It has been noticeable to me during this visit to Aus that the number of kangaroos/wallabies is far less than previous visits – sadly, the roadkill is noticeably increased 😦 Bird-life is thriving – it’s fab to see the bright colours of huge flocks of wild parakeets and budgies (I do hate to see them caged and alone). I paid a visit (re-visit) to Australia zoo – the last time I was there, Steve Irwin was still very much larger than life and it felt like he’d encapsulated some of wild Australia in a few acres. I found this time, in his absence (or maybe it’s just ‘progress’?)  that it had more of the feel of a zoo set up for the amusement of people than a haven for the wildlife, and the staff were noticeably less enthusiastic and concerned. Consumerism, for example in tacky plastic trinkets and clothes produced in his daughter’s name, and dinosaur-related articles in the name of his son, was obvious and somewhat distracting and irrelevant to the environmental issues he wanted highlighted. I left feeling a little disappointed on his behalf and on behalf of the Australia I love and feel slipping away. Wildlife, the reefs, the land itself – all are changing and diminishing in the name of progress, and it saddens me.