Saw this joker on the commute home

Johnny_Revolver · 07-15-2007, 03:16 AM

I worked 11 hours today ( sunday, ugh ) on my commute home I saw this crossing the road, they are as rare as rocking horse poop due to prediation by dogs, loss of habitat etc so I stopped and gave it the hutty up across the road then took some pics. It`s an older female ( I think by size ) Koala.

Which are not bears, they are a marsupial ( raise young in a pouch ) it`s pronounced Koe Arr Larr, not kwarla.

Dopey bugger seemed to cross the road again as I drove off, I`m hoping it isn`t squished tomo when I drove past

Big Dog · 07-15-2007, 03:50 AM

Odd little buggers indeed. A lot of kid's "teddy bears" are made to resemble them here. I've read their claws make them less than 'cuddly' though.

I read recently the boffins think some now-extinct Tasmanian Wolves (also marsupials) may still be living on an island down there. That would be cool!

Johnny_Revolver · 07-15-2007, 04:20 AM

Lance, if you saw a Koala scale a gum tree ( euculiptus tree ) then yeah, they are claw city. I once saw a German Shepherd at a wrecking yard that looked like it`s rear end had been near a wood chipper, the guy assured me it had tangled with a Koala, they are very very rare, but I used to see them in trees in surburban backyards as a kid.

The Thylacine, or Tasmanian Tiger as it was known, were virtually exterminated by the settlers. The last known one died in a zoo in the early fifities. Tassie has some of the last true wilderness, incredibley wild country, so You and I wouldn`t be alone in hoping they might turn up again.

Mick · 07-15-2007, 04:53 AM

yep I can vouch for the nastiness of an angry Koala, I was out hunting with my dogs, when they came across one on the ground, they didn't attack her but where standing in a circle around her barking, she's made a lunge at one and gort hold of it's ear.
I pinned it down with the butt of my 44/40 and dragged the dog off her, the Koala has proceeded to go to town on the stock of my rifle and I didn't want to let her up cause the next closest thing to her was my leg, I cut and ran leaving the gun with her, once I had left she shot up a tree and I could go back and get my gun, there was scratches and peices missing out of it where she had bitten chunks of timber clean out.

billy · 07-15-2007, 06:23 AM

those things have 2 thumbs.
not really but over the eons 1 of the digits migrated over so it acts like they do.
i watch a lot of nature shows.

Mooseman684 · 07-15-2007, 02:42 PM

I wonder what they taste like....LOL
Rich

Mick · 07-15-2007, 04:46 PM

like eucalyptus cough drops (apparently)

Choco · 07-16-2007, 01:25 PM

Dallas · 07-16-2007, 02:48 PM

Are they becoming an endangered species?

Mick · 07-16-2007, 03:30 PM

It depends who you talk to, they are definitley protected, and in built up areas they are almost nonexistant, they do not move very fast and cannot see terribly well.

out in the bush there numbers have dropped, but there are still quite a few out there, the people who go out to count these things, ( Kangas, koalas, etc ) They come out straight from college and expect it to be a great big petting zoo, when the koalas don't climb down from their trees and line up to be counted these graduates pack up and go home saying there are no koalas left.

But back to the taste, I think they must be pretty funky, I have never heard any one talking about eating them, not even the old Aboriginal blokes who used to hang around the properties I have worked on.

Dallas · 07-16-2007, 04:24 PM

Speaking of taste I have heard that Kangaroo is pretty good to eat. Have you tried it?

Big Dog · 07-16-2007, 05:00 PM

At one time some guy was trying to make a go of selling Kangaroo meat, claiming all kinds of health benefits for it. He went the way of the failed Emu ranchers . . . Americans just don't take to 'bushmeat' much any more. Even venison puts many folks off. I'd try roo and emu - just never had the chance.

The feller on the coast trying to raise a market for jellyfish - that I draw the line on! He failed too.

Mick · 07-16-2007, 05:26 PM

Never tried kanga, it is a similar texture and colour to venison, no fat between the meat layers, but I imagine it would be quite stringy if cooked wrong.

Although somone must like it, there is a huge market for Roo's, and every second bloke out here has a permit to harvest them.

Dallas · 07-16-2007, 06:50 PM

The reason I asked was I've seen several travel shows about Australia and in each they eat at a local resturant and all say the kangaroo meat was great.

Nathan123 · 07-18-2007, 04:03 AM

That garbage they sell at the shops doesnt taste very nice at all, But when done yourself it is bloody beautiful. The thing with roo meat is it has to be cooked long and slow, if you cook it too quick it will be like chewing on an old boot. Also if it's not cooked enough it will give you worms and make you crook. The best part of the roo is the back straps (the muscle that runs up either side of the spine) also make sure its a doe. Those big old roos are nasty and tough.

I used to see alot of koala's when i was a kid but over the years you start seeing less and less.

As for the Tassie Tiger, they are still out there. When i lived in Tassie i heard stories from numerous hunters and bushwalkers and loggers about seeing fresh tracks,i beleive there was a scientist even come out and and take a cast of the prints. They are out there but nobody see's them because there is alot of Tassie that is pretty hard country and people dont get to very often.

Here is a short video of one of our other unique animals you might all enjoy, the tassie devil (not the one from the cartoon that spins around in circles) YouTube - Tasmanian Devils Kicking Ass

Rufus Rhastus J · 07-18-2007, 11:15 AM

you done good

bangalot · 07-20-2007, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mick

Never tried kanga, it is a similar texture and colour to venison, no fat between the meat layers, but I imagine it would be quite stringy if cooked wrong.

Although somone must like it, there is a huge market for Roo's, and every second bloke out here has a permit to harvest them.

Hi Mick, alot of the big supermarkets down my way sell it , yes its very tender and very lean,great for the BBQ.

Mick · 07-21-2007, 08:24 PM

Hey there bangalot, welcome to g&g, nice to see another Aussie on here, there's a few of us here, but we're mostly weirdos.

Dallas · 07-21-2007, 08:56 PM

Mick, who said you were a weirdo???

Mick · 07-22-2007, 07:28 AM

self assesment man

HA HA!

07-15-2007, 03:50 AM	#2
Big Dog Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 10,219	Odd little buggers indeed. A lot of kid's "teddy bears" are made to resemble them here. I've read their claws make them less than 'cuddly' though. I read recently the boffins think some now-extinct Tasmanian Wolves (also marsupials) may still be living on an island down there. That would be cool! __________________ Moderator of: AR15/M16, M14/M1A, New/Beginning Shooters and Militaria/Collectables.

07-15-2007, 04:20 AM	#3
Johnny_Revolver Gun Liker Join Date: May 2005 Location: Queensland, Australia Posts: 1,209 Blog Entries: 6	Lance, if you saw a Koala scale a gum tree ( euculiptus tree ) then yeah, they are claw city. I once saw a German Shepherd at a wrecking yard that looked like it`s rear end had been near a wood chipper, the guy assured me it had tangled with a Koala, they are very very rare, but I used to see them in trees in surburban backyards as a kid. The Thylacine, or Tasmanian Tiger as it was known, were virtually exterminated by the settlers. The last known one died in a zoo in the early fifities. Tassie has some of the last true wilderness, incredibley wild country, so You and I wouldn`t be alone in hoping they might turn up again. __________________ It`s a good life, provided you don`t weaken.

07-15-2007, 04:53 AM	#4
Mick Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Emerald CQLD AUST Posts: 975 Images: 1	yep I can vouch for the nastiness of an angry Koala, I was out hunting with my dogs, when they came across one on the ground, they didn't attack her but where standing in a circle around her barking, she's made a lunge at one and gort hold of it's ear. I pinned it down with the butt of my 44/40 and dragged the dog off her, the Koala has proceeded to go to town on the stock of my rifle and I didn't want to let her up cause the next closest thing to her was my leg, I cut and ran leaving the gun with her, once I had left she shot up a tree and I could go back and get my gun, there was scratches and peices missing out of it where she had bitten chunks of timber clean out. __________________ OzHunter Give me a six-pack and a red dirt open road (Adam Brand)

07-15-2007, 06:23 AM	#5
billy spiritual counselor Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: a secret lab on the shores of lake titicaca Posts: 12,203 Images: 9 Blog Entries: 146	those things have 2 thumbs. not really but over the eons 1 of the digits migrated over so it acts like they do. i watch a lot of nature shows. __________________

07-15-2007, 02:42 PM	#6
Mooseman684 Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Alaska Wilderness Posts: 9,702 Images: 2	I wonder what they taste like....LOL Rich __________________ You know you might be facing your doom,when all you get is a click when you're expecting a BOOM!

07-15-2007, 04:46 PM	#7
Mick Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Emerald CQLD AUST Posts: 975 Images: 1	like eucalyptus cough drops (apparently) __________________ OzHunter Give me a six-pack and a red dirt open road (Adam Brand)

07-16-2007, 01:25 PM	#8
Choco Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 199

07-16-2007, 02:48 PM	#9
Dallas PUKHA DAWG Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Virginia, just outside of Washington D.C. Posts: 3,596	Are they becoming an endangered species? __________________ Those who forget History are condemed to repeat it.

07-16-2007, 03:30 PM	#10
Mick Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Emerald CQLD AUST Posts: 975 Images: 1	It depends who you talk to, they are definitley protected, and in built up areas they are almost nonexistant, they do not move very fast and cannot see terribly well. out in the bush there numbers have dropped, but there are still quite a few out there, the people who go out to count these things, ( Kangas, koalas, etc ) They come out straight from college and expect it to be a great big petting zoo, when the koalas don't climb down from their trees and line up to be counted these graduates pack up and go home saying there are no koalas left. But back to the taste, I think they must be pretty funky, I have never heard any one talking about eating them, not even the old Aboriginal blokes who used to hang around the properties I have worked on. __________________ OzHunter Give me a six-pack and a red dirt open road (Adam Brand) Last edited by Mick; 07-16-2007 at 03:33 PM.

07-16-2007, 04:24 PM	#11
Dallas PUKHA DAWG Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Virginia, just outside of Washington D.C. Posts: 3,596	Speaking of taste I have heard that Kangaroo is pretty good to eat. Have you tried it? __________________ Those who forget History are condemed to repeat it.

07-16-2007, 05:00 PM	#12
Big Dog Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 10,219	At one time some guy was trying to make a go of selling Kangaroo meat, claiming all kinds of health benefits for it. He went the way of the failed Emu ranchers . . . Americans just don't take to 'bushmeat' much any more. Even venison puts many folks off. I'd try roo and emu - just never had the chance. The feller on the coast trying to raise a market for jellyfish - that I draw the line on! He failed too. __________________ Moderator of: AR15/M16, M14/M1A, New/Beginning Shooters and Militaria/Collectables.

07-16-2007, 05:26 PM	#13
Mick Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Emerald CQLD AUST Posts: 975 Images: 1	Never tried kanga, it is a similar texture and colour to venison, no fat between the meat layers, but I imagine it would be quite stringy if cooked wrong. Although somone must like it, there is a huge market for Roo's, and every second bloke out here has a permit to harvest them. __________________ OzHunter Give me a six-pack and a red dirt open road (Adam Brand)

07-16-2007, 06:50 PM	#14
Dallas PUKHA DAWG Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Virginia, just outside of Washington D.C. Posts: 3,596	The reason I asked was I've seen several travel shows about Australia and in each they eat at a local resturant and all say the kangaroo meat was great. __________________ Those who forget History are condemed to repeat it.

07-18-2007, 04:03 AM	#15
Nathan123 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Newcastle, N.S.W, Australia Posts: 356	That garbage they sell at the shops doesnt taste very nice at all, But when done yourself it is bloody beautiful. The thing with roo meat is it has to be cooked long and slow, if you cook it too quick it will be like chewing on an old boot. Also if it's not cooked enough it will give you worms and make you crook. The best part of the roo is the back straps (the muscle that runs up either side of the spine) also make sure its a doe. Those big old roos are nasty and tough. I used to see alot of koala's when i was a kid but over the years you start seeing less and less. As for the Tassie Tiger, they are still out there. When i lived in Tassie i heard stories from numerous hunters and bushwalkers and loggers about seeing fresh tracks,i beleive there was a scientist even come out and and take a cast of the prints. They are out there but nobody see's them because there is alot of Tassie that is pretty hard country and people dont get to very often. Here is a short video of one of our other unique animals you might all enjoy, the tassie devil (not the one from the cartoon that spins around in circles) YouTube - Tasmanian Devils Kicking Ass Last edited by Nathan123; 07-18-2007 at 04:07 AM.

07-18-2007, 11:15 AM	#16
Rufus Rhastus J Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: West, Central Florida, Third World America Posts: 6,339 Images: 1	you done good __________________ "They cannot be trusted.....The Romulans (our politicos) are without honor." Worf

07-21-2007, 08:24 PM	#18
Mick Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Emerald CQLD AUST Posts: 975 Images: 1	Hey there bangalot, welcome to g&g, nice to see another Aussie on here, there's a few of us here, but we're mostly weirdos. __________________ OzHunter Give me a six-pack and a red dirt open road (Adam Brand)

07-21-2007, 08:56 PM	#19
Dallas PUKHA DAWG Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Virginia, just outside of Washington D.C. Posts: 3,596	Mick, who said you were a weirdo??? __________________ Those who forget History are condemed to repeat it.

07-22-2007, 07:28 AM	#20
Mick Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Emerald CQLD AUST Posts: 975 Images: 1	self assesment man HA HA! __________________ OzHunter Give me a six-pack and a red dirt open road (Adam Brand)