Columbia Welcomes New Koala, Milo, as He Prepares for Breeding
Columbia, SC—Meet Milo the Koala, the newest member of the Riverbanks Zoo and Garden family! This adorable marsupial arrived in town on October 15, and while he’s still settling into his new environment, the excitement is already buzzing around his ultimate mission—becoming a mate for the lovely Kirra.
The Road to Love: Quarantine Life
Milo has been keeping busy in his cozy quarters in the “Koala Bedrooms,” where he sleeps most of the day, enjoying all that lovely eucalyptus leaves. With a tendency to snooze for up to 20 hours a day, Milo certainly has the life! However, he recently completed a mandatory quarantine, a standard procedure for any new arrivals. His caretakers have been ensuring that Milo gets acclimatized to all the different sights, sounds, and smells that Columbia offers.
During quarantine, Milo and Kirra could only peek at each other through a glass partition. According to Anna Anderson, the duo’s dedicated caretaker, “We make it so they can see and smell each other, but they can’t exactly get to each other.” This clever setup allowed them to have what the staff lovingly calls “howdy introductions,” where they get to play the classic game of “Who’s That?”
A Match Made in Heaven?
Now that Milo is officially out of quarantine as of November 18, the next exciting step is for him and Kirra to start mingling. The plan is to have supervised meetings, where the glass partition will finally be removed! But don’t be fooled by their cuddly appearance—koalas can have sharp claws, and the caretakers will be keeping a close eye on their interactions. If things heat up, they won’t hesitate to separate them.
At just 13 years old, Milo is quite a bit older than 2-year-old Kirra, which raises some interesting questions about their pairing. Will love blossom, or will their age difference prove to be an obstacle? The caretakers remain optimistic about cultivating their bond and are well-prepared to navigate any bumps along the road.
Why Koala Conservation Matters
Columbia is one of only 11 zoos in the United States that provides a loving home for koalas, which are currently classified as endangered. Anderson highlights the significance of koala preservation, saying, “We think it’s special that we are one of the few facilities in the U.S. that houses koalas, and we’ve had them here for twenty years.” Sadly, deforestation in Australia remains a real concern for these furry friends.
Everyday Life for Koalas
Caring for these cute creatures comes with its challenges—namely, the cost of feeding them their favorite eucalyptus leaves! The zoo spends around $2,000 per week to care for each koala. Besides that, they have to ensure the leaves remain fresh by maintaining a large fridge to store them. Talk about a lot of work for these sleepyheads!
Time Will Tell
So what does the future hold for Milo and Kirra? The staff is hopeful for their breeding success, and the timeline is certainly interesting. Female koalas only carry their young—known as joeys—for roughly 35 days. Once born, these tiny creatures are only about an inch long and weigh in at less than half an ounce. They spend 6 to 8 months in their mother’s pouch before venturing out into the world.
The journey of Milo and Kirra is just beginning, and we can’t wait to see how it unfolds! So keep an eye on Riverbanks Zoo and Garden for more updates about these charming koalas and their pairing adventures. With all the right preparations and a touch of patience, we hope to hear the pitter-patter of tiny koala feet sooner rather than later!
