Animal Diaries Archive

Meet My New Best Mate

28 December 2007

As part of the 'Wandering Wildlife Team' here at Australia Zoo I get the most amazing opportunities to work closely with a huge range of animals. We need to spend a lot of valuable time getting to know each individual animal inside and out, and it is even more important for the animals to spend valuable time getting to know us to gain a mutual trust, respect, understanding... an everlasting friendship. The awesome bond we have with our animals allows the 'Wandering Wildlife Team' to provide you with unique, up close encounters with some of the most amazing creatures.

I have recently been introduced to our wonderful Australian Cockatoos and have been spending the past few months getting to know them or should I say the Cockatoos have been spending this time getting to know me! The animals certainly do choose you and they aren't shy in letting you know what they think about you. I am very privileged to be chosen by 'Freddo' - a gorgeous Major Mitchell's Cockatoo. Freddo has been very sweet and accepting of me from the word go; it does help, just a little, that I am a girl and I have blonde hair as Freddo tends to only be fond of blonde females (very odd, but it works for me!!). He is one very fussy little man when it comes to making new friends but boy is he a sweetheart. We are just at the start of our friendship but already it is one to treasure.

Next time you're at the Zoo keep an eye out for my new best mate, he will be the Pink Cockatoo grooving his way around the Zoo; he is quite the little dancer! Don't forget to say G'day and give him a wave... he might even say hello and give you a wave back.
REMEMBER FREDDO RULES!!!