An Ohio zoo is ringing in the new year with an adorable new addition.
On Tuesday, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium announced that it is celebrating the birth of its first baby koala in 15 years.
Katie the koala gave birth to her joey on July 5, 2020, and her “baby bump” is now occasionally moving as the animal develops inside her pouch, the Ohio zoo shared in a press release.
As marsupials, koalas give birth to underdeveloped young which then have to make their own way from the birth canal to their mothers’ pouch instead of developing inside their mothers’ womb.
As the tiny joey continues to grow, it will stay inside Katy’s pouch, which she can open and close using a special muscle.
Zoo guests will be able to see a small arm or leg every so often until around mid-March when the joey will outgrow Katy’s pouch, the zoo explained.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(524x0:526x2):format(webp)/koala-baby3-d2d1fe20025947f1a9987c2a604cf781.jpeg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(524x0:526x2):format(webp)/koala-baby2-f63c293e3e274511bd3041b010fc8ffe.jpeg)
The finely furred joey, who is the first baby born to parents Katy and Thoar, is currently the size of a softball and recently opened its eyes.
Katy and Thoar were both born at the San Diego Zoo in 2015 and arrived at the Columbus Zoo in September 2017. Their young is the third successful joey birth since the zoo began housing koalas in 1991.
“With only 53 koalas residing in nine AZA-accredited facilities in North America, the birth of this koala joey is an extremely significant achievement,” Tom Stalf, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium President and CEO, said in the release.
Koalas are currently listed as “vulnerable” and their populations are continuing to decrease due in part to habitat destruction, drought and, the recent Australia bushfires, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened Species.
Stalf added that the zoo is “thrilled” to kick off the new year with such “great news.”
“We are proud of our continued commitment in working to protect the future of koalas and other species across the globe,” he said
|
Contents Pet Insurance: Protecting Your Furry Friends and Your FinancesWhy Pet Insurance is EssentialResearch indicates that one in three pet owners have pets that suffer from allergies. Additionally, pets often need emergency veterinary treatment at least once a year. This underscores the importance of timely veterinary care. However, many families and pet owners face challenges affording veterinary bills, which can sometimes amount to thousands of dollars. This is where pet insurance becomes crucial. Pet insurance safeguards pet owners from hefty veterinary expenses, ensuring that animals receive the necessary care. As people invest more in their pets’ health, the demand for pet insurance grows. Pet insurance helps cover the costs associated with veterinary care, including unexpected accidents and illnesses, which can be quite expensive. Top Pet Insurance ProvidersTo assist you in selecting the best pet insurance, we have curated a list of top providers:
Benefits of Pet InsurancePet insurance not only eases the financial burden on pet owners but also ensures that pets receive optimal care. Unexpected accidents and illnesses can lead to substantial costs, and pet insurance can help manage these expenses effectively. Common Expenses Covered by Pet Insurance
By choosing the right pet insurance plan, you can protect your pet and ensure their health and well-being without the stress of overwhelming veterinary bills. |
