Big changes (and even bigger branches!) are in store for seven of the Australian Reptile Park’s fluffiest residents. This week, the Park is celebrating an adorable milestone as all seven of our young koala joeys have officially “graduated” from koala pre-school and moved into their very own big-kid yard!
After spending their earliest months growing, learning, and snuggling under the careful watch of their mums and dedicated keepers, Edgar, Honey, Momo, Pedro, Adder, Tulip, and Peanut are ready for the next chapter of their lives. Their new enclosure gives them more room to stretch out, climb high, explore new scents, and, of course, get up to plenty of koala mischief.
The move marks an exciting developmental step for the joeys, and it was a proud moment for the team at the park. Leading the relocation was Head Mammals Keeper Seleena de Gelder, who personally transported each joey to the upgraded enclosure.
“They wasted no time—exploring every inch, jumping from branch to branch, and clearly loving their new space already!” said Seleena.
Each of these joeys has been born as part of the Australian Reptile Park’s successful breeding program, which plays a vital role in the conservation of one of Australia’s most iconic and endangered species. With wild koala populations continuing to face growing threats from habitat destruction, disease, and climate change, every healthy joey represents a meaningful step forward in the fight for their future.
Among the group, Edgar and Honey have an especially moving story. When their mothers became unwell, Seleena stepped in to hand-raise the pair from a young age. That meant bottle feedings around the clock, keeping them warm and comfortable, and providing all the love and attention they needed to survive and thrive.
“Raising Edgar and Honey was both a challenge and a privilege,” Seleena shared. “The countless late-night feedings and constant attention were all worth it to see them thriving today. I’m just so proud of how far they’ve come.”
Now healthy, strong, and full of energy, the joeys are settling in beautifully to their new surroundings. Visitors to the Park can catch glimpses of them as they bounce from tree to tree, sniff the breeze, and melt hearts with every cuddle and clamber.
These seven happy, healthy joeys are a shining example of what conservation can achieve—with some love, dedication, and eucalyptus.
