Each year, we experience a brief period of relative quiet before the arrival of breeding season, when admissions to the Care Centre and Northern Rivers Koala Hospital traditionally increase as koalas travel further in search of mates and territories.
This reduced activity gives our team a valuable opportunity to focus on ongoing treatments, operations and maintenance, volunteer recruitment and training and other essential tasks. It won’t be long before the pace picks up again. In the coming months, we anticipate a rise in rescues and hospital admissions, particularly for injuries caused by vehicle strikes, dog attacks, and other hazards koalas encountered during the breeding season.
For those of you who live locally, we encourage you to check out volunteering with Friends of the Koala. Plus, please, please, please .. visitors and locals alike, remain vigilant and help keep koalas safe during this critical time of year.
And yet, although it’s the quiet time, we still have plenty of news to share with you this month, including the release of Duke after a two month stay with us.
Duke
As many of you know, Duke was admitted to our Northern Rivers Koala Hospital suffering from severe conjunctivitis, cystitis, and a wound to his front right forelimb. He arrived in a very compromised state – dehydrated and in need of urgent care, and at the time, we could only offer a guarded prognosis.
Thanks to the dedication and expertise of our veterinary team and the tireless support of our volunteers, Duke’s condition steadily improved. With treatment, including IV fluids, and once he was strong enough to move into a large enclosure, his body condition and weight began to recover.
We are delighted to share that Duke has now made a full recovery and has been successfully released back into the wild. Huge thanks to all involved in Duke’s journey, he is a lucky boy!
Snowflake
Snowflake, a two-year-old female, was admitted to our care in late July after a very lucky escape from an encounter with a dog in a backyard. She was promptly rescued and given a full examination under anaesthetic, which thankfully revealed no significant injuries – an excellent outcome considering the circumstances.
Snowflake’s stay with us was brief, and as soon as she returned a negative Chlamydia test result, she was free to go home. She was released back into her home range away from dogs, giving her the best chance to continue thriving in the wild. Fingers crossed Snowflake stays away from backyards in the future!
Storm
Storm completed his second course of antibiotics, is now clear of Chlamydia, and has gone home! Good luck, Storm – stay safe in the wild!
Tay
Five-year-old Tay was admitted in late June with conjunctivitis and an old injury to his right leg. He has now completed his course of antibiotics, tested negative for Chlamydia and has been released back home!
Thumper
Seven-year-old Thumper, admitted with mild conjunctivitis and severe cystitis, has completed his course of antibiotics. When retested for Chlamydia, he returned a negative result and has gone home – another rescue, rehabilitation and release story!
Quatro
Our once-tiny Quatro is growing fast and now weighs an impressive 1 kg – a testament to the exceptional care he has received from Liz. He continues to thrive, becoming more adventurous each day as he climbs and explores his surroundings with increasing confidence. Yay, Quatro – way to go!
Rafaela
Five-month-old Rafaela became an orphan when her mother was tragically struck by a car. Although she sustained some mild bruising to one lung, she was otherwise uninjured. After receiving fluids at the hospital, Rafaela was placed in the expert care of Liz, who will monitor her around the clock to ensure she continues to recover and grow.
Husk
Husk has finally completed his course of antibiotics, and we are delighted to report that the infection in his leg seems to have resolved – yay! He seems to be more steady on his right leg and is moving well. He will soon be moving to a larger enclosure, giving him the space to move more freely and rebuild muscle mass and strength in that leg.
Husk has had a difficult time, but he has handled it like a champ. We have such a soft spot for this gorgeous boy and can’t wait until we can release him home again.
King
Seven-year-old King, who was admitted suffering from severe conjunctivitis in both eyes and ear infections in both ears, has now tested negative for Chlamydia – such wonderful news! As he has lost some body condition during his illness, we will be keeping him in our care a little longer to help him regain his strength before release. Please send him all your love and support for a full recovery.
Marshall
Marshall was diagnosed with severe cystitis. Unfortunately, his initial course of antibiotics did not resolve the infection, so he has now begun a second course with a different medication, which we hope will be more effective. Fingers crossed for this boy!
Theo
Theo was rescued showing signs of severe conjunctivitis, with red, sore, and swollen eyes. He has begun his antibiotic treatment as well as eye drops. Fingers crossed he can make a full recovery and return to the wild very soon.
Saffron
Saffron is another female koala with conjunctivitis who was admitted to our hospital in early August. She has commenced treatment, including antibiotics and eye medication.
Khan
Khan, a ten-year-old male who previously visited us in early 2024 for treatment of chlamydial conjunctivitis, is back in our care. This time, he was admitted with a large abscess behind his right eye, most likely sustained during a fight with another koala. He has begun antibiotic treatment for the abscess, and his wound is healing well. Hopefully, it won’t be too much longer before Khan can be released back home.
As breeding season is now underway, koalas are more vulnerable than ever as they travel greater distances in search of mates and territories. As we know, this naturally leads to an increase in risks such as vehicle strikes, dog attacks, and other human induced hazards. We urge everyone, locals and visitors alike to stay vigilant and do their part to help keep our koalas safe during this critical time. Looking ahead, next month marks Save the Koala Month, a perfect opportunity to raise awareness and support for the ongoing conservation efforts that protect these iconic Australian animals. Together, we can make a real difference for koalas now and into the future. If you enjoyed reading this you might enjoy the following:
