COLUMBUS – The Columbus Zoo is welcoming a new addition that has been several months in the making.
Katy the koala’s “baby bump” is occasionally moving as her little joey, born on July 5, is developing inside her pouch, the zoo announced Tuesday.
“The birth of this koala joey is an extremely significant achievement. We are thrilled to celebrate the new year with this great news, and we are proud of our continued commitment in working to protect the future of koalas and other species across the globe,” said Columbus Zoo and Aquarium president and CEO Tom Stalf.
Only 53 koalas currently reside in nine facilities in North America accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
Koalas are marsupials, mammals that give birth to underdeveloped young the size of a jellybean which have to make their way from the birth canal to their mothers’ pouch.
Katy’s joey has achieved this milestone and zoo staff says is now approximately the size of a softball.
As the joey continues to grow, the baby will be protected inside Katy’s pouch, which she can open and close using a special muscle and guests may catch a glimpse of a tiny arm or leg until the joey outgrows mom’s pouch around mid-March.
One of Australia’s most iconic animals, koalas are native only to the southeastern and eastern part of the continent. They are currently listed as “vulnerable” and their populations are decreasing.