
Following all the problems I have been having with pigs and Terrain’s refusal to supply me with a cage, this week we built our own pig cage. Right on cue a friend turned up from Giru who is an expert pig hunter, how lucky! He could not believe that the old, spring-door release mechanism was being used and with the approval of National Parks: especially in Cassowary Country. He quickly drew up a plan with an inward opening side-swing door. Pigs can push it open and keep coming into the cage but they can’t get out. He advised me to put a top on it as if we get a few pigs in the cage they could walk on top of each other to get out. The cage is made and set but since then, as luck would have , the pigs have disappeared. However as sure as eggs are eggs they will be back and I am waiting.

Since I have varied the filling time for the cassowary feed stations I have seen the subadults return to the feed stations regularly. In just one week they are looking healthier. Dad 4 and his chicks are still getting a feed every day

We were shifting some bricks in the nursery and found two native bee hives in the cavities. I have also noticed a hive in old borer holes in an Alexandra palm and another in cracks in the cement of the old shed. Perhaps their homes fell down in Yasi and they are taking advantage of any odd space.
Cheers for now,
Yvonne C.