Contact: Kyle Shepherd
kyle.shepherd@louisvilleky.gov
(O) 502-238-5331 (C) 502-744-5639
Today, Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg announced that two furry new Zoo mates have arrived at the Louisville Zoo courtesy of a special delivery from UPS!
Meet koalas, Chuckels (chuck-uhls), and Myalla (my-ah-lah)!
“We are so excited for Louisville to meet the two newest residents of the Louisville Zoo,” said Mayor Greenberg. “And we’d like to thank the hard-working men and women of UPS who helped make this very special delivery possible. I know Chuckels and Myalla will bring a smile to the faces of the hundreds of thousands of people who visit our zoo every year.”
The iconic Australian marsupials were transported from the West Coast and arrive with a breeding recommendation.
Their journey to Louisville, called “Operation Boomerang,” was entrusted to the UPS logistics experts at Worldport.
“We are incredibly grateful to UPS and their logistics experts for their generosity and dedication in transporting our precious living cargo,” said Dan Maloney, Louisville Zoo Director. “Their commitment to ‘delivering what matters’ ensured the safe transport of our new koala pair. We deeply appreciate this partnership and look forward to future collaboration.”
“Our logistics team worked closely with the Louisville Zoo to meticulously plan and ensure the koalas’ safety and comfort during their flight,” said Barry Bragton, UPS Worldport president. “I’m so proud of our UPSers who made this move possible. The planning, execution and delivery were flawless teamwork in action.”
The koalas are currently undergoing acclimation and will soon be viewable in their new habitat. In line with their solitary and territorial nature in the wild, Chuckels and Myalla will be housed separately. Stay tuned to the Zoo’s social and website for updates.
About the Koalas
Chuckels, a 10-year-old male, is named after Chuck Bieler, the man who pioneered the koala program in the United States. Chuckels has sired two joeys. Myalla, a 6-year-old female, takes her name from an Aboriginal word meaning “big talk” and has birthed one joey.
The pair take up residence at the foot of Glacier Run alongside fellow Australian species like the wallaby, emu and cassowary.
Zoo guests can expect to see the koalas frequently snoozing as they digest their eucalyptus leaves, which they subsist on almost exclusively. This plant provides minimal nutrition value and requires significant time to digest. The eucalyptus that they consume will be from one of just two eucalyptus farms in the U.S., both dedicated to supplying zoos.
The word “koala” is believed to derive from the Dharug language, spoken by Aboriginal people in Australia. “Koala” translates to “no drink,” likely referencing to the marsupial’s low water intake. These animals stay hydrated through the water content in the eucalyptus they ingest.
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List of Threatened species, koalas are classified as vulnerable with their population decreasing in the wild. Their primary threats are habitat loss and human development.
Zoo Hours
The Zoo is open daily year-round. Now through September 21, 2025, Zoo hours are 10 a.m. ─ 5 p.m. (stay until 6 p.m.). The Zoo is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. Visit louisvillezoo.org for more info.
About the Louisville Zoo
The Louisville Zoo, the State Zoo of Kentucky, is the top, non-profit, paid attraction in the state. The Zoo is dedicated to bettering the bond between people and our planet by providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for visitors, and leadership in scientific research and conservation education. The Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and is a member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), a global alliance of zoos and aquariums.
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