Luke The Koala Gets New Mate for Valentine's Day

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Credit DAVID ILIFF

The Albuquerque zoo has delivered a special Valentine's Day gift for Luke the koala -- a new mate.

Zoo officials say a female Queensland koala named Netty arrived Wednesday night from the Los Angeles Zoo.

After a few weeks behind-the-scenes, the 7-year-old female will join Luke in the Koala Creek Exhibit. Zookeepers hope for koala joeys in the upcoming year.

Netty was born at the Taronga Zoo in Sydney, Australia, and was roommates with Luke in Los Angeles before he came to Albuquerque in December.

Albuquerque zoo director Rick Janser says the zoo is excited to once again have Queensland koalas, and is honored to be chosen as a breeding facility.