Animal Diaries Archive

Koala Photo Training

5 November 2004

We have had a few new arrivals to the Zoo recently, with two more koalas joining our population. Molly and Luca arrived from another zoo and have just come out of quarantine and moved in with their new housemates. Both have very nice temperaments and have begun their handling training in earnest. With a future of motherhood in store for Molly we have focused her training to become a roving koala. This means she will learn to be held by our wandering wildlife team to meet and greet guests around the Zoo. Luca on the other hand has the more esteemed role of becoming one of our photo koalas. The learning process for photo koalas takes a lot of time, with the koala first learning to become relaxed in the photo area, and then progressing on to learn the moves required to go from the handler's arm to the guest's arms for a cuddle. Staff members act as the koala’s "tree" for the first phase of training, and once the koala seems confident they move onto guests in the quieter photo sessions. Luca is showing promise in the first stages of training, and should be posing like a professional in no time. Make sure you keep your eyes open, and if you are lucky you might get to meet him and have a cuddle the next time you come to visit us.