Longleat koala Burke from Japan 'very sadly' dies

Burke had two baby koalas called Hazel and Monty

A zoo's beloved koala that was imported from Japan has died.

Burke, a Southern koala, joined Longleat's safari in Wiltshire in 2019 from Osaka Tennoji Zoo as part of a breeding programme to protect the species.

He died at the age of 17 and had two offspring, Hazel and Monty, the first Southern koalas born in Europe.

Longleat said Burke was "cherished" by the people of Japan and he would be "very sadly missed".

Burke also contributed to the zoo's koala conservation work which it said identified a retro-virus test that is now being used to protect the wild koala population.

According to the World Wide Fund for Nature, male koalas can live up to 12 years old while females can live up to 15 years.

'Special to us'

Announcing the news on Facebook, Longleat said: "We are very sad to share the news that one of Longleat's beloved koalas, Burke, known as アーク (Ark) in Japan, has passed away at the grand old age of 17.

"He joined the Longleat family in 2019 from Osaka Tennoji Zoo to become part of a breeding programme aimed at protecting the future of the Southern koala. He was cherished by the people of Japan.

"Burke leaves us with not only fond memories but also the legacy of his offspring, Hazel and Monty, who were the koalas first two Southern koalas born in Europe.

Longleat says Burke was 'cherished' and will be 'very sadly missed'

"They continue to reside at Longleat with their mothers, Violet and Maizie, and are part of the programme to secure a long-term future for Southern koalas.

"Burke was very much loved by his keepers at Osaka Tennoji Zoo and Longleat, as well as everyone in Japan and the UK who had the chance to visit him. He was incredibly special to us all and will be very sadly missed."

The Facebook post has received hundreds of comments and more than 1,500 reactions.