Koalas Gifted to Riverbanks Zoo and Botanical Gardens by QueenslandThe koala is an official and highly regarded symbol of Australia. They are considered a national treasure and are a protected species. Through the commitment of Queensland to the Sister-State relationship, however, Riverbanks
Zoo has received a pair of koalas. The two male koalas were received at Riverbanks in January 2002. The koalas were transferred to Columbia from the Hirakawa Zoo in Kagoshima City, Japan, under a special international agreement initiated by Premier Beattie. The koalas are a product of stock originally shared between Queensland and Kagoshima City.
Very few zoos in the US house koalas, so the koalas at Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia bring prestige, excitement, and a heightened awareness of the special relationship between the two states. The koalas are presently on exhibit in the Koala Knockabout at the Riverbanks Zoo. For more about the koalas, please visit the Riverbanks Zoo website at: http://www.riverbanks.org/html/news2002/0118.shtml
Additional Koalas Pledged to Riverbanks Zoo
Governor Jim Hodges and Satch Krantz, Executive Director of the Riverbanks Zoo,
at the Koala Knockabout ExhibitGovernor Jim Hodges announced on November 1, 2002, that four female koalas will be sent to Columbia's Riverbanks Zoo by South Carolina's sister state, Queensland. "The addition of the new koalas will make South Carolina home to one of the largest permanent koala colonies and breeding programs in North America," said Governor Hodges. "This is an exciting opportunity for South Carolinians, our tourism industry and our sister-state relationship with Queensland."
In his letter announcing the gift, Premier Beattie said that the koalas are "more than just a symbol-they will become living examples that something really special has developed between the two states." Two of the new koalas will arrive next year at Riverbanks Zoo. The additional two koalas will come to the zoo as soon as the first pair is acclimated. Two male koalas arrived at Riverbanks Zoo in January 2002 thanks to a special arrangement between Queensland and the Hirakawa Zoo in Kagoshima City, Japan. Governor Hodges and Premier Beattie dedicated the Koala Knockabout exhibit in March. The sister-state relationship between South Carolina and Queensland began in 1999 and now encompasses six separate agreements in education, tourism, and economic development.
Riverbanks Zoo
500 Wildlife Parkway
Columbia, SC
Phone: 803-779-8717
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