Story perspectives

Palm Beach Zoo opens new koala habitat, welcomes Australian pair

4/26/2026

Summary

Palm Beach Zoo Opens

Palm Beach Zoo opened a new koala habitat on April 24, 2026.
A 12-week renovation added sliding walls, large windows, solar tubes, an indoor forest and over 120 earleaf acacia trees outdoors.
Sydney (7-male, from Zoo Tampa) and Ellin (5-female, from Columbus Zoo) arrived on loan from Australia, prompting CEO Margo McKnight to call the home a milestone and staff to check them every few hours during the move.

Summary

Koala Birth

The first koala birth at Palm Beach Zoo, with the joey born to Ellin and Sydney last fall, marks a milestone for the U.S. breeding program and reflects an Australian-government loan partnership.
The joey is being closely monitored to improve genetic diversity in the U.S. koala population.
Zoo officials will use the new Outback habitat to educate visitors when the renovated exhibit opens on Saturday, April 25, 2026.

Summary

Zoo Unveils Koala

The zoo held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, April 24, 2026, to open the renovated koala enclosure.
Amy Celestina, the carnivore and koala supervisor, said the climate-controlled habitat inspires guests and links zoo visits to broader environmental action.
The zoo promotes Earth Day messaging, urges visitors to download the WPBF 25 News app, and encourages year-round planet-protecting habits while patrons watch koalas nap up to 20 hours a day.

1 of 3

Palm Beach Zoo Opens

Palm Beach Zoo opened a new koala habitat on April 24, 2026.
A 12-week renovation added sliding walls, large windows, solar tubes, an indoor forest and over 120 earleaf acacia trees outdoors.
Sydney (7-male, from Zoo Tampa) and Ellin (5-female, from Columbus Zoo) arrived on loan from Australia, prompting CEO Margo McKnight to call the home a milestone and staff to check them every few hours during the move.

1 / 3