How Much Does a Koala Bear Cost?


Written by:  Howmuchisit.org Staff

Australia is the homeland of the Koala, and this animal is highly protected in this area as well as the rest of the world.  Because it is an endangered species, the price for a Koala bear is going to be quite high and only available to those who hold the appropriate permits.

A Koala bear, unfortunately, is not allowed to be a domestic pet in most areas, so make sure to check with your city and state before you consider getting one.

The factors that determine the cost, if you’re legally able to purchase one, will depend on the age, gender, species and where you purchase it from.

Koala Bear by JAK SIE MASZ, on Flickr
Koala Bear” (CC BY-SA 2.0) by  JAK SIE MASZ

 How much does a Koala bear cost?

According to Juliusbergh.com, the statistics show that the price of the Koala will be around $3,000 to as high as $5,000, but the costs to maintain one can easily reach into the millions when food is included inside the quote.

Unlike most animals, the baby Koala bears are usually cheaper than the grown ones.  The reason for this is that the babies have fewer vaccines and medications as well as training and experience with people.

Ask.com states that there is no legal way for you to buy this animal on the market unless you belong to a conservation group or a zoo.  In fact, the site explains that the Koala is highly vulnerable and endangered.

In the end, if you are still thinking about purchasing a Koala bear, your chances are slim to none since they are deemed an endangered species.

Even though most of us can’t purchase one, you can “adopt” one by supporting local foundations.  The Australian Koala Foundation, for example, charges $30 to $50 per month to adopt a local Koala.  While you can’t keep it as a pet, this fee includes a certificate, welcome kit, stickers and more.

As for a zoo, it can cost upwards of $1.1 million per year to feed one Koala due to the sensitivity of growing eucalyptus, the food they exclusively feed on.  These leaves, according to the Japan Times, can’t use chemicals and it has to be removed by hand, increasing the costs to keep one inside the zoo.

What are the extra costs?

The first thing that you need to consider as an extra cost is a habitat.  Usually, a cage that measures around 15 by 15 feet, at a minimum, is something to consider.  Its housing setup should be protected, regardless of how you’re housing the Koala, and it’s best to plant as many trees within its enclosure to mimic its natural habitat as closely as possible.  A small shelter is also necessary to protect it from the outdoor elements.

Food, as with any animal, is of the essence for the care of the Koala, but as mentioned, a Koala will prefer a certain variety of eucalyptus leaves to feed off of.  They will also consume other kinds of vegetation that are high in fiber.

Licenses and permits to own this animal tend to be quite expensive, no matter where you live.  To budget, it will probably cost you a few extra thousand dollars just to make sure you get to own one in a legal way.

Tips to know:

It is not best to buy the Koala Bear from the black market as the means by which they have been captured are illegal, and you do not want to involve yourself in such activities.

Because the Koala bear is endangered, it is almost impossible to get one as a domestic pet.  Because they are so high maintenance and hard to feed, your time, energy, and money will be spent caring for the Koala bear rather than enjoying its company.  Therefore, trying to pursue the purchase of a Koala bear should be avoided altogether.

A Koala isn’t very active, and in fact, they can sleep up to 20 hours in the day.  However, even though they may seem lazy, it doesn’t mean they love to climb and play with toys.  Koalas, unlike many pets, aren’t too social and will usually only bond with their mothers.

Usually, these animals thrive to live in the dry eucalyptus trees, commonly referred to by residents as gum trees.  The Koala will certainly give you a run for your money as it is considered to be quite a fussy eater.  It only eats from certain eucalyptus trees as mentioned.

How can I save money?

In reality, the Koala Bear is considered to be an animal that cannot easily and legally be owned.  If you really want to buy one, then you cannot expect to save too much as the associated costs to get one is quite high.  However, if you really persist to getting one, then you have to prepare yourself to get this Koala bear legally.


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Average Reported Cost: $0

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Less Expensive $1 $1.5K $3K $5K $6.5K More Expensive $8k

How much did you spend?

Was it worth it?  

  1. Fred (Fresno,  Cali) paid $ and said:

    It was worth every penny

    Was it worth it? Yes

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