Immersive animal experiences in regional NSW

[Animation: #loveanaussieroadtrip with Adam Spencer]

[Adam Spencer]:

Today, we catch up with some friends from the Galapagos and learn about dating and mating in the wild.

G'day Dubbo!

We were a little bit excited about the next stop on the road trip, and I don't know if you can tell. That's because this Aussie gem in Dubbo holds a special place for the Spencers. And we couldn't wait to share it with Leah, Indi and Tai. 

Home to, count them, 771 animals from all around the world. Taronga Western Plains Zoo is big. And when I say big, I mean really big! Over 600 football fields big. 

We did our own Tour De Zoo and trust us cycling is definitely the way to get around here. 

We observed an impressive set of hippo's teeth. The whole gang got in on feeding some hungry rhinos. We cycled to all four corners of the zoo and still it wasn't possible to see it all. 

But the highlight of our visit, as is so often the case on a road trip, was to catch up with a couple of old mates. And what makes these old mates a little bit different is the fact that they could live to almost 200 years of age. I'm talking about Pena and Turbo. 

My kids and I are still loving the memories of six years ago when we first met these beautiful Galapagos Tortoises.

[Adam Spencer talking to Mel Frith, Keeper, Taronga Western Plains ZOo]:

I was lucky enough to meet these guys just after they were born. We're talking smaller than the palm of the hand. How old are they now? 

[Mel Frith]:

Pena and Turbo are six years old now. 

[Adam Spencer]:

We don't know yet at age six if they're boys or girls? 

[Mel Frith]:

No, not quite yet. Too small to tell. And the differences between male and female, visually, haven't come out yet. So usually by the time they're 15-years-old, we'll start to see those differences. 

[Adam Spencer]:

So it's not till they're 15 that you've really worked out if they're boys or girls or where they're at. 

[Mel Frith]:

Yep.

[Adam Spencer]:

I remember that feeling myself. 

[Mel Frith]:

(Laughs) 

[Adam Spencer]:

I do remember after I met the babies a few years ago, we came round to the general exhibition and a couple of Mr and Mrs Galapagos were sort of trying to do their bit for the breeding program. Reasonably noisy beasts when they go at it aren't they?

[Mel Frith]:

Very noisy! You definitely know when you turn up what's happening, it's a little awkward to explain sometimes. 

[Adam Spencer]:

My best impersonation would be a sort of... (grunts and noises) 

[Mel Frith]:

That's very good!

[Adam Spencer]:

That's sort of it? 

[Mel Frith]:

Yeah.

[Adam Spencer]:

And my daughters, who are cringing right now, at the time I remember the younger one looked over and realised what was going on. 

And she said, "Dad, that that's so inappropriate what they're doing." 

But it's so important, isn't it, that we keep breeding these beautiful animals. 

[Mel Frith]:

It's very important. They are classified as a vulnerable species, so to be able to contribute to a breeding program in captivity is really important so that we can keep those numbers up. 

[Adam Spencer to Carolene Magner, Keeper, Taronga Western Plains Zoo]:

There seems to be a lot of baby making going on around the zoo at the moment. What are some of the things you have to get just right if two hippos are going to get friendly? 

[Carolene Magner]

Basically, it's like internet dating. So sometimes a studbook keeper looks after one particular species and then they match their genetics to get the best genetic diversity out of the offspring. So that's all done by a computer and sometimes.... 

[Adam Spencer]:

Swipe left, swipe right, that sort of thing? Go out for a couple of coffees, see if there's anything there. 

[Carolene Magner]

Absolutely. Yeah. So we do have to orchestrate and tweak our introduction plans to make the chemistry right. 

[Adam Spencer]:

We were so happy to show Leah and the kids around a place that is so special to us. 

And I love that it's just a short drive away. 

[Adam Spencer talking to the tortoises]:

Good to catch up with you guys too! See you again in 100 years. 

[Love an Aussie road trip logo]

[Adam Spencer]:

Next stop, we turn our attention from the road to the skies to meet some true Australian heroes. 

I love an Aussie road trip.

[Love an Aussie road trip logo with loveanaussieroadtrip.com.au]

[Adam Spencer]:

If you're loving the Aussie spirit that we've encountered on this road trip, well it doesn't get much better than Australia's best talent uniting for the annual Australia Day Broadcast. Catch it on your ABC, 26 January, 7.30pm AEDT.