The Foundation is proud to sponsor the two Rescue Vans used by Friends of the Koala to transport injured koalas and collect their eucalypt sustenance.

 

Each year Friends of the Koala rescues over 350 sick, injured and orphaned koalas. Their 24/7 Rescue Hotline receives calls from members of the public who either need advice or encounter a sick, injured, or orphaned koala within the Northern Rivers region. Trained rescue volunteers attend the call out, assess the situation thoroughly and if necessary, undertake the rescue. Once carefully contained, koalas are transported to our Koala Hospital for treatment.

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On admittance to the Koala Hospital, koalas are assesssed and treated by our amazing veterinary team. Every effort is made to save and release sick and injured koalas, however, those with a very poor prognosis are euthanased to prevent further suffering.

 

Koalas can be in rehabilitation anywhere from a few hours to several months, depending on the case. While in care, koalas are monitored daily and receive specialised veterinary treatment.

 

Upon release, koalas undergo a final vet check. Depending on the length of their rehabilitation, koalas may need to be transferred to a soft release enclosure where they can regain muscle strength before their eventual return to the wild.

 

In most cases, koalas are released back to their home range. If we are unable to return them to the exact tree from which they were rescued, we release them as close to that tree as possible.

The Foundation provides ongoing funding for the annual operating costs of the two vans.

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