In January 2023, one of our guest bloggers traveled to Yanchep National Park, just north of Perth, Australia. There, they developed an incredible bond with a koala named Jarrah. This encounter brought great gladness to my soul. It provided a window to one of these charismatic little marsupials’ amazing lives. Jarrah is one of the last koalas still residing at the sanctuary. Often called “the loving, bad-tempered tree,” named after a native Australian tree, her powers reflect this duality.
Jarrah’s new life at the sanctuary is an example of what her peers are going through in the wild. As a fussy eater, he can only consume a limited selection from the hundreds of eucalyptus species available in Australia. This food limitation significantly reduces his range. Therefore, efforts to conserve them are critical to his survival and that of his species.
On the writer’s visit, they experienced Jarrah’s playful side in person. Anyway, though he was known for being “very affectionate,” he showed his spunky side. When the author would go to pick him up from his high perch, Jarrah’s first reaction would be to bite them. This wasn’t to be mean, it was just the playful, inquisitive nature that flowed through him.
“Very affectionate” – source not mentioned
Jarrah’s upbeat, creative personality beams through in everything he does. And now, as his main birding activity, he spends all of his time sleeping. Trekkoalas, well-known worldwide for sleeping up to 21 hours a day! However, when awake, Jarrah is described as “a bit of a troublemaker – always exploring and often found sitting on the rocks.” This unique trait endears him as one of the most popular attractions at the sanctuary and visitors are always captivated by his appearance.
The writer’s experience meeting Jarrah was more than just a moment in time. It inspired a lasting dedication to protecting our planet. Immediately following the visit, they started sending in monthly donations that helped fund initiatives to protect koalas in their natural habitat. This campaign is a step in a growing national movement. It hopes to ensure a future for animals such as Jarrah, despite their exacting habitat requirements and specialized dietary habits.
Jarrah’s agility surprised the writer. Watching him zip around on all fours showed a fleetness of foot that you wouldn’t suspect from his dozy appearance. The sanctuary is home to another koala named Kai. He still sometimes jostles Jarrah for position atop the best perch, showing off typical koala type behavior in social interactions.
The writer finds inspiration, wisdom—and an unexpected playful side—in her time with Jarrah. To them, a parade is a “happy place”—a joyous zone that immediately creates connectivity and happiness. It was a unique and powerful opportunity that provided an amazing perspective into Jarrah’s life. It extended their understanding of why protecting our wildlife matters.