Koala joey signifies hope after bushfires

AUSSIE Ark has welcomed its first koala joey to be born within the wildlife sanctuary after the 2019-20 Black Summer bushfires.

See photos below

Hayley Shute, Manager of Life Sciences at Aussie Ark said she couldn’t believe her eyes when she first spotted the newborn koala.

 

“Koalas are so difficult to spot due to their colouration and camouflage against the tall, grey trees,” said Ms Shute.

 

“There was however a koala that was moving down the tree and easier to see,” she said.

 

“Not only was the vision incredible but she had a small joey on her back.” 

 

This first sighting of a koala joey signifies hope after the Black Summer fires killed a suspected 1 billion animals, during which koalas died horrifically from burns, starvation and dehydration. 

Aussie Ark has been working tirelessly to provide koalas a safe habitat, protect them and help them re-build numbers as part of the The Koala Ark project.

“The birth of the joey reflects the need for protection against threats of habitat destruction, feral predators, fire and consequently increased disease,” said Ms Shute.

“What this sighting signifies is that when habitat and ecosystems are protected, koalas can repopulate and live a healthy, long life,” she said.