Zooventure time!!! It was all hands of deck today. A lot of staff and vollies were away sick today so instead of 6 to 8 keepers and 3 vollies, we had 4 keepers and 1 vollie (me). I was working almost before I put my bag down…or so it seemed. First up was a trip to friendship farm to start the rounds there. It’s been a week or so since I was up there last so it was nice to see all the animals again. The little lambs are getting so big now. And they are starting to eat the grass. The cows still love me as do the sheep an alpacas. The goats….well they love me if I have food. First up was poop patrol. Lots of raking up enclosures and farm yard. As I was working, keeper Alistair came up and he started the morning feeding. So funny when all the animals call, all wanting to be first. Once that was done Alistair joined me in the raking and as we got near to the end, we switched and I got to go and feed the guinea pigs (Squee!!!!) and the chicks. They loved me. Loved me sooooo much. Then a quick sweep of the paved areas and off we went. Alistair to his rounds and me to clean the wallaby and kangaroo enclosure. There has been a bit wind lately and so most of the mess was leaves, so lots to rake up. While I was working, a lovely Dutch couple came through and stopped to ask me some questions, and have a chat, and ask more questions, and more of a chat. They were lovely and were really interested in the aussie animals. Finally I managed to get back to work and finish the wallaby enclosure. Then it was off to the kangaroos. The lovely couple were there again, but this time I managed to work a bit while we talked. Told them they better come to the reptile talk as I would be there, and they happily agreed. Next was a quick trip to Millie the echidna to change his water and clean his enclosure. Then a quick round of washing up and it was time for morning tea. After morning tea I was helping with the reptile show. I got to hold Luna, the woma python. She is one of the sweetest snakes. Not a large crowd, but they were all interested and came up and asked lots of interesting questions when it was time to “meet” the animals. I think this is one of my favourite times. You get to chat to the guests and at times, get them to rethink about snakes and reptiles. After the show it was time to bag some feed. With Father’s Day on Sunday, we are expecting a large turnout at the zoo. This means lots of feed bags to be made up and packed. I managed to do 1 and a ½ in 45 minutes. Then I did more washing up and then lunch time. After lunch it was time to give the wallabies and roos their afternoon treats. They all came over as soon was the food was down. Felt the love there. Then it was off to give Millie the echidna his meal. He slept through my visit as usual, so up to the farm to do the afternoon feed out and close up for the day. As soon as the sheep, alpacas and goats had their treats, it was time to get started on cleaning out the guinea pigs hutch. Yep, me crawling around on my hands and knees, raking and sweeping up wood shavings and shovelling it out into bins. Oh the glamour of zoo work!!! While I was doing this, the keepers were doing the afternoon clean and getting the animals their night feeds. We all finished at the same time and took the bins out together. Then it was back to the shed for a final round of washing up, before heading home. A VERY busy day, but I love it. Hugs.
Posted on: Thu, 29 Aug 2013 10:48:51 +0000
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