Lying around at the zoo
Lions, Monarto Zoo, South Australia
Our local zoo is Monarto Zoo which is about a ten minute drive from our home in Murray Bridge. It is the open range part of the Adelaide Zoo. We try to get there several times a year on our membership pass.
One of the more popular exhibits would be the African Lions. The shuttle buses drive through their very large enclosure and one is almost always assured of good views of the animals. On our visit last August several of the pride were taking it easy and just “lying” around.
Lions, Monarto Zoo, South Australia
Lions, Monarto Zoo, South Australia
Yellow-footed Rock-wallaby, Monarto Zoo, South Australia
Yellow-footed Rock Wallaby, Monarto Zoo, South Australia
Yellow-footed Rock Wallabies are one of the more colourful species of wallabies that are found in Australia. Once widespread in South Australia, Queensland and NSW its stronghold is now mainly in South Australia. It is a threatened species but with breeding programs like the one at Monarto Zoo, they are making a comeback in places like the Flinders Ranges, the only place I have seen this species in their natural habitat.
The captive group on display at Monarto Zoo are easily seen and approached for photos – or even a pat or two.
Click on the photos to enlarge the images.
Yellow-footed Rock Wallaby, Monarto Zoo, South Australia
Yellow-footed Rock Wallaby, Monarto Zoo, South Australia
Yellow-footed Rock Wallaby, Monarto Zoo, South Australia
Meerkats at Monarto Zoo, South Australia
Meerkat at Monarto Zoo, South Australia
Meerkats would have to be one of the more popular animals on display in any zoo. These endearing little creatures are fun to watch and everyone seems drawn to them for their antics. Of course, there is a serious side to their behaviour: survival. Without those comical poses like that shown in the photo above they would be in serious danger from predators. So what looks funny to humans is a matter of life and death for the Meerkats.
The small meerkat display at Monarto Zoo here in South Australia is a popular attraction to all visitors. Their enclosure is only a few steps away from the Visitor Centre and restaurant, and so it is one of the most visited parts of the zoo. It is also on the way to the bus stop zone where most visitors get on the shuttle buses taking visitors on tours of the zoo.
Monarto Zoo is just a ten minute drive from my home town of Murray Bridge, and only 50 minutes drive on the SE Freeway from Adelaide. To learn more about the meerkats at Monarto Zoo click here.
Meerkat at Monarto Zoo, South Australia
Meerkat at Monarto Zoo, South Australia
Emus at Monarto Zoo, South Australia
Male Emu with chicks at Monarto Zoo, South Australia
When the open range zoo at Monarto near Adelaide was established, the perimeter fence enclosed some Emus inside them. These have now bred and are quite numerous in the various areas not inside the animal enclosures. I guess they wouldn’t last long in the lion or cheetah enclosures!
On our last visit we were delighted to see the male shown in the photo above. He is looking after a small group of chicks, resplendent in their striped plumage. On the bus tours we took through the zoo I took the photos below. At least one of them was taken while we were hiking from one exhibit to another.
Emu at Monarto Zoo, South Australia
Emu at Monarto Zoo, South Australia
Emu at Monarto Zoo, South Australia
Southern White Rhinoceros, Monarto Zoo, South Australia part 2
Southern White Rhinoceros, Monarto Zoo, South Australia
The Southern White Rhinoceros on exhibit at Monarto Zoo near Adelaide, South Australia are truly magnificent animals. During our visit last year we alighted from the bus taking visitors around the zoo and took the short walk to the lookout platform over looking their enclosure. This enabled me to get these great shots up close. It’s awesome to have a rhino only metres from where you are standing.
I also wrote about these animals here, including more photos of the enclosure.
Southern White Rhinoceros, Monarto Zoo, South Australia
Southern White Rhinoceros, Monarto Zoo, South Australia
Southern White Rhinoceros, Monarto Zoo, South Australia