On this past Christmas Eve, as I walked along a beach at Shoal Bay, north of Newcastle, I spied three dolphins swimming 15 metres away. I felt delighted, and others around me had the same reaction. 

On New Year's Eve, I saw a mother kangaroo and her grown-up joey lounging outside my office building at the University. I took a photo as soon as possible and put it on Facebook.  My Facebook pals loved the image. 

I feel joy when I see wild animals. I bet you do too. 

Some people pay big money for chances to see wild animals. Think of African safaris. Bird watching forays into wetlands. Snorkeling and scuba diving. Whale-watching cruises. 

What makes finding wild animals in nature so appealing? 

We like to see animals living free. We would rather see wild horses in open spaces than horses in a corral.  Perhaps we envy the freedom of wild animals. 

Rarity is a factor. We enjoy seeing rare birds more than seeing magpies. 

Surprise can play a role in positive reactions to wild animals. Once, on a Saturday evening, I was sitting in a car, when I saw a large kangaroo hopping fast down the street in the direction of the pubs. I wondered whether it planned to meet its mates. 

I would like to see a tiger in the wild, if I could be sure to survive the experience..  

Some animals are cute. I often see parent ducks with a bevy of ducklings at the university. I particularly like seeing them cross the street on the striped lines for pedestrians. 

Many animals are entertaining. Monkeys and squirrels are good examples. Their antics are worth paying to see. . 

Seeing wild animals in nature may give a boost to our mental health. The animals somehow seem tough and content. We may like the model they set. 

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