Winjku always gave the appearance of having everything under control. She took things slowly, never jumped too high or too soon, and didn’t leave her mother until she absolutely had to.
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Family:
Winjku is Ngardang’s fourth joey. Big brother Wurdi was born in 2016; sister Lakorra in 2017; and brother Bunyip in 2018. As far as we know, Winjku is Ngardang’s first joey with Gulkurguli, the new dominant male in the area.
Gulkurguli is also father to Mimi, Kiki’s son – so he is Winjku’s half brother.
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How old is she:
Her birthday is around 14 December 2018. She first emerged on 14 June 2019.
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How frequently is she seen:
In 2019 she was seen 63 times by our researchers. That makes her one of our most frequently seen joeys ever.
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Neighbours:
At the moment, her neighbours are her mother’s: her big sister Lakorra, Kiki and her offspring LuLu & Mimi, her father Gulkurguli. Nearby are Wemba, Yeera, Kozo and Winberry.
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Survived extreme heat/drought catastrophes:
Winjku, at just one-year-old, has already had to live through extreme heat waves and droughts.
2019: 4 January max temp: 46C – she would have been in the pouch at this time.
2019: 25 January max temp: 46C
2019: 20 December max temp: 46C
2019: 30 December max temp: 44C
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More information about Winjku: https://www.echidnawalkabout.com.au/about-koala-winjku/
How do we have so much research data about Winjku?
Echidna Walkabout’s Wild Koala Research Project has been monitoring the koalas of the You Yangs and Brisbane Ranges for 21 years. In 1998 we discovered a non-intrusive method of identifying koalas by their natural nose markings (nose patterns). Since then we have been collecting koala research data during tours, and using it to advocate for koalas, plant trees where they are most needed, and remove weeds to improve koala habitat.
Koala Researchers employed by Echidna Walkabout are paid to find koalas and collect information +/- 310 days every year.
All our tour guests play an important part in this research, by making it possible through funding, and by looking out for koalas on our tours.
Learn more:
https://www.echidnawalkabout.com.au/about/conservation/
