Whitchurch TV vet swaps pets for big cats
Thursday 22nd December 2011, 10:59AM GMT.
TV celebrity Steve Leonard will temporarily swop his day job dealing with cats and dogs in Whitchurch to come face-to-face with Africa’s ‘big five’ animals as part of a new 12-part documentary series.
Mr Leonard, of Leonard Brothers Veterinary Centre, will feature in ITV1’s Safari Vet School, which will see student vets gain experience of exotic wildlife and which will be screened from January 6.
It will track the fortunes of the student vets as they come face to face with Africa’s ‘big five’ for the first time during a summer placement at the 15,000 acre Amakhala Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape of South Africa.
The programme will see them learn skills ranging from basic capture techniques to wildlife relocation under the guiding hand of Dr Will Fowlds.
Mr Leonard said filming for the programme was a great experience and he enjoyed watching the students develop their skills.
He said: “I was out there in June and July for the filming of it. It was really rewarding and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
“It was great getting to know the students who got their first opportunity at hands-on experience.
“They got to deal with rhinos and elephants. They also worked with buffalos which have the worst reputation for causing the most injuries to people.
“One of the most interesting experiences was when we moved some giraffes to start a new breeding herd.”
Cameras have followed Mr Leonard’s career since he made regular appearances on BBC wildlife shows including Vet School.
Mr Leonard, who runs the Whitchurch practice with his brother Tom and business partner Andy Nelson, this week announced the opening of a new branch in Wistaston, near Crewe, in the spring.
By James Pugh
UK News
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