PICS goes wild

By Carmen Bush

On January 6, Phillip Island Conservation Society (PICS), hosted, their annual morning sessions of Animals of Oz, at Olive Justice Place in Cowes.

A simple holiday event has now become an annual tradition.

This mobile wildlife education program is fun, interactive, educational, and captivated the attention of both youngsters and adults, alike.

A spokesperson for PICS said the sessions were a “great way of keeping the audience immersed with nature as they hear stories of each animal’s habitat and threats they face as they meet some of our most precious native animals up close and personal”.

Seven native animals were individually introduced as the presenter showed the audience the special features of each creature.

Like Kookie, the Kookaburra who can’t fly because of an old wing injury acquired after escaping the clutches of a wandering cat.

Or Stumpy, the Blue Tongue Lizard who lives under logs in the back yard with his ‘five wives’ and their twenty-one eggs. Do you know why these lizards have a blue tongue?

There’s Tawny the Frogmouth who can look like a part of a tree when perched on a branch or stump. He is not an owl but like owls is nocturnal. Tawny has a clever way of catching insects just by keeping still and opening his mouth.

The final animal added drama and a warning of caution as Snappy, the five-foot crocodile, was brought out. The children were instructed to gently touch Snappy on his back and tummy to feel the difference in skin types, but not to touch his mouth.

PICS has proudly hosted this event since 2012 and is grateful to be supported and funded by the Bass Coast Shire Council.

Most of the 52 adults and 56 children who attended were either local or related to locals with whom they were enjoying the holiday atmosphere.