Koala rescue a memorable experience for mum and daughter
Louise Poulsen and her 9-year-old daughter didn’t expect to be part of a koala rescue on one ordinary day in September – but that’s exactly what happened, and they caught it on camera.
It was a great example of acting swiftly, seeking help – and a positive outcome for the koala, who was removed from danger and relocated elsewhere.
‘My dad was at a property on Rochedale Road, and called to tell me there was a koala there; we went straight there because it was so unusual and my daughter and I wanted to see,’ says Louise.
‘The koala must have crossed Rochedale Road, and my dad and one of his friends were trying to keep it safe while not getting injured themselves.
‘They initially saw it just walking across the front yard – definitely not something you see every day!’
Louise called the RSPCA to tell them the koala had made itself comfortable up a single small tree, and RSPCA koala rescue volunteer John Knight was there within 30 minutes.
John, who has been rescuing koalas for 8 years and attends around 200 rescues per year, says it’s a busy time of year from mating season – starting in July.
He says Louise did exactly the right thing by calling the RSPCA 1300 ANIMAL number, staying near the koala, and trying to keep it safe without touching it.
‘The message for people needs to be: call for help, anytime,’ he says.
‘This particular koala was in a tree on a main road and wide awake, in imminent danger – so I told Louise to stay there and, if it came down the tree, try to ensure it ran back up, without touching it. This is because they might be afraid, and otherwise scratch, bite or kick.’
John was able to capture the koala and, once ensuring it wasn’t sick or injured, move it to a koala-friendly habitat nearby. He says that while koalas can find themselves in some sticky situations, his role is a rewarding one.
Moving a koala from an unsafe place to a safe one
The tree on a busy suburban street from which the koala was rescued
Louise says for her and her daughter – already an animal lover who, on her 4th birthday, ask friends to donate to an animal shelter rather than buy gifts – it was an unforgettable experience.
‘It was quite something and great to see a rescue in action, and John talked to my daughter about what he was doing and where he would relocate it,’ she says. If you see a koala who is sick, injured, or needs help call the RSPCA on 1300 ANIMAL (1300 264 625) or Wildcare on 07 5527 2444. They operate 24 hours a day.
For more information, go to logan.qld.gov.au/koala.
