Two koalas debut at Saitama zoo, marking first arrivals from Australia in a decade
Bringing in koalas from overseas is considered important for maintaining genetic diversity among koalas in Japan.
Two koalas, Arnold and Bubbles, made their debut at Saitama Children's Zoo in Higashimatsuyama, Saitama Prefecture, in July. This marks the zoo's first arrivals from Australia in roughly a decade. The introduction of overseas koalas is crucial for maintaining genetic diversity among koalas in Japan, and the zoo hopes these new arrivals will aid in their breeding efforts.
Arnold, a 2-year-old male, and Bubbles, a 3-year-old female, both born in Queensland, Australia, made their public appearance in late August. Arnold is known for his calm demeanor and quickly began eating upon arrival, while Bubbles was initially nervous and required more time to acclimate to her new surroundings. Currently, the zoo houses a total of nine koalas.
The presence of koalas in Japan began in 1984; however, their numbers peaked at 96 in 1997 before declining to just 35 in 2013. Thanks to conservation efforts, the population has since rebounded to 61 koalas across seven facilities in Japan as of the end of 2025. While koalas' appeal lies in their adorable appearance, their role in zoos extends beyond entertainment, according to the Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
Keeping koalas in Japan contributes to preserving the species outside of its natural habitat, as wild koala populations in Australia have been declining due to threats such as bushfires. The association highlights that securing a steady supply of eucalyptus, koalas' primary food source, is another significant challenge. To maintain Japan's koala population, zoos must bring in new animals from Australia to preserve genetic diversity.
Additionally, cooperation among zoos in Japan is vital, enabling the pairing of males and females from different bloodlines for breeding purposes. Sachiko Noguchi, the zoo's director, expressed her enthusiasm for the newcomers, stating, "We want to take good care of these two newcomers because they bring new bloodlines and will play an important role in the future of koalas in Japan."
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