news, local-news, Elsa, Frozen, Baby Koala, Koala Joey, Australian Reptile Park, photos, newcastle herald, newcastle nsw

This is Elsa. She is a baby koala in care at the Australian Reptile Park. Keepers undertook an emergency intervention this week after discovering Elsa's mother, Irene, was experiencing mastitis. Elsa was not getting the milk she needed, which is imperative to her growth and chance of survival. Keepers took both Koalas into care, and we're told they are doing well and will be reunited soon. Elsa will be fed from a bottle for the next four to six months until she becomes independent enough to eat eucalyptus leaves. Koala joeys require care round-the-clock care and supervision, so Park curator Hayley Shute has stepped in with her young family to care for the joey as she grows. We're told Hayley and her family recently returned from a trip to Disneyworld, and the kids had called naming rights on their new ward. We're also told koala-Elsa seems to like watching Frozen and pops her head out of her pouch whenever the kids are watching. Irene is currently in veterinary care and expected to make a full recovery. Elsa is a part of this year's breeding of seven koala joeys with the other six joeys on display at the Central Coast wildlife sanctuary, and has become an ambassador for the Park's conservation efforts. At the current rate of decline, koalas are on track to become completely extinct by 2050. Koala numbers have plummeted by a third in the 20 years between 1990 and 2010 due to habitat destruction, deforestation, fragmentation, cars and dogs, the Park said. While you're with us, did you know the Newcastle Herald offers breaking news alerts, daily email newsletters and more? Keep up to date with all the local news - sign up here. IN THE NEWS:

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