Kangaroos keep cool and carry on
On a hot day at Healesville Sanctuary the Kangaroo Island Kangaroos know how to keep cool – the marsupials munch on ice!
When the temperature peaks above 30 degrees, keepers introduce ice to the marsupial’s exhibit as a cooling and interesting source of enrichment.
Healesville Sanctuary Mammal Keeper Katherine Sarris said the roos come from Kangaroos Island in South Australia, where winters can be cold, so they have thicker fur than species found in warmer parts of the continent.
“This mob of kangaroos are not the biggest fans of the heat, so to give them some relief, I leave out piles of shaved ice with carrots and corn scattered through it,” Ms Sarris said.
“After the kangaroos have nibbled at the ice and found all the food, occasionally they will sit on top of the ice and just chill out.
“They are very placid animals, because there are no large predators on Kangaroo Island. You can often see the Sanctuary’s Kangaroo Island Kangaroos relaxing in a row in the shade.”
Sanctuary visitors can meet the entire mob at Kangaroo Country and learn unique roo facts during the daily keeper talk at 11:30am.
Zoos Victoria members and Healesville Sanctuary visitors are reminded that all tickets must be pre-booked online at zoo.org.au and all ticketholders 18 years and over are required to provide proof of full vaccination and follow current
Victorian Government directions at www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au