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Headline: RAW VIDEO: Peek-A-Boo! Adorable Baby Koala Makes Its Grand Entrance From Mum’s Pouch
Caption: Heartwarming photos have captured the precious moment a baby koala poked its tiny head out of its mother’s pouch for the very first time. The Australian Reptile Park is celebrating a booming breeding season after welcoming four joeys into the world, with this brave little one leading the way by taking a peek at the outside world. While most of the newborns are still snugly tucked inside their mums’ pouches, this adventurous bub has been spotted tentatively emerging, with tiny paws, fluffy ears and a button nose, delighting zookeepers and visitors alike. The pint-sized marsupial is still too young to be sexed - and so, no name just yet - but keepers are keeping a close eye on its progress as it continues to grow and explore. And the good news doesn’t stop there. The park has hinted that even more bundles of joy could be on the horizon, as several female koalas who were paired later in the season are now showing tell-tale signs of pregnancy. Ellesha Veness, a devoted mammals keeper at the park, beamed with pride over the successful season: "We’re deeply committed to saving this iconic Australian species, so each successful breeding season is a huge win for us. These four joeys — and hopefully a few more on the way — show that our efforts are really making a difference. We couldn’t be happier!" But amid the cuteness, there’s a sobering reminder of the bigger picture. "Koalas across Australia face severe threats, with habitat loss happening faster than ever," Ellesha warned. "Sadly, experts predict koalas could be extinct in the wild by 2050 if we don’t act now. Every koala we help protect is a step towards securing their future."
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