This is our last Koala Kindy and Care Centre update for 2024!! We hope you have enjoyed tuning in to our monthly updates as much as we enjoy bringing our koala capers to you! If you have been following us on socials, which we think most of you do, you will have read about quite a few of our recent releases.
Blossom, Hobi, Rosie and Angelo, Shae and Soul, Genie, Gasket, Themis all went home and are now living their best lives in the wild. We only hope that if we meet again it is in the wild and not hospital! Livio, Bronson and Hotah have also been released which is just amazing news. It is the short-term success stories that give us all a little more hope to keep going.
Livio
Five year old Livio returned a negative re-test for Chlamydia and he was released home! We wish him all the very best in his wildlife adventures and hope that he never needs to visit us again!
Bronson
Three year old Bronson who was receiving treatment for a wound to his arm that he sustained in a dog attack recovered well and was released home. We can only hope that he stays out of trouble from now on and wish him the best of luck!
Hotah
Three and a half year old Hotah also returned a negative retest for Chlamydia and was released. Go Hotah!
Baby Cakes and Honeydew
Baby Cakes and Honeydew are officially Kindy Buddies yay! We were waiting for Baby Cakes to return a negative test for Chlamydia so she could be given the all clear to join Honeydew and she has! Both have been weaned from milk and are loving those fresh tips every day. In the meantime our volunteers – shout out to Graeme and Michael were busy getting this fabulous new run ready for the girls – many hours of work were put in this and we are so appreciative – as are the girls we think! It looks like we are on a girl streak with joeys right now with six girls to one boy!
Dorothy
Dorothy has completed her course of antibiotics and has tested negative for Chlamydia. When she arrived she was also anaemic but that too has resolved and so she will begin weaning from her supplements in preparation for release – such good news for this beauty! She looks SO much better!
Bunja
Who else has a soft spot for Bunja? He has had such a tough time but he is a little fighter. Bunja you will remember, sustained serious trauma to his eye as well as bleeding in his abdomen and a fractured clavicle. Whilst his eye is taking a long time to heal, he has been climbing well and moving around his enclosure.
Tulip
Another one we have a soft spot for is little Tulip who arrived following a dog attack, then tested positive for Chlamydia and had a cyst on her right ovary. It is one thing after another for poor Tulip BUT she is strong and keeps going! She is now negative for Chlamydia and is recovering from major abdominal surgery to remove her ovaries. Sadly this was the only way to remove the cyst indefinitely and of course we do not take these decisions lightly. She is still at the Koala Hospital, where she can be monitored closely and the vet team can ensure her surgical site stays clean. There is nothing but 5-star treatment for this girl with IV fluids, pain relief and top notch leaf. Aw isn’t she the cutest!!
Wookie
You might remember that we delayed antibiotic treatment on Wookie because he is very compromised, he has conjunctivitis, cystitis and kidney disease. Since then, we have given him a short course of antibiotics and we are waiting on his results. We sometimes do this when a koala is very unwell in case they can’t tolerate the treatment. He definitely looks brighter in Brad’s photo.
Valentine
Five year old Valentine is back – he was with us previously in 2022. This time he has conjunctivitis and has completed his course of antibiotics. He will be retested soon to see if it has cleared.
Thor
Since we released Thor’s mum Athena, Thor has been in home care with Liz, who is monitoring him closely. It appears he is still having issues with gripping with his hands and feet. Liz and our vet team will continue to keep a close eye on him.
Thelma and Louise
Thelma remains in hospital and has finished a course of antibiotic treatment for her Chlamydia. She will be retested soon. At six months old, Louise still needs around the clock milk feeds and special care and so she will stay with Liz in home care. Louise is having some gut issues and trouble feeding, we are going to try a different milk formula to see how she tolerates this one. Fingers crossed for this little lady, young joeys are particularly vulnerable and their condition can change dramatically in a short space of time.
Fudge
Fudge will also remain in home care with Liz until she is able to join the Kindy Kids. She recently had her vet check, where the stiches on her hand were removed. It looks like her hand has healed nicely and as she is loving her leaf and is otherwise well it shouldn’t be too long until she is ready to move up.
Geoffrey
Introducing six year old Geoffrey, who was admitted in mid November with conjunctivitis. He has started treatment and is in the safe hands of his amazing carers. This one is a nervous boy and is taking a little time to settle in – fingers cross the others tell him what good hands he is in so he can relax and enjoy fresh leaf on tap!
Chester
Chester is another new male of about seven years old who was admitted with conjunctivitis and like Geoffrey has started treatment and is in the care of our wonderful volunteers. Ouch those eyes!
Buddi
Buddi, another male another seven year old and another conjunctivitis patient! Aw he does look very poorly, so fingers crossed he is feeling better soon with both antibiotics and ointment he will get some relief.
Pancake
Ten month old Pancake seems to be cruising along in home care with Vickii. She recently had a thorough examination and appears to be in good health! Way to go Pancake keep up the good work and thanks to Vickii for taking such good care of her.
Reggae
Reggae is also in home care with Vickii. She has a lot of candida, which is perhaps why she hasn’t gained as much weight as we would like. She is receiving treatment and lots of support from Vickii – fingers crossed!
And that is a wrap for 2024! We will have more updates on our social media channels so please check us out there and if you can’t get enough adorable koalas in your life, why not sign up for your free 2025 koala calendar?
Whilst you’re here, if you would like to reminisce, check out our blog from this time last year – Johnny, Emerson, Baby Bear, Minnie May and all the gang are there, we also explained what soft release is if you missed it.
We also have another volunteer story that we think you might love. One that explores the symbiotic relationship between humans and animals and reminds us how we are all connected and for very good reason.
Finally, it’s Christmas and if you’re shopping or feel charitable, we would love you to consider our amazing meaningful Christmas gifts. From as little as $5 you can support us to save koalas and if you’re searching for the perfect corporate gift or a gift for the person who has everything, please consider becoming a friend of our Northern Rivers Koala Hospital.
- Charitable Christmas Gifts
- Adopt a Koala
- Become a Friend of the Northern Rivers Koala Hospital
- Adopt a Tree
- Partner with us – perhaps you could donate a percentage of your Christmas sales to helping koalas in the Northern Rivers?
- Joey Buddies – perfect for young and young at heart conservationists!
- Donate – you can even donate in someone’s memory
As always, thank you for your support and best wishes for the holiday season!
