Chicky at Healesville Sanctuary

Hi Everyone,

Hope you have been having a great week. Mine has been fairly quiet ... I worked Monday and Wednesday, went grocery shopping Thursday, and spent a lot of time reading. I have had a nice, lazy-type week !!

Chicky, however, after being unwell on Tuesday, recovered nicely, and was able to attend a planned school excursion to Healesville Sanctuary.

"Healesville Sanctuary is only an hour from Melbourne, but a visit there will take you closer to Australia’s unique wildlife than you ever thought possible. Featuring wild encounters and unique experiences with Australian wildlife amongst the sights, sounds and scents of the stunning bushland surrounds."

Healesville is one of 3 stunning zoos here in Melbourne ... Melbourne Zoo and Werribee Open Range Zoo are the other two. Healesville is full of amazing Australian wildlife, and there are many opportunities for interaction with the animals and birds.

Chicky was one of a group of 16 year 7 and 8 students who attended on the day, chosen from amongst those who had a "High Achiever or Honours" level in their Grade Point Averages. The school subsidised the day, so we only had to pay $10. This included a teaching program ...

Predator! The Devil in Peril: Years 7 & 8
Investigating the facial tumour disease in Tasmanian Devils

Students investigate the complexity of issues surrounding the endangered Tasmanian Devil and the impact of the facial tumor disease. How do we identify a diseased Devil? What scientific and veterinary investigations can we apply? How do we recognise diseased tissue?What impact would it have on the food chain if the Devil as a top order predator became extinct? What solutions to the problem can students develop and suggest? How can the captive breeding program at Healesville Sanctuary help? Students are challenged to examine all the issues and investigate the disease at the Australian Wildlife Health Centre.

Apparently this disease is making a huge dent in the population of Tasmanian Devils, and will quite possibly wipe them out, if a solution cannot be found. Chicky told me of some really sad photos that were displayed, showing these poor animals suffering from this disease. It sounds like a very cruel disease. As much as they are really ugly, smelly, strange little animals, they deserve as much of a chance of a good life as any other.

The kids had a wonderful day, and Chicky took a bucket-load of photos. Here are just a few of them for your enjoyment ...

(Red Kangaroos)

(Chicky and a wallaby)

(A Dingo)

(A couple of nosey Emus)

(A Wedge Tailed Eagle)

(A Tasmanian Devil)

The birds of prey presentation was amazing. You get to sit in an ampitheatre type area, and trained birds ... eagles, owls, and various others ... fly overhead, swooping down to catch the mice and other food that their trainers have for them. It is quite common to feel the bird's wings touch your head, as they swoop low.

It was a very long day ... they left from school at 7.30am, returning at around 5pm. Chicky sure did sleep well that night !!!

So, my friends, it is Friday afternoon, just after 1.30pm as I write. I would like to wish you all a wonderful weekend ... hope the weather, wherever you are, is good (not too hot, or not too cold). Enjoy your days off (if you are not working), and have a good time.

Take care,