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KLM flies koalas to the Netherlands

Air France KLM Martinair Cargo has flown three koalas to the Netherlands, who will make Ouwehands Zoo in Rhenen their home.

The koalas will live a custom-built habitat called “koalia” and they are the only koalas in the Netherlands and the first to set foot on Dutch soil.

On 4 April, an animal caretaker from Ouwehands Zoo went to San Diego Zoo in California to pick up the koalas.

She spent several days training with caregivers before returning on Friday 19 April with the koalas.

The KLM aircraft flew from Los Angeles and arrived in Amsterdam on Friday morning at 08.45h.

Once they had arrived, they were unloaded from the cargo hold and transported to the KLM Animal Hotel, where they were cleared through customs and underwent a health check.

Koalia at Ouwehands Zoo will open on Thursday 25 April and visitors will be able to observe the koalas.

Koalas are listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and Australia has classified them as endangered following a rapid decline in their numbers in recent years.