Welcome to the start of 2026 at Friends of the Koala! We are excited about a new year and look forward with hope to continued progress in the care and protection of koalas. We also look forward to finishing our hospital expansion and the impact that has on koala conservation in the Northern Rivers. Plus, this year is a very special milestone as Friends of the Koala turns forty!! Planning is underway, so please keep your eyes out for updates, we look forward to celebrating with as many of you as possible.

Summer has certainly made its presence felt, with hot conditions posing challenges for koalas in the wild. At this time of year, simple actions from the community can make a big difference, whether it’s providing access to water, keeping dogs under control, or knowing who to call if you see a koala in trouble.

Our thoughts are with the people, wildlife and communities affected by the current Victorian wildfires including the carers and emergency responders working tirelessly in difficult conditions.

Thank you, as always, for being part of our journey and for your ongoing support as we move into another year of caring for koalas together.

Onwards to the cuties in our care this month!

We are delighted to report the release of Sunshine, Radar, Phantom, Astrid, Taylor and Blitzen – that’s six more koalas released back home to the wild. We have also been so busy that we almost forgot to report that by the close of 2025 we successfully released our 100th koala back to the wild! Every successful release represents countless hours of dedication from our volunteers, vet nurses, veterinarians, carers and supporters and we are incredibly grateful to those who give our koalas the best possible chance to return to the wild.

Sunshine

Sunshine made incredible progress since her admission after a car strike in October. Following intensive treatment and recovery, including surgery to address a bone infection in one of her fingers, Sunshine has healed well and adapted confidently. She was recently given the all-clear for release and is now back in the wild where she belongs, marking a fantastic outcome and a rewarding start to the year for everyone involved in her care.

Radar

Radar, an 8-year-old male from Possum Creek, has made an excellent recovery following his admission after a fall from a tree. After treatment and supportive care, Radar regained strength and demonstrated strong climbing ability. He has recently been successfully released back into the wild, a wonderful result and a testament to his resilience and the dedicated care he received.

Phantom

Another resident from Possum Creek, five year old Phantom responded well to treatment after being admitted with chlamydial disease. Following a successful course of treatment and rehabilitation, Phantom has recently been released back into the wild, marking another positive outcome for a koala on his journey back to health.

Astrid

Astrid, a 7-year-old male from Federal, was admitted in poor condition and treated for chlamydial disease, including conjunctivitis and an ear infection. Following a course of treatment and recovery, Astrid responded well to care and has recently been released back into the wild, a positive outcome after a challenging start.

Taylor

Taylor, a 6-year-old male from Lynchs Creek, was admitted in very poor condition with severe conjunctivitis that was affecting his vision, as well as an infected neck wound. Following treatment and supportive care, Taylor made a strong recovery. He has recently been released back into the wild, a great outcome after overcoming significant challenges. We love a good before and after photo – just look at the improvement for Taylor – he must be feeling so much better!

Blitzen

Blitzen, a 5-year-old male from Tregeagle, was admitted with early signs of conjunctivitis and cystitis. After assessment and care, Blitzen was found to be chlamydia-negative and has recently been released back into the wild, another positive outcome and a welcome result for the team.

Koalas in Home Care

Cob

Cob, an 8-month-old joey, came into care alongside his mum, Maze. Sadly, Maze was suffering from severe neurological disease and could not be saved. Little Cob, however, appeared healthy and was able to move into home care, where he has been nurtured with great dedication. After some early weight fluctuations as he settled in, Cob is now thriving and his weight is steadily increasing, he continues to grow, and he now weighs a healthy 1.3 kg. Currently in care with Renata, Cob is doing beautifully and showing all the signs of a bright future ahead.

Koalas in the Care Centre – the Kindy Kids

Wriggles

Wriggles, a 10-month-old female joey, came into care after becoming entangled in a barbed wire fence and suffering a significant abdominal wound. Thankfully, her injuries have healed beautifully. Wriggles has since progressed into kindy, where she has been paired with her buddy, Lemon. She has now been fully weaned off milk, is happily eating leaf, and continues to grow stronger and gain weight each day. A cheeky looking Wriggles – ha ha, it’s hard not to fall in love with these cuties!

Lemon

Lemon, a 1-year-old male, was rescued with his mum, Lulu, following a dog attack. While Lulu’s injuries were sadly unsurvivable, little Lemon fought through a critical start, receiving intensive veterinary treatment and ongoing care. With time, dedication and plenty of support, Lemon has made remarkable progress. Now in kindy alongside Wriggles, he has also been weaned off milk, is steadily gaining weight, and is an active, curious joey who spends his days climbing, jumping and thriving. It’s impossible to take a bad photo of Lemon – he is just devine!

Together, Wriggles and Lemon are a beautiful example of resilience and the power of compassionate care.

Yashica

Yashica, a 1-year-old female, came into care after being found alone in a tree, with her mother heartbreakingly deceased nearby. After assessment, Yashica was treated for chlamydial conjunctivitis and spent time in home care while recovering. She has now completed treatment and is chlamydia-negative. Yashica has moved into kindy, where she is continuing to grow in confidence and strength, and we look forward to the day she can be buddied up with Kyoko once he is given the all clear.

Koalas in our Care Centre – adults

Olive

Olive, an 8-year-old female from Gum Flat (Inverell), was admitted after a car strike resulting in severe facial and chest injuries. She was also found to be carrying a tiny pinkie joey. Following stabilisation, intensive treatment and surgery to remove her injured eye, Olive recovered well and showed amazing resilience. She has since returned to Inverell, where she and her joey are being cared for in a pre-release enclosure by WIRES carer Tanya. Olive continues to make steady progress, and we are hopeful she will be ready for release in the coming weeks. Poor Olive but she absolutely needed the surgery and removal of her injured eye – you can see the discoloration in her eye in the before photo.

Rosie

Rosie, an 8-year-old female, has been readmitted to care for ongoing treatment of a persistent neck wound. After multiple treatment approaches were unsuccessful, surgery was performed to remove the non-healing tissue, and further testing revealed a diagnosis of cryptococcosis, a fungal infection. Rosie has now begun specialised treatment; however, this condition requires long-term care, and her prognosis remains guarded. She will likely be in care for several months, where she will continue to receive close monitoring and dedicated support from the team.

Lychee

Lychee, an 8-year-old female from Cawongla, was admitted with conjunctivitis and a uterine infection, along with mild kidney impairment. She also presented with a lactating teat, indicating she had recently had a joey that has since dispersed. Lychee has been receiving treatment for chlamydial disease and is now nearing the completion of her course of care. She continues to respond well to treatment and remains under close observation as she recovers.

Ferguson

Ferguson, a 5-year-old male from Montecollum, was admitted with low-grade conjunctivitis and received treatment for chlamydial disease. He has now completed his course of treatment and is currently awaiting re-test results while continuing to be monitored in care.

Picard

Picard, a 4-year-old male, was admitted after a car strike and fortunately sustained only minor injuries. Further assessment identified mild signs of chlamydial disease, and Picard has since returned a positive test result and commenced treatment. He is responding well to care and will remain in treatment while we monitor his progress.

Rudolf

Rudolf, a 7-year-old male, was admitted after a concerned member of the public reported him sitting low in a tree with obvious signs of conjunctivitis. Following assessment, Rudolf was diagnosed with severe conjunctivitis and prostatitis and has since commenced treatment. He remains in care and is being closely monitored as he begins his recovery.

Comet

Comet, an 8-year-old female, was admitted after a member of the public noticed signs of illness while she was in a tree on their property. Following rescue and assessment, Comet was diagnosed with cystitis, conjunctivitis and peritonitis. She has since commenced treatment, including antibiotics and eye ointments, and remains in care while we monitor her response and recovery.

Ellie

Ellie, a 3-year-old female, was admitted after being observed in a tree with signs consistent with cystitis. She was safely rescued and has since commenced treatment. Ellie remains in care and is being closely monitored as she progresses through her recovery.

As you can see, so many of the koalas that are admitted to our Koala Hospital have Chlamydia-related illnesses, some requiring long-term treatment and rehabilitation, which is both time and cost intensive. None of this work is possible without the dedication of our volunteers, carers, veterinary team and the generosity of our supporters and partners. As we look ahead to the year ahead, including the expansion of our Koala Hospital, we are deeply grateful to everyone who helps make this lifesaving work possible. If you would like to support the next chapter of care for koalas in our region, we invite you to be part of it – together, we are giving koalas a fighting chance.