tv The Travel Show BBC News August 19, 2023 2:30pm-3:01pm BST
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known as the matildas — who were hoping to secure victory in front of a home crowd in brisbane. now on bbc news... the travel show: how does a blind girl go on safari? part two. good girl, straight on. oh, i want you two to come so badly, but i don't want you to be eaten by lions. a lion and a buffalo? yes, he wanted to hunt. music plays. kenya has been at warfor decades. its enemy? the poachers who prey on its precious wildlife. impossible route in and impossible route out. ol pejeta conservancy's canine unit are just one of the many
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groups across africa taking up the fight against poaching. this illegal trade has threatened the very existence of animals like these. at the endangered species enclosure at ol pejeta, will and i have been brought to meet mother and daughter, najin and fatu, the last surviving two northern white rhinos on earth. and here, it's very soft, on their ears. here. who's this? this is najin. hello, najin! hello, sweetheart. good girl. 0k, there you go. and then at the back here, it's rough, you can touch at the back here. oh, yeah! at least you are able to lay your hands on what is the last
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of a being on the planet. it is sad and i hope it doesn't happen again to another species. and why are they so rare, james? um, it's basically poaching, which has just been driven by human greed and greed in different forms — greed for power, greed for their medicinal aspects. someone who has been made to believe, traditionally, that if they drink a rhino horn, it's a cure for cancer. they can pay any amount to get a small piece of rhino horn. but that's not true! on the black market, a kilo of rhino horn is now selling for something more than us$60,000. you can imagine a rhino, that is a lot of money and it's a lot of business and that's why still poaching becomes a serious problem.
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i kind of want to show you a footprint of a rhino. right here, we have one. it's humbling to meet najin and fatu, but frustrating not be able to see them. althouthames is teaching me some age—old rhino tracking techniques that rely on other senses. but he told me to expect to get my hands dirty — very dirty. rhinos are very hygienic in nature. they drop their poop in a collective place, we call it a midden. it's pretty fresh. much of rhinos�* poop is semi—digested grass. it feels like soil back at home. yeah. i guess it's fertiliser. 0h, now it is smelling a bit doggy. and so there are all rhinos dropping their poop together. oh, you're... there is the smell! it doesn't smell that bad. itjust smells of, like,
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off grass, you know? the reason why we value these middens is especially when you're doing patrols as rangers, the rangers will use this as a parameter. yes. but lots of rhinos use it to communicate. they poop out different smells at different stages. a young one is different from a mature rhino, a female is different from a male. the canine unit who protect the animals here are made up of armed rangers and highly trained dogs. each of these brave pooches has a special ability, from picking up the scent of a poacher to detecting ammunition, and even attacking potential suspects so they can be detained. and their target today...is me. the canine unit raise funds for their work by allowing tourists to take part in their dogs�* training. sarah's going to smell my scent and go, "that's her"
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and track my footsteps. ok, let's go. we're hiding now. 0k, we're hiding — we're hiding from sarah. this swab is like a scent magnet. yeah, hopefully she doesn't see me and shejust... yeah, we're testing her! sarah the dog can get everything she needs to know to find me from a quick sniff of a swab rubbed over my footprint. so scared! i don't know was she's gonna do when she finds me! i mean, she's got her harness on and she's in work mode, and i know more than anyone that a dog in work mode is so focused, just like my guide dog girl is. humans live in a world of sight, whereas man's best friend lives in a world of smell and can follow
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the scent across the plains. they're coming...gosh! good girl! there you go! you found me! well done! clever girl! you're just so amazing! does she look happy with herself? she probably does! all in a day's work, hey, honey? before i left ol pejeta for the maasai mara, james and will wanted to introduce me to another type of rhino. meet baraka, the blind rhino. this is baraka. oh, i can hear him! in the local language, baraka means blessed. blessed.
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yes. 0h, he sounds sweet. is he eating his little leaves? black rhinos are nervous in temperament, which can make them really aggressive and hard to get close to on safari. but this one is an exception to the rule and happily lets visitors feed him. meet �*baraka the blind'. he lost his right eye to a fight with another rhino. did he lose that first, the right eye? yeah, his right eye first. same as me, yeah. and then the left eye got a disease, cataracts, and the attempts to treat the cataracts were futile. ijust — i really... i really feel for him, you know, having to get around in this enclosure and learning his way about. and the same with the cataract — that must be so confusing for him when he was first going blind. was he... was he upset in any way, could you tell that he was upset? yeah, he was very upset. he was the age of one to 14, he was roaming free out in the wild and i think him becoming blind at the age of 14, he had to learn how
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to do things in that state. 0k, yeah. it was really hard, it was really hard. i know for us sometimes we have people to help us. we have dogs to help us in our movement and, you know, the caretakers had to step in, which was not easy because he was still aggressive. so he was very defensive in himself. so i'm really happy for what he's made of himself and being able to still be here. yeah, it's so hard. i just, yeah. . .i understand. i have a really rare genetic condition and i had a cataract too that eventually, in my last remaining eye, just like baraka, it kind of, like, made my vision go and eventually that got, you know, it detached my retina at the back. sorry. cries. it's ok, it's ok. it's completely fine. but, honestly, when you call baraka a blessing, it is a blessing. it is a blessing to be blind, because it means he's meant
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to teach people a lesson. he's meant to — he's meant to be here to get people to understand that you shouldn't be poaching these beautiful animals. i'm sorry. it's hard. it's taking an emotional toll on you, realising the journey that baraka has been through. james, is he happy? he is a happy rhino. i think the munching itself, you can tell. we are near the waterfalls. what can you see? i can see a camel, just close... a camel?! yeah, just a camel! laughs.
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there's a cameljust close to us. how many humps? one hump — one hump, one hump, yes. and there's a carjust close to you — there's a toy carjust close to you. a toy car! so it's a playground for children. thomson's falls is a huge tourist attraction and there's a viewing platform where you can check out the 7am—high waterfall. but that's not going to cut it for me. what's this — is this stairs? yes, these are stairs. lovely. are they uneven, will? yeah. 0h, 0k. um... i'm a bit afraid that i'm going to fall, so i'm just going to give you this tag for your arm. itjust helps me balance a lot more so i can use the cane and hold on to you then. instead, will and i are going to hike down to the bottom of the ravine... i'll get you to hold onto it. ..so i can get to really experience the falls. normal amount, cool. then... yep. ..bring your leg there. there, yep. so, what you're going
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to do first — we'll pass through here, we can go slowly. this is the nastiest... the nastiest, yeah. ..of all of them. 0k. so let me hold you. yeah. wow! well done, will. well done. you're welcome. thank you so much. you're welcome. and you were using my cane, weren't you? laughs. it's the toughest! it is! it's the toughest thing i've ever done! the ability to just think negatively about my blindness, i used to think, oh, well, going to a different country is just a really expensive way of basically being in my back garden, and i didn't appreciate what else you could get from an experience. all you keep having to tell yourself is, you know, i'm getting to the waterfall, i'm getting to the waterfall. and now i can feel it on my face, it'sjust the best thing ever — that i've
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ever experienced. so, the waterfall is about 7k metres going down. 0k. it is 70 feet deep. and i'm guessing at the bottom of the waterfall, it's, like, really harsh, like, white water. yes, it has, like, foam. so this type of landscape, i didn't think you will ever reach here. i'm very proud of you. thank you. so, lucy, are you ready to go to the migration in maasai mara? i am, i'm so ready.
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this is the classic africa of storybooks and the location of the great migration. betweenjune to september each year over 1.5 million wildebeest make the 300—mile round trip from the serengeti in tanzania to the maasai mara here in kenya in search of fresh grass. that's if they can get past the lions, the hyenas and cheetahs laying
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in wait for them. they then have to tackle the steep—sided rivers that cross the migration route. most of these rivers are teaming with nile crocodiles that can grow up to 20 feet in length. the river crossings are pure natural theatre, and they're what the 300,000 tourists who visit here each year come to experience. but the crossings are extremely rare to see, so let's just hope i have some beginner's luck. as will and i arrive at the gates of the maasai mara national reserve, i get to meet some entrepreneurial maasai women. lovely to meet you, linda. can you — can you tell me what you're selling? i can't see you.
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crosstalk. this giraffe? it's linda. hi, linda! so, basically... laughs. i don't know what to do! sorry... someone hit me in the head with the giraffe! ok, i need to take control of this. everyone take a step back. ok, here you go. thank you so much, i love them! linda! i don't think i've ever been so overwhelmed in my whole entire life. i don't know what these are. i don't know what... i mean, they're giraffes. once they found out i love giraffes, i got about 70 giraffes, but i wasn't allowed to feel them. so, um... i will treasure these forever on my mantelpiece. gerald and lenny! the maasai are a kenyan tribe and famed across the country — so much so that their shield and spears can be seen on the nationalflag.
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traditionally, maasai life has been built around their cattle, but that way of life has come under threat in an ever—modernising world. but with more and more tourists coming to kenya for the great migration, the maasai are diversifying into tourism and opening some of their villages so visitors can experience their traditional way of life. 0oh, yeah! the women of the village have decided if i can't see them with my eyes, then they will give me the chance to wear their traditional dress — which is great for me, as it's really tactile. did you make this? yeah! traditional singing. we like guests. even our father say,
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the guests, they are best. yeah? and they are blessed. yeah. and actually, they go to see the big five. they say they want to see the big six. you know, the maasai, they're the big six. oh, right! yeah, because... so, five animals and then you guys. and then us. the best time to go on a game drive is either last thing at night or first thing in the morning. will believes if we are to have any chance in catching a river crossing, we will have to be out in the vehicle before dawn. so tonight, we are staying at a place called sala's camp, deep in the maasai mara on the banks of the sand river. animal noises. oh, what is that?! but it's very overwhelming. every little sound, i'm like, "what is that?"
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i can hear it. gasps. animal noises. that sounds so close! after finding out i was being kept awake half the night by a baboon and a leopard having an argument, it was time to head out to try and find an elusive river crossing. but it didn't take long before i got a reminder ofjust how deadly this journey is for the wildebeest. what's that noise? so, the noise is a kill. 0k. so, the noises that you hear... cracking. cracking, yeah. ..is the vultures trying to remove the meat off the bones. then they are eating the intestines. oh, right! are these birds dangerous, will? it's dangerous when you are dead. laughs. this is feasting season for the predators. yeah. oh, i can hear the wildebeest
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to the left of me! for most of the year, the maasai mara is quiet and calm with bush wilderness that goes on for miles. but during the migration, it's a totally different story. can you hear the sounds of the wildebeest? it's everywhere, isn't it? 3d sound! yes. something you can't get anywhere else. it's just beautiful. i love it and i've got my little figure here. do they look like this, will? yes, they look like this. so, first, their legs looks like hyena. they have very weak legs. yes. when god was creating the wildebeest, he was the last animal to be created. mm—hm. a wildebeest is made with different types of animals.
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so, on the top is like a horse. on the horns, they look like a cow horn. yes. then they have the beards, like a goat. they do? giggles. a beard like a goat! around you, how many wildebeests would you say there were? i think we have the herd is about 50,000 or maybe 100,000 just close to us. gasps. as there's so many wildebeest around the area our camp is in, this is a good sign that a crossing is about to happen. the ones who are moaning are the leaders, those are the leaders, they are the ones who are moaning because now, it's early in the morning, it's only the leaders who are communicating where to go to. but following a herd of wildebeest is not easy. until will spots some shadowy figures at the edge of the river.
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so, the leader has just called for them to cross. yes. and now, they're making noise. they're communicating, saying, there is nothing. there's no crocs or there are no hippos around. this is a case of right place and right time for both us and the wildebeest. can you hear them in the water? yeah, i can! and, yes, thousands and thousands crossing right now. maybe the lions and crocs were already full because this time, it seems that the herd reached the other side of the river and fresh grass unscathed. i may have taken the long way round on this safari, tuning each of my senses into a world so different from my own,
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but now, i'm getting to experience one of nature's marvels — something i'd never thought i'd be doing when i first lost my eyesight. so, this is the eighth wonder of the world. later that evening, i wanted to end my safari in the traditional way — with a sundowner, where you enjoy a drink watching the sunset against the beautiful african sky. not a very blind—friendly experience, let's face it! but then, kenya had other plans. thunder rumbles. would you like a drink? both laugh. can i have a g&t, please, will? yes! so, enjoy! it knew that i wanted rain because i can't see the sun. and all the animals are happy! yeah! all the animals are happy, and so is this blind girl! yeah! cheers!
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this is my blind girl sundown! this has been one of the most amazing things i have ever done, and now i can well and truly say this is how a blind girl goes on safari. thunder rumbles hello there. let's ta ke let's take a look at the weather over the next ten days or so. on friday, the best of the sunshine was across the north—west highlands but elsewhere, a cloudy picture on the satellite imagery. you can see this clump of cloud approaching storm
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system named storm betty and with it, some heavy rain strengthening winds too. let's take a closer look at storm betty. you can see its track as it works northwards across the uk, bringing heavy rain and high winds, several met office mornings in base for that. and that continues to track northwards towards the far north of scotland, still very windy around parts of the north sea coast and some big waves here as a result. the saturday, that system continues to clear northwards towards shetland but bringing cloud and outbreaks of rain in northern ireland and parts of scotland. but on saturday, much of scotland. but on saturday, much of england and wales are dry with sunny spells but pretty wet underfoot. temperatures up to 25 degrees in the south—east and all the north sea coast a bit warmer than what we saw on friday. looking ahead, no pressure anchored towards
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the north—west, high pressure in the south—east meaning areas closer to the north—west are cloudy and breezy air with longer spells of rain, some sunshine across eastern parts of scotland and england and wales, very similar picture to saturday. sun sunshine and a few showers and temperatures up a notch, 25 degrees in the south—east with pressure in the north—west with the cloud and breeze. looking ahead to next week, low pressure system towards the north—west stays, high pressure nearby on the continent but for many, low pressure which will influence conditions especially in northern ireland and scotland and north—west england. through the midlands, south and east, it's dry with temperatures in the mid 20s. a bit cool and fresh air in the north with cloud and showery outbreaks of rain. monday and tuesday, wet weather still with us with a low
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pressure circulating towards the north—west, perhaps a few more showers in the met west midlands at times. be driest in the south. if you're yesterday, their warm weather were driving from the continent but now it looks like it might stay there. a little bit across the south—east but this pressure tends to push it away and that means the low pressure is still with us in the north, cloudy and damp air, dry with sunshine in the south but not the temperatures reaching the high 20s that we had thought. still, 25, 20 6 degrees is the average. a bit fresher with the wind and rain. it was the end of the week, low pressure begins to take over, more of an elderly drift and turning more unsettled through parts of central and southern england after what will be a settled start to the week. the
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live from london. this is bbc news. at least seven people are killed in a russian missile attack on ukraine. one of the victims is a six year old child. more than 100 are reported to be injured. more questions about the british nurse convicted of murdering seven babies — did the hospital properly investigate lucy letby? a state of emergency�*s declared in western canada as the country deals with its worst wildfire season on record. and counting down to glory — one more day before spain and england compete for the women's world cup.
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hello, i'm gareth barlow. they warm welcome. —— a warm welcome. ukraine says at least seven people have been killed and more than 100 injured in a russian missile attack on the city of chernihiv. officials said a theatre on the main square was targeted. video from the scene shows glass and debris blown across nearby streets, as well as a number of bodies. president zelensky posted online urging the world to stand up to what he called russian terror. chernihiv is close to the border with belarus. well in the past hour president zelensky has been meeting the swedish prime minister in sweden — he gave an update on the situation in chernihiv. translation: our bright city of chernihiv. - this morning, russia launched missiles on the city at the very centre of the city where the national drama theatre is located as well as many residential homes. theatre is located as well as many there were many people were in the theatre at the time
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