In a heartwarming reunion, Albert, the tiniest koala joey ever hand-raised at the Australian Reptile Park, has been reintroduced to his real mother Elsa for the first time since being rescued.
Life Sciences Manager and part-time koala mum, Hayley Shute, carefully orchestrated the reunion, marking a significant milestone in Albert’s journey to independence.
Shute took Albert down to the koala exhibit and Elsa was quick to climb down the tree to greet them.
After locking eyes with Albert and giving him a few quick sniffs, she knew her baby had come home.
Since September last year, Shute has dedicated herself to hand-raising Albert after Elsa fell ill when he weighed a mere 280g.
Keepers intervened and removed the joey from mum at just the right time so both Elsa and her joey could have a second chance at life.
The odds were stacked against the tiny joey, but with Shute’s unwavering care and expertise, Albert defied the odds and thrived.
Today, weighing nearly 3kg, he has transitioned from bottle feeding to munching on eucalyptus leaves, and has even made a few koala friends at the Park’s Koala Preschool.
“Seeing Elsa and Albert together made my heart sing,” Shute said.
“I’ll continue reintroducing him to Elsa over the next few weeks, then he’ll join the other joeys in the Koala Joey Preschool Yard, and finally, he’ll be ready to rejoin his family full-time.”
Albert’s journey to reunite with his mother is not the first time Shute has played a crucial role in koala conservation.
In 2019, she took on the challenge of hand-raising Elsa, Albert’s mother.
Elsa’s own mother, Irene, fell ill with mastitis, necessitating urgent medical attention.
“Both Elsa and Albert have been such a big part of mine and my family’s life and have spread so much joy to everyone all over the world,” Shute said.
“It was imperative for me to do whatever I had to do to save her and her joey.
“I have been there from the very beginning for her so I am happy to report that they are both doing well.
“Elsa has made a full recovery her joey is growing stronger by the day.
“Albert’s journey is a shining example of our commitment to koala conservation and the vital role we play in protecting these incredible animals.”
The Australian Reptile Park continues to be a leading force in koala conservation, working tirelessly to raise awareness about the threats facing these beloved creatures.
Koalas are estimated to be extinct by 2050.
The Australian Reptile Park continues to breed their koalas in an effort to help boost population numbers for the endangered species and educate Australians about the animals.