Animal Park S20E01 - Episode 1

It's time to deck the halls because Ben Fogle and Kate Humble are heading back to Longleat Safari Park for a magical week of programmes.

One of the park's best Christmas presents ever has arrived, but there is a problem – it's hiding! Last summer, before we were even thinking about our Christmas lists, keeper Sam had everything crossed that her gorgeous red panda Emma might be pregnant. Well, she was. Emma gave birth to two cubs, but they are so reclusive that Sam can't check how they are doing. Her solution is to rig some cameras to see what's going on after dark.

Elsewhere in the park, one of the biggest presents has arrived for one of the biggest animals. It's up to keepers Matt and Cerys to haul an enormous rope into position so that the four gorillas have plenty to play with on Christmas day. It needs to be done correctly because a silverback gorilla can be as strong as 20 humans. Initially, the gorillas don't appear to be too keen on their new toy, so wildlife cameraman Hamza Yassin decides to train his lens on the group to see if a struggle for dominance is affecting their behaviour.

Along with Hamza, Megan McCubbin is spending her first Christmas at the park, and she is kicking off with her favourite Christmas tradition – decorating the tree. What will the rhinos make of this towering creation, and how long will it survive?

Ben attempts to get a flock of parrots on side with a giant food-covered bauble, and Kate encourages the macaque monkeys into a snowball fight.
A 24-foot Christmas tree is delivered to the Great Hall. Can the team manoeuvre it into place without damaging countless family heirlooms, and will it fit?