General News
26 July, 2025
Jarrah on centre stage
A KOALA joey called Jarrah is the star of The Wildlife Habitat Day at Port Douglas.
The animal experience marked the inaugural Wildlife Habitat Day last Thursday, officially announcing Jarrah as the name of the park’s newest koala joey.
Born to mum Lulu and dad Pirate, Jarrah’s arrival is a significant addition to the regional koala breeding program. Lulu was born at Cairns ZOOM and Wildlife Dome in 2020, while Pirate has a remarkable story of his own.
Pirate, an 11-year-old rescued wild koala, was brought to Wildlife Habitat in 2020 after losing an eye in a car accident.
Now part of a Zoo and Aquarium Association (ZAA) breeding program, he’s fathered four joeys and plays a key role in strengthening the genetic diversity of koalas in Far North Queensland.
The name Jarrah was selected through a public naming campaign in the lead-up to Wildlife Habitat Day, adding a sense of connection and celebration to this milestone moment.
Jarrah is an Aboriginal word for a eucalyptus tree native to Western Australia.
Wildlife Habitat general manager Clare Hunt said the day was a resounding success, bringing together the community for a vibrant day of education, conservation and connection, with the Tropical Animal Rehabilitation Centre (TARC) playing a central role.
“Wildlife Habitat Day was designed to inspire our community to connect with nature and learn more about the incredible animals we share our region with,” she said. “Jarrah’s naming was the perfect way to mark the occasion, a celebration of new life, ongoing conservation efforts and the power of education and connection.”
The first 150 children received a gift bag on arrival and the Curlew Café was a hive of activity all day, hosting live music, colouring-in and a sausage sizzle.
Visitors of all ages took part in a variety of fun and meaningful activities, from wildlife triage and rescue lessons supported by TARC, to potting native seeds at the grow your own seed station, making enrichment items for animals, face painting and games like Croc Chomp, scavenger hunt and a classic lolly guessing competition.
A strong lineup of conservation partners joined the celebration, including TARC, Tangaroa Blue, Green Food Australia, Daintree Life and Douglas Shire Council, all sharing valuable insights on how to care for the environment, protect native species and get involved in local conservation action.
Another highlight of the day was the TARC fundraising raffle, where guests could win one of three eco experiences in Douglas Shire, with all proceeds going towards vital wildlife care equipment, including a new commercial washing machine.
The award-winning Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas is an immersive exhibit providing visitors with a chance to experience the diverse range of Australian wildlife in wetlands, rainforest, woodland and savannah environments up close. It offers engaging experiences that educate, inspire and foster a deeper connection with nature.
Read More: Port Douglas
