Then I flew here to KI (the flight is only ½ an hour long!). Dr. Peggy met us at the airport and brought us here to Pelican Lagoon Research Centre where we met Dr. Mike, her partner and Coral, who is going to cook our dinners. We were shown around the centre, which consists of separate buildings and tents. Dr. Peggy and Dr. Mike have built everything here themselves from recycled material and they provide their own water and power. They believe in minimising human impact on the land so that sustainability of the land is maintained. You need to find out what sustainability means and write it down. They collect rainwater in tanks, which we use for everything and we try to use as little as possible. Power comes from solar panels so it has to be used carefully so that it doesn’t run out. Even as far south as KI they get enough sun for their power needs if they use it carefully.

After we settled into our tent (I am sharing with Susie), we came down to the communal kitchen, dining, lounge area. This building is full of echidna pictures and ornaments that people from all over the world have sent to Dr. Peggy. There are lovely big picture windows which when you look out of you can see the kangaroos and wallabies. It also has a wood stove which helps to stop my feet from freezing.

Since then we have been learning so many amazing things that I don’t know if they will all fit on the page. We have learnt how to look for echidnas (who are very tricky to spot), how to radio track an animal with a transmitter attached, lots of amazing information about echidnas, interesting information about sustainable farming and lots more.

So I haven’t seen an echidna yet but I have seen kangaroos (one with a joey), wallabies and a possum (with a baby). I think I know why it is called Kangaroo Island and not Wallaby Island – even though there are more wallabies you see the kangaroos more, probably because they are bigger and far less shy.

Have a good few days and think of me down here in the cold.

Bye,

Kerri