Had a fun day at Hamerton today with lots of animal activity. It was warm but with a decent breeze and not too busy. Lots of activity among the cheetahs, corsac foxes, hyenas and the young wombat who emerged just before closing. It was (of course) a possum free day but the Rusty Spotted cat was out.
The reptile house work noted above has completed and the vivariums have been rearranged (some updated pictures in the gallery) for the current residents;
- Anthill python
- Black tree monitor
- Giant African millipede
- Rio Fuerte beaded lizard
- Pygmy Mulga monitor
- Gidgee Skink
and a Mangrove snake signed as coming soon.
The black tree monitors were particularly lively.
Only saw two of the bears (the female Laika and one of her brothers) during enclosure cleaning, feeding and also later in the day, assume the other bear was in the inside den somewhere as not outside in either space.
The house and enclosure under construction near the bat eared foxes looks near completion.
The otter enclosure had a barrier preventing access to the window as when the second otter arrived and one of the otters was out a few times.
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It was fun to see a couple of nice young potoroo for the group sharing with the collared lemurs next to the lovebirds, the whole family active just before closing.
There was also a very cute new arrival for the Common Marmosets.
The red crowned cranes were sitting on a single egg - it was interesting to see them turning the egg and carefully placing new twigs and feathers around it in the nest. The Saurus cranes are also sitting, with the previous youngster in the rear enclosure as noted above. The grey crowned crane that shares with the hooded vultures was also on a nest.
The new young civets were sweet to see with helpful signage about them and their enclosure which is filled with bowls, toys and blankets for now.
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Definite highlight of the day was a fantastic view of the 5 month old Ruppell's Griffon Vulture who was standing on the egg incubator desk right next to the window in the nursery. Being a pane of glass distance away from such a wonderful young bird was quite a moment. Beautiful feathers and such a good view of the feet. Awesome. Later on it had gone back onto the nest viewable through the drilled holes.
A new building was under construction in the far paddock visible from the bear enclosure, in front of the van in this not particularly good iphone shot taken from the bear platform.
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