Forum Übersicht - Patrica Roberts: Koala Jo(e)y in Planckendael - dedicated to Bea

Koala Jo(e)y in Planckendael – Dedicated to Bea to wish her a speedy recovery

Today [July 16th], I arranged to pay another visit to Planckendael together with my favourite neighbour. And let me tell you in advance: we had lovely weather and lots of sun.

The day started in a very funny way. Normally, I always buy our tickets in advance in the train station: for me, only a train ticket (because I have an annual ticket) and for E. the special ticket train-Planckendael. But since I am in vacation now, the first thing we had to do was buying our tickets.

When we were standing in front of the counter, I ordered what we needed. And then, it happened: the young girl asked in a very serious way whether the special ticket was for an adult?????? Well, E. and I looked at each other and I replied: well, almost!!! And he made a DEEP SIGH.

This time, we decided to focus on one species, namely the koalas (although we saw lots of other animals too of course). And therefore, herewith an overview of our activities.

It goes without saying that Kai-Mook and Co. were the first to visit. She and May-Tagu were still inside the stable, impatiently waiting to go outside. And once on the enclosure, the adults loved it to find their goodies in the secret places.



Another highlight was: finding Neela and her little sister and so, off we went to the camels. The adults finally shed off their Winter fur and they all are looking beautiful. Neela has grown a lot and the baby is gorgeous. But the thing that draws my attention was the father. His humps were looking very funny (hope you can see it on the pic).





The rhinos were enjoying their muddy bath (most probably to get rid of their wrinkles, I suppose). And if not, then at least to cool down a little because it became very hot in the sun. And very soon, humans and animals were searching for shadow.



The Watutsi beefs also have a newborn and were proud to show it. And the little male looks so sweet and is well protected by the cattle.



Maybe, you will remember that last time, I was really charmed about the new penguin enclosure and therefore we went there too. Some of the penguins were moulting and that made them look very funny (kind of a plumed hen). But some of them were really having a lot of swimming joy. While standing there in the full burning sun, I was a tad jealous that they could splash in the water and believe me, if the water would not have smelled soo fishie, I would have joined them.





We also tried to see the lions but more than a moving ear was not shown to the audience and O JA, the little otters do have babies, so they were not visible either (na ja, next time better, isn’t it).

But by then, we both became very hungry and went to the restaurant (overcrowded as usual). We decided to have Flemish carbonade with frietjes (and of course mayonnaise). And I swear by God that the next is true: when I was ordering our meals, the young man at the cash point asked me: a portion for adults????? And E. squeaked: they do it again and here tooo!!!! Well, I am not to blame, but I had a good laugh. However, I think that next time, I will order a children’s portion (WOW, the portion reminded me of Joe’s portions – in other words, way too big).

And then, finally, we went to the koalas. Last year in December a new one was born and is now leaving the pouch from time to time. Well, we were not lucky for that today, but we could see at least the little one’s head and little paw.



Guwara is very protecting towards her baby and even if the keepers come to close, she is forming kind of a shelter with her paws around the baby and then nobody can see a glimpse. And I was amazed that even Goonawara (the father) was pretty active today and it is for sure that he does not like it to be weighted. This time, mother and baby were not disturbed for that and could go on sleeping.









Little Nur-Nuru-Bin is just wonderful, curious and waiting for new adventures. As soon as the keepers entered their enclosures to change the eucalyptus, he was following all their movements and he does not mind to be put on the scale.



And then, the biggest surprise: Planckendael has organized kind of “an external enclosure” for the koalas where they can sit in a tree in the sun and officially, for the first time, it was Nur-Nuru-Bin who was brought there by his keeper (na ja, I must confess that I learned by somebody who is visiting them very often that it was actually for him the second time because they made a test of it already last Monday – I met this older couple last year).









And although one can see that he sometimes is not really feel secured, he is loving that place and young and curious enough to discover that spot. The keepers put a pot with eucalyptus in the tree and he immediately started to eat, even tried to taste the leaves of the tree, but it was clearly and definitely not “his cup of tea”.



Dear All, I have tried to make some little videos, but as you know, I am not an expert in that regard, especially the ending is weird, but from the bottom of my soul, I hope that you can see something.

The photo album with the videos (Klick!)

Patricia Roberts