Along with River and hopefully Elephant's Child, I am participating in Sunday Selections. This week it is different to my usual scatter of random photos, but records my visit with family to Melbourne Zoo. I was at the Dinosaur Park last Saturday and the zoo on Sunday.
Meerkats were a delight.
A new giraffe was born not so long ago, apparently the first for many years. Only a week or so before we visited, it was let out into the public viewing area. It seemed to be already weaned. It was very popular, with many people surrounding the enclosure fence.
With mummy giraffe, and daddy giraffe separated behind a fence.
It did have a short gallop around, which made the crowds happy.
I did not know this very impressive bird. Sister said it is a stork. My bird identifying app would have found it straight away but it was steering me to pay for the app. I gave up and checked once I was home. It is called a black necked stork, but also known as a jabiru, the name that I am familiar with. Watching the bird walking around was very entertaining.
A wombat, hey Wombat. I've never seen a wombat with a mottled coat before. I dunno.
The lion had worn a muddy path as it repeatedly marched along the cage wire, taking about 20 seconds to complete its return walking. While the enclosure is quite good, it was sad to see and I hope there are plans to better home lions. At the seal pool, with underwater viewing, the sole seal I could see was also following a repetitive swimming path.
A python I would guess, non venomous.
I expect the python would quite enjoy making an entree of this frog. In Australia an entree is a small course before the main, and not the main course as in America.
.jpg)
Sister and I bailed, while other family stayed on. Sister went to Melbourne University open day, to check it out for Jo's future education, and I returned home. I could have caught a train and tram, which would be a little quicker, but given the train was over ten minutes away and after checking what the usual Sunday demonstrations happening to affect city tram services, I just caught the direct tram home.
I was being nagged online to become a zoo member for one year, with my entry fee for the day deducted from the annual membership. I thought about it for a day or so, and then what I hadn't seen at the zoo, such as the butterfly house and the great apes. I decided the price for a poor old age pensioner was quite reasonable, so I paid to become a member. It is easy for me to visit, and I expect I might visit three times over the one year period. On my own!
PS Since our visit, by popular public vote, the baby giraffe has been named Tambi, pronounced tumbee, a Swahili word meaning noodle,.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
Your description of the lion reminded me of a visit to the zoo in Hong Kong many many years ago. I was saddened by that endless pacing back and forth in the small enclosure. I don't think they still have big cats there any more.
ReplyDeleteJayCee, I would hope they don't.
DeleteI know with 100% certainty that the meerkat is real, but it still looks like the cutest human-designed creature in the world.
ReplyDeleteHels, for a couple of minutes there wasn't a meerkat sentry on duty, which I think is unusual.
DeleteMy zoo volunteering brother tells me that cute as they are that the meerkats are feisty and have very sharp teeth and that most of the keepers have had stitches after encounters. I love that you have joined the zoo and mourn that the animals cannot have more space.
ReplyDeleteEC, cute does not equal friendly then. It's not that the lions don't have space, and the enclosure is quite good, there is some other mental thing in play. I don't think they like any kind of confinement.
DeleteI used to be a member of the friends of Zoo there. That brought back memories
ReplyDeleteRoentare, it is a good thing, coming with warm and fuzzy feelings.
DeleteThat wombat is one of the hairy nosed varieties - either southern or northern, not sure which. They live in arid, desert like areas. Their fur is much softer than common wombats and is mottled for camouflage. Bunyip
ReplyDeleteI knew you would know, Bunyip.
DeleteA baby giraffe called Noodle, ha ha. Meerkats are often fun, but sometimes they just stand so still like statues for quite a long time. I truly wish the lion had more space to run. I have never seen a mottled wombat either and thought maybe he was just shedding some winter fur, but Bunyip has explained.
ReplyDeleteRiver, I too was amused by its name. Yes, I thought maybe the wombat was moulting.
DeleteThank you for sharing your zoo visit for Sunday Selections. I am sorry about the lion, such behavior as zoo pacing is not good.
ReplyDeleteI hope you get to go back and see the rest and get a lot out of your membership.
MM, thinking back, I am sure I remember seeing them do that in the past.
DeleteGiraffe is one of the most fascinating animals in the world.
ReplyDelete(My latest post: Real-world lessons from younger folks)
They are very cool, Pradeep.
DeleteOne of the best things I have been through walking on this blog is a fabulous speed to load. The photos or images used on this post is quite small and very easy to load. It will give fantastic sense so I do not have to wait due to my speed internet access at my home
ReplyDeleteThe baby giraffe sounds absolutely adorable especially with the sweet name Tambi. Your mix of delight (meerkats, wombat, stork) and honesty about the sadder side with the lion and seal. Becoming a member sounds perfect you’ll discover even more treasures on future visits
Thank you.
DeleteLove the meerkat. Wish I could throw it a peanut (or whatever meerkats eat.)
ReplyDeleteKirk, I have no idea what they eat. Grubs and insects?
DeleteZoos are a great place to see animals we wouldn't otherwise see but space is an issue. I visited London zoo not long ago and had forgotten just how small it is.
ReplyDeleteFun60, I remember looking at the zoo when we were in London once, and it did seem to have a very small footprint. I hope you enjoyed your visit.
DeleteInteresting Zoo visit and now you can go when you want to see the remainder. I felt sorry for the lion too, going backward and forth all the time. The Meerkats are cute, well they seem to be.
ReplyDeleteMeerkats are very cute Margaret. Adults and children alike love them. Of course you have your own zoo right in the city.
DeleteI too visited the zoo this week. Going to the zoo alone would be a whole different ball game.
ReplyDeleteJeanie, I know nothing of your zoo. A couple of years ago we went the Currumbin zoo and we found it a bit disappointing. It was hard to understand how the train worked. My late partner struggled to walk distances, so it was hard work.
DeleteI am sorry to hear that Andrew. I am currently in San Diego visiting my mother-in-law. For many years my husband was barely able to walk but is better since getting new knees although not pain-free.
DeleteThe meerkats are so cute ! They look like curious neighbors ! We don't use the word "Zoo" anymore "Animal park" is preferred. There are rules for all zoos a tiger would never be allowed to stay in such a small place. The spaces are very big and the "decoration" is copied as much as possible like "home". The zoo of Antwerp was too small and had to be enlarged to give the animals more space.
ReplyDeleteIngrid, a branch of Melbourne Zoo is called Werribee Park, and another, a Sanctuary. I kind of like the zoo name for the original. The big cats have plenty of space and the areas are well designed, but there is something else going on in their heads.
DeleteI have never seen a wombat before, so i have checked that off the list!
ReplyDeleteBob, they can be quite cute, but very strong with long claws.
DeleteThat was a lovely visit. When you visit on your own in the future, you will be able to spend as much time as you like watching the animals of your choice. Baby giraffes are amazing - so big for such baby animals.
ReplyDeleteJB, yes, I am looking forward to visiting on my own, at my own pace, and see what I want to see.
DeleteGreat photos Andrew, sad about the Lion and the seal.
ReplyDeleteAlison in Devon x
Thanks Alison. i wonder about Anons at keyboards, and with the stickiest nose, why you are in Devon. Your business, of course.
DeleteOh, no problem - we moved to be nearer family that's all. I have a silly aversion to staying signed in to google so prefer the anon version - hope that's an acceptable explanation 😀
DeleteAlison ( in Devon , was Wales ) x
Go once a month and get your money's worth out of the membership.
ReplyDeleteI may well do so, TP.
DeleteMeerkats are such fun to watch, Andrew. Sounds like a fun day.
ReplyDeleteThey are Pat, the younger ones were real clowns. Some had tails and some didn't. Research required.
DeleteThat wombat looks fat and happy. For smaller animals, life in the zoo is probably just fine but the big ones, like lions and giraffes, it must be very nonstimulating and boring. If you have much of a brain, constant stiumulation and change is needed. Or sometimes long runs to stretch those big muscular legs and for the mind.
ReplyDeleteStrayer, the giraffes at least I suspect were brought in for breeding from the much larger open zoo, which we visited a few months ago, https://fromthehighrise.blogspot.com/2025/05/a-day-in-africa.html There appeared to be only one lion and I know there are lions at the larger zoo too, so this one may be old and wouldn't adjust well to complete freedom.
DeleteDave has always wanted a dog named Noodle. I'll have to tell him about Tambi! It sounds much more refined than Noodle does.
ReplyDeleteMeerkats are always crowd-pleasers. Hence the television show!
Steve, when are you going to look for your Tambi?
DeleteMeerkats are so funny, seems like one could sit and have a conversation with them. Perhaps you can.
ReplyDeleteYes Deb, although you wouldn't want to distract the sentry from their duties.
DeleteI love ❤️ especially the meerkat and giraffes 🦒
ReplyDeleteBoth are great, Linda. It was a nice couple of hours visiting.
DeleteI saw on the tv news about Tambi, so cute. Love the meerkats, they are so entertaining. An annual pass to the zoo sounds great, and without kids sounds even better, lol.
ReplyDeleteFor sure on both counts, Sami.
DeleteWe have three nice zoos in my US state of Ohio. I want to revisit the closest (in Cincinnati) and have considered a membership. Getting there is a bit of a pain, however, with locals often driving like maniacs on the freeway. Thank you for sharing images from your visit. :D
ReplyDelete