There’s a very cute new chapter underway

at the Australian Reptile Park with four koala joeys officially starting “koala preschool” as they begin the journey towards independence.

Allen, Muffin, Twinky and Éclair are the latest joeys to take this important step, spending supervised time together in a separate yard away from their mums as they build confidence in a new environment.

Koala preschool is a carefully managed part of the Park’s koala care program. Keepers begin by separating joeys from their mums for short daytime visits to a nearby yard, starting with just 30 minutes under close supervision. As each joey grows more comfortable, that time is gradually increased until they are ready to become fully independent.

Head Mammals Keeper Seleena De Gelder said the process is an exciting milestone for every young koala.

Pictured: Éclair, Muffin and Allen

“Koala preschool is a stepping stone to independence, these koalas learn how to be away from mum and gain more and more independence daily,” Seleena said.

“We start with short visits and slowly build that time up as they become more comfortable in their new surroundings and with each other.”

The preschool group includes all four of last year’s joeys, each at slightly different stages of development. Allen, the oldest and biggest of the group at one year old, is the furthest along in the process and is already spending most of his time away from his mum. Muffin, Twinky and Éclair are eight months old and are only just beginning, but have already impressed keepers with how quickly they have settled in.

“They’ve taken to the yard so well,” Seleena said. “They’ve got so much confidence, have been exploring, eating and happy to groom themselves, it’s so nice to see.”

While the joeys exploring together is undeniably adorable, koala preschool also plays an important role in the Park’s broader conservation work. These four young koalas are part of the Australian Reptile Park’s koala breeding program, which helps raise awareness about the challenges koalas face in the wild, including habitat loss and disease.

“Every koala born through the breeding program helps us raise awareness about the challenges koalas are facing in the wild and why protecting them matters so much,” Seleena said.

Visitors to the Australian Reptile Park can now watch the joeys as they explore their preschool yard and learn more about the Park’s efforts to help protect this iconic Australian species.