A rare white koala has been born at Australia Zoo in Queensland.
She is not albino. Keepers at the zoo say her fur is due to a recessive gene inherited from her mother Tia, who has given birth to other pale joeys – baby koalas – in the past.
In science it’s often referred to as the ‘silvering gene’ where animals are born with white or very pale fur. Just like baby teeth, they eventually shed their baby fur and the regular adult colour comes through.
At this stage the zoo is looking for a name. So far social media has come up with suggestions including Snowflake, Pearl, Sugar, Lily, Snow White and Baringa, which means “dawn” or “light” in the aboriginal language, for a name.
Koalas have been under increasing threat across the Southern Hemisphere nation in recent decades due to bushfires, disease, dog attacks and loss of habitat.
She is one of 12 joeys born at the zoo this season.
26 Responses
this is very amazing news
i think you love aimals
My family going to Auckland a Zoo lots of Animal
Amazing news
awwwww shes soooooo cute i want to cuddle her.X)
a name,how about lillian,andrea,amelia,evelyn
cute white koala ??
my friend would love to have this koala or she would love to see this koala. Her favourite animal is a koala so i think she would love this.
That is so cute
That is soo cute
I think the name should be crystal
Cute <3
I think Sugar plum is cute!
Wish that there was a rainbow koala.
you should call it Sugar! its cute and if it does turn to darker colour at least it will have some white patches
So Cuuuttee! I want IT!!!
who ever did funny it isn’t funny
this is soooo cute !
That is so cute I hope it has a good live! SOO CUTE!!!
name should be snow white
Thats so cool such a rear birth defect
sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo cute.
I LOVE KOALAS SO MUCH!!!
I want it so much
I reckon the name should be pearl
Thats sooooo cool