The staff at Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne had to step very carefully this week thanks to a visit by a spikey little friend, which caused a little confusion.
As many outdoor workers do, the Gardens staff wear heavy boots, which often need a good scrub on the foot scrubber before entering the office.
However, a little echidna, one of the many native residents of the Gardens, was perhaps love-struck by the attractively similar scrubbing device and set up camp beside, it causing a few close calls.
Thankfully, as Gardens staff are often on the lookout for animals, they were able to avoid using the critter to clean their footwear, opting for the imitation instead.
It is not uncommon for animals to find themselves in the gardens’ buildings and administrative areas from time to time, particularly where there are food scraps and snacks available.
The gardens are home to many native Australian animals including koalas, wombats and wallabies, as well as the endangered southern brown bandicoot population.
Should anyone encounter a similar situation with an echidna at home or in public, the RBGC recommends contacting the RSPCA on 9224 2222.
