Koala joey rescued by keepers at the Australian Reptile Park
This unbelievably gorgeous koala joey is bound to make your day.
Central Coast
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A koala joey named Elsa is melting hearts across the Central Coast.
Elsa has made a dramatic entrance into the world, with keepers at the Australian Reptile Park forced to intervene when Elsa’s mum Irene had mastitis.
Many mums can sympathise with poor Irene, with little Elsa not getting the much-needed milk she needed.
Both mum and bub are now doing well in care and will be reunited in no time.
Elsa’s is being cared for by resident koala-whisperer and Reptile Park curator Hayley Shute who named her and is loving every cuddle.
The mother of three and her family recently returned from a trip to Disneyworld and Elsa was the first name her daughters suggested for the bundle of joy.
Mrs Shute is juggling the duties between her children and little Elsa who needs 24 hour attention.
“Koala joeys require 24 hours of care, supervision and seven bottles of a special milk formula a day,” she said.
“I can’t tell you the last time I’ve had a proper night’s sleep! Elsa will feed from the bottle from the next 4-6 months until she becomes independent enough to eat eucalyptus leaves.
“Once she is strong enough, she will be reunited with her mum Irene and be introduced to our koala family here at the Australian Reptile Park.”
Elsa is a part of this year’s breeding of seven koala joeys, dubbed the Lucky Seven, with the other six joeys on display at the Central Coast wildlife sanctuary.
Irene is currently in veterinary care and expected to make a full recovery.
Elsa will act as an ambassador for koalas who are in need of all the awareness they can get. At the current rate of decline, koalas are on track to become completely extinct by 2050. Koala numbers have plummeted by a third between 1990 and 2010 due to habitat destruction, deforestation, fragmentation, cars and dogs.