First koala born after Australian bushfires

Posted on 27 May 2020 By Anita Froneman

The bushfires that ravaged Australia for 210 days caused irreparable damage to large parts of New South Wales and other areas. Houses and vegetation were destroyed, and many people and animals died over the 2019-2020 bushfire season.

But things are slowly starting to heal.

Also read: Australia’s koalas are finally being released back into the wild

Various news sources disagreed on the exact amount of koalas that perished as a result of the fires, but at least 30% of the population was lost according to The Guardian.

The first little joey has been born after the fires, which calls for a celebration.

Ash, a female koala, was born in the Australian Reptile Park and is estimated to be around 5 months old according to IOL. This when youngsters first emerge from their mothers’ pouch.

‘It was such an incredible moment when we saw Ash poke her head out of her mum’s pouch for the first time,’ said Zookeeper Dan Rumsey in a statement. ‘Ash represents the start of what we’re hoping to be another successful breeding season. Last year, we had seven healthy koala joeys, and we’re very keen to help bolster their numbers after wild populations were ravaged during the horrific bushfire season.

‘Her mother Rosie has shown exemplary parenting skills and we know that Ash is in good paws,’ Rumsey added.

Take a look at baby Ash:

 

Also read:

Australia is recovering after the fires

Image credit: Screenshot

 




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