A new koala has taken up residence at Yanchep National Park and as part of a double celebration the name of the first joey born at Yanchep National Park in 15 years has been announced.

The new koala called Poppy is five-years-old and comes from Ballarat Wildlife Park.

In August park rangers revealed Miffy, also originally from Ballarat Wildlife Park, had given birth to a joey earlier this year after a successful mating with Louie Jett – one of two young male koalas from South Australia.

Now, after nearly seven months in the pouch, the joey has been named Djilba after the Noongar season symbolising conception and new life.

Miffy and brothers Louie Jett and Franklin Doogsie, originally from Cleland Wildlife Park, joined Yanchep’s colony in late 2024.

In a statement the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions said Perth Zoo vets had assessed Poppy during her quarantine period and would monitor Miffy and Djilba as they progressed.

“Both mother and joey are doing very well under the care of ranger staff,’’ the statement said.

Koalas have been part of Yanchep National Park since 1938.

With the latest arrivals, the colony now numbers six, including 15-year-old Koodah – the last koala born at the park before Djilba – whose lineage traces back to koalas introduced from South Australia in the late 1980s.

The park’s koala colony serves as a healthy satellite breeding population, in support of wider national conservation efforts for the species.

Environment Minister Matthew Swinbourn congratulated the team at Yanchep team.

“It is wonderful news for staff, visitors and wildlife enthusiasts across Western Australia, that a joey has been born at Yanchep and another koala has arrived from interstate,’’ he said.

“Yanchep National Park achieved a record 460,000 visitors last year and, with these new additions, we expect more people will travel to Yanchep to see Miffy, Djilba and Poppy, as well as enjoy all the other features of this beautiful park.”

Butler MLA Lorna Clarke said families had been coming Yanchep National Park for generations to see the koalas, walk the trails and enjoy the bush.

“It’s wonderful to welcome Poppy to the park,’’ she said.

“These milestones show the hard work and dedication of the rangers who care for these animals every day.

“With Djilba and Poppy joining the colony, there’s never been a better time to visit Yanchep and experience this unique part of our local environment.”

This article appeared on Yanchep News Online on 18 October 2025.