The Australian Reptile Park is celebrating the birth of the 100th koala at the Park, with tiny flutters coming from the pouch of mumma koala Ash.
The new arrival is the first joey to be born in this year’s breeding season, with its head yet to poke out of Ash’s pouch.
Ash was the first koala joey to be born after the 2019-2020 Black Summer fires which devastated the country.
As she was the first koala joey to emerge from her mother’s pouch during 2020’s breeding season, she was aptly named Ash as a sign of hope for the future of Australia’s native wildlife.
Three years later, Ash is now welcoming her own little joey, believed to be the 100th koala joey born at the Australian Reptile Park since it opened at Somersby in 2000.
With the fires decimating the wild koala populations around the country, it is still unknown how severe the decline in population has been.
Life Sciences Manager, Hayley Shute, the Park’s resident koala whisperer, said it was an incredible moment when she first saw flutters coming from Ash’s pouch.
“At this stage, Ash’s joey is only four months old, so it will be a little while before we see the joey’s head poke out of mum’s pouch, but this represents the start of what we’re hoping to be another successful breeding season,” Shute said.
“The birth of our 100th koala joey is a true testament to the hard work and dedication of the team at the Australian Reptile Park.
“It shows that with proper care and conservation efforts, we can make a difference and ensure the survival of this beautiful iconic Australian species.”
Park Director Tim Faulkner said the species was still in dire need of help, despite wild koala habitat bring established through Aussie Ark.
“With estimates that koalas in the wild could be extinct by 2050, it’s crucial that we take action to protect these incredible creatures,” he said.
“Ash, along with the Park’s other world-famous koala, Elsa, has touched the hearts of many and raised awareness for their cause.”
The Park continues to breed koalas to help boost population numbers for the endangered species and educate Australians about koalas.
Source:
Australian Reptile Park