A Baby Koala Undergoes His Weekly Checkup While Next To a Plush Animal at the San Diego Zoo

An unnamed 9-month old baby koala kept company with a plush koala during his weekly weigh-in and routine checkup at the San Diego Zoo and Aquarium in Southern California. The staff provided the joey with the stuffed animal in order to reduce separation anxiety caused from being apart from his doting mother, who kept a very close eye on her baby.

The joey’s mother, Cambee, stayed nearby during his health check, keeping an attentive eye on her offspring. She quickly nurtured her joey when his exam was complete and resumed their daily routine of perching and mostly sleeping. While Cambee has occasionally allowed the joey to try eucalyptus, he is still nursing as his primary source of nourishment and will continue to nurse until he is around 14 months old