Golden Eagle has called for the gang’s help to find a mystery hiker who’s gotten themselves stuck. Ranger Rae, Apprentice Roxy, Deer and Bat are on the case.
Ben Nevis is home to unique characters, like Mountain Hare, who camouflages themselves against the snow and has a disconcerting habit of popping up unannounced.
Bat gets the ride of his life on the back of his new friend Eagle to locate the hiker. He just needs to stay awake long enough in the daytime to make the mission a succezzzzzz...
Production
Artwork: (c) Becka Moor
Cast:
Ranger Rae: Katy Schutte
Roxy: Leila Hall
Deer / Wildcat: Hannah Platts
Beaver / Bat: Lloydie James Lloyd
Expedition Eddie: Adam Hodgson
Other characters played by members of the ensemble.
Writer: Aidan Fitzmaurice
Sound design: Chris Stevens
Editing: Adam Stoner
Producers: Lloydie James Lloyd & Adam Stoner
Ranger Rae and the Wildlifers is a podcast from the National Trust, produced by Fun Kids Radio.
Discover more for parents and guardians
Visit the National Trust's Kids' Podcast website
nationaltrust.org.uk/kids-podcast
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www.funkidslive.com
Be inspired with '50 things to do before you're 11 and 3/4'
nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/50-things
Find out more about Ben Nevis
bennevis.co.uk
Read about mountain walks with the National Trust
nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/walking/hill-mountain-walks
Follow the National Trust Podcast, our podcast for grown ups. Discover immersive tales of nature, history and adventure
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Episode Transcript
Hey Wildlifer, Roxy here, apprentice Ranger with Ranger
Rae and the Wildlifers. And thisweek, Ranger Rae is travelling
to the mighty Ben Nevis,Britain's tallest peak. A
familiar sounding voice needsour help, so let's take flight
with Eagle and see what's goingon.
EAGLE (00:25):
Ahhhh! Nothing like breathing in the beautiful crisp
air above Britain's tallestmountain. I can really get some
distance on my Eagle call fromhere.
Oh, I do love that echo.
One more time.
UNKNOWN VOICE (00:46):
Help!
EAGLE (00:48):
Hold on. That didn't sound like an Eagle echo.
UNKNOWN VOICE (00:51):
Help!
EAGLE (00:55):
That sounds like someone in trouble on the mountain.
Ah, just as I thought. Somesilly human thought climbing Ben
Nevis would be a simple strollin the park.
UNKNOWN VOICE (01:08):
Help!
EAGLE (01:09):
Yes, yes, you need help. But they're never going to hear
you like that. You need to giveit a big, powerful... Awooooo!
VOICE OVER (01:21):
Across the many majestic, wild spaces of the
United Kingdom. From woods,wetlands, to mountain and heath.
Whenever help is needed, oneranger and her animal friends
always answer the call.
THEME TUNE (01:35):
Its Ranger Rae and the Wildlifers!
RANGER RAE (01:38):
I can talk to animals! It's a ranger's dream!
THEME TUNE (01:41):
It's Ranger Rae and the Wildlifers!
RANGER RAE (01:45):
Say hello to my animal team!
THEME TUNE (01:47):
With Deer and Fox and Wildcat. Mole and Dragonfly,
Beaver and Bat.
BEAVER (01:55):
Sound the alarm.
And we'll come running to you!
RANGER RAE (01:57):
With our animal powers.
We'll know what to do!
THEME TUNE (02:01):
It's Ranger Rae and the Wildlifers!
EAGLE (02:06):
I wonder how long it'll take them to get here. Probably
a good while. After all, we areall the way...
RANGER RAE (02:14):
Somebody call for Ranger Rae. I'm here with Deer,
Bat and Roxy to save the day.
EAGLE (02:21):
Ranger Rae and their Wildlifers. It's really you.
ROXY (02:24):
Wow, Ben Nevis is huge. I didn't realise it went up so
high. I have to bend my head allthe way back to see the top.
RANGER RAE (02:33):
So is someone or something in trouble on the
mountain?
EAGLE (02:36):
It certainly seems that way.
RANGER RAE (02:39):
Well, don't worry. We're always laser-focused on
saving the day. Isn't thatright, Deer?
DEER (02:47):
Oh, sure. You know, I feel so at home on this mountain. I
bet if I strike the right pose,my antlers will glisten in the
snow and...
Bat, have you fallen asleep onmy antlers again?
BAT (03:05):
Sorry Deer. You know I get sleepy when I travel.
DEER (03:09):
You get sleepy when you stay perfectly still as well,
you lazy Bat.
BAT (03:14):
I'm not lazy. I'm nocturnal. Although now you
mention it, I could do withanother quick nap before all the
rescuing starts.
RANGER RAE (03:21):
Bat might need a nap, but the rest of us are
ready to go. So, who needs ourhelp?
EAGLE (03:28):
There's someone stuck on top of the mountain. Looks like
another human thought they couldclimb Ben Nevis without the
proper preparation.
RANGER RAE (03:37):
Someone heading out on an expedition completely
unprepared, hey? That soundsfamiliar.
ROXY (03:45):
You think it could be our old friend Expedition Eddie?
RANGER RAE (03:49):
We'll have to wait and see. Though it wouldn't
surprise me.
EAGLE (03:52):
Lots of people try and climb Ben Nevis without giving
it the respect it deserves. Itis over 1,000 metres tall after
all.
RANGER RAE (04:01):
Climbing Britain's tallest peak is no laughing
matter. And when the snow hitslike this, you best be prepared.
The right clothes, the rightclimbing gear, and of course,
the right mindset.
ROXY (04:13):
I'm not sure Eddie has any of those things.
RANGER RAE (04:16):
We'll need to get confirmation on his location
before we mount a rescueoperation.
EAGLE (04:20):
I can do that. Who wants to join me for an Eagle-eyed
tour of the all mighty BenNevis? Bat, you should be able
to perch nicely on my wings.
Fancy it?
RANGER RAE (04:31):
Great idea. Bat can use their sonar skills to find
whoever is stuck on themountain.
EAGLE (04:36):
Perfect. Hop on and off we go.
BAT (04:40):
Oh, all right.
EAGLE (04:42):
Hold on tight.
BAT (04:45):
Woohoo! This is amazing. Look at these majestic mountain
vistas. I'm on top of the world.
EAGLE (04:54):
Haha Quite a view, isn't it?
BAT (04:56):
I love all the snow, even if it makes me quite chilly.
EAGLE (05:00):
It wasn't always so chilly round here. The top of
Ben Nevis is actually thecollapsed dome of an ancient
volcano.
BAT (05:08):
Really?
EAGLE (05:09):
See that beautiful valley at the bottom of the mountain?
That's Glen Nevis.
BAT (05:15):
You mean there's a Ben Nevis and a Glen Nevis? That
must get confusing.
EAGLE (05:20):
Oh, it can do. Oh, look at that lovely Hare.
BAT (05:24):
Oh, why, thank you. I have been brushing it a little more
often, and I was thinking ofusing some conditioner next
time.
EAGLE (05:30):
Ha ha, no, not your hair, Bat. I mean, look at that lovely
Mountain Hare sprinting throughthe snow.
BAT (05:37):
Oh, yes.
Do they not get very cold?
EAGLE (05:41):
They would if it wasn't for their nice, thick mountain
fur.
BAT (05:45):
It looks so snuggly and toasty. Oh, I wish I was wrapped
up in it right now.
EAGLE (05:53):
Hold that sleepy thought, Bat. Do you hear something?
UNKNOWN VOICE (05:57):
Help! Help!
BAT (06:00):
Yes, yes, yes. I hear a human in distress.
EAGLE (06:03):
I can hear him all right. But where is he hiding?
BAT (06:07):
It sounds like he made it all the way to the top.
EAGLE (06:10):
I'll circle round again.
UNKNOWN VOICE (06:14):
Somebody help!
I'm trapped on top of themountain!
EAGLE (06:19):
Where is that coming from? How are we supposed to
rescue him if we can't find him?
BAT (06:26):
Not to worry. I can use my super sonar to find him.
EAGLE (06:29):
Oh, I've heard about Bats and their sonar powers. How does
it work?
BAT (06:34):
It's the best. I can send out sound waves from my mouth,
which bounce off the surroundingareas right back into my ears.
So by listening to these echoes,I can build a mental map of all
that surrounds me.
EAGLE (06:48):
I love travelling with the Wildlifers. Your sonar
powers are amazing.
BAT (06:54):
Super sonar! Activated!
Let's see, looks like there'ssome ruins on top of the
mountain and looks like, yep,that's where our guy's hiding.
EAGLE (07:07):
Wonderful! We'll head back to the others and let them
know. Hold on tight, Bat!
ROXY (07:17):
With Eagle and Bat soaring through the sky, the rest of us
Wildlifers. That's right, I'm anhonorary Wildlifer for now,
remember? Waited to hear newsfrom the mountain top. And we
even had a furry little visitor.
RANGER RAE (07:31):
That's a Mountain Hare. You can find them all over
Ben Nevis. Their coats turnwhite in the winter, so they're
very good at hiding in the snow.
BAT (07:42):
Oh, a perfect landing. Thanks, Eagle. That was great.
RANGER RAE (07:47):
Did you see who was stuck on the mountain?
EAGLE (07:49):
They were hiding, so we couldn't get a proper look at
them.
BAT (07:53):
It sure sounded like Eddie.
RANGER RAE (07:55):
Where is there to hide on top of a mountain?
EAGLE (07:58):
That said, it looked like some old ruins, but I'm not sure
what that could be.
MOUNTAIN HARE (08:04):
It's the old observatory.
BAT (08:05):
Well, who's that? It's like they appeared out of nowhere.
EAGLE (08:09):
That's my good friend, Mountain Hare.
MOUNTAIN HARE (08:12):
Over 150 years ago, scientists built an
observatory on top of Ben Nevisto observe the weather
conditions.
RANGER RAE (08:19):
Where did they go?
EAGLE (08:20):
Oh, they're still here somewhere, camouflaged against
the snow.
MOUNTAIN HARE (08:25):
The conditions on top of the mountain were too
harsh, so it was abandoned after20 years.
DEER (08:30):
It's like trying to have a conversation with a whack-a-mole
machine.
MOUNTAIN HARE (08:35):
But the ruins still sit on top of the
mountain, and sometimesstruggling climbers use it for
shelter. The end.
RANGER RAE (08:42):
Thanks, Mountain Hare. So our would-be
mountaineer is hiding in theruins of the old observatory.
ROXY (08:49):
Oh, yes. The observatory. I read all about that in my Ben
Nevis guidebook.
RANGER RAE (08:54):
Eddie could really do with a Ben Nevis guidebook.
EAGLE (08:57):
I could try and fly up and get him, but even my mighty
two-metre wingspan wouldstruggle to carry a human down
the mountain.
DEER (09:06):
This is a mission suited to my particular skill set.
RANGER RAE (09:11):
Deer's right. The balance, speed and strength
makes them a perfect candidatefor a Mountain Rescue. Bat,
you'd better go as well. Sinceyou saw where Eddie was hiding.
And, Roxy, would you mind goingso you can talk to Eddie?
ROXY (09:24):
Yes, I get to be on Team Rescue!
DEER (09:27):
All aboard for Operation Save Expedition Eddie!
BAT (09:32):
But we're not sure if it is Expedition Eddie yet, Deer.
DEER (09:36):
All right then, all aboard for Operation Save someone who
may not be but probably isExpedition Eddie!
BAT (09:45):
Much better.
DEER (09:46):
All right, off we go!
Bat?
BAT (09:53):
What is it, Deer?
DEER (09:54):
Aren't you going to woohoo your way up the mountain, like
you did with Eagle?
BAT (10:00):
Well... It's just we're not going at quite the same speed.
Eagle was a lot faster than you.This is more of a leisurely
pace. It's quite relaxing,really. I might even...
DEER (10:12):
So it's speed you want, then, is it?
BAT (10:17):
Oh, woohoo!
ROXY (10:19):
Whee!
I can't think of many thingsmore exciting than riding up a
mountain on the back of a Deerwith a Bat as company.
Oh, I really wish I couldunderstand what the animals are
saying on an adventure likethis.
I wonder, was it really Eddiestuck up there?
(10:40):
We'll find out soon.
UNKNOWN VOICE (10:44):
Help!
DEER (10:46):
Sounds like he's around here somewhere.
BAT (10:49):
My sonar says he's hiding just in there.
UNKNOWN VOICE (10:54):
Hello?
Has someone come to rescue me?
Oh, thank you. Thank you, thankyou.
DEER (11:02):
It's Expedition Eddie, all right. What a surprise.
EXPEDITION EDDIE (11:06):
Who's come to rescue me? Mountain Rescue? The
Coast Guard? Spider-Man?
BAT (11:12):
What would Spider-Man be doing on a mountain in Scotland?
EXPEDITION EDDIE (11:16):
Oh, it's a Deer and a Bat. That's weird.
And me. Roxy, what are you doinghere? I thought you were too
busy to get your mountaineeringbadge this weekend.
ROXY (11:27):
I am busy. I'm busy helping Ranger Rae and the
Wildlifers save you.
EXPEDITION EDDIE (11:32):
You mean this Deer and Bat are Wildlifers?
Well, I am so honoured.
ROXY (11:38):
And I'm an honorary Wildlifer now too, Eddie.
EXPEDITION EDDIE (11:41):
Oh, nice badge. Can I have a taste?
ROXY (11:45):
You want to eat my badge?
EXPEDITION EDDIE (11:47):
I am so hungry I'll eat anything. All I brought
with me was this bag of crisps.But I can't get them open
because my fingers are too cold.
ROXY (11:55):
You shouldn't have worn fingerless gloves. Let's get you
down the mountain. Hop up onDeer's back. And don't disturb
Bat. They're very tired.
BAT (12:05):
Thank you, Roxy.
DEER (12:07):
All aboard. Off we go.
RANGER RAE (12:13):
Eagle, how many people climb this mountain every
year?
EAGLE (12:17):
I'm not sure. I wonder who'd know the answer to that.
MOUNTAIN HARE (12:22):
Over 150,000 people.
EAGLE (12:24):
Thank you, Hare.
ROXY (12:30):
We're back!
DEER (12:31):
Another successful rescue operation completed by your
humble, fabulous Deer.
BAT (12:38):
Ahem.
DEER (12:40):
And Bat.
RANGER RAE (12:41):
Hello, Expedition Eddie.
EXPEDITION EDDIE (12:43):
Hi, Ranger Rae. I hope you're doing well on
this fine afternoon.
RANGER RAE (12:48):
When we were called for a Mountain Rescue, I had a
funny feeling you'd be involved.
EXPEDITION EDDIE (12:52):
It's harder than it looks, this mountain
climbing.
RANGER RAE (12:56):
That's why you need to make sure you're well
prepared. If we weren't here tohelp today, then Mountain Rescue
would have to get involved, andthey're mostly volunteers.
ROXY (13:05):
You can borrow my Ben Nevis guidebook next time, when
you want to try it.
EXPEDITION EDDIE (13:09):
Thanks very much. Does the guidebook taste
good?
ROXY (13:13):
We'd best get Eddie to some food.
RANGER RAE (13:16):
Does anybody know the quickest route down the
mountain?
MOUNTAIN HARE (13:19):
The quickest way up and down Ben Nevis is the
pony track. Thank you. Goodbye.
RANGER RAE (13:24):
Thanks, Mountain Hare. Come on, Eddie. Let's get
you fed.
ROXY (13:28):
And so my first full rescue was complete, and I got
to be part of the whole thing.
Seeing Ben Nevis was an amazingexperience.
I wonder, will it be long tillmy next adventure?
ANIMAL CALL (13:40):
Ahwoooooo
RANGER RAE (13:44):
Sounds like another animal needs our help. Come on,
Wildlifers, off we go!
ROXY (13:50):
I guess it won't be long then. Woohoo!
THEME TUNE (13:53):
It's Ranger Rae and the Wildlifers!
VOICE OVER (14:04):
We hope you're enjoying the new adventures of
Ranger Rae and the Wildlifers.To celebrate the launch, it's
competition time.
We've got 10 Ranger Fun Packprizes up for grabs. For a
chance to win a Ranger Fun Pack,you'll need to answer this
question correctly.
What is a common nickname forpuffins?
Is it A. Clowns Of The Sea? B.Bright Beaked Birdies, or C,
(14:30):
Rainbow Jesters. Top tip, listento Ranger Rae and the Wildlifers
episode one, Puffin Panic at theFarne Islands to find out. If
you're under 16, an adult mustenter on your behalf.
Please ask your grown-up tofollow the link in the podcast
show notes or atnationaltrust.org.uk/kids-podca-
(14:51):
st. This competition is free toenter and closes at midnight on
the 13th of November 2024. Youcan only enter the competition
once and full terms andconditions apply. Good luck!
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