Koala ResearchMeet ... ClarenceBushfire update 6 February 2006: we haven't seen Clarence since the fire. There is still hope - other wildlife shelters in the region have taken some animals, and we are currently trying to find out whether any of them have him.
Clarence arrived suddenly, without any mucking around. We saw him for the first time in February 2005, and he's been with us ever since! He is the first koala we have known to live in the lovely area in the gully between Daisy and Blaze. Blaze did not seem happy about having him around last summer ('05), but Clarence stuck it out, with a gentle determination that wore down even the persistent Blaze!Light grey and golden brown, stern and serious, with a few scars that suggest experience and maturity, our new friend Clarence could be a contender for the role of most-sought-after male in the area. He is also gentle and very alert (good qualities, as Blaze, our alpha male, has these as well). His reaction to us was, at first, complete fascination and a little anxiety, but by now has mellowed to calm curiosity. His home is a lovely patch of Manna Gums, Swamp Gums, with a few Stringybarks and Peppermints up the hill (for variety) Bear visits occasionally, and Blaze looks on but rarely uses that area himself. Daisy and Rudi visit often (Clarence's new home range overlaps Daisy's) and even Ingrid has been seen nearby. Another new male, Genghis Khan has been sharing with Clarence, but they seem to be getting on allright (but we'll wait for summer breeding season before we are convinced!)
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