Koala Management, Education, and Conservation

Since 1925, koalas have held the status of flagship species at the San Diego Zoo and we maintain the largest koala population outside Australia. Our Koala Education & Conservation Program reaches a global public through exhibition, education, and research and generates significant funds to support field conservation and research, including contraception investigations, vegetation mapping, planned community development, and studies designed to better describe koala behavior and ecology. 

Current research at the zoo focuses on the causes of shoulder and hip dysplasia, optimal genetic management, and reproductive biology, including artificial insemination, the storage of gametes, and banking of genetic material. Serum samples from free-ranging and captive koalas are being analyzed for vitamins A, D, and E and minerals in order to evaluate the nutritional health status of the captive population. 

A study measuring consumption of four browse species is also underway. Correlations between concentrations of fat, energy, vitamins, minerals, fiber, tannins, terpenes, cyanide precursors, and formylated phloroglucinol compound concentrations and koala consumption will be analyzed. Identifying browse preferences will allow us to grow and harvest Eucalyptus more efficiently.

San Diego Zoo researchers are also working with koalas in Australia to learn more about their ecology and mating behaviors. Check out that project here.