On Thursday 10th September while exploring the fire torn Peregian region for injured wildlife Bernard Jean received a call from a local visitor of Noosa Tewantin Golf Course. A koala mum with her head down and carrying a back rider joey was at the bottom of a tree. No dog was present but mumma koala “Meredith” could barely lift her head. Joey Mervyn, sat watching from a nearby tree and when rescuers went to get their equipment for rescue, mum made one last effort to take her joey to safety but could not move with little Mervyn clinging tightly.
They were taken to Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital where they were assessed and treated. Joey, Mervyn was sent to a carerbut sadly Meredith did not survive the night because of her horrific injuries.
Bernard Jean States, “Suffering has ended for her, while the sorrow is still with us...
The Noosa Region Koala Rescue team is sponsored by Queensland Koala Crusaders, facilitated by a grant from Noosa Council - and trained by Wildcare Australia in 2018. The team works collaboratively with various groups and facilities on the Sunshine Coast to do “what’s best” for koalas.
We’d like the community to be aware, that if you live with dogs in koala habitat, the dog should be on a lead whenever out walking - as well as fully under voice recall when off leash on your property.
The dogs are acting from instinct but people can do better!
Kind thanks to the local people who notify us of koala sightings, and to all the people facilitating their rescue and recovery. If you see an injured koala in the Noosa Region please call 1300animalor
Eumundi Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre at 07 5442 8057 to report it so that local rescuers can assess.
Meghan Halverson states, “There is such a great community spirit in our region, which was so evident in the actions of many volunteers in the past week with fire raging through Peregian Springs. We must act now, to preserve what we have and protect the remaining koalas in our midst.
Visit: https://www.koalacrusaders.org.au/koala_facts for more information
