Australian Adventures Part 3

Ok now that I may have scared most people about Australia I want to let you know about the best part of Australia (animal wise).  The Zoo’s in Adelaide were amazing, the Walabee’s and kangaroos walk through out the park like the peacocks in the Calgary Zoo. They allow you to feed and pet them and many are as gentle as can be. The only Kangaroo you want to stay away from is the red kangaroo, they are the tall kangaroos and are quite vicious (they are also caged up and don’t wander around the park like the other types do).

 Albino and regular Wallaby

The highlight for me and something I recommend for everyone visiting Adelaide to do, is go to the Gorge Wildlife Park and hold a Koala. They are the softest, most cuddly animal I have ever encountered. Of course they must be well fed on eucalyptus so they are high or they can be quite mean little creatures who have very long claws that will do a good amount of damage to your delicate human skin.

Koala eating Eucalyptus

Koala’s eat a massive amount of eucalyptus and are a fussy bunch when it comes to eating. There are a number of different types of eucalyptus trees, however Koala’s will only eat one. Due to the high volume in which they eat it and of course the destruction of forests these eucalyptus trees are vanishing at a rapid pace. This decrease in the food supply has led Koala’s into some rural areas in search of food.  Koala’s are not fast moving animals especially when high on the eucalyptus leaves, the speed at which they travel and the traffic in the cities has led to many deaths.

Most Zoo’s in Australia will allow you to hold a Koala and get a picture taken for a fee of course, but the proceeds are put toward protecting the species from extinction. I am not an advocate for locking up animals purely for our pleasure but Koala’s move very little and require very little room to be happy. Give them a nice big eucalyptus tree full of an endless supply of leaves and they are the happiest animal alive. Not only are they fed an endless supply of eucalyptus but we get the opportunity to learn about them and hold them all while supporting the efforts to save them from extinction in the wild. To donate or learn more about the Koala’s go to https://www.savethekoala.com .

Me holding a Koala