Baby Koala Sees World For First Time At Zoo Miami: PHOTOS

MIAMI, FL — A cuddly baby koala, named Hope in honor of the wildfires ravaging its Australian homeland, emerged from its mother's pouch for the first time Wednesday at Zoo Miami, marking the first surviving koala born here in 28 years and only the third in the zoo's history.

"It is our desire that this baby koala will help to bring a small ray of hope to all that are suffering in Australia and be a symbol for a positive future for the priceless wildlife that lives there," Zoo Miami officials said in announcing the birth Thursday. "In addition, Zoo Miami will be making a $10,000 donation to the Zoos Victoria Bushfire Emergency Wildlife Fund in support of the herculean efforts being undertaken to save the countless animals being affected by this disaster."

Ron Magill of Zoo Miami said mother Rinny and her joey will not be on public display for several weeks.

"Because this is her first baby, we want to ensure that she is totally comfortable and that the baby is well-adjusted and used to being out of the pouch prior to putting them on public view," Magill said.

Watch baby Hope below with mother Rinny, courtesy of Zoo Miami:

Koalas have a very short pregnancy of around 30 days. Babies are in practically in an embryonic state, totally hairless, with nondeveloped eyes and tiny limbs, and the size of a bumblebee, according to zoo officials.

"Immediately after being born, the joey makes a difficult journey as it instinctively crawls into the mother’s pouch, where it remains for approximately six months, continuing to develop, before emerging when it actually looks like a baby koala," zoo officials said.

Magill released the first public photos and video of mother and Hope.

"This is a huge achievement for Zoo Miami and, hopefully, a bright spot in what has been such devastating news regarding these adored animals," zoo officials said.

Hope was actually born on May 30, but the marsupial remained in its mother's pouch until Wednesday. Zoo officials have not yet determined Hope's gender.

The father is 8-year-old Milo, who was born at the San Diego Zoo in 2011. He arrived at Zoo Miami in 2016. This is also his first baby.

"In my 40 years at the zoo, these were some of the most memorable moments of my career here," Magill added.

Click here to donate to the Zoo Miami Foundation if you wish to assist with the effort in Australia.