A four-month old Koala joey found all alone on the Gold Coast has been reunited with its Mum, just in time for Save the Koala Day.
The young animal, now named Nelly, was found on a golf course in Tallebudgera by a member of the public on Tuesday.
Currumbin Wildlife Hospital team members were then notified, heading to the area to play joey calls from their phones to try and coax Nelly’s mum, Nuts, down.
Nuts was eventually caught and brought in to the hospital so the pair could be reunited.
Research Operations Manager at Currumbin Wildlife Hospital, Lewis McKillop, says it was vital for Nelly’s health that the pair be reunited.
“We monitor all the koalas on the golf course, and we know them really well, so we were able to track down Mum pretty easily,
“Reuniting Nelly with Nuts was a really special moment for our team. At four months old, a joey still depends completely on her mum, so we’re grateful to the person who found her and called for help straight away.”
It comes as Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary marks Save the Koala Day today, Friday 25 September.
There’s plenty of activities on offer, giving families a chance to learn about koala conservation.
“Visitors can enjoy a book reading with Sarah Eccleston, koala-themed colouring, nature crafts and chats with the Sanctuary’s Koala Conservation team. Complimentary face painting will be available until 12.30pm,” a statement from the Sanctuary reads.
“Around 400 koalas are admitted to Currumbin Wildlife Hospital each year. Caring for them requires a consistent supply of fresh eucalyptus leaves, sourced and selected daily by gum cutters and veterinary nurses,
“This Save the Koala Day, the community can help keep koalas fed through the Tree to Me program. A $15 donation plants one eucalyptus tree in the Sanctuary’s fodder plantations, helping replenish the trees harvested to feed koalas in care.”
All Save the Koala Day activities are included with a Day Pass. Entry is free for Sanctuary members.
