SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) -Two male Koalas, Moki and Burra, will spend the summer at the Great Plains Zoo and arrive in Sioux Falls on May 13th.
San Diego Zoo's Koala Loan Program allows thousand of people to enjoy these unique animals says Chris Andrus, the Koala Program Manager.
Andrus says Koalas may the pickiest eaters in the animal kingdom in that they will only eat eucalyptus leaves. The zoo will have eucalyptus flown in from Florida twice a week.
Andrus says both males were born at the San Diego Zoo and the is to someday incorporate them into the breeding program. Moki is a 2-year-old and Burra is 3.
This is the first time Koalas have been in South Dakota. They are native to Australia and are an uncommon animal found in zoos. Only ten zoos in the United States care for Koala, with the closet zoo in Ohio.
The Koalas will be on loan to the Great Plains Zoo from May 13 through Labor Day. They can be seen daily, free with zoo admission.