A day out at the Perth Zoo

Yesterday I had a day out at the Perth Zoo with the family and my nephew who is on holiday from the UK. It was really nice. I remember going to the Zoo for the first time when I was a kid in the early 80's and hating it.

Back then pretty much all the enclosures were wire and concrete, often tiny and most of the animals looked  either bored out of their minds or just miserable. It made me so depressed and it left such a negative impression that it was 20 years before I went again; after they had spent millions of dollars on upgrading the enclosures.

It's been around 5 years since my last visit and I was impressed at the pace of change in that short time. It just keeps getting better and better. Well worth the $24 it cost to get in.

Entrance to the Zoo

Zoo Plan

Everyone was hanging out for a cuppa so first we headed to the cafe for a drink. Prices were pretty reasonable here. No more than your average coffee shop. $4.50 for a pot of green tea and about the same for a coffee. Such a beautiful location too, it was so relaxing with the sounds of the animals.

There are so many great open spaces around the zoo, for picnics, or to let the kids run themselves ragged for a bit, there's also a playground to keep them entertained. I was surprised to find the BBQs are free to use and not coin operated. Impressed.

The Cafe to the right. There is seating undercover, outside and under the huge tree.

We then headed to the African Savannah. I really liked the way the elephant grass has been planted all along the paths throughout this area, it really set the mood.

You're just waiting for something to jump out.

The animals seemed really relaxed and at ease. Most were sleeping though. Except for the cheetah which was a bit of a show pony and would come over to the glass every time someone came in. I personally think it was probably because of all the primary school kids there on an excursion and it was pretty interested in them. I'm sure it was thinking they were just the right size for a snack...

Oh so sleepy.

Just Chilling

Checking out the Snacks...

Giraffe saying hello to the keepers

These Meerkats where just so cute especially the babies. The iddy biddy babies had just started to explore the outside world and are just over a month old.

Meerkats playing

Aaaaw! So cute.

I thought it funny that one of them spent a lot of time admiring its reflection in the glass (below) 

Who is that sexy dude?

Apparently these tortoises are critically endangered because they are both pretty and tasty. So people kill them to eat and then make baubles from their shells. It sucks to be too popular. As they've got a top speed of about 30cm a minute they're not outrunning anyone either.

The Zoo is doing great work with its breeding program so hopefully they can be saved.

Chow Time.

So Tiny! About the size of a Tennis Ball

 The Galapagos Tortoises were Huge and the guy below looked like he'd been in a rear end crash. Though that would be difficult I suppose when you've got a top speed of like 2 kilometres an hour.

Galapagos Tortoise

Sadly their Islands and breeding grounds are being overrun with feral animals that compete for food and water, as well as eating their eggs and babies. It just goes to show that even when they live on islands in the middle of nowhere we humans can still fuck it up.

Nanna-Nap Time.

Tricia the local celebrity elephant, used to be chained  in a shoddy concrete imitation Greek-Temple-looking thing, all by herself when I was a kid.  She used to stand looking at the walls and sway from side to side, it was so awful.

Now though she has a massive naturalistic enclosure with waterfalls, bathing pool etc and is the matriarch of a little herd. She also goes for a daily wander round the Zoo, during visiting hours which is just awesome! Oh she also paints.

Tricia

Tea Time

But who's watching who?

The young Bull

There was so much more and I had a real blast. Spent over 7 hours here and it felt like 2.  Below is a quick snapshot of some of the other areas because I'm tired of typing.

Gibbon

Another Gibbon

Up a bit, no little to the left, down a bit...... Thaaaat's the spot.

Check out that Mo

Zzzzzzzzzzzzz

Ice Block Happy Time

Numbat - Native to W Australia and critically endangered

Termite Mound Replicas

Wallaby a close relative of the Kangaroo

Just cruising.

Tasmanian Devil - They started dropping like flies from some weird tumour disease in the 90s. These guys are disease free and used for breeding to reintroduce into the wild.

Iconic Australian - Koala

Looking like a hippy stoner.

Part of the walkway through the Wetlands Exhibit.

Red Kangaroos at Leisure

Now That's relaxed he's like a foot from the path.

Our local penguins playing

Wetland Australian Birds - Assorted flavours.

Our State's emblem - The Black Swan, has a tendency toward bad tempered fiestyness

 

Part of the Wetland exhibit

Tranquil

From the bridge

This guy's medium sized at around 4m long. It was sad to see that because of inconsiderate,retarded muppets they have had to put a sign up warning that the enclosure is under video surveillance and throwing stuff at the crocodile to get him to move will attract a seriously large fine and a permanent ban from the Zoo.

There was so much more and I recommend going if you live in Perth and haven't been for a while.