Thursday, January 31, 2013

— My Alphabe-Thursday (2nd), the letter "K" / Thursday Two Questions —

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New Zealand and Australia; more of our most recent cruise pictures
Here we have some pictures to honor Alphabe-Thursday letter "K"

 
"K" is for the word Kangaroo.  This blog post will be about the kangaroos and other animals that we saw when we visited the Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary in Brighton, Tasmania (more).  The entire island of Tamania, directly south of the mainland Australia, makes up the state of Tasmania, Australia (map) (Google, Tasmania).

   
 
We were encouraged to feed the Kangaroos from a handful of food that the park guides had ready for us.  Mrs. Jim fed a hungry kangaroo for my picture.  They seemed to be fairly hungry. 
 
We were told that they like to have their necks stroked and their tummies scratched.  Unlike a horse, they did not appreciate pats or stroking to their heads or ears.
 
  

The Koala bears (also a "K" word animal) here sleep about 20 hours a day.  You might like to read further about them in an article that I found.  "The Koala bear is a marsupial that gets its name from the aboriginal word meaning ‘no drink’. This curious word denotes how the Koala bear gets its water supply – from the eucalyptus leaves. It drinks water only when ill or when water supply from the leaves is not enough. The Koala bear is often mistakenly believed to be related to the bear..." (from Aquatic Community, link).

   
 
I believe the bird on the left is a Little Pied Cormorant (Wikipedia link).  At first I thought it was a type of eagle but it just wouldn't fit any of those I found common to Australia.  The morphing colors, black on top, white on the bottom, include even their heads.  I would have liked to have a nicer picture but he/she wouldn't cooperate.
 
On the right is the famous Tasmanian Devil.  You can Google that.  They remind me of a pig.  You can't see it here, but the ones we saw all had a white spot on their backs just above their tails.  Can pigs climb trees?  No, but the Tasmanian devil sure can.
 
Devils in the wild are being plagued by a contagious eye disease that is spreading rapidly.  About 80% now have Devil facial tumour disease and extinction of the wild ones is predicted.  A plan is being made to repopulate after the disease has died away.
 
     
 
Here Mrs. Jim is 'helping' to hold a young Wombat, at least that's what we decided it is.  The wombat is the largest burrowing mammal and the early settlers called them badgers (more, Australian Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water, and Environment; Native Plants & Animals). 
 
Finally and last here, is the White Cockatoo (Google search).  Many of these are kept for pets.  Not me, I really don't like to be around birds.
 
==> You can see other "K" letter posts by visiting Jenny's blog post, Alphabe- Thursday. My letter "K" portion of this post will be critiqued by Head Mistress Jenny. I always hope for a good grade.
 
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Now for my Thursday Two Questions.

My last post last week was about a "J" word couple.  "J" was for Junk mail.  
I believe that most readers identified with me about that topic.
 

My Two Questions for this week (you can answer just one if you wish):.

1.  What are you feelings about petting wild animals in captivity such as my Kangaroo find?
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2. How much government money do you feel should be used in support of keeping our wild animals from becoming extinct?
The Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary here is private.  I feel that in the U.S. it would receive tax free charitable status.  I do not know about Australia. 

Bonus Question: What is your favorite "K" word?
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==> My Thursday Two Questions post is for Amanda at her blog, Self Sagacity.

Oh yes, we could have bought a 'blow up' Kangaroo to bring home from this little sidewalk stand by the ship's entrance but we declined.
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Comments:
I won't pet animals even if they are in captivity as am rather fearful that they may snap at me.
Not sure how much $$ should be use to preserve the animals but it should certainly be substantial enough.
Dominique@Dominique's Desk
 
I don't like to see wild animals in captivity but if they are in a petting zoo I probably would pet them. If it is a wildlife rehabilitation center that rescues and protects endangered species I would hope there would be some government funding to augment donations. I would also like to see habitats preserved so that animals can live in their natural setting.

My favorite K word is Kitty!
 
I am willing to pet wild animals if instructed its ok to do so.
Many animals are being wiped out because they catch human diseases as humans cause many of the problems money should be provided to re stock
 
Will pet animals to show humans have affections. They may not understand but can feel.

Govt funding is necessary to reduce the speed of extinction. Quantum just reasonable not substantial

Favorite K word Kisses and Hugs for the animals!


Hank
 
Great K post! A kangaroo jumped out at our car on the Ten Apostles coast drive. Amazing sight!
 
What fun this post was to view....looks like a most wonderful time!
 
Having been severly bitten in the mouth by my son's dog several years ago, I am very cautious about petting ANY animal. I love your photos, Jim. Here's a little known fact about the koala--their numbers are dwindling due to a sexually transmitted disease that causes them to go blind and fatally ill.
 
1. What are you feelings about petting wild animals in captivity such as my Kangaroo find? I love a good petting zoo. I'd be right there doing some petting too.

2. How much government money do you feel should be used in support of keeping our wild animals from becoming extinct? Take some of the money we send to our enemies and give it to support keeping our wild animals from becoming extinct.

Bonus Question: What is your favorite "K" word? Kindness is my 'K' word for today. We need far more kindness around the world.

Have a terrific day. My best to Mrs. Jim. ☺
 
Wonderful post for 'k' ~ great photos and love the animals and think they all belong in the wild ~ no matter what it costs ~

Carol of A Creative Harbor ^_^
 
I am such an animal lover that I would spend whatever it took. I know I go too far on this issue, but I can't help it....


 
What else for K but kangaroos? We have a kangaroo farm near us believe it or not. And they do not allow petting - but I would give it a try. Saw on Americas Funniest Video a man getting kicked by one! You got to see some fantastic animals. I love animals...
 
Your pictures are so fun to look at. I never get that close to a kangaroo before. I love the white bird too! What are you feelings about petting wild animals in captivity such as my Kangaroo find? I feel sad for them. I am a curious person, especially towards living things that cannot speak our language. Always wondering what they are thinking about or feeling about their environment.
2. How much government money do you feel should be used in support of keeping our wild animals from becoming extinct? I think tax free is a very wise idea. At the least - animals and people who cared for animals should get some breaks.


 
I love, love petting zoos but am not sure that this is the best route for the animals. I researched marsupials (http://www.scienceray.com/Biology/Zoology/Some-Amazing-Facts-About-Marsupials.314439) and found them absolutely fascinating. On the plus side of petting zoos it may open human's hearts to the plight of animals and make them more compassionate and caring re their survival. I love your little photo journal and the interesting tidbits. Thanks so much for sharing this with us!
 
funny, just happened to watch a documentary on kangaroos in Australia and how they've become as much an issue as deer here on the east coast that show up in our yards daily.
 
Only know the Koala Bear and the Kangaroo! Thanks for taking us on your K-tour!
 
Great "K" post! I love to see both kangaroos and koalas at zoos. I probably wouldn't try petting one of them, though, but I thought it was interesting to know how kangaroos liked to be petted.

I agree with the others that government spending should be spent on keeping animals from extinction. Much better than killing innocent civilians overseas.

My favorite "k" word is Karma - something I truly believe in.
 
I'm afraid to get too near to wild animals. We have a lot of black tailed deer here, and they have been known to charge people. Yes, I think the gov't should be in the business of protecting wild species and threatened species.
My favourite K word? Kindness.
 
Kindness is my favourite "K" word, Dr Jim :)
 
Your wife is so adventurous!

Oh, the good times you two must have!

Thanks for a kool link for the letter "K".

A+
 
Some great photos of or native animals Jim. I'm not overly keen on animals being kept in captivity. One wildlife park I went to in the northern part of Tasmania operated as a rescue & rehabilitation centre. Most of the animals that are there permanently are ones that were unable to survive if returned to the wild due to injuries. I was born in Tasmania & apart from a number of years on the mainland, have spent the majority of my life here but I didn't know Tasmanian Devils could climb trees. I've learnt something new here today.
 
I loved this post the first time I visited and loved it just as much this time when you redirected me here.
 

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