Koala born at Ouwehands zoo; First for the Netherlands
A koala has been born at Ouwehands Dierenpark in Rhenen, the zoo announced on Thursday. As far as is known, it is the first time one of these Australian marsupials has been born in the Netherlands. The Rhenen zoo is the only Dutch zoo to house koalas.
The koala joey was born about two months ago, but the zoo only just confirmed it when zookeepers noticed a moving bulge in the koala mother’s pouch. Koala joeys are born hairless and blind and climb into their mothers’ pouches immediately after birth. They remain there, invisible, for the first few months.
“The zoo is delighted with the arrival of this joey,” Ouwehands Dierenpark said, calling the birth a “unique event” and quite the achievement. The female and two male koalas stay in separate enclosures and are periodically brought together. Since the koalas moved into the zoo in April 2024, there have been several mating attempts. “But until recently, without success.”
It will still be a few months before the public gets to see the joey. The zoo expects the baby to poke its head out of its pouch for the first time around the end of this year. After some more time, it will likely climb onto its mother’s back.
“The birth of this young koala is a wonderful milestone for our team and an important step for the conservation of this special species," said Marijn Poldermans, head of animal care at Ouwehands Dierenpark.
Koalas are an endangered species due to forest fires and floods ravaging their habitat. Ouweahands Dierenpark is one of multiple zoos worldwide working to preserve this species of marsupial.
