australia's blue eyed boy branches out into the spotlight
He may have been christened “Logan”, but as soon as Dreamworld’s furry superstar emerged from his mum’s pouch and took a first glimpse of the world in late 2008, he was dubbed “Frankie” for his extraordinary blue eyes.
“He’s a little puff of fur with intense blue eyes, kind of like Frank Sinatra without the croon,” said Dreamworld’s Life Sciences Supervisor, Michelle Barnes. "I have worked with koalas for 14 years and have never seen a blue eyed one before.”
Australian Koala Foundation’s (AKF) CEO, Deborah Tabart was also at a loss to explain the unusual eye colouring. “In the 20 year history of the AKF, this is the first and only blue-eyed koala in captivity. It certainly appears to be a once in a lifetime event.”
Ms Barnes said that medically speaking there is nothing wrong with Australia’s little poster boy, apart from a case of reduced pigmentation. His mother also has the same condition, although her eyes are brown.
“His vision is perfect and that and his health is what is most important to us,” added Ms Barnes,” she said.
“Frankie isn’t treated any differently to any of the 60 koalas at Dreamworld’s Australian Wildlife Experience.
“He is part of Dreamworld’s koala collection and whether he has blue or pink eyes he is managed like the rest of the koala family, which means he is available for routine cuddles with our guests.”
Like all koalas at Dreamworld, Frankie’s appearances are limited under the Environmental Protection Authority to four times a week and he is on display for public viewing alongside his other koala chums.”
A cover boy by nature, in the two years since the team at Dreamworld discovered he had blue eyes, Frankie has graced the front page of the New Zealand Herald, starred as one of the 100 things you must see in Australia by Australian Traveller magazine, was discussed by Kochi on Australia’s Sunrise program, featured in episodes on Totally Wild and Getaway, and was beamed into the lounge rooms of millions of viewers in Japan, Indonesia and Germany.
Frankie has also been adopted by almost 30 people under the AKF’s Adopt a Koala program.
Ms Barnes added that Frank is a typical koala who sleeps 18 hours a day and loves the leaf of the blue gum.
About the Koala
• Koalas are native to Australia and found in the wild in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia.
• Koalas’ eyes are relatively small in relation to the size of their other sensory features, such as their ears and nose, and their eyesight is not particularly highly developed.
• Koalas rely on a highly developed hearing and sense of smell to differentiate between types of eucalyptus leaves and to detect the scent warnings put on trees by other koalas.
• Koalas are around 12-15mm when born and it’s not until six months of age and around 12 cm that they begin to emerge from the pouch and open their eyes. Like humans, many have a blue tinge to their eyes, which quickly recedes. Frankie’s eyes were considerably lighter and he was taken to a veterinary eye specialist for appropriate testing.
About Koala Handling Regulations
• The EPA (Environmental Protection Authority) has developed a code of practice in conjunction with the QLD Zoological industry to regulate handling of koalas for photographic opportunities to a maximum 30 minutes a day and 180 minutes per week.
Conservation
• Frankie has been adopted by some 65 families, raising vital funds for the Save The Koala Fund. Please review AKF’s website for what you can do to help koalas in the wild. www.savethekoala.com
• Dreamworld is proud to be a gold sponsor of the AKF.
