A Day at the Zoo in Chilly Otago

A snowy weekend set the scene for a trek across 3 mile hill into the belly of the beast of the 'Bike Otago Zoo' held annually during September. Two of our top reporters got right in amongst things as they observed some of the primal behaviour on display during this great event.

The first and clearly most popular attraction found at the zoo was the rare Walrus (Odobenus rosmarus). The powerful display of territorial rituals really set the tone for the weekend. Alex McGregor got an up close and all too real encounter when he got between it and the ocean.

Another fishy treat found out on the plains was the mighty Sperm Whale (Shaneous Melrospermatis) who flourished in antarctic-like environment due to his subcutaneous blubber acquired from filter feeding on little green heineken bottlenose dolphins.

One of the more interesting specimens to be found that day was the highly territorial goat (Dynamitus Napolatanous). He displayed alpha-male traits while fending off other potential suiters. The Red Squirrel (Patchianous) who was sharing an enclosure with the goat and his potential mate was kept at a distance by the highly territorial creature. The goat was well aware of how erotic the little red squirrel could be so put distance between them by quoting: "This f&*^ing seats taken ae!"

As the night sky showed its face, some of the more nocturnal critters came out to play. Found within the harmonic surroundings of North Dunedin, chirpings of profanities whistled through the air from the legendary "Tuhi" bird. A small rat infestation kept visitors on their toes.

Keepers had to step in and clean the enclosure when the Sheath Baboon appeared to have contracted a nasty virus. Induced vomiting saw the young ape struggling outside his usual warm auckland (soft) niche, nestled within arms reach of his mother.

As morning broke, sounds of pleasure could be heard coming from an enclosure that two seperate animals should not have been in. Keepers also had to step in later to clean up what zoo staff suspect must have been mayonnaise from a tossed salad. The largely unsettled long-eared presbury rabbit that was going through a hormonal imbalance returned to its own area the next day a little unsatisfied with only the tossed salad as he had been led to believe a main course was on offer and possibly a champagne breakfast.