Koala Joey Showered in Love for Her First Valentine's Day

An adorable koala joey was showered with love and affection as she celebrated her first Valentine’s Day at the Australian Reptile Park in New South Wales on February 14.

Footage provided by the park shows Elsa the koala being loved on by staff members, including keeper Erica Johnstone, who gave the joey a bouquet of roses.

The Australian Reptile Park said Elsa faced “a rough start to life” when keepers realized her mother could not produce milk. Keeper Hayley Shute acted as a surrogate mom for Elsa, helping her grow into a “perfect little joey,” according to a park press release.

Elsa will later become a “crucial part” to the park’s breeding program, the release said.

“It’s more important than ever to show the world just how special our koalas are and our crucial breeding program," Johnstone said in the press release. "If this video just encourages one person to make a donation towards koalas, then we can say we have spread the love this Valentine’s Day!” Credit: The Australian Reptile Park via Storyful