That was how Trina introduced Leonard, a young male Red Kangaroo at Safe Haven Wildlife Sanctuary in Bordertown, South Australia.
It didn’t take too long to understand what Trina meant. Leonard was quite attentive during my time with him in his enclosure, but I was never quite sure if he was trying to hump me or harm me.
But he wasn’t the only character at the place.
Roxy the Wombat is a one-wombat wrecking machine, according to Trina and Ian, who run the Sanctuary. They told me all about her, and then asked me to take her for a walk. I was a little hesitant. “Walk around … she’ll follow you … just don’t let her get into the shed. We may never find her.” Of course, she ended up in the shed but, luckily, I didn’t lose her.
Elvis the Galah has beautifully coloured feathers – just not many of them. He shares the covered patio with Elton the Sulphur Crested Cockatoo. Elton is very loud, and not terribly tuneful, but it is difficult to not feel sorry for Elvis.
I was not aware of Western Kangaroos before seeing the beautiful, chocolate coloured animals. Smoosh was my favourite. She shook with nerves and bared her teeth as she poked her nose through the fence.
Seeing the Tawny Frogmouths devour their chicken pieces was a sight to behold. They were very aggressive and active at feeding time. For most of the rest of the day, they pretended they were sticks. Amazing birds!
Ian said that looking after these animals is “a bit of a hobby”. South Australian laws don’t allow them to return the animals to the wild, so once they accept an animal, they are committed to it for the rest of its life. While I was there, Trina was called out to collect a tiny Western joey, which she did willingly. Now it will be with them, possibly, for twenty years or more.
I stayed at Safe Haven for two days. I’ll be back – next time for much longer. It is a special place, and Trina and Ian are obviously special people. The animals are beyond special.
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