Koala season kicks off in Queensland

Just as Queenslanders begin to emerge from lockdown, some of the first koala joeys of the season have started to show their noses as they explore the outside world for the very first time. 

Koala breeding season is between September and March and after developing in its mother’s pouch over several months, a joey takes its first peek from around March onward.

After spotting a little head popping out from the mother’s pouch, keepers at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in Brisbane are celebrating their first exciting arrival. The joey is about six months old and is the first of his group to emerge with several more to follow over the next few months.

This little guy has an older sibling named ‘Angelica’ after the Rugrats character we all know and love so to create a family tradition, he’ll also get a Rugrats name. Tommy? Chucky? We’ll have to see.

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary isn’t the only place to celebrate a new addition, as Cooberrie Park Wildlife Sanctuary near Yeppoon welcomes a furry friend too. The first-time mother named Calypso first has recently allowed the young one out of her pouch to enjoy its first taste of freedom.

“We’re not quite sure if it’s a boy or a girl, however, we’ve chosen ‘Kudos’ as its name,” Cooberrie Park ranger Kieron Smedley said. "After November's bushfires and the pressure of having the park shut down as a result of the coronavirus, this is the silver lining we were looking for.”

With travel restrictions easing across Queensland and many wildlife parks and zoos looking forward to reopening their gates, you may just catch a glimpse of a koala joey for yourself. Take a look at 14 places you can cuddle a koala in Queensland.