Healesville Sanctuary

[khiemtran]

Also on our trip to Melbourne, we drove out to Healesville to visit the Healesville Sanctuary.




As you can see, the Free Flight Bird Show was very entertaining. This is a Barking Owl about to do another low-flying swoop across the audience.



And a cast that included Black Kites, Buzzards and a Wedge-tailed Eagle.



Besides the birds, there was also lots of Australian wildlife. Like this little wallaby.



The Friends of the Zoo volunteers were the best part of the experience. They helped us identify the different birds and took us around so Liem could help feed the animals.



The obligatory koala photo...



While the keeper was giving this talk, an echidna walked up and sniffed her boots.



There was also a good chance to learn about Aboriginal culture. Here you can see where bark has been harvested from a tree to make a canoe.



An example of the finished product. It's not easy making a boat without any metal tools. Besides needing a skilled eye to find a piece of bark curved in the right way and then being able to harvest it, the bark then needed to be shaped and shrunk to close any leaks.

Comments

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

How cool about the bark canoes. I never knew any of that. Thanks for sharing.

[khiemtran.livejournal.com]

You can still see "canoe trees" around some of the parks in Melbourne, if you look carefully. One of the (many) early problems with the white settlers is that they cleared out all the trees leaving no source of bark - so the wurundjeri people had to live in mud huts because they had no bark to build with.

[soon_lee]

Been there a couple of times over the years with our niece. Lovely place.

[khiemtran.livejournal.com]

Yes, it's a nice little zoo. I think the small scale adds a lot to its charm, especially since there weren't many visitors that day. Liem's Malaysian grandfather was quite impressed with the volunteers, many of whom seemed to be retirees and one was even getting around with a walking frame. They were having a great time feeding the animals, talking to the visitors and arguing amongst themselves.

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

Wow, wonderful about the volunteer with the walking frame! Suddenly I have a really *huge big love* for this zoo!

[khiemtran.livejournal.com]

Yes, they really made the difference. Apparently they do a few days each month. It was great being able to talk to them about the different birds and to help them feed the animals. Although, as HL noted afterwards, Liem didn't wash his hands between having lunch and feeding live meal worms to some of the birds. Or before holding her hand.

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

Or before holding her hand. Worm cooties, ewwwww!

[carl-allery.livejournal.com]

Excellent photos. I love the pic of the wallaby which looks like it's protecting its food from Liem. :)

Fascinating canoe, a much quicker and lighter process than hollowing a log (with stone tools).

[khiemtran.livejournal.com]

Liem actually gave it that carrot a few seconds ago. It took it in its mouth from Liem's hand, then grabbed it with its paws and started eating it like that.

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

I'd love to see one of those canoes being made.

The obligatory koala looks really put out. "Okay, yes, I suppose I'll pose for another shot. *sigh*"

And the eyes on the barking owl! (Did you get to hear him bark?)

[khiemtran.livejournal.com]

It didn't seem to be "barking" but it was vocalising a bit when it flew. More of a shriek than a bark, I would have thought, but I'm not an expert. I think the koala was put out because someone else was getting *another* hug from the keeper in the next enclosure...

[88greenthumb.livejournal.com]

How the Aboriginals make canoes is very interesting, including the materials gathering. Am sure the whole process requires a of skill and patience.

[davesmusictank.livejournal.com]

I love animal pics. Have a cat called Florence.