![]() However, it is estimated that the average life expectancy for a wild koala is only around 10 because there are so many factors introduced by humans that impact on their health and survival. Wild male koalas are known to live for up to 15 years, and females for up to 18 years. However, both are only fully physically mature at 4 years old. The female can breed from the age of 2 and the male from the age of 3. From 1 year on, the joey is independent and can survive without the mother, although most joeys stay with the mother until they are around 18 months old when they will move away and live completely independently. The joey is dependent on its mother's milk until it is around 12 months old. From around 6 months the joey will ride on the mother’s back or cling to her belly, putting its head into the pouch to suckle. During this time it will grow from around 5g to around 500g and develop from a pinkie (undeveloped foetus) to a fully formed fully furred viable animal. The joey will stay in the mother's pouch for around 6 months. How long does a joey (baby) stay with its mother? They are found in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia. If we don't do something to save the koala, this iconic Australian animal will go extinct. The impacts of human-related dangers (loss of habitat, loss of food trees, global warming with extreme weather events, cars, dogs, diseases resulting from inbreeding due to loss of wildlife corridors, and hunters) are dire. Although they are officially classified as "vulnerable" and on the "threatened species list", koala population numbers are crashing. There are some States (like Queensland) where holding a koala is legal but, even so, responsible keepers looking after those koalas would use discretion and not put their animals into a stressful situation. Our animals' wellbeing is our number one priority. We do allow visitors to touch the koalas, however please understand that if a koala is showing signs of stress we will not allow visitors to interact with it. Our rangers are trained on how to handle a koala safely and how to recognise signs of stress. Koalas are wild animals and have a natural fear of humans, especially humans who they don't know. ![]() This is a sensible law as it protects koalas from being stressed because a human wants to give it a hug. Only trained accredited rangers are allowed to hold a koala. In the Australian State of New South Wales, as with most other States, it is illegal for any zoo or sanctuary to allow a visitor to hold a koala. This Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) list has been put together from questions that visitors regularly ask our rangers.
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