Animal Diaries Archive

Settled and Loving it!

21 February 2007

Australia Zoo’s Southern hairy-Nosed wombat enclosure has been open for public viewing for quite some time now. The three lovely females, Laura, Grotty and Meg have well and truly settled into their fabulously large enclosure. The three year olds are situated right next door to their cousins, the Common Wombats. Being next door neighbours certainly makes it easy to identify the differences in appearances of the two species, especially regarding their colour, shape and facial structures.

As you all probably well know, for many years we have been roving our common wombats on harnesses. Now, however, Laura, Grotty and Meg for the last few months are also being lead for walks around the zoo. The three girls are amazingly confident. They seem to really enjoy their daily walks. The rovers such as myself really appreciate taking them for walks (or should I say) sometimes them taking us for walks too. In fact it’s incredible just how far they have come in such a short period of time. Thanks to the rovers and mammal keepers positive reinforcement harness training the southerns are doing so well on their walks. Laura is already trolley trained (she loves getting a free ride home after a long walk) and on occasions we have started introducing the occasional pat from the patrons too. It is amazing just how silky soft the southern wombat coat is, particularly compared to the texture of the commons course coat. If you are interested in visiting (or revisiting) our fabulous zoo you might happen to spot our rovers walking either Laura, Grotty or Meg and you can see for your self how fun and clever the southerns are.