Koalas bound for Singapore Zoo?

SINGAPORE — A pair, or two, of Koalas could be bound for Singapore from Australia as Singapore celebrates 50 years of independence and as the two countries mark five decades of diplomatic relations.

In response to media queries, the Australian High Commission in Singapore told Channel NewsAsia: “There could be some warm and furry creatures coming Singapore’s way but they are quite shy and we don’t want to scare them away lest they decide to cancel the trip.”

When Channel NewsAsia visited the Singapore Zoo today (Jan 30), the Australian Outback exhibit was closed. There were signs saying the exhibit was preparing for a “new arrival from Down Under”. There were also two icons of koalas on the signs.

A notice on the Singapore Zoo website said the exhibit has been closed since Jan 21 and will be shut for approximately three months for upgrading works. A keeper confirmed to Channel NewsAsia that koalas are due at the zoo but that it would take months to prepare for their arrival.

The exhibit — conceptualised in collaboration with late TV personality Steve Irwin — currently has kangaroos and wallabies, but no koalas.

A recent report by the Sydney Morning Herald had said Australia is looking to give Singapore koalas to mark the island nation’s 50th year of independence. It said there are still “difficult logistics to work out”, given the specific habitat needed by koalas and their diet of fresh eucalyptus leaves, that may have to be flown in from overseas.

The report also noted that Australia has been putting its bets on “koala diplomacy”, much like China has been doing with pandas. The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has produced a 600-page manual on koala diplomacy and last November, Brisbane trotted out koalas for leaders attending a G20 summit.

US President Barack Obama, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong were all photographed cradling the cuddly creatures. CHANNEL NEWSASIA