Not a bird story but intriguing
I support Wildlife Victoria. Their latest communique tells the tale of an unfortunate baby Koala, rescued after her mother was killed on the ground by a herd of cows.
Apparently this is not at all unknown, and in fact cattle are said to have an insane hatred of Koalas. However they do not object to Wombats.
I am wondering why this happens. The best I can suggest is that possibly cattle have an inherited recognition of the major predator of Europe and Asia – bears.
Koalas are remarkably like an under-sized bear and when I was a child they were usually called Native Bears in the bush. Saying Koala was a bit fancy. A book word.
The only other animal I know of with an instinctive bear reaction is the Honey Bee – which is why you had better not wear a brown shaggy jumper if you have to deal with them. Bears are serious hive-predators.
I support Wildlife Victoria. Their latest communique tells the tale of an unfortunate baby Koala, rescued after her mother was killed on the ground by a herd of cows.
Apparently this is not at all unknown, and in fact cattle are said to have an insane hatred of Koalas. However they do not object to Wombats.
I am wondering why this happens. The best I can suggest is that possibly cattle have an inherited recognition of the major predator of Europe and Asia – bears.
Koalas are remarkably like an under-sized bear and when I was a child they were usually called Native Bears in the bush. Saying Koala was a bit fancy. A book word.
The only other animal I know of with an instinctive bear reaction is the Honey Bee – which is why you had better not wear a brown shaggy jumper if you have to deal with them. Bears are serious hive-predators.
I have heard of a group of Scots Red Deer (hinds with calves) surrounding a Fox and trampling it to death. It was a threat to their young, and en masse they could deal with it. I don’t know if they would go for a dog in the same way.
Anthea Fleming
Ivanhoe
