Down under in Zurich Zoo

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All signposts in the Australia exhibit point south Keystone

Milo or Mikey in his new home Keystone

The outdoor part of the enclosure Keystone

Perenties can grow to two metres long Keystone

The entrance to the new enclosure. The building was built in 1959 and was previously home to the Africa House Keystone

Emus are the largest birds in Australia Keystone

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The new stars at Zurich Zoo have button eyes, fluffy fur and rate highly on the cute-o-meter: the two koalas, Milo and Mikey, can now be seen in the Australia exhibit, which opened on Wednesday. (All images: Keystone)

The two half-brothers are clearly indifferent to the buzz surrounding the opening: when not sleeping or yawning, they spent almost all their time chewing on eucalyptus leaves – moving only in emergencies. 

They came from a reptile park in Australia and have recently moved to Zurich ZooExternal link, the only animal park in Switzerland with koalas. The Australia exhibit is also home to perenties (large monitor lizards), emus and wallabies. 

Although visitors can walk through the outdoor enclosure among the emus and wallabies, it is not a petting zoo. Stroking and feeding the animals is forbidden. 

The koalas also have access to fresh air: trees and a place to sit have been provided so they can keep an eye on everything as they eat.