Continuing this week 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.This week, a group of vets battle to help retired racehorse Sol recover from a serious back injury. Michaela meets some cockatiels in South Africa that are being introduced into the world’s largest aviary. And animal control officers in Florida come to the aid of a stricken Yorkshire terrier.
Animal Rescue Squad follows the efforts of zoologists, vets and volunteers to help animals around the world. The series focuses on the unsung heroes of animal conservation, who work tirelessly to improve the lives of creatures in zoos, safari parks, wildlife reserves and public areas.

This week, retired racehorse Sol has a complicated back injury that means he keeps throwing anyone who tries to ride him. If Sol cannot be ridden, he will not be able to find a new home. Thankfully, the Thoroughbred Rehabilitation Trust and the vets at Dalehead Veterinary Group in Yorkshire refuse to give up on him. But only a gruelling set of tests will show whether Sol can ever be ridden again.
In South Africa, it is check-in time at Birds of Eden –the world’s largest free-flight aviary. Each month, staff give a new lease of life to dozens of unwanted and injured birds who would never be able to live in the wild. Michaela meets some cockatiels whose owner can no longer cope with them. But after years in a cage, will they be fit enough to spread their wings and join the 3,000 other birds flying free in the massive dome?

Also this week, in Palm Beach, Florida, animal control officers receive an urgent call to help a dog in distress. It is a sweltering hot day and Coco, a little Yorkshire Terrier, has been locked in an abandoned house without food or water. But when they arrive on the scene, the officers discover that Coco has worrying lumps all over her body. It becomes a race against time to get Coco to the vet to find out what can be done for her.

Monday 17th March at 14:50 on five