We say goodbye to a Longleat legend, celebrating her life and the impact she has had on keepers and visitors. Hippos arrived in the park from Uganda nearly half a century ago, and ever since, they have been park favourites. We hear from a keeper who remembers the day well, and keepers who have loved working with them over the years. Sadly, hippo Sonia disappeared, and a few days later was found dead. We hear her story and the reactions from the keepers. Kate talks to one of the keepers who knew Sonia best to remember her life and some of her highlights. \n\nWildlife photographer Hamza Yassin has also been asked to use his camera and powerful zoom lens to document any behavioural changes in her companion Spot that might show signs of distress. He finds her in her wallow and looking relaxed, but are there any worrying signs that most of us would miss?\n\nOn the other side of the park, another keeper has her hands full with a cheeky Catalina macaw who loves escaping, but no-one can quite work out how. Known for their high intelligence and comedic personalities, the keepers think she may well be enjoying her escaping act. But they don’t want to encourage the behaviour, so they place cameras around the enclosure in an attempt to catch the naughty bird in the act. They strike lucky and discover her brazen tactics and create a plan to keep her at home for good. But will the plan work? Not if the macaw has anything to do with it.
Source: BBC 2
Summer 2021: Episode 4
Longleat's keepers have to be ready for anything in the park, and today they have a challenge on their hands when one of their residents goes missing. While doing the morning ro ...
14-04-2024
BBC 2
Summer 2021: Episode 15
Thorn the giraffe is an elder statesman of the park and has a reputation for a fiery temper and grumpy demeanour. But as animals get older, they come to rely on their keepers mo ...
05-04-2024
BBC 2
Summer 2021: Episode 14
One of the park’s favourite couples, armadillos Preston and Polly are due to be reunited to have another litter, but there’s a problem. Last year, Preston piled on t ...
04-04-2024
BBC 2
Summer 2021: Episode 13
Today, aggression between the koalas is threatening the success of the park's breeding programme. It has been a year since the keepers started to notice mating behaviour in koal ...
03-04-2024
BBC 2
Summer 2021: Episode 12
Today, the threat of a deadly disease forces the keepers to take action. Like many of the park’s animals, the ankole cattle have to be checked for tuberculosis, which is a ...
02-04-2024
BBC 2
Summer 2021: Episode 11
Kate Humble and Ben Fogle are back at Longleat Safari Park with the latest stories of the wonderful exotic creatures that call it home. \n\nToday, an update on Willow the baby a ...
01-04-2024
BBC 2
Summer 2021: Episode 10
It’s the tenth anniversary of the arrival of rescue elephant Anne, who spent most of her life in the circus. Kate and Ben find out how the keepers keep one of Europe&rsquo ...
29-03-2024
BBC 2
Summer 2021: Episode 9
The keepers make an exciting discovery in the emu barn - a clutch of eggs. Could the park finally get its first emu chick? The male emu is supposed to sit on the eggs, but so fa ...
28-03-2024
BBC 2
Summer 2021: Episode 8
The lives of the park’s rock hyrax babies hang in the balance as their mum is taken to the vets for an urgent medical investigation. The keepers have spotted worrying lump ...
27-03-2024
BBC 2
Summer 2021: Episode 7
There’s a mystery arrival at the park who is changing the landscape in Wiltshire. There are tell-tale signs by the lake: felled trees, gnawed branches and changed waterway ...
26-03-2024
BBC 2
Summer 2022: Episode 12
Kate Humble and Ben Fogle return to Longleat Safari Park for another spectacular summer series following the fascinating stories of the exotic animals and the keepers who look a ...
27-02-2024
BBC 2
Summer 2022: Episode 9
Kate Humble and Ben Fogle are back for another sunny summer series following the remarkable lives of the exotic animals at Longleat Safari Park, and the keepers who care for the ...
22-02-2024
BBC 2
Summer 2022: Episode 2
Ben Fogle and Kate Humble are back for another sunny summer series, following the lives of the exotic animals at Longleat Safari Park and the keepers who look after their every ...
19-03-2024
BBC 2
30-minute Editions: Episode 3
Tragedy strikes in Koala Creek as kidney disease claims the life of Wilpena. One of five Southern Australian koalas who made the long journey from Australia to their new home in ...
28-11-2021
BBC 2
Series 7: 30 Minute Reversions - Episode 12
Ben Fogle and Kate Humble explore life behind the scenes at Longleat Estate and Safari Park. A new sea lion baby is born by the lake, and mum doesn't want anyone too close.
27-08-2014
BBC 2
Summer 2022: Episode 5
Kate Humble and Ben Fogle return to Longleat Safari Park for another glorious summer series, following the incredible stories of the exotic animals and the keepers who look afte ...
22-03-2024
BBC 2
Compilation Specials: Episode 7
Kate Humble and Ben Fogle are back at Longleat Safari Park for an episode that is jam-packed with new life. There has been a baby boom in Monkey Jungle, with 15 born in just thr ...
02-04-2023
BBC 2
Christmas Special: Episode 3
Winter is drawing in, and for the first time Kate Humble and Ben Fogle are spending the most wonderful time of the year at Longleat Safari Park. There are visitors from afar, s ...
15-12-2021
BBC 2
Summer 2021: Episode 10
It’s the tenth anniversary of the arrival of rescue elephant Anne, who spent most of her life in the circus. Kate and Ben find out how the keepers keep one of Europe&rsquo ...
29-03-2024
BBC 2
Summer 2020 (shortened Versions): Episode 7
Kate meets Blue - an ostrich with an identity problem. He seems to think he’s a zebra, and while he’s hanging out with his stripy friends, he’s neglecting his ...
26-07-2021
BBC 2