Erna Walraven : one of the first female zookeepers in Australia
Photo:
supplied
Erna Walraven became one of Australia's first female zookeepers in the early 1980s. She wasn't exactly welcomed by some of her male colleagues , and that made her curious about power dynamics in the animal world.
She became senior curator at Taronga Zoo, and has now written a book on her observations after three decades. From the aggressive female argonaut, to the promiscuous lady emu, to the 'drag queen cuttlefish', Erna Walraven examines gender roles throughout the animal kingdom, unpacking some myths along the way.
Her book is called
Hear Me Roar: a memoir about zookeeping and what animals taught me about feminism.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RNZ News
5 hours ago
- RNZ News
Boxing: David Nyika to fight journeyman after brutal knockdown
Australian Jai Opetaia knocks down opponent David Nyika of New Zealand during the Ring Magazine and IBF World Cruiserweight title fight in Gold Coast, 2025. Photo: AAP / New Zealand boxer David Nyika is set to step back in the ring for his first fight since his brutal loss to Jai Opetaia. The Olympic bronze medallist and two-time Commonwealth Games champion will take on Kiwi journeyman Nik Charalampous in Sydney next month. The fight is part of the undercard to the Sonny Bill Williams-Paul Gallen fight on 16 July . Nyika, 29, was knocked out by Australian Opetaia in the fourth round of their IBF world cruiserweight title fight in January. It was his first defeat in his brief professional career. "I'm ready," said Nyika. "My journey restarts here. "Fair play to Jai, he was the better fighter on the night. But true champions get back up again when they get knocked down - and I have no doubt I am going to be world champion." Veteran boxer Charalampous has a 23-6-2 record. "I think Nyika is an overrated pretty boy," Charalampous said. "One of us went 10 rounds with Jai Opetaia, the other got stopped. I'm ready to go hard!"
RNZ News
2 days ago
- RNZ News
Finding the Adventurer in us All
This years Doc Edge Film Festival kicks off later in June, and one of the most compelling premieres is a film called Wildboy. It follows the jaw-dropping journey of Brando Yelavich. At just 18, Brando set out to walk the entire coastline of New Zealand. That was just the beginning. Since then, he's skied across Greenland, kayaked solo around Vancouver Island, and biked through the Australian Outback-pushing himself to the edge of human endurance. But Wildboy isn't just about physical feats-it's about mental resilience, personal transformation, and embracing difference. Tags: To embed this content on your own webpage, cut and paste the following: See terms of use.
RNZ News
3 days ago
- RNZ News
Casey Kopua marks Diamonds shooting combo in shock netball return
Casey Kopua in her Suncorp Super Netball debut. Photo: Brendon Thorne Former Silver Fern Casey Kopua got a full game in the world's toughest netball league, six years after retiring. The Giants stunned the netball world when they announced that Kopua would join the injury depleted team for this weekend's Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) game against the Melbourne Vixens in Sydney. Kopua retired from elite netball after helping the Silver Ferns win the 2019 Netball World Cup in Liverpool, when she was named MVP of the final. Apart from the odd club game in Matamata and one-off indoor netball tournaments, that's been it for Kopua in the years since. The mother of three has kept herself fit but it was an extraordinary sight seeing the 39-year-old make her debut in the world's strongest league, after that amount of time away from elite netball. Casey Kopua in the final of the 2019 World Cup. Photo: PHOTOSPORT The Giants, who are languishing at the bottom of SSN, suffered another loss on Sunday but pushed their opponents for three quarters before the Vixens prevailed 71-61. Kopua said she was shocked to be named in the starting line-up. She played a full game at goal keep and was marking none other than the Australian Diamonds goal shoot Sophie Garbin. Vixens goal attack Kiera Austin often pairs with Garbin in the Diamonds shooting end and neither had ever played against Kopua. The Giants got off to a fast start and the Vixens feeders were wary of Kopua and her reputation as one of the greats of the game. The former Silver Ferns captain played 112 Tests for New Zealand. Kopua finished with just a couple of deflections but her presence in the circle and pressure over the shot, did put some hesitation into the minds of the Vixens. Former Magic team-mates Jo Harten (left) and Casey Kopua - reunited at the Giants. Photo: Supplied Kopua constantly talked to and encouraged young Giants goal defence Erin O'Brien. Giants coach Julie Fitzgerald coached Kopua at the Magic in the former trans-Tasman competition. Kopua also played with Giants stalwarts Jo Harten and Jamie-Lee Price at the Magic. Kopua only arrived in Sydney in the middle of the week, after Fitzgerald put out an SOS to her former player. Today's game was also the first time Kopua has played under the two-point shot rule innovation. Casey Kopua is embraced by former Australian Diamond, turned commentator Catherine Cox. Photo: Giants Instagram The Giants led 19-15 after the first quarter and held a two goal lead at half time. But the Vixens took a two goal lead at the final break and put their foot down in the final quarter. At half-time Kopua told Fox Sport that the SSN was what she expected. " …and a whole lot more, it's a lot of fun though playing with different girls and the Aussie style but just getting amongst it, it's awesome," Kopua said. She said she couldn't say no to Fitzgerald. "There's not many people I would have said yes to but I'm loving it and the girls are lovely and we're having a good time on court." It's not known yet if Kopua will stay on as a replacement player for the Giants for the rest of the season. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
