Pigs x two in the cage
Last Saturday night captured two pigs in the cage. Rang my ‘pig man’ Steven Pensini but he was unable to come in the morning to remove the pigs as his baby was being christened. Unfortunately, by the time Steven arrived in the afternoon, one pig had escaped. Even so Steven was very impressed with the cage. What happened was one of the pigs would run full speed and hit the end of the cage, this caused the side wire to flex. At the same time the other pig ran at the side wire, the door jumped slightly the pig stuck her nose in and out like a shot. I was watching at the time.
Strengthening the cage
As with everything we do in life it is about tinkling with design. We added another bar at the end of the cage. Another steel up-right at the front of the cage to stiffen it and a steel upright where the door meets the side wall; now there is no flexing. We washed the cage to take away any fright or blood scent and repositioned it.
Loaded it with corn and molasses and on Thursday night we got the one that got away: one cranky pig. Martin my son, who is home at the moment, called his mate, another pig-man, Ronnie.
Ronnie shot the pig and took away the carcase. Ronnie who was apparently very sceptical of my pig-cage was overheard in parting to say, “ I going home to make a cage like Yvonne’s”.
Loaded it with corn and molasses and on Thursday night we got the one that got away: one cranky pig. Martin my son, who is home at the moment, called his mate, another pig-man, Ronnie.
Ronnie shot the pig and took away the carcase. Ronnie who was apparently very sceptical of my pig-cage was overheard in parting to say, “ I going home to make a cage like Yvonne’s”.
Ronnie arrived in his best winter attire. Ronnie phoned later that day and informed us that the pig was a pregnant sow and had twelve fully formed babies, he estimated two days away from birth. How lucky was that?
Paul Tomlinson, the newspaper man, had an incident with a pig this week. The pig ran across the road in front of his car and dented the front. Paul sees pigs all the time at Coquette Point, particularly on his early morning runs through Moresby Range National Park. One day a bore, the size of his car,( he says), ran down the road in front of his car. Hopefully, my newly strengthened cage will hold it one day.
Sub-adult cassowary ‘Big Sis’ was very interested in the pig in the cage but soon decided it was a mortal enemy and she threw herself at the cage.
Dad 1 killed on the road
It appears the cassowary killed at Coquette Point was Dad 1. Although I had reports of him I think there was confusion between Dad 1 and Dad 4 who also has two chicks.
Bill Farmsworth took the photo (left) of Dad 1. Note the unusual jagged wattles and note the left wattle is shorter. The chick I saw last week across the bridge is most likely one of Dad 1 chicks.
Bill Farmsworth took the photo (left) of Dad 1. Note the unusual jagged wattles and note the left wattle is shorter. The chick I saw last week across the bridge is most likely one of Dad 1 chicks.
Dad 2 sees his reflection
The other chick turned up at the nursery this week and has been here every day. The chick’s wattle is shorter on the left side, the same as the father. Perhaps an inherited trait?
Saw Dad 2 on Friday he was attacking his reflection in the chrome bumper-bar of a car. His chick looked on curiously. His casque has grown considerably over the last year.
This week Senior Ranger Kate collected the camera that has been on the Western cassowary feed station for the last two months.
Saw Dad 2 on Friday he was attacking his reflection in the chrome bumper-bar of a car. His chick looked on curiously. His casque has grown considerably over the last year.
This week Senior Ranger Kate collected the camera that has been on the Western cassowary feed station for the last two months.
Dad 1's chick
While she was here I showed her the pig cage and she was impressed. She also observed Dad 1’s chick, which she commented was looking fine and appeared old enough to fend for himself.
The current Cassowary count at Coquette Point is 1 matriarch Jessie, 3 males, 3 chicks and 4 sub-adults. Counting the two chicks of Dad 1 as sub-adults. 25 years ago after cyclone Winifred the count was 1 matriarch 12 males with 5 chicks and 4 sub-adults.
The current Cassowary count at Coquette Point is 1 matriarch Jessie, 3 males, 3 chicks and 4 sub-adults. Counting the two chicks of Dad 1 as sub-adults. 25 years ago after cyclone Winifred the count was 1 matriarch 12 males with 5 chicks and 4 sub-adults.
Hope you all saw the red moon on Thursday morning. Unfortunately my photos were a flop. If you have an iPhone the application Pocket Universe is great fun: the best 3.99 I have ever spent.
Cheers for now.
Yvonne C
Cheers for now.
Yvonne C
