Koala Joeys Born In Captivity Bring Hope For Species Numbers Following Bushfires

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 24: Hayley Shute holds 'Ember' a male joey at the Australian Reptile Park on September 24, 2020 on the Central Coast, Australia. Park curator and koala carer of 18 years, Haley will hand raise Ember until he is 6 months of age due to his mothers illness . Nine koala joeys have been born as part of the Australian Reptile Park's conservation breeding program this year. The birth of the nine joeys has been celebrated by keepers, as they have been working to increase koala numbers in the wake of Australia's devastating bushfire season at the end of 2019 and early 2020 which saw tens of thousands of koalas perish and habitats destroyed. (Photo by Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images)