Kimberley The Koala: A tale of timidity and hesitation

KIMBERLEY-A tale of independence-For nearly two months Kimberley had ridden on her mother’s back while she became used to life in the eucalyptus trees. But now it is time for her to spend more time climbing among the branches on her own. However, Kimberley is reluctant to do so. She was comfortable in her mother’s pouch; she is comfortable riding on her mother’s back and she enjoys being carried about. Then one day a bush fire starts, and it moves slowly towards the eucalyptus patch. Kimberley’s mother cannot escape with her heavy daughter on her back. Kimberley must make it on her own. But she is too fat and is soon out of breath. As the smoke starts to billow round them, Kimberley is forced to act.About the koala...Koalas are found in the eucalypt forests in the coastal regions of eastern and southern Australia. These animals survive on a diet of eucalyptus leaves. These plants hold a lot of fiber and water but offer little nutritional benefit. Because of this, koalas must save energy and they do this by moving very short distances, and by sleeping for up to 16 hours a day.A koala is a kind of mammal known as a marsupial. Female marsupials rear their babies in a pouch located on the front of their body. Baby koalas, or joeys, are born once a year and are blind, hairless, and less than 3 centimetres long. The joey crawls into its mother’s pouch using its sense of smell and strong front legs, and then takes milk from its mother until it is about a year old. At this time, the young koala begins to feed upon fresh leaves as it rides on its mother’s back.Koala’s fur is thick soft and pleasant to touch. Ears have long white hairs on the tips. Although they are not bears, these animals have the same strong appeal to children, and this story will hopefully expand that appeal.