As we move through summer, the sustained warmer weather been felt not only by our communities but by the koalas we work so hard to protect every day. Koalas are well adapted to Australia’s climate, but prolonged periods of extreme heat places significant stress on them and other wildlife. When temperatures remain high for extended periods, their ability to regulate body temperature and stay hydrated is challenged, increasing their vulnerability and the need for monitoring, rescue, and care. So far, our summer has been fairly mild with only short episodes of hot temperatures.
Our volunteers continue to show extraordinary dedication – from leaf harvesters and plantation crews to maintenance teams, nursery volunteers, rescuers and carers. We truly are, in many ways, like an ecosystem: each role supports the other, and it’s only when all parts work together that we can effectively support koalas.
Thank you, as always, to our volunteers, supporters, and partners who continue to stand beside us. Your care, persistence, and compassion ensure that even in the most demanding conditions, koalas in our region are not facing these challenges alone.
Our hospital is still very busy and we have had some complex cases and challenging times. Let’s begin our monthly update with our successful releases – we only have two this month but a number of others will hopefully be ready soon!
Koala Releases – February
Picard
Four year old Picard was admitted in early December 2025 following a car hit. Fortunately, he sustained only minor injuries, including facial grazes and mild soft tissue swelling. Clinical assessment also identified very mild signs consistent with Chlamydia, including conjunctival inflammation and bladder wall thickening. Picard completed a course of antibiotics and subsequently returned a negative chlamydia result and was successfully released back into the wild! Way to go Picard – best of luck on your wild adventures!
Jenny
Another four year old, Jenny who was admitted in mid January following reports of an interaction with dogs in a residential backyard. Jenny received a full vet assessment and reassuringly no physical injuries were found. Once tests confirmed that she was negative for Chlamydia, Jenny was cleared for release and was successfully returned home. Welcome home Jenny – we hope she keeps safely to the trees from here on.
Koalas in Home Care
Cob
Cob is now ten months old and weighs in at 1.5kg, that’s almost five times what he weighed when rescued at just 305 grams. It also means that little Cob has made huge progress thanks to his amazing carers Renata (and previously Liz). What a team!
Kris
Kris, a one year old male was rescued in early January, heartbreakingly he was found next to his deceased mum. A thorough vet assessment identified some abdominal bleeding, suggesting that Kris may have experienced a fall. He was also dehydrated and underweight, indicating that his mother had likely been unwell for some time prior. Kris was stabilised with fluids and placed into Home Care with Liz initially and transitioned into care with Renata a short time later so that he could be paired with Cob for a little buddy and continued development.
Cassy
Cassy is a nine month old female who arrived at Friends of the Koala in early January. She was found alone on the ground in a car park with no signs of her mum nearby and reportedly had been observed on her own for several days. Cassy was very compromised on admission with a body score of just 4/10 – she was emaciated, dehydrated and had low blood glucose. An IV catheter was placed and she received fluids over several days to stabilise and rehydrate her before transitioning her into Home Care with Liz.
The early stages of Cassy’s recovery were challenging and we remain guarded on her prognosis but encouraged by her progress and significant improvement. Slowly, Cassy began to gain weight – she is now taking milk well, eating leaf and has gone from 878 grams to 1.3kg with a body score of 5/10.
Cassy is not out of the woods but she has shown great resilience and we are full of hope for this little fighter – and of course she has our incredible Liz fighting for her, alongside our amazing vets.
These photos were from a couple of days after Cassy was admitted. She still has her intravenous catheter in, and Liz was given IV fluids at home to help rehydrate her. Kate is listening to her heart and lungs in these photos.
Kindy Kids
The Kindy Kids are SO precious and SO much fun! Obviously we would want them where they belong – with their mum in the wild but when they can’t be, we are grateful to be in a position to fill that gap.
Wriggles
Wriggles has been with us now for almost six months and tips the scales at 3kg – yes she LOVES her leaf! Wriggles is now fourteen months old and is a great little buddy for Lemon. Lemon keeps her entertained!
Lemon
Lemon is a very active eighteen month old – he is always practicing jumping and climbing, he is also thriving and is steadily gaining weight – he also weighs over 3kg!
Kyoko
Kyoko is sixteen months old and was spotted with his mum who was showing signs of a Chlamydia infection. Our rescue team set out to bring the pair in safely for treatment but unfortunately Kyoko’s mum managed to escape and despite continued searching in the days following, she could not be located. Kyoko was successfully rescued however and brought in for a full assessment.
Kyoko tested positive for Chlamydia and underwent a full course of antibiotics and eye medications and once he returned a negative test, he progressed to kindy where he joined Yashica.
He has been eating well, steadily gaining weight, and continues to thrive in care.
Yashica
Yashica seems to enjoy having a new buddy to hang out with, she also continues to do well.
Koala Care Centre
We have suffered a number of losses both in koalas who were found deceased in the wild and those who were admitted to our koala hospital who were just too compromised to make it. As always it is very difficult for our volunteers and can be distressing to read about so we try to keep things as positive as possible around here and update about the koalas with the best outcomes.
Olive
Eight year old Olive who was admitted following a car hit and subsequently lost one of her eyes, is still in pre-release with Tanya in Inverell.
Rosie
Eight year old Rosie was admitted to our koala hospital back in October, it was her second visit. Rosie underwent surgery on her neck and whilst the wound healed beautifully Rosie’s condition has deteriorated recently. She has a low appetite and has lost some weight. We have stopped the antifungal treatment for a week and will re-assess her weight before starting the treatment again. Unfortunately, Rosie still needs a few more months of treatment.
Ferguson
Five year old Ferguson has low grade conjunctivitis, he has completed two rounds of antibiotic treatment for Chlamydia (the first was unsuccessful). We are waiting to retest him soon and he can hopefully go home.
Rudolph
As shared in last month’s update, Rudolph was admitted after a concerned member of the public contacted our rescue hotline upon spotting him sitting low in a tree with obvious signs of conjunctivitis. He was safely rescued and transported to the Northern Rivers Koala Hospital (NRKH) for a full assessment, where he was diagnosed with bilateral grade 3 conjunctivitis and prostatitis. Rudolph has since completed a full course of antibiotics.
During his end-of-treatment examination, however, vets detected a very high blood glucose level and Rudolph has now been diagnosed with diabetes. The cause remains unclear, particularly as he has not been treated with steroids, which can sometimes be a contributing factor.
Rudolph is currently being managed with daily insulin injections, with the hope that his glucose levels will stabilise and he may no longer require ongoing treatment. We are also awaiting his Chlamydia test results.
He continues to be closely monitored by the care team.
Comet
Eight year old Comet completed his course of antibiotics and eye medication for conjunctivitis and his eyes have improved considerably. We are awaiting on his Chlamydia test results to send him home!
Gideon
Five year old Gideon has returned to care for a third time, having previously been treated for Chlamydia on two occasions. His first admission was on 22/03/25, when he was treated for conjunctivitis and mild cystitis. He was readmitted on 11/09/25 and received a short course of antibiotics and eye medication for mild conjunctivitis.
Gideon has now presented with severe cystitis. His bladder is extremely thickened and he has a very wet rump, indicating the condition has likely been affecting him for some time. He has also lost a noticeable amount of weight and body condition since he was last seen in October 2025.
On arrival, Gideon was rehydrated and started on pain relief and supplementary feeding. After several days of supportive care and rehydration, he has now commenced a course of antibiotics and is being closely monitored by the veterinary team
Baloo
Six year old Baloo was admitted at the end of January with severe conjunctivitis and mild cystitis. He has commenced treatment, including injectable antibiotics, topical eye ointments, and pain relief, and is being closely monitored as he responds to care.
Patience and Puddles
Mum Patience and joey Puddles were rescued following a sighting showing signs of conjunctivitis. Nine year old Patience is suffering from severe conjunctivitis, which has impaired her vision. Twelve month old Puddles also has conjunctivitis, though his case is less severe. Both have begun treatment and will remain in care while they recover.
Behind every koala story this month is a network of rescuers, carers, vets and volunteers working quietly and tirelessly to give each animal the best possible chance.
February wrap-up
February has been another challenging and demanding month for our rescue, hospital, and care teams, with a high number of koalas admitted requiring intensive treatment for disease, injury, and complex health conditions. While it’s always difficult to see animals arrive in poor condition, it has also been encouraging to watch many respond positively to treatment and care, gain strength, and begin their recovery journey. Our dedicated staff and volunteers continue to provide round-the-clock support, ensuring every koala receives the best possible chance at rehabilitation and release. We are incredibly grateful to our community for their ongoing support, which makes this work possible.
We are actively fundraising to complete our hospital expansion. If you’re able to support this work, every donation helps us deliver a world-class facility for koalas in the Northern Rivers.
Don’t forget if you enjoyed reading this blog, we have lots of other great articles on our website. We have a new koala hospital fundraising page to launch but in the mean time please have a look at the following:
