Gum Tips - REMEMBERING A year on - koala hospital
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Gum Tips December 2020
A year on Latest news! Learn more
REMEMBERING PROTECTING KOALAS IN
THE FIRES THE FUTURE OF HOMECARE
WILD KOALAS
GUM TIPS | DECEMBER 2020 | P1
KOALAS IN HOMECARE:
BEHIND THE SCENES
‘They come to a point where you can
tell they are getting ready for life in
the wild.’ Barb Barrett
Koalas are beautiful animals and young joeys are
especially appealing.
While many of us think we would like to look after a
koala at home, it takes experience, knowledge and
strong commitment to carry out this time-consuming
work.
The Port Macquarie Koala Hospital’s focus is always
on releasing koalas back to the wild, and homecare
is provided only for as long as absolutely necessary.
Once a koala is strong and healthy enough, it is re-
located to the rehabilitation area of the Koala Hospital,
where it can prepare for independent life in the wild.
The Koala Hospital’s homecare team are a small
group of specialist volunteers with seemingly-endless
devotion to the koalas in their care. They have
considerable experience in handling koalas of all ages,
Barb with Long Flat Joy. Following many months of homecare
and have learnt how to nurture very young, sick or and rehabilitation Joy was successfully released back to the wild
injured koalas. They have even adapted their homes in in April this year.
order to safely house koalas needing individual care.
at the appropriate time, which innoculates the joey’s
Most time-consuming of all are the very young joeys. gut with the correct bacteria, enabling them to eat
Sadly, sometimes they have been orphaned because eucalypt leaf. In homecare, we have to source and
their mother has died after being hit by a car, attacked provide pap to very young hand-reared joeys to
by a dog or the joey has fallen whilst the mother has ensure they are able to progress to digesting leaf.
been chased by an amorous male. Other joeys have Thankfully, joeys usually adore pap! A mother koala’s
been found alone with no known cause. Tiny unfurred milk also contains antibodies, and that is something
and furred joeys, who should still be within their which we cannot replicate; this can mean many, young
mother’s pouch, require 24-hour care and feeding. hand-raised joeys do struggle.
They are brought into the Koala Hospital clinic where
Barb Barrett has looked after koalas needing
weight gain, behaviour and progress are monitored,
individual care in her own home for 18 years, but
much like human babies.
can’t quite believe it’s that long. She smiles, ‘I think
There is also an interesting developmental stage, I’ve been busy because it certainly doesn’t feel like 18
when very young pouched joeys need to be ‘papped’. years!’ Barb has great respect for the wild species. She
Pap is vital, a special poo provided by their mother explains, ‘Even when small joeys have been in your
Front cover image: Currently in homecare, Livvy lost her mother in a car accident in August.
GUM TIPS | DECEMBER 2020 | P2
care for months, they come to a Joeys come into homecare for
point all on their own, where you many different reasons, some of
can tell they are getting ready for them are fighting disease as well
life in the wild. They start climbing as dealing with separation from
more, they start getting wilder their natural mother. Sadly, not
and less manageable in their all homecare koalas survive, but
behaviour.’ Barb also says they are Judy remains committed to her
all different personalities in their role. ‘It is all so worthwhile, when
own right. ‘ Some are quite aloof you successfully release a healthy
and some are looking for closer juvenile, and watch it climb high
interaction. They are often super- into the trees, knowing how young
aware and alert. We don’t always and vulnerable they were when
think of koalas like that’. Barb is they came into your care. We know
rightly proud that many homecare these little ones would not survive
joeys grow to independence and without human intervention.’
A homecare joey is snug and safe in a
release. ‘At heart, koalas are wild Sue Ashton, president of the hand-made pouch.
animals and will always revert to Koala Hospital, is also part of the
the wild provided you handle them homecare team. She undertook confident his forest home has
in the right way’ the care of a number of mature regrown sufficiently to support
male koalas following the last him. Sue has also looked after
‘We know these little fire season, when their homes young koalas at home, including
ones would not survive and food sources had been Crowdy Bay Goolah, who was
destroyed. An extensive enclosure rescued during the fires with burns
without human was created by fencing large, to his hind feet and rump.
intervention.’ Judy Brady established trees within Sue’s
Over the years our homecare
property so that the animals could
be securely contained, and Sue fed team have saved the lives of many
Judy Brady has been a homecarer and cared for them over several koalas. And as we continue to learn
for 16 years, and explains, ‘I grew months. Thankfully, all but one about koalas, the homecarers'
up on a farm and have always have now been released back to experience with individual animals
loved animals, but how special their regenerating home ranges. also helps by adding more
is it to be able to look after one Pappinbarra Adrian remains in information to the Koala Hospital's
of our amazing native animals?’. Sue’s care for now, until we are bank of knowledge of the species.
CONTENTS
Koalas in homecare.........................................................2 Protecting the future of wild koalas...........................10
Report by Clinical Director, Cheyne Flanagan............4 Thank you........................................................................12
Report by President, Sue Ashton..................................5 Koala Hospital joins bushfire research......................14
Remembering the fires...................................................6 Koala Kids........................................................................15
We can all help koalas.....................................................8
GUM TIPS is the official newsletter of Koala Conservation Australia Inc. Disclaimer Koala Conservation Australia Inc. and the Management
and is published quarterly. Committee do not accept any liability for the results of any actions
Editor: Becky Harrington taken or not taken, on the basis of information given or discussed
Contributors: Cheyne Flanagan, Sue Ashton, Peggy Eather, Matt with groups or other organised events, meetings and/or for
Whatman, Becky Harrington information provided by speakers or for any information published
Photography (unless individually credited): Gaby Rivett, Nathan for or on behalf of the organisation, its organs and officers.
Edwards, Scott Castle, Sue Ashton, Becky Harrington
GUM TIPS | DECEMBER 2020 | P3
REPORT BY
CLINICAL DIRECTOR,
CHEYNE FLANAGAN
In comparison to this time last the trees or on the ground. This is There are lots of really important,
year when the bushfires were commonly when they are spotted exciting and interesting research
overwhelming us, the last three with many koalas having such projects ‘in the wings’ at the
months has been busy, but advanced disease by then, they moment which will get underway in
nowhere near as frantic! are beyond treatment. Research 2021, so we will have a lot to report
and trials of drugs continue but on this at some point.
Throughout the year, the number
in many cases the ‘best medicine’ We would like to take this
one reason for admission to the
is large tracts of healthy forested opportunity to thank all the
Port Macquarie Koala Hospital is
habitat because koala populations wonderful volunteers here at the
the disease chlamydia, a sexually
who live in these environments Hospital who worked very hard
transmitted bacteria that can have very low levels of disease, during the peak of the pandemic
affect the urogenital tract and the compared to koalas occupying keeping everything running
eyes of the koala. Even though disturbed habitats (such as housing smoothly, while employing good
a lot of research has been done estates, agricultural areas) who COVID health practices. All the
on this debilitating disease, we have much higher levels of disease. koalas were fed, cleaned, rescued,
still have a long way to go to The take home message? Protect released and cared for, the office
come up with really successful and conserve koala habitat, restore hummed busily, the visitors were
treatments and outcomes. The degraded habitat and create new and still are carefully managed and
koala’s normal strategy is to live ones. One of the many goals of the place is spotless. It would seem
and feed high in the canopies of Koala Conservation Australia is that living with COVID is the ‘new
the trees, coming to ground only to purchase and/or protect large normal’.
to move to other trees. Koalas tracts of quality habitat, in order to We wish all our readers a healthy,
that become very unwell through manage it and ensure the survival safe Christmas and 2021 will be a
this disease usually end up low in of koalas in New South Wales. wonderful year.
Left to right: President Sue Ashton, NSW Premier Gladys Land transfer announcement, observing social distancing
Berejiklian, State Member for Port Macquarie Lesley Williams,
Clinical Director Cheyne Flanagan, at the Koala Hospital on
27 October.
GUM TIPS | DECEMBER 2020 | P4
REPORT BY PRESIDENT,
SUE ASHTON
It’s not often the NSW Premier, The revocation of the land will
Gladys Berejiklian, visits the enable the KCA to proceed with
Port Macquarie Koala Hospital plans to expand and upgrade
however, on the 27th October the hospital. In October 2019,
2020, she dropped by to KCA was notified that it had
announce that on behalf of been awarded a grant from the
the people of New South NSW Government to redevelop
Wales, the government would the site of the Port Macquarie
transfer the land on which the Koala Hospital into a world-class
Koala Hospital stands to Koala tourist attraction.
Conservation Australia Inc
The KCA is honoured to be
(KCA).
gifted the land. As the new
Once passed, a bill, read in caretaker we understand that,
the NSW Legislative Council if at any stage in the future the
on 22nd October 2020, will nature of the KCA’s business
revoke about 0.6 hectares changes from providing care
(6,000 square metres) from the for injured and sick koalas and Koala Hospital President Sue Ashton, is happy
Roto House Historic Site in Port educating the public about to hear the good news direct from Premier of
Macquarie. This land is currently NSW, Gladys Berejiklian.
koalas, the land would transfer
managed by National Parks and
back to the government.
Wildlife Service and has been
leased by the Port Macquarie As I said to all our volunteers on
Koala Hospital since 1973. hearing about this gift ... woo
hoo!
Our founder, Jean Starr, whose
life was dedicated to the care In further news, the
of koalas, would be so happy development of the wild
to learn about the gifting of koala breeding facility and the
the land. Never, in her wildest redevelopment of the Port
dreams, could she have Macquarie Koala Hospital are
imagined that one day, the both progressing with the
hospital she built, would stand appointment of an architect to
on its own land in the centre of design both properties made
Port Macquarie. early this month.
Koala Hospital permanent resident, Lismore
Myrtle meets Premier of NSW, Gladys Berejiklian
and State member for Port Macquarie, Lesley
Williams.
GUM TIPS | DECEMBER 2020 | P5
REMEMBERING THE FIRES
A year ago, the worst bushfire forests had started to regenerate. described how previous project
season in living memory brought A few koalas from the fires still work on remote sites, as well
death and destruction on a horrific remain in our care. We mourn as koala rescue experience in
scale to Australian wildlife and the the many koalas, like millions of Port Macquarie, meant search
environment across New South other wild animals and birds in and rescue was the most useful
Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Australia, who did not survive last way he could contribute. Jeremy
Queensland. fire season. remembers, ‘It was tragic though,
This sad and sobering time will at times heart-rending – long days
‘There was nothing never be forgotten by anyone of gruelling, physically draining and
mentally exhausting work’.
left, I had never seen at the Koala Hospital. But for a
particular group, our bushfire
landscape like it’, search and rescue volunteers, their
However well-prepared you
are, working in a fireground is
volunteer Peter Berecry. memories remain particularly stark confronting. The sight and smell of
and poignant. the devastated forest and bush is
The Koala Hospital has carried sickening. Volunteer, Peter Berecry,
Here at the Port Macquarie
out search and rescue following explains, ‘In some areas, the fires
Koala Hospital, we operated over
bushfires for more than 30 years, had left literally nothing – no trees,
capacity for three months, with
and we continue to review and no plants, no animals or birds,
all volunteers and staff working
improve our protocols. These even insects. I had never seen a
desperately hard to rescue and
days, all our bushfire search and landscape like it’.
treat injured koalas.
rescue volunteers have up-to-date Our volunteers contend with heat,
Today, we are grateful that since certificates in Bushfire Awareness hazardous, broken terrain and
then, we have been able to release Training, a course operated by ‘hot spots’, where fire may still be
many healthy koalas back to the the New South Wales Rural Fire
burning underground. There is a
wild, where coastal rains meant Service. Volunteer, Jeremy Bear,
real likelihood that branches will
fall from burnt and damaged trees.
Rescuers wear thick, protective
suits, heavy boots and hard hats;
they carry packs and drinking
water, as they methodically search
firegrounds, constantly scanning
the trees and remaining alert to
their surroundings. Rescues can be
hard, as the team work together
to capture stressed and potentially
badly-injured wild animals. A
Koala Hospital volunteer for many
years, Sheila Bailey, had worked
on firegrounds before, but her
experiences last fire season will
always remain with her. ‘It was
The team fans out over a fireground, checking for signs of wildlife.
GUM TIPS | DECEMBER 2020 | P6
great to find koalas alive out there,
but I knew from experience that
their injuries were often extreme
and life-threatening. Your heart
really goes out to innocent wildlife
caught in the horror.’
‘Injuries were often
extreme and life-
threatening’, volunteer
Sheila Bailey.
The Port Macquarie Koala Hospital
collaborates with multiple agencies
An elevated work platform helps in the rescue of a koala in burnt out forest.
in order to enter firegrounds safely;
these agencies include the National of expertise. It was so important We all hope that such a nightmare
Parks and Wildlife Service, Forestry that we listened to each others’ fire season will not recur, and in
Corporation of NSW, the NSW Rural knowledge and experience before the event of future fires, we hope
Fire Service and local councils. Sue agreeing strategies and next steps’. that as a nation, we are better
Stubbs volunteered her time and prepared. We say ‘thank you’ to St
energy over many days and speaks Extra support came to our aid too.
George Bank, who donated funds
about how well the different Peter Berecry is a Port Macquarie
earlier this year, for more personal
agencies worked together. ‘Every arborist who volunteers regularly
protective clothing and equipment
agency contributed their own area with us. His elevated working
for the Koala Hospital’s bushfire
platform was vital on many days
search and rescue teams.
and Peter’s training and experience
enabled him to rescue koalas The Port Macquarie Koala Hospital
stranded high in burnt-out trees. will always work to save injured
In addition, Ryan Tate and his koalas, but the bottom line is, we
enthusiastic scat detection dog, just cannot afford to lose them
Taylor, also helped by identifying to fire, or indeed any other major
active koala areas, and narrowing threats or dangers.
down where the teams needed to The truth is that now, more than
focus their efforts. ever, every koala counts.
We recognise and say ‘thank you’ to all our dedicated volunteers,
for all the many ways they work with us to save koalas.
We also thank all our generous donors; your support provides vital
funding and also keeps us focussed and strong in our mission.
A koala is rescued and taken to safety at the
Koala Hospital.
GUM TIPS | DECEMBER 2020 | P7
WE CAN ALL HELP KOALAS
Do you care about koalas, but feel Most koalas die if they are hit by don’t survive. On walks, keep your
powerless to help? a car. We can stop this! dog on a lead unless in fenced,
off-leash dog parks, and find out
Many of us are aware that koalas
about koala aversion training in
are under threat, but don’t know
your area.
what to do.
In fact, there are many different Preserve koala habitat
types of action we can take Retain existing koala habitat and,
as individuals, to help protect where possible, plant more koala
the species. Did you know car food trees.
accidents and dog attacks are Koalas need eucalyptus trees for
common causes of death for wild In rural areas, and anywhere with food, moisture and shelter, and
koalas? Anyone who drives a car or known koala habitat, drive to the many properties and backyards
owns a dog can help prevent these conditions and when necessary, in areas where koalas live already
threats. below the speed limit. Koalas and contain examples of these species.
other wild animals have great Koalas eat different trees in
16 koalas killed on camouflage to protect them in the different areas, so check first with
wild, but this can make them hard your Landcare office or forestry
local roads in just
to see, especially at times of low service for advice about local koala
3 months visibility such as dawn and dusk. favourites. State and territory
Stay alert and use your peripheral governments and local councils
vision to watch for activity at the may also provide this information.
Some actions are appropriate for side of the road and in verges.
Australians who live and work Be wildlife aware
in areas of koala habitat, or for Most koalas die if they are Learn about wildlife organisations
people who visit these areas for attacked by a dog. We can stop in your area, or for an area you are
holidays. Others are relevant for this! visiting, and find out if they rescue
people who live in other parts If you live in an area of koala koalas. Keep their contact details in
of Australia or even in other habitat, keep your dog inside your phone, in case you see a sick
or prevent their contact with or injured koala, or another animal
countries.
wildlife. Owing to fragmentation of in need of help.
We can all do something right habitat, koalas often need to cross
now to help koalas, and the good backyards just to reach food and Get active to protect wildlife and
news is that the actions described shelter. Any dog can quickly cause the environment
here can help protect other native severe injury to a koala. Even if the Contact decision makers, ie local,
animals and birds too. dog is ‘playing’, most koalas sadly state and federal politicians
GUM TIPS | DECEMBER 2020 | P8
for your area and explain what Set up a simple wildlife drinking
you want them to do to protect station in your garden or property.
our Australian animals and the This is important during summer,
environment. Even if you don’t especially during drought or
live in koala habitat or in Australia, bushfires.
you can still ensure that decision • Refresh the water regularly.
makers know what you want them
• Secure the water container off
to do on your behalf, about wildlife
the ground in a tree, to reduce
and the environment.
the risk of dog attack.
Provide water for wildlife • Place a stick, or large stone in
the water to allow insects and
small animals to escape the
water if they fall in.
Help wildlife organisations
Like Port Macquarie Koala Hospital,
most wildlife organisations are
not-for-profits, and rely on public Livvy, our cover koala, is in homecare
donations. Consider donating because tragically her mother died
following a car accident in August.
regularly to help them continue
their work. Your local organisation
may even need more volunteers!
The data says it all…
HOSPITAL ACTIVITY (AUGUST - OCTOBER 2020)
REASON FOR ADMITTANCE What do these figures tell us?
Motor vehicle accident 20 • More than double the number of koalas were
Unsafe location on/near a road 20 admitted to the Hospital this quarter than in
the last quarter. Koalas move around more
Dog attack 3 during breeding season (approximately August –
Unsafe location in yards/near dogs 12 March).
Chlamydia 11 • More than half of the admissions this quarter
were due to motor vehicle accidents, or because
Other injuries or disease 13
koalas were in dangerous locations near roads.
OUTCOMES • Of the 20 motor vehicle accidents this
Released following health checks, treatment 36 quarter, 16 were fatal.
Dead on arrival, euthanased or died 32
GUM TIPS | DECEMBER 2020 | P9
PROTECTING THE FUTURE
OF WILD KOALAS
IN EARLY DECEMBER, THE PORT MACQUARIE KOALA HOSPITAL LAUNCHED
THE WORLD’S FIRST WILD KOALA BREEDING PROGRAM TO PROTECT THE
FUTURE OF THE ICONIC AUSTRALIAN SPECIES.
The Port Macquarie Koala Hospital
will partner with several leading
research institutions to breed
koalas for release to the wild.
‘Each of our partners
brings world’s best
expertise in their field
to the program’,
Cheyne Flanagan.
In an ambitious plan, the Koala
Collaboration on-site for masterplan development.
Hospital’s goal is to have up to sixty
breeding koalas on site. Initially NSW Department of Planning, The Koala Hospital will partner
the koalas will be sourced from Industry and Environment and the with established leaders in their
the New South Wales (NSW) Mid Department of Primary Industries. field, Taronga Conservation
North Coast only with the view Society Australia, the Australian
The Director of the Koala Breeding
of releasing selected offspring Museum and University of Sydney.
and Research Program, Cheyne
into specific areas within the Port Ms Flanagan said, ‘Each of these
Flanagan, said, ‘The program will
Macquarie Hastings and Kempsey institutions brings world’s best
operate using rigorous science
Macleay local government areas. expertise in their field to the
to ensure its success and the
Selected koalas from other program. All three partners are
eventual release of koalas. We
locations in NSW will also be bred proud to partner with the Port
are working closely with both
in separate areas for eventual Macquarie Koala Hospital to
the government agencies and
release back to their place of origin. establish a breeding program to
institutions to ensure best practice
protect the future of the iconic
The scientific research program guidelines are met. The first three
Australian koala’.
will follow best practice guidelines years of this breeding program
in building a breeding facility, will be undertaken as a pilot study. Nick Boyle, Director of
populating it from a ‘stud book’ The data from this will be made Conservation, Taronga
and breeding healthy disease- available for other groups to use Conservation Society Australia,
free koalas for release under in setting up their own breeding said, “At Taronga, we believe that
guidelines stipulated by both the programs’. we not only have a responsibility
GUM TIPS | DECEMBER 2020 | P10Artist's impression of the facility.
but an obligation to protect wildlife University of Sydney, said, ‘The will boost tourism in the region,
and habitats that are increasingly University will provide expertise while showcasing modern forest
under threat. We are committed to in relation to genetics and management and traditional
the conservation of native species, understanding how to improve cultural land management
with active involvement in breed breeding and translocation practices to the wider community’.
and release programs, protecting decisions for wildlife. The University
Sue Ashton, President of the Port
and sustaining wildlife in their is a global leader in marsupial
Macquarie Koala Hospital, said, ‘It
natural habitats.” immunogenetics’.
is a great honour to be able to fund
The breeding facility will be funded and lead the wild koala breeding
‘We are committed to by the donations made from the program. The donations made
the conservation of public during the devastating from around the world during
bushfires of 2019/20 and built the bushfires in 2019/20 are now
native species, with
on land owned by Forestry being used to build the facility that
active involvement Corporation NSW (FCNSW). FCNSW will accommodate the koalas in
in breed and release has put aside land for the facility the breeding program. Our aim
at Cowarra State Forest as part of is to arrest the decline of koala
programs’, Nick Boyle. its program for wildlife recovery populations and this program will
and education. Kathy Lyons, go some way to helping depleted
Forestry Corporation of NSW, said, koala populations in NSW by
The Australian Museum’s
‘The development of this facility establishing new populations’
spokesperson, Matthew Lott, said,
‘The Australian Centre for Wildlife
Genomics’ primary focus for the
program will be on ecological
applications such as species
identification, individualisation,
conservation and small population
management and will provide a
range of DNA based services for
the wild koala breeding program’.
Also partnering in the breeding
program, Dr Carolyn Hogg,
Cowarra State Forest, following a cultural burn performed by Bunyah Local Aboriginal
Land Council and Forestry Corporation NSW.
GUM TIPS | DECEMBER 2020 | P11THANK YOU
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE
in Australia and around the world for your kindness
and generosity. These stories illustrate a handful of the
many different ways people are helping us.
Individual people of all ages, work at the Port Macquarie people have placed in us, and
groups and organisations Koala Hospital, but to also we are committed to doing
continue to honour us with develop the Wild Koala Breeding everything we can to protect
Program, so crucial following koalas – through continued rescue
generous action and donations.
last season’s destructive fires and rehabilitation work, the new
This ongoing support is and now thankfully fast-tracked breeding program, and increasing
empowering. It enables us to owing to the world’s generosity. habitat conservation, education
not only carry on our life-saving We recognise the trust so many and research.
12 year old Holly hand-made 150
koala bracelets and scrunchies and
sold them all. In the process Holly
amazed herself and her parents by
the funds she raised.
A Girl Scout group in Georgia,
USA, found out about our Adopt A
Wild Koala Program. Over several
weeks, they baked and sold
cookies to raise the funds so that
each member of the Scout group
could adopt a different koala.
Young Bryce is only 4 years old,
but he desperately wanted to help
koalas. He and his Mum made and
sold koala felt ornaments to raise
funds for us.
Some of Holly's koala bracelets and scrunchies on display.
GUM TIPS | DECEMBER 2020 | P12Caring 8 year old Abby decided Tacking Point Lions Club
to donate all her birthday money continue to provide their time
to help koalas. Koala homecarer, and hard work, running ‘working
Barb, is her hero and they are bees’ on site at the Koala Hospital.
pictured together here at the This photograph was taken just 2
Koala Hospital. weeks ago, when Lions volunteers
spent several hours clearing leaf
The Greek Orthodox Church in
litter and fallen branches and bark
Australia donated funds for the
from the Hospital grounds.
purchase of a much-needed new
Koala Hospital ambulance.
Abby and Barb.
Lions volunteers are briefed on the morning's activities at the start of their working bee.
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GUM TIPS | DECEMBER 2020 | P13KOALA HOSPITAL JOINS
NEW BUSHFIRE IMPACTS
RESEARCH PROJECT
The 2019/2020 fire season took a Dr Speight said, ‘Many of these
massive toll. It has been estimated bushfires occurred in koala
that at least 30 per cent of koala habitat, and because koalas are
populations in New South Wales eucalypt specialists and rely upon
died in the fires, and tragically eucalypt trees for food, water
up to 80 per cent of Kangaroo and shelter, they are particularly
Island’s koalas were killed in South
vulnerable. These fires had a
Australia. Many more were injured
devastating impact on already
in the fires which swept across
vulnerable communities of koalas
large areas of habitat in eastern
in Queensland, New South Wales,
and southern Australia.
Victoria and South Australia. They
‘This new information were burnt or left dehydrated
and hungry in the days following
will be essential for
the fires, and their rescue and
caring for koalas care largely relied on the tireless This koala spent several months in care
impacted by future dedication of experienced koala with the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital
because her home had been destroyed by
bushfires’, rescue volunteers, and willingness bushfires in late 2019. She was released
of wildlife parks, wildlife hospitals, in regenerating bush in April 2020. Image
Dr Nathasha Speight courtesy of Port Macquarie Hastings
zoos and private veterinary clinics Council.
to receive hundreds of patients for
treatment and care.’ Dr Speight continued, ‘The findings
The Bushfire Impacts Research
will help identify risk factors and
Project is headed by Dr Natasha The Bushfire Impacts Research treatment outcomes for koalas
Speight, koala health specialist at Project will work with some key related to burns, smoke inhalation,
the University of Adelaide’s School
organisations who took part dehydration, and disease. This
of Animal and Veterinary Sciences.
in koala rescue and treatment, new information will be essential
Supported by funding from the
including Zoos SA, Kangaroo for caring for koalas impacted
Morris Animal Foundation’s new
Island Wildlife Park, Adelaide Koala by future bushfires. Next time
Australian Wildlife Fund, this
Rescue and Port Macquarie Koala we want to help make sure these
project will review how koalas
Hospital. Dr Speight acknowledged wonderful people have the best
were affected by recent fires, using
the contribution of the agencies healthcare guidance at their
clinical data from koalas caught
saying, ‘They did an amazing job fingertips.’
in the fires on Kangaroo Island,
Cudlee Creek near Adelaide, and and their hard work and dedication Our thanks to Port News for
near Port Macquarie. makes this study possible.’ providing information for this article.
GUM TIPS | DECEMBER 2020 | P14Enlarge the drawing
of this koala in the
grid below. Then
colour your picture.
DRAWING ACTIVITY AND TRUE STORY
Enlarge the drawing of this koala in the grid below. Then colour your picture.
Enlarge the drawing
of this koala in the
grid below. Then
colour your picture.
Frightening day (a true story)
This is Kadina Mia and her joey, a mother
koala and her baby who live in Port
Macquarie. One day in November, they
fell from a tree and were in danger near
dogs and also a busy road. They were
very frightened.
Some people saw the koalas in danger,
and telephoned the Koala Hospital. We
rescued them. Kadina Mia and her joey
were checked in our clinic, and we were
very happy when we saw they were not
hurt. We looked after them until they
were ready to go back to the wild.
Please stay safe, Mia and joey!
GUM TIPS | DECEMBER 2020 | P15Koala Emergency Rescue Line -
Phone (02) 6584 1522
If you sight a koala in distress - call our
Rescue Line 24 hours a day / 7 days a week
E: info@koalahospital.org.au
General Enquiries: 02 6584 1522
www.koalahospital.org.au
CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS
Wild Koala Adoptions
Perfect gifts for friends and relatives who love Australian animals and environment.
The cost of your gift will help the Koala Hospital continue its vital life-saving work.
For more information go to koalahospital.org.au/adopt-a-koala
Check out these 2 newcomers to our adoption program!
Maria River Road Jan Ruins Way Baz is a survivor
is a young koala who of last season’s horrendous
was rescued as a joey. fires. He is a calm and
While developmental relaxed character and
issues mean he is not despite serious injury,
suitable for release, Baz allowed clinic staff to
Jan has grown treat his burns without
into a handsome, anaesthetic! Unfortunately,
boisterous teenager Baz’s claws were badly
who is adored damaged in the fires, and
by visitors and have not regrown well
volunteers. enough for him to be
released back to the wild, so he will be cared for
permanently at the Koala Hospital.
Port Macquarie Koala
Hospital 2021 Calendar
Stunning images of our koalas will
brighten every day of the year!
Every koala in the calendar has
been successfully rehabilitated and
released OR is in permanent care at
the Hospital.
Calendars are $12 each and can be
purchased online on our website.
Koala Conservation Australia Inc.
ABN 74 060 854 479 | PO Box 236, Port Macquarie NSW 2444
Licensed to rehabilitate and release sick, injured and
orphaned native fauna under Licence No. 10044You can also read
