Animal Diaries Archive

Update on Bert

30 September 2005

I'm sure you all remember that we recently acquired a new Southern Koala named Bert. Bert is settling in very well and has started eating well too, which means he has developed a taste for some of the luscious tip flavours that we get up here in Queensland. Some of his favorites are Swampy, Seanna, Peppermint Eucalypts, and the odd bit of blue tip as well.

We have learned that Bert was conceived in the breeding season of 2003, and most probably born in January. This means that he is only about two and a half years old! He is the same age as another one of our little boy koalas named Tucker, who is only just over five kilos - whereas Bert is over 7kg! Bert is actually enjoying his leaf so much that he has even put on weight while being here at Australia Zoo, which is great because we like our cuddly koalas to be exactly that – round and cuddly! Bert has even cuddled up to a few of our keepers, and some of his old keepers aswell (we have two of Bert's old keepers working at the zoo now. They came up with Bert – just to keep an eye on him!).

Bert also has some work on his hands, as he has to learn the way that we handle our koalas here at Australia Zoo. He's doing really well with his training and has just the perfect personality for it. Before too long you'll be able to see our beautiful, big Bert up close and personal being carried around with some of our Rovers... and possibly even at koala photos at a later date!

We'll keep you posted!