Animal Diaries Archive

Some time out with Jezebel

24 August 2007

As keepers at Australia Zoo, we spend a lot of time on our feet - walking, sweeping, raking, and doing everything else that is needed to keep all our animals happy and healthy. So, if I occasionally get the chance to sit down with one of our gorgeous red kangaroos, I welcome the opportunity.

Over the past year or so I have been lucky to get to know a very beautiful girl called Jezebel. I first met Jez while I was volunteering last year, and when I was introduced to her I thought "How am I meant to tell her apart from the other 13 red kangaroos!" Thankfully, this older girl has one very unique feature that distinguishes her from her friends - in her younger days, she wore an ear tag, and still has the hole to prove it. When she came to Australia Zoo, she quickly realised that ear-rings on kangaroos weren't really very fashionable, and she got rid of it.

As one of our more 'senior' residents in Red Roo Heaven, Jez gets a little bit of extra attention each day, including some special snacks of her favourite leaves, and also some quality time one-on-one with a keeper. On the days that I have been working in kangaroos recently, I have been privileged to get to hang out with her, and get to know her a bit better. She might be a bit of a princess at times, and as the 'boss' of her enclosure, she also gets to tell the others girls what to do. Still, she is also incredibly sweet natured, one of the gentlest kangaroos you'll ever meet, and she loves all the visitors that come to the Zoo. (I'm sure she thinks everyone comes just to see her!)

So, next time you visit the Zoo, be sure to stop by and see our kangaroos, and keep an eye out for our precious Jezebel.