Zoo Day One

First day back at the Zoo. The Stephen Woollard gave an interesting talk today about conservationists, environmentalists and activists. And how zoos ‘present’ themselves. He is passionate about these topics, and it’s most important that people are. But I feel sorry for him, because it’s SUCH a huge problem, he must feel he is getting nowhere.

I learned heard and noted down lots of handy phrases - ‘cognitive dissonance’ and ‘dominant social paradigm’.

He had lots of great links to illustrate his point. None more so than this video -
Love. Not Loss.

I think they might have hit on something. Instead of doom and gloom, tap into the magic and wonder of nature and use education. This magic and wonder was obvious when we all stood for ages waiting for the mother koala to move, just so that we could see the baby she was hugging tightly. There were classes of kids, ooh-ing and aah-ing. And we could hardly see the baby - just an ear, or a leg. I also stood for about an hour while dad koala munched through loads of leaves, but resolutely kept his back to me. Still magic.

In the notices this week was the sad news that the wee baby pygmy hippo died suddenly early this morning. As I walked past the pen, the mother pygmy hippo was walking round and round and back into the covered den, wailing the whole time. It was very sad. The dad was in the next pen, and he kept trying to stand up and look over the wall to see her.

I went into the Bird House, and immediately recognised the lilac breasted roller, which I’d seen many times on safari and they are enchanting. They have this new chap, a Cock of the Rock from the Andes. He’s pretty spectacular.

Three big birds were on the ground behind me. Also behind me, sneaking up, was a keeper, with a big ‘butterfly’ net. I asked if he was trying to catch one, but no, he was protecting me!

The Cock of the Rock has been hand reared, and is very tame. So tame in fact, that he likes to land on people. Especially heads. So the attendant was there to discourage Mr Cock Mr Rock from swooping at me. He did have one attempt, though I was pretty fast at ducking!

I saw a couple more old friends from our African safari - Tree Hyrax and miniature mongooses. Both were friendly wee things and hung around at picnic sites.

Good news! The hedge definitely doesn’t have Box Blight...

Mainly because it’s not a box hedge!!

I told you we weren't gardeners...