0:00:02 > 0:00:05Caring for dangerous animals requires lots of different skills.
0:00:05 > 0:00:09One of the most useful of those is knowing how to use this, a blowpipe.
0:00:09 > 0:00:12But, when looking after animals like these, it requires
0:00:12 > 0:00:17nerves of steel. And we'll find out who has them and who doesn't, today.
0:00:17 > 0:00:19LION SNARLS
0:00:43 > 0:00:46Coming up on today's Animal Park...
0:00:48 > 0:00:50..a keeper used to looking after giraffe and zebra
0:00:50 > 0:00:53has to blowdart a whole pride of lions.
0:00:53 > 0:00:56Not easy when you smell of their prey.
0:00:57 > 0:00:58We look back at the time
0:00:58 > 0:01:03300 kilos of sealion took a ride on the tour boats.
0:01:03 > 0:01:07And the baby otters are just about the cutest things at the park,
0:01:07 > 0:01:09but Ben becomes just about the most unpopular
0:01:09 > 0:01:13when he has to give them their first jabs.
0:01:13 > 0:01:14..Hold it there like that?
0:01:16 > 0:01:19But first, it's over to the rhino house.
0:01:24 > 0:01:27It's been 17 years since Longleat's had a baby rhino
0:01:27 > 0:01:31and deputy head warden Ian Turner is still broody.
0:01:31 > 0:01:35He did think that the patter of tiny feet wouldn't be too far away
0:01:35 > 0:01:39when Njani and Rosina started to get to know each other.
0:01:40 > 0:01:43They're showing encouraging signs.
0:01:43 > 0:01:45They're playing about and he's getting interested.
0:01:45 > 0:01:50However, after a passionate start, things quickly cooled off
0:01:50 > 0:01:53and they haven't had a date since.
0:01:53 > 0:01:56And as for Winston, the old fella hasn't been up to anything much
0:01:56 > 0:01:58except taking it easy.
0:01:58 > 0:02:03So another year's passed and Ian's fed up of leaving them to their own devices,
0:02:03 > 0:02:06so he's thought up a way of helping things get hot and steamy.
0:02:06 > 0:02:11I'm up at the rhino yard with Ian Turner, who's come up with an ingenious plan
0:02:11 > 0:02:15- for your rhinos, Ian, which involves this hosepipe.- Correct.
0:02:15 > 0:02:16So what is the plan?
0:02:16 > 0:02:19- The plan is to fix this up as a shower.- Right.
0:02:19 > 0:02:22When it's raining, they tend to get quite frisky
0:02:22 > 0:02:25- and do a lot of jumping about. - Do they?- Yeah.
0:02:25 > 0:02:29- That's when the patrol man's got to be on his toes cos they'll just take off.- Oh, really.
0:02:29 > 0:02:32They get to be like spring lambs and just go for it.
0:02:32 > 0:02:35So we're going to try this as an experiment
0:02:35 > 0:02:39to see if they'll use the shower unit and if they do, then we'll fix it up
0:02:39 > 0:02:41- as a permanent feature for in the really hot weather.- Brilliant.
0:02:41 > 0:02:45- So this is a bit of an experiment. - To see if they like it, yeah.- OK.
0:02:45 > 0:02:48Well, they're coming up now. Do you want to rig it up
0:02:48 > 0:02:51or do you want to squirt them to see if they like it?
0:02:51 > 0:02:52Just try squirting to see how they go.
0:02:52 > 0:02:56- They may jump to start with and then we can fix it on.- There we go.
0:02:58 > 0:03:01But they like it when it rains, as well.
0:03:01 > 0:03:05They go outside in the rain. What tends to happen is they'll get
0:03:05 > 0:03:09- really wet in the rain, then they'll go and find a nice mud wallow.- Right.
0:03:09 > 0:03:11Go and get really really muddy,
0:03:11 > 0:03:13and they'll have a run about.
0:03:13 > 0:03:16They're being a little bit...
0:03:16 > 0:03:19a little bit dubious about it.
0:03:19 > 0:03:22There we go. That's a nicer spray. Come on, girl...and boy.
0:03:22 > 0:03:25He's not averse to the idea, is he?
0:03:25 > 0:03:28It's exactly like kids when you put a sprinkler up in the garden,
0:03:28 > 0:03:32running in and out of the sprinkler.
0:03:32 > 0:03:36- "Oh, that's cold."- Freezing.- Then they realise it's quite good fun.
0:03:36 > 0:03:39Shall we try rigging it to the top of the post?
0:03:39 > 0:03:44Yeah. Then we can back off a bit and see if they use it themselves.
0:03:44 > 0:03:47OK. So shall I climb up there.
0:03:47 > 0:03:51- As I'm a gentleman, I'll let you do all the work.- Thanks.
0:03:51 > 0:03:55OK. So, that's pretty well fixed, I think.
0:03:57 > 0:03:59Do we want it at that sort of angle?
0:03:59 > 0:04:02- See what happens when you switch it on.- OK.
0:04:03 > 0:04:06There we are. Right. Let's try and back off.
0:04:06 > 0:04:09He's looking towards it.
0:04:09 > 0:04:11He's definitely looking towards it.
0:04:11 > 0:04:15Now, this is interesting. Is this a bit of courtship?
0:04:15 > 0:04:19There's something else... Just stimulated by having the spray going.
0:04:19 > 0:04:23- Yeah. - And he's getting romantic again.
0:04:23 > 0:04:27That's what they needed, you see, Ian. Ensuite shower.
0:04:27 > 0:04:30Won't smell so much now!
0:04:30 > 0:04:35- Do you think he's gone over and said "Go on, love, hop in the shower?" - Yeah.
0:04:35 > 0:04:37"Have a wash, first."
0:04:37 > 0:04:39He's definitely interested in it.
0:04:41 > 0:04:43Probably can't quite work out
0:04:43 > 0:04:45why it's raining in one bit of the yard and not in the other.
0:04:45 > 0:04:47Ian, this is clearly the answer.
0:04:47 > 0:04:51A bit of food and a shower at the same time. Njani is definitely
0:04:51 > 0:04:56being a little bit more wimpy than Rosina, isn't he?
0:04:56 > 0:04:57Yeah. That's right.
0:04:57 > 0:05:00You can see how it's making the skin supple already.
0:05:00 > 0:05:02Absolutely.
0:05:02 > 0:05:06She looks very content now. So, is that it?
0:05:06 > 0:05:10Is the rhino shower going to become a permanent feature, do you think?
0:05:10 > 0:05:14I think we'll monitor it a bit more and see how it goes.
0:05:15 > 0:05:19But she looks very very happy, doesn't she?
0:05:20 > 0:05:22Brilliant.
0:05:22 > 0:05:26- And you're just a wimp, aren't you? - He is!
0:05:26 > 0:05:30A complete wimp but then, you know, he's the male.
0:05:30 > 0:05:34- What would you expect? Ian, thank you very much, indeed.- Thanks, Kate.
0:05:34 > 0:05:38So, for now, the shower's rained on Ian's parade,
0:05:38 > 0:05:42with no rampant rhinos. We'll just have to keep our fingers crossed
0:05:42 > 0:05:46and wait and hope that one day soon, Ian's dream comes true.
0:06:00 > 0:06:04There have been sealions in Half Mile Lake for over 30 years
0:06:04 > 0:06:09and head of lake animals, Mark Tye, has tried to make it home from home.
0:06:09 > 0:06:12As they originally come from coastal waters,
0:06:12 > 0:06:16he's created a beach for them to bask on and give birth.
0:06:16 > 0:06:17However, over the years,
0:06:17 > 0:06:22the sealions have preferred to have their babies anywhere else but here.
0:06:22 > 0:06:25There was the time they gave birth on the steps of Gorilla Island,
0:06:25 > 0:06:30which meant the keepers couldn't get in to feed Niko and Samba.
0:06:30 > 0:06:33Then there was the time they gave birth on the jetty
0:06:33 > 0:06:36and they didn't take kindly to us filming them.
0:06:36 > 0:06:40But the most notorious battle between the keepers and the sealions
0:06:40 > 0:06:44happened ten years ago, when Ozzie gave birth to Peewee.
0:06:44 > 0:06:47Nothing too strange or problematic about that
0:06:47 > 0:06:52except Ozzie had gone into labour on Lady Bea, one of the old tour boats.
0:06:52 > 0:06:56Not the ideal place to give birth, but everything went well
0:06:56 > 0:06:59until one of the keepers noticed Ozzie was still attached
0:06:59 > 0:07:01to her pup by the placenta.
0:07:01 > 0:07:05This left head warden Keith Harris with a bit of a problem.
0:07:05 > 0:07:08We're gonna attempt to try and cut it
0:07:08 > 0:07:11but obviously, she's not very happy with us being near her
0:07:11 > 0:07:15so we're going to try and do it afar with a pair of pruning shears,
0:07:15 > 0:07:17which isn't ideal
0:07:17 > 0:07:19and isn't something we'd normally use
0:07:19 > 0:07:22but the pup's having to keep dragging the placenta around,
0:07:22 > 0:07:24which is no good for her.
0:07:24 > 0:07:29If we can get between the tail...
0:07:29 > 0:07:32somewhere around there, further back.
0:07:32 > 0:07:35I'm not going to hurt you.
0:07:38 > 0:07:41- Is that cutting it?- Take it away.
0:07:41 > 0:07:44No, it's not. It's just not sharp enough.
0:07:44 > 0:07:47It is not working.
0:07:47 > 0:07:51One of the problems is if the mother drags the baby round, which they
0:07:51 > 0:07:54will do, a bit like a dog, they'll pick the pups up and move them...
0:07:54 > 0:07:57If that keeps pulling, it could injure the naval area
0:07:57 > 0:08:00and then you get infection and, sadly, you might lose a pup.
0:08:01 > 0:08:06Having drawn a blank with the pruning shears, plan B was put into action.
0:08:06 > 0:08:10Mark Tye headed up to see Tim Noble, the welder,
0:08:10 > 0:08:14with the bright idea of attaching a blade to the end of a metal pole.
0:08:22 > 0:08:28With some careful handy work, Mark managed to cut cleanly through.
0:08:30 > 0:08:34Both mother and calf were fine.
0:08:34 > 0:08:38But keeper Ian Small could see a problem.
0:08:38 > 0:08:40She'll let the pup suckle.
0:08:40 > 0:08:43Obviously, when the pup suckling, has enough milk, she'll go in
0:08:43 > 0:08:48and have a freshen-up, as you can say. Then again, she might stay
0:08:48 > 0:08:52on that boat for four to five days and then we can't use the boat.
0:08:54 > 0:08:57With a Bank Holiday looming, the keepers needed to get
0:08:57 > 0:09:00Ozzie and the pup off the boat as soon as they could.
0:09:00 > 0:09:06But did Ozzie move out, or did she continue her sit-in on the Lady Bea?
0:09:16 > 0:09:21The otters are one of the most popular animals in Pets' Corner
0:09:21 > 0:09:26and since the recent baby boom, 2 have become 3, 6, 11...
0:09:26 > 0:09:31and Rosie gave birth to their most recent litter just a few weeks ago.
0:09:31 > 0:09:33And they're all doing really well.
0:09:33 > 0:09:39However, the day has arrived to microchip the five babies.
0:09:39 > 0:09:41Now, Duncan, you're the vet here.
0:09:41 > 0:09:44What's the process? What are we going to be doing?
0:09:44 > 0:09:47We're going to put a little microchip between the shoulders
0:09:47 > 0:09:49of each of the baby otters.
0:09:49 > 0:09:52Unfortunately, the chips are quite big for the size
0:09:52 > 0:09:54of the otters but we'll see how we get on.
0:09:54 > 0:09:57- So it shouldn't be too traumatic? - Hopefully not.
0:09:57 > 0:10:03This procedure is like when you or I went for our infant vaccinations.
0:10:03 > 0:10:05Slightly unpleasant but essential.
0:10:05 > 0:10:08The microchip is a piece of technology
0:10:08 > 0:10:10about the size of a large grain of rice.
0:10:10 > 0:10:12This holds a reference number
0:10:12 > 0:10:16that will link to every piece of important information
0:10:16 > 0:10:20about the otters, such as age, sex and their medical records.
0:10:20 > 0:10:22Essential if an otter is moved
0:10:22 > 0:10:26to another park. And let's face it, they do all look rather similar.
0:10:26 > 0:10:29Now, down here, we've got Rob with one of the otters and obviously,
0:10:29 > 0:10:33this is something that has to be done for many different reasons.
0:10:33 > 0:10:35We health-check them throughout
0:10:35 > 0:10:38but we don't want to handle them too often.
0:10:38 > 0:10:42We microchip for ID purposes, health check, opportunity to sex.
0:10:42 > 0:10:44You're still not sure what we've got.
0:10:44 > 0:10:49Not 100%, no, so it's best to do it again and just double check.
0:10:49 > 0:10:51OK. So if you just hold...
0:10:51 > 0:10:54I'm just going to put this in between the shoulders, here.
0:10:54 > 0:10:57It shouldn't hurt too much. You tell me how to hold.
0:10:57 > 0:10:59Best if you hold that way round.
0:10:59 > 0:11:02Hold it like that, do you think?
0:11:02 > 0:11:05Just watch your thumb there cos that's where we're going to go.
0:11:05 > 0:11:10OK. It's not going to hurt too much. Good little otter.
0:11:10 > 0:11:13- OTTER SQUEALS - So there's a little chip in there.
0:11:13 > 0:11:16- Yeah. We'll just check that it's in OK.- And it won't...
0:11:17 > 0:11:21- There we go. So that's her little number.- Yeah.
0:11:21 > 0:11:23That's fantastically easy, isn't it?
0:11:23 > 0:11:27- Are you going to have a look to see what sex this one might be?- Yeah.
0:11:28 > 0:11:31So what are you looking for here?
0:11:31 > 0:11:33I kind of know what you're looking for but...
0:11:33 > 0:11:37Just looking for the distance really between the two holes.
0:11:37 > 0:11:41They're quite close together so that's a female.
0:11:41 > 0:11:44Shall we pop that one back and you go and get the next one? Well done.
0:11:44 > 0:11:47My dog has a microchip.
0:11:47 > 0:11:50It's becoming more and more common, isn't it, in all sorts of animals?
0:11:50 > 0:11:53Probably more important for dogs because they're more likely
0:11:53 > 0:11:56to get lost and then you can identify and find the owners again.
0:11:56 > 0:11:58Hopefully, these guys won't get lost
0:11:58 > 0:12:01- but it is an important identification...- There you go.
0:12:02 > 0:12:04Is it likely to migrate or move around?
0:12:04 > 0:12:07Do you want to have a look, check the sex?
0:12:07 > 0:12:08It will migrate. Yeah.
0:12:08 > 0:12:12I think if we ever need to check them and identify them later again,
0:12:12 > 0:12:14we'd have to scan the whole body.
0:12:14 > 0:12:17As adults you'd have to probably knock them out to check them.
0:12:17 > 0:12:19- Is this the best age to do it at?- Yeah.
0:12:19 > 0:12:24This is by far the best age, because we just put these under the skin...
0:12:24 > 0:12:27- You can actually feel it under the skin.- You can.
0:12:27 > 0:12:32So it's just like a grain of rice.
0:12:32 > 0:12:34- Is that how you'd describe it?- Yeah.
0:12:34 > 0:12:39- Not a very manly scream, is it? OK. We'll send you back.- Super.
0:12:39 > 0:12:43Oh, there you go. This is a real squirmy little one.
0:12:43 > 0:12:45I know.
0:12:45 > 0:12:47It got you a little bit there.
0:12:47 > 0:12:49Yeah. Don't worry.
0:12:49 > 0:12:51Turn him around that way.
0:12:51 > 0:12:55Might make it a little bit easier for you.
0:12:55 > 0:12:58Is that OK, that way?
0:12:58 > 0:13:00- Try it.- Are you OK?- Yeah.
0:13:00 > 0:13:06There's always one that's a little bit feistier than the others.
0:13:06 > 0:13:08Maybe you should do this one, Rob.
0:13:08 > 0:13:10You're probably going to be...
0:13:10 > 0:13:14There we go. So they're healthy little things even at this age.
0:13:14 > 0:13:17I think he was always the big one, there.
0:13:17 > 0:13:20- Right.- I'd imagine this is a boy, I'd have thought.
0:13:20 > 0:13:22You think this is a boy.
0:13:22 > 0:13:24We'll find out from Duncan.
0:13:24 > 0:13:26Bit of rubber in his mouth. Bit of glove he's got there.
0:13:26 > 0:13:29Is there a little bit of your glove there? He is a boy.
0:13:29 > 0:13:31Oh, he's got me as well.
0:13:31 > 0:13:33Well, there you go.
0:13:33 > 0:13:36It just goes to show that that will be the last time
0:13:36 > 0:13:39they're handled and that's probably the reason!
0:13:39 > 0:13:42- Absolutely.- They look very sweet but they can be surprisingly aggressive.
0:13:42 > 0:13:44- Yeah.- Thank you very much. Thanks for letting me help out.
0:13:44 > 0:13:46- Good luck, Rob.- Thank you.
0:13:46 > 0:13:50We'll keep you posted on their progress throughout the series. I'll go and clean my wound!
0:13:53 > 0:13:55There are over 900 animals at Longleat,
0:13:55 > 0:13:58some of which are cute and cuddly...
0:13:58 > 0:14:02and those that are downright dangerous.
0:14:02 > 0:14:06All these animals are kept in secure enclosures
0:14:06 > 0:14:09and the keepers are highly trained in safety procedures.
0:14:09 > 0:14:13However, they still have to be prepared for the worst...
0:14:13 > 0:14:16the escape of a dangerous wild animal.
0:14:16 > 0:14:20Head keeper, Keith Harris, knows exactly what to do if the worst
0:14:20 > 0:14:25did happen. He has a selection of weapons to deal with an emergency.
0:14:25 > 0:14:29Most of these are last-resort weapons.
0:14:29 > 0:14:32Particularly the rifle and the shotgun.
0:14:32 > 0:14:35Literally, if there's an animal escape,
0:14:35 > 0:14:40animal attack, then obviously we would have to consider using those.
0:14:40 > 0:14:42The most basic weapon in the arsenal
0:14:42 > 0:14:46and thankfully the most commonly used, is the blowpipe.
0:14:46 > 0:14:49This piece of equipment is used to administer vaccinations and vitamins
0:14:49 > 0:14:53and would be the keeper's first choice to knock out an animal
0:14:53 > 0:14:56if they needed medical attention.
0:14:56 > 0:14:58Keith has worked at the park
0:14:58 > 0:15:02for 30 years and is a true expert with this weapon.
0:15:02 > 0:15:06He even darted wild dogs on a recent trip to Africa.
0:15:08 > 0:15:13We have what we call a firearms team of five people, at the moment.
0:15:13 > 0:15:17We do want to expand that by one, which is why we're looking for Andy
0:15:17 > 0:15:19to get involved.
0:15:19 > 0:15:22There must be at least one keeper
0:15:22 > 0:15:27licensed to use the blowpipe and the other weapons on duty at all times.
0:15:27 > 0:15:29So Keith's decided it's time
0:15:29 > 0:15:33Andy Heyton, head of the East Africa reserve, was trained up.
0:15:33 > 0:15:37A huge amount of responsibility goes along with something like this.
0:15:37 > 0:15:41It's not something that I've really taken on board lightly.
0:15:41 > 0:15:45I've seen all of this stuff being used before and seen things go wrong.
0:15:45 > 0:15:49The blowpipe is the first step to a full firearms licence,
0:15:49 > 0:15:53so this will be the first bit of kit he'll get his hands on.
0:15:56 > 0:16:00We mainly use it now for administering drugs,
0:16:00 > 0:16:04particularly penicillins, drugs like that, that they can't either take
0:16:04 > 0:16:07in feed, or if you can't get hold of the animal, to inject it.
0:16:07 > 0:16:10That's when we use the darting equipment.
0:16:10 > 0:16:15But before Andy can handle the weapon, he has to get to know exactly where to aim it.
0:16:15 > 0:16:18This may sound weird but you've got to round now and look at animals as a target.
0:16:18 > 0:16:21- Yep.- Not for bullets but for darting equipment. OK.
0:16:21 > 0:16:23Most animals, what you try to do
0:16:23 > 0:16:27is look for the back leg cos that's got the muscle mass.
0:16:27 > 0:16:28Yeah.
0:16:28 > 0:16:31But that's not always the easiest thing.
0:16:31 > 0:16:36So with a giraffe, you've got a lot of muscle at the base of the neck,
0:16:36 > 0:16:39so that's another place you can dart them.
0:16:39 > 0:16:41And also the front shoulder.
0:16:41 > 0:16:43So what you've got to start doing is,
0:16:43 > 0:16:46all the animals that you go round looking at,
0:16:46 > 0:16:50start looking for darting positions.
0:16:50 > 0:16:52Yeah.
0:16:52 > 0:16:55If you look at a llama, a llama's full of wool...
0:16:55 > 0:16:58so where's its muscle?
0:16:58 > 0:17:00So the next time you actually handle one,
0:17:00 > 0:17:03just run your hand down the fur,
0:17:03 > 0:17:06or the hair, and see where that muscle definition is.
0:17:06 > 0:17:08So if you had to dart one, you'll know where.
0:17:08 > 0:17:11An ostrich, there's a couple of different places
0:17:11 > 0:17:13you can dart those. And they're all different
0:17:13 > 0:17:17And you'll learn over time and with experience, the best place.
0:17:17 > 0:17:22With his target in his sights, Andy now needs to get familiar
0:17:22 > 0:17:26with his equipment. Keith starts by teaching him about his ammunition,
0:17:26 > 0:17:29which for the blowpipe, is a pressurised dart.
0:17:29 > 0:17:32The drug is through a syringe, put into the hole there.
0:17:32 > 0:17:36Some of the drugs you could be using are dangerous to yourself so...
0:17:36 > 0:17:39be very careful. These darts work on air pressure.
0:17:39 > 0:17:41The dart has a needle with a hole
0:17:41 > 0:17:45in the side of it, which is covered by a small plastic sleeve.
0:17:45 > 0:17:47When the dart hits an animal's skin,
0:17:47 > 0:17:51this sleeve is pushed back, uncovering the hole in the needle
0:17:51 > 0:17:54and dispensing the drug into the animal's bloodstream.
0:17:54 > 0:17:58To make sure the drug comes out of the syringe, the dart is pressurised
0:17:58 > 0:18:01so that when the hole in the needle is uncovered,
0:18:01 > 0:18:04this releases the air behind the plunger,
0:18:04 > 0:18:06forcing the drug out of the needle.
0:18:06 > 0:18:08You don't always realise
0:18:08 > 0:18:11whether it's pressurised or not and you can make a mistake.
0:18:11 > 0:18:17There's a knack to them, is to push it in and take it off sideways.
0:18:17 > 0:18:19- Just snap it off.- Snap it off.
0:18:19 > 0:18:23I always just touch the end, cos if there's no pressure in there
0:18:23 > 0:18:27that plunger would fall. So that dart, on impact,
0:18:27 > 0:18:31hits the animal, plunger goes to the end...
0:18:31 > 0:18:33- That's in theory.- OK.
0:18:33 > 0:18:3699% of the time it will work very well...
0:18:36 > 0:18:41but not always, and then you've got to start looking for reasons why it hasn't worked. OK.
0:18:41 > 0:18:44Once you've pressurised that dart, you put the flight on.
0:18:44 > 0:18:48Push on quite tight and that's ready. Do you want to have a go?
0:18:48 > 0:18:50- Go on then.- Everything's there.- OK.
0:18:53 > 0:18:57'Some of the drugs that we use are extremely dangerous.'
0:18:57 > 0:19:01It's a steep learning curve that you have to go on and the responsibility is huge.
0:19:01 > 0:19:06Now he's confident with his ammo, Andy's ready to lock and load,
0:19:06 > 0:19:09but before he's let loose on real live animals,
0:19:09 > 0:19:11he needs to perfect his technique.
0:19:11 > 0:19:14- Here's the target.- Right.
0:19:14 > 0:19:16As we were looking at the animals earlier on,
0:19:16 > 0:19:18you want that back leg area.
0:19:18 > 0:19:21- So here's the blowpipe.- OK.
0:19:21 > 0:19:23There's the dart. Push it right in as far as...
0:19:23 > 0:19:26- That's it.- Just tuck that in there.
0:19:26 > 0:19:28OK. Now come back a bit.
0:19:29 > 0:19:32That was very good. That was in the centre.
0:19:36 > 0:19:40- When you're comfortable with that, just start going back a bit.- Yeah.
0:19:40 > 0:19:42And you'll find your own range.
0:19:45 > 0:19:47Start going back a bit.
0:19:47 > 0:19:51Why's that? Cos I've been doing too well, so far?
0:19:51 > 0:19:54This may look like a game but accuracy is key.
0:19:54 > 0:19:59Andy seems to be a natural at this but it's fairly easy when your target isn't moving.
0:19:59 > 0:20:04Little does Andy know that Keith's got a real test for him,
0:20:04 > 0:20:05with a bit more bite.
0:20:05 > 0:20:09Got a big darting job on Wednesday... one of the vet's here.
0:20:09 > 0:20:13- Oh, lovely.- So, I think, if you're confident, we'll let you loose
0:20:13 > 0:20:16- on a real animal. OK?- Yeah.
0:20:16 > 0:20:19Normally confident about things, but
0:20:19 > 0:20:23yeah, I'd like to have a go, so we'll see, see how we go. Lovely.
0:20:23 > 0:20:27Andy is going to need all the practice he can get before his
0:20:27 > 0:20:30true test of accuracy and nerve.
0:20:30 > 0:20:34We'll be back later in the programme to see how he gets on.
0:20:43 > 0:20:47Iguanas are one of the most placid creatures in Pets' Corner.
0:20:47 > 0:20:51That is, until they feel threatened and then they can turn nasty.
0:20:51 > 0:20:54So, when a vital trip to the vet's is necessary,
0:20:54 > 0:20:57the keepers have struggled to get them into a carry box
0:20:57 > 0:21:00without getting a nasty nip or distressing the animal.
0:21:00 > 0:21:03However, head of Pets' Corner Darren Beasley is using a cutting
0:21:03 > 0:21:09edge technique to calm things down, and Kate has gone to find out more.
0:21:09 > 0:21:12They do need medical attention every now and then,
0:21:12 > 0:21:16- so what do you do about that?- Well, what we thought we'd do is we would
0:21:16 > 0:21:18use some basic training, really.
0:21:18 > 0:21:23I think our target here would be for this one is to try, somehow,
0:21:23 > 0:21:26lure him into a travel box under his own steam.
0:21:26 > 0:21:29- So you don't have to pick him up at all.- Exactly.
0:21:29 > 0:21:32He'll just go in, as you say, because you've encouraged him
0:21:32 > 0:21:35to go in and he picks up a pattern of behaviour and he goes oh, yeah,
0:21:35 > 0:21:38- I know I'm always rewarded for that. - You've hit the nail on the head.
0:21:38 > 0:21:42It's me producing the carry box in this room, him going, "Hey, I know
0:21:42 > 0:21:45"what to do here", trot trot trot, in he jumps and then you put
0:21:45 > 0:21:48the lid on and away we go. I have some deadly tools here to help.
0:21:48 > 0:21:51I have a round-ended, soft, plastic chopstick.
0:21:51 > 0:21:53- Yeah.- I have a bowl of fruit.
0:21:53 > 0:21:56And this is part and parcel, only part of their diet.
0:21:56 > 0:21:58They're very high fibre eaters, so the sad thing is
0:21:58 > 0:22:02I can't spear a dandelion, which would be really, really handy!
0:22:02 > 0:22:05And I think the first stage of the training is I'm going to try and lure
0:22:05 > 0:22:09him with fruit and try and get him to follow a trail, so when we come in,
0:22:09 > 0:22:13he's going to look for the titbit, and follow the trail of the stick.
0:22:13 > 0:22:17And the idea would be, I then lure him onto a target and if you can
0:22:17 > 0:22:21- imagine I've just cut a small bit of green carpet here.- Yeah.
0:22:21 > 0:22:25And I would lay this in this area here, in the iguana room,
0:22:25 > 0:22:27and the idea is that he will see
0:22:27 > 0:22:30this and eventually he will go to this as his target. He will head...
0:22:30 > 0:22:33I will have the stick with the bit of fruit on and he'll head
0:22:33 > 0:22:35and he'll sit on there and that's it.
0:22:35 > 0:22:39And if you build it up in stages and you move the goalpost, the theory
0:22:39 > 0:22:42would be, I shall unravel my bit of carpet, he should come and trot and
0:22:42 > 0:22:45- sit on this, just by visualising it. - By just seeing it.
0:22:45 > 0:22:48That's right. And then I can then move the stage,
0:22:48 > 0:22:51what I hope to do, and it might be a dream, but I'd hope to move this into
0:22:51 > 0:22:55a carry box and then eventually he will just walk straight into the box.
0:22:55 > 0:22:58So, you know, it seems very easy.
0:22:58 > 0:23:00It's going to take a little bit of time, but if it works,
0:23:00 > 0:23:03works with other animals, why not?
0:23:03 > 0:23:06I tell you what, we'll set you a challenge.
0:23:06 > 0:23:11We'll come back in a few weeks' time and see how Iggypop
0:23:11 > 0:23:15is getting on with the magic of a bit of mango and a green carpet.
0:23:15 > 0:23:17I have to say I'm sceptical.
0:23:17 > 0:23:21But knowing how well you've trained things in the past, maybe,
0:23:21 > 0:23:24just maybe, it'll work. It would be great if it did, Darren.
0:23:24 > 0:23:27Thank you very much and good luck. Good luck, Iggy, if you wake up.
0:23:35 > 0:23:39We're looking back to the amazing tale, when Ozzie the
0:23:39 > 0:23:42sealion was nurturing her newborn onboard one of the tour boats.
0:23:42 > 0:23:45Ozzie and her pup were still in residence on the boat and
0:23:45 > 0:23:48were showing no signs of budging.
0:23:48 > 0:23:53But keeper Ian Small had a plan to lure Ozzie back into the water.
0:23:53 > 0:23:55We've got to draw the mother off the boat,
0:23:55 > 0:23:58grab the pup and put it on the quay.
0:23:58 > 0:24:00We need the boat, because Bank Holiday's coming up.
0:24:00 > 0:24:02We've got to clean it out.
0:24:02 > 0:24:05We've had a bit of a problem with Ozzie this morning.
0:24:05 > 0:24:09She's been jumping on the stern of the boat and we can't have that with
0:24:09 > 0:24:12the public on, so safety as well.
0:24:12 > 0:24:14I just hope we can get her off.
0:24:14 > 0:24:16Go on, girl.
0:24:16 > 0:24:18Go on. Throw one in.
0:24:18 > 0:24:20Throw one to her. That's it.
0:24:20 > 0:24:23That's a girl. Go on, my Ozzie.
0:24:23 > 0:24:25Over there with it.
0:24:25 > 0:24:27And take her right up.
0:24:27 > 0:24:31Go on. Take her right the way up. Go on, Oz. Keep going with her.
0:24:31 > 0:24:34Further and further the better. Right. Here we go.
0:24:34 > 0:24:36'With Ozzie out of the way,
0:24:36 > 0:24:40'Ian saw his window of opportunity to grab the pup.
0:24:47 > 0:24:52'But all the commotion attracted the pup's dad, Sam, and 300 kilos of
0:24:52 > 0:24:56'sealion wading into the equation, was the last thing Ian needed.'
0:24:58 > 0:25:02Ozzie. Oz! Oz.
0:25:02 > 0:25:04Come on. Ozzie!
0:25:06 > 0:25:09Oz! There we are.
0:25:09 > 0:25:10'Ian successfully reunited mother
0:25:10 > 0:25:16'and calf away from the boat, but Sam was still on a mission.
0:25:16 > 0:25:20'Even though Sam was Peewee's dad and he didn't mean any harm to
0:25:20 > 0:25:23'the pup, he could have been a danger to his baby, as his
0:25:23 > 0:25:29'male hormones were running wild and he had just one thing on his mind...
0:25:29 > 0:25:31'to get Ozzie pregnant.
0:25:31 > 0:25:36'Female sealions are fertile for about a month after giving birth
0:25:36 > 0:25:41'which means they're only NOT pregnant for just four weeks a year.
0:25:41 > 0:25:46'With boisterous Sam continuing to hassle Ozzie, she'd started to
0:25:46 > 0:25:51'panic, thinking that sizeable Sam may hurt little Peewee.
0:25:51 > 0:25:54'The vets were keeping a close eye on proceedings, to ensure both mum
0:25:54 > 0:25:57'and pup were in no danger.
0:25:57 > 0:26:02'However, Ozzie's behaviour had become increasingly out of control
0:26:02 > 0:26:06'and there was only one place she wanted to head for...the boat.
0:26:08 > 0:26:12'Sealion pups are built to withstand a battering from the ocean, so this
0:26:12 > 0:26:16- 'is not as rough a ride as it seems.'- Take it out of gear.
0:26:18 > 0:26:21'The boat was packed with a load of French schoolchildren,
0:26:21 > 0:26:26'but that didn't stop her launching herself and her pup back on deck.
0:26:28 > 0:26:30'Ian's worst nightmare was unfolding.'
0:26:38 > 0:26:40Off the boat. Off the boat.
0:26:44 > 0:26:49'With Ozzie and the pup back on the boat and the feeling of deja vue,
0:26:49 > 0:26:52'it was up to the keepers to hatch yet another plan.'
0:27:07 > 0:27:09These are the wallabies.
0:27:09 > 0:27:12More specifically, the common Bennett wallaby,
0:27:12 > 0:27:14that most of us would recognise.
0:27:14 > 0:27:17In New Zealand, they're classified as a pest
0:27:17 > 0:27:18because there are so many of them.
0:27:18 > 0:27:22However, on the other side of the park in Pets' Corner, there's
0:27:22 > 0:27:26another species of wallaby that you may not be familiar with.
0:27:26 > 0:27:29And at one time, it was thought to be extinct.
0:27:29 > 0:27:33They're the parma wallaby. The smallest and cutest in
0:27:33 > 0:27:36existence, so Ben has popped along to get a closer look.
0:27:36 > 0:27:40This is Alice, one of the three parma wallabies that
0:27:40 > 0:27:42lives down here at Pets' Corner.
0:27:42 > 0:27:45And I'm with Bev, one of their keepers.
0:27:45 > 0:27:48Bev, you've actually helped rear some of the wallabies here,
0:27:48 > 0:27:50- haven't you?- I have. Yes.
0:27:50 > 0:27:53I handreared Kimberley a few years ago, and she lives up in the giraffe
0:27:53 > 0:27:56area with the red-necked wallabies. She's doing well.
0:27:56 > 0:27:59So I happen to know you have a bit of a soft spot for
0:27:59 > 0:28:00all the wallabies here.
0:28:00 > 0:28:03I have. Yeah. They're one of my favourite animals here.
0:28:03 > 0:28:06Now, I can't get over how tame, if that's the right word, Alice seems
0:28:06 > 0:28:10to be, that she's not worried, she's eating out of your hand.
0:28:10 > 0:28:13- We've got crowds behind us.- Yes. What we've been trying to do,
0:28:13 > 0:28:16cos when they first came here they were very shy creatures.
0:28:16 > 0:28:18They are in the wild, they keep their distance.
0:28:18 > 0:28:22And what I've sort of been doing over the last year when they've been here
0:28:22 > 0:28:24is to get them used to the public,
0:28:24 > 0:28:26so the public can get a little bit closer to them.
0:28:26 > 0:28:30Also, for health checks as well - just to make sure they're all OK.
0:28:30 > 0:28:33So it's quite important for them really, as well.
0:28:33 > 0:28:35And I notice... a rabbit?
0:28:35 > 0:28:38Yeah. This is Penny the rabbit. She thinks she's a wallaby.
0:28:38 > 0:28:41Bless her.
0:28:41 > 0:28:45And she lives in here cos she keeps the wallabies company at the moment.
0:28:45 > 0:28:48- And would they ever kind of integrate in the wild?- Yeah.
0:28:48 > 0:28:51In Australia you would get wild rabbits there, so it is sort of
0:28:51 > 0:28:54a natural thing where they would actually see a rabbit in the wild.
0:28:54 > 0:28:57- Is this Alice again coming over?- This is Alice.
0:28:57 > 0:28:59She's the greedy one, I think.
0:28:59 > 0:29:00And this is all so that
0:29:00 > 0:29:03all the visitors here get a closer look at the parma wallabies, is it?
0:29:03 > 0:29:07It is. Sometimes, what we do, we can get some of the public in, now and
0:29:07 > 0:29:10then, to let them get close and feed them as well, which is good,
0:29:10 > 0:29:12really, cos the public want to do that,
0:29:12 > 0:29:14something a little bit different.
0:29:14 > 0:29:18Excellent. Bev, thank you very much for letting us get so close.
0:29:18 > 0:29:22Don't you go away, cos here's what's still to come on today's programme.
0:29:22 > 0:29:26It's darts at dawn as Kate and I find out just how hard
0:29:26 > 0:29:29this blowdarting thing really is.
0:29:29 > 0:29:33And two keepers from the park push themselves to their absolute limit
0:29:33 > 0:29:37to help save the African animals they care for every day.
0:29:37 > 0:29:40At this point, it starts to get a bit serious.
0:29:40 > 0:29:42But first,
0:29:42 > 0:29:46we're heading over to the lion house.
0:29:46 > 0:29:50Head of the East Africa reserve, Andy Heyton, is being trained up
0:29:50 > 0:29:54by head keeper, Keith Harris, to use the blowpipe
0:29:54 > 0:29:55as part of his firearms licence.
0:29:55 > 0:29:58After a few days' practice,
0:29:58 > 0:30:02he's now being put to the test with the big cats. He's going to help
0:30:02 > 0:30:07Bob and Brian give Charlie's pride their yearly cat flu vaccinations.
0:30:07 > 0:30:10It's a big test. These lions are a lot more feisty
0:30:10 > 0:30:15than the giraffe, llamas and zebras that Andy is used to handling.
0:30:15 > 0:30:17And he's looking pretty nervous.
0:30:17 > 0:30:21It's easy to hit a wooden cutout of a lion, but actually doing the real
0:30:21 > 0:30:23thing is different.
0:30:24 > 0:30:28I think it's actually worse doing it in front of my fellow keepers,
0:30:28 > 0:30:31cos if I mess it up I'm never going to hear the last of it.
0:30:33 > 0:30:36Doesn't always go right. It can happen to the best of us.
0:30:36 > 0:30:40I mean, it happens to me, so we won't be laughing...
0:30:40 > 0:30:42maybe behind his back.
0:30:42 > 0:30:47Andy's made up all the darts and is ready to get going.
0:30:47 > 0:30:49Dart's in ready.
0:30:49 > 0:30:53- OK.- Brian is going to do the first one, just to show him how it's done.
0:30:54 > 0:30:57Make sure you leave one that sits nice and still for me.
0:30:57 > 0:30:59SNARLING
0:31:07 > 0:31:11The thing is, it's such a different animal to what I've been used to.
0:31:11 > 0:31:14The giraffe was easy. If you dart them, they run away.
0:31:14 > 0:31:16These guys, you dart them and they come after you,
0:31:16 > 0:31:20so it's just a totally different mindset of the animal.
0:31:20 > 0:31:25Bob gets the darts back by gently closing the sliding door
0:31:25 > 0:31:27as the lions pass through.
0:31:27 > 0:31:30Lioness Asia is the next to be darted and
0:31:30 > 0:31:35she doesn't look like she's going to make Andy's first time too easy.
0:31:36 > 0:31:38FEROCIOUS GROWLING
0:31:49 > 0:31:50First one. That's it.
0:31:50 > 0:31:55I'm stopping now. My career in darting is finishing at the top.
0:31:55 > 0:31:59But Andy's not going to get away with it that easily, as there are
0:31:59 > 0:32:01still three more lions to go.
0:32:01 > 0:32:07His first attempt went very well, but now he has to prove to his
0:32:07 > 0:32:11fellow keepers and his boss Keith that his success wasn't just down
0:32:11 > 0:32:13to beginner's luck.
0:32:17 > 0:32:20And his aim was bang on target.
0:32:20 > 0:32:23But unfortunately, this time, the dart hasn't gone off.
0:32:23 > 0:32:26But that's not really his fault.
0:32:26 > 0:32:30Nothing to do with Andy. Just one of these things that happen.
0:32:30 > 0:32:31I've always liked you.
0:32:31 > 0:32:34You did pay me a lot of money, earlier on!
0:32:34 > 0:32:36No. We just make another dart. That's no problem.
0:32:36 > 0:32:38She's got to be darted again.
0:32:38 > 0:32:40It might not have been Andy's fault
0:32:40 > 0:32:43but the dart not going off has knocked his confidence slightly.
0:32:43 > 0:32:47He's going to have to try and put it behind him, though, as he'll need to
0:32:47 > 0:32:49really focus for the next lion.
0:32:49 > 0:32:53She's seen what's going on so she won't make it easy.
0:32:53 > 0:32:55Good girl.
0:33:02 > 0:33:04Come here. Stop that.
0:33:04 > 0:33:06Hey, come here.
0:33:08 > 0:33:11Would you go from this angle, Keith?
0:33:11 > 0:33:14No. It's too much of an angle, Andy. You could
0:33:14 > 0:33:17take the base of the neck, but I wouldn't do it.
0:33:17 > 0:33:18We wouldn't get the dart back.
0:33:22 > 0:33:23Are we ready now?
0:33:23 > 0:33:26Get her from there. There's no problem.
0:33:29 > 0:33:33She's too quick for Andy, and this time he's missed completely.
0:33:33 > 0:33:36Hang on. They promised they wouldn't laugh!
0:33:36 > 0:33:40When you go back, she obviously knows what's going on and she might
0:33:40 > 0:33:43face you a little bit more now.
0:33:43 > 0:33:44SNARLING
0:33:53 > 0:33:57It's been a stressful morning for Andy, but now, with the whole
0:33:57 > 0:34:02pride successfully darted, he can finally relax.
0:34:02 > 0:34:04I'm quite pleased with it, to be honest with you.
0:34:04 > 0:34:08It could have been a lot, lot worse. When you smell of zebra and giraffe,
0:34:08 > 0:34:11it's not good to come into a lion house and upset them.
0:34:14 > 0:34:19And he's done so well, he's even impressed seasoned
0:34:19 > 0:34:21blowpipe expert, Brian.
0:34:21 > 0:34:23Few of them were flying at him through the cage,
0:34:23 > 0:34:25but he dealt with it.
0:34:25 > 0:34:27Didn't panic or anything.
0:34:27 > 0:34:30Took his time and did fine.
0:34:30 > 0:34:33He had one miss, but I mean, you can't help that.
0:34:33 > 0:34:35It happens to me, so I mean, no problem.
0:34:35 > 0:34:38Quite welcome to come back any time and do some more.
0:34:38 > 0:34:40I don't mind. Saves me doing them.
0:34:50 > 0:34:53Today, we're following the extraordinary story
0:34:53 > 0:34:56of Ozzie and her new pup, Peewee.
0:34:56 > 0:34:59She gave birth on one of the tour boats and, having been coaxed off
0:34:59 > 0:35:04once, reboarded at the stern, causing a group of French schoolkids
0:35:04 > 0:35:07to rapidly disembark from the fore deck.
0:35:12 > 0:35:16Keeper Ian Small may well have scratched his head.
0:35:16 > 0:35:20A short-term solution that was going to allow the boat to continue their
0:35:20 > 0:35:22tours was required and quickly.
0:35:22 > 0:35:27I tell you what, this might be grabbing at straws...
0:35:27 > 0:35:30get one of those large fish...
0:35:32 > 0:35:34if she sees a large one, we might
0:35:34 > 0:35:38be able to draw her out. Can we just try that?
0:35:40 > 0:35:42Mark, a fish for you.
0:35:42 > 0:35:44You'll have to be quick about this.
0:35:46 > 0:35:50A plan was hatched to distract Ozzie long enough to allow the pup to be
0:35:50 > 0:35:55taken onto the other boat, allowing the French students to continue
0:35:55 > 0:35:57their ride.
0:36:01 > 0:36:05Mum was just trying to protect her baby, and the keepers were
0:36:05 > 0:36:07doing what was best for the pup.
0:36:07 > 0:36:10Oz, come on.
0:36:10 > 0:36:12Ozzie! She's coming.
0:36:15 > 0:36:17She's on there, Oz.
0:36:24 > 0:36:26The plan worked.
0:36:26 > 0:36:30And at least one of the tour boats could continue operating.
0:36:30 > 0:36:33But Mark was going to have to think up a much more
0:36:33 > 0:36:35permanent solution to this problem.
0:36:35 > 0:36:39We'll have to try again and just hope that she doesn't do it again,
0:36:39 > 0:36:41otherwise we're going end up doing this
0:36:41 > 0:36:45every single day of the week, until she gets the hang of leaving it out.
0:36:45 > 0:36:47And it's going to have to come out, cos, obviously,
0:36:47 > 0:36:49we're going to need the boat at some point.
0:36:49 > 0:36:51So, we'll just keep trying.
0:36:57 > 0:37:01Across the park, there are many animals which are nimble on foot.
0:37:03 > 0:37:05But up in the giraffery, there are a couple of creatures
0:37:05 > 0:37:09looking to give them a run for their money.
0:37:09 > 0:37:14Keepers Ryan and Mark are training to run the London Marathon.
0:37:14 > 0:37:17And with just a few weeks to go until the big day,
0:37:17 > 0:37:19they're pounding out the miles.
0:37:21 > 0:37:24We sort of discussed the London Marathon and decided that,
0:37:24 > 0:37:27you know, we'd both like to do that, even it it was
0:37:27 > 0:37:29something we did once in our lives.
0:37:31 > 0:37:34I've always had an interest in running.
0:37:34 > 0:37:37Previous sort of experience, I've run the 10K for the cancer
0:37:37 > 0:37:40research just round Longleat.
0:37:40 > 0:37:43And then, from there, it's a small leap to doing the Marathon.
0:37:45 > 0:37:48We've been training together as much as we possibly can.
0:37:48 > 0:37:50Mainly in the mornings.
0:37:50 > 0:37:53Thankfully now, it's getting a bit lighter so we can actually
0:37:53 > 0:37:55see where we're running, which is always a bonus.
0:37:55 > 0:38:00I think Mark's, to be honest, more committed to the cause than I am.
0:38:00 > 0:38:03I think I'm probably taking it slightly more seriously than Ryan.
0:38:03 > 0:38:06I've definitely put in a few more hours.
0:38:06 > 0:38:09Most of the training ideas have always been Mark's ideas and
0:38:09 > 0:38:13it's generally Mark that has to push me to get up in the morning,
0:38:13 > 0:38:15you know, and go running and stuff.
0:38:15 > 0:38:17Obviously around here, there's quite
0:38:17 > 0:38:21a few hills, which we've been taking full advantage of, both up and down.
0:38:21 > 0:38:24I like to try and exude a certain amount of self confidence about the
0:38:24 > 0:38:28whole thing and hope that that maybe makes up for the lack of commitment.
0:38:28 > 0:38:32But we'll find out, won't we, in a couple of weeks' time.
0:38:32 > 0:38:35If I've been slacking too much, that's really going to show.
0:38:35 > 0:38:39Fortunately though, Ryan does have some experience to draw on.
0:38:39 > 0:38:43This is not his first foray into the world of distance running.
0:38:43 > 0:38:48In 2005, he and I were in training for a half marathon.
0:38:48 > 0:38:50Three years ago now,
0:38:50 > 0:38:52Keith, our boss, approached me at work
0:38:52 > 0:38:55and said, "Would I be interested in doing a half marathon?"
0:38:55 > 0:38:57which I curtly said no.
0:38:57 > 0:38:59He said, "Hang on, you don't know where it is yet."
0:38:59 > 0:39:02So I said, "OK, surprise me, where is it going to be?"
0:39:02 > 0:39:06I thought he was going to say like Leeds or the Bath half marathon.
0:39:06 > 0:39:08He said, "Well, it's going to be in Kenya."
0:39:08 > 0:39:10The race is an annual
0:39:10 > 0:39:14event held in a Wildlife Conservancy in Northern Kenya.
0:39:14 > 0:39:17And it presented us with a whole different set of challenges than
0:39:17 > 0:39:19running around the streets of London...
0:39:19 > 0:39:24The very real danger of encountering wild animals.
0:39:30 > 0:39:33But, fortunately, we managed to avoid any animals
0:39:33 > 0:39:37and after battling through the heat, eventually reached the finish line.
0:39:40 > 0:39:42Really proud of myself, really.
0:39:42 > 0:39:46Yeah. Yeah. Running up the stairs was an issue for me a year ago so
0:39:46 > 0:39:48to be here stood here now, really...
0:39:48 > 0:39:51- yeah, elated.- You've done very well, matey.- Cheers, Ben.
0:39:51 > 0:39:54- Well done. - Well done.- You really have.
0:39:55 > 0:39:58I can't explain how beautiful it was out there.
0:39:58 > 0:40:00It really is one of the most beautiful places
0:40:00 > 0:40:02and what a way to go on safari!
0:40:02 > 0:40:06We took part in the race to raise money for the Tusk Trust,
0:40:06 > 0:40:10a charity that's dedicated to saving endangered species
0:40:10 > 0:40:13and helping local communities.
0:40:13 > 0:40:17So now, Ryan's taken it one step further... to a full marathon.
0:40:17 > 0:40:20And with running partner Mark, he'ss hoping to raise money
0:40:20 > 0:40:22for the animals they care for.
0:40:22 > 0:40:24But with just a couple of weeks to go,
0:40:24 > 0:40:27how are they shaping up for the big day?
0:40:27 > 0:40:31Well, the training was going OK really, until relatively recently.
0:40:31 > 0:40:35Mark and I have had a series of hiccups.
0:40:35 > 0:40:38I've had a bit of a groin tear, which was quite unpleasant.
0:40:38 > 0:40:41I developed a bit of a knee problem on some of the longest runs.
0:40:41 > 0:40:43I've had a viral infection.
0:40:43 > 0:40:45Went for physio treatment today.
0:40:45 > 0:40:50I'm certainly not making excuses, but it seems like all the odds
0:40:50 > 0:40:53have started stacking up against us.
0:40:53 > 0:40:56We're just hoping to make it round, really, so literally anything -
0:40:56 > 0:40:59five hours or just crawling round. We'll be happy with that.
0:40:59 > 0:41:02As race day approaches, how will Mark and Ryan
0:41:02 > 0:41:04cope with their injuries?
0:41:04 > 0:41:06Find out later.
0:41:10 > 0:41:12Longleat estate is vast.
0:41:12 > 0:41:18Nearly 10,000 acres in total and decorating the stunning landscapes
0:41:18 > 0:41:23are millions of trees. Young ones, old ones, fat ones and thin ones.
0:41:23 > 0:41:26And there's one man who knows more about these trees
0:41:26 > 0:41:29and their vital statistics than anyone else.
0:41:29 > 0:41:34And that's Bob Savage. He has the job of surveying thousands
0:41:34 > 0:41:38of trees around the estate and he still has a few hundred to do.
0:41:38 > 0:41:42When you say you're surveying them, what does that actually involve?
0:41:42 > 0:41:47I've got bits of kit that I'm carrying here, like a devoted puppy.
0:41:47 > 0:41:50What does surveying a tree involve?
0:41:50 > 0:41:52I have this little GPS mapper, here.
0:41:52 > 0:41:54- Yeah.- First thing I have to get is location.- Right.
0:41:54 > 0:41:57- As you can see, there's a little star there...- Yeah.
0:41:57 > 0:42:00- ..which will be exactly where this tree is.- OK.
0:42:00 > 0:42:03You're building up a map of every single tree on the estate.
0:42:03 > 0:42:06- That's right.- OK. - Then I've got to age it now.- Right.
0:42:06 > 0:42:10I thought the only way that you could age a tree was cut it down
0:42:10 > 0:42:13and count the rings which would take a very long time, indeed.
0:42:13 > 0:42:16That's basically what we're going to do, Kate.
0:42:16 > 0:42:17What? No, we can't.
0:42:17 > 0:42:19No! There is another way.
0:42:19 > 0:42:22I was thinking it's going to be very hard work
0:42:22 > 0:42:25- but you can't cut that tree down! - With oaks, there's been quite a lot
0:42:25 > 0:42:29of work done, that you measure their girth and it will give you a...
0:42:29 > 0:42:32not to the year accurate, but a rough ballpark of how old the tree is.
0:42:32 > 0:42:37So do you want to hold that end and shall I run round the tree?
0:42:37 > 0:42:39Is that the way to do it?
0:42:39 > 0:42:41- OK.- What do you think it'll be?
0:42:41 > 0:42:45I don't know. I'm going to make a wild guess of four metres.
0:42:47 > 0:42:50- So four metres, you think.- Yeah.
0:42:50 > 0:42:53Here, you've got eight metres...
0:42:53 > 0:42:5620 cm, see.
0:42:56 > 0:42:58That's extraordinary!
0:42:58 > 0:43:01- Eight metres 20.- About 27 feet.
0:43:01 > 0:43:03About 27 feet wide.
0:43:03 > 0:43:07So this is the age here between 704 and 810 years old.
0:43:07 > 0:43:11Yep. So maybe 750 years old.
0:43:11 > 0:43:13That's extraordinary, Bob.
0:43:13 > 0:43:16Which is well before Longleat House was there...
0:43:16 > 0:43:18even.
0:43:18 > 0:43:20That's absolutely amazing.
0:43:20 > 0:43:22Actually, before the Abbey was there, as well.
0:43:22 > 0:43:24Before that, I'd imagine.
0:43:24 > 0:43:28So what we're looking at here is a piece of living history.
0:43:28 > 0:43:31This tree would have seen remarkable things.
0:43:31 > 0:43:34Everything's that happened round here for the past 750 years.
0:43:34 > 0:43:37So this would have been just a sapling when William Wallace
0:43:37 > 0:43:43was battling the English as depicted in the movie, Braveheart.
0:43:43 > 0:43:45We've got to measure the height of it now, as well.
0:43:45 > 0:43:47Is this the kit that you do that?
0:43:47 > 0:43:50- You need to be 30 metres away from the tree.- Right.
0:43:50 > 0:43:52- And be quite accurate.- OK.
0:43:52 > 0:43:54My tape measure is exactly 30 metres.
0:43:54 > 0:43:57OK. How incredible.
0:43:57 > 0:44:00You must feel every day, that you're working in
0:44:00 > 0:44:03- one of the most beautiful places in the country?- Completely.- Yeah.
0:44:03 > 0:44:07- It's just idyllic, really.- Yeah. - Right, then. That's our 30 metres.
0:44:07 > 0:44:09I'll just set this up cos it's a little bit...
0:44:09 > 0:44:10- Fiddly.- ..fiddly.
0:44:10 > 0:44:14Doesn't make any sense if you've never used it before.
0:44:15 > 0:44:19- It's about 19 and a half metres. - 19 and a half metres.
0:44:19 > 0:44:23I heard that trees, like people, shrink as they get older.
0:44:23 > 0:44:27- Is that true?- Yeah. Completely. Especially oak trees.
0:44:27 > 0:44:33An oak tree will really start dying at about 250 years old.
0:44:33 > 0:44:37But after that, it can still live for another 500, 600.
0:44:37 > 0:44:41- Some of them are over 1,100 years old, easily.- How amazing.
0:44:41 > 0:44:46Well, Bob, this has just been the loveliest way to spend the morning.
0:44:46 > 0:44:49Thank you very much indeed and if you ever need an assistant,
0:44:49 > 0:44:51just give me a shout and I'll be out with you
0:44:51 > 0:44:55- looking at these fantastic trees. What a treat. Thank you.- Thank you.
0:44:55 > 0:44:59With 50,000 new trees sprouting up every year,
0:44:59 > 0:45:02who knows what they'll see in their lifetime.
0:45:12 > 0:45:17Today, we're looking back at the dramatic story of Ozzie the sealion,
0:45:17 > 0:45:19who gave birth on one of Longleat's tour boats.
0:45:19 > 0:45:24Down by Half Mile Lake, a plan was being put into action
0:45:24 > 0:45:27that hoped to keep Ozzie and her young pup Peewee off the boats.
0:45:27 > 0:45:29And this time, for good.
0:45:29 > 0:45:33There's always some junk lying round here we can use.
0:45:35 > 0:45:37The plan was simple.
0:45:37 > 0:45:41Get Peewee in a cage so she can suckle from Ozzie,
0:45:41 > 0:45:44safely out of the way of her dad, Sam.
0:45:49 > 0:45:52We're going to have to lock the cub into the pen during the day
0:45:52 > 0:45:55and let her into it, so at least none of the others can
0:45:55 > 0:45:59get to it and then, hopefully, she'll get calmer about the whole idea.
0:45:59 > 0:46:04It's just a case of trying that plan now and seeing how that works.
0:46:05 > 0:46:09Step one was to get Peewee off the boat and into the pen.
0:46:09 > 0:46:14Then step two was to lure Ozzie into the pen, as well.
0:46:21 > 0:46:23But as Sam came over,
0:46:23 > 0:46:27all hell broke loose and Ozzie began to panic.
0:46:30 > 0:46:36But after the initial tension, Sam finally backed off.
0:46:41 > 0:46:44Hopefully now, she'll calm down a bit and once everybody's left
0:46:44 > 0:46:48and perhaps had a suckle and hopefully she'll relax a bit more.
0:46:48 > 0:46:51So at least then, the others can come round that and have a look.
0:46:51 > 0:46:53It will just be a case of letting her in and out,
0:46:53 > 0:46:56as she wants to, so the pup can suckle
0:46:56 > 0:46:58and what have you, but I think once
0:46:58 > 0:47:03she's calmed down later on, we shouldn't have too many problems.
0:47:03 > 0:47:04Touch wood.
0:47:07 > 0:47:10Ten years on and Ozzie's still enjoying life
0:47:10 > 0:47:12in the lake at Longleat.
0:47:14 > 0:47:19Now a ripe old 29 years old, Ozzie's still here in the park
0:47:19 > 0:47:23and Mark and I are helping feed Ozzie and who's this over there?
0:47:23 > 0:47:26- This is Zuke.- Zuke. Now, is she still breeding?
0:47:26 > 0:47:29- Is she still producing?- No. No.
0:47:29 > 0:47:32She gave up producing ten years ago.
0:47:32 > 0:47:35JoJo was her last baby in '98.
0:47:35 > 0:47:39- And have they given up completely, giving birth on the boats?- Yes.
0:47:39 > 0:47:43It was always just Ozzie who was the one that fancied the boat idea
0:47:43 > 0:47:47and luckily, these new boats are too high for them to jump up onto.
0:47:47 > 0:47:51And obviously since then, we've had the beach built and they seem
0:47:51 > 0:47:54quite happy to be down here, but Ozzie just could not deviate
0:47:54 > 0:47:58from the boat plan, at all. Her parents were
0:47:58 > 0:48:03original Californian sealions, so she's done really, really well.
0:48:03 > 0:48:06She's seen it all, got the T-shirt.
0:48:06 > 0:48:10She really has. She's really been a great sealion for us.
0:48:10 > 0:48:15She's really been a great example for living in this environment.
0:48:15 > 0:48:18You know, we sometimes get a little bit of stick
0:48:18 > 0:48:22for keeping them in a big lake, but I think it's brilliant and the fact
0:48:22 > 0:48:25that her and her mother lived so long
0:48:25 > 0:48:29and she's still going strong and showing no signs of quitting yet.
0:48:29 > 0:48:33And there's a whole new generation of breeding sealions here, like Zuke.
0:48:33 > 0:48:35Yeah. Zuke's our youngster.
0:48:35 > 0:48:41She came from Dublin at the beginning of last year and she's now pregnant.
0:48:41 > 0:48:43- And is this the first time for her? - Yes, it is.
0:48:43 > 0:48:46It will be her first baby,
0:48:46 > 0:48:50which is a little worry because you're never quite sure
0:48:50 > 0:48:53how they'll take to a newborn, especially when they're quite young.
0:48:53 > 0:48:57They tend to be a little bit freaked out by it, but you know, we've got
0:48:57 > 0:49:00a lot of others that have good experience and hopefully,
0:49:00 > 0:49:04Celia will give birth around the same time, so she'll get the gist
0:49:04 > 0:49:07of what she's meant to do, hopefully, by watching the others.
0:49:07 > 0:49:09The generations go on and on and on.
0:49:09 > 0:49:11- Absolutely. Yes.- Fantastic.
0:49:11 > 0:49:14- Well, Mark, best of luck with that. - Thank you.
0:49:19 > 0:49:22Mark and Ryan, the keepers in the East Africa reserve,
0:49:22 > 0:49:26have temporarily downed tools in order to train for the London Marathon.
0:49:26 > 0:49:30They're doing it to raise money for the Tusk Trust
0:49:30 > 0:49:34and the animals that hold a special place in their hearts.
0:49:34 > 0:49:37It's just three days before the big race,
0:49:37 > 0:49:42but the injury Mark sustained to his knee is still giving him problems.
0:49:42 > 0:49:46We went out for a run one morning and two miles and the knee had gone.
0:49:46 > 0:49:50So if it's your last two miles, you would do it maybe,
0:49:50 > 0:49:51you'd push it, but to have an injury
0:49:51 > 0:49:55like that go in the first two when you've got 26 to look forward to...
0:49:55 > 0:49:57Slightly worrying.
0:49:57 > 0:50:01But it's not too painful at the moment. I can run through it.
0:50:01 > 0:50:03I'll run through the pain.
0:50:03 > 0:50:07We're just going to try and finish inside of five hours.
0:50:07 > 0:50:10More or less a brisk walking pace, I think.
0:50:10 > 0:50:14Trying to finish on two legs under five hours, I think's our goal.
0:50:14 > 0:50:15We'll be happy with that.
0:50:15 > 0:50:18- Yeah.- No quitting.
0:50:18 > 0:50:20Mark may be battling with injury,
0:50:20 > 0:50:25but to help get round the 26 miles, he's come up with a secret weapon.
0:50:25 > 0:50:28We're going to have a Jelly Baby for every mile,
0:50:28 > 0:50:30so each mile that we tick off along the way,
0:50:30 > 0:50:33we'll eat a Jelly Baby, just to give us a little sugar boost.
0:50:33 > 0:50:37You know, you see those Jelly Babies going down... it's a visual aid...
0:50:37 > 0:50:39Break it down into 26 blocks.
0:50:39 > 0:50:42- Yeah. Yeah.- We'll make it round.
0:50:46 > 0:50:48It's the morning of the marathon
0:50:48 > 0:50:52and Mark and Ryan arrive at the start in Greenwich Park.
0:50:52 > 0:50:54THEY CHEER
0:50:58 > 0:51:03Mark has had his leg heavily bandaged, but how's he feeling?
0:51:03 > 0:51:06It's not too bad. I have it strapped up now,
0:51:06 > 0:51:09so hopefully it won't give me too much jip.
0:51:09 > 0:51:14Going to give it my all with a smile on my face, probably... hopefully!
0:51:14 > 0:51:16Mark is putting a brave face on it,
0:51:16 > 0:51:19but Ryan is taking a more cautious approach.
0:51:19 > 0:51:22We're not 100% sure that we can do this,
0:51:22 > 0:51:24that we can pull this off, today.
0:51:24 > 0:51:27We're actually at the back and we're like block nine.
0:51:27 > 0:51:29Block one is the front and we're in the final block,
0:51:29 > 0:51:32which is the slow people.
0:51:32 > 0:51:35So we basically in with the fancy dress guys.
0:51:35 > 0:51:38So I think that sort of gives an indication
0:51:38 > 0:51:40of the pace we're looking at.
0:51:40 > 0:51:42They may be starting at the back,
0:51:42 > 0:51:45but they do have their secret sugar supply.
0:51:45 > 0:51:48It's the Jelly Babies. These are going to count down the miles
0:51:48 > 0:51:50as we go along, so one per mile.
0:51:50 > 0:51:53Boost the sugars. Hopefully give us a boost along the way.
0:51:53 > 0:51:56But it's not just a bag of sweets
0:51:56 > 0:51:59that they're carrying round the 26-mile course.
0:51:59 > 0:52:02They're also taking a video camera to record their journey.
0:52:02 > 0:52:04Let the pain begin.
0:52:10 > 0:52:12Well, we've just started running.
0:52:12 > 0:52:17Really good atmosphere. Game on.
0:52:21 > 0:52:24TRUMPET PLAYS ROCKY THEME TUNE
0:52:24 > 0:52:26THEY LAUGH
0:52:26 > 0:52:29We're at the magic mile mark.
0:52:29 > 0:52:32One Jelly Baby down.
0:52:32 > 0:52:3325 to go.
0:52:34 > 0:52:36Well done, Bono!
0:52:37 > 0:52:40Go on, Ryan. Go on, Ryan!
0:52:45 > 0:52:47Er...right, we're, er...
0:52:47 > 0:52:48we've just gone past seven miles.
0:52:48 > 0:52:53Start to get the feeling this is where it starts to get a bit serious.
0:53:07 > 0:53:10So, just coming up to Tower Bridge.
0:53:10 > 0:53:13Just past the 12-mile mark.
0:53:15 > 0:53:16Quite a bit of pain,
0:53:16 > 0:53:18but I'm going to carry on.
0:53:20 > 0:53:22Mark's really starting to feel his leg,
0:53:22 > 0:53:26so that's why he said, "I can't even stop to walk",
0:53:26 > 0:53:29cos if he stops to walk, he feels like he won't get going again.
0:53:47 > 0:53:50The last six miles, this is, for Mark and I, like a little training run.
0:53:50 > 0:53:52That's what we keep telling ourselves.
0:53:52 > 0:53:57Bit of pain but yeah, we're going to make it to the end.
0:53:57 > 0:53:58See you there.
0:54:09 > 0:54:14And after a gruelling four hours and 52 minutes,
0:54:14 > 0:54:16eight minutes ahead of schedule,
0:54:16 > 0:54:19a jubilant Mark and Ryan cross the finishing line.
0:54:21 > 0:54:25Managed to get round in pretty much one piece... I reckon.
0:54:25 > 0:54:30- The knee finally held up, just about, for Mark.- No walking.
0:54:30 > 0:54:32Just had to keep going.
0:54:32 > 0:54:34Just had to keep plugging away.
0:54:34 > 0:54:38Can't believe it. All that training and it's done.
0:54:38 > 0:54:42- Unbelievable.- Yeah. - Thank heavens it's all over.
0:54:43 > 0:54:46I have a box of special things and this is probably going to go
0:54:46 > 0:54:49right to the top of my box of special things.
0:54:49 > 0:54:51And I'm proud of that.
0:54:57 > 0:55:02Earlier in the show, we saw head of the East Africa section,
0:55:02 > 0:55:05Andy Heyton, learn how to use a blowpipe - an essential skill
0:55:05 > 0:55:08for medicating many of the less approachable animals in the park.
0:55:08 > 0:55:12And how hard can it be? So WE'RE going to give it a go.
0:55:14 > 0:55:17We're going to join some of the heads of section from the park
0:55:17 > 0:55:20to find out who's the most accurate with the blowpipe.
0:55:20 > 0:55:24Two teams with one aim. To get the most darts on target.
0:55:24 > 0:55:25And our target...
0:55:25 > 0:55:30the hugely ferocious polystyrene lion.
0:55:30 > 0:55:31So the teams.
0:55:31 > 0:55:35With me from the lion section, king of the bullseyes, Brian.
0:55:35 > 0:55:39And new kid on the blowdart block, Andy.
0:55:39 > 0:55:43And on the losers side - oops, did I really say that? - Ben,
0:55:43 > 0:55:49crack shot head warden Keith and the sharpest aim in the park, Tim Yo.
0:55:49 > 0:55:53To make sure there's no cheating, deputy head warden Ian Turner
0:55:53 > 0:55:57is keeping a watchful eye over proceedings.
0:55:57 > 0:55:59- Who's going to go first? - Who's going to go first?
0:55:59 > 0:56:01Well, I would say ladies first.
0:56:01 > 0:56:05If it's Kate going, maybe we should move that forward a bit.
0:56:05 > 0:56:07Do we need to do that?
0:56:07 > 0:56:09Hang on, Fogle, before you get all cocky...
0:56:09 > 0:56:12maybe you should go first. No. All right. So I need to go...
0:56:12 > 0:56:18So...stand behind the line. Gosh, it is suddenly very windy.
0:56:18 > 0:56:21Excuses, excuses!
0:56:21 > 0:56:24That's just an excuse, Kate.
0:56:24 > 0:56:27It got the target. What do you think?
0:56:27 > 0:56:28'Not bad for a first go.
0:56:28 > 0:56:32'Maybe you should be known as Queen of Darts from now on.
0:56:32 > 0:56:34'Tim shows us how it should be done.'
0:56:34 > 0:56:36I think Tim's going to be rather good at this.
0:56:36 > 0:56:38Oh! Look at that.
0:56:38 > 0:56:40Andy, we're counting on you.
0:56:40 > 0:56:42- ALL: O-o-o-oh!- Andy!
0:56:42 > 0:56:46'Beginner's luck has obviously run out.
0:56:46 > 0:56:48'And is Ben showing signs of nerves?'
0:56:48 > 0:56:51- Are you waiting till last? - No, no, no, no, no.
0:56:51 > 0:56:53Tactics, Kate. Tactics, Kate.
0:56:53 > 0:56:56I think you're just being a bit of a wimp, to be honest.
0:56:56 > 0:56:58Right then.
0:57:00 > 0:57:01ALL: Woah!
0:57:01 > 0:57:04"Crack shot" Keith lives up to his name.
0:57:04 > 0:57:06Rather unsurprisingly,
0:57:06 > 0:57:11my team is in the lead, but all could change as Brian's up next.
0:57:11 > 0:57:13And then... me.
0:57:13 > 0:57:14Has everyone hit the target?
0:57:14 > 0:57:17Everyone's hit the target, including you? Are you sure?
0:57:17 > 0:57:22Yes. I hit it as closely as my other team members, I have to tell you.
0:57:22 > 0:57:27- So you, arrow and aim for a bit higher.- Yeah.
0:57:27 > 0:57:29- Good shot.- Oh, not bad.
0:57:29 > 0:57:31I think that puts us as the winners.
0:57:31 > 0:57:34So, Ian the judge is coming back.
0:57:34 > 0:57:40Ben, Keith, Tim, all on the same team, all the three nearest.
0:57:40 > 0:57:43- So that means my team won. - It does, rather.
0:57:43 > 0:57:45Sorry I won again, Kate.
0:57:45 > 0:57:47Well, you know, all I can say
0:57:47 > 0:57:51is that perhaps you're more often surrounded by sick animals than me.
0:57:51 > 0:57:55They've got to stay healthy when I'm nearby. So that's fine.
0:57:55 > 0:57:59- Kate, maybe a lot of wind as well. - Do you think that's...? Yeah, yeah.
0:57:59 > 0:58:03Well, thank you all for showing us. It was fascinating.
0:58:03 > 0:58:05- Really was.- We've got a lot to learn, though.- Yeah.
0:58:05 > 0:58:09But sadly, we've run out of time, but there's lots more coming up
0:58:09 > 0:58:11on the next Animal Park.
0:58:13 > 0:58:17The lions pounce and we get the best seat in the house.
0:58:18 > 0:58:21We get caught up in a tangled web of love in this spider house,
0:58:21 > 0:58:24as keeper Kim Tucker plays matchmaker.
0:58:24 > 0:58:26Oh, he's doing it, he's doing it!
0:58:26 > 0:58:30And the otters have to brush up on their feeding skills.
0:58:43 > 0:58:46Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:58:46 > 0:58:49E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk