Wednesday Zen Moment: Kangaroo heaven in the heart of British Columba

Animals once rescued from certain death in the outback are living a pretty laid back lifestyle in Western Canada.

Kangaroo Creek Farm, located in the Lake Country, near Kelowna, British Columbia, has been home to kangaroos and other Australian critters for more than two decades.

Their first kangaroos arrived from New Zealand in 1989 with the help of the Canadian government. You see, kangaroos are not native to that country, but early settlers imported them and a variety of other non-native species in a vain attempt to jazz up the place. Eventually, the animals became pests and the government decided to eradicate the alien critters.

That’s how the first group of 10 kangaroos at Kangaroo Creek Farm. And, it’s now home to red kangaroos, common wallaroos and Bennett wallabies and Dama wallabies. It also has emus, capybara and sugar gliders as well as a number of other furry and feathered friends.

People can wander among the animals, feed, pet and even hold them.

“We are trying to keep our farm as non-commercial and “un-Disney-fied” as possible,” the sanctuary notes.

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The farm has a high number of albino animals as the recessive gene has been passed on.

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kanagroofarmalbino

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In August, the facility had to move this statue of Delilah due to two bouts of vandalism. People ripped her ears off.

 

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An oasis for animals in wine country.

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The kangaroos and wallabies spend a lot of time on hot days napping in the shade.

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Sugar glider
Sugar glider being held by visitors.

 

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If you look closely you’ll see a Joey in her pouch.

 

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Joey alert! Notice the baby is brown even though its mother is an albino.

 

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Joey hops back into its mother pouch.

 

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Adorable billy goats.

 

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This is Kingston. He loves being around people, but was smaller and a little different than the other billy goats. Genetic testing determined he has Down Syndrome.

 

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Capybara, the world’s largest rodent, surveys the pond.

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A Pantagonian Cavy and her babies taking a siesta.

Kangaroo Creek Farm is now closed for the winter, but it reopens to the public in the spring. And, if you’re travelling in the Okanagan wine country region next year, you may want to put this place on your list.

About the author

Recovering newspaper reporter.

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