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Newborn Koala Joeys Look Adorable While Getting Their First Checkup

Newborn Koala Joeys Look Adorable While Getting Their First Checkup

Ilani​ and Jasper are in good health.

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie

There has been so much doom and gloom about koalas in Australia in 2020.

Hopefully, this story provides a much-needed shift in the conversation. While the decimation of the koala population in eastern Australia has been devastating to witness, it's heartwarming to see newborn koalas enjoying their new surroundings.

WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo has uploaded photos of their latest additions: Ilani and Jasper.

WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo

The joeys have undergone their first health check and the report is overwhelmingly positive.

The zoo said in a statement: "Fresh from their mother's pouches, two of WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo's newest koala joeys underwent their first health checks this week, passing with flying colours.

"The joeys' first general check-up included a development comparison and a weigh-in. For the weigh in, Ilani came in at a strong 1.46kg at almost 10 months of age, while little Jasper was a healthy 805g at almost nine months of age."

Most people wouldn't be aware of how zookeepers, researchers, scientists and others inspect an animal for a check-up.

WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo

Some animals might be fine with being placed on some scales, however, koalas clearly like something the cling to.

Renee Howell, WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo Keeper, said it was encouraging to see the joeys in such good health.

"These two will be fantastic ambassador animals for their species," she said. "Their role will be to educate the public about their wild cousins and just how important it is to be aware of what we as humans can do to protect our wild populations."

"We, as WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo, work with other zoos to ensure a healthy captive population and genetic diversity amongst these individuals."

Hopefully these joeys will help contribute to the repopulation of the species in New South Wales after large swathes were wiped out in the bushfires earlier this year. Their future now also hangs in the balance with a parliamentary inquiry finding if systems aren't put in place now they could be driven to extinction well before 2050.

PA

"Given the scale of loss as a result of the fires to many significant local populations, the committee believes the koala will become extinct in New South Wales well before 2050 and that urgent government intervention is required to protect their habitat and address all other threats to their ongoing survival," the report said.

The bushfires affected on average around 24 per cent of koala habitat, however it was as bad as 81 per cent in some areas.

However, the places these beautiful animals call home have been under threat well before the Black Summer bushfires took hold.

Climate change and deforestation have gravely affected their ability to live and breed and a state inquiry is calling for action now to protect them.

Featured Image Credit: WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo

Topics: News, Animals, Australia