Premmie joey claws back health

Underweight and not getting much help from mum, this cute premature joey has beaten the odds to reach good health.

SHE may be only five months old, but this little koala joey has already been through her share of troubles after making a premature entry into the world.

Popping out of her mother Waffle’s pouch a month earlier than expected, staff from Brisbane’s Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary said the little joey resembled a “pink jelly bean” on arrival.

4-year-old Waffle the koala with her 5-month-old unnamed joey at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. Pics Tara Croser.

The newborn was underweight, in a poor condition and not getting much help from mum.

“Waffle is not a very attentive mum and was letting (the joey) get lost.” Sanctuary vet Dr Galit Tzipori said. “She had a bit of diarrhoea so we intervened quickly with meds and mild supplementation and she’s doing pretty well now.”

The story of survival comes as the sanctuary celebrates the end of the koala joey season, with a total of 12 newborns.

4-year-old Waffle the koala with her 5-month-old unnamed joey at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. Pics Tara Croser.

Koala joeys are only around 2cm in length, and have underdeveloped eyes and ears, relying on their mothers for continued survival.

The yet-to-be named joey will join a number of koalas at the sanctuary named after baked goods, including relatives Pretzel, Bagel, Crumble and Strudel.