Animal Diaries Archive

Animal Magnetism

26 May 2006

As the lucky keepers here at Australia Zoo, we get to experience animal kisses on a daily basis. Here in the Exotics Department we get very enthusiastic kisses every day from both the dingoes and the camels. On certain promotional days, patrons are lucky enough to experience these kisses as well... although in a slightly different form.

On Mother's Day recently, five lucky mums were chosen for both the camel and the dingo 'Kiss a Critter’ or animal magnetism competitions. For the camel competition we gave each lady a carrot to hold in their mouth, and then we let Teela go. The lady from whom Teela took the carrot first won a prize, while the others received consolation prizes. Unfortunately (well at least from our point of view), Teela hardly had any slobber on her mouth so they were all very clean and polite kisses! It certainly entertains us when she gives sloppy kisses on these days... after all, we get sloppy ones every day!

For the dingo competition we got the five mums to come into the enclosure and sit down, and then whichever lady Kirra approached first won. Kirra was very laid-back and polite about the whole deal!

So make sure you check out what is going on whenever you are at the Zoo, especially on a promotional day... you just never know what kind of experience is in store!