New gift to support Australian critters at Zoo Miami

A $1.35 million gift from the Gail S. Posner Trust will support Australian exhibits at Zoo Miami, the attraction announced Tuesday.

The gift creates the Gail S. Posner Trust Australian Complex at the zoo and will fund a renovation of the building that houses koalas and Matschie’s tree kangaroos. An outdoor space next to that building will be enclosed, adding another display area for the zoo’s three koalas and room for pink and gray Galah cockatoos found in Australia.

Also supported by the gift: koala conservation programs in Australia; a program with the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine providing for internships at the zoo; funding for an staffer at the zoo who will develop educational programs for students about Australian animals; the hiring of a new Australian animal zookeeper and the eucalyptus diet for the koalas.

Posner, a Miami Beach heiress, died in 2010.

This story was originally published October 14, 2014 at 5:13 PM with the headline "New gift to support Australian critters at Zoo Miami."