21 October 2011
On Thursday 13 October, the Australia Zoo Rescue Unit responded to a call for help from Moreton Bay Koala Rescue Inc. regarding an injured koala in Kippa-Ring, north of Brisbane, that had sustained facial injuries of which the cause was unknown. The male koala named Fleet was assessed by wildlife veterinarian Dr Amber Gillett. Assessment revealed a six year old male koala who sustained injuries consistent with a slug gun. X-rays revealed seven pellets littered throughout his body; one pellet lodged in his skull, lower back and behind his ear as well as one pellet in each limb.
On Thursday 20 October Fleet underwent further assessment by Dr Amber Gillett, who checked him over and cleaned up his wounds following surgery to remove three pellets.
One week after arriving at the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital the infection to Fleet's hind leg has cleared, and Dr Amber is happy with Fleet's progress.
Fleet is likely to move out of the Intensive Care Unit and into an outdoor enclosure at the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital within the next week to continue his recovery.
Due to overwhelming public concern already, the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital has set up an Everyday Hero page for Fleet and others like him in care at the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital. To help Fleet please donate www.everydayhero.com.au/event/koala
Staff at the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital urge the public to call their 24-hr wildlife emergency hotline on 1300 369 652 for any wildlife emergencies.
8 Comments
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Brittany 8th April 2012 13:36:44 AEST
So sad :(
shannon 2nd February 2012 03:19:04 AEST
whoever did this to this beautiful koala needs to be put in jail. Fleet didn't deserve to be shot. Please help him get better.
Gail from London 3rd November 2011 03:40:07 AEST
Hope Fleet is still making good progress. That nose does look extremely painful. Absolutely love the Koala; it's beyond me how anyone could treat an animal this way. Hope the culprits who did this are still being hunted.
naomi 30th October 2011 13:14:07 AEST
poor little guy i hope you get better fleet
Ian barnett 27th October 2011 08:06:36 AEST
How did this happen? They should be shot themselves! I look after swans here in the uk.
Jane Barnett 26th October 2011 11:43:41 AEST
Poor thing i hope he makes it. It looks painful.
crosby girls from mississippi, 6 26th October 2011 00:14:01 AEST
6yr old Makayla: Poor little guy! Don't worry if the other guys look @ u funny. I have leg braces. So I know how you feel. Turn bad things into good things. I got animals painted on my braces and words like Australia Zoo is cool. Robert rocks and I love bindi. So hang in there, you rock. I'm gonna put your name on my right leg brace. So we can help each other be strong. 3 year old Ainsley: you're cute. I'll kiss your boo-boos. Feel better. If mommy says I can ill bring band-aids (I have zoo print ones). From mom Miah. My girls and I love u hope people learn to be kind
Gail from London 24th October 2011 16:11:19 AEST
Horrendous injuries, oh my goodness. Such cruelty must not be tolerated and I hope all is being done to catch the cruel coward/s who did this. With the wonderful care and attention received by the very wonderful Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital, I'm in no doubt that the very beautiful Fleet will very soon be joining Frodo in the very beautiful Australian wild. A big hug and kiss sent to 'Fleet' and sincerely hope he is back to full health very, very soon. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I would consider it a great, great privilege to have Koalas in my 'back yard'. xxxx