Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo is excited to welcome a new Aussie addition – "Bundaleer" the Queensland koala., You can now visit him in Wallaroo Station, the Zoo's 4.5-acre Australian-themed "children’s zoo" area.

The new koala habitat is situated next to the Zoo's Kangaroo Walkabout, home to a group of Eastern grey kangaroos and Bennett's wallabies. Like roos and wallabies, koalas are marsupials-- which means they carry their young in a pouch. They are not bears, as you might believe.

Bundaleer is the Zoo's first koala resident, with long-term plans for a larger colony of animals. Koalas are largely solitary, so for now, Bundaleer's Zoo Keeper will meet his limited need for socialization. Since he prefers lower humidity than Florida typically offers, he will have an indoor, climate-controlled exhibit.

Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo is one of only a few U.S. zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) to exhibit koala. He will join a select group of about 40 species in the Zoo's Species Survival Plans, cooperative breeding and conservation programs managed by AZA to help ensure the survival of specific wildlife species. Click here to learn more about the Zoo’s conservation efforts through the Species Survival Plan.