Animal Diaries Archive

Cooper and the dating game

27 October 2006

Unfortunately poor old Cooper, despite his 16 years of experience, still hasn’t quite figured out the female koala psyche. For all his good deeds and generosity, Cooper never really gets the admiration and accolades from the girls that he hopes for.

Let me explain. Breeding season for koalas is from September through until April, and so some of the girls in Koala Walk-through where Cooper lives are starting to become quite vocal, letting it be known that they interested in dating a nice boy and starting a family. Cooper, the smooth operator that he is, is assured in his own mind that the good deeds and considerate actions he has displayed all year round make him a sure winner in the dating stakes. Yes? Aaahhh… No!

In response to the girl's invitation, Cooper confidently makes his way down from his comfortable fork in the tree; struts across the ground to the base of the tree where his interested lady can be found and proceeds to rub his chest against the base, thus adding the aromatic ambience that is… Cooper. As he makes his way up the tree, instead of being welcomed by his adoring female, in this case a young and attractive Jasmine, Cooper is greeted by a seething, screaming, cranky female. Apparently Jasmine has changed her mind and decided that she isn’t interested in a boyfriend after all, or maybe just not Cooper. Cooper, understandably confused, stops momentarily with his ears pinned back, certain that this is all just part of the love game banter. Not so. Such is the protest from Jasmine that Cooper has no choice but to retreat.

But as a fitting consolation, waiting for Cooper in his favourite seat is the joy of new, fresh, tasty gum leaves. He settles in for a snack, reclines back in his favourite seat and consoles himself with the thought of how much more freedom he will have without the pressures and responsibilities of a girlfriend, especially one as young and fickle as Jasmine. Aahh, Cooper thinks, if I could just get a big screen TV, life would surely be perfect.

So now that you have been updated on our much loved Cooper, dear old soul that he is, make sure you ask after him when next you visit Australia Zoo. You will be sure to love him as much as we all do.