Episode 5

Download Subtitles

Transcript

0:00:06 > 0:00:08When you have animals to feed every day

0:00:08 > 0:00:10it's important you mix it up a little bit.

0:00:10 > 0:00:14This truck is part of a new plan to encourage the giraffes

0:00:14 > 0:00:15to feed in a different way.

0:00:15 > 0:00:19Now, giraffes are extremely nervous creatures,

0:00:19 > 0:00:22so the keepers are hoping that this truck will give them a way

0:00:22 > 0:00:25of moving where they feed them - and what they feed them -

0:00:25 > 0:00:27without scaring them.

0:00:27 > 0:00:30- And it might be working.- Hopefully.

0:00:30 > 0:00:33Also on today's show, we'll find out if a plan to encourage

0:00:33 > 0:00:3720 cheeky characters to feed underwater goes to plan.

0:00:37 > 0:00:39What could possibly go wrong?

0:00:39 > 0:00:42- I won't be holding my breath.- No. - See what I did there?

0:00:46 > 0:00:47Also on today's show...

0:00:47 > 0:00:50There's a feast laid on for the wolves...

0:00:50 > 0:00:53Alf's having a really good go at it now so that's really exciting.

0:00:53 > 0:00:56..but not everyone's on the guest list.

0:00:56 > 0:00:58There seems to be a bit of a fight going on there.

0:01:00 > 0:01:03The park has its very first male birth.

0:01:03 > 0:01:06He looks like he's going through contractions,

0:01:06 > 0:01:08so they can actually be in labour for around 12 hours.

0:01:08 > 0:01:11Unfortunately for him, he's going to be in a bit of pain.

0:01:11 > 0:01:16And it's high jinks as keepers try and round up the hyrax.

0:01:28 > 0:01:31With more than 1,000 animals at the park,

0:01:31 > 0:01:34lunchtime is often a feeding frenzy.

0:01:34 > 0:01:38But some diners do form an orderly queue.

0:01:39 > 0:01:42Feeding time for the penguins runs like clockwork.

0:01:43 > 0:01:46The keepers appear with a bucket of fish...

0:01:46 > 0:01:48- Come on, guys!- Come on, penguins.

0:01:48 > 0:01:51..and the penguins waste no time diving in

0:01:51 > 0:01:53and helping themselves to the spoils.

0:01:53 > 0:01:56- Come on, then. - Oh, big splash.

0:01:56 > 0:02:00But keepers Georgia and Lucy are worried that by being waited on

0:02:00 > 0:02:03hand and foot, the penguins are getting lazy.

0:02:03 > 0:02:06They feed, which is great and they got all excited but you can see

0:02:06 > 0:02:09there's already some up on the rock, they're not hungry any more,

0:02:09 > 0:02:12they're just going to go up there and sit and wait,

0:02:12 > 0:02:13and not be very active.

0:02:13 > 0:02:16They don't have much mental stimulation after the feed.

0:02:16 > 0:02:19In the wild, these Humboldt penguins would feed by chasing

0:02:19 > 0:02:22and catching fish underwater.

0:02:23 > 0:02:27The keepers believe the colony here would benefit from

0:02:27 > 0:02:29some sort of underwater feeding device

0:02:29 > 0:02:32to replicate their natural feeding habits.

0:02:32 > 0:02:34We have to come up with something,

0:02:34 > 0:02:37especially if it gets them actually chasing fish.

0:02:37 > 0:02:41- Yeah.- So ideally what we need is some sort of feeding device,

0:02:41 > 0:02:45some sort of box with a tube on that will shoot fish out intermittently.

0:02:45 > 0:02:48On land, off land, inside, outside.

0:02:48 > 0:02:50- So not asking for much, then?- No.

0:02:51 > 0:02:55The girls are determined to make this idea a reality

0:02:55 > 0:02:57and not rely entirely on bucket feeding.

0:02:57 > 0:02:59Sounds like a plan.

0:02:59 > 0:03:02- But let's make it more official, let's draw up some ideas.- Yep.

0:03:02 > 0:03:04The next step is to hit the drawing board.

0:03:06 > 0:03:10Georgia's joined forces with Longleat's tech wizard, Mark Powell.

0:03:10 > 0:03:12What are your ideas? What is it you need?

0:03:12 > 0:03:16They always associate us walking in there with feeding them,

0:03:16 > 0:03:19so we want to be able to feed them when they least expect it.

0:03:19 > 0:03:22Once I'd heard from the penguin keepers what was happening,

0:03:22 > 0:03:26I was very excited. It's a unique challenge.

0:03:26 > 0:03:29This isn't an off-the-shelf item

0:03:29 > 0:03:31that you can just go to the shops and buy.

0:03:31 > 0:03:34Mark's invention is a pump action feeder.

0:03:34 > 0:03:37He'll attach pipes to a standard pond pump.

0:03:38 > 0:03:40The keepers will drop fish in one end

0:03:40 > 0:03:42and they get fired out the other.

0:03:44 > 0:03:48The hope is that the penguins will spend more time swimming.

0:03:48 > 0:03:51One thing we really want the visitors to see is how fast they can

0:03:51 > 0:03:53actually swim because it is really, really impressive.

0:03:53 > 0:03:56They can turn 25mph,

0:03:56 > 0:03:59be able to chase fish up to that speed as well.

0:03:59 > 0:04:02Naturally in the wild they'll only come onto land for breeding

0:04:02 > 0:04:06and for moulting so it'll be awesome to just feed them naturally

0:04:06 > 0:04:09in the water, rather than trying to waddle their way onto land

0:04:09 > 0:04:11over to us to get some fish.

0:04:11 > 0:04:17We'll find out later if this fast food delivery idea sinks or swims.

0:04:23 > 0:04:27Meeting an elephant is an unforgettable experience,

0:04:27 > 0:04:31and feeding one is magical, especially when it's Ann.

0:04:31 > 0:04:33Now in her 60s,

0:04:33 > 0:04:36she lives here in retirement in this enormous enclosure

0:04:36 > 0:04:39with a grass paddock and even a swimming pool.

0:04:39 > 0:04:41You may be surprised to hear, though,

0:04:41 > 0:04:44that she does have some relatives here in the park,

0:04:44 > 0:04:47albeit on a very different scale.

0:04:49 > 0:04:52Animal Adventure is home to a family of rock hyrax.

0:04:53 > 0:04:56They're found throughout sub-Saharan Africa

0:04:56 > 0:04:59and are often known as rock rabbits.

0:04:59 > 0:05:02In fact, these creatures have nothing to do with rabbits.

0:05:02 > 0:05:06Incredibly, they're from the same family tree as the elephant.

0:05:07 > 0:05:10But the only really obvious characteristic that hyrax share

0:05:10 > 0:05:13with elephants are their tusks.

0:05:14 > 0:05:17The original breeding pair here are Mutley and Myrtle.

0:05:18 > 0:05:21A few months ago, they became proud parents.

0:05:23 > 0:05:26Our hyrax have actually just recently had three babies

0:05:26 > 0:05:29successfully, which is really nice.

0:05:29 > 0:05:32So we need to go in and take a look at them

0:05:32 > 0:05:35and just see if everyone's happy and healthy.

0:05:36 > 0:05:39So we've got dad just at the top there on the log,

0:05:39 > 0:05:41who's keeping an eye on us,

0:05:41 > 0:05:44and mum's just sat underneath him.

0:05:44 > 0:05:46There's no sign of the babies at the minute,

0:05:46 > 0:05:49and that's because they are very, very shy.

0:05:49 > 0:05:52So what I'm going to do is I'm going to use my camera

0:05:52 > 0:05:54and see if we can catch a glimpse of the babies.

0:05:55 > 0:05:58But even with the help of a camera on a stick,

0:05:58 > 0:06:01keepers still aren't able to get a proper look at them.

0:06:01 > 0:06:04They're very good at hiding, they're very elusive.

0:06:04 > 0:06:08But all that's about to change as the team need to carry out

0:06:08 > 0:06:10proper health checks on the whole family,

0:06:10 > 0:06:14as well as finding out whether the babies are boys or girls.

0:06:14 > 0:06:18The team are going to go in, and we are going to microchip,

0:06:18 > 0:06:20and we're going to sex them,

0:06:20 > 0:06:22so really, really exciting.

0:06:22 > 0:06:25You got your gauntlets, make sure your sleeves are down,

0:06:25 > 0:06:27even though they're small I bet you they've got a really cracking

0:06:27 > 0:06:29set of teeth on them. Are we ready?

0:06:29 > 0:06:32- Are you ready for this? Let's go.- OK.

0:06:32 > 0:06:35Even though they look very sweet and innocent,

0:06:35 > 0:06:37the keepers will have to be quite quick on their feet

0:06:37 > 0:06:39cos these little things can fly.

0:06:40 > 0:06:43The team decide to capture Dad, Mutley, first

0:06:43 > 0:06:45but he's not making it easy for them.

0:06:46 > 0:06:48He's coming round.

0:06:52 > 0:06:56With Mutley secured, they set their sights on Mum, Myrtle.

0:06:56 > 0:07:00- You try and push her round from the top, OK?- OK.

0:07:00 > 0:07:01Yeah, she's good.

0:07:03 > 0:07:04That's it.

0:07:08 > 0:07:10That's it, twist it.

0:07:10 > 0:07:12That's it.

0:07:12 > 0:07:14OK. Go on, then. That's it.

0:07:15 > 0:07:17Now for the babies,

0:07:17 > 0:07:19and they're just as fast.

0:07:19 > 0:07:20That's it.

0:07:20 > 0:07:22But the team seem to have got the knack.

0:07:23 > 0:07:25THEY LAUGH Sorry.

0:07:28 > 0:07:29Thank you.

0:07:29 > 0:07:32Once they're all caught, the first thing the team want to find out

0:07:32 > 0:07:35is whether the new babies are boys or girls.

0:07:35 > 0:07:37So this sexing of animals,

0:07:37 > 0:07:39you don't always get up close and personal

0:07:39 > 0:07:42with the genitals of many animals.

0:07:42 > 0:07:45I've never seen hyrax genitals before

0:07:45 > 0:07:47so it's actually quite exciting.

0:07:50 > 0:07:55We can safely kind of see that we've got a wee boy on our hands.

0:07:55 > 0:07:57What about baby number two?

0:07:57 > 0:07:58That's a girl.

0:07:58 > 0:08:01OK, fantastic, looking really nice.

0:08:01 > 0:08:02One of each so far.

0:08:04 > 0:08:06I think we've got another boy on our hands.

0:08:06 > 0:08:07So all our babies.

0:08:10 > 0:08:12They each need to be microchipped.

0:08:12 > 0:08:17It's very, very important that we can distinguish between each of them

0:08:17 > 0:08:20cos they very much look the same, so having the microchips means

0:08:20 > 0:08:23that they've got a lovely identifiable number

0:08:23 > 0:08:25that relates to them as an individual.

0:08:27 > 0:08:30Just checking that the microchip is in.

0:08:30 > 0:08:31So that's safely in.

0:08:31 > 0:08:34Then it's time to check on Mum and Dad.

0:08:34 > 0:08:369...2... Yeah. Yeah.

0:08:36 > 0:08:38Mum gets a clean bill of health,

0:08:38 > 0:08:42but the team notice a problem with one of Mutley's tusks.

0:08:42 > 0:08:43It appears to have grown too long.

0:08:45 > 0:08:50So that's his main set of tusks at the front.

0:08:50 > 0:08:52It's just growing a little bit too long

0:08:52 > 0:08:54and it's started touching his face now.

0:08:54 > 0:08:55As with an elephant,

0:08:55 > 0:08:59tusks are in fact just front teeth that grow continuously,

0:08:59 > 0:09:02but sometimes their shape can be a problem.

0:09:03 > 0:09:06So Mutley has left the park to go to the vet's.

0:09:06 > 0:09:09Keeper Becca asks vet Zoe to take a look.

0:09:10 > 0:09:13So I understand he's not very friendly?

0:09:13 > 0:09:15- No.- Hello. - Just very cautious animals.

0:09:15 > 0:09:18- Yeah.- So he gets quite nervous.

0:09:18 > 0:09:22OK. So this is one of his upper tusk teeth that are growing too long?

0:09:22 > 0:09:24- Yeah.- OK.

0:09:25 > 0:09:30Zoe thinks if it's left, the ingrowing tusk could pierce his skin

0:09:30 > 0:09:33which would not only be painful but it would impede his ability to eat.

0:09:35 > 0:09:37We just need to get a weight for him, so we already know

0:09:37 > 0:09:40the weight of the crush cage so we'll just weigh him in that,

0:09:40 > 0:09:42and then we can work out what he weighs.

0:09:43 > 0:09:47The tusk needs to be trimmed down, but in order to treat him,

0:09:47 > 0:09:49he'll need to be sedated.

0:09:49 > 0:09:52This hasn't been done here before, and very little is known about

0:09:52 > 0:09:55how this species reacts to anaesthetic.

0:09:55 > 0:09:58This is the first hyrax that I've treated here.

0:09:59 > 0:10:02It makes life a little bit more difficult.

0:10:02 > 0:10:05With dogs and cats we've got loads of data, we've got licensed drugs,

0:10:05 > 0:10:07we know what doses we should be using.

0:10:07 > 0:10:11We use them all the time so we're used to...

0:10:11 > 0:10:13you know, how those drugs are going to affect the animal.

0:10:13 > 0:10:16With these guys there's very little known about

0:10:16 > 0:10:21how to anaesthetise them, so we have to extrapolate from other species,

0:10:21 > 0:10:24which usually works but occasionally you come across

0:10:24 > 0:10:26problems that you weren't expecting.

0:10:27 > 0:10:30Anaesthesia is a calculated risk,

0:10:30 > 0:10:32but it's one they have to take.

0:10:32 > 0:10:35We'll find out later on how Mutley gets on.

0:10:42 > 0:10:46All this week, Jean has been helping keepers to get closer to the animals

0:10:46 > 0:10:51in their care than ever before, so they can find out more about them.

0:10:52 > 0:10:55Over at Monkey Jungle, part of keeper Jenna's job

0:10:55 > 0:10:58is to come up with inventive ways to feed the macaques.

0:10:58 > 0:11:02Their intelligent minds and nimble fingers need a frequent supply

0:11:02 > 0:11:05of new challenges to keep them entertained.

0:11:07 > 0:11:09Jenna, what have you come up with this time?

0:11:09 > 0:11:11- So we've got a bit of a puzzle for them here.- Good.

0:11:11 > 0:11:14So we've got a bit of plastic tubing. We've just popped some holes

0:11:14 > 0:11:16in it and threaded sticks through.

0:11:16 > 0:11:18So the idea is we'll pop some food in the top,

0:11:18 > 0:11:21and they're going to have to pull the sticks out and work out

0:11:21 > 0:11:24- how to get the food out.- Good. So it should take a little bit longer.

0:11:24 > 0:11:26- Yes.- Cos usually with this troupe they sort of run in, go wild,

0:11:26 > 0:11:29eat everything, and it's over in a couple of seconds.

0:11:29 > 0:11:31For sure. Yeah, they're so clever that trying to think of new ways

0:11:31 > 0:11:33is always a challenge for us as well.

0:11:33 > 0:11:35I think this may actually be a challenge for them, Jenna,

0:11:35 > 0:11:38cos they're going to have to get their little fingers in here,

0:11:38 > 0:11:39pull these branches out,

0:11:39 > 0:11:42and they have to work out that there's a treat in there as well.

0:11:43 > 0:11:46Right, that's a good spot here, isn't it?

0:11:46 > 0:11:48Put this here, and I'll help you get this up.

0:11:48 > 0:11:51- You ready?- Yeah, if you hold the bottom for me.- Yeah.

0:11:52 > 0:11:55Is this the first time you've done this one, Jenna? Yes.

0:11:55 > 0:11:57Yeah, it's the first time we've tried anything like this,

0:11:57 > 0:12:00- so it'll be something new for them. - Right, that's all set up.

0:12:00 > 0:12:04- Let's sit back and watch them go for it.- Yeah, let's go for it.

0:12:04 > 0:12:06Come on, monkey!

0:12:09 > 0:12:12- Aha, look! - You can see them climbing up there.

0:12:12 > 0:12:14They definitely are interested in it, they want to know what it is.

0:12:14 > 0:12:17Yeah, and they're giving it a right good pull there.

0:12:17 > 0:12:19It didn't take them long at all to work that out.

0:12:19 > 0:12:20Yeah, they're so clever. I mean, look,

0:12:20 > 0:12:23they're just pulling the sticks out of the hole straightaway.

0:12:23 > 0:12:26- So yeah...- That's great to see them using their arms and their hands,

0:12:26 > 0:12:28and there seems to be a bit of a system going on here,

0:12:28 > 0:12:31because some of them are doing the hard work pulling out the branches,

0:12:31 > 0:12:33pushing the fruit down, and then others are just quite

0:12:33 > 0:12:36happily sat in the grass, waiting for the food to fall down on...

0:12:36 > 0:12:38- Yeah, definitely. - Picking it up off the ground.

0:12:38 > 0:12:40And they are so dexterous in the wild,

0:12:40 > 0:12:42how do they use those little fingers?

0:12:42 > 0:12:44So, they'd use them all sorts.

0:12:44 > 0:12:48Digging, looking into logs like this, obviously insects and things,

0:12:48 > 0:12:50they can just grab them and then they can eat them straight away.

0:12:50 > 0:12:52So it's something really quick they can get.

0:12:52 > 0:12:55But, yeah, obviously, and trees like this, climbing,

0:12:55 > 0:12:58gives them this real, you know, this really good ability

0:12:58 > 0:13:00to be able to just grab onto the tiniest little branch,

0:13:00 > 0:13:03so we've only put really thin sticks in there,

0:13:03 > 0:13:06but it makes them really quite, you know, adapt to where they would be.

0:13:06 > 0:13:07- So...- Yeah, they're very skilled.

0:13:09 > 0:13:12Well, family squabbles aside, I think this has gone really well.

0:13:12 > 0:13:14For once, the macaques are sitting

0:13:14 > 0:13:18- and taking their time to enjoy their food.- Definitely.

0:13:18 > 0:13:20- It's a success.- We may just have cracked this, Jenna.

0:13:23 > 0:13:26Now that winter is over, birds all over the country

0:13:26 > 0:13:29are establishing territories, finding mates,

0:13:29 > 0:13:32building nests, and laying eggs,

0:13:32 > 0:13:35but it's not just our native birds that have been busy,

0:13:35 > 0:13:38it's some of the exotic birds that are here at Longleat

0:13:38 > 0:13:40that have been equally busy,

0:13:40 > 0:13:45and I am here with George to see two of your favourites, you told me.

0:13:45 > 0:13:48- They are, yep. - Well, I can see why.

0:13:48 > 0:13:50Tell me a little bit about these birds.

0:13:50 > 0:13:53OK, so these are a pair of grey crown cranes.

0:13:53 > 0:13:54- Yeah.- They're a breeding pair.

0:13:54 > 0:13:59We have Derek, who's the male, and Marge is the female.

0:13:59 > 0:14:01They look completely identical.

0:14:01 > 0:14:03Can you tell male and female apart?

0:14:03 > 0:14:07No, not by physical appearance you can't, no. You have to feather test,

0:14:07 > 0:14:11- and then we leg-band them and we can tell them that way.- Right.

0:14:11 > 0:14:15And so, who's just settled onto the nest now? Do you know?

0:14:15 > 0:14:18Yeah. So, Marge at the moment, she's sat, settled down on the nest.

0:14:18 > 0:14:20- She's got the blue leg band. - Right, OK.

0:14:20 > 0:14:24We're very lucky, having sort of filmed here over the years,

0:14:24 > 0:14:27that we're able to get in and get very close to most of the animals.

0:14:27 > 0:14:32- Yeah.- But you have said, categorically, "Kate, you're not going in there." Why?

0:14:32 > 0:14:36OK, so, erm, Derek, the male, he's very protective of his nests.

0:14:36 > 0:14:38- Right.- And he's a very good dad.

0:14:38 > 0:14:40- Oh, is he?- Erm, he will fight for them.- OK.- His chicks.

0:14:40 > 0:14:43- Yeah.- Right, OK. And when you say fight...- Yeah.

0:14:43 > 0:14:45..what does he do?

0:14:45 > 0:14:49- So, he'll kind of, erm, mostly he'll attack from above.- OK.

0:14:49 > 0:14:52And he'll do whatever he can, really, whatever he's got that he can.

0:14:52 > 0:14:55- Yeah.- He'll jump on your back.- I think that's completely fair enough.

0:14:55 > 0:14:58So, from what I can see here, is it three eggs?

0:14:58 > 0:15:00- We've got four.- Four?- We've confirmed four, yeah.

0:15:00 > 0:15:01- Fantastic.- Yeah.

0:15:01 > 0:15:04And how long do they sit on the eggs until they hatch?

0:15:04 > 0:15:07So, their incubation period is 28 days.

0:15:07 > 0:15:09Extraordinary for a big bird. I thought it might be longer.

0:15:09 > 0:15:11Yeah, surprisingly, really.

0:15:11 > 0:15:12It is quite quick.

0:15:12 > 0:15:15Is it both the male and female bird who sit on the eggs

0:15:15 > 0:15:18and then take care of the chicks afterwards?

0:15:18 > 0:15:20Yes. So, they do both incubate, they take their turns.

0:15:20 > 0:15:22And so, once they hatch, I mean...

0:15:22 > 0:15:24How long do you think it is before they'll hatch?

0:15:24 > 0:15:28- Have you got any idea?- Erm, maybe now around two to three weeks.

0:15:28 > 0:15:30- OK.- So, they've only been laid just over a week ago.

0:15:30 > 0:15:33OK. Oh, it's going to be such an exciting time.

0:15:33 > 0:15:36And they are such magnificent-looking birds.

0:15:36 > 0:15:40- They're beautiful.- I can completely see why they are your favourite.

0:15:40 > 0:15:41- Well, George, good luck.- Thank you.

0:15:41 > 0:15:44- I know you're their kind of aunt, aren't you, really?- Yeah!

0:15:46 > 0:15:49So, good luck, and I hope that there's a very successful hatching.

0:15:49 > 0:15:50Thank you very much.

0:15:56 > 0:15:58The park is home to many creatures, great and small.

0:16:01 > 0:16:03And, over at Animal Adventure,

0:16:03 > 0:16:06keeper James has recently welcomed some new arrivals.

0:16:07 > 0:16:10In this box we have some of our chocolate millipedes.

0:16:10 > 0:16:14Called chocolate because of that beautiful chocolaty colour

0:16:14 > 0:16:15that they have on them.

0:16:15 > 0:16:18Feel their little feet moving across their fingers there.

0:16:18 > 0:16:20It's almost like having a brush being pulled across

0:16:20 > 0:16:23- or something like that.- That's exactly what it's like.

0:16:23 > 0:16:26Erm, so, today, I have a few important jobs to do.

0:16:26 > 0:16:28First thing that I need to check is their health,

0:16:28 > 0:16:32and the best way to do that is by checking for mites.

0:16:32 > 0:16:35- Tell me about that.- Yeah, so, in most things,

0:16:35 > 0:16:38- your pet having a mite probably isn't a good...- It's a bad thing.

0:16:38 > 0:16:40- It's a bad thing.- Yeah. - Not the case for these guys.

0:16:40 > 0:16:43The mites that live on these guys are beneficial.

0:16:43 > 0:16:46It keeps all their pores open and also keeps their spiracles open,

0:16:46 > 0:16:50spiracles being very important, because that's how they breathe.

0:16:50 > 0:16:52Can you see them with the naked eye?

0:16:52 > 0:16:55You can, but it's incredibly hard.

0:16:55 > 0:16:57Oh, yeah, I'm not spotting any on here.

0:16:57 > 0:16:59- Usually like to be able to...- I'll tell you what we can do,

0:16:59 > 0:17:02we can get our macro lens and then hopefully we'll be able to get

0:17:02 > 0:17:06a real close-up and see some of the mites at work.

0:17:06 > 0:17:07So, usually they're along the legs,

0:17:07 > 0:17:10but I'm not seeing them myself at all just yet.

0:17:10 > 0:17:12Oh, actually, those little tiny...

0:17:12 > 0:17:14You're looking out for little tiny white specks.

0:17:14 > 0:17:16- Along there, yeah.- And they'll be crawling across its shell.

0:17:16 > 0:17:19Ah, yes. Us finding some mites today is quite important,

0:17:19 > 0:17:21just so you know the health of the millipede.

0:17:21 > 0:17:23Yeah, it's incredibly important.

0:17:23 > 0:17:27So, they play a real vital role.

0:17:27 > 0:17:30The only place in the world that you'll actually find this species of

0:17:30 > 0:17:35- mites.- Amazing.- They live on this millipede for their entire lives.

0:17:35 > 0:17:36They'll be born on it,

0:17:36 > 0:17:38they'll live their lives and then they'll die on it.

0:17:38 > 0:17:40So, it's a really important relationship, isn't it?

0:17:40 > 0:17:43- Yeah, very, very important. - And these guys have just arrived.

0:17:43 > 0:17:45So, have you sexed them yet? And how do you go about that?

0:17:45 > 0:17:47We haven't sexed them just yet.

0:17:47 > 0:17:50- Right, OK.- So, that's another real important thing for us to know.

0:17:50 > 0:17:53We want to know if we have, like, an equal sex ratio in there.

0:17:53 > 0:17:56James, I think we should have a go at trying to sex one of these.

0:17:56 > 0:17:57So, why don't you pick one up?

0:17:57 > 0:18:01- Definitely.- Hold it up to camera. I'll have a look on the monitor.

0:18:01 > 0:18:05- You're looking for a pair of missing legs.- All right.

0:18:05 > 0:18:07I don't think I'm seeing a set of missing legs.

0:18:07 > 0:18:11No, which would mean that this is a lovely little lady.

0:18:11 > 0:18:13- We have a girl.- We have a girl.

0:18:13 > 0:18:15Oh, good. It's just as well I've got my close-up lens.

0:18:15 > 0:18:17It's going to make it a lot easier for you.

0:18:17 > 0:18:18So, should we try another one?

0:18:18 > 0:18:20Right, this one's looking like a small one.

0:18:20 > 0:18:22But let's give it a go.

0:18:22 > 0:18:25Right, seventh segment, and a pair of missing feet.

0:18:25 > 0:18:27And there we go. You can see it quite clearly.

0:18:28 > 0:18:30I can see it very clearly on here.

0:18:30 > 0:18:32What are those two little black things in there?

0:18:32 > 0:18:38So, that is basically what a male would use to hold on to a female.

0:18:38 > 0:18:40- And that's how they breed. - We have a boy.

0:18:40 > 0:18:43- So, a good healthy set of millipedes here.- Yeah.

0:18:43 > 0:18:44We've got some boys and some girls.

0:18:44 > 0:18:46- So, they're nice and healthy. - Yeah.

0:18:52 > 0:18:55Mutley the hyrax has been taken to the vet.

0:18:55 > 0:18:59His tusk is twisting inwards, and, if left, would become increasingly

0:18:59 > 0:19:01painful and affect his ability to eat.

0:19:02 > 0:19:05In order to be treated, he needs to be put under anaesthetic.

0:19:09 > 0:19:13Vet Zoe has never anaesthetised a rock hyrax before,

0:19:13 > 0:19:17and there's very little information out there about how to go about it.

0:19:17 > 0:19:19So, she's devising her own technique.

0:19:19 > 0:19:23We've got a dose that tells us how to sedate a guinea pig.

0:19:23 > 0:19:26Erm, we're going to use half of that dose initially,

0:19:26 > 0:19:27and see how he responds to that.

0:19:27 > 0:19:32If that's enough to get him to the point where we can handle him

0:19:32 > 0:19:36and put a mask on his face with some gas, then we'll do that.

0:19:36 > 0:19:39If it's not, then we'll give him a top-up.

0:19:39 > 0:19:40So, we'll bring the moving side in.

0:19:40 > 0:19:44We'll just hold him against this edge here and then the idea is that

0:19:44 > 0:19:46we give this into his muscle.

0:19:49 > 0:19:51- You poor thing.- Well done.

0:19:53 > 0:19:55Brilliant. So, now we just have to wait.

0:19:57 > 0:19:58Five minutes later,

0:19:58 > 0:20:02and the dose seems to have been sufficient to put him under.

0:20:02 > 0:20:06- Right.- OK, so it's looking like the sedation's had a pretty good effect.

0:20:06 > 0:20:08We just need to get him on some oxygen now.

0:20:10 > 0:20:14And then we'll start with a cautious little poke test,

0:20:14 > 0:20:16which he's not reacting to.

0:20:18 > 0:20:21Zoe's confident the patient is sufficiently sedated.

0:20:23 > 0:20:24OK.

0:20:28 > 0:20:29Right.

0:20:29 > 0:20:32So, we'll give him a little bit of oxygen for a minute.

0:20:32 > 0:20:34It's really important when we anaesthetise any animal,

0:20:34 > 0:20:36but particularly the small ones,

0:20:36 > 0:20:38that we keep them warm while they're asleep.

0:20:38 > 0:20:42They'll lose an awful lot of heat once they're anaesthetised.

0:20:45 > 0:20:49So, we use this space blanket like runners use.

0:20:49 > 0:20:52We'll also cover him up with a heated blanket.

0:20:58 > 0:20:59So, I'm just having a look.

0:20:59 > 0:21:03We can see on this side that this is the tusk that's growing abnormally,

0:21:03 > 0:21:05and it is actually getting in the way for him.

0:21:05 > 0:21:09So, it's starting to press on his lower jaw there.

0:21:10 > 0:21:14If we weren't to get this back to a more normal length,

0:21:14 > 0:21:17it will just carry on growing and it would grow in through his skin and

0:21:17 > 0:21:19cause all sorts of trouble.

0:21:19 > 0:21:22In the wild, he wouldn't be able to survive with this,

0:21:22 > 0:21:24because he wouldn't be able to eat.

0:21:24 > 0:21:28So, I think what we'll do, at the moment, is just remove that

0:21:28 > 0:21:33long portion of the tusk and see how he copes with that

0:21:33 > 0:21:34once he's at home.

0:21:44 > 0:21:45OK. You ready?

0:21:46 > 0:21:47DRILL WHIRS

0:22:10 > 0:22:14OK, so that brings it back to a more normal length and shape for him,

0:22:14 > 0:22:18which hopefully means he'll be able to now eat much more comfortably.

0:22:19 > 0:22:24So, this type of tooth is a constantly erupting tooth.

0:22:24 > 0:22:27Their teeth are designed to erupt for their whole life.

0:22:27 > 0:22:30So, those teeth don't have a pulp cavity like we do.

0:22:30 > 0:22:34So, it means that you can just cut through them if they overgrow and

0:22:34 > 0:22:36there's no sensitive part in the middle there.

0:22:38 > 0:22:40It's now an anxious wait while

0:22:40 > 0:22:43Mutley comes round from the anaesthetic.

0:22:43 > 0:22:45I would say, any anaesthetic,

0:22:45 > 0:22:48the induction and the recovery are the two high-risk times.

0:22:48 > 0:22:51So, what we need to do is be really careful and keep a very close eye on

0:22:51 > 0:22:52him while he's recovering.

0:22:52 > 0:22:56Once he's up - and normally we would look for them to be lifting up their

0:22:56 > 0:22:59heads, you know, ultimately standing and walking around -

0:22:59 > 0:23:02once he's doing that, then he's out of the woods.

0:23:02 > 0:23:04Come on, darling.

0:23:04 > 0:23:06Right. So, we'll pop him back in.

0:23:09 > 0:23:13Thankfully, after a few moments, Mutley regained consciousness.

0:23:15 > 0:23:18But vet Zoe is concerned that he may require further treatment.

0:23:20 > 0:23:23It may have been that he had a short-term discomfort in the mouth

0:23:23 > 0:23:27that he was avoiding that's led to this, but we really need to keep

0:23:27 > 0:23:29a close eye on him, because if that's something that's going to

0:23:29 > 0:23:33recur, then we need to be doing this procedure, you know,

0:23:33 > 0:23:36potentially every six months or so for him.

0:23:36 > 0:23:39So, just like us, regular dental check-ups should keep

0:23:39 > 0:23:40Mutley in good health.

0:23:48 > 0:23:52Back at the penguin enclosure, the park's technical wiz, Mark,

0:23:52 > 0:23:54is ready to unveil his feeding invention.

0:23:55 > 0:23:59OK, so we got all the bits we're going to need for the feeder.

0:24:00 > 0:24:03First off, I've got the bracket,

0:24:03 > 0:24:06which I quickly made to sit the pump on under the water.

0:24:06 > 0:24:10He was asked by penguin-keepers Georgia and Lucy

0:24:10 > 0:24:14to build something to shoot fish out underwater so the penguins could

0:24:14 > 0:24:18catch them, mimicking the way they hunt in the wild.

0:24:18 > 0:24:21So, the idea is that'll be connected to the exit of the pump.

0:24:22 > 0:24:25Our feeding tube will be connected just there,

0:24:25 > 0:24:28and the fish will be dropped in the top and the fish will literally

0:24:28 > 0:24:30disappear along the feeding tube.

0:24:30 > 0:24:33Stage one is to install the shelf for the pump.

0:24:36 > 0:24:37Like a glove.

0:24:37 > 0:24:39It's perfect.

0:24:39 > 0:24:42But, for the rest of the installation, he and keeper Georgia

0:24:42 > 0:24:44need to get suited up.

0:24:44 > 0:24:48Mark's got a drysuit, which keeps him nice and warm and toasty,

0:24:48 > 0:24:53but I don't. To be honest, I get to jump in the shower afterwards.

0:24:53 > 0:24:56Enrichment's always good fun and it's always nice to see if it

0:24:56 > 0:24:57actually works or not.

0:24:57 > 0:25:00We try loads of different stuff up here at penguins.

0:25:00 > 0:25:02Sometimes they're a winner and sometimes not.

0:25:02 > 0:25:05So if it's worth it at the end and the enrichment works,

0:25:05 > 0:25:07then it's definitely worth it.

0:25:07 > 0:25:10If it doesn't, then I just got very wet for no reason.

0:25:10 > 0:25:11Are you going to be good?

0:25:12 > 0:25:14Especially you.

0:25:14 > 0:25:16When we've got in the pool before,

0:25:16 > 0:25:19the penguins have actually run away more than anything else.

0:25:19 > 0:25:22So right now I'm actually surprised they're doing quite well.

0:25:22 > 0:25:25Yeah, they're wary. That's why they're poking their heads up,

0:25:25 > 0:25:27swimming quite upright. But that's normal.

0:25:27 > 0:25:33There's something much bigger than them coming into their space.

0:25:33 > 0:25:36So the penguins will want to keep moving while they're unsure.

0:25:36 > 0:25:38They don't want to basically hold

0:25:38 > 0:25:40still in any one place. It's instinct.

0:25:40 > 0:25:42They don't want to get caught in

0:25:42 > 0:25:44case she is a predator, and they're unsure at the moment.

0:25:44 > 0:25:47They've got really good eyesight, so they'll be able to see her much

0:25:47 > 0:25:49better than she can see them right now.

0:25:49 > 0:25:51But they're doing really well.

0:25:51 > 0:25:54Mark and Georgia secure the pipe in position.

0:25:55 > 0:25:59It's time to put this pump action feeder through its paces.

0:26:00 > 0:26:02- Happy?- Happy.

0:26:02 > 0:26:05So all that's left to do now is to get out,

0:26:05 > 0:26:08plug it in, put it all together, and give it a trial run.

0:26:09 > 0:26:11Hope for the best.

0:26:13 > 0:26:16The penguins are due their first feed of the day.

0:26:16 > 0:26:18Now we just need some fish.

0:26:18 > 0:26:19Hide the fish, hide the fish.

0:26:19 > 0:26:21You get to smell like fish for a change.

0:26:21 > 0:26:23Lovely. Can't wait.

0:26:23 > 0:26:25So, guys, you ready?

0:26:25 > 0:26:29- Loading one in.- All right, come on, penguins.

0:26:29 > 0:26:30It's gone.

0:26:32 > 0:26:35The first fish firing is a success.

0:26:35 > 0:26:37Darwin snaps it up.

0:26:37 > 0:26:39But the keepers want the others to get involved.

0:26:39 > 0:26:41Let's go for it.

0:26:43 > 0:26:45It is working. It's really exciting.

0:26:45 > 0:26:47We're feeding our penguins underwater,

0:26:47 > 0:26:49which we never thought we could be able to do.

0:26:49 > 0:26:51It's really cool.

0:26:51 > 0:26:54I've loaded six in there, so we'll see what happens.

0:26:54 > 0:26:56They're all getting really excited, aren't they?

0:26:56 > 0:26:58They know that there's fish, but it's not all coming at once,

0:26:58 > 0:27:01how they normally get it. It's a little frenzy where the one manages

0:27:01 > 0:27:03to get it and they all chase each other after it.

0:27:03 > 0:27:06So they've never had to fight over the fish before.

0:27:06 > 0:27:08And it makes them swim so much more, doesn't it?

0:27:08 > 0:27:12- It's great.- Humboldt penguins are incredible swimmers.

0:27:12 > 0:27:17They use their wings to fly underwater at speeds of up to 25mph,

0:27:17 > 0:27:20steering with their feet and their wings.

0:27:23 > 0:27:26Mark's pump action feeder is a winner.

0:27:27 > 0:27:31As I'm loading the fish in, it's working really well, so excited.

0:27:31 > 0:27:34They're sort of almost fighting each other for it, they're swimming,

0:27:34 > 0:27:37they're ducking, they're diving, trying to be the first to the fish.

0:27:37 > 0:27:39Well happy. Brilliant, superb.

0:27:41 > 0:27:42This is proper hunting.

0:27:42 > 0:27:45This is exactly what they would do in the wild.

0:27:45 > 0:27:48They'd find a school of fish and they'd all circle around like this,

0:27:48 > 0:27:51competing with each other to get hold of them.

0:27:51 > 0:27:53They've never been all underwater at one go feeding,

0:27:53 > 0:27:55especially from the bottom of the pool.

0:27:58 > 0:28:01You could watch it all day, couldn't you?

0:28:01 > 0:28:03Put another one in for good luck. Why not?

0:28:18 > 0:28:21Encouraging natural behaviour is key to wellbeing at the park.

0:28:23 > 0:28:26In the wild, wolves hunt in packs...

0:28:28 > 0:28:30..but also bury fresh kills and dig

0:28:30 > 0:28:32them up later when they're ready to eat.

0:28:35 > 0:28:38Sam wants to encourage this behaviour today.

0:28:41 > 0:28:44So we know wolves are fantastic runners but, Sam,

0:28:44 > 0:28:46how are we going to get them digging?

0:28:46 > 0:28:49So in the wild, they would normally bury their food and then they would

0:28:49 > 0:28:53come back and dig it up, maybe even a week or so later.

0:28:53 > 0:28:56A bit like a storage container for their food, really.

0:28:56 > 0:29:00So we're going to dig a nice deep hole for them, put their food in it,

0:29:00 > 0:29:02bury it for them, and hopefully we

0:29:02 > 0:29:05should see them come back over and dig that up again.

0:29:05 > 0:29:08- Should we get digging?- Let's get digging.

0:29:12 > 0:29:14Sam, have you done this before?

0:29:14 > 0:29:18No, so it's a really exciting time to see how they'll react to it.

0:29:19 > 0:29:24Wolves' highly developed sense of smell enables them to track prey

0:29:24 > 0:29:26- over great distances.- Down here.

0:29:26 > 0:29:28All right, then.

0:29:28 > 0:29:31I know that wolves have a good sense of smell.

0:29:31 > 0:29:34They are definitely not going to miss this.

0:29:34 > 0:29:37Once they've killed their prey, wolves don't eat in moderation.

0:29:38 > 0:29:42Each can consume 20lbs of meat at a sitting.

0:29:42 > 0:29:44I think that looks good, Sam.

0:29:44 > 0:29:45Excellent.

0:29:47 > 0:29:50Sam, do you reckon this is them sniffing out the food?

0:29:50 > 0:29:54They're doing everything that they should do, they've circled round,

0:29:54 > 0:29:56they're slowly coming closer.

0:29:56 > 0:29:58- They are.- They are picking up the scent,

0:29:58 > 0:30:01because you can see every now and again,

0:30:01 > 0:30:04they'll lift their noses up and they're taking the scent in.

0:30:04 > 0:30:07So hopefully, it won't be long until they actually go in.

0:30:09 > 0:30:10In the wild, these social animals

0:30:10 > 0:30:13work together to take down very large

0:30:13 > 0:30:15prey like deer, elk, and moose.

0:30:15 > 0:30:19But when it comes to eating it, there's a strict hierarchy.

0:30:19 > 0:30:23And Alf, the alpha male, is first to tuck in.

0:30:23 > 0:30:26Alf's having a really good go at it now, so that's really exciting.

0:30:31 > 0:30:35Think he's got the prize there, Sam. He's got a bit of meat.

0:30:35 > 0:30:37He's managed to take a bit.

0:30:37 > 0:30:39I heard that snap so I think he only got a small bit,

0:30:39 > 0:30:42so I think he'll go back and try and get a bigger bit.

0:30:45 > 0:30:47He's pulled out another bit there.

0:30:47 > 0:30:49So that's a much bigger bit.

0:30:49 > 0:30:51Just as in the wild,

0:30:51 > 0:30:55no other wolf get to look in until the alpha wolf has finished eating.

0:30:55 > 0:30:56Poor Dave. Dave's worried about

0:30:56 > 0:31:00going in because he's afraid Alf might tell him off.

0:31:00 > 0:31:04So that's Dave just standing back a bit and watching things happen.

0:31:04 > 0:31:06And while Alf continues feasting,

0:31:06 > 0:31:09Dave and Vick have found his leftovers.

0:31:09 > 0:31:12And a bit of a tussle has broken out over who gets them.

0:31:14 > 0:31:17There seems to be bit of a fight going on there.

0:31:17 > 0:31:21Well, obviously Alf isn't particularly bothered by this

0:31:21 > 0:31:23because Alf is digging up some more treats.

0:31:23 > 0:31:25Alf's doing some more digging there.

0:31:27 > 0:31:30So the hierarchies are playing out perfectly, really, aren't they?

0:31:30 > 0:31:33Absolutely. It appears that Dave won that.

0:31:33 > 0:31:36So he's now got that nice, big, juicy bone.

0:31:37 > 0:31:39It's great to see them digging today,

0:31:39 > 0:31:41so will you do that exercise again?

0:31:41 > 0:31:42Absolutely.

0:31:49 > 0:31:51Let me tell you an extraordinary

0:31:51 > 0:31:53fact about these red necked wallabies.

0:31:53 > 0:31:59The females give birth after just 28 days gestation.

0:31:59 > 0:32:03Now, the little baby that comes out is barely formed.

0:32:03 > 0:32:05It has two arms,

0:32:05 > 0:32:07but the rest of it is totally undeveloped.

0:32:07 > 0:32:13And it will spend 15 minutes on this massive, epic hike,

0:32:13 > 0:32:15climbing up the fur of its mother's stomach

0:32:15 > 0:32:18to get into the pouch and it's

0:32:18 > 0:32:20there that it will finish its development,

0:32:20 > 0:32:22taking about six months.

0:32:22 > 0:32:24Isn't that amazing?

0:32:24 > 0:32:28But there's a new arrival at the park that makes that birthing story

0:32:28 > 0:32:30sound, frankly, run-of-the-mill.

0:32:32 > 0:32:36The park has recently expanded its aquatic exhibit,

0:32:36 > 0:32:40and there are some very exciting new arrivals...

0:32:41 > 0:32:45..including the seahorses.

0:32:45 > 0:32:47Seahorses are one of a tiny number

0:32:47 > 0:32:49of species where the male gives birth.

0:32:51 > 0:32:54Keeper Georgia absolutely adores them.

0:32:54 > 0:32:56Species that I've work with

0:32:56 > 0:32:59that I create this big bond with, I do have tattoos of.

0:33:00 > 0:33:03You may have noticed the seahorse behind my ear.

0:33:03 > 0:33:08In this tank, we have two males and two female short snout seahorses.

0:33:08 > 0:33:13And then our other tank over there is our long snouted seahorses.

0:33:13 > 0:33:16So again, two boys and two girls.

0:33:16 > 0:33:20These two species of seahorse are actually found in British waters.

0:33:22 > 0:33:25They're indicator species, so if they're present within the waters,

0:33:25 > 0:33:27you know that your water is really good quality,

0:33:27 > 0:33:30you know that the ocean that they're residing in is really clean.

0:33:30 > 0:33:32Otherwise they won't reside there,

0:33:32 > 0:33:35so it's really interesting when they find them around our coasts,

0:33:35 > 0:33:38- around Britain.- Despite sharing the same waters,

0:33:38 > 0:33:42these two species have very different characteristics.

0:33:42 > 0:33:44So the short snouts mainly live a

0:33:44 > 0:33:47lot closer to the bottom of the ocean floor.

0:33:47 > 0:33:50So they're really well-camouflaged, being a reddy-brown colour,

0:33:50 > 0:33:52and they also have the ability to change their colour,

0:33:52 > 0:33:55so they can go a lot lighter or a lot darker

0:33:55 > 0:33:58just to blend in with their environment.

0:33:58 > 0:34:00The long snouts have these spines all over them,

0:34:00 > 0:34:03so it's little prongs or little hairs that are all over their body,

0:34:03 > 0:34:06which also gives them the name the spiny seahorse.

0:34:07 > 0:34:11Got to admit, the spinies are pretty impressive.

0:34:11 > 0:34:15They're more active and they will move up and down the tanks.

0:34:15 > 0:34:18Specifically, they'll curl their tail as well,

0:34:18 > 0:34:20so they've got that little element

0:34:20 > 0:34:22that everyone thinks of when they think of seahorses.

0:34:22 > 0:34:25It's the curly tail and the serene face.

0:34:25 > 0:34:28They all have their own colourations as well.

0:34:28 > 0:34:30Native seahorses are notoriously

0:34:30 > 0:34:32difficult to look after in captivity.

0:34:32 > 0:34:35If you can't get the water quality right,

0:34:35 > 0:34:37if you can't give them enough food or give them the right type of food,

0:34:37 > 0:34:39they will die off really quickly.

0:34:39 > 0:34:41And it can be quite stressful

0:34:41 > 0:34:44if you're unsure what is happening with that animal.

0:34:44 > 0:34:48It's not like you can just take it out and wrap it in a towel or hand

0:34:48 > 0:34:50feed it or anything like that.

0:34:50 > 0:34:52Georgia's job's about to get a lot

0:34:52 > 0:34:55more stressful because there are babies on the way.

0:34:56 > 0:34:59This will be a big first for the park,

0:34:59 > 0:35:03because this time it's a father that will be giving birth.

0:35:03 > 0:35:05He looks like he's going into contractions.

0:35:05 > 0:35:08So they can actually be in labour for around 12 hours,

0:35:08 > 0:35:12so unfortunately for him he's going to be in a bit of pain.

0:35:13 > 0:35:15Seahorses are very special

0:35:15 > 0:35:18because it's the male that does the hard labour.

0:35:18 > 0:35:21The female deposits her eggs in his tail.

0:35:21 > 0:35:25He fertilises them and then after 15 days of pregnancy,

0:35:25 > 0:35:28he's the one that gives birth.

0:35:28 > 0:35:32Their breathing gets very erratic, he'll become more agitated.

0:35:32 > 0:35:35He could give birth in the next couple of hours.

0:35:36 > 0:35:38We'll be back as soon as we've got

0:35:38 > 0:35:41news of the park's first seahorse babies.

0:35:49 > 0:35:52On rare hot days like this at Longleat,

0:35:52 > 0:35:55the keepers have a constant battle to keep their animals cool,

0:35:55 > 0:35:59and I've joined Jenna in the tapir enclosure with two of our tapirs.

0:35:59 > 0:36:02- Who have we got here?- Um, we've got Tallulah at the back here and Jessie

0:36:02 > 0:36:04- at the front.- They are so beautiful.

0:36:04 > 0:36:06You know, they are some of my favourite animals, I think.

0:36:06 > 0:36:09- We all have favourites.- They are so comical, aren't they?

0:36:09 > 0:36:11So what's the plan, how are we going to cool them down?

0:36:11 > 0:36:14We're trying a type of thing we've never tried before.

0:36:14 > 0:36:15It's an ice block for them.

0:36:15 > 0:36:17- They're very keen.- A giant vegetable and fruit ice lolly.

0:36:17 > 0:36:20Yes, so we've got some of their favourites in here - apple, carrot.

0:36:20 > 0:36:22And then we're going to hang it up,

0:36:22 > 0:36:25- and then see what they make of it, basically.- Let's get going.

0:36:25 > 0:36:27- Here we go.- There you go.

0:36:27 > 0:36:29And where are we going to just hang this up?

0:36:29 > 0:36:32Yeah, if we just pop it through there.

0:36:32 > 0:36:33Does a tapir use its smell or

0:36:33 > 0:36:35vision to look for something like that?

0:36:35 > 0:36:39Um, a bit of both. Obviously mostly smell because they've got really

0:36:39 > 0:36:40strong senses. Obviously, the fruit

0:36:40 > 0:36:42as well is absolutely their favourite.

0:36:42 > 0:36:44It's really sweet, so they'll smell that.

0:36:44 > 0:36:46- You can see Jessie using her snout. - Oh, look.

0:36:46 > 0:36:49She knows it's up there, but she's not sure about the ice.

0:36:49 > 0:36:52Obviously they come from South America, from the warmer regions.

0:36:52 > 0:36:56Yes. They are used to, obviously, this kind of heat.

0:36:56 > 0:36:59But we still want to give them some things to cool them down.

0:36:59 > 0:37:02They're not exactly leaping at it.

0:37:02 > 0:37:04Will you adapt it, put it on the ground?

0:37:04 > 0:37:06We can change the height, obviously, use a longer bit of chain.

0:37:06 > 0:37:08So there's a lot of different options

0:37:08 > 0:37:11once you try something new, to adapt it for them, basically.

0:37:11 > 0:37:12Should we try putting it on the ground?

0:37:12 > 0:37:15- Yeah, definitely. Give it a go.- OK.

0:37:15 > 0:37:18OK? Get your ice lolly!

0:37:18 > 0:37:19Get your ice lolly!

0:37:19 > 0:37:21Here you go, guys.

0:37:21 > 0:37:23- Jessie, come on.- Come on, tapirs.

0:37:23 > 0:37:24- Here they come.- Good girl.

0:37:24 > 0:37:26What's that?

0:37:26 > 0:37:27Ooh.

0:37:29 > 0:37:31So is she using her snout or is she using her teeth there?

0:37:31 > 0:37:33A mixture of both, really.

0:37:33 > 0:37:36When they eat, they kind of push the food towards their mouths with their

0:37:36 > 0:37:38snout and then they'll use their teeth to crunch it.

0:37:38 > 0:37:40With it being ice like this,

0:37:40 > 0:37:42it's really good for them because it takes a long,

0:37:42 > 0:37:44long time for them to eat it as well,

0:37:44 > 0:37:46so it's not just like scattering fruit on the floor and

0:37:46 > 0:37:47they can eat straightaway.

0:37:47 > 0:37:49She's really got to try and work the fruit out,

0:37:49 > 0:37:51which is really good for them as well.

0:37:51 > 0:37:53- And you've got a big smile on your face.- Yes.

0:37:53 > 0:37:55- I think that's successful, would you say?- Yes, definitely.

0:37:55 > 0:37:58You know what? I really want an ice cream now.

0:37:58 > 0:38:01- Should we go and get one?- Let's go and get one.- Come on.

0:38:04 > 0:38:08We're back at the aquatic arena and there's an exciting update.

0:38:08 > 0:38:10So four days ago,

0:38:10 > 0:38:14our male gave birth to roughly around 100-odd babies,

0:38:14 > 0:38:16so it's really exciting.

0:38:16 > 0:38:20And it's really good - the majority of them have survived.

0:38:20 > 0:38:24We have lost a few over the last four days. That is to be expected.

0:38:25 > 0:38:30In the wild, only 5% of baby seahorses survive the first few weeks.

0:38:33 > 0:38:37Getting conditions perfect in captivity is extremely hard.

0:38:37 > 0:38:40So the first two weeks are really crucial for their survival.

0:38:40 > 0:38:44Our main aim is just to get as many seahorses through as possible.

0:38:44 > 0:38:48The odds are stacked against them in their early development.

0:38:48 > 0:38:53Needs to be not drastic water changes that can shock them,

0:38:53 > 0:38:56there needs to be a good flow on the tank, but not too harsh that they're

0:38:56 > 0:38:59going to be blown around too much.

0:38:59 > 0:39:02And they need to just start eating. It's just vital that they eat food.

0:39:04 > 0:39:09Plus, their father doesn't exactly have the best parenting skills.

0:39:09 > 0:39:11We moved him back in with the adults.

0:39:11 > 0:39:14Otherwise, if you can leave him in there too long,

0:39:14 > 0:39:16they won't associate them as babies any more.

0:39:16 > 0:39:19It may just become pieces of food to the adults.

0:39:19 > 0:39:22It's now two weeks since the seahorses were born.

0:39:22 > 0:39:26They still have a long way to go before their survival is certain.

0:39:26 > 0:39:29It's really crucial that they carry on eating.

0:39:29 > 0:39:32They're 15 days old now, but they're still really, really delicate.

0:39:32 > 0:39:35We need to get them to the six weeks old, a couple of months old,

0:39:35 > 0:39:39before we're happy that they're doing really well.

0:39:39 > 0:39:42You have to have really good eyesight to see if they're feeding.

0:39:42 > 0:39:43So watching their mouths shoot out

0:39:43 > 0:39:48and you can actually see them grasping the food.

0:39:48 > 0:39:49Oh, just ate, that one.

0:39:49 > 0:39:51It's really great.

0:39:51 > 0:39:54So you can see them shooting out their mouths to catch the food.

0:39:54 > 0:39:56Such a massive achievement.

0:39:56 > 0:39:58And it's a challenge in itself,

0:39:58 > 0:40:01one that we didn't think we'd have to do so quickly.

0:40:01 > 0:40:03But it's really exciting to see that

0:40:03 > 0:40:06they're 15 days old. It's incredible.

0:40:06 > 0:40:07And I'm super-excited to see how

0:40:07 > 0:40:09many we can get through to adulthood.

0:40:13 > 0:40:16Seven weeks later, and Georgia has

0:40:16 > 0:40:19managed to keep three of the 100 babies alive.

0:40:19 > 0:40:23That's close to the 5% wild survival rate.

0:40:23 > 0:40:25They're still in the seahorse nursery,

0:40:25 > 0:40:28but Ben and I have come to see the adults.

0:40:30 > 0:40:32It's almost the end of the show,

0:40:32 > 0:40:34but I have just popped down to get a peek

0:40:34 > 0:40:37at one of my favourite British species.

0:40:37 > 0:40:41The seahorse. And, of course, to say a big congratulations to

0:40:41 > 0:40:43Georgia, because what a triumph!

0:40:43 > 0:40:46I know the male seahorse did the kind of pregnancy bit.

0:40:46 > 0:40:48And the giving birth bit.

0:40:48 > 0:40:50But you've definitely been Mum since then.

0:40:50 > 0:40:52- Haven't you?- Yeah, so all he has to do is give birth and now we're just

0:40:52 > 0:40:55looking after the babies and making sure they're doing really well.

0:40:55 > 0:40:58- So we're doing all the hard work. - And how is that going?

0:40:58 > 0:41:00Because it's not straightforward, is it -

0:41:00 > 0:41:01breeding seahorses in captivity?

0:41:01 > 0:41:03No, it is really tough.

0:41:03 > 0:41:07It is difficult and we still have got a few baby seahorses alive and

0:41:07 > 0:41:09they're seven weeks old now, so...

0:41:09 > 0:41:11- Brilliant.- Yep, and they're still growing and still eating,

0:41:11 > 0:41:14still doing what they should do as a seahorse.

0:41:14 > 0:41:16And I suppose we have to bear in mind as well

0:41:16 > 0:41:18that if they were giving birth in the wild,

0:41:18 > 0:41:20not very many of them would survive, either.

0:41:20 > 0:41:23No, they're lucky if 5% survive in the wild,

0:41:23 > 0:41:25so it's very similar for captivity as well.

0:41:25 > 0:41:27- Yeah.- I'm not sure if this male

0:41:27 > 0:41:29pregnancy thing is going to catch on.

0:41:29 > 0:41:30We've got some food, is that right?

0:41:30 > 0:41:32- We have.- So what do seahorses eat?

0:41:32 > 0:41:35They eat a mysid shrimp as adults,

0:41:35 > 0:41:37so we have live mysid shrimp for them.

0:41:37 > 0:41:39It's a bit of enrichment.

0:41:39 > 0:41:40So you're just going to pour?

0:41:40 > 0:41:43So the shrimp are going to be in the net now, are they?

0:41:43 > 0:41:44Yeah, they're in the net.

0:41:44 > 0:41:47- So if I give you that.- Yeah, I'll hold that.

0:41:47 > 0:41:49So if you just turn it upside down in the middle.

0:41:49 > 0:41:51So you...

0:41:51 > 0:41:53- There you go.- There they go.

0:41:53 > 0:41:58- See them all.- So they're going to swim down to the bottom of the column.

0:41:58 > 0:42:00And we'll watch the seahorses feed on them.

0:42:00 > 0:42:03Is it true the seahorses aren't particularly good swimmers?

0:42:03 > 0:42:06They're not. They do have a fin on their back and on the sides of their

0:42:06 > 0:42:09heads but if they get caught in a really fast current they do just get

0:42:09 > 0:42:12blown away, so their tail is their saviour.

0:42:12 > 0:42:14Watching them anchor onto the grasses here.

0:42:14 > 0:42:17- That does all the hard work for them.- They are just...

0:42:17 > 0:42:19- They really are.- ..just magical creatures.

0:42:19 > 0:42:22Well, Georgia, thank you. Congratulations again.

0:42:22 > 0:42:24- Thank you.- A really good job. Well done.

0:42:24 > 0:42:26Sadly, that's all we've got time for on

0:42:26 > 0:42:30today's programme, but here's what's coming up on the next Animal Park.

0:42:31 > 0:42:34The baby marmosets are at risk from attack.

0:42:34 > 0:42:36Absolutely terrifying for us.

0:42:36 > 0:42:39We love these monkeys and we don't want anything to happen to them.

0:42:39 > 0:42:42Jean finds a waterproof toy big enough for the Tigers.

0:42:42 > 0:42:44Yeah, go on.

0:42:44 > 0:42:46But will it get them in the pool?

0:42:46 > 0:42:48Oh, is it going to go in?

0:42:48 > 0:42:49Ooh, come on, girls.

0:42:51 > 0:42:53And we'll be following five keepers

0:42:53 > 0:42:57on the ultimate fact-finding mission to Kenya in Africa.

0:42:57 > 0:43:00First wild lion footprint, yes.