There we have it, a description of one of the greatest pleasures bestowed upon us as wildlife carers. The never ending and ever new wonder of another creature like and yet different to ourselves and much closer to the source trusting us with everything they hold dear, their lives. Believing in us, demonstrating their form of affection, believing we'll not only understand but also appreciate its magic. No strings, ties of any kind from carer or cared for, and this “freedom to leave” is what makes it bitter sweet and so very precious.
Be it the walking with possums, wallabies or wombats weighing in at almost 20 kilo's over territory you hope they'll like and remain in when they decide to leave. Noticing all the nuances and requests that are made during the hour or two doing this pleasant morning and afternoon ritual. Waiting while the territory is marked, over the top of another wombats marker. Waiting while feeding on some long tendrils of native grasses that appear to have popped up over night. Feeling the teeth scraped across the top of the boot saying, “move on, I'm finished here”. The jumping round, head up, indicating that it's play time and wrestling with someone who has no handles, just a pushing and shoving match. As the light strengthens and after a time the sun peeps over the mountain and bathes us all in light as we move in the direction of home.
It's a pretty special experience that never tarnishes or loses appeal, and adds poignancy to the moment when they walk away without so much as a look back over the shoulder. Off to explore a larger world. Happy knowing they have bolt holes and burrows of safety in this known territory. Then so much skin tingling pleasure when after some months they are espied by accident, going about their business as if they were raised by their natural mothers.
