WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo has officially welcomed their first koala joey of 2022 into the world, son to Scarlet and Pirra.
No longer resembling a furless “little gremlin”, as keepers joke, the seven month old joey has fluffed-up and is fully out of his mother’s pouch daily, ready for his public to come and adore him.
Marina Betrus, keeper at WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo laughed; “He finally resembles the koala joey you’d expect to see, rather than an undercooked chicken.”
He made his first brief appearance a few weeks ago, earlier than expected, giving a few lucky visitors to the Darling Harbour attraction, a sneaky-preview of a limb, his bottom or, for the most fortunate, his head.
Mother Scarlet is one of six females and two males in care at WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo, all part of a breeding program. During breeding season in the summer months, keepers observed her showing behaviours that indicated she wanted to mate.
She was paired with Pirra, one of two males, and once the mating was witnessed, the countdown began. At 35 days, keepers saw signs of birthing. At 50 days they checked Scarlet’s pouch and were delighted to find a jellybean sized joey, expected to take a further six months to develop inside the pouch before it might pop its head out for the first time.
The joey is yet to be named, but following one of WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo’s traditions, the name chosen for the male baby will follow the paternal lineage, and will begin with the letter “P”, after his father Pirra.
Joey “P” will cling to Scarlet for another five months or so, before tentatively exploring branches solo.
“We’re looking forward to watching him fluff out further, start eating leaf and growing up and becoming more curious over the summer,” said Marina Betrus.
Koalas are a threatened species, largely due to habitat loss from land clearing for developments, which has meant that koalas are forced to find new homes, exposing them to new dangers such as crossing roads and being open to predators which has sent their species into decline.
WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo plays an important role in the conservation of endangered creatures and habitats around the world. We work to world-class welfare standards through our animal care network, and we support the WILD LIFE Conservation Fund in its missions to protect unique Australian animals and their habitats.
To visit the latest fluffy addition to the family, visit www.wildlifesydney.com.au
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