We spent Sunday the 6th of August at the Toronga Western Plains Zoo. We hired push bikes to ride the 6km circuit and view all the animals on display. The zoo opened in 1977, 40 years later it has developed into a world renowned centre for wildlife conservation, breeding, education and research. We all had an amazing day, the weather was beautiful and we stopped half way around for a break and picnic. Charlie's favorite animal was the Greater One Horned Rhinoceros. Mackayla's was the Meerkat. Felicity fell in love with the Siamang Ape. Not only does this ape swing around ropes and trees. It also puffs up it's air sack, which is below its neck before to produce a booming sound, howle and whistle. This communication sound can be heard up to five kilometres away.

On Monday the 7th of August we returned to the zoo. Mandy and I had arranged to surprise the kids with a couple of things. Firstly we had arranged for them to feed the girafees. We'd also organised a ride on the zoo bus for a behind the scenes and up close encounter with the Black, Southern White and Great One Horned Rhinoceros. The kids were very excited when we spoke to a tour guide at the girafees and they found out what was going on. The feeding went really well.

Later that morning we hoped on the tour bus. There was only one other family doing the tour at the time. The tour bus took us behind the scenes to where the Rhinoceros's live when not in their display paddocks. We got off the bus and each stop and got up close to each variety of Rhinoceros. We learned much about the species and it was a great experience for everyone.