Koalas are known for the adorable way that they cling onto objects. Most of the time, the object in question is a tree stump that they can wrap themselves around while they snack on some tasty leaves – but for baby koalas, the only thing that they want to cuddle is their mama.
Koalas are actually asocial, and the only bond that they form in their lives is between themselves and their mom, and then with their own offspring if they’re a female. Because of this, the bond between the joey and the mama is incredibly strong, and both can become upset if separated.
But occasionally, koalas have to be separated to carry out important tests – like being weighed, for example. So when this happens, veterinary nurses want to make sure that the little joey is as comfortable as possible. One way to do this is by giving them a plush toy of a koala to cuddle that resembles their mom, and we’ve found the most adorable video that shows a perfect example of this!
At San Diego Zoo, a nine-month-old koala joey underwent a routine health check which involved being briefly separated with his mama so he could be weighed. To show us exactly how they handle this short separation, San Diego Zoo posted an adorable video onto their YouTube channel for us all to see!
The sweet joey is presented with a lifelike koala toy to cuddle as he is put down onto the scales. You can tell he is a little nervous, and he tries to cling onto the zookeeper at first! But as soon as he spots the cuddly toy waiting for him, he begins to relax and hold onto its soft fur.
The zoo explained in their caption:
“While being weighed, his keeper provided him with a plush toy koala to hold onto for comfort, so he wouldn’t be stressed during the brief separation from his mother. The weekly health check is important, as it provides keepers the opportunity to see the animal up-close and lets them know the joey is growing as he should.”
So how did the joey do?
“This little guy is healthy and right on track with his development,” stated Jennifer Roesler, senior keeper. “He has only been out of the pouch for about eight weeks, and we’re learning he is very vocal with a little bit of attitude—definitely a momma’s boy, but also showing his independence by venturing off from mom from time to time and interacting with some of the other females in the habitat.”
How adorable! According to the zoo, the joey’s mother, Cambee, stayed nearby during his health check, and she kept a watchful eye over her little one. She really is the protective mama!
Once the exam was done, Cambee quickly nurtured her joey, before they ‘resumed their daily routine of perching and mostly sleeping’. Oh, to be a koala.
We loved seeing such an up close and personal insight into how baby koalas are weighed! Scroll down to watch the adorable video for yourself.
Please SHARE this with your friends and family.
