Continuing this week on Five is the wildlife series
anchored by animal expert Michaela Strachan and
ex-‘Blue Peter’ presenter Matt Baker. The series
looks at the urgent work going on to save and
protect animals in the UK and abroad – from largescale
conservation projects to tiny wildlife
sanctuaries. In this week’s instalment, Michaela
helps rescue a dog in California; vet Jason Atherton
treats a falcon who has an infected foot; and the
macaque monkeys play pass-the-parcel in the
Somerset wildlife park.
In this week’s programme, Michaela is in California
to help rescue a pet dog from terrible conditions.
The poor terrier has been locked in a cramped, tiny
cage and has terrible wounds on his skin. Animal
Control Officer Ken Winter seizes the dog from his
owner, who is unable to afford veterinary treatment,
and takes it away so that it can receive urgent
medical care. But when they get back to the centre,
the terrier’s condition turns out to be more serious
than was first thought.
Vet Jason Atherton, meanwhile, is dealing with a
very unusual patient. Conan the falcon has a badly
infected foot, and if he does not get it treated he
may never be able to perch – or even fly – again.
Jason is faced with a tough decision: should he risk
an operation which could put Conan’s life in danger,
or leave the foot to get worse?
The programme also heads to the wildlife park in
Somerset, where staff take the happiness of their
animal charges very seriously. The keepers aim to
keep the animals constantly stimulated, but will the
leopards really enjoy an aromatherapy session?
And can the macaque monkeys get the hang of
pass-the-parcel?