Healesville Sanctuary

On Wednesday, we visited one of my favorite "zoos" in the world, the Healesville Sanctuary, one of three institutions of Zoo Victoria. It's about an hour away by car from Melbourne (we took two trains and two buses). The focus of this outstanding institution is the conservation of native species, including Tasmanian devils, mountain pygmy possum, helmeted honeycreeper and others. We watched their outstanding bird show, "Spirits of the Sky." Since I was here four years ago, they added a really unique platypus encounter. Jenny Gray and her staff arranged for Sarah and I to participate in the echidna encounter with four other guests (a value added experience offered everyday - first come - first served). Healesville has a problem with white ibis as they are everywhere searching for food. The Sanctuary's main restaurant is enclosed with netting that keeps these "little buggers" from stealing your lunch.