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Keeper Alessandra Topazio collects some of the 400 fresh branches of a variety of eucalyptus tree's brought in every week.
High Maintenance Bear - The fussy eating habits of Longleat's latest inhabitants is causing some headaches at the Wiltshire Safari Park.
The South Australian Koalas are choosing the specific type and even the location of the eucalyptus trees used to provide their daily diet.
The demanding marsupials are the stars of Koala Creek, a brand new feature which will open to the public for the first time later this month.
Despite being low on nutrition and poisonous to most other mammals, including humans, koalas rely almost entirely on fresh supplies of eucalyptus.
Staff have even had to create their own eucalyptus plantations on the estate to satisfy their fickle marsupials dietry needs, however as they await for the trees to grow they’re relying on specialist grower based in Devon.
400 fresh branches of leaves from the specialist 60-acre plantation in the Dartmoor National Park are delivered to the Longleat Estate each week.
Head of Animal Adventure, Graeme Dick said: “I guess when your diet consists solely of one single food source it’s not surprising koalas have developed an incredibly refined palate.