Animal Diaries Archive

Who is Mr X?

28 January 2005

Australia Zoo, with its beautiful and majestic landscaped gardens, including a selection of manicured lawns, tropical plants and Hibiscus, is a pretty picture in anyone’s eyes. The Zoo is also home to some beautiful, herbivorous tortoises and lizards. Throughout the many years that the Zoo has operated, there has been a harmonious relationship between the two.

As many people are aware, Harriet's favourite food is Hibiscus flowers, but she also has a taste for the foliage of these plants. When these preferred items are required for the tasty delights of our beautiful animals, and as the population of the herbivorous lizards grows, the Groundsman and the Reptile Department have the potential to come into conflict. The delicate art of pruning hibiscus plants can be referred to as a SEESAW; maintaining a balance between flowering branches and foliage branches, as each are required. Basically, as long as this is maintained, harmony between depatments prevails.

Certain keepers have kept this balance for many years, but when on the odd occasion, one shifts a couple too many branches and the balance is broken, there can be mayhem! Once noticed by the Groundsman, the perpetrator is identified and posted on the Groundsman's notice board, for all to see!

Lately it has happened again! The balance has been broken, but the perpetrator has not been identified. It is only a matter of time before it is discovered who 'Mr X' is, and then nothing will save him from the doom of the notice board. Then, and only then, can we restore the balance and harmony that has existed in the past.