23 September 2011
Although we're understandably over the moon at the opening of our new African exhibit, focus was brought back to the plight of one of our native species this week as an Australian Senate inquiry into the decline of koala numbers across Australia recommended it be listed as a vulnerable species in certain areas!
2011 has already been a devastating year for the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital with over 3,300 wildlife patients admitted. Now in the middle of koala breeding season, wildlife veterinarians are heartbroken at the number of seriously injured koalas that are being admitted to the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital.
In the past 12 months, the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital has treated almost a 1000 koalas from all around Queensland, many from the Sunshine Coast and Morton Bay regions.
Koalas are being admitted to the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital at one of the worse times in the year for koalas, breeding season, otherwise referred to as trauma season. Koalas are currently on the move looking for new habitat and breeding partners which is the most likely time when they come into conflict with domestic pets and vehicles.
With koala populations in South East Queensland on a rapid decline, this is when healthy males and females need to be breeding to add to the dwindling koala gene pool.
"Seeing young, healthy koalas presented to the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital in such a terrible conditions is heartbreaking for everyone here. Koala populations in South East Queensland need all the help they can get, and taking just one healthy koala let alone 763 koalas out of that gene pool will have a massive effect on these already struggling animals" said Dr Amber Gillett, Wildlife Veterinarian for the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital.
There have been some dramatic and heartbreaking cases in the last 12 months:
- Friday 5 November, 2010 - Koala joey Frodo is admitted after being shot with a shot gun. Frodo sustained 15 shotgun pellets throughout her body
- Wednesday 29 December, 2010 - Koala Meryl is admitted again, less than 12 months after being released from suffering shot gun wounds. Meryl was a lucky survivor of a deliberate shot gun attack, her joey at the time, Doug, sadly died from the extent of his injuries
- Monday 10 January, 2011 - Koala Amity Amy and joey Jetson are admitted after being severely injured by a car strike. Amity Amy suffered a fractured leg which required surgery
- Thursday 24 March 2011 - Koala Heath is admitted again, suffering anemia
- Friday 29 April, 2011 - Koala Blair is admitted again, suffering cystitis. Blair has been admitted on three separate occasions, once mauled by a dog, and twice hit by a car
- Wednesday 8 June, 2010 - Koala Julius is admitted after being mauled by two dogs and sadly dies from the extent of his injuries. CPR was performed on Julius for 30 minutes in a desperate to save his life
- Thursday 14 July, 2011 - Koala Asha is admitted suffering horrific injuries after being hit by two cars. Asha needed surgery to insert a plate into his jaw
Head of the Australia Zoo Rescue Unit, Brian Coulter says rescuing these sick and injured koalas stays in the mind of rescuers.
"The last 12 months has seen some pretty dramatic rescues. We had Frodo who had been deliberately shot with a shot gun and had 15 pellets throughout her body. That was a tough case for us, knowing that someone had deliberately shot her and that veterinarians weren't sure she would pull through; that was an anxious wait, she was lucky to survive" Brian said.
"Our most recent rescue was Julius who had been viciously mauled by two dogs and had somehow managed to free his arm and escape up a high tree. Julius' arm had virtually been shredded and he was suffering immense shock. We were heartbroken to find that his injures were so severe that he could not be saved."
Dr Amber Gillett has operated on a number of the koalas that have been admitted in the past 12 months and is concerned for what the following moths will bring.
"Veterinarians and rescuers from the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital and the Australia Zoo Rescue Unit are pleading with members of the public to closely watch your pets, slow down when driving in wildlife areas and report all sick and injured wildlife to our 24-hour wildlife emergency hotline by phoning 1300 369 652" Dr Amber said.
8 Comments
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Kelly Hart 3rd November 2011 01:57:37 AEST
It breaks my heart to think there are people out there that would go out of their way to hurt such a beautiful animal. Thank goodness their are also kind people out there that love these animals enough to stop and try to help them. Thanks to all the caring individuals and the wildlife hospitals for all their hard work and loving dedication to help the koalas.
Andrea from Queensland, Australia 30th September 2011 10:39:51 AEST
I am one of the blessed who live in Australia and enjoy its wildlife, but also one of the many sickened by cruelty and suffering to vulnerable creatures, like the koala. There is so much habitat destruction here, so many natives trees being destroyed to make way for humans existence, it is heartbreaking. There must be a way to find a balance, so creatures, like the koala and other wildlife, can thrive and survive amongst human existence. There are always miserable and cruel people (young and old) who inflict and share their own pain and suffering, on those most vulnerable, like the koala, but there are also many amazing people who are trying to make a difference, like the amazing and heart-filled people at Australia Zoo. Donate if you can, thankyou to Steve Irwin for making a difference to the wellbeing of our vulnerable creatures, in the short time he was alive, an inspiration to us all.
Kim from US 28th September 2011 08:32:52 AEST
So very sad...the devastation and/or loss of any species is a tragedy....so many so called "humans" are just plain ignorant, unthinking and mean. Wouldn't it be nice if that type of "human" became extinct?! Kudos to Australia Zoo's hardworking veterinarians and caretakers....your work makes a real difference.
Doreen from Holland 28th September 2011 06:24:26 AEST
Please keep the dogs away from the koalas, keep them on a leash and do not let the dogs out of your sight. I hope the koalas will survive. They are so harmless and cannot protect themselves from dog attacks.
James 28th September 2011 05:57:09 AEST
Hello! Has the Australia Zoo asked for help from zoos in other countries? If there was a worldwide exchange program genetics and other breeding issues could be managed and possibly bring the Koala population back from the brink. I hope that this is being considered because I love Koalas. Mankind has killed off so many other species so extreme measures may be needed. A worlwide breeding program may be the answer.
Amanda from Oklahoma, USA 27th September 2011 22:51:46 AEST
It just breaks my heart to think of Australia without Koalas. I don't even live in Australia but the three animals you talk about when you talk about Australia is the Koala, Kangaroo and of course the mighty saltwater crocodile. If I lived in Australia I would hopefully have a job at the Australia Zoo so I could be right in the middle of helping these beautiful animals. I sure hope that when my family finally has enough money saved up to visit that we will still be able to see the Koalas.
Brittany 27th September 2011 12:22:05 AEST
I like Koalas alot! :)
Gail from London 26th September 2011 14:46:10 AEST
All Australians MUST do whatever it takes to ensure that these beautiful animals are not lost forever. Forever is a long, long time. Australia without Koalas is just too sad to think about.