Columbia Welcomes New Koala Star: Meet Milo!
Columbia! It’s time to get excited because our very own Riverbanks Zoo and Garden has just welcomed a brand-new resident, and he’s absolutely adorable. Say hello to Milo, the 13-year-old koala who has come all the way from Zoo Miami to make some friends—and hopefully, a family! Although Milo might prefer snoozing in the sun and munching eucalyptus leaves, he has an important job to do here in Columbia.
A New Arrival with a Big Mission
Milo arrived on October 15 and has been in quarantine mode to adjust to his new surroundings. He’s getting accustomed to all the new sights, sounds, and smells of his new habitat, and we can’t wait for him to meet his new partner, Kirra, who’s just two years old. You might be asking why the zoo brought in Milo. Well, there’s a plan in place! The goal? To help boost the koala population, as these little guys are currently listed as endangered.
Koala Quarantine: Getting to Know You
While Milo has been spending time getting settled in, he and Kirra have only had what the zoo calls “howdy introductions.” This just means they can see each other but can’t touch yet, thanks to a tall glass partition. Their caretaker, Anna Anderson, is keen to observe how they react to one another. “They definitely stared at each other like, ‘You’re new, you’re different,’” Anderson said. Trust us, they’re cuter than a basket full of kittens when they meet for the first time!
A Unique Zoo Experience
Did you know that Riverbanks Zoo and Garden is one of only 11 U.S. zoos that houses koalas? It’s true! Our warm South Carolina climate allows koalas to be outside for most of the year, making it the perfect home for them. The zoo isn’t just a place for these lovable creatures to chill; it’s a part of an important conservation effort. Riverbanks Zoo has been caring for koalas since 2002 and has plenty of space to accommodate four of them.
Koalas and Their Gourmet Diet
Speaking of caring, taking care of a koala isn’t cheap! Feeding these adorable marsupials costs the zoo around $2,000 per week for each koala. That’s right, they feast on three different types of eucalyptus every single morning, and don’t get us started on how the leaves have to be shipped overnight from Florida and Arizona twice a week. But it’s all worth it for the loveably lazy Milo and Kirra!
The Future of Milo and Kirra
So, what’s next for our favorite furry couple? After finishing his quarantine, Milo will start meeting Kirra more closely and, hopefully, they’ll fall in love! We’ll see how it goes—there’s a chance that their first encounters might get a bit tense, since koalas are known for being solitary creatures. But the zoo staff is prepared to step in if things get rough.
Raising Awareness for Conservation
Anna Anderson can’t stress enough how important it is to raise awareness about koalas and their conservation. “This is a species that may not be here, local to the U.S., but it’s still a species worth preserving,” she remarked passionately. Under human care, koalas can live up to 15 years, and every little effort counts toward ensuring their survival.
Join the Adventure!
We can’t wait to see how Milo and Kirra’s story unfolds in the coming weeks! Stay tuned for more updates on our lovely koalas and don’t forget to swing by the Riverbanks Zoo and Garden to say hi to Milo. Who knows? You might just discover your new favorite animal! 🌿💕
