Love was truly in the air at the Australian Reptile Park on Valentine’s Day, February 14, as Elsa the world-famous koala discovered she had a secret admirer.
Gundy the koala enlisted the help of mammals keeper Lauren Hunter to deliver a fresh bouquet of pink and red eucalyptus blossoms with hopes high the pair will eventually take part in this year’s breeding season.
Hunter said Elsa’s favourite snack is eucalyptus blossom and she munched on the massive bunch of flowers all day long.
“Elsa and Gundy are both beautiful koalas and would make the most perfect couple,” she said.
“We have plans to pair them together for this year’s breeding season, and hopefully there will soon be a little joey along the way.”
The Park, at Somersby, continues to breed koalas to help boost population numbers for the endangered species.
The program also seeks to educate visitors about koalas and with last years’ breeding season seeing more joeys born into the program, staff hope 2023’s additional joeys and heightened awareness will help protect the species from extinction.
“It’s more important now than ever to show the world just how special our koalas are and the importance of our crucial conservation breeding program,” Hunter said.
Source:
Media release, Feb 14
Australian Reptile Park