A day at the Zoo

I love the zoo. I especially love our zoo, Taronga, here in Sydney. I know that zoos aren’t universally popular or politically correct, but I know enough about Taronga to know that they’re making a huge effort to make the animals’ zoo lives as interesting, healthy and fun as possible – and same goes for the visitors. And behind the scenes, they raise a lot of cash for important conservation work and run many important breeding programs.

(As an aside, they also run the incredible Roar & Snore program, with an overnight stay at the Zoo – glamping all the way – and several amazing behind-the-scenes tours with keepers. I’ve been twice and can’t recommend it highly enough if you’re looking for a unique gift or Sydney experience.) Here’s a pic of the set up from the Roar & Snore site, in case you don’t believe me!

Anyways, it was a lovely sunny day in Sydney yesterday, so I took myself off for a trip to the Zoo. Along with a lot of other people in Sydney, it seemed. It’s not an old-school zoo, so it doesn’t feel like you’re visiting the animals in jail – although judging by the many fools who climbed into the kangaroos’ area, some sort of electric shock system for idiot visitors might be in order. (I did wait around for a bit to see if the larger kangaroos might take matters into their own hands and kick the people out – literally – but they were very patient and polite hosts.)

Here are some pics from my day at the Zoo – if you haven’t been, or if you haven’t been for a while, then I reckon it’s definitely worth a visit on a sunny day!

Such a poser - this Rhinoceros Iguana was really working it for the camera. Or the sun. — Such a poser – this Rhinoceros Iguana was really working it for the camera. Or the sun.

It's a bit blurry, but I like to think this Lawson's Bearded Dragon was trying to lead his mates in a daring escape attempt. — It’s a bit blurry, but I like to think this Lawson’s Bearded Dragon was trying to lead his mates in a daring escape attempt.

And this is the brilliantly named FIERCE SNAKE. The most venemous land snake in the world, apparently, so he definitely lives up to his name. — And this is the brilliantly named FIERCE SNAKE. The most venomous land snake in the world, apparently, so he definitely lives up to his name. And the venom in one bite can kill 200,000 mice, so they say. Hope that’s toughened glass right there.

Here are two Red Bellied Black Snakes getting close. And they don't have a rainbow scale pattern, that's a reflection from the glass, sorry! — Here are two Red Bellied Black Snakes getting close. And they don’t have a rainbow scale pattern, that’s a reflection from the glass, sorry! As is the creepy giant hand in the top right corner.

I like this photo because the Short Necked Turtle was coming right at me. Also because he sort of looks to be wearing a little girl's shoe. — I like this photo because the Short Necked Turtle was coming right at me. Also because he looks to be wearing a little girl’s shoe.

Now that's a meal with a view, lucky giraffe. — Now that’s a meal with a bzillion dollar harbour view, lucky giraffe.

Some days, I feel the same, Chimps. — Some days, I feel just the same, Chimps.

Where the Chimpanzee enclosure meets the Human enclosure.

The old elephant enclosure - they've moved out, but it's still a beautiful building. — The old elephant enclosure – they’ve moved out, but it’s still a beautiful building.

If you’re interested, you can check out the Taronga Zoo website here and the Roar & Snore info is here.

4 thoughts on “A day at the Zoo”

This Sydney Life says:

June 10, 2013 at 8:00 am

Happy Queens B’day weekend to you, Sparks. I love the Taronga zoo, too. I especially love the bird show – looking out over that view of the harbour. I’ve not done the roar and snore BUT when my nephew comes over from NZ, I just might take him…

1. Cate says:
  
  June 10, 2013 at 10:49 am
  
  And to you, TSL! You should definitely take your nephew, I reckon – it’s a very cool thing to experience! I take my nieces as a birthday treat when they turn 8…little do they know, it’s a present for me too! 🙂
  
birdcagedesign says:

June 10, 2013 at 10:38 am

I am so waiting for my nephew to get older to do the roar and snore! Seems like we are both into zoos today! 🙂

1. Cate says:
  
  June 10, 2013 at 10:47 am
  
  Haha, I noticed that – great minds, BCD! 😉