Woody is a mature male koala who arrived at Koala Gardens in October 2024. He was probably at least 3 – 4 years old. One of the ways we can work out his age is by his size and his mature scent gland. Katrina can estimate that he weighs at least 7kg.
He immediately reminded Katrina of former colony alpha male Jordan.
Woody’s arrival coincided with colony alpha male Valentine being taken to the koala hospital. He needed treatment for an ear infection. When a male is taken from his home, he leaves his territory unmarked and uncontested.
Boys being boys
Bigger males usually move over a wider area than young koalas and smaller females. Woody moves around nearly all the sections of the property. In November 2024, with Valentine still in hospital, Woody was coming and going and bailed Momo up in a tree one night and day. There was lots of bellowing and noise through that night. Next day they were both gone. Subsequently, both boys returned, but on different days. They are sorting out their relative positions within the colony.
As time went on and Valentine didn’t return, his scent was fading in the bush.
Woody, continued to move over wider areas. We wonder if he is going to stake a claim at Koala Gardens. It is obvious from his size, big nose and thick neck, that he could rank highly in a colony. Perhaps he will try to become alpha.
Valentine finally came home. Katrina didn’t see Woody for weeks after his return.
Months down the track and Valentine is using a smaller area now than before his time in hospital. Woody seems to be in charge of areas 5,6 7, 8 and 18. It looks like the boys have worked things out!
We love seeing big, handsome Woody and can’t wait to see whether he settles permanently into the colony.
Woody has his own playlist on YouTube (below). He appears in the Koala Gardens Happenings for 2024 and 2025
Join the Colony and get involved
You can become part of the Koala Gardens Colony by adopting Woody or one of the other resident wild koalas. You can also become a Patron, and one level has an adoption option.
Come and discuss Koala Gardens and all things koala on Discord where we hold lots of interesting and often in-depth discussions there. Lots of fun!
You will become part of the family and help provide much needed koala habitat.
You can also follow Katrina and the Koalas on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
Koala Gardens publishes a small number of delightful illustrated children’s books in the The Adventures of Mist series. Check out the beautifully engaging and educational design. Our mission is to help children to “Fall in love with Nature”.
You can even find some great Koala Gardens gifts over at Redbubble where there is huge range of designs on an even bigger range of items.
Alternatively, you can find quick access links to everything Koala Gardens via Link Tree.
