0:19:24They were lovely from the off.
0:19:24 > 0:19:28Really, really intelligent, wonderful creatures,
0:19:28 > 0:19:32great personalities. They were like the deadly duo, they were brilliant.
0:19:32 > 0:19:36And every day I'd come into work in Pets' Corner there they were,
0:19:36 > 0:19:40sort of grunting away, happy to see you, tails wagging,
0:19:40 > 0:19:43just like having a couple of Labradors. Just really lovely.
0:19:43 > 0:19:48They just were there for each other. They'd fight over a piece of apple
0:19:48 > 0:19:52or the best bit in the sunshine if they were doing some sunbathing
0:19:52 > 0:19:55but they were there together and wherever one went the shadow went.
0:19:55 > 0:19:59Of all the animals that I've ever worked with really,
0:19:59 > 0:20:03I took a great shine to these and really bonded with both of them.
0:20:03 > 0:20:07And Darren was so keen to develop the bond with Bruno and Blossom
0:20:07 > 0:20:11that six years ago he started working with the young Bruno
0:20:11 > 0:20:14to train him in obedience skills.
0:20:14 > 0:20:16Bruno, you heel.
0:20:16 > 0:20:20Good boy. Sit, sit.
0:20:20 > 0:20:25I read a book once that stated pigs were as clever as dogs.
0:20:25 > 0:20:28They are that much more practical, playful and clumsy
0:20:28 > 0:20:34and they tend to think with their bellies rather than anything else.
0:20:34 > 0:20:37Well, they are not called pot-bellied pigs for nothing.
0:20:37 > 0:20:41But nevertheless, Darren was keen to keep Bruno fit
0:20:41 > 0:20:45so he also taught him how to play football but with mixed results.
0:20:45 > 0:20:46Bruno, come on.
0:20:50 > 0:20:53Get your ball,
0:20:53 > 0:20:55where's the ball. And again,
0:20:58 > 0:21:00and again, once more for luck.
0:21:00 > 0:21:03Darren and Bruno loved every minute together
0:21:03 > 0:21:06and they soon became inseparable.
0:21:06 > 0:21:08I treat him like one of the gang, really.
0:21:08 > 0:21:11Some say there's a bit of similarity as well.
0:21:11 > 0:21:15So perhaps we were separated at birth...pig and Darren.
0:21:22 > 0:21:26But the dynamic duo were to bring their skills to a wider audience
0:21:26 > 0:21:30as Darren decided to perform with Bruno at a country show.
0:21:30 > 0:21:34Now, this is the bit that proves how unfit I am.
0:21:34 > 0:21:36You get him to come to you at a bit of a pace.
0:21:36 > 0:21:38I've got to run now.
0:21:40 > 0:21:42Oh, just as I thought, he's cleared off.
0:21:42 > 0:21:46Right, next thing you start making him think he's a dog.
0:21:46 > 0:21:49For instance, heel Bruno, heel. And there we go.
0:21:49 > 0:21:52'Lot of distractions, there's a lot of people here.
0:21:52 > 0:21:55'I've changed the football, I thought it might look better
0:21:55 > 0:21:57'with a yellow football. I think he did us proud.'
0:21:57 > 0:21:59He's a very happy pig, aren't you?
0:21:59 > 0:22:03'Didn't score a goal though which is a bit disappointing.'
0:22:03 > 0:22:05But it's not all been a bed of roses.
0:22:05 > 0:22:08Bruno and Blossom have been through a lot in their lives,
0:22:08 > 0:22:13including surviving the foot-and-mouth crisis back in 2001.
0:22:13 > 0:22:17But sadly, last year, Blossom was showing signs of getting old.
0:22:17 > 0:22:20Quite sadly as time ticked by
0:22:20 > 0:22:24Bruno and Blossom began to feel their age.
0:22:24 > 0:22:29And Blossom three or four times. was unable to get up.
0:22:29 > 0:22:34Her legs had just gone from beneath her, really. It was a combination
0:22:34 > 0:22:39of arthritis, or rheumatism and sealed-up joints and stiffness.
0:22:39 > 0:22:43Generally all the horrible things that come with age.
0:22:43 > 0:22:47Blossom was 11 years of age, that doesn't sound that old
0:22:47 > 0:22:51in human terms but with the average lifespan of a pot-bellied pig
0:22:51 > 0:22:56being 13 years, she was doing well. But as her health was deteriorating
0:22:56 > 0:23:01so quickly Darren knew that the end was not too far away.
0:23:01 > 0:23:04We came in one morning and poor old Blossom was down on her legs again.
0:23:04 > 0:23:06It was a Friday morning, I remember.
0:23:06 > 0:23:10We tried to get her up and she couldn't get up.
0:23:10 > 0:23:14I called the vet, and Keith, the head warden, down to have a look
0:23:14 > 0:23:18and we decided that the fairest thing we could do at that time
0:23:18 > 0:23:22was to help her pass away nice and peacefully.
0:23:22 > 0:23:26For Darren making this decision was incredibly tough
0:23:26 > 0:23:29but seeing Blossom in so much pain he had little choice.
0:23:34 > 0:23:37Having worked with animals all my adult life,
0:23:37 > 0:23:41the one time you dread is when animals pass away.
0:23:41 > 0:23:45You dread not being able to wave that magic get-better wand.
0:23:45 > 0:23:51Blossom had been with us 11 years, 11 years, that's a long time.
0:23:51 > 0:23:55And that's six days a week, 52 weeks a year.
0:23:55 > 0:23:57And you are very, very close.
0:23:57 > 0:24:01You are closer to some of these animals that you are your family.
0:24:02 > 0:24:05Blossom's death was not just a tragedy for Darren
0:24:05 > 0:24:09it also left Bruno on his own without his sister.
0:24:09 > 0:24:12How would he cope without his soul mate, Blossom?
0:24:12 > 0:24:16We will be back at Pets' Corner later to find out.
0:24:29 > 0:24:35It's the day of our big cat bite-o-meter test and engineers
0:24:35 > 0:24:39Colin Long and Len Baker arrive at the park to meet Bob and Brian.
0:24:39 > 0:24:43They've brought with them the pressure gauges they've built
0:24:43 > 0:24:46exclusively for this experiment.
0:24:46 > 0:24:50This is the kit we've got and how it's going to work
0:24:50 > 0:24:55is this is a hollow tube, reinforced, full of liquid.
0:24:55 > 0:24:58When they bite on it, it will generate a hydraulic pressure
0:24:58 > 0:25:02to come through this tube and displayed on this gauge here.
0:25:02 > 0:25:04The black one will give us the pressure
0:25:04 > 0:25:07and the red one will stay at the maximum reading.
0:25:07 > 0:25:10- So, we don't have to watch the gauge every second.- All right.
0:25:10 > 0:25:15Now we don't how strong their bite's going to be so we've made two.
0:25:15 > 0:25:18This is the nylon reinforced one, this is the steel one.
0:25:18 > 0:25:22They could bite straight through the nylon but the steel's
0:25:22 > 0:25:25very, very strong and they might not getting a reading on it.
0:25:25 > 0:25:30- You can actually see that one move. - Which way do you think we should go?
0:25:30 > 0:25:36What if we go with that one with the lions and if they do break it
0:25:36 > 0:25:42we can have a changeover in a safe area and then use that one,
0:25:42 > 0:25:44and then if we don't get a reading
0:25:44 > 0:25:47we'll have to go back to the drawing board.
0:25:47 > 0:25:51For the experiment the bite-o-meter will be attached to the back
0:25:51 > 0:25:54of a feed wagon because the cats associate it with meal times
0:25:54 > 0:25:56and always follow it.
0:25:56 > 0:26:00Bob and Brian are hoping they'll get close enough to grab hold of it,
0:26:00 > 0:26:02out of curiosity if nothing else.
0:26:02 > 0:26:06- This is what we thought we would put it on.- Mouth like that,
0:26:06 > 0:26:09do you think they'll go for that?
0:26:09 > 0:26:13- I think they will.- Time for the gauge team to go to work.
0:26:27 > 0:26:32So that's it. What do you think? It's on really rigidly.
0:26:32 > 0:26:36We'll just have to give it a go, see if it's lion or tiger proof.
0:26:36 > 0:26:39I think that's going to stay there, definitely.
0:26:39 > 0:26:42Whether the tube survives or not we don't know.
0:26:45 > 0:26:47With the bite-o-meter firmly fixed in place
0:26:47 > 0:26:51it's time to head into the park.
0:26:53 > 0:26:57First up are the young lions.
0:26:57 > 0:26:59They are interested in the feed wagon,
0:26:59 > 0:27:02they can obviously smell all the meat.
0:27:02 > 0:27:06After we stop, I am sure they will take an interest in it
0:27:06 > 0:27:09because we've got a lot of youngsters as you can see in here
0:27:09 > 0:27:13and they are going to be quite inquisitive.
0:27:13 > 0:27:17Come on, then. They don't seem too keen at the moment.
0:27:17 > 0:27:23Hey, we want the rubber round here, please.
0:27:23 > 0:27:27In anticipation of being fed the cats love to sharpen
0:27:27 > 0:27:29their teeth on the feed wagon,
0:27:29 > 0:27:34but frustratingly, so far, there are no takers for the bite-o-meter.
0:27:34 > 0:27:36Come on. What's this?
0:27:39 > 0:27:44It seems this morning the youngsters are only interested in breakfast.
0:27:44 > 0:27:48So time to move on to the next section.
0:27:48 > 0:27:51The fully grown mature lions of Charlie's pride.
0:27:51 > 0:27:55But before heading in, for a little added incentive
0:27:55 > 0:27:59Bob smears the bite-o-meter in meat juices.
0:27:59 > 0:28:06Hopefully that will have Charlie and his ladies bite that.
0:28:06 > 0:28:10Keep our fingers crossed.
0:28:12 > 0:28:16Weighing in at over 200 kilos
0:28:16 > 0:28:20Charlie is by far and away the biggest big cat at the park.
0:28:20 > 0:28:24It was he who helped himself to one our tyres last year
0:28:24 > 0:28:29and recorded the biggest reading on our pull-o-meter experiment.
0:28:29 > 0:28:32- Two and a half, three kilometres... - Can feel the whole truck moving!
0:28:35 > 0:28:39So Bob is confident he will be the star once again.
0:28:39 > 0:28:44And straight away the bite-o-meter is generating a lot of interest.
0:28:44 > 0:28:50Oh, yes, we've got someone sniffing it. Are you going to bite it?
0:28:50 > 0:28:56Yeah, not much of a bite. Go on, bite it.
0:28:56 > 0:29:00Go on grab hold of it, not the tyres.
0:29:02 > 0:29:06Charlie is here now he's going to come over, have a look
0:29:06 > 0:29:11It was Charlie, the lion king, who put the bite-o-meter to the test.
0:29:11 > 0:29:15- What's that, 100?- 100 pounds. - Bite it, go on, mate.
0:29:18 > 0:29:20- He's punctured it.- Has he, already?
0:29:20 > 0:29:25- Didn't like the taste of it. - Too sweet for you, mate.
0:29:25 > 0:29:28Charlie now has his mouth full of thick sugary glycerine,
0:29:28 > 0:29:33totally harmless, but seemingly not to his liking.
0:29:33 > 0:29:35Just over 100.
0:29:35 > 0:29:37That's pounds per square inch.
0:29:37 > 0:29:40He's got such a big jaw.
0:29:40 > 0:29:43Every single inch he's biting 100 pounds he's pushing down.
0:29:43 > 0:29:46100 pounds per square inch is more like a human bite.
0:29:46 > 0:29:51Scientists estimate that a lion's bite should be around 700 pounds.
0:29:51 > 0:29:54So those may be the figures we should be trying to get
0:29:54 > 0:29:58but our problem is actually getting a reading. Is there a material that
0:29:58 > 0:30:01can withstand, not only the force of the bite
0:30:01 > 0:30:03but the sharpness of the teeth.
0:30:03 > 0:30:05Cut it straight through
0:30:05 > 0:30:08- and that's really thick.- Yeah, that's amazing isn't it?
0:30:08 > 0:30:11Do you think because Charlie punctured it, the reading...
0:30:11 > 0:30:14Could have been on its way up, that's as far as it got,
0:30:14 > 0:30:18as soon as it punctured it, it stopped going up. It could be double that,
0:30:18 > 0:30:20- we just don't know. - Get the strong one on.
0:30:20 > 0:30:22Yeah get the big boy in there.
0:30:22 > 0:30:25We are going to change this quickly put a new one on and see what the
0:30:25 > 0:30:31tigers can do, get a reading and see if Soundari can beat Charlie.
0:30:31 > 0:30:35We'll be back with a new tougher bite-o-meter later in the programme
0:30:35 > 0:30:39as the experiment continues in the tiger enclosure.
0:30:51 > 0:30:55I have to confess this probably is my favourite corner of Pets' Corner,
0:30:55 > 0:30:58this is where the ferrets live and I'm here with Alexa.
0:30:58 > 0:31:00They're a bit sleepy at the moment, aren't they?
0:31:00 > 0:31:04A little bit, yeah. Hopefully they're going to wake up in a minute.
0:31:04 > 0:31:07You've got this intriguing parcel on the bench between us,
0:31:07 > 0:31:11- what's going on in here. - This is called our bumble ball.
0:31:11 > 0:31:15Basically what it is, it's a child's toy, we've wrapped it Hessian.
0:31:15 > 0:31:17Hessian's good, it keeps a lot of different smells in.
0:31:17 > 0:31:22- And we're going to turn it on, put it on the floor...- So, it moves does it?
0:31:22 > 0:31:25It wobbles, it vibrates.
0:31:25 > 0:31:29Now why on earth would you do something like this for ferrets?
0:31:29 > 0:31:33Anything to enrich their lives, really, lots of different things.
0:31:33 > 0:31:36We've seen how children react with these things and they love it
0:31:36 > 0:31:38and hopefully they will too.
0:31:38 > 0:31:41So you've never tried this before, this is a first?
0:31:41 > 0:31:42Not with this one, no.
0:31:42 > 0:31:45Right, shall we see if it wakes them all up because ,as I say,
0:31:45 > 0:31:48you are all looking a little bit sleepy, aren't you?
0:31:48 > 0:31:50Going to pop you down.
0:31:50 > 0:31:55Oh, gosh, it makes a noise and it really does move around.
0:31:57 > 0:32:01What do you think of that? That's hilarious.
0:32:05 > 0:32:07- They can't quite make that out at all.- No!
0:32:07 > 0:32:10That is brilliant, that's really good.
0:32:10 > 0:32:13They are completely intrigued by it, aren't they?
0:32:13 > 0:32:15Its got lots of different smells on it,
0:32:15 > 0:32:18lots of the keepers have been handling it as well.
0:32:19 > 0:32:24I think this is an absolute success although I have to say if you spin
0:32:24 > 0:32:29round there's another little bit of enrichment in the form of Stewart,
0:32:29 > 0:32:32our sound man, and I think he might be after the cables.
0:32:32 > 0:32:34- Yeah, they do love Stewart, don't they?- Yeah, they do.
0:32:34 > 0:32:37- Will they chew through the cables? - They shouldn't do, no.
0:32:37 > 0:32:40They are usually really good with things like that.
0:32:40 > 0:32:43They tend to try and grab things and run off with them.
0:32:43 > 0:32:45So if it is attached might get a bit of jolt.
0:32:45 > 0:32:48I think they would have a bit of a struggle grabbing Stewart
0:32:48 > 0:32:50and running off with him.
0:32:50 > 0:32:53Well, I think this is a fantastic success, they obviously love it.
0:32:53 > 0:32:57We are going to leave them to play. Alexa, thank you very very much.
0:32:57 > 0:32:59We've still got lots more on today's programme.
0:33:00 > 0:33:07Lord Bath gets probably the most important lesson of his life, but he doesn't appear to get the message.
0:33:07 > 0:33:10- Arms up?- No.- Arms like that. - That's it. Keep in.
0:33:10 > 0:33:14And back in Pets' Corner Darren has to make a decision
0:33:14 > 0:33:18that any keeper of animals hopes they never have to make.
0:33:18 > 0:33:20What about that?
0:33:31 > 0:33:37We're looking back at when Lord Bath prepared to throw himself out of an aeroplane with the Red Devils.
0:33:37 > 0:33:42He arrived at their headquarters, the Joint Services Parachute Centre at Netherhaven
0:33:42 > 0:33:45and was going to jump in tandem with Sergeant Steven Blee.
0:33:45 > 0:33:49That's the exit there, you can see that the legs are right up there.
0:33:49 > 0:33:55- That's where yours need to be, right up underneath.- Yeah.
0:33:55 > 0:34:00That's going to be us for the next 45 seconds,
0:34:00 > 0:34:04falling at 125 mph, maybe a bit quicker.
0:34:04 > 0:34:08At about 6,000 feet we will then pull the parachute.
0:34:10 > 0:34:14The next step was for Lord Bath to be kitted out for the practical part of the training.
0:34:16 > 0:34:19And as it wasn't everyday that a septuagenarian aristocrat
0:34:19 > 0:34:24jumped with the Red Devils, there was a lot of press interest.
0:34:24 > 0:34:28- OK. I didn't do anything. - That's fine.
0:34:28 > 0:34:33Right. For the exit phase you're going to have your arms across your chest.
0:34:33 > 0:34:37- Like that?- Yes, and hold on to these two grips,
0:34:37 > 0:34:42that one there, and there. Take your weight off your feet.
0:34:42 > 0:34:46That's it. That's how we're going to go out of the aircraft.
0:34:46 > 0:34:52Yeah. What I'm gonna say then, sir, is, "Head back, feet back, arch".
0:34:52 > 0:34:54- Arms out?- No.
0:34:54 > 0:34:59- Like that.- That's it. Keep in, and then we are going to go out the aircraft
0:34:59 > 0:35:01and it will be, ready, set and out we go.
0:35:01 > 0:35:06Once out of the plane there was another new position for Lord Bath to learn.
0:35:07 > 0:35:08That's it.
0:35:08 > 0:35:11OK. That's the position... that's better.
0:35:11 > 0:35:17- That's the position that you need to be in when we're in freefall.- Yes.
0:35:17 > 0:35:21What I'm going to do once we're in freefall - give you a tap on the shoulders.
0:35:21 > 0:35:25- That's your signal that you can bring your arms out.- Yeah.
0:35:25 > 0:35:29- Bring your arms out to that position there.- Uh-huh.
0:35:29 > 0:35:31- Happy with that?- Yeah.
0:35:31 > 0:35:37I think it's now to go out there and do it.
0:35:37 > 0:35:39I hope I do it.
0:35:39 > 0:35:44The die was cast, the hour was here and the plane awaited.
0:35:46 > 0:35:51But Lord Bath was still entitled to chicken out even up to the last moment.
0:35:51 > 0:35:53We'll be back later to see if he did.
0:35:58 > 0:36:05The feed wagon with the reinforced bite-o-meter attached is heading towards the tigers.
0:36:05 > 0:36:09Earlier in lion country, the big adult male, Charlie,
0:36:09 > 0:36:14destroyed the first bite-o-meter with one powerful crunch.
0:36:14 > 0:36:19So, now its time to put the second, stronger bite-o-meter to the test.
0:36:19 > 0:36:21The question is, is it tiger proof?
0:36:21 > 0:36:23There she is.
0:36:23 > 0:36:25This is Soundari.
0:36:25 > 0:36:28She's normally the most mischievous tiger.
0:36:28 > 0:36:35Soundari has a habit of attacking the rubber bits on the feed wagon, namely the tyres and the matting
0:36:35 > 0:36:38which protects them, so Bob is hoping the rubber ring of the bite-o-meter
0:36:38 > 0:36:42will also prove to be irresistible.
0:36:42 > 0:36:44No, don't eat that.
0:36:45 > 0:36:49- At the back.- They do prefer that.
0:36:50 > 0:36:51Get off it.
0:36:53 > 0:36:55Do you think it's the lion scent they pick up on?
0:36:57 > 0:37:02She's sniffing it, but she prefers... Oh, you dozy mare.
0:37:02 > 0:37:04Come on. Bite that.
0:37:06 > 0:37:11Despite Bob's encouragement, Soundari only has eyes, or should that be teeth,
0:37:11 > 0:37:13for the wheels of the wagon.
0:37:13 > 0:37:14You donut.
0:37:15 > 0:37:20Hey, hey! She's just had a tyre.
0:37:20 > 0:37:24- That was like a little nip at it and she went straight through the car tyre.- Incredible.
0:37:27 > 0:37:29I'll just chuck some meat out.
0:37:31 > 0:37:38She may have demonstrated her strength on the tyre, but sadly the bite-o-meter didn't get a look in.
0:37:38 > 0:37:40So, it's back to the drawing board then, Len.
0:37:44 > 0:37:49Outside of the enclosure Len and Bob inspect the damage.
0:37:49 > 0:37:54- You can see she's been biting this, right through there. - And then right through the tyre.
0:37:57 > 0:38:00Oi! Hey, hey!
0:38:00 > 0:38:04Slicing the tyre with her teeth was effortless for Soundari
0:38:04 > 0:38:08and only goes to hint at what her true biting strength might be
0:38:08 > 0:38:11if she had also bitten the bite-o-meter.
0:38:11 > 0:38:15Once again Charlie has proved himself to be the undisputed
0:38:15 > 0:38:19king of the Longleat cats, but having pierced the tube so quickly
0:38:19 > 0:38:23his true strength still remains a mystery.
0:38:23 > 0:38:25But Bob and Len are not giving up that easily.
0:38:25 > 0:38:32- The second bite-o-meter is still intact and therefore lives to be bitten another day.
0:38:32 > 0:38:35Join us later in the programme when we make the brave decision
0:38:35 > 0:38:38to take the bite-o-meter off the feed truck
0:38:38 > 0:38:41and place it in the heart of tiger territory.
0:38:50 > 0:38:53It's not every day that the park welcomes a new species of animal
0:38:53 > 0:38:59through its doors, but ten years ago a South American tapir arrived.
0:38:59 > 0:39:02Jethro was just five months old when he trotted in and for most of the keepers
0:39:02 > 0:39:08this was the first time they'd ever seen this species of animal.
0:39:08 > 0:39:13They are closely related to horses, but while they are plentiful in numbers,
0:39:13 > 0:39:15the tapir is an endangered species
0:39:15 > 0:39:18so it was great news when Jethro was joined by a female companion, Jessie.
0:39:18 > 0:39:24Over the years they've had several babies, the most recent being Gomez and Hugo
0:39:24 > 0:39:30and the whole family are firm favourites with the visitors.
0:39:30 > 0:39:36So, how do you keep a tapir that's been here for ten years, busy and interested in life?
0:39:36 > 0:39:42Well, Bev has the answer - lots of enrichment ideas, and lots of fruit that Jess here is after as well.
0:39:42 > 0:39:46- Yes, she certainly is. - Ten years - a fantastic kind of time frame here isn't it?
0:39:46 > 0:39:50Yes. Jeth and Jess have been with each other the whole time as well.
0:39:50 > 0:39:53- They both came around at a similar time.- I'm wondering who this other one is.
0:39:53 > 0:39:56This is Gomez. He's about two-and-a-half and in the distance
0:39:56 > 0:39:58we also have Hugo, and he's our little baby, a year old.
0:39:58 > 0:40:01What are we going to do with this fruit?
0:40:01 > 0:40:06- We've got bananas, apples, carrots and they obviously can't wait for them.- Jess is very, very keen.
0:40:06 > 0:40:11Basically just scatter it about, so grab it, fling it, hide it.
0:40:11 > 0:40:14- Do they have a particular favourite out of this lot?- Bananas.
0:40:14 > 0:40:17Bananas, OK, let's leave some there.
0:40:17 > 0:40:20This is all part of how you keep them busy and occupied.
0:40:20 > 0:40:24You don't just put the food down in a trough and they all go and eat it from there.
0:40:24 > 0:40:26Exactly - you put the food down in a bowl,
0:40:26 > 0:40:29they are just going to eat it and then be bored for the rest of the day,
0:40:29 > 0:40:32so what we try and do is hide it, fling it down...
0:40:32 > 0:40:37Sometimes we throw apples into the water, things like that, just to get them looking around.
0:40:37 > 0:40:39Apple will float. Shall I do it?
0:40:39 > 0:40:41- Go for it.- There we go.
0:40:41 > 0:40:43Oh, they'll enjoy that when the sun comes out.
0:40:43 > 0:40:46- I don't know I'd like to go in today, necessarily.- It's a bit cold.
0:40:46 > 0:40:49Presumably we want to pop some of this around the trees?
0:40:49 > 0:40:53They can reach quite high, and stand up onto their back legs using their front legs, climbing up.
0:40:53 > 0:40:55Do you want to take some pieces?
0:40:55 > 0:40:58You are obviously close to all of them,
0:40:58 > 0:41:03but what about Jethro in particular? Is he your kind of...?
0:41:03 > 0:41:05He was the original really, wasn't he?
0:41:05 > 0:41:06Yes, and he's the most loveable.
0:41:06 > 0:41:11Jessie is very food orientated but Jethro will ignore a banana for a bit of a cuddle and a tickle
0:41:11 > 0:41:15and to be honest when we're out and about he's the one that everybody knows.
0:41:15 > 0:41:17So, he's quite famous really.
0:41:17 > 0:41:19- Has he become famous in his own right?- He has.
0:41:19 > 0:41:21Do you find people lining up asking where he is?
0:41:21 > 0:41:26Yes. They always ask how he is and how he's doing. It's lovely.
0:41:26 > 0:41:28How high can we go? We can't go up into those...
0:41:28 > 0:41:32Probably not too high, but we could go on round and see if we can find any...
0:41:32 > 0:41:38- I don't know how you can tell them apart. They are so similar. This must be Jess.- This is Jessie.
0:41:38 > 0:41:40So she's bigger than Jethro.
0:41:40 > 0:41:44Yes, females always are. And also she's darker and got a bit of a bigger mane.
0:41:44 > 0:41:46Jeth's actually quite grey in the face.
0:41:46 > 0:41:49- Do you want one of these? Can I actually give it to her?- Yes.
0:41:49 > 0:41:51Do you want one of those?
0:41:51 > 0:41:54Amazing. Not many animals that can eat a whole apple in one, eating part of it.
0:41:54 > 0:41:57No, they've got incredibly strong teeth and jaw as well
0:41:57 > 0:42:00so they can cope with big melons, pineapples as well.
0:42:00 > 0:42:05- Now, presumably that's Hugo eating on the banana there? - Yes, that's our little baby.
0:42:05 > 0:42:09Little baby! Look at him grow. He's lost his spots since I last saw him.
0:42:09 > 0:42:13That's right. He still has a few faint spots on his tummy when he rolls over,
0:42:13 > 0:42:15but apart from that he's a little bit all grown up now.
0:42:15 > 0:42:18- Shall I put some more in here do you think?- Yes.
0:42:18 > 0:42:21- How often do you bring the food out like this?- We do this every morning.
0:42:21 > 0:42:25- Every morning?- Yes.- Shall I give you a few more pieces?- Thank you.
0:42:25 > 0:42:28Carrots as well and I'll just pop these in here.
0:42:28 > 0:42:33Presumably they would forage around for fallen fruit on the floor of wherever it is.
0:42:33 > 0:42:38Yes, out in Brazil they would be foraging most of the day and if we didn't do this,
0:42:38 > 0:42:42our tapirs would sleep most of the day rather than forage like the wild tapirs.
0:42:42 > 0:42:47We are just trying to get them interested and active and acting more like your wild tapir really.
0:42:47 > 0:42:49And keeping them active that's very important
0:42:49 > 0:42:52because there are no predators here for them to run away from,
0:42:52 > 0:42:55so they don't need to do a huge amount of exercise.
0:42:55 > 0:42:59No, they don't necessarily, although it is quite hard to keep a tapir trim.
0:42:59 > 0:43:01They do put on weight quite easily.
0:43:01 > 0:43:07Are these...? It's hard to tell whether they are looking on the porky side or whether...
0:43:07 > 0:43:11She's a little bit tubby on the tummy, but I'd rather have her this way
0:43:11 > 0:43:15than a little bit thin. They are all looking really well at the moment.
0:43:15 > 0:43:18- We are really pleased with them. - And Jethro happy going on strong?
0:43:18 > 0:43:22Yes, he's doing well. We've had no medical problems with them at all.
0:43:22 > 0:43:25They are just really healthy. So, we are really happy with them.
0:43:25 > 0:43:29- What is the life expectancy of a tapir?- Could be as much as 30 years.
0:43:29 > 0:43:34- Jessie, she's 12 and Jethro's 11.- So, many more years to come?- Hopefully.
0:43:34 > 0:43:37- Well, listen, good luck for the next ten.- Thank you.
0:43:41 > 0:43:45Back down at the pig enclosure, Bruno, the pot bellied pig,
0:43:45 > 0:43:50has been pining after his sister and soul mate, Blossom, who passed away last year.
0:43:50 > 0:43:53Pigs are highly intelligent animals
0:43:53 > 0:43:56so Darren has been very concerned about how he is coping without her.
0:43:56 > 0:44:00For a short period after Blossom had passed away,
0:44:00 > 0:44:02he was a very, very different pig.
0:44:02 > 0:44:07You know he wasn't active he wasn't out playing, he wasn't out sunbathing,
0:44:07 > 0:44:10he was a bit sad, forlorn, a bit mopy.
0:44:10 > 0:44:14He notices that thing he snuggles up to every night has gone.
0:44:14 > 0:44:18He notices the one he barges out of the way to get the apple cubes in the morning has gone.
0:44:21 > 0:44:26Bruno is now 12 which is a very good age for a pot bellied pig.
0:44:26 > 0:44:30But sadly, like Blossom, he too has arthritis.
0:44:30 > 0:44:34Darren is desperate not to let him suffer and is becoming increasingly concerned
0:44:34 > 0:44:39about how much pain the condition is causing his old friend.
0:44:39 > 0:44:42He's beginning to feel his age as well now.
0:44:42 > 0:44:44He's got the wobbly front legs.
0:44:44 > 0:44:47He's on medication for his joints
0:44:47 > 0:44:51just to help him up in the mornings and help him through the day and stuff.
0:44:51 > 0:44:53But, I think he's in his twilight years.
0:44:53 > 0:44:57So now my mission in life is to just try and do what's best for Bruno.
0:44:57 > 0:45:05So, this morning Darren's called in Paul the vet to have a look at poor old Bruno.
0:45:05 > 0:45:08He just seems to be spending more time... If I get him to walk over here...
0:45:08 > 0:45:10Bruno, come over here sunshine.
0:45:10 > 0:45:13- ..in that sort of crouched forward position.- Yes.
0:45:13 > 0:45:16He doesn't want to put the weight on that.
0:45:16 > 0:45:19He's struggling very much to bend those joints at the front there isn't he?
0:45:19 > 0:45:23He's just not looking very comfortable at all.
0:45:23 > 0:45:30The problem is, it's going to be arthritis and that's the problem and that's just not reversible.
0:45:30 > 0:45:33And so I think he's probably in quite a lot of discomfort now
0:45:33 > 0:45:37and it's not something we're going to be able to do anything about long term.
0:45:37 > 0:45:42Eventually at some point, and it looks like in the very near future,
0:45:42 > 0:45:45you're going to come in and find that he just can't get up at all
0:45:45 > 0:45:47and that's the last thing you want to find
0:45:47 > 0:45:52because it would be a distressing situation for both of you.
0:45:52 > 0:45:54We can't continue with him in pain can we?
0:45:54 > 0:45:59No, that's the last thing I want. I wouldn't want that on any animal
0:45:59 > 0:46:01and particularly our mate Bruno here.
0:46:01 > 0:46:09I'll take that on board, thank you, and we'll have to decide.
0:46:09 > 0:46:11Yeah. Poor little chap.
0:46:11 > 0:46:16Of all the animals in Pets' Corner, Bruno has always had a special place
0:46:16 > 0:46:22in Darren's heart, so seeing him in this condition is devastating.
0:46:22 > 0:46:25He is one of my all-time favourite animals.
0:46:25 > 0:46:29He's my little mate really.
0:46:29 > 0:46:35I would defy anybody, anybody, to say they don't get attached to certain animals.
0:46:35 > 0:46:41And the cowardly thing to do is hope that one day I'd come in to work
0:46:41 > 0:46:45and he's already passed away in his straw bed.
0:46:45 > 0:46:46But that is a cowardly thing.
0:46:46 > 0:46:51He's been with me longer than nearly all the staff I work with down in Pets' Corner.
0:46:51 > 0:46:53He's a big part of this section.
0:46:56 > 0:47:00It's always a tough time when you get animals in this condition.
0:47:00 > 0:47:04My job is to give Darren all the information about what their condition is doing to the animal
0:47:04 > 0:47:07at the time and how it's going to progress
0:47:07 > 0:47:09and whether that animal is going to get better or not.
0:47:09 > 0:47:12And particularly whether that animal is distressed or in any pain.
0:47:12 > 0:47:18So, that can make the decision for them, if I let them know I do believe they are suffering.
0:47:18 > 0:47:21What Paul's saying is 100 per cent right.
0:47:21 > 0:47:28It's what you don't want to hear, on the other way it's nice that someone else
0:47:28 > 0:47:32is speaking aloud what you've been thinking all along.
0:47:32 > 0:47:36This poor chap is in pain now. I think its time to do what's right
0:47:36 > 0:47:40and what's right for Bruno is that I do the kindest thing.
0:47:40 > 0:47:42And I think it's time to say goodbye.
0:47:42 > 0:47:49And what better way for these old friends to say goodbye than with one final gentle kick about.
0:48:22 > 0:48:26It's now the moment of truth as we take a trip down memory lane
0:48:26 > 0:48:30to discover what happened when the Marquis of Bath attempted a parachute jump.
0:48:30 > 0:48:33The plane climbed to 4, 000 metres
0:48:33 > 0:48:39before Lord Bath and Sergeant Blee would jump out, strapped together in tandem.
0:48:39 > 0:48:42If all went well they were due to perform a 50 second freefall
0:48:42 > 0:48:47reaching terminal velocity at about 125 mph.
0:48:47 > 0:48:48# I'm travelling at the speed of light,
0:48:48 > 0:48:52# I wanna make a supersonic man out of you
0:48:52 > 0:48:56# Don't stop me now I'm having such a good time
0:48:56 > 0:49:00# I'm having a ball Don't stop me now
0:49:00 > 0:49:02# If you wanna have a good time,
0:49:02 > 0:49:04# Just give me a call
0:49:04 > 0:49:07# Don't stop me now, Cos I'm having a good time
0:49:07 > 0:49:10# Don't stop me now Yes, I'm having a good time
0:49:10 > 0:49:14# I don't wanna stop at all
0:49:14 > 0:49:17# I am a sex machine ready to reload
0:49:17 > 0:49:24# Like an atom bomb About to oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, explode,
0:49:24 > 0:49:27# I'm burning through the sky, yeah!
0:49:27 > 0:49:28# 200 degrees
0:49:28 > 0:49:31# That's why they call me Mr Fahrenheit... #
0:49:31 > 0:49:34- Congratulations, sir.- Thank you.
0:49:34 > 0:49:37None the worse for taking a bit of a tumble at the end,
0:49:37 > 0:49:41the press wanted to know what was the most frightening part of the experience.
0:49:43 > 0:49:49Well, the door opened and then one knows that within a few seconds you are suddenly going to discover
0:49:49 > 0:49:51if you are OK for going forward,
0:49:51 > 0:49:56or whether you will be suddenly clambering backwards and calling for mummy.
0:49:56 > 0:49:59Those moments of, "Am I going to behave? Am I going to behave?"
0:49:59 > 0:50:03were perhaps the most alarming in potential.
0:50:03 > 0:50:05But I didn't. I behaved quite all right.
0:50:05 > 0:50:07He did very well. He was a good student.
0:50:07 > 0:50:14Tandem passenger. He was very with it. He was actually very supple for his age
0:50:14 > 0:50:17and he could get into the positions that I told him to get into
0:50:17 > 0:50:19when we were in the door and when we were in freefall,
0:50:19 > 0:50:23and as you saw, when we came into land he got his legs right up for me which was good as well.
0:50:23 > 0:50:27I don't think I did a ten out of ten landing,
0:50:27 > 0:50:29but I've still got two out of two feet!
0:50:29 > 0:50:36So, Lord Bath was all right, but Sergeant Blee didn't know the danger he'd been in.
0:50:36 > 0:50:38I was feeling a bit queasy.
0:50:38 > 0:50:43If I had been sick it must be horrible for the person strapped to you.
0:50:43 > 0:50:47Yeah, but I've had that before so don't worry about it.
0:50:47 > 0:50:50- We're gonna take one more photograph, if that's all right. - Yeah.
0:50:50 > 0:50:56Lord Bath certainly looked a lot happier with his feet back on terra firma, but would he do it again?
0:50:56 > 0:51:00Oh, I don't know about that. We'll think about that in due course.
0:51:00 > 0:51:07# Having a good time I don't want to stop at all. #
0:51:11 > 0:51:15We had a great idea, to test the bite power of the big cats.
0:51:15 > 0:51:18However, we didn't get off to a very good start.
0:51:18 > 0:51:20King of the lions, Charlie,
0:51:20 > 0:51:24broke the first unique bite-o-meter machine as if snacking on a fillet steak.
0:51:24 > 0:51:30And Soundari, the tiger, was only interested in having a chew on the feed truck.
0:51:30 > 0:51:31Hey, hey, hey!
0:51:31 > 0:51:33But we're giving it one more go.
0:51:33 > 0:51:35It could all go horribly wrong.
0:51:35 > 0:51:39Soundari could again completely ignore the bite-o-meter,
0:51:39 > 0:51:40but on the other hand
0:51:40 > 0:51:45we could capture on camera the true biting power of a tiger.
0:51:47 > 0:51:51No-one knows what will happen. So, let's head back to tiger territory.
0:51:51 > 0:51:54Well, the moment of truth has come.
0:51:54 > 0:51:57Ben and I are up in tiger territory with Bob and Ian
0:51:57 > 0:51:59and this fantastic piece of kit.
0:51:59 > 0:52:02I'll tell you what. Do you want to go and sweet talk Soundari
0:52:02 > 0:52:05and see if she's in good fighting spirit?
0:52:05 > 0:52:09And we'll just finish off this and make sure she's going to be ready for it.
0:52:09 > 0:52:10Shall we go in?
0:52:10 > 0:52:13Do you think because it's a curious thing,
0:52:13 > 0:52:18that isn't normally in here, that curiosity will be enough to encourage the cat?
0:52:18 > 0:52:20Or... We've got a bit of meat here...
0:52:20 > 0:52:24What we're going to do is we're going to smear this all around here
0:52:24 > 0:52:26just to give it a bit of a taste.
0:52:26 > 0:52:28- She might come up to it. - Just kind of...
0:52:28 > 0:52:31Just smear it all around there just so she can get a smell.
0:52:31 > 0:52:34- We won't leave the meat here because...- She'd just eat the meat.
0:52:34 > 0:52:35And not bother with this.
0:52:35 > 0:52:40- So, it's just putting a bit of flavour so she's not just eating rubber tyre.- Yes.
0:52:40 > 0:52:45You spoil your tigers, Bob, I have to say!
0:52:45 > 0:52:48- That looks, pretty much nicely marinaded.- Yeah.
0:52:48 > 0:52:55Good, we'll check that Ben and Ian have briefed Soundari properly
0:52:55 > 0:52:59and come back and see what the results are.
0:52:59 > 0:53:00- Thanks, Bob.- That's OK.
0:53:03 > 0:53:07I've joined Ian, deputy head warden, to catch up with the tigers inside.
0:53:07 > 0:53:10Now just remind me who we have here from left to right.
0:53:10 > 0:53:12Soundari, Svetli and Shouri.
0:53:12 > 0:53:19Right. And they are quite calm right now, given that they can be quite temperamental these guys.
0:53:19 > 0:53:25- And Bob's outside.- Right. - And they don't like Bob!- Exactly.
0:53:25 > 0:53:30Obviously out in the wild these are incredibly dangerous animals.
0:53:30 > 0:53:33They prey on almost everything don't they?
0:53:33 > 0:53:35Powerful jaws, absolutely amazing,
0:53:35 > 0:53:36and they take their prey down
0:53:36 > 0:53:38literally by snapping its neck.
0:53:38 > 0:53:40They will grab hold of a prey
0:53:40 > 0:53:41by the neck,
0:53:41 > 0:53:45and into the jaws - they'll just clamp around the neck and that's goodbye.
0:53:45 > 0:53:47If it was going to attack a human being it would be on the neck
0:53:47 > 0:53:51and straight through and the claws are used to rip open
0:53:51 > 0:53:52and then they can start eating.
0:53:52 > 0:53:55And just like a domestic cat or dog
0:53:55 > 0:53:56they just have one set of teeth
0:53:56 > 0:53:58once the baby ones fall out.
0:53:58 > 0:54:01- Yeah.- So, if they lose those, that's it.- That's it.
0:54:03 > 0:54:05With Soundari raring to go
0:54:05 > 0:54:06all that's left to do
0:54:06 > 0:54:07is let her out.
0:54:07 > 0:54:12But will our steel reinforced bite-o-meter withstand her bite?
0:54:12 > 0:54:15Before we begin is there anything we need to be aware of?
0:54:15 > 0:54:18Obviously we're going to be quite close to the fence
0:54:18 > 0:54:23and if Soundari does decide to totally ignore that and come for us,
0:54:23 > 0:54:26what I want you to do is just go for those Land Rovers.
0:54:26 > 0:54:29The doors are open. Jump in wherever you can, crew and all,
0:54:29 > 0:54:32straight in, and shut the doors and we will be all right.
0:54:32 > 0:54:34Yes, she's a good climber, isn't she?
0:54:34 > 0:54:37- She's quick as well. - And a small fence.
0:54:37 > 0:54:38And a small fence.
0:54:38 > 0:54:43So, I suppose we need to let her out and see if she goes for it.
0:54:43 > 0:54:44Let her out, please.
0:54:46 > 0:54:48So, who's coming out?
0:54:48 > 0:54:54We're just going to let Soundari out. Hopefully she's going to rush out and go straight to it and bite it.
0:54:54 > 0:54:57This is the end of the day, Bob,
0:54:57 > 0:55:02and she's probably thinking, "It would be quite nice to settle down and have a bit of a sleep now".
0:55:02 > 0:55:07Do you think she might be a little quieter than if we were doing this at the beginning of the day?
0:55:07 > 0:55:09Well, I think curiosity might take over.
0:55:09 > 0:55:14We just hope that she bites the right piece and not the scaffolding bar or the strap.
0:55:14 > 0:55:18Here she comes. She's coming straight over, no hesitation.
0:55:18 > 0:55:20She is quite normally nosy.
0:55:20 > 0:55:24- Right.- Is she going to be more nosy about us or that?
0:55:24 > 0:55:27She's spotted that, so hopefully she's going to go straight to it,
0:55:27 > 0:55:29sniff the strap...
0:55:29 > 0:55:32No, don't bite that. We don't get a reading from that bit.
0:55:32 > 0:55:38- Do you think our meat trick will have worked, Bob?- Hopefully.
0:55:38 > 0:55:42She's sniffing around it, but whether she's going to bite it or not...
0:55:42 > 0:55:48It's quite alarming don't you think to have a small piece of wire
0:55:48 > 0:55:51between us and something that... Oh, that's good.
0:55:51 > 0:55:52Are we getting a reading?
0:55:52 > 0:55:56No reading yet. She's hasn't got quite a hold of it.
0:55:58 > 0:56:01Here we go. It's beginning to go up.
0:56:01 > 0:56:04- We're starting to go up. - But not by much.
0:56:04 > 0:56:08Not at the moment. Maybe it's a little too tough.
0:56:10 > 0:56:13She's gonna try pulling it and biting it.
0:56:13 > 0:56:17She's actually using her leg for a bit of leverage there as well.
0:56:17 > 0:56:18Don't bite that, that's too hard!
0:56:19 > 0:56:22Hopefully she'll go back to... Yeah, she's just trying to...
0:56:22 > 0:56:25- She's...- Here we go. And that's using the...
0:56:25 > 0:56:27She's breaking right through it.
0:56:27 > 0:56:31- She's broken right through it. - Already.- Right through it.
0:56:31 > 0:56:35I think in fact, she's done more damage than Charlie in a quicker time.
0:56:35 > 0:56:38Well, we've got ten psi so far...
0:56:38 > 0:56:41- We haven't got any pressure yet. - ..which isn't a huge amount.
0:56:41 > 0:56:44An average car tyre is about 30, I think.
0:56:45 > 0:56:50- Just one small canine tooth went... just like it was butter.- Yeah.
0:56:50 > 0:56:54Now because she's split that...
0:56:54 > 0:56:56We probably won't get another reading
0:56:56 > 0:56:58because the pressure will have gone.
0:56:58 > 0:57:00That's incredible isn't it?
0:57:00 > 0:57:05Well, she's giving it a really good go, but sadly there's absolutely no reading.
0:57:05 > 0:57:08So she's obviously broken through and all the kind of works
0:57:08 > 0:57:11that we needed to happen have just gone.
0:57:11 > 0:57:13I think we've established what we knew - she's very strong.
0:57:13 > 0:57:18And probably would be stronger than Charlie, if only the technology hadn't let us down.
0:57:18 > 0:57:20Bob, Ian, thank you.
0:57:20 > 0:57:21It was an experiment worth doing.
0:57:21 > 0:57:24Sadly that's all we've got time for on today's programme,
0:57:24 > 0:57:27but here's what's coming up on the next Animal Park.
0:57:29 > 0:57:32A keeper used to looking giraffe and zebra
0:57:32 > 0:57:35has to blow dart a whole pride of lions.
0:57:35 > 0:57:38Not easy when you smell of their prey.
0:57:39 > 0:57:45We look back at the time 300 kilos of sea lion took a ride on the tour boats.
0:57:45 > 0:57:50And the baby otters are just about the cutest things at the park,
0:57:50 > 0:57:53but Ben becomes just about the most unpopular
0:57:53 > 0:57:55when he gives them their first jabs.
0:57:55 > 0:57:57Hold it like that...?
0:58:09 > 0:58:12Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:58:12 > 0:58:15E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk