Yanchep National Park welcomes new koala joey as visitors vote on its name
Yanchep National Park has a new koala joey, and park visitors are being invited to help name it. The young koala, thought to have been born around mid March, is starting to appear from its mother's pouch as staff continue to monitor its progress.
The joey is about five months old and has begun peering out while its mother, Poppy, feeds. Park staff say Poppy and her young are doing well, and Perth Zoo veterinarians will also check on the joey as it grows.
Poppy came to Yanchep from Ballarat Wildlife Park in Victoria last year. She was paired with Franklin Doogsie, who arrived from Cleland Wildlife Park in South Australia in late 2024.
The birth adds to a recent run of breeding success for the park's koala colony. Last year, Miffy and Louie Jet, who is Franklin Doogsie's brother, had Djilba, the first koala joey born at Yanchep in 15 years.
Visitors can now cast a vote for the new joey's name at the McNess House Visitors Centre by placing a token into one of four koala feeding tubes. The four options are Karla, Scout, Pembi and Ash. Karla is an Aboriginal word meaning fire. Scout was chosen to reflect the joey's increasing curiosity as it starts moving beyond the pouch. Pembi references former Yanchep senior ranger John Wheeler and his link to Pemberton. Ash comes from the koala's scientific name, Phascolarctos Cinereus, which means ash coloured pouched bear.
The winning name is due to be announced after the spring school holidays.
Environment Minister Matthew Swinbourn said the joey's arrival and the chance for visitors to name it were both reasons to celebrate, congratulating Poppy, Franklin Doogsie and Parks and Wildlife Service staff at Yanchep National Park.
Koalas have been part of Yanchep National Park for almost 90 years, after first arriving in 1938. For people hoping to spot the colony, the park says viewing is generally best between 8am and 4.30pm each day.
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