We’ve seen a number of unlikely friendships emerge as a result of lockdown.
From the bald guinea pig who was adopted by a family of Sphynx cats to another guinea pig who befriended Border Collies with the same markings as her – there’s been a plethora of heartwarming stories.
Now, it seems a duo at an Australian zoo have become best friends after spending lockdown together.
Elsa the koala and Hope the wombat – who live at the Australian Reptile Park – have formed a very special bond.
The pair have become inseparable since the park – located in Somersby, New South Wales – shut down, due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Park keepers initially put Hope into the koala enclosure while they cleaned her living area – but as soon as she met Elsa, the pair became close friends.
Curator Hayley Shute said: ‘Hope is a little ray of sunshine and we just knew the two of them would enjoy getting to know each other.
‘It makes for one cute video that’s for sure. It’s a very special friendship these two have formed and I can’t wait to see it continue to blossom.’
While it might seem like an unusual pairing, the wombat is actually a close relative of the koala – so it makes sense for the animals to strike up a bond.
Park keepers have watched the pair greet each other with a daily nose kiss.
Australian Reptile Park director Liz Gabriel told Insider: ‘Hope and Elsa both had a rough start to life. But they are both growing into happy and healthy animals.’
Both of the animals were hand-reared by the keepers, to ensure they survived.
Back in October, the park posted a video of newborn Elsa, explaining she had to be cared for around the clock.
Have you got an animal story to share?
Get in touch at MetroLifestyleTeam@metro.co.uk.
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source https://metro.co.uk/2020/06/16/koala-wombat-have-become-best-friends-australian-zoo-lockdown-12860069/
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