It was a steaming hot night, still 35degrees at
7pm, with lightning-filled clouds hanging over the MacDonnell Range far in the
distance. Six of theTemple Bar Termites (a name we have given the caravan park
inhabitants) were walking up the bitumen track in a heatwave of expectation. “We
are going through the second fence now” said our guide. “Please be careful when
you go through the gate. Make sure none of them get out while you are getting
in”.
As soon as we walked through the small gate, we
were surrounded by lots of Mala hopping
around our feet. We all took great care not to step on one of these delicate
looking miniature Kangaroos - the size of a four-cup teapot. Maybe not as rotund!
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| The Marla around our feet |
Mala show a special mode of breeding called
embryonic diapause. This allows the female Mala to hold a fertilized egg in
suspension until a previous joey has exited the pouch or conditions are more
favourable.
(Information taken from the Desert Park fact sheet, NT Government)
In true, here is one I prepared earlier, style
the embryo replaces the joey in the pouch. The Mala's catering skills for the
young are exceptional as she is able to create two kinds of milk, one kind for
the joey and another for the embryo. You want the kids to be happy?
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| This joey is just about ready to vacate the pouch. Seeing this cute pair was worth the entry fee alone |
We strolled around the huge enclosure on a gravelly, at times, washed away trail. With our red light torches, we were lucky enough to spot all the eight species that inhabit this enclosure. Red light is the only light allowed around these tranquil surrounds so as not to disturb the little moonlighting critters.
There sat a spectacled Hare-Wallaby, chomping on some food;
an Echidna foraging for termites in a tree hollow and a Burrowing Bettong that was checking us out just as much as were checking it out.
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| The BB up close |
The Burrowing Bettong is the only member of the
Kangaroo family that regularly lives in burrows. These burrows are usually very
extensive, with numerous entrances and tunnels that create complex warrens.
(Information taken from the Desert Park fact sheet, NT Government)
Coober Pedy style living for Marsupial's
And suddenly there it was….the rarest of
sightings ever; A Bilby flashed by
quickly as if extinction was never an issue for its species. My camera tried
hard to capture this extraordinary event, but Mr Bilby never stopped for a pose.
Photography was definitely challenging in the dark with the shutter having to stay
open for so long.
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| One day I will take a good shot of a Bilby |
Grace, the biologist on duty and our Scottish guide Jerry,
were both brimming with knowledge about the cute mammals surrounding us. They talked
about the food that each different animal eats and how they procreate. They
told us that the enclosure offers protection from cats and foxes; and a habitat safe from the destructive hooves of cows
and sheep.
WARNING:
A PERSONAL OPINION COMING YOUR WAY!!!
The days where we gawk at animals in small zoo cages should become a thing of the past. We need to create sanctuaries like the nocturnal enclosure at Desert Park where we can be up close to the animals, but above all can protect our native Australian species from extinction - even regenerate them. Isn't this the kind of experience that we want our kids and their kids to be able to experience in the future?
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| A Greater Stick-Nest rat can now only be found on Franklin Island. There are approximately 1500 left |
Grey Bits
Thanks to Jerry and Grace for this incredible experience and for the important job they are doing.
Alongside the eight species of Desert Park, we stumbled upon many other animals that live in the area like butterflies, praying mantis, frogs and spiders.
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| A bonus frog |
Desert Park has a great website with all the information you need. Check it out!! www.alicespringsdesertpark.com.au
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| And a bonus butterfly appeared before it got dark |
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