In late January 2013, two boys came into care as a result of the ex-Cyclone Oswald storms.

Wally and Dexter both weighed about 1kg and should have been with their mothers when they were found alone and very wet – Dexter in Goonangerry and Wally in Whian Whian. They both had pneumonia but seemed otherwise to be healthy.

Both boys went into home care and slowly began their road to recovery.

A few months after the boys arrived, a Mum & bub (also approximately 1 kg) arrived at the Care Centre after being hit by a car. They were sent straight up to Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital for treatment. Unfortunately, the injuries to the Mum were too severe and she didn’t survive, but her little girl, Piper, soldiered on and with only bruises to mend, made a full recovery. Once she was in excellent health, she returned to us and joined Wally & Dexter in home care.

As testament to the excellent home care they received, look at the difference in Dexter from when he was first caught to how he looks 5 months later and 3kgs heavier.

Here are some of the pictures from the day of their introduction to soft release (koala kindergarten). In this safe enclosure, they will learn about climbing, jumping, feeding themselves and dealing with weather extremities. It’s a chance to learn some of the things their koala Mum’s would have taught them under normal circumstances. They almost seem to encourage each other when they are placed in pairs or threes so ideally this is how they are released. Once they are adult though, they will be like every other lone koala travelling by themselves.