Baby koala emerges for first time at Edinburgh Zoo

Heartwarming photographs of the UK’s only baby koala have emerged for the first time.

The native Australian animal was born in January to its mother Alinga and father Goonaroo at RZSS Edinburgh Zoo.

But the joey had not been seen by the keepers since it was born as it had remained in its mother’s pouch.

This week, visitors were delighted when the adorable animal climbed out of its mother’s pouch and sat on her back. 

The joey will remain there for the next 12 months until it becomes independent.

Lorna Hughes, Team Leader for koalas at the Zoo, said ‘We are really happy that the joey has started to fully emerge.

‘At seven months old the joey is almost too big to fit inside mother’s pouch, which means it will now be venturing outside more regularly. 

‘We will soon be able to begin weighing the new addition and determine its sex so we can name it. 

This week, visitors were delighted when the adorable animal climbed out of its mother’s pouch and sat on her back

Lorna Hughes, Team Leader for koalas at the Zoo, said ‘We are really happy that the joey has started to fully emerge’

When it reaches sexual maturity, it will go on become part of the European breeding programme.

RZSS Edinburgh Zoo is the only zoo in the UK to have koalas and this new arrival is testament to the Zoo’s animal husbandry expertise.

As members of the European Breeding Programme for Queensland Koalas, the zoo makes regular contributions that support conservation projects in Australia that help to rehabilitate and release sick and injured koalas back into their natural habitat.

Koalas are native to eastern Australia and are currently classified as vulnerable by the IUCN Red List.

The main threats facing koala populations are habitat loss, wildfires and climate change.