Visiting Zoos and what they do to you
Feb 1
posted by Mark Christie in
Joe Christie, Wildlife, animals
| 0 Comments
I happen to be subscribed to a monthly newsletter about the major zoos in Victoria. http://www.zoo.org.au/ I received a copy yesterday and it made me think of the various places we have been with Joe and the joy that seeing animals brings. I am sure that there are a few folk who think that they should be roaming in the wild, but I believe that by exposing humans to these wonderful animals, expecially at a young age, a positive empathy towards all animals is developed.
As a child growing up in Darwin we only had the Yarrawonga Zoo at what is now Pinelands in Darwin to go to. I still have memories of the large toothless crocodile who was the star attraction. As I now drive past the empty octagonal building on the Stuart Highway, I wonder how many Darwinites realise that was our first zoo.
Now, my office overlooks Crocosaurus cove where I can see locals and visitors alike parting with cash to descend in the "cage of death" and get eye to snout with a 5 metre crocodile. Of course with some strong perspex in the way.
Down the track there is the Territory Wildlife Park which on a cool day in the middle of the year is a great place to visit. Then there is the fish feeding at Doctors Gully which is also an interesting close up experience with wildlife.
Recently we went to Bali on holiday and visited the Safari and Marine Park up near Gianyar. Although the Marine part was a bit ambitous for any imagination to fully come to grips with, the Safari part was outstanding and in addition to looking at a wide variety of well cared for animals, we got to play with the orangutans and ride on the elephants along with being stalked by a tiger and stroking a baby tiger cub.
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| Bali - Safari and Marine Park |
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| Bali - Tigers at Safari and Marine Park |
Ocean Park in Hong Kong is another great location for not only a sea world type experience but the fun park side of things as well. It is certainly one the great places to view a large number of Panda Bears.
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| Holiday - Hong Kong 2007 - Ocean Park - Panda |
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| Holiday - Hong Kong 2007 - Ocean Park |
Speaking of Sea World - every child needs to go to Sea World and Joe has certainly been and I have lost count of the times I have been. The shows are what makes Sea World quite special.
Another place which is more traditional but extremely iconic is Taronga Park Zoo. The Giraffes have probably the best view of Sydney Harbour that money can't buy and the layout is visual splendour personified. There is certainly a bit of up and down walking involved, but if you ever tire of looking at the wonderful collection of animals, the views across Sydney Harbour are wonderful.
In New Zealand we visited the Antarctic Centre in Christchurch which provided us with an insight into the wildlife and environment of Antactica.
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| Holiday - NZ - Antarctic Centre Christchurch |
In Tasmania we visited a zoo carrying out research on the plight of the Tasmanian Devils which is really why I wrote this piece. By contributing a little to saving, learning about, educating and preserving the animal kingdom we do the right thing.
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| Holiday - Tasmania 10 December - Joe's Birthday |
