Browse representing 1.5 m of terminal growth from 11 species of Eucalyptus shoots or mature tree
limbs was divided into portions which were either consumed or rejected by captive koalas. The following
nutrient concentrations (dry basis) were found in preferred browse: crude protein, 5.9-17.8%;
ether extract, 5.5-19.2%; neutral detergent fibre, 16.8-37.5%; ash, 3.2-5.6%; remaining proximate
fraction [(dry matter) - (crude protein + ether extract + neutral detergent fibre + ash)], 31.7-64.8%;
calcium, 0.28-1.95%; phosphorus, 0.08-0.42%; sodium, 0.03-1.29%; potassium, 0.30-2.06%; magnesium,
0.12-0.44%; iron, 67-274 ppm; copper, 2.1-15.8 ppm; zinc, 17-54 ppm; and selenium,
0.03-0.42 ppm. Preferred browse, as compared to rejected browse, had significantly higher concentrations
of crude protein, remaining proximate fraction, phosphorus and potassium, and significantly
lower concentrations of ether extract, neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre, permanganate lignin,
gross energy, calcium, iron and selenium.