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Headline : Taronga Celebrates Season's First Koala Birth
Caption : TARONGA CELEBRATES SEASON’S FIRST KOALA JOEY

Taronga Zoo in Australia is celebrating the arrival of its first koala joey for this year’s breeding season, with a tiny face starting to emerge from its mother’s pouch.
The female joey has been spotted mouthing its first eucalyptus leaves and tentatively exploring the world outside the pouch to the delight of keepers and visitors.
At six months old, the joey will continue to gain weight and the fluffy fur for which koalas are known. She will spend at least another four months with her mother before venturing out on her own.
Tour groups have begun meeting Wanda and her joey at Taronga’s Koala Encounter, where they learn more about one of Australia’s most iconic species and how they are under threat from urban development and forestry breaking up their natural habitat.
Part of Taronga’s koala breeding program, the yet-to-be-named joey is the third for experienced mother, Wanda, and the first born at the Zoo this breeding season.
Koala Keeper, Laura Jones said: "She’s still quite shy, but we’re beginning to see her little face more and more. Wanda is a very relaxed and attentive mum. She keeps her little one nice and close at all times and I’ve never seen her complain when the joey is scratching around with its claws inside her pouch.”

Credit: Taronga Zoo/WENN.com
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