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 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
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