Day Fourteen - Monarto Zoo!

Hello all! I actually tried to upload this update last night, but it absolutely refused to play nicely, so I'll try dividing the post in two to see how that goes ... It may be the large number of photos causing it to have conniptions. So ... Part one ...

Do you remember that song from kindergarten days ... We're going to the zoo ... Zoo ... Zoo. How about you ... You ... You? You can come too ... Too ... Too. We're going to the zoo. Well ... It has nothing to do with today's post. Just kidding! On day fourteen of our rambling adventures, we were off to Monarto Zoo. Fair warning ... There are a LOT of photos ... This may even be a TWO CUPPA post! Tee! Hee! Hee!

Monarto is the largest open range zoo in Australia & plays a part in a number of important breeding programs to assist declining populations in a number of animal species including white rhinos, lions & giraffes. It is a not-for-profit conservation charity that relies on donations, public support & volunteers ... Of which my Aunt is one. So she sent us off with instructions this morning for our day at the zoo ...

I had to take this picture ... The old & new technologies together ... Siri directing via GB's phone & sticky note instructions from my Aunt. :0) After a half hour drive, we checked into the zoo. Now my Aunt had booked us on a special experience with the lions (more on that shortly) but we had a bit of time before it started so we decided to visit one of my faves critters ... The meerkats ...

This little bloke had set himself up as the sentry, before he scurried down to dig in the dirt with his family. Then suddenly, all of the meerkats did this ...

We wondered what had their attention ... It was their keeper with food! :0) Then it was time to ...

... Get on the bus. Being an open range zoo means enclosures cover a large area, so buses are used to move people around. It also stops tourists becoming a Scooby Snack for a hungry carnivore! We were booked on the Lions 360 experience ... Which is kind of what it sounds like.

... For a change, the lions are on the outside & the humans are in the cage.

It's an amazing thing to see these majestic creatures up close ...

... VERY close! To the point you can end up being drooled on from above. It's quite sobering to look above your head & discover that a large, hungry lion is looking at you from less than a metre away & wishing she could work out how to get through this wire.

This lioness looks like she's licking her lips in anticipation of munching GB, but still had just been given a meaty treat. If you are ever in a position to visit Monarto, I highly recommend you pay the extra to participate in this program ... It's AMAZING!! Then it was back on the bus to see more animals ...

I'll try posting this & be back with part two if it works! Fingers crossed! :0)