Currimbin Wildlife Sanctuary

Meet the love of my life: Wilbur the koala! He and his entire family are named after characters in Charlotte's Web; he weighs about 25 pounds, loves to cuddle, smells terrible and is terrifically adorable! We met at the Currimbin Wildlife Sanctuary today/ I generally don't like zoos: the caged animals seem to lead such confined, pathetic lives all for human amusement. But, mostly this one did not strike me that way.

The first animals we met were 3 camels tied into a train. Yes, I know they're not native to Australia but it was the first time I'd met a camel so it's still special. The trainer introduced me to the last camel in the chain, Sheba, and showed me how to pet her; they like scratches on the flat plate on the back of their head. I was amazed at how soft her woolly fur was and how long her eyelashes! She seemed like an exaggerated human woman in a way. When we mounted up on the camel in front of her Sheba lipped at my back...probably upset that I'd stopped petting. It was a fun ride! Camels rise and sit with an exhilarating abruptness and the one we rode tried to shake us off at one point.


Later we met the kangaroos and emus. It was very like a petting zoo; the animals milled around the enclosure and people could feed or pet them as they liked. A handler told us that kangaroos lived to be about 18 years old. The alpha male was pushing that age and had apparently fathered most of the creatures in the enclosure; he was sunbathing on a hill nearby, oblivious to the world and obviously enjoying his position. It's good to be the king! I pet a kangaroo with a joey in her pouch (see the feet?):

These animals are so completely domesticated! There were even kangaroos sleeping within 2 feet of the kiddy train! It felt a little less special interacting with them when they're practically vegetative.

The day ended with us feeding rainbow lorikeets. The birds are wild but have grown used to the public feeding times. Our friend, Alex, and I were handed bowls full of some watery food and told to hold them high. My shoulders started seizing up as I waited for the birds. Alex had a small flock after 10 minutes and still I waited. I think they must have sensed my catlike presence because they landed on people all around me but never me.
I nursed my patience and then, quite suddenly, a lorikeet landed on my arm and hopped towards the upraised dish. Then another, then 10. Some landed on my head before righting themselves. Their tiny claws dug into my arm as they scooted and fought for space. I had more than anyone! They were so close too! Their green bodies were vibrant and unspoilt. Red, yellow, and purple patches mapped their chests and heads. It was an incredible sensation to be so close, and I was still smiling stupidly at their claw-marks long after they flew away.

It was a good day.