Koalas seen for the first time in the Netherlands: ‘How cute’ (video) – Nieuwsblad De Kaap

April 25, 2024 at 10:47 PM

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RHENEN The koala enclosure Koalia in Ouwehands Zoo Rhenen was opened on Thursday morning to great interest. The zoo is the first in the Netherlands where koalas can be admired. 550 people were present at the opening: children from primary schools and several invited guests. “I feel the enthusiasm and importance of this project,” says Robin de Lange, director of Ouwehands Zoo.

by Anne-Fleur Berkel

Before the accommodation was officially opened, there were several performances and talks. As visitors gathered in front of the enclosure, music was played on an Australian wind instrument, the didgeridoo.

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CAST COURSE ON KOALAS

When everyone had gathered, ecologist Sterrin Smalbrugge came to give a crash course about koalas. She said that it was important that the koalas were protected as the animal had become an endangered species.

FOUR HUNDRED KOALAS

After the course the director spoke about the koalas. “I thought there would only be three koalas, but now I see more than four hundred around me,” says De Lange, laughing about the children who had all been given koala ears. He emphasized in his speech that the breeding program is important because the koala population is deteriorating. He then gave the floor to the ambassador of Australia who said it was a pleasure to welcome the Koalas to the Netherlands.

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The children had all received koala ears for the opening. – ANP/Robin van Lonkhuijsen

KOALIA OFFICIALLY OPENED

Furthermore, the Dutch girl band Infinity had made a song about koalas, called Go Go koala. They had a dance, which the children imitated with great pleasure. After the song it was time for the official opening of the accommodation. For this purpose, the mayor, the children’s mayor, Sterrin and the grandson of owner Marcel Boekhoorn cut the ribbon. “Koalia is hereby officially opened,” Bamboo Bill announced.

GETTING USED TO THE SURROUNDINGS

There are three rooms in the enclosure, one for each koala. The males are called Arru and Ngarra and the female Leumeah. “The koalas have more than enough space here,” says Jennifer Tobey of San Diego Zoo (the zoo from which the koalas came to Rhenen). “They still have to get used to the new environment, but they are doing well.”

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The ribbon has been cut, Koalia has been opened! – ANP/Robin van Lonkhuijsen

HOW CUTE

“I don’t think the popularity of koalas is comparable to that of pandas, but there is certainly interest,” says José Kok, zoology manager at Ouwehands Zoo. The children who were allowed to see the koalas for the first time looked with admiration and mainly responded with: “How cute!” The animals were mainly sleeping, but occasionally there was some movement, which was either yawning or grabbing food.

LITTLE MOVEMENT

They created the koala’s environment using various components. “First of all, it is important for the animals that they have enough places to rest, since they sleep a lot. They exercise little because they eat eucalyptus. And eucalyptus is simply not an energy-rich food,” Kok explains.

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The animals are viewed with admiration. – ANP/Robin van Lonkhuijsen

REPRODUCE

The koalas are all about 3 years old, which, according to the zoologist, makes them sexually mature. “Once they get used to it, reproduction can go quite quickly. The female will indicate during her breeding period that she is ready and when we add a male, we can wait and see how that goes.”

‘Koala in action’ in Ouwehands Zoo Rhenen. – ANP/Robin van Lonkhuijsen