AUSTRALIAN NATIVE BEARS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21143, 29 March 1932, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NATIVE BEARS.

SANCTUARY NEAR SYDNEY. SAVING THE GUM BABIES. [from our own correspondent.] SYDNEY, March 18. There is one spot which visitors to Sydney should not miss. It is the sanctuary ' for the native bear—4o acres of typical bushland, known as Koala Park, at West Pennant Hills, a few miles from Sydney, which affords one an opportunity to see a sanctuary unique in the history of fauna. At Koala Park these quaint little animals may be seen in the ideal country in which, if left alone, they flourish. Peeping everywhere from the gum tip« are these innocent little bundles of fur. The man whose thought and care have, been the means of breeding and successfully rearing these lovable little animals at Koala Park is claimed to be the only person who has bred them in captivity. Some of the mothers among these little native bears, not content with their own gum babies in this big sanctuary, have developed a habit of stealing other babies among the trees. One little bear was discovered up a tree, not only with her own baby on her back, but with two others as well. Under the supervision of veterinary surgeons and other specialists a hospital has been established at the sanctuary for the investigation and treatment of disease which are peculiar to the bears. An accurate history of the bears' habits, diseases, longevity and foods is being compiled.

The little bears when sick are said to be ideal patients and accept medicine from spoons with far less fuss than children. The native bears will soon be going, into, their winter quarters to escape the cold southerlies, their winter homes being some degrees warmer than their summer abode. This seasonal migration of these gum babies is merely from one side of the park to the other.