Baby Hazel is the first ever southern koala born in Europe

Hazel is an adorable koala joey who is part of a remarkable international partnership. And, um, Hazel’s a Pom.

Meet Hazel, who is both an adorable baby koala and a significant slice of history in a remarkable partnership between South Australia and the UK.

Hazel, whose name has only recently been revealed, is the first ever southern koala born in Europe.

The name was decided via a public vote, with the other contenders Alice, Elizabeth and Joy.

Her mum, Violet, arrived at Longleat, a privately owned safari park near Bath, as one of five koalas from Cleland Wildlife Park in 2018, as part of a partnership with SA-based Koala Life to create a European hub for southern koalas.

Her father, Burke, came from Osaka Zoo in Japan in 2019.

“This joey represents a small, but vital step in the process to secure the long-term survival of one of the world’s most loved animals; a major achievement,” says Koala Life’s Professor Chris Daniels, who describes the Longleat partneship as among the most significant in international koala conservation.

Koala Life joey Hazel at Longleat in the UK . Picture: Supplied

Longleat, which is run by Ceawlin Thynn, Marquess of Bath and chairman of Longleat Enterprises, opened its purpose-built facility “Koala Creek” in 2019.

“It’s incredibly exciting for us not only at the park, because this is our first baby koala, but it is the first time in Europe that a southern koala has been born,” Longleat senior koala keeper Jon Ovens says.

“So that is an incredible milestone not just for us, but for the species as a whole.”

Fellow keeper James Dennis, who describes the birth as a dream come true, says it will have a direct impact on the preservation of SA koalas.

“One of the most concerning issues with regard to southern koalas in Australia is the high levels of inbreeding and so the fact we are able to begin establishing a genetically diverse population here in Europe is also really important,” he adds.

Professor Daniels says the commitment of Longleat to the protection of the species had been nothing short of remarkable.

“They put well over one million pounds ($1.78m) into building Koala Creek,” he says.

“They sent staff out here in the aftermath of the Kangaroo Island fires.

“So we’ve built a very, very strong relationship.”

Environment and Climate Minister Susan Close said international co-operation was crucial for the future of the both the species and the environment.