In the fifth episode of this new season of Animal Park, Ben and Kate look at the world of animal care, specifically focusing on the importance of keepers understanding the intricacies of their animals’ lives. With a particular interest in the behaviour of Yana, a female Amur tiger, they notice her strange actions over the past few weeks. She has avoided lying on her stomach and has become increasingly inactive, sparking concern among the team.
However, the potential reason for her behaviour lies in the fact that she has been observed mating with male tiger Red, raising cautious optimism that she may be pregnant. The breeding programme is crucial, as there are fewer than 400 Amur tigers believed to be left in the wild.
To monitor Yana’s condition without disturbing her, keepers set up cameras in the tiger house. The team eagerly anticipates any clues that could confirm their pregnancy speculation. Meanwhile, wildlife cameraman Hamza Yassin turns his lens towards the sky, embarking on a survey of native bird species.
This endeavour holds vital importance for the park, as it will guide their decisions on encouraging specific bird habitats and understanding the health of the existing bird population. In just one hour, Hamza captures a diverse array of avian life, from tiny house martins to majestic herons.
The episode also features Kate presenting a challenging meal to the gorillas, Ben encouraging a kangaroo to showcase its full height, and zoologist Megan McCubbin taking on the task of teaching new tricks to an old pig.
Animal Park Season 22 Episode 5 airs on Friday, 16 August 2024, at 9:30 am on BBC One.
