Totally the most awesome animal at Wellington Zoo (I was more impressed with him than even the Kakapo chick). He was absolutely amazing, and I take back everything I have said about the poor display quality of this species - when viewable they are second to none. He was very inquisitive, and regularly checked out, and sniffed, the visitors. I suspect the brush placed around the inside perimeter of the fence may have been there to keep him getting to close to people. As he came from a game farm in South Africa, maybe he was hand raised? and this is why he is so unafraid of, and even interested in, humans?
Totally the most awesome animal at Wellington Zoo (I was more impressed with him than even the Kakapo chick). He was absolutely amazing, and I take back everything I have said about the poor display quality of this species - when viewable they are second to none. He was very inquisitive, and regularly checked out, and sniffed, the visitors. I suspect the brush placed around the inside perimeter of the fence may have been there to keep him getting to close to people. As he came from a game farm in South Africa, maybe he was hand raised? and this is why he is so unafraid of, and even interested in, humans?
Was back at the zoo again today and I think you're right. He was right up at the fence again (but up at the baboon end of the paddock), and he does give the impression of being hand-raised, or at least very tame.
Same here, my favourites are the pigmy marmosets, emperor tamarin, nyala, and kakapo chick. I'd include the crested porcupines in there as well but they do insist on sleeping!
