Baby Koala Who Lost Her Mom Can't Stop Hugging a Stuffed Animal Replica of Her

Everyone deserves to grow up with the love and comfort of their mom, but sadly, that's not everyone's reality. Some animals, like a recently orphaned koala joey at the San Diego Zoo, have to learn to adjust to life without their mothers by their sides. Luckily for Leura, there's a line of both people and koalas who'd love ot help raise her.

The baby animal was spotted cuddling with a stuffed animal replica of her mom at the zoo on May 7, leaving just about everyone in tears. One zoo visitor even posted a video of the priceless sighting to their social media account, and now the baby koala is melting hearts across the Internet.

@2003virgobitch

Baby Koala at the San Diego Zoo! #sandiegozoo#cute#koala#sandiegosafarizoopark#babykoala

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Could this baby animal be any cuter? At nine months old, Leura still needs the security of a mother or motherly figure, and sometimes, this stuffed animal gets the job done. Zoo visitors have also spotted other female koalas looking after the little one, but nothing can come close to the love that her late mother, Coolaroo, provided.

Sadly, Coolaroo passed away from cancer on March 27, and it's been up to wildlife caretakers and the other koalas to give her joey the nurturing she needs to thrive. Clearly, she couldn't be in better hands! She lives in the largest koala colony outside of Australia, and she has hundreds of thousands of adoring fans who will make sure she never feels lonely.

Related: Cows' Unhappy Reaction to Meeting A Lost Koala Has Viewers In Stitches

"I love her. I'll be her mom," commented @jordynhowellxo. She's far from the only one who's eager to get a closer look at the baby. If the zoo opened positions for volunteer babysitters, there would be a line around the block!

Koalas At The San Diego Zoo

Since the first breeding pair, Snugglepot and Cuddlepie, arrived at the San Diego Zoo in 1925, the breeding program has become one of the most successful outside of Australia. The zoo's spacious Outback habitat gives koalas plenty of space to climb, forage, and snack on eucalyptus leaves, and visitors can view them from multiple angles.

Those who are truly lucky will even get to see Leura up close and personal! This koala joey stole everyone's hearts in a matter of seconds, and it's safe to say she'll gain even more fans as she grows up in the San Diego Zoo.

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This story was originally published May 12, 2026 at 5:45 PM.