Koala bears – those cute little fuzzy creatures, half squirrel, half bear, half something else from down under. Every zoo wants some, until now.

It costs more to feed six koalas at Osaka’s Tennoji Zoo than to feed the rest of the zoo’s animals put together. That comes to Y92million ($950,000) a year to feed them or $160,000 each per year = $450/day per animal. And the Tennoji Zoo spends Y85 million on all the other animals it cares for.

The fuzzy wuzzies feast on Eucalyptus trees which are cultivated in only seven locations in Japan. Hey! I have one in my front yard!

Koalas apparently only eat about 50 eucalyptus species, introduced to them by their mothers when they are still in their mother’s pouches.

It all boils down to how much zoo visitors are willing to shell out to see the little rascals and whether or not it adds up to the cost to feed and care for them.

After all, it’s always about the money. Isn’t it?

Images by FrankMaurer, jcolman, alumroot