Zoo Tour

Earlier this year Postcards ventured into the jungles of South-East Asia by the banks of the River Torrens that is, in the Adelaide Zoo. The Southeast Rainforest enclosure is part of the behind-the-scenes tour for the public. But it's the Zoo Keepers and paid up members who get to see areas which are off limits to the rest of us, like the Hippo enclosure. Albert and Victoria are named after a couple of lakes in Africa which is apt because being hippos, these guys spend most of their time in the pool. But come chow time there's some movement. "Whistle come on boy, come on, come on boy wake up." Not so much a stampede as a slow sleepy u-turn and watching them here it's heard to imagine that angry hippos claim many lives in the wild each year. But according to keeper Hans Heummer, Albert - also known as Brutus - can turn ugly well uglier than usual. "That one for example was a really nasty fella when he came from Bacchus Marsh." When first shipped to Adelaide from Bacchus Marsh in Victoria in the mid seventies, Brutus wrecked his enclosure in a bid to get at his neighbour a nearby water buffalo. And at three tonne he can certainly do some damage with his bulk and with these. "Now see his tusks see. See how sharp like chisels here." "So there like chisels?" "And this one the front one, anything that comes in they will crush you." Years ago hippo tusks were used for making dentures, thankfully the dental profession has moved onto more appealing technology. And from here the tour moves on to the primate enclosure. "You'll get a nice closeup look at our Hamajias baboon. These are sacred baboons in ancient Egypt. Very powerful monkeys as you can see very dog like in appearance, They are an animal that lives on the ground a lot but don't get too close."

On this tour you get almost as close to the animals as their keepers and they treat these monkeys with the utmost respect. "In Saudi Arabia there now mugging the school children going to school after their lunch boxes, so they're becoming a nuisance in Saudi Arabia even though they're becoming increasingly endangered in Africa." No need to raid lunch boxes here. The tour gives you a real insight into how these animals are cared for and what they're up against in their native habitats. The guides are fellow members and those who know these animals the best, their keepers. To join one of these tours you need to become a member and that costs up to $65. You can then join any of the monthly tours which leave the Volunteers Centre.

For more information please email info@postcards.sa.com.au