If a koala was in the zoo would it need vitamins or minerals to help it stay alive?

Answer 1

Koalas eat many types of gum. Manna gum is actually a group of eucalypts rather than a specific tree. Typically koalas prefer long-leafed gums. Those can include Blue Gums, Red Gums, Iron Barks....the list is actually quite long. They prefer the new growth, so their preference changes with the season. Whichever gum is producing new growth will be the preferred gum at that time. In captivity a koala should be offered at least 3 varieties per day. As long as they are getting that suppliments would not be necessary. I have had many koalas in care, and the only time I suppliment their diet is if their appetite is low. Then I give them a Vitamine B injection to prime the pump so to speak. There are a few carers that feed steamed pumpkin (squash) to very sick koalas and claim that it it quite beneficial. I usually give them a koala milk rather than the pumpkin, so I can't personally say if it works well or not. Koalas are rather robust animals, and will eat other types of vegatation including ti-tree if they are unable to get any eucalypts. But only for short periods of time. They are known to drink sea water if fresh water is unavailable as well. Yes, contrary to popular belief koalas can and do drink. Just rarely. I think there are a lot of misconceptions about koalas and their dietary requirements. I think that the proof is in the fact that they have evolved very little over time although their environment is constantly changing. It is true that koalas don't really have any natural predators. The biggest threat to koalas presently is the encroachment of human development and a nasty disease called chlamydia.

Answer 2

Koalas need to eat a lot of eucalyptus leaves, and there are only a few types that they will eat - I think the Manna Gum is preferred. A few zoos around the world are able to grow these trees in sufficient amount to feed a few koalas. If you have these eucalypts, they don't need anything else. Apart from when they get sick, of course. It is expensive, but worth it for these unique animals. Lucky for them they are cute and cuddly. Here in Australia, we are lucky to be able to go out and see them in the wild. I live about ten kilometres from the centre of a capital city, and can walk 2 minutes to get to bushland where there are a few Koalas. Despite what a previous answer said, they are not strong animals. They are in fact, quite delicate, they have evolved to have no natural predators, so have not needed to become strong, there has always been enough food for them. If they are not fed the right leaves, they will die quickly of malnutrition. Many zoos have had to give up their Koalas because they underestimated the care required for them to survive outside of Australia. San Diego is a remarkable exception.

Answer 3

all zoo animals need supplements because it is impossible to feed them exactly what they would eat in the wild

as for the above - the San Diego zoo ( USA ) has the largest collection of Koala's outside of Australia AND a successful breeding program

Answer 4

As long as it had an adequate supply of fresh gum leaves, a koala would not need supplemental feeding.

Answer 5

i really think that a koala can stay alive without vitamins or minerals.very strong animal

Answer 6

If would need Eucalyptus leaves, of quite a few different species. That is why they are not kept.