[Editor: This poem, warning about the dangers of drop bears, was published in The Emu Plains Gazette (Emu Plains, NSW), 17 September 1891.]
Danger in the Bush
Oh, traveller, please take especial care,
When out walking, of the dreaded bear,
For, in the trees, they’re at the top,
From whence they will descend by drop
A constitutional at noon is worth your time,
To gain benefits from the Austral clime;
Yet, the bush can be a most dangerous place,
You must pray to survive, with God’s grace
If, perchance, you take your lady’s hand,
With intention of strolling across the land,
Remember the fair maiden is in your care,
So protect her well from the violent bear
Surely all are God’s creatures on this earth,
But of the dropping bear we wish a dearth,
For they are a blight, always causing fear,
And a threat to lives which we hold dear.
Source:
The Emu Plains Gazette (Emu Plains, NSW), 17 September 1891
Editor’s notes:
Austral = of or relating to Australia or Australasia; Australian, Australasian; an abbreviation of Australia, Australian, Australasia, Australasian; in a wider context, of or relating to the southern hemisphere; southern, especially a southern wind
constitutional = a walk which is undertaken as a mild form of exercise, so as to improve or maintain the constitution or health of one’s body
dearth = lack, scarcity
dropbear = (scientific name: Thylarctos plummetus) a type of marsupial, native to Australia, known for attacking its victims by dropping out of trees (variously spelt: drop bear, drop-bear, dropbear; plural: drop bears, drop-bears, dropbears); dropbears (Thylarctos plummetus) are genetically related to koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus), but are a different species
See: 1) “Drop Bears”, The Institute of Australian Culture
2) “Drop Bear: Scientific name: Thylarctos plummetus”, Australian Museum, updated 21 April 2022
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