<
https://theconversation.com/friday-essay-the-koala-when-its-smart-to-be-slow-187003>
"The koala was clinging to an old tree stag while stranded in the Murray River,
on the border between New South Wales and Victoria. A team of students from La
Trobe University noticed its predicament as they were paddling by in canoes.
“It almost looked as though he was sussing out if he could jump into the
canoe,” one of the students reported later.
The koala could have swum ashore if it had wanted to – it was close enough, and
koalas are not particularly bothered by rain or water. They are capable, if not
elegant, swimmers who launch themselves into rivers and swim with an effective
doggy paddle to the other side.
If a boat is offered, however, they will readily accept the more comfortable
mode of transport. They have been known to haul themselves aboard passing
canoes – content to take a free ride to the other side, without showing any
concern about where they might be taken.
This koala opted for the easy option. Standing in the knee-deep water, the
students spun one end of the canoe towards the tree, where the koala was
waiting on a low stump for transport.
As the boat touched the tree, the koala immediately clambered on board. The
students slowly turned the boat around, keeping their distance from the animal,
until the bow nudged the bank. As soon as the boat touched the ground, the
koala climbed into the bow before leaping out and strolling off into the trees.
It’s an indisputably cute video. Both the koala and the students presumably
parted company well pleased with the outcome, but I wonder what the koala was
thinking – how it was thinking – about that situation. If you’ve ever had to
rescue a pet from an awkward place – a cat up a tree, a dog stuck in a drain or
a horse trapped in a fence – you will know that they very rarely show any
inkling that your actions might assist them, let alone co-operate with you. And
yet this koala seemed to do both."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
