Thunder Down Under!: Taronga Zoo

One of the last things that we crossed off Andy's to-do list was a visit to Taronga Zoo. For me it was long overdue. The zoo is much larger than I thought and has everything from elephants, giraffs, and gorillas to komodo dragons, kangaroos and ostrichs on display. My favorite exhibit was the chimpanzee house. I could watch them for hours. They're absolutely fascinating because they're so human-like. I saw them communicate using hand gestures and facial expression, use sticks as tools for getting food and discipline a misbehaving youth. We share over 98% of our genetic material with these creatures, and I can definately see the family resemblance! It's actually quite uncanny how much we get the impression that they're just like us, only small, black and hairy.
All the other animals were interesting in their own way too. The Western lowland gorilla is absolutely massive and very impressive. The silverback definitely commands respect just from looking at him. The saltwater crocodile was also very large, but quite lazy as crocs generally are. It barely moved while we were checking it out, but it was right close to the glass and we got a great look at the sheer size of this monstrous reptile. I remember thinking "Steve Irwin handled these beasts and a sting ray got him?"
The indigenous Australian wildlife was also fascinating. We got some great shots of kangaroos and even walked among them in an open exhibit. In the same exhibit was an emu that Andrea mistook for a rock until we were 6 feet away and I pointed it out to her. I'll never forget her face as she gasped and realised she was staring at a giant bird! Immediately after it decided to let out a low grunt, stand up and show us how large it was. I don't think Andy liked the emu...