1 00:00:05,160 --> 00:00:07,680 (UPLIFTING MUSIC) 2 00:00:07,720 --> 00:00:10,160 NARRATOR: 'When it comes to true friendship, 3 00:00:10,200 --> 00:00:15,880 shape, size, or even species is irrelevant. 4 00:00:15,920 --> 00:00:18,760 Respect, trust and understanding 5 00:00:18,800 --> 00:00:22,920 can be found in the most surprising places, 6 00:00:22,960 --> 00:00:26,120 creating incredible connections 7 00:00:26,160 --> 00:00:27,840 that change our lives. 8 00:00:30,160 --> 00:00:33,040 From daily catch-ups...' (MAN CHUCKLING) 9 00:00:33,080 --> 00:00:36,840 They do make me laugh, jumping around. 10 00:00:36,880 --> 00:00:39,440 NARRATOR: '..To unlikely kinships.' 11 00:00:39,480 --> 00:00:41,800 (TIANA)So cute! 12 00:00:41,840 --> 00:00:43,720 NARRATOR: 'And acts of kindness 13 00:00:43,760 --> 00:00:46,480 that grow into lasting commitment. 14 00:00:46,520 --> 00:00:48,800 (SHEREE) Hello, sweetie. 15 00:00:48,840 --> 00:00:53,520 NARRATOR: 'The bond of friendship is universal.' 16 00:01:00,800 --> 00:01:02,520 (GENTLE MUSIC) 17 00:01:02,560 --> 00:01:05,920 NARRATOR: 'In Florida, USA, on the Gulf of Mexico, 18 00:01:05,960 --> 00:01:09,600 lies a small waterside community. 19 00:01:09,640 --> 00:01:13,960 Home to Dave Cox and his rather unusual housemate and companion.' 20 00:01:14,000 --> 00:01:16,560 I was born in Denver, Colorado, 21 00:01:16,600 --> 00:01:21,800 and pretty much lived there my whole life. 22 00:01:21,840 --> 00:01:24,960 Grew up with goats, um, dogs, cats, 23 00:01:25,000 --> 00:01:27,960 the typical pets, then throughout our life, 24 00:01:28,000 --> 00:01:30,760 my brother and I, we had... Oh, my goodness, 25 00:01:30,800 --> 00:01:33,560 ferrets and hamsters, um, 26 00:01:33,600 --> 00:01:36,360 mice, a couple mice. 27 00:01:37,800 --> 00:01:40,479 When my dog passed, that was really hard. 28 00:01:40,520 --> 00:01:42,400 When I would look into his eyes, 29 00:01:42,440 --> 00:01:45,039 he was like: "I'm here for you, Dave." 30 00:01:45,080 --> 00:01:48,400 He was such an amazing friend. 31 00:01:48,440 --> 00:01:51,160 I never imagined I could replace that connection. 32 00:01:52,520 --> 00:01:55,600 NARRATOR: 'In 2015, soon after moving to Florida... 33 00:01:58,000 --> 00:01:59,960 ..another creature would change his mind 34 00:02:00,000 --> 00:02:04,160 in ways he never thought possible. 35 00:02:04,200 --> 00:02:06,520 (DAVE) I was still mourning the loss of my dog, 36 00:02:06,560 --> 00:02:10,400 and it just struck me, I was like: "You know what? 37 00:02:10,440 --> 00:02:12,200 "I need a sweet little companion." 38 00:02:12,240 --> 00:02:17,720 But, never imagined considering even 39 00:02:17,760 --> 00:02:22,079 bringing a farm animal into the house. 40 00:02:22,960 --> 00:02:26,240 Bit of a spur of the moment type. 41 00:02:26,280 --> 00:02:28,520 The name just came to me. 42 00:02:28,560 --> 00:02:30,800 Good morning! 43 00:02:30,840 --> 00:02:32,240 "You're Sammy... 44 00:02:32,280 --> 00:02:34,079 "Sammy Chicken." 45 00:02:34,120 --> 00:02:35,640 (SAMMY CLUCKING) 46 00:02:35,680 --> 00:02:37,160 Hi, Sammy. 47 00:02:37,200 --> 00:02:38,680 Are you hungry? 48 00:02:38,720 --> 00:02:40,960 (SAMMY CLUCKS) Oh, yum-yum. 49 00:02:41,000 --> 00:02:45,280 NARRATOR: 'Sammy is a Rhode Island Red chicken. 50 00:02:45,320 --> 00:02:48,640 She's five-and-a-half years old.' 51 00:02:48,680 --> 00:02:51,640 Come on, girl. Let's go outside. 52 00:02:51,680 --> 00:02:54,880 We always share a banana. Every morning together, 53 00:02:54,920 --> 00:02:58,520 it is our morning routine. 54 00:02:58,560 --> 00:03:00,480 Yum-yum? 55 00:03:00,720 --> 00:03:04,760 You are definitely a messy eater, aren't you. 56 00:03:04,800 --> 00:03:05,840 Can I have a piece? 57 00:03:05,880 --> 00:03:09,880 Look at the forecast whether we're going to out on the water, 58 00:03:09,920 --> 00:03:12,440 um, kayaking, paddle-boarding. 59 00:03:12,480 --> 00:03:14,400 Or sometimes, we do have to go to work, 60 00:03:14,640 --> 00:03:16,600 and, um, make money, to pay the bills. 61 00:03:19,840 --> 00:03:21,840 (WHIMSICAL MUSIC, SAMMY CLUCKING) 62 00:03:22,760 --> 00:03:26,360 NARRATOR: 'Dave works in residential construction, 63 00:03:26,400 --> 00:03:30,079 always accompanied by his feathered assistant.' 64 00:03:30,120 --> 00:03:32,240 All right, girl. 65 00:03:32,280 --> 00:03:34,760 We will, kind of, pack our lunch, 66 00:03:34,800 --> 00:03:39,040 uh, get in the pick-up and head off to the job site. 67 00:03:39,079 --> 00:03:42,400 (UPBEAT MUSIC) 68 00:03:45,880 --> 00:03:48,160 You're so soft, Sammy. 69 00:03:48,200 --> 00:03:51,520 She's definitely my best friend. She just stays with me. 70 00:03:51,560 --> 00:03:55,040 She hangs out with me, um, on the job site. 71 00:03:55,079 --> 00:03:57,079 You gotta help me put the board up. 72 00:03:57,120 --> 00:03:59,040 Who's gonna hold the other end? 73 00:03:59,079 --> 00:04:03,320 Inside, outside, she just very well adjusts. 74 00:04:03,360 --> 00:04:06,200 Sammy, am I in the right spot? 75 00:04:06,240 --> 00:04:07,440 (SAMMY CLUCKS) 76 00:04:07,480 --> 00:04:08,640 (HAMMERING) 77 00:04:08,680 --> 00:04:10,520 We talk during the day. 78 00:04:10,560 --> 00:04:13,240 I'll call out to her, and she'll just, kind of, cluck back. 79 00:04:13,280 --> 00:04:16,480 Like: "Here I am. Everything is good." 80 00:04:16,519 --> 00:04:17,880 (SAMMY CLUCKS) 81 00:04:17,920 --> 00:04:19,320 Yeah. Oh, you're right. 82 00:04:19,360 --> 00:04:22,560 You're right, it's another 12 inches. 83 00:04:24,120 --> 00:04:26,640 NARRATOR: 'Since Sammy came into Dave's life, 84 00:04:26,680 --> 00:04:28,680 the pair have taken to exploring 85 00:04:28,720 --> 00:04:31,480 as much of the US as possible.' 86 00:04:31,520 --> 00:04:34,560 (DAVE) Every weekend, I thought: "You know what? 87 00:04:34,600 --> 00:04:37,400 "Let's go somewhere different." 88 00:04:37,440 --> 00:04:40,200 I'm a twin, um, identical twin. 89 00:04:40,240 --> 00:04:43,800 He passed away, uh, a few years ago. 90 00:04:43,840 --> 00:04:46,560 He was... He was my best friend. 91 00:04:48,840 --> 00:04:53,000 He had a tremendous dream to travel. 92 00:04:53,040 --> 00:04:54,680 He wanted to see the world, but 93 00:04:54,720 --> 00:04:56,600 didn't have that opportunity. 94 00:04:56,640 --> 00:04:58,640 And so, um... 95 00:05:02,920 --> 00:05:04,280 I'm really sorry. (SNIFFLES) 96 00:05:04,320 --> 00:05:06,320 (VOICE WAVERS) Um... 97 00:05:07,720 --> 00:05:10,480 As I started taking my road trips, 98 00:05:10,520 --> 00:05:13,840 it is almost like Sammy is... 99 00:05:13,880 --> 00:05:14,920 ..Derek. 100 00:05:14,960 --> 00:05:17,920 Um, like my twin, and... 101 00:05:17,960 --> 00:05:20,040 through Sammy's eyes... 102 00:05:22,080 --> 00:05:23,880 (STAMMERS) 103 00:05:26,240 --> 00:05:29,560 I get to take my twin brother with me, 104 00:05:29,600 --> 00:05:31,640 and to see the things that he... 105 00:05:33,200 --> 00:05:35,200 TEARFULLY: ..was never able to see. 106 00:05:39,480 --> 00:05:41,040 (WHIMSICAL MUSIC) 107 00:05:41,080 --> 00:05:43,200 NARRATOR: 'Today, Dave and Sammy are heading out 108 00:05:43,240 --> 00:05:46,200 for some midweek entertainment.' 109 00:05:46,240 --> 00:05:47,760 Are you excited, Sammy? 110 00:05:47,800 --> 00:05:49,680 We're almost there. 111 00:05:49,720 --> 00:05:51,159 NARRATOR: 'A trip to see some friends 112 00:05:51,200 --> 00:05:55,320 play at the Crystal River little league.' 113 00:05:55,360 --> 00:05:57,320 We're, here, Sammy... 114 00:06:00,480 --> 00:06:02,440 (CROWD CHEERING) 115 00:06:02,480 --> 00:06:03,800 WOMAN: Woo! 116 00:06:03,840 --> 00:06:06,440 (WOMAN) Softball, ready! 117 00:06:07,680 --> 00:06:09,040 (DAVE) Shall we? 118 00:06:09,080 --> 00:06:11,320 When we attend these events, 119 00:06:11,360 --> 00:06:13,960 definitely we are a bit of an attraction. 120 00:06:14,000 --> 00:06:15,800 (CHILDREN CALLING OUT) 121 00:06:15,840 --> 00:06:18,600 I have never seen a chicken at a baseball game. 122 00:06:18,640 --> 00:06:20,360 Really?Yeah. I would imagine 123 00:06:20,400 --> 00:06:22,400 she's excited for the refreshments. 124 00:06:25,040 --> 00:06:26,520 (CROWD CHEERING) 125 00:06:30,280 --> 00:06:31,840 Oh, my goodness. Popcorn? 126 00:06:31,880 --> 00:06:34,920 That would be amazing. Thank you! 127 00:06:34,960 --> 00:06:36,880 Want some popcorn? What's your chicken's name? 128 00:06:36,920 --> 00:06:39,440 Her name is Sammy.- Sammy?Yeah. 129 00:06:39,480 --> 00:06:42,960 Look, she really likes that popcorn. 130 00:06:43,000 --> 00:06:45,440 (DAVE) Thank you very much. 131 00:06:46,600 --> 00:06:48,480 I think something that is really sweet 132 00:06:48,520 --> 00:06:52,280 is the children come up to pet her, 133 00:06:52,320 --> 00:06:53,640 to say hi to her. 134 00:06:53,680 --> 00:06:55,200 You wanna pet her? 135 00:06:55,240 --> 00:06:56,680 Why don't you guys come up here? 136 00:06:56,720 --> 00:07:00,440 It is truly, um, just exciting to see the... 137 00:07:01,520 --> 00:07:05,840 Their reaction, asking questions about her. 138 00:07:05,880 --> 00:07:08,320 So, go ahead and put it up there for her. 139 00:07:08,360 --> 00:07:09,720 Do you want some? 140 00:07:09,760 --> 00:07:11,520 (CHILD 1)Wow! (CHILD 2) Ow! (GIGGLES) 141 00:07:11,560 --> 00:07:13,680 Wasn't too bad. More startling. 142 00:07:13,720 --> 00:07:16,600 I couldn't tell you how many hundreds of thousands of times 143 00:07:16,640 --> 00:07:21,640 kids, adults, have said: "Her feathers are so soft." 144 00:07:21,680 --> 00:07:25,000 Or: "Wow, look at her orange eyes. 145 00:07:25,040 --> 00:07:27,760 "I never looked at a chicken's face 146 00:07:27,800 --> 00:07:29,800 up close like this before." 147 00:07:29,840 --> 00:07:32,200 So, this is her comb. 148 00:07:32,240 --> 00:07:35,560 If she'll let you feel it, it kinda feels like a gummy worm. 149 00:07:35,600 --> 00:07:38,800 If she'll let you feel it. And then, this is her wattle. 150 00:07:38,840 --> 00:07:41,040 To me, it feels like a Fruit Roll-Up. 151 00:07:41,080 --> 00:07:43,600 You ever had a Fruit Roll-Up? Yeah. 152 00:07:43,640 --> 00:07:47,040 Yeah. (CHILD LAUGHS) 153 00:07:47,080 --> 00:07:49,520 Good game, guys! So, why don't we get a photo, 154 00:07:49,560 --> 00:07:51,120 then you guys can pet her? (KIDS GASP) 155 00:07:51,159 --> 00:07:52,280 Would that work? Yeah! 156 00:07:52,320 --> 00:07:55,280 Can I kneel down next to you guys? Of course.Yeah. 157 00:07:55,320 --> 00:07:57,320 Wow! 158 00:08:00,280 --> 00:08:01,360 (LAUGHTER) 159 00:08:01,400 --> 00:08:03,160 (MAN) OK, smile! 160 00:08:03,200 --> 00:08:04,960 (CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKS) 161 00:08:07,440 --> 00:08:09,480 (MAJESTIC MUSIC) 162 00:08:09,520 --> 00:08:12,360 NARRATOR: 'But it's the time spent one-on-one 163 00:08:12,400 --> 00:08:14,440 which Dave treasures the most.' 164 00:08:16,040 --> 00:08:19,400 (DAVE) When we're in the kayak and she's looking around... 165 00:08:19,440 --> 00:08:22,800 There's a turtle in the water. Do you see it poking its head up? 166 00:08:22,840 --> 00:08:26,360 She gives me pause to appreciate 167 00:08:26,400 --> 00:08:28,480 the beauty that is surrounding us. 168 00:08:35,520 --> 00:08:37,360 Do you see something? 169 00:08:37,400 --> 00:08:38,960 They understand love. 170 00:08:39,000 --> 00:08:42,640 She doesn't come up and lick my face like my dog did. 171 00:08:44,000 --> 00:08:45,320 Oh, I love you, girl. 172 00:08:45,360 --> 00:08:47,400 She has her way of showing it. 173 00:08:48,280 --> 00:08:52,120 Almost every night, um, I lie down on my bed, 174 00:08:52,160 --> 00:08:54,840 she jumps up on the bed, and she climbs up onto my chest, 175 00:08:54,880 --> 00:08:57,560 and she puts her head up close to my neck, 176 00:08:57,600 --> 00:09:00,760 and she just sits there with her head there. 177 00:09:02,200 --> 00:09:04,480 When you see something like that, I was like: 178 00:09:05,640 --> 00:09:10,080 TEARFULLY: "You've come into my life right when I needed you." 179 00:09:10,120 --> 00:09:12,120 Um... Sorry. 180 00:09:13,960 --> 00:09:15,960 She means the world to me. 181 00:09:17,200 --> 00:09:19,760 OK, I guess we'll go back. 182 00:09:21,280 --> 00:09:23,280 This was fun, wasn't it? 183 00:09:30,920 --> 00:09:34,600 NARRATOR: 'Our animal friends come in many shapes and sizes. 184 00:09:34,840 --> 00:09:36,840 (GENTLE MUSIC) 185 00:09:40,600 --> 00:09:43,760 'In the miniature village of Bramble, England... 186 00:09:44,880 --> 00:09:48,280 ..the residents are just starting their day 187 00:09:48,320 --> 00:09:53,280 when they're paid a visit by the village giant.' 188 00:09:53,320 --> 00:09:54,640 (DULL THUDS) 189 00:09:54,680 --> 00:09:57,240 (WHIMSICAL MUSIC) 190 00:10:00,280 --> 00:10:03,400 (JEZ) My name's Jez Robinson, I live in Rotherham, Yorkshire, 191 00:10:03,440 --> 00:10:05,920 and we share the garden with two mice families. 192 00:10:07,400 --> 00:10:10,880 I think they're amazing. I really do. 193 00:10:13,040 --> 00:10:15,520 (CHEERFUL MUSIC) 194 00:10:15,560 --> 00:10:18,400 It's like a little wildlife sanctuary, to be honest, the garden. 195 00:10:20,120 --> 00:10:23,320 We get birds, hedgehogs, foxes, frogs. 196 00:10:23,360 --> 00:10:26,560 There's all the wildflowers that run along the front of the garden. 197 00:10:26,600 --> 00:10:30,560 They're all designed for the bees, insects, butterflies. 198 00:10:30,600 --> 00:10:35,280 And then, obviously, we get two mice families that live up there. 199 00:10:35,320 --> 00:10:38,360 I can see one. Good afternoon, mouse. 200 00:10:38,400 --> 00:10:40,720 It's only me, don't worry. 201 00:10:40,760 --> 00:10:42,800 NARRATOR: 'For the last three years, 202 00:10:42,840 --> 00:10:47,120 Jez has been sharing his garden with a group of mice.' 203 00:10:47,160 --> 00:10:50,680 Good afternoon, little mouse. How are you? 204 00:10:50,720 --> 00:10:53,520 NARRATOR: 'And they've come to mean a lot to him. 205 00:10:53,560 --> 00:10:56,040 He's even named them the Honeysuckles 206 00:10:56,080 --> 00:10:58,760 and the Bramble family.' 207 00:10:58,800 --> 00:11:02,280 I think I've gained trust of them because they understand my voice. 208 00:11:02,320 --> 00:11:05,400 They know when I talk, they don't shoot off and disappear. 209 00:11:05,440 --> 00:11:08,280 They are very much wild, but it's nice. 210 00:11:08,320 --> 00:11:10,680 It's a nice feeling, it really is. 211 00:11:10,720 --> 00:11:12,520 (LIGHT MUSIC) 212 00:11:12,560 --> 00:11:15,200 NARRATOR: 'It was by chance that Jez discovered the mice. 213 00:11:16,800 --> 00:11:18,240 A keen wildlife photographer, 214 00:11:18,280 --> 00:11:21,280 he used to spend his time in nearby national park, 215 00:11:21,320 --> 00:11:23,680 the Peak District.' 216 00:11:23,720 --> 00:11:26,000 I'll get up around half four, quarter to five, 217 00:11:26,040 --> 00:11:28,440 make a flask of coffee, jump in the car 218 00:11:28,480 --> 00:11:31,120 and just park up and walk up by the river, 219 00:11:31,160 --> 00:11:34,440 get to the spot and start photographing them. 220 00:11:34,480 --> 00:11:36,240 (CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKS) 221 00:11:38,800 --> 00:11:40,840 I've been going there for a long time. 222 00:11:40,880 --> 00:11:45,240 Watch the deers rut on the big moor, photographing them. 223 00:11:45,280 --> 00:11:47,120 NARRATOR: 'Covid lockdown in 2020 224 00:11:47,160 --> 00:11:50,440 meant that Jez wasn't able to leave his house and visit the moors. 225 00:11:51,920 --> 00:11:54,600 (UPLIFTING MUSIC) 226 00:11:54,640 --> 00:11:57,480 But he refused to put his camera down. 227 00:12:00,520 --> 00:12:02,320 (JEZ) When we were told we couldn't go out, 228 00:12:02,360 --> 00:12:06,560 I thought I'd get some nice photos of goldfinch, greenfinch and other birds that visit. 229 00:12:06,600 --> 00:12:09,640 While I were up here, I literally were pointing my camera, 230 00:12:09,680 --> 00:12:11,720 and spotted a mouse on t'decking. 231 00:12:14,200 --> 00:12:18,080 Took a photo, and I've been photographing and filming 'em ever since. 232 00:12:18,120 --> 00:12:19,880 It never occurred in my wildest dreams 233 00:12:20,120 --> 00:12:22,200 that they'd come, and I'd be stood next to them 234 00:12:22,240 --> 00:12:24,400 in't hedge, waiting for me to feed 'em. 235 00:12:25,520 --> 00:12:29,040 NARRATOR: 'Jez was immediately smitten with his rodent friends, 236 00:12:29,080 --> 00:12:32,880 and began spending every afternoon in his garden with them.' 237 00:12:34,200 --> 00:12:36,280 Around three o'clock, when I finish work, 238 00:12:36,320 --> 00:12:39,560 the mice never fail to come out. They come out every single time. 239 00:12:40,560 --> 00:12:43,200 There's one at the moment, he's got a kink in his tail, 240 00:12:43,240 --> 00:12:44,680 and we've called him Twiglet. 241 00:12:44,720 --> 00:12:47,960 Um, there's another one, called Poppet. 242 00:12:48,000 --> 00:12:49,440 That's Poppet. 243 00:12:49,480 --> 00:12:52,160 NARRATOR: 'Poppet has a remarkable rescue story. 244 00:12:52,200 --> 00:12:54,520 Being cared for first by Jez, 245 00:12:54,560 --> 00:12:57,040 and now by the Bramble mouse family. 246 00:12:57,080 --> 00:12:59,880 One of my neighbours fetched it, found it on the path near t'road, 247 00:12:59,920 --> 00:13:02,560 I looked after it for a week, and released it to the mouse family. 248 00:13:02,600 --> 00:13:05,320 They've adopted four mice, now, in three years, 249 00:13:05,360 --> 00:13:08,760 and they look after 'em, and I think that's absolutely amazing. 250 00:13:08,800 --> 00:13:11,640 NARRATOR: 'Mice can live in groups of up to two dozen, 251 00:13:11,680 --> 00:13:14,440 and are known to raise each other's babies. 252 00:13:14,480 --> 00:13:17,640 No surprise, then, that they've accepted Poppet - 253 00:13:17,680 --> 00:13:20,200 and even Jez - as their own. 254 00:13:20,240 --> 00:13:22,320 The ones you recognise are quite individual, 255 00:13:22,360 --> 00:13:26,240 and they have got their own unique personalities. 256 00:13:26,280 --> 00:13:28,320 NARRATOR: 'But with birds of prey in the area, 257 00:13:28,360 --> 00:13:31,480 Jez became worried about his mouse family's safety.' 258 00:13:31,520 --> 00:13:33,320 (JEZ) We do get sparrowhawks in the garden, 259 00:13:33,360 --> 00:13:35,600 so I thought: "I'll build 'em a little wall." 260 00:13:35,640 --> 00:13:36,920 So, I built 'em a stone wall. 261 00:13:36,960 --> 00:13:39,600 Then, what I also did, we made them some little houses. 262 00:13:39,640 --> 00:13:43,240 So, just a bit more safety, bit more protection. 263 00:13:43,280 --> 00:13:46,320 I've got quite a few little houses. There's Bramble Cottage, 264 00:13:46,360 --> 00:13:49,280 that's one I made from wood and tree bark. 265 00:13:49,320 --> 00:13:51,720 And they've got a pub. I made them a church. 266 00:13:53,640 --> 00:13:56,360 NARRATOR: 'Bramble village is a constant work in progress. 267 00:13:57,240 --> 00:13:59,680 I've made a little house. I've just finished painting it, 268 00:13:59,720 --> 00:14:01,520 so I've got to add chimneys on. 269 00:14:01,560 --> 00:14:04,440 So, what I'm gonna do is, I'm just gonna get some glue, 270 00:14:04,480 --> 00:14:07,440 and these are gonna be fitted onto the house. 271 00:14:10,440 --> 00:14:13,880 You can't have a house without a chimney. (CHUCKLES) 272 00:14:13,920 --> 00:14:16,320 So, this will be installed into... 273 00:14:16,360 --> 00:14:18,080 We'll actually make it in a permanent place, 274 00:14:18,120 --> 00:14:20,600 but where it'll be going is in the corner, 275 00:14:20,640 --> 00:14:22,520 uh, so the mice can have their own pub. 276 00:14:22,560 --> 00:14:25,040 And that'll be called the Frog and Mouse. 277 00:14:25,080 --> 00:14:27,160 It's got disco lights, flash. 278 00:14:27,200 --> 00:14:29,320 No, seriously. 279 00:14:29,360 --> 00:14:30,880 At the touch of a button. 280 00:14:30,920 --> 00:14:32,920 (WHIMSICAL MUSIC) 281 00:14:32,960 --> 00:14:35,720 NARRATOR: 'Building houses is not Jez's only hobby 282 00:14:35,760 --> 00:14:38,640 that has come about thanks to the mice. 283 00:14:38,680 --> 00:14:41,320 I've been sending photos each week, 284 00:14:41,360 --> 00:14:43,680 uh, to my grandkids, Noah and Minnie. 285 00:14:43,720 --> 00:14:46,160 I posted a few on my Facebook page, and Noah and Minnie said: 286 00:14:46,200 --> 00:14:48,120 "Grandad, "why don't you start a Facebook page? 287 00:14:48,160 --> 00:14:50,480 These photos are beautiful." 288 00:14:50,520 --> 00:14:53,080 By December, I'd got nearly 5,000 followers. 289 00:14:53,120 --> 00:14:54,600 Crazy. 290 00:14:55,600 --> 00:14:58,400 Good afternoon, guys. Welcome to our garden on this, uh, 291 00:14:58,440 --> 00:15:00,120 Thursday afternoon. 292 00:15:00,160 --> 00:15:02,440 We're live on Facebook 293 00:15:02,480 --> 00:15:04,480 with a mouse family that live by the brambles. 294 00:15:04,520 --> 00:15:06,800 (LAUGHS) 295 00:15:06,840 --> 00:15:08,680 Yeah, little Poppet's in the hedgerow, now. 296 00:15:08,720 --> 00:15:11,400 Earlier on this morning, he were down below. 297 00:15:11,440 --> 00:15:15,040 I go live every day. I have been doing for over a year, now. 298 00:15:15,080 --> 00:15:17,880 And look at Twiglet. I don't know if you can see Twiglet, 299 00:15:17,920 --> 00:15:21,840 with t'tail. You can see the kink in its tail. 300 00:15:21,880 --> 00:15:24,320 (LAUGHS) Still going strong. 301 00:15:24,360 --> 00:15:26,400 Fast forwarding to three years, 302 00:15:26,440 --> 00:15:29,200 and I've 193,000 followers on Facebook, 303 00:15:29,240 --> 00:15:31,640 and with the other social media platforms, 304 00:15:31,680 --> 00:15:35,520 I think it totals around 300,000 followers. 305 00:15:35,560 --> 00:15:37,000 How crazy's that? 306 00:15:37,040 --> 00:15:40,480 Absolutely magical. Oh! (CHUCKLES) 307 00:15:40,520 --> 00:15:41,920 Hello, you! 308 00:15:41,960 --> 00:15:43,960 They give people a smile, a big smile, 309 00:15:44,000 --> 00:15:46,200 and that's what it's all about. 310 00:15:46,240 --> 00:15:48,360 Well, they certainly put on a show for us, today. 311 00:15:49,520 --> 00:15:51,440 (LAUGHS) 312 00:15:51,480 --> 00:15:53,600 Thanks for joining us, and thanks for that, mice. 313 00:15:53,640 --> 00:15:56,040 Absolutely brilliant. Superstars, yet again. 314 00:15:59,680 --> 00:16:02,680 (ETHEREAL MUSIC) 315 00:16:02,720 --> 00:16:05,200 NARRATOR: 'Jez shows his appreciation 316 00:16:05,240 --> 00:16:07,240 by offering the mice a homemade treat. 317 00:16:10,480 --> 00:16:12,520 (JEZ) Call it Yorkshire tea. We're in Yorkshire. 318 00:16:12,560 --> 00:16:14,320 And I make that from crushed peanuts, 319 00:16:14,360 --> 00:16:16,200 hazelnut paste and, um, 320 00:16:16,440 --> 00:16:19,000 rose hips what I collect from the meadows just over the hill. 321 00:16:19,240 --> 00:16:21,280 And I mash it all up, put it in the blender, 322 00:16:21,320 --> 00:16:25,360 mix it all up, and it... into a paste. The mice absolutely love it. 323 00:16:27,400 --> 00:16:30,960 Just putting a bit of this Yorkshire tea mix on. They do love it. 324 00:16:32,360 --> 00:16:35,200 Can see how much they like it. Uh, excuse me, mouse. 325 00:16:35,240 --> 00:16:37,160 Taking it off my stick. 326 00:16:37,200 --> 00:16:39,920 I feel blessed that they trust me. 327 00:16:39,960 --> 00:16:43,000 It's quite a unique friendship with these little creatures. 328 00:16:43,240 --> 00:16:46,000 Like a bit of a human friendship. 329 00:16:46,040 --> 00:16:47,360 Look how much they enjoy that. 330 00:16:47,400 --> 00:16:50,440 Close their eyes: "Mm, yum, yum, yum, Yorkshire tea." 331 00:16:50,480 --> 00:16:52,520 (LAUGHS) 332 00:16:52,760 --> 00:16:55,360 I do love the mice. You get attached to them, you really do. 333 00:16:56,640 --> 00:16:59,280 They're the cutest little creatures you'll ever see, 334 00:16:59,320 --> 00:17:01,920 with their little pink noses and their big ears. 335 00:17:01,960 --> 00:17:04,359 Yeah, absolutely amazing. 336 00:17:04,400 --> 00:17:06,400 Just gives me a big smile. 337 00:17:19,680 --> 00:17:21,440 (CRICKETS CHIRPING) 338 00:17:21,480 --> 00:17:24,240 NARRATOR: 'Whilst some friendships are carefree, 339 00:17:24,280 --> 00:17:27,720 others come with great importance and responsibility. 340 00:17:27,960 --> 00:17:29,600 (SOFT MUSIC) 341 00:17:31,600 --> 00:17:33,400 'In the shadow of Mount Kenya 342 00:17:33,440 --> 00:17:38,600 is the 140 square mile Ol Pejeta wildlife conservancy. 343 00:17:41,560 --> 00:17:44,960 A protected wonderland where East Africa's animals 344 00:17:45,000 --> 00:17:47,000 can roam safe from human harm. 345 00:17:49,720 --> 00:17:53,040 And there's two creatures here that need extra special protection. 346 00:17:54,280 --> 00:17:59,240 Fatu and Najin are the last two northern white rhinos on the planet. 347 00:18:00,200 --> 00:18:02,960 (PENSIVE MUSIC) 348 00:18:16,720 --> 00:18:18,760 NARRATOR: 'One man has a unique bond 349 00:18:18,800 --> 00:18:21,480 with this pair of beautiful and precious animals. 350 00:18:22,880 --> 00:18:24,120 Fatu! 351 00:18:24,160 --> 00:18:26,560 (CHEERFUL MUSIC) 352 00:18:55,720 --> 00:18:57,520 (BIRDS CHIRPING) 353 00:19:07,840 --> 00:19:09,360 NARRATOR: 'Najin is mother to Fatu, 354 00:19:09,400 --> 00:19:12,160 who is distinguishable by her broken horn. 355 00:19:12,200 --> 00:19:16,560 They came to the conservancy from a zoo in Europe. 356 00:19:17,600 --> 00:19:19,360 They now live in the semi-wild, 357 00:19:19,400 --> 00:19:21,520 amongst a group of southern white rhinos.' 358 00:19:41,840 --> 00:19:43,360 No, stay! 359 00:19:43,400 --> 00:19:45,560 Fatu! 360 00:20:02,560 --> 00:20:05,160 NARRATOR: 'There is one more sound that Zach recognises 361 00:20:05,200 --> 00:20:07,200 from this thick-skinned duo.' 362 00:20:25,520 --> 00:20:28,760 (LAUGHS) 363 00:20:28,800 --> 00:20:32,840 NARRATOR: 'Zach's love for rhinos began over 20 years ago.' 364 00:20:53,600 --> 00:20:56,440 (ETHEREAL MUSIC) 365 00:20:56,480 --> 00:20:59,760 NARRATOR: 'Zach has dedicated his life to Najin and Fatu. 366 00:21:25,800 --> 00:21:28,200 NARRATOR: But extinction is inevitable. 367 00:21:28,240 --> 00:21:31,920 When Najin and Fatu die, their species will be gone. 368 00:21:33,760 --> 00:21:35,880 In a peaceful area of the conservancy, 369 00:21:35,920 --> 00:21:39,160 Zach likes to pay his respects to an old friend. 370 00:22:08,280 --> 00:22:11,360 (MELANCHOLIC MUSIC) 371 00:22:13,120 --> 00:22:15,040 NARRATOR: 'Sudan was the father of Najin. 372 00:22:15,080 --> 00:22:17,720 He lived until he was 45, 373 00:22:17,760 --> 00:22:19,480 and died of natural causes. 374 00:22:20,440 --> 00:22:23,040 But other rhinos were not so fortunate. 375 00:22:44,920 --> 00:22:47,520 NARRATOR: 'Without the protection from the conservancy 376 00:22:47,560 --> 00:22:49,400 and the care of Zach, 377 00:22:49,440 --> 00:22:52,160 Najin and Fatu would also be hunted 378 00:22:52,200 --> 00:22:54,200 and killed for their horns. 379 00:23:41,880 --> 00:23:43,880 Stop! 380 00:24:24,760 --> 00:24:26,600 NARRATOR: 'Zach is determined to ensure 381 00:24:26,640 --> 00:24:30,280 that Najin and Fatu live out the rest of their days 382 00:24:30,320 --> 00:24:32,320 in the best possible way.' 383 00:25:05,200 --> 00:25:06,840 (DISTANT SIRENS) 384 00:25:06,880 --> 00:25:09,800 NARRATOR: 'Some creatures are harder to love than others. 385 00:25:11,400 --> 00:25:14,240 Los Angeles, California.' 386 00:25:14,280 --> 00:25:15,920 (LIGHT MUSIC) 387 00:25:15,960 --> 00:25:18,840 Good morning, guys! 388 00:25:18,880 --> 00:25:21,560 What are you doing, sweetie? 389 00:25:21,600 --> 00:25:23,800 Did you guys sleep well? 390 00:25:23,840 --> 00:25:25,960 You're all waking up! 391 00:25:26,000 --> 00:25:27,560 NARRATOR: 'These close companions 392 00:25:27,600 --> 00:25:29,640 are not for the faint-hearted. 393 00:25:30,800 --> 00:25:33,360 (TENSE DRAMATIC MUSIC) 394 00:25:34,560 --> 00:25:37,840 NARRATOR: 'Tiana Gayton is friends with 20 spiders.' 395 00:25:37,880 --> 00:25:39,840 (CHUCKLES) So cute! 396 00:25:39,880 --> 00:25:42,120 (SOFT MUSIC) 397 00:25:42,160 --> 00:25:43,960 I call them "web puppies." (CHUCKLES) 398 00:25:44,200 --> 00:25:45,720 They're so cute! 399 00:25:45,760 --> 00:25:48,400 NARRATOR: 'But none come as close in Tiana's affections 400 00:25:48,440 --> 00:25:50,480 as one special arachnid.' 401 00:25:50,520 --> 00:25:51,720 Here we go. 402 00:25:51,760 --> 00:25:54,560 My best friend is Rose, 403 00:25:54,600 --> 00:25:58,400 and she is a regal jumping spider. 404 00:25:58,440 --> 00:26:00,840 Hi, sweetie! 405 00:26:00,880 --> 00:26:03,320 I look forward to spending time with her every day. 406 00:26:03,360 --> 00:26:06,240 I absolutely love Rose. 407 00:26:07,680 --> 00:26:11,480 I've had Rose the longest, and she's literally 408 00:26:11,520 --> 00:26:13,560 changed my whole perspective of spiders. 409 00:26:14,840 --> 00:26:17,160 NARRATOR: 'It hasn't always been a web of love.' 410 00:26:18,280 --> 00:26:20,240 I used to actually be afraid of spiders. 411 00:26:20,280 --> 00:26:24,000 I would, you know, be terrified if I saw one on the wall, 412 00:26:24,040 --> 00:26:27,840 or if I saw one running across, I would panic, literally. 413 00:26:27,880 --> 00:26:30,520 NARRATOR: 'Tiana decided that something needed to change. 414 00:26:31,840 --> 00:26:35,520 I realized that I wanted to intentionally conquer my fear, 415 00:26:35,560 --> 00:26:38,040 and that's when it all started. 416 00:26:38,080 --> 00:26:39,720 NARRATOR: 'She jumped in at the deep end, 417 00:26:39,760 --> 00:26:43,360 inviting some new friends into her home.' 418 00:26:43,400 --> 00:26:46,320 (TIANA) They're all in their individual little habitats 419 00:26:46,360 --> 00:26:49,200 that I made by hand, including the tree houses 420 00:26:49,240 --> 00:26:51,680 and, you know, I put the little trees 421 00:26:51,720 --> 00:26:53,920 and little stumps in there. 422 00:26:53,960 --> 00:26:57,040 NARRATOR: 'Tiana's companions are regal jumping spiders, 423 00:26:57,080 --> 00:27:00,080 native to the US and Caribbean.' 424 00:27:00,120 --> 00:27:02,680 So, this is Toby. 425 00:27:02,720 --> 00:27:05,240 Um, I made that tree house, 426 00:27:05,280 --> 00:27:07,280 and I wrap it in moss. 427 00:27:07,320 --> 00:27:10,000 Um, this is actually the base of the moss 428 00:27:10,040 --> 00:27:11,120 that I put on the bottom. 429 00:27:11,160 --> 00:27:13,480 Um, he gets a bench, a couple pine cones. 430 00:27:13,520 --> 00:27:16,160 Um, the ladders, I actually put two ladders together, 431 00:27:16,200 --> 00:27:17,760 because his was a little higher up. 432 00:27:17,800 --> 00:27:21,720 Um, and he's actually in his tree house, right now. 433 00:27:21,760 --> 00:27:23,760 (CHEERFUL MUSIC) 434 00:27:25,640 --> 00:27:28,360 With the tree houses, I actually, um, 435 00:27:28,400 --> 00:27:30,920 bought pieces of wood and designed them. 436 00:27:30,960 --> 00:27:33,280 They're all unique according to, um... 437 00:27:33,320 --> 00:27:36,080 You know, just different unique styles that I created. 438 00:27:36,120 --> 00:27:38,880 They actually really love their spaces, 439 00:27:38,920 --> 00:27:40,240 and they, you know, roam about, 440 00:27:40,280 --> 00:27:42,640 and, you know, sit on their benches to relax. 441 00:27:42,680 --> 00:27:45,520 They'll make tiny little, I call them hammocks. 442 00:27:45,560 --> 00:27:48,240 They'll put one in their house, even put one down by a tree, 443 00:27:48,280 --> 00:27:52,240 so they have options on where to sleep at night. 444 00:27:52,280 --> 00:27:54,560 It's just really adorable to watch them actually 445 00:27:54,600 --> 00:27:57,920 make their tree house, uh, habitats their own. 446 00:28:00,840 --> 00:28:02,600 Here we go. 447 00:28:03,720 --> 00:28:05,400 There you go! 448 00:28:08,040 --> 00:28:09,720 That's Rose. 449 00:28:11,280 --> 00:28:12,680 Here she is. 450 00:28:12,720 --> 00:28:15,320 You looking at everybody? 451 00:28:15,360 --> 00:28:17,080 Say hi! 452 00:28:19,200 --> 00:28:22,400 Rose is so unique. She's very curious, 453 00:28:22,440 --> 00:28:27,440 um, very excited, a tiny little adventurer when she comes out. 454 00:28:27,480 --> 00:28:29,120 Where are you going? 455 00:28:29,160 --> 00:28:32,160 She's so fun. She's just so warm and welcoming, 456 00:28:32,200 --> 00:28:35,480 and just that curiosity makes me immediately 457 00:28:35,520 --> 00:28:36,720 connect with her when I got her. 458 00:28:36,760 --> 00:28:40,640 It really opened my eyes to how big of a personality 459 00:28:40,680 --> 00:28:43,440 something so tiny can have. 460 00:28:43,480 --> 00:28:45,200 All right, go on. 461 00:28:45,240 --> 00:28:48,400 When she turns her body and looks at me, and puts her arms up, 462 00:28:48,440 --> 00:28:50,720 I know that means she wants uppies, you know, 463 00:28:50,960 --> 00:28:52,760 I'll put my hand out and pick her up. 464 00:28:52,800 --> 00:28:55,440 She'll climb up to my shoulder and then turn around 465 00:28:55,480 --> 00:28:57,480 and cuddle up with me. 466 00:29:01,360 --> 00:29:04,760 NARRATOR: 'Tiana has come a long way since her bug-fearing days. 467 00:29:04,800 --> 00:29:05,920 (TIANA CHUCKLES) 468 00:29:07,120 --> 00:29:09,440 A long time ago, I would've never even 469 00:29:09,480 --> 00:29:11,880 gotten close to a jumping spider, 470 00:29:11,920 --> 00:29:13,640 or a spider in general. 471 00:29:15,040 --> 00:29:18,280 A lot of people don't really understand how special 472 00:29:18,320 --> 00:29:20,760 a spider can actually be, that you can actually 473 00:29:20,800 --> 00:29:23,520 create a friendship with them, so I wanna continue that, you know, 474 00:29:23,560 --> 00:29:26,680 and show other people how friendly they actually are. 475 00:29:26,720 --> 00:29:31,760 'Tiana and Rose are about to embark on a mission.' 476 00:29:31,800 --> 00:29:33,840 Guess what we're gonna do today. 477 00:29:33,880 --> 00:29:35,680 We're gonna go talk to some kids, 478 00:29:35,720 --> 00:29:39,520 and tell them to stop being afraid of spiders! 479 00:29:39,560 --> 00:29:41,840 NARRATOR: 'Tiana is always keen to share 480 00:29:41,880 --> 00:29:44,160 her love for the spiders with others.' 481 00:29:44,200 --> 00:29:46,880 We have five spiders that you're gonna meet! 482 00:29:46,920 --> 00:29:50,080 Isn't that cool? Yeah. 483 00:29:50,120 --> 00:29:51,800 Look, this is Ruby! 484 00:29:51,840 --> 00:29:54,440 (GIRL) Ruby. Ruby! 485 00:29:54,480 --> 00:29:57,160 (BOY) He's my favourite. Toby. 486 00:29:57,200 --> 00:29:58,920 That's my boy, he's really big. 487 00:30:00,000 --> 00:30:01,640 We have Rose. 488 00:30:01,680 --> 00:30:03,280 (GIRL)Yay! Rose! 489 00:30:03,320 --> 00:30:04,600 (TIANA) Here's Ruby. 490 00:30:04,640 --> 00:30:06,520 (CHILD EXCLAIMS) Here's Ruby. 491 00:30:06,560 --> 00:30:08,320 (GIRL) Oh, my God. (BOY) He's a giant! 492 00:30:08,360 --> 00:30:10,720 He's so big! 493 00:30:10,760 --> 00:30:13,200 When you conquer a fear, you're growing. 494 00:30:13,440 --> 00:30:16,880 Anybody want to try holding a spider? 495 00:30:16,920 --> 00:30:18,760 Me!Me! Yeah, everyone? 496 00:30:18,800 --> 00:30:22,520 (TIANA) Being able to expose them to conquering those fears, 497 00:30:22,760 --> 00:30:26,080 I feel like it's just such a beautiful opportunity. 498 00:30:26,120 --> 00:30:28,520 (CHILD GIGGLES) Yeah. Are you ready? 499 00:30:28,560 --> 00:30:31,680 You have to be brave. 500 00:30:31,720 --> 00:30:33,280 (CHILD EXCLAIMS) 501 00:30:33,320 --> 00:30:35,840 They have eight eyes. Two in the front, 502 00:30:35,880 --> 00:30:37,840 they help them to focus and see colour, 503 00:30:37,880 --> 00:30:41,040 and the other six actually help them to see movement. 504 00:30:42,640 --> 00:30:45,160 And you used to be afraid of spiders? Yeah? 505 00:30:45,200 --> 00:30:47,960 A lot. A lot? 506 00:30:48,000 --> 00:30:51,280 I thought they were gonna bite me. But did they? No. 507 00:30:51,320 --> 00:30:53,320 (LAUGHS) 508 00:30:56,320 --> 00:30:58,320 (SOFT MUSIC) 509 00:31:01,160 --> 00:31:04,000 If you do really try to understand, 510 00:31:04,040 --> 00:31:07,480 um, a jumping spider better, you'll see that they really 511 00:31:07,520 --> 00:31:09,600 are something that you can connect with. 512 00:31:09,640 --> 00:31:11,640 There's true connection there. 513 00:31:12,800 --> 00:31:17,840 I'm so surprised that I was ever afraid of spiders, because... 514 00:31:17,880 --> 00:31:19,880 at this point in my life, I... 515 00:31:19,920 --> 00:31:22,440 appreciate all the things that I used to be afraid of. 516 00:31:22,480 --> 00:31:25,000 Watching how their tiny little legs move, and how they 517 00:31:25,080 --> 00:31:28,280 reach for things and when they tilt their head to look up. 518 00:31:28,320 --> 00:31:31,920 It's just so adorable. Their characteristics are so cute to me. 519 00:31:31,960 --> 00:31:34,600 When I look at Rose, and I can see that, 520 00:31:34,640 --> 00:31:37,040 in her own way, she communicates 521 00:31:37,080 --> 00:31:39,920 with head tilts, you know, when I talk to her. 522 00:31:39,960 --> 00:31:42,720 And she'll, you know, walk in a certain direction 523 00:31:42,760 --> 00:31:46,120 and turn her body, look at me and put her arms up. 524 00:31:46,160 --> 00:31:49,200 You can see that they are their own tiny beings, 525 00:31:49,240 --> 00:31:51,360 and that they actually like connection. 526 00:31:51,400 --> 00:31:53,160 They don't often get the opportunity 527 00:31:53,200 --> 00:31:56,320 to even experience that, because of misunderstandings. 528 00:31:57,760 --> 00:31:59,600 Rose, all of my spiders, 529 00:31:59,640 --> 00:32:02,640 they have changed so many people's perspectives, 530 00:32:02,680 --> 00:32:05,720 helped people conquer their fears who were arachnophobic. 531 00:32:05,760 --> 00:32:07,920 And that's the goal. That's the goal, 532 00:32:07,960 --> 00:32:11,320 is to really show the truth about these spiders, 533 00:32:11,360 --> 00:32:14,600 so that people can say: "Wow, I've been afraid for no reason." 534 00:32:14,640 --> 00:32:18,720 And you can actually become best friends with something so tiny. 535 00:32:34,520 --> 00:32:37,560 NARRATOR: 'In the jungle of Liberia, West Africa... 536 00:32:37,600 --> 00:32:39,720 (CHEERFUL MUSIC) 537 00:32:39,760 --> 00:32:42,400 ..is the Libassa Wildlife Sanctuary, 538 00:32:42,440 --> 00:32:45,240 where everyone is eager for breakfast.' 539 00:33:10,120 --> 00:33:12,400 NARRATOR: 'Bayan cares for many animals here. 540 00:33:12,440 --> 00:33:15,320 But there's one he's especially fond of, 541 00:33:15,360 --> 00:33:18,000 an orphan pangolin, named Wolah. 542 00:34:46,600 --> 00:34:48,280 (ETHEREAL MUSIC) 543 00:34:48,320 --> 00:34:51,760 NARRATOR: 'But Wolah does need protection from humans. 544 00:34:51,800 --> 00:34:54,880 The pangolin is the most trafficked animal in the world, 545 00:34:54,920 --> 00:34:57,680 coveted for its meat and leathery scales. 546 00:34:59,560 --> 00:35:02,120 A long history of war and political instability 547 00:35:02,160 --> 00:35:05,480 means that animal conservation has not been a priority 548 00:35:05,520 --> 00:35:07,560 for many Liberians. 549 00:35:46,760 --> 00:35:48,720 NARRATOR: 'Preparing Wolah for release 550 00:35:48,760 --> 00:35:52,400 means helping him learn vital life skills, 551 00:35:52,440 --> 00:35:54,440 like finding food.' 552 00:36:33,240 --> 00:36:35,440 NARRATOR: 'Pangolins are raised by their parents 553 00:36:35,480 --> 00:36:37,640 for the first two years of their lives. 554 00:36:37,680 --> 00:36:41,280 The crucial job of teaching him the skills to survive 555 00:36:41,320 --> 00:36:43,680 has now fallen to Bayan.' 556 00:38:15,600 --> 00:38:17,560 (ENGINE RUMBLING) 557 00:38:18,880 --> 00:38:21,640 NARRATOR: 'Bayan's role as Wolah's carer 558 00:38:21,680 --> 00:38:23,840 is coming to an end. 559 00:38:25,640 --> 00:38:29,440 The time has come for him to return to the wild.' 560 00:38:46,440 --> 00:38:48,760 (ETHEREAL MUSIC) 561 00:39:37,920 --> 00:39:40,040 (BIRDS CHIRPING) 562 00:40:27,040 --> 00:40:30,520 NARRATOR: 'Some friendships span generations. 563 00:40:32,320 --> 00:40:34,320 On the south-east coast of Australia, 564 00:40:34,360 --> 00:40:37,920 marine biologist Sheree Marris, is on a rescue mission.' 565 00:40:39,560 --> 00:40:42,200 (UPBEAT MUSIC) 566 00:40:49,320 --> 00:40:53,200 So, someone has given me a call, and they've found a pipe washed up 567 00:40:53,240 --> 00:40:55,040 with an octopus in it. 568 00:40:58,600 --> 00:41:01,680 Here is a beautiful... 569 00:41:02,720 --> 00:41:04,600 ..little girl. 570 00:41:04,640 --> 00:41:06,840 That's her saying: "I'm really not happy." 571 00:41:06,880 --> 00:41:09,280 NARRATOR: 'Sheree dedicates her spare time 572 00:41:09,320 --> 00:41:12,520 to rescuing stranded octopuses washed up on the beach.' 573 00:41:12,560 --> 00:41:15,080 So the quicker we get her out in the water, 574 00:41:15,120 --> 00:41:16,360 and out in the deeper water, 575 00:41:16,400 --> 00:41:18,400 the happier that she'll be, and that I'll be. 576 00:41:19,760 --> 00:41:22,440 NARRATOR: 'Sheree's love for these tentacled sea creatures 577 00:41:22,480 --> 00:41:27,760 began in 2020... when an amazing encounter changed her life. 578 00:41:29,520 --> 00:41:31,960 (SHEREE) I would walk every morning along the beach. 579 00:41:32,200 --> 00:41:33,880 And it was winter, so, you know, 580 00:41:33,920 --> 00:41:36,760 lots of winds and waves, and it would be tossing up 581 00:41:36,800 --> 00:41:40,320 all these incredible treasures from the ocean. 582 00:41:40,360 --> 00:41:42,120 (LIGHT MUSIC) 583 00:41:42,160 --> 00:41:45,960 One morning we found a pipe, and I had a look, 584 00:41:46,000 --> 00:41:48,080 and I just saw this ruby colour, 585 00:41:48,120 --> 00:41:50,280 and I saw that it was an octopus. 586 00:41:52,720 --> 00:41:55,480 And not only was it an octopus, it was a mother octopus, 587 00:41:55,520 --> 00:41:59,760 because I could see these beautiful, delicate little eggs. 588 00:41:59,800 --> 00:42:01,800 Oh, they're little babies! 589 00:42:03,000 --> 00:42:05,640 I thought: "Well, if I leave her here, 590 00:42:05,680 --> 00:42:07,680 "she's gonna perish and die." 591 00:42:09,520 --> 00:42:12,320 I then witnessed one of the most incredible behaviours. 592 00:42:14,520 --> 00:42:16,360 Oh, my Lord, look! 593 00:42:16,400 --> 00:42:20,440 She started pushing the pipe back into the water. 594 00:42:22,440 --> 00:42:24,840 It's incredible. 595 00:42:24,880 --> 00:42:27,640 As a mother, her instinct kicked in, 596 00:42:27,680 --> 00:42:29,600 and she was trying to do everything that she could 597 00:42:29,840 --> 00:42:31,560 to protect her babies. 598 00:42:32,640 --> 00:42:34,640 Isn't that just phenomenal? 599 00:42:36,920 --> 00:42:39,360 You're a wonderful mum! 600 00:42:40,880 --> 00:42:43,040 I knew that the winds were gonna be picking up, 601 00:42:43,080 --> 00:42:46,600 so I thought: "I need to fasten that pipe to a structure, 602 00:42:46,640 --> 00:42:49,640 to make sure that she doesn't roll back up on the beach. 603 00:42:51,040 --> 00:42:53,040 Look at that - how extraordinary. 604 00:42:55,280 --> 00:42:57,760 I just grabbed what I could, which was, you know, 605 00:42:57,800 --> 00:42:59,960 I found a brick, I had some rope. 606 00:43:05,240 --> 00:43:07,360 And we put her back out into deeper water. 607 00:43:08,280 --> 00:43:12,360 NARRATOR: 'Sheree named the octopus Kacy, meaning "warrior mother."' 608 00:43:14,560 --> 00:43:17,760 Once I put her back out there, I was then determined 609 00:43:17,800 --> 00:43:19,800 to go and check on her every day. 610 00:43:21,320 --> 00:43:23,520 I just wanted to make sure that she was OK. 611 00:43:24,760 --> 00:43:26,840 (MAJESTIC MUSIC) 612 00:43:26,880 --> 00:43:29,720 NARRATOR: 'Sheree and Kacy's friendship began to grow.' 613 00:43:30,720 --> 00:43:33,040 Every time I went out there, I felt as though 614 00:43:33,080 --> 00:43:35,080 she would get more comfortable with me. 615 00:43:36,040 --> 00:43:38,520 She would start fully coming out. 616 00:43:38,560 --> 00:43:41,000 I knew that she was starting to recognise me. 617 00:43:42,120 --> 00:43:44,120 She would reach out for the camera. 618 00:43:47,440 --> 00:43:49,800 And then I could also see the babies developing, 619 00:43:49,840 --> 00:43:53,720 to the point where I could actually see their eyes developing in the eggs. 620 00:43:53,760 --> 00:43:58,600 So we started developing this really incredible bond. 621 00:43:58,640 --> 00:44:02,000 NARRATOR: 'Octopuses are normally loners, and highly territorial, 622 00:44:02,040 --> 00:44:05,040 but Kacy allowed Sheree into her life.' 623 00:44:06,200 --> 00:44:08,120 (SHEREE) I'd heard a lot about octopus 624 00:44:08,160 --> 00:44:12,080 being incredibly intelligent, but until I was immersed 625 00:44:12,120 --> 00:44:14,720 and I had that experience myself, 626 00:44:14,760 --> 00:44:16,760 it just really blew my mind. 627 00:44:20,040 --> 00:44:22,040 (MELANCHOLY MUSIC) 628 00:44:23,040 --> 00:44:25,480 NARRATOR: 'But then, disaster struck.' 629 00:44:26,640 --> 00:44:29,600 (SHEREE) One day I went out, and she wasn't there. 630 00:44:30,720 --> 00:44:32,720 I was absolutely heartbroken. 631 00:44:34,600 --> 00:44:38,120 NARRATOR: 'Kacy's pipe had detached from the brick and washed away.' 632 00:44:43,560 --> 00:44:45,440 I was so sad! And I'm just thinking: 633 00:44:45,480 --> 00:44:48,160 "I hope she's OK. I hope her babies are OK." 634 00:44:49,480 --> 00:44:52,880 'Sheree wasted no time in looking for her.' 635 00:44:52,920 --> 00:44:55,160 We were out there at six o'clock in the morning, 636 00:44:55,200 --> 00:44:57,520 every morning, without fail, with our torches. 637 00:44:58,400 --> 00:45:00,160 And we would walk along the beach. 638 00:45:01,360 --> 00:45:03,760 As the sun was coming up, 639 00:45:03,800 --> 00:45:06,920 potentially Kacy could've dried out and died, 640 00:45:06,960 --> 00:45:08,760 or, more than likely, 641 00:45:08,800 --> 00:45:12,240 she would've been a nice little meal for all the birds 642 00:45:12,280 --> 00:45:14,280 that were, kind of, starting to wake up. 643 00:45:15,840 --> 00:45:18,120 And then... 644 00:45:18,360 --> 00:45:19,920 It was just so extraordinary. 645 00:45:19,960 --> 00:45:23,520 About 2km from where we put her... 646 00:45:23,560 --> 00:45:27,000 I saw this plastic tube pipe on the beach, 647 00:45:27,040 --> 00:45:29,120 and I looked in, and I could see the eggs, 648 00:45:29,160 --> 00:45:30,240 but there was no Kacy. 649 00:45:31,680 --> 00:45:34,480 And then, probably about 100 metres, 650 00:45:34,520 --> 00:45:37,200 basically marooned on a sea grass bed, 651 00:45:37,240 --> 00:45:39,480 because it was low tide, was Kacy. 652 00:45:40,360 --> 00:45:42,360 And I thought: "Wow, she's dead." 653 00:45:46,720 --> 00:45:48,960 And I went over and I looked at her. 654 00:45:51,560 --> 00:45:53,960 She started moving and changing colour. 655 00:45:54,840 --> 00:45:56,960 And my heart just, like, just skipped, 656 00:45:57,000 --> 00:46:00,040 and I thought: "Oh, my goodness, you're alive." 657 00:46:06,560 --> 00:46:08,880 To find her at that point in time, 658 00:46:08,920 --> 00:46:12,560 and for us to find her, was extraordinary. 659 00:46:21,360 --> 00:46:23,760 And so I thought: "OK, we've got a second chance." And... 660 00:46:24,000 --> 00:46:26,320 who gets a second chance at things like that? 661 00:46:27,280 --> 00:46:29,240 (UPLIFTING MUSIC) 662 00:46:29,280 --> 00:46:32,280 NARRATOR: 'As soon as dawn broke, Sheree got to work.' 663 00:46:34,240 --> 00:46:37,840 (SHEREE) I realised I needed something a little bit more secure. 664 00:46:37,880 --> 00:46:41,520 So I used some stainless steel plumber's clamps 665 00:46:41,560 --> 00:46:45,000 to make sure that I could then tie those clamps to the brick, 666 00:46:45,040 --> 00:46:47,960 and then to the pipe. 667 00:46:49,800 --> 00:46:53,240 And then I swam her out further into the depths, 668 00:46:53,280 --> 00:46:55,840 and then again, the journey started again. 669 00:46:55,880 --> 00:46:58,200 I then went and visited her every day. 670 00:47:02,240 --> 00:47:05,480 NARRATOR: 'But Sheree knew that the friendship couldn't last forever.' 671 00:47:06,560 --> 00:47:08,600 They live for about one-and-a-half years, 672 00:47:08,640 --> 00:47:12,920 so they've only got a really short lifespan, which is traditional of most octopus. 673 00:47:12,960 --> 00:47:15,320 And it's actually quite sad, the life cycle. 674 00:47:15,360 --> 00:47:18,760 So, when the females lay the eggs, they stop eating, 675 00:47:18,800 --> 00:47:21,440 their body starts to deteriorate, 676 00:47:21,480 --> 00:47:23,880 and when the eggs hatch, they then die. 677 00:47:25,160 --> 00:47:28,560 I knew I didn't have a lot more time with her. 678 00:47:28,600 --> 00:47:31,320 I just got so connected to her, 679 00:47:31,360 --> 00:47:33,320 and every time, I'd be going out, 680 00:47:33,360 --> 00:47:36,040 and I'd be crossing my fingers, thinking: 681 00:47:36,080 --> 00:47:39,040 "I hope she's still here. "I hope she's still here." 682 00:47:39,080 --> 00:47:42,080 In all reality, I knew that it was coming to the end. 683 00:47:42,120 --> 00:47:45,400 And one day, I went out there, and yeah, she wasn't there. 684 00:47:46,560 --> 00:47:49,480 (GENTLE MUSIC) 685 00:47:53,520 --> 00:47:57,200 NARRATOR: 'But Kacy's death was not the end of the story.' 686 00:48:00,200 --> 00:48:03,000 The great thing was, I could see the eggs, 687 00:48:03,040 --> 00:48:04,680 and I could see that they'd hatched. 688 00:48:04,720 --> 00:48:07,040 (LIGHT MUSIC) 689 00:48:07,080 --> 00:48:09,120 NARRATOR: 'Kacy's eggs had survived, 690 00:48:09,160 --> 00:48:11,520 thanks to Sheree's rescue mission.' 691 00:48:11,560 --> 00:48:14,000 So, really, I'm a pseudo octo-mum, 692 00:48:14,040 --> 00:48:15,960 which is very, very cool. 693 00:48:16,000 --> 00:48:18,600 So, they're out there, jetting around, probably. 694 00:48:18,640 --> 00:48:21,840 At this time, they'd be breeding and having their own babies, 695 00:48:21,880 --> 00:48:23,880 which is really cool. 696 00:48:24,760 --> 00:48:26,440 NARRATOR: 'Sheree remains optimistic 697 00:48:26,480 --> 00:48:29,440 that one day she will see the babies again. 698 00:48:29,480 --> 00:48:31,440 If this was one of Kacy's babies... 699 00:48:32,840 --> 00:48:34,920 ..that'd be pretty incredible. She's small! 700 00:48:34,960 --> 00:48:36,960 So, maybe it is. 701 00:48:37,920 --> 00:48:39,840 I think I'll call her Piper. 702 00:48:39,880 --> 00:48:41,640 Hello, sweetie. 703 00:48:41,680 --> 00:48:42,760 Hi! 704 00:48:43,640 --> 00:48:46,400 All right, we're gonna get her back in the water. 705 00:48:46,440 --> 00:48:49,040 There you go, beautiful. There you go, yeah. 706 00:48:51,960 --> 00:48:55,360 NARRATOR: 'Kacy may be gone, but her legacy continues.' 707 00:48:56,880 --> 00:48:59,240 (SHEREE) OK, Piper, let's go home, 708 00:48:59,280 --> 00:49:03,600 to your fancy-pants new high-rise apartment. 709 00:49:05,800 --> 00:49:08,400 (ETHEREAL MUSIC) 710 00:49:14,000 --> 00:49:17,720 I'm surprised by how emotionally connected 711 00:49:17,760 --> 00:49:22,080 and invested you can be with something that is underwater. 712 00:49:23,080 --> 00:49:25,240 So, I've got another little friend, now, 713 00:49:25,280 --> 00:49:27,560 that I can visit, another octopus friend. 714 00:49:29,160 --> 00:49:30,960 Ah, my cup is full. 715 00:49:33,920 --> 00:49:36,560 I'm so fortunate to 716 00:49:36,600 --> 00:49:40,080 have such a magical experience with a wild animal. 717 00:49:47,760 --> 00:49:49,760 (UPLIFTING MUSIC) 718 00:49:49,800 --> 00:49:52,800 AccessibleCustomerService@sky.uk