Koala Bare

First, we had a penguin who was afraid of water, but now what really takes the bucket is a koala who prefers water to trees!!! The baby koala in question has become an internet sensation due to the circulation of the sensational topless photo pictured above - featuring said koala chillaxing in a bucket-bath. Australian website new.com.au takes up the story:

Wildlife officers have come to the rescue of an abandoned baby koala who found internet stardom by being the bear in a bucket...

"The mum had become distressed and disorientated by the heat so she left the baby on its own without realising," [said] Tracey Young... "They’re normally up in the tree together, in a pair, and we see them all the time."

Ms Young’s nephew first spotted the distressed animal on the family property in Maude, between Melbourne and Geelong. "I had to scoop water up in my hand to get it to drink and at first it wasn’t very unresponsive... Eventually it realised the water was in the bowl and it just climbed in itself."

A viral email showing the koala taking its refreshing dip generated media interest in the marsupial.

It has been quite a day for Australian animal news!

Hat tip: Perez