Monday, November 18, 2013

Things I saw at the Zoo - zoo keeper attachment

I passed the Docent exams last week and was lucky enough to spend two days in a keeper attachment. Basically shadow a keeper and spend two days-in-the-life of. The zoo is very specific about not sharing photos of the back of house so the below are random Internet photos indicating some of my activities at the River Safari.

 Smelled and rubbed by a curious giant anteater with baby.

 Searched and nudged by a hungry coati.
 
 Struggled with by an elephant trunk snake who would rather not be moved.
 
Growled at by feeding jaguars advising me to back off.
 
 Teased by picky sturgeon who demand hand feeding.

Licked by tapirs mistaking sweat for a salt lick.
 
Smiled at by the ghairal when watching the keeper's back.
 
And spending an hour scrubbing the Ganges River of algae. Yep, it only took an hour, but there was two of us. It wasn't all fun though. Cleaning cages and exhibits, prepping food for all and sundry, back-washing and cleaning filters, sweeping, moving and caging. I probably added and hour to the keeper's day with distraction and annoying questions but it felt like a rare opportunity.

Sunday, November 17, 2013

Look-alikes

I was recently told I look exactly like a particular Indian politician so thought I would compare that with my most commonly referenced look-alike.

 Rahul Gandhi

Vincent D'Oonofrio
 
 
That is crazy, because I look like this.

 

Monday, November 11, 2013

Tales from the Crypt - Super 8

Georgia found some unprocessed Super 8 footage from around 1996 or 1997 I would guess. Nick, Dom, Georgia and I must be about 20 or so. Architecture and art, Kellett St and Dean's, X-Files and rollies, Blackheath, LPs, friends who are missed. Although I still have nightmares that I have failed or not completed university, those were the days.

Sunday, November 10, 2013

Things I saw at the Zoo - adolescent orangutan

 
Today I sat my practical as well as my written exam for the Docent position. It was strangely nerve wracking for what is really just a hobby. I guess without passing, this hobby is a little harder to enjoy. I am pretty confident of passing though you never know.

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Diwali weekend in Kuching

I had been to Penang, HK, Toronto, Penang and the Philippines. I think. Probably Penang again. Amanda was back from London, HK and Sydney. And London again? Maybe that's next week when she is back from Tokyo and I am in Manila again. It was good to catch up anyway. I noticed some slight but important changes.
 

We stayed on a small farm where a car was provided with the room. Despite the location, the holiday reminded me of childhood trips, driving the country with mum and dad, The Beatles on the radio, rain on a tin roof back at the accommodation. Perhaps there were too many mosquitoes for Amanda but I had a great time. Otters, archer fish and crocodiles in the river, chickens and goats on the farm, afternoon naps in the bed. Happy happy Diwali.


With the help of a guide, we were lucky enough to find two blooming Rafflesia flowers in the Gunung Gading National Park and a stream to cool off in after what should have been an easy walk. The still, humid air trapped under the forest canopy made a mockery of that. With my volunteer position at Singapore Zoo's Fragile Forest I felt very informed and official. Amanda felt very bored and annoyed with my information and officialdom. Leave it at the office Paul, leave it at the office.


 
 

The rehabilitation of orangutans at Semenggoh appears to be pretty successful with little need for them to return from the forest to station-based feeding. Or maybe it was from tourists being unable to stay quiet as advised by park rangers. Why am I still surprised by the inability of people to recognise appropriate behaviour? The forest is very close to Kuching and I wonder how long until their habitat is encroached upon. With 27 animals, the park must be very close to maximum capacity.


After an hour wait and after a good amount of tourists had left, we were lucky enough to see three orangutans feeding and playing a few hundred metres away. The two adolescents' pushing and shoving reminded me of Ben and Jack. Minus the hair and long arms. They had the same eating habits though.

 
There was a  lot to talk about on this trip, having been apart for so long. Lots of planning, speculating, wondering, reflection and some disagreements. The first of many I am sure, but fun to be having them anyway, no matter if it is premature.