- Second koala joey born at Yanchep National Park in past two years
- Koalas Poppy and Franklin Doogsie have produced a healthy joey now on display
- Park visitors invited to choose name of new koala joey from shortlist of four names
Yanchep National Park's colony of koalas has a new arrival with a second joey born there in the past two years, marking another successful breeding season.
The new pouch-young joey is around five months old, with birth estimated around mid-March, and has recently begun peeping out from mum Poppy's pouch during feeding time.
Poppy was brought in from Ballarat Wildlife Park (Vic) last year and paired with Franklin Doogsie, who arrived from Cleland Wildlife Park (SA) in late 2024.
Their breeding success follows that of Miffy and Louie Jet (Franklin's brother), who last year gave birth to Djilba - the first koala joey to be born at Yanchep in 15 years.
Yanchep National Park staff will continue to closely monitor the health and wellbeing of both Poppy and her joey, whoare doing very well under their care. Perth Zoo vets will inspect the joey as it develops.
Park visitors are being invited to choose from a shortlist of names for the youngster by placing a token into one of four koala feeding tubes at the park's McNess House Visitors Centre. The winning name will be announced after the spring school holidays.
There are four names to choose from:Karla- an Aboriginal word meaning 'fire';Scout- recognising the joey's keenness to venture out of the pouch;Pembi- a tribute to former Yanchep senior ranger John Wheeler, who was from Pemberton; andAsh- from the koala's scientific namephascolarctos cinereus, which translates to 'ash-coloured pouched bear'.
Koalas have been part of Yanchep National Park since 1938 and can be viewed from a visitor boardwalk that winds through the carefully managed habitat. Yanchep's koala attraction is best viewed between the hours of 8am to 4.30pm and is open daily.
The park's colony serves as a healthy satellite breeding population, contributing to wider national conservation efforts for the species, supported through the Zoos and Aquarium Association.
As stated by the Environment Minister Matthew Swinbourn:
"Everyone loves welcoming a little one into the family, socongratulationsto Poppy and Franklin Doogsie and all our dedicated Parks and Wildlife Service staff at Yanchep National Park.
"What's almost as exciting as the arrival of the joey is the chance to name it, which is exactly what park visitors are being invited to do.
"The Yanchep koala colony plays an important role in safeguarding the species by maintaining populations outside its traditional range.
"They are also a key part of WA's nature-based tourism attractions and I hope it continues to encourage visitors to learn about this iconic Australian animal."
As stated by Butler MLA Lorna Clarke:
"It is wonderful news for staff, visitors and the local community that another joey has been born at Yanchep.
"Yanchep National Park is a great driver of tourism and local jobs. It attracts around 450,000 visitors each year and is cherished for its trails, wildlife and unique koala colony.
"There is no better way to appreciate the outdoors than to bring the family to Yanchep."
