Taronga Zoo

 We became tourists in our own city - and could use up our soon-to-expire vouchers - courtesy of Dom and Gladys.

Taronga Zoo is inseparable from its wonderful harbourside location.  When you tire of the animals, there is those lovely views to occupy you - and the views distract you from the animals.  Little wonder that the Impressionists set up camp near here - Curlew Camp.  Melbourne artists, Tom Roberts and Arthur Streeton were among those did. They were there long before the Zoo was!

 

But back to the Zoo.

We have seen plenty of koalas so we didn't go into the enclosure.  But this one made it plain what he thought of everything.

I had never heard of Capybarra - but here they are.  They are a rodent, apparently.  Sounds suspiciously like crappy-barras.

 Some history of the chimpanzees.  Always fascinating.

And the sad looking sun-bear. he reminded us of Susan, who was so upset at the accounts of how they are held captive so their bile can be extracted. This fellow was in a better situation.

But my favourite - the meerkats.  There are 9 at the Zoo.

There is always a sentry

But this one had a trainee

 

There is a heat mat under that fake grass, and  their burrowing was to keep warm.  They are not stupid!

Another pic. If I am re-incarnated, I want to come back as a meerkat - the ultimate socialist paradise!

 And a warning near the cafe.

And you wouldn't run out of tomato sauce here.  When there is a third one of soy sauce, we will know the tourists from China are back! 

It was quiet today.  So quiet that round trips on the Sky Safari (the cable car between the Harbour entrance and the Main entrance - to save you walking up the hill from the Harbour) were permitted.  Normally it is just one way.