Taronga Zoo is celebrating the arrival of its first koala joey for this year’s breeding season, with a tiny face starting to emerge from its mother’s pouch.

The female joey has been spotted mouthing its first eucalyptus leaves and slowly exploring the world outside the pouch to the delight of keepers and visitors.

“She’s still quite shy, but we’re beginning to see her little face more and more,” said Koala Keeper, Laura Jones.

Part of Taronga’s koala breeding program, the yet-to-be-named joey is the third for experienced mother, Wanda, and the first born at the Zoo this breeding season.

“Wanda is a very relaxed and attentive mum. She keeps her little one nice and close at all times and I’ve never seen her complain when the joey is scratching around with its claws inside her pouch,” said Laura.

At six months old, the joey will continue to gain weight and the fluffy fur for which koalas are known. She will spend at least another four months with her mother before venturing out on her own.

“It won’t be long before she can’t fit back inside the pouch. At that point she’ll start to cuddle up with mum, only putting her head back inside the pouch to drink,” said Laura.

Tour groups have begun meeting Wanda and her joey at Taronga’s Koala Encounter, where they learn more about one of Australia’s most iconic species and how they are under threat from urban development and forestry breaking up their natural habitat.

Laura said it was important for people to watch out for koalas on the roads at this time of year, particularly at dawn and dusk.

“The quality of food declines during winter, so potentially you’ll see koalas ranging further and closer to high-density areas to find leaves,” she said.