Quill to survive leads albino echidna to bright new life

By Michelle Webster
Updated November 6 2012 - 1:56am, first published April 15 2011 - 11:12am
Symbio Wildlife Park animal keeper Kirsty Wallis holds up Leo the albino echidna. Picture: KIRK GILMOUR
Symbio Wildlife Park animal keeper Kirsty Wallis holds up Leo the albino echidna. Picture: KIRK GILMOUR
Leo the albino echidna. Picture: KIRK GILMOUR
Leo the albino echidna. Picture: KIRK GILMOUR

Leo the echidna is one lucky monotreme.The rare albino loves chasing his keepers and lapping up attention at Symbio Wildlife Park, but a happy life almost eluded the prickly youngster.In poor condition and too young to be away from his mum, Leo was discovered wandering in bushland at Berry about two months ago."Because of his condition we're led to believe his mum may have been injured or killed and he has waited for 10 or 12 days for her to return until he was forced to go out on his own to find food," Symbio manager Matt Radnidge said.Leo was handed in to Symbio, where he was nursed back to health, and the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service has granted permission for him to stay at the Helensburgh park.In the next few weeks, Leo will move into the echidna enclosure where the public can view him.As an albino, the six-month-old's chances of survival in the wild were slim, but lucky Leo has defied the odds and is now expected to become one of Symbio's star attractions.

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