1. 4
The number of handlers that accompanied the animals on their voyage – a veterinarian, a lead handler, a koala expert and a new keeper from Longleat.
2. 5*
Number of southern koalas that were transported as part of the conservation project. Their new home, Koala Creek, includes eucalyptus trees, a stream and climbing poles.
3. 2
Number of southern hairy-nosed wombats that also made the trip from Cleland Wildlife Park in Adelaide. The wombats will live in the same habitat as the koalas.
4. 100kg
Amount of eucalyptus leaves loaded onto the SIA cargo flight. Around 15kg of the plant were consumed during the flight and the rest on the ground in the UK.
5. 2
Number of hours between checks done on the animals during the flight. During the layovers, the wombats were fed food pellets, fresh corn, carrots and vegetables.
*Wilpena, one of the five koalas, sadly died in January after developing oxalate nephrosis, a kidney disorder extremely common in the species. Prior to being transported, Wilpena showed no signs of any underlying health issues
SEE ALSO: From tigers to gorillas: Where to see animals in the wild
This article was originally published in the March 2019 issue of SiverKris magazine
Images from Shutterstock
