Save a Koala
SAVE A KOALA
DID YOU KNOW?
The word 'koala' means 'no drink' or 'no water' in the Aboriginal language.
The Koala Hospital was established in 1973 and is an activity of the Koala Conservation Australia Incorporated - a Not-For-Profit Organisation recognised globally. It serves as the protector and preserver of the beautiful koalas on the east coast of Australia. They treat sick and injured koalas and are involved in research work into koala diseases. Approximately 200-250 koalas are admitted through the hospital annually, with an influx during the devastating bushfires of late 2019. Visit their website >
LINR Paul
LINR (Lake Innes Nature Reserve) Paul was the first koala rescued in the devastating bush fires in Port Macquarie in November 2019.
He was brought to the Koala Hospital as a badly burnt, traumatised little koala. For a long time Paul sat in his basket in intensive care. Over the following months Paul responded well to treatment and his healing progressed as expected.
Unfortunately, some wild koalas struggle to cope and return to peak health after a huge injury such as Paul suffered. In spite of a nutritious diet and all the specialist care that the hospital could give, LINR Paul’s health declined.
The Port Macquarie Koala Hospital volunteers and staff who cared for Paul for over eight months were devastated by his loss. Paul touched the hearts of everyone who looked after him. Paul sadly passed away on Sunday 28th June.
LINR Anwen
LINR (Lake Innes Nature Reserve) Anwen was the first female koala brought into the Koala Hospital as a result of the devastating bushfires which ravaged the Mid North Coast of New South Wales and many other parts of Australia at the end of 2019.
Anwen was about 4-5 years old, and had badly burnt hands, feet, arms and fur, 90% of her body was singed or had radiant burns. For months she sat quietly in a basket in an intensive care unit. When it was decided her wounds had healed enough to no longer need dressing she was moved to an external, rehabilitation yard. Although quiet, she was active, cheeky and enjoyed moving around her enclosure and eating leaf.
Anwen was ready to go home and was released back to her home range on Friday, 3rd April, 2020.
Lion Leo
In early September 2019 a home owner found a young male koala in the backyard with her dogs and was concerned the koala may have been attacked. The Koala Hospital rescue team was despatched, and the young koala was captured.
On examination at the Koala Hospital, staff were pleased to find he only had a laceration on one foot. They also found he had amazing, beautiful blue eyes. This is a rare genetic phenomenon in koalas who occasionally do get admitted to the hospital having one blue eye and one brown eye but not both.
Lion Leo is now back in his home range and who knows, in the future, we may have more blue-eyed koalas from Leo’s offspring.
Bangalow Koalas Inc.was founded in May 2016 with the goal to create a koala "wildlife corridor" that links habitats across NSW to allow koalas to move safely across the local landscape. They aim to do this by planting 250,000 trees by 2025.
Awards:
- 2019 NSW Landcare Awards - Australian Community Media Landcare Community Group Champion
- Australia Day 2020 Byron Shire Environmental Project of the Year
- Australia Day 2020 Byron Shire Environmental Citizen of the Year (President, Linda Sparrow)
- Finalist for the 2020 NSW Environmental Citizen of the Year Award (President, Linda Sparrow)
- Byron Shire Council 2020 Sustainability Award
Friends of the Koala Inc. - East Lismore, NSW, Australia
This cute koala's name is Triumph.
My name is Triumph.
I was rescued by Friends of the Koalain March 2017, when I was 10 months old. Mymum died from disease, so I was raised by avolunteer koala carer. I was named Triumphbecause I was born with only 3 feet. Although I tryand not let that stop me from getting around,specialist vets deemed I would not do too well as awild koala, so I now call Friends of the Koala home.
Scientific Name: Phascolarctos cinereus
Life Span: 13 to 18 years (in the wild)
Diet: Eucalyptus leaves. Adult koalas can consume between 250-500g of leaf per day!
Conservation Status: Vulnerable