G’day, g’day from the entire Friends of the Koala family and of course our furry friends! It’s hard to believe that we are already half way through April! Although our days are still warm (around 26 degrees) our nights are getting a little cooler! Below, you’ll see that the number of joeys being admitted has begun to slow down following the end of breeding season, this is great news but, what’s not, is the amount of koalas with chlamydial disease!

Les

Since last month we had a few returning patients! Who remembers Les who was admitted in 2021 with a severe wound to his thigh? Les spent a couple of months with us healing and rehabilitating before he went home again to East Coraki. Les is now nine and was admitted with injuries to his left eye and right epipubic bone. Les was assessed and because his injuries were minor and had already healed he didn’t need any treatment and was released the following day. Well done Les and to everyone involved – it is great to hear about an old friend!

Valentine

Valentine has also returned for a possible Chlamydia infection – he resides near Honeydew in the wild (see below). Valentine appears otherwise quite healthy apart from mild bladder inflammation. He was tested and returned a negative test for Chlamydia and has already gone home – a quick turnaround this time for Valentine luckily!

Tamami

Seven year old Tamami was rescued following the recent flood from Ex-Cyclone Alfred. She was observed by rescuers covered in mud. A full work up was completed and we discovered that Tamami had a pouch young joey of approximately three months old! Tamami had dried thickened mud along her abdomen and inner limbs and so under anaesthetic we bathed her to remove the mud and as there was no evidence of secondary dermatitis and she and her joey were otherwise healthy, we kept them overnight for monitoring and released them the following day! A great outcome for this duo – read more about this rescue and release here.

Troppo

Ten month old Troppo who was rescued following Ex-Cyclone Alfred he returned a weak positive result for Chlamydia, was treated and once he returned a negative test was released – yay! We love this news!

Pancake and Bindi

Pancake and Bindi have headed out to soft release where they will be closely monitored on the bigger trees to see how they navigate life in the semi-wild – we think they will smash it! Once we are happy that they are happy and stable in their new environment the doors will be opened and they will be free to explore the wild! We wish these cuties exciting (safe) adventures!

Fudge has a new buddy in Koala Kindy!

Fudge

Fudge has lost a little weight and a scat sample confirmed that she has candida (again). She has begun antifungal medication but overall she is still doing really well – bright, active and loving leaf! She also has a new buddy!

Higgins

Nine month old Higgins has graduated to Koala Kindy and is loving it! She has been busy in the last few days exploring her new home and checking out her new friend, she has also just had another re-check and was very healthy on examination. Higgins is a candidate for the Chlamydia vaccine trial. Whilst under anaesthetic she was treated to a mini mani and pedi because her nails were a bit shredded from climbing in Kindy – only the absolute best for our koalas!

Husk

Excellent news about Husk… his wounds have finally closed over and his bandage has been removed, next week he will be moved to a larger enclosure where his rehabilitation begins in gaining muscle mass to climb those big trees. Well done Husk we are so proud of you!

Cielo

Cielo is a three year old girl admitted following the recent weather events, she has just completed a course of treatment for cystitis and conjunctivitis and will be ready for testing in two weeks time. She has been very active and eager to leave. Hopefully not much longer before she can get back out into the wild!

Reef

Nine year old Reef was admitted in early April following a car hit. He has an old injury to his right elbow which appears to have healed and an injury to his left eye from the car hit. We have begun eye treatment and we are also monitoring his movements to see if his elbow injury has affected his mobility in any way. Reef is also a little underweight so we have started him on supplements to help build his body condition. He loves his fresh leaf and is steadily gaining weight – well done Reef!

Fumie

Fumie and her pouch young joey were admitted to Currumbin Wildlife Hospital following a car hit and were subsequently transferred to Friends of the Koala for further rehabilitation. Unfortunately her little joey didn’t make it which is just so terribly sad. Following several x-rays, Fumie appears to have a fractured pelvis and is receiving pain relief as well as supportive care. We are hopeful that time and care will heal her fracture.

Gideon

Four year old Gideon has conjunctivitis in both eyes, following antibiotic treatment and eye medication his eyes have already greatly improved. He has just been retested and we are awaiting his results – fingers crossed he can go home very soon!

Watson

Dear Watson, a three year old male was admitted with cystitis when he was spotted with quite a wet and stained rump. He has just completed antibiotic treatment as well as receiving regular baths to keep the area dry and clean. His rump is looking much better and otherwise his body condition looks good so fingers crossed for a negative test next week.

Droplet

Droplet has returned for treatment – remember he fell from a tree as a young joey? He recovered well and was released. Unfortunately Droplet, who is just two years old has returned with both chlamydial conjunctivitis and cystitis. He has begun antibiotic treatment and hopefully responds well to it.

Wellington

Wellington is a six year old male who was admitted with severe conjunctivitis and cystitis. He is in good body condition and has begun treatment – more updates to come!

Yuno

Yuno is a two year old dispersing male who was found by a member of the public limping on the road in Goonellabah. Yuno has some minor internal injuries and bleeding in his abdomen. He is stable in an external enclosure where we can observe him moving and climbing. We have also tested him for Chlamydia and is negative. He will be released very soon!

Honeydew

Another returnee – Honeydew, who was admitted with mild chlamydial disease. She has coped with treatment very well and we are currently waiting a negative test before she is cleared to go home.

Thanks for reading and don’t forget we are on all the social channels including YouTube! You can also sign up to become a member. You’ll receive regular newsletter updates, know that you are contributing to koala conservation, receive opportunities to participate in our events and workshops including our Annual General Meeting and have a voice and a vote in the decision-making process. Please consider this small annual fee and help us save more koalas.

Post Ex-Cyclone Alfred

Since Ex-Cyclone Alfred tore through the Northern Rivers and our efforts as part of the Northern Rivers Emergency Response Network, led by Maria Matthes, we have found and visually assessed nearly two hundred koalas in two weeks. We take this opportunity to thank everyone involved in the emergency response with special thanks to IFAW for providing support including disaster response equipment, wildlife search and rescue expenses and ongoing rehabilitation costs for koalas in care. You can read more about the emergency response here.

Where to from here? The work is not over, we are still recovering from the Cyclone, we still have some of these koalas in our care and are still rescuing others. This means that we still need your support to ensure that we can continue to provide care for these koalas. If you haven’t already or if you think you can help in any way, please donate or get in touch – we are always looking for people to help us make an impact.

Endangered koalas and the ecologist documenting their extinction

You might like to take a look at a new interview with our very own Maria Matthes as she talks to the Guardian about her work over the past thirty years trying to make koala conservation a priority. We, and our koalas are so so lucky to have Maria in our corner. Read more.