Skippy the Bush Kangaroo Season 2, Episode 17: Tread Softly

1

The Raft

While on a rafting trip throught the mangrove swamp, Sonny and Skippy come to the aid of a boy who has run away from his step-father while on a camping trip.

2

The Perfect Hosts

At home alone during a violent rainstorm — and nervous about radio reports of an armed bandit on the loose — Sonny and Clancy are surprised by a suspiscious visitor.

3

Honest Jack

Sonny finds a man chopping down trees in Waratah National Park and when Sonny tells him it is illegal, the determined man insists that he owns the land. Matt Hammond has received word from Jerry of a bulldozer clearing land in the Park, and Mark radios in from his patrol boat that someone is building a fence down by the river. It transpires that "Honest Jack", a slick operator, has been selling blocks of land in Waratah National Park. For his final scam he tries to sell off Ranger Headquarters as an 'ideal home'.

4

Follow My Leader

A spoiled young violin prodigy, and an old family friend of Clancy's, insists on acquiring a baby koala but Skippy saves him from losing his life in the attempt.

5

Tex N. Ranger

A school for stunt men moves into Waratah National Park and Skippy, without needing any stunt lessons, saves their injured teacher.

6

Chicken

Sonny discovers two dead possums in their tree trunk home and Matt is disturbed by the number of dead animals that have been found in the bush over the last three days. When Skippy is poisoned and almost dies, Matt calls in Veterinarian Officer John Manson. A poultry farmer with a grudge against Matt is responsible and Matt tricks him into revealing his guilt and the location of the poison.

7

Belinda

Skippy sees a large truck from which a valuable thoroughbred mare escapes from the man who stole her. The horse finds temporary refuge with Sonny in Waratah National Park.

8

The Mine

Matt Hammond is expecting a visit by a man to assist with blowing up an abandoned mine in Waratah National Park. The man turns out to be an old army buddy, Toby Boughton. Later, following an accidental detonation caused by a wombat, Matt and Toby are trapped in the mine which is slowly filling with water.

9

Rockslide

A young National Service deserter risks recapture to look after Sonny after he is injured in a rockslide.

10

Hide and Seek

Mark and Jerry go to investigate when Clancy notices someone lurking near the helicopter hangar. Jerry is astounded to find someone he has known since childhood. His friend, involved in an armed robbery and with a bloodied bandage around his head, convinces Jerry he is innocent and asks for refuge in Waratah National Park.

11

Flying Saucers

Sonny and Skippy see a flying saucer but the story is difficult to believe without seeing Sonny's photographic evidence — which he has lost. However, that doesn't stop the story from making the news, bringing a reporter out to Waratah National Park to chase down the story.

12

Esmeralda

An old gypsy woman takes her revenge on Head Ranger Matt Hammond and his boys in a way that proves more embarrassing than harmful. Even Skippy is powerless to prevent the trick.

13

Puppets

The Great Carl, an itinerant puppeteer who is camping in the Nation Park, is jealous of his talented young assistant. A puppet show is held at Ranger Headquarters to raise funds for the RSPCA.

14

Vice Versa

Sir Adrian Gillespie arrives at Ranger Headquarters with news that Skippy is to be sent away to Sydney for a long-term scientific study to determine what makes her the world's smartest kangaroo. To avoid losing his friend, Sonny sets out to illustrate she's anything but.

15

Oats

In Matt's absense, an inspector from the Department of Civil Services arrives to evaluate operations at Ranger Headquarters. His strict by-the-book manner creates trouble for everyone and his panic during a crisis has near fatal consequences.

16

The Black Spider

Clancy's music teacher stops by Ranger Headquarters to share her concerns with Matt about Clancy's recent change in behaviour. Mark convinces Sonny Clancy is living a double life and is being blackmailed — just like in Sonny's novel. While Sonny waits to catch the blackmailer, Matt follows Clancy in Sydney and discovers the truth.

17

Tread Softly

The National Park must be closed to the public after a number of animal traps are found. A recently released prisoner working with local miscreant Ben Schuyler is responsible but it is not just the animals that fall victim to the traps.

18

Shark Taggers

When Sonny and Skippy help an attractive young scientist in her research work on sharks, only the last minute arrival of Jerry and Mark in the Ranger helicopter can save them from a school of maneaters.

19

Surprise! Surprise!

Clancy thinks no one has remembered her birthday unaware that Mark has been planning a surprise party. Matt and Clancy run aground in the Ranger boat and nearly miss the party when they must walk back to Ranger Headquarters.

20

Marco Polo

As Sonny urges his brother on, Matt plays along with Mark's plans of going on an around-the-world bicycle trip with a friend realising there are enough obstacles to halt the trip without him putting his foot down.

21

Wombat

Sonny finds an orphaned baby wombat and brings it back to Ranger Headquarters where it runs amok. While Sonny goes in seach of the mother, Mark and Clancy must help with Sonny's exams and Matt calls from Sydney is need of some important paperwork.

22

Axeman

A professional woodchopper practicing illegally in the National Park solves a problem for Jerry by helping him and Mark clear land for an emergency helipad. When the axeman's competition sabotages his car in an attempt to prevent him from competing, Skippy comes to his aid.

23

Up and Beyond

Two high-altitude hot-air balloonists bail out over the Waratah National Park. With the pair at Ranger Headquarts, Sonny and Skippy find the bolloon and manage to get airborn. As the balloon drifts out over the ocean, Jerry and the others pursue.

24

Round-Up

When Sonny and Skippy discover a number of wild horses in the National Park, Matt calls upon a national champion rodeo rider and his brother to round up the herd before they can damage the park.

25

The Hikers

Two botany teachers hiking in the National Park ignore Sonny and Jerry's warnings and procede into a dangerous area only to run into an emergency when one is bitten by a snake. Skippy brings the snake back to Jerry who searches out the women to inform them the snake is harmless.

26

For My Next Trick

A pair of travelling entertainers pass through Waratah National Park en route to their next performance. When Skippy disappears during a magic performance by Alfred the Great, Matt realises they've been conned. But that's nothing compared to what Skippy is capable of — with a little help from her friends.

27

A Bird in the Hand

Jerry and a visiting ornithologist, who herself is not what anyone was expecting, nab two men poaching wild birds in Waratah National Park.

28

Marathon

Mark begins training so he can participate in the Waratah Athletic Association's cross-country marathon that is being run through the park. Despite taking a commanding lead in the race, in no small part due to a route mix-up, Mark isn't the first one to bound across the finish line.

29

The Best Man

Jerry is asked to be the Best Man at a friend's wedding but gets caught up chasing two hooligan's in a stolen motorboat and rescuing a stranded hiker.

30

Plain Jane

A shy and unassuming young woman visits Clancy at Ranger Headquarters. Mark makes an effort but Jerry goes out of his way to avoid spending time with her until Clancy, with the help of a friend, transforms her for a beach party.

31

Hi Fi

Mark's homemade Hi-Fi stereo comes in handy when the radio at Ranger Headquarters is knocked out during a storm preventing Mark from delivering his father an urgent warning about a damaged bridge.

32

Maggie

An old friend of Jerry's who works as an air hostess seeks his help when she discovers she's being followed by two men after her most recent international trip.

33

Mixed Company

An elderly ornithologist's determination to prevent a group of young water-skiers from using the river results in an accidental fire, endangering the natural fauna of Waratah National Park.

34

Treasure Hunt

Two bank robbers hide their stolen loot inside a novelty treasure chest in Ranger Matt Hammond's vehicle. The chest is to be part of a charity treasure hunt being organised for the local children and the thieves must follow the clues to recover their booty.

35

The Sport of Kings

As an amateur jockey, Mark is given the chance to ride Stormaway, Sir Adrian's best horse, in the Corinthian Handicap at Royal Randwick but when he goes missing before the race, Clancy secretly takes his place. Skippy places a $1 bet on a longshot, Wallaby Bill.

36

Bon Voyage

Clancy's time with the Hammond family appears to be at an end when she sits her final music exam. Her departure is ensured when she wins a prestigious scholarship to study music in London. Sir Adrian asks Matt to select a Ranger to go oversees to work in Sherwood Forrest.

37

Cobber

Sonny is accused of being a dog thief by a man secretly training his sheep dog in the National Park. When the man's rival steals the dog he believes is rightfully his, Skippy helps round up the thief and the two men square off in an impromptu competition.

38

Tiger

An amateur photographer shows Mark and Sonny some photos of an unusual animal which Matt thinks could be the long-extinct Tasmanian tiger. An expert is called in to verify the finding and while Mark has his suspicions, it is Sonny who discovers the men are working together to poach animals.

39

Luna Park

Sonny wins a trip for himself and a friend to Sydney's Luna Park in a newspaper competition. En route, Sonny encounters a pickpocket who hides a stolen wallet in Skippy's pouch to evade the police. Sonny talks his new friend into rescuing a child trapped on the Ferris wheel.