RIP Irwin: Europe's Oldest Koala was 17, Said Goodbye at Zoo Duisburg
Old koala, Europe's elder statesman, Irwin, has perished at 17 years old. - Koala Irwin, Europe's elderliest, has breathed his last at age 17
Let's cut the crap, mates. We've got some bloody sad news. A bloke named Irwin, the oldest male koala in all of Europe, has tragically taken his last breath at Zoo Duisburg. He was seventeen years young, a friggin' ancient age for a pouffy-eared, flood-the-joint bear like Irwin.
Ker-blimey, his last days were a rough ride. The poor devil was sack of bones, eating like a bird with an insatiable appetite for seeds, and losing weight quicker than a mate at a weight loss competition. After running some blood tests, the docs confirmed ol' Irwin had leukemia, and there was nuthin' they could do.
The zoo decided it was time to let him go the easy way last Saturday, according to zoo director Oliver Mojecki. "Irwin was a pillar, a one-of-a-kind koala that we and our visitors ruddy loved", he said. Keepers described him as calm, attentive, and confident - a bloke you'd want to have a beer with if koalas could actually drink beer.
"He was an incredibly nice koala," said vet Kerstin Ternes. He'd happily let the docs poke 'n' prod him without puttin' up a fuss. The only time he showed his rough side was during the mating season, but even then, he was a gentleman. "He loved the ladies too," she added.
Irwin set foot in Zoo Duisburg in 2013, born in the land down under at Taronga Zoo on the 25th of February, 2008. He stepped ashore to Duisburg to help ensure koalas keep bouncing back from the brink of extinction, and he did his bit, siring nine little joey babies. His first pup, Yiribana, is still around with her own li'l rugrats, Yoorana.
Koalas are in dire straits, mate. They're an endangered species, and Zoo Duisburg is kickin' butt to turn that around. The zoo beds 'em down in a swish koala enclosure - pretty much a koala resort - and takes part in international breeding programs, so we've got a fighting chance.
So, here's to Irwin, a bloke who battled through life with grace. We'll miss ya, sunshine! Rest easy, mate. Cheers!
- koala
- Duisburg
- Zoo Duisburg
- Europe
- Zoos
- Conservation
- Mating
- Endangered species
- Leukemia
- Ireland (Irwin was said to be second oldest in the world according to Ternes, hinting we had one older, but no one thought to check with them either)
The Commission might consider a proposal for a directive that encompasses the protection of koalas, as well as their habitat in Europe, given their endangered status, and the loss of their eldest member, Irwin, at Zoo Duisburg. With Irwin's passing, pet owners and home-and-garden enthusiasts could emphasize the importance of conservation efforts, ensuring a more sustainable lifestyle for future generations of koalas.
