Episode 1

Kate Humble and Ben Fogle return for a special anniversary series celebrating 25 years together on Animal Park. As they reflect on a quarter of a century of animal stories, keeper experiences and unforgettable moments, they celebrate their friendship, which has become as much a part of the series as the animals themselves.

Together, they revisit the remarkable life of lioness Malaika, whose extraordinary journey was captured from birth to her final days.

While reflecting on the past, there is plenty of new drama unfolding across the park. Four hippos are settling into their new home and keepers face the challenge of safely bringing together two unfamiliar family groups. If introductions go wrong, the consequences could be serious, but if they succeed, it could pave the way for an important future breeding programme.

Zoologist Megan McCubbin joins the meerkat keepers to help monitor the behaviour of five mischievous males. Armed with a tub of mealworms, she quickly discovers that telling them apart is harder than it looks, especially when the curious meerkats seem far more interested in her than the scientific study.

As part of the anniversary, Ben and Kate are surprised by the keepers with a special lion enrichment project inspired by some of their favourite memories from the last 25 years. The celebration culminates in an emotional tribute from the people who know them best, the keepers whose stories they have helped tell for a quarter of a century at Longleat Safari Park.