0:00:02 > 0:00:04There are 1,000 animals and 100 different species at the park
0:00:04 > 0:00:07and each one of them needs just the right conditions to thrive.
0:00:07 > 0:00:09And it's vital that they do.
0:00:09 > 0:00:12These wonderful creatures are red pandas.
0:00:12 > 0:00:16There are fewer than 10,000 left in the wild
0:00:16 > 0:00:19and they've recently been classified as endangered.
0:00:21 > 0:00:24As you can see, the keepers here work incredibly hard
0:00:24 > 0:00:28to keep these guys in peak physical condition to give them
0:00:28 > 0:00:30the best chances of breeding success.
0:00:30 > 0:00:33We'll be finding out the extraordinary lengths they go to
0:00:33 > 0:00:36to ensure the future of this species,
0:00:36 > 0:00:39plus much more on today's Animal Park.
0:00:43 > 0:00:46A world-class team of experts is flown in
0:00:46 > 0:00:47to save a threatened species.
0:00:49 > 0:00:52This is like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for most of us.
0:00:53 > 0:00:56A vet is on red alert to save a wolf pack
0:00:56 > 0:00:59whose cubs are fading fast.
0:00:59 > 0:01:00He isn't going back to the pack,
0:01:00 > 0:01:03and we're not going to be able to save him anyway.
0:01:03 > 0:01:05And keepers risk it all to pull off
0:01:05 > 0:01:08their most daring enclosure extension yet.
0:01:08 > 0:01:11Our risk is that they actually get down off the tree
0:01:11 > 0:01:14and they're free, roaming.
0:01:30 > 0:01:35The reason the park opened back in 1966 was to help save the house here
0:01:35 > 0:01:37that was falling into costly disrepair.
0:01:38 > 0:01:42But over the years, the focus of the park has moved towards
0:01:42 > 0:01:44the conservation of wildlife.
0:01:44 > 0:01:46In the last 50 years,
0:01:46 > 0:01:50it's said that the world has lost more than 50% of its wildlife,
0:01:50 > 0:01:52and the park here have been doing their bit
0:01:52 > 0:01:55to help halt that terrifying decline.
0:01:58 > 0:02:01As a species, the southern white rhino
0:02:01 > 0:02:04has been on the very brink of extinction.
0:02:04 > 0:02:05And come back.
0:02:06 > 0:02:08They were hunted so ruthlessly
0:02:08 > 0:02:12that they were almost wiped off the face of the earth.
0:02:12 > 0:02:15There were less than 50 of them left in the wild.
0:02:16 > 0:02:21But thanks to controlled breeding schemes, the species survived.
0:02:21 > 0:02:25There are now over 20,000 white rhino.
0:02:25 > 0:02:28But in the wild, they are still under constant threat
0:02:28 > 0:02:29from illegal poaching.
0:02:31 > 0:02:34So captive breeding programmes around the world continue to be
0:02:34 > 0:02:38the species' best insurance policy.
0:02:38 > 0:02:39And that is where Longleat comes in.
0:02:41 > 0:02:42Nearly 15 years ago,
0:02:42 > 0:02:46the team went to South Africa to collect three white rhino,
0:02:46 > 0:02:48and I was lucky enough to be on that trip
0:02:48 > 0:02:51with deputy head warden Ian Turner
0:02:51 > 0:02:56to meet our new inhabitants - Njanu, Marashi and Razina.
0:02:56 > 0:02:57Grab some hay there.
0:02:57 > 0:03:00They'll actually eat out of your hands, it's unbelievable.
0:03:00 > 0:03:01Just watch your fingers.
0:03:03 > 0:03:05Really, really good. Better than I thought.
0:03:05 > 0:03:06You know, really excited.
0:03:06 > 0:03:09Hopefully they never have to come back to here again
0:03:09 > 0:03:10and they never get in the state in Africa
0:03:10 > 0:03:12that they need stuff to come back.
0:03:12 > 0:03:15But if it ever happens, then we've got rhinos to do that.
0:03:16 > 0:03:19But, you know, this is a big step for us and it's really exciting.
0:03:20 > 0:03:23It wasn't long before all three settled down
0:03:23 > 0:03:26to a quiet life on this country estate.
0:03:26 > 0:03:29In fact, it's been far too quiet.
0:03:30 > 0:03:34Here we are, 12 years later, and still no babies.
0:03:34 > 0:03:37Keeper Kevin Knibbs has been looking after the rhinos
0:03:37 > 0:03:40since they arrived all those years ago.
0:03:42 > 0:03:45He's got his own theories on why it just hasn't happened yet.
0:03:46 > 0:03:48This herd of rhino,
0:03:48 > 0:03:50they've not really done what we wanted them to do.
0:03:50 > 0:03:52When they arrived we were hoping we would...
0:03:52 > 0:03:54that they would breed within just a couple of years.
0:03:55 > 0:03:58Unfortunately that didn't happen.
0:03:58 > 0:04:02The main reason, really, is to do with Njanu. He's just...
0:04:02 > 0:04:04I think he's just too nice an animal, really.
0:04:04 > 0:04:08With rhinos it's normally quite a rough courtship,
0:04:08 > 0:04:11he has to chase the females around and kind of dominate them,
0:04:11 > 0:04:13and it's just not really in his nature.
0:04:13 > 0:04:16Don't touch that! Well done.
0:04:16 > 0:04:19But the park simply isn't prepared to give up
0:04:19 > 0:04:21and have decided to give it one last shot.
0:04:23 > 0:04:26And today is the big day.
0:04:27 > 0:04:29The park has called in two experts,
0:04:29 > 0:04:33Dr Robert Hermes and Dr Frank Goeritz from Germany,
0:04:33 > 0:04:35to assist vet Chris Mangham.
0:04:35 > 0:04:39It is really important. Rhinos in the wild are endangered.
0:04:39 > 0:04:43Breeding in captivity is really difficult, we all know that -
0:04:43 > 0:04:45we've tried for years and years here -
0:04:45 > 0:04:46and I think we're lucky enough
0:04:46 > 0:04:48to have a couple of experts who've come in.
0:04:48 > 0:04:51And if we can get a pregnancy and a baby rhino out of it,
0:04:51 > 0:04:53then that'll be brilliant news.
0:04:54 > 0:04:59The plan is to artificially inseminate both Razina and Marashi
0:04:59 > 0:05:02with a sperm sample taken from Njanu.
0:05:02 > 0:05:04There's a lot riding on it.
0:05:04 > 0:05:06This is a rare procedure for us.
0:05:06 > 0:05:08The chaps doing it, they've done it a lot before,
0:05:08 > 0:05:09they fly all round the world.
0:05:09 > 0:05:13So, you know, they are the top dogs for doing this sort of thing.
0:05:13 > 0:05:15But it's not guaranteed.
0:05:15 > 0:05:18You know, there's a lot of things that have got to go right.
0:05:19 > 0:05:22The first challenge is to sedate Njanu
0:05:22 > 0:05:26in order to successfully remove a sample from him.
0:05:26 > 0:05:29There is one keeper who's particularly anxious.
0:05:29 > 0:05:32I always worry about Njanu. He's my favourite rhino,
0:05:32 > 0:05:33so I'm very worried about Njanu.
0:05:33 > 0:05:36But with all the expertise - we've got Chris, our vet,
0:05:36 > 0:05:39the two German guys that are just phenomenal,
0:05:39 > 0:05:41we should be in safe hands.
0:05:41 > 0:05:43We are at the start of the anaesthesia.
0:05:43 > 0:05:46The male, he just went down,
0:05:46 > 0:05:49and Frank is going to stabilise the anaesthesia.
0:05:50 > 0:05:53They need Njanu to be completely unconscious
0:05:53 > 0:05:55in order to begin the process.
0:05:55 > 0:05:57But Njanu isn't quite ready yet.
0:05:59 > 0:06:00He's quite light at the moment,
0:06:00 > 0:06:02so we're just going to get some more drugs.
0:06:04 > 0:06:06He's where we'd expect him to be, but we just need to give...
0:06:08 > 0:06:09..some more so we can roll him over a bit.
0:06:11 > 0:06:13It does make me slightly apprehensive.
0:06:13 > 0:06:16Any general knock-down of an animal is always quite scary.
0:06:17 > 0:06:20Particularly when it's an animal that I'm quite fond of.
0:06:20 > 0:06:23It kind of doubles the pressure.
0:06:23 > 0:06:26Njanu is finally sedated enough for them to begin.
0:06:30 > 0:06:33Frank and Robert are going to try and get a sample now.
0:06:33 > 0:06:35So it's going to be a sperm sample.
0:06:35 > 0:06:37They might do it several times to make sure we get
0:06:37 > 0:06:40the best sample possible and then we can check that under the microscope
0:06:40 > 0:06:42to make sure it's viable.
0:06:42 > 0:06:45And then that's what we're going to use to put into the females.
0:06:48 > 0:06:53Rob has his sample, but the cause of Njanu's problem is becoming clear.
0:06:55 > 0:06:57We did not get a really good volume.
0:06:58 > 0:07:04Apparently, he's got two really nice ladies here on the paddock.
0:07:04 > 0:07:07They want to mate but he just doesn't.
0:07:07 > 0:07:10And why he doesn't, we don't know.
0:07:10 > 0:07:14But from the volume that he provides, in terms of semen volume,
0:07:14 > 0:07:15it is just too small for a rhino.
0:07:17 > 0:07:20Rob will examine the sample closely.
0:07:20 > 0:07:23If the quality is good, they could still be in with a chance.
0:07:33 > 0:07:37It's mid-morning and Jean is continuing her tour of the park,
0:07:37 > 0:07:39finding out what it's like to be a keeper.
0:07:39 > 0:07:43- Hi, Kelsey.- Hi, come on in.- Hello! Who are these two?
0:07:43 > 0:07:46We've got our two Asian short-clawed otters here with us today.
0:07:46 > 0:07:48They are lovely. What are they called?
0:07:48 > 0:07:49We've got Hamish over here -
0:07:49 > 0:07:52you can tell Hamish because he's got a black nose -
0:07:52 > 0:07:54and we've got Sumalee over here - she's the female.
0:07:54 > 0:07:56You can tell her - she's got a brown nose.
0:07:56 > 0:07:57OK, so what's the plan?
0:07:57 > 0:08:00- I've got some bamboo canes in here, which is very odd.- You have.
0:08:00 > 0:08:03It is indeed. We've got some meat in there, we've got some fish in there.
0:08:03 > 0:08:06They have to use their paws, just like they would in the wild,
0:08:06 > 0:08:08to get that meat out of there.
0:08:08 > 0:08:10So it's good, it's like they can't see,
0:08:10 > 0:08:12just like in the wild, in those murky rivers.
0:08:12 > 0:08:15So they have to get in there and feel around and be really dextrous
0:08:15 > 0:08:16in order to gain the reward.
0:08:16 > 0:08:19Do you think they'll be quite quick at doing this?
0:08:19 > 0:08:21- He looks like he's ready already, doesn't he?- In it goes.
0:08:21 > 0:08:24- Let's see what he does. - So straight up to it,
0:08:24 > 0:08:26and his little hand is straight in there.
0:08:26 > 0:08:28We have made it a little bit more difficult for him.
0:08:28 > 0:08:30We've put meat in one side but not in the other.
0:08:30 > 0:08:33- He's going to have to work that out. - You can see Sumalee,
0:08:33 > 0:08:35she's worked it out already.
0:08:35 > 0:08:38- There she goes.- Sumalee has got her hand right inside there.
0:08:38 > 0:08:41Yeah, we can see she's got her paws right inside.
0:08:41 > 0:08:43She is actually about to gain her reward, I think.
0:08:43 > 0:08:45She's almost there.
0:08:45 > 0:08:46- That was super fast. - Really dextrous.
0:08:46 > 0:08:49Yeah, they're super quick. Really mischievous.
0:08:49 > 0:08:51That's why we have to keep thinking all the time of
0:08:51 > 0:08:53lots of different enrichments we can do for these guys.
0:08:53 > 0:08:55And are they quite generous with each other?
0:08:55 > 0:08:58Will they share food, or will she allow her to have the treat?
0:08:58 > 0:09:01They do share food, yeah. They will share food together.
0:09:01 > 0:09:04They do in fact bring each other food at times as well,
0:09:04 > 0:09:06so they are quite sweet to each other.
0:09:06 > 0:09:07Just maybe not so much to us.
0:09:07 > 0:09:09They don't want to share their food with us.
0:09:09 > 0:09:12Let's give them some more treats. Why have you put this meat...?
0:09:12 > 0:09:13We've got some meat inside the shell.
0:09:13 > 0:09:15Again, this is a bit easier.
0:09:15 > 0:09:16This time the otters can see what's in there,
0:09:16 > 0:09:18so you'll find they're really quick at this.
0:09:18 > 0:09:21So this is not going to be so difficult for them.
0:09:21 > 0:09:23No, they can see exactly what's happening there.
0:09:23 > 0:09:25And they have to dive down to the bottom again,
0:09:25 > 0:09:28- so that's another skill, isn't it? - Exactly.
0:09:28 > 0:09:31I'm noticing that they're very co-ordinated hand to mouth.
0:09:31 > 0:09:34They are indeed. Asian short-clawed otters are known
0:09:34 > 0:09:36- in captivity for doing what's called juggling.- What's that?
0:09:36 > 0:09:40Basically, what they'll do is they will actually collect little stones
0:09:40 > 0:09:43and such and they'll just manipulate them with their paws.
0:09:43 > 0:09:45And it almost looks as if they are actually juggling.
0:09:45 > 0:09:48We've got one more treat for them here.
0:09:48 > 0:09:51- We do indeed.- So is this treat to be on land or in the water?
0:09:51 > 0:09:54In the water, and this helps to simulate sort of
0:09:54 > 0:09:56a natural behaviour in these otters.
0:09:56 > 0:09:58So basically, when they are out in the wild,
0:09:58 > 0:10:01when they're fishing and foraging for their food,
0:10:01 > 0:10:03- they will be in sort of murky bodies of water.- Yes.
0:10:03 > 0:10:04So they're going to feel around,
0:10:04 > 0:10:07almost as if they're blind in that murky water.
0:10:07 > 0:10:09- Almost like another set of eyes in their fingers.- Exactly.
0:10:09 > 0:10:12So you can see they are really going for it just now
0:10:12 > 0:10:14with their little paws, really finding those treats
0:10:14 > 0:10:16and having a good forage.
0:10:16 > 0:10:18- They're really getting stuck into that hole there.- Exactly.
0:10:18 > 0:10:21You can see those paws going right in that little hole just there.
0:10:21 > 0:10:24Well, you said you wanted them to work for their food,
0:10:24 > 0:10:27and it seems to me they're very happy to work for their food,
0:10:27 > 0:10:29so I would say that was a successful exercise.
0:10:29 > 0:10:31I would tend to agree, yep.
0:10:31 > 0:10:34And it seems they've made lots of enrichment for the keepers as well.
0:10:34 > 0:10:36We're going to clean all this up now, so that's nice.
0:10:36 > 0:10:38- I'll help you out with that. - That'll be lovely.
0:11:02 > 0:11:03Back at the rhino house,
0:11:03 > 0:11:07specialist Robert Hermes is about to find out if the small sample
0:11:07 > 0:11:10they took contains enough sperm.
0:11:10 > 0:11:12We need to have swimmers.
0:11:12 > 0:11:15So the more swimming, the better.
0:11:15 > 0:11:18And the higher the number, the better too.
0:11:20 > 0:11:23A poor sample now and it's all over.
0:11:26 > 0:11:28We do get a lot of swimmers in here.
0:11:30 > 0:11:31It's a good sample.
0:11:32 > 0:11:37The team can now move onto inseminating Razina and Marashi,
0:11:37 > 0:11:40who only need a small dose of anaesthetic for this procedure.
0:11:46 > 0:11:48This is almost like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity
0:11:48 > 0:11:51for most of us. The fact we can do two in the same day
0:11:51 > 0:11:53is doubling our chances of a baby rhino.
0:11:53 > 0:11:57So in six months' time we could have two beautiful baby rhinos
0:11:57 > 0:12:01running around, causing all sorts of mischief and trouble.
0:12:01 > 0:12:03Rhino don't have a set mating season
0:12:03 > 0:12:07and may only become sexually active twice a year,
0:12:07 > 0:12:10which is why procedures like this can become necessary
0:12:10 > 0:12:14to prevent losing an entire species.
0:12:14 > 0:12:17It is almost ready to put the specimen inside her.
0:12:17 > 0:12:19So this is really the magic moment.
0:12:21 > 0:12:24Rob and Frank are able to use their ultrasound equipment
0:12:24 > 0:12:27to monitor the insemination throughout.
0:12:27 > 0:12:30And for both ladies, it's a success.
0:12:31 > 0:12:33One of the vets came in on Saturday to give them an injection
0:12:33 > 0:12:37to make sure she'd ovulate, and the good news was that she has.
0:12:37 > 0:12:39So there's an egg somewhere...
0:12:40 > 0:12:42..making its way down.
0:12:42 > 0:12:45The guys are happy with where the DAI landed.
0:12:45 > 0:12:50So at this point, you know, a lot of hurdles to get over,
0:12:50 > 0:12:52but at this point, we couldn't be happier.
0:12:57 > 0:13:00Amazing. It's not every day you get to save a species.
0:13:00 > 0:13:04And this is kind of what we're doing, this is what we're here for.
0:13:04 > 0:13:08And these two now hopefully hold the key to babies in a few months' time.
0:13:11 > 0:13:14But it is going to be a tense waiting game for Kev and the team
0:13:14 > 0:13:18before they know if today's efforts have produced a pregnancy.
0:13:30 > 0:13:32The park is home to three red pandas.
0:13:35 > 0:13:38As a result of deforestation,
0:13:38 > 0:13:41the red panda has recently gone from vulnerable to endangered
0:13:41 > 0:13:43on the species conservation list.
0:13:46 > 0:13:49So it's up to parks like this to do everything they can
0:13:49 > 0:13:52to build the population and ensure the animals are kept
0:13:52 > 0:13:54to the highest standard possible.
0:13:56 > 0:13:59Keeper Sam is particularly passionate about her little family
0:13:59 > 0:14:01of red pandas.
0:14:03 > 0:14:05There is thought to be less than 10,000 individuals now,
0:14:05 > 0:14:07which is obviously quite sad.
0:14:07 > 0:14:10We're very lucky to have three of them here.
0:14:10 > 0:14:12Dad Ajendra and Mum Rufina,
0:14:12 > 0:14:16gave birth to their son, Leo, just over a year ago.
0:14:16 > 0:14:18This is Leo, this is our baby.
0:14:18 > 0:14:21I say baby, he's absolutely huge now.
0:14:21 > 0:14:23He's definitely still a big baby.
0:14:23 > 0:14:25He likes to play a lot.
0:14:25 > 0:14:28Always likes to get involved, as you can see. Loves the food.
0:14:30 > 0:14:32To accommodate this growing family
0:14:32 > 0:14:36and to encourage them to raise yet more clubs in the future,
0:14:36 > 0:14:39keepers have come up with some big plans.
0:14:44 > 0:14:47Head of section, Cat, has an idea to build a giant walkway
0:14:47 > 0:14:49into a nearby tree.
0:14:52 > 0:14:55This tree is huge, it's absolutely massive.
0:14:55 > 0:14:58I can't see the top of it, it is well over 20 metres.
0:14:58 > 0:15:02So really, really good for the pandas because they absolutely adore
0:15:02 > 0:15:04climbing and they love being at a height -
0:15:04 > 0:15:05they feel really, really secure.
0:15:05 > 0:15:07But there's one huge risk.
0:15:10 > 0:15:13That big tree is outside the enclosure.
0:15:14 > 0:15:17I think it is one of those projects that will work.
0:15:19 > 0:15:22But it's one that makes us very nervous at the same time.
0:15:23 > 0:15:28Head of animal operations, Darren Beasley, is equally concerned.
0:15:28 > 0:15:31The scenario we won't think about, we'll breeze over,
0:15:31 > 0:15:34is they trot along, they find a weak spot and they decide
0:15:34 > 0:15:36to drop to the floor.
0:15:36 > 0:15:39And then we need to look at how we're going to get them back.
0:15:39 > 0:15:42I'm a bit sweaty-palmed, a bit nervous now.
0:15:42 > 0:15:45The keepers have put an enormous amount of research into this plan
0:15:45 > 0:15:47and are determined to push ahead.
0:15:47 > 0:15:50We've got to do it. You can't stand still.
0:15:50 > 0:15:53I want the best, and I think this is the way forward.
0:15:53 > 0:15:54Let's break a few bits of ground rules,
0:15:54 > 0:15:57let's see what we can do and come up with.
0:15:58 > 0:16:00It's crucial that the red panda team
0:16:00 > 0:16:04make sure Ajendra and Rufina have the best possible habitat
0:16:04 > 0:16:09in the future and that they might one day become parents once more.
0:16:09 > 0:16:12But could this new venture end up losing more red pandas
0:16:12 > 0:16:13than protecting?
0:16:24 > 0:16:28From fruit-loving herbivores at the Animal Adventure
0:16:28 > 0:16:30to carnivorous cats on safari...
0:16:32 > 0:16:35..it's critical that each and every animal
0:16:35 > 0:16:37gets exactly the right amount of food...
0:16:37 > 0:16:38Come on, Ellie!
0:16:38 > 0:16:40..at every feed...
0:16:41 > 0:16:43..as Jean is about to find out.
0:16:49 > 0:16:51- Hi, Georgia.- Hi, Jean.
0:16:51 > 0:16:52Look at this lot!
0:16:54 > 0:16:58I'm super excited, I've never been this close to penguins before.
0:16:59 > 0:17:00So what are we doing today?
0:17:00 > 0:17:03- Today we are going to be feeding our baby penguins.- Hello!
0:17:03 > 0:17:06To check that each chick is getting enough food,
0:17:06 > 0:17:11Jean and Georgia carefully catch and must weigh each one.
0:17:11 > 0:17:13So they're the ones with the yellow tags.
0:17:13 > 0:17:15You'll notice Ant coming up to us here.
0:17:15 > 0:17:18Hi, Ant. So just go for it, just grab him?
0:17:18 > 0:17:21Just put your hands underneath, under the wing like that.
0:17:21 > 0:17:24- And then... - Up he comes. Oh! There you go.
0:17:24 > 0:17:26- We're going to pop him in the bucket.- Really feathery.
0:17:26 > 0:17:29- So we'll turn that off.- Hi! In you pop.
0:17:29 > 0:17:32So we need to make sure that they're eating enough food
0:17:32 > 0:17:35- and that they're a good weight. - And how's the weight on this?
0:17:35 > 0:17:36This is absolutely fine.
0:17:36 > 0:17:39So he's 3.5kg, so that's a good weight.
0:17:39 > 0:17:41Right, let's weigh another one.
0:17:44 > 0:17:47At this age, the chicks need weighing once every two weeks.
0:17:49 > 0:17:52Just going to take you in and make sure you've had enough to eat.
0:17:52 > 0:17:56Only after they've reached 2kg can it become less regular.
0:17:57 > 0:18:00I have to admit they do all kind of look the same.
0:18:03 > 0:18:06I think he's been stealing fish because he's a little bit fatter
0:18:06 > 0:18:09than the other penguins. Would I be right?
0:18:09 > 0:18:11The chicks are in good shape.
0:18:11 > 0:18:12So who's next?
0:18:12 > 0:18:15But there's one penguin, called Rhianna,
0:18:15 > 0:18:17who could do with some help to grow some new feathers.
0:18:19 > 0:18:22It's called a catastrophic moult, so they drop all their feathers
0:18:22 > 0:18:23and they get a brand-new coat.
0:18:23 > 0:18:26But we want her to put on probably an extra half a kilo to a kilo
0:18:26 > 0:18:28to kick-start that moult.
0:18:28 > 0:18:30And what's the best way to feed?
0:18:30 > 0:18:32So we are going to feed her by hand here now.
0:18:32 > 0:18:35So basically, what we'll do is we'll take this...few fish
0:18:35 > 0:18:37and we'll just hold the tail and present the head.
0:18:37 > 0:18:40Oh, she likes that. There you go.
0:18:40 > 0:18:42And spending some time with them,
0:18:42 > 0:18:44I'm seeing that they all have personalities.
0:18:44 > 0:18:45It's like a little gang in here, isn't it?
0:18:45 > 0:18:48It is, yep. It's a drama every day.
0:18:48 > 0:18:50Boyfriends splitting up with girlfriends
0:18:50 > 0:18:52and getting new girlfriends, and having multiple girlfriends.
0:18:54 > 0:18:57Well, they've been very welcoming to me today and I've fulfilled
0:18:57 > 0:19:00a lifelong dream of picking up a penguin.
0:19:12 > 0:19:16Since the park opened in '66, there have been countless dramas.
0:19:16 > 0:19:17Oi!
0:19:18 > 0:19:20Whoa! Whoa, whoa, whoa.
0:19:22 > 0:19:23Hey! Go on...
0:19:24 > 0:19:26But eight years ago,
0:19:26 > 0:19:29we were there to witness one of the most devastating events
0:19:29 > 0:19:30to hit Wolf Wood.
0:19:36 > 0:19:40Two of the wolf pups had fallen dangerously ill.
0:19:40 > 0:19:43The keepers were forced to rush the pair to the vets.
0:19:43 > 0:19:45This is incredibly rare,
0:19:45 > 0:19:49as wolves are pack animals and so they're never separated.
0:19:49 > 0:19:52But this was life or death.
0:19:52 > 0:19:56The future of the wolf pups was now in the hands of vet Paul Higgs,
0:19:56 > 0:19:59who believed the problem may be worms.
0:19:59 > 0:20:03How long can we keep them away from the pack, realistically?
0:20:03 > 0:20:06I'd really like to put them back as soon as you can, to be honest.
0:20:06 > 0:20:10Start keeping them away, then you're going to have other problems,
0:20:10 > 0:20:11really, getting them back in.
0:20:11 > 0:20:16This one is looking pretty bad, really, Brian, I think.
0:20:16 > 0:20:18WOLF PUP WHIMPERS
0:20:18 > 0:20:21A series of tests are needed.
0:20:21 > 0:20:23Brian can only wait for the results.
0:20:24 > 0:20:27Upsetting, really, to see him like this.
0:20:28 > 0:20:30The worrying thing is, I don't know if the rest of them
0:20:30 > 0:20:31will go the same way.
0:20:34 > 0:20:38Paul put the sickest one on an ECG machine to check its heart-rate.
0:20:40 > 0:20:43Certainly doesn't look normal.
0:20:43 > 0:20:47The results of the blood test appear to confirm those of the ECG machine.
0:20:48 > 0:20:52So we've had our blood results, which are here.
0:20:52 > 0:20:54A couple of the important ones.
0:20:54 > 0:20:57This one particularly, low calcium,
0:20:57 > 0:21:00can really make animals go really weak, really twitchy,
0:21:00 > 0:21:02possibly have full-blown seizures.
0:21:02 > 0:21:04But I would expect to see other signs on the bloods,
0:21:04 > 0:21:05which we haven't seen,
0:21:05 > 0:21:07so I'm not 100% sure this is what's going on,
0:21:07 > 0:21:10but we don't have anything else to play with at the moment.
0:21:10 > 0:21:12And we're at a fairly critical stage.
0:21:12 > 0:21:15If we don't turn him around now and he doesn't go back to the pack,
0:21:15 > 0:21:18then we're not going to be able to save him anyway.
0:21:18 > 0:21:23A calcium injection should replenish the pup with essential minerals.
0:21:23 > 0:21:24But too much will kill it.
0:21:27 > 0:21:30Paul is taking a risk, but this pup is critically ill.
0:21:31 > 0:21:35The problem with this stuff, Brian, is it's pretty dangerous.
0:21:35 > 0:21:36If we give it too quickly,
0:21:36 > 0:21:39it's going to stop his heart all by itself.
0:21:39 > 0:21:43So we'll put the ECG back on him and we'll watch as he goes.
0:21:43 > 0:21:47If we start seeing problems with the ECG, then we'll stop.
0:21:49 > 0:21:53As the calcium goes in, the ECG will show if it has any effect.
0:21:54 > 0:21:57No, it's the same as it was just before we injected,
0:21:57 > 0:21:59- but it's worse than it was before. - Yeah.
0:22:01 > 0:22:03The calcium hasn't worked.
0:22:03 > 0:22:05Time was running out.
0:22:05 > 0:22:08If the pups don't go back to their mother tonight,
0:22:08 > 0:22:10she'll probably just abandon them to die.
0:22:12 > 0:22:14We've tried everything we can at the moment.
0:22:14 > 0:22:19This one is still completely comatose and really non-responsive.
0:22:19 > 0:22:21The problem is we've got two in this state,
0:22:21 > 0:22:24and if they're going to go back, they've got to get back tonight,
0:22:24 > 0:22:26and I can't see this one recovering.
0:22:28 > 0:22:30Paul and Brian are left with a heartbreaking decision.
0:22:32 > 0:22:37In a way, Brian, I think it might be sensible to put this one to sleep
0:22:37 > 0:22:41and focus on the other one, make sure the other one survives.
0:22:41 > 0:22:44Because at the moment, the other one's not getting any of our time,
0:22:44 > 0:22:46and this one is getting all of our time.
0:22:47 > 0:22:50And unless we find out what's going on,
0:22:50 > 0:22:52we're going to lose both of them.
0:22:52 > 0:22:56So I think, you know, in a way it's going to be fairer
0:22:56 > 0:22:57to let this one go,
0:22:57 > 0:23:03because he's pretty past pulling back at the moment,
0:23:03 > 0:23:05and seeing whether or not he can give us any more information
0:23:05 > 0:23:09about what's going on so we can try and save the other one.
0:23:09 > 0:23:12It's a terrible choice to have to make,
0:23:12 > 0:23:15but the team have done everything they can.
0:23:15 > 0:23:19Now unconscious, weak and not responding to treatment,
0:23:19 > 0:23:23they choose to sacrifice one wolf pup to try and save the other.
0:23:23 > 0:23:24Poor little thing.
0:23:26 > 0:23:28Can its death reveal a vital clue to
0:23:28 > 0:23:30keeping the rest of the pups alive?
0:23:40 > 0:23:44They were doing so well and suddenly, bang, you lose one.
0:23:45 > 0:23:48Possibly may lose all of them, I don't know.
0:23:48 > 0:23:49That's the worrying thing.
0:23:49 > 0:23:54I'm hoping Paul may find something in this one to help the others.
0:23:57 > 0:23:59We'll be back to find out whether
0:23:59 > 0:24:01the team managed to save the other pup,
0:24:01 > 0:24:04and potentially the whole pack, from disaster.
0:24:19 > 0:24:23'In this series, we've been catching up with old friends...'
0:24:23 > 0:24:25We're racing along here!
0:24:25 > 0:24:27You stay still, I'll do the steering.
0:24:27 > 0:24:28Don't be patronising,
0:24:28 > 0:24:30because I haven't seen you for a bit.
0:24:32 > 0:24:33'..and meeting new ones.'
0:24:36 > 0:24:38While I head out into the park,
0:24:38 > 0:24:42Ben has a special appointment at Animal Adventure.
0:24:42 > 0:24:48In 2013, Emma McQuiston married Lord Bath's son, Ceawlin Thynn,
0:24:48 > 0:24:50to become Lord and Lady Weymouth.
0:24:50 > 0:24:55Their son John will one day inherit the estate and the title.
0:24:55 > 0:24:59We are down here today because John loves the donkeys, is that right?
0:24:59 > 0:25:01They're his favourite, really.
0:25:01 > 0:25:03Which in some ways, you know, when you have basically
0:25:03 > 0:25:07the most extraordinary collection of animals on your doorstep,
0:25:07 > 0:25:10people might assume that his favourite animal would be,
0:25:10 > 0:25:13I don't know, a lion or a zebra or a giraffe.
0:25:13 > 0:25:15He has fed the other animals, but I think,
0:25:15 > 0:25:18every night when I say goodnight and he goes to bed,
0:25:18 > 0:25:19he asks for the donkeys.
0:25:19 > 0:25:22So that's sort of on his list of things to do every day
0:25:22 > 0:25:23is come down and feed the donkeys.
0:25:23 > 0:25:26- And do you come down here every day? - Pretty much, yeah.
0:25:26 > 0:25:29So I always text the girls and see, if I can't find the donkeys,
0:25:29 > 0:25:31if they've moved to another enclosure.
0:25:31 > 0:25:34But it's amazing to live here. I love animals so much,
0:25:34 > 0:25:37and I just feel very lucky to be around so many amazing...
0:25:37 > 0:25:39- Another donkey.- Another donkey?
0:25:39 > 0:25:43And living here, what's it like waking up to the sound of lions
0:25:43 > 0:25:44or wolves in the morning?
0:25:44 > 0:25:47Is that very special, or is that something you get used to?
0:25:47 > 0:25:49It's incredible, of course.
0:25:49 > 0:25:50Sea lions are pretty loud.
0:25:50 > 0:25:52You hear them. You do hear the wolves.
0:25:52 > 0:25:54It's a good alarm clock, usually.
0:25:55 > 0:25:57And there's a bird in the...
0:25:57 > 0:25:58African Village that's very loud.
0:25:58 > 0:26:01So that's one that I hear all the time.
0:26:01 > 0:26:04But it's great fun. Obviously, bringing John up here,
0:26:04 > 0:26:07you couldn't ask for a more incredible place.
0:26:07 > 0:26:08We can see just John with the animals now -
0:26:08 > 0:26:11do you think he has a great affinity with animals?
0:26:11 > 0:26:12Definitely, definitely.
0:26:12 > 0:26:15The other day he said, "Little tiny monkey," so we fed the marmosets.
0:26:15 > 0:26:17- Very good.- They're quite fun.
0:26:17 > 0:26:20Which one do you want? A piece of apple?
0:26:20 > 0:26:23- No, you want the carrot?- Carrots. - The carrot. That's a good idea.
0:26:23 > 0:26:24Well, I have to say,
0:26:24 > 0:26:28I am very envious of you both having all of this on your doorstep.
0:26:28 > 0:26:29You're very, very lucky.
0:26:29 > 0:26:30Well, come any time.
0:26:42 > 0:26:44A few years ago,
0:26:44 > 0:26:47we followed the dramatic tale of events down at Wolf Wood
0:26:47 > 0:26:50when two young pups fell mysteriously ill.
0:26:51 > 0:26:53The team made the difficult decision
0:26:53 > 0:26:54to put one pup down
0:26:54 > 0:26:58to find out what was going wrong in order to save the rest.
0:27:00 > 0:27:02But has their gamble paid off?
0:27:02 > 0:27:04We've done a postmortem now
0:27:04 > 0:27:07and, as soon as you went into the stomach and the intestines,
0:27:07 > 0:27:11there were just hundreds and hundreds of worms all there,
0:27:11 > 0:27:14and there was nothing else actually in the gut apart from worms.
0:27:14 > 0:27:18The worms are living off the energy that the pup is eating,
0:27:18 > 0:27:22the cub is eating, and so there is nothing left for the cub to absorb.
0:27:24 > 0:27:27Now they know the problem, Paul can treat the pup.
0:27:30 > 0:27:32For this other one, treatment is going to be try and get some glucose
0:27:32 > 0:27:36into him, which means putting some glucose fluids under his skin.
0:27:36 > 0:27:38And then he's going to go back to the pack today,
0:27:38 > 0:27:41and the rest of the pack, the rest of the cubs are going to have to be
0:27:41 > 0:27:44wormed again, you know, over the next couple of days,
0:27:44 > 0:27:47which is going to be hard work for Brian.
0:27:47 > 0:27:50With the poorly pup returned to the pack,
0:27:50 > 0:27:52Brian and Bob must catch the rest of the pups.
0:27:54 > 0:27:57But these animals live a wild existence,
0:27:57 > 0:28:00so the keepers have to invade the wolves' territory,
0:28:00 > 0:28:02putting their own lives at risk.
0:28:02 > 0:28:05- WOLVES BARK - As you can hear...
0:28:05 > 0:28:07The adults we've got to contend with as well.
0:28:07 > 0:28:09It's not the easiest job, when you've got
0:28:09 > 0:28:11eight adult wolves running around you.
0:28:22 > 0:28:24They managed to catch four of the pups,
0:28:24 > 0:28:28but the final one was hiding deep in the den the wolves have made.
0:28:32 > 0:28:34Hey, there it is. Bit more.
0:28:36 > 0:28:39You're almost lighting him. There, you've got the light on him now.
0:28:39 > 0:28:40It's too far to grab, though.
0:28:40 > 0:28:43If they can't reach it, the pup will surely die.
0:28:46 > 0:28:49The team start treating the rest of the pups and wait to see
0:28:49 > 0:28:51what happens with the final one.
0:28:58 > 0:28:59(Here it comes.)
0:28:59 > 0:29:01That's it, its head's coming out.
0:29:08 > 0:29:10And it's now or never for the keepers.
0:29:18 > 0:29:20Ah... Got it.
0:29:20 > 0:29:21The final one.
0:29:23 > 0:29:27With all the pups and Mum safely in the wolf house,
0:29:27 > 0:29:30the team also got proof that it wasn't all in vain.
0:29:30 > 0:29:33Well, we've got the last one, finally.
0:29:34 > 0:29:38It's not a very pretty sight, but you can see what the problem is.
0:29:38 > 0:29:39It's pooing, and it's pooing worms.
0:29:41 > 0:29:44And a few days later the family were finally back to normal,
0:29:44 > 0:29:48and all thanks to the determination of the keepers.
0:29:48 > 0:29:51In a lot of ways, I think it's turned out a hell of a lot better
0:29:51 > 0:29:54than it really could have done. We could have lost, you know,
0:29:54 > 0:29:56two or three more pups, if not the whole lot.
0:29:56 > 0:29:58Well, it's still early days,
0:29:58 > 0:30:00but let's hope they're out of the woods now,
0:30:00 > 0:30:04and, you know, that we can look forward to...
0:30:05 > 0:30:06..more positive days.
0:30:18 > 0:30:20Back in Animal Adventure,
0:30:20 > 0:30:25it's all hands on deck as work on the new red panda enclosure begins.
0:30:25 > 0:30:26Everybody come to the right.
0:30:28 > 0:30:31Section manager Cat is feeling the pressure.
0:30:31 > 0:30:34There are some big uncertainties with the whole project.
0:30:34 > 0:30:39Basically, if our pandas do get quite comfortable in the tree,
0:30:39 > 0:30:44our risk is that they actually get down off the tree and they're free,
0:30:44 > 0:30:45roaming.
0:30:49 > 0:30:53But the first challenge is actually building the new structure.
0:30:53 > 0:30:56That's down to on-site technician Mark.
0:30:58 > 0:31:01The space here at the minute for the telehandler is extremely tight.
0:31:01 > 0:31:04He has got just enough room to manoeuvre,
0:31:04 > 0:31:07but it takes a lot of pre-planning and preparation to make sure
0:31:07 > 0:31:10that nothing untoward is going to happen or go wrong.
0:31:10 > 0:31:12I'm feeling very nervous.
0:31:12 > 0:31:16The design involves securing a log across from the existing
0:31:16 > 0:31:19climbing frame and into the oak tree outside,
0:31:19 > 0:31:21but in a space this tight
0:31:21 > 0:31:24it's a logistical nightmare.
0:31:24 > 0:31:26Correct, and now up.
0:31:26 > 0:31:30The issue is this telehandler's right in the way, isn't it?
0:31:30 > 0:31:32No, back, directly back. So boom down, maybe.
0:31:32 > 0:31:34That's it.
0:31:34 > 0:31:35Whoa! Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa...
0:31:38 > 0:31:42Finally the bridge is in place and the new extension complete.
0:31:42 > 0:31:44That looks wicked.
0:31:44 > 0:31:48Oh, they're going to absolutely love it, that's incredible.
0:31:48 > 0:31:51And Cat has come up with a gentle trick
0:31:51 > 0:31:54to ensure there are no runaway red pandas.
0:31:54 > 0:31:58Up the tree right now we've actually put electric round our platform.
0:31:58 > 0:32:00We know it keeps tigers in,
0:32:00 > 0:32:02so I'm pretty sure it will keep red pandas in.
0:32:03 > 0:32:06An electric fence is utterly harmless for the red pandas,
0:32:06 > 0:32:10but will deter them from taking the leap off the tree
0:32:10 > 0:32:12and into the rest of the park.
0:32:12 > 0:32:15So now there's only one thing left to do -
0:32:15 > 0:32:17release the red pandas.
0:32:17 > 0:32:19My butterflies are...
0:32:19 > 0:32:21off the chart, to be quite honest.
0:32:21 > 0:32:22I'm really, really excited.
0:32:22 > 0:32:26And my mind kind of overplays things anyway, so, yeah,
0:32:26 > 0:32:28the thinking of what may happen... But right now
0:32:28 > 0:32:30I'm thinking really positive
0:32:30 > 0:32:33and I'm just thinking everything's going to be fine.
0:32:33 > 0:32:37But it looks like the pandas are feeling a bit cautious.
0:32:37 > 0:32:39Oh, he's coming back out!
0:32:43 > 0:32:46Neither Mum nor Dad want to come out.
0:32:46 > 0:32:48Are they scared?
0:32:48 > 0:32:51Or could there be another reason?
0:32:51 > 0:32:54So we've got some really exciting news.
0:32:54 > 0:32:57Rufina, our female panda, we haven't seen her for a few days.
0:32:57 > 0:32:59She's been very, very busy.
0:32:59 > 0:33:02We're pretty sure we have two little baby pandas,
0:33:02 > 0:33:04which is really exciting.
0:33:05 > 0:33:07Mum is hiding in the nest.
0:33:10 > 0:33:11But rather than disturb her,
0:33:11 > 0:33:15Sam is installing an infrared camera to confirm whether
0:33:15 > 0:33:17this incredible news is true.
0:33:20 > 0:33:24Seeing footage of Mum and babies in the den would be absolutely amazing.
0:33:24 > 0:33:25It's not something that's done very often,
0:33:25 > 0:33:29so it'll give us a really valuable insight into how they're behaving,
0:33:29 > 0:33:33and hopefully a good check that the cub, or cubs if there is a few,
0:33:33 > 0:33:34are happy and healthy.
0:33:43 > 0:33:46But what if anything will the footage reveal?
0:33:46 > 0:33:48Well, there's definitely two.
0:33:48 > 0:33:51There's two little faces there, which is really nice.
0:33:51 > 0:33:53Mum's just giving them a really good clean.
0:33:58 > 0:34:01They're both wiggling around as well, which is really exciting.
0:34:01 > 0:34:02Means they're both alive and healthy,
0:34:02 > 0:34:05which is really, really good.
0:34:05 > 0:34:09Baby red pandas remain in their nest for their first 90 days
0:34:09 > 0:34:11and are looked after by their mother.
0:34:14 > 0:34:16They're very, very tiny at the moment.
0:34:16 > 0:34:19By my guesstimation, this footage,
0:34:19 > 0:34:21they're only about four or five days old.
0:34:21 > 0:34:24So they probably won't come out for the visitors to be able to see
0:34:24 > 0:34:26until they're about three months old.
0:34:26 > 0:34:29With such a severe threat to the red panda population,
0:34:29 > 0:34:34having two new babies is an unbelievable success story.
0:34:36 > 0:34:38We're so excited about these cubs.
0:34:38 > 0:34:40They're endangered in the wild, so every cub matters.
0:34:48 > 0:34:51There haven't been elephants at the park since 2003.
0:34:53 > 0:34:57But when news broke that a circus elephant named Anne was being
0:34:57 > 0:34:59horribly mistreated by a keeper,
0:34:59 > 0:35:02the park, aided by a wave of public donations,
0:35:02 > 0:35:04stepped in to give her a new home.
0:35:07 > 0:35:11As a special treat, Jean has been invited in to meet her.
0:35:14 > 0:35:16Now, I have to say, of all the animals on the park,
0:35:16 > 0:35:19I've been most looking forward to meeting Anne.
0:35:19 > 0:35:22And you guys, too, but I'm not here to see you.
0:35:23 > 0:35:25And there she is.
0:35:25 > 0:35:27Hi, Anne. Nice to meet you.
0:35:27 > 0:35:30- That's really cool.- Wow.- Feel free to give her some fruit if you wish.
0:35:30 > 0:35:32Right, so I place it down there on her trunk.
0:35:32 > 0:35:34- There you go.- Bit of mango.
0:35:34 > 0:35:35Nice.
0:35:35 > 0:35:38So she's just loving every single one of these fruits.
0:35:38 > 0:35:41- Does she have a favourite? - Yeah, she does have favourites.
0:35:41 > 0:35:45We treat her to the little things like doughnuts and stuff like that,
0:35:45 > 0:35:48but generally speaking we try and keep that as rare as possible.
0:35:48 > 0:35:49But she can't stand parsnips,
0:35:49 > 0:35:52quite finicky with oranges, but loves a carrot,
0:35:52 > 0:35:54loves a banana and loves a melon.
0:35:54 > 0:35:56Oh, so she's a fussy eater!
0:35:56 > 0:35:58And she's really hairy as well, which I didn't expect.
0:35:58 > 0:36:01A lot of people don't realise that elephants are actually quite hairy.
0:36:01 > 0:36:04They're born with the same amount of hair follicles
0:36:04 > 0:36:05throughout their whole life.
0:36:05 > 0:36:08When they're young they're really, really fuzzy
0:36:08 > 0:36:11and as they grow older their follicles part.
0:36:11 > 0:36:13So they don't look as hairy from a distance as they grow up,
0:36:13 > 0:36:15but it's not until you're close like we are with Anne
0:36:15 > 0:36:20you can see she's got this really nice sort of auburny colour hair
0:36:20 > 0:36:22all over her back, and most of her body, really.
0:36:22 > 0:36:25I can see a huge tongue in there.
0:36:25 > 0:36:26What's happening inside that mouth?
0:36:26 > 0:36:29Well, elephants have got about four teeth at a time
0:36:29 > 0:36:31and they go through six sets in their lifetime.
0:36:31 > 0:36:33- So they're constantly falling out. - Push the old ones out,
0:36:33 > 0:36:35and they're like the house brick, size-wise.
0:36:35 > 0:36:39At around about 45-ish is when their last set of teeth come through.
0:36:39 > 0:36:42Anne being 60-odd, she's definitely on her last teeth.
0:36:42 > 0:36:44So, basically, what she does is she just uses her tongue.
0:36:44 > 0:36:46It's doubled-jointed,
0:36:46 > 0:36:49so the tongue kind of just moves stuff rather than roll stuff around
0:36:49 > 0:36:52and then those big house-brick teeth just crush anything.
0:36:52 > 0:36:54I'm fascinated by her crew.
0:36:54 > 0:36:57This is Costa, Sugar and Coffee,
0:36:57 > 0:37:00and what's the connection between elephants and goats?
0:37:00 > 0:37:02It's not as simple to just get another elephant.
0:37:02 > 0:37:04There's a lot of work to it. So we've got these goats...
0:37:04 > 0:37:07- And they get on really well? - And they get on well.
0:37:07 > 0:37:08To begin with, they were very pushy.
0:37:08 > 0:37:10Apart from them stealing her food, of course.
0:37:10 > 0:37:13They're very, like, get into your personal space.
0:37:13 > 0:37:15But they learnt pretty quick that Anne is a lot bigger
0:37:15 > 0:37:18than them and if Anne wants something, she'll have it first.
0:37:20 > 0:37:23So they say an elephant never forgets.
0:37:23 > 0:37:26So, Anne, I hope you're never going to forget the time you met me.
0:37:26 > 0:37:28I'll never forget you.
0:37:36 > 0:37:39We're racing back to Animal Adventure now,
0:37:39 > 0:37:41where baby Leo has been spotted
0:37:41 > 0:37:43making his way across the wooden bridge.
0:37:50 > 0:37:53Now, this is incredibly exciting.
0:37:53 > 0:37:56You can see that oak tree is outside the enclosure -
0:37:56 > 0:37:59that will be a red panda on the loose.
0:37:59 > 0:38:02I don't know if they're going to get him back if he goes up there.
0:38:02 > 0:38:04Oh, look, he's heading across.
0:38:04 > 0:38:06He's certainly very confident up there.
0:38:09 > 0:38:11That is the furthest he's been to date.
0:38:16 > 0:38:19These animals are amazing climbers.
0:38:19 > 0:38:21And they look like little cuddly teddy bears,
0:38:21 > 0:38:25but actually, when you see their feet and claws,
0:38:25 > 0:38:29they are perfectly adapted for a life in the trees.
0:38:29 > 0:38:33Very brave thing for the keepers to do cos there's nowhere else
0:38:33 > 0:38:38in the country that has a tree outside an enclosure for red pandas.
0:38:38 > 0:38:40Where have you gone? Come here.
0:38:40 > 0:38:43If this was my child, I'd go up there and show them how to do it.
0:38:43 > 0:38:46You clever boy, you were so brave.
0:38:46 > 0:38:48We definitely need to reward him.
0:38:48 > 0:38:49You're so brave.
0:38:49 > 0:38:52Something tells me the next time he goes up there he'll be in the tree.
0:38:55 > 0:38:58'It's only a matter of time before the rest of the family learn to love
0:38:58 > 0:39:01'their new enclosure as much as baby Leo.'
0:39:15 > 0:39:18Sadly, it's almost time to end another show.
0:39:20 > 0:39:24But before we go, Kate couldn't resist a visit to the rhino house
0:39:24 > 0:39:26to catch up with old friends.
0:39:28 > 0:39:31It's a month since the procedure took place to try and produce
0:39:31 > 0:39:32some new babies.
0:39:33 > 0:39:38News of any new pregnancy here in the park is always greeted
0:39:38 > 0:39:44with much excitement, but there is one animal that so far has kept
0:39:44 > 0:39:46everybody on tenterhooks.
0:39:46 > 0:39:49It is the white rhinos and, Ian, I mean, I remember,
0:39:49 > 0:39:50was it back in...was it 2002?
0:39:50 > 0:39:54- 2002, yeah.- We went out to Africa to pick up these very girls
0:39:54 > 0:39:58and they are looking fantastic, aren't they?
0:39:58 > 0:40:02- But so far...- So far nothing, no.
0:40:02 > 0:40:05No little pitter patter of rhino feet.
0:40:05 > 0:40:10I know you and I talked about this and I had a little theory,
0:40:10 > 0:40:13and I've no idea whether this is going to work,
0:40:13 > 0:40:17but I thought we would try, if you don't mind,
0:40:17 > 0:40:20a human pregnancy test just to see.
0:40:20 > 0:40:23I mean, we don't know whether it's going to give an accurate result
0:40:23 > 0:40:25- or not, do we?- No. - But shall we give it a go?
0:40:25 > 0:40:27Have you got the necessary that we need to test it?
0:40:27 > 0:40:29What do you think we'd need?
0:40:29 > 0:40:32- I need a little... That is... - A little pot of rhino wee.
0:40:32 > 0:40:35- Of rhino wee. Ian, you see... - It was collected fresh this morning.
0:40:35 > 0:40:38You know how to treat a girl, so let's just see.
0:40:38 > 0:40:40Now, the vet...
0:40:41 > 0:40:45..who administered the AI did say this might be able to work.
0:40:45 > 0:40:48I think the theory is if it becomes positive
0:40:48 > 0:40:50- and a real sign of positive, it is. - Yep.
0:40:50 > 0:40:54But if it doesn't do anything, it doesn't mean she isn't.
0:40:54 > 0:40:55It's not, OK.
0:40:55 > 0:40:58So, "Collect a urine sample in a clean, dry container."
0:40:58 > 0:41:00- You've done that.- Done.
0:41:00 > 0:41:03"Place the strip vertically into the urine sample to make sure
0:41:03 > 0:41:05"the arrows are pointing downwards.
0:41:05 > 0:41:08"Don't let it go above the max line." OK, hold on, hold on.
0:41:09 > 0:41:10OK, now what do I have to do?
0:41:10 > 0:41:15"Remove the strip and place the strip on a clean, dry surface.
0:41:15 > 0:41:19"Wait for the coloured bands to appear."
0:41:19 > 0:41:21So let's just not look at this for a bit, cos look at you,
0:41:21 > 0:41:22you're all tense.
0:41:24 > 0:41:28This is obviously a little bit of an experiment, a human pregnancy test.
0:41:28 > 0:41:30But how are the vets going to establish
0:41:30 > 0:41:32that she is actually pregnant?
0:41:32 > 0:41:34What are you doing?
0:41:34 > 0:41:35- We can collect dung.- Right.
0:41:35 > 0:41:37Because we obviously can't collect this every day,
0:41:37 > 0:41:39but we can collect dung every day.
0:41:39 > 0:41:42- Right.- And once a month, we'll send a batch over for them to test
0:41:42 > 0:41:44and they'll be able to tell from the samples.
0:41:44 > 0:41:46Right. So too early yet.
0:41:46 > 0:41:48You haven't had any results yet?
0:41:48 > 0:41:51- No, too early yet.- Well, according to this, it's negative.
0:41:52 > 0:41:56But I am going to be positive and say that it's four weeks,
0:41:56 > 0:41:59- it's rhino, it's not human. - That's right, yeah.
0:41:59 > 0:42:02And I think we've got to wait for the German vets, don't you?
0:42:02 > 0:42:03Yeah, yeah, for sure.
0:42:03 > 0:42:07Cos I think Razina, as you said, she loves you.
0:42:07 > 0:42:11If she can do anything for you, it will be to have a little Razina.
0:42:11 > 0:42:13- That's correct, yes. - Don't you think?
0:42:13 > 0:42:14- Definitely.- Yeah, yeah.
0:42:14 > 0:42:17Well, let's just forget that. That was a silly idea of mine.
0:42:17 > 0:42:18I'm very, very sorry.
0:42:20 > 0:42:23It's always lovely just to come up here and see the rhinos anyway.
0:42:23 > 0:42:26- That's fine.- It was just an excuse, it was just an excuse.
0:42:26 > 0:42:28Join us next time on Animal Park.
0:42:30 > 0:42:33'We'll be bringing you the park's most daring lion move ever.'
0:42:34 > 0:42:38'Ben becomes a tree for a long line of lorikeets.'
0:42:38 > 0:42:41- Have I got something on my head? - I'm afraid so!
0:42:41 > 0:42:44'Kate gets extremely close to some creepy-crawlies.'
0:42:44 > 0:42:46I'm worried I've lost some. I feel like they...
0:42:46 > 0:42:48Until you have one come crawling up the back of your shirt.
0:42:48 > 0:42:51'And the lake animals go wild for their first visitors.'
0:42:51 > 0:42:53Somebody on the left would say,
0:42:53 > 0:42:56"Oh, we've seen the sea lion rush over and the boat would tilt."
0:42:57 > 0:43:01And we've got more action-packed tales from the last 50 years.
0:43:01 > 0:43:04So join us tomorrow as we continue the celebrations.