It is our first Koala Kindy and Care Centre update for 2025, and it is going to be another big one! We are thrilled to have five successful releases to report. After receiving much needed treatment and care from our vet team and volunteers, these koalas are ready to go home.
Of course, every release is carefully considered because it not only depends on the health of the koala but the timing and location of the release. Where possible, all koalas must be released back to where they were rescued because of course that is their home.
So let’s take a deep dive into what’s been happening at Friends of the Koala over the holidays.
Releases
Thelma, Dorothy, Valentine, Wookie and Jasmine were all released home, whilst Tulip went to soft release where she can be monitored to see how she is coping in the bigger trees. We LOVE this!!






Honeydew and Baby Cakes
Last month we shared the wonderful news of Honeydew joining Baby Cakes in Koala Kindy, since then they have also been joined by Pemulway, Thor and Fudge. Honeydew is loving life in Kindy with her new buddies and is exploring, climbing and jumping in her new temporary home. Baby Cakes is cruising along and enjoying her new playmates.


Pemulway
Pemulway who is approximately twelve months old was admitted in the middle of December when he was found walking on the ground on his own. No obvious injuries were found and Pemulway was set up in his own enclosure for observation and to wait on his Chlamydia test results. Once he returned a negative test, he was moved into Kindy with Honeydew and Baby Cakes and was recently joined by Thor and Fudge!

Friends of the Koala have commenced a new collaboration with The University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC) to assess the efficacy of their Chlamydia vaccine in hand-reared joeys. Over several months, we will evaluate the joey’s immune response to a vaccinate, featuring a more accessible adjuvant. This is exciting and a number of our koalas in home care have been vaccinated as part of the trial. Should the vaccine prove effective, it will significantly expedite koala Chlamydia vaccine registration, resulting in increased access of the vaccine for all wildlife hospitals Australia-wide. The Northern Rivers Koala Hospital wil be funded $70,000 from UniSc for our contribution to this project.

Thor
Little Thor spent some time with Liz following his fall from mum Athena, Liz carefully monitored his movements and ability to grip. We are delighted to say that Thor was given the all clear to join the Kindy kids and is loving exploring his new environment.
Fudge
Fudge, whose mum sadly passed away following a car hit has also recently joined Kindy. Fudge was the first joey to be vaccinated in the new trial. He is doing well in Kindy with his new playmates!
We still have a number of joeys in Home Care with the amazing Vickii who is currently looking after Pancake, Reggae and Bindi.
Pancake
Pancake, another joey orphan is in home care with Vickii who is monitoring her progress. She was also vaccinated as part of the new trial.

Bindi
Bindi is a joey of approximately ten months old whose mum also didn’t make it. Bindi is in home care with Vickii and is also part of the new trial.

Reggae
Reggae’s candida has resolved, and she is now gaining weight well, she is still in home care with Vickii who will monitor her progress and feed and care for her around the clock. Reggae is also part of the new trial.

Bunja
Poor Bunja – as if he didn’t have enough going on! Bunja was hit by a car where he sustained serious trauma to his eye as well as bleeding in his abdomen and a fractured clavicle. Whilst things were taking time to heal, he was moving and climbing well. In another assessment, our team discovered that Bunja has a chipped tooth that became infected, again it was probably caused by the car hit. Unfortunately, he needs to start antibiotics. Fingers crossed that he can tolerate treatment well and he is on the road to recovery. Poor boy!

Geoffrey, Chester and Buddi
Geoffrey, Chester and Buddi have all completed their treatment for Chlamydia and will be retested to see if they are free of infection. Once they get the all clear they can go home! Geoffrey sure does love to show off that smile!



Arvy, Blaze and Bastion
Arvy a seven-year-old male, Blaze an eleven-year-old male and Bastion a six year old male were all admitted with Chlamydial conjunctivitis and have started treatment. Fingers cross that all goes well. Once treatment is completed, they will be retested to see if the infection has cleared.

Daffodil and Bidziil
Flying the flag for the girls is three-year-old Daffodil and mum to Bidziil. Little Bidziil who is approximately eight months old was grabbed by a dog and has abdominal bleeding and lung contusions (bruising which causes bleeding and swelling). How awful for this poor little guy! Daffodil has cystitis and is being treated with antibiotics. Lots of TLC for these two and fingers crossed that they will be ok.

If you enjoyed reading this, you might like to read December’s update if you missed it and, if you have ever considered volunteering with wildlife, we would love to hear from you! Please read all about volunteering with Friends of the Koala here.
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