Get ready for the cutest thing that you will see today, or even potentially this year!
One orphaned baby koala has been getting a lot of attention across social media after falling out of a tree and breaking hearts with her tragic story.
Zoos Victoria
Orphaned Baby Koala Gets Tiny Arm Cast After Falling From Tree
This adorable and clumsy little joey fell out of a tree with its mother in Melbourne, Australia.
YouTube | Zoos Victoria
The baby joey is only estimated to be 150 days old, and weighs less than half a kilogram.
At this size, baby koalas should still be in their mother's pouch.
This is because the mothers are typically meant to carry their babies in their pouch for up to six months.
However, due to tragic circumstances, this cannot happen (better grab the Kleenex).
The baby's mother sadly had to be euthanized after the fall, leaving the baby an orphan.
YouTube | Zoos Victoria
The baby was taken to Werribee Open Range Zoo where carers have been looking after the tiny thing.
However, not only did the baby lose its mother in the fall, but it also broke its arm.
The orphaned tot received a tiny arm cast to help its recovery.
YouTube | Zoos Victoria
How tiny, you might ask? Well, as one nurse said, the cast was "not much thicker than a finger." So yeah, that tiny.
The internet, as you can probably imagine, has gone positively apoplectic.
People are proclaiming the sight of this little fella in its cast to be one of the most adorable things ever. And, looking at the pictures, it's hard to argue with them!
The nursing staff didn't initially know if the baby would survive.
YouTube | Zoos Victoria
Veterinary nurse Jess Rice, explained to Metro, "It was really touch and go when she was brought to us.
According to Rice, this unfortunate little koala was much too young and much too small to be without its momma.
As she explained, "[The joey] was just at the stage where she would have been starting to poke her head out of mum's pouch."
Thankfully, however, she seems to be doing fine!
However, the young baby missed her mother, so the carers had to try and find a replacement.
YouTube | Zoos Victoria
The replacement mother came in the form of a stuffed koala toy, that the baby clings on to for support. And yes, you are reading this whole thing right. It's like this whole story was designed to pull at your heart strings with military efficiency.
According to Rice, this little koala is at quite the crucial age, particularly when it comes to bonding.
Unsplash | David Clode
"Bonding and company is really important to a joey of that age," she explained. "Koala joeys are often given toys to provide comfort and teach them how to hang off the fur like they would with their mother."
If you're feeling up for a good cry, might I suggest you watch this video?
I'm not sure just what exactly it is about witnessing such a sweet little creature be bundled up inside a blanket while it sports an over-sized yet somehow remarkably small arm cast that makes me want to curl up in a ball and sob.
But here we are.
Hopefully, in a few months the joey will be ready to be released into the wild.
YouTube | Zoos Victoria
All being well, once she is back to perfect health and old enough, the carers will be able to release her back into the wild. Once she is there, she hopefully won't be doing any more falling out of trees!
If this little joey's story provoked not a single whimper from you, then you truly have a heart of ice! Wishing you all the best little joey!
h/t: Metro
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