Posts: 1559
From: Australia
Registered: Apr 2009

posted January 20, 2010 06:22 AM         

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You may have heard of Steve and Terri Irwin. Steve's dad created a zoo that reflected supporting Australian wildlife with care, rescue and public education.

Steve used the media to highlight the plight of wildlife and endangered species.

My partner and I spent a day at the zoo and had a great experience. I just love Australian fauna.

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Posts: 1559
From: Australia
Registered: Apr 2009

posted January 20, 2010 06:23 AM         

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Check out the joey in the mother's pouch.....

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Posts: 1559
From: Australia
Registered: Apr 2009

posted January 20, 2010 06:28 AM         

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It was great to get close to a koala. Sadly, Koalas are now on the endangered species list. Unbelievable that this could happen in such a developed country. The politicians need to act fast......

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Posts: 1559
From: Australia
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posted January 20, 2010 06:30 AM         

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The Cassowary....

The Cassowary (Casuarius casuarius johnsonii) has been wandering around this planet since before the super continent Gondwana broke up in to several continents, and they have relatives in several distant continents. They belong to a family of birds called ratites and are related to the Emu, the Ostrich, the Kiwi (though there is a dramatic difference in size) and the South American Rhea
http://www.amazingaustralia.com.au/animals/cassowary.htm

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Posts: 1559
From: Australia
Registered: Apr 2009

posted January 20, 2010 06:33 AM         

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The long neck turtle......

Do you know the difference between a turtle and a tortoise?

Cute little finches having a bath....

(I think they're finches).

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Posts: 1559
From: Australia
Registered: Apr 2009

posted January 20, 2010 06:33 AM         

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There are over 7000 types of lizards in Australia. This is the biggest one I've ever seen. Sorry, I don't know what type it is...

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Posts: 1559
From: Australia
Registered: Apr 2009

posted January 20, 2010 06:38 AM         

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Who needs the alphabet to read this message?

Holiday job going for knowflakes.........

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Posts: 1559
From: Australia
Registered: Apr 2009

posted January 20, 2010 06:40 AM         

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I love the flora of Oz..........

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Posts: 3518
From: peace.angel@live.com.au
Registered: Apr 2009

posted January 20, 2010 06:43 AM         

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That's beautiful, koi. I'd love to take the kids there. We'll do it one day.

We're lucky enough to have kangaroos around us here at home. They're in the school yard too. The more houses that go up, the less you see them, though. We've had a few in our front yard. I love it. You have to be careful when driving around to not hit them because they're so fast and come out of nowhere.

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Posts: 1559
From: Australia
Registered: Apr 2009

posted January 20, 2010 06:45 AM         

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We then ventured into the South East Asian part of the zoo........

.........to meet Siam, Sabu and Bimbo. They are over 50 years old and are from Thailand.

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Posts: 3518
From: peace.angel@live.com.au
Registered: Apr 2009

posted January 20, 2010 06:47 AM         

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I also want to say that I love Steve Irwin. He's one of the people that I just think did what he was supposed to do with his life - living out some great life purpose or mission. He was a brilliant man. My kids cried when I told them he had died, me too. I think we lost someone really special. I'm glad that his spirit and work live on.

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From: peace.angel@live.com.au
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posted January 20, 2010 06:48 AM         

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Wow, koi. They're really beautiful pictures. Thank you for sharing your journey there with us.

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Posts: 1559
From: Australia
Registered: Apr 2009

posted January 20, 2010 06:49 AM         

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This Red Panda loved its afternoon snack.......

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Posts: 1559
From: Australia
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posted January 20, 2010 06:52 AM         

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I first discovered Steve and Terri by watching Animal Planet. Their work has brought attention to the plight of animals. His death is tragic. There's still so much to do and I hope his work can continue on through Terri's work and the work of all the people involved with the Zoo.

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Posts: 1559
From: Australia
Registered: Apr 2009

posted January 20, 2010 06:54 AM         

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This was a highlight.....Tiger Temple

Remember 5:1:1

Five dollars saves one tiger for one day.

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Posts: 1559
From: Australia
Registered: Apr 2009

posted January 20, 2010 06:57 AM         

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On the way home, we saw more of beautiful Queensland............

The Glasshouse Mountains are sacred to the indigenous Aborigine. Many Aboriginal people work with the local council in preserving this area.

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From: Australia
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posted January 20, 2010 07:01 AM         

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Thanks PA

It's a great place to meander and explore. Feeding the elephants was a great experience, too. I recommend the afternoon feeding as there are fewer people about.

Australia Zoo is going to grow to 4 times its size in the future.

Your kids will love it. Look into the program before you go. It seems like Bindi performs in the Dec holidays.

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Posts: 271
From: The great beyond
Registered: Apr 2009

posted January 20, 2010 10:56 AM         

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I used to love to watch that show on Animal Planet with Steve Irwin. He was very talented..very tragic loss. Then his daughter had a show. I think Bindi is her name...she's the spitting image of her dad too.
And unfortunately my puter here at work didn't pull up the pic's you posted, so I'll have to look at them on my home puter.
But I absolutely LOVE elephants. My favorite animal!

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Posts: 565
From:
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posted January 20, 2010 03:19 PM         

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Makes me wish i was in Australia

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